The Fire Door Monitoring System: Ensuring Safety and Compliance
The fire door monitoring system plays a critical role in monitoring the operational status of fire doors within buildings. As outlined in the "Design Code for Automatic Fire Alarm Systems" (GB 50116-2013), this system is an integral part of the broader automatic fire alarm system. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the components and applications of the fire door monitoring system, emphasizing its importance in facilitating safe evacuations and protecting property during emergencies.
Ankerui Zhou Jie
18860995110
Jiangsu Ankerui Electric Appliance Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Jiangyin, Jiangsu 214405, China
Abstract: The fire door monitoring system is designed to oversee the operational status of fire doors in buildings. It serves as a key subsystem within the automatic fire alarm system, as per the "Design Code for Automatic Fire Alarm Systems" (GB 50116-2013). This article explores the composition and practical application of the fire door monitoring system, highlighting its pivotal role in ensuring the safety of occupants and safeguarding property, based on relevant standards, technical documents, and real-world implementations of the AFRD fire door monitoring system.
Keywords: fire door monitoring system; normally closed fire door; normally open fire door.
Introduction: Fire doors are essential elements in maintaining the structural integrity of fire barriers within buildings. These doors not only serve as physical barriers but also possess fire-resistant and smoke-containment properties. They are crucial for enabling safe evacuation routes and providing access for firefighting personnel. Once a building is operational, if fire doors do not function as intended, they may fail to contain smoke and fire during an emergency. To address this, the "Design Code for Automatic Fire Alarm Systems" (GB 50116-2013) mandates the installation of a fire door monitoring system to ensure fire doors effectively block fire spread and facilitate safe evacuations.
Composition and Functions of the Fire Door Monitoring System
1. Overview of Fire Doors
Fire doors are engineered to meet specific fire-resistance, integrity, and insulation standards for a defined period. Beyond their basic door functions, fire doors are vital components of fire prevention and smoke control strategies. In the event of a fire, fire doors must remain closed in addition to being closed.
Fire doors are categorized into normally closed fire doors and normally open fire doors. Normally open fire doors are typically installed in areas frequently accessed by people. These doors automatically close during a fire, effectively preventing the spread of smoke and flames. Conversely, fire doors located in other areas are usually of the normally closed type. These doors should have visible warnings like "Keep Fire Doors Closed."
2. Structure of the Fire Door Monitoring System
The fire door monitoring system primarily comprises a fire door monitor, fire door monitoring modules, electric door closers, electromagnetic releases, and door magnetic switches. (Refer to Figure 1 for an illustration of the AFRD fire door monitoring system.)
2.1 Fire Door Monitor
The fire door monitor is the heart of the fire door monitoring system. It monitors and controls the open or closed state of fire doors via on-site control devices (both normally open and normally closed doors), door magnetic switches, electric door closers, and electromagnetic release switches. If the system includes a graphic display device, the fire door monitor sends fire door status information to the graphic display device. It also triggers alarms when fire doors are in abnormal states (open or closed) and, upon receiving a fire prevention linkage signal, automatically powers down and closes normally open fire doors.
Figure 2 (AFRD100/B Fire Door Monitoring Host)
2.1.1 Technical Specifications
| Type | Parameter | Value |
|------|-----------|-------|
| Input Power | AC220V ±15%, 50Hz |
| Input Power | 250W |
| Output Voltage | DC24V |
| Output Current | 10A |
| Linkage Input Signal | DC24V |
| Host Capacity | Maximum capacity of two bus loops: 2 × 200 = 400 points, i.e., 400 normally closed fire doors |
| CAN Bus Loop Capacity | Configurable with up to 10 area extensions for capacity expansion |
| Operating System | Windows XP |
| Bus Communication | CAN bus, two buses |
| Power Cable | NH-BV-2 × 2.5mm² |
| Communication Line | ZR-RVSP-2 × 2.5mm² |
| Power Supply Distance | ≤500m (extendable) |
| Communication Distance | ≤1200m (extendable) |
| Display Function | 8-inch touch screen, full Chinese and graphic display |
| Alarm Method | Audible alarm |
| Record | Store ≥10,000 records |
| Print Function | Mini Thermal Printer |
| Operation Classification | Three levels of operation for different worker safety levels |
| Reserve Capacity | Valve-regulated sealed lead-acid battery, capacity 12V/12Ah, 2 sections |
| Relay Output | One set of passive normally open contacts; contact capacity: AC220V/3A or DC30V/3A |
| Dimensions | 550 × 450 × 200 (H × W × D) mm |
| Ambient Temperature | -10°C ~ +55°C |
| Relative Humidity | ≤95% RH |
| Altitude | <2500m |
| Protection Level | IP30 |
2.2 Fire Door Monitoring Module
The fire door monitoring module is responsible for controlling electromagnetic releases and electric door closers while accepting magnetic switch signals. These modules are divided into normally closed monitoring modules and normally open monitoring modules. The normally closed monitoring module remains closed in its normal state, whereas the normally open monitoring module stays open. Upon detecting any state change, the monitoring module reports it to the fire door monitor.
