I am working on a project where video smoke detection was installed around 6 months ago. The system has been plagued with problems and is still not commissioned or connected to the main fire alarm panel.
The problems all relate to a hugely excessive rate of unwanted actuations - up to 10 a day!. Most trigger a local alarm, but around 10% trigger a full alarm - or would do if they were connected to the main alarm system.
Investigations into the problem reveal a range of reasons for the UwFS which all involve changes in ambient light. They include:
> Fluorescent lighting being switched on and the previously dark room becoming illuminated
> Reflective/shiny surfaces moving through the camera's view.
> Low sunshine through a rapidly opened door
> A flashing warning light on some plant
> and even a rapid darkening of a room at sunset.
I cannot go into any specific details of the building or its use due to customer confidentiality, but this is highly embarrassing for me as I advised the use of VSD on an assurance from the suppliers that VSD was wholly suitable for the environment . This is the first project I have been involved with using VSD and am really rather disillusioned by this technology which offers so much, but in this case has failed to deliver.
I am considering issuing a deadline in which the installers must complete and issue a commissioning certificate or face losing this contract and further lucrative contracts worth perhaps GBP millions over the next decade but am not sure if there's any more I can do to resolve this matter before scrapping it.
So has anyone had experience installing VSD, and in particular, significant problems with unwanted fire signals? If so, can you share the problems and some the solutions you achieved - if any?
Or can anyone motivate me in this technology? Have you had any success with this kit or is it an 'Emperors new clothes' type technology?
Thanks
