Ionization Smoke Detector – Fire Detectors

May 1, 2014 2:43 pm | Leave a Comment | Frozee

An ionisation
using a single radioactive source is shown diagrammatically in figure above. The ionization
smoke detector detector has a chamber that is open to the air and is divided into two
regions by a perforated electrode known as the collector. A small radioactive source ionises
the air in these two regions and the electrical potential between them is balanced on the
collector. When smoke enters the chamber, the balance is disturbed by an amount
dependent on the smoke density. This change forms he basis of the analogue output to the
trigger circuit.

Sensitivity and False Alarms

Ionization smoke detector responds best to invisible (below 5 micro meter diameter)

particles. The sensitivity can be varied by adjusting the threshold value or varying
the configuration of the closed chamber characteristics. Their sensitivity is very high for
particles of one micrometer and below but falls off with increase in particle size.

Susceptibility to false alarms is decreased by the use of pulse type detectors in which the
voltage is applied in pulses and the alarm trigger is operated only after the threshold
potential has been maintained during a specified percentage of pulses.
Light Scattering Smoke Detectors – Fire
Detectors
May 1, 2014 3:48 pm | Leave a Comment | Frozee

Smoke Detectors

The working principle of light scattering smoke detectors is as follows. When the sizes of
small particles are greater than the wave length of the incident radiation, the light is
scattered in different directions. Known as the ‘Tyndall Effect’, named after its discoverer,
this is used for smoke in several different arrangements, however, all depend on light being
scattered by smoke onto a photoelectric cell that is obscured from the light beam in normal
circumstances.

In the arrangement shown above, the smoke detectors are placed in line with the pulsed
infrared light source. In the absence of smoke, the masking disk casts a shadow over the
circular region of diameter ‘AB’ and prevents light from emitting diode from falling onto
the detecting photocell. In the presence of smoke, light is scattered and some of it falls onto
the photocell. The evaluation circuit is arranged to trigger an alarm if the threshold value
is exceeded for a predetermined number of consecutive pulses.
Light Obscuration Smoke Detector – Fire
Detectors
May 1, 2014 2:53 pm | Leave a Comment | Frozee

A diagrammatic
arrangement of a light obscuration smoke detector is shown in figure above. An infrared
light beam, at an operating frequency of 1000 pulses per second, is received by a
photoelectric cell and analysed. In a fire, smoke rises and spreads below ceiling level and
the intensity of the light falling on the receiver is reduced due to light scattering or
absorption. The fire alarm sounds when the signal strength is reduced to between 40 – 90
% for a period of about 5 seconds. Using a pulsed light source saves power and allows the
use of a receiver turned to the pulse frequency to reduce false alarm caused by sunlight or
illumination. Light obscuration smoke detector is suitable for covering large areas with flat
ceilings. They are not suitable for outside use.

Thermal Fire Detectors Working Principle

May 1, 2014 3:52 pm | Leave a Comment | Frozee

Bimetal strips form the basis of thermal fire detectors designed to operate at a fixed

temperature or a ‘rate of rise’ in temperature. When temperature increases,
the bimetal curves as the metal with higher coefficient of expansion lying on the outer side
of an arc undergoes a greater increase in length. With one end fixed, the movement of the
free end of the strip can be arranged to close an electric circuit that operates an alarm. This
principle is utilized in thermal fire detectors designed to operate at a fixed temperature or
a ‘rate of rise’ in temperature.
RATE OF RISE THERMAL FIRE DETECTOR

Figure above shows how a ‘rate of rise’ thermal fire detector operates using two bimetal
strips. One bimetal strip has a higher thermal inertia either because it is lagged, as shown
in the figure, or because it is thermally shielded from the space being protected. On a
appreciable rate of rise in temperature, the contact ‘B’ on the faster response bimetal strip
closes on contact ‘C’ of the slow acting bimetal strip. This causes an alarm signal to be
produced by an alarm circuit connected between points ‘A’ and ‘D’. In the case of a very
slow rate of rise in temperature, the difference in movements between contacts ‘C’ and ‘B’
will be such that a high temperature will be reached before alarm sounds.  To ensure that
the alarm signal is initiated before a temperature of 78 degree Celsius is reached, a second
contact ‘F’ is provided on the slow acting bimetal strip. At the required space temperature,
contact ‘E’ closes to contact ‘F’ and n alarm signal is initiated. At low rates of temperature
rise, (less than 1 degree Celsius / minute) the alarm should not operate until the
temperature exceeds 54 degree Celsius. Without the insulation, the upper bimetal strip
would act as a basic fixed temperature thermal detector.

Thermal fire detectors are least sensitive type of detector. They have a high thermal inertia
and the fire has to produce large amount of heat before the temperature at the detector is
sufficient to cause it to operate. Consequently, they are normally used in spaces such as
laundries, drying rooms, galleys, and pantries, where other detectors are susceptible to
false alarm from water vapour or smoke.

In the most recent detector designs the bimetal strips have been replaced by thermistors
(solid state devices of, for example, nickel, manganese and cobalt, whose electrical
resistance changes significantly with temperature ). The principle of operation is, however,
no different as one thermistor is exposed to the air and one is shielded.