WO2019224116A2

WO2019224116A2 - Fire alarm system integration

Info

Publication number: WO2019224116A2
Application number: PCT/EP2019/062789
Authority: WO
Inventors: Faruk Meah; Neil Wilson
Original assignee: Tyco Fire & Security Gmbh
Priority date: 2018-05-21
Filing date: 2019-05-17
Publication date: 2019-11-28
Also published as: GB2574009A; GB201808327D0; WO2019224116A3; GB2574009B

Abstract

A control panel of a fire alarm system comprises: a processor unit; a display screen; and a network hub through which the control panel communicates with a plurality of fire detector units, wherein the control panel is arranged to interoperate with a separate security system of a guarded premises in which the security system is of the type having addressable surveillance cameras, and the control panel further comprises the following interoperability elements: (a) an index of the surveillance cameras of the security system which includes the address of the cameras and a concordance of cameras and fire detector units which are located close to each other; and (b) a communication interface arranged to compile and send requests from the control panel to the security system, and to receive data from the security system; wherein the display screen is able to display images from surveillance cameras of the security system that are contained in the data received by the communication interface.

Description

Fire Alarm System Integration

The present invention relates to fire alarm systems, to control panels of fire alarm systems, and to methods of integrating fire alarm systems with a separate system.

Fire alarm systems operate with a number of fire detector units located around a premises that is being guarded by the system. When one of those fire detector units detects evidence of a fire, it will send a fire alarm signal to a control panel (sometimes known as 'control and indicating equipment' CIE), and the control panel will take the appropriate action, which might include sounding an evacuation alarm to evacuate the premises, calling the fire service, or triggering a fire suppression system. However, the cost of these actions is high, and false alarms are frequent.

As a result, many fire alarm systems, and local regulations, now require a visual verification by a person at the control panel before actions of these kinds are taken. The person at the control panel can look at the evidence for a fire, and will often be able to tell that the alarm is a false one, which does not require all of these actions to be taken.

Much work has been done by the manufacturers of fire alarm systems to address this problem by reducing the occurrence of false alarms. However, the present invention takes a different approach.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a control panel of a fire alarm system comprises: a processor unit; a display screen; and a network hub through which the control panel communicates with a plurality of fire detector units,

wherein the control panel is arranged to interoperate with a separate security system of a guarded premises in which the security system is of the type having addressable surveillance cameras, and the control panel further comprises the following interoperability elements: (a) an index of the surveillance cameras of the security system which includes the address of the cameras and a concordance of cameras and fire detector units which are located close to each other; and (b) a communication interface arranged to compile and send requests from the control panel to the security system, and to receive data from the security system; wherein the display screen is able to display images from surveillance cameras of the security system that are contained in the data received by the communication interface.

By accessing surveillance cameras in a separate security system of the guarded premises, the control panel is able to collect more evidence concerning the presence of a fire, which a building manager is able to use to make a more informed decision as to whether there is, actually, a fire. If, from the images of a security camera, the building manager can see evidence of a fire, he can initiate the necessary action, which might be to cause an evacuation by sounding the alarm, calling the fire service, or activating a fire suppression system. In this situation, he is able to take the decision without delay, and without having to travel to the site of the detector where a fire has been detected to confirm that no fire is present.

It is advantageous if the communication interface is arranged to send a request for identification of frames from a camera of the security system, and further preferred that the request for identification of frames from a camera of the security system includes a time range of operation of the camera. In this way, the security system is able to send data to the control panel which identifies the frames of the camera. In one embodiment, the time period is 3 minutes, which permits the security system to identify and send information concerning a limited number of the frames. Advantageously, the processor unit is arranged to receive data from the security system which is the frames of the camera, and identify one of the frames to be requested from the camera.

In the preferred embodiment, the communication interface is arranged to send a request for frames from a camera of the security system. In doing so, it causes the security system to send the image of that frame to the control panel for display on the display screen.

