Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is RescueLogic? RescueLogic is software that lets you monitor all of your fire alarms, security systems, and building controls from a standard personal computer. RescueLogic displays real-time information about all of your alarm devices on maps, floor plans, and color-coded lists, along with corresponding “Take Action” messages.
  • Will RescueLogic work in my facility? Yes. RescueLogic is designed to work with today’s most popular fire, security, and building control systems.
  • How does RescueLogic work? RescueLogic links to your existing equipment via RS-232 connections, and interprets the ASCII text it generates.
  • Who uses RescueLogic? Since 1988, RescueLogic has been used in office towers, hospitals, shopping centers, hotels, and other buildings just like yours around the world. Our customers include 3M, Allergan, Allina, Ameritech, AmSourth, AT&T, Bank of America, ComEd, Delta Airlines, Deutsh Bank, EDS, ESPN, Fidelity Investments, Fingerhut, Goodyear, Harvard, Hertz, Hormel, Iron Mountain, Johnson & Johnson, Kimberly-Clark, Kerr-McGee, Levi Straus, Lockheed-Martin, Mayo Clinic, MCI, Monroe Shocks, Nokia, NutraSweet, Pacific Bell, PNC Park, Port of Seattle, Seagate, Sony, Southwestern Bell, United Airlines, Unisys, the U.S. Army, Victoria’s Secret, Verizon, Wal-Mart, and Westinghouse.
  • Is RescueLogic easy to set up? Yes. RescueLogic reads information from the control panels, and sends that information to a database. You tell the RescueLogic system how to interpret messages from the control panels, and the software will automatically identifies individual address numbers. Then you can simply drag and drop the new devices onto the RescueLogic map or floor plan of your site.
  • Can you set up a RescueLogic system for me? Yes. We are happy to provide installation and setup services.
  • Can I use RescueLogic if my facility has alarms and devices from several different manufacturers? Yes. RescueLogic can monitor devices from different panel manufacturers, even when they produce messages that are different.
  • Can I customize the look of my RescueLogic system? Yes. While RescueLogic comes pre-programmed with an intuitive red, yellow, and green color scheme for devices in alarm, trouble, and normal status, you can choose to use any standard Windows colors. You can also use any Windows fonts you like, and use any digital images you wish.
  • How does RescueLogic’s color coding work? Usually, alarms and “Take Action” messages are automatically displayed in red, trouble or error messages are displayed in yellow, and information about devices in normal mode are displayed in green. Some users change their color schemes to differentiate between the types of devices on site, such as fire or security.
  • What information is included in RescueLogic’s emergency “Take Action” instructions? You can customize your emergency messages to include suggestions for evacuating a building, calling supervisors and technicians, or dealing with hazardous materials. You can change and add text on the fly, in a matter of seconds. You can even include information in more than one language. In addition to providing peace of mind, RescueLogic is a useful tool for standardizing emergency procedures and protocols.
  • Can I add alarm sounds and audible alerts to my RescueLogic system? Yes. You can add our Announcer program to automatically compile messages from the attributes of each point. Or, just associate a WAV file to each type of device.
  • Will RescueLogic work with my cameras? Yes, network cameras with IP addresses can be set up for one-click access during a emergency.
  • Can I print my RescueLogic files? Yes. RescueLogic maps, floor plans, records, and reports are pre-set to go any Windows printer you chose.
  • Can I use RescueLogic to integrate my fire and security systems? Yes. RescueLogic will combine all the alarms in a facility or on a campus into a single, streamlined interface.
  • Can I monitor my HVAC system with RescueLogic? Yes. RescueLogic works with any device with an RS-232 port.
  • Can I monitor more than one building from a single computer? Yes.
  • What kind of computer will I need? RescueLogic runs on most desktop PCs, laptops, flat-panel, and touch screen computers with Windows operating systems.
  • Can I run other programs on my RescueLogic computer? Yes. Just set RescueLogic to come to the front when there are active alarms.
  • Can I network my RescueLogic system? Yes. You can install RescueLogic on an existing network, or use standard products to build a dedicated local area network.
  • Can I use RescueLogic for facility maintenance? Yes. You can use RescueLogic to keep written and photographic records of device types, model numbers, replacement parts, paint colors, and service providers. You can also print RescueLogic maps and floor plans and add notes for your maintenance team.
