Smoke Detector Testing - PDF Free Download

Smoke Detector Testing Allen Hess CFAA Presentation April 2011 1 Building Technologies

Agenda Requirements Consumer Needs Challenges with Industry Acceptance How siemens a Detector sans italic Works Effects siemens of sans Time black on detector performance Maintenance Best Practices Conclusion Building Technologies

What our Standard Prescribes Building Technologies

What prescribes the testing and maintenance of Smoke detectors? CAN/ULC-S536-04 INSPECTION AND TESTING OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS... 4 Building Technologies

5.7.4 Smoke Detectors 5.7.4.1 General 5.7.4.1.1 Each smoke detector shall be visually inspected for cleanliness. When required, cleaning shall be in accordance with the manufacturer s recommendations. 5.7.4.1.2 Each smoke detector shall be tested for operation by introducing smoke or simulated smoke to the detecting chamber in accordance with the manufacturer s instructions. 5.7.4.1.3 Each smoke detector shall be tested to confirm that it is within its rated operating range using a test method described in Clause 5.7.4.1.6. (Refer to Appendix E3.1, Field Device Testing-Legends and Notes.) Corrective Action 5.7.4.1.4 siemens sans A smoke black detector whose sensitivity is not within the required operating range shall be cleaned, retested in accordance with Clause 5.7.4.1.3, and if still not within its rated sensitivity, replaced with a compatible smoke detector. (Refer to Appendix E3.1, Field Device Testing-Legends and Notes.) 8 Building Technologies

5.7.4 Smoke Detectors 5.7.4.1 General 5.7.4.1.1 Each smoke detector shall be visually inspected for cleanliness. When required, cleaning shall be in accordance with the manufacturer s recommendations. 5.7.4.1.2 Each smoke detector shall be tested for operation by introducing smoke or simulated smoke to the detecting chamber in accordance with the manufacturer s instructions. Provide evidence 5.7.4.1.3 Each smoke detector shall be tested to confirm that it is within Siemens its rated sansoperating range using a test method described in Clause siemens 5.7.4.1.6. sans bold (Refer to Appendix E3.1, Field Device Testing-Legends and Notes.) 5.7.4.1.4 siemens sans A smoke italic boldetector whose sensitivity is not within the required siemens operating sans black range shall be cleaned, retested in accordance with Clause siemens 5.7.4.1.3, black and italic if still not within its rated sensitivity, replaced with a compatible smoke detector. (Refer to Appendix E3.1, Field Device Testing-Legends and Notes.) 5.7.4.1.5 Each smoke detector sensitivity measurement and if applicable, the cleaning date shall be recorded on the individual device record. (Refer to Appendix E3.1, Field Device Testing-Legends and Notes.) 9 Building Technologies

5.7.4 Smoke Detectors 5.7.4.1.6 Acceptable methods of determining the smoke detector sensitivity are: A Manufacturer s recommended test instrument, equipment, or method; B Installed control units or transponders designed to test the sensitivity of individual smoke detectors; or siemens C Calibrated black italic instruments that provide the operation as described in CAN/ULC-S529, Standard for Smoke Detectors for Fire Alarm Systems, for the purpose of testing smoke detector sensitivity. 10 Building Technologies

What Consumers Need Building Technologies

Role of Detection The six fire safety subsystems recognized in the SFPE Engineering Guide to Performance-Based Fire Protection Analysis and Design of Buildings are [2007]: Fire initiation and development Spread, control, and management of smoke Fire detection Fire suppression Occupant siemens sans behavior italic and egress Passive fire protection Fire detection is one of the six subsystems identified in the SFPE Guide and hence is an essential component for achieving fire safety goals 12 Building Technologies

Fire Development and Intervention Flashover Building Technologies

Consumers Needs Early Warning Benefit Cost Benefit Cost Detection Reliably Affordably Protect People and Valuables Building Technologies

What is this Issue? Building Technologies

Industry Feedback/Perceptions Test tools not Approved Testing Impractical Too many test tools Subjective siemens evaluation sans italic of values Devices will false alarm in time Tools too expensive Testing Meaningless Physical testing more relevant Recommendations not acted on 16 Building Technologies

How A Detector Works Building Technologies

Ionization Detector 18 Building Technologies

Ionization Detector 19 Building Technologies

Photo Electric Detector (Scattering) 20 Building Technologies

Photo Electric Detector (Scattering) 21 Building Technologies

Multi Sensor Photo Detector 22 Building Technologies

Automatic Smoke Detectors Improvements in Quality and Quantity ASA (False Alarm Immunity)... Newer Generation Mio. Pcs. 40 35 Backward scattering 30 25 20 15 10 5 1943 1953 1963 1973 1983 1993 2003 0 Building Technologies

ASA False Alarm Immunity 3 000 # of detectors per false alarm per year Neural smoke detector 2'500 2'000 1'500 1'000 siemens Standard black italic Smoke detector 500 0 Wide spectrum smoke detector Wide spectrum smoke detector Neural smoke detector System innovation Field statistics Lab results Standards requirements 24 Building Technologies

Effects of Time on Detector Performance Building Technologies

Environmental effects on detectors Artificial aerosols and non-typical fire Siemens phenomena sans Detector locking Sabotage Dust, fibers, insects High-grade, patented optic Selectable parameters and multi-criteria evaluation Arrangement of grid and labyrinth Vibration, shock Construction and material selection Corrosive vapors Humidity protected electronic, highgrade components innovative, highly integrated electronic circuitry Extreme Temperatures Electromagnetic interference 26 Building Technologies

Effects of time on conventional Ionization detectors Dirt builds up in chamber causing leakage Airborne dusts absorb ions decreasing current Reduces detection capability Creates false alarms Conclusion Without compensation or maintenance/cleaning: - most likely will experience increase in false alarms with time 27 Building Technologies

Effects of time on conventional Photoelectric detectors Dust accumulates on transmitter/receiver reducing signal Dirt builds up on labyrinth causing reflections Airborne dusts cause reflects light Reduces sensitivity to smoke Creates false signals Creates false signals Conclusion Depending on construction and environment photo detectors - may become less or more sensitive with time 28 Building Technologies

U.S. EXPERIENCE WITH SMOKE ALARMS AND OTHER FIRE DETECTION/ALARM EQUIPMENT 2007 Nuisance alarms were the leading cause of disabled alarms. Problems associated with smoke alarm age may Include: sensitivity drift, which refers to a shift in the range of visibility obscuration or particulate density that will activate the smoke alarm. Such a shift can mean either an increase in nuisance activations (if sensitivity increases) or a decreased ability to react promptly to real fires (if sensitivity decreases). 29 Building Technologies

Maintenance Best Practices Building Technologies

Detector Revision Process (Cleaning) Detector sensitivity after 4 years field exploration Production limits Detector sensitivity after revision process Production limits # Detectors siemens 10 sans 30% bold out of the limits Sensitivity [%/m] Optical components after 4 years field exploration # Detectors Sensitivity [%/m] Optical components after revision process 31 Building Technologies

Best Practices, Global Comparison Building Technologies

International Standards Comparison 33 Building Technologies

Conclusion Building Technologies

Conclusions Canadian detector testing and maintenance Standards are consistent with global standards. Calibration (Sensitivity) testing continues to be important to ensure performance. Canada is lacking in defined intervals for detector replacement Shorter interval for replacement would reduce both the relevance and challenge of sensitivity testing Need a Green solution for detector replacement siemens Need sans to demonstrate italic cost/benefit to industry and end consumer 35 Building Technologies