Plumis Automist Smartscan Hydra User manual

Automist Smartscan
Hydra®Design, Installation,
Operation and Maintenance
(DIOM) Manual
Version 3.10.0
The Smartscan Hydra DIOM Manual is designed to provide
stakeholders with essential information regarding
specification, installation, maintenance, and commissioning
of the Automist fire protection device.
SMARTSCAN
®

Automist Smartscan Hydra®DIOM Manual - version 3.01.0
Plumis Ltd Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved. Page 2 of 116
SMARTSCAN
®
Contents
INTRODUCTION TO AUTOMIST SMARTSCAN HYDRA.............................................................................................. 6
Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................. 7
Automist Smartscan Hydra ..................................................................................................................................... 8
System Diagram ....................................................................................................................................................... 9
Water Supply Components (in required order) ..................................................................................................10
Scope .......................................................................................................................................................................11
Compliance to BS 8458..........................................................................................................................................12
Roles and Responsibilities.....................................................................................................................................13
Initial Consultation and Requirements Specification......................................................................................... 14
The Automist Design Specification.......................................................................................................................15
System Enhancements ..........................................................................................................................................16
General .................................................................................................................................................................16
Type of building and occupancy........................................................................................................................16
Using Automist as a Compensatory Feature ...................................................................................................18
Higher fire risk and impact factors....................................................................................................................18
Occupancy profile - vulnerable people risk factors.........................................................................................19
Improving Automist’s performance and reliability..........................................................................................19
Resilience and Robustness.................................................................................................................................19
DESIGN AND SPECIFICATION.....................................................................................................................................22
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................23
Fire Tests and Limits of Application .....................................................................................................................23
Example of a part of a high ceiling fire engineering justification ..................................................................23
Extent of Automist protection ..............................................................................................................................24
Automist Design Guidelines..................................................................................................................................25
Obstruction .............................................................................................................................................................26
The Automist sprayhead ....................................................................................................................................26
How Automist is affected by obstructions .......................................................................................................29
Preferred Positions ................................................................................................................................................30
Primary Objective ................................................................................................................................................31
Secondary Objective ...........................................................................................................................................32
Tertiary Objective ................................................................................................................................................33
Hydraulic Calculations ...........................................................................................................................................35
Discharge performance and duration .................................................................................................................35
Increasing the design density ............................................................................................................................35
Installing two Automist systems in parallel...................................................................................................... 35

Automist Smartscan Hydra®DIOM Manual - version 3.01.0
Plumis Ltd Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved. Page 3 of 116
SMARTSCAN
®
Water Supplies........................................................................................................................................................36
Backflow Prevention ..............................................................................................................................................37
Sprayhead Location ...............................................................................................................................................37
Components ...........................................................................................................................................................40
Technical Specification for Hydra Data & Alarm Cables .................................................................................40
Watermist nozzle (Automist sprayhead) .............................................................................................................44
Hoses, Piping and Fittings .....................................................................................................................................45
Fittings ..................................................................................................................................................................45
Hose General .......................................................................................................................................................45
Stainless Steel Piping (alternative to high pressure hose).............................................................................. 46
Hoses, Piping support............................................................................................................................................46
Detection Devices...................................................................................................................................................47
Compatible detectors/alarms ............................................................................................................................48
Plumis Wireless Smoke Heat Alarm (DT01)......................................................................................................49
Pump with an output relay (AP10) ....................................................................................................................50
Integration with other alarm systems...............................................................................................................50
1) Domestic ...................................................................................................................................................50
2) Residential.................................................................................................................................................51
Transmission of alarm signals to alarm receiving centres ............................................................................. 52
Controller ................................................................................................................................................................52
Valves.......................................................................................................................................................................52
Electrically operated devices.................................................................................................................................52
Strainer ....................................................................................................................................................................52
Pump........................................................................................................................................................................53
Automist Pump Specification:............................................................................................................................53
Automatic test and monitoring facilities .............................................................................................................54
Electrical design and installation ..........................................................................................................................54
Additives..................................................................................................................................................................54
Trunking and Pump Enclosures............................................................................................................................54
INSTALLATION.............................................................................................................................................................56
Installation Procedure ...........................................................................................................................................57
A) First Fix - Preparing the site ..............................................................................................................................58
Fire Stopping ........................................................................................................................................................61
Pneumatic Test ....................................................................................................................................................61
Hydrostatic Test...................................................................................................................................................61
Detector and/or alarm installation....................................................................................................................63

