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Chapter 10 MNS/ECS Application
Application of 4100ES as a UL2572 Mass Notification System, Continued
Priority of Signals A Mass Notification System is often a combination of fire alarm and other signals. As such, it
may receive signals that affect life safety that are other than fire alarm signals. Any signal that
indicates a danger to Life Safety, including fire alarm, is the highest priority. The highest
priority could also include intruder alert, tornado warning, or other signals as determined by the
Risk Analysis.
If multiple signals are received simultaneously, the priority of signals is:
1. Signals associated with life safety
2. Signals associated with property safety
3. Supervisory signals and trouble signals associated with life and/or property safety
4. All other signals
In the 4100ES system, signal priority can be selected by assignment of point type and further
by custom control. Refer to the ES Panel Programmer’s Manual (574-849) for detailed
information about programming input point priority and writing custom control.
Overriding Fire
Alarm Signals
An MNS/ECS system must have the capability to override any other notification signals. When
the 4100ES is used as a combination fire alarm/MNS, the system programming determines
which signal has priority. Just as an Evacuation Message has higher priority than an Alert
Message, system programming gives priority to MNS functions over other alarm functions.
In the event that a fire alarm signal is overridden by the MNS signal, and the MNS signal is
then “silenced”, the building occupants need to be assured that the evacuation system is still
functioning.
During the period the mass notification system has seized control of audible and/or visible
notification appliances of a fire alarm, but before the mass notification relinquishes control, an
audible and visible signal shall be actuated by the notification appliances at least once every
thirty seconds, unless there is an active signal present, to be recognized by the usual building
occupants.
With a 4100ES system, use Custom Control equations. A single flash and a short beep of
audible and visible appliances meets this requirement. Alternately, an appropriate prerecorded
message may be played. For example, a message instructing occupants to “shelter in place”
may be played after a live microphone message. Risk Analysis by the AHJ should guide the
appropriate pre-recorded messages. Switches for activation of special messages should be
marked so as to be identifiable during an emergency by trained personnel.
Custom Control equations for the “chirp/flash” of audible and visible appliances are suggested
below.
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