The VESDA air sampling system detects invisible by-products of materials as they degrade during the precombustion stages of an incipient fire. By actively and continuously sampling air, the system operates independently of air movements.
In operation air samples are continuously drawn from the monitored environment, typically through a sampling pipe network with the aid of a high efficiency aspirator. On the way to the fire detector the air samples pass through a filter assembly to screen out large airborne dust particles. Once inside the air sampling detector the samples are exposed to a high-intensity and broad-spectrum light source. The incident light scattered from smoke particles in the air sample passes through a series of optical components to a solid state light receiver. The light is converted to an electronic signal and passed to the control system.
At the control module the signal is processed and presented on an analog bar graph to visually indicate the level of smoke present in the monitored area. Depending upon smoke levels and the preprogrammed alarm levels, the appropriate output signals are generated.
The first of the four staged alarm levels (ALERT) may simply indicate that the system has detected something out of the ordinary that should be investigated. The second level (ACTION) indicates that a potential fire exists and that emergency procedures should begin. The third level (FIRE 1) signifies a probable fire condition. The fourth level of alarm (FIRE 2) indicates an actual fire.
The VESDA Laser Plus is designed to be the best, high sensitivity aspirating smoke detection system with the lowest lifetime cost. The system is modular. Displays and programmers can be installed only where needed. It uses high quality stable components and has several revolutionary features to achieve a minimum design life of ten years.
A display module monitors the VESDA LaserPlus detector. It reports a visual representation of smoke levels, and all alarm and fault conditions. The internal sounder warns personnel in the local area that an alarm threshold has been reached, or a fault has occurred.
The system discriminates between a maintenance fault and an urgent fault. The maintenance fault report indicates conditions which do not significantly impair the fire detection performance. For example, a small drift in air flow, or a single break in fault tolerant VESDAnet. If the problem impairs the performance of the detector, then the urgent fault warning is triggered. Examples of an urgent fault include a total loss of power to one element in the system, or an indication that the system is not performing within design tolerance.
The VESDA Laser Plus can detect smoke in concentrations as low as 0.0015% per foot of obscuration. This makes the unit about 2,000 times more sensitive than a conventional ionization or photoelectric smoke detector. Sensitivity this great can alert area personnel before smoke concentrations can deposit on the surface of delicate electronic circuit cards, etching their surface and causing intermittent failures.
Air Sampling and Fire Suppression SystemsWhen combined with a special hazards fire suppression system such as FM-200, Inergen, FE-13, or Carbon Dioxide, an air sampling system can complement the extinguishing system by reducing the probability of an agent discharge. Early detection allows area personnel to investigate small fires and handle them without the need of a system discharge.
Assembling all the components of a high sensitivity air sampling fire detection system together into a workable system optimized for your facility is the work of trained fire protection engineers. At Reliable Fire Equipment our engineering group will design your VESDA Air Sampling system, prepare shop drawings, battery calculations, and provide you the hard data you need to rest assured in the confidence of a well designed high sensitivity early warning fire detection system.
For additional assistance on the design of your early warning air sampling system, complete our Survey Request Form and one of our professionals will contact you.
Reliable Fire Equipment Company
Main Reliable Home Page Table of ContentsFire ExtinguishersFire Extinguisher Training Fire Hose
Emergency Lights Safety EquipmentFirst Aid KitsPre-Action Fire Sprinkler SystemsFire Alarm Systems
Fire Sprinkler Systems ServiceSmoke Detectors VESDA Air Sampling SystemsSecurity Systems
HCL Fire Detection SystemsCCTV SystemsAccess Control SystemsUL Alarm Monitoring Halon 1301 Fire Suppression Systems FM-200 Fire Suppression SystemsInergen Fire Suppression SystemsCO2 Fire Suppression SystemsFoam Fire Suppression Systems
FE-13 Fire Suppression SystemsExplosion Suppression SystemsRestaurant Hood & Duct Fire Suppression SystemsWater Detection Systems
Search the Reliable Site
12845 South Cicero AveAlsip, IL 60803-3083
708-597-4600Fax 708-389-1150
