Apollo 58000-700 | Discovery Multisensor Detector | Optical Smoke & Heat

FAQs

What are the five response modes and when should each be used?

The Discovery Optical/Heat Multisensor offers five EN54 approved response modes: Mode 1 provides very high sensitivity to both smoke and heat, ideal for areas requiring maximum protection against smouldering and flaming fires. Mode 2 operates as standard optical smoke detection without heat response, suitable for environments with wide temperature fluctuations. Mode 3 delivers balanced multisensor performance combining moderate smoke and heat sensitivity, recommended for general applications including hotel bedrooms and hospital wards. Mode 4 features reduced smoke sensitivity with high heat detection, appropriate for areas with expected fumes or smoke during normal operations. Mode 5 provides pure Class A1R heat detection with a fixed 58°C alarm threshold, meeting EN54-5 requirements when smoke detection is inappropriate but maintaining the optical sensor for diagnostics.

How does the multisensor operation improve false alarm management?

The Discovery multisensor combines independent signals from both optical smoke and thermistor temperature sensors, processing them according to the selected response mode. In multisensor modes (1, 3 and 4), the detector extracts rate-of-rise temperature information and combines it with smoke levels to provide more accurate fire detection. Control panels can also read separate temperature data to validate alarms – for example, a high analogue value without accompanying temperature increase might indicate steam rather than smoke, preventing unnecessary evacuations. The detector’s drift compensation automatically adjusts for sensor contamination whilst rejection of transient signals filters out rapid changes unlikely to represent genuine fire conditions.

Can the detector operate in extreme temperature environments?

Yes, the Discovery Optical/Heat Multisensor operates reliably across an exceptional temperature range from -40°C to +70°C, significantly exceeding most conventional detectors. The optical sensor maintains stable sensitivity with less than 15% change across this entire range, with slow ambient temperature changes automatically compensated without affecting detection performance. This makes the detector ideal for cold storage facilities, plant rooms, boiler houses, and other environments experiencing extreme or widely varying temperatures. Storage temperature range extends to -40°C to +80°C, whilst humidity tolerance reaches 95% RH non-condensing.

What protocol compatibility does the detector offer?

The Discovery Optical/Heat Multisensor uses Discovery protocol communication, which maintains full compatibility with both XP95 and CoreProtocol addressable fire alarm systems. The detector connects to standard two-wire loop circuits carrying 17-28V DC supply and data, with polarity insensitive terminals L1 and L2 for incoming and outgoing connections. Modulation voltage operates at 5-9V peak to peak with extremely low quiescent current of 400µA. However, system compatibility and feature support varies between panel manufacturers, so installers should verify that their chosen control panel supports all desired features including the five response modes and separate temperature data reading.

How does drift compensation work and why is it important?

Discovery Optical/Heat Multisensor detectors incorporate automatic drift compensation to maintain constant fire detection sensitivity even as the optical chamber accumulates dust and contamination during service life. The detector’s microcontroller continuously monitors and adjusts the sensor baseline to compensate for gradual changes in chamber conditions, preventing sensitivity degradation that could delay fire detection or cause false alarms from excessive sensitivity. This compensation operates without significantly affecting the detector’s response to genuine fire conditions whilst meeting EN54 standard requirements. The drift compensation functions in modes 1-4, ensuring reliable long-term performance and reducing maintenance interventions required to maintain system effectiveness throughout the detector’s operational lifetime.

What is the remote test feature and how does it work?

The remote test feature enables functional verification of the detector without physical access, activated via command from the fire control panel rather than using aerosol test equipment. When the control panel sends the remote test command, the detector is electrically forced into alarm condition and returns an analogue value of 85 to confirm correct operation. This feature significantly reduces testing time and costs in installations with difficult-to-access detector locations such as high ceilings, stairwells, or areas requiring scaffolding or specialist access equipment. Remote testing should complement rather than replace periodic in-situ testing with smoke or heat simulators to verify complete sensor functionality.