{"id":18438,"date":"2026-11-01T12:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-01T12:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/sa\/media-center\/"},"modified":"2026-11-01T12:15:00","modified_gmt":"2026-11-01T12:15:00","slug":"context-plus-reflective-beam-detectors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/sa\/media-center\/context-plus-reflective-beam-detectors\/","title":{"rendered":"Context Plus Reflective Beam Detectors: Installation, Alignment and Testing"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"18438\" class=\"elementor elementor-18438 elementor-18437 elementor-bc-flex-widget\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a02a8fa e-con-full az-el-article e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a02a8fa\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c0efaf9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c0efaf9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"az-intro\">A single <strong>reflective beam detector<\/strong> can protect a long strip of warehouse roof, exhibition hall or high atrium. That holds only if the head is rigidly fixed and properly aligned with its reflector; otherwise it becomes a source of faults and false alarms.<\/p>\n<p>This guide covers the Context Plus beam detectors that AZEIDK supplies as part of its <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/solutions\/fire-alarm-systems\/\">fire alarm systems<\/a> in Saudi Arabia: model selection, mounting, alignment, commissioning and testing, based on the manufacturer&#8217;s datasheets and installation guide.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9995a30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9995a30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"az-keybox\"><h2>Key takeaways<\/h2><ul><li>A reflective beam detector houses the transmitter and receiver in one head. The far end is a reflector with no cabling.<\/li><li>AZEIDK offers three Context Plus models: the addressable auto-aligning SA7100-100, the addressable 55000-268 and 55000-273, and the conventional BeamRay RFX70.<\/li><li>The RFX70 user guide gives a range of 7 to 70 m for the standard unit, extended to 160 m with extra reflector kits.<\/li><li>RFX70 commissioning runs in four stages: speed selection, pre-alignment with the reflector covered, manual alignment, then auto-alignment.<\/li><li>Fire and fault tests are done at the reflector end, not at the head.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1654476 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1654476\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>How does a reflective beam detector work?<\/h2>\n<p>The head sends an infrared beam to a reflector on the opposite wall and measures the strength of the returned signal. When smoke enters the beam path, the signal falls gradually. If it stays below the set alarm threshold for the set time, the detector signals fire. A sudden total block, such as a passing forklift, is reported as a fault, not a fire.<\/p>\n<p>The European standard EN 54-12:2015 covers this family as &#8220;line detectors using an optical beam&#8221;. It covers both separate transmitter\/receiver pairs and combined heads with one or more reflectors, and excludes devices with less than 1 m between the opposed parts.<\/p>\n<p>In Saudi Arabia, the legal reference is the Saudi Fire Protection Code SBC 801, whose 2024 edition has been mandatory since 30 June 2025, together with what the General Directorate of Civil Defense approves on the project drawings. NFPA 72 and EN 54-12 are technical references the designer adopts, and the manufacturer&#8217;s instructions govern mounting positions and distances for each model. To compare detector types, see our guide to <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/media-center\/fire-detector-types-selection\/\">choosing fire detectors<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d4b4e93 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d4b4e93\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Context Plus beam detectors: which model fits your project?<\/h2>\n<p>The table summarises what the official datasheet and catalogue state for each model:<\/p>\n<div class=\"az-table-wrap\"><table><thead><tr><th>Item<\/th><th>SA7100-100<\/th><th>55000-268 \/ 55000-273<\/th><th>BeamRay RFX70<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>System type<\/td><td>Addressable, loop-powered<\/td><td>Addressable, loop-powered<\/td><td>Conventional, 12\u201330 Vdc supply<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Range<\/td><td>Up to 100 m<\/td><td>268: 5\u201350 m with one reflector. 