General fire detection system planning

Planning guidelines

Fire & Security Products

Siemens Building Technologies Group

Data and design subject to change

without notice. / Supply subject to
availability.
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Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Compliance with local national guidelines and regulations . . . . . . . . . . .

Extent of monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Zones with fixed extinguishing systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5

Choice of detector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Smoke detectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heat detectors types D/T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
IR flame detectors type S.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual call points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5
5
9
16
18
20

5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9

Number and arrangement of point-type detectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Smoke detectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Smoke detectors on flat ceilings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Smoke detectors on sloping ceilings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heat detectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flame detector S2406 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Linear smoke detector DLO1191 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air sampling smoke detection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual call points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

21
21
24
43
55
68
77
77
77
78

6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4

Detector zones and detection lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Formation of detector zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maximum number of detectors per detector zone and detection line . . . . . . .
Temporary, local switching off of fire detectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

80
80
80
83
84

7
7.1
7.2
7.3

85
85
85

7.4

Fire detection system control unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Location of control unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Remote display and operating terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Centralized or decentralized arrangement of the control unit in large fire
detection systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Configuration of the Cerberus fire detection system control unit . . . . . . . . . . .

8
8.1

Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

87
87

9
9.1

Fire control installations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

88
88

10
10.1
10.2

Avoiding deceptive alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Possible measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

90
90
90

11

Procedure for planning a fire detection system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

92

Keyword index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

93

86
86

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Foreword
These planning guidelines contain the basic know-how for the planning of sophisticated
fire detection systems. It is an important tool and reference work for the planner of fire
detection systems.
It contains basic information which applies to all fire detectors. As far as possible we have
tried to provide a layout which can be used irrespective of detector type. Specific detector
data is provided where it is needed in depth.
For the new AlgoRex generation of detectors, such specific data are provided in separate documents as setting parameters differs considerably from the setting of previous
generations of detectors.
However, section 5, Number and arrangement of point-type detectors also applies for
AlgoRex detectors.

Compliance with local national guidelines and

regulations
The relevant local national planning and installation guidelines or regulations must be
obtained and taken into account before starting with the planning of each project.
Local national specifications:
Such specifications always take priority. They are issued by insurers, authorities, PTT,
associations, customers etc. They also include regulations in relation to approvals
which must be complied with for the choice of equipment and systems.
Requirements for specific products:
These are taken from technical descriptions, service manuals etc. Technical data contained in such documents must be complied with.
No requirements:
Where no regulations must be taken into account, planning and installation must be
carried out according to Cerberus planning guidelines which correspond to the level of
performance of Cerberus products.

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Extent of monitoring
In principle we should endeavour to provide complete monitoring in all fire compartments.
The monitoring of selected fire compartments (partial monitoring) or selected rooms or
groups of rooms (selective monitoring) should only be applied exceptionally.
With complete monitoring (or within partial monitoring) the following zones must also be
monitored:
Lift, transport, transmission and light shafts in which the nature of the structure or an
accumulation of material poses a fire risk
Cable ducts and shafts if they are accessible, or in close proximity to other sectors
which are not isolated by fire-resistant divisions 1)
Sanitary and heating installation supply shafts if accessible, or in close proximity to other sectors which are not isolated by fire-resistant divisions 1)
Rooms for ventilation and air conditioning installations as well as fresh and used air
ducts
Ducts for chutes for material and refuse and their hoppers
Closets and structures which are large enough for a person to enter
Covered-in loading ramps with protruding roof if they are not at least isolated from the
monitored sector by a fire-resistant 1) division
Storage areas under protruding roofs if they are not at least isolated from the monitored
sector by a fire-resistant 1) division
Areas below galleries
Voids in dropped ceilings and raised floors according to table Fig. 1
Voids above dropped ceilings with evenly distributed openings of 50% of the surface
area should be regarded as a part of the room just below
Zones in rooms which are created by shelves or other fixtures and fittings which reach
to within 30cm of the ceiling
Exceptions to the rules concerning monitoring
Sanitary installation rooms, e.g. washrooms, toilets, providing no combustible stocks
or refuse are stored there, or the enclosing walls are non-combustible
Cable shafts with cable sealing on each floor and which have no electrical switchgear or
safety cut-out installations.
Rooms which are protected by an automatic fire extinguishing system and are at least
fire-resistant isolated should the automatic monitoring of these rooms provide no special advantages
Voids in dropped ceilings and raised floors which according to table Fig. 1 are
constructed as zones without monitoring
According to the situation, (to be determined in each case) the following can be excluded:
Separate, fire-resistant 2) isolated storage tank rooms
Air raid shelters which in peacetime are not used for other purposes
Residential zones, fire-resistant 2) isolated
Cold storage rooms and intense cooling plants 50m2
Separate battery rooms, fire-retardant isolated 1)

