Laser Technology Smoke Detector

C1 Application Guide Laser Technology Smoke Detector LASER. SMOKE DETECTORS EARLIEST WARNING DUCT SMOKE APPLICATIONS DETECTOR

Laser Technology Smoke Detector Contents Section I Laser. Earliest Warning Smoke Detector 2 Section 2 Benefits 3 Section 3 Applications 4 Ideal Applications 4 Applications to Avoid 4 Section 4 How it Works 5 The Principles of Laser Detection 5 Section 5 Performance 6 Section 6 Testing of Laser 8 Quality Assurance 8 UL Gasoline Fire Test 9 UL Heptane Fire Test 9 Multi-Detector Decision Making 9 Section 7 Comparison to Aspirating 10 Section 8 Myth vs. Reality 11 Section 9 Specifications 12 Foreword This document offers product information guidelines. Always consult with NFPA and your local AHJ for code requirements. System Sensor reserves the right to change product specifications at any time LASER TECHNOLOGY SMOKE DETECTOR

2 Section 1 Laser. Earliest Warning Smoke Detector Introduction Laser technology gives you fast response detection in high sensitivity applications such as clean rooms, telecommunications centers or computer rooms areas where any damage is too much. The LZR-1 Laser Detector senses the earliest particles of combustion. And that provides early warning of fire. Its high sensitivity is balanced with high stability to minimize false alarms. Like an ionization detector, LZR-1 quickly senses a fast-flaming fire. Like a photoelectric detector, it quickly senses a slow-smoldering fire. But unlike these detectors, the LZR-1 can quickly identify both types of fire. Its early warning performance is comparable to aspiration technology. In fact, independent tests have shown that LZR-1 responds as good as or better than traditional aspirating systems, without the cost of pipe installation. Unlike an aspirating system, LZR-1 can pinpoint the location of the fire. Faster response and pinpoint accuracy can make the difference between a minor emergency and a major catastrophe. A laser diode and precision optics make this detector super-sensitive to smoke as much as 100 times more sensitive than a standard photoelectric sensor with minimal potential for false alarms. One might expect such a sensitive smoke detector to be subject to false alarms. Not so with LZR-1. It uses patented algorithms to check for the presence of smoke before alarming. The results: super-sensitivity with solid stability. LZR-1 works on the same principle as a photoelectric detector. When a particle of combustion crosses the light beam, it causes the light to scatter which signals the alarm. But the difference between an LED beam and a laser beam is like the difference between a butter knife and a razor. The 100x sensitivity of this product means heads up to the first particle of combustion. This in itself is not enough to convince LZR-1 to signal an alarm. That s where the patented algorithms come into play, distinguishing between transient signals caused by airborne dust... and the first puff of smoke. Before these special algorithms were developed, laser detectors were useful only in extremely clean environments. No longer. By selecting the sensitivity of the detector in the control panel, LZR-1 can protect many environments where rapid response and pinpoint accuracy are critical. Full adjustability means LZR-1 can be finely tuned to suit each local environment within a global system. Day/night sensitivity Dust/smoke discrimination Multi-detector algorithms Automatic test Maintenance alert Rapid. Reliable. Reasonable cost SYSTEM SENSOR

Section 2 Benefits 3 Sensitivity. Extremely high sensitivity with superior early warning performance. Stability. Algorithms for proven resistance to false alarms. Versatility. One detector can be used for detection of fastflaming and slow-smoldering fires. Pinpoint accuracy. Identifies the precise location of the fire, reducing time to extinguish it. Lower overall cost. Reduced cost in installation and maintenance. LASER TECHNOLOGY SMOKE DETECTOR

4 Section 3 Applications The explosion in telecommunications and computer technology and manufacturing has fueled a need for extremely early warning fire detection. Today a major fire is not required to create a major catastrophe. Telecommunications facilities, data processing and computer rooms, clean rooms, traffic control centers all can be easily shut down even in the presence of small amounts of smoke. And, in some of these environments, even a little downtime can mean a big disaster. The sooner the fire can be detected, the lower the potential loss. That makes archives and museums where irreplaceable documents and artifacts are housed ideal candidates for early warning systems. Laser technology makes good sense in any environment where there is a substantial cost of downtime or a significant investment in installed equipment. To cut response time even further, this technology is best used where human interface is available. Appication Note: The LZR-1 is listed as an open area smoke detector. As such, standard guidelines for spacing and placement should be followed. Ideal Applications Telephone switching stations Computer, cable and clean rooms Hospitals Museums, archives and historic buildings Applications to avoid Cigar/cigarette smoke Cooking fumes Condensed water vapor, steam or fog High levels of airborne dust Motor vehicle exhaust Welding or other processes that cause combustion particles SYSTEM SENSOR

