Tyco Fire Product Alpha 4 User manual

LT0181 Page 1 Issue 3.1
ALPHA 4
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
INSTALLATION AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Applications
ALPHA 4 fire alarm systems are
the ideal choice for small to
medium size buildings such as:
Motels
Boarding houses
Hostels
Town houses
Factories
Warehouses
Churches
Community Centres
Ordering Information:
Panels and Accessories
FP0674 ALPHA 4 Fire Alarm
System
FA2438 Rear Service Index
(Spare)
FP0549 Test Probe
LT0182 ALPHA 4 Fire Alarm
System Technical
Manual
RR0038 Circuit EOLR 2k7
RR0045 Evacuation EOLR 10k
RR0048 Evacuation EOLR 18k
RR0050 Evacuation EOLR 27k
PA1028 ALPHA 4 PCB Assembly
HW0226 Spare door key
HW0213 Spare keyswitch key
Properly installed fire alarm systems using ALPHA 4 and approved fire
detectors and/or manual call points and alerting devices can comply with
the requirements of the NZ Building Code where fire safety precautions
types 2, 3, or 4 (non-connected), or Type 7 (non-connected) are
specified. ALPHA 4 also complies with NZS 4512:2003 and is FPA(NZ)
listed for use in automatic and manual fire alarm systems.
ALPHA 4 is compatible with indicating heat detectors, 2-wire smoke
detectors and indicating manual call points as detailed below. An
optional “legacy mode” is available for retrofit (affects all circuits),
offering compatibility with clean contact (normally closed) heat detectors
and manual call points and 2-wire smoke detectors.
Compatible Detectors (see page 3 for circuit limits)
1841 Manual Call Point (indicating)
Heat Detector (clean contact) *
Manual Call Point (clean contact) *
Indi-VIGIL Indicating Heat Detector
Any clean contact normally-closed detector *
System Sensor 1151 Smoke Detector with B401 or B110 base (2-wire)
System Sensor 2151 Smoke Detector with B401 or B110 base (2-wire)
System Sensor 1400 Smoke Detector (2-wire)
System Sensor 2400 Smoke Detector (2-wire)
System Sensor 1451 Smoke Detector with B401 or B110 base (2-wire)
System Sensor 2451 Smoke Detector with B401 or B110 base (2-wire)
* Use of clean contact devices requires “Legacy Mode”. See “Configuration”.
Expected Times for Standby Operation (assumes a battery in good condition)
Configuration
Battery Capacity
ALPHA 4
5 x 2-wire smoke detectors or 24 indicating heat detectors, 1A
sounder load.
4Ah
83 hours
5 x 2-wire smoke detectors or 24 indicating heat detectors, 3.5A
sounder load.
6.5Ah
83 hours
40 x 2-wire smoke detectors or 192 indicating heat detectors, 3.5A
sounder load.
6.5Ah
75 hours
Manufactured
by:
Tyco Fire Protection Products,
17 Mary Muller Drive, PO Box 19-545,
Christchurch, New Zealand
Telephone +64-3-389 5096
Facsimile +64-3-389 5938
Distributed in
New Zealand
by:
Tyco Fire Protection Products,
6 Portage Road, PO Box 15-492,
Auckland, New Zealand.
Telephone +64-9-826 1716
Facsimile +64-9-827 2288

LT0181 Page 2 Issue 3.1
Installation
ALPHA 4 is designed for window mounting or
surface mounting, but can also be inset if
required. This page has a full size hole marking
template, when using the mounting holes in the
rear of the cabinet.
The location of ALPHA 4 should be chosen with
these factors in mind:
Avoid excessively hot locations; this greatly
reduces battery life.
Avoid humid or damp locations; condensation
can cause faults or incorrect operation.
Avoid direct sunlight on the front panel; this
can make the indicators hard to read.
Allow for adequate clearances and easy
access.
If a brigade index is needed, bend the 6 rear
LEDs by 90to the edge of the PCB. Fit the PCB to the
cabinet so that the 6 rear LEDs will protrude through
the back 6 holes of the cabinet. Align the brigade
index at the back of the cabinet so that the 6 rear
LEDs will fit through the 6 holes on the brigade index
too. Use the 4 screws supplied (SC0142) to mount
the index securely at the 4 corners.
