Control panel for fire alarm systems and a method for updating the configuration information

A fire alarm control panel (FACP) for a fire alarm system, the FACP comprising:

• a housing;
• a communication module configured within the housing and configured to establish a short-range wireless communication with a portable electronic device of a user;
• a data transfer region visibly defined by an opening or markings on a door of the housing of the FACP or on a cover provided between the door and a housing body of the housing of the FACP, wherein the data transfer region is visually identifiable on the housing of the FACP by the user, wherein, from a visual perspective of the user, the communication module is spatially located behind the data transfer region, wherein the communication module is configured to establish short-range communication with the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is held proximal to the data transfer region by the user;
• and
• a processing circuit configured to:
• store configuration information pertaining to the fire alarm system;
• receive one or more data packets from the portable electronic device via the short-range wireless communication;
• and
• update at least a part of the configuration information using the one or more data packets.

A method comprising:

• establishing, by a communication module configured within a housing of a fire alarm control panel (FACP) of a fire alarm system, a short-range wireless communication with a portable electronic device of a user, wherein the housing of the FACP comprises a data transfer region visibly defined by an opening or markings on a door of the housing of the FACP or on a cover provided between the door and a housing body of the housing of the FACP, wherein the data transfer region is visually identifiable on the housing of the FACP by the user, wherein, from a visual perspective of the user, the communication module is spatially located behind the data transfer region, wherein the communication module is configured to establish short-range communication with the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is held proximal to the data transfer region by the user;
• receiving one or more data packets from the portable electronic device;
• and
• updating at least a part of configuration information using the one or more data packets.