Open Protocol & Closed Protocol Under Fire Alarms

We are often asked about “Open Protocol” or “Open Architecture” systems or “Closed Protocol” or “Proprietary”. Although this is quite a technical question, it is one of the fundamental issues to be addressed when specifying a fire detection and alarm system. Fire alarm industry creates a misunderstanding of what an Open Protocol System or Closed.

Some of OEM said we have Over 1000 of Distribution globally and we believe Open protocol business strategy.
Another OEM said our Fire alarm product is Open Protocol, it is unlocked, and any third-party company is then available to maintain the system.
We are believing one of best open protocol product we supply globally that any one can do programming commissioning from our panel Keypad. All manuals are easily available in online search engines. No need training no software not mandatory.
We have Open Protocol Interfaces such as BACNet, Modbus and OPC Server, that can be easily handshake with any Third Party system.

Lots of OEM is there globally, each and every one is correct in terms of their “strategy – thinking”. These terms primarily relate to fire alarm systems’ communication and compatibility aspects.

All fire detection and alarm systems are technically similar. In very simple terms, they consist of numerous fire detection devices, including smoke detectors and “break glass” call points for example, which are connected to a central control panel. When a smoke detector detects smoke, it informs the control panel, which then turns on circuits of alarm sounders. Smoke detector operates, alarm sounders ring. (if you want to be really simple about it!). The connection between the detection devices, alarm sounders and the control panel is either cabling or wireless. For simplicity, we will focus on systems where the devices are connected to the control panel by cabling, commonly called in the industry a “hard wired” system.

WHAT IS A PROTOCOL?

Each component uses a particular protocol, which is essentially the language that electronic products use to communicate with each other. So a protocol is a fire alarm system’s language for communicating between loop devices.

There are two types of protocol for fire systems: open or closed.

BS EN 54-13-2017 stated “The components forming a FDAS are designed to provide a system with a particular aspect of its overall functionality. Only when all the components are connected together is the system likely to perform in the desired manner and then only if the components intercommunicate effectively.

For the purposes of this document, the CIE is the focal point of the system and all other components are required to communicate effectively with the CIE. Communication requires the consideration of communication protocols along with other aspects such as power supply requirements and data transmission characteristics.

A separate voice alarm system can be assessed for compatibility and connectability independently of the fire detection and alarm system.”

In general you can say Open Protocol fire alarm is Conventional type & Close protocol Fire Alarm is Addressable type or Intelligent type.

OPEN PROTOCOL FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

In an Open Protocol System, the panel and devices manufactured by different companies as long as they are compatible. Open Protocol System designed to be more flexible and open to communication with a wider range of devices and components. This flexibility can make it easier to expand, upgrade, and maintain the fire alarm system, as components from various manufacturers can be integrated into the system more easily. Open protocol systems often offer more choices and competitive pricing for replacement parts and devices.

A conventional system employs one or more initiating circuits called zone’s, connected to sensors (initiating devices) wired in parallel. These sensors are devised to decrease the circuits resistance when the environmental influence on any sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. No programming needs to be done, just plug & Play. The conventional fire panel range comes in 2, 4 or 8 zones or more versions.

NFPA 72 STANDARD SAYS:
1) Each zone has a maximum area of 2000 square meters.
2) The maximum length of each zone is 3000 meters.
3) The maximum number of elements in each zone (including fire alarms, sirens, mcp, detectors, etc.) is 24, and it is better to have a maximum of 20 elements.
4) Each residential floor can be placed in one zone.
5) It is suggested that each escape staircase should be included in a zone and a fire alarm should be installed on the escape route.
6) False ceilings and ceilings with a height of more than 80 cm need a detector.
7) If the partition distance is less than 30 cm, the detector is considered separate.
8) If the height of the ceiling is more than 50 cm, a separate detector is considered for each space.
9) The maximum coverage area for the smoke detector is 100 square meters and for the heat detector is 60 square meters.
10) The maximum height of the detector is 12 meters for the detector and 8 meters for the thermal detector.

The Gent 3260 is a conventional fire alarm system support up to 32 devices per zone. Ravel Conventional panel can support 28 nos elements/detectors in each zone if Ravel brand conventional elements, It supports 20 or 18 nos if other then Ravel conventional elements. It depends on Current consumption. Yes it supports other brand elements.

