SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATION OF DAMPER POSITION OF A SAFETY DAMPER

1 . A damper, comprising:

a sensor configured to provide a damper blade position signal indicative of a position of one or more damper blades; and

a communication interface configured to provide a damper identification and a damper blade position information associated with the damper blade position signal at periodic intervals to fire safety equipment, another damper, or a safety panel.

2 . The damper of claim 1 , wherein the communication interface is configured to communicate wirelessly.

3 . The damper of claim 2 , wherein the communication interface is configured to communicate via a mesh network.

4 . The damper of claim 3 , wherein the mesh network is coupled to the safety panel by a wired connection.

5 . The damper of claim 4 , wherein the wired connection is an only connection to the mesh network.

6 The damper of claim 5 , wherein the safety panel is a fire safety panel and the fire safety equipment is a sprinkler system or a smoke detector.

7 . The damper of claim 1 , further comprising:

a relay circuit, wherein the communication interface is integrated with the relay circuit.

8 . The damper of claim 1 , wherein the periodic basis is adjustable based upon a message received by the communication interface.

9 . The damper of claim 1 , wherein the periodic basis is every 10 seconds or less.

10 . The damper of claim 1 , wherein the communication interface is configured to provide the damper identification and the damper blade position information to the safety panel for use in alarm generation.

11 . A safety system, comprising:

a fire panel; and

a smoke or fire damper comprising:

one or more blades configured to regulate airflow;

an actuator configured to move the one or more blades between a first position and a second position;

a sensor configured to provide a damper blade position signal indicative of the first position or the second position of the one or more blades;

and

a communication interface configured to provide a damper identification and damper blade information related to the damper blade position signal in response to a change of the one or more blades from the first position or the second position to panel.

12 . The safety system of claim 11 , wherein the sensor comprises a switch contact configured to indicate the first position or the second position of the one or more blades.

13 . The safety system of claim 11 , wherein the communication interface is configured to communicate wirelessly.

14 . The safety system of claim 11 , wherein the fire panel uses the damper blade information to provide an alarm.

15 . The safety system of claim 14 , wherein the fire or smoke damper is a fire damper comprising a fusible link.

16 . The safety system of claim 11 , wherein the fire or smoke damper is a first damper of a plurality of dampers, and wherein the communication interface is a component of a mesh network wirelessly connecting the plurality of dampers.

17 . A method of operating a safety system, the method comprising:

providing a damper state of a fire or smoke damper via electronic communication to a fire panel; and

using by the fire panel, the damper state to provide an alarm.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the fire or smoke damper comprises:

one or more blades configured to regulate airflow;

a switch contact configured to indicate the damper state based upon a position of the one or more blades; and

an actuator configured to move the one or more blades.

19 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

providing the damper state from a first damper to a second damper, wherein the damper state is provided in a message comprising an identification of the fire or smoke damper.

20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the electronic communication is wireless communication.