Fire Detector Types and Selection

There are various types of detectors available for fire detection system designers and each type is suitable for a particular use. The type of fire / smoke being detected will determine the choice of detector.  Section 8.14 of SANS 10139 gives a guide on selection criteria and factors to consider when carrying out a design.

Below are the various types of detectors available.

1. Point Smoke Detectors. These detectors utilize one (or both) of two principles below;

a. Ionization Chamber Smoke Detectors. This type detects smoke by change in current flows between electrode when smoke enters the chamber of an ionization detector. This detector is particularly sensitive to smoke containing small particles, such as are produced in rapidly burning flaming fires, but may be less sensitive to the larger particles found in optically dense smoke of similar mass, such as can result from smouldering fires, including those involving polyurethane foam, or overheated PVC.

The ionisation detectors contain a small radioactive element that exists in the detection chamber. This has led to most manufacturers stopping the production of these devices. Stringent procedures need to be followed when disposing of this type of detector, which ends up being a costly process.

b. Optical smoke detectors. This type detects smoke by means of the light scatter principle. When smoke enters the chamber the small LED light source within the detector is deflected towards the receiver to trigger the detector. Optical smoke detectors are sensitive to optically dense smoke, but are less sensitive to the small particles found in clean-burning fires that produce little visible smoke.

2. Multisensor Fire Detectors. This type of detector contains more than one sensor, each of which responds to a different physical and/or chemical characteristic of fire. The purpose of combining sensors in this way is to enhance the performance of the system in detection of fire by means of smoke, heat or CO gasses. These detectors can reduce certain categories of false alarm.

3. Point Heat Detector. There are two types of point heat detectors.

a. The first type is the Rate of Rise heat detector which reacts to abnormally high rates of temperature change and provides the fastest response over a wide range of ambient temperatures. A fixed temperature limit is also incorporated in these detectors.

b. The second type is the Fixed Temperature which reacts to a pre-determined fixed temperature rather than a rate of rise temperature. The fixed type is suitable where sudden large change in temperature is considered normal for example in boiler rooms and kitchens.

4. Linear Heat Detector. This type comes in the form of length of wire or tube. Ideally suitable for cable tunnels, cable trays, transformer bays, etc. there are two types of linear heat detectors:

a. The Non – Integrating type consists of an electric cable with an insulation of fixed melting point which is suspended over the area to be protected. The melting of the insulation when there is a fire causes a short circuit which causes the system go into alarm mode.

Heat detectors are best suited for:

·         applications where detection speed is not a prime consideration or where ambient conditions would not allow the use of a smoke detector

·         fire detection in small, confined spaces where rapidly burning, high heat fires are anticipated

·         Heat detectors have a lower false alarm rate,

b. The Integrating type is similar to the Non-integrating except in this type the insulation does not melt but electrical resistance is temperature dependent. The average temperature is taken over the whole length of wire rather than sections of it.

5. Optical Beam Detector. The optical beam consists of two units, a transmitter and a receiver which can either be two separate units installed at some distance apart or combined into a single unit and a reflector used to reflect the transmitted beam back to the receiver.

Optical beam smoke detectors can prove economical and effective for the protection of large, open plan spaces with relatively high ceilings (e.g. warehouses), particularly if access to point smoke detectors for maintenance could present practical difficulties.

It is, however, essential that they be mounted to solid construction that is unlikely to "flex" as a result of changes in temperature or imposed load, as this can cause mis-alignment of the optical beam and, hence, fault signals or false alarms.

6. Aspirating Detectors. This type comprises of a small pump which draws samples of the room air through holes in the system pipework into a detector element.

This detector is usually up to 100 times more sensitive than that of conventional point and line type detectors. Aspirating smoke detectors are highly sensitive and can detect smoke even before it is visible to the human eye.

7. Flame Detectors. They come in basically two types;

Infra-Red Flame detectors and Ultra-Violet Flame Detectors.

a. Infra-red flame detectors operate by detecting certain frequencies of flicker produced by flaming fires. They are sometimes used to protect very high spaces, such as cathedrals or atria. The detectors do not need to be ceiling mounted; they can be mounted at relatively low levels on walls around a very high protected space, within which only a very large fire could be detected by ceiling mounted heat or smoke detectors.

b. Ultraviolet flame detectors are not generally suitable for this application, since ultraviolet radiation is greatly attenuated by smoke whereas infra-red radiation penetrates smoke well.

