AutroSafe Fire Operation Manual

Complete Guide to Operation and Troubleshooting of AutroSafe Fire Alarm System

The AutroSafe interactive fire detection system is an advanced fire alarm solution launched by Autronica Fire and Security AS, widely used in land, ship, and oil and gas facilities. For firefighters, duty engineers, and maintenance teams, mastering the system's operating interface, event handling procedures, and troubleshooting methods is key to ensuring the safety of life and property. This article is based on the system standard operating manual and extracts a practical guide for the entire process from daily monitoring to emergency response, from system configuration to maintenance testing, to help operators quickly and accurately respond to various events.

Overview of System Composition and Operation Panel

1.1 Main components

The core components of the AutroSafe system, as defined by the EN-54 standard, include:

Point: detector or manual alarm button

Control and indication equipment (c.i.e.): supplies power to the detector, receives fault and alarm signals, and emits sound and light indications

Fire alarm equipment (FAD): alarm, sound and light alarm, etc

Fire alarm routing equipment (FARE): transmits alarm signals to the fire receiving station

Fire protection equipment (FPE): automatic fire extinguishing devices, ventilation controllers, etc

Fault alarm routing equipment (FWRE): transmits fault signals to the fault receiving station

1.2 Types of operation panels

The system provides various human-computer interaction panels:

Main control panel (BS-420/BS-430): With identical functions, it is the core operating terminal of the system. Equipped with a 16 line x 40 character LCD display with backlight; It includes an upper status indicator area and a lower operation button area. Support complete alarm processing, menu configuration, and system control.

Display panel (BU-BV-420): can be set as a fire brigade panel or an information panel. The upper structure of the fire brigade panel is the same as that of the main control panel, allowing for silencing and resetting of fire alarm equipment; The information panel serves only as an indicator device, providing public information.

Circuit panel (BU-110 fire brigade circuit panel, BV-110 information circuit panel): The fire brigade circuit panel can mute the internal buzzer, mute/re sound the alarm, and reset the system; The information circuit panel is for indication only.

1.3 Interpretation of Indicator Light Area

Red area on the upper part of the main control panel:

FIRE (flashing red): In a fire alarm, the alarm is in an activated state; Constant light indicates that the mute button has been pressed.

Fire Brig. Signalled: A signal has been sent to the fire department.

More Events (flashing): Multiple detection zones are simultaneously alarming.

Yellow area:

Fault (flashing): unconfirmed fault; Constant illumination indicates confirmation.

Function Disabled: There are components that have been disabled (delay, point, zone, alarm device, etc.).

Testing: At least one detection area is in testing mode.

System Fault: System malfunction.

Power: The power supply is normal (green).

In the lower part of the operation area, there are dedicated indicator lights for functional delay, alarm device failure, fire route failure, alarm device disable, detector suppression, fire extinguishing activation, and local mode.

Operation mode and access level

2.1 Operation Mode and Menu Mode

The system defaults to operating mode and displays current events (fire alarm, malfunction, disable, test). All emergency procedures (mute, confirm, reset) are completed in operating mode. Press the menu button to enter menu mode, which is used to view status, disable/enable components, system settings, and service commands. If there is no operation for 25 seconds, it will automatically return to operation mode.

2.2 Access Level

Level 1: No key or password required, mandatory instructions can be viewed by the public.

Level 2: Key insertion required, authorized security personnel to operate.

Level 3: Password required, allowing for reconfiguration and maintenance.

Level 4: Mechanical tools are required for maintenance and firmware replacement.

Type of detection area and action logic

The Detection Zone is the basic unit of system logical grouping. Understanding that different types of detection zones respond differently to alarm signals is crucial for fire response.

3.1 Immediate action detection area

As soon as the signal arrives, all actions are immediately triggered: FAD, FARE, FPE. No delay.

3.2 Overlap detection area

A single detector alarm will not initiate any output (only indicate). At least two detectors in the same area must sound an alarm to trigger the action. The manual alarm button always triggers the action.

3.3 Delay detection area

Programmable delayed output. There are two stages: initial delay T1 and extended delay T2. The operator can choose to "activate" (start immediately) or "extend delay" (enter T2 from T1). This type is suitable for places that require verification to avoid false positives.

