The future is fully connected, with Cygnus

by Breaking NewsFire Detection

Stephen Marsh, Head of Sales at Cygnus, explores the evolution of wireless fire detection, the benefits of mesh networks, and the impact of EN 54 certification on the industry 

In March 2023, Cygnus achieved EN 54 certification for its fire detection and alarm system, SmartNet. This significant milestone marked the beginning of an important journey for the company.

As the company celebrates the two-year anniversary of this achievement, Stephen Marsh, Head of Sales at Cygnus, discusses the evolution of wireless technology and what the future holds.  

In today’s smart homes and buildings, the Internet of Things is driving an explosion in the number and type of smart products that can be linked together on a network. This can also be seen in the world of fire and security systems, where video surveillance, access control and alarm systems are increasingly built on wireless networks. 

A wireless mesh network for fire detection and alarm systems   

A wireless mesh network is a decentralised network architecture consisting of interconnected nodes. Nodes are radio frequency transceivers that facilitate network communications, such as network switches, routers, switches or printers. In the wireless fire detection and alarm context, nodes are devices such as detectors and sounders.  

Unlike traditional networks that rely on a single central hub, wireless mesh networks distribute data across multiple nodes.

It allows each node to act as both a transmitter and a receiver, creating a self-forming, self-healing mesh network.

Stephen Marsh

This configuration enables seamless communication, as data packets can travel through multiple pathways to reach their destination, ensuring redundancy and minimising the likelihood of network failure. 

In a wireless mesh network, nodes communicate directly with one another, dynamically rerouting data to maintain connectivity – even if one or more nodes fail. Each device has a primary and secondary parent, so if the signal to the primary parent is broken, the secondary parent will take its place, and the device then selects a new secondary parent.

This ‘self-healing’ capacity – coupled with the ability to expand the network by simply adding more nodes – makes wireless mesh networks ideally suited for sites requiring robust and flexible communications systems. 

The advantages of a wireless system 

There are a number of benefits when it comes to wireless systems. Firstly, the absence of wiring significantly reduces installation time and costs. Traditional wired systems require extensive cabling, which can be both time-consuming and expensive. Wireless systems can be installed significantly faster, making them an ideal choice for both new constructions and retrofit projects. 

Moreover, the wireless nature of these systems minimises disruption to the building’s structure and occupants.

Stephen Marsh

There is no extensive impact to the fabric of the building and preserves the integrity of fire barriers. This makes systems such as SmartNet particularly suitable for historic buildings, schools, and other environments where conserving the building’s integrity is crucial. 

EN 54 certification: an important milestone  

Prior to 2008, there was no recognised standard for wireless fire alarm systems. In that year, EN 54 part 25 was published, which set out to ensure that wireless fire alarm systems provide the same level of protection as wired systems. The standard specifies requirements, test methods and performance criteria for components which use radio frequency (RF) communication links.  

EN 54 introduced several changes to the way wireless alarms should operate, including bi-directional communication, dual battery back-up, and enhanced fault monitoring. It also provided requirements for the evaluation of conformity of the components to the requirements of the standard. 

EN 54 sets the standards for the operation, testing and manufacture of fire detection and alarm systems. Any equipment used for a wireless fire detection and alarm system should be third party certificated to the relevant parts of EN 54.  

The EN 54 certification marked a pivotal moment for Cygnus, establishing SmartNet as the world’s first EN 54 certified, 100% wireless fire detection and alarm system.  

Stephen Marsh

Achieving EN 54 certification is a rigorous process that involves extensive testing and evaluation by accredited laboratories. For Cygnus, receiving this certification for SmartNet was a testament to the system’s reliability, effectiveness, and compliance with the highest industry standards.

The EN 54 certification covers various aspects of fire detection and alarm systems, including control and indicating equipment, power supply equipment, and fire detectors.  

The Cygnus and SmartNet journey  

Over the past two years, SmartNet has been widely adopted across various sectors, from commercial and industrial properties to high-rise buildings and public institutions. The system’s scalability and adaptability have made it a preferred choice for applications of all sizes.  

SmartNet-Pro offers a scalable solution with the capability for each panel to connect 511 devices and up to 96 zones, with networking of up to 5 panels available via a software release code, providing a combined solution of over 2500 devices.

Whilst SmartNet-Pro caters to the larger scales of application, SmartNet-100 provides all the key benefits of SmartNet-Pro in a more cost-effective solution, designed to support a maximum of 100 devices. Based on this nature, SmartNet-100 is best suited for small to medium sized applications where the scalability of the SmartNet-Pro is not required. 

