Detection systems are an important part of your overall life safety system. Detecting a fire quickly allows people in your facility to safely exit the building. According to the NFPA, 3 out of every 5 home fire deaths occurred in homes that had no smoke detectors or where the smoke detectors were not working. Having fire or smoke detectors installed in your building and working properly can help save lives.
When it comes to choosing the right fire detection for your facility, it may be difficult to know which type to install. Smoke detectors are used to detect a fire by sensing the presence of smoke while other types of detectors can identify heat or fire gases. Commercial detectors are often connected to a fire alarm control panel which will set off relevant alarms when a fire is detected.
Some common types of detectors include:
Multi-Criteria Detectors
A Multi-Criteria Detector is a device that contains multiple sensors that separately respond to physical stimulus such as heat, smoke, or fire gases, or employs more than one sensor to sense the same stimulus. Fire and carbon monoxide detectors are typically multi-criteria detectors.
Aspirating Smoke Detectors
An aspirating smoke detector, such as VESDA, is an extremely sensitive light sensor or nephelometer, that works by dynamically drawing a sample of air and additional contaminates through a pipe network into a sensing chamber. It consists of the following major components: a network of small-bore pipes, particulate filter, sensing chamber, focused light source and also a sensitive light receiver. When smoke enters the sensing chamber across the pathway of the light beam, some light is scattered or obscured by the smoke particles, which is a detected by the sensor. The output is analogue and can be triggered by multiple alarms.
Video Smoke Detection (VSD)
Video Smoke Detection (VSD) is based on a computer analysis of video images provided by the standard video (CCTV) cameras. A video smoke detection system comprises the following components: one or more video cameras, computer and software to analyze the video signal. The computer uses a particular software to identify the unique motion and pattern of smoke. This unique signal is identified triggers an alarm.
Projected Beam Detector
The projected beam smoke detector operates on the principle of light obscuration and comprises a projected beam transmitter & lens, the light receiver and light reflector (not in all cases). The light transmitter emits an unseen beam of light that is received by a receiver in usual condition. The receiver is calibrated to represent sensitivity level based on a percentage of whole obscuration. When the smoke obscures beam, an alarm signal is activated.
Fire Alarms & Detection from IFP
At International Fire Protection, we know important it is for a fire to be detected early on in order to help people in a building escape quickly. That’s why we install commercial fire alarm and detection systems with the best equipment available. Our technicians can design alarm and detection systems that keep help keep your facility protected from a fire. Alarm and security monitoring are another option that International Fire Protection provides to give your building even more protection. We also can perform inspection and testing of your system to make sure that it is in proper condition. If you are interested in fire alarm and detection systems from IFP, contact us today!
