Alarms for monitoring operation of sensors in a fire-suppression system

Alarms for testing sensors, particularly those used in fire-suppression systems, are described. In one aspect of the invention, the alarm includes an audio and/or a visual indicator operably coupled to the housing of a sensor. The audio indicator may be a speaker that beeps when the sensor is activated. The visual indicator may be one or more LEDs that are illuminated when the sensor is activated. The alarm also can be used to determine whether power and ground conductors extending to the sensor are properly connected. Additionally the alarm can be used to determine whether one or more conductors extending from the sensor to the control panel are properly connected. Certain applications of the invention are intended primarily for use with existing fire-suppression-systems. The invention also can be employed in new fire-suppression system installations using a dry-contact circuit embodiment of the invention (FIG. 5). The dry-contact circuit allows the present invention to be used with conventional pressure and flow sensors, and conventional alarm-monitoring circuitry.