JP2811400B2 - Testing methods for environmental monitoring systems - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for testing an environmental monitoring system using a smoke detector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when inspecting a smoke detector, a maintenance inspector does not have to go to a place where a smoke detector is installed each time.
In order to eliminate the necessity of using actual smoke, for example, a function inspection apparatus for a photoelectric smoke detector as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. S59-187246 is known. The function inspection device includes a light emitting element for smoke detection, a light receiving element for smoke detection provided at a position where light is not directly received from the light emitting element, and a light receiving element for monitoring receiving light output from the light emitting element for smoke detection. An element, having an inspection light emitting element for directly irradiating the smoke detection light receiving element with a light output corresponding to the light reception output thereof, and an inspection state in which the inspection light emitting element and the smoke detection light emitting element emit light simultaneously, By alternately generating a smoke detection state in which only the smoke detection light-emitting element emits light, and constantly monitoring the output of the smoke detection light-receiving element in each state, the function state determination and fire detection can be performed in parallel. Has become. Further, the light output of the light emitting element for inspection is increased from a steady value in accordance with a control command from the fire receiver, and a function state signal of the detector is transmitted to the fire receiver.

[0003] As described above, in this function inspection apparatus, it is possible to recognize the function state of the sensor by remote control from the receiver, and to obtain an inspection result substantially equivalent to the sensor function inspection method using smoke. Is intended.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional inspection apparatus, when the smoke detector is of a particle count type, the smoke detector gives a specific index of how much smoke is generated. There was the disadvantage that the particle counting function could not be tested accurately. Further, there is a drawback that the counting function cannot be tested independently by making this counting function independent of other functions of the smoke detector.

[0005] The present invention eliminates the need for maintenance personnel to go to the installation site of the smoke detector each time, eliminates the need to use actual smoke, and provides a case where the smoke detector is of a particle count type. In addition, it is possible to accurately test the function of counting the number of smoke particles that gives a specific index of how much smoke is generated, and furthermore, this counting function alone is separated from other functions and alone It is an object of the present invention to provide a test method of an environmental monitoring system capable of performing a test.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for testing an environment monitoring system using a particle counting type smoke detector, comprising the steps of: , A predetermined number of pulsed light beams are generated from the test light source within a predetermined period to test the environment monitoring system. A predetermined number of pulses of light are supplied to the particle number counting function unit within a predetermined period to perform a counting operation, and the quality is determined based on the result, so that a specific index of how much smoke is generated is given. The function of counting the number of particles of particles can be accurately tested, and furthermore, only this counting function can be tested separately from other functions.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an environment monitoring system using a particle number counting type smoke detector according to the present invention. This environment monitoring system is used for monitoring the environment and smoke in a high air volume space such as a clean room or a computer room. Referring to FIG. 1, the environment monitoring system includes a predetermined location in each arranged particles counted smoke sensor DT ₁ to DT _n, smoke detector DT ₁ ~
The transmission repeaters T _{1 to} T provided for each of the DT _n
and _n, or give a command for causing a predetermined control operation on the transmission relay T ₁ through T _n, and receives a sensing result of the smoke detector DT ₁ to DT _n from the transmission relay T ₁ through T _n And a receiving device RC having a function of performing

[0008] Here, the smoke detector DT ₁ to DT _n, air per location from the sampling pipe SP ₁ to SP _n corresponding are sent respectively, each smoke detector DT ₁ to DT _n is
Detects particles having a certain particle size or more contained in the sent air.

[0009] One smoke detector in FIG. 2, for example, configuration examples of a DT ₁ is shown. The other smoke detectors DT _{2 to} DT
T _n is also to be of the same configuration as the smoke detector DT _1. Referring to FIG. 2, the smoke detector DT ₁ includes a light source 11, a particle detection light receiving element 12 installed at a position where the light emitted from the light source 11 is not directly received, and a light emitted from the light source 11. , A light source monitoring light-receiving element 13 arranged at a position for directly receiving light, an amplifier 14 for amplifying an output signal from the particle detection light-receiving element 12, and a signal amplified by the amplifier 14 with a predetermined reference voltage. By comparison, it is determined whether or not this signal is based on particles having a certain particle size or more. When it is determined that the signal is based on particles having a certain particle size or more, the particle signal PT is transmitted to the transmission repeater T ₁ . Output comparator 15
And an amplifier 16 for amplifying an output signal from the light source monitoring light receiving element 13, and a light source for adjusting a light output level from the light source 11 by comparing the signal amplified by the amplifier 16 with a predetermined reference voltage, for example. And a comparator 17 for outputting the monitoring signal MNT.

