why-vesda

Very Early Warning Smoke Detection

Petrochemical, Oil & Gas Facilities Is business continuity paramount? Protection for: Offshore Platforms Oil Refineries Processors Petrochemical Refineries Drillships Gas Wells Distribution Stations

Xtralis has years of experience in protecting oil and gas facilities around the world from the threat of fire. Companies such as ESSO, Woodside, Shell, BP and Caltex use VESDA systems to protect their facilities.

How do you overcome these risks & challenges? Use an Air-sampling Smoke Detector (ASD) that provides flexibility in sampling hole location, multiple configurable alarms and a wide sensitivity range for a performance based design approach to fire protection.

A VESDA smoke smoke detector can be configured to detect a fire at the earliest stage. The multiple alarm levels can be configured to initiate an appropriate and planned response.

The heavy investment in the oil and gas industry and the highly flammable nature of products create a strong need for early warning smoke detection. A disaster in this industry would not only threaten lives and facilities but also adversely affect national and international economies.

The challenges of smoke detection in Oil & Gas facilities • Evacuating occupants safely in an emergency situation is always a challenge, particularly in offshore applications. • The highly flammable nature of these facilities means an undetected fire could spread rapidly rapidly.. • Detector maintenance can be an issue in areas with difficult access.

Why use a VESDA ASD system? VESDA detectors buy time. Time to respond to a fire threat, minimizing damage and maximizing the time available to execute emergency response plans. The key advantages are: • Multiple configurable pre-alarms to provide, for example, very early warning for investigation and subsequent warnings to initiate automated fire services notification, equipment shutdown, evacuation and suppression. • The ability to locate sampling holes where smoke will travel and to position the detector in a location that has easy access for maintenance. • Sampling pipes can be inserted into electrical equipment enclosures or close to high-risk areas.

• Smoke originating within electrical or mechanical equipment is slow to detect and can cause extensive damage to equipment.

• AutoLearn commissioning function will set optimum smoke alarm thresholds, taking into account background smoke levels, hence reducing false alarms.

• Access is difficult or limited in areas such as battery rooms, cable tunnels or where welding or other mechanical work is conducted.

• The wide sensitivity range of a VESDA detector allows alarm thresholds to be set for f or the earliest possible warning of a fire in a large open space.

• Smoke tends to stratify, not reaching conventional spot-type detectors located on the high ceilings of

• Advanced networking and monitoring software enables efficient remote monitoring and

Xtralis has years of experience in protecting oil and gas facilities around the world from the threat of fire. Companies such as ESSO, Woodside, Shell, BP and Caltex use VESDA systems to protect their facilities.

How do you overcome these risks & challenges? Use an Air-sampling Smoke Detector (ASD) that provides flexibility in sampling hole location, multiple configurable alarms and a wide sensitivity range for a performance based design approach to fire protection.

A VESDA smoke smoke detector can be configured to detect a fire at the earliest stage. The multiple alarm levels can be configured to initiate an appropriate and planned response.

The heavy investment in the oil and gas industry and the highly flammable nature of products create a strong need for early warning smoke detection. A disaster in this industry would not only threaten lives and facilities but also adversely affect national and international economies.

The challenges of smoke detection in Oil & Gas facilities • Evacuating occupants safely in an emergency situation is always a challenge, particularly in offshore applications. • The highly flammable nature of these facilities means an undetected fire could spread rapidly rapidly.. • Detector maintenance can be an issue in areas with difficult access.

Why use a VESDA ASD system? VESDA detectors buy time. Time to respond to a fire threat, minimizing damage and maximizing the time available to execute emergency response plans. The key advantages are: • Multiple configurable pre-alarms to provide, for example, very early warning for investigation and subsequent warnings to initiate automated fire services notification, equipment shutdown, evacuation and suppression. • The ability to locate sampling holes where smoke will travel and to position the detector in a location that has easy access for maintenance. • Sampling pipes can be inserted into electrical equipment enclosures or close to high-risk areas.

• Smoke originating within electrical or mechanical equipment is slow to detect and can cause extensive damage to equipment.

• AutoLearn commissioning function will set optimum smoke alarm thresholds, taking into account background smoke levels, hence reducing false alarms.

• Access is difficult or limited in areas such as battery rooms, cable tunnels or where welding or other mechanical work is conducted.

• The wide sensitivity range of a VESDA detector allows alarm thresholds to be set for f or the earliest possible warning of a fire in a large open space.

• Smoke tends to stratify, not reaching conventional spot-type detectors located on the high ceilings of

• Advanced networking and monitoring software enables efficient remote monitoring and

7 reasons to install a VESDA system: When business continuity is paramount A VESDA detector will provide the earliest warning of smoke in or near critical equipment, buying time to prevent smoke or fire damage. VESDA detectors are the ideal solution for the protection of control rooms and substations.

When evacuation is a challenge A VESDA system can provide very early warning of smoke so there is time to investigate, control the fire and if necessary, carry out a controlled and orderly evacuation, minimizing panic and danger.

When maintenance access is difficult

When suppression systems are present

Is the area being protected inaccessible? VESDA sampling pipe can be positioned near the risk area and the detector can be positioned for easy maintenance.

Suppression release can be costly and disruptive to business. A VESDA system detects early and buys time to minimize damage. Configurable alarm thresholds can be used for cause and effect planning and to release suppression automatically.

When smoke is difficult to detect In areas with high ceilings or where there is high airflow, smoke may be diluted or stratify below ceiling level, not reaching conventional point-type detectors on the ceiling.

