​This week we're introducing a new enhancement to our floor plans, sharing an update on our growing team, and covering a few other happenings from around AFAM.

This edition is a little shorter than usual, it's been a particularly busy couple of weeks behind the scenes!

We've added the ability to display additional assets and features on our floor plans. Soon you'll be able to include items such as:

• Fire extinguishers
• Hose reels
• Emergency signage
• Fire doors
• Hazards (such as fuel stores or gas bottles)
• And more

This has been one of the most requested enhancements since we introduced floor plans. Initially these items will provide improved visibility and documentation, but if there's enough demand we'll extend the functionality to allow you to manage, inspect, and track these assets directly within the AlarmTech App and across the wider AFAM platform.

If asset tracking is something your business would find valuable, we'd love to hear from you.

​In our last newsletter we mentioned that our Auckland team would soon be expanding, and we're pleased to say we've now advertised the role.

We're looking for a Business Development Representative (BDR) to work alongside Anastasia, supporting both sales and business development activities throughout the region.

The position is ideal for someone early in their sales career who is looking for the opportunity to develop into a Business Development Manager role.

If you, or someone you know, may be interested, take a look at the advertisement on Seek by clicking on the link below, but don't leave it too long, as applications are already coming in.

As a reminder, the Support section of our website contains a wide range of helpful resources, including:

• Brochures
• Installation and tutorial videos
• Compatibility Guides showing which fire panels support in-panel installations and IoT detector-level information
• Installation Guides

We're continually adding new content, so any brochures, videos or tutorials mentioned in future newsletters will also be available there.

One of the questions we were asked this week was whether we offer a satellite connectivity option for remote sites. It's a question that comes up every few months, usually from customers with buildings beyond the reach of reliable cellular coverage.

The short answer is: not yet.

The good news is that all of the cellular modem manufacturers we work with have indicated that dual cellular/satellite modems are on the way. They're not commercially available to us just yet, but it's clearly where the industry is heading.

There are also some technical considerations to work through. Not all satellite networks are the same, and message delivery times vary depending on the technology being used. Any solution we offer will need to meet the performance and reliability requirements expected of a fire alarm monitoring system.

As soon as suitable hardware becomes available and we're confident it meets our standards, you can be sure we'll be among the first monitoring providers to offer satellite connectivity as an option.

Over the next fortnight members of the AFAM team will be visiting Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch, and the Coromandel.

If you'd like to arrange a meeting, grab a coffee, book a demonstration, or discuss how AFAM can provide greater visibility across your fire alarm portfolio, we'd love to catch up.

​In our next newsletter we'll be showcasing a couple of new features we've been working on, sharing highlights from a recent industry event, and bringing you more updates from around AFAM.

Following our last newsletter, we’ve had a great response from property owners and service agents providing floor plans for monitored sites.

If you’d like real-time visibility of your fire alarm system, right down to individual detectors, get in touch. We’ll guide you through getting your floor plans uploaded and fully populated, at no cost.

For service agents installing our monitoring units, aerial placement is critical. Strong signal = reliable performance. Here’s some tools and ways we help:

• On the CTU: Press and hold the test button for two seconds. The four LEDs will temporarily display signal strength. Two or more lights = good signal.
• Via the Android AFAM AlarmTech App: Navigate to Diag > Cell for detailed signal strength data. If your phone uses the same network as the CTU, you can check signal strength before installation. (This isn’t available on iOS due to Apple platform restrictions.)
• Call us: We work closely with cellular providers and have access to detailed network data. We can often advise on the best locations within a building for reliable coverage.

We’ve received the first prototypes of our completely redesigned CTU and have begun testing and firmware development.

Key enhancements include:

• A significantly more powerful processor for faster performance and greater capability
• Bluetooth connectivity for direct app access—making commissioning and troubleshooting easier onsite
• Multiple general-purpose outputs, expanding control capabilities beyond monitoring
• Networking capability, allowing multiple CTUs to operate together which unlocks new functionality
• Analogue inputs for integration with devices like pressure (think sprinklers) and temperature sensors

It’s still early days, but we’re excited about what this will enable.

Over the next two weeks, our team will be in Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga, and Melbourne (Fire Australia), alongside our Auckland and Christchurch offices.

If you’d like to meet, ask questions, or see a demo, just let us know.

