Automatic Fire Alarm Monitoring
Connecting Fire Alarm Systems to your state Fire Brigades
Romteck Grid is a wholly owned Australian company contracted to the State Fire Brigades in Victoria, NSW and ACT to deliver the essential service of Automatic Fire Alarm Monitoring. Romteck Grid uses the very latest Alarm Signalling Equipment (ASE) made right here in Australia and expertly monitored via our purpose built Monitoring Centre with the highest rating available in Australia - Grade A1.
We are a fully independent company that specialises in personalised service – whether you have one building or a portfolio of sites across multiple States.
We can also offer additional monitoring – such as your pumps and other equipment.
Romteck Grid is a highly regarded organisation whose expert services are widely used by Government, Commercial and Residential building owners.
Romteck Grid, Australia's most trusted provider.
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certification@romteckgrid.com.au
Telephone: 1300 658 158
24/7 Monitoring Centre: 1300 552 231
THE TECHNICAL SIDE
General
The Romteck Alarm Signalling Equipment (ASE) is installed in premises to report fire alarms from the automatic fire alarm system installed in the premises.
The ASE does not create fire alarms but merely reports the fire alarms generated by the automatic fire alarm system.
The ASE does not report fire alarms that are “local” in that the particular devices or fire alarms are not configured to activate the Brigades Call fire output relay in the automatic fire alarm system.
Such devices may activate audible warning tones, sirens or bells from the automatic fire alarm system or an evacuation system.
The ASE is effectively a sophisticated specialised modem with dual carrier communication links for the highest level of availability.
Communication Links
The ASE normally communicates by use of a primary communications link and a secondary or backup link. In most cases the ASE will use the primary link to report fire alarms.
In the event the primary link fails or is unavailable for any reason, the ASE will seize the secondary or backup link and report via this link until the primary link is restored.
Monitoring
Romteck Grid Pty Ltd facilitates the monitoring of fire alarms generated by the FIP or sprinkler system in premises by effectively providing a network to transmit the fire alarms to the relevant Fire Authorities in ACT, NSW or VIC.
The Fire Authorities actually “monitor” the fire alarms in that the fire alarms report on terminals in the Fire & Rescue communication rooms and the staff react to these signals by dispatching one or more fire fighting appliances to the relevant site.
Romteck Grid Pty Ltd’s Monitoring Centre staff cannot prevent a fire alarm once activated from reporting to the Fire Authorities.
In fact, once an ASE reports a fire alarm, the staff at our Monitoring Centre cannot physically prevent the alarm from reporting to the relevant Fire Authorities as the fire alarm electronically reports without human intervention.
Operation of the Romteck ASE
The ASE in normal state displays a solid green LED next to the ‘Power’ label on the faceplate of the ASE.
When the secondary or backup link is in use the ASE displays a solid yellow LED next to the ‘Off Hook’ label on the faceplate of the ASE.
When transmitting a signal, the ASE displays a solid red LED next to the ‘Poll’ label on the faceplate of the ASE. Depending on recent communications, the solid red LED may stay on for less than a second to a minute or more. This is because the Monitoring Centre computer may keep the ASE on line to conduct a routine diagnostic check.
The ASE can display a flashing red LED next to the ‘Poll’ label on the faceplate of the ASE to indicate polling of the primary communication link.
If the primary link is unavailable the ASE displays a solid red LED next to the ‘Primary Link Failed’ label on the faceplate of the ASE.
When the key on the ASE is turned to either ‘Test’ or ‘Isolate’ mode, the ASE displays a solid red LED next to the ‘Test/Isolate’ label on the faceplate of the ASE.
When the ASE is receiving a fire alarm from the FIP or Sprinkler Valve Set, the ASE displays a rapid flashing red LED next to the input on the faceplate of the ASE.
When the ASE is receiving a fault or isolate indication the ASE displays a slow flashing red LED next to the appropriate input on the faceplate of the ASE.
When the ASE has a secondary communications link that is not operational, the ASE Primary Link Failed LED flashes.
The ASE will automatically reset an LED if the particular condition has reset. For example, when a fire alarm is reset on the FIP or at the Sprinkler Valve Set, the ASE will reset and the LED next to the appropriate input will cease flashing.
The ASE does not generate any audible sounds so if there is a bell, siren or other audible tone reported at premises, the ASE is not the source of the audible indication.
