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Fire Detector Bases

A fire detector base is the fixed part of a detector: the cables terminate in the base, and the detector head fits onto it. Types include diode, relay, isolator, sounder, deep and weatherproof bases, alongside mounting boxes and ceiling tile adaptors, from brands including Apollo Fire, Hochiki, Kidde and FireClass. The Hochiki YBN-R/6, for example, terminates the cables in square cable clamps and takes a CDX detector on a bayonet slot.

Choosing Fire Detector Bases

Match the base to the detector range first, then choose what else the base has to do.

Conventional and diode bases

The Hochiki YBN-R/6 is a conventional detector mounting base for the CDX range, compatible with the majority of existing conventional fire alarm control panels. It gives no line continuity during detector removal, so any call points should be wired onto the zone first. The YBN-R/6SK adds an in-line Schottky diode for line continuity, so call points can be wired in any order on the zone with a suitable panel and end of line unit.

Relay and isolator bases

The Apollo ORB-RB-40004-MAR marine relay base has a single-pole voltage-free changeover contact for switching ancillary equipment. The C-TEC CA408R relay base, for CAST analogue detectors, switches up to 1 A at 24 Vdc for uses such as door release and CCTV. The Hochiki YBN-R/3(WHT)-SCI has an integral short-circuit isolator and needs no loop address.

Sounder bases

The Eaton FXN824 works with a detector as a sounder base or stands alone as a sounder. The Apollo RW1300-160APO is a wireless analogue addressable sounder base for REACH Wireless detectors, with a five-year battery life. The Hochiki CSBB-E sounder beacon base has a maximum output of 93 dB(A) at 1 metre on tone 1.

Deep, weatherproof and heated bases

The Apollo ORB-MB-00019-APO TimeSaver deep base lets cables enter from the side, which enables surface wiring, and the Kidde KE-DBA-AUXW takes standard conduit straight into the base with no exposed cabling. The FireClass DHM-4B deckhead mounting box (517.050.051) is IP55 with its supplied gasket, for marine and offshore applications. For cold conditions, the Apollo ORB-HB-00020-APO heated base raises the detector chamber temperature by about 10°C.

Ceiling tiles

The FireClass 517.050.056 Time Saver ceiling tile adaptor needs a 127mm hole, suits ceiling tiles from 1mm and lets the system be commissioned before the suspended ceiling is installed.

ModelTypeDetail
Hochiki YBN-R/6SKDiode baseLine continuity on detector removal
Apollo ORB-RB-40004-MARRelay baseVoltage-free changeover contact
Notifier B524IEFT-1Isolator base500 and 700 series detectors
Eaton FXN824Sounder baseWith a detector or stand alone
Kidde KE-DBA-IPWWeatherproof baseCable glands for wet environments
FireClass 517.050.056Ceiling tile adaptor127mm hole, tiles from 1mm

Related categories

See the detectors in fire detectors, wall and ceiling sounders in fire alarm sounders and beacons, and the wider fire alarm systems range.

Brands we stock in Fire Detector Bases

Apollo Fire, C-TEC, Eaton, EMS, Fike, FireClass, Hochiki, Honeywell Fire Systems, Kidde, Notifier and System Sensor.

Frequently asked questions

Why would a detector base need a diode?

For line continuity while a detector is removed. The Hochiki YBN-R/6SK has an in-line Schottky diode for line continuity during detector removal, so call points can be wired in any order on the zone, given a suitable panel and end of line (EOL) unit. The Hochiki YBN-R/6 gives no line continuity during detector removal, so call points should be wired onto the zone first. The Apollo ORB-DB-00003-APO TimeSaver diode base is for systems using active EOL monitoring for head removal.

Which detector bases have a built-in short-circuit isolator?

An isolator base has a built-in short-circuit isolator, so a short on the loop is isolated instead of taking down the whole loop. The Hochiki YBN-R/3(WHT)-SCI detects and isolates short circuits on the loop and needs no loop address. The Notifier B524IEFT-1 goes with 500 and 700 series analogue Notifier detectors, and its built-in isolator means a short circuit no longer results in the loss of an entire loop.

What does a detector relay base do?

A detector relay base has a relay that switches other equipment, such as a door release, when the detector goes into alarm. On the Apollo ORB-RB-40004-MAR, a single-pole voltage-free changeover contact switches over when the detector alarms and stays that way until it is reset. The C-TEC CA408R relay base is compatible with CAST analogue detectors, and the Honeywell ECO1000BREL12NL is a plug-in sensor relay base on a 2 wire system.

How is a detector base fitted into a suspended ceiling tile?

It is fitted with a ceiling tile adaptor or a recess base made to fix through a hole cut in the tile. The FireClass 517.050.056 Time Saver adaptor is used with the 4B snap-fit detector base and has a bezel and clamp fitted to the tile, plus a back-box that carries the detector and base; it needs a 127mm hole. The Kidde KE-DBA-RECW lets Excellence series detectors be semi-recess mounted into ceiling tiles.

Which detector bases suit wet or humid locations?

Choose a weatherproof or sealed base, which lets the cable entries be sealed against water getting in. The Kidde KE-DBA-IPW is a weatherproof base for wet environments that takes cable glands to seal the cable entry. The FireClass 517.050.051 deckhead mounting box is for humid, marine and offshore applications, and the Notifier WPW is a sealed deep base for a detector and audio visual sounders.

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
  • UK-only supply

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

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