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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => Fire Safety => Topic started by: Chris Houston on April 26, 2005, 04:51:40 PM

Title: Do fire detection beam detectors work through glazing?
Post by: Chris Houston on April 26, 2005, 04:51:40 PM

Do fire detection beam detectors work through glazing?

Title: Do fire detection beam detectors work through glazing?
Post by: Colin Newman on April 27, 2005, 02:51:34 PM

Not usually.

Most beam detectors transmit Infra-red signals.  Glass absorbs infra-red and re-emits it at a different frequency (aka the greehnouse effect).  This can confuse some beam detectors.  In additition any impurities or flaws in the glass can cause problems.

Another potential problem is if dust or condensation collects on the glazed surfaces since this may cause spurious alarms.