273: 50\u2013100 m with four reflectors<\/td><td>7\u201370 m; 70\u2013140 m with the 70KIT140 kit; 140\u2013160 m with the 140KIT160 kit<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Alignment<\/td><td>Motorised auto-alignment, compensates for building movement<\/td><td>Automatic drift compensation<\/td><td>Manual, then automatic via linear stepper motors, with periodic realignment<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ground-level controller<\/td><td>Yes, serves up to two heads<\/td><td>Not stated in the catalogue<\/td><td>Yes, with display and menus for commissioning and maintenance<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Isolator<\/td><td>Built-in bi-directional short-circuit isolator<\/td><td>Built-in short-circuit isolator<\/td><td>Not applicable (conventional relay device)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Current draw<\/td><td>10 mA or less quiescent, 36 mA during alignment<\/td><td>Not stated in the catalogue<\/td><td>3.5 mA; 17 mA in fast commissioning<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Stated conformity<\/td><td>EN 54-12 and EN 54-17 per the manufacturer&#8217;s catalogue<\/td><td>Not stated in the catalogue<\/td><td>EN 54-12:2015 and VdS approval, according to the AZEIDK product page (not stated in the user guide)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>\n<p>Details and datasheet downloads are on each product page: the <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/products\/intelligent-auto-aligning-beam-detector-sa7100-100\/\">SA7100-100 intelligent auto-aligning beam detector<\/a>, the <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/products\/intelligent-reflective-beam-detectors-55000-268-55000-273\/\">55000-268 and 55000-273 intelligent reflective beam detectors<\/a>, and the <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/products\/beamray-conventional-reflective-beam-detector-rfx70\/\">BeamRay RFX70 conventional reflective beam detector<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>When to choose each model<\/h3>\n<ul><li><strong>SA7100-100:<\/strong> for an addressable system with a high or hard-to-reach ceiling. The ground-level controller avoids working at height, and auto-alignment follows steel movement.<\/li><li><strong>55000-268 or 55000-273:<\/strong> when you want a compact unit on the same loop with no separate power supply. Pick the model by distance; an optional 29600-241 back box allows surface or flush mounting.<\/li><li><strong>RFX70:<\/strong> for a conventional panel, or where the distance exceeds 100 m. Its guide notes that it can be connected to an addressable system through the panel manufacturer&#8217;s interface.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c05b27b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c05b27b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Planning before installation: distance, height and coverage<\/h2>\n<p>The RFX70 guide gives recommended values, subject to the governing standard and the authority:<\/p>\n<ul><li>Mount the head and reflector 0.3 to 0.6 m below a flat roof, at a maximum height of 40 m above the floor. The guide treats a roof as flat unless the apex rises more than 0.6 m.<\/li><li>Under a pitched roof, place the beam 0.3 to 0.6 m down from the apex.<\/li><li>The detection area is 7.5 m on each side of the beam, a 15 m wide strip. It can be increased by 1% per degree of roof pitch. The guide&#8217;s example: a 10\u00b0 pitch gives 16.5 m.<\/li><li>Keep the beam at least 0.5 m from any protrusion, with a clear 1 m diameter path along its whole length.<\/li><li>For distances under 20 m, fit the short-range mask supplied with the reflector.<\/li><\/ul>\n<p>For the SA7100-100 and 55000-268\/273, the catalogue states only the range. Take height and coverage limits from each model&#8217;s own guide and the adopted standard, not from the RFX70 values.<\/p>\n<h3>Loop load<\/h3>\n<p>An addressable beam detector is powered from the loop, so its current enters the loop and battery calculations. The SA7100-100 rises to 36 mA during alignment when several heads on one loop are commissioned together. See <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/media-center\/fire-alarm-battery-calculation-secondary-power\/\">fire alarm battery calculation<\/a> for the method.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-02ca521 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"02ca521\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Installation: head, reflector and controller<\/h2>\n<p>These rules from the RFX70 guide apply to practically any beam detector:<\/p>\n<ol><li><strong>Rigid fixing:<\/strong> mount the head on brickwork or main structural steel, never on thin outer cladding.<\/li><li><strong>Direct sunlight:<\/strong> do not let direct sun shine into the lens, especially in glass atriums. Normal ambient light does not affect the beam.<\/li><li><strong>Shiny surfaces:<\/strong> if the opposite wall is shiny or glass, mount the reflector on a roughly 1 m piece of non-reflective board such as MDF.