GB2370670A - Emergency signalling device incorporating an audible warning device - Google Patents

Emergency signalling device incorporating an audible warning device Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2370670A
GB2370670A GB0023300A GB0023300A GB2370670A GB 2370670 A GB2370670 A GB 2370670A GB 0023300 A GB0023300 A GB 0023300A GB 0023300 A GB0023300 A GB 0023300A GB 2370670 A GB2370670 A GB 2370670A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
switch
signalling device
sheet
emergency signalling
housing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0023300A
Other versions
GB0023300D0 (en
GB2370670B (en
Inventor
Manhar Amlani
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Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0023300A priority Critical patent/GB2370670B/en
Publication of GB0023300D0 publication Critical patent/GB0023300D0/en
Publication of GB2370670A publication Critical patent/GB2370670A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2370670B publication Critical patent/GB2370670B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G08SIGNALLING
    • G08BSIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B17/00Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion
    • G08B17/02Mechanical actuation of the alarm, e.g. by the breaking of a wire
    • GPHYSICS
    • G08SIGNALLING
    • G08BSIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B25/00Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems
    • G08B25/12Manually actuated calamity alarm transmitting arrangements emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm, activators, e.g. details of alarm push buttons mounted on an infrastructure
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/02Operating parts, i.e. for operating driving mechanism by a mechanical force external to the switch
    • H01H3/022Emergency operating parts, e.g. for stop-switch in dangerous conditions
    • H01H2003/0233Emergency operating parts, e.g. for stop-switch in dangerous conditions for alarm triggering, e.g. fire alarm, emergency off switches operated by breaking a glass
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2300/00Orthogonal indexing scheme relating to electric switches, relays, selectors or emergency protective devices covered by H01H
    • H01H2300/052Controlling, signalling or testing correct functioning of a switch

Landscapes

  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fire Alarms (AREA)

Abstract

Emergency signalling device for use in a fire alarm system comprises a housing 13 having a surface region formed of a sheet of glass 19, a switch 21 which actuates when glass 19 is broken and an audible warning device (30,Fig 3) mounted within the housing 13 arranged to emit an audible warning signal when an alarm is triggered.<BR> In another embodiment the body portion 22 of the switch 21 can be moved away from the sheet of glass 19 to test the function of the switch 21.

