Article for Chris Beck, International Fire Buyer for the June/July Industrial Fire Safety feature
New generation EN54-20 approved FAAST aspiration detectors
reduce false alarms in factory environments
Office areas in manufacturing facilities are typically protected by automatic fire detection systems, based on point smoke and heat detectors. However, when it comes to installing an effective fire detection system in production areas, warehouses, power rooms and server rooms, aspiration technology has clear and demonstrable advantages over point detection.In an aspiration detector, networks of sampling pipes are connected to very sensitive optical detectors. Aspiration systems includes sophisticated filtering that removes dust particles but allows the products of combustion through to the detection chamber, preventing false alarms without degrading the system’s ability to give very early warning of fire.
The EN54-20 approved FAAST aspiration device range from System Sensor Europe, part of Honeywell, provides coverage up to 2000m2. FAAST uses patented advanced filtration technology and multi-wavelength forward and back scattering optics.FAAST providesultra-sensitive Class A coverage for use in enterprise-critical areasand Class B and C coveragein areas with high ceilings such as warehouses and inaccessible areas such as cable ducts and lift shafts where it would be difficult to install and maintain point detectors.The ultra effective filtration, which removes particles greater than 20 microns, enables FAAST to provide good resilience to false alarms when installed in areas where high levels of dust and dirt are present. The family is supported by dedicated PipeIQ software that provides intuitive system design, easy configuration and ongoing monitoring. The FAAST family offers ModBus/TCP protocol for direct interface to Building Management Systems, in addition to direct LAN/WAN Ethernet connectivity and email functionality; it can operate as a stand-alone unit or it can be integrated with the overall fire system, appearing as another detector on the loop.
FAAST aspiration detectors are protecting some challenging sites in various locations around the world. In India, Mr. Rohit Upneja, Security and Safety Head, Dabur India Ltd.,has specified FAAST for warehouse protection. He commented, “Most of our warehouses have high ceilings, in many cases at least 12 metres. In such a scenario, we were always concerned about how much time it would take to determine potential fire triggers. The fear was, if it’s later than desired, we may incur significant property loss and potentially put peoples’ lives at risk. As a Security and Safety Head, making an intelligent choice with respect to a reliable early detection fire alarm system is vital. After evaluating multiple options, we selected the FAAST aspiration system. We were impressed by the fact that FAAST delivers reliable alarm outputs through ultra sensitive detection. The technology within the device is also particularly impressive as it removes false alarm risks, which is a great advantage when it comes to building confidence within our workforce. FAAST has become an inherent aspect of our warehouse infrastructure across two key locations in India. We would definitely recommend FAAST as a crucial component in any warehouse environment.”
In the Netherlands, a different problem was addressed with the installation of a FAAST aspiration system. Peter Hamers, Product Manager, Saval, Member of the SK Fire Safety Group said, “Norit pharmaceutical site in Holland uses processes which generate a large amount of fine dust particles. This causes issues for standard fire detection systems as it can lead to a large number of false alarms. We specified FAAST because of the clever technology the device uses to detect dust and nuisance particles and deliver the earliest possible warning of potential danger. FAAST was selected by Norit based on the performance results achieved over a six-month test period carried out on-site. Since the device has been installed, overall system confidence has improved, as has overall productivity.”
In the USA, the Apex Tool Group, a billion-dollar tool manufacturing company with over 90 manufacturing facilities worldwide, had a different set of requirements. Its insurance company required the installation of smoke detection in two switchgear rooms in the hand tool manufacturing plant in Gastonia, North Carolina, where raw metal is processed into well-known brands of hand tools and sockets. The manufacturing operation processes latex and other chemicals, constantly emitting particles into the air.Jamie Colley, president of Integrated Technical Services, the company that designed, installed and maintains Apex’s fire system at the Gastonia facility, said, “Conventional smoke detectors in those rooms were counterproductive. They would be having nuisance alarms and dirty detector warnings every couple of months”. Colleydetermined that FAAST was well suited for this project because of its ability to reject nuisance conditions. “We were pretty sensitive to the company not having nuisance alarms. FAAST was the better option for this application.” he said.
Gintare Budriunaite, EMEA Aspiration Product Manager, said, “These illustrative case studies showhow the factory environment presents adiverse range of different challenges to providing a safe and secure working environment without the costs and disruption of false alarms. FAAST aspiration technology provides effective protection for areas ranging from air conditioned server rooms through to dusty production environments, avoiding the massive costs associated with downtime whilst protecting the business against a life safety threat.”
*** Ends: body copy 826 words ***
Notes to Chris Beck.
Images to follow later today, 20 June 2013.
Contact details for publication:
System Sensor Europe
Life Safety Distribution AG
Javastrasse 2
8604 Hegnau
Switzerland
Tel: +41 44 943 4300
Editorial contact:
Caroline Hardiman
System Sensor Europe
c/o KAC House
Thornhill Road
North Moons Moat
Redditch
B98 9ND
UK
Tel: + 44 1527 406700
About System Sensor
System Sensor Europe is owned by Honeywell and is the world's largest manufacturer of fire detectors for use in conventional and addressable fire detection systems.
About Honeywell
Honeywell International ( is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell’s shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit