Address
Addressable devices are given an individual address so their exact location can be identified. See Analog Addressable and XPERT Card for more information.
Addressable System
A system in which signals from detectors, manual call points or any other devices are individually identified at the control and indicating equipment.
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
Inspector or person in charge of the approval of the installation
Air Handler / Air Handler Unit (AHU)
A device used to regulate and circulate air as part of a heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. An air handler is usually a large metal box containing a blower, heating or cooling elements, filter racks or chambers, sound attenuators, and dampers.
Air Sampling Unit
A device used to detect smoke within ventilation systems.
Alarm
The state which a device enters when a fire is detected, signalling an emergency.
AlarmSense
A range of conventional devices by Apollo that utilizes two-wire technology.
To find out more, visit the AlarmSense page.
Analog
An analog signal is one which goes up and down steplessly. Analog fire detectors are not restricted to two states - alarm/no alarm - as conventional detectors are.
Analog Addressable
The term used to describe a fire detection system incorporating analog detectors which are also identified by a number or 'address'.
Analog addressable detectors provide location-specific information on the ambient level of smoke, heat or other product of combustion (e.g. carbon monoxide).
ATEX
This is an approval for products designed for use in hazardous areas. See also BASEEFA.
Backplate
An accessory which provides a high degree of protection against the ingress of water or dust into the back of the detector.
Backward Compatibility
A term used to describe equipment that is compatible with older products. See also 'forward compatibility'.
Base
Apparatus upon which the fire detector is mounted.
To find out more about Apollo bases, visit the Bases page.
BASEEFA
British Approvals Service for Electronic Equipment in Flammable Atmospheres. This is the approval body, under the HSE, for products designed for use in hazardous areas. See also ATEX.
Beacon
A device used to produce a visible indication of an alarm.
To find out more about Apollo bases, visit the Beacon page.
Beam Detector
A device incorporating a transmitter (which projects a beam of infra-red light), receiver (which registers the light and produces an electrical signal) and an interface (which processes the signal and generates alarm or fault signals).
Beam detectors are designed to protect large, open spaces.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Fire Detector
A device incorporating an electrochemical cell which senses carbon monoxide (CO) but not smoke or any other combustion products. It works by sensing the level of CO in the air.
Closed Protocol
A protocol is said to be closed if its mode of operation and timings are not published. Closed protocols mean that all components of a fire detection system must be sourced from the same manufacturer. See also 'Open Protocol'.
Conductor
A general term used to describe 'cable' within the fire protection industry.
Continuity Link
The Continuity Link is a feature of the Orbis TimeSaver® Base which enables voltage testing of zone wiring prior to commissioning.
To find out more, visit the Orbis page.
Control & Indicating Equipment (CIE)
Apparatus used to control a fire protection system. Often called a 'control panel'.
Conventional
The term 'conventional detector' is used to describe a two-state fire detector, i.e. normal-state and alarm-state. In conventional systems, devices are wired into a circuit or 'zone' of up to 20 detectors. An alarm is indicated by zones on the fire alarm panel. Generally used on non-addressable systems.
Deckhead Mounting Box
A robust metal or plastic unit which can be used with Series 60 or XP95 devices to protect against the ingress of water or other contaminants through the rear of the base.
Detector
A device for discovering the presence of a fire.
Digital Protocol
A digital protocol comprises a series of binary digits (1's & 0's), and is used as a method of communication between electronic devices.
DIN-Rail
Rail mounted electronic assembly housing, compliant with the German standard DIN 46277.
DirtAlert
DirtAlert is a feature of Orbis which uses a flashing yellow LED to show that the drift compensation limit has been reached.
To find out more, visit the Orbis page.
Discovery ®
An advanced range of analog addressable devices manufactured by Apollo.
To find out more, visit the Discovery page.
Drift Compensation
A signal processing algorithm which compensates for detector contamination or environmental conditions and maintains the desired sensitivity level.
Drift compensation is a feature of Discovery and Orbis detectors.
