Application Study:

Concealed Detection

Prison Cells

Prison cells pose a unique

challenge for smoke detection devices. As most
inmates are confined to
locked prison cells, smoke
detectors must provide
early detection while
avoiding nuisance alarms.
Detector placement must
permit delivery of smoke
yet avoid malicious tampering by inmates while
being accessible for maintenance, test & inspections.
Activities within confined
living quarters produce
higher and varying ambient levels subjecting detectors to more frequent
maintenance schedules
and nuisance alarms.

Finding a balance between effective smoke

delivery and tamper resistance often leads
to installation of detectors behind ventilation
grilles, outside cells or in cross listed cages,
making both the installation and ongoing
maintenance more costly. Early warning
is imperative for controlled response and
evacuation before critical levels for carbon
monoxide, carbon dioxide and temperature
are exceeded.

Traditional Smoke
Detection
Traditional photoelectric and ionization spottype detectors passively detect smoke that
has migrated to its chamber. Generally, these
types of devices are mounted at the ceiling
within the hazard and are spaced according
to recommendations established in NFPA 72.
These devices typically consist of a detector
head, base, require a junction box for
mounting, wiring, conduit and are intended
to connect to either a conventional loop
or a signaling line circuit of a listed Fire
Alarm Control Panel. There are a variety
of spot-type detectors available in todays
market ranging from conventional to analog
addressable, but each have a listed fixed
smoke density in which they must respond
by, each typically only provide one alarm
threshold and each must be placed in a
position that will ensure smoke will reach it.
NFPA 72 requires that each spot-type
detector be annually (or in some instances
semi-annually) tested and inspected. At
certain intervals, the detectors must also
have their sensitivity validated and be
cleaned. Access to these types of detectors
is imperative.
As noted above, finding a balance between
accessibility for ongoing maintenance and
placement for effective smoke detection in a
prison cell is difficult.

Why AIR-Intelligence?
AIR-Intelligence Aspirating Smoke Detection
(ASD) systems consists of sample ports
along a length of pipe that leads back to
a centralized unit which houses a flow
sensor(s), special built fan (aspirator), filter
cartridge, laser detection chamber, processor
board and termination relay card. Smoke
samples are actively drawn into the sample
ports and transported to the detector via the
aspirator and into the detection chamber
where it is analyzed for density based on
classes of fire.
The detection principle deployed in each
AIR-Intelligence detector uses laser-based
forward light-scatter mass detection and
particle evaluation. AIR-Intelligence detectors
provide the industries widest sensitivity
range, from 0.00046 to as much as 7.62%
obs/ft with four programmable alarm
thresholds.
According to NFPA 72, for purpose and
placement and spacing, each sample hole on
an aspirated smoke detector pipe network is
the equivalent of a spot-type smoke detector.
Transport time from the furthest sampling
port on a pipe branch cannot exceed 120
seconds. Various AIR-Intelligence series
detectors are available ranging from 10
sample ports up to 100 sample ports on a
single detection unit.
Sample ports can be located remote from
the main pipe trunk (as far as 20) and
can be strategically placed so as to be
inconspicuous and tamper resistant.

Test and Inspection

Requirements
Annual Test and Inspection consists of verify
alarm response through the end sample port
of each pipe run, as well verifying airflow
through all other ports. Typically the NFPA
required tests are performed at the last

Application Study:
Concealed Detection
sample port on a pipe run and at the
detector head itself. Depending on the
number of sample ports, the cost, as
compared to testing traditional spot type
detectors, can be considerably less. Since
the detection unit can be located outside
the hazard, accessibility for testing,
maintenance and repair can easily be
conducted without access to individual
inmate cells.
With four programmable alarm thresholds
and the industries widest sensitivity range,
staged alarms can initiate throughout the
fire growth stages (See fig.1), providing
security personnel time to investigate and
plan an evacuation if conditions escalate.

Lifecycle Cost Analysis

In construction projects, lifecycle costs
are often overlooked as the owners
interests are somewhat removed between
the construction trades. There are
instances where significant savings can
be realized using one technology or brand
over another.
As noted above, national fire codes
and various state and local jurisdiction
requirements require test and inspection
of smoke detectors annually or more
frequently in some instances. Additionally,
spot type smoke detectors are required
to have their sensitivity validated and
cleaned from time to time.
In environments subject to higher
fluctuating ambient particulate levels,
such as in prison cells, more frequent
maintenance of smoke detectors can
be expected. Due to security measures
associated with correctional institutions,
labor cost associated with inspection
and maintenance of smoke detectors
tends to be higher than conventional
applications. Feedback from the market
suggests conservatively 8 minutes to
test a traditional spot type detector head
in conventional applications, whereas in
prisons, the time bumps up to 24 minutes.

Heat
Flame
Visible Smoke

Incipeient

AIR-Intelligence ASD-640

Aux

Pre-Alarm

Fire 1

Fire 2

Fig. 1 Fire growth stages with possible alarm threshold settings.

As is the case of aspirating smoke
detectors, having a single centrally located
detector in a location that is external to
prison cells and is readily accessible to
personnel minimizes the time required
to perform inspections and on going
maintenance. AIR-Intelligence aspirated
smoke detectors are modular. In the
event a component were to fail, it is not
necessary to replace the entire detector,
just the failed component.

Performance Testing

In the event the Fire Alarm Panel requires

upgrade, it is likely that the listed spot
type detectors connected to it will require
upgrading as well. This is not the case
for AIR-Intelligence aspirated smoke
detection as these detectors can interface
with any Fire Alarm Control Panel.

For details beyond those covered in this

guide and for any additional applications
support, please call Edwards Technical
Support at 800.655.4497.

It is important that any air handling

systems are operational before any testing
commences because of their effect on air
movement. Testing should be as described
in the various AIR-Intelligence manuals,
NFPA-72.

Applications Engineering/
Technical Support

Conclusion
Properly applying and maintaining
a smoke detection system is crucial
in mitigating risk. Very early warning
provides time for personnel to plan a
controlled response. Failure to properly
apply, maintain, test and inspect smoke
detection systems as required can result
in hefty fines, loss of life and injury claims,
and unwanted publicity.

USA: Bradenton, FL
www.edwardsutcfs.com
Canada: Owen Sound, ON
www.chubbedwards.com

E-AI-014 Rev. AA

07-05-13

2013 UTC Climate Controls & Security.

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are trademarks of UTC Climate Controls & Security..