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Alarm Signalling Equipment

In Victoria, Alarm Signalling Equipment ("ASE") is an item of equipment leased by the Building Owner from a Monitoring Service Provider that provides the interface between an Automatic Fire Sprinkler System or a Fire Detection & Alarm System to the Automatic Fire Alarm Service Provider (“AFASP”), via Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (“ESTA”) and finally to the relevant Fire Brigade.

CEO, Firewize
In Victoria, Alarm Signalling Equipment ("ASE") is an item of equipment leased by the Building Owner from a Monitoring Service Provider that provides the interface between an Automatic Fire Sprinkler System or a Fire Detection & Alarm System to the Automatic Fire Alarm Service Provider (“AFASP”), via Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (“ESTA”) and finally to the relevant Fire Brigade.
Alarm Signalling Equipment - Signal Path Transmission

In simple terms, the ASE is a RED BOX typically mounted within a Fire Detection & Alarm System or adjacent to an Automatic Fire Sprinkler System that receives an alarm signal from the Fire Panel or Sprinkler System and transmits that signal (normally via the mobile phone network) to the Monitoring Service Provider.

Based on our knowledge, there are THREE monitoring services providers operating in Victoria;

Alarm Signalling Equipment Makes & Models

Each of these devices serves the same basic function however their operation and the way they display their status is different.

What is the purpose of Alarm Signalling Equipment?

The primary purpose of Alarm Signalling Equipment is to monitor and transmit an alarm signal from one of the following;

  • a fire detector (heat, smoke, flame or carbon-monoxide); or
  • a manual call point (also known as a break glass alarm); or
  • the operation of an automatic fire sprinkler system (alarm pressure switch or water flow switch); or
  • the disablement (closure) of a monitored water supply valve via an valve monitoring device.

In most cases (not all) where an ASE is fitted within the Fire Detection & Alarm System Control & Indicating Equipment (“FDCIE”) it will likely include additional signal monitoring for an isolation of one or more alarm zones or fault signal of the FDCIE. This additional monitoring is used to ensure the fire system is working and has not been disabled in any way that could adversely affect its operation.

Alarm Signalling Equipment (Standards)

There are THREE standards that set out the requirements for the operation, interface and protocol for the operation of Alarm Signalling Equipment;

  • AS 4418.2—2000 (R2016) : Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) — Generic telecommunications interface and protocol - Fire Alarm Systems
    The objective of this Standard is to provide fire equipment manufacturers and fire alarm monitoring organizations with a telecommunications protocol for connecting fire alarm systems to monitoring centres, in order to achieve system and equipment interoperability;
  • AS 4428.6—1997 : Fire detection, warning, control and intercom systems — Control and indicating equipment - Alarm signalling equipment
    This Standard sets out the requirements for the functional and performance requirements of equipment used to signal status changes at an automatic fire detection and alarm system to a monitoring service.
  • AS 7240.21-2006 (R2016) - Fire detection and alarm systems Routing equipment
    Specifies requirements, methods of text and performance criteria for fire alarm routing equipment and for fault warning routing equipment for use in fire detection and fire alarm systems installed in buildings.

Automatic Fire Alarm Service Provider

In Victoria there are three Automatic Fire Alarm Service Providers; ADT Fire Monitoring, Code Redd (Chubb) and Romtek. Each of these providers have proprietary Alarm Signalling Equipment that differs in appearance and operation from the alternatives.

ADT Fire Monitoring

ADT Fire Monitoring ASE Centaur

ADT Fire Monitoring are the largest provider of monitoring services in Victoria. Their Alarm Signalling Equipment called the Centaur, Series I and Series II have been around for over 20 years.
The two models of the Centaur are very similar in function but differ slightly in terms of their features and functions.


The Centaur Series I originally was fitted with a radio modem and a backup telephone line for communicating alarm signals. The device features up to 8 alarm inputs. The ASE features THREE types of “KEYS” that provide the following functions;

  • Test Key (Red)
  • Isolate Key (Blue)
  • Signal Strength Indicator SSI (Green)

This device is progressively being phased out in favour of the Centaur Series II which incorporates Dual SIM Radios, removing the need for a backup telephone line and overcoming issues related to the National Broadband Network.

The Centaur Series II has a similar operation to the Series I however it has fewer alarm inputs and uses a different type of “Key”. This key is commonly referred to as the USB style key.

ADT Fire monitoring can be contacted 24 hours by telephone on 1300 360 575.

Code Red (Chubb)

Chubb Code Red ASE

The Chubb Code Red is the second most popular Alarm Signalling Equipment (“ASE”) in Victoria and provides a range of both Fire Signals as well as non-fire signals such as;

  • Circuit/device faults
  • Circuit/device isolations
  • Pump faults
  • System tamper
  • Power supply and/or battery faults
  • Low system pressures
  • Tank levels

Like the Centaur ASE, the Code Red uses a proprietary “Key” to activate the various functions of this system including the ability to “Test” and “Isolate” for maintenance purposes. Unlike the Centaur, the Code Red key is removed after activating the ASE and selecting the relevant function (Test or Isolate).

