Eclipse Installation, Commissioning & Operating Manual
Approved Document Ref: UI-ECL-01 Issue 8.0
9
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
CABLE TYPES & LIMITATIONS
CABLING
CABLE LENGTHS
MAINS PROVISION
Beacons
•
Visual alarms such as beacons, should always be mounted at a minimum height of 2.1m from floor
level.
General
•
Fire Alarm Control Panels should be installed at a location appropriate for staff and fire fighters
•
All mains supply isolators must be double pole and suitably marked
•
All joints to be fire resisting, junction boxes to be labelled ‘FIRE ALARM’.
•
All cables to be fire resisting with a minimum cross-sectional area of 1mm
2.
•
Cable using trunking as a means of containment must be clipped using fire resistant supports WITHIN
THE TRUNKING.
•
Zone charts should be fitted in all appropriate locations (adjacent to control equipment and repeaters).
To comply with EMC (Electro Magnetic Compatibility) regulations and to reduce the risk of electrical
To comply with EMC (Electro Magnetic Compatibility) regulations and to reduce the risk of electrical
interference in the system wiring, we recommend the use of screened cables throughout the installation.
interference in the system wiring, we recommend the use of screened cables throughout the installation.
Acceptable, commonly available, screened cables, which can be used on both the sounder and detector
Acceptable, commonly available, screened cables, which can be used on both the sounder and detector
circuits include, NoBurn™ FP200™, Firetuff™, Firecel™, MICC (Pyro™) or any other cable complying with
circuits include, NoBurn™ FP200™, Firetuff™, Firecel™, MICC (Pyro™) or any other cable complying with
BS 6387 categories C, W, Z.. Refer to BS 5839 pt1 clause 26 for detailed information on cables wiring
BS 6387 categories C, W, Z.. Refer to BS 5839 pt1 clause 26 for detailed information on cables wiring
and interconnections.
and interconnections.
Suitable cables should be brought into the cabinet using the knockouts provided via a suitable cable gland
Suitable cables should be brought into the cabinet using the knockouts provided via a suitable cable gland
recommended for use with that cable. The screen or drain wire of circuits should be bonded to earth at
recommended for use with that cable. The screen or drain wire of circuits should be bonded to earth at
one location only, and should be continuous throughout the circuit. Drain wires should be terminated in the
one location only, and should be continuous throughout the circuit. Drain wires should be terminated in the
cabinet using the earthing terminal provided.
cabinet using the earthing terminal provided.
The maximum recommended cable length for a zone or sounder circuit is 1Km. This, however, is highly
dependant on the number and type of devices connected.
If in doubt, cable load and resistance calculations should be undetaken to ensure devices are working
within specified limits.
The mains supply to the fire alarm panel should be hard wired, using suitable three core cable (no less
The mains supply to the fire alarm panel should be hard wired, using suitable three core cable (no less
than 1.0 mm² and no more than 2.5mm²) or a suitable three conductor system that meets the appropriate
than 1.0 mm² and no more than 2.5mm²) or a suitable three conductor system that meets the appropriate
national wiring regulations. The panel should be fed from an isolating switched fused spur, supplied directly
national wiring regulations. The panel should be fed from an isolating switched fused spur, supplied directly
from the Main Distribution Board, fused at 3A. This should be secure from unauthorised operation and be
from the Main Distribution Board, fused at 3A. This should be secure from unauthorised operation and be
marked ‘FIRE ALARM’.
marked ‘FIRE ALARM’.
The mains supply must be exclusive to the fire panel.
The mains supply must be exclusive to the fire panel.
As an alternative to a switched fused spur, an appropriately fused double pole isolating device may be
As an alternative to a switched fused spur, an appropriately fused double pole isolating device may be
used providing it meets the appropriate national wiring regulations.
used providing it meets the appropriate national wiring regulations.
All system wiring should be installed to meet BS5839 Pt 1 : 2002 and BS7671
(Wiring Regulations). Other national standards of installation should be used where
applicable.