It is also preferred that the control panel includes storage for the storage of images received by the communication interface. This permits forensic analysis at a later point in time.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method of displaying images on the screen of a control panel of a fire alarm system comprises: calling for camera information from a camera index in response to receiving a fire alarm signal from a detector, where the camera information includes the address of a camera located close to the detector, and where the camera is part of a security system which is separate from the fire alarm system;

sending a request to the security system for identification of frames from the camera of the security system;

identifying one of the frames to be requested from the camera in response to receiving data from the security system which is the frames of the camera

sending a request to the security system for the identified frame from the camera of the security system; and

displaying the requested image supplied by the camera of the security system in response to the request.

This method has the great virtue of utilising camera images collected on a separate system in order to increase the evidence on which the building manager can make a decision as to what action to take in response to a fire being signalled by a detector unit.

Preferably, the method further comprises calculating a time range and including that time range in the request to the security system for identification of frames from the camera of the security system from within that time range. This constrains the number of frames that the security system must identify and send to the control panel, and reduces the number of frames from which the control panel must choose.

Preferably, the calculation of the time range comprises calculating a start time which is a set period of time, for example 3 minutes, before the time of the fire alarm signal from the detector.

Advantageously, the method further comprises storing the image supplied by the camera of the security system in response to the request. This allows for the image to be forensically reviewed at a later time.

It is preferred that the step of identifying one of the frames to be requested from the camera comprises selecting the last available one of the frames. In this way, the building manager is able to review the most recent frame available from the camera concerned. Preferably, the method further comprises, in the security system, sending data which is the frames of the camera, in response to receipt from the fire alarm system, of a request for identification of frames from a camera.

It is also preferable that the method further comprises, in the security system, sending the requested image supplied by the camera of the security system in response to the request for the identified frame.

In the foregoing, the aim has been to enhance the operation of a fire alarm system based on images available from a surveillance system within the premises, in spite of the fact that the systems are separate, although both located in the same premises. However, it has been realised that it is also possible to enhance the operation of building management systems using the detector capability of the fire alarm system. Building management systems also include a number of sensors and control systems within a premises. However, those systems can be constrained by the information that they are working from. For example, such systems are unable to adapt the temperature in a room based on the activity occurring within that room, other than by reacting to a change in the temperature within that room. Another example, such systems are unable to predict failures of equipment, such as overloaded motors.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a fire alarm system comprises: a control panel, a plurality of fire detector units, and a plurality of addressable cameras,

the control panel comprising : a processor unit; a display screen; and a network hub through which the control panel communicates with the plurality of fire detector units;

wherein the control panel is arranged to interoperate with a separate building management system, and the control panel further comprises the following interoperability elements:

an index of the cameras of the fire alarm system which includes camera information of the address of the cameras and their physical location; and

a communication interface arranged to compile and send requests from the control panel to the building management system, and to receive data from the building management system. By operating in this way, the building management system is able to operate on the basis of enhanced information concerning what is going on within the premises, and examples are given in this specification of where this gives particular advantage.

In one embodiment, the plurality of addressable cameras includes a thermal imaging camera. Advantageously it further includes a processing unit for processing thermal images produced by the thermal imaging camera. In one arrangement, the image processing unit can be arranged to count the number of bodies within its field of view, and to submit a report of the number to the processor unit of the control panel.

In a second arrangement, the imaging processing units can be arranged to identify objects within its field of vision which increase in temperature above a threshold level, or which increase in temperature at a rate greater than a threshold rate, and to submit a report of the crossing of a threshold to the processing unit of the control panel.

The processor unit of the control panel might then respond to a report from the image processing unit by calling for the camera information from the index of cameras and by causing the report, together with the camera information to be sent via the communication interface to the building management system. In the first arrangement, this might be used to increase ventilation if the number of bodies increases, or if it exceeds a certain number. In the second arrangement, this might be used to direct maintenance personnel to the source of the heat in order to ensure that the source, which might be an overloaded motor, receives appropriate maintenance. This might lead to the avoidance of a future fire, or of the future failure of a component, such as the motor.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a method of notifying building management information to a building management system from a fire alarm system comprises:

processing images from a camera of the fire alarm system;

identifying an event which causes the generation of a report which is passed to a processor unit of the control panel of the fire alarm system;

receiving the report; calling for camera information from a camera index in response to receiving the report, where the camera information includes the address of the camera and the physical location of the camera;

sending a notification to the building management system including the report and the camera information.