When unobtrusive detection is required In areas where it’s important to preserve the internal design/ decoration, a VESDA detector can be concealed in a utility cupboard and the only visible parts will be tiny capillary sampling tubes in the ceiling, barely discernable to the human eye. When environmental conditions are difficult In areas where dust and background levels of smoke are high, use a VESDA detector which has a clean air barrier to protect the detection chamber optics from contamination, ensuring long reliable service.

MILLBANK Voice Alarm Systems MILLBANK voice alarm (VA) and public address (PA) systems have been used for over 30 years to protect companies such as BP, Namm & Brent Oil fields, Cal-Dive Oil Exploration Vessel, A-Amin Refinery and many more. Integration of MILLBANK VA/PA VA/PA systems with VESDA smoke detection systems offers many synergies for business continuity, asset protection and emergency response. To find out more about an integrated solution contact one of our regional offices or visit www.xtralis.com.

Our global network of offices and representatives means that help is always at hand Oil and Gas facilities that are protected by VESDA smoke detectors ADMA - OPCO, UAE

Petronas, Malaysia

DuPont, USA

Brunei Shell Petroleum, Brunei

Thai Oil, Thailand

Chocolate Bayou, Texas, USA

Mobil Oil - Beryl Alpha Platform, UK

Bukit Indah Power Station, Indonesia

Atlantis Offshore Platform, Gulf of Mexico

British Petroleum Grangemouth, UK

Hong Kong Petrochemical Company,, Hong Kong Company

Empress Gas Plant, Alberta, Canada

Shell Oil, Sweden

CSPC Nanhai Petrochemicals, China

PEMEX, Mexico

Statoil, Norway

Shanghai SECCO Petrochemical, China

PDVSA, Venezuela

British Petroleum Headquarters, UK

Zhuhai Amoco Petrochemical, China

British Petroleum Exploration Offices, Azerbaijan

Amerada Hess Platform, UK

Shanghai BP LPG, China

PETROBRAS, Brazil

Aram Ar amco co Ber Berri ri Gas Gas,, Saudi Saudi Ar Arab abia ia

Shangha Shang haii Baye Bayerr Petr Petroc ochem hemic ical al,, China

Gulf Petrochemical Industries, Bahrain

Shell Petroleum, Holland

Shanghai BASF, China

REPSOL, Argentina

PDO Oman LNG, Sultanate of Oman

Shell, Bo Bonny Is Island, Ni Nigeria

Zakum Oi Oil Fi Field, Abu Dh Dhabi

Shell Oman LNG, Oman

Global Approvals FI R T IV F E

TM

FM APPROVED

NF

C A

L

D I S E T T

Need more information? Contact our nearest office or visit our website at www.xtralis.com.

www.xtralis.com The Americas +1 781 740 2223 Asia +852 2297 2438 Australia and New Zealand +61 3 9936 7000 Continental Europe +41 55 285 99 99 UK and the Middle East +44 1442 242 330 The contents of this document is provided on an “as is” basis. No representation or warranty (either express or implied) is made as to the completeness, completeness, accuracy or reliability of the contents of this document. The manufacturer manufacturer reserves the right to change designs or specifications

S E

R V I C E

ASPIRATING SMOKE DETECTION

Consider the effects of:

Cost effective, proactive fire protection is the key priority of any clean room site:

Production & Manufacturing Downtime Damage and Contamination of Production, Research and Utility Equipment Insurable and Non-insurable Losses

Semiconductors/Wafer Fabs Electronic Device Manufacturing Research and Development Facilities Process, Assembly and Inspection Areas

Clean room facilities such as semiconductors and wafer fabs manufacture vital components of virtually all types of electronic devices including personal computers, telecommunication products and consumer electronics. Other clean room types include pharmaceutical and biotechnology sites designed for product manufacture, research and development. The facility construction is complex and costly due to the sophisticated processes and equipment contained within. Clean room types and their particular application determine the level or 'class' of cleanliness required. Atmospherically controlled and housing sophisticated process and utility equipment, clean rooms range from Class 1 areas (device manufacture, R & D and consumer product manufacture), to simple Class 4 to 7 (i.e. Class 10, 100, 1000) areas for inspection and assembly. Property loss and business interruption to these environmentally stringent, ‘clean’ facilities cannot be compromised by the risk of fire.

Consider....

Early warning smoke detection minimises the destructive effect of smoke by identifying it at the lowest level and initiating an alarm before visible smoke is present. The best way to avoid a clean room fire and the consequential cost of production downtime, equipment damage and facility loss is to install a multi-point aspirating active smoke detection system.

The VESDA Advantage.... VESDA - the world’s leading aspirating smoke detection system - provides the optimum protection against fire by reliably detecting the presence of smoke at the earliest possible stage.(Refer to Figure 1)

Allowing multiple alarm levels and sensitivities to be customised to individual site parameters, VESDA allows an accurate interpretation of a facilitys’ environmental inputs such as smoke and raised temperature etc. By providing earliest detection and programmable reporting, the incidence of ‘oversensitivity’ and subsequent activation of nuisance alarms, unnecessary evaluation and production downtime is minimised.