Further, the smoke detector DT ₁ of this embodiment is provided with a test light source 21 and an oscillation circuit 22 for inspecting the operation of the entire system, particularly, the operation of the counting function unit after the light receiving element 12 for detecting particles. If has a test signal discriminating circuit 23, as described below from transmission relay T _1, the test signal TST is sent to the test signal discriminating circuit 23, when it is determined in the test signal discriminating circuit 23, test signal discriminating circuit 23, it sends back the test confirmation signal CF to transmission relay T _1, drives the oscillator circuit 22, between the test light source 21 for a predetermined period, so as to blink in a certain cycle I have. More specifically, the test light source 21
Is pulse-driven a predetermined number of times in a predetermined period within a predetermined period based on a test command from the receiving device RC, and a predetermined number of pulsed lights are generated from the test light source 21 in a predetermined period. , And directly enter the particle detecting light receiving element.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of one transmission repeater, for example, T ₁ and a receiving device RC. Incidentally, in FIG. 3 but not shown, the other transmission relay T ₂ through T _n is also of the same configuration as the transmission relay T _1. Referring to FIG. 3, the receiving device RC includes a receiver for the detection result from the smoke detector DT ₁ to DT _n received via a transmission relay T ₁ through T _n in the normal mode, performs predetermined processing 31, a test activation unit 32, a data determination unit 33, a standard count range setting unit 34, a pass / fail determination unit 35, a storage unit 36, a display unit 37, a failure output unit 38, and an invalid processing unit 39. have.

Further, the transmission repeater, for example, T ₁ has a test signal generator 41 and a particle number counter 42 for counting the number of particle signals (pulses) PT output from the smoke detector DT _1. ing.

In the receiving device RC, the receiving section 31 mainly functions in the normal mode, and periodically gives the transfer command COMTR to the particle counting section 42 of the transmission repeater T _{1 in} the normal mode. Count value CN of the number of smoke particles counted within a predetermined period in particle number counting section 42
T is transferred from the particle number counting unit 42 to perform predetermined processing such as fire monitoring.

In the receiving device RC and the transmission repeater T ₁ , the test starting unit 32 and the standard count range setting unit 3
4, pass / fail determination unit 35, storage unit 36, display unit 37, failure output unit 38, invalidation processing unit 39, and test signal generation unit 41
It is mainly provided for a test mode for checking the operation of the system.

That is, the test starting unit 3 of the receiving device RC
2 is for starting a test mode,
Test mode at startup, firstly, adapted to provide a test command COMTST to the test signal generation unit 41 of the transmission relay T _1. Note that the test activation unit 32 may be configured to generate the test command COMTST when, for example, a manual input is performed using a test switch or the like. Alternatively, the configuration may be such that the test command COMTST is automatically generated at regular intervals by a built-in timer or the like. Further, when the receiving device RC itself is activated, the test command COMTS is automatically set.
It may be configured to generate T.

The test signal generator 41 of the transmission repeater T ₁ receives a test command COMT
When receiving ST, the test signal TST is transmitted to the smoke detector DT.
_One test signal determination circuit 23 is provided. In this test mode, the smoke detectors DT _{1 to} DT
In T _n, without energizing the light source 11, also, air from the sampling pipe good even by performing control so as not fed into the smoke detector DT ₁ to DT within _n, or the light source 11, the sampling pipe It may be left running normally. That is, even when the light source 11 and the sampling pipe are operating as usual, the number of pulse lights emitted from the test light source 21 is 10 times or more the number of smoke detection pulses in a normal atmosphere. In this case, even if the number of smoke detection pulses in a normal atmosphere is added to the number of counts, the test result will not be affected so much. Also, in consideration of the case where the test is performed when the atmosphere is somewhat bad, the receiving apparatus RC stores the average value of the number of pulses for a certain period of time before the test, and calculates the average value from the count value at the time of the test. Can be determined as a final count value at the time of the test.