Connect the 3-way mains connector block to the
incoming mains lead, before fitting the connector to the
circuit board, as shown in these diagrams.
WARNING: REMEMBER TO ISOLATE THE SUPPLY
CIRCUIT BEFORE WIRING THE ALPHA 4.
NOTE: To comply with electrical safety
requirements, the mains cable must be restrained
by fastening with the supplied cable tie to the
adjacent cable holder.
Due to the compact cabinet, some care must be
taken routing cables within the cabinet. The
battery can be positioned in several ways as shown
to give access to the various cable entry holes. A
Mini-Gen tone generator may be fitted on the 4
PBR standoffs on the right wall of the cabinet if needed. The wiring details are shown in Detector & Alerting
Device Wiring.
Configuration
Lk1 EVAC MON/NORM: If defect
monitoring of the alerting devices
wiring is required, fit the link to
the upper position EVAC MON
(EOL resistors are then required
on alerting device circuits - see
the wiring diagram). Otherwise,
fit this link to the lower position
NORM.
R47 CUT R47 “LEGACY
MODE”: If compatibility with
clean contact heat detectors and
FIRE & EVACUATION SYSTEMS
ALPHA
FIREALARMSYSTEM
250mm
1.0-1.3m
Recommended Mounting Clearances
Phase
(brown)
Neutral
(blue)
Earth
(green/yellow)
Tighten
terminals
on wires
Prewiring Mains Terminal Block
3. Secure cable
with cable tie
1. Tighten these
terminals on
circuit board
tabs
2. Fit clip-on
mains cover
after mains
termination
Fitting Mains Terminal Block to Circuit Board
12V 6.5Ah
Battery
Use top or rear
cable entry holes
if wall mounting
Use bottom cable
entry holes if
window mounting
12V6.5Ah
Battery
Optional
Mini-Gen
Recommended Cable Routing Options within Cabinet

LT0181 Page 3 Issue 3.1
manual call points is required, cut R47. This operation does not comply with NZS4512:2003 and is not
compatible with indicating manual points. Cutting R47 selects this mode for all 4 detection circuits.
Detector and Alerting Device Wiring
This diagram shows the general format for connecting alerting devices or Mini-Gen tone generator
and detectors. Detectors can be connected in any order.
ANCIL FIRE-
ANCIL DEF-
CCT +
+-
EOLR
C/BELLS+
NC
A
R R
Note 4
2K7
2-Wire Smoke
Detector
+
-
RR
B
EOLR
Unused Input
2K7
EOLR
Unused Input
EOLR
Clean Contact
Manual Call Point
B
X
B
Clean Contact
Thermal Detector
2K7
EOLR
Panel configured
for “Legacy Mode”
(R47cut)
DC IN
LINE OUT
IndicatingManual
Call Point
C/BELLS+
BELLS -
BELLS -
NO/+VB
CCT +
CCT +
CCT +
1 -
2 -
3 -
4 -
A
B
X
+ -
+ -
}
IndicatingThermal
Indi-VIGIL Detector
12V Bells or other
Alerting Devices
up to3.5A total
+-
2K7
EOLR
27KEOLR
27K
See Note1for
EOLR& Diode
requirements
Note 2
27K
Note 1: If Evacuation Monitoring is selected (see Configuration), all alerting devices must have a diode fitted
in series (not required for Mini-Gen tone generator) as shown. A 1N4004 type diode is suitable for
most small bells and sirens. The correct EOLR value depends on the number of wiring branches: 1
branch - 10k, 2 branches - 18keach,
3 branches - 27keach. Monitoring may be disabled if not required (see Configuration).
Note 2: Each branch from the Mini-Gen LINE OUT counts as a branch out of the maximum of three. Only use
27kEOLR on branches of loud speaker wiring. If there are fewer than 3 branches, connect the
remaining 27kEOLRs across the Mini-Gen DC IN terminals.
Note 3: 4-Wire detectors are not supported.
Note 4: 2-Wire Smoke Detectors or Indi-VIGIL indicating heat detectors or 1841 indicating manual call points:
up to 1.2mA total quiescent current per circuit (= 10 System Sensor 2-wire smoke detectors or 48 Indi-
VIGIL indicating heat detectors or 1841 indicating manual call points). Detector Circuit Limits : Clean
Contact Thermal Detectors or Manual Call points in “Legacy Mode”: any number. Loop resistance limit
for both types is 32.