1)

Structural divisions are described as fire-retardant if they can withstand a fire for at least 30 minutes.

2)

Structural divisions are described as fire-resistant if they can withstand a fire for at least 90 minutes.

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Void features
Inaccessible or
accessible and without fire load
or
sources of ignition
or
few and fire-proof electrical
installations (at least self-extinguishing)

Means of monitoring in this sub-section

none

Accessible with electrical installations with

cable trays concentrated at
certain places
or
built-in electrical equipment
(e.g. servo motors)

Selective monitoring along

electrical installations
or
specific monitoring of the built-in
electrical equipment

Accessible and large number of

electrical installations
distributed throughout

Room monitoring
(complete monitoring of void)

Other/additional void features,

which influence fire danger

Assess each situation according to the fire risk

(likelihood of fire outbreak/consequences)

Fig. 1

Table Means of monitoring voids

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Zones with fixed extinguishing systems

Fixed extinguishing systems should be installed in zones:
Where rapid fire development and spread is highly likely (solvents stores, plastics
stores etc.)
Where the building construction has inadequate fire resistance (e.g. danger of collapse
due to unprotected steel construction)
With a high concentration of valuable property, or in which heavy damage can be expected calling for additional fire risk reduction (EDP systems, switchgear etc.)
The additional installation of a fire detection system in such zones is called for:
To fulfil the protection target specified for this sector
According to the actuation type of the extinguishing system
Depending on the fire development, there can be a considerable difference in time between the response of the fire detection system and the sprinkler system. In order to reduce the fire risk and fire damage it is often sensible to employ both in such sectors.

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Choice of detector

4.1

General
The specifying of which detector to use and where depends on
the monitoring category or the general monitoring aim of the FDS*
room height
the ambient influences including deceptive phenomena

4.1.1

Monitoring categories / monitoring aims of the FDS

The monitoring categories cover three different general monitoring aims of the * fire
detection system. They are adjusted to the fire risk and other application criteria.

Monitoring
category

General monitoring aim of

the fire detection system *
open incipient fire
signalling required

low
to
medium

Application examples

no danger to life
and
unit structure or fire compartment
150m2
and
little fire spread
and/or
danger of smoke logging
and
low concentration of valuable
property

Kitchens
Heating plants
Recreation rooms/lounges
Small garages
Small workshops
possibly small offices

with danger to life

or
no unit structure or
fire compartment >150m2
or
with fire spread
and/or
danger of smoke logging
or
with medium concentration of
valuable property

Hotel rooms
Factory rooms
Offices with important
documents
Research laboratories
Staircases

with high danger to life

and
high risk of fire spread
and/or
danger of smoke logging
or
high
g concentration of
valuable property
irreplaceable works of art

Wards
EDP systems
Museums
Historical buildings

open incipient fire

signalling required

smouldering incipient fire

signalling desirable

III

Application criteria

smouldering incipient fire

signalling not required

II

Fire risk /
consequences

medium
to
large

open incipient fire

signalling required

smouldering incipient fire

signalling required

Fig. 2

large
g
to
very large

Table Monitoring categories, monitoring aims, fire risk, application criteria and
application examples

