Bright R.G. A new test method for automatic fire detection devices

Final Report. — Washington: Center for Fire Research Institute for Applied Technology National Bureau of Standards Washington, 1976. — 38 p.This report is an adaptation of a paper presented by the author at the 80th Annual Meeting of the National Fire Protection Association, on May 18, 1976, in Houston, Texas.An analysis of the test methods for automatic fire detection devices in the U.S. reveals the fact that different types and different sizes of fires are used to evaluate different classes of detectors. The result is a lack of comparison test data for each detector class and, as a consequence, intelligent decisions can not be made in the selection of automatic fire detectors for specific fire risks. A new test method is proposed in which all automatic fire detectors, regardless of sensor type, would be subjected to a series of the same test fires. In addition, each test fire series would consist of three different test fire sizes. From the results obtained, it should then be possible to match a detector's characteristics against a specific fire risk resulting in a more intelligent application of automatic fire detectors.