Linear Heat Detector

Recommend Sensor Cable Spacing

Often a key question in the design of a linear heat detection application is the spacing
between sensor cables and/or the spacing between the sensor and the wall. Several
factors play a role, so that a single answer for all possible installations is not possible.

Many standards assume only point detectors with an operating radius, which can be
translated into a spacing when using a true linear heat detector.

This application note provides an overview of different standards that address the spacing,
but without any guarantee of correctness, completeness or validity in specific countries or
for specific applications.

1. NFPA72 (UL521)

AP Sensing’s N4387A/B Linear Heat Series is certified according to UL521 with the
maximum possible spacing of 50 feet (approx. 15 m).

NFPA72 uses a possible ceiling height in relation to sensor cable spacing (spacing to the
wall should be half of the sensor spacing):
2. TS 54-14 – Table 1

This technical specification recommends following “Operating Radius” for heat detectors
qualified according to EN54-22 in relation to the ceiling height:

Applied to a linear heat detector this operating radius would translate to a possible spacing
of sensor cables of 10 m and a spacing of 5 m to the wall.

When mounting the sensor in the apex of a sloping ceiling, EN54-14 additionally allows to
increase the spacing by 1% per 1 degree slope up to a maximum of 25%.

3. Germany VDE DIN 0833-2 – Chapter 6.2.7.2

DIN 0833-2 also puts a certain height and a covered area in relation:

The maximum protected area can then be

translated for a linear heat detector:

4. Germany VdS 2095

VdS 2095 suggests a spacing of maximum 7 m – 3.5 m radius / distance to wall.

5. Singapore CP10 – Chapter 2.7.3.3 Spacing between detectors for flat ceilings

CP10 limits the distance from any point of a flat ceiling to the nearest detector to a
maximum of 5.1 m and the distance between detectors to 7.2 m.