Section 4 How it Works 5 The Principles of Laser Detection Laser Diode Optical Amplifier Photo Receiver Laser Beam The principles of laser detection are similar to those of photoelectric technology. In a photoelectric smoke detector, an LED emits light into a sensing chamber that is designed to keep out ambient light while allowing smoke to enter. Any particles of smoke (or dust) entering the chamber will scatter the light and trigger the photodiode sensor. The LZR-1 works on the same lightscattering principle, but with 100x greater sensitivity. This ultra-sensitivity is due to the nature of the laser itself, which is literally amplified light (the word laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation ). Using an extremely bright, controlled laser diode, the laser beam is transmitted through the chamber to a light trap which eliminates any reflection. If a particle of smoke (or dust) enters the chamber, light from the laser is scattered and the control panel, using its patented algorithms, checks the nature of the scattered light to determine whether the source is dust or smoke. If a determination of smoke is made, the alarm is signaled. Smoke particles, especially those byproducts of an early fire, are extremely small, hence the need for the high sensitivity of the laser. Dust particles, on the other hand, are a different story. There are two types of dust: settled dust and airborne dust. Both affect the detector differently. In some smoke detectors, dust can settle in the darkened chamber. Over time this dust creates a light-colored floor that gradually increases the amount of reflected light in the chamber making the detector more prone to false alarms. Since the LZR-1 detector uses a focused beam of laser light, reflections are minimized in the chamber. This means that gradual dust accumulation is not a problem. Algorithms further minimize the affect of airborne dust by discriminating between transient signals and real smoke. LASER TECHNOLOGY SMOKE DETECTOR

6 Section 5 Performance Regardless of the industry or application, the ideal smoke detection system will provide high sensitivity for the earliest warning of fire, combined with high stability to reduce false alarms. Currently there are two smoke sensing technologies in wide use: ionization and photoelectric. Both technologies have different strengths. Ionization detectors detect fast-flaming fires well but are not so quick with slow-smoldering fires. Photoelectric detectors detect slow-smoldering fires well but are not so quick with fast-flaming fires. LZR-1 is highly sensitive to both types of fire. In order to improve the ability of photoelectric detectors to detect fast-flaming fires, LZR-1 developers focused on two goals: boosting the signal and reducing noise. More signal allows earlier warning and increases the ability to detect the extremely small smoke particles of a new fire, particles so small they cannot be easily detected by conventional photoelectric detectors. Meanwhile, reducing noise helps reduce the probability of a false alarm. LZR-1 achieves these dual goals of high sensitivity and high stability by using an extremely bright laser diode 10,000 times brighter than a standard light emitting diode coupled with an optical amplifier that further concentrates the light into the photo sensor. This combination allows LZR-1 to detect both small and large particles which allows it to quickly detect both fast-flaming and slow-smoldering fires. The narrow focus of the laser beam reduces the reflected light in the sensing chamber and results in a high signal-to-noise ratio (with noise defined as reflected light). The reflector captures scattered light up to 180 degrees around the beam, at a very low scattering angle. This low angle enhances the detection of smoke by improving the detection signal. It also allows a reduction in electronics gain in order to obtain better electrical interference performance while rejecting ambient interference. Signal processing to remove transient noise Initial signal processing compares present analog values with previous values to determine the correct value for further signal processing. Shortduration noise transients are removed. Chamber designed to Eliminate Background Noise In a typical photoelectric detector, which uses a widely dispersed light beam from an LED, noise levels can be high. The laser beam, conversely, is extremely focused, concentrated and small. When this light is received by a speciallydesigned light trap, LZR-1 achieves an even lower noise level. SYSTEM SENSOR

