what does it all mean?
Here Fire Systems Ltd, explain the differences between open and closed protocol fire alarm systems and outline the advantages and disadvantages of each type of system and what this could mean for the customer.
The term ‘protocol’, when used with reference to electronic products, refers to the way in which the products communicate with each other. Within the fire alarm industry, Protocols are often referred to as ‘open’, ’closed’, ‘digital’ and ‘analogue’. It is important to be sure what each term means when comparing different types of analogue fire alarm detection systems.
In the fire detection industry, analogue addressable fire systems use control panels and detectors which communicate with each other by means of a protocol. Some fire equipment manufacturers offer both panels and detectors. These companies have no obligation to disclose the nature of their protocol to anyone, since they offer all the elements needed to provide an analogue addressable fire alarm system. No equipment supplied by other manufacturers is expected to be compatible with such systems, so the protocol used is said to be ‘closed’.
A number of manufacturers of detectors make no control panels; they have built up partnerships with independent panel manufacturers and, in some cases, companies who offer special equipment such as aspirating fire detection systems. The detector manufacturer determines the protocols used by the detectors and publishes the information and technical data required by panel manufacturers in order to design panels that will drive the detectors. Since all details of the protocol must be disclosed, it is referred to as an ‘open’ protocol.
Closed protocols
Manufacturers of equipment using closed protocols claim that all elements of their equipment (detectors, panels, call points, interfaces, special detectors such as beam detectors) will work harmoniously with each other, since it is all designed and made by the same company. The implication is that a fire system comprising detectors and interfaces from one manufacturer and panels from another cannot work as well with each other.
Open protocol
The manufacturers of the components of a fire alarm system with an open protocol would reply that products from different manufacturers of fire equipment work just as well with each other. Indeed, there might even be an advantage in having different specialist manufacturers concentrating on their own skills.
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