Start with the size of the protected area and the detection logic, because the panel should release gas only when it is sure of a fire. Ravel offers 2 zone (RE-120GR) and 4 zone (RE-25AR, RE-26GR) agent release panels, the Ceasefire TI-002341 has 3 detection zones and 1 extinguishing zone, and the Soft-Chip microprocessor panel runs in single or cross zone mode, where a second detector must confirm the fire before release. For addressable systems, the Siemens Cerberus PRO XC361-ZA (C-NET) and XC3610-AA (FDnet) control one extinguishing sector with up to 126 addresses, the Sinteso FC2040-CL handles up to 504 addresses on 4 loops, the XCI2005-A1 card adds sectors to FC2020 and FC2040 panels, up to 16 sectors, and the XC1003-A 19 inch rack version holds up to 16 panels for complex multi-sector sites.
Next match the outputs to your cylinders and actuators. The Ceasefire panel drives solenoid or Metron actuators, with 3 sounder circuits of 700 mA, 4 relay outputs and a large LCD countdown timer. The Ravel RE-120GR has programmable main and standby cylinder outputs, the RE-25AR has 2 agent release circuits with solenoid coil monitoring, and the RE-26GR shows a separate LED for each release circuit, with logic to prevent accidental release. The Soft-Chip panel gives a 24 VDC gas release output with a pre discharge warning, programmable countdowns, manual abort and false gas release protection. Approvals listed by the makers include IS 2189:1999 for Soft-Chip, UL 864 and NFPA 72 for the Ravel RE-26GR as stated by Ravel, and EN 54-2, EN 54-4 and LPCB for the Siemens XC360 series panels.
Then plan the switches at the room door. An abort switch holds the release while someone checks a possible false alarm, and a manual release switch lets someone fire the system by hand. Ceasefire offers a manual abort switch (TI-002342, BS 7273-1) and a latching manual release switch (TI-002343, EN 12094-3) for its Rapid-Sense panel. Ravel offers green emergency release and yellow abort call points (RE-716MG, RE-716MY) and dual action lift and pull stations in green or yellow. The Siemens XT2001-A2 remote extinguishing terminal serves one sector, with up to five secondary terminals per flooding zone.
For monitoring away from the protected room, the Ceasefire panel has an RS485 link for up to 7 remote status indicators, the Ravel RE-127GR repeater panel shows all the parameters of the RE-120GR or RE-25AR at a second location, and the Ravel RE-25MB converter brings the RE-25AR onto Modbus for SCADA, PLC or BMS systems. FPS matches the panel to the cylinders, actuators and detectors of your suppression system, then installs, tests and maintains it.