The prime function of a fire detector is to detect one or more changes in the protected environment indicative of the development

of a fire condition.

FIRE SIGNATURES

A fire can be defined as a spontaneous chemical reaction between oxygen and a flammable material. This chemical reaction produces a large amount of energy (heat) that increases the temperature near the fire dramatically.
Like all warm materials, the fire emits electromagnetic radiation. This electromagnetic radiation can be in the infrared (IR), in the ultra-violet (UV) and in the visible parts of the electromagnetic spectrum depending on the temperature. A slow burning and relatively low temperature fire might not emit enough visible light to be seen by the human eye, whereas a very hot fire emits strong visible light and strong UV and IR radiation.

One approach for detecting fire is based on sensing and responding to the heat it produces. If a fire occurs in close proximity to a detector of this type, the detector itself is heated.

This rise of temperature triggers the detector's alarm.

This method of detection is limited in range (the fire has to be close to the detector) and in speed (it can take a long time for a small fire to heat the detector to its alarming threshold).

Another approach is to detect the smoke that is a result of the fire's chemical reactions. There are two types of smoke detectors: point detectors and line of sight (open path) detectors. Point detectors measure the amount of smoke that actually reaches them, while line of sight detectors measure the amount of smoke in a certain line of sight. Smoke detectors are effective in only small, closed spaces.

In larger or open areas, smoke dilutes and does not reach the necessary concentration needed for reliable detection.

SMOKE PROPERTIES
Smoke involves the thermal release of large quantities of solid and liquid particles into the surrounding atmosphere. These particles that are suspended in the air are termed aerosols. The aerosol particles that are produced in a fire are classified into two types of fire signatures according to their light scattering properties. Namely, invisible and visible fire signatures.

Flaming fires burn hotter and result in more complete combustion, and produce smaller aerosol (smoke) particles (approximately 0.3 m or less).
These smoke particles are classified as invisible due to the inability to scatter light. Ionization detectors are most effective with invisible smoke particles.

Smoldering fires and fires that produce low temperature combustion products produce larger aerosol (smoke) particles (larger than 0.3m). These particles scatter (reflect) light efficiently and are classified as visible particles. Photoelectric detectors are most effective with visible smoke particles, and are applied where smoldering fires are anticipated.

SMOKE DETECTORS
To be precise, we should state that "smoke" detectors detect the presence of airborne particulate matter that may be produced by fire or by other sources.

It is important to understand that smoke detectors are not necessarily fire detectors.
The industry jargon (slang) when dealing with smoke sensing devices is to simply call them "initiating devices.

Ionization Detectors
Ionization detectors operate by using a small amount of radioactive material (Americium 241) to ionize (electrically charge) the air within a sensing chamber in the detector. The ionization of the air permits the air to conduct electricity between two electrodes within the chamber, and the resultant ionic current used as a detection mechanism. As smoke enters the chamber, the smoke particles become ionized and reduce the conductivity of the air between the electrodes and so, the ionic current is reduced.

This reduction in conductivity (ionic current) between the electrodes is sensed and will cause the detector to respond.
Generally, these detectors are the lowest cost, and respond to smaller smoke particles (the result of high-energy fires). These detectors also have the greatest false alarm rate of smoke detectors from cooking and other non-fire sources.

Ionization Technology
Air molecules are neutral. To make ions, we have to alter the equal ratio of electrons to protons. This is easily done by removing an outer electron. There are several ways to ionize air: Generate a high voltage discharge, but this adds expense, complexity and radio-frequency noise to the detector. Use a radiation source. One could use intense ultraviolet light (electromagnetic radiation), but that, too, would add expense and complexity. One could also use X-rays (also electromagnetic radiation). Heat can also cause ionization, but imagine the difficulties in designing a small, plastic smoke detector that uses heat as an ionizing source while functioning continuously on just a few milliamps.

A much simpler ionizing source is a radioactive material that emits alpha particles.

Alpha radiation has a very limited free path in air (i.e.. it won't travel more than a few centimeters in air).
It has very little penetrating power and, thus, does not pose a health risk external to the human body. And it is very efficient at ionizing air molecules.

