Overview
EST4 is the premier emergency communications system from
EDWARDS. Though it represents a small change in name from
its predecessor, EST4’s leap forward in capability is anything but
diminutive. This exciting flagship system features a whole new
network architecture that makes fire alarm, mass notification,
and building integration easy to implement, quick to service, and
secure in the face of today’s cyberthreats.
From its thoughtfully-crafted interface to its advanced connectivity
and extensive system capacity, EST4 demonstrates that form
and function are inseparable elements of good system design.
It provides systems engineers with the tools they need to create
projects that exceed expectations and have plenty of room
to grow, all while respecting facility budgets and construction
schedules. The net result is an emergency communications
system equally suited to new and retrofit projects; a platform that
keeps property safe and steers people clear of danger.
Application
From the moment the control panel is powered up it is apparent
that EST4 is designed for ease of use. Its powerful user interface
bears this out by allowing operators to use the system with a level
of fluidity that naturally guides them through high and low level
system operations with efficiency and confidence.
EST4 does this by combining the simplicity of color LCD
touchscreen technology with at-a-glance programmable
color display strips and tactile direct-access control buttons.
These input points, together with meticulously-engineered responder and service functionality, allow
EST4’s interface to provide clear navigation paths, instant-access
shortcuts, and context-sensitive display screens. This means that responders have quick access to
vital system event information and control functions, while service
personnel can dive deeply into system programming unencumbered
by complicated operational routines.
EST4’s LCD large touch-screen display is the window into system
operation and maintenance functions. It is large enough to
support a graphical tree view of the system.
The tree closely matches the system’s physical layout, so there’s
no need for look-up tables to find specific devices. This is invaluable
to technicians and building service personnel who can pinpoint the
location of an off-normal device with a glance at the on-screen tree.
The EST4 LCD is capable of displaying 262,144 colors, EST4’s
LCD display screen will display eight events without scrolling. In
addition to touch-screen capability, the display assembly includes four
dedicated easy-access rubber buttons for control functions most
needed for emergency response.
Up to 576 tactile switches and 576 LED indicators may be mounted in
a single EST4 cabinet for control and annunciation purposes.
Control
Display Modules (CDMs), comprise
a column of programmable buttons accompanied by one or
two LED indicator positions per button. Indicator-only modules
comprise up to 24 indicators. Switch and indicator module LEDs
can be set to any of five colors, providing an additional level of
feedback.
Print-anywhere slide-in label inserts give control/display strips
context with color-coded shading and other effects. They can be
localized for regional language requirements, and printed on-the-fly to accommodate system changes as they are implemented.
Remote access and notification
System access to EST4 doesn’t end when the cabinet
door swings shut. A webserver in each EST4 panel allows
authenticated users to gain access to day-to-day reporting.
EST4 webservices are device-independent and support all major
browsers on PC and MAC operating systems, including mobile
platforms – without the need for special apps or other software.
Users can log into the secure EST4 webserver and run system
reports. Like any web page, system reports can be copied,
printed, saved, and e-mailed. The system report data can also
be saved in XML form and used in external spreadsheet applications for
further processing.
EST4 keeps up with the fast pace of mobile computing with its built-in
e-mail services and e-mail-to-text-message capabilities. These ensure
that key personnel receive instant notification of relevant changes of system state. Technicians can be
dispatched to the site within minutes of a service event, while safety
and security personnel can arrive concurrently with first responders
should the system go into alarm.
Networking
Supporting these important interface developments is a robust system
underpinned by solid networking and exceptional security.
Thanks
to its self-configuring network, EST4 easily deploys and configures
without intervention by network administration personnel.
It
adapts to a wide range of network configurations, including rings, stars,
redundant segment, and full mesh topology. The network even allows
changes in the physical layer from copper to fiber, and employs hot-swappable network connections at
control panels and annunciators. All this improves network reliability and
saves money at installation time and throughout the equipment’s life cycle.
