Brooks RFP6 User guide

INSTALLERS MANUAL
RFP6
RESIDENTIAL FIRE PANEL
ISSUE 4 : 7/10/04

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Index Page
1. Smoke / Heat Alarms 4
1.1 Basic Information about your Smoke/Heat alarm 4
1.2 Technology Available 4
1.2.1 Ionisation Model 5
1.2.2 Photo - Electric Model 5
1.2.3 Heat Model 6
1.3 Locating your Smoke/Heat Alarm 7
1.3.1 Single Storey Dwelling 7
1.3.2 Multi Storey Dwelling 8
1.3.3 Maximum Protection 8
1.3.4 Checking you can hear your Smoke Alarm 8
1.4 Positioning your Smoke Alarm 10
1.4.1 Wall Mounting 10
1.4.2 On a Sloping Ceiling 10
1.4.3 Locations to Avoid 11
1.5 Limitations of Smoke Alarms 11
2. Residential Fire Alarm 13
2.1 Functional Description 13
2.1.1 Power Supply 13
2.1.1.1 Primary Power Supply / Battery Charger 13
2.1.1.2 Secondary Supply 13
2.1.2 Termination of Field Wiring 13
2.1.2.1 Smoke Alarm Inputs 13
2.1.2.2 Mains Voltage Input 13
2.1.2.3 Battery Input 13
2.1.3 Panic Input 14
2.1.4 Common Alarm Outputs 14
2.1.5 Alarm Confirmation Period (selectable) 14
2.1.6 Defect Mode Output 14
2.1.7 Zone Facility 14
2.1.8 Mimic Panel (Optional) 14
2.1.9 Zone Output Facility 15
2.2 Specifications 16
2.3 Familiarisation 18
2.4 Compatible Equipment 19
2.5 Panel Testing 22
2.5.1 Normal 22
2.5.2 Zone Alarm 22
2.5.3 Zone Fault 22
2.5.4 Low Battery 22
2.5.5 Ancillary Isolate 22

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2.5.6 Alarm Locate Switch 22
2.5.7 Sounder Silence Switch 23
3. Testing 24
3.1 Before you Test your RFP System 24
3.2 Panel Test 24
4. Installation 26
4.1 Surface Mount Installations 26
4.2 Recommended Mounting Hardware 26
4.3 Cable Terminations 27
4.3.1 AC Power 26
4.3.2 Field Wiring 26
4.3.3 Battery 27
5. Commissioning of Installation 28
5.1 General 28
5.2 Commissioning Tests 28
5.2.1 System Configuration 28
5.2.2 Ancillary Functions 29
5.3 Panel Testing 29
5.3.1 General 29
5.3.2 Alarm Test 29
5.3.3 Fault Test 30
5.3.4 Power Supply 30
5.3.5 Field Test 30
5.4 As Installed Diagram and Installer’s Statement 31
5.5 Log Book 31
5.6 Maintenance 31
6. Trouble Shooting 32
6.1 False Alarms 32
6.2 Faults 33
6.2.1 Line Fault 33
6.2.2 Low Battery 33
6.3 Spare Parts 34
6.3.1 Main Panel 34
6.3.2 Smoke / Heat Alarms 34

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1. Smoke / Heat Alarms
1.1 Basic Information about your Smoke / Heat Alarm
A Smoke Alarm is an early warning device. Used correctly it can give the occupants
valuable time to escape. Heat Alarms are used supplementary to Smoke Alarms for
those areas where Smoke Alarms would not be suitable.
Notes :-
* When the power is first connected the Smoke / Heat Alarm may sound for 2-3
seconds and/or the LED may flash quickly for 10 seconds - this is normal.
* A Smoke / Heat Alarm does not prevent fires.
* Install in correct position (refer to section 1.4).
* Test monthly.
* When the Smoke / Heat Alarm beeps every 40 seconds and LED flashes at the
same time the battery backup is low, restore mains power as soon as possible.
* For the Photo-electric model PFS-PCX, if the Smoke Alarm beeps without the
LED flashing at the same time then clean the unit (refer to Owners Manual) as
this is the automatic test feature telling you the chamber is degraded.
* Plan your escape route.
* Proper protection may require more than one Smoke / Heat Alarm.
* If you have any doubt or query about Smoke / Heat Alarms consult the nearest
Brooks Australia Fire and Warning Systems Office.
1.2 Technology Available
Brooks offers a full range of detection technologies.
- Ionisation
- Photo electric
- Heat