  • Can I use RescueLogic to show “as built” installations of wiring, alarms, and devices, even if they deviate from the architect’s design? Yes, RescueLogic is perfect for “as built” diagrams, because it’s so easy to drag and drop devices into their correct location on a floor plan.
  • Can I use RescueLogic as a sales tool for bids and estimates? Yes. RescueLogic maps and floor plans are a great way to show buyers what their alarm systems will include. RescueLogic is also a simple way to combine and streamline systems with an array of devices from multiple manufacturers.
  • Can I control my alarm system through RescueLogic? Yes, if you use proprietary hardware that has been UL listed.
  • Is RescueLogic UL Listed? Yes, RescueLogic is UL listed when it is used in conjunction with some manufacturers’ proprietary hardware. We can also help you get it UL listed for use with your proprietary hardware. It is important to note, however, that UL listing is not required by NFPA standards when RescueLogic is used as an ancillary display system.
  • I’ve already programmed my alarm system. Do I have to enter that data again? No. RescueLogic is designed to update its database automatically whenever it receives information from a fire alarm or security device. You won’t need to manually enter long lists of details about every device in your system. The first time RescueLogic receives a message from a device, it will add that item to the database and automatically know which graphic image to use for that device. Later, you can drag that image over to its proper place on the floor plan. One of our customers automatically imported more than 4,000 devices in about five minutes.
  • My panel sends unique messages. Can RescueLogic handle them? Yes. RescueLogic lets you assign a pseudo point to create devices from non-standard messages. For example, you can tell RescueLogic which error message refers to batteries. Then you can drop a graphic image of a battery onto a picture to help users locate a panel with battery problems.
  • Does RescueLogic store information about active alarms and devices? Yes, RescueLogic automatically compiles printable, second-by-second reports of alarms and events exactly as they occur. RescueLogic makes it easy to reconstruct emergency events after the fact, both to verify that the proper steps were taken and to improve future responses.
  • What will RescueLogic do if an alarm comes in from a device that hasn’t been logged by the system? Within seconds, you will see the alarm listed on the RescueLogic screen, so you can drag and drop it into place on the floor plan. It’s a simple, automated process. After you’ve told the RescueLogic system how to interpret messages from the control panels, individual address numbers are collected automatically. A micro-processor-based control panel reports whether your devices are missing, being tested, or restored to normal status.
  • Is there a limit to the amount of text I can include about each device in my system? You can compose messages of up to 2,560 characters for devices that are in alarm, and separate 1,280-character messages for those same devices when they report trouble or error messages.
  • What does “CAD” stand for? CAD stands for computer-aided design, computer-aided drafting, and computer-aided dispatch.
  • Can I use RescueLogic to make CAD drawings? No. RescueLogic uses existing CAD maps and floor plans. When you set up a RescueLogic system, you will start by importing those files, and then you will simply drag and drop alarms and devices onto them.
  • Where do I get CAD maps and floor plans? Most architects use CAD software to design buildings, and their CAD drawings are usually kept on file by building owners or facility managers.
  • Does RescueLogic work with files drawn with any CAD software? Yes, any CAD software program will create files compatible with RescueLogic. Most of our customers work with files that were created in AutoCAD.
  • Can you make CAD files for me? Yes. If you don’t have CAD files for your facility, our technicians can create them from your blueprints and sketches.
  • Do RescueLogic image files consist of a lot of layers? No, RescueLogic images are simply a single-layer background image.
  • What format are RescueLogic files? Most RescueLogic files are Windows Metafiles, or WMFs, because they show the most detail when users zoom in. Most Windows CAD packages can create WMF files. RescueLogic will also work with JPEGs and digital photos.
  • How do I make a CAD file into a Windows Metafile? Most CAD software programs will allow you to save and export files as WMFs.
  • Do you offer training? Yes, we offer training for installers, although our software is so easy to use that most customers can set it up simply by referring to our User’s Guide. (Once the software is up and running, it is so intuitive that end users need just a few minutes of instruction.) Visit our training page for details.
  • Do you offer technical support? Of course. We offer a comprehensive array of support materials on our website, as well as technical support contracts.

Let’s Get Started

Let’s make sure your people and property are protected with the latest RescueLogic technology. Call us at (612) 722-3233, email [email protected], or use this form to contact us.