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4.1.2

Influence of room height

The higher the room, the weaker the influence of the fire phenomena to be detected. With
increasing room height, in view of the greater room volume, an incipient fire can be larger
without increasing the danger of rapid fire spread or a flashover.
Heat
(convection)

Room height

Rauch

h
3
Radiation

h
2
h
1

Seat of the fire

Fig. 3

Reduced influence of fire phenomena with increasing room height h

Smoke detectors
The thermodynamics of open fire transport smoke particles, which become diluted in the
larger volume of air, even to very high ceilings.
Allowance for this smoke dilution can be made by employing sensitive smoke detectors.
Smouldering fires lack the thermodynamics to transport the smoke. Such fires are only
detected by detectors on high ceilings when they develop into open fires.
Heat detectors
The hot air currents rising from an open fire cool rapidly with increasing distance from the
fire and increasing room volume. For this reason their limitations in respect of high-ceiling
applications are soon reached.
Flame detectors
Although heat radiation decreases by the square of the distance from the fire location to
the detector, thanks to its high response sensitivity these detectors can also be used in
high rooms.

4.1.3

Suitability table
The table shows an evaluation of the detectors according to their suitability in respect of
the monitoring target (U) and room height (H). The overall suitability is found by multiplying the values U and H.

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Monitoring
category

I
II
III

Monitoring
g tar
tar- Suitabilityy rating
g
get of the DFS U = Suitability on the basis
of monitoring target or
monitoring category
H = Suitability on the basis
of room height h
U x H = Detector suitability
Rating:
U x H = 4 very good suitable
2 well suited
1 suitable
0 in
i certain
t i cases
Detection
/must be checked
of:
- unsuitable
open
fire
open
fire
smouldering fire
(desired)
open
fire

Suitability value of types of detector

Smoke detectors

F-detectors
Sensitivity

R-detectors
Sensitivity

Flame
detectors

Heat detectors
Linear
smoke
detectors
Sensitivity

Rate-of-rise
detectors Sensitivity

Fixed
temperature
detectors

Infrared
flame detectors
Sensitivity

Standard

selectable

Standard

selectable

selectable

cl.1

cl.2

selectable

U Suitability on basis of
monitoring target

U Suitability on basis of
monitoring target

0
**

0
**

0
**

0
**
(1 in combination
with
smoke
detectors)

U Suitability on basis of
monitoring target

(2 in (1 in
combination with
smoke
detectors)

smouldering
fire
H - values
Suitability
value H for
room height
h or mount
mounting height
of flame detector

Room height
4,5m

>4,5 - <6m

>6m - <7,5m

>7,5m - <9m

>9m - <12m

>12m - <16m

>16m - 20m

>20m

Fig. 4

Suitability table for automatic fire detectors

** see also section 4.1.5

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4.1.4

Combining different detectors

Fire phenomena vary in their physical characteristics according to the combustible involved and fire development so that frequently fire detectors with different operating principles have to be used.

Monitoring
g
category
I

Additional requirements
If smoke detectors:
Detection of smokeless fires

Variants

Recommended detector combination

F

D/T




6
Detection of smokeless and
smoke-forming fires




6
1

Detection of smokeless and

smoke-forming fires






3
1

Room height >10m

Fig. 5

Room height 6 - 10m

Legend:




Predominantly electrical risks, i.e.

light smoke is to be expected




III

Room height 10m




A2400

II






frequent combination
possible combination
F
ionization smoke detector
R
scattered light smoke detector
D/T
heat detector
S
IR flame detector
A2400 linear smoke detector

Table Summary of suitable combinations of types of detector

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4.1.5

Taking ambient conditions into consideration

A detector may not be exposed to impermissible ambient influences if it is to operate without giving false alarms:
- Ambient temperature above or below those specified for the detector
- Excessive vibration caused by mounting the detector on machine equipment

particularly in the case of

all types of detector

- Too high humidity

- Corrosive environment
- Smoke, dust, steam or other aerosols caused by
work processes
- Sources of heat, heat radiation and hot steam
- Modulated heat radiation, sometimes also light reflection in the open air

Smoke detectors
Heat detectors
Flame detectors

The permissible data can be found in the following tables with detector features.
If, due to impermissible deceptive phenomena, heat and flame detectors
have to be installed in rooms with monitoring category II, often other fire protection measures of a preventive and/or defensive nature are called for (see Fire Protection Planning,
CRP, document e431).