Operation of this method permits the building management system to operate with enhanced information, improving the management of the buildings system.

Preferably, the method further comprises:

processing images from a camera of the fire alarm system which is a thermal imaging camera;

setting a condition for an event which is selected from:

the number of people within the field of view of the camera; the temperature of an object within the field of view of the camera being above a threshold temperature; and

the temperature of an object within the field of view of the camera increasing at a rate which is greater than a threshold rate.

With the first condition, this might be used to increase ventilation if the number of bodies increases, or if it exceeds a certain number. In the second and third conditions, this might be used to direct maintenance personnel to the source of the heat in order to ensure that the source, which might be an overloaded motor, receives appropriate maintenance. This might lead to the avoidance of a future fire, or to the avoidance of the future failure of the motor.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a fire alarm system in connection with a security system; and

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a fire alarm system in connection with a building management system.

First Embodiment:

A first embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 1 and includes a fire alarm system 1 and a security system 2. The two systems are independent of each other, but operate within the same premises, such as a building or manufacturing plant.

The fire alarm system includes a control panel 3 (often known as control and indicating equipment CIE) and loops 4 of detectors extending from it. The control panel 3 includes a processor unit 5, a network hub 6 from which one or more of the loops of detectors extend and a user interface including a display screen 7, indicator lights 8 and a keypad 9. A user can operate the fire alarm system using the user interface.

The control panel further includes a wireless access point 10, an image processing unit 11, an index 12 and a communication interface 13.

The loop 4 is addressable, and is connected to a number of networked units 14 which are positioned around the premises that is being protected. Normally, a number of networked loops are included, but for simplicity, a single loop is shown. Being addressable, the loop 4 permits commands and data to be passed in packets between the control panel 3 and the networked units 14. Each networked unit 14 has a unique identifier which permits the control panel 3 to send addressed packets to individual networked units 14. The networked units 14 are connected across a pair of wires in the addressable loop 4. Communication data passing between the control panel 3 and the networked units 14 is encoded in the form of modulated current pulses. The network hub 6 also supplies power to the loop 4 to give it an operational voltage applied across the wires of the loop 4. This supplies power to the networked units 14 to avoid the need for additional hardware by which they source their own power. The network hub 6 also acts as an interface between the loops 4 and the rest of the control panel 3.

The networked units 14 can be any one of a number of different units of a fire detection system, such as fire detector units, call points, sounders, visual alarm devices (beacons), repeater units and cameras. Additional cameras can be included in a networked unit 14 if it is desired to be able to collect images of the region around the unit, once installed. Any installed cameras are normally connected to the control panel 3 wirelessly to the wireless access point 10 so as to preserve the addressable loop 4 for fire related communication. The communication interface 13 is arranged to permit communication with the security system 2, in this case through an Ethernet connection - of course other connections are possible too, such as WiFi. The security system includes its own communication interface 21, a processor unit 22, a frame index 23, a number of cameras 24, each of which is connected to a video recorder 25.

In the control panel 3 there is an index of the surveillance cameras 24 of the security system 2, and a concordance of cameras and fire detectors which are located close to each other.

In the security system 2, the communication interface 21 manages communication of data with the fire alarm system 1. The frame index 23 contains a list of each of the frames of images that are held within the security system generated by each camera and identifying the camera which recorded the image, the time at which that image was taken, and the location of that image. The images are held in the recorders 25, which are addressable. Of course, a single recorder could be provided instead of a separate recorder for each of the cameras shown in Figure 1.

The method of operation of this invention will now be described.

