Ben Wolf, Senior Offering Management Lead, and co-inventor of Honeywell Self-Test, discusses the revolutionary changes in fire detection testing and compliance

What specific problems does Honeywell Self-Test aim to solve?

The primary issue it addresses is the inefficiency and difficulty of manual smoke testing.

Traditionally, you would have engineers using smoke poles to test detectors, which in a large hospital, for example, can take a team several months to complete.

With Honeywell Self-Test, we can functionally test even the largest of buildings in 35 minutes or less, which is a huge transformation in efficiency.

Manual testing methods can make it harder for building owners to stay 100% compliant because some detectors are in awkward or hard-to-reach places, behind locked doors, or simply missed during the process.

With a Self-Test detector, we ensure every device is functionally tested and not masked, as the process is automated.

The main problems we solve are:

1. Safety compliance: Ensuring every detector is functionally tested, which is crucial for safety.
2. Efficiency: Dramatically reducing the time required to test all detectors in a building, from months to minutes.
3. Accessibility: Guaranteeing 100% compliance by eliminating issues of access to hard-to-reach detectors.

How does the Honeywell Self-Test process work?

The Self-Test module is placed inside the detector.

It works by passing current through a coil which is coated in wax.

This wax is transformed from a solid into an aerosol.

A fan then propels the smoke across the optical chamber, triggering the fire threshold.

After creating the fire event, the fan moves the smoke from inside the detector to outside.

A simple algorithm checks the level of smoke over time.

If the smoke remains in the chamber for too long, it flags an issue, indicating a possible blockage at that needs investigation.

Another core element is testing the heat sensor.

In multi-criteria detectors, which have both smoke and heat sensors, we put current through the thermistor to test the heat response.

This way, we can simultaneously conduct both smoke and heat tests on the detectors.

How does Honeywell Self-Test integrate with existing fire alarms?

We’ve tried to ensure that existing Honeywell sites can easily adopt Self-Test technology, making the transition as simple as possible.

We designed it to fit into the existing base and use the current cabling.

For Honeywell Gent, it fits on the existing panel with a firmware upgrade.

For Notifier by Honeywell, it does require a new panel, but you can keep many of the loop devices like audio-visual devices, modules, and call points.

 We’ve made it very straightforward to integrate into our existing sites.

For new buildings, it comes as a new package.

How does the Self-Test system handle data collection and reporting?

We generate two different views through Honeywell CLSS (Connected Life Safety Services).

There is an app-based process where the fire engineer starts and completes the test using the mobile app.

The app shows which detectors have passed or failed, and as soon as the test is finished, it generates a British Standard compliant report.

This report includes all the information about what has been tested using Self-Test, providing clear details that can be sent as a PDF or stored safely in the cloud for the client.

The building owner has access to the site manager view of CLSS.

They can log into a web application to see the status of their site, including what has and hasn’t been tested, ensuring they are fully compliant as well as viewing any required compliance reports.

How does Honeywell Self-Test ensure compliance with industry standards?

There are three core aspects of any Code of Practice around the world: Has the detector been tested with real heat and smoke? Are the smoke entry points clear from blockages? And has a trained, competent fire engineer visually inspected the device?

Visual inspection is crucial to ensure the room’s application hasn’t changed, the label remains accurate, the detector is properly installed, and no structural changes have compromised detection in any area.

To address this, we built a visual inspection process into the system.

A Bluetooth beacon in the detector communicates with the CLSS mobile app and verifies that the engineer has been within visual inspection range of the device.

This process logs which engineer, on which date, inspected the device.

It’s a much more discreet process.

How do you envisage Self-Test impacting the fire safety industry?

The Honeywell Self-Test series of detectors automates the testing process, providing clear evidence through detailed reporting.

This helps building owners demonstrate that every detector has been tested, addressing any compliance queries effectively.

As the responsible person for the building, they must fulfil these requirements to avoid legal consequences in case of a fire incident.

Self-Test offers three core benefits:

1. Compliance: The system ensures that all detectors are tested and documented, transforming compliance reporting.
2. Efficiency: It significantly reduces the time and resources needed for testing, making the process more efficient.
3. Safety: The system enhances safety by ensuring all detectors are functional and free from blockages.
4. It also validates the status of detector labels during visual inspections.

Additionally, when testing buildings manually, engineers often put the panel into a test mode, isolating parts of the building.

This can leave areas unprotected unless Fire Watch is in place.

This article was originally published in the August 2024 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.