Apollo Ceiling Tile Mounting Box for Detector Bases 45681-309APO

What this ceiling tile mounting box does

A false ceiling usually goes in late, after the fire alarm cabling. This mounting box stops those two jobs getting in each other's way.

It suits fire alarm installers working on new fit-outs and refurbishments with tiled ceilings. This version, part 45681-309, has the retaining ring for Apollo detector bases.

How it works

• First fix: the base is fitted and wired while the ceiling void is still open. It can be tested and commissioned at that stage if necessary, and the detector head can even go on.
• Ceiling stage: the box then slots into the cut tile, and the wiring stays as it was.
• Grip: plastic blades bite into the back of the tile to hold it in position.

Where to use it

It helps on phased work, where the detectors go in well before the tiled ceiling.

Take extra care with fire resisting or acoustic ceilings, because cutting a hole can affect how those ceilings perform.

Installing it

• Cable entry: knock-outs are holes you punch out for cable entry. Use one that matches your conduit or gland, and only remove the ones you need.
• Cutting the tile: work from the supplied size guide. Measure twice, because a hole cut too big relies on the screw slots to hold.

Planning your system

Order one box for each detector position in a tile, and check the base type first. Most Apollo sounder bases take the other version, part 45681-310, but part 45681-266 is excluded from both.

Ratings explained

• UL 94 V-0: a flammability test for plastics. V-0 means a vertical sample stops burning within 10 seconds and does not drip flaming material.