APS system: what is it?

APS is a short name for automatic fire alarm. This is a special system, the basis of which is contained in complex equipment, with which you can find the central part of the fire. Secondary in this installation are devices for supplying an automatic speech signal, as well as for extinguishing a fire and quickly removing smoke. In addition, there is an automatic response and a signal to the ACS, which is deciphered as an access control system.

APS system - what is it?

APS or AUPS, which means the automatic installation of a fire alarm, has the following components:

1. Alarms triggered by a fire.
2. SOOE. This abbreviation indicates the systems responsible for the organization and management of evacuation. Usually, the SOE is built according to the light-sound principle, that is, the APS (warning system) delivers conditional signals, but in some cases it can notify people about the occurrence of fire by speech. Its appearance depends on the type of object on which it is installed.

Work principles

The APS system is able to perform such functional actions:

1. Detects the source of ignition and detects a fire at the very beginning.
2. Connects and activates the operation of the SAM.

Capabilities

The APS system automatically controls the signal delivery to various objects:

1. The fire extinguishing system, which, when connected, operates on an automatic basis.
2. Installation of ventilation, working on the supply and exhaust principle.
3. A system serving to support air, which is pre-installed on the staircases provided for in the evacuation plan.
4. Smoke removal system.
5. ACS.
6. The system for monitoring the condition and functioning of elevators.

Purpose of APS

Automatic fire alarm is designed for several purposes. Purpose of the MTA system:

1. Identification of primary signs of a fire: the appearance of smoke, open flames or the production of carbon monoxide. This is included in the capabilities of the system due to the presence of fire alarm sensors.
2. Transmission of the conditional alarm signal directly to the guard station or monitoring station. The second case occurs in the absence of a permanent guard post. In this case, the signal reaches the central monitoring station. The signal transmission is facilitated by the presence of a video surveillance system, that is, special cameras. With their help, you can easily see the state of the room in a certain place, if you connect the visualization of the compartment from which the alarm has triggered. This will help to start immediately the actions to eliminate the fire or to omit the false alarm when the fire is insignificant or the alarm has triggered for objective reasons that are under control.
3. The SOEU is responsible for informing people about the fire and organizes evacuation according to a pre-designed plan. This system is necessary for the timely transmission of information to people in the event of an emergency, in particular, a fire. Also with her help, most of the evacuation management is carried out. At the same time, every precaution is taken to ensure that people without panic and violent crush can easily reach their destination without harming themselves and others.
4. Automatic return of elevators to the 1st floor and the opening of doors. The use of elevators is blocked so that the mine is not smoked. Evacuation is carried out exclusively on the stairs. If there are several additional outputs, one is selected which is not fogged.
5. Connecting fans for artificial creation of increased pressure in space. This helps to protect the smoke and prevent its penetration into additional spaces, for example, enclosed lobbies or stairwells needed for evacuation.
6. Automatic connection of fire extinguishing system. This aspect is regulated by the APS system. This moment is not recognized immediately, but all the necessary actions occur after the signal from the signaling.

Types of automatic fire extinguishing system

These systems work on different principles, which provide for their own substances to extinguish the fire, from which their variety varies:

1. Water or water foam. This species in its turn is subdivided into several directions, among which one can distinguish sprinkler and deluge extinguishing, as well as elimination of fire by thin streams of water. This substance does not cause harm to human health, therefore it is used for fire fighting in crowded rooms, such as offices, various shops or shopping centers.
2. Powder is used where water access is prohibited. This substance is cheaper than special water or gas, also used to extinguish fires. Usually the powder is used in substations producing electricity or containing transformers, as well as in boilers or special parking lots for cars.
3. Gas. This method is necessary when extinguishing water or powder brings harm that is commensurable with the damage caused by the fire. This applies to the compartments with valuable documents, items classified as objects of cultural value, books, as well as equipment operating on electric current.

Smoke removal and ventilation systems

Automatic removal of smoke from the room when it is localized in a minimal space is an especially important system that helps to save the life and health of people, since it is smoke that often causes death. People die less often from direct fire. From the APS system, the signal for smoke removal depends. After it has sounded, almost immediately the dampers open, and special fans start working to remove the smoke.

The forced ventilation is switched off when the fire-retardant valves are immediately closed as soon as a conditional signal from the MTA is received. With this system, the oxygen supply is significantly reduced, so that the intensity of the flame decreases, and the fire spreads much more slowly.

Installation of automatic fire alarm

Before the installation, the equipment is subjected to an input inspection. The health of each element of the system is checked. Based on the results of this check, a special act is formed, which indicates the data for each component of the equipment. All elements that are installed indoors, must have a certificate confirming their compliance with fire safety standards.

When the MTA system is installed, commissioning can be performed , and also the correct functioning of the device as a whole should be checked. To do this, a specially trained employee performs programming. This is necessary not only for the proper operation of the equipment, but also for the successful synchronization of the APS with the rest of the systems.

A technical inspection of the equipment and its further commissioning are carried out. Quite often, the installation of the APS system is ordered from a large firm. As a rule, such suppliers cause more confidence. Here you can save a lot on the installation if you simultaneously order maintenance of the APS system.

Automatic fire alarm

In order for the APS system to work according to all rules, and also to exclude its failure at the most inopportune moment, regular maintenance is carried out. Sometimes, the State Fire Inspection Inspectorate performs a hardware review, while always requiring the provision of a contract for maintenance of the APS, and it must be concluded only with an organization that has the appropriate license.

Rules of maintenance

Maintenance of the APS system is necessary at least once a month. The system is checked for breakage, all necessary measurements are taken. If a malfunction is noticed, then the call of the specialist and the subsequent repair is carried out for free. There is also a maintenance magazine, where all information about the repairs done, as well as information about the inspections are written. It also records information about breakdowns in the system, equipment failure or APS failure.

Automatic fire alarm is mandatory installed in all public facilities. For this, the owner or lessee of the premises is responsible. His duties include not only the acquisition and installation of this system, but also its maintenance in good order by regular maintenance and careful handling of equipment.