Since 2013 BRE has been involved in two studies investigating how false alarms from fire detection systems can be reduced. They showed that the greater use of multi-sensor detectors could help to reduce false alarms from common causes such as cooking, steam, dust and aerosol sprays. Devices with multi-sensor technology can log whether they have gone into a ‘Thermoptek’ sensing state – meaning whether they’ve enhanced their sensitivity by detecting temperature rise – and can inform the FRS of the ferocity of the fire. Where should you install a Thermoptek multi-sensor smoke alarm? Not all Multi-Sensors are born equal! Just because you fit a Multi-Sensor, don’t assume it will perform better than all single sensor detectors. A good quality optical alarm that has been correctly specified and installed will more than likely outperform a low cost, basic Multi-Sensor; and by outperform I refer to their ability to detect fires whilst discerning false alarm sources. Thermoptek technology enables optical alarms to react just as well as ionisation alarms in all instances. 2. A stable, toast-proof alarm

The Building Research Establishment’s (BRE) ‘The performance of multi-sensors in fire and false alarm tests’ Briefing Paper is quite clear about this: “the use of multi-sensor technology has the potential to reduce certain types of commonly encountered false alarms. However, the extent to which this can be realised depends on the particular implementation of features designed to improve false alarm immunity. It cannot be assumed that use of simply any multi-sensor detector will impact significantly on the occurrence of false alarms from every form of fire-like phenomena.”A cookie set by YouTube to measure bandwidth that determines whether the user gets the new or old player interface. Smart silence – Allows the alarm to be silenced for up to 10 minutes in the event of a known false alarm. During this time if additional smoke is detected then the alarm will sound All Aico alarms have a date-code label on the side of them which tells you exactly when the alarm was made and also the recommended replacement date. The JSESSIONID cookie is used by New Relic to store a session identifier so that New Relic can monitor session counts for an application. When installing in Factories, Garages and environments where the air is highly compromised by particles throughout the day, you should use Multi-Sensor fire detectors to help reduce the risk of false alarms due to the fact that normal fire alarms can be oversensitive to certain fires, according to whether they detect Heat and Smoke or Carbon Monoxide and Heat. What is a Multi-Sensor Fire Device?

A complete guide to multi-sensor fire alarms, their benefits and uses and how they can improve safety and fire detection. A Multi-Sensor fire device, also known as a Multi-Criteria fire detector, is a type of hybrid fire alarm that, depending on the product, can switch between either Carbon Monoxide and Heat, or Heat and Smoke. Alarms that use Thermoptek technology enable FireAngel to continue to support the UK’s Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) with their forensic analysis of alarms that have been involved in a fire incident. With unlimited property allocations, you can set up an alarm network in the homes of your parents, a vulnerable family member, your child’s university accommodation or in your holiday home and receive notifications for all of them. Interlinking alarms with locate feature – Silence all but the initiating alarm in a network by pressing the test button Whilst offering improved performance over standard optical detectors, Multi-Sensors have limitations. In fact, the BRE research demonstrated that, although delayed somewhat, in all cases alarms were given from non-combustion materials such as steam, dust or aerosol. The delay might allow for any transient false alarm sources to disappear before the fire threshold is reached, but it does not entirely stop a false alarm in these instances. Furthermore, to ensure this delay, some Multi-Sensor detectors have been configured (or can be configured by the installer) to be less sensitive which is a compromise that is not always acceptable or ideal.

The Multi-Sensor Fire & Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Thermoptek is a type of smoke alarm sensor technology found within FireAngel’s Pro Connected range of mains and battery powered thermally enhanced optical smoke alarms, the technology of choice for many UK Fire and Rescue services. We would recommend that you ensure your residence is suitable for the Multi-Sensor fire device, by assessing whether the work that you do or products you sell are in need of Heat and Smoke or Carbon Monoxide and Heat.

One of the benefits of installing a Multi-Sensor fire alarm in a domestic property is the fact that it would be cheaper than installing two singular smoke and heat detectors. The increased cover you receive from having both smoke and heat detection in one room means you can be assured that your building is covered, no matter the circumstance. Three benefits to using Thermoptek multi-sensor alarm technology 1. It provides a faster reaction time to all types of fires Whilst perfectly safe to residents, ionisation fire alarms are banned in several countries as they contain small quantities of radioactive material (Americium 241) meaning there are storage and disposal issues. It is therefore expected that the UK will soon follow suit. The four-digit code shows you the year and week that the alarm was made. The first two digits relate to the year and the second two digits relate to the week.Performing a regular test is a vital part of ensuring continued fire and carbon monoxide detection. Alarms should be tested monthly to ensure everything is working correctly. Commenting on the announcement, Ei’s Irish Country Manager Sean Meally said; “The new multi sensor Ei 3030 with its advanced technology of combining three sensors in the one alarm provides the homeowner the widest range of protection from both fire and CO.” Whilst smoke and heat sensors are the most common combination, there are others available, including some that include carbon monoxide sensors and some that use more than two technologies. One of the less well-known combination, but highly effective, is a heat sensor and two optical sensors, albeit each using very different sensor technologies. Whilst smoke and heat sensors are the most common combination, there are others available, including some that include carbon monoxide sensors and some that use more than two technologies. So, what can we learn from this? Multi-Sensors can indeed be a good solution, especially in areas prone to false alarms, but only if you buy sensibly. Look for devices from reputable manufacturers that have specific features designed to improve false alarm immunity, rather than units that simply contain two sensors that essentially work separately from each other. ABOUT

Not all Multi-Sensors are born equal! Just because you specify / fit a Multi-Sensor, don’t assume it will perform better than all single sensor detectors. A good quality optical alarm that has been correctly specified and installed will more than likely outperform a low cost, basic Multi-Sensor; and by outperform I refer to their ability to detect fires whilst discerning false alarm sources. There is likely to be Carbon Monoxide present. Turn off any gas appliances, open windows and doors and leave the property.If the alarm contains AudioLINK – Once the alarm has stopped activating and it is safe to enter the property extract a report to identify the details of the incident. You will know when you need to change the battery, as you will hear a single regular beep (low battery warning) coming from the alarm, however it is recommended that you change the battery every year.