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Author
Goedeke, A. D. | Gross, H. G.
Title
Characteristics of Optical Fire Detector False Alarm Sources and Qualifications Test Procedures to Prove Immunity. Final Report. April 8, 199l-October 8, 1992.
Coporate
Donmar Limited, Newport Beach, CA
Sponsor
Air Force Civil Engineering Support Agency, Tyndall AFB, FL
Report
CEL-TR-92-62
October 8, 1992
388 p.
Contract
F08635-91-C-0129
Keywords
fire detectors | false alarms | ultraviolet radiation | infrared radiation | hot bodies | lamps
Identifiers
qualification test procedures; false alarm sources
Abstract
This study identified possible sources of UV, IR, and visible radiations thay may cause an optical fire detector to false alarm and/or affect its fire detector performance. The spectral irradiances of JP-4 pan fires and a multiude of lamps, hot bodies, and other sources of radiation stimuli that an optical detector may be exposed to in any type of aircraft shelter, hangar, facility, or ground location, were determined. Knowing the spectral irradiances of the required fire size and distance to be detected, it was then possible to determine at what distances would the potential false alarm source have to be equal or exceed the fire's spectral irradiances in the 185 nm - 250 nm and 4.4 lm bands. Considering the possible distance from detector to source, candidate false alrms sources were selected for detector immunity testing. Qualification test procedures were developed and tested. It was concluded that there are many possible false alarm sources and, if located too close to a detector, and the stimuli are modulated, most optical fire detectors would alarm.