Syncro ASM Marine Fire Control Panel #
Overview #
The Kentec Syncro ASM is a 1–2 loop analogue addressable fire alarm panel certified for marine use. It monitors smoke/heat detectors and manual call points, drives the vessel’s sounders, and reports fire, pre-alarm and fault events on its LCD.
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Loops | 1, expandable to 2 |
| Device protocols | Apollo or Hochiki (marine-approved devices) |
| Zones | 500 on display; first 16 have dedicated zone LEDs |
| Sounder circuits | 2 programmable, 1 A each, plus loop sounders |
| Inputs / relays | 5 programmable inputs; Fire, Alarm and Fault relays |
| Event log | Last 500 events |
| Networking | Up to 64 Syncro panels; View Marine repeaters |
| Power | 230 V AC, 3 A PSU, temperature-compensated charger, sealed lead-acid standby batteries |
This article covers crew/user operation (Access Levels 1 and 2). Engineering configuration (Level 3) is in the separate Kentec product manual and should be left to the service provider.
Controls, indicators and access levels #
Anyone can look and silence the panel buzzer (Level 1); silencing sounders, resetting and disabling require the Level 2 code or keyswitch.
Access levels #
| Level | Who | How to enter | What it allows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Any crew | No code | View events, Lamp Test, Silence Buzzer, More Fires/Events, Help |
| 2 | Trained officers / captain | Press any menu button, enter 4-digit code, press Enter (or turn Enable keyswitch if fitted). Factory default is 2222 — change it at commissioning | Silence/Acknowledge, Re-sound, Reset, Evacuate, Function, menus (disable, test, time, contamination) |
| 3 | Service engineer | Separate code via Level 2 menu | Programming and configuration |
Level 2 times out about 1 minute after the last keypress.
Buttons #
| Button | Level | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Lamp Test | 1 | Lights all LEDs and the buzzer to prove indicators work |
| Silence Buzzer | 1 | Mutes the panel’s internal buzzer only; sounders keep running |
| More Fires | 1 | Scrolls additional fire events not on screen |
| More Events | 1 | Scrolls additional faults, pre-alarms, disablements |
| ? (Help) | 1 | Context help for the current screen |
| Arrows 1–4, Enter, Exit | 1/2 | Menu navigation and code entry |
| Silence Alarm / Acknowledge | 2 | Silences vessel sounders; may extend output delays |
| Re-sound Alarm | 2 | Restarts silenced sounders |
| Reset | 2 | Clears latched fire and pre-alarm events |
| Evacuate | 2 | Runs all sounders continuously, or the abandon-ship signal (7 short + 1 long) if configured |
| Function | 2 | Programmable; does nothing by default |
Indicators #
| LED | Colour | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| FIRE | Red, flashing | Fire detected somewhere on the system |
| Zone 1–16 | Red, flashing | Zone(s) in fire |
| General Fault | Yellow, flashing | Any fault present; detail on LCD |
| Specific fault LEDs | Yellow | Type of fault (e.g. power, earth, system) |
| Pre-alarm | Yellow | A detector’s reading is rising toward alarm |
| Buzzer Silenced | Yellow | Internal buzzer muted |
| Delay Active | Yellow | An output delay (search time) is running |
| Sounder Fault / Disabled | Yellow | Sounder circuit faulty or disabled |
| Fire Routing Fault / Disabled | Yellow | Fire relay output faulty or disabled |
| General Disablement | Yellow | Something on the system is disabled |
The LCD shows the event type, device address, 40-character location text (e.g. “Engine Room Stbd Fwd”), and the recommended action.
Responding to a fire alarm #
Investigate first, silence second, reset last — never reset until the space is confirmed safe and the cause is known.
What you’ll see: red FIRE and zone LEDs flash, vessel sounders operate, panel buzzer pulses, LCD shows the device and location.
- Press Silence Buzzer (Level 1) to quiet the panel and read the display.
- Note the zone, device address and location. Press More Fires to see any additional devices in alarm.
- Follow the vessel’s fire muster procedure: send crew to investigate the location; evacuate/fight fire as required.
- To silence vessel sounders: press any menu button, enter the Level 2 code, press Enter, then Silence Alarm / Acknowledge.
- If conditions worsen or a new area alarms, press Re-sound Alarm.
- Once the space is confirmed clear (or a false alarm is identified — steam, cooking, dust, hot work), press Reset.
- If the same detector re-alarms after reset, do not keep resetting. Investigate the device and, if needed, disable only that address (see Disablements) and report it.
- Record the event (time, device, cause, action) in the vessel log.