If a fire detector unit of the fire alarm system 1 detects evidence of a fire, it will generate a fire alarm signal which it will send via the loop 4 to the network hub 6 of the control panel 3. The processor unit 5 will take a number of actions, depending on its programming. In this example, it will cause the indicator lights 8 to be illuminated to convey information about the fire. This can include information on which detector unit has detected evidence of the fire, its location, and the like. The processor unit 5 can cause sounders and beacons to operate in order to cause an evacuation of the premises, or part of the premises. In this embodiment, the processor unit 5 calls to the index 12 for information about any cameras located close to the detector unit which has signalled evidence of a fire. The index 12 will send camera information to the processor unit 5 which includes the address of a camera within the security system 2, if such a camera is present at that location.

The processor unit 5 sends a request to the security system 2 via the communication interface 13 for identification of frames from the camera of the security system, the request including the address of the camera and a time period within which images must fall. In this case, the time period begins 3 minutes before the time at which a fire was signalled by the detector unit, and ends with the point in time of the request. The processor unit 5 creates the request in an XML structure containing the relevant camera index, plus start and end time plus system specific information, and writes this information to a text file on the control panel. The control panel transmits this file using a 'curl put' command using the panel source IP address and video recorder destination IP address.

The request is received by the communication interface 21 of the security system 2, and passed to the frame index 23. The security system 2 will respond to the curl command with a reply structured in XML that contains either error information or a list of the latest key frames, and this is transmitted from the communication interface 21 of the security system to the communication interface 13 of the control panel 3.

The processor unit 5 identifies one of the frames to be requested from the camera in response to the frame information received from the security system 2. In this embodiment, the frame that is chosen is the one which is most recent. However, other frames could be selected, depending on exact requirements. A request is then created by the processor unit 5 for the security system to supply the identified frame from the camera of the security system, and this is sent by the communication interface 13 to the communication interface 21 of the security system 2. Again, this is sent as a curl command that references the frame ID and other relevant camera information, such as scaling.

The requested image is then supplied by the recorder 25 through the communication interfaces 21 and 13 to the fire alarm system 1, where it is displayed on the display screen 7. The image may also be sent to storage 15 where it is stored for later forensic analysis, if required.

By working in this way, a building manager who attends the control panel 3 after a fire alarm signal has been received can make assessments as to what further action is required. If there is a fire, he can immediately called the fire service and take other actions which might be required to minimise the impact of the fire. a. Will depend on the exact make but the current method for interfacing to an American Dynamics (RTM) Video Edge NVR (MPEG stored stream) is as follows. b. The IP address of the NVR and the appropriate camera index is configured into the fire panel.

c. On indication of a fire event the panel determines the current time and an appropriate start time prior to the current time - this is set to 3 minutes to provide a good chance to get a key frame.

d. The fire panel creates an xml structure containing the relevant camera index, plus start & end time plus system specific information and writes this information to a text file on the fie panel. The fire panel transmits this file using a "curl put" command to the NVR interface on the wired Ethernet connection using the panel source IP address and NVR destination IP address.

e. The NVR will directly responds to the curl command with and xml structure that contains either error information or a list of latest key frame indexes. The fire panel processes the response to extract the most recent key frame ID value and creates a new curl command that references the frame ID and other relevant camera information e.g. scaling. This curl command is transmitted to the NVR on IP via the Ethernet connection and the response is camera image data.

f. This image is stored on the file system of the GUI of the fire panel, verified as being a whole and valid image and displayed.

g. This process is repeated indefinitely

Second Embodiment:

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 2, and includes a fire alarm system 1 and a building management system 30. The two systems are independent of each other in their installation, but operate within the same premises, such as a building or manufacturing plant.

