Fire Alarm Protocols
PROTOCOL REFERENCE
Fire Alarm Protocols
A practical protocol cross-reference showing addressing methods, capacities and the key distinction between panel family and loop protocol.
Before changing a live system: agree the test/disablement with the responsible person, identify any ARC/fire-routing connection and plant interfaces, decide what must remain operational, record every temporary change, and restore/verify everything before leaving.
| Protocol / family | Typical address scope | Addressing method | Engineer note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apollo XP95 / Discovery | 1โ126 | XPERT card, DIL on applicable devices; panel/device dependent | Widely supported open protocol; verify device family and panel compatibility. |
| Apollo CoreProtocol / Soteria | Up to 254 where panel supports 8-bit addressing | Universal XPERT / soft addressing on supported products | A panel may run Soteria devices in legacy Discovery mode; check panel capability. |
| Hochiki ESP | 1โ127 | TCH-B200 programmer; some panel-assisted functions | Digital open protocol used by multiple panel partners. |
| Argus Vega | 1โ240 | Hand-held programmer or panel auto-addressing where implemented | Used by several independent panel manufacturers; hybrid Taurus integration may use Vega translators. |
| Nittan Evolution FSK | Up to 254 on Evolution 1 | Panel/device tools per Nittan documentation | Evolution 1 and EVO+ families support full cause/effect programming. |
| C-TEC CAST / CAST-PRO | Panel family dependent | CAST devices programmed/configured through C-TEC system tools | CAST-PRO adds newer device/channel functionality; XFP/ZFP workflows differ. |
| Notifier OPAL / CLIP | Panel family dependent | Rotary/decimal device addressing depending device family | INSPIRE uses OPAL and supports legacy CLIP devices; verify loop module and device. |
| Gent Vigilon loop | Panel family dependent | Gent system addressing/configuration | Closed/proprietary ecosystem; use trained-authorised documentation. |
| Protec Algo-Tec 6000PLUS | Up to 200 addresses/loop on 6500 | Protec system configuration | Integrated proprietary panel/device ecosystem. |
| Eaton addressable | Up to 200 addresses/loop on xDetect/CF family | Panel/commissioning software dependent | xDetect is the current family; CF3000 is legacy/discontinued. |
| Siemens C-NET / FDnet | Panel/device family dependent | Commissioning tool/device tree | Cerberus PRO system; use Siemens engineering documentation. |
| Fike Twinflex | Zone based, not conventional analogue-address numbering | Two-wire multipoint zone system | Treat as a two-wire intelligent conventional architecture, not an addressable loop protocol. |
Important: loop address capacity is not the same as electrical loop capacity. Current draw, isolator limits, VAD/sounder load, cable resistance and panel certification can reduce the practical device count.
PRIMARY REFERENCES
Manuals and manufacturer resources
- Apollo FAQs and addressing resources
- Hochiki ESP Protocol Partnership
- Nittan Evolution 1
- C-TEC instruction manuals
- Notifier INSPIRE / OPAL
- Protec 6500
- Eaton xDetect
External links are references only and require internet access. The knowledgebase itself remains usable offline.