Commissioning
Initial Powering Up
Operate the external Silence Alarms keyswitch before initially applying power to the ALPHA, to
prevent accidental operation of the alerting devices.
Connect the battery leads to a charged battery. The Defect LED should start flashing immediately
(due to Silence Alarms being operated).
Switch the mains on. The Defect flash should change to the “mains on” pattern.

LT0181 Page 4 Issue 3.1
Fault Finding
If any Circuit Alarm LED goes on, check that circuit’s wiring and detectors, EOL, etc.
If no Circuit Alarm LED is on, turn the Silence Alarms switch to normal. If there are no other faults,
the Defect LED will go out, and the Normal LED come on. If not, check the Defect LEDs flashes to
identify the type of fault (see Defect under Operation).
Operation
Indicators
Normal -
On steady with 0.5 second pulse, “winking” off every 8 seconds: mains on.
On steady with 0.5 second pulse, “winking” off every 2 seconds: battery test in progress.
Off, winking on every 4 seconds: mains off.
Off steady: the panel is in defect, or alarm, or alarms are silenced, or non-latching test mode is on, or
detector gating/reset is in progress.
Defect - Gives a set of six flashes if a defect is present. These repeat after 2 seconds (mains on) or 25
seconds (mains off). Each flash represents a type of defect; a long flash means that a particular type of
defect is present. Historical information is also displayed in the same format if the NLT link/switch is
fitted/operated.
1st = Circuit Defect
2nd = Battery Low / Disconnected or Fuse Blown
3rd = Evacuation Defect
4th = Silence Alarms operated
5th = Isolated Circuit
6th = Hardware Defect
Circuit Alarm - On steady: a detector on this circuit has operated. Winking on with the first defect flash
(when NLT is on): this circuit is in defect or has had a defect since the last Reset. Winking on the 5th
defect flash (with NLT on): Circuit is isolated (from Silence Alarms).
Buzzer - Single beep: a defect is present. Double beep: non-latching test mode is on. Continuous beeping:
the door is closed with the internal Silence Alarms switch on.
Controls
Silence Alarms keyswitch and internal switch - Either control prevents the alerting devices from
operating. A defect is shown while the keyswitch is operated. Internal Silence Alarms switch is interlocked
with the door. When the external Silence Alarms is operated, then restored to normal again, any alarmed
circuits will be isolated and a defect condition initiated. This will be shown by the Defect LED flashes (see
Defect under Operation above).
Evacuation keyswitch - Unconditionally operates the alerting devices.
Reset button - Clears latched (not current) alarm indications, circuit isolations, and historical defect
indications (hold for 1 second for best results).
NLT switch - Enables non-latched test mode if system is normal. Alerting devices operate for 1.5 seconds
(0.5 seconds if in “Legacy Mode”) when any detector operates, but Alarm indicators latch. Smoke detectors
are automatically reset on ALPHA 4. Also enables display of latched as well as current defects (Circuit
Alarm LEDs show which circuits have or have had defects).
Lamp Test - Operate both External and Internal Silence Alarm switches to illuminate all LEDs.
Regular Testing
Use the FP0549 Test Probe to test the detector circuits and evacuation monitor (if enabled). Operate the
Silence Alarms control to prevent disturbance from the alerting devices when testing for alarm.
TO TEST
CONNECT CROCODILE CLIP TO
TOUCH PROBE TO
EXPECTED RESPONSE
Detector
Circuits
J16 (0V) or
Battery (-)ve
Each CCT+
Circuit Alarm after ~9 seconds
gating delay
on ALPHA 4
J15 (+VB) or
Battery (+)ve
Each CCT+
Defect (or immediate Circuit alarm in
“Legacy mode”).
Evac.
Monitor
J16 (0V) or
Battery (-)ve
C/BELLS+
Defect
-WARNING -
NZS4512 and the NZ Building Code contain important requirements for the installation, commissioning, and
testing of fire alarm systems. You must comply with the requirements of these documents, and any other
statutory or regulatory requirements, in addition to the information contained in these instructions.
ALPHA 4 has no date functions, so is not affected by the “Year 2000” problem.
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