How Do I Program an Encore FireFighter FF345 to a 2GIG GC3?

You can program an Encore FireFighter FF345 to a 2GIG GC3 by putting the panel into its wireless enrollment mode and then pressing the learn button on the Encore FireFighter FF345. The panel should recognize the sensor and enroll it. You must then adjust the settings and save the changes.

There are actually two versions of the Encore FireFighter FF345. The older model is rectangular and can only listen for the temporal-3 sound of an activated smoke detector. The newer model, version 1.5, can be rectangular or circular and can be used with both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. You can see the newer round style of the FF345 in the picture above. Please note that you will need to program the FF345 to two separate system zones if you use it for both fire and carbon monoxide detection.

Both versions of the FF345 operate in the same manner. When a life-safety sensor is activated, it will emit a loud temporal-3 (fire, available on both versions) or temporal-4 (CO, available on version 1.5+) sound. The FF345 listens for this unique sound. The sensor will alert the GC3 System when it detects this sound by sending a 345 MHz signal to the panel. The system will then respond as if a smoke detector or carbon monoxide sensor that is paired with the system was activated. The advantage of using the FF345 is that it will allow you to integrate many wired smoke detectors and CO detectors with your GC3 System that otherwise wouldn't be compatible.

For best results, the FF345 should be installed no more than six inches away from the smoke detector or CO detector it is monitoring. The listening vents on the FF345 should be facing the sounder on the smoke detector or CO detector. This will give the FF345 the best opportunity to hear the unique temporal sound of an activated sensor.

Additionally, if you have an existing network of one-go-all-go smoke detectors or CO detectors, you can use one single FF345 to monitor the entire building. As soon as one smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector activates, all the others will activate as well. No matter which sensor caused the alarm, your FF345 device will be there to hear the sound!

Remember, if you are using a second-generation FF345 and you intend on using the device for both fire and CO detection, you will need to program two (2) unique system zones. If you would like to program an Encore FireFighter FF345 to a zone on a 2GIG GC3, complete the following steps:

1. Enter zone programming. Begin from the main screen of the 2GIG GC3. Click the 2GIG logo in the upper-right. Enter in the Installer Code. This code is 1561 by default. Choose Panel Programming, then Wireless Zones. You will enter zone programming.

2. Enroll the sensor. It is good to open the FF345 prior to continuing with this step. This prevents the panel from learning in the tamper loop. To open a 1st Generation device, press in the locking tab and remove the device's cover. If you have a 2nd Generation device, there are two screws that will need to be removed first. The learn button will be located right next to the tamper switch and is a small rectangular button regardless which version of the FF345 you have.

Choose an available zone on the left side of the 2GIG GC3 screen. It can be any zone that isn't already in use. You will auto-enroll the sensor after picking a zone. On the right side of the screen, choose the Serial Number field. This is the third option from the top. Then press the GC3's Learn button in the bottom-right corner to put the panel into its wireless enrollment mode. You must then activate the sensor's learn button for the system to auto-enroll it.

If you are using a first-generation FF345, simply press and release the learn button. The GC3 Panel should recognize the transmission and ask you to confirm the Serial Number. Confirm the Serial Number by checking the white sticker on the device. Press the green Accept button once you have confirmed that the Serial Number is correct. Remember, you can only enroll a first-generation FF345 (V 1.0) for fire detection.

If you are using a second-generation FF345 (V1.5+), you can enroll for fire detection, CO detection, or both. To enroll for fire detection, simply press and release the learn button as though you were enrolling a first-generation model. To enroll for CO detection, press and hold the learn button for at least two seconds before releasing. The panel should recognize the sensor and ask you to confirm the Serial Number. Make sure it is correct by checking the white sticker on the sensor's printed circuit board. Press the panel's green Accept button to confirm the Serial Number.

Keep in mind that on older V1.5 units the sticker only displays the Serial Number for fire detection. The Serial Number for CO detection will be exactly one digit higher. For example, if the Serial Number shown on the sticker is "123-4567", then the Serial Number to check for fire detection is "123-4567". The Serial Number to check for CO detection in that case, would be "123-4568". Remember, the Serial Number is seven (7) digits, with a dash (-) after the third digit. Newer versions of the second-generation unit show both the serial number for fire detection and the serial number for CO detection.

• 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 smoke serial number) with Loop 1 for CO listening

Please note that while you can technically auto-enroll the FF345 using the tamper switch, that practice is discouraged. It is recommended that you use the learn button for enrollment.