Automist Smartscan Hydra®DIOM Manual - version 3.01.0
Plumis Ltd Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved. Page 4 of 116
SMARTSCAN
®
Plumis Wireless Smoke Heat Alarm (DT01) Installation and Battery replacement ..................................... 64
B) Second Fix - Installing the controller ...............................................................................................................65
C) Second Fix - Installing the sprayhead(s) and pump.......................................................................................66
D) Second Fix - Connecting the Water Supply.....................................................................................................72
E) Commissioning...................................................................................................................................................75
The Automist Smartscan Hydra Controls .........................................................................................................75
Commissioning Procedure....................................................................................................................................77
Online logbook ....................................................................................................................................................84
Warning Stickers..................................................................................................................................................84
Hose Draining .........................................................................................................................................................86
Re-enter Commissioning Mode After Successful Commissioning ...................................................................86
Alarm Test Mode ....................................................................................................................................................86
Commissioning Certificate ....................................................................................................................................87
Documentation.......................................................................................................................................................87
Post-installation checklist – Key points for installers and Building Control .................................................... 88
Power Supply .......................................................................................................................................................88
Water Supply........................................................................................................................................................88
Pump and Sprayhead Placement ...................................................................................................................... 88
Head Placement ..................................................................................................................................................89
High Pressure Hose.............................................................................................................................................89
Stainless Steel Piping (alternative to high pressure hose).............................................................................. 89
Fire Stopping ........................................................................................................................................................89
Coverage...............................................................................................................................................................89
Documentation....................................................................................................................................................89
OPERATION..................................................................................................................................................................91
What to do if the system activates? .....................................................................................................................92
MAINTENANCE ............................................................................................................................................................93
Maintenance ...........................................................................................................................................................94
1. Visual inspection ......................................................................................................................................94
2. Service the detectors ...............................................................................................................................94
3. ARI inspection...........................................................................................................................................95
4. Software update process ........................................................................................................................96
5. Commissioning.........................................................................................................................................96
6. Long term..................................................................................................................................................96
Software update process ......................................................................................................................................98
Cleaning.................................................................................................................................................................100

Automist Smartscan Hydra®DIOM Manual - version 3.01.0
Plumis Ltd Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved. Page 5 of 116
SMARTSCAN
®
Repair.....................................................................................................................................................................100
Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................................................................100
Returning equipment to Plumis - RMA ..............................................................................................................105
Warranty................................................................................................................................................................105
APPENDIX A ...............................................................................................................................................................107
APPENDIX B ...............................................................................................................................................................109
APPENDIX C ...............................................................................................................................................................112
Example Design Specification .............................................................................................................................113
APPENDIX D ...............................................................................................................................................................114

Automist Smartscan Hydra®DIOM Manual - version 3.01.0
Plumis Ltd Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved. Page 6 of 116
SMARTSCAN
®
INTRODUCTION TO
AUTOMIST SMARTSCAN HYDRA

Automist Smartscan Hydra®DIOM Manual - version 3.01.0
Plumis Ltd Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved. Page 7 of 116
SMARTSCAN
®
Introduction
•READ ALL OF THIS MANUAL. It is intended for the use of designers, engineers, plumbers,
electricians, builders, architects, surveyors, contractors, authorised reseller installers (ARIs) and
authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs).
•To avoid hazards, all installation procedures and maintenance must be carried out by an
Authorised Automist Installer (with a valid training certificate for the role they are performing).
•IMPORTANT! Do not install Automist Smartscan Hydra outside these guidelines. Installing
Automist outside these guidelines could make you responsible for deaths or injuries.
•Retain this guide for later use.
•The content in this manual may differ from the product and is subject to change without prior
notice. It is recommended to check you have the latest version of the DIOM from the Plumis
website before proceeding.
•Follow all warnings, cautions and instructions contained in this manual.
•The execution of its provisions will be entrusted to appropriately qualified and experienced people,
for whose use it has been produced.
•Once installed, the Authorised Installer must complete and submit an installation and
commissioning form to Plumis.
•Automist Smartscan Hydra requires maintenance, which should be logged, to provide effective
protection.
•When this product has reached the end of its serviceable life, it must be disposed of in a safe
manner.
•The system operates with a dangerous voltage and high pressure. Pay attention to the hazards
during the installation. Suitable PPE must be used if necessary!
•Compliance with this guidance document cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to all the aspects of the building
regulations. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the contents of this document are correct at
the time of publication, it should never be used as any form of substitution for the guidance documents. It
should be noted that there may be specific additional requirements dependent upon local authority
building regulations and/or fire authority.

