Aspirating smoke detection Award winning products, ground-breaking technology A UTC Fire & Security Company
About us AirSense the company AirSense Technology is a market leader in the design and manufacture of Aspirating Smoke Detection systems. The company Research and Development Headquarters is situated in Hertfordshire, England, where many personnel have been involved with aspirating smoke detection for over 25 years. Currently all manufacturing is carried out in the UK. The AirSense Technology range of products are branded Stratos and are suitable for the detection of incipient fires in a wide range of environments. They are particularly well suited for the reliable protection of EDP (computer) equipment in high air-flows, as well as other 'difficult to protect' environments such as Waste Recycling Centres and Food Preparation Factories. What is ASD? Aspirating Smoke Detection, also known as ASD or Air Sampling, has developed over the last 25 years into a reliable, mature technology. Briefly, samples of air are continuously drawn through a network of sampling holes in pipes to a sophisticated detection chamber, where the air sample is analysed for the presence of smoke particles using a high performance light source (laser). Sampling hole Air samples ClassiFire signal processing Early ASD quickly developed a reputation for unwanted alarms, where detectors were unable to adapt to environmental changes. What was needed was a system where the protected environment was continuously monitored and outputs automatically adjusted so that the same amount of smoke was required to initiate an alarm: the best sensitivity possible without unwanted alarms. In clean areas Stratos detectors may be configured to be so sensitive as to detect a slowly building fire before any damage occurs. Conversely, extremely dirty areas such as sawmills may also be efficiently protected, albeit at lower, safer sensitivity. This is because the system uses a patented form of 'Artificial Intelligence' called ClassiFire : this uniquely guarantees that the system maintains a maximum SAFE sensitivity where the possibility of alarm can be predicted. Unique signalling processing
How Does the Detector Work? The detection principle used in Stratos is known as Forward Light Scattering where the laser beam is reflected at a small angle by smoke particles. A curved mirror focuses the reflected light onto a photocell where the signal output is processed. This principle not only offers high sensitivity, but sensitivity to a wide range of particle sizes. A patented feature of the system is that compensation is made for any contamination, ensuring a long and trouble-free life. Applications for ASD Environmental Compensation Aspirating Smoke Detection is a very flexible method of protection. Detectors can be configured to operate at very high levels of sensitivity, where the environment is clean (EDP Areas) or at reduced sensitivity in dirtier areas such as Waste Recycling Centres. Because the detector module may be sited away from the risk itself, maintenance is more convenient and the air sample may be conditioned to avoid component damage from dirt, moisture or excessive temperatures without degrading performance. Multiple outputs may be used to provide a staged response to fires at varying degrees of intensity. It is not always appropriate to call the Fire Service for a very early alarm in a computer room where an individual component is overloading; the IT Manager, however, is sure to be interested! 0.3% 0.2% % obsc. /mtr 0.1% 0% SMOKE DENSITY Fire growth curve 0 S2 S1 A S2 S1 B Time T I M E Optical Ionisation ASD: Widest sensitivity range T I M E Ultra violet infra red Fixed Sensitivity Alarm Level Relative Sensitivity Alarm Level Ambient Smoke Level Heat Flame Beam SMOKE DENSITY A UTC Fire & Security Company
Our award winning product range Early Warning/High Airflow environments/very High spaces/easy Maintenance/Invisible/Cold, Hot, Humid or Dusty environments/ Stratos-HSSD High Performance ASD Stratos-HSSD is able to provide protection to large open areas. Sampling pipes may enter the detector at the top or from the rear if required. The most powerful fan in the range, Stratos-HSSD offers the widest range of sensitivity, being suitable for all Classes of fire (Class A, B &C). Stratos-Micra 25 & 100 Affordable Early Warning Stratos-Micra is designed to provide high performance ASD to smaller areas. Sensitivity is suitable for Class A, B &C Fires as defined by EN54 part20. A unique part of their design is a Docking Station: this facilitates first fix installation without the detector module, which can be fitted later at commissioning stage.