Description

Emergency Signaling Device
This invention relates to an emergency signalling device and more particularly but not solely to an emergency signalling device for a fire alarm system.
Fire alarm systems generally comprise a control panel connected to a plurality of heat and/or smoke detectors arranged in parallel across a pair of wires with one or more emergency signalling devices or so-called manual call points.
The control panel is also connected to a plurality of audible warning devices arranged in parallel across a second pair of wires.
A disadvantage of the above-mentioned system is that each room in a building may comprise a detector, an audible warning device as well as a manual call point and accordingly, such a large number of devices often looks unsightly.
Furthermore, the time spent on installing each of the devices significantly adds to the cost of installing the alarm system.
I have now devised an emergency signalling device which alleviates the above-mentioned problems.
In accordance with this invention, as seen from a first aspect, there is provided an emergency signalling device comprising a housing having a surface region thereof formed of a frangible material, switch means arranged to actuate when said region is broken and an audible warning device arranged to emit an audible warning signal.
It will be appreciated that the need to have a separate emergency signalling device or so-called call point and warning transducer is alleviated and as such, there will be less of an aesthetic impact on each room where both devices are required.
Furthermore, the combination of the devices into one device significantly reduces the time and cost of installation.
Preferably the audible warning device is mounted within
the housing.
Preferably an aperture is formed in the housing to allow sound from the warning device to escape.
Preferably the housing comprises a removable front portion on which said region is provided the warning device being mounted to the front portion.
Preferably, the front portion comprises a front panel on which said region is provided, a rear panel and a cavity disposed between said front and rear panels, the warning device being mounted to said rear panel and being arranged to emit sound into said cavity.
Preferably, a visible warning device is also provided.
Preferably, the emergency signalling device comprises a sensor for sensing for the presence of heat, smoke, gas or fumes.
In accordance with this invention, as seen from a second aspect, there is provided an alarm system comprising a control panel connected to an emergency signalling device of the aforementioned type.
Preferably, the switch means and warning device of the signalling device are each connected to the same pair of wires extending from the control panel.
Preferably, the switch is connected in parallel with means for detecting heat, smoke, gas or fumes.
Generally, the frangible region of the housing comprises a sheet of glass captively mounted behind the front portion of the housing and a switch biassed against one edge of the glass sheet. In use, when the glass is broken, the switch changes state under the applied bias to trigger an alarm.
There is a requirement that the operation of the switch has to be tested on a regular basis and, in order to achieve this, a tool is provided for insertion into the housing to cause the glass to move away from the switch, through its own
plane, thereby simulating the occurrence of an actual glass breakage.
A disadvantage of the above-mentioned method of testing is that it relies on the glass being able to freely move through its own plane under the applied bias. This method is unsatisfactory since it will be readily apparent that the corners of the glass are sharp and as such may snag or jam during translation. Furthermore, it is difficult to cut glass to an exact size economically and as such some larger pieces of glass are prone to jamming.
Thus, in accordance with this invention, as seen from a third aspect, there is provided an emergency signalling device comprising a housing having a surface region thereof formed of a sheet of frangible material and switch arranged to actuate when said region is broken, wherein the switch comprises an actuator biassed against the sheet and a body portion which can be moved away from the sheet to test the function of the switch.
Thus, instead of moving the glass to cause the actuator to move relative to the body of the switch, the present invention moves the body to cause the relative movement, thereby alleviating the need to move the sheet of glass or other frangible material.
Preferably the switch is biassed against the edge of the sheet of frangible material.
Preferably an aperture is formed in the housing through which a tool can be inserted to move the body of the switch.
Preferably, the switch is pivoted about an axis extending perpendicular to the sheet of frangible material, the switch being pivotable away from the sheet from a standby position to a test position.
An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of an example only and with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which : FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of the housing of a call point in accordance with this invention for a fire alarm ; FIGURE 2 is a front view of a back panel of the housing of Figure 1 when fully assembled ; and FIGURE 3 is a sectional view along the line III-III of Figure 2.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a call point for a fire alarm which is intended to be fitted to a wall where it can easily be assessed to manually signal the outbreak of a fire.
The call point comprises a housing formed of red plastics material. The housing comprises a hollow box-shaped rear portion 10 of the kind generally used for mounting electrical devices to walls, and provided with means 11 for allowing cables to enter its interior.
The housing further comprises a front portion having an interengagable front panel 12 and rear panel 13. The front panel 12 comprises a square front face 16 having a rectangular aperture 14 therein. The edge of the front face 16 of the front panel 12 surrounding the aperture 14 is turned inwardly and is formed with a plurality of castellations 25.
The rear panel 13 comprises a stepped front face having an upper recessed portion 15 and a lower raised portion 17. A recess 18 is formed in the centre of the raised portion 17 of the front face of the rear panel 13 in communication with the upper recessed portion 15.
A pair of oppositely-directed L-shaped supports 20 are respectively disposed on opposite corners of the bottom of the front of the lower raised portion 17 of the rear panel 13.
A rectangular piece of glass 19 has its opposite bottom corners resting on respective ones of the L-shaped supports 20,
such that the glass 19 extends over the recess 18 formed in the lower raised portion 17 of the front of the back panel 13. The upper edge of the glass 19 is in register with the step between the upper and lower portions 15,17 of the front of the back panel 13.
It will be appreciated that when the front and back panels 12,13 are interengaged, the glass 19 is mounted behind the aperture 14 in the front panel 12, with the outer edge of the castellations 25 being pressed against the glass.
Referring to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, a conventional microswitch 21 having a rectangular body is mounted on a carrier 22 comprising a projecting axle (not shown), which extends through an aperture 34 (Figure 1) formed in the upper recessed portion 15 of the front of the back panel 13, such that the microswitch 21 can pivot about an axis A extending perpendicular to the sheet of glass 20.
The carrier 22 comprises an elongate arm 23 which extends radially of the axis A. A spring (not shown) biases the arm 23 downwardly into a horizontal position where it is supported by a projection 24 formed on the back panel 13.
An actuator 26 extends from the underside of the body of the microswitch 21 and a spring (not shown) is provided inside the body of the microswitch 21 for biassing the actuator outwardly into an ON position. When the arm 23 of the carrier 22 is in its horizontal position, the actuator 26 is pressed against the upper side edge of the glass 19, thereby holding the actuator 26 in its OFF position.
An aperture 27 is formed in the front face 16 of the front panel 12 of the housing, as shown in Figure 1, for receiving a key which can be inserted and rotated to lift the outer end of the arm 23 of the carrier 22 upwardly against the spring bias.
When the arm 23 is lifted upwardly, the microswitch 21
pivots about the axis A, and the actuator 26 moves under its applied bias to its ON position as the microswitch 21 moves away from the glass 19.
In this manner, the function of the microswitch 21 can be tested without the need to move the glass 19 away from the actuator 26. Accordingly, the problem of the glass becoming jammed is avoided.
An audible warning device 30 is mounted against the rear face of the back panel 13 with its sound outlet aperture communicating with an aperture 31 formed in the back panel 13.
A printed circuit board 32 carrying components connected to the microswitch 21 and warning device 30 is also mounted to the rear of the back panel 13.
When a fire alarm is triggered, the warning device 30 is activated to emit an audible warning signal into the recess 18 formed behind the glass 19. Sound escapes from the recess 18 into the cavity formed between the front and back panels 12,13 of the housing, which acts as a resonator to increase the amplitude of the sound. Sound then escapes from the call point through the castellations 25 surrounding the glass 19.
However, if the glass 19 is broken, sound can escape directly through the aperture 14 in the front panel 12.
The incorporation of an audible warning device within the call point avoids the need to provide separate devices and thus saves on installation costs, as well as serving to reduce the aesthetic impact of a fire alarm system.

