Usually, this doesn’t arise if the system is properly installed and regularly maintained thereafter. However, it is also seen that life safety systems may be victims of certain engineering and design errors, which are discussed below.

• Failure of Adjacent Sprinkler Systems: An important element in the design of life safety systems is adjacent fire-affected areas and the operation of multiple fire protection systems simultaneously.

This calls for the addition of the water flow rates of such multiple systems and balancing them with the system with the highest pressure demand. One also needs to ensure that the pressure demand of multiple systems are relatively close. The failure to adopt this principle is often a problem.

• Inadequate Water Supply: The water supply must deliver the required amount of water at a certain pressure, even in adverse conditions like a freeze or drought or mechanical problems.

As per NFPA guidelines, the suction tank should refill automatically within 8 hours from a source that’s capable of replenishing the required volume of two hours. It is often seen that the suction source is inadequate and exposes a property to fire hazards without adequate water.

Should this be the case, the fire insurer may raise issues and deny a loss claim. Moreover, the maintenance and/or engineering of the supply source often don’t meet the standards needed to address risks that come with the electric generating station, mostly due to lack of testing and routine maintenance.

• The Steam Turbine-Generator is not adequately protected: It is also often seen that the lack of properly designed and professionally installed life safety systems has significantly damaged turbine-generators in industrial plants, leading to plant shut down permanently.

Moreover, oil lines and bearing seal areas aren’t protected by automatic preaction-directional water spray systems and oil flow areas beneath the operating floor of the turbine-generator aren’t covered by automatic sprinklers. This is yet another major problem, discovered only after a forced outage.

The crux of the matter, therefore, is that faulty life safety systems are a complete lose-lose situation. Not only does this expose valuable assets to inadequate protection, they also lead to much higher insurance premiums throughout the asset’s life. Worse still are gross injury or even death in the worst cases.

The post 3 Basic Problems Associated With Life Safety Systems appeared first on Commercial Electronic Systems.

Moreover, given the vast array of audio visual systems available in today’s market, it often becomes difficult to select an audio-visual system because there’s no specific process and the system gets modified according to your individual requirement.

For instance, a system used for an event certainly differs from the one fitted in a conference room or something used at home. However, you need to keep the following basic principles in mind when selecting an audiovisual system.

• Space usage: You first need to know your space and your specific needs when selecting the appropriate audiovisual system. Is it for official or non-official events? How much of space can it reach out to? Is it viewable and audible from all points in a given space? These are some questions that need to be addressed first because smart projectors, interactive whiteboards, and devices may require complex integrations to get the best out of them.
• Understand the limitations of audio visual systems: When selecting the system, first understand what it’s capabilities are and what it doesn’t deliver. This would require a clear understanding of its technology and how exactly it functions. Ask the installing company about its limitations, its maintenance methods, and facilities for repairing, if required.
• Selecting an AV system for the office: When buying AV equipment for your office, first look at how it will eventually benefit your business.

Be clear about the manufacturer’s scope of services, which include wall mounting of TV sets and installation of other assorted supporting equipment. If you know beforehand what is being installed, it will be easier for you to modify it in future and improve the system further to get more mileage.

• Cable pathways matter: All audiovisual systems need cable pathways to function. These may be concealed for aesthetic effect by drilling floors, making trenches in the flooring or hiding the cables under rugs or carpets.

New technology, moreover, as brought wireless communication to avoid making too many space modifications. However, also need to consider your total electrical needs including the right number of electrical circuits to power your new audiovisual system.

• Scope for growth: You also need to consider how your audio-visual system will grow and adapt further to your changing digital needs in the future. This is important as investments in these are usually heavy and you need to get your bang for your buck.

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The following factors, therefore, need to be considered carefully before certifying a sound reinforcement system as one that really “sounds good.”

Reliability: The most important factor if the overall quality has to be judged. A sound reinforcement system’s performance may be top class but should it fail to work at the appropriate time, it’s nothing but junk.

Reliability depends heavily on configuration design, component selection, assembly and the correctness of installation. However, predicting an impending failure, isn’t easy because any audible change in performance is too subtle.

Loudness: Before installing a sound reinforcement system, always test its sound level at the location to ensure a fully satisfying listening experience. Is the sound reaching all corners of the venue? Is it cracking when the volume is being turned up? Is it grating on the ear? Should the answer to any one such question be negative, look for an alternative.

The reinforced sound’s level needs to be sufficiently higher than any background sound or noise to ensure program enjoyment and speech intelligibility. Always remember that any sound system that produces a distorted sound, even in the slightest degree, is never acceptable.