The physical configuration of a clean room usually consists of a sealed, pure environment with extremely high air velocities. The air exchange rate can occur at 600 changes per hour. Temperature, humidity and particle density must remain at a constant level. Process and utility equipment such as wet bench stations, the flammability and explosive nature of manufacturing materials (gases and liquids), a ready supply of oxygen and by-products of combustion all contribute to the high fire risk of a clean room. In addition, environmental factors such as heat transfer/flame spread smoke generation and production of toxic and corrosive gases can severely impact the operation and output of a clean room. The direction and volume of airflow results in a lower probability of detecting a clean room fire in its incipient stage. Conventional smoke detection systems such as photo-electronic and ion smoke detectors only identify smoke after the smoke particles become visible or are large enough to activate the detectors. Due to the inherent requirement of a sterile atmosphere, contamination and smoke particles can have a devastating effect on the ‘clean’ area, its equipment and manufactured product.

1

Fire Growth Curve

The progression of fire growth over time. VESDA can reliably detect a clean room fire at the incipient stage and avoid the incidence of damage and lost production. VESDA can be configured to generate multiple alarms during the earliest stage of a fire. VESDA’s early warning, aspirating smoke detection cumulatively samples air via multiple sampling holes in a pipe network and transports the air sample to a centrally located detector for accurate analysis. (Refer to Figure 2) .

clean room determine the location of sampling points in the clean room area. Two design layouts of clean rooms and key sampling locations are shown in Figure 3. Additional sampling areas include service corridors and ducted air extracts below the raised access floor. Design 1

Fresh Air

Design 2

Ceiling Void

*

* Clean Room

2

VESDA Pipe Network UPS Power Room

Performance-Based design Performance-Based design determines the best fire protection system by assessing the environmental risks at the concept design stage, i.e. the internal and external environment, smoke source, smoke movement, heat transfer and smoke detection within the structure. VESDA’s very early warning detection technology and system flexibility provides optimum protection by addressing both the overall fire risk of the clean room area, and the individual fire risk of the equipment.

Sub - Fab Area

3

Cross Section of a Clean Room

Positioning the pipe in the floor void beneath the raised access floor (Figure 4) and across the dry coil (Figure 5) allows sampling to occur in the direct line of the clean room airflow; providing the earliest possible warning of a potential fire event 1.

Clean Rooms Installation Scenarios Airflow

High air velocity presents as the major challenge to detecting smoke in a clean room. The incidence of smoke dilution and delayed detection is minimised by locating the sampling pipe in the direct line of the airflow and in close proximity to the actual identified risk (i.e. equipment). In atmospheric critical environments such as clean rooms, the installation of shorter sampling pipe networks allows an earlier response time to a potential fire. A further key consideration is the area coverage of a single aspirating smoke detector. The efficiency of a detector is proportional to the volume of space it protects, and the air volume rate exchanged through the area.

Equipment eg. Wet Bench Station

Sampling Holes

Airflow

Pre - Filter Floor Void

4

Floor Void Sampling

Dry Coil Unit

It is also important to note that external pollution may enter the airflow via the fresh air make-up supply and a reference detector can be installed to compensate for this.

To Low Pressure Side of Unit

Sampling Locations Depending on the clean room design and to provide the earliest indication of a potential fire, there are several possible sampling positions for VESDA’s early warning smoke detection system. The unique environmental requirements, internal configuration and airflow of a

* O p t i o n a l R o o f - S p a c e S a m p l i n g

Airflow

5

Dry Coil Sampling

ASPIRATING SMOKE DETECTION

It s about protecting your assets ’

Consider the effects of:

Cost effective, proactive fire protection of contents and storage space is the key priority of any warehouse facility:

Content Loss

Mezzanine and General Storage Areas

Supply and Distribution Downtime

High Bay Racking

Structural Damage and Destruction

Automated Pick Areas Loading Bays

From aircraft hangers to agricultural storehouses, industrial commodities to retail merchandise, large volume buildings and storage properties such as warehouses and ‘superstores’ serve a numerous variety of purposes. Consumer and commercial goods ranging from fresh, frozen and packaged foods through to industrial products such as automotive parts, paint, paper, textiles and fertilizer are some examples of the high-value, and often highly flammable stock that occupy warehouse facilities.

Installing an aspirating ‘active’ smoke detection system is the best way to avoid a warehouse fire.

The VESDA Advantage…. VESDA - the world’s leading aspirating smoke detection system - provides the optimum protection against fire by reliably detecting the presence of smoke at the earliest possible stage. (Refer to Figure 1)

To allow for the demands of maximum storage utilisation and a diverse range of contents, a typical warehouse configuration exists as a large volume area with high-bay racking, automated picking systems, and general and mezzanine storage sections.

Consider…. In warehouse environments, primary factors such as size and height, limited entry points, storage racks, and product flammability increase the fire risk, and subsequent detection of a fire event. While conventional smoke detection may be adequate for general commercial applications, the unique characteristics of a warehouse facility highlight the fundamental disadvantages that conventional ‘passive’ smoke detection such as point and beam detectors have in application-specific environments. Due to the height and volume configurations of a warehouse facility, the incidence of smoke stratification is a major challenge to detecting a potential fire event. As initial smouldering smoke does not have adequate buoyancy to reach the ceiling section of a warehouse, the design, detector location and level of response of point-type and beam detectors do not provide reliable or proactive smoke detection.

1

Fire Growth Curve

The progression of fire growth over time. VESDA can reliably detect a warehouse fire at the incipient stage and avoid the incidence of damage and loss. VESDA can be configured to generate multiple alarms during the earliest stage of a fire.

Despite the key environmental challenges of a warehouse environment, VESDA’s advanced smoke detection technology overcomes the difficulties associated with conventional detection systems. VESDA’s early warning, aspirating smoke detection cumulatively samples air via multiple sampling holes in a pipe network and transports the air sample to a centrally located detector for accurate analysis.

