Notifier NFS-320

The Notifier NFS-320 is a single-loop intelligent addressable fire alarm control panel from the ONYX Series. One isolated intelligent Digital Communications Loop supports up to 159 detectors and 159 modules = 318 addressable devices in total = with four on-board Notification Appliance Circuits, an 80-character display and QWERTY keypad, and releasing functions for up to ten independent hazards. The NFS-320C is the ULC-listed model specified for Canadian installations, listed under file S635.

Notifier has confirmed the phase-out of the NFS-320. Orders for the NFS-320C will be accepted until 15 November 2027, with delivery no later than 20 December 2027, and from 30 September 2026 every new order requires pre-approval by Notifier. The replacement is the NOTIFIER INSPIRE N16 platform — the N16e for the NFS-320, the N16e-r where a red enclosure is required. Existing NFS-320 systems can continue to be used and maintained: support continues under the applicable product warranty, and beyond it through the availability of replacement boards, subject to component availability. Control Fire Systems is an authorized Notifier Engineered Systems Distributor (ESD) in Toronto and supports NFS-320 panels across Canada with service, parts, programming and planned migration.

NFS-320 specifications at a glance

All figures below are taken from Notifier datasheet DN-60085:S (NFS-320C), 30 July 2022.

NFS-320 model variants

Unless a version-specific suffix appears at the end of the part number, “NFS-320" refers to the whole family. For Canadian installations, specify the NFS-320C and refer to Canadian applications manual addendum 52747.

Models specified in Canada

One or two option boards may be mounted inside the cabinet — to the left of the display and one inside; additional option boards go in remote cabinets. All mounting holes must be secured with a screw or standoff to maintain earth ground continuity, and power-limited wiring must be separated from non-power-limited wiring as described in the installation manual.

Power, battery and cabinet data

ONYX Intelligent Sensing and detector sensitivity

ONYX Intelligent Sensing is a set of algorithms that runs on every reading from every detector. Drift compensation and smoothing let a detector retain its ability to detect real smoke as dust accumulates, resist false alarms, and perform the periodic sensitivity measurements NFPA 72 requires. Cooperating multi-detector sensing lets a sensor take readings from nearby sensors into account when making an alarm or pre-alarm decision, raising its sensitivity to real smoke by a factor of almost two to one without statistical sacrifice in its ability to resist false alarms.

Nine alarm sensitivity levels and nine pre-alarm levels are available, set manually or switched automatically between day and night. Maintenance warnings are reported at three levels: low chamber value (usually a hardware fault), maintenance alert (dust near the allowed limit) and maintenance urgent (dust above the limit). In self-optimizing pre-alarm mode, a detector learns its normal environment over time, measures the peak readings over a long period, and sets the pre-alarm threshold just above those normal peaks.

Should the panel's microprocessor fail, FlashScan detectors revert to degraded operation and can still activate the panel's NAC circuits and alarm relay. Each of the four built-in circuits has its own Disable/Enable switch for this feature.

Sensitivity windows

Compatible intelligent devices

These are the intelligent devices listed as compatible with the NFS-320C in datasheet DN-60085:S. All are supplied and serviced by Control Fire Systems. Suffix -WH denotes white, -IV ivory.

Detectors and sensors

Aspirating detection (VESDA-E)

Intelligent aspiration smoke detectors connect directly to the SLC loop of compatible ONYX Series panels.

Bases

Modules and manual stations

Annunciators, peripherals, network and power

Superseded part numbers

Most NFS-320 systems in the field were installed with 751- or 851-series devices. Both generations have been superseded by the 951A generation. If you are sourcing replacements for an older loop, use the mapping below.

Retrofits stated by Notifier

These replacements are named explicitly in the current NFS-320C datasheet.

Generation mapping: 751 → 851 → 951A

The right-hand column is the current-generation equivalent by function.

Need a part for an existing NFS-320? Send us the part number or a photo of the device and we will confirm the current equivalent and availability.