3.4 Delay coincidence detection area

Combining delay and coincidence characteristics. In daytime mode (immediate output action disabled), the first detector alarm enters a silent alarm state, activating some FPE; Enter small alarm after T1; Enter the major alarm after T2. If the second detector in the same area alarms, it will directly enter the major alarm state. In night mode (immediate output action enabled), the first alarm will enter the major alarm.

3.5 SOLAS testing area

Specially designed for marine life safety applications. After receiving the signal, the action is initiated after a programmable delay of T1. The operator can press' Block Alarm 'to terminate the delay and indefinitely block the alarm.

Event handling process

4.1 Fire alarm (without delay)

Indication: The red FIRE indicator light flashes, the FIRE area displays a list of alarm zones, the internal buzzer sounds, the Fire Brig. Signalled lights up, and if there are multiple zones, More Events flashes.

Operation steps:

Act according to the local fire safety plan.

Press the black Mute Panel button to mute the internal buzzer.

Press the Enter key to view the list of alarm areas, and use the up and down arrows to select.

View the specific detector by pressing the number 1 (Show Points).

Press the red Silence Alarms button to turn off all FADs (fire alarm devices). At this point, the FIRE indicator light turns on and the mute timer starts.

To manually reset the alarm, press Action Digit 1 (Resound).

After all FADs have been muted, press the green Reset button to reset the system. If there are still detectors in an alarm state, the system will request confirmation to automatically disable these points (press Enter to confirm), and then reactivate them through Action Digit 3 (Reactivate).

4.2 Fire alarms with alarm delay

When the detection area is a delay zone and 'immediate output action' is disabled, the prefix '*' and remaining delay time are displayed. The operator can:

Extend the delay (T1 → T2) according to the number 4 (Prolong Delay).

Press the number 2 (Activate) to immediately activate all actions.

The subsequent silencing and resetting process is the same as that of a regular fire alarm.

4.3 Fire alarm warning (pre alarm/early warning)

The indication is yellow FIRE Warnings, with no FAD action. Operation steps: Mute the buzzer, check the warning area and points, and confirm the warning by pressing the number 4 (Accept Fire Warning). After confirmation, the area no longer flashes and the system returns to normal.

4.4 Fault Handling

The fault indicator light flashes (unconfirmed) or stays on (confirmed). Operation steps:

Notify the technical personnel.

Press Enter to view the list of faults.

Select the fault item and press Enter to view details.

View the fault point by pressing the number 1 (Show Points).

Confirm the fault with the number 3 (Accept Fault Warning) (only applicable to certain types). After troubleshooting, the system automatically recovers.

Common commands in menu mode

The menu mode is divided into five main menus: SHOW STATION, DISABLE, ENABLE, SYSTEM, and SERVER.

5.1 Show Status

You can view:

Fire alarm (including detailed location, time, address, type, activation output)

Fire alarm warning

Fault (location, nature, detailed text)

Disable situation (detection area, point, FAD, FARE, output FWRE、 Immediate output action)

Detection area during testing

Activated outputs (door control unit, low-level lighting, standard control unit, FAD, etc.)

Activity sensor (smoke sensor)

Oil and gas suppression point

5.2 Disable/Enable

Can be disabled/enabled: detection area, point FAD、FARE、 Output FWRE、 Carrier, immediate output action. Disable time (hours/minutes) needs to be set, and it will be automatically enabled upon expiration. It can also be manually enabled.

Example of disabling detection area:

Menu → 2 (Disabled) → 1 (Detection Zones) → Enter zone name or arrow selection → Enter → Enter disable duration → Enter confirm.

5.3 System Menu

Level 2 or 3 required:

Set date and time

View program version and project information

Enter/Exit Level 3 (Password)

Printer paper feed

Switch language (English/local language)

Manually initialize the system

Cancel suppression point

Start/stop automatic day night timer, override automatic operation

5.4 Service Command

Level 3 is required, which includes the following key functions:

Test:

Testing in the detection area: After entering the testing mode, conducting smoke/heat testing on the detector will not trigger FAD/FAME/FPE actions, but will display the "Alarm test" status on the display screen. To leave the test mode, execute "Leave Test Mode" in the menu and press the reset button to ensure exit.

