In Box CTU, Videos, and New Brochure

This Week

This week we're answering a couple of questions we've been surprised to receive recently, along with sharing some general updates from around AFAM.

AFAM AlarmTech Tutorial Videos

​We've just published a new technical training video covering the features of the AFAM AlarmTech App and how to get the most from it.

This is the first in a series of three training videos designed to help technicians get up to speed quickly and make full use of the app's capabilities.

In Box CTU

A service agent recently asked whether we still offer an in-box option for our monitoring equipment.

The question caught us by surprise at first. We spend a lot of time talking about the benefits of installing monitoring equipment directly inside the fire alarm panel, and in doing so we probably don't mention the in-box option as often as we should.

The short answer is yes — we absolutely still offer an in-box CTU solution, and it remains the preferred option for many installations.

We generally recommend an in-box CTU when:

• More than two fire alarm systems need to be monitored by a single CTU. In these situations, the power requirements typically dictate the use of a dedicated enclosure with one of our standard power supplies and a 12V 7Ah backup battery.
• Monitoring is being transferred from another provider and the fire alarm panel is not capable of providing IoT detector-level information. In these cases, replacing the existing monitoring enclosure with an AFAM in-box solution is often the most practical approach.

Another question we receive from time to time is how many fire alarm systems or SGDs a CTU can support.

An in-box CTU can support up to eight independent fire alarm systems, provided those systems are configured for multi-drop communications.

If you're unsure whether an in-panel or in-box solution is best for your application, please get in touch with our team. We're always happy to help recommend the most suitable monitoring configuration.

In Box CTU Enclosures

When replacing a competitor's monitoring equipment, we offer a range of enclosure sizes designed to closely match existing installations.

This makes upgrades simpler and often results in a more aesthetically pleasing outcome. It's surprisingly common to discover that a wall has been repainted around an existing enclosure, leaving a noticeable colour difference behind it. Matching the original enclosure size where possible helps avoid this issue.

Our enclosures are manufactured in New Zealand from folded sheet metal before being powder coated and oven baked to provide a durable, long-lasting finish.

For what appears to be a simple metal box, they're surprisingly expensive to produce. While cheaper offshore alternatives are available, we've chosen to continue supporting New Zealand manufacturers wherever practical. It's a decision we're proud to make and one that aligns with our commitment to local industry.

As part of our upcoming CTU release, we'll also be making several improvements to our enclosure design. We'll share more details closer to launch.

Smart Fire Alarm Monitoring Brochure

​In our last newsletter, we shared a brochure we’ve put together mainly for property owners and managers, highlighting the benefits of smart fire alarm monitoring. We’ve also made sure it’s something Business Development Managers and Account Managers from fire alarm service providers can use as an easy way to talk their customers through those benefits.

You can find the brochure in the resources section of our website—just click on the image below to take a look.

Out and About

Over the coming fortnight, members of our team will be visiting Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, Tauranga, and Wellington.

If you'd like to arrange a meeting, coffee, book a demonstration, or discuss how AFAM can improve visibility across your fire alarm portfolio, we'd be pleased to hear from you.

We're Hiring

We're currently looking for a Production & Technical Support Specialist to join our Christchurch team on a fixed-term contract while one of our team members is on maternity leave.

If you'd like to join a great team working on innovative fire alarm technology, you can view the position here:

We'll also be advertising an additional full-time role in our Auckland office shortly. We're currently finalising the position description and will share details on our LinkedIn page and in a future newsletter once the role is live.

Next Time

​In our next newsletter we'll share more product updates, introduce a couple of new features, and provide further details on some exciting developments currently in the works.