Linear Heat

Detectors for Floating

Roof Storage Tanks

Application Guide

K-73-205 Rev AA December 2014

INTRODUCTION
Floating roof fuel tanks are universally used to store volatile petroleum-based liquids. By design, the
floating roof remains in contact with the liquid surface of the fuel and covers almost its whole surface so
as to limit the amount of evaporation and emission to the atmosphere. A rim seal around the edge of the
tank prevents the always-present vapors from escaping.
Potentially devastating fires in floating roof fuel storage tanks can be caused by overheat, lightning strikes
or from vapor ignition if the tank is filled or emptied too quickly. Due to the presence of highly volatile liquids
and vapors in the vicinity and to prevent the spread of fire to other tanks in the tank farm, early detection
and subsequent suppression of the overheat/fire condition are extremely critical.
A fast acting and reliable detection system can be achieved with the detector mounted in physical contact
with or in close proximity of the rim seal. The ability to be placed, for all practical purposes, in physical
contact with the seal makes Linear Heat Detection (LHD) the system of choice. Its inherent flexibility
makes it possible for the Linear Heat Detection sensor to be attached to the rim seal /roof support
structure.
Kidde provides two choices of Linear Heat Detectors: (a) Shorting type LHS™ and (b) Integrating type
AlarmLine™.
LHS is a fixed temperature sensor whose special insulation melts at its specific alarm temperature and
allows its two conductors to short together and create an alarm condition at the fire control panel.
AlarmLine is an integrating type system that consists of the AlarmLine sensor cable and an Interface
module. The cable is constructed with a negative temperature coefficient material, where a change in
temperature results in an exponential decrease in resistance of the sensor. The interface module
interprets this resistance change and provides an output to a control panel once the field programmable
alarm set point is exceeded. AlarmLine is typically used when features such as programmable alarm
threshold, pre-alarm, short-circuit trouble discrimination and ability to reset after overheat condition are
required.

LHD OPERATION
As the area around the rim seal overheats beyond the alarm temperature of the LHD sensor used, it
generates an alarm condition at the Fire Alarm Control Panel. The Fire Alarm Control Panel then activates
the appropriate Suppression System, typically a rim seal foam system and/or a cooling water spray on the
tank shell exterior.

K-73-205 -2- December 2014

LOCATING LHD ON FLOATING FUEL STORAGE TANKS
The LHS or AlarmLine LHD is installed around the perimeter of the floating roof portion of a fuel storage
tank, as shown in Figure 1. The sensor cable is installed close to the upper edge of the weather seal, using
the roof’s steel straps, where provided, as anchor points.

JUNCTION BOX WITH

CABLE COLLECTING ASSEMBLY
RETRACTABLE CABLE

JUNCTION BOX
SUPPORT BRACKETS

RIM SEAL

LHD SENSOR

BUND/
CONTROL CUBICLE DYKE WALL
LOCATED IN SAFE
INTRINSIC SAFETY
AREA BARRIER
INSIDE WEATHERPROOF
ENCLOSURE HAZARDOUS
AREA

TANK

2-CORE OR 4-CORE
INTERCONNECTING CABLE
(BY OTHERS)

To Control Panel

Figure 1. LHD Located Around Rim Seal

Alternatively as shown in Figure 2, the LHD can be attached to the metal barrier protecting the actual rim
seal. When using this mounting method, the LHD sensor should be installed centrally between the wall of
the tank and the seal protector plates supported at approximately 3.2 ft (1 m) intervals. An edge clip of
suitable thickness is positioned with the location lug pointing to the outside of the tank and hammered into
position using a wooden or suitable other non-metallic hammer to avoid sparking. When the clips are in
position, a ¾ in. x 8 in. (20 mm x 200 mm) distance piece is secured to the clip by means of a stainless
steel nut and bolt. The LHD sensor is then attached to the distance piece by means of a UV resistive cable
tie and an insulating neoprene sleeve inserted between the between the clip and the sensor to prevent
damage or hot spot heat transfer. This will position the LHD sensor cable above the center of the rim seal.