Output testing: Manually test FAD, FARE, FWRE, and other outputs (FPE). The test signal has the lowest priority and automatically covers in case of a fire alarm. Before testing FPE, it is necessary to disconnect the actual fire extinguishing equipment and use measuring instruments to detect the output.

Event Log:

Record fire alarms, pre alarms, warnings, malfunctions, disabling/enabling, user operations, testing, and all events. Can set reading parameters (time range, direction, number of entries), filters (points, FAD, loop units), and support clearing logs.

Loop command:

Disable or enable circuits one by one without interrupting the system. Note that when the circuit is disabled and re enabled, all circuit units except for the point will lose their previous disabled state.

Report:

SV Fault: List detectors with SelfVerify faults

Polluted: List pollution detectors

SV Reports to USB: Export Self Verification Reports to USB Drive

View SV Report Status: View export progress

Upgrade:

Upgrade system software or configuration through USB flash drive, export configuration or logs, view upgrade status, and restart the system. Important reminder: After upgrading, you must execute the 'Reboot System'.

Remote access:

Enable web access through Ethernet and allow remote services. Automatically shut down after 12 hours of activation each time.

Dual Safety:

In redundant primary/backup systems, loop control can be manually transferred from the primary system to the backup system.

Oil and gas command:

Suppression point: After suppression, this point does not send an alarm to the output, but the panel still displays the alarm information.

Cancel suppression point

Set low/high alarm limits for gas detectors

Obtain gas detector measurement values

Daily maintenance and troubleshooting suggestions

6.1 Daily Inspection

Confirm that the Power indicator light is always green.

Regularly check the monitor for any unconfirmed faults or disabled items.

Perform an indicator light test once a month (press and hold the green Reset button for at least 5 seconds).

Regularly trigger detector testing according to local regulations and cooperate with testing mode verification in the testing area.

Check the paper roll of the printer (if any) and perform a paper feeding test through the system menu.

6.2 Common Problems and Countermeasures

Problem: Resetting is invalid

Confirm that the 'Silence Alarms' button has been pressed to silence, otherwise the system will refuse to reset.

Problem: Real alarm triggered during testing of new detector

The detection area has not been set to test mode. Enter Service → Test → Detection Zone Test → Enter Test Mode.

Problem: Unable to mute internal buzzer

Power loss or system malfunction may result in inability to mute; First, check the power indicator.

Problem: The log shows a large number of "CRC errors" or internal watchdog resets

Possible power interference or hardware failure, it is recommended to contact maintenance.

Problem: Upgrade failed

Ensure that the USB drive format is correct and the files are valid. After inserting the USB drive, wait for at least 5 seconds before executing the upgrade command, and use "View Upgrade Status" to monitor the progress.

6.3 Maintenance precautions

When replacing the detector on the circuit, the corresponding circuit can be disabled first to avoid transient interference. Replace and reactivate the circuit.

For intrinsically safe equipment, care should be taken to avoid short circuits during live maintenance.

Export complete event logs at least once a year for auditing purposes.

Partition concept and operational numbers

7.1 Partition Overview

Detection Zone (DZ): A logical group of detectors or manual alarm buttons that serve as triggers for alarms.

Alarm Zone (AZ): A geographical area that emits audible and visual alarms, which can be activated by one or more DZs. Adjacent zones can be defined for each AZ (issuing warning signals).

Operation Area (OZ): Define the control range of the operation panel, which can be nested to build levels. One OZ can control multiple DZs and support switching between day and night modes.

7.2 Dynamic numeric keys in operating mode

When the information bar is highlighted, the numbers 1-4 represent the currently executable actions:

1: Display point information/echo alarm/display fire information (depending on context)

2: Activate delayed action

3: Reactivate disabled points/confirm faults/enable disabled components

4: Display suppression information/extend delay/accept fire alarm warning/block alarm (SOLAS)

Proficiently using these dynamic buttons can greatly improve operational efficiency.