No smoking!

Born in 1969, The smoke detector was recently voted the best invention of the past two decades ahead of mobile phones, microwave ovens and digital cameras. And installers, with appetites whetted by our recent two-part feature on getting into fire installation, will find hardwired units an easy entry into the sector.

But John Steel, CEO of MyGard, the alarm monitoring software service, has contacted Security Installer to argue the case for monitored smoke detection units. He says that unless detectors are professionally monitored they can never achieve their true potential. Says Steel: "The smoke detector does not go far enough in terms of fire prevention and could be made even more effective.

"What happens if a fire occurs when the property is empty and there is no-one at home to hear it? How many times have you got to work and thought, 'Have I left the iron or hairdryer on' or 'Did I turn the hob off after breakfast'?

"Although a smoke detector will offer some peace of mind should the worst happen, it will not stop the fire from actually taking hold as there is no one there to hear it and take appropriate action".

He says the issue is not always about saving lives but saving someone's home or business - with 43 per cent of businesses destroyed by fire never reopening. "The question begs why aren't we looking at ways of making the smoke detector 100 per cent effective regardless of whether the building is empty or full of people?".

He argues that burglar, smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarms should all be monitored (see below for the company's solution). Here we detail some of the most recent products launched into the smoke detection sector …

Solo performance

Hochiki has become a distributor of No Climb's Solo TM range of fire detector and maintenance products.

The Solo detector test range is user friendly, enables speedy checks to be made and allows functional testing of smoke, heat and CO fire detectors up to 9m. All Solo tools are interchangeable with each other, and each fits on the extension poles within the Solo range.

Reader Service No 132

Monitoring upgrade

AlertGard from MyGard enables users to convert their bells-only burglar alarm, smoke and carbon monoxide detector or unmonitored fire alarm into a monitored system "at a fraction of the cost of a new installation", according to the manufacturer.

It is an intelligent, communicating sound analyser that can learn and recognise up to a maximum of four different emergency sounds. Upon activation, AlertGard will deliver an intruder, fire or carbon monoxide alert to MyGard Safe and Secure Monitoring, managed by Group 4 Falck, who will despatch Group 4 Falck Patrol & Response or inform the fire brigade.

AlertGard will monitor professional fire alarms even when buildings are unoccupied. MyGard Safe & Secure Monitoring will also deliver notification of an emergency by voice to fixed line or mobile phones, and automatically by text message to a mobile and via email

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Quality reputation

Since its launch, the Exodus series of smoke and heat detectors has gained a reputation for quality and reliability, Texecom says. The range includes optical/heat multisensors, rate of rise heat detectors, and fixed temperature heat detectors for use with both conventional fire and security systems.

Texecom became the first company in the world to be awarded the BSI Kitemark for EN54-5 and EN54-7 certification of the popular Exodus fire detectors when the award was presented to them during the International Fire Expo at Birmingham's NEC, held alongside IFSEC 2005.

Reader Service No 134

Handles difficulties

Designed to provide smoke or fire detection, the photoelectric smoke detector - model WS4916 - from DSC is a low-profile detector that the company says is ideal for difficult to wire residential or commercial applications.

The detector is compatible with all DSC 433MHz wireless receivers, and features a built-in alarm horn, integral dual-sensor heat detection, automatic drift compensation, and an easy-maintenance removable smoke chamber. Long-life lithium batteries provide extended operation without replacement.

Precise and quick sensitivity testing of the unit is easily accomplished with the FSD-100 handheld test meter, DSC says.

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Ultra-slim design

The 500 Series smoke detector from Bosch has an ultra-slim design, and is available in a range of different facing panels for customised installation.

"The fact that there is no optical chamber inside the 500 Series smoke detectors means it does not protrude from the ceiling," Bosch says. "The smooth surface does not gather the usual visible dirt in rooms with high dust build-up."

The 500 Series is a scattered-light fire detection system with dual detection area. Bosch says that because the sensors monitor two independent light areas in open space, the detector is very reliable.

It can be connected directly to the Local Security Network, and the detector is also available in multi-sensor format with carbon monoxide gas sensor, which is said to greatly decreases the likelihood of false alarms.

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Style blends in

Hochiki's black analogue photoelectric smoke sensors have been designed to blend into the dark in installations ranging from cinemas and theatres to nightclubs and concert halls. There is also a range of white sensors for installation in high-tech, contemporary spaces.

"The black range of sensors is particularly applicable for darkened interiors where an unobtrusive yet attractive appearance, combined with high functionality, is important," the company says, while the white range "is ideal for white, open spaces such as foyers, hospitals and galleries."

The sensors utilise Hochiki's 'High Performance Optical Technology' which the company says "allows them to be equally sensitive to a significantly wider range of combustible materials, the signal-to-noise ratio is improved, and the susceptibility to unwanted alarms is significantly reduced."

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Installation savings

The S-Quad sensor range from Gent by Honeywell has been designed to make savings on fire system installation costs and to reduce the risk of false alarms.

Features include a dual angle optical detector that is able to distinguish between smoke and steam or dust, cutting the incidence of false alarms and allowing its use in places such as hotel bedrooms. CO detection can also be incorporated.

Ten variants of S-Quad are available, some of which are sensor-only models, and the rest incorporating one or more types of alarm.

Reader Service No 138

Beaming success

System Sensor Europe has extended its Series 200 plus addressable detector family with the introduction of the new 6500S and 6500 beam units, designed to protect shopping centre atriums, concert halls, historic buildings, warehouses and other large open spaces.

The 6500S features a patented remote test capability that fully tests both the optics and the electronics of the device without having to directly access the unit. A filter is electromechanically introduced into the optical path, attenuating the beam and causing the unit to go into alarm.

The company says that unlike procedures that merely test the unit's electronics, this test process satisfies the regulatory authorities by providing a complete check of every component in the alarm path without the need for access at high level.

Reader Service No 139

Wide range of detectors

A range of different smoke and heat detectors, designed for connection to a single fire alarm system, is offered by Bardic, opening up many new application possibilities, according to the company.

The ZF60 range comprises of an optical smoke detector, an ionisation smoke detector, a fixed temperature heat detector and a rate of temperature rise detector. All are designed for use in conjunction with the Bardic Zircon LC and Zircon Multizone fire panels, which are used extensively in light commercial and industrial premises.

Up to 20 detectors of any type or combination can be mixed and matched to protect a single zone. Reader Service No 140