As long as one does not ingest or inhale any alpha emitting material, then there are no serious health risks.
A sheet of paper can effectively stop alpha particles.

A beta emitter can also be used as an ionizing source.

However, the ionizing ability is not as great as that of alpha radiation. The alpha particle is a positively charged (+2) helium nucleus, while the beta particle is a fast moving electron or positron. The mass difference between the alpha and beta particles is enormous. Beta particles can pose a significant health threat if ingested or inhaled. When a neutral molecule or atom is ionized, an outer electron is removed. The removal of the electron causes the production of an ion pair, the ejected electron (negative) and the remaining molecule or atom, now with a positive net charge.

The ionization chamber is basically two metal plates a small distance apart. One of the plates carries a positive charge, the other a negative charge.

Between the two plates, air molecules-made up mostly of oxygen and nitrogen atoms-are ionized when electrons are kicked out of the molecules by alpha particles from the radioactive material (alpha particles are big and heavy compared to electrons).
The result is oxygen and nitrogen atoms that are positively charged because they are short one electron; the free electrons are negatively charged.

The positive atoms flow toward the negative plate, as the negative electrons flow toward the positive plate. The movement of the electrons registers as a small but steady flow of current. When smoke enters the ionization chamber, the current is disrupted as the smoke particles attach to the charged ions and restore them to a neutral electrical state. This reduces the flow of electricity between the two plates in the ionization chamber. When the electric current drops below a certain threshold, the alarm is triggered.

The characteristics of an ionization detector make it more suitable for detection of fast flaming fires that are characterized by combustion particles in the 0.01 to 0.4 micron size range. Photoelectric smoke detectors are better suited to detect slow smoldering fires that are characterized by particulates in the 0.4 to 10.0 micron size range. Each type of detector can detect both types of fires, but their respective response times will vary, depending on the type of fire ."

When the ionization and photoelectric detector chambers become contaminated over time, the result is a more sensitive detector. Although this may sound like a good thing, it isn't, and will most likely lead to numerous false alarms.

As smoke or additional contaminants collect inside the ionization chamber, the headroom between the normal chamber background value and the alarm threshold value is decreased. The result is that, as time goes by, a very small amount of smoke or contaminates can cause an alarm or an alert (prealarm) condition. Intelligent fire panels have special algorithms that can compensate for this slow increase in detector background level. An indication is also displayed on the fire panel (if so equipped) indicating when a specific detector has a high chamber value, and should be checked, cleaned, and/or replaced immediately.

Recombination can occur over time when ejected electrons recombine with ionized atoms and molecules. To prevent (or limit) this, a voltage is applied between two plates inside the ionization chamber, as when a potential difference is applied between the two plates of the ionization chamber, positive ions will migrate toward the negative plate, and negative ions will migrate towards the positive plate.

The potential difference will keep the ion current flowing inside the ionization chamber.
As long as the chamber is clear (i.e. no smoke or particulate matter) then the current will be at its maximum level. If smoke or particulate matter are introduced into the chamber, they will cause a reduction in the ionic current flow.

It should be obvious that including more gas molecules inside the chamber (pressurized gas) will provide more ions, and more ionic current will be available.
The drawback is that the chamber would have to be sealed, and no smoke could enter. In the real world, as the ambient pressure rises and falls, there will be a slight change in ionic current, due to the increase or decrease of available air molecules.

Aspirating detector or duct detector will most likely use a photoelectric detector. In the ionization type smoke detector, the cloud of ions could literally be blown out of the ionization chamber if the ambient airflow is too great. Newer ionization detector chambers have been developed that are less sensitive to rapid airflow, but generally a photoelectric type will be utilized. If careful ionization chamber design and external air sensing housings are used, an ionization detector can be used to sample air traveling through a typical building air handling system without the risk of blowing the ionized air out of the ionization chamber

Because the ionization chamber ionizes air molecules, it is affected by atmospheric pressure changes and humidity.
To make a better ionization detector, a better ionization chamber is required. The improved ionization chamber is known as the dual chamber design, and it has all but replaced the single chamber design.

