Mircom flexnet User manual

Network Intelligent Fire Alarm and Audio System
Table of Contents

Table of Contents
Configuration ..........................................................................................................................................................7
Overview ...................................................................................................................................................................8
GUI - Major Components ...................................................................................................................................8
Edit Menu .................................................................................................................................................................9
File Menu ................................................................................................................................................................10
Insert Menu............................................................................................................................................................11
Job Menu ................................................................................................................................................................12
Panel Menu ............................................................................................................................................................14
Tools Menu ............................................................................................................................................................15
Add Amplifier ........................................................................................................................................................16
Add Circuit Adder................................................................................................................................................16
Add Correlations..................................................................................................................................................18
Add Device.............................................................................................................................................................18
Add Group..............................................................................................................................................................20
Add Display Adder ..............................................................................................................................................21
Add Loop Controller...........................................................................................................................................22
Add Message.........................................................................................................................................................23
Add Network Node.............................................................................................................................................23
Add an Output Group........................................................................................................................................24
Add UDACT............................................................................................................................................................27
Add Zone ................................................................................................................................................................28
Address Scheme...................................................................................................................................................29
Advanced Panel Information Dialog.............................................................................................................30
Node Control (Request/Grant/Deny) ...........................................................................................................31
Node Grouping.....................................................................................................................................................39

Audio Message Composer...............................................................................................................................41
Audio Setup ...........................................................................................................................................................45
Backup Database .................................................................................................................................................46
Manage Messages...............................................................................................................................................48
Select Job to Compare.......................................................................................................................................49
Compare Jobs Advanced Options.................................................................................................................50
Create Job...............................................................................................................................................................51
Display Structure..................................................................................................................................................52
Edit Job....................................................................................................................................................................54
Export Job...............................................................................................................................................................55
Firmware Archive Contents..............................................................................................................................57
Holidays...................................................................................................................................................................58
Import Job..............................................................................................................................................................59
Logic Editor Dialog..............................................................................................................................................60
Network Node Merge........................................................................................................................................69
New Job Version Information .........................................................................................................................69
Open Job.................................................................................................................................................................70
Panel Information Dialog..................................................................................................................................71
Paste Special..........................................................................................................................................................72
Paste Special..........................................................................................................................................................73
Print Dialog ............................................................................................................................................................75
Print Setup..............................................................................................................................................................77
Restore Database.................................................................................................................................................77
Security Key Logon .............................................................................................................................................78
Upgrade Firmware...............................................................................................................................................80
User Preferences ..................................................................................................................................................82

Update Panel Time..............................................................................................................................................83
Version History .....................................................................................................................................................83
XML Export / Job Details Options Dialog ...................................................................................................84
Audio Controller Details....................................................................................................................................85
System/Node/CPU Status.................................................................................................................................87
Correlations............................................................................................................................................................90
Interval List View ..................................................................................................................................................92
Timer List View......................................................................................................................................................94
Dialer ........................................................................................................................................................................95
Display Adder..................................................................................................................................................... 100
Equation Summary List View ........................................................................................................................ 103
Input / Output Circuit Summary ................................................................................................................. 104
Input Zones.........................................................................................................................................................106
Audio Splitter Zones........................................................................................................................................ 108
LED Annunciator Summary ........................................................................................................................... 108
Loop Controller .................................................................................................................................................109
Loop Detail.......................................................................................................................................................... 110
Main Display / LCD Annunciator................................................................................................................. 114
Job Details ........................................................................................................................................................... 118
Job Tree................................................................................................................................................................ 126
Network Node Details.....................................................................................................................................128
Walk Test Areas................................................................................................................................................. 130
Drift Compensation..........................................................................................................................................131
Differences Mode / Differences Report.................................................................................................... 132
Fire Phone Configuration............................................................................................................................... 136
Get Job.................................................................................................................................................................. 142

