Fire Tamper Trouble?

[js19707]

While I was doing some testing of my AlarmRelay monitoring setup, I powered down the panel, removed the sounder wires, and powered it back on. I forgot that I had left the 'supervise sounder' settings on. The message that was reported on the console, omnitouch, and logs was "FIRE TAMPER TROUBLE" (and, later, when i had everything reconnected, "FIRE TAMPER TROUBLE CLEARED"). FWIW, AlarmRelay had reported they got a "Bell Trouble" message.

I'm having trouble understanding whether the "FIRE TAMPER" message is the correct one, and why. Can someone clarify?

thanks!
--jay

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

I'm guessing here as I don't have an HAI system (hint hint HAI), but because you removed the sounder the circuit did not "see" the resistance of it, thus creating an open circuit for the supervision current, thus causing a 'trouble' notificaiton.

 

[js19707]

Hi, thanks!

Yes, I figured the TROUBLE message is because supervision was on, and there was no connection. I was actually curious about the "FIRE" part, i.e. why not "BELL" or "SOUNDER"? If I had supervision turned on for my smoke detectors, and they were disconnected, would it give me the same message or a different one?

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

ah, I see what you mean now. Sorry, can't help you on that one! :angry2:

 

[js19707]

Can anyone from HAI explain this message, and why (presumably) it isn't as incorrect as it appears to me?

 

[Brian Yokum]

"Fire tamper" is the expected message. Bell supervision is a requirement of the UL fire listing, and the "fire tamper" message indicates that the fire alarm system may be compromised because the bell is not connected.

Smoke detectors are supervised through an EOL resistor and power supervision relay. If any of the signal or power lines to the detector are compromised "trouble" will be indicated for the zone.

 

[js19707]

Brian, thanks for the quick reply and the explanation!

Much appreciated,
--jay