With the growing emphasis on safeguarding not only people but property and society's increasing reliance on computerised systems, the market for such panels is booming. Fully compliant with EN 12094 part 1, the panel has been manufactured to the highest standards and epitomises quality, durability and reliability.

With three programmable detection circuits and three programmable sounder circuits, the panel has been extensively tested in a quality-controlled environment and is currently operating in a number of trial sites. A 128 x 64 pixel graphic display with two-colour backlight provides a user interface for presentation of information and interrogation of data held by the EP203. The panel also possesses adjustable extinguishant release, delay and flood times and an array of programmable relay outputs with volt free changeover contacts, a time stamped log and a facility to delay the alarm sounders.

An alarm counter also records the number of times the panel has been in an alarm state.

"C-Tec's new state-of-the-art research and development facility and recruitment of additional specialist engineering staff has made the development of this new auto-extinguisher panel possible. This product has been designed to meet demand from our customers for a top quality extinguisher panel and we confidently expect the EP203 to exceed all expectations" says Andrew Foster, managing director, C-Tec.

Up to eight remote status units with their own graphic displays and manual release functions can be connected to the panel via a simple two-wire RS485 bus to indicate the status of the system in buildings with multiple entrances. Low-cost single-gang economy status units are also available as are abort and hold buttons. An optional relay expansion unit, fitted in the main panel housing, can also be purchased for system expansion.