Automist Smartscan Hydra®DIOM Manual - version 3.01.0
Plumis Ltd Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved. Page 8 of 116
SMARTSCAN
®
Automist Smartscan Hydra
Watermist fire suppression systems have demonstrated their value in assisting the protection of life
and property for many years. A correctly designed, installed, and properly maintained Automist fire
suppression system can detect, suppress, and control a fire at an early stage of development, and
activate an alarm. Operation of the system rapidly reduces the rate of production of heat and smoke,
allowing more time for the occupants to escape to safety or be rescued.
When triggered by a Plumis multi-sensor wireless alarm or a wired detector, all the linked sprayheads
will begin scanning. They start measuring the temperatures within the room using an infrared sensor.
The scan is looking for an exceptionally high temperature reading, or a differential increase between
scans. Once the temperature exceeds a threshold that head is deemed to have successfully located a
fire. All heads which locate a fire during a scan are then compared, to see which has the best view.
The selected sprayhead will lock onto the selected location, and activate the high-pressure pump,
driving mains water through the unique nozzle unit, quickly directing a dense fog into the location of
the fire. The high momentum vertical spray orientation with a horizontal trajectory is designed so fires
can be saturated with a turbulent flow of mist, suppressing the fire.
Watermist has a different principle of firefighting to traditional sprinklers which suppress fires by wetting
surfaces and directly cooling the flames with large water drops. Watermist uses fine droplets, which
evaporate at the base of the fire, to extract heat and displace the oxygen fuel. This results in fire control,
suppression, or extinguishment. Our sprayheads are wall mounted (around light switch height) to avoid
ineffective evaporation in the hot layer near the ceiling and the upward flow of hot combustion products.
Automist leverages the natural turbulence the fire creates and seeks to ensure watermist is entrained in the
fire plume.
Plumis the manufacturer of Automist is a member of the International Water Mist Association’s (IWMA) and
of its “Archimedes Club” for products which utilise the principle of buoyancy to improve the performance of
water-based fire-fighting systems. Archimedes principle states that the upward buoyant force exerted on a
body immersed in a fluid (i.e. liquid or gas), whether fully or partially submerged, is equal to the weight of
the fluid that the body displaces and acts in the upward direction at the centre of mass of the displaced
fluid.
The provision of Automist does not negate the need for other fire precautions or practical measures, which
can include structural fire resistance, escape routes, smoke or fire detectors and safe housekeeping
practices. Even with the installation of Automist, normal actions on the discovery of a fire need to be taken,
such as immediate evacuation and calling the fire and rescue service.
Automist maintenance is not complex but is essential. It is important that owners and occupiers pay
particular attention to the details within, such as the avoidance of obstructions to the watermist nozzle (see
page 30) and contacting an Authorised Automist Installer to address fault conditions (see page 100).

Automist Smartscan Hydra®DIOM Manual - version 3.01.0
Plumis Ltd Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved. Page 9 of 116
SMARTSCAN
®
System Diagram
1. WRAS approved isolation valve
2. Automist Smartscan Hydra supply label & cable tie
3. WRAS approved ¾” single check valve (AC03)
4. Filter (AC03) and bracket (P0001_D)
5. PRV (P0001) (AC03)
An optional hose is included in the kit for when the valve is too close to the wall
6. ¾” stainless steel inlet hose (AC03)
7. Automist Smartscan Hydra pump unit (AP08)
8. Automist Smartscan Hydra controller (CT01)
9. Quick connect with test point for pressure gauge (AC03)
10. High pressure outlet hose (or high-pressure stainless-steel pipe)
11. Assembled Automist Smartscan Hydra head(s) (SH11)
12. Plumis wireless multi-sensor detector(s) (DT01)
13. Specified wired detector (Apollo Orbis or A1R)
14. Sticker set (not shown) (AC03)
Figure 1: Automist Smartscan Hydra System Diagram
1
10
2
4
6
7
8
9
10
11
13
11
11
12
12
Fused spur
3
5

Automist Smartscan Hydra®DIOM Manual - version 3.01.0
Plumis Ltd Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved. Page 10 of 116
SMARTSCAN
®
Water Supply Components (in required order)
Assembly Order
1. 3/4” BSP water supply
i. WRAS approved isolation valve
ii. WRAS approved check valve
An additional hose (vii) can be added between ii and iii for when space is tight
iii. PRV (PTFE on both sides for sealing)
iv. BSP ¾” nipple
v. Washer
vi. Filter
v. Washer
vii. Hose
v. Washer
2. Pump
Figure 2: Automist Smartscan Hydra System Water Supply Components
i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
v
vii
v
1
2

