AUTO TRACKING AND TARGETING JET SUPPRESSION SYSTEM

What is an Auto Tracking and Targeting Jet Suppression System?

An Auto Tracking and Targeting Jet Suppression System is an automatic fire suppression system capable of detecting a fire, determining the location of the fire source, automatically controlling the fire monitor/nozzle to aim at the target, and discharging a water jet the fire area. The system is particularly suitable for large spaces, high-ceiling buildings, and areas where fixed-discharge solutions have difficulty delivering a concentrated water stream accurately to the fire location.

Unlike a conventional sprinkler system, the discharge direction of the Automatic Fire Monitor can be changed. The monitor can rotate horizontally and adjust its vertical angle to search for, locate, and direct the water stream toward the target according to the manufacturer's control logic.

The English term “Auto Tracking and Targeting Jet Suppression System” is also used in GB 25204. As of September 2026, GB 25204-2010 remains in force; GB 25204-2026 was issued on February 27, 2026 and will take effect on March 1, 2027, replacing GB 25204-2010 in full.

Operating Principle

Fire Detection → Target Location → Tracking → Target Lock → Valve Opening → Water Discharge → Continuous Monitoring.

When the detection unit identifies signals characteristic of a fire, the control system activates the monitor positioning mechanism. The monitor scans the protected area and uses signals the detection unit together with the control algorithm to determine the direction of the fire source.

After the target has been identified, the monitor automatically adjusts its horizontal rotation and elevation/depression angle to aim the nozzle at the fire area. The control panel then sends commands to the control valve and fire water supply system according to the designed and commissioned Cause & Effect logic.

An Auto Tracking and Targeting Jet Suppression System must be regarded as an integrated system, not merely as a motorized nozzle. Its performance depends on the detector, monitor, controller, software, valve, power supply, communications, and hydraulic system working together.

Main System Components

• Automatic Fire Monitor: A discharge device with a rotating/positioning mechanism responsible for directing the water stream toward the target.

• Fire Detection / Tracking Sensor: Detects fire conditions and assists in determining the fire location according to the manufacturer's technology.

• Local Controller: A controller located near the monitor that executes movement commands, monitoring functions, and communications.

• Central Control Panel: Receives status information, manages multiple monitors, and executes system interlock logic.

• Electric/Solenoid Valve: Controls the water supply to the monitor according to control commands.

• Fire Water Supply: Fire water piping, fire pumps, and water supply hydraulically designed to provide the required flow and pressure.

• Communication & Power: Power cables, control cables, and communication networks such as RS485 or other protocols depending on the selected system.

How Is It Different a Sprinkler System?

An Auto Tracking and Targeting Jet Suppression System differs a conventional sprinkler system, which uses fixed sprinklers that normally operate through heat-responsive elements and then distribute water within a defined design area. An Auto Tracking and Targeting Jet Suppression System actively determines the direction of the fire and controls the monitor to direct the water stream toward the target.

This target-location and water-aiming capability provides advantages for certain large-space or high-ceiling applications. However, an Auto Tracking System must not automatically be considered a replacement for sprinklers in every building. System selection must be based on the fire hazard, building architecture, applicable standards, and the fire protection design approved by the competent authority.

Applications of Auto Tracking and Targeting Jet Suppression Systems

An Auto Tracking and Targeting Jet Suppression System may be considered for high-bay warehouses and factories, logistics centers, atriums, exhibition halls, sports facilities, airports, railway stations, shopping centers with large open spaces, industrial plants, and other large spaces that fall within the scope of the applicable standards and product certifications.

Key Design Parameters

When designing an Auto Tracking and Targeting Jet Suppression System, the monitor should not be selected based on flow rate alone. The design should evaluate flow rate Q, operating pressure, throw distance, installation height, horizontal rotation range, vertical angle range, detection coverage, target acquisition time, discharge characteristics, pipe diameter, nozzle hydraulic characteristics, number of simultaneously operating monitors, control method, and communication interface.

Flow rates such as 5 L/s, 10 L/s, 20 L/s, 30 L/s or higher are only examples of product ranges available on the market. Design must be based on the specific model, catalogue, certification, test data, and applicable standards; a single value should not be applied to all projects.

Control System and RS485

For projects with multiple monitors, the communication network is an important part of the solution. A reference architecture may be: 24 Automatic Fire Monitors → Local Controllers → RS485 Bus → Central Auto Tracking Control Panel → Fire Alarm / Graphic Monitoring System.

