Honeywell announced that it will release a major update to the Fire-Lite Alarms® Emergency Command Center (ECC) application. The app is expected to be available in the Apple® iTunes® store by the end of April, and will offer a unique user experience as a simulated system layout and demonstration tool, as well as an end-user training aid. While emphasising the ECC system’s ease-of-use, version 2.0 highlights new emergency communication capabilities, including low frequency notification and audio power backup.
The updated application will include interactive options for emergency events, alerts and building floor plans, plus demonstrations of live paging and remote access functions. When laying out a system in one of the app’s three new floor plans, technical documentation for the applicable products and information on compatible accessories is automatically compiled for quick download. Creating a simple sales and training tool for the benefit of Fire-Lite Alarms dealers was the ultimate goal, according to Ken Gentile, product manager of Fire-Lite Alarms.
Realistic operation & remote paging feature
“Dealers are going to be blown away by the updated App; the ECC’s operation is so realistic and it really emphasises how easy this emergency communication system can integrate into a particular customer’s facility,” said Gentile. “We’ve even incorporated video to better demonstrate how the ECC functions during fire alarm and severe weather events, in addition to its remote paging feature.”
The latest enhancements to the application will also highlight two essential additions to the ECC line to satisfy recent code and engineering requirements. Dealers can now upload 520 Hz square wave tones to the ECC to meet low frequency notification requirements prescribed by NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, as well as the International Building and Fire Codes. Currently, jurisdictions in more than 45 U.S. states have adopted these codes and are now requiring hotels, dormitories, apartment complexes, assisted living facilities and other commercial lodging occupancies to install low frequency notification in sleeping areas. Research has shown the 520 Hz tone to be the most effective at waking sleeping occupants, including those with hearing loss.
Fire-Lite Alarms ECC-50BDA provides primary & back-up power to ECC speaker
An increasing number of engineer specifications are mandating a backup amplifier, in the event a primary amplifier fails, to power fire alarm voice evacuation and emergency communication audio systems, such as the ECC. To meet these survivability prerequisites, the new Fire-Lite Alarms ECC-50BDA distributed audio amplifier is now available to provide the primary and back-up power to all ECC speaker circuits and zones. This new amplifier’s backup capabilities are integrated into the same unit. For larger installations that require significant power, a total of eight ECC-50BDA amplifiers can be installed on a system for up to 400 watts of distributed audio power with full backup capability.