Automist Smartscan Hydra®DIOM Manual - version 3.01.0
Plumis Ltd Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved. Page 11 of 116
SMARTSCAN
®
Scope
This Design, Installation, Operation and Maintenance (DIOM) Manual gives recommendations for the
design, installation, water supply, commissioning, maintenance, troubleshooting, and testing of Automist
Smartscan Hydra when installed in residential and domestic dwellings. It primarily covers the systems use
for life safety but might also provide property protection.
Automist Smartscan Hydra has been independently, third party tested
by Exova Warrington Fire to confirm that it meets the performance requirements
of BS 8458 2015, as validated by BSI Verification Certificate VC 71258.
Automist is typically used for BS 8458 equivalent domestic or residential occupancy, up to a maximum
building height of 45 m. If the type of building is not listed (see page 16), or for buildings over 45 m, then
the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) should be consulted to agree whether additional measures are
needed (see page 16), or whether an alternative system (e.g. BS 8489 or EN 12845) is more appropriate.
In some buildings or parts of buildings, a higher level of protection might be required than that provided in
this DIOM. In buildings where there is a mix of residential, non-residential, and commercial use (e.g. where
flats are above shops, car parks, bin stores, offices, and retail units), it is generally appropriate to protect
the residential parts using this DIOM and the non-residential parts using BS 8489 or BS EN 12845.
Here are the key differences between Automist and a traditional watermist system:
Traditional watermist system
Automist
Activation
Glass bulb or fusible link
(mechanical thermal)
Electronic trigger based on smoke
detection and thermal sensing
System design
Wet pipe (i.e. one that is permanently
charged with water)
Non pressurised (open) dry pipe
Nozzle location
Ceiling mounted
Wall mounted
Discharge
performance
The system should be capable of
providing pressures and flow rates to
permit all the watermist nozzles in the
fire test room or largest compartment,
whichever is the greater, up to a
maximum area of operation (AMAO) of
64 m2, to operate simultaneously at not
less than the greater of: a) the nozzle
pressure given by the pass criteria
determined by the test in Annex C; or
b) the approval listed discharge
performance.
The electronic activation ensures only
one watermist nozzle activates with not
less than the pressure and flow given by
the pass criteria determined by the test
in Annex C.
Minimum run
time
10 minutes
30 minutes (when connected to mains
water as per page 36)

Automist Smartscan Hydra®DIOM Manual - version 3.01.0
Plumis Ltd Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved. Page 12 of 116
SMARTSCAN
®
Compliance to BS 8458
The table below helps readers understand how Automist complies with the applicable clauses of BS 8458
and where to find further details in this DIOM:
BS 8458 Clause
Automist
Section
Sub Section
Compliant
Detail
1 - Scope
Alternative
See page 11
2 – Normative references
n/a
n/a
3 – Terms and definitions
n/a
n/a
4 – Preliminary work and
consultation
4.1 – Initial consultations
Yes
See page 14
4.2 – Consultation
Yes
See page 14
4.3 – Category of system Yes See page 16
4.4 – Cylinder–based
systems
n/a
n/a
4.5 – Use of watermist
systems as a compensatory
feature
Yes
See page 18
4.6 – Special circumstances Yes See page 16
5 – System actuation
Alternative
See page 11
6 – Design
6.1 – Fire tests
Yes
See page 23
6.2 – Limits of application
Yes
See page 23
6.3 – System design Alternative See page 23 and 25
6.4 – Extent of watermist
system protection
Yes
See page 24
6.5 – Hydraulic calculations
Yes
See page 35
6.6 – Discharge
performance
Yes
See page 35
6.7 - Discharge duration
Yes
See page 35
6.8 – Water supplies
Alternative
See page 36
6.9 – Backflow prevention
Yes
See page 37
6.10 – Watermist nozzle
coverage and location
Alternative
See page 25 and 37
6.11 – Components
Alternative
See page 40
6.12 – Electrical design and
installation
Yes
See page 54
6.13 – Additives
Yes
See page 54
7 – Installation,
commissioning, and
documentation
7.1 – Installation
Yes
See page 56
7.2 – Commissioning
Yes
See page 77
7.3 – Documentation
Yes
See page 87
7.4 – System data label
Alternative
See page 85
8 – Maintenance
8.1 – Inspecting and testing
after commissioning and
whilst in service
Yes
See page 94
8.2 – Reinstatement of the
system
Yes
See page 94
8.3 – Logbook
Alternative
See page 84