Duct Smoke Detector
A device used to provide early detection of smoke and products of combustion present in air moving through an HVAC duct supply, return, or both in commercial, industrial, and residential applications. These devices are designed to prevent the recirculation of smoke in areas by the air handling system’s fans and blowers. Complete systems may be shut down in the event of smoke detection.
DustDefy
The DustDefy system is a feature of Orbis which prevents dust ingress while maintaining airflow.
To find out more, visit the Orbis page.
E-Z Fit Slots
These allow the TimeSaver® Base to be fixed in position without removing mounting screws, using a simple sliding action.
FastTest®
FastTest is a feature of Orbis. It is a maintenance procedure that takes just four seconds to test and confirm that smoke and heat detectors are functioning correctly.
To find out more, visit the Orbis page.
Fire Alarm Control Panel
Apparatus used to control a fire protection system and often called a 'control panel'. Usually described in standards as 'Control and Indicating Equipment' (CIE).
Fire Detector
A device which senses the combustion products of a fire - such as heat, smoke or carbon monoxide.
Fixed Temperature Detector
A device that incorporates a thermocouple or thermistor to sense temperature change. If a given (fixed) temperature is exceeded, the device goes into alarm mode.
Flame Detector
A device incorporating an infra-red or ultra-violet sensor to detect the radiation emitted by flames.
To find out more about the Apollo XP95 Flame Detector, visit the XP95 page.
Forward Compatibility
A term meaning that equipment is compatible with newer products. See also 'backward compatibility'.
Heat Detector
A device that uses a thermistor to detect abnormally high temperature changes.
Ingress Protection
An international rating system which classifies the ability of an item of equipment to withstand ingress from either solid particles or liquids. Otherwise known as the 'IP' rating.
Insulator
A material which will not pass electrical current except at high voltages.
Interface
Apparatus used to monitor or control parts of a fire protection system or external equipment.
To find out more, visit the Apollo page.
Interrupt
A signal placed on the communications protocol by a manual call point during polling of another device. The purpose of the interrupt is to minimize the time delay between operation of a manual call point and sounding of the alarm. Apollo patented.
Intrinsically Safe (IS)
A range of devices that have been specifically developed for use in hazardous areas where an explosive mixture of air and gas or vapor is or may be present. These areas typically include petroleum and chemical engineering plants and factories processing and storing gases, solvents and other volatile substances.
IS devices must be approved by a body such as BASEEFA/ATEX.
Ionization Detector
A smoke detector incorporating a radioactive isotope to ionize air and cause a small current flow between an inner (reference) and outer (smoke) chamber. Smoke entering the outer chamber causes an imbalance in the current flow which in turn causes the detector to change to the alarm state.
Isolator
A device which senses and isolates a short-circuit on an Apollo analog addressable loop.
LED
Light Emitting Diode.
Line Type Detector
A device for detecting the products of a fire along a defined line in the protected area. An example of a line type detector is a beam Detector.
Loop
A wiring configuration in which the cables carrying power and signals start and end at the control panel. Used in analog addressable systems. Detectors and interfaces may be connected at any point of the loop.
Non-Addressable System
A system in which signals from detection and alarm devices are indicated by zone at the control and indicating equipment. Also known as a 'conventional system'.
Obscuration
A term used to describe the amount of light blocked out by smoke particles between the transmitter and receiver of an optical smoke sensing device.
Open Protocol
This term describes a protocol that has been designed for compatibility with apparatus from other manufacturers of electronic equipment. See also 'closed protocol'.
Orbis™
Orbis is a range of conventional devices.
To find out more, visit the Orbis page.
Photoelectric Detector
A smoke detector using light scatter or obscuration techniques to detect smoke.
Point-Type Detector
A device for detecting the products of a fire at a defined point within the protected area. Most smoke detectors are point type detectors.
Protocol
The method that electronic devices use to communicate with each other.
Quiescent
The state in which a device is operating normally, in non-fire conditions.
Rate-of-Rise Heat Detector
A device that incorporates 2 thermistors, 1 internal and 1 external, to sense temperature. If the temperature increases quickly, the thermistors register different temperatures and the detector changes to the alarm state.