Programming the NFS-320

Autoprogram

Autoprogram lets the panel learn which devices are physically connected and load them into the program with default values for all parameters. It runs in under a minute, so fire protection can be established almost immediately on a new installation even if only part of the detector complement is in place.

Keypad program edit

Programs can be created and edited from the front panel keypad (KDM-R2) while the panel continues to provide fire protection. Each point entry carries its own program, including control-by-event links to other points, so the program can be entered in independent per-point segments while already-installed points remain monitored for alarm conditions.

VeriFire Tools

VeriFire Tools is the online and offline programming and test utility for the ONYX Series. A complete NFS-320 program can be built in the office, tested, checked, compared and simulated, backed up, and then downloaded to the panel on site from a laptop. The utility is also used to upgrade panel firmware, and maintenance reports can be sorted by compensation value (dirty detector), peak alarm value or address.

NFS-320 end of life

Notifier has announced the phase-out of the NFS-320 in Canada. The replacement is the NOTIFIER INSPIRE N16 platform. Existing NFS-320 systems can continue to be used and maintained — but the dates below are now fixed, which makes lifecycle planning a scheduling exercise rather than a guess.

Key transition milestones

Extended lead times are expected on NFS2-640 panels as the transition progresses. All orders remain subject to Honeywell's standard terms and conditions of sale.

Impacted SKUs and recommended replacements

Published by Notifier as part of the phase-out notice.

NFS-320 panels

CPU boards and CLSS kits

NFS2-640

Your options

• Keep the panel and maintain it. Continue annual inspection and testing, and hold critical spares. Appropriate where the system is young, compliant and the building has no near-term renovation planned. Replacement CPU boards remain available beyond the warranty period, subject to component availability.
• Keep the panel and add connectivity. ONYX Series panels connect to the Honeywell CLSS platform through the CLSS Gateway (CGW-MB, or HON-CGW-MBB pre-installed in a cabinet), adding remote visibility and reporting without replacing the panel.
• Order now while you still can. If an expansion or a spare panel is planned, an order placed before 30 September 2026 avoids the pre-approval step, and the panel can be ordered at all only until 15 November 2027.
• Plan a phased migration to INSPIRE. The N16e is the named replacement for the NFS-320 and the N16e-r for red-enclosure models.

Not sure where your panel sits in its lifecycle? We will review the panel, firmware revision, loop loading and device generation, and give you a written migration option with costs, timed against the November 2027 last order date.

Request a lifecycle review

NFS-320 service and inspection in Canada

• Annual inspection and testing to NFPA 72 and CAN/ULC-S536
• Detector sensitivity testing — the panel performs automatic sensitivity testing, and drift-compensation data identifies dirty detectors before they cause trouble conditions
• Troubleshooting of trouble, ground fault and maintenance-alert conditions
• Battery replacement and standby capacity verification (two 12 V, 18–200 AH)
• Loop expansion, device addition and reprogramming — including mixing current 951A devices onto loops built with 751- and 851-series devices
• Releasing-circuit service where the panel drives suppression discharge
• 24-hour emergency response

Using the NFS-320 as a releasing panel

The NFS-320 supports ten independent hazards with sophisticated cross-zone logic (three options), adjustable delay and discharge timers, four abort options, and is listed for low-pressure CO₂. This makes it usable as the release control for clean agent and CO₂ suppression systems as well as a building fire alarm panel. Releasing control on the loop is handled by the FCM-1-RELA module.

Links out to the Kidde Aegis 2.0 release panel and the Fenwal Detect-A-Fire heat detector page.

Listings and standards

Listings apply to the basic NFS-320C control panel; individual modules may be listed differently or have listings in process. For Canadian installations specify the NFS-320C and refer to Canadian applications manual addendum 52747.

Frequently asked questions

Thirteen questions with direct answers of two to four sentences each. This format is what search engines and AI assistants lift into a ready answer.