Direct answer

Hochiki Europe no longer supplies FIREwave as a current product range. Its current wireless range is Ekho (EK-WL8 series), but the two systems are not interchangeable: an Ekho device will not register on a FIREwave RSM-WTM translator. Where a FIREwave system is connected to an addressable loop through an RSM-WTM, you can migrate in stages by adding an EK-WL8-TRH translator to the same loop and replacing FIREwave devices with Ekho devices area by area. A FIREwave system connected to a conventional panel through an RSM-CIM cannot be migrated this way.

Applies to

Products / Models: FIREwave RSM-WTM translator, RSM-EXP expander and FIREwave wireless field devices; FIREwave RSM-CIM conventional interface module; Ekho EK-WL8-TRH, EK-WL8-EXP and EK-WL8 field devices
Firmware / Version: All versions
Region: Not applicable
Standards: EK-WL8-TRH — EN 54-17, EN 54-18, EN 54-25; RSM-WTM — EN 54-25

Can I still buy FIREwave devices?

No. FIREwave is no longer part of the current Hochiki Europe product range. The hybrid wireless range on the Hochiki Europe website lists Ekho products only, and FIREwave documents are filed as legacy products. A distributor may occasionally still hold a remaining FIREwave item, but this cannot be relied on for maintenance or extensions. Plan the replacement of a FIREwave system with Ekho rather than waiting for a FIREwave part to fail.

Which Ekho devices replace FIREwave devices?

On an addressable loop, these FIREwave devices have the following Ekho counterparts. They are not drop-in replacements: each Ekho device must be added to an Ekho translator, not to the existing FIREwave translator.

RSM-WTM translator: EK-WL8-TRH translator
RSM-EXP expander: EK-WL8-EXP expander
Optical smoke detector (ROP-E, ROD-E): EK-WL8-O
Heat detector (RHT-E, RHD-E): EK-WL8-H
Multi-sensor detector (RMC-E, RMD-E): EK-WL8-OH
RSM-CP manual call point: EK-WL8-CP
RSM-IP input module: EK-WL8-IN
RSM-OP output module: EK-WL8-OUT
RSM-WS wall sounder: EK-WL8-SND
RSM-STK2 or RSM-STK3 survey kit: EK-WL8-SK

Select the Ekho device for each FIREwave position by its function, and confirm with Hochiki Europe Technical Support that it is suitable for that position before you order equipment. In particular, check the following point.

Devices with no direct equivalent: The current Ekho range does not include a wireless magnetic door holder, so the HFW-DHR-01 cannot be replaced like for like. The FIREwave RSM-WS/W weatherproof wall sounder is rated IP66, whereas the EK-WL8-SND wall sounder is rated IP21, so the EK-WL8-SND is not suitable as a direct replacement in an outdoor or wet location. For FIREwave sounder bases, sounder beacons, the RSM-CP/W weatherproof call point, the RSM-POM powered output module and any other FIREwave device not covered above, confirm the replacement or a wired alternative with Hochiki Europe Technical Support.

Can FIREwave and Ekho run on the same loop?

Yes, as two separate wireless systems. A FIREwave RSM-WTM and an Ekho EK-WL8-TRH can be connected to the same addressable loop and operate independently. Each translator only communicates with devices of its own range, because the two ranges use different radio systems (FIREwave: 868–870 MHz, FSK, 7 channels; Ekho: 866–869.85 MHz, GFSK, 6 channels). The frequency bands overlap, so when you commission the Ekho system, carry out the radio survey with the FIREwave system running and select an Ekho channel that is free of interference.

Both translators connect to the loop as ESP-protocol devices, and every wireless field device on either system takes its own loop address (an Ekho device that combines a fire sensor and a sounder takes two). Check that the loop has enough spare addresses and loop current for both systems during the changeover. The EK-WL8-TRH offers an RSM-WTM protocol type for backward compatibility with older panels, but confirm that your control panel supports the EK-WL8-TRH with Hochiki Europe Technical Support, and for a third-party panel also with the panel manufacturer, before you order equipment.

How do I migrate a FIREwave system to Ekho in stages?

Record the existing FIREwave system: the location and loop address of each translator, expander and field device, and the panel programming for those addresses.
Carry out an Ekho radio survey with the EK-WL8-SK survey kit before you install anything. Ekho uses a different radio system, so the FIREwave survey results and device positions cannot be assumed to be valid for Ekho. Training is required before an Ekho system is designed, installed or commissioned.
Confirm that the control panel supports the EK-WL8-TRH, that the loop has spare addresses and loop current for the Ekho translator and every Ekho device you will add, and that each Ekho device is suitable for its position.
Install the EK-WL8-TRH on the loop alongside the RSM-WTM. Keep at least 2 m between any two wireless devices, including between translators, and select an Ekho radio channel that is free of interference from the FIREwave system.
Replace FIREwave devices one area at a time. Delete each FIREwave device from the FIREwave translator, add its Ekho replacement to the EK-WL8-TRH, and update the panel programming for the new loop address. Keep each area protected, or put agreed temporary measures in place, while its devices are being changed. See How to disable part of a fire alarm system safely.
Test every replaced device at the control panel and record the work in the log book. See What should be recorded in the fire alarm log book?.
When the last FIREwave device has been replaced, remove the RSM-WTM and any RSM-EXP expanders, and delete their addresses from the panel programming.

For managing more than one Ekho translator after the migration, see Why do Ekho devices not communicate with another translator, and how should I troubleshoot each translator?

How do I keep an existing FIREwave system running until it is replaced?

The FIREwave configuration software, the FIREwave manual and the front-panel menu tree for the RSM-WTM may be available from Hochiki Europe Technical Support.
If the FIREwave configuration software reports “wrong access password” when it connects to a translator, run the software as administrator. If the message remains, uninstall the software and reinstall the current version supplied by Hochiki Europe Technical Support.
To clear a translator fault with a soft reset, follow How do I reset a FIREwave RSM-WTM wireless translator module? Do not confirm INITIALIZE on the translator, because every wireless device linked to it would then need to be reprogrammed.
If FIREwave devices fault repeatedly after the batteries and radio signal have been checked, treat this as a reason to bring the migration to Ekho forward, because replacement FIREwave parts are not available.

When to contact technical support

You need the FIREwave configuration software, manual or front-panel menu tree.
The configuration software still reports “wrong access password” after it has been run as administrator and reinstalled.
You need to confirm that your control panel supports the EK-WL8-TRH, or which protocol type to select.
The FIREwave system uses an RSM-CIM conventional interface module.
You need to confirm which Ekho device is suitable for a FIREwave device position, including outdoor or wet locations and heat detector positions.
The site uses an HFW-DHR-01 wireless door holder, an RSM-WS/W weatherproof sounder or another FIREwave device with no direct Ekho equivalent.
You have not completed Ekho training. Training is required to design, install and commission Ekho systems.

Safety note

This article is general guidance for Hochiki Europe products. Design, installation, commissioning, maintenance and modification of fire detection and alarm systems should be carried out by, or under the responsibility of, a competent person in accordance with the applicable standards (for example BS 5839-1 in the UK). Statutory requirements imposed by the relevant enforcing authority also apply. Always refer to the current product manual and data sheet for the exact model before carrying out any work.

References

Last reviewed: 2026-10-27 — Reviewed by: Hochiki Europe Technical Support

Is FIREwave discontinued, and how do I migrate a FIREwave wireless system to Ekho?

Hochiki Europe no longer supplies FIREwave and it is not interchangeable with Ekho, but an EK-WL8-TRH can run beside an RSM-WTM on the same addressable loop so you can replace devices in stages.