(Refer to Figure 2)

Not only can the positioning of stock and storage racks impede access and maintenance of conventional detectors, but the size, shape and positioning of stock may either obstruct or cause a beam detector to false alarm. Other challenges to beam detection include structural movement and contraction caused by external climatic changes, increasing the incidence of a beam detector activating a false alarm. Plus, there is the significant cost associated with the number of point-type or beam detectors that are required to protect a warehouse facility.

2

VESDA Pipe Network

By positioning the detector in an easily accessible location, programming and maintenance of the detector can be performed without disrupting routine warehouse operations.

impede VESDA’s ability to detect smoke at the earliest possible stage. (Refer to Figure 3)

VESDA’s pipe network can achieve a coverage of up to 2,000m2 (20,000ft 2) per detector, providing cost effective smoke detection, regardless of the size, configuration and warehouse storage requirement. With programmable sensitivity levels, VESDA can be customised to address the unique environmental characteristics of a warehouse facility, such as external pollution and airflow from the dispatch and delivery areas. In addition to its advanced smoke detection capabilities and programmable alarm thresholds, VESDA’s staged levels of response to an escalating fire condition provides the earliest opportunity for incident investigation and management; reducing the requirement for fire brigade intervention. This innovative system feature, combined with VESDA ’s ability to interface with an existing fire panel and response system, provides optimum fire protection; reducing the risk of stock loss, supply downtime and structural damage.

3

Multiple Level Sampling Points

For warehouses that contain high-scale bays and racking, sampling pipe can be located within the racking with sampling points located along the pipework. (Refer to Figure 4)

Performance-based Design Performance-Based design determines the best fire protection system by assessing the environmental risks at the concept design stage, i.e. the internal and external environment, smoke source, smoke movement, heat transfer and smoke detection within the structure. VESDA’s performance-based, advanced detection technology provides optimum protection of a warehouse facility by addressing the unique characteristics of size and height, high-scale racking and storage, and automated picking systems.

Warehouse Installation Scenarios For complete fire protection, VESDA ’s flexible system allows pipework to be mounted on the ceiling or roof, and also within the storage racking. Many industry standards specify height considerations when installing a smoke detection system. VESDA addresses the issue of warehouse height and the occurrence of smoke stratification with multiple-level sampling. By positioning either drop pipe or sampling holes at specific levels of the warehouse ceiling and walls, the incidence of smoke stratification does not

4

In Rack Sampling

CABINET DETECTION ASPIRATING SMOKE DETECTION

Overview Many computer rooms, banking environments or switch rooms house their electrical equipment in cabinets. This equipment presents a potential fire risk. Cheaper, readily available hardware has resulted in the loss of cabinets due to fire being secondary to the massive consequential losses incurred from data loss or process shutdown. High temperatures experienced within this type of equipment often require significant through-airflow to provide cooling.

A Unique Challenge Typical cabinet fires will almost always have an electrical source and may smoulder for some time. High through-airflow will quickly remove smoke from an incipient cabinet fire making it virtually impossible to detect with conventional systems

Why Aspirating Smoke Detection and VESDA? VESDA (Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus) features the widest range of detection sensitivity, from 0.005% Obsc/m to 20% Obsc/m, (between 1000 times more sensitive to 5 times less sensitive than a conventional detection system). This enables the unit to be set to an optimum sensitivity dependent on the application and enables detection at the very earliest stages of a fire. VESDA is not affected by high airflows. This allows the pipe run to be located in the main airpath (such as in the airflow path from cooling fans) to provide the earliest detection.

How Does Aspirating Smoke Detection Work?

Air is continuously drawn, from an area, via a pipe network, to a central detector that is continuously sampling for small traces of smoke.

A Typical Cabinet Example Sampling pipe work is attached to the equipment cabinets and may pass over ventilation grills or utilise capillary sampling tubes to enter ventilated or non-ventilated cabinets. A LaserSCANNER option can provide addressability to identify which cabinet, or bank of cabinet’s house the faulty equipment.

Schematic showing how VESDA can be utilised to protect equipment cabinets.

Where can VESDA be applied? 

Telecom Switch Rooms



Computer Rooms



Banking Operations



Switch Rooms

Additional Equipment A portable unit is also available to assist with cabinet detection. This consists of a detector with a remote display and flexible ‘sampling probe’. When a general alarm is raised by the VESDA system, the portable unit can be used to pinpoint the exact cabinet that has the developing fire condition.

Companies who rely on VESDA for Cabinet Detection 

Barclays Bank - UK



Allied Flour Mills - UK



ESSO - UK



Allianz – France and many more…

VESDA Global Approvals ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

LPCB (UK) VdS (Germany) UL (USA) FM (USA) SSL (Australia) JMI (Japan) AFNOR (France) CNBOP (Poland)

Others pending.

