Aspirating fire alarm systems are required to protect life and property. All Aspiration systems need to comply with BS5839-1 to ensure the safest practice.
Obtaining our BAFE accreditation and FIA Membership, we can supply, install, maintain, and commission all types of aspiration smoke detection systems to the highest standards.
Aspiration systems come in two types: Normal (ASD) and high sensitivity (HSSD). Aspirating smoke detectors use sampling pipes with multiple holes within the protected area. A fan unit consistently draws air through the pipes. As this happens, the air filters through the system. Any contaminants are removed when filtering the air to avoid false alarms before processing through the detection system.
Aspirating smoke detection systems are mainly used within data centres/cold stores/inaccessible areas due to their rapid smoke reaction. It is used in non-accessible areas because it can be tested outside of its place of protection, meaning you can install a test point outside the protected area.
ASD systems are satisfactory for environments where sensitive smoke detection is required (goods easily damaged by fire/data centres/highly flammable liquids or gasses). They are also used in common areas where point detection is not aesthetically suited (open ceiling offices, hotels). ASDs are also useful in areas that are not ‘maintainable’. As per BS5839-1, any devices installed must be maintained by a servicing company. Therefore sites that can not be accessed (i.e. top of lift shafts) can use ASD.
It is commonly installed to the fabric of the building, using special clips that allow it to sit just off of the protected ceiling. It is installed with a servicing point, usually outside the protected area (if the pipe itself is not maintainable).
Class A – Very High Sensitivity
This class can provide a very early warning when detecting smoke. These systems are relevant to high-risk locations, where staged responses to the multistage alarm conditions are clarified. This will guarantee minimum downtime of the protected locations in a fire-related incident.
Class B – Enhanced Sensitivity
Class B ASD systems are required to enhance sensitivity for purposes where additional confidence is mandatory for protecting a particular risk. The greater capability of such systems is used to counteract other risk factors in the protected area, such as extraordinarily high ceilings or significant air flows.
Class C – Normal Sensitivity
An ASD system that gives equal operation as standard point detection systems, meeting the requirements of the British Standards, EN 54-7.
Though ASD systems are an excellent option for a fire detection system, there are limitations to using them, mainly being ceiling heights. Please see the below table from the FIA.
The time taken for a system to carry a smoke sample from a protected area should not surpass 120 seconds (two minutes). Transport times more than this must be the issue of a variation against BS5839-1 and documented on the fire alarm commissioning and installation certificate. Systems may need quicker and more efficient transport times for conformity with their EN 54-20 product approval and should be clarified in your fire risk assessment. For example, a Class A aspirating fire detection system is usually intended with transport times of fewer than 60 seconds, where an early warning is the objective.
The layout of the sample pipe can directly influence most transport times. The 4-branch design (See below) will provide the shortest transport time.
Peace of mind through certification to the highest industry standards.
Over 25 years providing bespoke CCTV, Fire Protection & Access Control security solutions from our 2,000m² HQ in Essex.
Complete fire & security service with rapid response 24/7, 365 days a year.