The control panel further includes a wireless access point 10, an image processor unit 11, an index 12, and a communication interface 13. The loop 4 is addressable, and is connected to a number of networked units 14, 15 which are positioned around the premises that is being protected. Normally, a number of networked loops are included, but for simplicity, a single loop is shown. Being addressable, the loop 4 permits commands and data to be passed in packets between the control panel 3 and the networked units 14, 15. Each networked unit 14, 15 has a unique identifier which permits the control panel 3 to send addressed packets to individual networked units 14, 15. The networked units 14, 15 are connected across a pair of wires in the addressable loop 4. Communication data passing between the control panel 3 and the networked units 14, 15 is encoded in the form of modulated current pulses. The network hub 6 also supplies power to the loop 4 to give it an operational voltage applied across the wires of the loop 4. This supplies power to the networked units 14, 15 to avoid the need for additional hardware by which they source their own power. The network hub 6 also acts as an interface between the loops 4 and the rest of the control panel 3.

The networked units 14 can be any one of a number of different units of a fire detection system, such as fire detector units, call points, sounders, visual alarm devices (beacons), repeater units and cameras. Additional cameras can be included in a networked unit 14 if it is desired to be able to collect images of the region around the unit, once installed. Any installed cameras are normally connected to the control panel 3 wirelessly to the wireless access point 10 so as to preserve the addressable loop 4 for fire related communication.

The networked unit 15 is a thermal imaging camera. The loop can include more than one thermal imaging camera 15, but a single one is shown in Figure 2 for illustrative purposes. The thermal imaging camera is connected to the control panel 3 wirelessly to the wireless access point 10 so that images passed from the thermal imaging camera to the control panel 3 do not add extra load to the addressable loop 4, which is prioritized for fire related communication. However, any commands or data sent by the control panel to the thermal imaging camera can be sent either wirelessly from the wireless access point 10, or through the addressable loop 4. Commands are likely to be much smaller than image data.

It should be understood that, when reference is made to a thermal imaging camera in the specification, this type of camera is one in which each pixel is compared to a point of reference to show the heat received from an object at that point as a particular colour. It is not, simply, an infrared camera showing infrared radiation within the visible spectrum.

The communication interface 13 is arranged to permit communication with the building management system 30, in this case through an Ethernet connection. The building management system 30 includes its own communication interface 31, a processor unit 32, an HVAC system and an elevator system 34.

In the building management system 3, the communication interface 31 manages communication of data with the fire alarm system 1.

We now includes three examples of the use of this aspect of the invention.

Example 1:

The building management system 30 includes an HVAC system 33. The HVAC system maintains the building at a suitable temperature for the activities carried out within it. For example, if the building is an office, it is important for it to be maintained at a temperature which is comfortable for the occupants. In this embodiment, the HVAC system 33 is able to heat and cool the building as appropriate, based on the presence of thermostats dispersed around the building. However, the use of thermostats is not always optimal because the HVAC system is always responding to the temperature within a building being too hot or too cold.

In this example, we want to be able to predict changes in temperature before they have even happened. As a conference room fills with people attending a conference, the temperature of the conference room will increase as a result of the body heat emitted by each person. If the HVAC system 33 knows that 50 people are about to meet in the conference room, it can begin to cool it before they have all arrived, and, in this example, the applicant has found a way to do that without having any suitable sensors counting the number of people entering the room, using the thermal imaging camera which is present in that room and which is part of the separate fire alarm system.

Thermal imaging cameras are very good at identifying the bodies of people and animals because they significantly enhance the appearance of heat sources within the field of view of the thermal imaging camera. The same cannot be said for a visible light camera, where people do not stand out very much from their surroundings. The image processor unit 11 is able to apply algorithmic analysis to count the number of people within its field of view by the number of islands of heat within the image generated by the thermal imaging camera. The present invention is able to convey that count via the communication interface 13 of the control panel 3, the Ethernet connection and the communication interface 31 of the building management system 30 so that the HVAC system 33 is made aware of the number of people in the conference room. An increase in the number of people within the conference room can be responded to by beginning to cool the conference room, and a decrease in the number of people within the conference room can be responded to by reducing the cooling, or by heating the conference room.