Automist Smartscan Hydra®DIOM Manual - version 3.01.0
Plumis Ltd Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved. Page 13 of 116
SMARTSCAN
®
Roles and Responsibilities
This section describes the roles and responsibilities relevant to the installation of Automist.
External parties to installer’s scope
Name
Role and responsibility
Domestic client (people who
have construction work carried
out on their own home, or the
home of a family member that is
not done as part of a business)
Appoints the Authorised Reseller Installer (ARI) and any pre-
installers. A client should prepare a clear Automist requirements
specification (see page 15). A domestic client can choose to have a
written agreement with an Architect, or their Main Contractor to
carry out the client duties. Should provide accurate scale drawings
of the area which requires protection.
Residential client (organisations
or individuals for whom a
construction project is carried
out)
Appoints the Authorised Reseller Installer (ARI) and any pre-
installers. A client should prepare a clear Automist requirements
specification (see page 15). They must ensure relevant information
is prepared and provided to other appointed duty holders. Should
provide accurate scale drawings of the area which requires
protection.
Pre-installer (e.g. electrician,
plumber, or multi-trade)
The first fix (see page 58), installation of the power and water
supply, must be carried out by a suitably qualified electrician and
plumber. Electrical work must meet the NICEIC standards and
plumbing work must meet the standards of the Chartered
Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers (CIPHE). Approved
Contractor Persons (ACPs) of the CIPHE can self-certify under the
Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 and the Water
Bylaws 2000 (Scotland).
Internal parties to installer’s scope
Only suitably trained and certified individual Authorised Reseller Installers (ARIs) are permitted to carry out
design work and/or commission Automist. These partners regularly design, survey, install and service
Automist in a wide variety of projects, and each is fully trained and audited to ensure that high standards
are maintained. Not all registrations are qualified to do all types of work. There are two types of ARI
Automist competence (Designer and Commissioner Installer):
Name Role and responsibility
Designer
This person has a good understanding of the building regulations
and standards, is responsible for creating the design specification
for Automist (layout drawings, interaction with other systems) and
liaising with the customer in response to the requirements
specification. Designers are fully trained to assess the best
location for the Automist sprayheads, factoring in the shape and
type of room and likely fire loads. They must update the design if
the Commissioner Installer identifies any inaccuracies on site
which may negatively affect the performance of the system.

Automist Smartscan Hydra®DIOM Manual - version 3.01.0
Plumis Ltd Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved. Page 14 of 116
SMARTSCAN
®
Commissioner Installer
This hands-on skilled tradesperson performs the second fix (see
page 65), installation, commissioning, servicing, and maintenance.
They must have a good understanding of electrical work,
plumbing, fire alarms and fire-stopping to fulfil their role
successfully. Installers have a thorough knowledge of Automist’s
performance capabilities and restrictions on where items can be
placed, ensuring they can recognise and deal with any issues or
changes on site. They must take responsibility that the installation
has been completed in line with these guidelines at the end of the
installation and capture all the key information which is used to
populate the commissioning form. The commissioner must
consult with the Designer if they deviate from their design in a way
which may affect the performance. Only fully trained ‘installers’
who have been audited can take responsibility for an installation
sign off.
Initial Consultation and Requirements Specification
Before designing an Automist system for a specific property, the following factors should be considered by
the designer to ensure that the Automist design is suitable for the proposed application, obtaining
specialist advice where necessary:
a) the type of building to be protected and the areas of the building to be protected;
b) the type of occupancy of the property (see page 16);
c) any legal requirements determining the use of fire suppression, or whether elective, and the
guidance documents used to determine the requirements for fire suppression;
d) the water and power supply availability; and
e) any special circumstances which may lead to system enhancements (see page 16).
The client (and/or their representatives) should consult with all relevant stakeholders regarding the
requirements for Automist. Some premises may have several stakeholders as authorities having jurisdiction
(AHJs). These may have requirements on life safety, on property protection, on business continuity, on
heritage preservation, and on environmental protection. If these apply to the property where Automist is
being specified, they should be consulted as some of them may impose additional requirements to the
system to satisfy their performance expectations. These include:
a) water undertaker or licensed water supplier;
b) fire authority;
c) licensing authority;
d) building control body;
e) conservation regulators;
f) insurer(s) of the building and its contents;
g) client, and their representatives, e.g. consultant(s), architect, fire engineer, surveyor, building
owner, building management, and/or the responsible person for the building.
It is the responsibility of the client to provide the Authorised Reseller Installer (ARI) designer and installer
with a Requirements Specification for them to design and install Automist, including whether any
enhancements (see page 16) to the system are necessary.
IMPORTANT! This specification must originate from the client, their main contractor, or their appointed fire
engineer as they are the only participants with the required knowledge of the building and occupancy risks,