Further, the particle number counting section 42 of the transmission repeater T ₁
Is in the test mode, when receiving the test confirmation signal CF from the smoke detector DT ₁ test signal discriminating circuit 23, is output from the smoke detector DT ₁ from this point within a predetermined time period (test mode period) particles The number of occurrences of the signal (pulse) PT is counted. Further, at the end of the test mode period, the receiving device R
A transfer command COMTR is supplied from the test activation unit 32 of C, and in accordance with this command, the particle number counting unit 42 transfers the count value CNT of the number of smoke particles counted within a predetermined period (test mode period) to the receiving device RC. It is supposed to. At this time, the particle number counting unit 42 may attach identification data to the data of the count value CNT of the number of smoke particles to identify that this is test data.

The data discriminating unit 33 of the receiving device RC
Determines whether the data sent from the particle number counting unit 42, that is, the count value CNT is in the normal mode or in the test mode, and when it is determined that the data is in the normal mode, The data of the count value CNT is provided to the receiving unit 31. On the other hand, when it is determined that the data is in the test mode, the data of the count value CNT is provided to the pass / fail determination unit 35. That is, as described above, the count value CN transmitted in the test mode
When the identification data is added to the data of T, the data determination unit 33 determines whether or not the data is in the test mode based on whether or not the identification data is added.

In the standard count range setting section 34 of the receiving device RC, a standard value range of the count value CNT calculated based on the predetermined oscillation frequency and sampling time (ie, a standard count range) is set in advance. cage, the nondefective determination unit 35, the test mode, by checking whether the count value of the number of counted smoke particles in the particle number counting unit 42 of the transmission relay T ₁ is located within the standard count range, smoke The quality of the counting function of the sensor DT ₁ and the transmission repeater T ₁ is determined.

The storage unit 36 of the receiving device RC is composed of, for example, a memory or a recording device.
The judgment result in the pass / fail judgment unit 35 is stored or recorded. Further, the failure output unit 38 is configured by, for example, a display or an audio device, and when a pass / fail judgment result is output by the pass / fail judgment unit 35, the judgment result is displayed in a visual display or a buzzer sound is notified to the operator. It has become. Also, invalid processing unit 39, when the quality of the determination result in the nondefective determination unit 35 is output, the normal mode after this, thereby performing the process to disable the data sent from the smoke detector DT ₁ ing. The invalid state by the invalidation processing unit 39 can be released by an operation such as system restoration.

The display unit 37 of the receiving device RC displays the count value data of the number of smoke particles counted by the particle counting unit 42 in the test mode as a digital value or a bar graph type analog value for a certain period of time. It has become.

Next, the operation of the environment monitoring system having such a configuration will be described. In the following, for convenience, only one smoke detector DT ₁ and one transmission repeater T ₁ will be described as an example. First, the light source 11 is energized to the normal mode in which the test mode is not started by the test activation unit 32, air smoke detector D from the sampling pipe SP ₁
Sent into the smoke particle monitoring area AR of T _1. If this in the air contains smoke particles, the smoke detector DT ₁ particle detecting light-receiving element 12, light scattered by smoke particles passing through a smoke particle monitoring area AR (scattered light) is incident Then, the particle detection light-receiving element 12 outputs this as a smoke particle detection signal. The detection signal output from the particle detection light-receiving element is amplified by an amplifier 14 and applied to a comparator 15. The comparator 15 compares the detection signal amplified by the amplifier 14 with a reference voltage, and determines the level of the detection signal. Is larger than the reference voltage, this is detected as particles having a predetermined particle size or more, and a particle signal PT is output as a pulse signal.

Further, in the normal mode, the transfer command COMTR of the particle count value data is periodically transmitted from the receiving unit 31 of the receiving device RC to the transmission repeater T ₁ , and the particles of the transmission repeater T ₁ are transmitted. The number counting section 42 counts the particle signal (pulse signal) PT from the smoke detector DT ₁ for a certain period of time, and gives the count value data to the receiving section 31 when receiving the transfer command COMTR. The receiving unit 31 can grasp the smoke density and the like of the environment based on the count value data.

