Beacon BM2 Guide

Installation and Commissioning Manual
Beacon BM2/4/8
Master Station

Page 2 of 24
Table of Contents
1. Introduction...............................................................................................................................3
1.1 What is an Emergency Voice Communication System?.............................................................3
1.2 Suitability ............................................................................................................................3
2. Product Overview.......................................................................................................................3
3. Important Safety Information......................................................................................................4
4. Unpacking the Unit.....................................................................................................................5
5. Installation ................................................................................................................................6
5.1 Connecting the Beacon Master Station .................................................................................7
5.2 Planning the Wiring ..............................................................................................................7
5.3 Cable and Wiring Guidance ...................................................................................................7
5.3.1 Fire Telephone system ..................................................................................................7
5.3.2 Disabled Refuge EVC System .........................................................................................7
5.3.3 Combined Systems........................................................................................................7
5.3.4 “Assist Call” Emergency Assistance Alarm Systems ...........................................................7
5.4 Cabling methods ..................................................................................................................7
5.4.1 Beacon Master Station Wiring ......................................................................................8
5.4.2 Beacon Master/Repeater Stations wiring in ring .............................................................9
5.5 Mains Connection............................................................................................................... 10
5.6 Battery Information............................................................................................................ 10
5.7 Outstation Connections....................................................................................................... 10
5.7.1 Type A outstation........................................................................................................ 11
5.7.2 Type B outstation........................................................................................................ 11
5.7.3 BAKIT Accessible Toilet Kit........................................................................................... 11
5.8 Auxiliary Connections ......................................................................................................... 12
5.9 Powering up procedure....................................................................................................... 12
5.10 Powering down procedure................................................................................................. 12
6. Set up procedure ..................................................................................................................... 13
6.1 Beacon Master Station Display PCB Dipswitch Settings ........................................................ 13
6.2 Adding a Line Card............................................................................................................. 14
6.3 Removing a Line card ......................................................................................................... 14
6.4 Adding a Beacon Repeater Station ..................................................................................... 14
Master Station Exchange PCB Dipswitch Settings.......................................................... 15
7. System Menus ......................................................................................................................... 16
7.1 Login Procedure................................................................................................................. 16
7.2 Fault Accept ...................................................................................................................... 16
7.3 Panel Indicator Test ........................................................................................................... 16
7.4 Extended Fault Menu.......................................................................................................... 16
7.5 Line Identify ...................................................................................................................... 16
7.6 Engineer Walk Test ............................................................................................................ 17
7.7 Remote Signal Delay Timer ................................................................................................. 17
7.8 In Use Relay Options.......................................................................................................... 18
8. Operation ................................................................................................................................ 18
8.1 Receiving a call .................................................................................................................. 18
8.2 Making a call ..................................................................................................................... 18
8.3 Ending a call...................................................................................................................... 18
8.4 Putting a call on hold.......................................................................................................... 18
8.5 Conference Call.................................................................................................................. 18
8.6 Acknowledging “Assist Call” alarms ...................................................................................... 19
8.7 Accepting Faults................................................................................................................. 19
8.8 Panel Indicator Test ........................................................................................................... 19
9. Indications and Controls ........................................................................................................... 19
9.1 Mode Indicator Summary.................................................................................................... 19
9.2 Power supply and CPU indicator Summary............................................................................ 20
9.3 User Indicator Summary ..................................................................................................... 20
9.4 Zone indicator summary ..................................................................................................... 20
10. Commissioning procedure ....................................................................................................... 21
11. Maintenance .......................................................................................................................... 21
12. Outstation zone template ........................................................................................................ 22
13. Technical Specification ............................................................................................................ 24

