EST I
NTERNATIONAL
Page 2 of 4
Literature Sheet #85001-0269
Issue 5
Stand-alone Operation: A decentralized alarm decision by the
detector is guaranteed. On-board intelligence permits the detector
to operate in stand-alone mode. If loop controller CPU communi-
cations fail for more than four seconds, all devices on that circuit
go into stand-alone mode. The circuit acts like a conventional alarm
receiving circuit. Each detector on the circuit continues to collect
and analyze information from its surroundings. The detector alarms
if the preset smoke obscuration level is reached. If the detector is
mounted to a relay base, the relay operates. Similarly, if it is
mounted to an audible base, the on-board horn sounds.
Fast Stable Communication: On-board intelligence means less
information needs to be sent between the detector and the loop
controller. Other than regular supervisory polling response, the
detector only needs to communicate with the loop controller when
it has something new to report. This provides very fast response
time and allows a lower baud rate (speed) to be used for
communication on the loop. The lower baud rate offers several
advantages including:
- less sensitivity to circuit wire characteristics
- less sensitivity to noise glitches on the cable
- less emitted noise from the data wiring
- twisted or shielded wiring is not required.
Electronic Addressing: The loop controller electronically ad-
dresses each detector, saving valuable time during system
commissioning. Setting complicated switches or dials is not
required. Each detector has its own unique serial number stored in
its “on-board memory”. The loop controller identifies each device
on the circuit and assigns a “soft” address to that device’s serial
number. If desired, detectors can be addressed using the SIGA-
PRO Signature Program/Service Tool.
Environmental Compensation: Detection sensitivity is virtually
independent of its installed environment and its physical condition.
Environmental compensation means the sensing element adapts to
long-term changes caused by dirt, humidity, aging etc. It even com-
pensates for small amounts of normal ambient smoke. Approximately
six times every hour the detector adjusts and updates the sensitivity
(% obscuration) baseline for its sensing element. Approximately
once every hour this information is written to its permanent memory.
The detector’s “learned” baseline is not lost, even when the detector
is removed for cleaning. Signature Series environmental
compenstion is so reliable that it meets NFPA72 field sensitivity
testing requirements — without the need for external meters.
The detector’s sensitivity setting selected by the installer floats up
or down to remain constant relative to the changing baseline. This
is called differential sensing.
Sensitivity Range: The SIGA-PS Photoelectric Detector has a
sensitivity range or window of 0.67% to 3.77%. The installer
selects the detector’s ALARM sensitivity level from five available
settings within the range.
Pre-Alarm: The detector stores one of 20 pre-alarm sensitivity values
to alert local personnel prior to the sensor reaching a full evacuation
sensitivity. Sensitivity values can be set in 5% increments.
1
Automatic Day/Night Sensitivity Selection: Signature Series
detectors may be programmed for different sensitivities during day
and night periods. This allows the detector to be more sensitive
during unoccupied periods when lower ambient background
conditions are expected.
Stability: The SIGA-PS detector’s sensitivity remains stable in wind
velocities up to 5,000 ft/min (25.3 m/sec). Ambient temperature has
very little affect on the detector. The detector may be installed in
rooms with ambient temperatures up to 120
o
F (49
o
C).
Status LEDs: Twin LEDs are visible from any direction. A flashing
GREEN LED shows normal system polling from the loop
controller. A flashing RED LED means the detector is in alarm
state. Both LEDs on steady shows alarm state - stand-alone mode.
Normal GREEN LED activity is not distracting to building occupants,
but can be quickly spotted by a maintenance technician.
Quality and Reliability: EST detectors are manufactured in North
America to strict international ISO 9001 standards. All electronics
utilize surface mount technology (SMT) for smaller size and greater
immunity to RF noise. A conformal coating is used for humidity
and corrosion resistance. All critical contacts are gold plated.
Installation
Signature Series detectors mount to North American 1-gang
boxes, 3-1/2 inch or 4 inch octagon boxes, and to 4 inch square
electrical boxes 1-1/2 inches (38 mm) deep. They mount to
European BESA and 1-gang boxes with 60.3 mm fixing centers.
Testing & Maintenance
Each detector automatically identifies when it is dirty or defective
and causes a “dirty detector” message. The detector’s sensitivity
measurement can also be transmitted to the loop controller. A
sensitivity report can be printed to satisfy NFPA sensitivity meas-
urements which must be conducted at the end of the first year and
every two years thereafter.
The user-friendly maintenance program shows the current state of
each detector and other pertinent messages. Single detectors may
be turned off temporarily from the control panel. Availability of
maintenance features is dependent on the fire alarm system used.
Scheduled maintenance (Regular or Selected) for proper detector
operation should be planned to meet the requirements of the
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Refer to current NFPA 72 and
ULC CAN/ULC 536 standards.
Compatibility
The SIGA-PS detectors are compatible only with EST’s Signature
Loop Controller.
¹ EST3 V.2 only.