Timbre: The overall tonal balance, technically termed timbre of a sound reinforcement system is the strongest influence on its quality. This is easily measurable and any system that sounds measurably flat or has the same input-to-output level ratio at all frequencies, won’t sound too good. Its output at high frequencies, moreover, will be too loud.

Intelligibility: A fundamental rule of sound reinforcement systems is the ease or difficulty in understanding speech that it generates. If you’re listening to your favorite songs on the system and the singer’s words sound garbled, chances are you’ll trash the system immediately.

The good news, however, is that there are a number of foolproof tests to check out the abovementioned qualities and one must ensure that the sound reinforcement system that he is going to install must pass these tests. 

A low intelligibility score, for instance, may indicate a serious technical or physical problems and it is good enough reason to reject the system.

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The sheer brilliance and sharpness of the images along with crystal clear sound make presentations, video conferencing, live broadcasts, and watching television programs or films a most delightful experience.

The trend today is more towards using computerized audio visual systems as a tool for education through overhead projection equipment or interactive whiteboard technology.

Types of audio visual systems

Audio visual systems are broadly classified into two types: Residential and commercial

Residential audio visual systems comprise in-ceiling speakers, projectors, flat panel TVs  and projector screens. These also include blinds, lighting and cinema rooms.

Commercial audio visual systems are designed to cater to larger audiences and to cover wider areas.

The multibillion-dollar commercial audio visual industry encompasses plethora of dedicated and highly trained technology managers, manufacturers, systems integrators, dealers, programmers, consultants and presentations professionals who work in tandem to deliver the highest quality equipment that money can buy.

To appropriately set up commercial audio visual systems can be time consuming and tedious because of the complexity of the process.

Senior executives of the larger corporations with multiple offices and operations around the world may want video conferencing facilities to have meetings with their overseas colleagues, clients, and vendors.

This multiple point of contact, however, needs perfect balancing, particularly the audio and microphone pattern, failing which the sound and image quality could be affected.

Future of audio visual systems

Audio visual systems have now become an inextricable part of society and our day to day lives. Be it in education, business, defense, government, retail environments, healthcare, entertainment, sports hospitality, museums and restaurants, video, web, data and audio-conferencing, control and command centers, and digital signage are becoming the order of the day.

On top of this, in corporate events and concerts, the use of highly sophisticated, state-of-the-art audio visual systems have become absolutely critical.

A recent survey has shown that the global audio visual industry is set to grow by 240% in the year 2030 and this would largely be due to the increased demand for computerized and networked audio visual systems based on integrated IT and audiovisual technology.

Moreover, the three prime markets for audio visual equipment would be education, business, and IT as conferencing technologies advance more. The home audio visual segment too, is expected to grow by nearly 50% by 2030.

The post Audio Visual Systems: Bringing The Audio-Visual Experience to Life appeared first on Commercial Electronic Systems.

Principal Components of Security Systems

All security systems comprise multiple alarms, CCTVs, and access controls. They are workable from remote zones and may also be utilized as fire recognition and avoidance systems, access control systems as also to record attendance at the workplace.

Classification of Security Systems

Security systems are classified on their functions and the technology used in manufacturing them. Based on functions, electronic security systems are classified into surveillance security systems using CCTVs; attendance/ access control system and fire alarm/ detection system.

A CCTV-based surveillance system watches over an area where the camera is the security system’s eye and which visualizes and saves all surveillance data that gets recorded.

These CCTVs and IP cameras transfer image information to a remote place of access and are largely used to record human traffic in a specified area. The alarm gets triggered after it receives a signal from the cameras that are connected to the CCTV system.

An IP surveillance system enables the user to control and record audio/video by using an IP PC network/ system, for example, the internet or a LAN. An IP-Surveillance system utilizes a Polaroid system switch, a review computer and can save both video and audio.

A digitized audio/video stream is transmittable to any distant location through a remote IP or wired system that enables the user to control and record video from anyplace within the network/system access.

What it Does

Fire detection security systems, on the other hand, are primarily sensor-based and are backed by an alerting circuit or alarm. The system’s main function is to rapidly extinguish a fire by filling the affected zone with a fire extinguishing chemical or foam while its sirens should warn occupants of the affected area to evacuate the premises immediately.

The sensor used in this system depends on whether it is created for home automation or fire detection in factories, public places and ware houses.

Another Vital Capability

Finally, attendance control systems provide secured access to another system. These are based on user credentials and access is available only through biometrics, smart card, or pin credentials.

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Predictive Maintenance Systems: These constantly monitor and report the operational capacity and status of mechanical or digital installations through the values of specific variables.

To apply a predictive maintenance system, identifying physical variables such as vibration, temperature and power consumption is required. The variation itself indicates problems that may appear later on the installed equipment.