GST Conventional Fire panel each zone can be connected with 15 conventional fire detectors in same brand or other brand conventional detectors.

System Sensor Conventional fire panel support Maximum 25 nos. detectors in each zone. If other brand detectors, then also same.

Agni Protection Conventional fire panel support Maximum 20 nos. detectors in each zone. If other brand detectors, then also same.

AGNI Devices Conventional fire panel support Maximum 25 nos. detectors in each zone. If other brand detectors, then also same.

EATON Conventional fire panel support maximum loading is 32 detectors and manual call points per zone, System Sensor Fire Alarm Control Panel support maximum 600m cable connectivity per zone, Typically 20 Detectors per zone+ 5 MCP’s. Other brand Detector can be connected with respect to Max 2mA current per Detector Circuit.

Apollo Conventional ranges including Series 65, Orbis and Series 65A support any brand Conventional Fire Panel. Any series cover 10 year warranty policy.Apollo Fire Detectors Limited is a Halma Company.

In case of Addressable or Intelligent system, only apollo brand field elements (including modules, Strobe, MCP, detectors, etc. Apollo manufactures smoke detectors, call points, VADs, and more recently, pull stations and magnetic door holders.) are compatible with

1. Mtech Fire Detection Systems Ltd
2. Labor Strauss Sicherungsanlagenbau GmbH (LST)
3. NIBBLE - EngenhariaLda
4. Ampac Europe Limited
5. Safetec SRL
6. Paradox Hellas (SmartX)
7. Haes Technologies Ltd (Esprit)
8. Kentec Electronics Ltd (Syncro, Taktis)
9. NSC Sicherheitstechnik GmbH
10. Teledata SRL
11. VES LLC
12. C-TEC (Apollo & Hochiki)
13. Advanced Electronics Ltd (MxPro)

So there are two different OEM involve in Fire Detection & Alarm system. You can Design for small to Enterprise customers, in any sector. Apollo products are certified in a global arena to meet the highest standards set by both our customers and the dynamic and challenging environments in which they operate. We meet global type approval standards including EN, UL, CCC as well as specific approvals for specialist or extreme applications such as Marine or explosive environments.The compliance to these standards can be denoted by a third-party marking on the product including LPCB, VdS, BOSEC and AFNOR.

You able to add any of above brand Fire Panel for your design, free to select as per your customers / end users need. Apollo is single brand who offer open protocol field element compatible with lots of Fire alarm control Panel.

ADVANTAGES OF OPEN PROTOCOL

Offers the building owner more freedom when it comes to sourcing products or an installation company as there is the ability to choose between numerous compatible manufacturers.
Allows the installer to choose whichever products are suitable for the project.
The building owner is able to choose whichever company they want for ongoing maintenance or adding to the system, enabling them to shop around for the best price
When innovative products are released, and the building owner would prefer this solution to protect their building (like our flush mounted Soteria Dimension) having an open protocol system makes it easier to change manufacturer. Meaning they have more flexibility to choose the solution they want, not the ones they are tied into.
Open protocol systems can sometimes offer more competitive pricing and long-term cost savings.
Different manufacturers for panels & devices – when things do go wrong, more than one company may have to be involved to find a solution, software, etc.

DISADVANTAGESOF OPEN PROTOCOL :

No training required, so no proof of competence. Installer, Customers need to find out actual competent person who can make healthy system.
Easy access to software can lead to untrained engineers working on systems. No license / Dongle is required.
Open protocol systems offer flexibility but may require careful selection and integration of components to ensure seamless operation.

CLOSED PROTOCOL FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

With a Closed Protocol system a single manufacturer produces a range of devices AND control panels that all utilise its own specific protocol. This manufacturer does not provide general access to the technical details of its protocol and restricts the use of it to trained approved installation companies only. The equipment produced will not be compatible with devices from different manufacturers of closed protocol fire systems. Once you choose one closed protocol you are, in effect, locked into one company for the manufacture, supply and maintenance (and in some instances the installation) of the complete system.which can lead to higher costs and potential limitations in system flexibility.

Conventional system with close protocol is not possible, due to conventional system is plug & play. On the other hand analog addressable or intelligent addressable system is with close protocol.

