In a high-roof warehouse or a factory hall with overhead cranes, installing and maintaining dozens of point detectors is a recurring burden. The practical alternative is often a single beam detector that watches a long optical line across the area. The TX7130 from TANDA is the beam detector AZEIDK Egypt supplies for open areas, warehouses and factories, as part of its fire detection and alarm solutions.
Technical values come from the official TANDA UK datasheet (March 2020).
Key takeaways
- The TANDA TX7130 is a conventional reflective beam detector: transmitter and receiver in one housing, reflector opposite.
- It has four ranges, selected with an on-board encoder, from 8 to 100 m: one reflector up to 40 m, four reflectors from 40 to 100 m.
- The datasheet states compliance with EN 54-12:2015, LPCB approval and CE marking under the Construction Products Regulation (CE-CPR).
- Supply is 20 to 28 V DC. It connects to the panel through separate fire and fault relays, both normally open (NO).
- A laser pointer and digital display help alignment; a rigid mounting surface and a clear path still decide success.
In this article
- How the TX7130 reflective beam detector works
- TANDA TX7130 technical data from the datasheet
- Choosing the range and the number of reflectors
- Beam detector applications on Egyptian projects
- Connecting to the fire alarm panel
- Which references apply: legal requirement or technical reference?
- Site preparation and mounting
- Alignment, testing and commissioning
- Periodic maintenance
- Common beam detector installation mistakes
- The technical submittal for a beam detector
- Frequently asked questions
- Conclusion
How the TX7130 reflective beam detector works
A beam detector is a line detector: it watches a whole path, not a single point. The TX7130 sends an infrared beam to a reflector fixed at the far end. It returns to the receiver in the same housing. When smoke crosses the path, less light returns; past the set threshold, the detector operates its fire relay.
With a single-ended design, all wiring is at one end; the reflector needs no power or cables. The datasheet also lists self-diagnosis of internal faults and automatic compensation for factors that slowly weaken the signal, such as dust build-up, small positional movement and ageing of the transmitter.
The product standard is EN 54-12:2015, for line smoke detectors working on the attenuation of an optical beam. It excludes detectors with opposed components less than 1 m apart, and those whose optical path is set by an integral mechanical connection.
TANDA TX7130 technical data from the datasheet
| Item | Datasheet value |
|---|---|
| Type | Conventional reflective beam detector |
| Compliance and approvals | EN 54-12:2015; LPCB and CE-CPR |
| Operating voltage | 20 to 28 V DC |
| Current | 23 mA standby, 56 mA during commissioning, 33 mA in alarm |
| Sensitivity levels | 2.6 dB (high), 3.8 dB (medium), 5.8 dB (low) |
| Beam path angle | ±0.5° |
| Relays | Fire relay and fault relay, normally open, 2 A at 30 V DC |
| Reset | Less than 2 seconds, by power interruption |
| Alignment aids | Laser pointer, digital display, and LEDs: red for fire, yellow for fault, green for alignment |
| Operating temperature | -10 to 55 °C |
| Humidity | 0 to 95% RH, non-condensing |
| Protection rating | IP30; the datasheet lists IP66 with a glue seal for permanent fixing |
| Dimensions | 190.87 × 126.87 × 91.96 mm |
Choosing the range and the number of reflectors
The encoder sets one of four spans, and each span sets the reflector count:
| Span | Path length | Path type | Reflectors required |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 to 20 m | Short | 1 reflector |
| 2 | 20 to 40 m | Short | 1 reflector |
| 3 | 40 to 70 m | Normal | 4 reflectors |
| 4 | 70 to 100 m | Long | 4 reflectors |
Measure the path on site, pick its span, and count reflectors in the BOQ from day one: any path over 40 m needs four per detector. Confirm on ordering how many reflectors and brackets ship per detector; the datasheet lists the bracket and the TX7130-R reflector as accessories.
Sensitivity is a design decision balancing response speed against false alarms; set it with the encoder and record it at commissioning.
Beam detector applications on Egyptian projects
The datasheet lists high-ceiling, wide areas such as warehouses, malls, exhibition halls, hotel lobbies, printing houses, garment factories and museums. On Egyptian projects, the main check differs by space:
| Space type | Why a beam detector suits it | What to check before installation |
|---|---|---|
| Warehouses and distribution centres | High ceiling and a large open area with no partitions | Current and future rack heights, and forklifts carrying high loads |
| Factory halls and garment factories | Ceiling hard to reach during operation | Overhead cranes, lint, dust and steam from processes |
| Hangars and steel-frame buildings | Wide spans and high roofs | Structural vibration, thermal expansion, and summer temperature under the steel roof |
| Malls, exhibition halls and hotel lobbies | Fewer devices on the ceiling | Hanging signs, decorations and strong lighting |
Full warehouse protection is covered in Warehouse Fire Protection in Egypt. To compare point and beam detectors by space, see Smoke and Heat Detectors: Choosing the Right Detector for Each Space.
Connecting to the fire alarm panel
The TX7130 is a conventional detector. It connects to the panel through two separate relays, fire and fault, both normally open and rated 2 A at 30 V DC. Check three points at design stage:
- Power: the detector needs 20 to 28 V DC. Include its consumption (23 mA standby, 33 mA in alarm) in the battery and power supply calculation.
