Siemens Cerberus PRO

Siemens’ modular fire detection line, known for ASA multi-criteria detection and a global engineered-systems footprint.

Platform overview

Cerberus PRO is Siemens’ intelligent fire detection platform for small, medium and large buildings — a member of the FS720 product generation and a sibling of the larger Sinteso range. It pairs powerful, modular control panels with a deep portfolio of intelligent detectors, aspirating smoke detection, input/output modules, manual call points, sounders and beacons, extinguishing control and wireless devices, all unified by the C-NET detector bus and the C-WEB networking architecture, and managed through the Cerberus software family.

Three ideas define the platform. First, ASA (Advanced Signal Analysis) — a neural, environment-tuned signal-processing technology that gives high sensitivity with strong immunity to deceptive phenomena (steam, dust, cooking aerosols). Second, C-NET — a robust, flexible two-wire detector bus supporting loop, stub and star (T-tap) topologies, automatic device configuration, and built-in short-circuit isolation. Third, scalable networking — from a standalone single-loop panel up to an EN 54-compliant 64-panel network spanning kilometres of fibre, with a common management layer.

Range at a glance

Control panels (FC72x)

Cerberus PRO panels share a common operating concept, automatic configuration and networking capability, and differ mainly in loop count, address capacity and expandability. Compact panels (FC721/FC722/FC724) integrate a fixed number of C-NET loops; modular panels (FC723/FC726) add card slots for line cards and I/O cards. Every panel includes an integrated operating unit, integrated power supply and an Ethernet (RJ45) port, and can run standalone or as a network node. The FT724 is a fire terminal — a networked operating/indication node without its own detection loops.

Panels are supplied in Eco, Standard, Comfort and Large housings, with 70 W or 150 W power supplies and batteries from 7 Ah up to 100 Ah (Large), giving up to 72 hours of emergency standby. The integrated operating unit can be augmented with add-ons of 24, 48 or 96 LED display groups for zonal indication, plus optional event printer and Kaba/Nordic key switches. Floor repeater terminals (FT2010/FT2011) provide remote display and control — up to 8 per FC721/FC722, 16 per FC724, 50 per FC726.

C-NET detector bus

C-NET is the modern multi-purpose bus that connects detectors, modules, call points and sounders to the panel. It is engineered for rapid, fail-safe communication and flexible installation: it accepts shielded or unshielded cable, requires no shielding, integrates existing star-shaped cable networks without modification, and powers most bus elements directly over the two-wire line (exceptions include certain transponders, LaserFOCUS, the XC10 extinguishing unit and the FDA aspirating detectors, which take a separate supply).

On the modular FC723/FC726, additional detection capacity is added with line cards: the FCL2001 C-NET line card (252 C-NET devices on 4 loops or 8 stubs) and the FCL7201 SynoLOOP card (128 devices per loop / 4 stubs). I/O cards (FCI2007 alarm/fault transmission, FCI2008 twelve programmable I/O, FCI2009 eight monitored horn/output lines) round out the modular slots.

Networking — C-WEB cluster & backbone

Cerberus PRO networking has two complementary layers, both with redundant ring wiring. The C-WEB/SAFEDLINK cluster connects up to 32 fire control panels and fire terminals on a two-wire system bus (up to 16 panels when connected to a danger management system). Copper runs reach 1 km between panels (2 km with a repeater); fibre reaches 4 km multi-mode or 40 km single-mode. A second network module enables degrade-mode redundancy even on systems with more than 512 detectors.

The C-WEB/LAN backbone connects clusters over an Ethernet/fibre backbone using industrial LAN technology — Siemens offers this as an EN 54-approved solution. Up to 14 clusters of up to 16 panels each give an EN 54-compliant system of up to 64 panels, with system-wide control, redundant circular wiring and fibre links between clusters. Up to five panels can hold a system-wide view, and any FC726 can act as a router panel — scaling from a single standalone panel to a multi-building campus spanning tens of kilometres on fibre.

ASA detection technology

At the heart of Cerberus PRO detection is ASA — Advanced Signal Analysis. Rather than comparing a single sensor reading against a fixed threshold, ASA continuously analyses the sensor signals with neural, time- and process-dependent algorithms and compares them against stored danger patterns. Each detector can be assigned an application-specific parameter set (a “danger level” profile) tuned to its environment — office, workshop, kitchen, car park, dusty or high-airflow space — so the same hardware can be optimised for maximum sensitivity in clean rooms or maximum deception immunity in harsh areas.