The light from the light source 11 is directly incident on the light source monitoring light receiving element 13 of the smoke detector DT ₁ ,
Outputs a light source monitoring signal MNT for determining the light output level of the light source 11 and the like, and the light output level and the like of the light source 11 are automatically adjusted by the light source monitoring signal MNT.

Next, a test mode is activated in the test activation section 32 of the receiving device RC, and the test activation section 3 is activated.
When the 2 test command COMTST is transmitted to the transmission relay T _1, the test signal generating unit 41 of the transmission relay T ₁
From the test signal TST as shown in FIG. 4 (a) is sent to the smoke detector DT _1.

Test signal discriminating circuit 23 for smoke detector DT ₁
, When the test signal TST is sent from the transmission relay T _1, to determine this, sends back the test confirmation signal CF as shown in FIG. 4 (b) to the transmission relay T _1, the internal oscillator circuit 22 is started. Thereby, the oscillation circuit 22
Is the period during which the test signal TST is on (T ₁ )
In the middle, the test light source 21 is driven a predetermined number of times at a fixed period (T ₂ ), and as shown in FIG.
From 1, the pulse light is generated a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period (T ₁ ).

As described above, in the present embodiment, pulse light corresponding to pulse-like scattered light caused by smoke particles can be generated from the test light source 21 in the test mode.

The pulse light output from the test light source 21 is directly incident on the light receiving element 12 for particle detection, and the light receiving element 12 for particle detection responds to the light in exactly the same manner as when light scattered by smoke particles is received. I do. The detection signal output from the light-receiving element 12 for particle detection is amplified by the amplifier 14 and compared with the reference voltage by the comparator 15 as in the normal mode, and finally the particle signal (pulse signal) PT Is output as Smoke outputted from the comparator 15 of the sensor DT ₁ particle signal (pulse signal) PT is transmission relay T ₁
Is sent to the particle number counting section 42 of
During a predetermined time period from the time of receiving the test confirmation signal CF from the smoke detector DT ₁ test signal discrimination circuit 23 (i.e. during a test mode period), the count of particles signal (pulse signal) PT from the smoke detector DT ₁ I do.

[0029] In the next step, from the receiving device RC, to the transmission relay T _1, transfer command COMTR is sent.
Thus, particle number counting unit 42 of the transmission relay T _1, said Tesutomo - returns the count data during de period to the receiver RC. At this time, the particle number counting unit 42
As described above, this data is accompanied by identification data indicating that the data is in the test mode.

The receiving device RC receives the returned data from the particle number counting unit 42 of the transmission relay T _1, firstly,
The data discriminating section 33 discriminates that the data is in the test mode and sends it to the pass / fail judgment section 35. In the pass / fail judgment unit 35, based on the data, the smoke detector D
The counting function of T ₁ and the transmission repeater T ₁ (more specifically, the particle detection light-receiving element 12, the amplifier 14, the comparator 15, and the particle number counting unit 42 of the transmission repeater T ₁ of the smoke detector DT ₁ ) The quality is determined.

That is, the pass / fail judgment section 35 determines whether or not the data transmitted from the particle number counting section 42, that is, whether the count value is within the standard count range preset in the standard count range setting section 34 or not. The quality of the functional unit is determined.

Specifically, when the oscillation circuit 22 is designed to output, for example, 20 pulse lights from the test light source 21 during the test mode period (T ₁ ), the standard count range setting section 34 For example, “16” to “2”
A standard count range of 4 "can be set in advance.
In this case, during the actual test period (T ₁ ), 20 pulse lights are output from the test light source 21 and the count data of, for example, “19” is output from the particle number counting unit 42 of the transmission repeater T _1. When the count data is output, the pass / fail determination unit 35 determines that the count function is good because the count data “19” is within the standard count range. On the other hand, when the count data of, for example, “14” is output from the particle number counting unit 42, the pass / fail determination unit 35 determines that the count function is defective because the count data “14” is out of the standard count range. It is determined that there is.