The method begins by the thermal imaging camera 15 generating images of its field of view, which is the conference room. The images are analysed by an image processor unit 11, which in this case, is located within the control panel 3, but could be located within the camera itself. The image processor unit 11 is programmed to identify certain events. In this case, the event is the number of people located within the conference room increasing above a threshold number. When that event occurs, the image processor unit 11 sends an event report to the processor unit 5 of the control panel 3 of the fire alarm system, and once this is received, sends a notification to the building management system which includes the report and the camera information.

Once the building management system 30 receives it, the HVAC system is able to adapt its operation accordingly, in this case cooling the conference room as the number of people increases.

Example 2:

The building management system 30 includes an HVAC system 33. The HVAC system maintains the building with a fresh airlow which is comfortable for the occupants. In this example, as a conference room fills with people attending a conference, the conference room will become stuffy. If the HVAC system 33 knows that people are congregating in the conference room, it can increase airflow and, in this example, the applicant has found a way to do that without having any suitable sensors counting the number of people entering the room, using the thermal imaging camera which is present in that room and which is part of the separate fire alarm system. Thermal imaging cameras are very good at identifying the bodies of people and animals because they significantly enhance the appearance of heat sources within the field of view of the thermal imaging camera. The same cannot be said for a visible light camera, where people do not stand out very much from their surroundings. The image processor unit 11 is able to apply algorithmic analysis to count the number of people within its field of view by the number of islands of heat within the image generated by the thermal imaging camera. The present invention is able to convey that count via the communication interface 13 of the control panel 3, the Ethernet connection and the communication interface 31 of the building management system 30 so that the HVAC system 33 is made aware of the number of people in the conference room. An increase in the number of people within the conference room can be responded to by increasing the airflow in the conference room.

Once the building management system 30 receives it, the HVAC system is able to adapt its operation accordingly, in this case increasing airflow to the conference room as the number of people increases.

Example 3:

The building management system 30 includes an elevator system 34. The elevator system 34 operates elevators between floors within the building, and the elevator includes a set of motors located within a machine room. The machine room will, naturally enough, contain a fire detector unit since the electrical systems and motors themselves are a potential source of a fire within the building. In this example, the fire alarm system 1 also includes a thermal imaging camera 15 within the machine room, and during operation of the elevator motors, those motors will become warm, and will be very visible to the thermal imaging camera, since differences in temperature between objects in the field of view of the thermal imaging camera will stand out.

The method begins by the thermal imaging camera 15 generating images of its field of view, which is the machine room. The images are analysed by an image processor unit 11, which in this case, is located within the control panel 3, but could be located within the camera itself. The image processor unit 11 is programmed to apply algorithmic analysis to identify certain events. In this case, the event is the temperature of an object within the machine room increasing above a threshold temperature. When that event occurs, the image processor unit 11 sends an event report to the processor unit 5 of the control panel 3 of the fire alarm system 1, and once this is received, sends a notification to the building management system which includes the report and the camera information.

Once the building management system 30 receives it, the processor unit 32 of the building management system 30 alerts maintenance personnel to check that the elevator motor is operating within its specification. If it is becoming overheated, the maintenance personnel are then able to take the necessary action to prevent future overheating. In this way, fires in the machine room can be prevented by taking action before overheating becomes a problem. a. Export of images and/or control indications will be through an API developed for the fire panel, this software will execute on the fire panel.

b. This will provide a variety of methods to match the interfaces available from the BMS and will include but not be limited to Ethernet, Wi-Fi (RTM) etc

c. Indications will include, but not limited to, detection of thermal data (humans present), pre-detection of ignition - HVAC motor control, verification of door control, personnel counting for air quality control

d. The indications will be provided in a form that includes the address of the device, type of indication, priority - this can be in the form of an xml structure to allow schema processing and verification.

e. The physical media interface will dictate the transmission method, i.e. IP address use etc.

f. Any API function will ensure that primary operation of either system is not compromised. g. The API will allow configuration both through the fire panel and the connected BMS

h. The API will have configuration for method of notification, addresses, frequency of response

i. Security of transmission will be achieved where the systems and media allow this.

j. Failure of the communication will be indicated on the system logs of the fire panel and BMS.