8. Carbon Monoxide Detectors. This type of detector goes into an alarm when they sense a certain amount of carbon monoxide in the air over time. Different types of alarms are triggered by different types of sensors.

Carbon monoxide detectors can be immune to certain environmental influences that can result in false alarms from certain smoke detection systems, such as dust, steam and cigarette smoke, while responding to many types of fire appreciably faster than heat detectors.

9. Duct Probe Unit. This detector is designed to be used where standard smoke, heat and flame types cannot be utilised. It detects the presence of smoke or combustion in extract ventilation ducting systems. Operation is similar to aspirating detectors but it does not contain a pump, it operates on the venturi effect in the sampling pipe providing optimum airflow through the smoke detector.

10. Laser Point Smoke detector. Laser point detectors offer increased sensitivity over general purpose optical point smoke detectors at the expense of increased cost per location. They use the same principles as the optical point smoke detectors.

Smoke Detector - Placements

• Attics, provided it is heated and utilized for storage
• Offices, Classrooms, Lecture Halls and Laboratories
• Corridors
• Custodial Closets and Storage Areas
•  Exception:
  • Custodial closets with slop sink or other sinks subject to steam accumulation.
• Electrical Rooms or Vaults
• Elevators
• Mechanical Rooms
• Recycling Areas
• Stairwells
• Trash Rooms

Smoke detectors shall be placed;

• 4” from wall or ceiling, but not greater than 12” from ceiling on the wall
• 4’ from ceiling supply air diffusers or ceiling fans.
• 10’ from wall supply air diffusers
• not > 30’ apart, except as modified in NFPA 72, chapter 17
• on the ceilings, provided that beams on same ceiling project less than 4” down
• larger beam depth must comply with NFPA 72, chapter 17
• in locations with temperature ranges of (> 32° F to < 100°F)
• in locations with relative humidity levels of < 93%
• in locations where the air velocity < 300ft/min

Choice of detector

Selecting the correct detector for the application is based on several factors including:

·         The speed of fire detection required, based on an assessment of fire risk.

·         The nature and quantity of the combustible materials present, including ease of ignition, heat release rate, likely form of combustion (e.g. smouldering or flaming) and propensity for smoke production.

·         Probable rate of fire growth and spread.

·         The nature of the environment (e.g. humidity, temperature, cleanliness, extent of pollutants and nature of work processes).

·         The proposed fire evacuation strategy;

·         The height and geometry of the protected area;

·         The attendance time of the fire service (particularly in the case of Category P systems).

·         Other active and passive fire protection measures present.

·         The susceptibility of contents to heat, smoke and water.

·         The speed of response to fire, and the probable false alarm rates, of different types of fire detector.

Commonly Asked Questions

Q. How often should I change my smoke detector?
A. The NFPA suggests changing your smoke detectors every 10 years.

Q. Are there options for the hearing impaired?
A. Yes. There are smoke detectors that use visual and audible warnings. These use a bright flashing strobe light in conjunction with the horn to warn of danger.

Q. Why is my smoke alarm chirping (or beeping)?
A. This is usually an indication that the battery is dying and needs to be replaced.

Q. Are there distance or square footage requirements for smoke detector installation?
A. A general rule of thumb and most smoke detector manufacturers' instructions state, that smoke detectors should be installed every 30 feet in straight runs, such as a hallway or large rooms without obstructions in the ceiling. Most smoke detectors will cover approximately 900 square feet. Some states may have more stringent requirements for location and distances. It is best to check with the local municipality or fire department for code requirements and also the insurance carrier for the facility may have further requirements.

Q. Which are the preferable addressable Brand of Smoke Detector, Heat Detector, Multisensor Detector, Aspirating Detectors, Beam Detector ?

A. Smoke Detector: Autronica, ESSER, Edwards

Heat Detector: Autronica, ESSER, Edwards

Multisensor Detector: Autronica, ESSER, Edwards

Aspirating Detector: VESDA, FAAST

Beam Detector: System Sensor, Ravel, FireRay.