Installation and Performance Standards British Fire Protection Systems Association – Code of Practice for Category 1 Aspirating Detection Systems. Available from the BFPSA – telephone +44 (0) 20 8549 5855 ♦ British Standard Institute – BS6266 - Code of Practice for Fire protection of Electronic Data processing installations. Available from the BSI – telephone +44 (0) 20 8996 7000 ♦

For information on other projects or application guides, please contact: Vision Fire & Security Vision House Focus 31, Mark Road Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire, HP2 7BW, UK Tel : +44 (0) 1442 242330 Fax : +44 (0) 1442 249327 E-Mail : [email protected]

www.vesda.com

This publication is a guide only. Do not cite this document as a requirement or specification for system design. © 2000 Vision Systems – VESDA.™. All Rights Reserved. In accordance with its policy of continuing product and system improvement, Vision Systems reserves the right to change design or specification without obligation and without further notice. VESDA is a registered trademark of

TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASPIRATING

SMOKE

DETECTION

Overview A small fire in a modern telecommunications site can have catastrophic consequences. Although equipment and property damage is important, in a telecommunications environment, the business interruption to the service provider and its customers is also a vital consideration. It is imperative that adequate measures are taken to protect against the consequential losses associated with fire in a telecommunications facility such as loss of (life safety) essential services, loss of business and permanent loss of revenue and credibility. The key element to providing detection which meets today’s’ fire protection objectives in telecommunications facilities is a detection system which can reliably and consistently detect a Fire whilst still in its incipient stage.

A Unique Challenge Telecommunication fires often originate from an electrical component and may smoulder for some time. They characteristically have low thermal properties and are difficult to detect until sufficient heat build up causes a fully fledged Fire condition - by which time significant damage has alread occurred. Some factors include: ♦ ♦ ♦

♦

Lack of heat energy released by the (smouldering) fire Resultant low smoke temperature Dilution caused by airflow velocities, (i.e. minimum vertical smoke movement) Addition of clean air by ventilation systems

Why Aspirating smoke detection and VESDA Detecting fire at the incipient stage is vital to preventing loss in a telecommunications fire. VESDA (Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus) can detect smoke levels as low as 0.005% obscuration/m and can provide the opportunity to detect fires before flaming occurs. VESDA aspirating smoke detection overcomes the unique challenges of successful detection of low levels of smoke in telecommunications facilities.

How Does Aspirating Smoke Detection Work?

Air is continuously drawn, from an area, via a pipe network, to a central detector that is continuously sampling for small traces of smoke.

Where Can VESDA be used? • • • • • •

Equipment / Switching rooms MDF's (Main distribution frames) Cable vaults and Tunnels Standby generator plant Microwave towers and associated equipment rooms Remote satellite exchanges

Primary Detection on Air Handling Unit Extract Vents

A Telecommunications Example

Sample Pipe

Return Airstream

Sample Point Standoff Post AHU Vent

AHU

1 2

3

Sampling Point Detail 1. Reference Detector - Used to monitor quality of air entering the protected area. The signal from the reference detector is used to "offset" the Primary and Secondary detectors. 2. Secondary Detector - Used to monitor the room for presence of incipient smoke. 3. Primary Detector - Used to monitor the area where smoke is most likely to travel in the first instance. Normally extract vents of AHU's or A/C units

Note: This example demonstrates the principles of application only and should not be used for design purposes.

Telecommunications companies who rely on VESDA • • • • • • • • •

AT&T Telstra Bell Atlantic British Telecom Cellnet Colt Telecom Etisilat Finland Telecom One2One

• • • • • • • •

Erricson Hutchinson Telecom Nokia Telecommunications Pacific Bell Polish Telecommunications Swedish Telecommunications Telefonica Espania Vodafone

And many more…

Global Approvals ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

LPCB (UK) VdS (Germany) UL (USA) FM (USA)

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

SSL (Australia) JMI (Japan) AFNOR (France) CNBOP (Poland)

Others pending

Installation and Performance Standards ♦

♦

British Fire Protection Systems Association – Code of Practice for Category 1 Aspirating Detection Systems. Available from the BFPSA – telephone +44 (0)20 8549 5855 British Standard Institute – BS6266 - Code of Practice for Fire protection of Electronic Data processing installations. Available from the BSI – telephone +44 (0) 20 8996 7000

For information on other projects or application guides, please contact: Vision Fire & Security Vision House Focus 31, Mark Road Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire, HP2 7BW, UK Tel : +44 (0) 1442 242330 Fax : +44 (0) 1442 249327 E-Mail : [email protected]

www.vesda.com This publication is a guide only. Do not cite this document as a requirement or specification for system design. © 2000 Vision Systems – VESDA™. All Rights Reserved. In accordance with its policy of continuing product and system improvement, Vision Systems reserves the right to change design or specification without obligation and without further notice. VESDA is a registered trademark of Vision Products Pty. Ltd.

COLDSTORES ASPIRATING SMOKE DETECTION

Overview Cold-store facilities store goods at temperatures as low as -40°C. The products stored may be non-combustible, but the packing such as cardboard, polystyrene foam or plastic containers on wooden pallets may be highly combustible. The buildings can be up to 20 metres high. When storage racking is used, the product almost touches the ceiling. The refrigeration system normally comprises banks of electric motor driven ventilators situated at roof level. The ceiling and walls of the cold storage area are constructed from insulating panels made of polyurethane or polystyrene foam between two thin sheets of steel.

A Unique Challenge With the extremely low temperatures (-40°C) which can be commonly found in cold stores, one could believe that a fire hazard does not exist. Large fire losses have proven the contrary. Cold store fires often occur because of faults associated with electrical or lighting installations, transportation systems or hot spots from welding and cutting. Other major fire sources are refrigerating systems installed in roof voids. A smouldering fire in this area can take several hours before releasing sufficient energy to ignite the surrounding products and spread to foam insulating materials in the walls and ceilings. Both storage and roof void areas are regularly unmanned and use of polyurethane or polystyrene foam as insulation in the construction of walls makes the building extremely vulnerable. Issue 1.0 : January 2000 Flyer Number 3

Electronic components in conventional detection systems are not designed to withstand the extremely low temperatures in the storage area. High humidity roof void areas often prevent conventional detectors from operating reliably.