Edge Clip
Rim Seal
Retaining Plate
7.9 in
(200 mm)

LHD Sensor
Cable

Figure 2. LHD Support Clips

December 2014 -3- K-73-205

 Due consideration should be given to the following guidelines during installation:
• The sensor cable should not be in contact with any material which will act as a heat sink that may delay
the transfer of heat from the area being monitored, or act as a hot spot to the sensor cable
• The sensor cable should be installed so that it is not compressed and is not adjacent to sharp objects
that may damage the outer sheath
• The sensor cable bend radius should not be less than 2 in. (50 mm)
• The sensor cable should not be direct contact with cable ties. Neoprene sleeves shall be used.
• The sensor cable should not sag between sensor fixing clips nor should it be over-tensioned.
The LHD sensor cable typically terminates in a Junction Box (by others) located on the floating roof, as
shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5. The connection of the LHD sensor cable (or its interconnection wire) to
the tank shell top mounted Junction Box (by others) should be made using a Retractable Cable to allow
for the rising and lowering of the floating roof.
The retractable cable may be made to collect in a stainless steel cable collector located on the tank roof.
Since the construction of roof sections vary, the cable collector is manufactured ‘blank’ with only drainage
holes in the base of the unit. As such, the locating and securing of the collector on the tank roof is
dependent on the type of tank roof. In applications where high winds are likely to lift the cable from the
collector, a guide cable should be used.

Cable Supports
Junction
Box Tank Wall

LHD Sensor Cable

Cable Collector

Rim Seal
Retaining Plate

Figure 3. Cable Collector

Tank Top

LHD
Sensor

Weather Earth
Seal Strap

Retractable Cable
Tank Wall to Tank Top
Floating Roof Junction Box

Figure 4. Retractable Cable

K-73-205 -4- December 2014

 Junction
Box Tank

Retractable Mounting
Cable Brackets

Foam
Dam

LHD Sensor

Junction Box
Cable Collector

Figure 5. Tank Mounting Detail

Due consideration should be given to the following guidelines during installation:
• The cable collector unit when used must be installed on a level surface and securely fixed to prevent
movement—preferably near the outside edge of the tank roof
• The retractable cable must have free and uninterrupted access into the cable collector, must drop ver-
tically into it and should be terminated securely using suitable glands/strain relief and junction boxes.
• The shell-top junction box should be fixed on the permanent wall of the tank at the highest level pos-
sible whereas the roof-top junction box should be fixed to the outside rim of the cable collector
• All junction boxes and accessories used should be rated flame proof/explosion proof for hazardous
service as required by the application and Authority Having Jurisdiction.

INTRINSIC SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

Next, the shell top Junction Box connects to an Intrinsic Safety Barrier located outside the bund/dyke wall
at the crossover from hazardous to safe area via an interconnecting cable. Interconnecting cables (by
others) wherever used should be either 2-core or 4-core to correspond to the LHD sensor used, that is,
LHS or AlarmLine respectively. The Intrinsic Safety barrier which must correspond to the LHD sensor used
– as both LHS and AlarmLine require different barriers – is a 1-channel shunt diode device that limits the
total energy entering the hazard via the sensor wiring conductors. LHS applications require one barrier per
circuit whereas due to its being a 4-conductor sensor, AlarmLine applications require two barriers per
circuit. Intrinsic Safety Barriers must be enclosed in a separate weather-tight enclosure.

December 2014 -5- K-73-205

CONVENTIONAL SYSTEM
A Conventional LHD system may be employed for applications protecting a small number of tanks. The
Kidde AEGIS™ Panel is recommended for systems requiring notification, suppression control,
annunciation and auxiliary functions such as breaker tripping, emergency power, etc. A Conventional
Linear Heat Detection System using the AEGIS may consist of:
• AEGIS FACP:
– Microprocessor based conventional Fire Alarm-Suppression control panel with 3 detection, 1
manual release, 1 abort and 2 supervisory inputs and 3 notification, 2 agent release and 4 relay
outputs
• LHD zones:
– Up to 3 detection circuits each with a number of 4-Wire AlarmLine Modules (limited only by wiring
resistance and source of 24 VDC for the module), each 4-Wire module with a maximum of 3,280
feet (1,000 m) AlarmLine and two Intrinsic Safety Barriers
• Other Input Devices:
– Conventional smoke detectors, water-flow switches, manual releases, etc as required.

