How to choose appropriate fire detection for particular jobs? Richard Bramham addresses the issues and outlines the questions that should be asked before making that choice:

The fire detection market continues to evolve, with the development of an increasingly sophisticated array of technology that can offer a bewildering choice to electrical contractors and installers. There are some basic questions that we can ask in order to arrive at the best choice of fire detection.

How do fire detection systems work?

This may seem a very simplistic starting point, but it is crucial to the correct selection of fire protection. The overall objective is to save lives and protect property, so we want a fire detector to detect fires, whilst avoiding unwanted alarms. Fire detectors can only detect the symptoms of a fire; they cannot detect a fire directly. General purpose detectors need combustion products – smoke particles, gas, heat or radiation – to travel to their sensors where they must be differentiated from similar effects not relating to a fire, such as cooking fumes, condensation or dust. It is therefore important to consider the type of fire detector in relation to the environment in which it will be used to obtain the most reliable protection.

What ‘language’ for communication?

Intelligent fire detection system devices communicate with each other in a language (protocol) that can either be defined as ‘open’ or ‘closed’, and committing to either can have enormous implications down the line.

Some manufacturers make detectors but do not make their own control panels. In order to encourage independent manufacturers to design and develop control panels that are fully compatible, some detector manufacturers, therefore, publish and share their protocol. This is called an ‘open’ protocol; it is not vendor specific. Closed protocols are often adopted by those manufacturers who offer both panels and devices; because they offer a complete system there is no need to disclose the nature of their protocol to anyone else.

Choosing a closed protocol ties the user to a single manufacturer for the lifetime of the system. It is therefore worth checking whether this commitment comes with any advantages for the user, and if the manufacturer is a well-established company. Also, check how long the product range is going to be supported, otherwise maintenance or replacement may be costly in later years. It could even involve premature replacement of the entire system if it becomes obsolete before the end of its design life.

An open protocol system avoids many of these potential pitfalls; if one manufacturer drops out, compatible products will still be available from others using the same protocol. An open protocol system is therefore also likely to offer greater choice, so upgrading or replacing products is easy.

Like for like?

Sometimes two superficially identical fire products can be significantly different in price. It is worth questioning why is it so? A cheap initial cost may not mean best value for money over the lifetime of the fire system.

Check that all devices are certified to meet the relevant national and international legislation. Companies can spend thousands of pounds going through independent third party certification procedures to ensure that their products meet quality standards, so you should ask to see them. Be wary of terminology such as ‘designed to’, or ‘tested to’ meet legislation standards. A fire detection system that is not properly certified could well leave you open to prosecution in the event of an incident.

Also ask about the warranty that is provided by the manufacturer, and whether any onerous conditions are attached. If a product is faulty or fails prematurely, who is liable for the cost of replacement? One good manufacturer offers its customers a product lifetime guarantee, which means that its fire detectors are guaranteed to a lifetime of ten years (five years for CO fire detectors) against the unlikely event of a manufacturing defect. This is on condition that the products are used in dry, non-corrosive atmospheres and that they are regularly inspected, tested and cleaned in accordance with supplied guidelines. Other good manufacturers should do the same.

Conclusion

There are a number of questions that should be asked when choosing fire detection. To ensure that the best product is chosen for each application, we must establish what environmental conditions the detector will operate in and what type of detector is best suited to those conditions. The implications of open or closed protocol systems and manufacturer warranties should also be fully explored – not just from an initial cost perspective, but for maintenance and replacement implications down the line.

Checklist

• What environmental conditions will the fire detector operate in?
• What is the most appropriate technology for the application?
• Will an open or closed protocol system give best value over time?
• Is a like-for-like comparison being made between fire products?
• Are the products fully certified to meet the required national and international legislation?
• Is an appropriate service and maintenance agreement included?
• Does the manufacturer offer a warranty or other customer support?