Radio Detector Monitoring (RDM)
A range of Apollo devices utilising radio-linked technology compatible with XP95. Now obsolete.
Recommended Working Life
The recommended working life of Apollo detectors is 10 years when used in dry, non-corrosive atmospheres and provided that they are regularly inspected, tested, cleaned and recalibrated correctly.
Remote Test Station
Detector accessories designed to test duct smoke detectors from a convenient location.
RemovAlert™
This is a patented feature of the Apollo AlarmSense range of detectors and means that the AlarmSense control panel is alerted if a detector is removed from its base without authorization.
Repeater Panel
An indicating panel which mimics the displays and other features of a main control panel. The panel can either be active i.e. able to control all or part of the system, or passive i.e. to simply provide information.
Retro Mode
If it is difficult to fit the XP95 Beam Detector's transmitter and receiver on opposite walls, they can be placed adjacent to each other. One or more reflectors need to be fitted to the opposite wall to reflect the beam emitted from the transmitter to the receiver.
Sampling Tubes
Tubes used with a duct detector that are inserted into the ductwork to sample the air in the airstream.
Série 50
A range of conventional devices designed to comply with French standards.
SensAlert
SensAlert is a feature of Orbis which uses a flashing yellow LED to indicate that the sensor is not operating correctly.
To find out more, visit the Orbis page.
Series 20
A range of conventional devices manufactured by Apollo from 1986 - 1996.
Series 30
A range of conventional devices manufactured by Apollo from 1984 - 1996.
Series 60
A range of conventional devices manufactured by Apollo.
Series 65
A range of conventional devices using a wide operating voltage, manufactured by Apollo.
To find out more, visit the Apollo page.
Series 90
Apollo's first range of analog addressable devices manufactured from 1987 - 1996.
Single Quadrant Terminals
These are four terminals grouped together for ease of installation of the Orbis TimeSaver Base.
To find out more, visit the Orbis page.
Smoke Detector
A device which utilizes optical, optical/thermal or ionization techniques to detect smoke particles.
Solo Test Equipment
Apparatus used for the in-situ testing and maintenance of fire detectors.
Sounder
A device used to produce an audible indication of alarm.
StartUp
StartUp is a feature of Orbis which uses a flashing red LED to confirm that the devices are correctly installed.
To find out more, visit the Orbis page.
Strobe
A device used to produce a visible indication of alarm.
SynchroPulse™
This is a patented feature of the Apollo AlarmSense range of detectors. This technology means that pulsing sounders are synchronized when they are in alarm.
Test Gas
Gas used to verify that the sensors respond and the duct detector alarms function accordingly.
TimeSaver Base
The Orbis TimeSaver Base is a completely new design that provides installers with an open working area and single quadrant terminals.
To find out more, visit the Orbis page.
Transient Rejection
Transient rejection uses algorithms to filter out temporary abnormal readings, helping to reduce false alarms.
Two-Wire
A system that allows detection and alarm devices to be connected to the same pair of wires.
To find out more, visit the AlarmSense page.
Wide Angle Optics
Wide Angle Optics are a feature of Orbis and give a good response to fires generating white or black smoke.
To find out more, visit the Orbis page.
XP95
A range of analog addressable devices manufactured by Apollo. Detectors are addressed using a unique, patented mechanism - the XPERT card.
To find out more, visit the XP95 page.
XP95 Test Set
A diagnostic tool used to identify faults on any XP95, Series 90 and Discovery loops. The test set can also be used to test individual devices.
XPERT Card
A unique, patented addressing method to accurately identify a detector's location. The coded XPERT card is inserted into the base which can then be read by any XP95 (or Discovery or XPlorer) detector once it is plugged in. Using this method, all the electronic components are in the detector but the location information is held in the base. The XPERT card simplifies and speeds up installation and commissioning.
XPlorer
A range of analog addressable devices with limited functionality, manufactured by Apollo.
Zone
An area within a fire detection system.