Edwards Launches Next-Generation EST4 Emergency Communications Platform at NFPA Conference & Expo, June 17-20
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, June 17, 2019 — Edwards is pleased to introduce EST4, an advanced networked fire alarm and emergency communications platform that builds on a strong legacy of life safety innovation and raises the bar even higher. Edwards is also highlighting its next-generation smoke detection and notification products at NFPA Conference & Expo in San Antonio, Texas, June 17-20. Edwards is part of Carrier, a leading global provider of innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies.
“The EST4 core life safety platform includes advances in network configuration, audio, survivability and cybersecurity that customers need now – and can be scaled for growth into the future,” said Edwards President Angie Gomez. “It’s the result of the remarkable ingenuity of the Edwards team who resolved to extend our leadership in detection, alarm and notification that our customers have come to expect.”
The enhanced networking capability of the EST4 platform is based on a TCP/IPv6 network, giving it the flexibility to be designed into complex mid-to-large applications. The updated EST4 includes the critical capability to deploy a UL-listed proxy firewall when connecting to a building’s TCP/IP network.
Migration options to the new EST4 platform from the EST3 platform are provided through existing detection and notification devices and wiring, as well as backward compatibility with most local rail modules and other panel hardware.
The EST4 platform supports thousands of addressable devices, annunciation indicators and control switches, and it stores 250 audio messages for playback in any order. In 1996, Edwards was the first to introduce eight channels of simultaneous digital messaging in an emergency communications platform, which has since become an industry standard. Now the EST4 platform moves the mark by supporting a full 100 channels per system. “This advancement allows system designers more flexibility to map out the implementation of their emergency plans,” Gomez said.
While developing the EST4 platform’s advanced functionality, Edwards engineers employed UL-recognized model-based design and simulation testing at the company’s laboratory facility in Bradenton, Florida.
Other features of the EST4 platform include:
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An attractive touch screen and buttons needed to give complete tactile and visual operational feedback and eight events displayed without scrolling
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An onboard webserver
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Email and email-to-SMS-messaging
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Up to 75% less cabling, resulting in substantial cost savings in material and labor
The EST4 platform gains even greater efficacy when combined with two other new Edwards products:
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Signature Optica, the first multi-criteria smoke detector to receive certification to UL 268, 7th edition, the new commercial smoke detector standard set to take effect May 2020
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Genesis LED notification appliances featuring ultra-low current draws, replaceable covers and field diagnostic features.
About Edwards
Since 1872, Edwards has led the way with innovative fire detection and alarm solutions. From economical control panels to high-end life safety and emergency communications platforms, this rich legacy of inventiveness and uncompromising quality has distinguished Edwards life safety systems as the technologies of choice among building owners and designers the World over. Edwards is part of Carrier, a leading global provider of innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies.
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