<\/li><li><strong>Condensation:<\/strong> in warehouses open to the outside or exposed to fast temperature swings, the manufacturer offers an anti-fog kit with a coated reflector and lens cover.<\/li><li><strong>Controller:<\/strong> mount it at eye level where it is easy to reach, and wire it to the head with the colour-coded terminals. ERROR on the display means an incomplete connection; the black and grey terminals read 110 ohms if connected and 220 ohms if one end is open.<\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c72045d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c72045d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Alignment and commissioning, step by step<\/h2>\n<p>The RFX70 guide splits commissioning into four stages, all run from the ground-level controller:<\/p>\n<ol><li><strong>Language and commissioning speed:<\/strong> the guide recommends fast mode in most cases. It makes the motors four times faster but draws 17 mA instead of 3.5 mA, so use normal mode if the system cannot carry that load for several beams at once.<\/li><li><strong>Pre-alignment:<\/strong> run it with the reflector not yet fitted, or covered with a black non-reflective cloth. If the power stops rising early and the air quality reading climbs to 5\u201310%, an obstruction near the beam must be removed.<\/li><li><strong>Manual alignment:<\/strong> now uncover the reflector and the reading should jump. If it does not, steer the beam with the arrow keys, up to 5\u00b0 on each axis, until the reading reaches at least 80\u2013100%, ideally above 100%.<\/li><li><strong>Auto-alignment:<\/strong> the detector finds the reflector edges and centres itself. This can take up to 10 minutes. The guide notes that X and Y readings are normally below 0.90 and should not exceed 1.50.<\/li><\/ol>\n<p>On the SA7100-100, alignment is motorised and automatic, but the same rules on a clear path and a rigid fixing apply. Take its commissioning steps from its own guide.<\/p>\n<h3>Settings worth reviewing after commissioning<\/h3>\n<p>The RFX70 alarm threshold is factory set at 35% and adjustable from 25% (more sensitive) to 50%. Time to fire defaults to 10 seconds and can be set from 2 to 30 seconds, which helps where birds or forklifts briefly cross the path. The alarm can be latching or auto-reset. Where welding smoke is common, auto-alignment can be switched off in normal operation if the head is very rigidly fixed. Any change must match the approved design.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67c90b1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"67c90b1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Testing the reflective beam detector at handover and in maintenance<\/h2>\n<p>The RFX70 guide requires testing at the reflector end, because a test at the head does not prove the detector can see the reflector:<\/p>\n<ul><li><strong>Fault test:<\/strong> cover the reflector fully within one second with a non-reflective card. After 10 seconds the detector registers a fault and the amber LED flashes.<\/li><li><strong>Fire test:<\/strong> cover the reflector slowly up to about 70%. After 10 seconds the detector registers fire, the red LED flashes, and the signal must appear on the panel.<\/li><\/ul>\n<p>During routine maintenance, the RFX70 shows a dirt compensation value. Record it at every visit. Above +50%, clean the lens and reflectors, then run an auto-alignment to recalibrate. A negative value usually means commissioning in builders&#8217; dust, also fixed by auto-alignment. The detector also keeps fire and fault event counts and offers a self-test.<\/p>\n<p>Test intervals follow Civil Defense requirements, the maintenance contract and the adopted standard. AZEIDK provides <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/services\/testing-commissioning-handover\/\">testing, commissioning and handover<\/a> for the alarm systems it supplies.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7bf6dc0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7bf6dc0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Common site mistakes<\/h2>\n<ul><li>Fixing the head to cladding or purlins that move with temperature, so the beam drifts off the reflector.<\/li><li>Fitting the RFX70 reflector before pre-alignment, so the detector sets its power on a false reading.<\/li><li>Leaving racking, pipes or cable trays inside the clear beam path, or adding them later when the warehouse layout changes.<\/li><li>Testing by covering the head lens instead of the reflector.<\/li><li>Ignoring the alignment current when several addressable beams on one loop are commissioned together.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7995ad0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7995ad0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2><div class=\"az-faq\"><details class=\"az-faq__item\"><summary><h3>What is the difference between a reflective beam and an end-to-end beam?