What does the phrase “status change confirmation” mean when testing smoke detectors?
Many modern fire alarm systems are capable of employing something called “alarm verification”. When enabled, this feature allows the fire alarm circuitry (or software) to discriminate between a high ambient particulate presence and actual “smoke”. This can be accomplished in a number of ways, but most commonly by having two smoke detectors in the same area “alarm” within a specific time (or sequence). If only one does, the panel may actually indicate this condition by initiating a supervisory or “monitor” signal which will change to an alarm condition when the second alarm event threshold is sensed. Appendix “F” (Informative) of CAN/ULC-S537-04 states: “F1 Status change confirmation should be installed only under the following conditions: A The reduction of false alarms from smoke detectors generating spurious alarms. Such false alarms should be documented for submittal to the authority having jurisdiction as may be required; B The area being protected by the smoke detectors subject to
