Response Time Index Testing (RTI) or Methodology for Heat

Detection

Bob Elliott
Sr. Engineering Specialist
FM Approvals
1151 Boston-Providence Turnpike
Norwood, MA 02062
Robert.Elliott@fmapprovals.com

ABSTRACT/SCOPE

A practical overview of the philosophies employed and assignment of the Response Time
Index (RTI) value that is obtained via the “Plunge Tunnel” Test Apparatus. Practical
explanations of the testing methodology employed for fixed, rate compensated and rate of
rise type detectors will be covered. How this useful metric can be used for assignment of
traditional detector spacing guidelines and actual response times in real fire conditions
can be calculated.

The RTI test protocol employs a small bench-scale test that eliminates the need for full
scale “spacing” fire tests. The following explanation builds on the theoretical discussion
that Soonil Nam, FM Research presented in 2006.
INTRODUCTION

The principle of determining a Response Time Index has long been used within the
sprinkler industry for years and is based on principles pioneered by Gunar Hestestad of
FM Research back in the 70’s. The detectors response is measured in an apparatus we
refer to as, the Plunge Tunnel(1), see below.

This device allows for a controlled environment where we can set the temperature and
air-flow to the desired levels, with consistent results so we may measure variations in
detector response.

The flow or transfer of heat from the ceiling jet into a heat detector sensing element is not
instantaneous. It occurs over a period of time. A measure of the speed with which heat
transfer occurs is the thermal response coefficient or its Response Time Index (RTI) as
described in this document and the associated test standard(2). With this RTI value, one
can accurately predict heat detector response in varying fire scenarios.

The original principle or formula designed years ago, is unaltered for the fixed
temperature electronic heat detectors and modified for the other types.
As it turns out, applying this formula to the simple element of the sprinklers temperature
sensor, usually either referred to as a link or bulb has provided a reliable measurement of
how well the sprinkler will respond in a real fire condition.

The difficult part was taking the basic underlying RTI principles and applying them to
electronic heat detectors. This took quite a lot of additional work and finally,
successfully documented in reports by Soonil Nam, of FMGlobal from 2002-2005.

His work built on the original principles quite nicely, but modified them for the various
detection principles available today such as Fixed, Rate Compensated and Rate of Rise
detection elements.

In addition to the different activation principles (F,RC & RoR), electronic heat detectors
also come in numerous package configurations. Although the RTI principle could be
used for all of them, for practical purposes has been limited to the spot type detectors
only at this time. The physical size of the test cell in the traditional Plunge Tunnel is
limited and would not accept the line or linear types easily. That can be a future project
for another time.

When you study the various detection principles found in electronic heat detection, fixed,
rate compensated and rate of rise. The most similar to or the most comparable to the
simple single element sprinkler, would be the fixed temperature heat detector. This
device can be tested using the same basic test fixture, only modified to fit an electronic
device and set to record the actuation indicated by a switch closure instead of the loss of
pressure in a sprinkler system.
TEST PROTOCOL - Fixed Temperature Detectors

The test parameters of the Plunge Tunnel for these devices involve setting a fixed
temperature and fixed air flow within the test cell of the tunnel, to which the heat
detector, maintained at a known value (room temp.) and then plunging it directly into the
heated air-stream of the tunnel.

Most open area spot type detectors are tested like this and will fall into this category.
Below you will find the plunge tunnel settings as copied directly from the Approval
Standard.

A total of 30 samples will be tested in the plunge tunnel to obtain sufficient data. Based
on the measured response from the Plunge Tunnel and using the original formula
provided above, detectors are classified based on the following table into three different
categories; Standard, Quick or Fast.
TEST PROTOCOL – Rate of Rise Detectors

A Rate of Rise (RoR) heat detector responds when the rate of temperature increase
exceeds a predetermined rate or design threshold.

The test parameters of the Plunge Tunnel for these RoR devices involve setting a fixed
air flow within the test cell of the tunnel, stabilizing or equalizing the detector
temperature and then applying a controlled temperature ramp to the detector, typically 15,
20, 25 and 30˚F/minute. See graphic below.

Plunge Tunnel Temp Ramps

140

120

100

80
Farenheit

60

40

20

Seconds

We still use the Plunge Tunnel because of the controlled air flow and programmable
temperature capability, but the detector is not really plunged into the test cell. Instead,
after sitting in near room temperature situation, it is then installed into the plunge tunnel
and pre-conditioned for a minimum of 300 seconds to ensure that the heat sensing
elements are equalized to the air temperature of the test chamber.

Below you will find the RoR plunge tunnel settings copied directly from the Approval
Standard.
From the various ramp tests, two things are determined. First, there are the RoR
qualifiers, a) no detector activation can occur during the 15˚F ramp test and b) actuation
must be obtained during the 20˚ or 25˚F ramp.

Secondly, we solve for the value Cr, the Rate of Rise Activation Point. With Cr
determined, we can now use the modified formula to determine the RTI value for a Rate
of Rise detector.

