No smoke without fire

Early detection of fire is crucial in order to execute timely evacuation and save property. Mariann McDonagh, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Xtralis, reveals how aspirating smoke detection technologies are able to give the earliest warning possible.

INFRA. Can you explain what your company does?
Mariann McDonagh. Xtralis provides safety and security solutions that help identify threats before life, critical infrastructure or business continuity is compromised. We are a global leader in fire and gas detection, video surveillance, intrusion detection, access control and traffic detection. Our powerful, early warning threat detection solutions deliver unparalleled protection and situational awareness.

INFRA. What is early warning smoke detection?
MM. Early warning smoke detection, or EWSD, is a proactive approach to fire detection and prevention. It is designed to help security and fire safety personnel identify a threat at the earliest stage. EWSD programs tightly integrate cutting-edge aspirating smoke detection (ASD) technologies with physical security solutions to provide security and life safety managers with a holistic view of a fire event. EWSD saves lives and property.

INFRA. What are the advantages of using aspirating smoke detection systems?
MM. ASD solutions detect fire in its earlier stage, before smoke may be visible to the human eye. These solutions use multiple air-sampling tubes, spread out across large, open facilities to capture and filter air samples. The samples are quickly transported through a dual-stage filter to remove dust and other contaminants that can cause false alarms with conventional smoke detectors. Finally, air samples pass through a highly sensitive centralised laser detection unit. If the presence of smoke is detected, alarm signals are transmitted to centralised monitoring stations, as well as to integrated systems such as building management, equipment control or fire suppression systems. The entire process takes only seconds. Because ASDs are actively sampling air in a facility, they are tolerant of smoke dilution and are reliable in high-airflow environments.

ASD solutions provide security and life safety personnel with the earliest warning possible to allow for proper investigation and an appropriate response. In fact, when tested in a controlled environment, ASD solutions have consistently outperformed conventional detection solutions.

INFRA. What markets can best benefit from early warning fire protection?
MM. ASD solutions are required when uptime and service provision are critical goals, such as in telecommunications hubs, financial services data centres, and other critical infrastructure facilities.

In high-airflow environments, such as server rooms, indoor stadiums and open warehouses, smoke dilution can prevent smoke from reaching the ceiling, making it difficult to detect with conventional detectors. Smoke can become trapped in ducts, pockets or voids. ASD sampling points can be placed at the return air grille or in equipment cabinets to detect smoke as it is carried by normal airflow. In a large, open space, sampling points for ASD detectors can be placed where the smoke goes – often some distance below ceiling level.

Ceiling voids, sub-floor spaces and elevator shafts are difficult to protect due to their high inaccessibility. Maintenance on fire protection systems in these areas can cause disruptions and be inconvenient. ASD solutions can be mounted in accessible locations, allowing easy access for maintenance.

In modern art galleries, museums and historic buildings, it's important to preserve the internal design and atmosphere of the environment. ASD solutions can be equipped with tiny, capillary sampling tubes that are barely discernible to the human eye.

Public buildings may present a situation when elderly or handicapped individuals need additional assistance during an evacuation. Additionally, in some facilities, such as hospitals, stadiums and underground tunnels, evacuation is difficult due to crowds and limited exits. ASD solutions provide maximum time for a deliberate and orderly evacuation.

In oil and gas manufacturing facilities and outdoor public transit environments, poor air quality or extreme temperatures often prove too daunting for conventional smoke detection solutions. ASD solutions feature dual-stage filtration to ensure that they work in dirty environments.

For more information please visit the Xtralis website at www.xtralis.com, or contact our office in Amman at +962 6 5691083 to schedule an ASD demonstration.