Claims (17)

  1. Claims 1. An emergency signalling device comprising a housing having a surface region thereof formed of a frangible material, switch means arranged to actuate when said region is broken and an audible warning device arranged to emit an audible warning signal.
  2. 2. An emergency signalling device as claimed in claim 1, in which the audible warning device is mounted within the housing.
  3. 3. An emergency signalling device as claimed in claim 2, in which an aperture is formed in the housing to allow sound from the warning device to escape.
  4. 4. An emergency signalling device as claimed in claims 2 or 3, in which the housing comprises a removable front portion on which said region is provided, the warning device being mounted to the front portion.
  5. 5. An emergency signalling device as claimed in claim 4, in which the front portion comprises a front panel on which said region is provided, a rear panel and a cavity disposed between said front and rear panels, the warning device being mounted to said rear panel and being arranged to emit sound into said cavity.
  6. 6. An emergency signalling device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a visible warning device is also provided.
  7. 7. An emergency signalling device as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a sensor for sensing for the presence of heat, smoke, gas or fumes.
  8. 8. An emergency signalling device as claimed in any preceding
    claim, in which the frangible region comprises a sheet of frangible material, the switch being arranged to actuate when said sheet is broken, the switch comprising an actuator biassed against the sheet and a body portion which can be which can be moved away from the sheet to test the function of the switch.
  9. 9. An emergency signalling device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
  10. 10. An alarm system comprising a control panel connected to an emergency signalling device as claimed in any preceding claim.
  11. 11. An alarm system as claimed in claim 10, in which the switch means and warning device of the signalling device are each connected to the same pair of wires extending from the control panel.
  12. 12. An alarm system as claimed in claims 10 or 11, in which the switch is connected in parallel with means for detecting heat, smoke, gas or fumes.
  13. 13. An alarm system comprising a control panel connected to an emergency signalling device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
  14. 14. An emergency signalling device comprising a housing having a surface region thereof formed of a sheet of frangible material and switch arranged to actuate when said region is broken, wherein the switch comprises an actuator biassed against the sheet and a body portion which can be which can be moved away from the sheet to test the function of the switch.
  15. 15. An emergency signalling device as claimed in claim 14, in which the switch is biassed against the edge of the sheet of
    frangible material.
  16. 16. An emergency signalling device as claimed in claims 14 or 15, in which an aperture is formed in the housing through which a tool can be inserted to move the body of the switch. biassed against the edge of the sheet of frangible material.
  17. 17. An emergency signalling device as claimed in any of claims 14 to 16, in which the switch is pivoted about an axis extending perpendicular to the sheet of frangible material, the switch being pivotable away from the sheet from a standby position to a test position.
GB0023300A 2000-09-22 2000-09-22 Emergency signalling device Expired - Fee Related GB2370670B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0023300A GB2370670B (en) 2000-09-22 2000-09-22 Emergency signalling device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0023300A GB2370670B (en) 2000-09-22 2000-09-22 Emergency signalling device

