12/08/2026 • by Alice P
Apollo XP95 is a wired, open-protocol, analogue addressable fire alarm range used with compatible addressable fire alarm control panels that operate the XP95 protocol.
The Apollo XP95 range is one of the most popular addressable fire alarm systems and has been used for over 2 decades. The range covers fire detectors (smoke, heat and multi-sensor), call points, sounders, VIDs, and VADs.
It's one of the most commonly used protocols across the UK due to its price, availability, open protocol feature and selection of compatible control panels.
Apollo XP95 devices are wired on an addressable loop. Traditional systems wire each device in room/floor using zone wiring and if the fire alarm is activated/fault, fire alarm panel will say that a certain zone (not the actual device) have triggered the alarm/fault.
With the XP95 devices being addressable, the fire alarm control panel can detect the precise device with a fault/alarm
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This table covers the primary XP95 models and where ideally to use them.
Product Type | Model / Product | Product Code | Engineer Notes |
Optical Smoke Detector | Apollo XP95 Optical Smoke Detector | Used in cleaner indoor areas where smoke detection is suitable. This detector iscompatible with C-TEC XFP/ZFP XP95/Discovery addressable panels. | |
Heat Detector | Apollo XP95 Standard Temperature Detector A2S | Often used where smoke detection may be unsuitable, such as areas with dust, steam or fumes. | |
Heat Detector | Apollo XP95 High Temperature Detector CS | Higher temperature heat detector for suitable environments. | |
Multi-Sensor Detector | Apollo XP95 Multi-Sensor Detector, Optical / Heat | Combines optical smoke and temperature sensors. Apollo describes it as suitable for areas such as hotel bedrooms, warehouses and loading docks. | |
Manual Call Point | Apollo Intelligent Manual Call Point | Used to manually raise an alarm. Apollo states this model is XP95, Discovery and CoreProtocol compatible, with a built-in isolator. | |
Manual Call Point | Apollo XP95 I.S. Manual Call Point | Used where an intrinsically safe device is required. Check full system design and barriers before specifying. | |
Detector Base | Apollo XPERT 7 Base | Standard base used with compatible Apollo addressable detector heads. | |
Isolator Base | Apollo Isolator Base | Helps protect loop sections during a short-circuit fault. | |
Isolator | Apollo XP95 Isolator | Used for short-circuit isolation on the loop. | |
Sounder Base | Apollo XP95 Sounder Base | Allows audible warning at detector base level. | |
Sounder Base | Apollo XP95 Sounder Base, Isolating | Useful where sounder base and loop isolation are both required. | |
Sounder / VID Base | Apollo XP95 Sounder VID Base | Combines audible and visual alarm indication at detector base level. | |
Open-Area Sounder | Apollo XP95 Open-Area Sounder | Used where a separate open-area sounder is required. | |
Visual Indicator | Apollo XP95 Open-Area VID | Used where visual alarm indication is required. | |
AV Control Module | Apollo XP95 AV Control Module | Used to control and monitor conventional sounder or alarm circuits from an addressable loop. | |
Zone Monitor Module | Apollo XP95 Zone Monitor Module | Used to connect compatible conventional circuits onto an addressable system. | |
Switch Monitor Module | Apollo XP95 Switch Monitor Module | Used for monitoring external contacts or equipment. | |
DIN-Rail Interface | Apollo XP95 DIN-Rail Modules | Various | Usually mounted in panels, plant rooms or interface enclosures. |
Flame Detector | Apollo XP95 Flame Detector | Various | Specialist detection for suitable flame risk applications. |
Beam Detector | Apollo XP95 Reflective Beam Detector | Various | Used for large open areas where point detection may not be practical. Check product status before specifying. |
If the existing system uses Apollo XP95, Discovery, CoreProtocol, conventional or AlarmSense devices, do not assume they are interchangeable.
The standard XP95 smoke detectors are usually best for cleaner environments where smoke can be detected reliably.
Typical areas include:
Offices
Corridors
Escape routes
Retail areas
Accommodation spaces
Schools
Clean commercial areas
With regard to smoke alarms, our in-house engineers do not recommend the XP95 smoke detector for areas with dust, steam etc.
As a general rule, the XP95 heat detector, like any heat detector, is better in areas where smoke detectors may cause unwanted alarms.
Typical areas include:
Kitchens
Workshops
Plant rooms
Loading bays
Dusty environments
Areas with fumes or airborne particles
there are two types of XP95 heat alarm, therefore, our technical team recommends checking whether a standard temperature (55000-400APO) or high-temperature heat detector (55000-401APO) is more suitable for the environment.
XP95 multi-sensor detectors combine optical smoke and heat sensing.
They are useful where the design calls for broader detection from a single device.
Apollo describes the XP95 Multi-Sensor Detector as combining independent optical smoke and temperature sensors.
Our technical team recommends using multi-sensors where the fire alarm design, building use and risk profile justify it.
They should not be used as a shortcut for poor detector selection.
Apollo XP95 devices must be used with a panel that supports Apollo XP95 protocol.
Our technical team recommends checking the fire alarm panel before ordering any XP95 detector, call point, sounder, base or interface.
The panel is the deciding factor.
Panel Range | Best For |
Advanced MxPro 5 | Commercial addressable systems, larger sites and flexible system designs |
Kentec Syncro AS | Small to medium commercial addressable systems |
Kentec Syncro AS Lite | Smaller standalone addressable systems |
C-TEC XFP | Smaller Apollo XP95/Discovery systems |
C-TEC ZFP | Larger C-TEC addressable systems |
For most new commercial systems using Apollo XP95, our team recommends looking first at Advanced MxPro 5 or Kentec Syncro AS.
For smaller addressable systems, our technical team recommends C-TEC XFP where an Apollo XP95/Discovery panel is required.
For larger sites, our technical team recommends Advanced MxPro 5, Kentec Taktis or C-TEC ZFP, depending on the number of loops, networking requirements and system design.
For like-for-like work, our technical team recommends matching the panel and protocol already installed on site wherever possible.
That helps avoid compatibility issues, commissioning problems and unnecessary changes to the fire alarm design.
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Apollo XP95 is a reliable and extremely popular addressable range for commercial fire alarm systems. Our technical team recommends XP95 where the panel supports Apollo XP95 protocol and the system design calls for addressable fire detection.
It's a widely used protocol, meaning that parts can be easily sourced and replaced; in fact, at Fire Detection Shop, we have ample stock of the XP95 range.
If you are replacing or extending an existing Apollo system, our technical team recommends confirming the panel, protocol and product code before ordering.
Want to put together a new XP95 fire alarm system? Check out our fire alarm builder.
08/05/2025 • by Alice P
