How do I program an Encore FF345 to my Honeywell System?

The Encore Firefighter FF345 is programmed into a Honeywell system just like any other wireless zone. The FF345 can listen for the sound of both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, for double the impact. You can use the FF345 to integrate combination devices with the system.

Important Note: The Encore FF345 can be used with the Honeywell Home PROA7 or PROA7PLUS or the Resideo PROA7C or PROA7PLUSC when a PROTAKEOVER module is installed. The PROTAKEOVER must be set to use Honeywell sensors (Dial set to 0).

The Encore Firefighter FF345 works by being mounted within 6 inches of a smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, or combination detector. When the FF345 hears the unique sound of either the smoke or the CO detector going into alarm, it will then send a wireless signal to the alarm panel, activating the appropriate zone. This device works best for "interconnected" smoke/co detectors, where if one device signals an alarm, all of the like devices in the location will begin to sound. In this way, a single FF345 may allow protection for the entire building.

The FF345 does not detect Smoke, heat, or carbon monoxide, so you must mount it near an actual detector for it to be effective.

The first generation Encore Firefighter FF345 was a wireless module that allowed you to integrate your existing smoke detectors with a Honeywell wireless alarm system or a 2GIG wireless alarm system.. The original FF345 was programmed the same way as a Honeywell 5816.

The 5816 is a door sensor that can be programmed by using a 7 digit serial number that is usually mapped to loop 2. The serial number can be manually entered in programming and loop two (2) assigned, or you can auto-enroll the device.

In an auto-enroll scenario, the serial number and loop number are learned automatically. After the serial number and loop are set, the device or zone type should be set to "Type 09 - Fire" or "Type 16 - Fire with Verification" The FF345 needs to "hear" two cycles of the temporal-3 pulse sound that the wired smoke detector makes before it will trip, so Zone Type 09 Fire without Verification is recommended.

Newer versions (Version 1.5 or higher) of the Encore FF345 support listening for both the temporal-3 sound that smoke detectors make (3 beeps, pause, 3 beeps, pause) and the temporal-4 sound (4 rapid beeps, pause, 4 rapid beeps, pause) that carbon monoxide detectors make. Each FF345 comes with a sticker showing a 7-digit serial number. This is the serial number for the "Smoke" zone. It should be programmed using loop 1, with a zone type of Fire, or Fire w/ Verification. Alarm Grid recommends using Zone Type 09 - Fire, no verification for this.

There is a second serial number assigned to each FF345 unit. The second serial number is 1 digit higher than the first. If the sticker printed on the device has a serial number of 042-0976, then the second serial number is automatically 042-0977. This is the serial number the device will transmit if it hears the temporal-4 sound of a CO detector. This serial number should be programmed to a separate zone from the smoke detector serial number. It should be programmed using loop 1, and as Zone Type - Carbon Monoxide. Check out the full FF345 Installation Guide.

• 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
  • The newest version device shows both serial numbers on the sticker. This helps prevent confusion when programming.

If you have a LYNX Touch system, auto-enrollment is a breeze. Follow the steps below:

1. Enter Programming. From the Home screen select Security > More > Tools > Installer code (default is 4112) > Program > Zones. Highlight the zone you would like to program and click edit, or click "Add New" to be taken to the edit screen of the next available zone number.

2. Program Serial Number. Click on the Serial Number field. The screen will display, "Enter serial number or activate sensor." Once you see this message with the number pad on the right, you can press and immediately release the "Learn" button of the FF345. Repeat this process two (2) more times. From the panel you should hear 1 beep after the first press, 2 beeps after the second press and 3 beeps after the third press. Then you should see the serial number automatically populate the serial number field and the loop number set to 1. The learn button should be clearly marked on the device.

Below is a first generation FF345:

Below is a second generation FF345:

To program the serial number for the Carbon Monoxide zone you can follow the same instructions shown above. However, each press of the "Learn" button should last for two (2) seconds to cause the FF345 to transmit the carbon monoxide serial number. Make sure that the serial number the panel learns is 1 digit higher than it was for the smoke zone. The CO zone will also use loop 1. Program a Zone Type of Carbon Monoxide.

Once the device is enrolled to your system it will be triggered when the smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector it's mounted next to sounds. Proper orientation relative to the closest smoke detector is imperative. Mount this device within six inches of the detector to be monitored. If possible, it's best to mount the FF345 near a detector that is somewhat isolated from other detectors in the area. The purpose of doing this is so that the FF345 can only "hear" the detector it is meant to monitor. If the FF345 can hear the sounders of multiple detectors, the beeping sounds of the different detectors may confuse the Ff345 and cause it to require more sound input before it will activate.

Since all detectors are slightly different from one another, after enrollment you should follow the instructions for your smoke, CO, or combination detector to test the device. This should trigger an alarm and cause the FF345 to send a signal to the alarm panel. This, in turn, should cause a fire or carbon monoxide alarm on the alarm system. Be sure to put your alarm system on test if you use central station monitoring. Otherwise, you're likely to cause an accidental dispatch.

It is also a good idea to take the batteries out of the FF345 and put them back in prior to testing. This begins a test period that will last for one (1) hour. During this period, the FF345 only needs to hear a single round of temporal-3 or temporal-4 beeping to make it transmit an alarm signal to the system.

The Honeywell Home PROA7 or PROA7PLUS, or a Resideo PROA7C or PROA7PLUSC with a PROTAKEOVER module installed can support the FF345. The PROTAKEOVER module should be set for Honeywell legacy sensors (Dial set to 0). For instructions on programming a wireless zone to one of these panels, check out this FAQ.