FT 40 AUTOMATIC ALARM SYS

AUTOMATIC FIRE DETECTORS

(Summary Automatic Fire Detection)
OBJECTIVE 1. To explain the summary of automatic fire detection.

REFERENCE 2. a. b. Manual of Fireman ship Book 9. Fire College Notes.

CONTENTS

3.

A summary is produced on the following pages providing a cays reference to the suitability and main points of smoke, radiation and heat detectors. This is followed by a brief guide to detector selection and some of the principles contributing to effective detection. 4. The Summary. Suitability

Types and summary of main points SMOKE a. Ionization. Sensitive in early stages of a fire when smoke particles are small. Sensitivity tends to drop as particles to grow in size. b. Optical. Most effective in situations where the protected risk is likely to give rise to dense Smoke (i.e. large particles) Types and summary of main points RADIATION a. Infra-red Rapid detection because of almost instantaneous transmission of radiation to the detector head. This is dependent, however, on the detector having a clear view of the protected area. b. Ultra-Violet As for infra-red.

Areas having a controlled environment i.e. free from airborne dust etc. and generally housing complex of a high intrinsic value e.g. computer installations. Normally used as point detectors but have been develop to from zone sampling systems by monitoring air samples drawn through tubes. Suitability

Warehouses of storage areas etc. Detectors are available which can scan large open areas and will respond only the distinctive flame flicks. Can be used to detect certain chemical fires. The ultraviolet detector tends to be used mainly for specialized purpose.

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Types and summary of main points HEAT a. Fusible Alloys Alloy will need replacing each time detectors operates. b. Expansion of metal, air and generally self resetting. c. Electrical effect. Not widely installed some specialist use. May be used as point or line detectors and are designed to operates at a pre-selected temperature (fixed temp type) or on a rapid rise in temp (rate-of-rise) or both. With all heat detectors (particularly fixed temp. types) thermal lag needs to be considered when choosing the operating temperature.

Suitability

Areas or general risk where Vapor particles are normal present. So it is relative low compared to other types of detectors. Both Fix temp and rate-of-rise are equally efficient but: fix temp are preferred in areas where a rapid rise in temp is a likely result of the normal work processes. Rate-of-rise types will compensate for gradual rises in ambient temperature and are more efficient than the fixed temp type in low temperature situations. (As mention in the text) rate -of-rise detectors generally incorporate a fixed temperature device.

5. Detector Selection Type of Detector. It is clear from the earlier table that although all available types of detector will in the main, detected fire, not all will be equally sensitive in very possible situation. In some case a combination of various detectors may be required. 6. In general terms, smoke and heat detectors are suitable for meat buildings. Radiation detector is particularly useful for high-rooted buildings, e.g. warehouse, etc, and situations in which clean burning flammable liquids are kept. 7. Little experience is available it the present time on laser/infra-red beam detectors but appear to have advantages there are tall compartments or long cable tunnels for example. 8. Such generalizations, however, need to be considered in conjunction with other factors the nature of the risk to be protected the process that are normally carried on and the plan of the area to be protected. These considerations enable further decisions to be made: a. b. c. The reliability required from the detector. The sensitivity required from the detector. The location of detectors. (1) Detector Reliability. Obviously a more robust detector is needed in an industrial setting than is required for hotel purpose. Dusty or dame atmospheres will affect some dot eaters more than others; (mention has previously been made of the advantage of aircrew switches in this type of situation. Micro-switches can be even reliable). (2) Detector Sensitivity. This is an important consideration. It would obviously be undesirable to install a smoke detector set at high sensitivity in a normally crowded hotel bar (or similar conditions).

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In this connection it is interesting to note that in research into false alarms from automatic fire detector systems the greatest percentage of false alarms (17.5 percent) were due to extraneous heat and smoke in the ambient conditions. To quote from the report* This could arise from carelessness within the premises, from unforeseen circumstances of from insufficient attention being paid to the conditions by the designers and installers of the system. (3) Detector Location. The fire Officers Committee rules and the British Standard Code of Practice 1019 lay down certain rules covering the spacing of detectors. These rules are for guidance and while the maximum recommended spacing should never be exercised it is important that the rules are thoughtfully applied in relation to the geography of the area to be protected-having regard to its shape etc. The detectors should be so located that they are in the best possible position to perform their function. CONCLUSION 9. . If proper consideration is given to these various factor a more effective detection system is likely to result. No hard and fast rules can be drawn up on detector selection however. In the final analysis it needs to be based on experience and a careful assessment of all the known factors pertaining to the protected area.

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