Figure 3 (AFRD-CK Normally Open Fire Door Monitoring Module)
2.2.1 Technical Specifications
| Type | Parameter | Value |
|------|-----------|-------|
| Operating Voltage | DC24V |
| Control Signal Output | DC24V, 1A |
| Communication Method | Secondary bus |
| Ambient Temperature | -10°C ~ +55°C |
| Relative Humidity | ≤95% RH |
| Dimensions | 100 × 100 × 35 (H × W × D) mm |
2.3 Electric Door Closers and Electromagnetic Releases
Electromagnetic releases are often paired with standard mechanical door closers. Used with electric door closers, they are installed on normally open fire doors and connected to the fire door monitoring module to remotely control normally closed fire doors and provide feedback on their status.
Figure 4 (Above: Electromagnetic Release + Mechanical Door Closer; Below: Electric Door Closer)
2.3.1 Technical Specifications
| Type | Parameter | Value |
|------|-----------|-------|
| Operating Voltage | DC24V |
| Power Supply | Communication line power supply |
| Applicable Door Type | Normally open fire door |
| Ambient Temperature | -10°C ~ +55°C |
| Relative Humidity | ≤95% RH |
2.4 Magnetic Switch
The magnetic switch consists of two magnets—one permanent magnet attached to the door and another mounted on the door frame. When the door is closed, the magnets attract each other, signaling closure; when open, they separate, indicating an open state. Connected to the fire door monitoring module, the magnetic switch monitors the door's status and sends signals to the fire door monitor in the control room.
Figure 5 (AFRD-MC Magnetic Switch)
2.4.1 Technical Specifications
| Type | Parameter | Value |
|------|-----------|-------|
| Ambient Temperature | -10°C ~ +55°C |
| Relative Humidity | ≤95% RH |
3. Application of the Fire Door Monitoring System
Figure 6 (Application of AFRD Fire Door Monitoring System in a Commercial Building)
3.1 Equipment List
| Name | Model, Specification |
|------|---------------------|
| Field Device Layer | Fire Door Monitoring Module | AFRD-CB1 (Normally Closed Single Door), AFRD-CB2 (Normally Closed Double Door) |
| | AFRD-CK1 (Normally Open Single Door), AFRD-CK2 (Normally Open Double Door) |
| Magnetic Switch | AFRD-MC |
| Electric Door Closer | AFRD-BMQ |
| Electromagnetic Release | AFRD-DC |
| Station Control Management | Hosts | AFRD100/B Type Fire Door Monitor |
| | Extension | AFRD-QYFJ Area Extension |
3.2 Design Basis of the AFRD Fire Door Monitoring System
| National Standard of the People’s Republic of China | GB29364-2012 "Fire Door Monitor" |
| National Standard of the People’s Republic of China | GB50116-2013 "Design Code for Automatic Fire Alarm Systems" |
| National Standard of the People’s Republic of China | GB50016-2014 "Design Code for Fire Protection of Architectural Design" |
| Public Safety Industry Standard of the People’s Republic of China | GA93-2004 "Fire Door Closer" |
3.3 System Function Introduction
3.3.1 Bus Control Function
This system employs a fire two-bus to connect monitoring modules with communication capabilities. When system equipment experiences short circuits, open circuits, or other faults, the fire door monitor sends a fault alarm signal to indicate the fault location and store the information. These safeguards ensure the reliability of electrical safety.
3.3.2 Firefighting Interconnection Function
This system can interconnect with the fire alarm system. Upon detecting a fire, it receives signals from the fire alarm system and issues commands to terminals via the bus, automatically closing all normally open fire doors to isolate the fire source and smoke.
3.3.3 Control Output Function
Upon receiving information from the fire alarm system, the control output relay closes; once the alarm clears, the relay opens.
3.3.4 Remote Monitoring Function
When the monitoring distance is extensive, regional extensions can be used to extend both communication and power supply distances, uploading monitoring data to the monitor. The monitor can remotely monitor and reset monitoring modules under regional extensions.
3.3.5 User-Friendly Operation and Maintenance
The operation interface features a graphical display, clearly showing the status of each fire door channel. The interface is user-friendly, with stable and reliable software that offers excellent expandability and maintainability.
Conclusion
Fire doors are vital fire barriers and smoke-control measures in buildings. Their proper functioning during a fire is critical to building safety. Thus, real-time monitoring and management of fire doors should be a priority in building fire safety management. To effectively supervise fire doors, a dedicated fire door monitoring system should be installed, with timely repairs conducted based on alerts from the monitoring system.
References:
[1] Design and Application Atlas of Fire Door Monitoring Systems, Zhou Zhong, Yan Shanyong, Liu Yinyan, 2016.9.
[2] Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People's Republic of China. Code for Fire Protection of Architectural Design (GB 50016-2006) [S]. Beijing: China Planning Press, 2006.
[3] Ministry of Public Security, Tianjin Fire Research Institute. Code for Fire Protection of Architectural Design (GB 50016-2014) [S]. Beijing: China Planning Press, 2015.
[4] Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People's Republic of China. Design Code for Automatic Fire Alarm Systems (GB50116-2013) [S]. Beijing: China Planning Press, 2014.
[5] Ministry of Public Security, Shenyang Fire Research Institute. Design Code for Automatic Fire Alarm Systems (GB50116-2013) [S]. Beijing: China Planning Press, 2014.
[6] Discussion on the Design and Installation of Fire Door Monitoring Systems, Li Peiyan, Pang Xiaoxia, Chen Hong, Journal of Building Electrical Codes, 2015.4
About the Author: Zhou Jie, female, undergraduate, works at Jiangsu Ankerui Electric Appliance Manufacturing Co., Ltd., focusing on intelligent building power supply and distribution monitoring systems. QQ, Mobile, Fax, Website: http://
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