1) System Overview
The unit has been designed to interrogate individual outstations and report back to the main controller if
water or a disconnected sensor is found. On powering up, the unit will display “SETTING UP PLEASE
WAIT” until all remote outstations have been interrogated for their current status. Providing there are no
alarms or faults on the system, the displays backlight will change to green and all zones will be shown as
“NORMAL”. With the system clear from alarms or faults, after five minutes the display will go into
power saving mode by turning off the backlight. If required, the light can be turned back on again for a
further five minutes by pressing the “Light” button.
When a water leak is detected, the zone “Alarm” lamp contained within the appropriate outstation will
start to flash. This has been provided to give maintenance staff local alarm status indication, thereby
alleviating the need to keep interrogating the main alarm controller for an update. Also, if fitted within the
outstation, the appropriate water shutoff valve will close thereby removing the risk of further water
damage. At the same time, the alarm will be displayed on the controller’s screen in large letters i.e.
“WATER DETECTED ZONE 15”, with the displays backlight flashing between red and white. The
internal “New Alarm”, “Common Alarm” relays will change state, the audible warning device will sound
and if fitted (optional equipment), the sounder beacon will start up, the text messaging system will send a
text or email and the individual BMS relay will operate. On pressing the “Mute” button, the display will
change to the normal screen, but with a white backlight, the zone in alarm screen statement will flash i.e.
“Zone 15 ALARM”, the internal warning device will stop, the “New Alarm” relay will de-energise
leaving the common alarm relay still energised and if fitted (optional equipment) the remote sounder will
stop, leaving the beacon flashing. Once the water has been removed from the sensor and provided the
alarm has been muted, the system will automatically reset its self back to normal operation. Please note,
the outstation Alarm lamp is a true current state indication and unlike the main control unit, it is not
latched and therefore muting is not required for a reset.
The outstations also monitor’s all water detection cables and sensors for disconnection. If a fault is found,
the appropriate “Fault” lamp on the outstation will start to flash, again this has been provided to give
maintenance staff local alarm status indication. In the same way as described above, the fault will also be
shown on the controller’s screen but with the appropriate statement i.e. “SENSOR FAULT ZONE 15” the
audible warning device will sound, and only common Fault relay will energise. On pressing the “Mute”
button, the display will change to the normal screen, but with a white backlight. The zone in alarm screen
statement will flash i.e. “Zone 15 FAULT”, and the internal warning device will stop. Providing the mute
button has been operated, once the fault has been rectified, the system will automatically revert back to
normal operation. Please note, the outstation Alarm lamp is a true current state indication and unlike the
main control unit, it is not latched and therefore muting is not required for a reset.
An additional lamp has been provided on each outstation identified as “Active” this lamp indicated that
the outstation is successfully communicating with the main alarm unit and should be flashing at a rate of
1-2 seconds. An active lamp is also provided for the same reason within the main alarm unit and should
appear (flashing at a high speed) to be permanently on.
A button identified as “Info” is provided on the screen of the alarm unit. Pressing this will display the
number of expected zones, the total number of outstations that should be fitted to the system, the total
number of current alarms (water leaks) and the total number of current faults (disconnected sensor). If the
“Exit” button is not pressed within 5 seconds, the unit will automatically revert back to the main screen.
If fitted, some or all the outstations might contain a water shutoff control board. This additional feature
requires a 230VAC supply to drive the remotely fitted water valves. Depending upon the type of
configuration asked for at the time of ordering, i.e. each zone with its own valve or all zones controlling
the same valve, a 230VAC two core cable needs to be run between the appropriate outstations L E N
terminals to the valve. Lights have been provided to indicate if the valve has been asked to close. In
normal operation with no alarms these lights should be off and will only illuminate when the valve is
asked to close. If required, positioned on the outstations top board is a push button identified as “Valve
Override”. Pressing this with no alarms on the outstation will do nothing. However, if the outstation has
an alarm (water detected) pressing will start an audible pulsing sound. Keeping the button pressed until
the sound stops, will illuminate the “Valve Override” lamp (top board), and open the shutdown valve.