Below you can see the test button, tamper switch, and Serial Number sticker on a first-generation FF345:

In this image, you can see a second generation FF345:

3. Configure the settings. You should now go through and configure the settings for the zone. Each setting can be configured as follows:

• Sensor Type: Set to "09 - 24-Hour Fire", "14 - 24-Hour Carbon Monoxide", or "16 - 24-Hour Fire Verification".
• Equipment Code: If you have a first-generation model, set to "0637 - HW D/W '5816'". If you have a second-generation model, set to "1058 - 2GIG Smoke Detector" for smoke detection or "1026 - 2GIG CO Detector" for CO detection.
• Serial Number: You should have already set the Serial Number in Step 2. This will be the same code as the one listed on the white sticker inside the sensor for fire detection. It will be one digit higher for CO detection. Newer devices have both serial numbers listed on the sticker. Remember that CO detection is only available on the second generation (V1.5+) FF345.
• Equipment Age: Set to New or Existing. This will not affect the performance of the device.
• Sensor Loop: Set to Loop 2 on a first-generation FF345 (rectangular version). Both the Smoke and CO zone will be set to Loop 1 on a second-generation (Version 1.5+) FF345 (rectangular or round version). Be careful not to mix this one up!
• Voice Descriptor: This is used to name the sensor. Pick a name that is easy to remember. You might choose something like "Living Room Smoke" or "Basement Carbon Monoxide".
• Sensor Reports: Set to Enabled.
• Sensor Supervised: Set to Enabled.
• Sensor Chime: Set to Disabled.

4. Save your changes. Click the Return to System Configuration option in the upper-right corner. The option for Wireless Zones should be highlighted. This indicates that you have made changes to the system's wireless zone settings. Then press the return arrow on the left. You will be taken to a zone summary screen. Review the changes, and make sure they are correct. Press the green Save button to confirm the changes. You will be taken back to the main screen, and the changes will be applied.

5. Test the sensor. If your system is monitored, make sure to put your system on test mode with the central station. This is usually done by contacting the central station or your monitoring company. Alarm Grid customers can also put their system on test mode themselves by using MyAlarms.com. Do not attempt to test the FF345 before doing this.

The FF345 must also be in its own test mode when testing. The sensor automatically enters test mode upon powering up, and it stays in this mode for one (1) hour. To put the device back in test mode, simply remove the cover, take out the battery, reapply the battery, and reapply the cover. The FF345 will now be in its test mode for the next hour.

When the FF345 is in its test mode, it only needs to hear one round of the temporal-3 sound for a triggered smoke detector or one round of the temporal-4 sound for a triggered CO detector. The FF345 needs to hear two rounds in its normal mode before it will transmit a signal to the system. Keep this in mind if there ever is a real fire or carbon monoxide condition.

Once your system is in its test mode and the FF345 is also in its test mode, you can conduct the actual test. You will need to activate your smoke detector or CO detector to trigger its sounder. How you do this will depend on the smoke detector or CO detector. Some devices will have a test button for this purpose. Others may require you to use canned smoke or canned carbon monoxide gas. Upon activating the smoke detector or CO detector, its sounder should activate. This will activate the FF345 and cause an alarm on the system.

6. Clear the GC3 alarm. After a successful test, you will need to clear the alarm from your 2GIG GC3. To do this, first disarm the system using your Master Code. This will silence the system. Next, you will need to acknowledge that the alarm occurred. At the top of the main screen of the 2GIG GC3, click the Notifications icon, followed by the Alarms button. A list of prior alarms will be displayed. Choose "Clear Alarm History". Your FF345 device does not require a physical reset.

7. Clear from Alarm.com. If you are using the 2GIG GC3 System with Alarm.com for alarm monitoring service, then you may also need to clear the condition from that platform. Failure to complete this step may result in Alarm.com still showing the device as "Not Reset". If this happens, you may see something similar to the picture below when looking at your sensor list.

If you find that this has happened to you, access the Alarm.com website, and login to your account as you normally do. It is recommended that you use the website for this process, not the Alarm.com Mobile App. From the Welcome Card, click the message showing that the smoke or CO sensor alert. In Alerts & Issues, locate a "Smoke Sensor Must Be Reset" message. Click the Remove Alert option to clear the condition from Alarm.com. The sensor should then be listed as OK on your Alarm.com sensors list.