Send Job............................................................................................................................................................... 142
Suite Silence Configuration........................................................................................................................... 144
Delete Item..........................................................................................................................................................146
Modify Item ........................................................................................................................................................146
Copy.......................................................................................................................................................................146
Paste ...................................................................................................................................................................... 147
Paste Special.......................................................................................................................................................147
User Preferences ............................................................................................................................................... 147
Print........................................................................................................................................................................147
Print Preview.......................................................................................................................................................147
Add Loop Controller........................................................................................................................................ 147
Add Annunciator...............................................................................................................................................148
Add Display Adder ...........................................................................................................................................148
Add Item ..............................................................................................................................................................148
Add Device..........................................................................................................................................................148
Add Correlations...............................................................................................................................................149
New Job................................................................................................................................................................149
Open Job.............................................................................................................................................................. 150
Merge Job............................................................................................................................................................ 150
New Version ....................................................................................................................................................... 151
Delete Job Version ........................................................................................................................................... 152
Version History ..................................................................................................................................................152
Convert Job......................................................................................................................................................... 152
Validate Job ........................................................................................................................................................152
Connect ................................................................................................................................................................153
Manage Jobs ...................................................................................................................................................... 153

Panel Info.............................................................................................................................................................153
Security Key Information................................................................................................................................ 153
Upgrade Firmware............................................................................................................................................153
Extract All............................................................................................................................................................. 153
Build Job............................................................................................................................................................... 153
Build Job............................................................................................................................................................... 154
Link Statistics......................................................................................................................................................154
Display Structure...............................................................................................................................................154
Custom Messages ............................................................................................................................................ 154
Security Key Information................................................................................................................................ 157
System Status Details......................................................................................................................................157
Node Status Details .........................................................................................................................................164
CPU Status Details............................................................................................................................................ 167
Linked Display Items........................................................................................................................................ 171
Convert Job......................................................................................................................................................... 172
Copy and Paste.................................................................................................................................................. 173
Add Annunciator............................................................................................................................................... 176
Select Build Type............................................................................................................................................... 176

7
Configuration
The FleX-Net™ system, FleX-Net™ FX-4000 system, and the FX-MNS-6000 network system is
configured using MGC software MSW-036.
NOTICE TO USERS, INSTALLERS, AUTHORITIES HAVING JURISDICTION, AND OTHER INVOLVED
PARTIES
This product incorporates field-programmable software. In order for the product to comply with the
requirements in the Standard for Control Units and Accessories for Fire Alarm Systems, UL 864, and the
Standard for Control Units for Fire Alarm Systems, CAN/ULC-527-11 certain programming features or
options must be limited to specific values or not used at all as indicated below.
Program feature or
option
Permitted in UL
864/CAN/ULC-S527-11
(Y/N)
Possible settings Settings permitted in
UL864/CAN/ULC-
S527-11
Optional Delay of
Transfer from live
paging to alert/alarm
Yes 0 to 20 seconds 0 to 5 seconds
Alarm Transmit
Silence
No Enabled or
Disabled
Disabled or unchecked
Automatic Signal
Silence
Yes
30sec,
1,3,10,15,20,30mi
n
or Disabled
UL minimum 3 minutes
ULC minimum 5
minutes
Powerfail Send
Delay (AC power
trouble signal
transmits to remote
stationafter this
selected delay)
Yes
0 to 18 Hours UL 1, 2, 3 Hours
ULC 0, 1, 2, 3 Hours
COPTIR/A Detector
Sensitivity Levels
Yes Levels 1 through 6 Levels 2 through 6
APB-200/COA
Sounderbase
correlation to Fire
input
Yes
No sound (no
correlation),Temporal-
3, Temporal-4, March
Code, Maintenance
Chirp, Continuous
Tone
Temporal-3