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1. Introduction
1.1 What is an Emergency Voice Communication System?
An Emergency Voice Communication System, or EVCS, is a system that allowsvoice communication in
either direction between a central control point and a number of other points throughout a building or
building complex, particularly in a fire emergency situation. The control points, or outstations by which
they are more commonly referred, generally comprise of a Type A outstation, a Type B outstation, or a
Type C Combined Type outstation. “Assist Call” emergency assistance alarm systems can also be
incorporated into the EVCS.
EVCS is generally required in the following situations:
•In any building or sports or similarvenue where there are disabled people, or people who may
have difficulty negotiating the evacuation route.
•In buildings with phased evacuation and/or firefighting lifts where it facilitates secure
communications for building managers, fire wardens, and attending fire officers.
•At sports venues and similar complexes, where it will assist stewards in controlling the
evacuation of the area in an emergency.
The Beacon Emergency Voice Communications System (EVCS) is designed to fully comply
with BS5839 Part 9:2021 for use as a Fire Telephone system, Disabled Refuge Call system or as a
combined system when both Fire Telephones and Disabled Refuge Points are required.
1.2 Suitability
Fire telephone systems are recommended for all public buildings and multi-story buildings over four
floors by BS9999.
Disabled Refuge systems are required in buildings where the public or disabled staff gains access to any
floor other than the ground floor using lifts. Refuge areas are provided at each storey exit from each
protected stairway.
2. Product Overview
The Beacon EVCS comprises of a Master Station and one or more outstations. .
Additionally the “Assist Call” emergency assistance alarm system can either be connected to the same
line as a Type B outstation, or connected to a dedicated line. Neither the outstations nor the “Assist
Call” emergency alarm system require a separate power supply unit as each line is powered from the
Master Station. This has the additional benefit of each line being fully monitored and battery backed up.
Each Beacon Master Station can also perform as a Beacon Repeater Station. A Beacon Repeater Station
mimics the Beacon Master Station both in operation and indication. Any reference in this document to
to the Beacon Master Station also applies to the Beacon Repeater Station, unless specified otherwise.
The Beacon Master Station has been designed for radial star topology. In most cases this will reduce the
cable requirements for all ring-based systems. The topology consists of spurs formed of 1 two core
1.5mm CSA cables (soft skin enhanced up to 500m per leg, MICC 200m per leg) to each outstation.

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3. Important Safety Information
This Equipment must only be installed and maintained by a suitably skilled and competent person.
This Equipment is defined as Class 1 in EN60065 (Low Voltage Directive) and must be EARTHED.
Caution
Indoor Use Only
Warning Shock Hazard-
Isolate Before Opening
Warning
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC
SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS UNIT TO RAIN
OR MOISTURE
Warning
THIS UNIT MUST BE EARTHED
Warning
NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS
Each Bacon Master/Repeater Station requires a 3A sput, returning to a breaker clearly marked “EVCS
DO NOT TURN OFF”.
If the Beacon Master Station and the Beacon Repeater Station are distributed around a site, it is
essential that both Beacon Stations are on the same mains phase, as they are classified TEN 230V.
Powering from different phases can mean a 440V potential can be present in a Beacon Station during
a major fault incident.
Anti-static handling guidelines
Make sure that electrostatic handling precautions are taken immediately before handling PCBs and other
static sensitive components.
Before handling any static-sensitive items, operators should get rid of any electrostatic charge by
touching a sound safety earth. Always handle PCBs by their sides and avoid touching any components.

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4. Unpacking the Unit
Remove the Beacon BM2/4/8 from its packing, and check the contents against the following list:
•Beacon BM2/4/8 Master Station
•Installation & maintenance manual (this document).
•User Guide & logbook.
•Accessory pack with the following contents: -
o1 number 2.5mm AF Hex Key.
o1 number door handle/key.
oEnd of Line (EoL) Resistors, 2 per line card
Use the 2.5mm AF Hex Key supplied to open the right-hand front cover.
Verify the following items are present:
•Correct number of Line Card, depending on configuration. c/w 2-way line connectors.
•1 number 3-way mains connector.
•1 number 2-way Fault connector.
•1 number 2-way In Use connector.
•1 number 2-way Enable connector.
•4 number 2-way Network connectors.
•1 number Battery lead.

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5. Installation
Prior to mounting the Beacon Master Station, it should be decided if the field wiring is to be run on the
surface or to be concealed. There are 14 knockouts on the top and 2 slotted entries with a dedicated
mains supply entry at the rear. If a knockout is removed by mistake, fill the hole with a good quality
cable gland.
Unused knockouts must be left unopened to comply with the Low Voltage Directive. Accidentally
knocked out holes should be blanked off.
The Beacon Master Station weighs 6Kg with batteries, so care should be taken to securely mount the Station
on stud walling.

