A method of testing a smoke alarm system including: receiving a first manual input via an input device of a mobile device from a user of the mobile device, the first manual input indicating that the user would like to initiate a test of the smoke alarm system including one or more smoke alarms, the one or more smoke alarms including at least a first smoke alarm; determining a time slot allocation, the time slot allocation indicating when each of the one or more smoke alarms should emit an alarm; transmitting the time slot allocation to each of the one or more smoke alarms, wherein each of the one or more smoke alarms is configured to activate the alarm in accordance with the time slot allocation; activating a first alarm on the first smoke alarm; and receiving a second manual input indicating that the user has heard the first alarm.

An apparatus and method of up-dating an existing alarm monitoring system control panel having installed wire loops, with detectors coupled thereto, and installed end-of-line resistors. Upon removal of the existing control panel, the loops are coupled to an up-graded control panel having an adjustable loop interface. The existing loops can be coupled to the adjustable loop interface. The interface automatically determines operating loop voltages in view of existing end-of-line resistors. Detectors on the loops can be read without any changes needed to end-of-line resistor values. Determined operating loop voltages can be digitized and stored in the up-graded control panel for subsequent use in monitoring loop operating characteristics.

The present invention provides a mounting bracket for supporting a detachable device and includes emergency lighting. In one embodiment, the mounting bracket includes an attachment means for mounting the detachable device, and at least one light source, wherein the mounting bracket is configured to receive power from a first power source, to receive power from a second power source, and to illuminate the at least one light source if the first power source is not available.

The invention relates to a sensor monitoring system comprising at least one sensor (101, 102, 103) and a processing unit (150), wherein the sensor is arranged to transmit during a plurality of successive time periods data items to the processing unit and the processing unit is arranged to receive the data items from the said at least one sensor, the processing unit being further arranged for: determining for at least some time periods from the said plurality of successive time periods a number of corresponding data items; comparing between the at least some time periods the number of the corresponding data items; deducing for the at least some time periods a parameter associated with a variation in the number of data items per said some time periods. The invention further relates to a processing unit, and a method and a computer program for sensor monitoring.

An integrated building occupant protection system includes alarm units having a controller, one or more sensors, a timer, a transceiver, an audio alert device, and a communication device. When a sensor detects a threat, the audio alert device is activated. The transceiver transmits an event signal to mobile devices associated with the building occupants. The controller uses response signals from those devices to pinpoint the location of the occupants, which may be broadcast by the communication device. The mobile devices may be cellular telephones or pet collar devices. The system is configured to perform periodic self-tests. A system for generating revenue by selling promotional time following the system tests is also provided.

An audio unit, connected or connectable to a safety-critical apparatus, or integrated or integrable in the apparatus, is proposed. The audio unit may comprise a driver unit, a detection unit, and an alert unit. The driver unit may generate an analog audio signal in response to a request from the apparatus, to drive an acoustic output unit and thereby generate an acoustic signal for a user of the apparatus. The detection unit may detect the audio signal. The alert unit may generate an alert signal in response to the request if the detection unit has not detected the audio signal. It can thus be checked whether the acoustic signal is generated. A method for generating a safety critical acoustic signal is also described.

A system and method for testing fire detection and fire annunciation devices of a fire alarm system includes a central operations system, which provides a link between a control panel of the fire alarm system and a mobile computing device operated by a technician. During a walkthrough test, the on-site technician activates fire detection or fire annunciation devices of the fire alarm system and the activated devices signal the control panel and event data are generated. Event data from the control panel are sent to the central operations system to be stored. The central operations system sends the event data to a mobile computing device operated by the technician. The on-site technician is then able verify that the devices are physically sound, unaltered, working properly, and located in their assigned locations.

An approach for supervision of an audio path within an audio system that conserves power while operating in battery mode by temporarily turning off pre-determined audio components of the audio system when not performing supervision tasks and no audio is present on the audio path.

The subject disclosure relates to solutions for testing lighting systems and in particular, for verifying lighting system operability in the event of a power failure. A process of the disclosed technology can include steps for receiving an interrupt command, toggling an interrupt relay in response to the interrupt command, and measuring one or more lighting characteristics of the lighting array to determine if the second power supply can power the lighting array. Systems and machine-readable media are also provided.

A system and method for testing fire detection and fire annunciation devices of a fire alarm system includes a central operations system, which provides a link between a control panel of the fire alarm system and a mobile computing device operated by a technician. During a walkthrough test, the on-site technician activates fire detection or fire annunciation devices of the fire alarm system and the activated devices signal the control panel and event data are generated. Event data from the control panel are sent to the central operations system to be stored. The central operations system sends the event data to a mobile computing device operated by the technician. The on-site technician is then able verify that the devices are physically sound, unaltered, working properly, and located in their assigned locations.