FAQs

For detailed information on installation, please search for the product you are enquiring for and review the installation guide available in the downloads section. 

Apollo's analogue addressable ranges of detectors use a unique method of addressing called the XPERT card. It is a simple coded card that is fitted into the base and can then be read by the detector once it is plugged in. In order to set the address, you need to remove some of the pips located on the card.

Once it has been decided what address the card is to be set to, lay it on a flat surface, pips down and insert a screwdriver in the slot on the reverse of the pip to be removed and give it a firm twist. Once the card had been coded, slide it into the slot on the side of the detector base, making sure it locks into position. As the monitor is rotated into the base the remaining pips will operate the address buttons on the base of the detector and the address will be read by the detector electronics. The pips on the XPERT card are numbered 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64. If, for example, you wish to set the address to 43, you should remove the pips numbered 1, 2, 8, 32. The pips that are removed should add up to the address that you wish to set.

To set the address of a device that uses a DIL switch, such as the XP95 manual call point, the seven segments of the DIL switch have to be set to either 0 or 1.

Please refer to individual product labelling for further information.

The age of an Apollo product can be determined by the serial number however due to factored products and changes within Apollo to improve production, the serial numbers formats have changed over time. 

Below are the four formats used. All the serial number formats represent the same date (1st April 2002).
   0402-25684 - The first two numbers represent the month and the second two represent the year.
   020401 - The first two numbers represent the year, the second two represent the month and the third two represent the day.
   020401/6A - This format is the same as above but with the addition of a build standard.
   1502123 - This format is only used for sounders. The first two numbers represent the week of the year and second two represent the year.

Detectors manufactured by Apollo which do not have a serial number can only have their age determined by referring to serialised records held at Apollo. The absence of a serial number though would mean that the detector was made before March 1981.

For more information regarding determining the age of Apollo detectors, please consult the table below or contact the Product Service Department. 

Excluding CO detectors, devices manufactured by Apollo have a recommended working life of 10 years when used in dry, non-corrosive atmospheres and provided that they are regularly inspected, tested, cleaned and recalibrated as outlined in this leaflet.

This period has been assessed on the basis of information provided by component suppliers and on around 30 years experience of servicing these products. Most Apollo detectors will continue to operate within specification after 10 years' service, however, gradual deterioration of integrity and reliability should be allowed for.

In the interests of safety and the avoidance of unwanted alarms, Apollo recommends the routine replacement of detectors after 10 years of service. 
The electro-chemical cell used in the Discovery carbon monoxide fire detector has a maximum life of five years. High temperature or low relative humidity can, however, reduce the cell life and therefore detectors must be functionally tested at least once a year. Discovery CO detectors have a remote self-test feature and this should be used to verify that the electro-chemical cell is active.

Any detector failing these tests should be returned to Apollo's Product Service Department.

Carbon Monoxide, known by its chemical formula CO, is an odourless, tasteless, invisible and toxic gas. It is produced by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, petrol, diesel and paraffin. If this gas is not vented correctly, it can build up and cause ill health and even death.

Home CO detectors detect the build-up of CO and alert residents that there is a risk of CO poisoning. Apollo do not produce this type of CO detector.

CO fire detectors, however, are used to indicate the outbreak of fire by sensing the level of CO in the air. They use the same sensing technology as home CO detectors, but are more sensitive and respond more quickly.

CO fire detectors have an electrochemical cell which senses CO, but not smoke or any other combustion products. They are effective in detecting certain types of fire such as smouldering fires. This type of fire produces CO which can be detected some distance from the seat of the fire.

Smoke detectors, however, will almost certainly give a better response to a fire that has produced a rising plume of smoke. CO fire detectors will give a poor response to flaming fires.

Apollo manufacturers a CO detector as part of the Discovery range. To find out more, download our CO detector literature PDF. TO DO LINK (missing pdf)

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) has issued guidelines for the use of CO detectors. To find out more, visit their website at www.fia.uk.com

Highlighted in the images below is where you can find the production date and build standard on our products.

DIN-Rail Interfaces

Standard Interfaces