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1.2.1 Ionisation model
Ionisation Smoke Alarms are certainly the most popular in domestic situations, due
in no small measure to the fact that they are the least costly to produce. They
respond to a sufficiently wide range of fire to be of general use and they are
particularly responsive to fast flaming fires where little visible smoke may occur.
They are seldom troubled by dust or insect contamination. However, ionisation
alarms are vulnerable to irritating nuisance alarms caused by cooking fumes, or
portable gas heaters. Excessive nuisance alarms may lead to the alarm being
disconnected. Furthermore ionisation alarms will be slower to respond to smoke
produced by slow smouldering fire. This type, with consideration to the above, can
be installed in passageways and areas leading to bedrooms.
Operating Principle
Radioactive source ionises the air molecules within the sensing chamber.
Advantages
•Least expensive to produce
•Dual chamber compensates for changing ambient conditions
•Less prone to false alarms due to dust and steam
•Suitable for general use
Disadvantages
•Contain radioactive material
•Cannot be disposed of in landfill
•Must be returned to supplier or Health Department
•Cannot be sent via the post
•Prone to false alarms due to fumes from cooking or gas/oil heaters
•Not sensitive to dark smoke from a slow smouldering fire
1.2.2 Photo-Electric model
Optical Smoke Alarms on the other hand sense visible smoke particles, again they
respond to a sufficiently wide range of fires to be of general use, but they are
particularly responsive to smouldering fires and the dense smoke given off by foam
filled furnishings or overheated PVC wiring. They are much less prone to nuisance
alarms from cooking, and furthermore, contain no radioactive material. However, all
optical smoke alarms are prone to nuisance alarms caused by dust or insect
contamination. Mesh screens are effective in reducing insect ingress, but it is
impossible to make the alarms dust proof, since they would then be effectively
smoke proof! For this reason it is essential that optical smoke alarms are always
kept clean. This type, with consideration to the above, should be installed within
bedrooms and living areas adjacent to kitchens.

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Operating Principle
Light scattering - transmitter produces pulses of light which are detected by a
receiver when smoke enters the sensing chamber.
Advantages
•No radioactive material
•No legal requirements for disposal
•Particularly responsive to smouldering fires and dense smoke given off from
foam filled furnishings, bed linen or over-heated PVC wiring
•Less prone to false alarms due to fumes from cooking or gas/oil heaters
•Ideally suited adjacent to kitchens and bedrooms
•Suitable for general use
Disadvantages
•More expensive to produce
•Prone to false alarms due to dust build up or steam - must be kept clean
1.2.3 Heat model
Residential type Heat Alarms require the least maintenance of any alarm, because
they are virtually impervious to contamination. There are instances where a smoke
alarm installation is not recommended, the kitchen being the prime example. Yet
this area of a house is the source of some 40% of fires. An alternative method of
fire detection is in the opinion of many fire officers and specifiers, essential in this
and other vulnerable locations of residential properties. Fixed temperature heat
alarms are designed to trigger when the temperature reaches 58 degC. (136 degF.)
The alarms are not sensitive to smoke, but in a closed room with a vigorous fire they
will tend to respond faster than a smoke alarm out in the hallway. A heat alarm
must be interconnected to your smoke alarms so that the alarm can be heard
throughout the building. This type, with consideration to the above, can be installed
in kitchens, laundry’s and garages.
Operating Principle
Thermistor sensor - resistance value varies with temperature.
Advantages
•Ideal for those areas where protection is deemed necessary but where the
use of smoke alarms will cause constant false/nuisance alarms, i.e., kitchens,
garages, laundries
•Whilst not sensitive to smoke, in a closed room with a vigorous fire this alarm
would tend to ‘alarm’ faster than a smoke alarm in an adjacent hallway

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Disadvantages
•More expensive to produce
•Not an early warning device, should always be interconnected to other smoke
alarms within the residence.
1.3 Locating your Smoke / Heat Alarm
Ionisation and Photo-Optical Alarms
Sufficient smoke must enter your Smoke Alarm before it will respond. Your Smoke
Alarm needs to be within 10 paces (7 metres) of the fire to respond quickly. It also
needs to be in a position where its alarm can be heard throughout the residence, so it
can wake all occupants in time for all to escape. A single Smoke Alarm will give some
protection if it is properly installed, but most residences will require two or more
Smoke Alarms to ensure that a reliable early warning is given. For maximum
protection you should put individual Smoke Alarms in all the rooms where fire is most
likely to break out.
Your first Smoke Alarm should be located between the sleeping area and the most
likely sources of fire (living room or kitchen for example). But it should not be more
than 10 paces (seven metres) from the door to any room where a fire might start and
block your escape from the house.
1.3.1 Single Storey Dwelling
If your home is on one level (a bungalow or mobile home for example) you should put
your first Smoke Alarm in a corridor or hallway between the sleeping and living areas.
Place it as near to the living area as possible, but make sure you can hear it loudly
enough to wake you in the bedroom (for example, see figure 1).
If your home is very large and the corridor or hallway is more than say 22 paces (15
metres) long, one Smoke Alarm will not be sufficient. This is because no matter where
it is located it will be more than 7.5 metres from potential fires.
Recommended Protection Figures (1 & 2)
Minimum protection
each storey
each sleeping area
every 7.5 metres (25 ft) or hallways and rooms
Maximum protection
All rooms (except bathroom)
In houses with more than one sleeping area, Smoke Alarms should be placed
between each sleeping area and the living area.

