Date: 28.06.

2024
Fire Protection: Unit 1 (V Sem)

Automatic Fire Detectors

Automatic fire detectors play a crucial role in early fire detection, enhancing
safety and minimizing damage. There are various types of detectors, each
suited to different environments and fire scenarios.
Types of Detectors: There three main types of fire detectors;
1. Smoke Detectors
2. Heat Detectors
3. Light Detectors
1. Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors are vital for early fire detection. However, they are not suitable
for all environments, and their effectiveness can vary depending on the specific
fire scenario and the occupants' ability to respond. There are two primary types
of smoke detectors: ionization and photoelectric (optical).
a) Ionization Smoke Detectors
Ionization smoke detectors contain a small amount of radioactive material
between two electrically charged plates. This setup ionizes the air, allowing a
current to flow between the plates. When smoke enters the chamber, it
disrupts the flow of ions, reducing the current and triggering the alarm. These
detectors are particularly sensitive to fast-flaming fires that produce small
smoke particles (0.01-3.0 microns) and are better at detecting dark smoke.
How Ionization Smoke Detectors Work:
 A radioactive material ionizes the air in the detection chamber.
 Ionized air particles conduct electricity, allowing a current to flow.
 Smoke particles entering the chamber reduce the current flow.
 When the current drops below a certain level, the alarm is triggered.
 (Americium 241)

An ionization chamber open to the air (1) filled with ions (2), Where do
the ions come from? Inside the chamber, there's a small piece of a chemical
element called americium (3). It constantly spews out tiny radioactive particles
(called alpha particles), which leak into the detection chamber. As they do so,
they crash into air molecules and turn them into positively charged ions
(shown here as big red blobs) and negatively charged electrons (shown as
smaller black blobs). The ions and electrons whiz in opposite directions
between two electrodes (electrical contacts, rather like the terminals of a
battery. As long as the ions and electrons are moving, a current flows between
the electrodes and a circuit (4) in the smoke detector thinks all's well, so the
alarm (5) remains silent.
 However, if a fire breaks out, smoke particles get into the detector and
start to clog up the ionization chamber (6). They attach themselves to the ions
and effectively shut off the electric current (7). The circuit in the detector spots
that change straight away (8) and sounds the alarm (9). Once the fire is out
and the smoke is gone, the detection chamber clears, the ions travel back and
forth between the electrodes as before, the circuit shuts down, and the alarm
stops sounding.

b) Photoelectric (Optical) Smoke Detectors

Photoelectric smoke detectors use light to detect smoke and operate on two
principles: light obscuration and light scattering.
i) Light Obscuration:
 A light source is directed at a receiver in the detection chamber.
 The receiver expects a certain intensity of light.
 Smoke entering the chamber blocks the light, reducing its intensity.
 When the light reduction reaches a threshold, the alarm is triggered.

ii) Light Scattering:

 The light source and receiver are positioned so that the receiver does not
normally see the light.
 Smoke particles entering the chamber scatter the light.
 Some scattered light strikes the receiver.
 When enough light reaches the receiver, the alarm is triggered.
Photoelectric detectors are more responsive to slow-burning, smoldering fires
that produce larger smoke particles (0.3-10 microns) and light gray smoke.
They are also better suited for environments with high humidity and are less
affected by air velocity compared to ionization detectors.

Aspirating Smoke Detector (VESDA System)

The VESDA (Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus) system is an advanced

smoke detection technology designed to provide early warning of potential fires.
By actively and continuously sampling the air, this system operates
independently of air movements and can detect smoke at the earliest stages of
a fire. Here’s a detailed description of how the VESDA system works:

