Where there's smoke

Keeping a low profile

Designed to provide smoke or fire detection, the photoelectric smoke detector – model WS4916 – from DSC is a low-profile detector that the company says is ideal for difficult to wire residential or commercial applications.

The detector is compatible with all DSC 433MHz wireless receivers, and features a built-in alarm horn, integral dual-sensor heat detection, automatic drift compensation, and an easy-maintenance removable smoke chamber. Long-life lithium batteries provide extended operation without replacement.

Precise and quick sensitivity testing of the unit is easily accomplished with the FSD-100 handheld test meter, DSC says.

Other features include a local test button, high/low sensitivity testing, and low-battery indication. It is UL/ULC/EN listed for commercial and residential applications.

Reader Service No 111

Ultra-slim design

The 500 Series smoke detector from Bosch has a new, ultra-slim design, and is available in a range of different facing panels for customised installation.

“The fact that there is no optical chamber inside the 500 Series smoke detectors means it does not protrude from the ceiling,” Bosch says. “The smooth surface does not gather the usual visible dirt in rooms with high dust build-up.”

The 500 Series is a scattered-light fire detection system with dual detection area. Bosch says that because the sensors monitor two independent light areas in open space, the detector is very reliable.

It can be connected directly to the Local Security Network, and the detector is also available in multi-sensor format with carbon monoxide gas sensor. “This greatly decreases the likelihood of false alarms and increases the number of possible applications, since this detector even works well in environments that are unsuitable for standard photoelectric devices.”

Reader Service No 112

In black and white

Hochiki's new, stylish black analogue photoelectric smoke sensors have been designed to blend into the dark in installations ranging from cinemas and theatres to nightclubs and concert halls. There is also a range of white sensors for installation in high-tech, contemporary spaces.

“The black range of sensors is particularly applicable for darkened interiors where an unobtrusive yet attractive appearance, combined with high functionality, is important,” the company says, while the white range “panders to architectural aesthetic considerations and is ideal for white, open spaces such as foyers, hospitals and galleries.”

The sensors utilise Hochiki's 'High Performance Optical Technology' which the company says “allows them to be equally sensitive to a significantly wider range of combustible materials, the signal-to-noise ratio is improved, and the susceptibility to unwanted alarms is significantly reduced.”

The sensors are part of Hochiki's ESP range, which includes photoelectric smoke, heat, multi, and ionisation smoke sensors.

Reader Service No 113

Cost-saving Gent

The S-Quad sensor range from Gent by Honeywell has been designed to make savings on fire system installation costs and to reduce the risk of false alarms.

Features include a dual angle optical detector that is able to distinguish between smoke and steam or dust, cutting the incidence of false alarms and allowing its use in places such as hotel bedrooms. CO detection can also be incorporated.

Ten variants of S-Quad are available, some of which are sensor-only models, and the rest incorporating one or more types of alarm.

“One unit has all three sensing elements, plus sounder, speech and strobe, its various components being housed – like the rest of the range – in a compact and aesthetically pleasing flush or surface mounting enclosure,” Honeywell says.

Reader Service No 114

Conventional and intelligent

Apollo Fire Detectors has six distinct ranges of conventional and intelligent fire detectors.

They are led by the Orbis range of conventional fire detectors, which have just received certification under the Marine Equipment Directive. They feature 'StartUp', which confirms the product is correctly installed; 'FasTest' maintenance procedure; 'DirtAlert' to ensure constant detector sensitivity; 'SensAlert' to indicate that the detector is not operating correctly; transient rejection of temporary abnormal readings to help reduce false alarms; 'DustDefy' system which prevents dust ingress while maintaining airflow; immunity to extremes of ambient temperature; and they have the ability to function consistently at up to 98 per cent relative humidity; and they are electrically compatible with Series 60 and 65.

Reader Service No 115

Fire Beaming

The Fire Beam from The Fire Beam Company employs a patented intelligent motorised head that self-aligns when commissioned and constantly corrects against any subsequent building movement. The company says high level adjustment of the unit is not required. It is supplied with a low level controller as standard, from which all adjustments, such time to fire and fault and threshold changes can be made. Users can employ the low level controller's LCD screen to periodically monitor contamination of the lenses, meaning cleaning only needs to happen when it is genuinely required.

Testing the system can be performed from the controller.

Reader Service No 116

Family extended

System Sensor Europe has extended its Series 200 plus addressable detector family with the introduction of the new 6500S and 6500 beam units, designed to protect shopping centre atriums, concert halls, historic buildings, warehouses and other large open spaces. The 6500S features a patented remote test capability that fully tests both the optics and the electronics of the device without having to directly access the unit. A filter is electromechanically introduced into the optical path, attenuating the beam and causing the unit to go into alarm.

“Unlike procedures that merely test the unit's electronics, this test process satisfies the regulatory authorities by providing a complete check of every component in the alarm path without the need for access at high level,” the company says. “The filter is activated from ground level by a hard-wired connection or by command from the control panel; given that the majority of beam detectors are likely to be installed at a considerable height, the time and cost to be saved during routine maintenance is considerable. Initial alignment and setup is a simple operation for one man.”

The 6500 is identical in operation but does not have the optical test filter fitted. Both versions have four fixed and two automatically variable sensitivity settings to enable it to be optimised for the operating environment. Also available are the 6500RS and 6500R, conventional versions of the addressable units.

Reader Service No 117

Wide range of detectors

A range of different smoke and heat detectors, designed for connection to a single fire alarm system, is offered by Bardic, opening up many new application possibilities, according to the company.

The ZF60 range comprises of an optical smoke detector, an ionisation smoke detector, a fixed temperature heat detector and a rate of temperature rise detector. All are designed for use in conjunction with the Bardic Zircon LC and Zircon Multizone fire panels, which are used extensively in light commercial and industrial premises. Up to 20 detectors of any type or combination can be mixed and matched to protect a single zone. This opens up the possibility of using Zircon LC and Zircon Multizone panels in multi-occupancy domestic premises.

“Improvements in optical detector technology make optical smoke detectors the preferred choice for a great number of applications. A benefit of using either or both of the new smoke detectors is that, with the inclusion of a common diode base, users can easily spot a removed or faulty detector in accordance with BS 5839. Where environmentally borne contaminants are present, the use of a smoke detector becomes impractical and the use of heat detection more attractive. Examples are areas prone to high levels of cigarette smoke or airborne dust; in these cases, a rate of temperature rise detector would provide a quicker response than a fixed heat detector. The fixed heat detector is more suited for use in places where temperatures fluctuate such as in kitchens and boiler rooms, as clearly here, such a device is less likely to create a false alarm than would a rate of rise detector.”

Reader Service No 111