Cygnus SmartNet has been recognised for its excellence in fire safety by winning the prestigious Security & Fire Excellence Award for the Security or Fire Solution of the Year in 2024. Additionally, SmartNet is a finalist for the Fire Resilience Excellence Awards (FREAS) in the Outstanding Product/Innovation category, further highlighting its innovative approach and impact on the industry.  

A journey of continuous development:  Cygnus Accessories  

Cygnus SmartNet is equipped with advanced accessories designed to streamline installation and maintenance processes. Cygnus ALERT is a cloud-based notification and monitoring platform that provides real-time event, fault, and mesh information to integrators and site administrators.

This tool enables swift responses to on-site situations, enhancing overall site safety. The Cygnus Mesh Analyser is an enhanced diagnostic tool that displays the structure and strength of the mesh network, suggesting actions to improve system performance.

It also shows the history of how devices have joined the network and their previous connections, ensuring a robust and stable network. The Cygnus Site Survey kit has been designed to help with the planning and deployment of the SmartNet system. By ensuring that the wireless sensor network is set up for maximum reliability and efficiency, it saves time during installation and on future call outs.

The Portal Programming Unit (PPU) allows installers to run firmware updates and update device configurations wirelessly while they are on site, making the whole process faster and more efficient for areas that are hard to access.

Together, these tools make SmartNet a comprehensive solution for efficient and reliable fire detection and alarm systems. 

Looking to the future 

As we look to the future, innovations in sensors, wireless systems, and artificial intelligence are going to allow fire detection and alarm systems to detect fires more accurately and faster.

There is also a growing trend towards integrating fire alarm systems with other critical safety and building management systems. This integration will enable seamless communication between third party systems via IOU devices. 

The two-year anniversary of Cygnus SmartNet’s EN 54 certification is a momentous occasion. It is a celebration of the hard work, dedication, and innovation that has gone into creating a world-class fire detection and alarm system.

As we look to the future, Cygnus remains committed to pushing the boundaries of fire safety technology, ensuring that SmartNet continues to set the standard in the industry. 

This article was originally published in the April 2025 Edition of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE copy, click here.

FIA supports PSTN transition efforts led by BSIA

by Featured News

The UK telecoms industry is in the process of retiring the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), concluding by January 2027.

The role that alarms play in preventing fatalities and damage to buildings and infrastructure makes this project one of the Government’s key priorities in the PSTN migration.

Many fire and security alarms alert alarm receiving centres (ARCs), via the PSTN and may lose connectivity if they are not upgraded ahead of time.

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) has been actively involved in the Fire & Security Advisory Board (F&SAB), working alongside the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) in supporting government efforts to manage risks associated with the ongoing retirement of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

The BSIA has taken the lead in an initiative to assess the number of fire and security alarm systems still reliant on the ageing PSTN infrastructure.

Alarm systems

This project, supported by the Home Office and the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT), aims to ensure continued connectivity for alarm systems as the network is phased out by January 2027.

Alarm Receiving Centres (ARCs) are urged to submit data on their completed and pending PSTN customer migrations and receiver line numbers by 31st January 2025.

This data will be important in developing mitigation strategies to prevent alarm failures and ensure public safety. The FIA acknowledges the collaborative efforts of the BSIA and the broader industry in this vital initiative.

The BSIA are leading PTSN transition efforts: Summary

The BSIA’s PTSN transition efforts has been supported by FIA. The BSIA are taking the lead in assessing the number of fire and security alarm systems still reliant on the PSTN infrastructure.

Evac-Alert system installed in London residential block

by Featured NewsPassiveProducts

C-TEC’s evacuation alert system, EVAC-ALERT, has been specified for a new purpose-built residential building in London located in the Elephant and Castle area of the London Borough of Southwark

Joyce Newman House is an 8-storey block of 40 living spaces commissioned by Leathermarket JMB, Southwark’s largest resident-managed housing organisation. The affordable-housing development also features landscaped gardens, an interactive playground and a communal kitchen garden for residents to grow their own vegetables.

Specified and supplied by Churches Fire & Security working alongside Blu Electrical Installations Ltd, EVAC-ALERT has been specifically designed to comply with the new BS 8629, which recommends evacuation alert systems be installed in all new blocks of flats over 18 metres to assist the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) in evacuating part or all of a building in an emergency.

The system consists of a 2-loop control panel connected to a host of single and multi-way interface units, self-testing sounders and visual indicators. The system features manual controls to allow firefighters to easily operate the evacuation alert devices located inside flats on a zone by zone or floor by floor basis, the panel is stored in a secure vandal resistant cabinet which can only be accessed by the FRS using a special copy-protected key.

David Collins, Project Manager at Churches Fire & Security, said: “Evacuation alert systems ensure firefighters can alert occupants in a building of the need to evacuate if a fire gets out of control. The EVAC-ALERT system we’ve specified provides peace of mind for residents and, crucially, also demonstrates that building management have taken every precaution possible to protect the people residing in the property. Our client is delighted with the system.”