The practical benefits are high early-warning sensitivity to genuine fire signatures combined with strong resistance to unwanted alarms from steam, dust, exhaust and cooking aerosols, plus a high degree of immunity to electrical interference. ASA underpins the multi-sensor OH720 and the neural OOH740 / OOHC740 detectors, and the same philosophy of digital signal analysis extends to the ASD+ aspirating range. Combined with C-NET’s automatic device configuration, ASA also speeds commissioning: detectors are recognised, addressed and given sensible default parameter sets, which the engineer then refines per zone.

Point detectors

The Cerberus PRO FD720 detector range connects directly to C-NET and shares a common low-profile design and detector base. All automatic detectors carry a built-in line isolator option and bicolour status indication.

Detector bases provide the mechanical and electrical interface and add functions: standard base, the DBS720 sounder base (adds an audible signal at the detector), the FDSB226 sounder-beacon base (audible + visual), and relay bases. Sounder bases let designers distribute notification at detector points without separate sounder circuits.

Special detectors — beam & flame

For spaces where point detectors are impractical, Cerberus PRO offers line and flame detection on the same C-NET loop:

• FDL241-9 linear (beam) smoke detector — projected-beam detection across large open volumes such as atria, warehouses, halls and heritage spaces, where mounting point detectors across a ceiling is impractical.
• FDF241-9 flame detector — multi-sensor / triple-IR flame detection for fast-developing flaming fires and high-risk areas (fuel handling, hangars, process areas).
• Ex / intrinsically-safe variants — the FDCL221-Ex line adapter and Ex-rated devices (e.g. OOH740-A9-Ex, FDM223-Ex) extend detection into hazardous areas on a C-NET-Ex line.

Aspirating smoke detection — ASD range (FDA221 / FDA241)

Aspirating smoke detectors (ASD) actively draw air from the protected area through a network of sampling pipes with calibrated holes, and analyse it in a detection chamber. They suit applications where point detectors are pushed to their limits — high ceilings, cavities and voids (false floors/ceilings), clean rooms, data and telecommunication centres, cable tunnels, conveyor belts, and spaces with strong airflow or electromagnetic fields.

The Siemens ASD detectors FDA221 and FDA241 use patented dual-wavelength technology (blue and infrared light) to detect a wide spectrum of particle sizes and trigger an alarm at the earliest possible moment, with a uniquely dust-resistant detection chamber. They are designed for standalone operation and configured via a USB interface using the ASD Asyst Tool pipe-design software. The FDA241 adds a dust indicator and a chamber cleaning (“blowing out”) function.

Aspirating smoke detection — ASD+ range (FDA261 / FDA262)

The ASD+ range (FDA261 and FDA262) is Siemens’ digitalised, high-performance aspirating generation, designed for large and demanding protection areas. Its headline capability is coverage: a single ASD+ device can protect an area of up to 6,700 m², dramatically reducing the number of detectors, pipes and commissioning points on large sites. Unlike the standalone ASD detectors, ASD+ units connect directly to the addressed FDnet/C-NET detector line (or can run standalone), so they appear as intelligent, individually addressed devices on the loop alongside point detectors.

ASD+ uses two independent detection chambers and a dual-wavelength signal-processing algorithm that reliably differentiates smoke particles from dust, giving both very high sensitivity (Class A) and maximum immunity to false alarms. Configuration is done over a wireless interface using a mobile app, and pipework is designed with the ASD Asyst Tool. The two models differ mainly in pipe capacity — and therefore the area one device can cover.

Input/output modules & isolators

Cerberus PRO interfaces to third-party plant, conventional zones and control functions through C-NET modules. All are loop-connected and most are loop-powered, with built-in short-circuit isolation. On modular panels these are complemented by panel I/O cards: FCI2007 (alarm/fault routing), FCI2008 (12 programmable I/O with defined degrade-mode behaviour) and FCI2009 (8 monitored horn/output lines). Conventional sounder lines can be driven via the FCA2005 sounder module (4 lines).

Manual call points

Cerberus PRO manual call points are C-NET-addressed with an integrated line isolator and built-in alarm LED. The glass-plate / resettable-element design allows the unit to be reset for re-use after activation. Call points are available in red (fire) and other colours for special functions (e.g. manual extinguishing release DM1103-L / emergency-hold DM1103-S in extinguishing systems).