Why Aspirating smoke detection and VESDA? VESDA (Very Early Smoke Detection apparatus) provides early, reliable detection in coldstores despite their arduous environmental characteristics. Early detection not only prevents potential loss of the building and its contents but also prevents ongoing consequential losses such as the financial impact of business interruption. In addition to providing multiple early warning alarms, VESDA benefits from low cost maintenance as critical components are installed outside the cold store area and are easy accessible. In-built features supervise the maintenance requirements of the system.

How Does Aspirating Smoke Detection Work? Air is continuously drawn, from an area, via a pipe network, to a central detector that is continuously sampling for small traces of smoke.

LaserPLUS V ESDA

88

A Typical Coldstore Example

Cold store protection with capill

Roof void

VESDA detector with water trap Issue 1.0 : January 2000 Flyer Number 3

Where Can VESDA be Applied •

Cold store storage area

•

Plant rooms

•

Roof voids

•

Associated computer facilities

•

Standby generator plant

Companies with Cold Stores Who Rely on VESDA • • • • • • • • • • •

ASDA regional distribution centres Brookes Distribution Excel Logistics Frigoskandia Glaxo Welcome Henderson foods NAAFI freezers Nestlé Freeze dried coffee manufacture Tesco cold store Sea Freeze Pleroma Distribution and many more…

Issue 1.0 : January 2000 Flyer Number 3



Others pending.

Installation and Performance Standards British Fire Protection Systems Association – Code of Practice for Category 1 Aspirating Detection Systems. Available from the BFPSA – telephone +44 (0) 20 8549 5855 British Standard Institute – BS5839 - Fire detection ♦ and alarm systems for buildings - Part 1 Code of Practice for System Design, Installation and Servicing. Available from the BSI – telephone +44 (0) 20 8996 7000 ♦

For information on other projects or application guides, please contact: Vision Systems – VESDA Vision House Focus 31, Mark Road Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire, HP2 7BW, UK Tel : +44 (0) 1442 242330 Fax : +44 (0) 1442 249327 E-Mail : [email protected]

www.vesda.com This publication is a guide only. Do not cite this document as a requirement or specification for system design. © 2000 Vision Systems – VESDA™. All Rights Reserved. In accordance with its policy of continuing product and system improvement, Vision Systems reserves the right to change design or specification without obligation and without further notice. VESDA is a registered trademark of Vision Products Pty. Ltd.


ATRIA ASPIRATING SMOKE DETECTION

Overview Large, open areas such as Atria have become increasingly popular in modern building design. Architecture and the shape and volume of Atria frequently vary, yet still demand a smoke detection system that complies with local health and safety and fire regulations.

A Unique Challenge The large, open areas characteristic of Atria makes smoke extremely difficult to detect. The smoke from even a moderate fire will quickly lose buoyancy as it cools. The result is a smoke sample that either does not reach the point of detection or becomes too diluted for a conventional system to detect. The high ceilings typical of Atria makes access to conventional detection systems difficult to achieve and they are therefore expensive to maintain. Unlike beam detectors, VESDA is unaffected by decorations, promotional banners or helium filled balloons. Issue 1.0 : January 2000 Flyer Number 4

Why Aspirating smoke detection and VESDA? VESDA (Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus) excels at detecting highly diluted smoke and offers an extremely wide sensitivity range from 0.005% obscuration/metre (for detecting low levels of highly diluted smoke) to 20% obs/metre.(typically 5 times less sensitive than a conventional detection system). Maintenance and interrogation is carried out at the detector location, which would typically be in plant rooms, and as such no specialist equipment such as high lift access platforms would be required. VESDA therefore provides: ♦ Easy access for maintenance and testing. ♦ Low cost of ownership. ♦ The detection solution to unpredictable air movements and stratification ♦ Discrete detection where aesthetics are important. warning with staged alarms for intelligent phased ♦ Early evacuation.


LaserPLUS V ESDA

A Typical Atria example Standard VESDA ceiling sampling Second sampling pipe penetrates all air layers. (pipe sizes are exagerated for clarity) Stratification layers Public area open to main atrium volume.


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Where can VESDA be applied? ♦

Offices

♦

Shopping Malls

♦

Banks

♦

Hotels

♦

Exhibition Centres

♦

Entertainment and Sports Venues

Buildings with Atria which rely on VESDA ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Bluewater Shopping Centre The Trafford Shopping Centre Braehead Shopping Centre Overgate Shopping Centre Blackburn Shopping Centre Museum of Scotland Almondvale Shopping Centre General Register House Melrose House Dublin Civic Offices Lowry Centre and many more…


Global Approvals ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦


Others pending.

Installation and Performance Standards British Fire Protection Systems Association – Code of Practice for Category 1 Aspirating Detection Systems. Available from the BFPSA – telephone +44 (0) 20 8549 5855 British Standard Institute – BS5839 – Fire detection ♦ and alarm systems for buildings - Part 1 Code of Practice for System Design, Installation and Servicing. Available from the BSI – telephone +44 (0) 20 8996 7000 ♦


www.vesda.com This publication is a guide only. Do not cite this document as a requirement or specification for system design. © 2000 Vision Systems – VESDA™. In accordance with its policy of continuing product and system improvement, Vision Systems reserves the right to change design or specification without obligation and without further notice. VESDA is a registered trademark of Vision Products Pty. Ltd.


