Muxpad II and VersAlarm Ethernet Monitoring System Compatibility With Popular Fire Alarm Control Panels

Several articles on this blog make mention of the many fire alarm equipment manufacturers that exist in the world today. Something we have not yet explored in detail on this blog is just how compatible Digitize devices are with non-proprietary fire alarm equipment.

As manufacturers of the devices used to monitor fire alarm systems, we understand how necessary it is for all of our products to be compatible with the wide variety of equipment available on the market. The onus is on us, rather than fire alarm or sprinkler manufacturers, to guarantee compatibility. After all, we are the manufacturers of the head end units and data gathering modules of these fire systems.

What are the Muxpad II and the VersAlarm?

The Digitize Muxpad II and VersAlarm systems are both excellent examples of our commitment to keeping up to date with the non-Digitize fire alarm system equipment that is commonly found throughout the country. Both of these devices boast compatibility with not only our Digitize System 3505 Prism LX™ flagship product at Digitize, but also nearly every popular modern and legacy fire alarm control panel currently available on the market.

The Muxpad II is a data gathering module used in the Digitize System 3505 Prism LX™ Supervised Bidirectional Polling Alarm Monitoring System. Along with the Prism LX, this product might be the best example of Digitize’s dedication to universal interfacing, as it is used to monitor addressable fire alarm control panels. It collects the supervised messages from its assigned fire alarm control panel and interprets them into a more usable format for the Prism LX. Upon activation of any new condition, the Muxpad II communicates with the Prism LX to advise new conditions. The Muxpad II can also be used to monitor end-of-line supervised Dry Contact points of conventional control panels, such as fire, security, and building process.

The Digitize VersAlarm™ Panel is an IP Based monitoring system. The basic system provides 8 supervised EOL zone inputs to monitor normally open or normally closed contacts. 96 characters of user text can be programmed for zone input using a standard web browser. Communications with the VersAlarm panel is via RJ45 Ethernet protocol and are fully supervised. It connects to a Digitize System 3505 Prism LX and can be programmed to report to up to 10 IP addresses. The number of IP addresses can be expanded beyond 10 upon request. VersAlarms receive alerts and updates from the building’s fire alarm control panels via contact closures. The VersAlarms send all of this information to the Prism LX via ethernet. This IP-based alarm system allows for information to be transmitted to several locations safely and instantly.

Whenever we arrive at a client’s site, one of the first things we do is identify which fire alarm control panels they currently have installed in their buildings. Part of the reason that so many clients look to work with Digitize is because of our promise to save them money by adapting our technology to interface directly with their existing fire alarm system. Therefore, we need to know that we are going to be able to install our Muxpads and VersAlarms into their FACPs without worry.

Fire alarm control panels that are compatible with the Muxpad II and VersAlarm system

Some of the manufacturers of Muxpad II-compatible fire alarm control panels include Edwards, Fire Control Instruments, Mircom, Gamewell, Hochiki, Notifier, and Simplex. The Edwards EST-2, EST-3, EST iO64, EST iO500 and EST iO1000 control panels all interface directly with the Digitize Muxpad II and VersAlarm.

Honeywell International Inc. is a multinational corporation known throughout the industry both for its many developments in fire alarm system technology and historic acquisitions of other prominent fire safety device manufacturers. Fire Control Instruments, which, along with Gamewell, is now a part of the Honeywell Life Safety Group, has manufactured its fair share of popular fire alarm control panels. Of these, the Muxpad II is compatible with the FCI-7100, FCI-7200 (5X-6X), FCI-E3, and FCI-S3. The Gamewell 602, 630, 650, 610, and 614 fire alarm control panels are also all compatible with our Muxpad II. Along with FCI and Gamewell FACPs, Honeywell Notifier FACPs are some of the most commonly found in commercial, academic, and municipal buildings throughout the country.

The Notifier 640/320, 2020, 3030 and NCA-2, formerly known as the 3030 Network, are all Notifier-brand fire alarm control panels that have been tested and confirmed to be compatible with Digitize FACP interpreting technology.

The last major manufacturer of fire alarm control panels that are compatible with the Digitize Muxpad II and VersAlarm is Simplex. Simplex, a subsidiary of fire protection multinational corporation Johnson Controls, is well known for their fire alarm pull handles, sprinkler systems and control panels. Our Muxpad II and VersAlarm systems offer compatibility with multiple Simplex models, ranging from the less common Simplex 4010 to the pervasive Simplex 4100. The Muxpad II is also equipped to interface with the Simplex 4020, 4120, 4100, 4100U, 4100ES and 4010ES models.

Unsure if your fire alarm control panel is compatible with Digitize technology? Give us a call!

Compatibility with modern and legacy fire alarm equipment is only one of the features that distinguishes Digitize products as cutting-edge fire alarm monitoring technology. We’re proud of the products we make here, but we’re always willing to make adjustments and add personalized touches to satisfy any unique alarm monitoring requirements you may have.

If you're looking to start monitoring your own fire alarm system and you don't know where to start, don't worry – we're here to help. Digitize has a long history of providing reliable fire alarm monitoring services and coming up with innovative custom alarm solutions. Give us a call at 1-800-523-7232 and we'll be happy to discuss your options and find the best solution for your needs. Alternatively, you can email us at info@digitize-inc.com and we'll get back to you quickly. Call today!