Section 5 Performance 7 Panel Software Algorithms to Enhance Performance To achieve rock-steady stability, LZR-1 works in concert with the control panel. With the use of sophisticated algorithms, the system can reject false alarm signals caused by large particles such as dust, moisture, and small insects even when set to extremely high sensitivity. The system software performs its own independent analysis on the signal from each detector. The algorithms in the panel go through a series of analyses every time a detector is polled. These analyses include dust spike rejection, drift compensation, smoothing, multi-detector, pre-alarm decision, and alarm decision. The following information is maintained on each detector: Two previous signal readings Drift compensation values Percent of drift compensation used Self-learn threshold Alarm sensitivity selection Recent peak readings Alarm verification readings Alarm verification tally Smoothing constant Dust Spike Rejection If an individual detector registers a large data spike, the algorithm recalls the values of the two previous sensor readings. Using a lowest of three analysis system, the algorithm chooses the lowest value of the present and two previous readings. It would therefore ignore one or two transient data spikes. Settled Dust While it is unlikely, it is possible that a large piece of dust could settle somewhere within the path of the laser beam. This would cause a sudden large spike that would not go away quickly. When the algorithms encounter such a spike, its suspicions are aroused because smoke buildup is usually gradual. However, because there is still a chance it could be sensing a sudden large fire, the software also checks the output of the adjacent detectors for any appreciable signals. If adjacent detectors show no response, the algorithms determine the cause is dust. Drift Compensation Laser algorithms include drift compensation that adjust for gradual dust accumulation to maintain sensitivity and resistance to false alarm. Eventually, so much compensation may be required that the detector must be cleaned. Algorithms also provide automatic warning of this condition. Signal Smoothing Multi-detector Decision-making Laser algorithms use group decisionmaking to provide earliest warning of fires. The sensitivity of one laser detector is already many times greater than the sensitivity of a standard photo detector. However, if two or more detectors in the same group register increased signals, they are combined for comparison to the alarm threshold. Group decision-making not only reduces false alarms but increases response time in incipient fire stages. Pre-Alarm and Alarm Decisions Laser algorithms select pre-alarm and alarm thresholds based on user settings, while taking into account all the other sensing input described above. Nine pre-alarm and nine alarm settings offer a range of settings for a wide range of conditions. Local Use Certain installations require high sensitivity only in a local area. LZR-1 integrates well with other types of smoke detection systems, including photoelectric, ionization, multi-criteria, and thermal detectors. Laser algorithms are designed to take note of any sudden jump in the signal. Because local environments in the system will vary, the signals can be smoothed to adjust the sensitivity setting and prevent false alarms. LASER TECHNOLOGY SMOKE DETECTOR

8 Section 6 Testing of Laser Quality Assurance Laser tests have been conducted at several telephone switching stations in the United States and Europe to determine performance levels under a variety of conditions. Test fires at a USA facility were designed to provide very low levels of smoke. Printed circuit boards were set on a hot plate and overheated. PVC wires were selected to simulate the fires most likely to occur in telecommunication facilities. Test fires at the European facility meeting the requirements of British Standard Laser has been rigorously tested for: BS-6266 were used. Life tests were also run to establish the degree of immunity to false alarms. Comparison tests showed LZR-1 was as fast or faster than all other systems in responding to the test fires. And its sophisticated software algorithms provide excellent resistance to false alarms. Radio frequency interference Lightning simulation Corrosion Mechanical integrity Detection performance Dust immunity Humidity extremes and variations Temperature extremes and variations SYSTEM SENSOR

Section 6 Testing of Laser 9 This graph shows the performance of LZR-1 compared to a standard photoelectric and ionization smoke detector in a UL gasoline fire. LZR-1 reaches its full alarm level well before the other types of detection. UL Gasoline Fire Test Laser Photo Ion Detector Signal Time UL Heptane Fire Test This graph shows the performance of LZR-1 compared to a standard photoelectric and ionization smoke detector in a UL Heptane fire, an example of a flaming fire. LZR-1 reaches its full alarm level well before the other types of detection. Laser Photo Ion Detector Signal Time Multi-Detector Decision Making Improves System Response Time By combining the signals from multiple LZR-1 detectors with sophisticated algorithms in the control panel, system response to fire conditions greatly improves. In addition, using adjacent detectors for confirmation reduces the opportunity for false alarms. Alarm Treshold Group Detector Time Savings Laser A Detector Signal Laser B Laser C Time LASER TECHNOLOGY SMOKE DETECTOR

