Comparing detection systems

[SandDancer]

Hi All,

Does anybody know of a publication which includes tests of and compares time versus detection rates of Optical, Ionization and  Air-sampling  systems? 

[John Webb]

What sort of building? Dwelling? Factory? Office?.........The various types of detection system perform differently in different buildings and there is great dependence upon the ceiling height, the type of materials that may be ignited (and hence the rate at which a fire grows) the presence/absence of air-conditioning - the list of factors that affect detection is large. If you can narrow down your area of interest a bit there may be some information that we can give to you.

[SandDancer]

to be honest I am looking for a table(s) which compares the different detection in differing conditions ala as you mentioned John, not specific to one building

[kurnal]

And many systems have a range of states- the sensitivity can be turned up or down

[Mike Buckley]

Get in touch with Siemens, they did an excellent presentation at the Fire Service College where they compared different types of detector and their response rates. At the end of the day it is very much horses for courses, as different materials give off different particle types and sizes of smoke. For example a piece of toast gives off a different type of smoke to isopropanol.

Siemens used to advertise on the main Firenet web page and the one day courses were free with lunch thrown in.

[John Webb]

A certain Mr C Todd, known to appear on this Forum from time to time, certainly wrote a book on Domestic Detection. It may be possible he's done one on commercial applications?

[colin todd]

John, you are probably guessing about the design, installation commissong and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems: A guide to BS 5839-1, available from all good sources in time for xmas.

[Davo]

Apollo give times on the brochures for what they call a bog standard test fire



davo

[SandDancer]

Thanks all for the info, will track down books, contact companies highlighted

Cheers:)

[Allen Higginson]

Get in touch with Siemens, they did an excellent presentation at the Fire Service College where they compared different types of detector and their response rates. At the end of the day it is very much horses for courses, as different materials give off different particle types and sizes of smoke. For example a piece of toast gives off a different type of smoke to isopropanol.

Siemens used to advertise on the main Firenet web page and the one day courses were free with lunch thrown in.

You want to contact Don Scott (don.scott@siemens.com).