ASPIRATING SMOKE DETECTION SYSTEMS
Commercial Aspirating Smoke Detection Systems
Aspirating Smoke Detection (ASD) systems represent some of the most advanced fire-detection technology available today.
Instead of relying on smoke to drift toward a fixed sensor, ASD systems continuously draw in air samples, allowing them to identify smoke at the earliest possible stage.
An aspiration detection system is a highly sensitive form of fire detection that can detect a fire at an early stage. The system takes samples of the air and tests them for the presence of smoke. The air is drawn by a pump from the various test points. A VESDA system actively draws air into its sampling holes which increases the chance of smoke being detected. Passive smoke detectors rely on smoke reaching them via diffusion or using the thermal energy of the fire.
There are multiple reasons for considering an ASD system. The detection sensitivity of such systems is frequently tailored to the particular application, to achieve the performance capability desired without being susceptible to unwanted alarms.
- Class of the detector (as defined in EN 54-20).
- Type or method of sampling (eg primary or secondary sampling).
- Compliance route (either prescriptive or performance based).
- Prime motivators for using an ASD system.
Primary sampling is arranged to sample from specific locations in the protected area where smoke is most likely to travel/accumulate. Secondary sampling is arranged such that the air sampling points are sited and spaced as an alternative to point type smoke detectors. Maintenance requirements should be considered during system design. In particular, the recommended maintenance period and techniques should be defined.
If performance parameters (such as air flow and transport time) are used to confirm system performance during maintenance, appropriate deviation limits should be defined. Typical examples might be: Airflow reading during maintenance should be confirmed as ± 20% of the values measured at commissioning. Measurements of transport time from the furthest hole (or dedicated maintenance test point) during maintenance should be confirmed to be within + 15% or + 3 seconds, whichever is the greater, of the same measurement taken at commissioning.
How Aspirating Smoke Detection Systems work
- A central detection unit uses a fan to actively draw air through a network of pipes that are installed throughout the area being monitored.
- The air is passed through a series of filters to remove contaminants and then sent to a detection chamber.
- Within the chamber, highly sensitive detection elements analyse the air for the presence of microscopic smoke particles.
- Sophisticated algorithms and dual-wavelength technology are used to differentiate between true smoke and other particulates, which helps to prevent false alarms.
- When smoke particles are detected, the system triggers an alarm, often at a much earlier stage than conventional detectors.
Key benefits of Aspirating Smoke Detection Systems
- Ultra-early warning: It can detect fires at the very earliest stage, often before smoke is visible.
- High sensitivity: ASDs can be up to 100 or even 2,000 times more sensitive than standard point-type detectors.
- Reliability: It is effective in challenging environments like cold rooms, dusty areas, high-ceilinged spaces, and data centers where air currents can make traditional detectors less effective.
- Centralised maintenance: The system is maintained and serviced from a single, central location.
- Enhanced safety: By providing a rapid and reliable early warning, it allows for faster intervention, which can prevent significant damage, business disruption, or loss of life.
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