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FIRE SAFETY => Fire Alarm Systems => Topic started by: Midland Retty on January 09, 2013, 03:10:22 PM

Title: Strange Rate of Rise Fire Detector!
Post by: Midland Retty on January 09, 2013, 03:10:22 PM
Hi folks

Could anyone help me out with the following query?

Have any of you come across a RoR heat detector installed in a UK fire alarm system similar to the one pictured on the following website link http://www.hochikiamerica.com/product.php?view_prod=60&prod_section=4&prod_cat=3 (http://www.hochikiamerica.com/product.php?view_prod=60&prod_section=4&prod_cat=3) (sorry couldnt download the image directly here)

If so can you advise if they were ever code compliant? In 12 years fire safety career I've never seen one like this before. Fire alarm engineer tells me they are an old design but were compliant back in the day!

I know similar detectors to this are sold in American markets, but I assume these particular type of RoR detectors are / were not suitable and did not accord to British or European standards. Thanks as always for your help!


Title: Re: Strange Rate of Rise Fire Detector!
Post by: John Dragon on January 09, 2013, 06:48:54 PM
Hochiki did a very similar one in this country, there are still a few out there.
Most can be set off by rubbing the detector until friction warms it up!
Funilly enough, I have seen two today!
Title: Re: Strange Rate of Rise Fire Detector!
Post by: lancsfirepro on January 09, 2013, 07:22:43 PM
Can see the headlines now "Man sectioned for fondling fire alarm system."  :)
Title: Re: Strange Rate of Rise Fire Detector!
Post by: John Dragon on January 09, 2013, 10:18:24 PM
I knew it was a bad idea even as I was typing it!
Title: Re: Strange Rate of Rise Fire Detector!
Post by: nearlythere on January 10, 2013, 06:49:08 AM
I knew it was a bad idea even as I was typing it!
Don't knock it until you've tried it.
Title: Re: Strange Rate of Rise Fire Detector!
Post by: jokar on January 10, 2013, 08:43:41 AM
Was that 2 detectors or 2 people?
Title: Re: Strange Rate of Rise Fire Detector!
Post by: Midland Retty on January 10, 2013, 10:25:11 AM
Hochiki did a very similar one in this country, there are still a few out there.
Most can be set off by rubbing the detector until friction warms it up!
Funilly enough, I have seen two today!

lol Cheers John

Do you happen to know if they were code compliant back in the day - have spoke to three "major" well known fire alarm companies who erm'd and ahhh'd about them and said most likely that they were imported and probably wouldn't comply with the BS?

Further info Ive sinced gleaned seemns to point to Nittal who sold something similar in the UK a few years back

Any thoughts / comments.....and do I really have to go round rubbing them ? ;D

Title: Re: Strange Rate of Rise Fire Detector!
Post by: John Dragon on January 10, 2013, 09:57:49 PM
Quite a few similar Nittan ones still about, I have no idea if either were compliant or not.
If they work, does it matter if they complied or not?

Watch out if you are rubbing them, it can create blisters!
Title: Re: Strange Rate of Rise Fire Detector!
Post by: Big A on January 11, 2013, 12:00:33 PM
Quite a few similar Nittan ones still about, I have no idea if either were compliant or not.
If they work, does it matter if they complied or not?

Watch out if you are rubbing them, it can create blisters!

and quite possible a spell in a mental health facility.
Title: Re: Strange Rate of Rise Fire Detector!
Post by: Midland Retty on January 11, 2013, 01:03:23 PM
If they work, does it matter if they complied or not?

Thanks for that John - Spoke to Nittan who confirm that they aren't code compliant and never were, but as you say if they work there is no merit in asking RP to change, as it would be unecessary expense, and in this particular property failure of that detector would not put anyone at significant risk.
Title: Re: Strange Rate of Rise Fire Detector!
Post by: colin todd on January 12, 2013, 06:28:02 PM
It looks very much to me like a slimline version of the old Hochiki device that worked on pneumatic principle for R0R and bimetallic for fixed temp. As I recall, it was compliant to the BS.
Title: Re: Strange Rate of Rise Fire Detector!
Post by: Midland Retty on January 14, 2013, 03:44:53 PM
It looks very much to me like a slimline version of the old Hochiki device that worked on pneumatic principle for R0R and bimetallic for fixed temp. As I recall, it was compliant to the BS.

Much obliged Colin, and to everyone else who responded.