Easy Fire Panel Integration: How the Muxpad II Connects Your FACPs to Your Head-End

If you're adding new fire alarm communicators to your existing system, compatibility can be a major issue. Different fire alarm control panels (FACPs) use different protocols, and integration with your central monitoring system isn't always easy to figure out.

Find equipment that can bridge the communication between devices to offer simplicity. You'll want equipment that acts as a "universal translator". That will allow you to connect diverse fire panels without worrying about protocol mismatches.

With a device to bridge communications, you avoid juggling multiple monitoring solutions. Instead, you stay organized and ready with everything in a single, reliable system.

You'll be able to simplify integration, eliminate compatibility concerns, and ensure that every alarm signal reaches your monitoring center promptly.

Monitor Multiple Fire Panels with a Centralized System

If you have multiple buildings or sites, you're likely juggling different brands and models of fire panels. That can lead to some big headaches:

• Compatibility Problems: Manufacturers often use unique protocols and communication methods. Getting them to "talk" to each other can feel impossible.
• Scattered Information: Without a central hub, alarm events show up in different formats (or sometimes not at all in your main console).
• Delayed Responses: If your system doesn't transmit alarms immediately, you'll obviously waste time during an emergency.
• Limited Remote Management: Without remote acknowledgment and reset capabilities, you're forced to dispatch a technician for every alarm.

A patchwork of separate interfaces drives up costs and complicates management. You need a universal translator of sorts - something that can handle the varied languages of your FACPs.

That device is the Muxpad II.

Use Muxpad II to Bridge the Gap Between Your Fire Panels & Head-End

The Muxpad II is a Data Gathering Module (DGM). It listens to alarm, trouble, and supervisory signals from both addressable and conventional FACPs.

Then, it interprets those signals and quickly relays them to the System 3505 Prism LX, or other head-end, for centralized logging and monitoring.

The Muxpad II provides:

• Serial Interface: For addressable panels, the Muxpad II taps into the FACP's serial printer port. It reads the data (just like a printer would), interprets it, and sends standardized messages to the Prism LX head-end.
• Dry Contact Inputs: Conventional panels can connect via up to 8 end-of-line (EOL) supervised inputs (expandable to 32). This ensures that older panels get integrated into the new system.
• Real-Time Event Transmission: As soon as an alarm or trouble condition is triggered, it's on the Prism LX. There's no lag and no waiting around.
• Remote Control: If your fire panel supports it, the Muxpad II allows the Prism LX to acknowledge or reset alarms. This way, you can handle certain problems without physically traveling to the location of the issue.
• Polling Radio Communication: The Muxpad II uses radio polling to report back to the Prism LX. This removes the need for (and vulnerability of) wired connections.
• Fail-Safe Mechanism: The Muxpad II securely stores alarm data until communication is restored, so no alerts get lost in the shuffle.

Muxpad II Handles Fire Alarm Data Interpretation

Different fire panels speak different "languages," which can make direct integration a hassle. The Muxpad II solves this by capturing and translating alarm messages from your FACP's serial printer port. Whether it's a Notifier 3030, a Simplex 4100, or an EST-3, the Muxpad II normalizes the data before sending it off to the Prism LX.

For conventional panels, the Muxpad II watches EOL inputs for alarm, trouble, and supervisory signals. This all happens in the background, so older panels can function side-by-side with newer panels in your centralized system.

Radio Polling Matters in Fire Alarm Communication

You'll see a lot of talk about "polling radio" when you look at the Muxpad II. This method is used to transmit alarms from the Muxpad II to the Prism LX at scheduled intervals. Why is this a big deal?

1. Reliability During Emergencies
   If a fire damages your wired lines, you're still protected. Radio-based signals keep flowing even when cables are cut or compromised.
2. Ideal for Large Campuses & Remote Sites
   If you're overseeing a university, military base, or municipal network, running wires is expensive and time-consuming. Radio polling simplifies installations and lowers maintenance costs.
3. Efficient Data Transmission
   Rather than transmitting data 24/7, radio polling checks in with each Muxpad II on a set schedule. This delivers real-time updates without needlessly consuming your bandwidth.