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5.1 Connecting the Beacon Master Station
To comply with EMC (Electro Magnetic Compatibility) regulations and to reduce the risk of electrical
interference in the system wiring, the use of fire-resistant screened cables is recommended throughout
the installation.
All wiring should come into the enclosure via the knockouts provided and be fixed tidily to the relevant
terminals.
Note that correct cable glanding is essential. Due regard should be paid to any system specifications
which demand a certain cable type, providing it meets the appropriate national wiring regulations.
5.2 Planning the Wiring
All system wiring should be installed to meet the appropriate parts of BS5839 Part9:2021 and BS 7671
(Wiring Regulations). Other national standards of installation should be adhered to where applicable.
Do not test wiring using an insulation tester (Megger) with any
equipment connected, as the 500 Volt test voltage will destroy
these devices.
You must observe local wiring regulations. Do not run SELV and LV cables in the same enclosure
without adequate insulation between them.
5.3 Cable and Wiring Guidance
5.3.1 Fire Telephone system
Any system using Type A outstations must use enhanced grade cabling throughout for all wiring,
including the mains supply to the Beacon Master Station
5.3.2 Disabled Refuge EVC System
For buildings less than 30m in height, or any building with sprinklers fitted, standard grade fire resistant
cable may be used to wire Type B outstation and the mains supply to the Master Controller; as long as
the planned evacuation will be completed in 30 minutes.
If the building is over 30m in height without sprinklers, or where the evacuation will takeplace over
multiple stages exceeding 30 minutes, then enhanced grade cables must be used.
5.3.3 Combined Systems
For systems containing Type A, Type B or Type C outstations, shared cable such as network cables
must be enhanced grade.
Cabling to Type A or Type C outstations must be in enhanced grade fire resistant cabling.
Individual spurs to Type B outstations can be wired in standard grade fire resistant cabling in
accordance with the wiring guidelines already set out for disabled refuge systems.
5.3.4 “Assist Call” Emergency Assistance Alarm Systems
All installations must conform to Building Regulations Approved Document M. The “Assist Call” is wired
using 2 core cable, and the “Assist Call” plates can be wired in any order.
5.4 Cabling methods
There are 3 cabling methods available:
•Connection to a Type A or Type C outstation: use 2 core enhanced grade fire resistant cable
when extending a firefighting telephone system.
•Connection to a Type B outstation: use 2 core standard grade fire resistant cable when
extending a disabled refuge system.
•Connection to an “Assist Call” system on a dedicated line requires 2 core 1mm CSA or above
PVC sheathed.

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5.4.1 Beacon Master Station
The wiring for a Beacon Master Station is shown in the schematic below.

Page 9 of 24
5.4.2 Beacon Master/Repeater Stations wiring in ring
If two Beacon Stations are wired in Master/Repeater format, with the outstations shared between both
the Master Station and the Repeater Station, the Beacon system has to be wired as a ring, with each
outstation connected via a radial circuit to either the Master Station or Repeater Station, as shown in
the schematic below. This ensures that the any single cable fault will not affect the operation of more
than one outstation. For further information see 6.4.
5.4.2.1 Network Wiring
Note: Only connect the earth screens on the Net in cables, cut back and insulate Net OUT
earth screens

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5.5 Mains Connection
Each Beacon Master/Repeater Station requires a 3A spur, returning to a breaker clearly marked “EVCS
DO NOT TURN OFF”.
If the Beacon Master Station and the Beacon Repeater Station are distributed around a site, it is
essential that both Beacon Stations are on the same mains phase, as they are classified TEN 230V.
Powering from different phases can mean a 440V potential can be present in a Beacon Station during
a major fault incident.
5.6 Battery Information
In the event of mains failure BS5839 Part 9:2021 requires battery backup for 24 hours standby and 3
hours operation thereafter.
A Beacon Master/Repeater Station requires one number 12V 7AH vent regulated sealed lead acid
battery. The battery is not supplied with the Beacon Master/Repeater Station.
Safety Information:
Sealed Lead Acid batteries contain sulphuric acid which can cause burns if exposed to
the skin. The low internal resistance of these batteries mean large currents will flow if
they are accidentally short-circuited causing burns and a risk of fire.
Exercise caution when handling batteries.
Power Up Procedure:
Always apply mains power before connecting batteries. When connecting batteries,
always connect the Positive (Red +) terminal first.
Power Down Procedure
Disconnect the batteries before removing the mains power. When disconnecting
batteries, always remove the Negative (Black –) terminal first.
5.7 Outstation Connections
The Beacon Master Station is equipped with at least one number Dual line card. One outstation per
line output can be connected. If no outstation is connected to the line output, then an end of line 10kΩ
resistor should be fitted. The dipswitch located on the rear of the door mounted Display PCB is used for
configuration see 6.1
The following devices are available on the system:
•Type A (fixed phone)
•Type B (hands-free refuge point)
•Type C “Combi” (combined Type A and Type B)
•Jack point
•“Assist Call” emergency assistance alarm system
For Type A, Type B, and Type C outstations, the end-of-line 10kΩresistor should be removed from the
accessory pack and connected to the end-of-line terminal in the outstation.
For Jack points and the “Assist Call” system, the end-of-line 10kΩresistor should also be removed from
the accessory pack and connected to the last plate on the system.
>3mm
3A
Main
Distribution
Board
>0.75mm
2
<2.5mm
2
UNITY
DAU
Beacon
Master Station