Universal Activation System

UAS
Installation and User manual

AF-X Fireblocker
Impuls 20
1446WX Purmerend
The Netherlands

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 Universal Activation System – Installation and User manual

Document history

Revision Date Modification / Change

1.0/2021 07-07-2021 First official release document and minor updates
1.01/2021 01-09-2021 Minor updates

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 Universal Activation System – Installation and User manual

Preamble
This is the manual for the Universal Activation System, abbreviated as UAS. This manual describes
design, installation, acceptance, use and maintenance of the UAS components; the UAS Controller
Unit and the UAS Forwarder. Hereby often referred to as “Controller” and “Forwarder”.

We advise you to carefully follow all the advice in the manual, the proper functioning and durability
of the Universal Activation System components depend on their correct use and methodical appli-
cation of the maintenance instructions below. In case you have difficulties or setbacks, techni-cians
will be at your disposal for any clarification or intervention. Therefore the manufacturer declines
every liability regarding the incorrect use and poor maintenance of the Universal Activation Sys-tem.
The manual is an integral part of the product. Keep this manual for the entire life of the product.
Make sure updates by the manufacturer to be incorporated in the manual. Transfer the manual to
any other user or owner of the Universal Activation System.

Ø This manual should be thoroughly read and understood before installation and commissioning is
undertaken.
Ø The Universal Activation System components, with the associated connections, must be in-
stalled, commissioned and maintained by a skilled, knowledgeable and competent person who is
trained to perform this work. It is assumed that the person commissioning the system is aware of
the equipment terminology and terms of reference. There are no user-serviceable parts in the
UAS components UAS Controller Units nor in the UAS Forwarder Units
Ø This equipment is not covered under warranty unless installed and commissioned in accordance
with current national standards.

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Content

1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 5
2 Technical Description ..................................................................................................................... 6
2.1 Overview ................................................................................................................................. 6
2.2 UAS Controller ........................................................................................................................ 6
2.3 UAS Forwarder ....................................................................................................................... 7
2.4 Test Mode ............................................................................................................................... 7
2.5 FACP requirements ................................................................................................................. 8
2.5.1 RAC characteristics.......................................................................................................... 8
2.5.2 Power Supply .................................................................................................................. 9
3 Connections ................................................................................................................................. 10
3.1 UAS Controller ...................................................................................................................... 10
3.2 UAS Forwarder ......................................................................................................................11
3.3 Schematic of a UAS chain with 2 UAS Controllers ................................................................ 12
4 Indicators ..................................................................................................................................... 13
4.1 UAS Controller .......................................................................................................................13
4.2 UAS Forwarder ..................................................................................................................... 14
5 Number of UAS Forwarders......................................................................................................... 15
6 Technical Specification ................................................................................................................. 16

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1 Introduction
AF-X Fireblocker is manufacturer of fire extinguishers based on the condensed aerosol technic, the
Condensed Aerosol Generators. The AF-X Fireblocker condensed aerosol generators are used in a
system, in combi-nation with automatic detectors and a Fire Alarm Control Panels (FACP) with an
integrated Release functionality. When the FACP detects a fire, it will notify personnel present in the
protected area by acoustic and visual alarms and start the extinguishing after delay.

A fire suppression system based on condensed aerosol generators consist in most cases of multiple
aerosol generators to reach the necessary amount of extinguishing agent. This demands special atten-
tion to the control components of the automatic fire protection equipment which is responsible for
the correct activation of the aerosol generators which are part of the protection system.

Condensed aerosol generators are characterized by a low impedance and must be activated sepa-
rately. Without special technics and equipment the activation of each individual aerosol generator re-
sults into an activation current up to 30A. Normal power supplies are protected against these high
current overloads, which makes aerosol suppression systems without special activation equipment
unreliable.

The Universal Activation System is designed to build reliable condensed aerosol suppression systems
controlled and eventually also powered by common generic release panels. The integration with
regular, locally known panels to which people are familiar to work with, increases the reliability and
acceptation of the final build fire protecting system.

Up to 200 condensed aerosol generators can be controlled by one Universal Activation System
Controller. 2 Universal Activation System Controllers can be connected in series to one Fire Alarm
Control Panel.

The Universal Activation System comes with its own power supply. Use of an available Auxiliary
power output on the connected release panel is an option when proved by a simple power calculation,
see chapter 5.