4.1.6

Fire detection reliability

Generally speaking, only those detectors should be used which on the basis of their characteristic data or adjustability, guarantee false alarm-free operation. The temporary
switching-off of automatic detectors for operational reasons should be avoided. A better
solution is to use a less sensitive type of detector and keep it in operation.

4.1.7

Special investigations
If the prevailing conditions are not covered by these guidelines, or not in sufficient detail,
such as unforseeable fire development, spread of fire phenomena, prevailing deceptive
phenomena etc. special investigations should be carried out, e.g. fire tests. For this purpose, analogue signal measuring detectors of the same type with evaluating and display
equipment are available.

4.2

Smoke detectors
Application:
Where smoke is the fire phenomenon to be expected
Where the smoke detectors are not excluded by the ambient conditions
Detection characteristics:
F-Types:

Detect all kinds of smoke

R-Types:

Detect visible, particularly light smoke

Linear Types:

Detect visible smoke

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Note: The detection characteristics of the new AlgoRex generation of detectors

with AlgoLogic, differentiate themselves in some ways considerably from the types of detector dealt with below. This mainly concerns the response behaviour of
the F- and R-types as well as the recommendations on the suppression of false
alarms. AlgoRex detectors are described in the DS11 manual.
Smoke detectors with adjustment facility:
Even in their least sensitive setting conform to standards
Can be adapted to specific ambient conditions, e.g.:
In EDP rooms
In high rooms
By risk of false alarms
Integrating smoke detectors:
Can be used to prevent false alarm through transient deceptive phenomena such as
cigarette smoke, specially in rooms of <3m in height.
Alternative: The detector zone must be connected to an intermediate alarm memory.

4.2.1

Smoke detectors F-Type

Application: Smoke detector for universal application

Operating
principle

Application

Deceptive phenomena

F-Smoke
detector

Detection of all incipient

smoke-producing fires

All floating particles if in concentrated form (smoke also

consists of floating particles)
e.g.:
- Water vapour
- Exhaust gas from
combustion engines
- Welding work, soldering
- Plastic processing
- Cooking over flame, grilling,
baking
- Cigarette smoke
- Paraffin vapour
- Whirling dust
- Fog-forming chemicals

Generally suitable for monitoring rooms

g y suitable e.g.
g for:
Highly
- Offices
- Cleaning closets
- Corridors
- Staircases
- Rest rooms/lounges
- Residential promises
- Hospital wards
- Hotel rooms
- Attics
- Museums
- Showrooms
- Weaving mills
- Spinning mills
- Printing shops
- Carpenters shops
- Storerooms
- High rooms
- air conditioning ducts
(with air sampling unit)
- Industrial buildings etc.
Also suitable for monitoring installations e.g.:
- Monitoring of air currents
up to 20m/s using air
sampling unit
- in air-sampling systems
- in switching cabinets etc.

Type/model
detector

F716i

Special features

F716Vi

Standard, EN 54-7/9, no adjustment facilities, for MS7-, MS9 and MS9i-System

As for F716i, but with integration to suppress the influence transient deceptive
phenomena (cigarette smoke), e.g general
application in rooms less than 3m high

F732

As for F716 but with one adjustment facility:

- 3 sensitivity settings

F906

Standard, EN 54-7/9, with one adjustment

facility:
- two-stage smoke entries to adapt to conditions at the place of installation
As for F906 but AFNOR standard (sampling
chamber supervised) and fixed smoke entries, without integration

F905

F900

Standard, EN 54-7/9 with three adjustment

facilities:
- 3 sensitivity settings
- 2 integration stages
- two-stage smoke entries to adapt to conditions at place of installation

F911

As for F910 but intrinsically safe for explosion hazard zones 1+2 acc. to EN 50 020
As for F910 but AFNOR standard (sampling
chamber supervised) no integration

