A fire alarm control panel provides a central point for monitoring and managing a fire detection system. The type of panel required will depend on the size of the building, the number of detection devices and the level of information the system needs to provide. Kentec produces both conventional and analogue addressable fire alarm equipment, giving installers options for different applications. Two examples available from Firesense are the Kentec Conventional 4 Zone Panel and the Kentec Syncro AS 1 Loop Panel. While both form part of wider fire alarm systems, they serve different purposes and offer different features.
Understanding Kentec's Conventional Fire Alarm Equipment
Conventional fire alarm systems divide a building into separate detection zones. When a detector activates, the control panel identifies the zone in which the alarm has occurred. This gives users information about the affected area without identifying the individual detector. Kentec's Sigma CP range provides conventional fire alarm control panels in 2, 4 and 8 zone configurations. The range is designed for conventional fire detection applications and supports a range of associated equipment, including repeaters, sounder controller units, ancillary boards and remote indicator units. For installations using a Sigma CP system, the Kentec Conventional 4 Zone Panel provides additional indication and control facilities. The panel can connect with repeaters, ancillary boards and sounder boards. Up to seven of each type can be connected, with the devices assigned addresses from one to seven using a binary coded DIL switch. The data cable from the panel can also extend up to 1200 metres. A repeater panel can be useful where additional access to fire alarm information or controls is required at another location within a building.
Introducing the Kentec Syncro AS
For systems that require more detailed information from individual detection devices, an analogue addressable panel can provide a different approach. The Kentec Syncro AS 1 Loop Panel is an analogue addressable fire control panel available with either one or two detection loops. Kentec's documentation states that the panel supports Apollo, Argus Vega and Hochiki protocols, providing flexibility for different detection devices. Each device on an addressable system has its own address. This allows the panel to identify individual devices and provide more detailed information when an alarm or fault occurs. The Syncro AS is designed for installations that require advanced fire sensing and evacuation options. It can also be scaled and networked for larger systems, with Kentec documentation stating that up to 64 panels can be networked.
Features of the Syncro AS Panel
The Syncro AS combines a graphical display with an ergonomic button and indicator layout. This provides installers, commissioning engineers and end users with access to system information and controls. The panel includes two programmable sounder circuits, five programmable inputs and three programmable relays. It also has an integrated 3A power supply and can store the last 500 events in its event log. Other features include sensitivity adjustment and drift compensation. The system can also support Syncro I/O modules, allowing additional programmable inputs and outputs to be incorporated where required. Kentec states that the Syncro AS is approved and certified to EN54-2 and EN54-4.
Finding the Right Kentec Solution
Kentec's conventional and addressable ranges provide options for different fire detection requirements. Conventional equipment can provide a straightforward zone-based approach, while the Syncro AS offers individual device identification, programmable features and networking options. The Kentec Conventional 4 Zone Panel and Syncro AS 1 Loop Panel demonstrate the different equipment available for conventional and addressable fire alarm systems. For more information about these Kentec products and the wider range of fire detection equipment available, visit Firesense.