WAREHOUSE ASPIRATING SMOKE DETECTION

Overview Warehouses are, by virtue of their size and contents, a major fire risk. They can contain a diverse range of products, from frozen foods to flammable paint and can be automated or feature low staffing levels. Fire loading is not limited to product stored. Packing materials, pallets, battery or gas powered forklift trucks and other flammable materials add further to the risk. Losses associated with a fire can be catastrophic and the consequences can range from stock loss to company closure. An additional consideration is the height of many storage areas which can make conventional detection unsuitable.


A Unique Challenge In the large, open areas which are a characteristic of high storage facilities, stratification caused by space heating or solar heating from the warehouse roof can pose a particular problem. This makes smoke extremely difficult to detect. The smoke from even a moderate fire will quickly lose buoyancy as it cools. The result is a smoke sample which either, does not reach the point of detection or becomes too diluted for a conventional system to detect. Furthermore, high roofs, the presence of racking and the nature of operations typical of warehouses limit access and often increase the quantity of conventional detectors required, making them expensive to service & maintain. Incorrect positioning of stock could also impair the effectiveness of beam detectors.

Why Aspirating smoke detection and VESDA? VESDA (Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus) excels at detecting highly diluted smoke and offers an extremely wide sensitivity range from 0.005% obscuration/metre (for detecting low levels of highly diluted smoke) to 20% obs/metre.(typically 4 times less sensitive than a conventional detection system). Maintenance and interrogation is carried out at the detector location and requires no specialist equipment such as cherry pickers. VESDA provides: Up to 2000m2 coverage from a single detector Easy access for maintenance and testing Low cost of ownership. Early warning with staged alarms for intelligent response    



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A Typical Warehouse Example

Pipework runs at high level with drop pipes to intermediate points on racking to overcome stratified smoke layers

The example shows VESDA LaserPLUS installed with vertical drop pipe sampling to overcome stratification caused by heating.

Companies with Warehouses who rely on VESDA ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Kays Automated Warehouse Clarks Warehouse Booker Distribution Jotun Paint Warehouse Tesco Cold Store ASDA Cold Stores Jet Air Services Warehouse St Ivel Warehouse BP Polymer Warehouse IKEA Warehouse Metz - France IKEA Warehouse Sweden GAC Dubai QGPC Qatar and many more… Issue 1.0 : January 2000 Flyer Number 5

Global Approvals ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦


Others pending.

Installation and Performance Standards British Fire Protection Systems Association – Code of Practice for Category 1 Aspirating Detection Systems. Available from the BFPSA – telephone +44 (0)20 8549 5855 British Standard Institute – BS BS5839 – Fire ♦ detection and alarm systems for buildings - Part 1 Code of Practice for System Design, Installation and Servicing. Available from the BSI – telephone +44 (0)20 8996 7000 ♦




CALL CENTRE ASPIRATING SMOKE DETECTION

Overview Call Centres are an increasingly common feature of modern business life. Typically operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week they have come to be regarded as an essential, noninterruptible service. The interruption to this direct customer link due to fire can result in significant consequential losses.

A Unique Challenge Call Centres are typically large void, high ceiling areas. Smoke from even a moderate fire will quickly lose buoyancy as it cools, The resulting dilution makes it difficult for conventional systems to detect. Limited access in Call Centres often makes conventional systems costly to maintain.


Why Aspirating Smoke Detection and VESDA? VESDA excels at detecting highly diluted smoke and can detect smoke levels as low as 0.005% obscuration per metre. Furthermore, the VESDA detector can be installed outside the protected area, perhaps in a convenient service area. All necessary maintenance and interrogation can be undertaken at a convenient location without business disruption and loss of profit.


A Typical Call Centre Example

High ceilings of call centres, some with sound baffling, cause particular pipework problems. Sampling in the main pipe run with drop pipes to intermediate levels can easily overcome these restrictions.


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Where can VESDA be applied? •

Call Centre operation area

•

Floor voids

•

Equipment rooms

•

Standby power plant

•

Data areas

Call Centres that Rely on VESDA ♦

British Telecom Call Centre – Belfast

♦

British Telecom Call Centre – Newcastle

♦

Ventura Call Centre – Rotherham

♦

British Telecom Call Centre – Warrington

♦

British Telecom Centre – Gosforth

♦

British Petroleum - Aylesbury and many more…




Others pending.

Installation and Performance Standards British Fire Protection Systems Association – Code of Practice for Category 1 Aspirating Detection Systems. Available from the BFPSA – telephone +44 (0)20 8549 5855 British Standard Institute – BS BS5839 – Fire ♦ detection and alarm systems for buildings - Part 1 Code of Practice for System Design, Installation and Servicing. Available from the BSI – telephone +44 (0)20 8996 7000 ♦




HALON ALTERNATIVES ASPIRATING

SMOKE

DETECTION

Overview Increasing environmental consideration has resulted in a revision to European regulation 3093/94 controlling the use of Ozone Depleting Substances. The result of this policy is the demand to decommission existing Halon systems. Under draft regulation article 4.4 Halons can only be used until December 2002 (including refills), all Halon systems in general are required to be replaced by 31st December 2003.

A unique Challenge Halon is a widely used and effective extinguishant. Since its demise due to the requirements to control Ozone depleting substances, there are NO drop-in replacements. The user of such systems has to choose between Chemical, or Inert Gases, Water Mist or Sprinkler systems. Generally Halon’s were installed in critical high risk, high value applications such as Computer rooms, telecommunications, electrical data processing etc. The installation of alternative systems can be disruptive to the operation of these critical areas, requiring major planning and possible business disruption.


