C-Tec ZFP — Initial Setup & Commissioning

Purpose

This document covers the initial setup and commissioning of C-Tec ZFP addressable fire alarm panels. The ZFP range is C-Tec's addressable fire alarm panel used for medium to large installations where device-level identification is required.

ZFP Panel Range Overview

C-Tec ZFP panels are fully addressable fire alarm panels compliant with BS EN 54-2 and BS EN 54-4.

Model	Loops	Maximum Devices
ZFP1	1 loop	Up to 126 devices
ZFP2	2 loops	Up to 252 devices
ZFP4	4 loops	Up to 504 devices
ZFP8	8 loops	Up to 1008 devices

Each loop supports up to 126 addressable devices (detectors, call points, input/output modules).

Loop wiring: ZFP panels support Class A (fully redundant loop — a single cable break does not disable the loop) and Class B (one end wired only). Class A is required for most commercial installations.

Before You Start — Site Survey Checklist

Panel mounted correctly — secure, accessible, not in direct sunlight or damp
All cable routes complete and cables drawn in
All devices physically fitted and addresses set
Device schedule prepared — listing each address, device type, and location
Power (mains and battery) available
Customer/responsible person aware commissioning is taking place

Setting Device Addresses

Every device on an addressable loop must have a unique address. On ZFP-compatible devices, addresses are set using:

DIP switches on the device PCB (older devices) — set the binary combination to the required address number
Electronic addressing tool — handheld programmer connected to the device before installation

Address range: 1–126 per loop. Address 0 is not used.

Document all addresses: Record each address number, device type, and exact location in the device schedule. This schedule is needed for commissioning and all future service visits.

Panel Power-Up

Confirm all loop wiring is connected at the panel
Connect the standby battery (positive first, then negative)
Apply mains power
The panel performs a self-test — displays and sounders briefly activate
The panel enters fault condition — normal on first power-up before devices are configured

Initial Panel Configuration

Access the engineer menu: enter the access code (default is typically 1234 — change this immediately on first commissioning and record in Simpro job notes).

Step 1 — Set Date and Time

Engineer Menu → System → Date and Time

Set the correct date and time. All event logs are timestamped — incorrect timestamps invalidate the fire alarm log as evidence.

Step 2 — Set Site Name

Engineer Menu → System → Site Details

Enter the customer's site name and address. Appears on printouts and documentation.

Step 3 — Loop Configuration

Engineer Menu → Loops → Loop 1 → Configure

Set the loop type (Class A or Class B)
Initiate an auto-learn: the panel polls the loop and discovers all devices at their set addresses
Review the discovered device list — confirm all expected devices are found

If a device is missing:

Confirm the device is powered and correctly wired into the loop
Confirm the address is correctly set on the device
Check for a loop fault (open circuit, short) isolating part of the loop

Step 4 — Device Assignment and Naming

Engineer Menu → Devices → Loop 1 → Device [address]

For each device:

Confirm the device type is correctly identified
Enter the device location text — this is what appears on the panel display during an alarm (e.g. "Ground Floor Kitchen", "First Floor Corridor MCP")
Assign the device to a zone

This step is time-consuming on large installations — budget accordingly.

Step 5 — Zone Configuration

Engineer Menu → Zones

Zones are logical groupings of devices. BS 5839-1 zone rules:

Maximum floor area per zone: 2,000m²
A zone should not cover more than one floor
Each zone must be clearly identifiable and accessible

Enter a zone name for each (e.g. "Zone 1 — Ground Floor East Wing").

Step 6 — Cause and Effect (Output Programming)

Engineer Menu → Cause and Effect

Configure which outputs activate in response to which inputs:

Which sounders activate on which zone's alarm?
Are there delayed outputs (investigation delay before full evacuation)?
Are there relay outputs for hold-open devices, ventilation shutdown, or lift recall?
Is there a remote transmission output for ARC/fire brigade signalling?

For most standard installations, the default cause and effect (all sounders on any alarm) is correct. Complex sites require more detailed programming.

Walk Test / Commissioning Test

Every device must be individually tested before certification.

Engineer Menu → Test → Walk Test

In walk test mode, activating a device causes the panel to accept the signal without initiating a full alarm.

For each detector:

Apply approved test aerosol (smoke simulation — not real smoke)
Confirm the panel identifies the device by address and location

For each call point:

Use the test key or break-glass element
Confirm the panel identifies the device
Reset using the call point key

For each sounder/beacon:

Activate via the panel's output test function
Confirm the device sounds/flashes

Exit walk test mode and generate the commissioning test record from the panel.

Commissioning Certificate

A commissioning certificate is a legal requirement under BS 5839-1. It must include:

Site name and address
Panel type and serial number
System category (L1, L2, etc.)
Date of commissioning
List of devices tested
Any deviations from the design (with approval reference)
Engineer name and signature
Company name

The customer (responsible person) must receive a copy. Keep a copy in Simpro.

Handover to Customer / Responsible Person

Cover the following:

Panel operation — how to read the display, identify alarm vs fault condition
Silencing and resetting — how to silence the alarm and reset the panel after an alarm
Weekly test — show them how to perform a manual call point test (BS 5839-1 requires weekly testing of at least one MCP)
False alarm procedure — evacuate first, investigate second
Service requirements — fire alarms require 6-monthly or annual inspection by a competent engineer
Documentation — hand over the log book