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0023300D0 GB0023300D0 (en) 2000-11-08
GB2370670A true GB2370670A (en) 2002-07-03
GB2370670B GB2370670B (en) 2005-03-02

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Family Applications (1)

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GB0023300A Expired - Fee Related GB2370670B (en) 2000-09-22 2000-09-22 Emergency signalling device

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GB (1) GB2370670B (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6674032B2 (en) * 2001-09-03 2004-01-06 Siemens Building Technologies Ag Manual call point
EP1612756A3 (en) * 2004-07-01 2006-12-27 European Safety Systems Ltd Alarm call point
EP1988526A2 (en) 2007-04-30 2008-11-05 Robert Bosch Gmbh Notification device with manual disengagement
WO2009032166A2 (en) * 2007-08-31 2009-03-12 Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. Light sensing pull station

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1311696A (en) * 1970-10-02 1973-03-28 Reid R J Signalling devices
GB1492941A (en) * 1975-02-19 1977-11-23 Ashworth & Co Ltd T Alarm actuators
FR2435765A1 (en) * 1978-09-05 1980-04-04 Lacoste Roger Alarm box with compressed gas fog-horn - has spring-loaded actuating mechanism released by breaking small piece of glass with hammer
US4857679A (en) * 1986-11-20 1989-08-15 Bennett Brian S Alarm system
GB2247108A (en) * 1990-08-13 1992-02-19 Manher Amlani A signalling device
GB2258086A (en) * 1991-07-25 1993-01-27 Manher Amlani Signalling device.
GB2352332A (en) * 1999-07-22 2001-01-24 Kac Alarm Company Ltd Trigger mechanism for an alarm call-point
WO2001011585A1 (en) * 1999-08-10 2001-02-15 Fulleon Limited Call points or break glass units

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1488246A (en) * 1974-10-07 1977-10-12 Russell B Alarms
GB2321747B (en) * 1997-01-30 2000-10-18 Rafiki Protection Limited Alarm system

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1311696A (en) * 1970-10-02 1973-03-28 Reid R J Signalling devices
GB1492941A (en) * 1975-02-19 1977-11-23 Ashworth & Co Ltd T Alarm actuators
FR2435765A1 (en) * 1978-09-05 1980-04-04 Lacoste Roger Alarm box with compressed gas fog-horn - has spring-loaded actuating mechanism released by breaking small piece of glass with hammer
US4857679A (en) * 1986-11-20 1989-08-15 Bennett Brian S Alarm system
GB2247108A (en) * 1990-08-13 1992-02-19 Manher Amlani A signalling device
GB2258086A (en) * 1991-07-25 1993-01-27 Manher Amlani Signalling device.
GB2352332A (en) * 1999-07-22 2001-01-24 Kac Alarm Company Ltd Trigger mechanism for an alarm call-point
WO2001011585A1 (en) * 1999-08-10 2001-02-15 Fulleon Limited Call points or break glass units

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6674032B2 (en) * 2001-09-03 2004-01-06 Siemens Building Technologies Ag Manual call point
EP1612756A3 (en) * 2004-07-01 2006-12-27 European Safety Systems Ltd Alarm call point
EP1988526A2 (en) 2007-04-30 2008-11-05 Robert Bosch Gmbh Notification device with manual disengagement
EP1988526A3 (en) * 2007-04-30 2009-09-09 Robert Bosch Gmbh Notification device with manual disengagement
WO2009032166A2 (en) * 2007-08-31 2009-03-12 Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. Light sensing pull station
WO2009032166A3 (en) * 2007-08-31 2009-04-30 Siemens Building Tech Ag Light sensing pull station

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0023300D0 (en) 2000-11-08
GB2370670B (en) 2005-03-02

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20140922