The Universal Activation System is an integrated part of condensed aerosol suppression systems,
advised for installations where more than 15 condensed aerosol generators are in-volved. Naturally
smaller suppression systems can also be realized with the Universal Activation System.

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2 Technical Description
2.1 Overview
The Universal Activation System (UAS) is developed to control and activate regular small to large
condensed aerosol suppression systems by any single generic Fire Alarm and Release panel.

The Universal Activation System is built with 1 or 2 UAS Controllers and a UAS For-warder for each 2
connected condensed aerosol generators. The UAS Controller is con-nected to the Fire Alarm and
Release Panel. The UAS Forwarders activate and monitor the condensed aerosol generators.

FACP

UAS Controller UAS Forwarder UAS Forwarder UAS Forwarder

UAS Controller UAS Forwarder UAS Forwarder UAS Forwarder

Principle of Universal Activation System

The Universal Activation System monitors all connections for wire break and circuit shortcuts,
resulting in a highly reliable suppression system. A detected fault is reported back to the FACP as a
release output failure.

A Test Mode is available for installation, commissioning and maintenance. During Test Mode an acti-
vation from the FACP is forwarded by the UAS Controller to the UAS Forwarders, which in turn signal
this activation by a blinking blue led indicator. In Test Mode the connected condensed aerosol
generators are blocked from activation.

With the use of 2 UAS Controllers a maximum of 400 condensed aerosol generators can be connected
to a Universal Activation System, using 200 UAS Forwarders.

2.2 UAS Controller

The UAS Controller connects to the Fire Alarm and Control Panel (FACP), it is powered by its own
power supply or from the auxiliary power output for external devices from the FACP. The UAS
Controller receives the extinguishing command from the FACP Release Activation Circuit (RAC).

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The UAS Controller reports the state of the UAS back to the FACP, which in turn can signal a
supervisory system or control room in case of failure and/or malfunction.

The UAS Controller is equipped with led indicators, a Power & Activation indicator and a Status
indicator.

The UAS Controller is connected to the Release Activation Circuit (RAC) of the controlling Fire Alarm
and Control Panel (FACP). As soon the FACP activates the RAC output (normally a solenoid out-put)
the UAS Controller is triggered and activates all connected UAS Forwarders. Each UAS Forwarder
activates the connected condensed aerosol generators. All condensed aerosol generators will
activate at the same moment without any los of time.

In case a second UAS Controller is used the second UAS Controller is connected with the EOL output
of the first UAS Controller, see chapter 3.3.

For maintenance and test the UAS Controller offers a Test Mode. This Test Mode is activated by a key
switch or equivalent operator. As soon the Normally Open contact of the key operated switch is
closed, the Test Mode is activated. During Test Mode the normal operation of the UAS System is
disturbed. The red status led indicator will light and a fault is reported to the FACP.

The UAS Controller is connected to the UAS Forwarders by a 4 wire cable.

2.3 UAS Forwarder

The main function of the UAS Forwarder is to buffer the necessary energy to activate the connected
condensed aerosol generators. Directly after a powerup of the system, each UAS Forwarder start
charging the onboard capacitor. During this charging time, which takes about 10 sec-onds, the red
led indicator (failure) on the UAS Forwarder and the UAS Controller will light. When the capacitor is
charged, the red led indicator on the UAS Forwarder is switched off and the green led indicator
(status) will steadily lit. After charging of all UAS Forwarders, the status led indicator on the UAS
Controller is switched from red to green.

The blue led indicator will steadily lit for some seconds on activation from the FACP. This activation is
forwarded by the UAS Controller and repeated 2 times. In between and after the activations the UAS
Forwarder recharge it capacitors and returns to normal mode.

2.4 Test Mode

The Universal Activation System can be placed into Test Mode using the TEST inputs on the UAS
Controller.

In Test Mode the UAS executes all monitoring and activation functions except the real activation of
the condensed aerosol generators.

When the UAS Controller is placed in Test Mode, the blue led indicator on all UAS Forwarders lights
up steadily indicating the Test Mode is active. During Test Mode an activation from the FACP results
into a blinking blue led indicator. This blinking continues until the activation from the FACP is reset.

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The Test Mode is a valuable tool during installation, commissioning and maintenance of the con-
densed aerosol suppression system. The behaviour and correct functioning of the system can be veri-
fied without the risk of unwanted activation.