Automist Smartscan Hydra®DIOM Manual - version 3.01.0
Plumis Ltd Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved. Page 15 of 116
SMARTSCAN
®
and the overall Fire Safety Plan and the role that Automist plays in assuring safety: this responsibility should
not be devolved to the Automist Designer. It is the responsibility of the client, or their appointed
representative, to consider these, and communicate the results of their deliberations to the Automist
Designer / Installer so that these can be accounted for within the design.
Using Automist to meet Building Regulations
Regulation 7 requires building work to be carried out with adequate and proper materials and in a
workman like manner. The materials must be appropriate for the circumstances in which they are used,
adequately mixed or prepared, and applied, used or fixed so as adequately to perform the functions for
which they are designed. When Automist is used to meet building regulations, the purpose and coverage
requirement is often defined in a guidance document: Approved Document B (as a replacement for a BS
9251 system), BS 9991 or a fire engineering report.
Using Automist as an elective fire safety measure
In cases where Automist is being used solely as an elective means to improve the levels of fire safety and is
not a requirement for building regulations or general minimum statutory life safety standards, the design,
performance, and implementation of Automist are completely at the client's discretion and are not
governed by statutory prescriptive requirements. The performance and/or operation of the suppression
system in this case will not be relied upon outside its scope as a complementary addition.
The Automist Design Specification
The Authorised Reseller Installer (ARI) designer should consult with stakeholders to develop and produce
the Design Specification in line with the client’s Requirement Specification (see page 14). It is the
responsibility of the Automist Designer to ensure that the specification is appropriate for the Requirement
Specification provided.
The specification for the design should include the following information:
a) building/occupancy types (see page 16);
b) areas of the building to be protected;
c) water supply requirements and verification measures;
d) how Automist interacts with the fire alarm system (see page 47);
e) details of any enhancements to Automist (see below); and
f) where a fire strategy relies upon the design of the automatic water fire suppression system
(AWFSS), a version-controlled copy of that fire strategy, including sufficient detail to understand
the fire safety objectives, relationships, and dependencies.
An example of an Automist Design Specification is available in Appendix C (see page 112) and uploaded to
the Plumis Partner Site for recording keeping.
IMPORTANT! Any deviation from this DIOM must be agreed by the Authority Having Jurisdiction and client
in writing.

Automist Smartscan Hydra®DIOM Manual - version 3.01.0
Plumis Ltd Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved. Page 16 of 116
SMARTSCAN
®
System Enhancements
General
For a water-based fire suppression system to work reliably it will invariably require water and/or power to
be available at the time of the fire. There are two ways to improve the reliability of supplies, through:
•Resilience: the quality of being able to return quickly to a good condition after disruption (e.g.
remote monitoring, or regular maintenance, and a service contract with an appropriate response
time).
•Robustness: the quality of being healthy and therefore unlikely to fail (e.g. dual power supply or a
battery backup).
Depending on the type of building, the ease of escape or of fire rescue access, Automist might have
enhanced features implemented to address these aspects of additional risk identified in the Requirements
Specification (see page 14). For example:
a) type of building/occupancy (see page 16);
b) compensatory features (see page 18);
c) higher fire safety risk and impact factors (see page 18); and
d) occupancy profile - vulnerable people (see page 19).
Type of building and occupancy
The Automist Designer should at an early stage determine which category of system is applicable, as this
affects various design considerations, such as the water requirements for the system. The AHJ(s) should be
consulted to agree which type of building applies, whether any other enhancements to the system are
applicable and whether Automist is suited for the type of building proposed.
Type of Occupancy
Description of building/occupancy
Domestic occupancy
Single family dwellings such as:
•dwelling house;
•Individual flat; A)
•Individual maisonette
•transportable home
Houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) A)
Bed and breakfast accommodation A)
Boarding houses A)
Residential occupancy
Blocks of flats A)
Sheltered and extra care housing
Residential care premises
Student accommodation A)
Dormitories (e.g. attached to educational establishments) A)
Hostels A)
High rise occupancy
All residential buildings 18 m or higher
A) Any building of a height greater than 18 m is to be treated as a high-rise occupancy