<\/h3><\/summary><p>A reflective beam has one powered head and an unpowered reflector; an end-to-end beam needs a separately wired transmitter and receiver. EN 54-12 covers both.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"az-faq__item\"><summary><h3>Can the BeamRay RFX70 connect to an addressable panel?<\/h3><\/summary><p>The RFX70 is a conventional device with fire and fault relays. Its guide states it can be connected to an addressable system through the panel manufacturer&#8217;s interface. On an addressable system, the SA7100-100 and 55000-268\/273 connect to the loop directly.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"az-faq__item\"><summary><h3>How long does RFX70 alignment take?<\/h3><\/summary><p>The guide says auto-alignment can take up to 10 minutes. If it does not finish, check the X and Y readings for drift onto an obstruction.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"az-faq__item\"><summary><h3>Why does a beam keep going into fault in a warehouse?<\/h3><\/summary><p>The usual causes are an object blocking the beam completely, such as a forklift or high stock, a fixing that is not rigid, or dust on the lens and reflector. The event counts and the dirt compensation value help identify the cause.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"az-faq__item\"><summary><h3>Is one reflective beam detector enough for a whole warehouse?<\/h3><\/summary><p>It depends on the width, height, roof shape and the standard adopted in the design. Wide areas usually need several parallel beams.<\/p><\/details><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8aceff1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8aceff1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p>A beam detector&#8217;s performance is decided on site more than in the catalogue. Choose the model to suit the panel type and distance, fix it rigidly at the right height, keep the path clear, follow the alignment sequence, test at the reflector end, and track dirt compensation at every maintenance visit. Each model&#8217;s manufacturer instructions, SBC 801 and Civil Defense requirements remain the framework for these decisions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76f8440 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"76f8440\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"az-cta\"><strong>Planning detection for a warehouse or high-ceiling hall?<\/strong> Send us the drawings, panel type and distances, and we will propose the right Context Plus model with its datasheet. <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/contact\/\">Talk to the AZEIDK team<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ab0314 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2ab0314\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"az-source\"><strong>References:<\/strong> thebeamray RFX70 Reflective Optical Beam Smoke Detector User Guide (Context Plus); Intelligent Auto-Aligning Beam Detector SA7100-100 (Context Plus); Addressable Fire Equipment Catalogue: Specialist Detectors (Context Plus); <a href=\"https:\/\/iteh.es\/catalog\/standards\/sist\/7695decb-9d9e-4ceb-b1e9-0ffdd2b32bd5\/sist-en-54-12-2015\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">EN 54-12:2015 Line detectors using an optical beam<\/a> (iTeh Standards); <a href=\"\/en\/sa\/media-center\/saudi-building-code-sbc-801-fire-protection\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Saudi Building Code SBC 801<\/a> (AZEIDK, in Arabic)<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Reflective beam detector guide for Context Plus SA7100-100, 55000-268 and BeamRay RFX70: mounting height, alignment, commissioning and reflector-end testing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":16511,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[221],"tags":[],"azeidk_region":[223],"class_list":["post-18438","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-azeidk-articles"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18438","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18438"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18438\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19227,"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18438\/revisions\/19227"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16511"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18438"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18438"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18438"},{"taxonomy":"azeidk_region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/azeidkgroup.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/azeidk_region?post=18438"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}