New features introduced to Taktis fire alarm control panel by Kentec

The critical signal paths of a control panel are the lifeline of an entire fire detection system and issues with power supplies, communication modules and control circuits can have catastrophic consequences. To counter any disruption, the highest levels of redundancy have been incorporated into Taktis, which has multiple back-up microprocessors to eliminate the possibility of a single point of failure with the main microprocessor.

Even if its touchscreen display should fail, Taktis will continue to operate in reduced functionality mode, the loops will continue to operate and, if a detection device is activated, the panel – and other panels on the network – will be notified of the alarm condition.

Taktis enables large installations to be fully standards compliant. EN 54-2 states that a system fault should not result in the loss of more than 512 detectors and, while this is fine for installations with a single control panel and fewer than 512 connected devices, large installations can have many thousands of fire detection devices with multiple fire alarm control panels.

Thanks to Kentec’s R&D efforts, Taktis can now network up to 127 control panels and incorporates a fully redundant signal path using INS to mitigate risk, enhance fault tolerance and ensure that alarms are received across the network and, importantly, at the Alarm Receiving Centre.

BS 7273-4 compliance

The latest version of Taktis also complies with the highest provisions of BS 7273-4, which applies to electrical control arrangements for the actuation of mechanisms that unlock, release or open doors in the event of fire.

Adhering to BS 7273-4 is increasingly important, as Annex A is now normative.

There are three categories of actuation outlined in BS 7273-4, with Category A requiring fail-safe operation under the most severe fault conditions.

Through advanced ‘cause and effect’, the latest version of Taktis meets all the requirements of Category A. This means that door release mechanisms will continue to operate in the event of a fire, or during any event that leads to a fault on the critical signal path that could prevent a fire signal activating a release mechanism.

False alarms

The Fire and Rescue Service attended 229,844 incidents in the year ending March 2022 that turned out to be false alarms. They can be particularly disruptive in hotels and similar accommodation-based businesses such as student accommodation and sheltered housing.

As such, Taktis now boasts a ‘hotel mode’ feature. When Taktis is in this setting and a detection device activates, only the sounder in the room concerned will initially operate, while Taktis notifies where the event has taken place.

A predetermined time period affords a competent individual an opportunity to investigate and, if the activity causing the detector activation stops within that timeframe, the sounder will return to standby and Taktis will clear. In the case of a false alarm, this stops other alarms initiating a full-scale evacuation.

Alongside “industry leading” levels of panel and network redundancy, BS 7273-4 Category A compliance and its ability to reduce false alarms, Kentec hasn’t forgotten the importance of ease of use. As such, the Taktis full colour seven-inch touchscreen has several additional customisable features particularly useful for smoke control operation and can be programmed in a wide variety of languages. This intuitive interface renders the system easy to use even for those with minimal or no training.

Most advanced technology

“The latest version of Taktis rubber stamps our commitment to providing the most advanced fire alarm control panel technology possible,” affirmed Derrick Hall, director of sales and marketing at Kentec Electronics.

“Taktis has become increasingly popular with members of the Kentec Installation Partner Programme as its features make their lives easier and deliver significant benefits for end users. Fire detection and alarm installation professionals who’ve yet to do so should take a look at the ‘new’ Taktis.”

*Further information is available online at www.kentec.co.uk