The advanced technology behind EST4’s network is powerful enough
to drive the biggest installations viable today. It pushes wire
runs into miles, and addressable points into the many of
thousands. A single IPv6 or mesh network, for example, can
support copper wire runs of nearly a mile between nodes
puts detection, alarm, notification, and audio into the furthest
reaches of the tallest buildings and broadest campuses. Fiber
optic cable handles multiple miles between nodes, while
carrying all system data on a single fiber strand.
Riser Diagram
System design benefits greatly from this huge capacity. Minimal
cabling requirements take scalability a step further. With EST4 a
single copper pair or single fiber supports panel network data,
audio data, as well as telephone data. This cuts cable counts by
up to 75 per cent. Meanwhile, multiple firefighter’s telephones
risers are accommodated on the network, which allows them to
be deployed at much further distances compared with analog
audio transmission methods.
Reduced network cabling not only boosts system efficiency by
requiring fewer physical connections, it also saves money by
reducing material and labor costs. This means that new EST4
installations benefit from lower cable counts, while retrofits may be
able to be upgraded to support audio and telephones without the
need to pull additional cable.
For new installations EST4 delivers flexibility. It can use twisted pair
wire, Multi-mode fiber, Single Mode fiber, and even CAT5 cable. In
fact CAT5 is not restricted to Class N applications. It also meets
the stringent requirements of Class A, Class B, and Class X. When
using CAT5, distances are not limited to 328 ft. (100 m). EST4’s
CAT5 support includes a solution that allow up to 3,280 ft. (1 km)
of cable length.
Cybersecurity
The security and integrity of the EST4 network is paramount to
its ability to maintain systems operations in the face of outside
threats. The most vulnerable point of contact for any integrated
building system is where it meets the facility owner’s existing
TCP/IP network. Ironically it is this gateway, which enhances
and expands system capability beyond the communications
network, that also exposes the system to some of its most critical
vulnerabilities.
To combat outside threats, every EST4 panel can deploy proxy
firewalls that effectively insulate the internal fire network from
external Intranet or internet connections and the malware, ransom
ware, and denial-of-services attacks that may be raging beyond.
The EST4 proxy firewall uses Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)
encryption and secure protocols making it FIPS Pub 197 certified.
The FIPS, Federal Information Processing Standards, are the most
current and most advanced encryption protocols administered by
the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
EDWARDS recommends the installation of robust commercial
firewall between the facilities intra-net and the Internet. To further
enhance network security, an optional tamper switch may be
installed on EST4 cabinet doors. This alerts the system when
equipment enclosures are accessed.
Programming
EST4 is an open book for authorized programmers. Configuration
data travels in both directions: it can be downloaded to the
panel and uploaded to a laptop. This two-way movement of
configuration files allows technicians to upload and backup
programming before making changes to the system. By doing so,
the tech ensures that trustworthy restore points are available at all
times. Also, should the building owner change service companies,
up-to-date system programming data can be retrieved with proper
authorization, from the panel by the new maintenance personnel
in minutes.
Adding to the integrity of panel configuration is an advanced data
transfer routine that does not compromise or interrupt normal
system operation. This keeps the system fully functional during
configuration data exchange – logging events and executing
programming during the entire process.
EST4’s high-performance Configuration Utility (CU) depicts the
system in a graphical tree view, which matches the system’s
physical layout. This provides a familiar format in which to find
programming for specific devices, and also does away with the
need for look-up lists when, for example, devices need to be taken
out of service because of site specific activities. The programming
tool also features a context-sensitive Intellisense rule editor, which
checks for syntax and semantic programming errors in real time.
The EST4 Configuration Utility (CU) also makes short work of
configuration downloads to the control panel. It does this through
a single firmware download for all modules, and a single database
download for all node databases.