With Cr determined and a known RTI value, detectors are classified based on the
following table into one of four different categories; Quick, Fast, Very Fast or Ultra Fast.
TEST PROTOCOL – Rate Compensated Detectors

A Rate Compensated (RC) heat detector incorporates a design feature intended to ensure
a better fixed set point actuation, without regard to the time period for the temperature
change. Standard fixed temperature devices suffer from thermal lag where the actuation
point varies dependant on the rate of temperature increase. Because this additional
compensation feature often incorporates another heat sensitive element, a modification to
the original RTI formula is required.

In this formula, we determine a value identified as Trv which stands for virtual
temperature rating or actuating point as determined by testing and calculating in
accordance with the standard.

For these tests: we employ the same Plunge Tunnel again, because of the controlled air
flow and programmable temperature capability, and similar to the RoR test, the detector
is not really plunged into the test cell. Instead, after sitting in near room temperature
situation, it is then installed into the plunge tunnel and pre-conditioned for a minimum of
300 seconds to ensure that the heat sensing elements are equalized to the air temperature
of the test chamber.

The actuation points are recorded for the various temperature ramps. This information is
then compared to results obtained from the normal plunge tunnel test used for fixed
temperature devices. When combined, the average value of the two sets of RTI values,
one from the fixed test and one from the varied air temperature test, at each potential Trv
are used and plotted.

As the RTI curves obtained from the sets of plunge tunnel test data share the same
principle, the RTI values from the two data sets must meet. The intersection point of the
two RTI values is the real RTI value and the corresponding Trv is also the real
temperature rating of the detector.

Based on the measured response, and using calculated RTI (with the value solved for
Trv), detectors are classified based on the following table into three different categories;
Quick, Fast or UltraFast.
So far, we’ve covered three different types of spot type heat detectors, Fixed, Rate of
Rise and Rate Compensated. If you’ve lost track, there has been a total of five different
classifications, ranging from Standard to UltraFast. The table below combines and
overlaps the five categories and provides spacing data comparable to the full scale fire
testing that was done at FM Approvals for the past 30 years.

STANDARD QUICK FAST V-FAST U-FAST

Type (15 x 15ft) (20 x 20) ft (25 x 25) ft (30 x 30) ft (50 x 50) ft
(4.5 x 4.5) m (6 x 6) m (8 x 8) m (9 x 9) m (15 x 15) m
<125(ft•s) ½ ½ ½
FIXED 135 < 45 (ft•s) < 5 (ft•s)
<68 (m•s) ½ ½ ½
<25 (m•s) <3 (m•s)
<120(ft•s) ½ ½ ½
FIXED 160 < 40 (ft•s) < 3 (ft•s)
<66 (m•s) ½ ½ ½
<22 (m•s) <2 (m•s)
<120(ft•s) ½ ½ ½
FIXED 190 < 40 (ft•s) < 3 (ft•s)
<66 (m•s) ½ ½ ½
<22 (m•s) <2 (m•s)
½ ½ ½
<117 (ft•s) <52 (ft•s) <16 (ft•s)
½ ½ ½
RC 135 <64 (m•s) <29 (m•s) <9 (m•s)
½ ½ ½
<138 (ft•s) <68 (ft•s) <25 (ft•s)
½ ½ ½
RC 160 <76 (m•s) <39 (m•s) <14 (m•s)
½ ½ ½
<125 (ft•s) <54 (ft•s) <16 (ft•s)
½ ½ ½
RC 190 <69 (m•s) <30 (m•s) <9 (m•s)
½ ½ ½ ½
RofR 135 <600 (ft•s) <420(ft•s) <320 (ft•s) <120 (ft•s)
½ ½ ½ ½
<330 (m•s) <230 (m•s) <176 (m•s) <66 (m•s)
½ ½ ½ ½
RofR 160 <950 (ft•s) <650 (ft•s) <500 (ft•s) <220 (ft•s)
½ ½ ½ ½
<520 (m•s) <360 (m•s) <275 (m•s) <120(m•s)
½ ½ ½ ½
RofR 190 <1400 (ft•s) <1000 (ft•s) <750 (ft•s) <350 (ft•s)
½ ½ ½ ½
<770 (m•s) <550 (m•s) <412 (m•s) <193 (m•s)
SUMMARY

The RTI principle can be employed on many types of heat detectors, to date it has been
limited to spot type detectors simply due to a size or space restrictions. The plunge
tunnel provides repeatability and economies that are no longer possible or affordable in
full scale fire testing. By using the same RTI metric for heat detectors that has been used
for years in the sprinkler industry, will allow the software design tools already designed
for calculating sprinkler response to be used on heat detectors.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & REFERENCES

(1) - Bradley Byrne, Assistant Manager

Archer Enterprises Pty Ltd
Unit 1 / 12 Pile Rd
Somersby NSW 2250
Tel: +61 2 4340 1211
Fax: +61 2 4340 1266
bjb_archerent@bigpond.com

(2) - FM 3210, FM Approvals, Approval Standard for Heat Detectors for

Heat Detectors in Alarm Signaling Systems (2007 ed.)