INTELLIGENT LHD SYSTEM

An Intelligent LHD System is recommended for multi-zone applications where fire zone location requires
zone output control for Notification, Suppression control, Annunciation and auxiliary functions such as
breaker tripping, emergency power, etc. It is the preferred design method over traditional multi-zone
conventional, hard-wired linear heat detection and provides the added benefit of zone output control, text
location indicator and installation cost savings. An Intelligent Linear Heat Detection System using the
ARIES-based FACP may consist of:
• ARIES™ or ARIES NETLink™ FACP:
– Microprocessor based intelligent Fire Alarm-Suppression control panel with:
• 1 Signaling Line Circuit (255 addresses) for ARIES
• Up to 8 Signaling Line Circuits (2,040 addresses) for ARIES NETLink
• Addressable LHD zones:
– SmartOne Addressable Input Modules (AI) each with a maximum of 860 feet (262 m) directly
wired LHS Series cable and one Intrinsic Safety Barrier, OR
– SmartOne Addressable AlarmLine Module (AAM) each with a maximum of 3,280 feet (1,000 m)
directly wired AlarmLine cable and two Intrinsic Safety Barriers
• Other Input Devices:
– SmartOne smoke detectors, water-flow switches, manual releases, etc as required.
• Other Output Devices:
– SmartOne Addressable Output Modules (AO), Remote Release Modules (RRM), Addressable
Signal Modules (ASM), etc as required.
Zoning is simple and easy with the Kidde Intelligent Linear Heat Detection System. Each LHD zone is
created with an Addressable Input Module (AI) interfaced with up to 860 feet of directly wired LHS Sensor
cable OR an Addressable AlarmLine Module (AAM) each with a maximum of 3,280 ft (1,000 m) AlarmLine.
Up to 255 addressable devices (any mix including addressable LHD zones, Smoke Detectors, Manual Pull
Stations, Waterflow switches, etc.) can be connected to each Signaling Line Circuit.

K-73-205 -6- December 2014

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information on all the Linear Heat Detection System components mentioned in this guide can
be found at www.kiddefiresystems.com
• LHS™ Sensor Cable (Data Sheet # K-73-201)
• AEGIS™ Conventional Fire Alarm-Suppression Control Panel (Data Sheet # K-84-100)
• ARIES™ Intelligent Fire Alarm-Suppression Control Panel (Data Sheet # K-77-157)
• ARIES NETLink™ Intelligent Fire Alarm-Suppression Control Panel (Data Sheet # K-76-800)

ORDERING INFORMATION

ALARMLINE™ LINEAR HEAT DETECTOR – SENSOR CABLES

73-117068-X13 AlarmLine Sensor - Standard
(X = 0 for 656 ft, 200 m roll & = 1 for 3280 ft, 1,000 m roll)
73-117068-X16 AlarmLine Sensor - Nylon Coated
(X = 0 for 656 ft, 200 m roll & = 1 for 3280 ft, 1,000 m roll)
73-117068-X19 AlarmLine Sensor - Bronze Braided
(X = 0 for 656 ft, 200 m roll & = 1 for 3280 ft, 1,000 m roll)
73-117068-041 AlarmLine Sensor Heat Pad
ALARMLINE™ LINEAR HEAT DETECTOR – INTERFACE MODULES
73-100001-003 Addressable AlarmLine Module (AAM)
73-100003-001 NEMA 4 Enclosure for Addressable AlarmLine Module
73-117068-046 Conventional 4-Wire AlarmLine Interface Module with Relay and Enclosure
LHS™ LINEAR HEAT SENSOR CABLE
73-515502-001 LHS-155oF (68oC) Alarm temperature. Indoor/Outdoor, PVC, 656 ft (200m) Roll
73-515510-001 LHS-155oF (68oC) Alarm temperature. Indoor/Outdoor, PVC, 3280 ft (1000m) Roll
73-519002-001 LHS-190oF (88oC) Alarm temperature. Indoor/Outdoor, PVC, 656 ft (200m) Roll
73-519010-001 LHS-190oF (88oC) Alarm temperature. Indoor/Outdoor, PVC, 3280 ft (1000m) Roll
73-522002-001 LHS-220oF (105oC) Alarm temperature. Indoor/Outdoor, PVC, 656 ft (200m) Roll
73-519010-001 LHS-220oF (105oC) Alarm temperature. Indoor/Outdoor, PVC, 3280 ft (1000m) Roll
73-535602-001 LHS-356oF (180oC) Alarm temperature. Indoor/Outdoor, PVC, 656 ft (200m) Roll
73-535610-001 LHS-356oF (180oC) Alarm temperature. Indoor/Outdoor, PVC, 3280 ft (1000m) Roll
INTRINSIC SAFETY EQUIPMENT
73-117068-201 Intrinsic Safety Barrier for Intelligent LHS Systems (need one per zone)
Compatible with Addressable Input (AI) Module
73-117068-031 Intrinsic Safety Barrier for AlarmLine LHD (need two per zone)
Compatible with Conventional Interface and Addressable Module (AAM)
73-117068-032 Weather-Tight Enclosure for up to 2 Intrinsic Safety Barriers
73-117068-033 Weather-tight Enclosure for up to 5 Intrinsic Safety Barriers
73-117068-034 Weather-tight Enclosure for up to 12 Intrinsic Safety Barriers
73-117068-035 Weather-tight Enclosure for up to 24 Intrinsic Safety Barriers