1. Air Sampling:
o The VESDA system continuously draws air samples from the
monitored environment.
 oThis is achieved through a network of sampling pipes, which cover the
area requiring protection.
o A high-efficiency aspirator (a powerful pump) actively pulls air through
these pipes.
2. Filtration:
o Before the air samples reach the fire detector, they pass through a
filter assembly.
o This filter removes large airborne dust particles, ensuring that only
fine particles, such as smoke, continue to the detection stage.
3. Detection:
o Inside the air-sampling detector, the filtered air samples are exposed to
a high-intensity, broad-spectrum light source.
o The presence of smoke particles in the air scatters the light, and this
scattered light is directed through a series of optical components.
4. Signal Processing:
o The scattered light is detected by a solid-state light receiver, which
converts the light into an electronic signal.
o This electronic signal is then processed and analyzed by the system’s
control unit.
5. Alarm Activation:
o If the signal corresponds to a predetermined level of smoke
concentration, the system triggers an alarm.
o The VESDA system can detect very low levels of smoke, providing an
early warning that allows for prompt investigation and intervention.

Key Features of the VESDA System:

 High Sensitivity: Capable of detecting smoke at the incipient (earliest)

stage of a fire.
 Continuous Monitoring: Provides constant air sampling and real-time
smoke detection.
 Wide Area Coverage: The network of sampling pipes can be installed to
cover large and complex areas.
 Adaptability: Effective in various environments, including those with
high air movement or where traditional smoke detectors might not
perform well.
 Reduced False Alarms: The filtration system and advanced signal
processing minimize false alarms caused by dust or other particles.

Types of VESDA Detectors

1. Laser-Based VESDA Detectors:

o These detectors use a high-intensity laser light source to detect smoke
particles in the sampled air.
o The laser light scatters when it encounters smoke particles, and the
scattered light is detected by a sensor.
 o The system converts the light signal into an electronic signal, which is
analyzed to determine the presence and concentration of smoke.
o These are the most common type of VESDA detectors.
2. LED-Based VESDA Detectors:
o Some VESDA systems use LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) instead of
lasers to detect smoke.
o The principle of detection is similar to laser-based systems, with light
scattering used to identify smoke particles.
3. Cloud Chamber VESDA Detectors:

Although less common, some VESDA systems may incorporate cloud

chamber technology. These systems use the cloud chamber principle,
where the air sample is cooled to condense moisture around smoke
particles, making them easier to detect through light scattering. How
Cloud Chamber Smoke Detectors Work

Air Sampling: Similar to other aspirating systems, cloud chamber smoke

detectors continuously sample air from the monitored environment. A
pump draws air into the detector from various locations through a
network of sampling pipes.

Air Filtration: The incoming air passes through a filter to remove large
dust particles and other contaminants that could interfere with the
detection process.

Cloud Chamber Process: The filtered air is then introduced into a cloud
chamber, a sealed environment where the temperature and pressure are
carefully controlled. The cloud chamber lowers the temperature of the air
sample to just above freezing, causing any moisture in the air to
condense.

Particle Detection: As the temperature drops, the moisture in the air

condenses onto smoke particles, forming tiny water droplets around
them. These droplets increase the size of the smoke particles, making
them more detectable. A light source illuminates the chamber, and the
light scatters off the water droplets.

Signal Processing: A sensor detects the scattered light and converts it

into an electronic signal. The strength of the signal is proportional to the
number of water droplets, which correlates with the concentration of
smoke particles in the air. The electronic signal is then processed and
analyzed by the detector’s control system.

Alarm Activation :If the detected smoke particle concentration exceeds a

predetermined threshold, the system triggers an alarm. The sensitivity of
the detector can be adjusted to suit different environmental conditions
and detection requirements.

Applications:

The VESDA system is particularly beneficial in environments where

early detection is critical, such as:

 Data centers
 Telecommunication facilities
 Clean rooms
 Museums and archives
 Warehouses
 Manufacturing plants

By providing very early warning of potential fires, the VESDA system

helps protect valuable assets, maintain business continuity, and
ensure the safety of occupants.

*****************************
Dr A R Sontake
Professor, NFSC, Nagpur.