Kidde Fire Systems has launched a new control head monitor (CHM) for electric actuators and solenoid monitors for directional valves. The new CHM is fully compliant with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2001-2012 Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems and is designed for simple installation on existing Kidde systems. Kidde Fire Systems, a world leader in the development of fire detection and suppression systems, is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp.

Electric actuators are commonly used as activating devices for the release of a fire suppression agent in the event of a fire and the NFPA requires these devices to be in place and ready to activate. If they are not in place, the CHM will send a signal to the control panel warning of system impairment. In addition to seamless installation on new Kidde fire suppression systems, existing Kidde systems can easily be retrofitted for use with the new CHM. There is no need to switch out the existing electric actuator on discharge control heads and the CHM comes standard with an explosion-proof rating. With many clean agent systems already installed, Kidde Fire Systems’ channel partners have a significant opportunity to help safeguard current and previous customer’s installations.

Kidde Fire Systems has taken the same approach with the directional valves for chemical clean agents and inert gas systems. The directional valves are now sold with a supervisory monitor system directly mounted to the valve.

Existing Kidde Fire Systems clean agent and inert gas systems can also be retrofitted to work with the new supervisory monitor system. The directional valve solenoid monitor for chemical clean agents is available in an explosion-proof model.

“By making a simple update, end-users can now have peace of mind that their electric actuators and directional valves are properly monitored,” says Abhay Nadgir, director of product management, Kidde Fire Systems.

The Kidde CHM for electric actuators and directional valve solenoid monitors have Underwriters Laboratory listing and Factory Mutual approval and are now available for shipment. Facility owners and asset managers installing new fire suppression systems should insist on systems that comply with the new requirements.