- Reset: reset is by power interruption (under 2 seconds). Decide early how the panel or supply circuit will cut power to the detector on reset, per the installation wiring diagram.
- Compatibility: check how the relays connect to a conventional zone circuit or an addressable input module against both datasheets before supply, whether the panel is Context Plus or another make.
For the differences, see Conventional and Addressable Fire Alarm Systems.
Which references apply: legal requirement or technical reference?
The legally binding reference in Egypt is the Egyptian Code for the Design and Implementation of Fire Protection for Buildings — 2026 edition (Ministerial Decree No. 355 of 2026). Its third part covers electrical requirements and detection and alarm. The General Directorate of Civil Protection (Ministry of Interior) reviews drawings and inspects before occupancy.
Beam layout, spacing and distance below the ceiling come from the technical reference the project adopts, such as NFPA 72 (2025 edition) or BS 5839-1:2025, then from the manufacturer’s instructions. The datasheet cites BS 5839-1 in its 2002 edition; the current edition is 2025, so use the edition named in the project documents. Neither is legally mandatory in Egypt unless the contract or designer adopts it.
Site preparation and mounting
Mounting surface
With a ±0.5° beam path angle, small movement at the fixing point throws the beam off over distance. Steel sheeting and purlins expand in summer heat and shake with wind and crane movement. Fix the detector and reflector to concrete columns, or to the main columns and beams of a steel frame, not to cladding sheets or light purlins.
Environment
The standard rating, IP30, suits dry indoor spaces; the datasheet gives IP66 only with a glue seal for permanent fixing, so check with the manufacturer before any damp area. With a 55 °C upper limit, confirm the summer temperature at mounting height under an uninsulated steel roof stays in range.
Beam path and maintenance access
Walk the path on site, not only on the drawing. Will racks rise later? Does a crane cross the path? Does sunlight from roof lights hit the detector? Plan access for the technician from the start, by lift platform or walkway.
Alignment, testing and commissioning
A laser pointer shows where to fix the reflector; a digital display shows the returning light strength. The general sequence, following the model’s installation instructions:
- Check: the measured path falls inside the chosen span, with the matching number of reflectors.
- Mount: fix detector and reflector on rigid surfaces with no vibration.
- Set up: select the span and sensitivity level with the encoder.
- Align: aim with the laser pointer, then fine-tune using the digital display and green LED. Current draw here is 56 mA.
- Alarm test: simulate smoke by the manufacturer’s method and confirm the alarm reaches the correct panel zone.
- Fault test: block the beam fully, record the detector and panel response, and compare it with the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Record: log span, sensitivity and results in the handover report.
Periodic maintenance
Automatic compensation handles gradual signal loss but does not replace cleaning where dust builds up.
- Clean the lens and reflector by the manufacturer’s method.
- Check alignment on the digital display after any work on the structure or roof.
- Walk the path after any change in rack layout or new equipment.
- Repeat the alarm and fault tests and record the results.
The frequency is set by the approved maintenance programme and the manufacturer’s instructions.
Common beam detector installation mistakes
- Counting one reflector for a long path: paths from 40 to 100 m need four reflectors, according to the datasheet.
- Fixing to steel cladding: its movement with heat and wind pushes the beam off the reflector.
- Ignoring the reset method: a detector that resets by power interruption needs a circuit designed to allow it.
- Using it in damp areas without checking the rating: the standard rating is IP30.
- Relying on “EN 54” in a catalogue: the submittal needs the datasheet and the model certificate under Part 12.
The technical submittal for a beam detector
For the consultant or civil protection drawings, the submittal usually holds the official datasheet (March 2020, EN 54-12:2015), the model certificate, installation instructions, the panel wiring diagram, and drawings of each beam path with length, span and reflector count. The datasheet is listed under datasheets and technical approval files on the TANDA page. Fire Equipment Technical Documents in Egypt explains how to prepare this file.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum distance the TANDA TX7130 covers?
Up to 100 m between detector and reflector on span 4. From 40 m upwards it needs four reflectors. Beam spacing and distance below the ceiling come from the project’s technical reference.
Does it work with addressable panels?
It is conventional, with fire and fault relay outputs. These can feed a conventional zone circuit or an addressable input module, once the detector, panel and module datasheets are matched before supply.
What approvals does the datasheet list?
Compliance with EN 54-12:2015, LPCB approval and CE marking under the Construction Products Regulation. Request the model certificate for the submittal.
Is a beam detector suitable for steamy or very dusty areas?
Steam and heavy dust weaken the beam just as smoke does, which raises the risk of false alarms. The designer assesses detection type and sensitivity there, keeping the IP30 rating in mind.
Conclusion
The TANDA TX7130 covers up to 100 m over four spans, with one reflector up to 40 m and four beyond, and its datasheet states EN 54-12:2015 compliance and LPCB approval. On site, performance depends on rigid mounting, a clear path, documented alignment and testing, and regular maintenance.
Planning fire detection for a warehouse or a high-ceiling hall? Send us drawings, path lengths and how the space is used; we will send the datasheet and notes on detector positions and reflector quantities. Talk to the AZEIDK Egypt team
