According to AS 1670.1, "a fire detection and alarm system should operate before the escape routes become smoke-logged to such an extent that occupants will have difficulty finding their way out of the building."
Buildings are made up of distinct use zones, and each zone such as a kitchen, bedroom or corridor requires special consideration in regard to the selection of the most suitable fire detector.
The likely fire behaviour of the contents of each part of the building, the use and the design of the building should be considered. The susceptibility of each compartment or area within the building to to heat, smoke, water damage and other airborne contaminants should also be considered.
The following is a list of typical areas within a building along with a list of the recommended type of fire detector as set out in Australian Standard AS 1670.1;
Location / Area | Possible Risks | Detector Type |
---|---|---|
Laundry / Bathroom | Steam, high humidity, aerosols | Carbon Monoxide or Heat |
Kitchen | Smoke and fumes from cooking, steam. | Heat or Carbon Monoxide |
Kitchen exhaust duct | Grease, steam, airborne contamination. | Special purpose fixed temperature heat. |
Electrical Riser | Dust, Accumulated Contamination | |
Vertical Service Shaft | Dust, Accumulated Contamination | Smoke or Carbon Monoxide |
Autoclave / Sterilizer | Steam | Carbon Monoxide or Heat Detector |
Roof Space | Dust, Accumulated Contamination, High Temperatures | Aspirating Smoke Detector or Point Type Smoke Detector |
Concealed Space | Dust, Accumulated Contamination, High Temperatures | Aspirating Smoke Detector or Point Type Smoke Detector |
Flammable Liquid Store | Oxidation, Accumulated Contamination, High Temperatures | Heat with normal temperature duty and rate-of-rise operation, smoke, flame. |
Cool Rooms or Freezers | Condensation | Aspirating Smoke Detectors, Projected beam Smoke Detectors, Heat Detectors |
Car Park | Exhaust smoke, Dust, Accumulated Contamination | Heat with normal temperature duty and rate of rise operation. |
Air Ducts | Dust, Accumulated Contamination | Smoke |
Fume Cupboard | Fumes, Oxidation, Smoke, Accumulated Contamination | Special purpose fixed temperature heat detector. |
Spray Painting Booth | Accumulated Contamination, Paint | Heat and Flame Detector |
Boiler Room / Furnace | High Temperatures, Smoke, Dust, Accumulated Contamination | Heat with high temperature operation and fixed temperature operation. |
Stages, Nightclubs or Rides | Theatrical Smoke | Carbon Monoxide or Heat Detectors |
High Ceilings |
Smoke or Carbon Monoxide |