These maintenance systems being the most technical, require strong physical and/or mathematical knowledge.

Preventive Maintenance Systems: A preventive maintenance system maintains a certain level of service on equipment and programs their interventions at the most appropriate time. It has a systematic character, which in other words is, inspecting the equipment even when there are no signs of any apparent problems.

Corrective maintenance system: This system corrects defects that are found in equipment by trained personnel from the maintenance department.

Zero Hour Maintenance or Overhauling: This task set reviews all equipment at periodic, pre-determined intervals to detect any failure when predicting production capacities becomes difficult due to the equipment’s decreased reliability. The review is based on the assumption that such equipment is new and all items that may wear out are replaced or repaired accordingly.

Periodic or Time-Based Maintenance Systems: This particular system comprises a set of basic tasks like visual inspection, data collection, cleaning and lubrication that require no specialized training and is based on total productive maintenance.

Functions of Maintenance Systems

Maintenance systems are inextricably linked to costly heavy machinery and other assorted equipment to keep them in perfect working order and to ensure prevention of breakdowns and overall safety.

This is particularly applicable to large machinery that has multiple operators and needs to be inspected immediately before it’s purchased.

Usually, operator training is done at this point, which needs to be continued as employees may change, skills may become rusty and poor operations could lead to unwanted breakdowns.

Moreover, for machinery that’s being operated 24×7, maintenance systems ensure that proper lubrication is done to reduce friction, particularly in moving machinery parts.

This also prolongs the life of large equipment and their parts. It is also for the maintenance system to constantly check for signs of wear and tear by way of vibration, high temperatures, shock, age and friction that all contribute to breakdowns. These in their totality, also lead to a healthier and more efficient work environment.

The post The How, When, Why, & Where of Maintenance Systems appeared first on Commercial Electronic Systems.

In addition, one could even opt for a state-of-the-art biometric lock with a built in intercom. No matter which type or model you choose, all intercom come with certain notable benefits.

Ensures reception security: Security is of prime importance in any business set up and intercoms play a crucial role here monitoring the entry of anyone who enters your premises. This is more so if there’s no specified reception area.

It also aids a single receptionist at the reception area to filter out visitors and to prevent the unwanted ones from getting in.

Intercoms enhance inter-floor security: Intercoms  are also effective inter-floor devices, which can be controlled from a central security point within the premises to give the staff varying clearance levels. Intercoms placed internally deter prospective thieves from going beyond the premise’s ground floor.

The CCTV advantage: Video-based intercoms are greatly helpful to night shift security staff who usually operate alone and don’t have back up support in case there’s an emergency. A record of any ungainly event that takes place is often the only proof to back up their statements if challenged.

Video intercoms will record the photograph of any person wanting entry and whether the security personnel checked his ID before allowing him in. CCTVs have time and again proved to be excellent tools for visual identification and helped solve crimes faster.

Intercoms lead to reduced insurance premiums: An office that installs a state-of-the-art intercom system stands to get a better deal from its insurers in terms of premium payable for office and warehouse insurance.

Chances are you could locate an insurer that recognizes the importance of this as a protective barrier against attack and burglary and decides to give you a discount.

Value addition: Powerful intercom systems help building owners to keep moving their staff as and when required and don’t need to worry about employee safety either. Moreover, should the building be used as a storage facility, it would result in substantial cost savings and increase efficiency as well.

Choosing the right intercoms

When you intend installing intercoms, you first need to check out exactly what you need from them. Accordingly, you could ask your vendor to supply you with a customized system that serves your purpose best and at the lowest possible cost.

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These systems are designed and installed to ensure people’s safety because they guard against fires and poisonous gases like carbon monoxide and methane, both of which are serious threats to human life.

Principles of installing life safety systems

Life safety systems are generally customized to a facility’s specific needs while also addressing potential risks that are likely to arise in day to day operations. The manufacturer usually collaborates with a client to choose the best technology that provides the maximum life/fire protection for his environment.

It is also the vendor’s responsibility to test and service any equipment that he installs, be it an office building, retail store, hospital, or residential property.

The advantage is that field devices can function without shielded wire, which reduces costs and makes them easily installable.

Moreover, input/output modules may be “ganged” in groups of six, thus requiring lesser number of boxes, conduit and wiring. The integrated dialer eliminates the requirement for installing an external unit

It is also for the vendor to have trained and experienced service technicians and operators at a 24×7 central station approved by the local fire department and with all proper certifications to provide on-going support and reliable services within the shortest possible time.

Compliance standards of life safety systems

Safety laws stipulate that all life safety systems must comply with the latest code standards of the NFPA, facility-specific provisions set by insurance companies and local requirements.

