Detectors, Aspirating

Aspirating detectors are a combination of the point and line-type smoke detectors. To allow for the effects of dilution of smoke, the detector element of an aspirating detector is usually up to 100 times more sensitive than that of conventional point and line-type detectors. The detector provides a number of outputs, each of which relate to a different density of smoke contained in the air being sampled. It is normal practice to monitor at least two outputs from each detector, one can indicate that smoke is present in the air (30% density), and the other that fire is present (60% density). These outputs can be reported on separate zones of a conventional fire system control panel but it is more appropriate for the outputs to be connected to two address points in an addressable fire system. These detectors are particularly useful for protecting computer suites, clean rooms or historic buildings where point or line-type detectors would look out of place.