1-20
The FSCS must not override such safety controls as:
• Electrical overload protection.
• Electrical disconnects as required by NFPA 70.
• Other controls in accordance with UL 864.
• Any fire/smoke damper thermal control as required by UL 33, Standard for Heat Responsive Links for
Fire Protection Service or UL 555S, Standard for Leakage Rated Dampers for Use in Smoke Control
Systems.
In non-dedicated systems, local motor controller hand/off/auto switches can remain in-circuit with the FSCS
panel. But, they can remain in-circuit only if the switches are in a locked room accessible only to authorized
personnel. Also, if such a switch is thrown, a trouble condition must sound in the building main control
center. The indicator lights on the FSCS provide information about the functioning of the system.
The following colors for example are used for FSCS indicators:
• Green - Smoke-control fans and other critical-operation devices are running or the dampers are open.
• Yellow - Dampers are in the closed position.
• Orange or Amber - The equipment has failed.
• Red - A fire has been detected in the area.
The FSCS has a lamp test button that turns ON all the panel lights. Use this button regularly to make sure
none of the lights has burned out. The FSCS gets information on the status of the smoke control system
equipment from proof monitors on the equipment itself. Each fan that has a capacity of over 2,000 cfm
should be equipped with an airflow monitor. A proof sensor is required to monitor airflow and the position of
the blade or vane in a damper is also required to be monitored. Smoke dampers should be fitted with end-
range switches to indicate that they are fully-opened or fully-closed.
All of the failure lights on the FSCS represent the state of the equipment as determined by the proof sensors.
The failure light comes on if the piece of equipment is not in the state its control is set for within its trouble
indication time. This time is a maximum of 60 seconds for a fan (see note) and a maximum 75 seconds for a
damper. If, within that time, the proof sensors do not report that the piece of equipment has responded to the
control system command, the FSCS indicates that the piece of equipment has failed.
Note: Local codes may require shorter maximum times. The 60 second maximum time for the fan must
also account for ramp down time.
During the installation, you should perform “operational tests” that make sure the components and
subsystems of the smoke control system are installed correctly. After the installation is done, you must
perform “acceptance tests,” to prove that the smoke control system is capable of doing what it was designed
to do. The testing procedures are covered in a later chapter of this document.
The following is a list of additional documentation that may aid you in understanding and designing Smoke
Control Systems.
• Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., UL 864, Control Units and Accessories for Fire Alarm Systems.
• The National Fire Protection Association. NFPA 92A, Recommended Practices for Smoke Control
Systems.
• American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE).
Society of Fire Protection Engineers. Design of Smoke Management Systems.
• The National Fire Protection Association. NFPA 90A, Standard for the Installation of Air Conditioning
and Ventilating Systems.
• Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., UL 555S, Standard for Leakage Rated Dampers for Use in Smoke
Control Systems.
• Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., UL 555, Fire Dampers.
Detecting Smoke, Continued
Firefighter Smoke
Control Station
(FSCS)
Testing the System
Related
Documentation
To Next Page
Loading...
Need help?
General