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APB-200/COA
Sounderbase
correlation to CO
input
No
No sound (no
correlation),
Temporal-3,
Temporal-4, March
Code,
MaintenanceChirp,
Continuous Tone
No Sound (no
correlation)
Overview
In order to operate as a fire alarm, a fire alarm panel must be loaded with firmware and
configuration data. A set of configuration data, to uniquely describe and control a given set
of hardware, is called a Job. The Configurator allows the user to create and manage jobs. It
also allows the user to send firmware to a panel and all its related nodes and CPUs
On the first use of the configurator the user is prompted for the paths and file names where
jobs, backups, the database, etc. are to be stored. Registry entries remember many of the
user’s preferences.
The configurator is typically run on a portable notebook or lap top computer that is taken to
the job site and connected to the panel. The technician prepares a job using the
configurator’s Graphical User Interface. The job can then be sent to the panel. The same or a
different authorized technician can later retrieve the job from the panel, modify it and send
it back.
The job repository is a Relational Database (MS-Access). Jobs can be imported from another
database, copied, deleted, and archived in various formats. A job can be printed, or two
versions of a job can be compared.
GUI - Major Components
The configurator uses a familiar Microsoft Windows Graphical User Interface (GUI) to
present a job. The screen is divided into (max.) three panes.
On the left of the screen, the job is represented as a tree, similar to a file explorer. At the
highest level in the tree are sections describing panel functions are not dependent on
nodes. These are Job Details, Common System Statuses, Walk Test Areas, Custom Timers,
Custom Intervals, Equation Summary, Input Summary, Output Summary, and Node
Grouping. The Nodes are under the Job Details section. Under each node are its
components - Annunciators, Loop Controllers, etc. Some items are further subdivided, for
example, an annunciator into display adders and a loop controller into loops.
The top level items in the tree do not directly represent physical components. Some are for
configuration options, like Job Details or Node Grouping. Some are for virtual devices, like

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Custom Timers or Walk Test Areas. The others are to allow you to view groups of things in
the job without having to search through the node, like Input Summary.
The top right pane is used to display the details of the currently selected tree branch. This
can be a form view or a list view. For example, this pane is used to list the devices on a loop
controller (list view) and to display the options and messages of a main display (form view).
The third, bottom right pane is used to show correlations from an item selected in the top
right pane, where appropriate. For example, when a loop is selected in the tree, the top right
pane would show all of its devices or circuits. When one or more input circuits are selected
in the list, then the bottom pane would show the output circuit(s) to which this is correlated.
In addition to standard menus (File, Edit, etc.), a specialized menu hierarchy (Job, Panel,
Tools) is provided for such functions at Create New Job, Delete Job, Connect to Panel, etc.
A tool bar provides convenient short cuts to the more frequently used functions
Standard keyboard short cuts and mouse operations are supported for such operations as
copy and paste, drag and drop, etc.
Edit Menu
The Edit Menu contains the following commands.
Some commands may be disabled (greyed) depending on what items are currently selected
on the user interface.
Name Short cut Description
Delete
Item Del Deletes the currently selected item.
Modify
Item Ctrl+M If the currently selected item is a row in an editable list, then the first changeable cell is selected and prepared for editing.
Copy Ctrl+C Copies the selected item(s) to the clipboard.
Paste Ctrl+V Pastes items from the clipboard to the selected destination.

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Paste
Special
Ctrl++Shift+V
Similar to Paste: Opens the Paste Special dialog to allow defaults to
be changed before pasting.
File Menu
The File Menu contains the following commands:
Name
Short cut
Description
Backup
Database
By default the backup database makes a copy of the Master
Database in the File folder specified in the User Preferences. The
backup file by default will have a name of the form YYYY-MM-
DD-Vnn-nn-nn.mdb (the "n"s standing in for the digits in the
version number of the current configurator). The back up can be
used by the Restore Database command to recover all of the jobs
in the database. The Import command can be used to recover
selected jobs from a backup. Backup your Master Database often
and store a copy of the resulting file on a USB drive or other
media.
Restore
Database
Restores the database from a backup copy. Note: This operation
will replace the entire contents of the current, working database
with the backup.
Compact
Database
To ensure optimal performance, you should compact and repair
your database on a regular basis. If you have purged job versions
or deleted jobs, Compacting the Database will regain the space
occupied by those records.
User
Preferences
Specifies User Preferences, such as the location of database,
backups, job files, etc.
Open Folder
Opens a submenu allowing you to choose the Backups, Job File,
or Job Builds directory. The configurator then opens up a
Windows Explorer window for the chosen folder. This feature can
be used to quickly locate a recently exported job, which can then
be emailed or saved elsewhere.

