Restaurants are dynamic public spaces where atmosphere, aesthetics, and safety are all paramount. The ambiance, service, and interior design are often as important as the food itself.
Many restaurants, particularly those aiming for a grand or spacious feel, are located in buildings with high ceilings. Examples of these include converted churches, former banking halls, industrial warehouses, and grand Victorian or Edwardian buildings, where the high ceilings are a key architectural feature that defines the dining space.
Given the combination of high public occupancy, inherent cooking risks, and the often architecturally complex nature of these buildings, selecting the correct fire safety equipment is paramount to protecting lives, property, and heritage.
Risks
- Cooking equipment is a primary source of restaurant fires. Smoke and fire spreading from a kitchen into an adjacent dining hall is a major threat.
- Faulty Electrics
- Damaged or overloaded wiring in lighting, HVAC systems, and other electrical installations poses a significant ignition risk throughout the building.
- Flammable Materials
- The storage of flammable cleaning liquids and packaging materials can be a hazard if not managed correctly.
- Arson
- Restaurants can be targets for deliberate fire-setting, often in external refuse or storage areas.
- Human Error
- Staff mistakes, such as leaving heating elements unattended or improper disposal of cigarettes, contribute significantly to fire incidents that can affect all areas.
Challenges
- Smoke Stratification
- In the large, open spaces and high ceilings common in modern dining areas, smoke from a fire may be trapped in layers of warmer air, failing to reach standard ceiling-mounted detectors in a timely manner.
- Nuisance Alarms
- While standard detectors are prone to false alarms from dust and other deceptive airborne particles, high-sensitivity air sampling systems face a different challenge. Placing them in the wrong environment, such as a kitchen, would lead to constant alarms from steam and cooking fumes.
- High Occupancy
- Safely and quickly evacuating a large number of untrained members of the public, especially in a complex layout, is a major logistical challenge during an emergency.
- Aesthetics vs. Safety
- Visible fire safety equipment can clash with a restaurant’s interior design. Discreet detection is essential to preserve the intended atmosphere.
- Ventilation & HVAC
- Modern ventilation systems can dilute and spread smoke, making it harder for traditional detectors to respond quickly.
VESDA-E Aspirating Smoke Detection
The VESDA-E system represents the latest evolution in Aspirating Smoke Detection (ASD) technology. It is engineered for high-performance, very early warning fire detection and is perfectly suited for the challenges of restaurant dining areas.
The system actively draws air into a distributed pipe network, sampling it for the tiniest traces of smoke. This active approach defeats smoke stratification by positioning sampling points at the optimal height to intercept smoke. This provides the earliest possible warning of a fire, often long before it is visible, and removes the maintenance challenges of accessing detectors on high ceilings.
VESDA-E VEP Aspirating Smoke Detector
The VESDA-E VEP is a flagship aspirating smoke detector. Its high sensitivity is engineered to provide the earliest possible warning in large, complex spaces.
The VESDA-E VEP’s strength lies in protecting dining areas, lounges, and atriums. By sampling the air in these public spaces, the VEP can detect the first invisible particles of smoke migrating from a fire source: whether in the kitchen, an electrical closet, or elsewhere. This provides an invaluable time advantage for a safe and orderly evacuation. The VEP employs advanced filtering and intelligent alarm analysis to reduce nuisance alarms from common dust particles, ensuring operational reliability in the dining environment. Its discreet, capillary sampling points can be hidden within the ceiling or architectural features, preserving the restaurant’s aesthetic while offering uncompromising safety.
Approvals
The VESDA-E VEP complies with the highest international standards for fire detection, holding key global approvals including European EN 54-20 (VdS) and North American UL listings. These certifications signify full compliance with the world’s most stringent fire safety standards, independently verifying the system’s high performance, quality, and operational reliability.
Design Considerations
Control Panel Placement
The ideal placement for the VESDA-E VEP detector unit is in a secure, easily accessible, non-public area such as a storeroom, staff corridor, or office, ensuring straightforward access for routine servicing without impacting the restaurant’s aesthetics.
ASD Pipe Placement
In dining halls with high ceilings, ASD pipes must be strategically installed at the specific height where smoke is predicted to stratify, ensuring the sampling holes can intercept smoke as it gathers below the thermal barrier for the earliest possible detection.