RS485 should use shielded twisted-pair cable. Fire resistance, LSZH requirements, conductor size, and cable construction must follow the project design, manufacturer's instructions, and project requirements. In addition to the RS485 network, power supply, valve control cables, feedback signals, fire alarm interfaces, and camera/network connections should be considered separately where applicable.

Mobile, BMS and IP-Based System Monitoring and Control

An Auto Tracking and Targeting Jet Suppression System can be integrated with a BMS/SCADA system or a remote monitoring platform, allowing operators to monitor system status smartphones, tablets, or web browsers. Integration may use common industrial protocols such as Modbus RTU/TCP, BACnet/IP, and Ethernet/IP, depending on the capabilities of the control panel, communication gateway, and manufacturer software.

It is important to note that Modbus and BACnet are not themselves “mobile applications.” A typical architecture is: Auto Tracking Control Panel → Communication Gateway/Server → Modbus TCP/RTU or BACnet/IP → BMS/SCADA/Cloud Server → Web/Mobile App. IP/Ethernet connectivity provides the communications layer through which the system may be monitored over a properly configured LAN/WAN or cloud platform.

Information that may be monitored through Mobile/BMS includes the status of each Automatic Fire Monitor, Online/Offline status, Fire Alarm signals, Target Detected/Target Locked status, monitor position/angle where supported, valve OPEN/CLOSED status, fire pump status, pressure or flow where sensors are provided, power faults, communication faults, and event history.

For remote control, the system may allow commands such as monitor selection, left/right rotation, elevation/depression, Start/Stop Tracking, valve opening/closing, or Reset, depending on the manufacturer's design. However, commands capable of changing the fire suppression state must be subject to user authorization, authentication, and safety interlocks. Control through the public Internet should not be permitted without appropriate VPN, firewall, account authorization, and event logging.

For BMS-integrated projects, the BMS should preferably be used for monitoring and receiving system status, while the primary fire suppression control remains under the Auto Tracking Control Panel and the system's Cause & Effect logic. Any BMS/Mobile control capability must be explicitly supported by the manufacturer's technical documentation and the approved system design.

Reference integration architecture: Automatic Fire Monitor → Local Controller → RS485 → Central Control Panel → Modbus/BACnet Gateway → BMS/SCADA/Server → Mobile App / Web Dashboard.

Reference Technical Standards

The term Auto Tracking and Targeting Jet Suppression System is used in the Chinese GB standard system. When selecting a solution, the current edition of the applicable standards, product certification documents, and legal requirements applicable to projects in Vietnam should be verified.

GB 25204 specifies requirements related to Auto Tracking and Targeting Jet Suppression Systems/products. GB 51427-2021 is an important technical standard related to the design and application of these systems.

For projects in Vietnam, the application of foreign standards must be considered together with applicable Vietnamese fire safety regulations, standards, and current legal requirements. Manufacturer catalogues alone should not be used to determine protection coverage or to justify replacing another fire suppression system.

System Advantages

The major advantage of an Auto Tracking System is its ability to automatically detect, locate, aim the monitor, and suppress a fire, particularly in large spaces.

The water stream is concentrated on the target instead of being distributed throughout the entire area. A monitor can cover a wide area and, in suitable applications, may help optimize equipment layout. The system can also support centralized monitoring and allow operator intervention through remote control where the selected configuration supports this function.

At the same time, this is a highly integrated electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and control system. Detection performance, control algorithms, equipment positioning, water pressure, and commissioning directly affect actual system performance.

Selecting the Appropriate Auto Tracking System

A good system depends on more than the monitor itself. The complete solution should be evaluated as an integrated combination of monitor + detector + controller + valve + communication + hydraulic system + fire pump + fire alarm system interface.

For industrial projects, warehouses, and large factories, the supplier should provide complete catalogues, test reports/certificates, system schematics, hydraulic data, installation manuals, commissioning procedures, and programming documentation.

These documents provide the basis for the fire protection designer to determine the protection coverage, number of monitors, and control configuration before incorporating the equipment the BOQ.

Link to the Vietnamese article : https://pcccdongnam.vn/he-thong-voi-phun-chua-chay-dinh-vi-tu-dong

Link to product : https://www.foinbo.com/fire-monitor/automatic-cannon/automatic-fixed-fire-monitor.html