Dual ionizing chamber design

In the dual-chamber design, one chamber is opened to ambient air (sensing chamber), while the other (reference chamber) is partially closed off so that it is affected only by atmospheric conditions, such as humidity and barometric pressure. The reference chamber allows air molecules and water vapor to enter, but blocks smoke particles. The holes in the sensing chamber are too small to allow smoke particles to enter.

The reference chamber will produce an ionization current that is unaffected by smoke, but affected by changes in humidity and barometric pressure. The two chamber currents are compared, and a large difference between the two triggers an alarm condition. If large, sudden atmospheric changes occur, both chambers will have a similar response and the difference between the two will be negligible. If smoke or products of combustion enter the sensing chamber, a large difference will be noted between the reference and sensing chamber, indicating an alarm condition.

A single ionization chamber smoke detector might experience a false alarm condition, while the dual chamber design will not. For best results in detecting smoke, both photoelectric and ionization smoke detectors can be combined into a single system. With the combination of both technologies in one detector housing, a fast responding detector can be realized.
The result is a single detector that responds to slow, smoldering fires as well as fast flaming fires. Newer combination detectors have the combined abilities of photoelectric, ionization and heat detectors in a single detector.

Photoelectric Detectors
Photoelectric detectors operate on one of three different principles:

Light obscuration principle Light scattering principle Cloud Chamber principle

Light obscuration principle photoelectric detectors

They operate by projecting a light beam onto a photosensitive device. As smoke particles enter the chamber between the light source and the photosensitive device, the light intensity diminishes and initiates an alarm at a predetermined level.

Most light obscuration detectors are the beam type and are used for smoke detection of large open areas.

Light scattering principle photoelectric detectors

They operate with a light source and a photosensitive device. However, unlike the light obscuration detector, the photosensitive device is not in the light beam path.

As smoke particles enter the sensing chamber, light is reflected (scattered) from the smoke particles onto the photosensitive device causing the detector to respond.

Cloud chamber principle detectors

They operate by drawing an air sample from the protected area into a high humidity chamber within the detector.
After the air sample has been raised to the high humidity, the pressure is slightly lowered. If smoke particles are in the chamber, a cloud will form. The density of this cloud is measured with a photoelectric device. When the "cloud" reaches a predetermined density, the detector will respond with an alarm.

Cloud chamber detectors are normally used where early detection is required such as in computer rooms.

Light scattering Photoelectric Technology

Photoelectric technology smoke alarms use a T-shaped chamber fitted with a light-emitting diode (LED) and a photocell. The LED sends a beam of light across the horizontal bar of the chamber. The photocell sits at the bottom of the vertical portion of the chamber. The photo cell will generate a current, when exposed to light. Under normal, smoke-free conditions, the LED beam moves in a straight line, through the chamber without striking the photo cell. When smoke enters the chamber, smoke particles deflect some of the light rays, scattering them in all directions. Some of it reaches the photocell. When enough light rays hit the photocell, they activate it.

There are two types of scattering, Rayleigh and Mie.

Rayleigh scattering occurs when the particle size is less than that of the wavelength of the light source. Because Rayleigh scattering is inversely related to the wavelength of light, blue light is scattered much more than red light. This is why Rayleigh scattering from molecules of air makes the sky appear blue.
Mie scattering is much more complex, for there are no limitations on the particle size. In smoke from a typical fire, Mie scattering from large smoke particles provides much more scattering than Rayleigh scattering from fine particles. Thus, photoelectric smoke detectors rely much more on Mie scattering than Rayleigh scattering.

Light Obscuring Technology

Duct detector
Another similar type of detector is the "duct detector. This type of smoke detector monitors the HVAC air traveling through building ductwork.

It has the advantage of using a single detector to sample a much greater volume of air than would be possible with an ordinary spot type smoke detector. Aspirated and duct detector systems utilize a single spot type photoelectric detector.
The duct type detector operates on the same principle and has the same internal construction as spot type photoelectric detectors.