Other event types #
| Event | Signs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-alarm | Pre-alarm LED, continuous buzzer, device shown | Silence Buzzer; physically check the space — may be early smouldering or a dirty detector |
| Evacuate | FIRE LED, sounders continuous or abandon-ship pattern | Follow muster; silence via Level 2 + Acknowledge; Reset if from a latching input |
| Alert | All sounders pulse on 1-second cycle, buzzer continuous | Check source input; Level 2 + Acknowledge; Reset if latching |
Faults and disablements #
Faults clear themselves once the cause is fixed; disablements stay until someone restores them, so every disablement must be logged and restored.
Faults #
- Yellow General Fault flashes, the Fault relay operates, and the buzzer sounds continuously.
- Read the LCD for fault type and device; press More Events for others.
- Press Silence Buzzer — the fault itself remains until resolved.
- Faults are non-latching: no Reset needed once the cause is cleared.
- Report any fault you can’t clear to the service provider immediately.
Disablements (Level 2 → Disablements menu) #
| Option | What it does | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Disable Immediate Output Response | Turns on configured output delays (EN54 requirement) | Manned-bridge/day mode where delays are approved |
| Disable Zones | Isolates every detector and call point in a zone | Hot work, painting, shipyard work in a space |
| Disable Addresses | Isolates one loop device (or one sub-address on I/O modules) | A single faulty or false-alarming detector |
| Disable Sounders | Silences sounder circuits 1–2 and loop sounders | Testing without disturbing guests/crew |
| Disable Panel Outputs | Isolates Fire, Alarm or Fault relay individually | Stops shutdowns/remote signalling during testing |
| View / Restore Disablements | Lists active disablements; press Enter on each to restore | End of work or test |
While anything is disabled, the General Disablement LED stays lit. Disable the smallest scope possible (an address before a zone), post a fire watch for the affected space, and restore before leaving the panel.
Testing and routine maintenance #
The panel itself needs almost no maintenance; batteries (about 4-year life) and detectors are the items to watch.
Zone walk test (Level 2 → Test Zones) #
- Select the zone(s) to put in test.
- Choose sounder response ON (sounders operate briefly on each activation) or OFF (silent test).
- Activate each detector/call point in the zone; the panel auto-resets 3 seconds after each activation.
- Confirm every device reported with the correct location text.
- Exit via View & Restore Zones in Test — do not leave zones in test.
On systems with many loop sounders, not all may activate within the 3-second window; this is expected.
Routine checks #
| Frequency | Task |
|---|---|
| Daily | Panel shows normal, no faults or unexpected disablements; time/date correct |
| Weekly | Lamp Test; operate one call point or detector in rotation to prove alarm and sounders |
| Monthly | Check Contamination Status (devices over 85% of their working range) and schedule cleaning/replacement |
| Annually | Service provider inspection; battery test per manufacturer guidance |
| ~4 years | Replace sealed lead-acid standby batteries |
Care and settings #
- Clean the enclosure with a barely damp cloth only — no detergents or solvents; keep water out.
- Detectors self-calibrate daily; failures show as maintenance faults.
- Keep system time correct (Level 2 → Set System Time) so the 500-event log is accurate; daylight saving adjusts automatically.
- Mains: 230 V 50 Hz, Class 1, earthed, with an accessible double-pole isolator. Only qualified personnel open the panel.
Troubleshooting quick reference #
If a fault persists after the checks below, log it and contact the fire system service provider — do not open the panel.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Buttons do nothing (Silence/Reset) | Not in Level 2, or Level 2 timed out | Re-enter code or turn keyswitch; act within 1 minute |
| Code 2222 rejected | Code changed at commissioning | Use vessel’s recorded code; service provider can reset |
| Same detector keeps alarming | Steam, exhaust, dust, contamination or failing head | Investigate; check Contamination Status; disable that address only and report |
| Pre-alarm with no visible cause | Dirty or drifting detector | Check Contamination Status; schedule cleaning/replacement |
| General Fault + power fault | Shore/gen power lost, charger or battery fault | Restore mains; if battery fault persists, replace batteries |
| Sounder Fault / Disabled LED | Sounder circuit open/short, or sounders disabled | Check View / Restore Disablements; if not disabled, call service |
| General Disablement LED stays on | Something left disabled or in test | View / Restore Disablements and View & Restore Zones in Test |
| Wrong time on events | Clock not set | Set System Time |
Manual #
Need Assistance?
For technical support, warranty assistance, parts, or to schedule service:
Ocean Alexander Yacht Service
East Coast Yacht Group
2955 W State Road 84 Fort Lauderdale FL, 33312
954-530-2033
oayachtservice.com
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This article is part of the Ocean Alexander Yacht Service Knowledge Base. Information is provided for general guidance and should not replace the applicable Owner’s Manual or service procedures.
© Ocean Alexander Yacht Service – East Coast Yacht Group, Inc.
