Selection and Location of Fire Detectors

General
Fire detectors are designed to respond at an early stage to one more of the four
major characteristics of combustion, heat, smoke, flame or gas.
No single type of detector is suitable for all types of premises or fires. Refer to the
attached table for general recommendations of type of detector and location.
Detectors should be chosen for the best response to the effects of fires, as well the
need to minimise unwanted false alarm activations.
Detectors should be located where the early stages of fire will be detected, and
ensure they are placed at regular intervals on the ceiling. The issue of unwanted fire
alarm activations from environmental conditions must also be considered
Heat detectors
Heat detectors respond to the temperature rise associated with a fire.
A fixed temperature heat detector is designed to operate when the temperature at the
detector exceeds a predetermined value. A rate of rise detector is designed to
operate when the rate of temperature rise at the detector exceeds a predetermined
value.
Smoke detectors should be preferred to heat detectors where detection of visible
smoke or smouldering fire is required. Rate of rise detectors should be avoided
where
rapid temperature fluctuations are expected.
Ionisation Smoke detectors
Ionisation smoke detectors respond to very small smoke particles a wide range of
responses. They are most sensitive to hot fast burning fires, and less sensitive to
slow smouldering fires. Dont locate them near cooking areas, or in locations subject
to high air velocity.
Photo-electric smoke detectors
Photo-electric smoke detectors measure the scattered light from smoke particles.
They are most sensitive to larger, cooler, smoke particles typical of smouldering fires
such as plastics. Dont locate in areas subject to steam to prevent unwanted false
alarms Often called optical or photo-optical detectors.
Linear beam smoke detectors
Linear beam smoke detectors measure the reduction of intensity of a beam of light
due to the presence of smoke particles. They have broad response to a wide range
of smoke types, and are particularly useful for detection applications in large spaces.
Require careful installation.

Aspirated smoke detectors

Aspiring-type systems eg (Vesda Systems) are more effective in detecting smoke
than point type detectors in many applications. The sensitivity of the actual sampling

points is dependent on the sensing chamber sensitivity and the design of the
aspiring pipe network.
Physical or electronic filtration of the air drawn through the sensing chamber and
processing of the output signals has been shower to reduce spurious alarms caused
by pollution, smoking and dust particles.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) fire detectors
CO fire detectors respond to the presence of carbon monoxide (CO) in fires
involving carbon based materials. CO is produced due to incomplete combustion
during smouldering or slow burning fires. Not suitable for the detection of slow
burning fires. Currently should not be used as a sole detector for early warning, but
used in combination with other early warning detectors as part of a fire engineering
design. Ongoing tests are being carried out to improve these type of detectors.
Combination( multi-criteria ) detectors
These type of detectors are available as part of an analogue addressable fire alarm
system. They vary of the type of combination, and can involve up to 4 separate
sensing elements, such as CO, Infra- Red Sensing, Optical and Heat detection.
The integration of continual monitoring of all the major elements of a fire allows a
quick response to any fire and the reduction of nuisance alarm activations (false
alarms)
Discuss the type of detector required with your fire alarm company to ensure the
most suitable detector for the location. A combination of detectors ensure the
property has the best coverage for the detection of fire.
Battery Smoke Alarms
Are available in ionistaion and photo-electrical. Refer to comments above including
suitable location
Hard wired smoke alarms
Are available in ionistaion and photo-electrical and are connected to a 240w power
source, such as a lighting circuit. A battery back up ensures when power is shut off a
working smoke alarm exists as long as the battery is in working order.
Suitable to be linked to other smoke alarms

Note: A smoke alarm is a unit which gives early warning of fire and is powered by a
9 volt battery or 240 v. The alarm sounder is within the unit.
A smoke detector is a unit which is powered by a fire alarm system. The alarm
comes from a sounder installed in the location of the room where the detector is
located

Special considerations
The location of smoke detectors should take into
consideration areas where false operation or no-operation is likely.
Some typical locations where the use of smoke detectors should be carefully
evaluated are as follows:

(a)

In the vicinity of certain materials, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which

when smouldering produce mainly large particles to which optical detectors
are more responsive.

(b)

Areas where gases may be present from exhausts and normal manufacturing
processes.

(c)

Kitchens and other areas subject to cooking fumes. Photoelectric detectors

are more suitable for these areas, however not in the actual kitchen

(d)

Near openings, such as doors, windows, or other inlets, where the

introduction of outside industrial gases or products of combustion may be
possible.

(e)

Areas where the detector is subject to movement and excessive vibration in

particular where beam detectors are used.

(f)

Dusty areas or in areas where particulate matter, such as aerosols, could

enter the detector.

(g)

In areas subject to high velocity air currents, a sampling type detection

system may be more suitable.

(h)

In areas where high concentrations of tobacco smoke are expected,

ionization detectors are less susceptible to false operation.

(i)

In areas where steam or condensation vapour is expected, ionization

detectors are less susceptible to false operation.

Flame

Specific fire engineering

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

Offices, shops

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

Auditoriums/clubs (theatrical smoke)

ok

ok

Autoclave/sterilizer areas

ok

ok

Bathrooms/laundries

ok

ok

ok

Boiler/furnace rooms

ok

ok

xx

ok

ok

Ceiling or roof voids with access

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

Ceiling or roof voids difficult access

ok

ok

ok

ok

Cleaners/understair cupboards

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

Electrical risers

ok

ok

ok

ok

Electrical switchrooms/cupboards

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

High/difficult access ceilings

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

HVAC duct sampling

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

Car parking

Cool rooms/freezers

Flammable liquid hazard areas

Forced air flow/draughts

Fume cupboards

Ice rinks

Aspirated smoke

Linear beam smoke

Ionisation smoke

Location

Carbon monoxide (CO)

Bedrooms/sleeping areas

Photoelectric smoke

Rate of rise thermal

Fixed temperature Thermal

Recommended fire detectors for different applications

ok

ok

Kitchen extract ducts

xx

xx

xx

xx

ok

Paint spray booths(s)

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

xx

ok

ok

xx

ok

ok

ok

ok

ok

Kitchens

Service shafts
Stables

Warehouse with vehicles and / or nonelectric forklift

<1.8m from rooms containing bath, shower,
or steam source
KEY -

strongly recommended
X not advised

recommended
xx do not use

ok may be used

NOTE
(1) Environmental protection may also be required.
(2) Cold rooms and freezers can be difficult to reliably protect and will usually need special
engineering including heaters to prevent ice build-up on detectors, manual call points and
alerting devices.
(3) Hazardous area.