EST4’s on-board USB ports also make it easy to connect with
external devices. The USB ports do away with special cables
and RS232-to-USB conversion dongles. It allows direct highspeed connection with laptops for the exchange of configuration
data at transfer rates of up to 480 Mbps. Printers can be
connected to panels or remote annunciators for on-site event
and report printouts.
Audio
Nothing informs building occupants better than the spoken word,
and EST4’s highly intelligible voice audio ensures that those words
are heard loud and clear. This high fidelity messaging, across
EST4’s impressive capacity of 100 channels, provides the flexibility
that responders need to get messages out clearly and concisely.
EST4 live paging capabilities ensure that those messages reach
the right people at the right time. In addition to standard paging
functions (Page to Evacuation, Page to Alert, All Call, and All Call
Minus), EST4 introduces Page to Other and Page to Emergency.
Page to Other is a quick way to reach people in stairwells and
elevators, while Page to Emergency is for Mass Notification
purposes. This added live paging capability allows responders
to reach occupants based not only on their proximity to danger,
but also based on their potential to move inadvertently towards
specific danger points.
EST4 live paging also lets responders select individual paging
groups as well as combinations of groups. This allows them to
reach people in Alert and Evacuation zones simultaneously without
having to page one group, and then page the other.
Reporting System Snapshots
EST4 can generate an abundance of stock reports, and users
may also design their own within the configuration utility. Printed
reports can be generated locally at any control panel, node, or
annunciator. Familiar USB connections allow for quick uploading
to laptops or transfer to locally-connected printers. Reports
can also be sent from any of these locations to system printers
elsewhere on the network.
EST4 allows the selection of report data right down to the device
level by means of pre-built templates, custom reports, or even
on-the-fly using the CU configuration tool. Report content is
information rich, detailed, and meaningful. This meticulous report
formatting and organization results in highly understandable
system overviews and useful deep dives into underlying system
configuration data.
Event History Timelines
While system status reports are invaluable for generating
snapshots of important data, EST4’s event history can paint
a vivid picture of the system over time. A giant 20,000-event
repository comprises EST4’s history, which could span back as
far as the system’s commissioning. Half of the history can be set
aside exclusively for Alarms, ensuring that records of the most
important events are preserved. To support forensic investigations,
up to 10,000 events can be locked and preserved so as not to be
overwritten.
A large variety of pre-built history reports are available for quick
access to vital records filtered by day, week, month or year.
Custom reports help pinpoint records by date, time, location,
device type and more. Together EST4’s large history capacity and
flexible history reporting serve to create vital timelines that aid in
system maintenance and forensic investigations.
Value-added Forward Migration
Easy migration paths ensure an economical transition from
EST3 platforms to EST4’s next-generation technology. To start,
configuration data is easily transferable from an existing EST3
project to an EST4 upgrade. Hardware is also easy to migrate:
all Signature Series devices, modules, and service tools are fully
supported by EST4, as are Genesis series notification appliances
– no rewiring is required.
Existing network cabling is also reusable for upgrades. EST4
even supports network messaging plus live paging with legacy
wiring. In fact, simple twisted pair wiring, previously useable only
for panel-to-panel data communications can, with EST4, support
panel data, paging, as well as telephone. This means that voice
audio capability may be added to a system originally wired only
for network panel to panel communications – without pulling any
additional wire.
EST4 also employs EST3 power supplies, audio amplifiers,
MNEC equipment, CAB Series wallboxes, and most local rail
modules. This makes the move to EST4 a cost-effective choice
for existing installations, and new projects alike. It is a move that
will benefit system efficiency and scalability now and for many
years into the future.
Agency Approvals
UL864 10th edition – UOJZ, UUKL, SYZV, UOQY
UL2017 2nd edition – FSZI
UL2572 2nd edition – PGWM
ULC-S527-11 3rd edition – UOJZ, UULK7, SYXV7
ULC-S576-14 1st edition – PGWM7
ULCS-S559-13 2nd edition – DYR7
