Five reasons for cloud-connected fire safety systems with Siemens
Iain Hoey
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Peter Nebiker, Head of Fire Safety at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, shares the key benefits of cloud-connected fire safety systems for building owners, service providers and safety managers
Building owners, safety managers, service providers and other operators face multiple challenges when it comes to managing the safety of buildings – especially fleets of sites.
A lack of digitalisation and silo-based systems are just a few of the hurdles that make it more difficult for them to work efficiently.
However, cloud-connected fire safety systems not only create transparency into building fleets, but also simplify the jobs of operators, such as service providers and safety managers.
They enable us to monitor all the data – such as fire locations or status of alarms and detectors – through a browser-based web application or a mobile application remotely.
Ultimately, fire safety systems enable operators to manage the fire safety maintenance of buildings efficiently, including remote commissioning and monitoring of fire systems, testing of detectors, system reporting.
And here’s how they work: Cloud-connected fire safety systems provide a method of communication from a fire control unit to a cloud server.
The fire control unit is connected via a cloud gateway to the internet.
The transmitted data from the cloud gateway can be further processed using dedicated cloud applications or application program interfaces (API).
Here are the five key benefits:
#1: Enhanced service efficiency and system performance
As building owners are able to store their site’s documentation in the cloud, service providers – such as technicians – can monitor the system status remotely on a 24/7 basis.
Fire safety service providers are therefore able to plan, execute, and report their maintenance more efficiently.
Additionally, technicians can streamline tasks and better prepare for a site visit in terms of spare parts, needed tools as well as estimated working hours.
This not only increases efficiency, but also reduces the number of site trips.
Another key benefit is the ability for service providers to optimise system performance thanks to comprehensive data insights.
Cloud services also offer several additional features, including visibility of entire lists of network panels or peripheral system devices, as well as diagnostic data from these devices and systems.
Ultimately, building owners take also advantage of it: Thanks to an optimised system availability, they can even better protect people as well as assets, while ensuring business continuity.
#2 Transparency and system compliance
Some of the key advantages of cloud connectivity, with remote access, are the automation of – formerly – manual work, such as completing digital log-files and the fulfillment of regulatory obligations that go with it.
This includes the ability for authorised and qualified personnel to remotely access panel configuration files and history logs, and even test devices remotely with minimal disturbance for building occupants and without compromising the detection capability.
Automated event documentation supports in creating error-free and compliant inspection reports.
This allows owners to have a comprehensive overview of their life safety system, while providing another safety and security layer for building occupants.
#3 Predictive maintenance through data insights
Considerable amounts of data – made available by the cloud-based system – build the basis for further efficiency potential.
Typically, an on-site cloud gateway will transmit data from the fire control unit via the internet to the cloud.
API or software solutions will then process this data to be reviewed in web portals or mobile application interfaces.
The web portal or mobile app can be set up individually to meet customers’ needs for specific insights – such as viewing a smoke detector’s soiling value or reading a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor’s planned preventive maintenance (PPM) value.
Ultimately, data can be utilised for predictive maintenance as well as to ensure that the equipment and peripheral devices work properly.
#4 Quick and comprehensive overview for first responders
In case of incidents, cloud-connected fire safety systems can significantly reduce response times.
Events can be reported in a timely manner due to an instant connection to the fire control panel.
Access to the cloud-connected fire safety system or app notifications, with its real-time data updates, adds another information layer for incident officers.
This enables them to assess any upcoming situations quickly, accurately and in real-time.
Additionally, most fire safety systems provide notification services, which allows users to receive SMS and email alerts for any events, such as alarms, incidents, or supervisory needs.
#5 Enhanced cybersecurity and data protection
Cybersecurity and data protection are fundamental concerns when it comes to cloud connectivity.
They are crucial for preventing malicious attacks that could compromise the integrity of the fire safety system and its peripheral devices.
Therefore, designing and utilising cybersecure cloud-connected products is of utmost importance.
Built-in cybersecurity features can increase safety, while ensuring business continuity.
In case of an incident, managers can fix fire protection systems quickly and seamlessly.
The requirements for data are simple: Data must be up to date, accurate, and must be able to be filtered and sorted.
The evolution of fire safety systems
As the need for increased digital transformation, transparency and efficiency rises in the buildings sector, cloud-connected fire safety systems, along with advancements in hardware and peripheral system devices, will be a crucial technology.
The more data points sensors can capture, the more cloud applications can analyse and report.
Predictive maintenance will become more streamlined, and response time to emergencies much faster.
The deployment of Artificial intelligence (AI) can even enhance predictive maintenance.
Ultimately, it is clear that cloud connectivity in smart buildings and specifically in fire safety systems is key when it comes to promoting safety and the protection of life and assets.
