Gulf Construction Online - The ins and outs of open, closed protocols

Security & Safety

The ins and outs of open, closed protocols

PAUL POPE of Apollo Fire Detectors highlights the key considerations in choosing between open and closed protocol fire detection systems.

01 August 2013

PROTOCOL is in essence the language that devices use to communicate with each other. Fire detection systems can only be one of two different types of protocol: open or closed. It is vital that everyone involved in the purchasing decision understands the difference between the two types of system and the potential implications of this decision in years to come.

Closed protocol

Closed protocol manufacturers offer both panels and field devices and have no need to disclose the nature of their protocol to any other parties. As a result, equipment supplied by other manufacturers is not expected to be compatible with these systems.

Those promoting closed protocol as the best solution would argue that by sourcing products from a ‘one-stop shop’, the purchasing process is simplified, offering customers cost savings and greater negotiating power because they are placing a single large order with one supplier.

However, by specifying a closed protocol system, you are tied to a single manufacturer for the lifetime of the fire system. This can lead to complications if products or services fail to meet expectations, compatibility issues between equipment produced by different manufacturers, and customers being entirely dependent on one supplier for spares, servicing, and modification of their systems.

When an upgrade or extension is required, customers will only have a limited choice and it can’t be assumed that products from the original closed protocol will still be available. The cost of upgrading or extending will then drastically increase as the only option is to replace the entire fire system and start again.

Open protocol

A number of device manufacturers, including Apollo Fire Detectors, do not make all the fire system components themselves but have built up partnerships with independent fire control panel manufacturers and, in some cases, companies who offer other synergistic products, such as aspirating smoke detectors. It is the field device manufacturer that normally determines the protocol used.

To encourage independent manufacturers to design and develop fully compatible control panels, they publish and share information including technical data, enabling panel manufacturers and other companies to design compatible controlling equipment. This is an ‘open’ protocol as all the details of the protocol are disclosed to associated partners.

An open protocol system avoids many of the potential pitfalls of being tied to a single manufacturer. Some of the benefits include:

• Choice: Products are interchangeable across a wide range of manufacturers offering greater choice of product, installer and maintainer;

• Expertise: Different suppliers could be used for the components according to their specific expertise;

• No restrictions: Upgrades, maintenance or replacement of products can be undertaken by any competent installer;

• Competition: Multiple providers create greater price competition; and

• Innovation: Manufacturers are motivated to innovate and create better products that customers select because of their performance.

Making a choice

When beginning the process of purchasing a new fire detection system, whether open or closed protocol, the following questions should be asked to ensure that the total cost of ownership (TCO) is considered, rather than just the purchase price:

• Is the manufacturer well-established?

• What after-sales service is offered?

• How long will the product range be supported?

• What is the manufacturer’s upgrade policy?

• Will the manufacturer maintain product backwards and forwards compatibility?

• Can the system maintenance be carried out by any competent third party? If yes, what knowledge, protocols, equipment, software passwords etc are required?

• What is the cost of maintenance for the life of the system?

• What is the cost of replacement parts for the life of the system?

• What are the labour rates for service and call outs and the rates for software upgrades?

It is vital that the protocol of a fire detection system is considered at the purchasing stage in order to help determine the total lifetime costs including the costs required to support and maintain the system purchased for its lifetime. Even where one option seems to offer an initial cost saving, it is the whole life cost of the fire system – and how easy it will be to maintain to a standard that meets both current and future requirements – that must be the priority of the fire safety professional.

Apollo acknowledges the importance of life safety and system integrity and recommends the routine replacement of detectors after 10 years. Apollo’s product lifetime guarantee supports the recommended working life of a detector and provides a warranty on all products, which for detectors is 10 years and for carbon monoxide (CO) detectors is five years.