The major difference between duct and spot type detectors is the method of moving the smoke into the detection chamber.
The spot type detector relies on convection of air in a room. The duct type detector is intended for detecting smoke in an air handling system.

It is mounted directly on the outside of an air duct.

The sampling tube has holes in it, directed upstream, for normal airflow in the duct to produce a cross sectional sample of air from the duct. The air flows into the smoke detection chamber, mounted on the outside of the duct, and back

Typical Optical (photo-electric) smoke detector Construction

Intelligent Smoke Alarm Systems

Intelligent fire detection systems have various advantages over discrete, stand-alone residential detectors, because they incorporate complex algorithms that increase their capabilities: Drift Compensation Detector Verification Detector Sensitivity Adjustment Automated Detector Test

Drift Compensation. This is the ability to compensate for individual detector chamber value fluctuations over time due to increased contaminants inside the detector chamber. If a slow, gradual increase is noted for a specific detector, a new baseline for "normal" can be established.
Detector Verification. This is the ability to rescan an individual detector that has signaled a momentary alarm indication. This ability helps to cut false alarms due to single transient events. The fire panel could determine the transient flash glitch from true alarm.

Detector Sensitivity Adjustment. An intelligent fire panel can make a sensitivity adjustment based upon time of day or day of the week. This will reduce the false alarm rate while still providing adequate protection. Automated Detector Test. An intelligent fire panel can automatically test addressable smoke detectors by placing the detectors in a simulated alarm condition and looking at the returned value from each chamber. If any problems are noted during the automated detector test, a warning condition will be indicated for the particular detector.

False Alarm. A false alarm is when a detector goes off due to dust, steam, fibers, or other non-smoke phenomena. Nuisance Alarm. A nuisance alarm, on the other hand, is when a detector mistakenly goes off due to smoke such as from welding or cigarettes. It is advisable to clean your smoke detectors at least once a month. A dirty detector has less headroom between the normal chamber background level, and the alarm threshold. If you have a smoke detector that frequently activates its alarm with no apparent reason, try cleaning it with either a vacuum cleaner, or compressed air.

HEAT DETECTORS
Heat detectors are designed to detect fire in its more advanced stages when the temperature in the protected area starts to rise.

They are the oldest type of automatic fire detection device.

Although heat detectors are the least expensive fire detectors and have the lowest false alarm rate of all automatic fire detectors, they are also the slowest in detecting fires.

Heat detectors respond to the converted thermal energy of a fire and are generally located on or near the ceiling. They respond either when the detecting element reaches a predetermined fixed temperature or to a specified rate of temperature change. Heat detectors can be electrical or mechanical. The most common type are thermocouples that senses ambient temperature and provide an alarm signal if the ambient temperature rises above the alarm threshold. Heat detectors are further broken down according to their operating principles, into two main classifications, "rate-ofrise" detectors, and "fixed" or "rate compensated."

The effects of heat which provide the basic operating principles for heat detectors are: Melting (or fusion) in metals Expansion in solids, gases and liquids The electrical effect A heat detector's sensitivity to a given fire situation depends on the gas temperature which is related to: the ceiling height, the radial position of the detector, and the fire's heat release rate.

FIXED TEMPERATURE HEAT DETECTORS

Fixed temperature heat detectors are the simplest type of heat detector and are designed to alarm when the sensing element reaches a predetermined temperature. Generally, the surrounding air temperature must be considerably higher than the heat detector rating in order to raise the heat detector element to the operating temperature. This condition is known as thermal lag.
Fixed temperature heat detectors are constructed with: fusible element type, continuous line type and bimetal type.

The fusible element type It operates similar to a sprinkler head where a eutectic metal melts at a predetermined temperature releasing a spring under tension and initiates an alarm signal. A sprinkler head operates upon this same principle.

The continuous line type Heat detector generally consists of parallel wires separated by a heat resistive insulation.

When the insulation melts away at a predetermined temperature (from a fire), the wires come into contact and an alarm is initiated.
These detectors are often used as fire detection devices within tunnels, cable trays, etc.