Moreover, such systems need to be installed by a trained and knowledgeable team comprising electrical engineers, HVAC, and electrical contractors and architects to ensure that the job is perfectly done ad there is no scope for mistakes and/or lapses.

An existing life safety system may be fitted with water-flow detectors to monitor the passage of water to a sprinkler’s head through a paddle that detects sprinkler malfunctions. Smoke detectors may be put in to detect fires early before they spread. These are mountable on walls or ceilings, and may be subsequently integrated with other safety systems.

Carbon monoxide and natural gas detectors are also fixable to life safety systems detect gas leakages by sounding a highly audible alarm before it touches dangerous levels.

The system may also be activated manually on discovering a fire or smoke by pulling the station handle to trigger the alarm both in the BSS monitoring center and locally.

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That’s why having one at home or the workplace has now become an absolute necessity for the protection of your assets and loved ones. However, protection isn’t the only things that commercial electronic system offer.

There’s more to it than just that; you are assured of your peace of mind through the conveniences of in-depth surveillance, intrusion, and access control. The following are the principal benefits of a commercial electronic system.

Video surveillance is the crowning glory of commercial electronic systems: Since nearly all commercial electronic systems nowadays come with single or multiple CCTV cameras, it’s easy to constantly view and monitor an office or home’s entry and exit points as also storage areas in stockyards and godowns 24×7. This, in turn, helps prevent or mitigate incidents of violence and harassment at the workplace or at home.

Video surveillance also reduces manpower costs and enhances worker productivity. Moreover, these commercial electronic systems are mobile connected also and give their users the liberty to monitor home security even when they are on the go.

Reduces fraud & theft: Fraud of any sort committed by employees and/or customers at the workplace are easily detectable through commercial electronic systems, which record everything and serve as actual proof of a misdemeanor taking place.

Moreover, they reduce crime at stores and large shopping malls where people know they’re being watched. Multiple incidents of shoplifting, for instance, have been detected and proved through CCTV systems.

Insurance benefits: For those businesses that deploy sophisticated commercial electronic systems, insurance premium proves to be less expensive as the insurer know that its client will have the necessary proof to support its claim for a theft or burglary.

Commercial electronic systems guide stronger business strategy: An electronic system helps you study your store’s customer flow and traffic patterns and actually helps you plan on improving the store’s layout, stocking new items and goods and in changing the overall strategies for your business.

Say, you are consistently understaffed when the 11 am rush starts. You now know that you have to put more people on the job to tackle the issue.

As more and more state-of-the-art commercial electronic systems enter the market every day, the security risks of running a large business are also getting proportionately reduced. So, these are must-haves in a vastly insecure world.

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Fire systems are generally fully automatic and come equipped with sophisticated sensors that sense rising temperatures or smoke that emanates if there’s a fire.

Components of fire systems

A fire system’s general architecture comprises multiple sensors, a controlling device called the microcontroller, logic circuits or personal computers and buzzers which are also called alarm speakers.

The more sophisticated fire systems  contain auto dialing devices that alert the police, the fire brigade or the building’s owner through a smartphone mechanism.

Moreover, a fire alarm system  is designed and equipped to control all fire alarm components present in a particular building and notify people living in surrounding areas as also the nearest fire service.

Challenges faced by fire systems

• However, it is also seen at times that many fire systems with too many features and components are not only complicated to handle but may fail to actually deliver their goods during an emergency. This, therefore, calls for identification and correction of such problems, particularly when the alarm’s sensors and sprinklers are being tested.
• Some of the most common problems that owners of fire systems face are:
• The alarm panels are incorrectly programmed or adjusted. The panels may have been programmed properly when they were initially installed. On top of this, no adjustable reprogramming was done when the building’s layout changed.
• Detectors were incorrectly selected and placed.
• Detectors installed are inadequate in number and often miss the air handlers.
• System maintenance is deficient with dirty detectors, dead batteries and choked water sprinkler heads not being checked regularly and replaced. This is vital in harsh environments where the system is subject to faster wear and tear.
• The voice evacuation system’s intelligibility and audibility is also at times a hindrance. This happens due to the improper placement of visual notification and audible devices that adversely affect the evacuation system’s intelligibility. Generally, the fire system’s notification part fails because of electrical problems or a dead battery.
• Total absence of zoning or incorrect zoning.
• There is also often a shortage of doors holders that are electromagnetic, leading to tenants propping doors open.
• The fire suppression system may be suffering from leaks or low water pressure, leading to more serious problems later on. Moreover, the average lifespan of fire systems is about fifteen years on an average. If this isn’t replaced or upgraded, the risks of the system not responding to a fire condition are higher.

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