Aspirating smoke detection provides very early warning smoke detection for a range of applications. Based around a central detection unit an aspirating smoke detection system actively draws air through a network of pipes into a detection chamber. The air is then analysed for the presence of smoke.
Aspirating smoke detection or ASD is a highly sensitive method of detection and is capable of detecting smoke before it is visible to the human eye, even in an environment that has high air flow. Sampling pipes are small and discrete providing the perfect solution when protecting properties such as offices, hotel rooms and apartments where traditional point detectors are considered aesthetically displeasing. Not only is ASD the answer to providing suitable, discrete fire detection for these types of properties, it is also suitable for a whole range of applications, and one application in particular, Telco sites.
Telco Sites and their Vulnerabilities
A Telco, or Telecommunications, site contains a vast amount of communication devices and is responsible for providing reliable telephone and internet services. With recent and continuing growth in fixed line and mobile data usage and the demand for fast reliable data from businesses and emergency services the pressure thrust upon smaller Telco sites is drastically increasing.
There are a number of applications within a small Telco site that rely heavily on communication equipment, which can include base station controllers, base transceiver stations, mobile switching centres and small switch and server rooms. As the equipment in these sites is forced to work harder the risk of fire increases, however the detection of fire becomes increasingly difficult too.
As communications equipment is pushed to its potential the heat that it generates increases, which not only increases the risk of fire but also introduces the need for additional cooling. Additional cooling, usually provided by fans, results in higher airflow and smoke dilution making early detection of fire using traditional detectors more and more difficult and, in some cases, impossible. Not only is fire a risk, but undetected smoke can cause devastating damage to electronic equipment rendering it unusable, leading to costly repairs and downtime, leading to loss of revenue.
How can Aspirating Smoke Detection Help?
As I mentioned earlier, aspirating smoke detection can provide an early warning of fire even in areas with high airflow making it the ideal system for protecting a small Telco site. However, one product in particular can provide the perfect, cost effective solution.
The ICAM ILQ
The ICAM ILQ from Xtralis brings laser based absolute smoke detection technology to small, business critical areas without the need for specialist engineering or design support. It can provide very early warning smoke detection using pre-engineered pipe networks and provides up to four Class-A holes. It includes a clean air barrier for optics protection with a monitored on-board filter. Configuration can be carried out via DIP switches and USB provides direct connection to a PC. The ICAM ILQ has three relay outputs (pre-alarm, fire and fault) allowing for connection to an existing fire alarm control panel.
The ICAM ILQ mitigates the effects of dilution caused by high airflow and is easy to maintain and does not require specialist support or tools making it a cost effective solution, minimizing downtime, damage to equipment from the corrosive properties of smoke and reducing the cost deploying very early warning fire detection in small business critical sites.
For more information on the Xtralis ICAM ILQ aspirating smoke detector, or to discuss aspirating smoke detection or any of the other products that Eurofyre have to offer please feel free to get in touch either by phone on +44 (0) 1329 835 024, by email to [email protected] or via the online enquiry form situated on our contact page.
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