ASE Key Switch
Only the Romteck ASE key should be used in the ASE key switch; use of other keys can damage the key switch.
When key switching the ASE into Test Mode or Isolate Mode the user must verify the Test/Isolate LED is lit to confirm change of mode.
Testing
Simple testing instructions are displayed on the faceplate of the ASE.
The fire testing contractor should ensure that each time a test is conducted the ASE is turned to the test position before any alarms are generated on the FIP or at the Sprinkler Valve Set. The FIP and the Sprinkler Valve Set must be returned to normal before the key is used to return the ASE to the normal position.
While the ASE is turned to test position no fire alarms will be reported to the Fire Authorities.
Romteck Grid Pty Ltd’s Monitoring Centre software will record fire alarms activated while the ASE is in the test position.
During each test of a FIP the fire testing contractor should generate an alarm on the FIP and ensure the appropriate input on the ASE is flashing rapidly.
During each test of a Sprinkler Valve Set the fire testing contractor should generate an alarm on the Sprinkler Valve Set and ensure the appropriate input on the ASE is flashing rapidly.
The key should be used to return the ASE to the normal position within 120 minutes or the ASE will override Test Mode and transmit fire alarms to the Fire Authorities. Note that the key position stays in the ‘Test’ position but the ASE will transmit fire alarms to the Fire Authorities.
Isolate
If the key is used to turn the ASE to the isolate, no fire alarms will be reported to the Fire Authorities.
Romteck Grid Pty Ltd’s Monitoring Centre software will record fire alarms activated while the ASE is in the Isolate Mode.
The key should be used to return the ASE to the normal position within 720 minutes or the ASE will override Isolate Mode and transmit fire alarms to the Fire Authorities. Note that the key position stays in the ‘Isolate’ position but the ASE will transmit fire alarms to the Fire Authorities. A very small number of older or special communication link ASE do not override Isolate Mode after 720 minutes and must be key switched back to Normal Mode.
The ASE should only be turned to the isolated position to perform actual works on the automatic fire alarm system and every effort should be made to return the ASE to the normal position as soon as possible.
In the event there are faulty or unusable zones or detectors in an automatic fire alarm system, it is desirable to isolate the relevant zones on the Fire Indicator Panel to allow other zones to report fire alarms to the Fire Authorities rather than leaving the ASE in the isolate position.
Test and Isolate Follow Up
It is the responsibility of the person placing the ASE into Test Mode or Isolate Mode to ensure the ASE is returned to Normal Mode. The same applies to a person isolating zones on an FIP.
ASE Temporarily Stopped from Reporting to the Fire Authorities
Romteck Grid Pty Ltd is able by using the software located at the Romteck Grid Pty Ltd Monitoring Centre to stop an ASE reporting to the Fire Authorities. This effectively “isolates” ASE activity from the Fire Authorities. This is normally done at the direction of the Fire Authorities following a series of false alarms from a site until the fire service company can attend and rectify the situation.
Usually this is done if a faulty FIP is generating numerous signals to the Fire Authorities and interfering with the network or causing multiple unnecessary calls. Romteck Grid Pty Ltd can also stop an ASE reporting to the Fire Authorities at the request of an appropriate person, such as a Building Manager. If reporting is be stopped for over 24 hours Romteck Grid Pty Ltd reserves the right to require written confirmation.
The normal and far more desirable procedure, however, is for the ASE to be key isolated on site as the persons on site have the best knowledge of the situation.
Service
There are no user serviceable parts in the ASE.
If a fire contractor notes the appropriate input on the ASE is not flashing when a fire alarm is activated while the ASE is in the test position, the contractor should first investigate the matter, in particular to check if:
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The zone or alarm is only a local fire alarm.
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The zone or alarm is faulty in that it is not activating the general fire alarm output and hence the ASE.
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The general fire alarm output is shunted or isolated by the contractor’s activities. For example, by isolating items such as bells, EWIS or AHU equipment, the general fire alarm relay may be isolated.
If necessary the fire contractor should then report the matter to Romteck Grid Pty Ltd as a potential service problem. The input may not be flashing for a number of reasons including:
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1. The cables between the FIP or Sprinkler Valve Set and the ASE may be damaged.
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The ASE may be faulty.