Delaware Technical Community College’s Fire Protection Engineering Technology program is using a Farenhyt alarm and emergency communications system from Silent Knight in its professional fire education training lab.

The Farenhyt IFP-1000ECS fire alarm and emergency communication system from Silent Knight was installed free of charge by Advantech, a local life safety and security systems integration firm. The new system will be utilized for students enrolled in the FET program to receive hands-on training in fire system design, maintenance, and programming. As Delaware Tech’s enrollment in the fire protection classes grew, it needed to incorporate more intensive training options of emerging fire alarm and emergency communication technologies to allow students to experience real-world scenarios. Furthermore, the college wanted a functional system that could tie into various suppression systems for training on suppression technologies as well.

Advantech provided alarm, trouble, and supervisory monitoring of nine sprinkler risers in the lab. Each riser is configured differently to demonstrate a variety of suppression configurations and each can be made active through valve controls. The active riser supplies the sprinkler heads in the burn lab. Approximately 30 suppression points are monitored by the Silent Knight system via addressable monitor modules. Advantech designed and fabricated a visual selection display that allows the instructor to choose the “active” riser, which in-turn illuminates a light at the riser’s location to enhance student comprehension of the system’s functionality.

“Delaware Tech takes pride in our proactive approach to fire prevention, and the innovative programs and technologies we invest in for our students,” said Mark Noval, Delaware Tech FET program coordinator. “We are excited to have a cutting-edge system associated with our Fire Protection Engineering Technology program that provides a superior learning experience in the classroom.”

The FET lab’s Silent Knight system monitors a variety of initiating devices, including smoke detection, heat detection, a manual pull station, and duct smoke detection with simulated air handler shut down. System-controlled notification appliances allow emergency communication training to include recorded messaging and manual override.

"In today’s fire protection environment, it is imperative to improve and enhance real-world testing options to effectively prepare for the unexpected,” said Eric Schaeffer of Advantech.  "We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with the college and its student body, who are the next generation of professionals dedicated to preventing fires from occurring, and minimizing risk and loss of life.”