Sounders, beacons & voice-sounders

Audible and visual notification can be delivered from dedicated devices or from detector sounder bases, all on C-NET. Sounder bases and beacon bases let designers distribute notification at detector locations, reducing dedicated sounder circuits; conventional sounder lines remain available via panel sounder outputs and the FCA2005 sounder module, and voice-evacuation is supported through dedicated voice equipment and EVAC modules where required.

Extinguishing control

Cerberus PRO provides integrated extinguishing (suppression release) control, certified to EN 12094-1. The modular FC723 and FC726 panels host extinguishing functionality, and the FC722/FC724 can be combined with extinguishing kits to form a fire-detection-plus-extinguishing panel. Extinguishing outputs support monitored actuation up to ~2 A with line monitoring (ground fault, leakage, open line), and extinguishing key switches (Kaba / Nordic) provide operation clearance.

• XCA2005 extinguishing control kit (1 sector) — extinguishing card XCI2005, card cage and accessories; monitored valve/standard/inverse outputs and monitored collective inputs (manual release, emergency hold, loss-of-agent, discharged contact).
• XCM7202 extinguishing terminal & XT2001 remote terminal — operator interface for an extinguishing sector with configurable LEDs/buttons and a countdown display.
• XC10 extinguishing control unit — C-NET-connected extinguishing controller for room/object protection (single-sector flooding with optional reserve cylinder bank), with manual release (DM1103-L) and emergency-hold (DM1103-S) call points.

Wireless — SWING

For areas where cabling is impractical (heritage buildings, temporary installations, hard-to-reach spaces), Cerberus PRO supports SWING radio devices that participate in the same system as wired C-NET devices. Wireless devices retain ASA detection behaviour and are managed and annunciated identically to wired devices, allowing mixed wired/wireless designs on one system.

Management, remote access & cloud

Cerberus PRO is managed and integrated through a family of software products that scale from a single panel to enterprise estates. Licence tiers (S1–S4) progressively unlock Cerberus-Remote/BACnet supervision, basic and extended commands, Cerberus Mobile, and activation/deactivation commands — so integration capability is matched to the project. All remote/cloud connectivity is intended to be deployed per Siemens’ network security guidelines (router/firewall/VPN).

Approvals & standards

Cerberus PRO is certified to the EN 54 fire-detection standards in its home markets and carries regional listings elsewhere:

• Panels & power — EN 54-2 (control and indicating equipment) and EN 54-4 (power supply), with CPR Declarations of Performance, plus VdS and LPCB approvals.
• Detectors & devices — EN 54 device parts as applicable: EN 54-17 (isolators), EN 54-18 (I/O devices), EN 54-20 (aspirating detectors); ASD/ASD+ carry CPR DoPs and VdS.
• Networking — the C-WEB/LAN Ethernet backbone is offered as an EN 54-approved networking solution.
• Australia / New Zealand — Cerberus PRO panels and devices carry ActivFire listings for the AS 7240 market (for example, the FDA262 ASD+ aspirating detector is ActivFire-listed under afp-3778). Confirm the specific listing for each component and configuration.
• Extinguishing & transport — extinguishing control to EN 12094-1; the ASD FDA221/241 additionally hold rail approvals (EN 50155, EN 45545-2) and SIL2 (EN 61508).

Applications & summary

The breadth of the Cerberus PRO range lets a single platform protect a wide spectrum of buildings: offices and retail, hotels and residential, education and health campuses, industrial and process facilities, data and telecommunication centres, transport (including rail/rolling-stock with the ASD range), car parks, warehouses and atria (beam and ASD+), and hazardous areas (Ex devices). Standalone panels suit small buildings; SAFEDLINK clusters and the LAN/fibre backbone scale to multi-building estates.

Its defining strengths are ASA neural detection for sensitivity with false-alarm immunity; the flexible, fail-safe C-NET bus with automatic configuration; an exceptionally deep aspirating offering spanning the compact ASD range and the high-coverage ASD+ range (up to 6,700 m² per device); modular extinguishing control; and a mature management/cloud ecosystem (Cerberus DMS, Remote, Mobile, Connect X300, BACnet). Together these make Cerberus PRO a complete, scalable life-safety platform rather than a single panel — engineered to grow from one loop to a kilometres-wide, multi-building network on a common toolset.

Siemens solution partners in Australia

Cerberus PRO is supplied and supported through Siemens’ accredited solution partners. Australian distributors include:

Partner coverage and accreditation can change — confirm current details with the distributor or Siemens.

Further reading

Frequently asked