Very Early Smoke Detection
Air-sampling smoke detection (ASD) systems can detect fires in the incipient stage, often before smoldering becomes visible, before an open fire occurs, and before intense smoke develops. This early detection is an essential element of risk mitigation in mission-critical and high-risk applications. Detecting development of fire at the earliest stage possible brings significant time benefits, enabling a fast response to the first signs of smoke and mitigating consequences. Air-sampling smoke detectors can detect fires significantly faster than spot-type or beam-type smoke detectors. Here’s how it works:
Continuous Sampling
ASD systems actively draw air samples continuously from the monitored area through a pipe network fitted with sampling holes at regular intervals. In fact, per codes and standards, every hole is the equivalent of installing a spot-type detector in terms of placement and spacing. The sampled air is then analyzed for particles of combustion, and an alarm is raised if smoke is present in sufficient quantity to trigger adjustable thresholds. The system is active, continually drawing air samples from the monitored spaces.
Earliest Warning
Cumulative performance is achieved through multiple sampling holes. Each sample hole draws in small samples of smoke as it spreads throughout the protected space. Cumulative smoke is therefore delivered to the detector as the sum of each of the sample holes. This enables ASD systems to provide the earliest indication of a developing fire while in the incipient stage.
