Stephen Marsh, Head of Sales at Cygnus, explores the evolution of wireless fire detection, the benefits of mesh networks, and the impact of EN 54 certification on the industry 

In March 2023, Cygnus achieved EN 54 certification for its fire detection and alarm system, SmartNet. This significant milestone marked the beginning of an important journey for the company.

As the company celebrates the two-year anniversary of this achievement, Stephen Marsh, Head of Sales at Cygnus, discusses the evolution of wireless technology and what the future holds.  

In today’s smart homes and buildings, the Internet of Things is driving an explosion in the number and type of smart products that can be linked together on a network. This can also be seen in the world of fire and security systems, where video surveillance, access control and alarm systems are increasingly built on wireless networks. 

A wireless mesh network for fire detection and alarm systems   

A wireless mesh network is a decentralised network architecture consisting of interconnected nodes. Nodes are radio frequency transceivers that facilitate network communications, such as network switches, routers, switches or printers. In the wireless fire detection and alarm context, nodes are devices such as detectors and sounders.  

Unlike traditional networks that rely on a single central hub, wireless mesh networks distribute data across multiple nodes.

It allows each node to act as both a transmitter and a receiver, creating a self-forming, self-healing mesh network.

Stephen Marsh

This configuration enables seamless communication, as data packets can travel through multiple pathways to reach their destination, ensuring redundancy and minimising the likelihood of network failure. 

In a wireless mesh network, nodes communicate directly with one another, dynamically rerouting data to maintain connectivity – even if one or more nodes fail. Each device has a primary and secondary parent, so if the signal to the primary parent is broken, the secondary parent will take its place, and the device then selects a new secondary parent.

This ‘self-healing’ capacity – coupled with the ability to expand the network by simply adding more nodes – makes wireless mesh networks ideally suited for sites requiring robust and flexible communications systems. 

The advantages of a wireless system 

There are a number of benefits when it comes to wireless systems. Firstly, the absence of wiring significantly reduces installation time and costs. Traditional wired systems require extensive cabling, which can be both time-consuming and expensive. Wireless systems can be installed significantly faster, making them an ideal choice for both new constructions and retrofit projects. 

Moreover, the wireless nature of these systems minimises disruption to the building’s structure and occupants.

Stephen Marsh

There is no extensive impact to the fabric of the building and preserves the integrity of fire barriers. This makes systems such as SmartNet particularly suitable for historic buildings, schools, and other environments where conserving the building’s integrity is crucial. 

EN 54 certification: an important milestone  

Prior to 2008, there was no recognised standard for wireless fire alarm systems. In that year, EN 54 part 25 was published, which set out to ensure that wireless fire alarm systems provide the same level of protection as wired systems. The standard specifies requirements, test methods and performance criteria for components which use radio frequency (RF) communication links.  

EN 54 introduced several changes to the way wireless alarms should operate, including bi-directional communication, dual battery back-up, and enhanced fault monitoring. It also provided requirements for the evaluation of conformity of the components to the requirements of the standard. 

EN 54 sets the standards for the operation, testing and manufacture of fire detection and alarm systems. Any equipment used for a wireless fire detection and alarm system should be third party certificated to the relevant parts of EN 54.  

The EN 54 certification marked a pivotal moment for Cygnus, establishing SmartNet as the world’s first EN 54 certified, 100% wireless fire detection and alarm system.  

Stephen Marsh

Achieving EN 54 certification is a rigorous process that involves extensive testing and evaluation by accredited laboratories. For Cygnus, receiving this certification for SmartNet was a testament to the system’s reliability, effectiveness, and compliance with the highest industry standards.

The EN 54 certification covers various aspects of fire detection and alarm systems, including control and indicating equipment, power supply equipment, and fire detectors.  

The Cygnus and SmartNet journey  

Over the past two years, SmartNet has been widely adopted across various sectors, from commercial and industrial properties to high-rise buildings and public institutions. The system’s scalability and adaptability have made it a preferred choice for applications of all sizes.  

SmartNet-Pro offers a scalable solution with the capability for each panel to connect 511 devices and up to 96 zones, with networking of up to 5 panels available via a software release code, providing a combined solution of over 2500 devices.

Whilst SmartNet-Pro caters to the larger scales of application, SmartNet-100 provides all the key benefits of SmartNet-Pro in a more cost-effective solution, designed to support a maximum of 100 devices. Based on this nature, SmartNet-100 is best suited for small to medium sized applications where the scalability of the SmartNet-Pro is not required. 

Cygnus SmartNet has been recognised for its excellence in fire safety by winning the prestigious Security & Fire Excellence Award for the Security or Fire Solution of the Year in 2024. Additionally, SmartNet is a finalist for the Fire Resilience Excellence Awards (FREAS) in the Outstanding Product/Innovation category, further highlighting its innovative approach and impact on the industry.  

A journey of continuous development:  Cygnus Accessories  

Cygnus SmartNet is equipped with advanced accessories designed to streamline installation and maintenance processes. Cygnus ALERT is a cloud-based notification and monitoring platform that provides real-time event, fault, and mesh information to integrators and site administrators.

This tool enables swift responses to on-site situations, enhancing overall site safety. The Cygnus Mesh Analyser is an enhanced diagnostic tool that displays the structure and strength of the mesh network, suggesting actions to improve system performance.

It also shows the history of how devices have joined the network and their previous connections, ensuring a robust and stable network. The Cygnus Site Survey kit has been designed to help with the planning and deployment of the SmartNet system. By ensuring that the wireless sensor network is set up for maximum reliability and efficiency, it saves time during installation and on future call outs.

The Portal Programming Unit (PPU) allows installers to run firmware updates and update device configurations wirelessly while they are on site, making the whole process faster and more efficient for areas that are hard to access.

Together, these tools make SmartNet a comprehensive solution for efficient and reliable fire detection and alarm systems. 

Looking to the future 

As we look to the future, innovations in sensors, wireless systems, and artificial intelligence are going to allow fire detection and alarm systems to detect fires more accurately and faster.

There is also a growing trend towards integrating fire alarm systems with other critical safety and building management systems. This integration will enable seamless communication between third party systems via IOU devices. 

The two-year anniversary of Cygnus SmartNet’s EN 54 certification is a momentous occasion. It is a celebration of the hard work, dedication, and innovation that has gone into creating a world-class fire detection and alarm system.

As we look to the future, Cygnus remains committed to pushing the boundaries of fire safety technology, ensuring that SmartNet continues to set the standard in the industry. 

This article was originally published in the April 2025 Edition of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE copy, click here.