11
The Backups folder is the default location for database backups.
The Job Files folder is where exported jobs are stored. These
include *.MDB files, *.fx2job files and a variety of XML formats.
The Job Build folder is the default l
ocation for .c files produced by
Tools / Build Job. It is also the location of log files which Mircom
technical support may request when investigating a problem.
Print
Ctrl+P
Print the active job.
Print Preview Display a Print Preview of the active job.
Print Setup
Select the printer, paper size and orientation for a print job.
Exit
Closes the configurator.
Insert Menu
The Insert Menu contains the following commands.
Some commands may be disabled (greyed) depending on what items are selected on the
user interface.
Some items may be suppressed depending on the product.
Name
Description
Add Network
Nodes
Add a network node to the job.
Add Loop
Controllers
Add an Addressable or Conventional Loop Controller to the selected
network node.
Add
Annunciators
Add an LCD or LED Annunciator to the selected network node.
Add Display
Adder
Add a Display Adder to an Annunciator or Main Display.

12
Add UDACT
Add UDACT capability to the selected network node.
Context
Dependent
Add Device
If the
selected tree item is a device loop, add a device or circuit.
Add Message
If the selected tree item is the Custom Messages branch of a remote
annunciator, add a Message.
Add Zone
If the selected tree item is the Input Zones branch of a CPU (QLA or Base I/O
of a Master), add a zone.
Add Group
If the selected tree item is Output Zones branch of a CPU (QLA or Base I/O
of a Master), add a group.
Add
Correlations
If the selected tree item is Zone, Group, Status, or Device, or a Display Item
that can have
correlations, launch a dialog that allows correlations to be
added to the selected item. This does not apply to items selected in the
Input Summary or Output Summary.
Note: Most of these options may also be accessed by right clicking on the appropriate item
in any of the configurator windows.
Job Menu
The Job Menu contains the following commands:
Name Short cut Description
New Job Ctrl-N;
This command will open the Create Job
dialog which will allow you
to start a new job. The new job can be based on a supplied
template or on the job currently open in the configurator.
Open Job Ctrl+O This command opens a dialog from which you can select any job
or job version that is in your database.

13
Import Job
This command opens a dialog from which you can select any job
or job version from an external database or serialized job archive.
The selected job will then be imported and converted to the
current job format if necessary.
Export Job Ctrl+E
Exports the current job. The job can be exported as a single job
database file, a compact, serialized archive format, or as one of
several styles of XML files for specific uses. The exported file can
then be archived or transferred to another computer.
Merge Job Ctrl+M Merges a selected job into the current job, retaining all
correlations.
New
Version Ctrl+W
Make a copy of the current job, assigning it the next highest
version number. The user is prompted for mandatory comments
and may also override the Author field. The Job Name cannot be
changed. The new version is un-locked for editing.
Delete Job
Version Ctrl+D This command permanently deletes the current Job / Job Version from the database
Version
History Display the Version History (Date, Author, Comments) for the current job.
Compare
Job
Versions
Compares the current version of the current job to another version
of the same job, or a completely different job.
Convert Job Legacy feature. No longer used.
Validate Job This action performs all of the steps normally performed when
preparing to send a job to the panel.
Edit Job
Toggle the lock on a job that is protected against unintentional
edits. If the job has more than one node and has been built or up
loaded to a panel this option will not function and the job can not
be unlocked for editing.

