Connect installation guide

Article contents

Step 1: Portal setup

i. Create an equipment

ii. Create and configure users

Step 2: Installation & handover

i. Signal survey

ii. Mount and power Connect

iii. Configure cloud communications paths

iv. Connect to the fire panel

v. Create a Table of Contents (ToC)

vi. Servicing and weekly testing

vii. Commission the system

viii. Handover to the end user

Step 1: Portal setup

i. Create an equipment

Nimbus requires an active equipment be created in the Web Portal, with the Connect serial number assigned to it to enable communication to the Nimbus cloud.

ii. Create and configure users

For a new equipment setup, there will likely be users that need adding into Nimbus and configuring to receive event notifications via email/Nimbus Notify.

 

Step 2: Installation and handover

i. Signal survey

Determine a suitable installation location according to the requirements of the site and the results of a signal survey. For good cellular connectivity, it is recommend that the survey indicates a minimum of 2 base stations available with a minimum of 30% signal strength.

ii. Mount and power Connect

Nimbus Connect can be installed on a site in one of three ways.

1. Wall mounted in a dedicated steel enclosure, powered from the relays.
2. Wall mounted in a dedicated steel enclosure, with a standard power supply.
3. Wall mounted in a dedicated steel enclosure, with a fault tolerant power supply.

Where using a Nimbus supplied power supply, connect this to 230V AC electrical supply in accordance to the relevant electrical standards and regulations. Connect can be connected to the power supply with the length of power cable supplied with the device.

iii. Configure cloud communications paths

When first powered on, Connect will automatically establish a cellular connection. An active cellular connection will be indicated by the cellular LED blinking green. An active cloud connection will be indicated by the unmarked LED at the top left of the device breathing blue.

Ethernet & Wi-Fi can be configured as additional communications paths via the Nimbus Engineer App. Depending on the network type, additional information may be required from site IT. 

Where multiple paths are available, Connect will resolve to that with the lowest latency as the "active interface". Additional paths will remain available in the event the active interface fails.

iv. Connect to the fire panel

Connect the fire alarm panel to the Nimbus Connect device according to the requirements of the panel. When panel comms are successfully established, the Panel LED will be solid green.

v. Create a Table of Contents (ToC)

Once an active equipment has been created, the panels configuration file should also be uploaded to enable servicing and weekly test functionality.

vi. Servicing and weekly testing

Once a ToC has been created, servicing and weekly testing features are enabled.

Servicing

The following articles will help you get started with using Nimbus to record servicing activity with Nimbus Connect.

Configuring equipment servicing
Servicing active equipment (fire alarm system)

Weekly Testing

The below articles will help with using Nimbus with weekly testing of your fire alarm system.

Scheduling weekly tests
Conducting weekly tests
Reviewing weekly test data

vii. Commission the system

Access the equipments event log via the Nimbus Web Portal. Generate a fire and fault event, verifying that these are received successfully.

viii. Handover to the end user

Once successfully installed and commissioned, Nimbus can be handed over to the responsible persons on site.

You should trigger an event on the panel, verifying that users receive these via Nimbus Notify/email and understand how to action accordingly.