- Author
- Drouin, J. A. | Cote, A. E.
- Title
- Smoke and Heat Detector Performance: Field Demonstration Test Results.
- Coporate
- Simplex Time Recorder Co., Gardner, MA National Fire Protection Assoc., Quincy, MA
- Journal
- Fire Journal, Vol. 78, No. 1, 34-38,69, January 1984
- Keywords
- heat detectors | smoke detectors | fire tests | quick response sprinklers | photoelectric detectors
- Abstract
- The location of the detectors within each room did not appear to be a significant factor in detector activation times. The ionization smoke detectors operated first in the majority of the flaming-started fires. The photoelectric smoke detectors operated an average of 13.2 seconds after the ionization detectors in the flaming-started fires. The smoke detectors operated before the heat detectors in the majority of the flaming-started fires. The smoke detectors operated an average of 2 1/2 minutes faster than the heat detectors in the flaming-started fires. The photoelectric smoke detector operated first in the smoldering-started fires. The photoelectric smoke detector operated 1 hour, 8 minutes, 29 seconds before the first ionization detector in the smoldering-started fire. In this test, all photoelectric detectors in the room, as well as photoelectric detectors in the corridor beyond the closed door, responded before the first ionization detector. Detectors operated an average of three minutes faster than quick-response sprinklers in the flaming-started fires. The sprinkler and heat detector did not operate in the smoldering-started fire. At the time the first detector operated, the smoke obscuration at the five-foot level was very low. In seven of the eight tests in which sprinklers operated, the detectors provided an additional advance warning, prior to sprinkler operation of between 8 seconds and 13 1/2 minutes. In one test, the sprinkler and first detector operated simultaneously.