The Test Mode is activated by establishing a connection between the TEST 1 and TEST 2 ports on the
UAS Controller. The Test Mode is signalled by the blue Test Mode led indicator on each UAS
Forwarder.

During the Test Mode, the UAS Forwarder will not activate the connected condensed aerosol
generators. When during the Test Mode the FACP activates its RAC, the UAS Controller will detect
this activation and send a Test Activation to the connected UAS Forwarders. The UAS Forwarders will
react with blinking of the blue Test Mode led indicator.

Both, steadily lighting and blinking of the blue led indicator are an indication of a correct
functioning connection with the UAS Controller.

Due to the fact that during Test Mode a real activation is prohibited, this mode can also be used as an
alternative Isolation of the aerosol suppression system. For this use a key operated switch can be
con-nected to the TEST 1 and TEST 2 ports of the UAS Controller.

2.5 FACP requirements

The UAS is developed to be compatible with as much brands and types of FACPs as possible.
However, there is always a chance that a particular FACP is not compatible. To determine this fact on
beforehand, we give information about the interface between the FACP and the UAS Controller.

2.5.1 RAC characteristics

The UAS can be seen as a normal “load” on the RAC of the Fire Alarm and Control Panel. Each
FACP which is capable to control a 24Vdc solenoid should be able to activate the UAS.

The connection of the UAS Controller to the panels RAC can be represented by the following
schematic diagram:

RAC 24Vdc
+
EOL 1

Representiv e
Load 2K 2
panel specif ic
EOL resis tor
or diode

-
EOL 2

This diagram is compatible with the majority of Fire Control and Alarm Panels, which are working with
a so called negative monitoring technic.

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Compatible schematics from different brands of Fire Alarm and Control Panels:

EXTING.

Solenoid Releasing Valve

30 Ohms minimum

When you can trace back the connection (schematics) to your Fire Alarm Control Panels
extinguish-ing output back to one of the diagrams above, your panel should be compatible to the
UAS.
2.5.2 Power Supply

The Universal Activation System comes with its own power supply with battery backup.
There is one standard version of the UAS Power Supply:

- 24Vdc, 2.5A with battery backup capacity of 18 Ah

The Universal Activation System can also be powered from the Suppression Panel AUX 24 Vdc output
(if available). The current rating of the AUX 24Vdc output defines the maximum size of the Universal
Activation System. A formula to calculate the maximum number of UAS Forwarders is given at
chapter 5.

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3 Connections
3.1 UAS Controller

UAS Controller

IN1 (+) Connection to Release Activation Circuit (RAC) of Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP).
IN2 (-)
EOL 1 End Of Line device specified by the connected FACP.
EOL 2 An EOL device is often a high value resistor. E.g. 10K or 4K7 Ohm resistor, but other
values or a diode are also possible. It is important to connect the EOL specified by
the connected FACP.
STRING 1 A 4 wire bus connection to the first UAS Forwarder in the chain of forwarders.
STRING 2 STRING 1 à T
STRING 4 STRING 2 à +
STRING 5 STRING 3 à L
STRING 4 à -

TEST 1 Input to place the UAS into TEST mode.

TEST 2 The UAS is in NORMAL mode when the connection between TEST 1 and TEST 2 is
open. In this mode the UAS follows the FACP RAC output and activates the
condensed aerosol generators when the FACP RAC is activated. When the
connection between TEST1 and TEST 2 is CLOSED (e.g. a connected key switch),
the UAS is in TEST mode. As soon TEST mode is activated a blue led indicator lit
steadily on the UAS Forwarders. An activation of the FACP RAC is detected and
all UAS Forwarders will blink the blue led instead of activat-ing the connected
generators.
PWR1 (+) Connection to the 24Vdc power source.
PWR2 (-)

