Smoke detector

[jjakajmr]

I have responsibility at a College and have a current problem that I would appreciate some further advice, please. In the residential blocks there are kitchens which the students can use, unsupervised.  They are protected by a heat detector connected to a fully adressable system Marley IAS. Althoughn these have sometimes gone to pre alarm if all gas rings are on it is only very occasional.
The head that appears to go straight to full fire is the one in the bedroom exactly opposite the kitchen.  This happens in seperate blocks.  The students are cooking.
I have eliminated some of the problems that I thought may have contributed to the problem.
I have ordered proper professional frying pans as existing are cheap and smoke alot.
I have asked for cooker hoods to be fitted with extraction to air.
I have asked that the fire doors be checked and ensure they close.
There are boards that hang down from the door frame that I have asked to be sealed with silicon, both kitchen and bedroom.
Sorry this is so long!
So question is there anything I am missing or anything else I can do?

[Graeme]

check what type of detector in the bedroom is going into alarm,(i.e is it ionisation?) and if all you have listed does not work then consider using a multisensor

[Wiz]

To expand on Graeme's reply, the detector which causes the problems is located in the bedroom exactly opposite the kitchen, and is, almost certainly an automatic smoke detector.
Various types of automatic smoke detectors are available using different detection methods.  BS5839 part 1 2002 recommends that smoke dectors in 'areas close to kitchens' are not of the type known as 'ionization chamber'. Therefore, an automatic smoke detector using a different operating method may be less susceptible to unwanted alarms caused by the use of the kitchen, when used in this location.
To add my own thoughts, based on many years experience of similar problems, the biggest cause of this problem is when students  temporarily 'prop open' the door or doors between the ktitchen and the affected detector. If this is the case, unless you can resolve this issue, the problem will continue despite whatever other remedial steps you may take.

[Big T]

Absolutely. It is unlikely that that smoke would get through a kitchen door, travel accross a corridoor and then get through a bedroom door if all the doors were closed. One solution is to issue all of the students with strict guidleines covering the propping open of doors within the accomodation block.
If it is only one bedroom within the accomodation you mange it may just be that the room is opposite the kitchen but the real reason may be the actual person within the room. (Smoking, toater, insense, candles etc) look at a management strategy to remove the problem before spending money and changing all of the smoke heads.
Incidentally, are the smoke detectors doing what they should? ie are you investigating cause after each activation?

[Wiz]

I didn't mention it before, but if the problem is caused by doors being left open despite management instructions, it is possible to install 'door left open' warning alarms. These use the magnetic reed switch sensors as used in intruder alarms. You normally need to install these in a manner that can't be 'overidden' by clever students (i.e by installing them covertly). It is even sometimes possible to include these sort of warning systems integrated into a suitable addressable fire alarm system (thereby reducing wiring costs), using input and output units and the right programming configuration, to give a local warning of 'doors left open'.

[CivvyFSO]

"clever students"

Shurely shome mishtake?

[jjakajmr]

Thank you all for the replies.
To answer some of the q's.
Ionisation in bedroom.
Optical in hall
heat in kitchen.
Can I change the bedroom into multi-sensor-I didn't think I could as it's a bedroom? Please advise ta!
Door propping open- I am going to have a 'Fire lecture' to deal with this with some other advice beginning of new tem.
I checked the smoke detectors and they are not too sensitive.
The kids alegedly set them of with hairspray...I have never been able to even though I discharged a whole can in a room.  Me tinks they smoke!
I will look into door left open alarms-Good idea!
Thanks John

[Chris Houston]

Can I change the bedroom into multi-sensor-I didn't think I could as it's a bedroom?

I can't see why not.  You might need to get a fire alarm engineer to do it for you.

[Graeme]

Thank you all for the replies.


Ionisation in bedroom.


Can I change the bedroom into multi-sensor-I didn't think I could as it's a bedroom? Please advise ta!

.
The kids alegedly set them of with hairspray...I have never been able to even though I discharged a whole can in a room.  Me tinks they smoke!

Thanks John

Ionisation are most sensitive to small smoke particles i.e from cooking fumes

A multisensor is certified as a smoke detector and although it has a heat sensing element it is classed as an smoke detector and this is by far the best choice for halls of residence bedrooms imo.
The multisensor has a big effect on reducing unwanted alarms.

Hairspray will set them off ( ionisation) but smoking is another likely cause.

[jjakajmr]

Thanks I will look into the multi sensor and the other advice.
Thanks John