The result of the judgment by the pass / fail judgment unit 35 is stored in the storage unit 36.
A failure output is made to the failure output unit 38 by visual or buzzer sound or the like. Thus, the operator can accurately and quickly know that the counting function is defective. When it is determined to be defective, and disabling processor 39 disables the data sent through the transmission relay T ₁ subsequent normal mode from smoke detector DT _1. As a result, data reliability can be improved. This invalid state can be released by an operation such as system restoration.

The count data returned from the particle counting section 42 is sent to the pass / fail judgment section 35 as described above, and also sent to the display section 37.
The count data itself is displayed for a certain period of time as a digital value or a bar graph type analog value. By looking at this display, the operator can specifically know how much the count data was. For example,
If the count data is “16”, the pass / fail judgment unit 35 judges that the count is normal.
6 "is at the boundary of the standard count range,
From the display of 7, the operator can know that the counting function is starting to deteriorate.

The test activation unit 32 terminates the test mode after a predetermined period has elapsed from the start of the test mode, and passes control to the reception unit 31. As a result, the mode is switched to the normal mode, and the system performs the normal smoke detection operation.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention, a test of an environmental monitoring system using a particle number counting type smoke detector can be performed within a predetermined period based on a test command from a receiving device. Since the test light source generates a predetermined number of pulses of light, the inspection and maintenance personnel do not go to the place where the smoke detector is installed each time and do not use actual smoke. It is possible to accurately test the function of counting the number of smoke particles, which gives a specific indicator of whether or not, and furthermore, it is possible to test only this counting function separately from other functions.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an environment monitoring system using a particle number counting type smoke detector according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a particle number counting type smoke detector.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a transmission repeater and a receiving device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the environment monitoring system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Light source 12 Light detecting element for particle detection 13 Light receiving element for light source monitoring 14, 16 Amplifier 15, 17 Comparator 21 Test light source 22 Oscillation circuit 23 Test signal discriminating circuit 31 Receiving part 32 Test starting part 33 Data discriminating part 34 Standard count range Setting unit 35 Pass / fail judgment unit 36 Storage unit 37 Display unit 38 Failure output unit 39 Invalidation processing unit 41 Test signal generation unit 42 Particle number counting unit

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A test method for an environment monitoring system using a particle number counting type smoke detector, wherein a pulse light of a predetermined number of times is transmitted from a test light source within a predetermined period based on a test command from a receiving device. A method for testing an environmental monitoring system, comprising generating and testing an environmental monitoring system. 2. The test method for an environmental monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the test light source is driven so as to simulate pulse light corresponding to pulse light scattered by actual smoke particles. A method for testing an environmental monitoring system, comprising: 3. The method for testing an environment monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined number of pulsed lights is supplied to a particle number counting function unit of the environment monitoring system to perform a counting operation. A test method for an environment monitoring system, wherein the pass / fail of a particle count function unit is determined based on count data output from the function unit. 4. The test method for an environment monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the test command is output from the receiving device when the receiving device is activated, or is output from the receiving device by operating a test switch or the like. Or a method for testing the environment monitoring system, wherein the output is performed from the receiving device at regular intervals by timer monitoring. 5. The test method for an environmental monitoring system according to claim 3, wherein the determination of pass / fail of the particle number counting function unit is performed.
When the pulse light of the predetermined number of times is given to the particle count function unit, the count data output from the particle count function unit is determined by whether or not the count data is within a preset standard count range. Environmental monitoring system test method. 6. A test method for an environmental monitoring system according to claim 3, wherein the result of the pass / fail judgment of the particle number counting function section is stored in a predetermined storage section, and a failure output is made when it is judged to be defective. A method for testing an environmental monitoring system, comprising: 7. The test method for an environmental monitoring system according to claim 3, wherein when it is determined to be defective, the count data sent from the smoke detector in the normal mode thereafter is invalidated until the system is restored. Environmental monitoring system test method. 8. The method for testing an environment monitoring system according to claim 3, further comprising displaying the count data itself output from the particle number counting function unit.