10 Section 7 Comparison to Aspirating In the past, aspirating systems were accepted as the standard for high sensitivity and early warning. These tubular networks draw air from fire protection areas to a central sensor, which is typically a single enclosure containing high-sensitivity optics. Filters remove large particles and thus reduce false alarms. The system must be continuously aspirating in order to sample air. Aspirating Tubular networks can have a lag time for the delivery of smoke to the detection enclosure, dilution of smoke, and removal of smoke in the tubes. Aspirating Group decision-making cannot be employed because the system cannot identify which sampling port delivered smoke to the detector. LZR-1 Smoke-assessing optics reside at each sampling location drastically reducing lag times, dilution, and smoke removal. LZR-1 Addressable system identifies exact location of fire. Aspirating Limited supervision means system cannot detect leaks in piping or blockage of a port. LZR-1 Continuously supervises nearly every component and wire in the system. Aspirating Tubing requires unconventional installations and does not allow other types of detectors within its system. LZR-1 Allows use with any other detector on the same system. Aspirating In the case of a small localized fire, most sampling ports draw in clean air, diluting smoke levels in measuring chamber. LZR-1 Measurement points away from the fire do not degrade response time, regardless of fire size. Group decisionmaking makes response swift and sure. SYSTEM SENSOR

Section 8 Myth vs. Reality 11 Myth An aspirating system must be used in areas where regular maintenance cannot be done. Reality The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requires regular maintenance of both the ports in an aspirating system and the detectors in the laser system. Myth The pinpoint location of the fire is not necessary. Reality LZR-1 detects smoke at extremely low levels, sometimes before the smoke is visible to the human eye. By knowing which detector is in alarm, the source of the smoke is much easier to determine. Myth An extremely sensitive spot type detector such as LZR-1 will be prone to false alarms. Reality LZR-1 works in conjunction with sophisticated stability and immunity routines in the control panel to virtually eliminate false alarms. Myth LZR-1 is more expensive to install than an aspirating system. Reality The total installed cost of a laser system can be less than an aspirating system. The cost to install a laser system is comparable to the cost to install any spot type detection system. An aspirating system, however, requires the installation of pipe and fittings by a qualified installer. Myth A spot type detection system, such as LZR-1, could never be as sensitive as an aspirating system. Reality Since an aspirating system senses smoke at one central unit, the smoke becomes diluted by the time it reaches the detector. LZR-1 is actually more sensitive than an aspirating system. A recent draft of proposed changes to NFPA 76 explicitly recognizes this dilution effect by requiring the sensitivity at the central unit in an aspirating system be multiplied by the number of ports. For example, 0.002%/ft. sensitivity at the central unit with 20 ports is really 0.04%/ft. sensitivity. LASER TECHNOLOGY SMOKE DETECTOR

12 Specifications Height Diameter 1.7 inches (43 mm) installed in B210LP base, sold separately 6.1 inches (155 mm) installed in B210LP base, sold separately 4.1 inches (104 mm) installed in B501 base, sold separately Weight 3.6 oz. (102 g) Operating Voltage Range Max. Standby Current Max. Average Standby Current Max. Alarm Current (LED on) Operating Temperature Range Sensitivity 15 to 32 VDC Peak 230µA @ 24 VDC (no communication) 330µA (one communication every 5 seconds with LED blink enabled) 6.5mA @ 24 VDC 32º to 100ºF (0º to 37.8ºC) Previously listed from.03 to 1.0%/ft. Actual sensitivity determined by system algorithms. SYSTEM SENSOR

System Sensor Headquarters 3825 Ohio Avenue St. Charles, IL 60174 Ph: 800.SENSOR2 Fx: 630.377.6495 www.systemsensor.com Fx Documents: 800-736-7672 ext. 3 System Sensor Canada Ph: 905.812.0767 Fx: 905.812.0771 System Sensor in Europe Ph: 44.1403.276500 Fx: 44.1403.276501 System Sensor in Italy Ph: 39.040.949011 Fx: 39.040.382137 Xi an System Sensor Electronics, Ltd. China Ph: 86.29.525.6253 Fx: 86.29.524.6259 System Sensor de Mexico SA decv Ph: 52.16240478 Fx: 52.21640490 System Sensor Far East Ltd. Ph: 852.2919003 Fx: 852.27366580 System Sensor in Singapore Ph: 65.273.2230 Fx: 65.273.2610 System Sensor in Australia Ph: 61.3.54.281.142 Fx: 61.354.281.172 System Sensor in India Ph: 91.11.558.2119 Fx: 91.11.567.6815 1999 System Sensor The company reserves the right to change specifications at any time. AO5 1028 00