Pipe networks can also be routed through the return air path of the HVAC system, allowing the VESDA detector to effectively monitor the air from the entire space.
Low Level Maintenance
For hard-to-reach smoke detectors in ASD systems like VESDA, we offer a smart solution for functional testing.
The VESDA Air Sampling Test Points are designed to work with capillary pipe, allowing the main detection network to remain in inaccessible areas while the test point is installed at a convenient, lower level.
This setup enables easy and safe testing: simply remove the discrete end cap on the test point at ground level and introduce smoke. The smoke travels through the capillary to the detector, confirming its functionality without the need for complex access, making maintenance more efficient and safer.
Handpicked Solutions for Restaurants
Aspirating Smoke Detectors
VESDA VEP detectors use advanced Flair™ technology to give a very early warning of a potential fire while being smart enough to prevent false alarms. For ongoing accuracy and reliability, they are built with absolute calibration, protected internal optics, and an intelligent dust filter.
Power Supplies and Batteries
The Xtralis VPS-220-STX5 is an EN54-4 certified power supply specifically designed for VESDA-E detectors. It delivers a continuous 0.5A 24V DC supply and charges standby batteries up to 14Ah, providing a fully integrated and reliable power source for the entire system.
The Xtralis VPS-250-STX5 is a high-capacity power supply unit, fully certified to EN54-4 and engineered for larger or more demanding VESDA-E systems. It provides a robust, continuous 3A 24V DC output and features an integrated charger for standby batteries up to 24Ah, guaranteeing reliable primary power and extended standby autonomy.
Aspirating Pipe & Fittings
This 25mm red ABS pipe is purpose-built for use in aspirating smoke detection installations.
Use these sockets to connect two lengths of pipe, securing the join with an application of ABS solvent cement.
The 90° tee fitting is used to create a perpendicular branch from a main pipe run.
The 45° elbow fitting is used to create a gradual change in direction, enabling pipework to navigate around obstacles.
Flexible connectors are used in place of standard elbows for awkward angles or tight spaces. Strengthened with an internal steel wire for durability, they can be mounted in any direction without restricting airflow.
This 90° sweeping bend fitting alters the direction of a pipe run while preserving system integrity by minimising air loss.
This pipe clip securely holds air-sampling pipe with a quick-clamp action for simple installation, while optional fixing nuts and side rod connectors provide greater flexibility for more demanding mounting scenarios.
Sampling points and accessories
The Flush Mount Sampling Point is an advanced alternative to standard conical points for Xtralis ASD systems, offering significant improvements in both functionality and appearance.
This flush sampling point connects to a 10mm capillary pipe to provide a discreet finish. For versatile mounting, it can be fastened to a ceiling tile with the included nut or screwed directly into a solid ceiling.
The Red 25mm Flush Capillary Kit is a pre-assembled kit for aspirating smoke detection, ideal for sampling smoke below suspended ceilings. It includes 2m of capillary pipe, a flush sampling point, and an adaptor.
These self-adhesive, red air sampling labels are used to clearly mark and identify sampling points, and are supplied on convenient rolls of 100.
Why Choose Eurofyre?
- Honeywell Fire Platinum Partner
- As a Honeywell Fire Platinum Partner, Eurofyre is recognised for its capacity to deliver tailored solutions for specific regions and industries. This includes comprehensive implementation, advanced customer support, and preferential pricing for Honeywell products.
- Complete System Supplier
- Eurofyre is a complete system supplier with a long-standing partnership as a major Xtralis technical wholesaler, established in 2007. This long-standing expertise allows us to provide specialist advice and supply all aspects of fire detection, from aspirating smoke and linear heat systems to conventional and addressable control panels.
- Pipework Design
- Our services also include professional design support for aspirating pipe networks, helping clients achieve maximum system performance and a quality installation.
- Demonstration and Training
- Eurofyre delivers expert training and system demonstrations from our sophisticated facility, covering a wide range of products including VESDA VEP, VLF, amongst other aspirating smoke detection systems.
- After-Sales Support
- At Eurofyre, we are dedicated to delivering superior after-sales support. You can rely on our on-site and telephone assistance to keep your system fully functional and performing flawlessly.
For more information on VESDA aspirating smoke detection or to explore our full range of products, please contact us by phone on +44 (0) 1329 835 024, by email at sales@eurofyre.co.uk, or via the enquiry form on our contact page.
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