Does The FF345 Have A Camera In It?

No, the Encore Firefighter FF345 does not have a camera. Instead, it has a microphone that listens to existing life-safety detectors. Once the FF345 hears the distinctive sound of a smoke detector or a CO detector, it transmits a wireless 345 MHz signal to an alarm system, causing an alarm.

The Encore Firefighter FF345 is compatible with systems that contain a 345 MHz receiver. This includes all legacy Honeywell wireless systems such as the LynxTouch, Lyric, and VISTA panels that have a 345 MHz receiver added. It also includes 2GIG panels and Qolsys panels with a 345 MHz daughter card installed.

Honeywell, 2GIG, and Qolsys wireless systems are generally not compatible with hardwired smoke detectors, at least not without adding a wired to wireless converter, and in most cases not even then. Before the introduction of the FF345, users would need to install wireless detectors in order for the alarm system to report smoke and CO signals to the monitoring station. Most modern homes have a network of hardwired, high-voltage smoke detectors, or combination smoke and CO detectors already installed, but traditionally these detectors could not interface with the alarm system. The Encore FF345 changes that and takes advantage of these devices.

The FF345 utilizes existing wired or stand-alone smoke, CO, and combination detectors by listening for the unique sounds they make when they activate an alarm. When an existing hardwired smoke or CO detector indicates an alarm, the FF345 will pick up the sound and send a signal wirelessly to the alarm panel. The panel will then forward that signal to a central monitoring station, when monitoring is in use, where trained operators will notify authorities if needed.

The Encore Firefighter FF345 requires one (1) 3V lithium battery CR123A and has a battery life of approximately 5 years. The FF345 operating temperature is 32° F - 120° F (0°C - 48.8°C), meaning it's only made for indoor use. It comes with its own mounting bracket and can be mounted on a wall or ceiling but must be mounted within 6 inches of the existing smoke, carbon monoxide, or combination detector. The area where the microphone is located on the FF345 should be facing the smoke or CO detector's sounder.

The FF345 has its own 7-digit serial number and is enrolled the same way as any Honeywell or 2GIG RF sensor. It should be programmed with a response type of Fire or Fire with Verification and/or Carbon Monoxide. If you will be monitoring for both smoke and CO the Encore FF345 will require two (2) separate zones. Please refer to the FF345 and the panel’s install and programming guide for complete instructions.

The Encore Firefighter FF345 is not a smoke or CO detector, nor is it meant to replace either of these types of detectors. It has a microphone that picks up the sound of existing hardwired or stand-alone smoke or CO detectors and is programmed to forward a fire or CO message to the alarm panel based on what it hears.

Modern smoke detectors make a temporal-3 sound when they go into alarm. This is a cadence of three (3) beeps then a pause, then three (3) more beeps and a pause. It repeats this pattern over and over. When the FF345 hears this particular cadence, it transmits a fire signal to the alarm panel. The alarm panel can then communicate this information to the user and/or a central station, depending on their monitoring plan.

Modern carbon monoxide detectors provide a temporal-4 sound. This is four (4) quick beeps followed by a pause, then another four (4) quick beeps and another pause. CO detectors repeat this pattern over and over. When the FF345 hears this cadence, it transmits a carbon monoxide alarm signal to the alarm panel. The alarm panel then transmits that information to a central station, end-user, or both, depending on the monitoring plan selected.

It’s a good idea to test the FF345 once it's programmed to make sure it can properly detect the sound from a smoke or carbon monoxide detector, and can then communicate the proper signal to the panel. To test follow the instructions to test the actual smoke or CO detector. Please call the central monitoring station before sending any test signals to place the system on test to prevent an accidental dispatch.

To make things easier, you can also place the FF345 into its own test mode by powering it down and back up. This will put it into test mode for one (1) hour. While in test mode, it will only need to hear one round of the temporal-3 (Fire) or temporal-4 (CO) sound before transmitting a signal to the alarm panel.

Not all FF345 devices support listening for CO Alarms:

• Version 1.0:
  • Always Rectangular.
  • Uses Loop 2.
  • Does not support CO Listening.
• Version 1.5+:
  • Can be rectangular or round.
  • Uses Serial Number 1 (on sticker) with Loop 1 for Fire listening.
  • Uses 2nd Serial Number (1-digit higher than SN on sticker) with Loop 1 for CO listening.
  • Newer 2nd generation FF345s have both the smoke and the CO serial number printed on the sticker. This helps to prevent any confusion when programming.