Unit III: Fire Detection & Alarm System2The fire alarm control unit (FACU) is considered the brain for fire systems. This unit is designed to ensure that once a sensor is activated, the rest of the fire system responds in the correct sequence and allow for simultaneous responses to occur. The fire alarm control unit is the main fire alarm system component that monitors equipment and circuits, receives input signals from initiating devices, activates notification appliances, and transmits signals off-site (IFSTA, 2018). The FACU consists of several smaller systems: auxiliary devices, initiating devices, notification appliances, power sources and off premise signaling components. Each of the connected systems are equally important roles but without the FACU, the systems are stand alone. The FACU is the central hub that keeps the fire system a fully functional system.In the scenario, the building had a monitored fire alarm control unit. Even thoughthe report states that the system was working properly, power had been out for several days. Also reported was the fact that none of the audile alarms went off, even after activating the manual pull station. Either the system did not have auxiliary power sources or the auxiliary power sources had been drained of power. Furthermore, the FACU system did not have internal check system that would have identified system issues via alarms or the system was not being monitored by designated individuals.FunctionOnce an initiating device goes into alarm mode, the FACU receives the signal, processes, and sends out signals which activate the visual and audible appliances. Simultaneously, the FACU sends off-site monitoring devices a report of the initiation andlocation of possible fire. Beyond just being the brains of the fire system, the FACU can also be used in many other ways that aid in fires or other disasters. During a fire rescue