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3.2 UAS Forwarder

UAS Forwarder

IN 1 (T) A 4 wire bus connection from the UAS Controller to each connected UAS
IN 2 (+) Forwarder.
IN 3 (L) The UAS Controller connects to the first UAS Forwarder IN 1 – IN 4, each UAS
IN 4 (-) FU connects with its OUT 1 – OUT 4 ports to the next UAS FU IN 1 – IN 4 ports. At
the last UAS FU the OUT 1 – OUT 2 and OUT 3 – OUT 4 ports are closed by a 2K2
Ohm resistor each.
OUT 1 (T) Outputs of the 4 wire bus connection. See above at IN1 – IN 4.
OUT 2 (+)
OUT 3 (L)
OUT 4 (-)
A1 (a) Connector with 4 ports ( A1a:1-2, A1b:3-4 ) to connect 1 or 2 aerosol generators.
A1 (b) In case 2 condensed aerosol generators are connected, one is con-nected on
A1a: port pair 1-2 and the other is connected to A1b: port pair 3-4. In case only
1 condensed aerosol generator is connected, the condensed aerosol generator
is connected to the port combination A1a:1 and A1b:4, leaving port A1a:2 and
A1b:3 empty.

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3.3 Schematic of a UAS chain with 2 UAS Controllers

IN T

IN T +
+ L

4
A1b

A1b
T

T +
A1a

A1a
+

1
L

L
OU T

2 x 2 K2

OU T
2 x 2 K2

IN T +

IN T +
4

4
L

A1b

A1b
T +

T +
A1a

A1a
1

1
L

L
OU T

OU T
IN T +

IN T
+
4

4
L

A1b

A1b
T +

A1a

T +

A1a
1

1
L

L
OU T

OU T
1 N4 00 1

FACP EOL
STAT.

STAT.
1

1 2
+IN -

+IN -
2

PW R

PW R
ACT.

ACT.
3

3 4
EOL

EOL
4
T

T
+

+
FAC P

L
RAC
- +

1 2 3

1
TES T +PW R -

TES T +PW R -
2 3 4
4
Sup ply
Pow er

24 Vdc
- +
TEST MODE

The diode on IN+ and EOL+ of the first UAS Controller is only mandatory only to connect a second
UAS Controller.

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4 Indicators
4.1 UAS Controller

UAS Controller

The UAS Controller has two bi-colour led indicators, both led indicators can lit red and green.

Power & Green on the image above.

Activated GREEN: UAS Controller runs in NORMAL mode.
RED: UAS Controller received activation from the FACP.
After reset of the activation signal from the FACP this led indicator can go out for
a short while.
Status Red on the image above.
GREEN: UAS Controller runs in NORMAL mode.
RED: UAS Controller detects a fault on the chain with UAS Forwarders, this could
be:
• Initializing after Power Up or after an activation;
• A wiring fault on the 4 wire “bus” cable.
The led indicator will also light steadily red when the UAS Controller is placed
into TEST mode. In this mode the UAS is not ready for normal operation, which is
signalled as a fault.

The status of the UAS Controller is reported to the FACP using the connected
EOL. When a fault is detected or de TEST mode is activated, the UAS Controller
disconnects the EOL from the RAC circuit. The FACP will signal an extinguishing
output fault.

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4.2 UAS Forwarder

UAS Forwarder

Fault The RED FAULT led indicator lights steadily when the UAS Forwarder is ini-
tializing or a wiring fault on the connected condensed aerosol generators has
been detected.

After Power Up the red led indicator will lit for about 10 seconds. After this initial-
izing sequence the led indicator goes off.

When no condensed aerosol generator is connected on A1a and/or A1b the RED
FAULT led indicator will light steadily. This fault is reported to the UAS Controller,
which enters also the FAULT mode and reports the fault to the con-nected FACP.

Status The GREEN STATUS led indicates that the UAS Forwarder runs in NORMAL
mode.
Activation & This BLUE ACTIVATION and/or TEST led indicator will lit when the activation
Test signal is received from the UAS Controller. On receipt of this signal the UAS
Forwarder will activate the connected condensed aerosol generator(s).

A normal activation signal takes a few seconds, afterwards the activation signal is
withdrawn by the UAS Controller and the blue led indicator goes off again.

The blue led indicator light steadily in TEST mode. When during TEST mode an ac-
tivation from the FACP is received by the UAS Controller, which in turn forwards
this signal to the UAS Forwarders, the blue led indicator of the UAS Forwarders
will only blink.

Due to the fact that the 4-wire “bus” cable runs against all UAS Forwarders, some wiring faults
result into clear recognized led indicator patterns:
• All blue led indicators light steadily and UAS not switched into TEST mode: a shortcut
between (T) and (+) somewhere on the “bus”;
• One part of Forwarders has blue led indicators lighting and remaining UAS Forwarders
don’t: broken wire on (-) at the beginning of the remaining UAS Forwarders.

