Book Description

Specifying suitable smoke detection in high ceiling spaces such as atria, warehouses and entertainment venues is very complicated, and the criteria for assessing the performance of aspirating and optical smoke detectors are not fully understood. Research by BRE Trust and the Fire Industry Association (FIA), using computer modelling and full-scale tests, has provided valuable data that have enabled guidance to be revised. This Information Paper outlines the programme of research and summarises the conclusions.

The research was conducted in three phases: a literature review, computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modelling and fire tests conducted in a 43.5 m high hangar. Part 1 of this Information Paper covered the literature review and CFD modelling. Part 2 covers the fire tests and conclusions.

This Information Paper is aimed at manufacturers and installers of smoke detectors, building designers and regulators, who should find it valuable in gaining a full understanding of the main factors influencing smoke detection in such applications.

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Equipment details

3 Detector locations and configurations

-3.1 Optical beam detectors

-3.2 Aspirating detectors

4 Hangar conditions

5 Test fires

-5.1 Wooden crib fire

-5.2 Heptane fire

-3.3 Paper fire

-5.4 Potassium chlorate/lactose performance test

-5.5 Smoke pellet performance test

-5.6 Smoke movement during the test fires

6 Results from the fire tests

7 Discussion

8 Conclusions from the fire tests

-8.1 Aspirating smoke detectors

-8.2 Optical beam detectors

9 Conclusions

References

A4 12pp, 7 line drawings, 6 photos