Study on Influence of Air Flow of Ceiling Type Air Conditioner on Fire Detector Response

Abstract

This paper is an analysis of the influence of ceiling air conditioner airflow on fire detector response. In order to analyze the response characteristics of fire detector while forming air flow of a ceiling-type air conditioner, fire tests were carried out in accordance with ISO standard. This experiment was carried out in a fire test site of 10 m (width) × 7 m (length) × 4 m (height). As a result of the experiment, the response of fire detector shows a normal pattern that is delayed as the distance from the fire source is increased in the absence of the air conditioner, but it is confirmed that the pattern is not maintained in the strong air flow. When the air flow of air conditioner was strong, the response time was increased by 121% in the smoke detector and by 39% in the heat detector. In the case of ceiling type air conditioners, it is considered that the number of fire detectors should be increased, or a detector with high sensitivity should be installed for early detection of fire.

Optimization of Smoke-Detector Installation Location Based on Effect of Fan Equipment inside Distribution Panel on Fire Detection Performance

“…As described, there is a significant difference between [17] and the present study in that, in the latter, an experiment on fire detection performance was performed based on the structure of a distribution panel rather than external environmental factors, such as air conditioners, even though both studies deal with the relationship between airflow and fire detection. The present study is also significantly different in that an experiment was performed to optimize the detector position rather than the number of detectors as an approach to increasing fire sensitivity.…”

“…Choi and Lee [17] analyzed the influence of airflow from a ceiling-type air conditioner on a fire detector operation. They performed an experiment to analyze the smoke detector response time by airflow in the same manner as in the present study; however, their target was an office space rather than specific equipment such as a distribution panel.…”

“…For type-1 photoelectric smoke detectors (light sensitivity of 7.5%) [16] and type-2 photoelectric smoke detectors (light sensitivity of 15%) [15], the attachment height is determined according to the detector type and light sensitivity, as stipulated in Article 7 of the "fire safety standards for automatic fire detection equipment and visual information devices (NFSC 203)"; Article 7(3) No. 2 stipulates that smoke detectors must be attached to the ceiling or a concealed space inside the ceiling for installation [11,17,18].…”

Optimizing the process of fire detection in warehouses considering the type and location of fire detectors

“…Paper [7] considers the impact of air conditioning systems on the time of operation of the fire detector. The main conclusion is that in the presence of a strong airflow, it is necessary to increase the number of fire detectors for timely detection of the fire.…”

Substantiating the pulse method for determining the time parameter of fire detectors with a thermoresistive sensing element

“…However, the authors disregarded resolving the issue related to identifying the parameters of fire detectors when they work under different modes. In particular, the possibility to change the triggering time of fire detectors is noted in [4]. To mitigate this effect, the authors propose increasing the number of fire detectors but there is no justification for the number of such fire detectors.…”