Fire detection starts well before fit-off. The smartest time to set up a stable system is at first fix, when cable paths, loops and terminations are still easy to shape. This guide explains how Fire-Lite and Notifier ecosystems fit together, what their panels expect from peripherals, and the cabling moves that save time and rework on site in Australia.
Ecosystems at a glance
Fire-Lite and Notifier sit under Honeywell. They share a design philosophy but run on different device protocols and accessory buses. Do Fire-Lite and Notifier gear talk to each other? No. Treat them as separate ecosystems unless the datasheet explicitly says otherwise.
Both platforms offer two broad architectures:
- Conventional circuits: simple zones where detectors and call points switch a monitored pair.
- Addressable loops: a Signalling Line Circuit that polls each device by address and reports precise status and location.
Addressable systems dominate new work because they speed fault-finding, support cause-and-effect logic, and scale cleanly. They use loop isolators to limit short-circuit impact and accept modules that bridge to conventional devices when needed.
Panels, loops and outputs
Core panel anatomy looks familiar across brands:
- SLC loops for addressable devices.
- NACs for sounders and strobes, usually polarity-sensitive and end-of-line supervised.
- 24 Vdc auxiliary power for peripherals.
- Network cards for peer-to-peer or graphics integration.
- Remote annunciators and LCDs on a dedicated bus.
Plan for battery autonomy per the specification and AS 1670.1. Allow space for expansion cards and isolate field wiring so future works do not disturb mandatory circuits.
Peripherals and addressing
Peripherals include smoke and heat detectors, manual call points, input and relay modules, door holder supplies, WIP phones where required, and visual alarms for accessibility. Assign addresses logically by level and zone. Keep a live address map in the as-built set. Add loop isolators at fire compartments and at high-risk points like riser transitions and plant rooms.
Cabling fundamentals for first fix
Cabling must support survivability, supervision and noise immunity. In Australia, use AS 1670.1 for system design and AS/NZS 3013 to select wiring systems with the right fire and mechanical classification. Separation rules for ELV and LV follow AS/CA S009, so allocate trays and conduits accordingly.
Select cable by function:
- SLC loops: twisted pair improves noise margin and length. Many devices will still communicate on untwisted cable at short runs, but design for worst case.
- NACs and AUX: consider voltage drop, especially with high-current strobes and long egress paths. Upsize to 2.5 mm² where runs are long.
- Emergency warning and occupant warning speakers: use screened pair where the spec calls for it and route away from VSDs and heavy mains.
Route Fire rated cables such as flat white stripe cables in dedicated, labelled containment. Avoid star wiring on addressable loops unless the panel supports it with T-taps. Maintain bend radius and avoid crushing under other trades’ bundles.
Fire resistance and classification
Where the design calls for circuit survivability, select cables that meet the nominated AS/NZS 3013 classification. Many evacuation paths and detector loops across critical compartments need two hours of integrity. On those runs, designers often call up 2hr fire rated cables and compatible fixings. Match the cable, cleats and supports to the same rating so the whole wiring system survives heat, water and mechanical shock long enough to do its job.
TPS, data and segregation
Not every run needs mineral-insulated or high-survivability cable. For non-critical interfaces like dry fire inputs to BMS, short low-risk power feeds, or door contacts outside essential paths, TPS cables may be acceptable where the specification and standards allow. Keep fire system data cabling away from noisy plant, maintain minimum separations, and cross power at right angles. Avoid sharing trays with switchboard feeders or lift mains.
Voltage drop and loop design
Designers often budget 10 percent maximum drop on NACs so devices at the end still meet candela and sound pressure targets. The quick method:
- Add up device current on the run.
- Multiply by the round-trip resistance of the chosen conductor over the route length.
- Compare the drop with the panel’s alarm voltage window.
If the numbers look tight, split the NAC, add a booster power supply, or upsize conductors. For SLCs, follow the brand’s published limits for total loop length and device count. Use isolators to form compartments and reduce fault span. Keep spares on each floor for late scope.
First-fix checklist
| Circuit or function | Typical cable choice | First-fix notes |
| SLC addressable loop | Twisted pair, LSZH | Continuous loop back to panel or isolator module; avoid star legs |
| NAC sounders/strobes | 1.5–2.5 mm², LSZH | Polarity matters; place EOL at the last device, not in the panel |
| EWIS speakers | Screened pair | Keep away from VSDs and switch rooms where possible |
| Door holders | 2.5 mm² on dedicated feed | Interlock with smoke control where specified |
| Survivable paths | As per AS/NZS 3013 rating | Use matched cleats, trays and fixings verified for the same rating |
Testing before fit-off
Before devices go on, test insulation resistance and continuity on each core. Do not megger through connected electronics. Confirm end-of-line values at the field end, not parked inside the cabinet. Record results by circuit with date and tester name. When you land devices, power up by segment so you can isolate faults quickly.
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
- Mixing ecosystems: a Notifier panel will not read Fire-Lite addressable devices. Check part numbers early.
- Missing isolators at compartment lines: one short can darken half a building without them.
- EOLs in the panel: supervision passes but the field loop is open, which wastes hours later.
- No slack at risers: leave service loops to re-terminate damaged cores without repulling.
- Poor segregation: cross-talk on SLCs shows up as intermittent device faults that are hard to reproduce.
Final take
Good first fix sets the tone for smooth commissioning and compliant handover. Choose cable types that match the fire strategy, size conductors for length and load, keep clean segregation, and document every leg. With Fire-Lite and Notifier, respect ecosystem boundaries, follow the brand design guides, and keep your as-built drawings live. Do that, and the panel will poll cleanly, the alarms will sound when needed, and the client will get a system that stands up under pressure.