14
Panel Menu
The Panel Menu contains the following commands.
Name Short Cut Description
Connect Ctrl+L
This command will establish a connection between the
configuration tool and the panel, enabling most of the other
commands in this menu. Remember to disconnect when you
are finished, as a trouble will be indicated on the fire alarm
panel as long as the laptop is connected.
Send Job Ctrl+S Build the job and send the configuration to the panel.
Get Job Ctrl+G
Get the job from the panel and store it on the configuration
tool's database. The job becomes the current job, shown in the
user interface and is writable.
Manage Jobs Reads the list of configurations in the panel's file system and
opens the Manage Jobs dialog.
Panel
Information...
Displays basic information about the panel to which the
configuration tool is connected. Also gives access to the
Update time/date button and the Advanced Panel Info button
(which will open up a new window with more detailed
information about the panel).
Security Key
Information...
Displays information about the security key for those products
that support a key
. The user must have entered the correct PIN
when prompted - either when configurator was started or
when the key was inserted - to enable this command.
Upgrade
Firmware... Loads firmware to the panel from a firmware archive file.

15
Tools Menu
The items under the Tools Menu are used mainly for troubleshooting and diagnostic
purposes by the factory.
Name
Short Cut
Description
Extract All DB
Extracts the latest version of every job to individual database
files.
Build Job
Ctrl+B
Builds the job, assuming the latest product version, creating a
".c" file in the Job Build folder.
Build Job (old
version)...
Builds the job ".c" file for a specified, older product version.
Link Statistics
Displays the connection link statistics
Log Send
Toggle the
current state of the "dump on send" option. Causes
the ".c" file to be produced and dumped on a Get Job.
Log Get
Toggle the current state of the "dump on get" option. Causes
the ".c" file to be produced and dumped on a Send Get.
Log Comms
Toggles logging of serial communications.
Trace
Toggles the current state of the trace option. When turned on
this causes debug information to be written to a trace file.
Display
Structure
This command will display a dialog that will allow you to view
and log panel data structures.
External Bus
Toggles the "Use External Bus" setting. When turned on, this
signals that the configurator is connected to the External Bus
of the panel.

16
Note: The Tools menu is only available if you checked the Show Tools Menu option. See
User Preferences
Add Amplifier
This dialog is displayed in response to an Add Amplifier command, which is available when
an Amplifier Loop is selected in the Job Tree.
Select the amplifier type. Choose from a single 60 Watt amp., 2*30 Watt or 4*15. If Splitter
Circuit Operation is selected in the Audio Setup dialog then each of those amplifiers will
also have a Split version available for selection.
Choose the bin and slot for the location of the amplifiers. The program will suggest the next
available, suitably aligned location, but you can choose another that does not immediately
follow those amplifiers that are already configured.
Click the add button to add the amplifiers. The dialog remains open so that you can add
more. The Slot and Bin locations are recalculated.
Add Circuit Adder
This dialog is displayed in response to an Add Circuit Adder command. That command is
available when a Conventional (hard wired) Loop is selected in the Job Tree, and the user
right click on the upper right pane.

