New Research Paper on Fire Protection for Ceilings With Exposed Joists
Dramatic Savings Possible on Fire Protection Systems for Warehouses, Car Parking Garages, Tunnels, Hospitals and All Other Buildings With Exposed Beams or a 'Waffle' Ceiling Construction
NORWELL, Massachusetts, January 17 - A new research paper on fire protection for ceilings with exposed beams or a 'waffle' construction has been released by Vision Systems. The research opens the way for Fire Protection engineers to dramatically reduce the cost of fire protection systems for buildings such as warehouses, car parking garages, hospitals, tunnels and other buildings with exposed ceiling beams or waffles greater than 1 ft deep.
The US National Fire Protection Association code (NFPA 72, Edition 2002) recommends that, for ceiling heights and beam depths equal or greater than 12 ft and 1 ft respectively, every ceiling compartment should contain a smoke detection point. To compare different smoke detection systems in such an environment, Vision Systems conducted extensive in situ smoke testing, supervised by Australia's government research organization - the Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO). A wide range of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) computer modeling simulations were also created to test the response of the different systems.
The research proved that installing the sample pipe of an air sampling smoke detection system along the underside of the beams allowed earlier detection of smoke than photoelectric spot detectors installed on the ceiling, as the code specifies. This is good news for building owners, as there is a considerable price difference between the two options. For example, in a room of 131 ft x 49 ft with 96 ceiling compartments, the installed cost of an air sampling smoke detection system is only 16% of the cost of installing photoelectric spot detectors with wiring conduit.
Ming He, Group Manager of Applications Engineering at Vision Systems, commented "An active fire protection system such as air sampling smoke detectors with multiple fire alarm set points ensures the earliest possible warning of a fire. Fire protection engineers can now offer a performance-based fire protection system that not only detects fire much earlier than code-specified systems using conventional spot-type detectors, but is cheaper to install and maintain."
A White paper summarizing the research results is available at:http://www.vision-fs.com/nfpabeams
About Vision Fire & Security
Vision Fire & Security (VFS), a Vision Systems Ltd. business, is a global leader in very early warning smoke detection systems and sophisticated video-based security solutions. VFS products protect high-value, business-critical assets across the world. VFS operates a global network of companies in Australia, Asia, the United Kingdom and the Americas, including 13 offices across North America. VFS brands include VESDA(r) and ADPRO(r).
About Vision Systems
Vision Systems Limited (ASX:VSL), headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, develops, creates and delivers high value technology-rich products and services to large and growing international markets. The company's three core businesses operate in the Fire and Security, Biomedical and contract R&D markets
CONTACT:
Tim Saccoia
Tel: +1-781-616-1104
tim.saccoia@visionusa.com
Source: Vision Systems Ltd.