Automist Smartscan Hydra®DIOM Manual - version 3.01.0
Plumis Ltd Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved. Page 17 of 116
SMARTSCAN
®
On the table below we outline the minimum system enhancement required by occupancy type. We also
benchmark how equivalent robustness and resilience to a category 1, 2, 3 or 4 BS 9251 system can be
achieved using Automist.
Domestic Occupancy
Residential Occupancy
High Rise Occupancy
BS 9251 Category
1
2 or 3
4
Automist system enhancements
Discharge
Duration
30 mins
30 mins 60 mins
System
Resilience
1. Fault signals indicate
an error: persistently
warbling sound and red
LED flashing
1. Fault signals indicate an
error: persistently warbling
sound and red LED flashing,
and
2. Controller visual checks in
line with alarm testing
frequency, and/or
3. Remote monitoring
1. Fault signals indicate an
error: persistently warbling
sound and red LED flashing,
and
2. Controller visual checks in
line with alarm testing
frequency, and/or
3. Remote monitoring
Detection
Resilience
1. Battery powered
alarms permitted as
monitored by system
fault signals
1. Battery powered alarms
permitted as monitored by
system fault signals, and
2. Controller visual checks in
line with alarm testing
frequency (see page 94)
1. Battery powered alarms
not permitted; mains
powered alarms with battery
backup only
Power
Robustness
/ Resilience
1. Independent circuit
1. Independent circuit, or
2. Independent circuit and
dual power supply, or
3. Independent circuit and
remote monitoring, or
4. Independent circuit and
battery backup
1. Independent circuit and
dual power supply, or
2. Independent circuit and
dual power supply with
remote monitoring, or
3. Independent circuit and
battery backup
4. Independent circuit and
battery backup with remote
monitoring
Water
Robustness
1. At least 8 lpm, 1.5 bar
mains supply, or
2. Install an 80 litre mains
boost tank to provide
supply
1. At least 8 lpm, 1.5 bar
mains supply, or
2. Install at least a 200 litre
mains boost tank to provide
supply (see page 34 – a large
tank size may be larger)
1. At least 8 lpm, 1.5 bar
mains supply, and
2. Install at least a 500 litre
mains boost tank (see page
36 – a large tank size may be
larger)
Sprayhead
Placement
Robustness
Preferred positions 1. Preferred positions, and
2. Head clearance visual
checks in line with alarm
testing frequency (see page
94) - Consider focusing
checks
with individuals identified in a
Person-Centred Fire Risk
Assessment (PCFRA) with
greater propensity to obstruct
the head
1. Preferred positions, and
2. Head clearance visual
checks in line with alarm
testing frequency (see page
94) - Consider focusing
checks
with individuals identified in a
Person-Centred Fire Risk
Assessment (PCFRA) with
greater propensity to obstruct
the head

Automist Smartscan Hydra®DIOM Manual - version 3.01.0
Plumis Ltd Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved. Page 18 of 116
SMARTSCAN
®
Using Automist as a Compensatory Feature
There are occasions when Automist can be proposed as part of a fire strategy to compensate for, or
overcome, circumstances where a building is unable to follow guidance issued in support of building
regulations. If being used as a “compensatory measure”, this should be stated in the client’s Requirements
Specification and whether any system enhancements are required as a result.
There are also occasions when Automist can be proposed as part of a fire strategy to mitigate risks in
existing buildings, observed by a fire risk assessment, to meet the requirements of the Regulatory Reform
(Fire Safety) Order and the Housing Act 2014, e.g.:
a) an older building where the existing construction cannot achieve the recommended fire
resistance appropriate to the use of the premises;
b) a building that cannot meet the recommendations for fire appliance access;
c) any building where there is doubt about adequacy of fire protection and safety provisions, or
concerns over the design of building in relation to fire safety, e.g. stay-put policy, single staircase,
combustible materials of construction within the occupied spaces, etc.; and
d) any circumstances in which Automist is provided as a compensatory feature for departures from
other Standards or national guidance, e.g. BS 9991 permits certain forms of open plan dwelling
provided the dwelling has fire suppression throughout or is fire engineered.
This DIOM does not intend to cover all design requirements and the potential changes to category and
resilience of the system to cover all circumstances of use and risk. In case of doubt, Plumis and/or a
chartered fire engineer should be consulted regarding the most suitable specification of the system and a
fire safety strategy should be drawn up to support the proposals for the specific case. See also BS 9991, BS
9999, BS 7974.
Higher fire risk and impact factors
The default design and settings of Automist and fire validation tests within BS 8458 are designed with
typical domestic occupancy in mind. An enhancement to the system should be considered if any of the
following risks or impacts are present, or assumed possible, in the property, to mitigate the risk of the
system being overcome by the fire load or the discharge duration being shorter than the time for fire
rescue operations to start (and if the risk has not been addressed by other interventions):
a) fire hazard (probability) is greater than that of a conventional domestic or residential occupancy,
indicating a need for higher resilience;
b) a fire load greater than that which would normally be found in a residential or domestic living
room, kitchen, or bedroom, or if the fire hazard is greater than that of a conventional residential or
domestic occupancy; Hoarders pose a significant fire risk due to the number of possessions, exit
routes can become blocked, making safe evacuation more difficult. Fires can also spread much
faster, especially where there are flammable items such as newspapers or cardboard.
IMPORTANT! Automist Smartscan is not designed for fire loads that exceed a BS 8458 fire setup,
and therefore will likely have a limited benefit when protecting hoarders.
c) extended time for firefighting operations to commence, e.g. high rise, complex or remotely located
buildings, indicating a need for higher water robustness;
d) older buildings with hidden voids and/or where passive fire protection and/or means of escape
might not meet current standards, indicating a need for higher resilience;
e) heritage buildings where preservation of the building needs to be maximised while minimising the
potential for water damage, indicating the need for increased resilience;