17
Adder Type – Select the type of Circuit Adder to add, from the drop down list of those
available on your system.
The FleX-Net™ system supports 3 types:
•8 Input Adder - 8 Ckts:
Will add additional DM-1008A Input Module with 8 Class B (4 Class A) Input
Circuits.
•Supv Opt. Adder - 4 Ckts:
Will add a SGM-1004A Signal Module with 4 Supervised Output Circuits.
•Relay Opt. Adder - 8 ckts:
Will add RM-1008A Relay module with 8 Relay circuits.
After the operation is complete the dialog remains open for re-use.
Close - Press to dismiss the dialog.
Note: Some products have a fixed number of conventional circuits and the user cannot
delete them or add more.
Examples:
Add 8 Input Adder - 8 Ckts:
Will add additional DM-1008A Input Module with 8 Class B (4 Class A) Input Circuits
Add Supv Opt.adder 4 Ckts:
Will add a SGM-1004A Signal Module with 4 Supervised Output Circuits
Add Cntct Opt - 8 ckts:
Will add RM-1008A Relay module with 8 Relay circuits.
Custom Sub Types
There are 16 Custom SubTypes for each circuit. Each circuit can have a custom subtype
assigned which then can be exported to OpenGN. In OpenGN when events in the system
are reported, it shows the custom subtypes assigned instead of just the device types.
Custom Sub Types are used only for OpenGN reports. For example, input module, it can
have Manual Station, Monitor Input, Flow Switch, Low Pressure, Low Temperature, etc...

18
Add Correlations
This dialog is displayed in response to the Add Correlations command.
The dialog shows a tab for every category of circuit or display item, etc. that can be
correlated to the items selected in the top, right pane view of the user interface. The tab
categories mirror those of the Correlations View.
The content of each tab is dynamically updated as correlations are added or deleted so that
the dialog always shows only the items that are available.
The correlation view and the add correlations dialog are also synchronized: when a tab is
selected on one the corresponding tab is activated on the other.
Select the items to be correlated (hold down the Ctrl key and right click the mouse to select
multiple rows) and click the Add button.
The dialog remains open and more correlations can be made, selecting items from other
tabs if necessary. The dialog remains open when another target is selected in configurator's
top, right pane.
Click the Close button to dismiss the dialog.
Add Device
This dialog is displayed in response to an Add Device command, which is available when an
Addressable Loop is selected in the Job Tree.
(Input zones and Output Groups are also treated as a special kind of device and are added
using the same dialog - refer to the Add Zone Dialog and Add Group Dialog.)

19
Device: is the major devices list, with choices such as Photo Detector, Ion Detector,
Supervised Output Module, etc.
Options: Currently only used with AP devices to select what type of base (normal, sounder,
etc.) the device is mounted in.
Type: is the type of device (e.g. Alarm, Supervisory, etc.) being added. The list of available
device types in the combo box is adjusted according to the Device field.
SubType: is the attribute of the Device Type. Combo box is adjusted according to the
Device. Many devices have no SubType.
Address: in this field you can specify the address for the new device. (The address set here
will be one of the first four types described in Address Scheme according to the Device Type
selected. Any virtual address(es) required will be added automatically.). This defaults to the
lowest available address for the chosen type.
Number to add: You can specify how many devices to add by changing this value. The
configurator will attempt to allocate the devices sequentially, starting with the address you
selected. If there are insufficient sequential addresses you will be shown a message with
three options. “Yes” tells the configurator to continue adding devices, starting at the next
available address and continuing to do so each time it runs out of sequential addresses.
“No” tells it to add as many as will fit and stop. “Cancel” tells it to stop without adding any
devices.
The dialog remains open so that you can add more.
Click Add to continue.
After the operation is complete the dialog remains open for re-use. The Address value is
adjusted to account for the devices just added.

20
If at any time during the transaction there are no more available addresses, the entire
transaction is rolled back. No devices will have been added.
If there are no available addresses for the chosen Type then the Add button is disabled. You
can select another type, or close the dialog.
The Close button dismisses the dialog.
Add Group
This dialog is displayed in response to an Add Groups command, which is available when
Output Groups is selected in the Job Tree.
Device: is the Device Type, currently only Output Group is available.
Options: Currently not used.
Type: is the type of device (Sounder Base, Relay Base or Output Module) being Grouped.
SubType: Currently not used.
Address: assigned automatically. Currently not editable.
Number to add: You can specify how many groups to add.
Click Add to continue.
After the operation is complete the dialog remains open for re-use. The Address value is
adjusted to account for the devices just added.
The dialog remains open so that you can add more.