F915
F930

Standard, EN 54-7/9 with three adjustment

facilities:
- 2 sensitivity settings
- two-stage smoke entries to adapt to conditions at the place of installation
further features:
- Drift indication on inquiry (MS9-PLUS)
- Monitored sampling chamber with fault
indication at inadmissible deviation

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Detector setting in dependence of monitoring category, room criteria and room height
Application features
Monitoring
g category
g y

Fig. 6

Sensitivity setting (1-3) / Smoke entry

Room height in metres

Room criteria
<3

3...6

6...12

12...20

normal, clean or slightly dirty rooms

1

1

1

2

II

normal, clean or slightly dirty rooms

1

1

1

2

III

normal, clean rooms

2

2

3

3

slightly dirty rooms

1

2

3

3

Table Application of adjustment facilities


Smoke entry small
 Smoke entry large

For application in rooms with a room temperature of <0C, response sensitivity must be set
to setting 1.

permissible
ambient tem
perature in
C

Degrees of resistance to

Influence of air currents

Humidity

max. ap
plication
height above
sea level (m)

IEC protec
tion cat.
cat
(detector /
base)

dry dust

Fibres (heavy
fibre content)

Accumulation of
moist, dirt, grease

transient
max.

-10 ...+60

75C

1500

IP 43

very good

adequate

unsuitable

10m/s

5m/s
(V >6m/s sensitivity increase until false alarm)

-25 ...+80

75C

1500

IP 43

very good
specially
with small
smoke entries

good

critical possibly,
check using test

10m/s

5m/s 
(V >7m/s
sensitivity
increase
until false
alarm)

8m/s 
(V >10m/s
sensitivity
increase
until false
alarm)

-25 ...+80

75C

3000
(set to sensitivity setting 3)

IP 43

very good
specially
with small
smoke entries

good

critical possibly,
check using test

10m/s

-25 ...+80

75C

3000
(set to sensitivity setting 3)

IP 43

very good

good

adequate

10m/s

continuous
max.

Smoke entry Smoke entry

small
large

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4.2.2

Smoke detector R-Type

Application:
Where pyrolytic smouldering fires are to bee expected
Is only limited suitable for dusty environments such as textile factories, carpenters
shops, mills etc. If too many dust particles or individual fibres enter the detectors highly
sensitive optical system, this can lead to false alarm.
As the scattered-light smoke detector can only detect an open cellulose fire at a late
stage, they are frequently combined with F-smoke detectors in rooms where more than
1 detector is required at a ratio of 1:1.

Operating
principle

Application

Deceptive phenomena

R-Smoke
detector

Detection of fires with visible

smoke

All visible floating particles

(larger 0,4m) e.g.:
- Water vapour
- Visible exhaust fumes from
diesel engines starting cold
- Welding work
- Plastic processing
- Whirling dust
- Fog-forming chemicals
- Cigarette smoke
- Textile fibres

Generally suitable for monitoring rooms where mainly pyrolysis smouldering fires are expected e.g. for:
- Electrical installations of all
kinds *
- Bed rooms
- Hotel rooms
- Car parking garages
- Restaurants
- Rooms with high rate of air
exchange
Also suitable for monitoring installations e.g.:
- Switching cabinets
- Air sampling systems
* Mi
Mixed
ed monitoring with
ith
F-types in a ratio of 1 : 1
recommended

Type/model
detector

Special features

R716i

Standard, EN 54-7/9 and AFNOR standard

(sampling chamber supervised), no adjustment facilities, for MS7-, MS9 and MS9i-System

R910

Standard, EN 54-7/9, with three adjustment

facilities:
- 2 sensitivity settings
- 2 integrating stages
- two-stage smoke entries to adapt to
conditions at the place of installation
further features:
- long-term compensation of the alarm
threshold value

R925

Standard, EN 54-7/9 and AFNOR standard

(sampling chamber supervised), with one
adjustment facility:
- two-stage smoke entries to adapt to
conditions at the place of installation

R930

Standard, EN 54-7/9, with two adjustment

facilities:
- 2 sensitivity settings to adapt to
conditions at the place of installation
- 2 integrating stages
further features:
- Guidance of smoke sensitivity
- Drift indication on inquiry (MS9-PLUS)
- Fault indication at reaching the final value
of the sensitivity guidance
- Approval only with type of base Z94..
Like R930, but for the collective detection
system MS9
- Approval only with type of base Z94..