Claims

1. A control panel of a fire alarm system comprising :

a processor unit;

a display screen; and

a network hub through which the control panel communicates with a plurality of fire detector units;

wherein the control panel is arranged to interoperate with a separate security system of a guarded premises in which the security system is of the type having addressable surveillance cameras, and the control panel further comprises interoperability elements:

an index of the surveillance cameras of the security system which includes the address of the cameras and a concordance of cameras and fire detector units which are located close to each other;

a communication interface arranged to compile and send requests from the control panel to the security system, and to receive data from the security system; wherein the display screen is able to display images from surveillance cameras of the security system that are contained in the data received by the communication interface.

2. A control panel according to claim 1, wherein the communication interface is arranged to send a request for identification of frames from a camera of the security system.

3. A control panel according to claim 2, wherein the request for identification of frames from a camera of the security system include a time range of operation of the camera.

4. A control panel according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the processor unit is arranged to receive data from the security system which is the frames of the camera, and to identify one of the frames to be requested from the camera.

5. A control panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication interface is arranged to send a request for frames from a camera of the security system.

6. A control panel according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising storage for the storage of images received by the communication interface.

7. A method of displaying images on the screen of a control panel of a fire alarm system comprising :

calling for camera information from a camera index in response to receiving a fire alarm signal from a detector, where the camera information includes the address of a camera located close to the detector, and where the camera is part of a security system which is separate from the fire alarm system;

8. A method according to claim 7, further comprising calculating a time range, and including that time range in the request to the security system for identification of frames from the camera of the security system from within that time range.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the calculation of the time range comprises calculating a start time which is a set period of time before the time of the fire alarm signal from the detector.

10. A method according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising storing the image supplied by the camera of the security system in response to the request.

11. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the step of identifying one of the frames to be requested from the camera comprises selecting the last available one of the frames.

12. A method according to anyone of claims 7 to 11, further comprising, in the security system, sending data which is the frames of the camera, in response to receipt, from the fire alarm system, of a request for identification of frames from a camera.

13. A method according to anyone of claims 7 to 12, further comprising, in the security system, sending the requested image supplied by the camera of the security system in response to the request for the identified frame.

14. A fire alarm system comprising a control panel, a plurality of fire detector units, and a plurality of addressable cameras, the control panel comprising :

a processor unit;

a display screen; and

a network hub through which the control panel communicates with the plurality of fire detector units;

wherein the control panel is arranged to interoperate with a separate building management system, and the control panel further comprises interoperability elements:

an index of the cameras of the fire alarm system which includes camera information of the address of the cameras and their physical location;

a communication interface arranged to compile and send requests from the control panel to the building management system, and to receive data from the building management system.

15. A fire alarm system according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of addressable cameras includes a thermal imaging camera.

16. A fire alarm system according to claim 15, further comprising an image processing unit for processing thermal images produced by the thermal imaging camera.

17. A fire alarm system according to claim 16, wherein the image processing unit is arranged to count the number of bodies within its field of view, and to submit a report of the number to the processor unit of the control panel.

18. A fire alarm system according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the image processing unit is arranged to identify objects within its field of vision which increase in temperature above a threshold level, or which increase in temperature at a rate greater than a threshold rate, and to submit a report of the crossing of a threshold to the processor unit of the control panel.

19. A fire alarm system according to any one of claims 14 to 18 wherein the processor unit of the control panel is arranged to respond to a report from the image processing unit by calling for the camera information from the index of cameras and by causing the report, together with the camera information, to be sent via the communication interface to the building management system.

20. A method of notifying building management information to a building management system from a fire alarm system comprising :

processing images from a camera of the fire alarm system;

receiving the report;

calling for camera information from a camera index in response to receiving the report, where the camera information includes the address of the camera and the physical location of the camera;

21. A method of notifying building management information to a building management system from a fire alarm system according to claim 20, further comprising :

setting a condition for an event which is selected from :