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Research into how multi-sensor detectors can help to reduce false alarms

Explore the research on how multi-sensor detectors can help reduce false alarms, resulting in cost savings and improved safety in fire incidents. Discover the benefits of these detectors and ongoing efforts to develop standards for false alarm resistance.

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Research into how multi-sensor detectors can help to reduce false alarms

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  1. Research into how multi-sensor detectors can help to reduce false alarms Raman Chagger Principal Consultant, Fire Safety Group, BRE Emergency Evacuation Seminar, 3rd April 2019

  2. Introduction • Losses from false fire alarms ~£1 billion/year in the UK • False alarms have consequences: • FRS – drain on/diverted resources • Businesses – disruptions/loss of productivity • Public - reduced confidence/frustration • Road traffic accidents

  3. False alarm studies Study 1: The causes of false fire alarms in buildings Study 2: Live investigations of false fire alarms

  4. False alarm studies Study 1: KCL 6 recommendations Potentially 49.5% reduction through the greater use of multi-sensors. Study 1: BMKFA Potentially 27.0% reduction through the greater use of multi-sensors. Study 2: SFRS 35 recommendations Potentially 35.1% reduction through the greater use of multi-sensors.

  5. Multi-sensor detectors Heat Optical smoke Carbon Monoxide • Multi-sensors utilise a number of sensors to provide more reliable detection • Research with SFRS identified that no false alarms were caused from multi-sensor detectors • One of the recommendations “Further research is required to identify multi-sensors performance variabilities and capabilities”. Photo courtesy of Tyco Fire Protection Products

  6. Optical/heat multi-sensor detector research • The BRE Trust, 12 manufacturers and the Fire Industry Association started a 3 phase research project • Phase 1: Review of multi-sensor capabilities and variabilities. Identify tests • Phase 2: Performing a broad range of test fires (compare with optical) • Phase 3: Performing a broad range of common false alarm tests to identify resistance of multi-sensors. • Aim of identifying relative benefits of multi-sensors over optical detectors

  7. Identification of fire tests Utilised the methodology from previous work into test fires for smoke alarms and detectors

  8. Fire test methodology • 35 types of different optical heat multi-sensor detectors tested alongside 2 reference optical smoke detectors • Multi-sensors categorised in terms of their false alarm resistance as basic, intermediate or advanced

  9. Development of false alarm tests Dust (long term) Dust (short term) Smoke from cooking Steam Condensation Aerosols (hairspray/deodorant) Smoke from toaster Cigarette smoke Synthetic (smoke machines) Insects Thermal shock Water mist Dust Aerosol Toast Cooking

  10. Phase 2: Fire tests- Smouldering Flame Retardant PU Foam

  11. Phase 3: False alarm tests- Toast

  12. Phase 3: False alarm tests- Water mist

  13. Phase 3: False alarm tests- overview

  14. Phase 3: False alarm tests- example scenarios

  15. Phase 3: False alarm and fire test comparison

  16. Conclusion • Research has demonstrated that multi-sensor detectors can have the same response to fire but delayed response to false alarms • FIA and BRE are working towards the development of a Loss Prevention Standard for False Alarm Resistance • FIA guidance on false alarm reduction available from: http://www.fia.uk.com/cut-false-alarm-costs.html • BRE briefing papers (+ videos) are available free of charge from: http://www.bre.co.uk/firedetectionresearch

  17. Thanks S. Brown Consulting Services Ltd Thanks to UBM for use of images in this presentation

  18. Raman Chagger Principal Consultant (Fire Safety) Raman.Chagger@bre.co.uk +44 (0)1923 665176 http://www.bre.co.uk/firedetectionresearch

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