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Figure 1
1.3.2 Multi Storey Dwelling
If your home is on more than one level you will require at least 2 Smoke Alarms. The
best place for your first Smoke Alarm is in the downstairs hallway near the stairs. (for
example see figure 2). This is because smoke is likely to be detectable in the hallway
before it reaches the upstairs landing and bedrooms.
Your second Smoke Alarm should be upstairs, because the downstairs Smoke Alarm
is unlikely to detect the smoke from a fire in a bedroom upstairs. Both Smoke Alarms
should be interconnected to ensure the earliest possible warning.
Figure 2

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1.3.3 Maximum Protection
For maximum protection you should put individual Smoke Alarms in all the rooms
where fire is most likely to breakout (apart from the locations to avoid, mentioned
below). The living room is the most likely place for a fire to start at night, followed by
the kitchen and then the dining room. You should also consider putting Smoke Alarms
in any bedrooms where fires might occur, for instance, where there is an electrical
appliance such as an electric blanket or where the occupant is a smoker. You could
also consider putting Smoke Alarms in any rooms where the occupant is unable to
respond very well to a fire starting in the rooms, such as an elderly or sick person or a
very young child.
1.3.4 Checking you can hear your Smoke Alarm
With the Smoke Alarm sounding in its intended location, check you are able to hear it
in each bedroom with the door closed, above the sound of your radio. The radio
should be set to a reasonably loud conversation level. If you can’t hear it over your
radio the chances are that it wouldn’t wake you.
If a Smoke Alarm is too far way for it to wake you, it is best to place another Smoke
Alarm near the bedroom. The Interconnection Facilities on the Smoke Alarms are
designed for this, when one alarm senses smoke all connected alarms respond.
Note: Options within the Smoke Alarm and Residential Fire Panel enable customising
of the installation.
1.4 Positioning your Smoke Alarm
Hot smoke rises and spreads out, so a central ceiling position is the preferred location.
The air is “dead” and does not move in corners, therefore Smoke Alarms must be
mounted away from corners. Place the unit at least 30cm (12 inches) from any light
fitting or decorative object which might obstruct smoke entering the Smoke Alarm.
Keep at least 15cm (6 inches) away from walls and corners. (see figure 4).
1.4.1 Wall Mounting
When a ceiling position is not practical (for example on a ceiling having exposed
beams or joists, or built-in radiant heating) put the top edge of your Smoke Alarm
between 15 and 30 cm (6 and 12 inches) below the ceiling. Keep at least 15cm (6
inches) from corners. (see figure 4).
1.4.2 On a Sloping Ceiling
In areas with sloping or peaked ceilings install your Smoke Alarm 90 cm (3 feet) from
the highest point measured horizontally (see figure 4), because “dead air” at the apex
may prevent smoke from reaching the unit.

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Figure 4
1.4.3 Locations to Avoid
Don’t place your Smoke Alarm in any of the following areas:
•Kitchens, Bathrooms, shower rooms, garages or other rooms where the
smoke alarm may be triggered by steam, condensation, normal smoke or
fumes.
•Attics or other places where extremes of temperature may occur (below
4°C/34°F or above 40°C/104°F).
•Near a decorative object, door, light fitting, window moulding etc., that may
prevent smoke from entering the Smoke Alarm.
•Surfaces that are normally warmer or colder than the rest of the room (for
example attic hatches, uninsulated exterior walls etc), Temperature differences
might stop smoke from reaching the unit.
•Next to or directly above heaters or air conditioning vents, windows, wall
vents etc. that can change the direction of airflow.
•In very high or awkward areas where it may be difficult to reach the alarm (for
testing, maintenance etc).
•Locate unit at least 1.5m (5 feet) and route wiring at least 1m (3 feet) away from
fluorescent light fittings as electrical “noise” and/or flickering may affect the
unit.
900mm
15 to
Ideal in centre
Of ceiling
Dead air space
never within 15
cm of any corner