Expand Fire Monitoring with Additional DGMs

Think of the Muxpad II as just one puzzle piece in a larger, integrated fire monitoring system. You can add other Data Gathering Modules (DGMs) to scale up your coverage. These additional DGMs will provide:

• 32-Zone Supervised Input Modules for even bigger sites.
• Fiber Optic Interfaces to protect against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and enable long-distance communications.
• RS-485 or Audio Modem Interfaces to support a variety of transmission methods.
• HVAC, Sprinkler, and Emergency Lighting Modules to expand your monitoring beyond just fire alarms.

This modular approach allows your system to grow alongside your needs. This way you aren't forced into a costly rip-and-replace scenario every time you add a new building or system.

Comply with NFPA 72 & Other Required Fire Codes

Fire alarm monitoring isn't just a best practice - it's a necessary requirement for several national and local codes and regulations. In the U.S., NFPA 72 sets the standards for fire alarm and signaling systems.

The good news is that the Muxpad II and Prism LX are ETL-listed and can help you achieve NFPA-72 compliance. The two provide:

• Supervised Alarm Transmission to make sure no alerts are missed
• Redundant Power Options so you stay online during outages
• Proven Integration with major panel manufacturers to meet code requirements

These functions make it easier to pass inspections and protect you from many potential fines and liabilities.

Which Fire Panels Work with the Muxpad II?

The Muxpad II is surprisingly versatile, handling both addressable and conventional fire alarm panels from top manufacturers. Here's a quick rundown of supported FACPs:

(Remember that we add support frequently in response to client requests, so please contact us if you have a different fire panel. We might already have support, or we might add it for you.)

FCI Panel

• FD-ID, FC-IDA, FC-IDX
• FCI 7200
• FCI-7100 (including networked versions)
• FCI-E3 (including networked versions)

Notifier Panels

• Notifier 1010, 2020
• Notifier 640
• Notifier 3030
• Notifier NCA / NCA-2 (including networked versions)

Gamewell Panels

• Gamewell Flex 500, 600, 630 (including networked versions & annunciators)

Simplex Panels

• Simplex 4100/4200
• Simplex 4010

EST Panels

• EST-2 (including networked)
• EST-3 (including networked)
• EST iO64, 500, 1000 (including networked)
• EST IRC-3

Spectronics Panels

• Spectronics (specific models upon request)

Firecom & Mircom Panels

• Firecom
• Mircom (specific models upon request)

Autocall Panels

• Autocall TXF800

Hochiki Panels

• Hochiki FireNET

Other FACPs may be supported upon request. Given this thorough compatibility list and Digitize's engineering ability to support new panels as needed, you can unify virtually any mixed-panel environment under a single, consolidated monitoring platform.

Real-World Applications Where Muxpad II Can Help You

Let's take a look at three example scenarios that highlight the Muxpad II in action.

1. University Campus

A university with buildings scattered across a wide-spread campus might have a mix of Notifier, Simplex, and EST panels. Rather than replacing each incompatible system, campus staff can install Muxpad II units on each FACP.

Thanks to the radio polling setup, alarms will flow consistently to the Prism LX at campus security - cutting downtime and streamlining emergency responses.

2. Municipal Fire System

Let's imagine a city's fire department needs to monitor libraries, schools, and government offices without separate monitoring contracts everywhere.

By placing Muxpad II units at each site, all alerts will go to the central fire command center. In doing so, the city will save a ton of money - and their response times will drastically improve.

3. Military Base

A military installation may require a redundant, radio-based fire monitoring system - especially for situations where network infrastructure might be compromised. By deploying Muxpad II units, they can establish a highly secure, always-on fire alarm monitoring framework that meets their strict defense standards.

Make The Best Choice for Multi-Panel Monitoring

Fire safety is serious business, and the tools you choose can make the difference between a contained incident and a major disaster. If you're managing multiple buildings - or even just a single site with an aging fire panel - you deserve a monitoring solution that's flexible, cost-effective, and proven to be reliable.

Don't let your mix of FACPs hold you back from a streamlined, code-compliant system. Contact Digitize today to discuss your fire monitoring needs.

• Phone: 973-663-1011
• Email: info@digitize-inc.com

We'll provide expert advice on integrating your panels into one cohesive system - plus practical tips for any expansions or legacy system challenges you might face.

Let's give your facility the reliable, unified fire alarm monitoring it deserves!