Nittan installs fire detection system at Ashburton Triangle development

by Featured NewsFire DetectionProducts

Manufacturer of conventional and addressable fire detection products, Nittan Europe, has installed its Evolution analogue addressable fire detection system installed throughout Ashburton Triangle, the mixed-use development situated on the Emirates Stadium site in North London.

The development, owned and managed by Newlon Housing Trust, is made up of 249 flats over 12 floors, along with the Arsenal Museum, and encloses a landscaped communal garden. 

Nittan’s fire detection system was chosen for the development due to its reliability and protection against unwanted false alarms, as well as it flexible protocol which allows for large levels of information to be transmitted at high speed, supporting the cause and effect programming which also was a key factor in the decision-making process. 

Over 3,500 Nittan devices have been installed throughout Ashburton Triangle, including a large number of Evolution EV-DP smoke detectors, which are designed to reduce false alarms caused by non-combustion products such as steam, dust and aerosols. 

The EV-DP does this by measuring the exact particle size in the chamber via its combined IR and blue LED technology – as steam and dust are much larger particles than smoke, the detector won’t false alarm. 

The Nittan Evolution devices feed back to eight Advanced MxPro 5 panels which together cater for very comprehensive, but simple to use cause and effect capabilities. 

The fire detection system integrates with a wide range of third-party safety systems installed throughout the premises, including a sprinkler system, intelligent escape signage, lifts, door entry and access control systems, and dampers for both individual apartments and rooftops.

The system was supplied and commissioned by Nittan Elite Partner Coomber Fire and Security Systems on on the extensive project. Commenting on this latest project between the two companies, Adam Pitman, Senior Fire Systems Engineer at Coomber Fire and Security Systems, said: “As a Nittan Elite Partner and long standing customer, we have extensive product knowledge of Nittan’s Evolution range and know from first hand experience just how reliable and flexible it is. 

“The requirements for the Ashburton Triangle development were relatively complex, with extensive cause and effect programming and the necessity for staged evacuation.

“The high number of dwellings and potential for unwanted alarms also made false alarm management a key driver in our choice and we know the highly resilient Nittan EV-DP with the Dual Photoelectric sensor is more than capable of meeting these needs.”

Robin Edmunds, Nittan Sales General Manager added: “Nittan are delighted that Coomber continue to see not only the benefits of being a Nittan Elite Partner, but also the strengths of our individual products such as EV-DP. We look forward to working with Coomber and supporting them on many future projects of this nature.”

C-TEC’s CAST and Hush Pro systems specified at mixed-use site

by Projects

C-TEC’s CAST and Hush Pro fire alarm systems are safeguarding a charming cluster of commercial and residential properties in Llangollen, Wales.

As a ‘mixed-use’ building housing both business units and domestic dwellings, a combination of commercial and residential fire systems was required. Allied Fire & Escapes Ltd, a leading Wrexham-based fire specialist company, installed one of C-TEC’s powerful CAST XFP addressable fire systems to protect the ground floor retail units and interfaced it to three of C-TEC’s new Hush Pro domestic fire systems to safeguard the residential dwellings on the first floor.

Said John Westerman, Director at Allied: “Linking C-TEC’s CAST system to Hush Pro proved the ideal solution for this mixed-use building. Each domestic dwelling is fitted with a Hush Pro controller connected to a series of Hush Pro smoke detectors, base sounders and heat detectors – all interfaced via Hush Pro’s CAST Landlord Interfaces – to the CAST XFP communal/landlord system.”

Specifically designed for flats, apartments and high-rise residential buildings, Hush Pro provides residents with easy-to-use detection, alarm, silencing and test facilities so they can test their own devices, be alerted to system faults and hush any false alarms at the Hush Button which is positioned at light-switch level for easy access.

Said John: “We specified Hush Pro as it offers higher levels of fire protection over the Grade D unmonitored battery alarm systems typically used in domestic installations. As a fully-monitored BS 5839-6 Grade C system, Hush Pro reports open and short circuit faults and operation faults back to the CAST fire panel and even allows management and maintenance companies to remotely monitor the system. In the event of an emergency, Hush Pro relays information to the CAST panel to effectively notify building management.”

“As an intelligent domestic detection system, Hush Pro certainly ticks all the boxes. We were very impressed by its operation and ease of integration with the CAST fire system which was also simple and straightforward to set up. With regards to customer support, C-TEC is always very responsive and happy to help with any enquiries we have. We look forward to installing C-TEC’s products into our future contracts as they provide high-quality, intuitive and easy-to-install fire detection solutions that can be adapted to meet the specific requirements of any building.”

www.c-tec.com/