A UTC Fire & Security Company The Stratos range of ASD is specifically designed to provide simple and easy installation in a vast range of applications, only limited by imagination Reliable Extinguishant Release Stratos-Quadra Multi-Channel ASD Stratos-Quadra provides a 'one box' solution where it is necessary to identify individual sampling pipes, for example different rooms in a heritage building. The detector is configured with up to 4 sampling pipes, each of which has a dedicated laser detector chamber. This provides enhanced reliability (there is no delay in response from dilution or sequential sampling, and fewer moving parts) with consistent performance. Stratos-Nano Localised ASD Stratos-Nano is an entry level ASD that may be configured without a special programmer or PC. Suitable for Class A, B or C fires. Stratos-Ex Explosion Proof ASD Stratos-Ex is ATEX approved for use in gaseous hazardous areas. An explosionproof housing and flame arrestors ensure that the unit is suitable for installation INSIDE a Zone 1 Hazardous Area. An external filter and integral RS232/485 communications to the Safe Area facilitate routine maintenance without the need to de-classify the Hazardous Area.
Ancillaries A complete range of ancillary products are also available to support the ASD detector range. This ensures that all components are fully compatible to provide a reliable system suitable for the protection of life and/or property. ABS has been found to be an ideal compromise between price and performance: lighter and cheaper than stainless steel or copper, more robust than PVC. Sampling pipe is coloured red and screen printed with its purpose for easy identification. Each detector requires a back-up Power Supply. Standard power supply units are capable of supporting detectors for at least 24 hours in the event of a mains failure using standby batteries. Sometimes a Remote Display Unit is required. This provides LED bargraph and Fire status information in a standalone housing or in a 19 Rack format (3U high). Relay outputs may be added for convenient interfacing if required. All detectors may be integrated into a RS485 network. A simple PC interface facilitates connection to a PC based Graphical Management system for intuitive control and indication of multiple networks of up to 127 detectors per network. While all Stratos detectors have clean contact relay outputs for simple interfacing to literally any fire detection or monitoring system, a range of addressable interfaces (APIC) are available to facilitate connection directly onto a fire detection loop. This is particularly efficient when using multiaddress mode where a single interface can address up to 127 detectors directly onto a loop.
Support AirSense Technology provides comprehensive support throughout the ASD lifecycle. It is recognised that support before, during and after installation is crucial to success. Much effort is made to ensure that information, advice and engineering software is freely available. AirSense provide ASD awareness and support in depth: Seminars for Consulting Engineers and Designers Comprehensive Application Guides Technical training for Engineers PipeCAD modelling software to predict system performance Comprehensive 2 Year Warranty Engineer availability to assist with onsite support Public Domain access to the most current version of programming software Offices and Distributors Worldwide Quality AirSense Technology takes quality seriously. Stratos detectors are manufactured in World Class quality environments audited to the highest ISO9001 standards audited by approval authorities across the world. Stratos detectors are designed for world markets. Much effort has been made to achieve and, more importantly, maintain many international listings and accreditations (please check our website for a comprehensive listing of the individual approvals each detector currently carries). AirSense also participates in ACE (Achieving Competitive Excellence), the UTC quality operating system which continuously looks for improvement at all levels. A UTC Fire & Security Company
Proven performance and reliability Thousands of Stratos detectors have been successfully installed throughout the world in a diverse range of applications. Systems encompass simple single detector installations in small void spaces to hundreds of detectors networked in Semi-Conductor Clean Rooms. Emirates Stadium Houses of Parliament St Pancras Station Canary wharf London A UTC Fire & Security Company 1 Caxton Place Caxton Way Stevenage Herts SG1 2UG UK Tel: +44(0)1438 751296 Fax: +44(0)1438 729137 e-mail: sales@airsense.co.uk www.airsensetechnology.com AirSense Technology - A division of Kidde Products Ltd. Registered office: Mathisen Way, Colnbrook, Slough, Berkshire, SL3 0HB, UK. Registered in England No: 4622271