The Chubb Code Red Monitoring Centre offers 24/7 fire alarm monitoring services which can be contacted by telephone on 02 9930 5061.

Romteck / Romteck Grid

Romtek Alarm Signalling Equipment ASE

Romteck Australia Pty Ltd (“Romteck”) is the manufacturer of the Romteck ASE while Romteck Grid Pty Ltd (“Romteck Grid”) is a monitoring company. Romteck Grid is arguably the least known of the Automatic Fire Alarm Service Providers in Victoria however they are widely used in other states and Aviation.

According to Romteck they have submitted the Romteck ASE for testing to CSIRO Services with six listings under the provisions of the ActivFire Scheme.

Unlike the Centaur and the Code Red, the Original Romteck (Version 1) uses a traditional “Key” to change the state of an ASE to the required mode (Test, Normal, Isolate), while the new Romteck uses a Dallas Wireless

iButton (like the Chubb Code Red).

The Romteck can accommodate up to 8 alarm inputs.

Romteck Grid can be contacted by telephone (Control Room) on 1300 552 231.

Contact Details for Monitoring Service Providers

  ADT Fire Monitoring Chubb Code Red Romteck Grid
Contact Phone VIC/QLD: 1300 360 575
ACT/NSW: 1300 363 412
02 9930 5061 1300 552 231

Alarm Signalling Equipment Feature Overview

Note: The following information has been derived from publicly available information, and may change from time to time.

Manufacturer ADT Fire Monitoring Chubb Romtek Grid
Model Centaur Series 1 Centaur II Centaur II Dual 3G FFE CodeRed Series II CodeRed Series III LED LCD
Part Number   FP0971 FP0977       RM3118
Protocol       ADAPT DNP3 SCADA    
Display Type or Status Indicators LED LED LED LED (15) LCD LED LCD
Data Transmission             Quad Band 850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100MHz
Supply Voltage (DC) 12V / 24V 12V / 24V 12V / 24V 9V to 35V     8-35Vdc
Current (Typical) 50-200 mA @ 24V 1.6 mA @ 24V 35 mA @ 24V 500 mA @ 24V     62mA @ 24V
Primary Line Radio Link (Mobitex or GPRS) or PSTN 2G, 3G, Ethernet, PSTN GPRS 2G, 3G of PSTN PSTN GPRS/PSTN   4G
Secondary Line PSTN 3G or PSTN 3G or PSTN PSTN GPRS/PSTN   4G
Slave ASE's   Up to 12 Up to 12   Up to 10    
Number of Inputs 6 4 4 6 6 to 66   8 with 3 states (24)

Dimensions (HWD)

> Main Module
> Display Module

100 x 174 x 78mm 97 x 171 x 80mm 97 x 171 x 80mm 178 x 101 x 77mm

107 x 176 x 55mm

  110 x 100 x 71mm
        87 x 108 x 73mm    
Standard   AS4428.6-1997 AS4428.6-1997   AS4428.6-1997   AS4428.6-1997
Approval afp-1319 afp-2456 afp-2766 afp-1581 afp-2107 ? afp-3048

NBN and Alarm Signalling Equipment

Some Alarm Signalling Equipment (ASE) may be affected by the roll-out of the National Broadband Network ("NBN"). As the NBN is being rolled out across Australia, Telstra are decommissioning the old copper Public Switched Telephone Network ("PSTN") telephone lines.

In response, the manufacturers of Alarm Signalling Equipment have upgraded their devices to remove the need for a PSTN line. They typically achieve this by using dual radio modems for the signal transmission path.

If you have been advised by your telecommunications provider that your Fire Telephone Line is being disconnected, don't worry there is a solution, which can be found on the NBN™ website;

  • Monitored Fire Alarms - What you need to do
    The nbn™ will replace most existing fixed phone and internet networks. When you switch over to the nbn™ access network, it may affect the operation of important services such as your monitored fire alarm.

You will need to speak to your existing Fire Alarm Monitoring Service Provider and provide them details of your existing Alarm Signalling Equipment including;

  1. The address where the ASE is physically located;
  2. The ASE unique identification number;
  3. The PSTN Line Number.

If your unsure how to proceed with this task, reach out to Firewize and a friendly member of our support team can assist you.

More Questions

We have covered a lot in this article, but you may have more questions. If you do, feel free to reach out to us via our contact page and we will do our best to help.

Disclaimer

Firewize policy is one of continuous improvement, details of products, procedures or methods described within this document are subject to change without notice. All information provided here is believed to be correct at the time of publication.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information which is provided in good faith nothing contained herein is intended to incorporate any representation or warranty, either express or implied or to form the basis of any legal relations between the parties hereto, additional to or in lieu of such as may be applicable to a contract of sale or purchase.

This guide is provided solely on the basis that users will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information. Firewize does not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on the information.

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