reak glass call polnts have been ) the manual actrvatlon method for

fire alarm systems slnce tlme rmmemorlal, but ~t was rn 1972 I that KAC created the modern

break glass call point. Thls was when the Idea of scoring the reverse of the glass and using a protectrve fllm enabllng ~t to fracture cleanly and safely was conceived Havlng created this operating technology In the manual call polnt market, KAC consolrdated its posltlon through a commitment to contrnuous product lnnovatron, plus hlgh qualrty manufacturing The current World Serles range of manual call polnts, Introduced m 1997, is the third generatron of devlces from KAC whlch incorporates the orrglnal beneflts Into an rntegrated range of devrces and accessorres Now the range has advanced to the fourth generatron.

Upon initial installation, MCP - a new Call Point revolution WC's latest development, the new MCP range, provrdes major advances In installatlon efficrency, full compilance and flexibility with the latest standards whilst also offering further benefrts for the Installer, the specifrer, the frre system Integrator and the end user.

The new range reflects the requests made by KAC customers, specifrers and OEM partners. Every change and improvement in the MCP is there because it has been asked for by the very people who speclfy, install and use the product.

Although the new MCP range offers many innovatwe new features, the range has also been designed to be backward compatible wlth the current range of accessorres and can be used, therefore, as a transparent upgrade or replacement In exlsting installat~ons.

l cabling can be terminated into the MCP terminal block. The terminal block is then fitted with a simple continuity link, enabling the wiring of the fire alarm system to be tested for open, short circuit and earth fault without the manual call point unit itself John Hadley

introduces the fourth generation manual call point technology available from KAC.

installation guidelines code or practice for fire

in place. Therefore, the MCP product does not need to be fitted until the final commissioning stage. This is extremely

detection and alarm systems, BS 5839-1 :2002,

advantageous because full - installation before which calls for EN54-l l manual cali points, thus commissioning on a site where

other services are still being installed can permitting resetable call points to be installed in UK fire alarm systems, should also speed up the change.

It should be pointed out that this

drafts later the finished standard EN54-11 was published. This standard sought to harmonise the many variations of rnanual activation devices and provide a common platform.

Traditionally, BS5839 Part 2:1983, the British Call Point standard, stipulated that

increase the likelihood of damage. Upon final commissioning, the continuity

link is removed from the 'plug and play' terminal block, which is then plugged directly into the back of the MCP. Simple

&E$!& HERE m"""""- RBmM EMBWPBOBTH

A new standard In 1989 an initial draft of a new European standard was crrculated for technical comment and revrew. 12 years and several

transition should move towards the EN54- 11 markings becoming the standard across Europe, but it does not mean all operating elements wrll become re-settable, as both break glass and re-settable elements can

but effective: no re-termination required, no time wasted. The call point is now electrically installed; the call point body is screwed to the back box, the break glass or re-settable element is placed in position

a frangible element (i.e. a break glass) should be used as the operating element for manual call points. This element should irreversibly fracture under pressure or impact. The introduction of EN54-11 brought about a change to the operating element by allowing a component that is glass or has the appearance of glass and which after receiving a blow or pressure as instructed is physically broken or visibly displaced. It further clarified that non re-

still be used under this new standard. With B85839 Part 2:1983 standard only just being phased out it is too early to predict which operating element will become more popular.

addrtional component parts. Providing the cholce of element is one of rnat sets the MCP range on a new level.

the many decisions our customers will A new patented 'plug and play' concept

make during the system design phase and is at the heart of this new design, which

by providing both options, we glve them utilises a special termlnal block.

the opportunity to make their decision free from any commercial pressures or constraints.

and secured. lnstallation complete As a further advantage, the MCP

terminal block provides a common interface for both intelligent and non- Both elements have characteristics that

make them more or less suitable for speciflc applications. However, in WC's opinion, based upon 30 years of

intelligent versions of the device.

Even more benefits The soft curve styling of the new MCP

will complement today's architectural design trends wtthout compromising the

experience, glass still acts as a deterrent against misuse. Indeed, EN54-11 states that the frangible element should be glass or have the appearance of glass to be a deterrent against misuse.

As a customer-focussed manufacturer, we believe in providing customers with the choice of system components they need to provide the highest levels of safety and reliability in life-critical safety systems. To this end, the new MCP can be configured as either a break glass call point or a flexible element re-settable unit as required -and changing from one to the other in a matter of seconds without having to add

1 settable is an element that needs to be replaced, whereas a re-settable can be returned to its original position without replacement.

Both of these standards ran side by side after the introduction of EN54-11 on 15th July 2001. However, although there has been some transfer to the new EN54-11 standard, take up has been slow. The adoption of EN54-11 should now move significantly quicker as the BS5839 Part 2:1983 standard was withdrawn on 1st September 2003. In addition the introduction of the new design and

The installation solution - 'Plug & Play' The old adage, 'tlme is money', was probably flrst coined by an electrical contractor on site and without doubt, like so many other electrical ~nstallations, the pressure of trme, and ultimately cost, are always at the forefront of any fire lnstallation. Therefore, ease of lnstallation has become of paramount importance to many rnstallers of flre products.

Significantly reducing installatlon time

I essential high visibility needed. The MCP, whichever operating element

is fitted, has a number of features that help to preserve the integrity of the overall system. If the lid is removed without isolating the device from the panel, the fire system will go into alarm.

The patented test, reset and lid release feature provides quick release of the manual call point lid whtlst maintaining a robust design. This new design IS operated by a single tool, which is also backwards

was on of the major design parameters for the MCP range, a challenge that has been met through a completely new approach

MARCH 2004 F I R E SAFETY E N G I N E E R I N G 29

compatible wlth the World Serles and earlier generat~ons of the KAC call point

New products The new MCP range also includes yet more innovatwe products.

In addltion to versions with the traditional dedicated normally open, normally closed and 470 ohm reslstor models, the new MCP range also includes a new dual function product, which IS a comblned clean contact and resistor model, one providing a normally open clean contact system solution and the other a 470 ohm resistor system solution. Changlng from one to the other IS a slmple matter of mating the push fit 'plug and play' terminal block with the correct termlnal set, provldlng the Installer wlth flexibility if the system requ~rements change at the last minute, potenttally reduclng stock holdlng requirements and enabllng one product to be used in a varlety of appllcatlons.

By increasing the available PCB boaro space, a new addressable version of the MCP can be supplled complete with built- in isolation rf required. This product prov~des short clrcult protection to the loop wlthout having to f ~ t addltlonal discrete loop isolators. By integrating short circuit protection ~nto the MCP, fewer separate loop components have to be installed, agaln helplng to reduce installation tlme without jeopardising the lntegrlty of the overall system.

The new MCr range call pornr

However ~nnovatlve the MCP ~tself, KAC can guarantees that one thlng has not changed that IS ~ t s comm~tment to qual~ty and servlce Both the break glass and resetable verslons are th~rd party approved to EN54-l l , they are fully compat~ble wlth all ex~stlng KAC accessories such as the surface mount box, Patress and term~nal trays and they readlly flt most establ~shed

patterns of electrical outlet boxes in the world. Adding in KAC's well-established customer branding services, high quality manufacturing, outstanding service ethos and technical support functions makes the MCP an even more attractive replacement for its World Service range.