List of closed protocol brand are available in https://bhadrafiresafety.blogspot.com/2025/04/

ADVANTAGES OF CLOSED PROTOCOL

Because each and every device in the system, including the control panel, is provided by the one manufacturer there is a common design and production plan, meaning compatibility is assured.
When individual devices do need upgrading they are tested alongside the rest of the manufacturer’s product range to ensure the system’s compatibility before the new products are brought to market.
System failure due to unauthorised tampering is reduced as access to the system is restricted by the manufacturer to approved installation and maintenance companies.

DISADVANTAGES OF CLOSED PROTOCOL :

Upgrades to the system could be restricted to the technology currently available from the chosen manufacturer/ supplier, potentially affecting your choice of brand new or innovative solutions available elsewhere in the marketplace.
Closed protocol manufacturers can lack competition for maintenance services and this can encourage lapse service, slowcall-out responses and expensive maintenance contracts which are impossible to get out of.
As a building owner you are wholly dependent on one manufacturer for access to new equipment, upgrades, spares and maintenance. Without direct competition this tends to allow manufacturers to charge you a premium rate for these services.
If you do decide to upgrade or change the system, it can be an expensive and disruptive exercise as the majority of the original supplier’s system would have to be removed from the premises and replaced. In some circumstances, this might involve multiple risk assessments and a complicated series of temporary closures of the building to the public and staff for the duration of some of the work (to comply with locallegislation).
There is a complete dependency on one manufacturer for spare parts, and access to the protocol for servicing, modification, and upgrades. All of this may put a premium on ongoing maintenance.
Some of well-known OEM directly stated to End user that, do purchased from only our authorised distributor and commissioning through them only, otherwise we not able to provide warranty support. Some of them told if you commissioned system through another agency then you will not get any warranty support in case any product not in working condition.

MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE

The question you need to ask yourself and your installer at this point is “What is the best investment option for me and my building, considering the whole lifetime of the fire detection system”. This “whole lifetime” investment is sometimes referred to as the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and is an important long-term consideration.

If you decide to choose a fire detection system provided by a Closed Protocol manufacturer you will have access to devices and panels specifically designed to operate together with complete compatibility. This solution will then be installed and maintained by an approved supplier who has been trained in that specific system.

You need to be aware of some potentialissues here, for example

Does the manufacturer have a strict upgrade policy restricting you to one upgrade per year or 5 year.
Do they guarantee complete backwards compatibility for their new products or will you be forced to replace some other components that don’t quite fit with the new devices? Without upgrading Firmware Versions. Some of Well known OEM discontinued old detector series and immediate effect new detector series, not End user mandatory to upgrade firmware on chargeable basis, otherwise new detector & old detector can not work jointly under loops.
Are there other solutions on the market that despite being more cost-effective cannot be utilised as they are not part of the manufacturer’s system offering?
Check there product commissioning process, does need license / dongle for every addition or deletion or modification. If yes then how many certified or non-certified technical person there in market ?
Do the market survey take suggestion from experienced field person.

Potentially you might be tied-in to a lengthy maintenance contract so consider whether the manufacturer has a good reputation within the industry for the provision of equipment and services.

Opting to choose an Open Protocol system allows you and your installation company the freedom to make decisions about the precise equipment needed based upon the exact requirements of the building rather than being restricted to one manufacturer’s product range. Make sure your chosen installation company has the experience and expertise in many different manufacturer’s product ranges so that you can be sure they will offer accurate and impartial advice on the system design. It is also recommended that you check their fire industry accreditations such as BAFE or LPS1014.

Choosing the correct fire detection protocol system is dependent upon circumstance. Open protocols offer a greater degree of freedom, choice and long term value for money; however if cost is not a primary concern you may prefer the closed protocol system which can offer a straightforward alternative.

Open Protocol Systems - An Explanation. Generally Open Protocol systems allow fire detection equipment and control panels to be compatible between a greater selection of manufacturers, offering you more freedom of choice when sourcing products and installation companies.

Bearing in mind the TCO as mentioned previously, it is always important to understand the levels and restrictions of your fire alarm system maintenance contract, regardless of who is supplying or installing. You need to be able to calculate upfront the expected costs of future maintenance to properly evaluate the TCO of the intended system.

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