Does anyone know how to get the MA3000 to send a daily test signal, as required by NFPA, on both phone lines. No problem sending test on telco 1, just don't know how to make it test on telco 2. On our commercial fire alarms, each line calls into a different account number and different receiver for each line. We get no test on the second line. Thanks, Allan
Can you program openings and closings to dial on the second line? If so, set up an auto-arm-auto-disarm window for the same time every day. This should satisfy your "test" transmission requirements.
The CF5530 two line module for the Napco MA3000 selects the best working line of the two connected to it to dial out on. You cannot dictate which of these is to be used for a test. You can, however, program the system to send a test to a second phone number by programming the test to be sent to 1 and 3. This will test the second central station line, but not the second phone line connected to the panel. The panel automatically reports a problem with either phone should one have failed or has a problem.
I think the bigger issue here is that the Napco equipment must meet all the UL requirements to be listed. If UL requires test signals generated from "line 2", then Napco is obligated to provide this to maintain their UL listing. Besides, the "daily test" can't be duplicated. All the ULC communicators I work with have provision for only one daily test report, and that's typically on the primary line.
My copy of NFPA 71 doesn't mention that. It only states that "each DACT shall automatically initiate and complete a test signal transmission sequence to its associated DACR at least once every 24 hours." AFAIK that remains the only requirement other than the one that states that failure of a telephone line shall be annunciated locally and transmitted to the DACR within 4 minutes on the second (backup) line.
Unless the AHJ wants something "out of the ordinary", UL's requirements mirror NFPA 71. I've just checked the latest edition and there's no actual requirement for performing a 24 hour test transmission on the back-up line. Check my response to DougL.
It sure took you long enough to spot yet another great piece of "advice" from someone that's obviously never installed a UL listed fire alarm communicator and is unfamiliar with the code requirements. And he sells full blown fire alarm systems... to DIYer's... scary.
God damn Canadians! :-) Stick to your Canadian standards!
First of all, NFPA 71 no longer exists. It hasn't for a lot of years now. The National Fire Alarm Code (in the US) is NFPA 72.
Refer to 8.5.3.2.1.4 in the 2002 edition, and you will find the following:
(B) The following requirements shall apply to all combinations [of transmission channels] listed in 8.5.3.2.1.4(A):
(1) Both channels shall be supervised in a manner approved for the means of transmission employed,
(2) Both channels shall be tested at intervals not exceeding 24 hours.
Exception No. 2: Where two telephone lines (numbers) are used, it shall be permitted to test each telephone line (number) at alternating 24-hour intervals.
(3) The failure of either channel shall send a trouble signal on the other channel within 4 minutes.
I believe that requirement was added at some point, perhaps after this Napco panel received its UL listing. In which case, this requirement is not retroactive for existing systems. However, a newly installed system would have to comply, and if the panel is incapable of doing so, I would say it cannot be used on a new install.
This was a requirement that first appeared in the 1996 NFPA 72 edition to be effective June 1998
NFPA 72-1996 Section 4-5.3.2.1.6.2
NFPA 72-1999 Section 5-5.3.2.1.6.2
state that both channels shall be tested at intervals not exceeding 24 hours with an exception that if two lines (numbers) are used it shall be permitted to test each line (number) at alternating 24-hour intervals
Unless the requirement has been removed in later editions, I believe you will find that it is required for the 24 hour test to alternate between the two lines or test both lines every 24 hours.
Done right the phone connection isn't compromised. Not tested at all, the phone connection might in fact be compromised and you wouldn't even know about it.
Then again, you wouldn't be able to judge what is smart.
The customer would have to manually test the second line, while it isn't the best thing to do it's far better than a jury-rigged relay. `Try explaining your relay testing system sometime to a fire marshall and see what he thinks as he tags the system
Cabling-Design.com Forums website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.