CTU Installation options

Last Week

We introduced the AFAM AlarmTech App, walking through its features and how to get started. If you missed it, you can catch up here.

This Week: The CTU

This week we’re focusing on the CTU—our purpose-built monitoring hardware that connects to fire alarm panels, sprinklers, and related systems.

Each CTU is essentially a compact computer-on-a-board, designed by AFAM specifically for fire alarm monitoring. It includes a microprocessor, memory, battery management, and interfaces such as 4G/Cat-M1 cellular modems and other ports for panel connectivity.

CTU Installation Options

There are two main installation approaches:

• In Panel – CTU is installed inside the fire alarm panel. AFAM is the only monitoring provider in New Zealand to offer this option.
• In Box – CTU is installed in its own metal enclosure, typically mounted near the panel.

The best choice depends on system requirements. Our compatibility guide explains what’s possible.

In Panel Installations

If your panel supports in-panel integration and you’re monitoring no more than one additional system, we recommend this option.

Advantages include:

• Lowest-cost way to access enhanced/IoT detector-level data (for supported panels)
• Faster and more cost-effective installation than In Box setups
• No need for a dedicated power point

In Box Installations

​If you need to monitor two or more secondary systems—or your fire panel already contains an SSGD—then an In Box installation is required. This still allows access to IoT detector-level data, but typically requires an additional interface card (e.g., an SSGD).

Aerial Placement

For both installation types, aerials can be mounted directly on the fire alarm panel or CTU box. Where signal strength is low (e.g., basements or service rooms), we offer external aerial options.

Using the installation diagnostics in the AlarmTech App is strongly recommended when working in low-signal areas.

 See our blog guide here: Selecting and positioning aerials for best performance.

General Placement for In Box Installations

Choose a location that:

• Has a nearby power point
• Allows easy SGD cabling
• Avoids extreme heat, cold, or water exposure (e.g., pressure-washed areas)
• Provides safe, easy service access (think height and safe space to work)

Adding Systems to Older Networks

Before 2005, fire alarm monitoring relied on Telecom’s PSTN network. Multiple systems were connected back to a single demarcation point using SGD cabling and connected to Telecoms equipment.

The Telecom equipment is long gone but a few sites in New Zealand still use this architecture, but it has key drawbacks:

• Long, aging SGD cables are costly to maintain and repair
• A single device failure can disable monitoring across multiple buildings
• It doesn’t support IoT Detector level information

Modern practice is to connect no more than 3–4 systems per monitoring device. While this can increase monitoring charges, it lowers the total cost of ownership by eliminating fragile cabling, improving resilience, and enabling IoT Detector level insights.

When adding devices to older networks, it’s worth considering whether modernising the architecture will improve reliability and reduce long-term costs.

Need Help?

​Unsure whether to choose In Panel or In Box, struggling with aerial placement, or dealing with legacy networks? Our team is here to help—get in touch anytime.

Coming Next Week

Next week we’ll continue looking at the CTU and look at some installation tips and tricks, including:

• How to quickly diagnose the common installation issues we see
• How to identify where the issue lies
• What resources are available to help during installation
• …and more!