Testing of detection and warning functions of interconnected smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms by single person

A method to test smoke, heat, or carbon monoxide detection and warning functions of each alarm device of an interconnected fire alarm system by a single person carrying a portable standalone device that allows the person to ascertain, at a location where an alarm device is being tested, that all of remaining interconnected alarm devices have activated when the alarm device is tested, the interconnected fire alarm system including:

• two or more compatible interconnected alarm devices hard wired to a power supply of any type, with each of the interconnected alarm devices having a momentary action push to test switch, wherein each of the system's alarm devices include a relay which operates when a higher alarm device current is detected when the alarm device is activated, such as when the alarm device is in test mode or in alarm mode, or when the alarm device has received a signal when another interconnected alarm device is in test mode or in alarm mode;
• an RF wireless transmitter, hard wired to a power source, and connected to normally closed relay contacts of all of the interconnected alarm devices, such that the RF wireless transmitter operates and transmits a wireless RF signal when all alarm device relays are energized and their respective normally closed relay contacts open;
• and
• a standalone portable battery-operated RF receiver unit which, upon receipt of a wireless signal from the RF wireless transmitter previously described, operates an electronic switch to turn on a light emitting diode to indicate that all the interconnected alarm devices have activated and are providing a fire warning;
• wherein the smoke, heat or carbon monoxide detection and warning functions of all of the system's alarm devices are tested by:
• the single person operating the momentary action push to test switch of one of the interconnected alarm devices whilst holding the standalone portable battery-operated RF receiver unit resulting in the alarm device alarm activating and providing a fire warning;
• the activation of the system's alarm devices resulting in all the alarm device relays to operate to open their respective normally closed contacts to turn on the RF wireless transmitter;
• the single person verifying that the light emitting diode LED of the standalone portable battery-operated RF receiver operates to indicate that all of the system's alarm devices have activated and are providing a fire warning, when the standalone portable battery-operated RF receiver unit receives a wireless signal from the RF wireless transmitter to cause its electronic switch to close and turn on the light emitting diode;
• and
• the single person terminating testing of the interconnected alarm device and repeating all previously described actions and verifications for each of the remaining interconnected alarm devices when they are tested in turn, one at a time, to result in all the detection and warning functions of all of the system's alarm devices being tested and proven.

An interconnected fire alarm system including:

• two or more compatible interconnected alarm devices hard wired to a power supply of any type, with each of the interconnected alarm devices having a momentary action push to test switch, wherein each of the interconnected alarm devices include a relay which operates when a higher alarm device current is detected when an alarm device is activated, when the alarm device is in test mode or in alarm mode, or when the alarm device has received an interconnection signal when another interconnected alarm device is in test mode or in alarm mode;
• an RF wireless transmitter, hard wired to a power source, and connected to normally closed relay contacts of all of the interconnected alarm devices, such that the RF wireless transmitter operates and transmits a wireless RF signal when all alarm device relays are energized and their respective normally closed relay contacts open;
• and
• a standalone portable battery-operated RF receiver which, upon receipt of a wireless signal from the RF wireless transmitter previously described, operates an electronic switch to turn on a light emitting diode to indicate that all the interconnected alarm devices have activated and are providing a fire warning.