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5 Number of UAS Forwarders

Large suppression systems up to a maximum of 400 aerosol generators can be built with the
Universal Activation System. 200 aerosol generators with one UAS Controller, 400 with a second UAS
Controller.

The maximum number of UAS Forwarder units is determined by 2 criteria:

• The maximum number of UAS Forwarders which can be monitored by a single UAS
Controller Unit. This number is fixed to a maximum of 100 UAS Forwarders;
• The maximum number of UAS Forwarders together with a single (or double) UAS Con-
troller which can be powered by the battery backup power supply or auxiliary power output of the
FACP.

The maximum number of UAS Forwarders can be calculated with the following formula:

Single controller:
N = (Max Current (mA) – 100 ) / 11
Double controller:
N = (Max Current (mA) – 200 ) / 11

Most suppression panels offer at least 500 mA as auxiliary 24Vdc output, this makes it possible to
connect:

N = (500 – 100) / 11 = 36 UAS Forwarders

Because each UAS Forwarder can activate 2 condensed aerosol generators, we can connect up to 72
condensed aerosol generators to a system with 500 mA Aux 24Vdc.

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6 Technical Specification
Generic Specification
Environment
Ambient Temperature Range -10 to 50 degrees Celsius
Input voltage 21V – 28V dc
Conductor cross section solid (mm2) 0.5 mm2 – 1.5 mm2
Conductor cross section flexible (mm2) 0.5 mm2 – 1.5 mm2
Conductor cross section AWG 20 - 15

UAS Controller
Electrical
Nominal current consumption 40 mA
Maximum current consumption (Test Mode with Extinguishing) 100 mA
Maximum current consumption on RAC (extinguishing output panel) 10 mA
Maximum number of UAS Forwarders to connect 100
External Size L x W x D 120 x 120 x 90 mm
Dust and water rating IP67

UAS Forwarder
Electrical
Nominal current consumption 6 mA
Maximum current consumption (Test Mode with Extinguishing) 10 mA
EOL on last Forwarder 2200Ω on T-line
2200Ω on L-line
Maximum number of condensed aerosol generators to connect 2
External Size L x W x D 95 x 95 x 60 mm
Dust and water rating IP65

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Limited liability

The set-up and content of this manual has been composed with the utmost care. Yet we do not
accept liability for any mistakes or inaccuracies that might occur in the manual. Our products are
updated regularly. Therefore it is possible for certain instructions, specifications or figures in this
documentation to be deviating. Furthermore AF-X Fireblocker is entitled to revise this publication
and make changes to its content.

AF-X Fireblocker do not accept any liability for direct damage caused by incorrect use or use other
than mentioned in the manual. AF-X Fireblocker only accept legal liability for direct damage for which
The Manufacturer is liable based on non-fulfilment and/or unlawful action. This damage however is
restricted to compensation charged or to be charged for the performance in question by the
manufacturer.
Limited Warranty

Limited Warranty of the Manufacturer

The manufactuere guarantees that the Universal Activation System in principle function or will
function in pursuance of the information in the manual and accompanying documentation material.

No other warranty
AF-X Fireblocker and her distributors offer no warranty, neither explicit, nor implicit, including but
not restricted to the saleability or suitability regarding the Universal Activation System and
accompanying documentation material for any other application than described in the manual.

Modifications of the product

AF-X Fireblocker is not liable for modifications made by the user. Likewise no liability is accepted
for conse-quences of those modifications, whether or not influencing the product conformity of the
CE-mark.
Reservations
The diagrams of operating principles of the UAS fire suppression system, included in this manual, are
intended to support this manual and are therefore not intended and suitable for technical imple-
mentation or realization.
No part of this manual may be reproduced, stored in an automated database or made public in any
form or by any means either electronically, mechanically or by photocopying, recording, or in any other
way, without prior written permission.

The policy of the manufacturer is one of continuous improvement and as such we reserve the
right to make changes to product specifications at any time and without prior notice.
Errors and omissions excepted.

Outdated or replaced computers and electronics are valuable sources for secondary raw
materials, if recycled. Dealers of the UAS system must comply with local regulations for
waste separation applicable in the country where the supplier is located.

Questions concerning the information presented in this manual may be addressed to your
dealer. For technical questions or support contact your dealer for further assistance.

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