The bimetal type It relies on two joined metals with different coefficients of expansion.

As the metals expand (at different rates) when heated, the bimetal will deflect toward the metal with the lower coefficient of expansion.
This deflection is normally designed to close a contact and initiate an alarm.

RATE-OF RISE HEAT DETECTORS

Rate-of-rise heat detectors are designed to function when the rate of ambient temperature increase exceeds a predetermined value, usually 12F - 15F per minute. These detectors are designed to accommodate normal changes in the ambient air temperature, which are anticipated under normal (non-fire) conditions. Any sudden temperature increase that matches the predetermined alarm criteria will cause an alarm.

One type of rate-of-rise detector employs pneumatic tubing filled with air with a relief vent. When the air is heated (within the normal conditions), the air will expand with the excess volume exhausted through the vent port before the pressure can build. Air expanding at a rate that exceeds the relief capacity of the vent, will build pressure and initiate an alarm.

RATE COMPENSATED DETECTORS

Rate compensated heat detectors are designed to initiate an alarm when the temperature of the surrounding air reaches a predetermined level, regardless of the rate of temperature rise.
At low rates of temperature change (up to 5oF/minute), it operates like fixed temperature detectors.

For higher rates of temperature change, it anticipates the rise in temperature to its set point and operates faster than the usual fixed temperature detector. It automatically resets and is reusable when the temperature drops below its design value.

The detector is essentially constructed with temperature sensitive contacts within a stainless steel shell. The coefficient of expansion of the shell is different than the internal contacts.

This rapid increase in air temperature will cause the shell to expand before the internal contacts, producing a signal (similar to a rate-of-rise detector). In the case of a slow heat release rate from a fire, the unit (shell and internal contacts) heats up more evenly and produces a signal at the predetermined temperature rating of the detector (similar to a fixed temperature heat detector).
This compensates for the thermal lag time.

Each type of heat detector has its advantages, and one cannot say that one type of heat detector should always be used instead of another. If you were to place a rate-of-rise (ROR) heat detector above a large, closed oven, then every time the door is opened a false alarm could be generated due to the sudden heat transient.

In this circumstance the fixed threshold detector would probably be best.

If a room is protected with a fixed heat detector filled with highly combustible materials, then a fast flaming fire could exceed the alarm threshold due to thermal lag. In this case the ROR heat detector may be preferred.

Typical Heat detector Construction

Most conventional heat detectors operate by using a matched pair of thermistors to sense heat.

One thermistor is exposed to the ambient temperature, the other is sealed.

On the development of a fire, the temperature recorded by the exposed thermistor will increase rapidly, resulting in an imbalance of the thermistors, causing the detector to change into alarm state.

Rate-of-rise detectors are designed to detect a fire as the temperature increases, but they also have a fixed upper limit at which the detector will go into alarm.

A heat detector may be more appropriate than a smoke detector where the environment is dirty or smoky under normal conditions. It must be recognized, however, that any heat detector will respond only when a fire is well established and generating a high heat output. Heat detectors should cover no more than 50m2 and the maximum distance from a detector to any point should not exceed 5.3m.

No zone on a fire detection system should cover more than 2000m2.

Mounting Height Grade 1, rate of rise 60C Grade 2 60C Grade 3 75C High Temperature 85C High Temperature 95C 9m 7.5m 6m 6m 6m

Maximum Ambient Temperature C 45 45 60 70 80

Multisensor detector
This type of detector is basically an optical smoke detector - so it will respond well to smoldering fires. The addition of a heat sensing element allows the multi-sensor to give a response to fast burning (flaming) fires which is comparable to that of an ionization detector. Multisensor detectors are general purpose detectors which respond well to a wide range of fires.

The Spectrum

Radiation of a (Hydrocarbon) Fire

Sunlight Transmission

Blackbody Radiation

A Ultraviolet (UV) sensor

It is made for radiation input of 185 to 260 nm. Virtually every fire emits UV radiation and therefore the UV detector is a good "all round" detector. False alarm sources for UV detectors are Halogen and Quartz lamps without the protective glass, Arc welding, Corona and Static Arcs.

