Smoke Detectors

Pull Station

A manual discharge station usually mounted on a wall near the emergency exit, which will automatically sound an alarm and release the extinguishing agent.

Ionization Detector

A small radioactive source. A small current complete an electric circuit. Air is charged in a small chamber.

Halon

A bromo Freon that works by replacing oxygen, thus creating an oxygen-deficient atmosphere. This can be very dangerous to employees.

Carbon dioxide

A colorless, odorless, electrically nonconductive gas that is approximately 1.5 times heavier than air.

Discharge nozzle

A device designed to release the extinguishing agent at a specific rate and pattern to quickly extinguish a fire.

Refuge area

A fire and smoke protected space within a building along an exit route. The refuge area must have a fire resistance-rating of at least one hour.

Ionization detector

A smoke detector containing a small radioacrtvie source that is used to charge the air inside a small chamber, allowing a small current to cross through the chamber and complete an electrical circuit. When smoke enters the chamber, it shields the radiation, which stops the current and trigger an alarm.

Photoelectric detector

A smoke detector with a light source and light sensor are arranged so that the rays from the light source do not hit the light sensor.

Fixed fire extinguishing/suppression systems

Commonly used to protect areas containing valuable or critical equipment. Their main function is to quickly extinguish a developing fire and alert occupants before extensive damage occurs by filling the protected area with gas a or chemical extinguishing agent.

Evacuation assembly area

Exterior area for evacuees capable of accommodating all employees. These assembly areas may be open fields, streets, or parking lots located away from the emergency site.

Flame Detectors

Good for warehouses, fuel storage areas and paint shops and better for outdoor or semi-enclosed areas.

Self-luminous

Having a self-contained power source (e.g., tritium) that is able to operate independently.

Exit discharge

Opens directly outside or to a refuge area, walkway, street, or any area with access to the outside. An exit discharge must be large enough to safety accommodate all the occupants using the exit route.

Maintenance and Testing

Over time, dust, dirt, and other foreign material can build up inside a detector's sensing elements, resulting in reduced sensitivity, which can limit the amount of warning time given during a fire. Dirty or dusty detectors can also result in unwanted alarms that can desensitize occupants to the alarm system or produce more serious behavior (such as disconnecting the system altogether).

Smoke Detectors

Particles from combustion, Ionization, photoelectric

Total Flooding Applications/Safety and Health Hazards

Safety and Health Hazards The Safety Data Sheet for each extinguishing agent should be available in the workplace.

Automatic detection device

Senses the smoke, heat, or flames form a fire and initiate alarm. Automatic detection devices used on a total flooding system must automatically activate the pre-discharge alarm before the system discharges to give employees time to exit from the protected area safely.

Photoelectric Detector

Smoke particles enter the light path. Light hits a sensor activating an alarm.

Exit route

The route employees are directed to follow in the event of any emergency where evacuation of the facility is the best course of action.

Occupant Load

The total number of persons that may occupy a workplace or a portion of a workplace at a time. The occupant load is typically going to be determined by local fire codes.

Fire detection systems

Their main function is to identify a developing fire quickly and alert building occupants and emergency response personnel before extensive damage occurs.

Heat Detectors

Used in dirty environments, less sensitive than other types, areas where dense smoke is produced.

Hazards of Carbon Dioxide CO2

•Asphyxiation: Exposure to concentrations of CO2 may create an oxygen-deficient atmosphere. •Cold Temperature: Direct contact with the vaporizing liquid during discharge can cause frostbite burns to the skin.