December 2014 -7- K-73-205

 MOUNTING ACCESSORIES
73-117068-020 Nylon Cable Tie, Used with Nylon Cable Clamp. Supports sensor from pipe up to 8 in. diameter (100/pkg)
73-117068-022 Master Clamp, Used with Cable Clamp. Supports sensor from beam flanges up to 1/2 in. thick (100/pkg)
73-117068-023 Flange Clip, Used with Cable Clamp. Supports sensor from material up to 3/16 in. thick (100/pkg)
73-117068-024 Flange Clip, Used with Cable Clamp. Supports sensor from material from 3/16 in. to 1/4 in. thick (100/pkg)
73-117068-025 Nylon Cable Clamp, Used with Master Clamp, Flange Clips or Cable Tie (100/pkg)
73-117068-026 Weather-tight Connector, Used for sensor penetration of enclosure for Standard sensor
73-117068-027 Weather-tight Connector, Used for sensor penetration of enclosure for Metal braided or Nylon coated sensor
73-117068-028 AlarmLine In-line Sensor Splices (4 per splice, 10/pkg)
73-117068-029 AlarmLine In-line Sensor Splice Crimping Tool
73-117068-030 AlarmLine Sensor Termination Kit (1 kit terminates 10 zones, 10/pkg)
73-117068-051 Pipe Clip
73-117068-052 Neoprene Sleeving
73-117068-053 V-Clip (including rubber)
73-117068-054 Distance Piece 8 in. (200 mm) long
73-117068-055 Thermal Spacer Short 3 in. (75 mm)
73-117068-056 Thermal Spacer Long
73-117068-057 T-Clip
73-117068-060 Edge Clip, 1/16 in. (2-3 mm) Web
73-117068-061 Edge Clip, 2/16 in. (3-8 mm) Web
73-117068-062 Edge Clip, 5/16 in. (8-13 mm) Web
73-117068-063 Edge Clip, 9/16 in. (14-20 mm) Web
73-117068-070 Cable Collector
73-117068-071 Retractable cable 49 ft (15 m) long
73-117068-072 Retractable cable 33 ft (10 m) long
73-117068-073 Retractable cable 36 ft (11 m) long
73-117068-074 Retractable cable 39 ft (12 m) long
73-117068-075 Retractable cable 43 ft (13 m) long
73-117068-076 Retractable cable 46 ft (14 m) long
73-117068-077 Retractable cable 52 ft (16 m) long
73-117068-078 Retractable cable 56 ft (17 m) long
73-117068-079 Retractable cable 59 ft (18 m) long
73-117068-080 Retractable cable 62 ft (19 m) long
73-117068-081 Retractable cable 66 ft (20 m) long
73-117068-082 Retractable cable 69 ft (21 m) long
73-117068-083 Retractable cable 72 ft (22 m) long
73-117068-084 Retractable cable 75 ft (23 m) long
73-117068-085 Retractable cable 79 ft (24 m) long
73-117068-086 Retractable cable 82 ft (25 m) long

LHS, AlarmLine, ARIES, ARIES NETLink, and AEGIS are trademarks of Kidde-Fenwal Inc. Kidde and SmartOne are registered trademarks of Kidde-Fenwal Inc.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
This literature is provided for informational purposes only. KIDDE-FENWAL, INC. assumes no responsibility for the product’s suitability for a particular application. The
product must be properly applied to work correctly.If you need more information on this product, or if you have a particular problem or question, contact Kidde-Fenwal Inc.

Kidde Fire Systems

400 Main Street
K-73-205 Rev AA Ashland, MA 01721
Ph: 508.881.2000
Fax: 508.881.8920
©2014 Kidde-Fenwal, Inc. www.kidde-fenwal.com