A reminder: the current CTU includes four general-purpose inputs that can monitor a wide range of devices.

For example, on a sprinkler system with a pump, you can use these inputs to track pump activity—start, stop, or potential failure.

Best of all, these inputs are free to use. Get in touch if you’d like to learn more.

We’re expanding our testing and training setup and are looking for additional panels and DBAs.

If you’re upgrading or replacing any of the following (in working condition), we may be interested:

• All DBAs (especially Vitech)
• Notifier CFP16
• Ampac NZ400
• Ampac NZ3200
• Ampac FireFinder

If you have something available, let us know.

​In the next newsletter, we’ll share insights from Fire Australia and updates from across New Zealand.

We gave you a general overview of the CTU—our purpose-built monitoring hardware—and what to think about when choosing an installation location. If you missed it, you can catch up here: CTU Installation Options.

A smooth CTU installation can save you time (and a few headaches). While the process is straightforward, there are some common issues we see again and again. This week we’re sharing our top tips, the most frequent installation mistakes, and a couple of hidden features you may not know about.

Here are the 5 most common installation issues our support team encounters.

1. SGD addresses not set correctly
The CTU polls each connected SGD in sequence to check the status of the fire alarm system. It does this by sending a message from the configured port and waiting for a response from the SGD at the assigned address. If the address on a multi-droppable SGD is set incorrectly—or if it’s connected to the wrong CTU port—the two devices won’t be able to communicate.

2. Loom Installed the wrong way around
This issue is easy to run into on some panels and applies only to in-panel installations. If the loom between the CTU and the panel is connected the wrong way around, the CTU won’t be able to read the panel’s status correctly, and the panel will often flag a “Defect.” To avoid this, check the installation guide carefully, ensure the loom isn’t twisted, and confirm it’s plugged into the correct port. One of the loom wires is marked to help you align it the right way—use this as your guide.

3. SGD not enabled via panel links or programming
Some fire alarm panels require programming or a jumper to be placed in the correct position on the motherboard to enable the SGD interface. Without this, the SGD won’t be activated and won’t be able to read the panel’s status. If you notice the SGD showing a different state than the panel, this should be the first thing to check.

In addition, some CTUs require a jumper to activate the second SGD port. These jumpers are normally configured correctly before the CTU is dispatched, but if they have been removed for any reason, it can cause issues. Always refer to the installation instructions to confirm jumper placement.

In both cases, the fix is usually straightforward. If you’re unsure, our support team is happy to help you diagnose and resolve any problems.

4. Aerial Installation Issues
Two common aerial installation mistakes:

• Aerial installed horizontally - The aerial transmits in a specific pattern and must be vertical to communicate effectively with the cellular network. Laying it flat or resting it on top of the box will result in poor signal, or it may not work at all. Make sure the aerial is vertical.
• Aerial installed inside metal box - Installing the aerial inside the fire alarm panel or CTU enclosure can sometimes work with the door open, but once closed, the signal will drop dramatically—or fail completely. Always mount the aerial outside the metal enclosure for reliable communication.

5. Battery vs SuperCap confusion
The CTU is designed to use either a battery or a SuperCap as its backup power supply—but never both at the same time. The SuperCap connector has a detection pin, which the CTU uses to recognize when a SuperCap is connected. If both a battery and SuperCap are plugged in, the battery can be overcharged and potentially damaged. Our support team will usually catch this during commissioning, but the rule is simple: use either a battery or a SuperCap, never both.

Sometimes we see batteries connected to the SuperCap port, or vice versa. This won’t harm the CTU, but it will leave it without an effective backup. Always double-check which port you’re using, and avoid modifying connectors to make them fit. When in doubt, give our support team a quick call—they’ll help you get it right.

Every CTU ships with an installation guide—but we know those sometimes get left behind in the van or misplaced on-site. Don’t worry: we keep digital copies of all guides here: Installation Guides. It’s always worth having the latest version to hand before starting the install.

If you’re unsure where to start or run into something unexpected during installation, give our support team a call. They’ll be happy to help and answer your questions. A quick call upfront can often save time later during CTU commissioning.

We’ll be taking a closer look at messaging options, including:

• The different message formats and strategies we support
• How to temporarily pause messaging
• How to subscribe to all messages for a site for a set period, even if you don’t normally receive them