Networking
The principle of networking involves connecting several panels together to form a system. Inputs on one panel may activate outputs on another, for example, or the network may allow monitoring of many systems. Networking is often used in situations where one panel is not large enough, or in multiple-building situations. Networking is also an effective way to decouple systems to reduce the risk of a large portion of a facility going offline at any time due to system failure or maintenance requirements. Sub-Networks can be created using either hardware or software architectures. Networked systems normally are more costly and involve additional training and system configuration for successful implementation.
Although quasi-standards exist that allow panels from different manufacturers to be networked with each other, they are not in favor with a lot of companies. One of the most common protocols used is BACnet which is common for various type of industrial networks. At least one system manufacturer, The Mircom Group of Companies provides a networkable Fire Alarm Control Panel with a BACnet inteface allowing non-proprietary interoperability of the Fire Alarm Control Panel FACP with other building systems. Typical interconnected systems to the Fire Alarm Control Panel include HVAC, Building Automation Controllers, Security/Access Control or Elevator Controllers. Interoperable systems greatly reduce the long term maintenance cost of a system and can provide greater emergency response than proprietary offerings.
The Arcnet protocol has been used for years in industrial applications and it is also used for networking Fire Alarm Control Panels.
More recently, some panels are being networked with standard Ethernet, but this is not yet very common. Most organizations choose to create their own proprietary protocol, which has the added benefit of allowing them to do anything they like, allowing the technology to progress further. However, a bridging layer between the proprietary network and BACnet is usually available.
Networking may be used to allow a number of different panels to be monitored by one graphical monitoring system.
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