Why Aspirating detection and VESDA? People, data, computers and telecommunications are critical to every part of our life and economy. Fire and its consequences through even small incidents resulting in smoke damage can have significant implications which can incur loss of business, loss of valuable data, loss of time and shut down. There is no doubt that extinguishant systems do control fires. However, by such time much damage may have already occurred. VESDA (Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus) is designed to greatly reduce the risk of fire by indicating the incipient stage of fire to allow corrective action to be taken before damage can occur.


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Working with suppression VESDA has been successfully installed as a replacement for extinguishant systems, providing early detection, allowing corrective action to be taken and working in conjunction with the main fire detection system. However, there may be occasions where the cause and effect plan requires integration with an extinguishant system as a back up to the VESDA detection system. Historically aspirating systems have been used to either replace or complement the extinguishing system, as they are often believed to provide the release of extinguishant too early. However, VESDA LaserPLUS provides both early detection AND the option for extinguishant release in one detection package.


VESDA, the Effective Solution VESDA LaserPLUS combines a wide range of sensitivity from 0.005% to 20% obscuration/ metre and uniquely, four alarm levels for integration into any cause and effect plan. The following Fire Growth graph shows how VESDA LaserPLUS provides both early warning and the option for Extinguishant release . STAGE 1

Incipient Stage - No Visible Smoke

STAGE 2

STAGE 3

Visible Smoke

Flaming Fire

STAGE 4

Intense Heat

SMOKE DENSITY aserPLUS VELSDA

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SPRINKL ER Extinguishant release

VESDA Laserplus

TIME ALERT

ACTION

Early warning to facilitate TIME early intervention, control of the environment using Alert, Action and Fire1.

FIRE 1

FIRE 2

A suppression (fire 2) signal to initiate the release of extinguishant at the appropriate level, either in conjunction with fire1 or a point detector from the fire control panel

Where can VESDA be applied? In areas that require zero or minimal down time Telecommunications  Computer rooms  Clean rooms  Anechoic chambers  Television stations  Radio Stations  Robotic equipment  In areas where extinguishant release and business disruption should be avoided Magnetic media libraries  Electrical Data Processing facilities  Flight simulators  Diagnostic facilities  CAD /CAM facilities  Issue 1.0 : January 2000 Flyer Number 7



Others pending.

Installation and Performance Standards British Fire Protection Systems Association – Code of Practice for Category 1 Aspirating Detection Systems. Available from the BFPSA – telephone +44 (0) 20 8549 5855 British Standard Institute – BS6266 - Code of ♦ Practice for Fire protection of Electronic Data processing installations. Available from the BSI – telephone +44 (0) 20 8996 7000 ♦

For information on other projects or application guides, please contact: Vision Systems – VESDA Vision House Focus 31, Mark Road Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire, HP2 7BW, UK Tel +44 (0) 1442 242330 Fax +44 (0) 1442 249327 E-Mail : [email protected]



HERITAGE ASPIRATING SMOKE DETECTION

Overview Heritage buildings are the homes of irreplaceable architecture, works of art, archives, libraries, furniture and many other items owned by nations or private individuals. Because conventional detection has proved to be difficult to install discretely, smoke detection has generally been reliant on the actions of the occupants with suppression by the fire brigade. A heritage fire results in the loss or damage of irreplaceable artefacts due to fire, smoke or water.

A Unique Challenge Due to the aesthetics of most heritage buildings, such as ornate ceilings or ceiling art-work, a discreet, unobtrusive smoke detection system is often desirable. Large, open atria or voids feature stratified, thermal layers that can prevent cooled smoke from reaching ceiling level. As such, conventional systems will normally only respond when a fullyfledged fire condition is reached, by which time significant damage has already occurred.


Why Aspirating Smoke Detection and VESDA? VESDA (Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus) provides the discrete detection required in heritage buildings by routing the sampling pipes in areas that are not visible from normal occupancy. Small-bore capillary pipes are used to provide detection at the required location. The room fabric often dictates the location of these capillary tubes. Hiding the capillary tubes behind light fittings, blending in with ceiling paintings or forming part of the ceiling sculptures can all be used to provide ‘invisible’ smoke detection. In high volume, atria applications such as cathedrals, capillary sample points can be routed into the area at intermediate vertical levels to good effect to overcome stratification. The higher potential sensitivity of the VESDA system means that less smoke is required at the sample points to provide an alarm condition.


LaserPLUS V ESDA

A Typical Heritage Example Pipework can be routed, via capillary tubes, to a convenient location within the risk area, using the building fabric to hide the sample points

Capillary tube protruding in to the risk


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Where can VESDA be applied? 

Cathedrals



Churches



Stately Homes



Museums



Libraries



Archives

Heritage Sites Which Rely on VESDA 

               

St Paul’s Cathedral – London Prime Ministers Weekend Home – Chequers Mappa Mundi – Hereford Cathedral House of Lords – London National Gallery – London Osbourne House – Isle of Wight Top Kapi Palace - Istanbul Finland National Art Gallery – Helsinki Kings College – Stockholm Culzean Castle – Ayreshire Winchester Cathedral – Winchester Chapel Royal – Dublin Lulworth Castle – England Rycote Chapel – Oxford St James’ Palace – London Truro Cathedral – Truro Birmingham Cathedral – Birmingham

and many more…


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