Automist Smartscan Hydra®DIOM Manual - version 3.01.0
Plumis Ltd Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved. Page 19 of 116
SMARTSCAN
®
f) fire engineered design solutions, which may require several measures, including resilience and
robustness;
Occupancy profile - vulnerable people risk factors
In cases where Automist is being considered and the individuals occupying the property have a higher-than-
average likelihood of having a fire, or have poor reaction or realisation of the danger presented by fire (or a
combination of both) these vulnerabilities may require enhancements in system resilience, or depending
on the risk, a different solution altogether (such as a PPS).
The following factors are indicators of an occupant’s higher risk from fire:
a) higher likelihood of fire:
a. high fire risk habits, such as disposal of smoking materials or leaving cooking unattended;
b) history of fire-setting behaviour;
a. history of previous fires or evidence of near misses, such as scorch marks on clothing or
furniture; or
b. threats of arson;
c) inability or willingness to escape:
a. impaired mobility affecting ability to escape;
b. impaired, due to cognitive ability to react to fire or warning devices;
c. impaired senses affecting ability to respond to alarm;
d. poor situational awareness; or
e. alcohol or drugs, increasing the likelihood of a fire and lowering reaction to alarm.
Improving Automist’s performance and reliability
Additional measures to improve the performance and reliability of the system to address areas of higher
risk should be considered and include but are not limited to any of the following:
1) increasing the system resilience; and/or
2) increasing the detection resilience; and/or
3) increasing the power robustness; and/or
4) increasing the water robustness; and/or
5) increasing the sprayhead placement robustness; and/or
6) increasing the sprayhead density or installing two Automist systems in parallel; and/or
7) Increasing the frequency of maintenance.
System enhancements should be recorded on the Automist Design Specification (see page 15) and, once
installed, in the commissioning certificate (see page 87).
This DIOM gives guidance on the types of risks and the performance enhancements which are possible, but
deciding whether these are satisfactory is the responsibility of the client (and/or their representatives) in
consultation with all stakeholders and any relevant authority having jurisdiction (AHJs).
Resilience and Robustness
Improving the system’s resilience (the ability of the system to return to a “ready to operate” state) can be
achieved by increasing the frequency and nature of monitoring beyond the minimum annual maintenance
check (see page 94). This is desirable when either the impact of the fire or the probability of fire are high.

Automist Smartscan Hydra®DIOM Manual - version 3.01.0
Plumis Ltd Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved. Page 20 of 116
SMARTSCAN
®
Improving the system’s robustness (the ability of the system to tolerate disruption) is required when the
water, power supply or obstruction mitigation has poor reliability and/or the consequences have high
impact.
The measures listed are used, as default, in isolation or combination to increase the levels of robustness
and/or resilience:
a) System
1) Fault signals indicate an error: persistently warbling sound and red LED flashing (see page
75)
2) Visual inspections of the Automist controller at a rate, equal to, or greater than, the
frequency of any alarm testing already in place (e.g. at least weekly in residential care). If
there is no alarm testing in place a ‘reasonably practicable’ inspection rate should be
chosen (see page 94).
3) Remote fault monitoring using the Automist IoT controller which generate alerts of
outages.
b) Detection
1) Battery powered alarms permitted as monitored by system fault signals (see page 75)
2) Controller visual checks in line with alarm testing frequency (see page 94)
3) Battery powered alarms not permitted; mains powered alarms with battery backup only
4) Detection integrated into existing BS 5839-6:2019 + A1:2020 system, Grade C or above
(see page 50)
c) Sufficient water supply should be ascertained at a time of peak demand, so that there is sufficient
pressure and flow available from the mains to allow the system to perform. As the water supply for
Automist is shared with the domestic or residential supply, the water must be capable of providing
the minimum flow and pressure. If either is not sufficient it must be boosted to provide the
minimum requirement by a mains boost and tank (see page 36), of at least:
1) 80 litres
2) 200 litres
3) 500 litres
d) The electrical supply to the pumps should be installed to minimize the risk of electrical supply
failure by having a separately fused connection taken after the meter and from the supply side of
the consumer unit (see BS 7671), using approved fire-resistant cabling. Back-up power supply and
automatic changeover functionality can be provided by:
1) An emergency generator
2) Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
•Energier Pro 3000VA 24V Inverter-Charger (CF3045M), ~£1000 inc. VAT.
https://www.portablepowertech.com/product/energier-pro-3000va-24v-inverter-charger/
•2 x EK950 Batteries @ ~£130 ea. = £300
3) Dual supply from both the communal (landlord's supply) and dwelling supply (residential
or high rise only)
4) Remote monitoring (IoT) using the Automist IoT controller which generates alerts of
outages in combination with a suitable service contract
e) Sprayhead placement
1) Preferred positions are locations where the likelihood of a sprayhead being obstructed is
reduced (see page 30).