A Visible light sensor (0.4 to 0.7 nm)

Visual Flame Detection is based on analyzing pixels using sophisticated algorithms.

A Wide band IR sensor (1.1 and higher) It looks at the heat of fire. A special frequency is 4.4. This is the resonance frequency of CO2. When burning a Hydrocarbon such as Wood, Gasoline or Natural Gas this energy is released. It causes a peak in the spectrum that can be easily detected. When the CO2 cools down it starts absorbing the 4.4 energy. The cold CO2 filters the sunlight away (at sea level) and makes the IR detector Solar blind.

By analyzing the flicker frequency of a fire (1 to 20 Hz) IR detectors can be more false alarm resistant.
Multi IR detectors use algorithms to suppress the effects of blackbody radiation.

A Near Infrared sensor (0.7 to 1.1) It is less effected by water and water vapor. Used for the detection of e.g. munitions fires or embers in air ducts. This sensor is not solar blind. A big disadvantage of IR detectors It based on 4.4 (apr. 3.5 and higher) is that virtually all energy in that range is absorbed by water. Some heating on the detector lens to vaporize the water. A little rain is like black paint to an IR detector (4.4). Fog, snow or water spray makes the detector completely blind. A good example of water absorbing IR energy is the Fireman who uses a water spray screen in front of him to block the heat (IR) and be able to get closer to the fire source.

Cone of Vision

Design: Detection Range

Design: the Square Law

The maximum sensitivity of a detector can be calculated by dividing the maximum surface A by the square distance: c = A/d 2.

OPTICAL FLAME DETECTORS

The optical detector is an electronic device containing electro-optical sensors that are sensitive to electromagnetic radiation in the UV, VIS, IR spectral bands. Optical flame detectors are the fastest responding type of detector since these detectors rely on the visible and invisible radiation given off from a heat source (and travels at the speed of light), and are usually applied in high hazard areas. Essentially, flame detectors must be located to "see" the fire so avoidance of obstructions is critical.

The signals recorded by each sensor are analyzed according to a pre-determined technique that includes one or more of the following: 1. Flickering frequency analysis. 2. Threshold energy signal comparison. 3. Mathematical ratios and correlations between various signals. 4. Comparator techniques (and-gate techniques). 5. Correlation to memorized spectral analysis.

IR-FLAME DETECTORS
Infrared type flame detectors are normally used to protect large open areas where an immediate, flame-producing fire is expected such as in the protection of flammable liquid hazard. IR detectors are constructed essentially of a lens and filter system that screens out unwanted wavelengths and focuses the incoming energy on a photovoltaic or other type cell that is sensitive to infrared energy. These types of detectors often also measure the infrared radiation emitted from a flame (spiking at the 4.3 micron peak radiation wavelength due to the presence of concentrated carbon dioxide within the flame) and characteristic flame flicker associated with the flaming mode of a fire that is in the 5 -30 Hz frequency range.

Infrared detectors can be subject to interference and false alarms from solar radiation if not properly applied. One method employed is to use multiple IR detectors to measure the amount of radiation in two or more wavelength bands to discriminate between a flame and other IR sources.

Strengths of the multi spectrum IR detector are; Virtually immune to false alarms Fire response in the presence of modulated infra-red black body radiation with some brands Long detection range (60 metres to some fires)

UV-FLAME DETECTORS
Strengths of the UV detector are; Responds to hydrocarbon, hydrogen and metal fires High speed response under 10 milliseconds Solar insensitive
Limitations of the UV detector are; Will respond to welding at long range May respond to lightning, X-rays, sparks, arcs, and corona Some gases and vapours will inhibit detection Some UV sensors have a wide detection range resulting in solar false alarms

Combination (UV/IR) type flame detectors

Strengths of the UV/IR detector are; Virtually immune to false alarms High speed response under 500 milliseconds Solar, welding, lightning, X-rays, sparks, arcs, and corona insensitive Limitations of UV/IR detector are; Not recommended for non carbon fires.

