Bull and Cygnus Fire Alarm Detection System (FADS) — fire risk

Hazard

A manufacturing defect in the network control unit (NCU) may cause a loss of communication between devices within the fire alarm system and the control and indicating equipment (CIE). During an outage, the system may fail to process or respond to alarm inputs. This could result in delayed fire detection or alarm activation, increasing the risk of injury or loss of life in the event of a fire. Affected products do not meet the requirements of Regulation 305/2011 as it applies in GB. The defect is confined to a single batch of NCUs (batch reference 2410). Not all units in the batch are affected. Any loss of communication is indicated on the fire alarm panel via visual and audible fault indicators, meaning an outage is readily identifiable. The majority of outages are of short duration and self-correcting without user intervention.

Remedy

Affected products have been withdrawn from the market. All remaining stock from the affected batch has been quarantined. Bull Products and Cygnus Group have commenced a phased replacement programme to replace all affected NCUs, including units that have not exhibited failures. Affected customers who have purchased this product have been contacted by Bull Products and Cygnus Group with further information. Responsible persons, fire risk assessors and building managers are advised to consider, based on the information provided, whether any temporary measures are necessary while remediation is completed. Enhanced end-of-line testing has been introduced and all future production utilises a redesigned NCU board to prevent recurrence.

Product recall

Measures taken

• Recall of product from end users

Product description

Affected products are wireless FADS manufactured by Bull Products and Cygnus Group, incorporating network control units (NCUs) which manage communication between the devices in the system and the Control and indicating equipment (CIE). The issue is confined to a single batch of NCUs with serial numbers ranging from XAB.2410.01.0001/17518/06.00 to XAB.2410.01.0528/17518/06.00.