How They Made It Work: aeSolutions’ FGS 1300 Fire and Gas Alarm Controller
aeSolutions developed the FGS 1300 to provide a pre-engineered, pre-configured and pre-packaged fire and gas monitoring system and suppression control for modules in remote locations for up to 40 I/Os. The system has been designed to be installed in both general areas or Class 1 Div 2 groups B-D, temp code T3 zones areas — all with no on-site programming requirements. This turnkey fire-and-gas system is FM approved to be compliant with NFPA 72 for both fire and gas monitoring in the same PLC and was developed around the Siemens Simatic S7-315 Series PLC platform.
The system includes interface capabilities with a wide variety of sensors and final control elements with fully supervised circuits (IDC, NAC, FSF, and SDC). Another notable component is the FM-approved secondary power supply system consisting of a charger panel and an associated self-contained battery system. To support system design, aeSolutions has developed an FM-approved battery sizing tool which confirms the battery system design based on the specific requirements of each application.
Significance in Chemical Plants
The FGS 1300 can help reduce toxic or combustible gas leak risks in chemical plants with a multitude of detectors. Also, chemical facilities often depend on a fire-detection system that can provide highly sensitive and reliable data. The FGS 1300 offers flexibility in terms of its compatibility with a variety of infrared and multi-spectrum fire detectors in addition to heat and smoke detectors, temperature rate-of-rise sensors and suppression subsystems. It also includes a 7” TP700 Comfort Touch color LCD panel that provides operators with access to a human-machine interface (HMI). The HMI includes utilizes the latest diagnostics for system monitoring, predictive maintenance and troubleshooting.
Success Story
A pharmaceutical manufacturing facility asked aeSolutions to implement a natural gas leak-detection and isolation system in its boiler house based on a PHA recommendation as part of an initiative to bring the facility into compliance with its corporate standards. This involved designing a system capable of detecting and isolating gas leaks in a utility building containing several large, natural gas-fired boilers that were separate from the client’s core area.
By modifying the FGS 1300 for the client’s specific application, aeSolutions was able to provide an industrial grade system that integrated into the client’s existing automation architecture, 24VDC UPS with 24-hour backup capability, local and remote HMIs, controls ventilation and dampers for hazard mitigation and the ability to mount in a water-tight enclosure (NEMA 4) — all while being scaled to the application, meaning the client only bought what they needed. Additionally, the client’s FGS 1300 system supports detector bypassing for system maintenance, tracks and self-documents testing results, and was deliverable within 10-12 weeks. The development and installation of this system resulted in the facility’s compliance with its corporate safety program requirements and a reduction in the risk to personnel and equipment.