Dual IR Flame Detection IR2

In order to eliminate false alarms, dual wavelength technology combining two narrow spectral ranges in the near IR spectral band had been selected. Since the hydrocarbon flames emit energy of a continuous nature in the near IR (0.9micron - 3.0micron) and a unique peak at the 4.3micron - 4.5micron (caused by a hot CO2 fire product) these features are the "heart" of most dual IR detectors. Common dual IR flame detectors employ two narrow bands 0.9micron and 4.3micron for fire signal analysis. Some of the dual IR detectors include in addition to one near IR channel for fire detection, a channel for the background detection in the 4.7-16micron IR band.

An additional approach to dual IR detection technology, where the fire main spectral characteristic feature at 4.3micron 4.5micron is analyzed thoroughly.

The basis to this analysis is the "differential spectral" approach, where two spectral ranges are analyzed; one spectral range is emitted strongly by the fire, while the second spectral range is emitted weakly by the surrounding, thus the ratio between these two signals gives a substantial mathematical tool for fire signal processing.
The most popular selected wavelengths include one band within the 4.2micron - 4.7micron (emitted by CO2) and another within 3.8micron - 4.1micron (near the CO2 peak) that serves as background energy monitoring.

This type of IR detector senses the radiation at these two channels and processes the input signals based on the following parameters: Flickering analysis. Radiation intensity above a certain threshold. The ratio between the two signals received at the two sensors.
However, since most of these dual IR detectors use the 4.3micron sensor as their main channel for fire recognition (where the CO2 emission peak exists) they suffer from atmospheric attenuation, especially at long range detection applications.

Triple IR Flame Detection - IR3

The IR3 detector utilizes a combination of three IR sensors. One covers the typical CO2 flame emission spectral band, and the two other sensors cover different adjacent specially selected spectral bands, where black body emitters and background radiation are interfering. While the CO2 emission band sensor is responsible for the detection of the flame radiation, the other sensors are sensitive to all other non-fire radiation sources. The Triple IR employs dedicated algorithms processed by a microprocessor analyzing radiation intensity, ratios, correlations, threshold values, and flickering signals obtained from the three sensors. The spectrum of flame radiation measured by the detector is influenced by the distance between the detector and the fire and by the concentration of the CO2 gas in the atmosphere.

Two factors that limit the detection range of the dual IR detectors have been addressed by the Triple IR (IR3) Technology: The fire's radiation intensity strongly decreases as the distance increases around the 4.3micron peak. The input signal received by the sensor is very weak (and the more CO2 in the atmosphere, the higher absorption of this wavelength and the lower signal received). Thus the threshold defined in dual IR/IR type detectors could be omitted and not recognized as fire. The ratio between the 4.3micron spectral band and the background 4.0micron spectral band approaches equality (1) and ceases to be typical to the ratio existing in fires. Once the ratio is 1 or near 1 the algorithm processing the fire signals, gives a no fire signal, though a fire may occur at that very moment.

The high sensitivity of the IR3 is achieved by extracting extremely low signals deeply buried in noise by adopting digital correlation techniques. This counts for the high sensitivity and long detection range while the immunity of the IR3 detector to false alarms is maintained. For comparison, the standard optical flame detector's range is 15-20m, while the Triple IR offers an extended detection range up to 60m. The Triple IR detector will not false alarm to any continuous, modulated or pulsating radiation sources other than fire (including any other sources such as a black or gray body radiation). It is very cost effective since one IR3 detector provides extended coverage that allows the use of less detectors.

Optical Beam detector

A beam detector is designed to protect large, open spaces and is made up of three main parts: the transmitter, the receiver, and the interface, which processes the signal and generates alarm or fault signals. When a fire develops, smoke particles obstruct the beam of light and, once a pre-set threshold has been exceeded, the detector will go into alarm.

FLAME DETECTOR INSTALLATION

The viewing angle of the detector The detection range Obstructions All high risk fire ignition areas must be covered by at least one detector

Adequate detector coverage will ensure that voids in the optical coverage do not occur
Optimum detector mounting height is a function of the height of the most likely point of fire ignition