Application of AFPM100 Fire Equipment Power Monitoring System in Hangzhou Data Center Building Project

An Kerui Cui Tingyu

Jiangsu Ankerui Electric Appliance Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Abstract: This article provides an in-depth analysis of the composition and working principle of fire equipment power supply systems. It explores the design foundations and relevant standards for fire equipment power monitoring systems. A practical case study is presented, detailing the implementation of the Ankerui fire-fighting equipment power monitoring system within the Hangzhou Data Center Building. This example illustrates how the system ensures reliable power supply for critical fire protection equipment and highlights its importance in maintaining safety and operational efficiency.

Keywords: Fire equipment power supply; Power monitoring module; Monitoring system; AFPM100

0 Overview

The AFPM fire-fighting equipment power monitoring system is a standalone computer-based monitoring and control solution developed by Ankerui. It integrates monitoring, alarm, and management functions into one system. The system is widely applied in intelligent buildings, high-rise residential complexes, hotels, commercial centers, industrial facilities, key firefighting units, and sectors such as petrochemicals, education, healthcare, finance, and telecommunications.

At the core of the AFPM system is the AFPM100 power status monitor. This device connects to multiple sensors via an RS485 bus, forming a distributed monitoring network that tracks the real-time status of both main and backup power supplies for fire equipment. The AFPM100 is designed with a centralized and modular structure, allowing it to monitor and manage voltage, current, and switch status of fire-fighting equipment. It also stores, analyzes, and reports on operational data, alarms, and faults. Through a user-friendly interface, the system provides comprehensive monitoring, reporting, and alerting capabilities.

In this project, located in a data center in Hangzhou, 17 AFPM3-2AV monitoring modules were deployed across different floors. These modules are installed in electrical distribution cabinets and communicate with the AFPM100 wall-mounted monitoring system using a bus configuration. The system is known for its robust design, high reliability, ease of maintenance, and cost-effectiveness. Its intuitive interface makes it simple for users to operate and manage.

1 User Needs

The primary goal of this project was to implement a fire equipment power monitoring system capable of detecting faults and abnormal conditions in the power supply of fire protection equipment. The system must promptly alert personnel to address potential issues, ensuring that fire equipment remains functional during emergencies.

To support on-duty monitoring and efficient management, the central host should offer the following key features:

1.1 Monitor each circuit’s fire protection equipment based on the power distribution diagram, tracking the power supply operation status.

1.2 Provide a unified monitoring platform that collects real-time data from all system components. The system should be able to detect and identify various fault conditions such as open circuits, short circuits, overvoltage, undervoltage, and phase loss.

1.3 Enable real-time printing of event details including location, type, parameters, and timestamps for both alarm and fault events. Alarm records should be stored securely and accessible through an unalterable query interface for fault analysis.

1.4 Ensure compliance with national standards GB 28184-2011 and GB 25506-2010, covering fire equipment power monitoring and general requirements for fire control rooms.

2 Reference Standards

2.1 GB 25506-2010 "General Technical Requirements for Fire Control Room" – Section 5.7 requires the fire power monitor to:

a) Display the working status and fault information of the main and backup power supplies for fire-fighting equipment.

b) Transmit the working status and under-voltage alarm information of the power supply to the fire control room display device.

2.2 GB 28184-2011 "Fire Equipment Power Supply Monitoring System"

2.3 GB 50116-2013 "Design Specification for Fire Automatic Alarm Systems"

3 System Components

The fire equipment power monitoring system in the Hangzhou Data Center includes a fire equipment power monitoring host and detectors. Communication buses connect the field devices to the central system. The AFPM100 system uses a two-layer architecture: a power status monitor combined with voltage and current sensors. This setup ensures full functionality, reliability, and accurate detection. The system supports internal RS485 communication and external Modbus-RTU protocols, enabling compatibility with other standard systems.

The system is divided into three layers:

3.1 Station Control Management

The station management layer serves as the human-machine interaction window, featuring touchscreens, UPS power supplies, and system software. It processes and displays site data through visual elements, digital readings, sound alerts, and indicator lights. The monitoring host handles data acquisition, processing, and forwarding, while the UPS ensures continuous power supply to the system during outages.

3.2 Network Communication Layer

The communication layer uses shielded twisted-pair cables with RS485 interfaces and Modbus-RTU protocols to enable real-time data exchange between field devices and the host.

3.3 Field Device Layer

The field device layer consists of the AFPM100 series power monitoring detectors, which act as data acquisition terminals.

4 Fire Equipment Power Devices

4.1 AFPM100 Fire Protection Equipment Power Host

Main technical specifications include: AC220V 50Hz power input (allowing 85%-110% variation), DC24V output for connected modules, 24-hour operation, and Modbus-RTU communication over RS485. The system supports three operational levels: daily monitoring, remote control, and system management.

4.2 AFPM100 Series Instruments

These instruments provide real-time monitoring of voltage, over/under-voltage, phase loss, and current. They feature relay outputs for alarm circuits, event storage, and communication via fieldbus technology. The system offers high integration, intelligence, and ease of use.

5 System Functions

5.1 Monitoring and Alarm Function

Monitors switch status, power supply conditions, and provides real-time alarms with response time ≤100 seconds. Alarms can be silenced manually, and red LEDs indicate active alerts.

5.2 Control Output Function

Allows remote control of alarm relays, with normally open contacts capable of handling up to AC250V 3A or DC30V 3A.

5.3 Fault Alarm Function

Detects disconnections, short circuits, and voltage anomalies, triggering yellow LED alerts. Non-faulty circuits remain unaffected.

5.4 Self-Test Function

Includes connection checks and equipment self-tests, with a maximum self-check time of 60 seconds.

5.5 Alarm Recording Function

Stores up to 10,000 alarm records, including event type, time, and description. Records can be queried and printed.

5.6 Printing Function

Supports Chinese character printing and the ability to print alarm and fault event details.

5.7 Silence Function

Mutes alarm sounds upon pressing the "silence" button. Green LEDs indicate that the system is ready for manual intervention. If new faults occur, the alarm will restart.

6 Conclusion

The fire equipment power monitoring system implemented in the Hangzhou Data Center Project comprises the AFPM100 power monitoring device and associated detectors. This system is a fully integrated solution for monitoring, alarming, and managing fire equipment power supply. It is suitable for a wide range of applications, including smart buildings, high-rise structures, commercial facilities, and industrial environments. The AFPM100 is a core component, connecting multiple sensors via an RS485 bus to create a distributed monitoring system that ensures real-time tracking of fire equipment power status. With a centralized and modular design, it enables efficient management and monitoring of critical fire protection systems. The user interface is intuitive, supporting data viewing, alarm alerts, and report generation. The system is reliable, easy to maintain, and cost-effective, making it an ideal choice for modern fire safety solutions.

References:

[1]. General Technical Requirements for Fire Control Room. Beijing: China Standard Press, 2011.

[2]. "Fire Equipment Power Monitoring System". Beijing: China Standard Press, 2011.

About the Author: Cui Tingyu is a male undergraduate researcher at Jiangsu Ankerui Electric Appliance Manufacturing Co., Ltd., specializing in intelligent building power supply and distribution monitoring systems. Email: el.cn | Mobile: [Your Number] | Website: http://[Your Website]