How do I program a 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.

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 original Encore Firefighter FF345 was a wireless module that allowed you to integrate your existing smoke detectors with a Honeywell 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 usually mapped to loop 2. The serial number could be manually entered and the loop (2) assigned, or you could auto-enroll the device. After the serial number and loop were set, the device or zone type would be set to "Type 09 - Fire" or "Type 16 - Fire with Verification" The FF345 needed to "hear" two cycles of the temporal 3 pulse sound that the wired smoke detector made before it would trip, so Zone Type 09 Fire without Verification was recommended.

Newer versions (Version 1.5 or higher) of the Encore FF345 support listening for both the temporal 3 sound that smoke detectors make (beep-beep-beep, pause, beep-beep-beep, pause) as well as the temporal 4 sound that carbon monoxide detectors make (4 rapid beeps, pause, 4 rapid beeps, pause). 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 on 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

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 the 'Learn' button of the FF345 3 times. 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 populated in the serial number field and the loop number set to 1. The learn button should be clearly marked on the device.

To program the serial number for the Carbon Monoxide zone you can follow the same instructions shown above, making sure that the serial number is 1 digit higher than it was for the smoke zone. Again, 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 by the sound of a local smoke or carbon monoxide detector. 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 smoke that is somewhat isolated from other smokes in the area. The purpose of doing this is so that the FF345 can only "hear" the detector that it's meant to monitor. If the FF345 can hear multiple smokes, the beeping sounds of the different detectors may confuse the sensor and cause it to require more sound input before it will activate.

Since all smoke detectors are slightly different from each other, after enrollment you should press and hold the test button on the smoke detector being monitored for at least 30 seconds. This should trigger an alarm. 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 hour. During this test only a single round of temporal 3, or temporal 4 beeping is required to cause the FF345 to signal an alarm.