R936

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Detector setting in dependence of monitoring category, room criteria and room height
Application features
Monitoring
g category
g y

Fig. 7

Sensitivity setting (1-3) / Smoke entry

Room height in metres

Room criteria
<3

3...6

6...12

12...20

normal, clean or slightly dirty rooms

1

1

1

2

II

normal, clean or slightly dirty rooms

1

1

1

2

III

normal, clean rooms

2

2

3

3

slightly dirty rooms

1

2

3

3

Table Application of adjustment facilities


Smoke entry small
 Smoke entry large

For application in rooms with a room temperature of <0C, response sensitivity must be set
to setting 1.

permissible
ambient tem
perature in C

Humidity

max. applica
tion height
above sea
level (m)

IEC protec
tion cat.
cat (de
tector / base)

-10 ...+60

75C

unlimited

-25 ...+75

75C

unlimited

Degrees of resistance to

Influence of air currents

dry dust

Fibres (heavy
fibre content)

Accumulation of
moist, dirt, grease

IP 43

good to
adequate

inadequate

unsuitable

no influence

IP 43

good
(compensation circuit)

inadequate

critical *

no influence

transient
max.

continuous
max.

* poss. check using

test

-25 ...+75

75C

unlimited

IP 43

good to
adequate

inadequate

unsuitable

no influence

-25 ...+75

75C

unlimited

IP 43

very good

good

critical *

no influence

* poss. check using

test

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4.2.3

Linear smoke detector A2400

Application:
In particular it is used in large rooms in which smoke can be expected as fire phenomena and wherever it is not excluded by ambient conditions
The linear smoke detector is often superior to point-type detectors, e.g. for smouldering
fires in ventilated rooms
Requirements:
Uninterrupted line of sight between the transmitter and receiver from 10 to 100m (anything in the way causes a trouble signal)
The two units must be firmly mounted so that the IR beam does not become misaligned
with the receiver due to building movement (heat/cold) which would cause an alarm or
trouble signal.
Important: It is essential to provide good accessibility to the transmitter and receiver for setting the system optics!

Operating
principle

Application

Deceptive phenomena

Extinction
smoke detector

Detection of fires with visible

smoke
Monitoring beam of at least
10m up to maximum 100m
180 deflection of monitoring
beam with reflector possible

All visible floating particles if

in concentrated form e.g.:
- Water vapour
- Exhaust fumes from diesel
engines starting cold
- Welding
g work
- Plastic processing
- Whirling dust
- Fog in winter with open
buildings
- Fog-forming chemicals of
all kinds
Condensation
If mounted on cool outside
walls, where high humidity
and rapid increase in temperature is to be expected, measures to heating must be used
to prevent
Due to the long monitoring
distance, the accumulation
of deceptive phenomena applies

Suitable e.g. for the monitoring of:

- High rooms in which smouldering fires can be expected (mount detectors
low down)
- Rooms with powerful air
currents (e.g. EDP systems)
- Museums with valuable
ceilings where point-type
detectors are not desired
- Rooms with ceilings where
point-type detectors are not
easily or inaccessible
- Rooms in which point-type
detectors quickly become
soiled e.g. weaving mills,
spinning mills)
- Large and long rooms such
as:
- Hotel atria
- Warehouses
- Factory buildings
- Power supply ducts
- Corridors etc.

Type/model
detector

A2400
Transmitter
A2400S
Receiver
A2400E

Special features

Three defined response sensitivity stages

selectable:
Stage 1 = Extinction 60% in relation
Stage 2 = Extinction 35% to entire
Stage 3 = Extinction 20% measured
distance
Signal compensation circuit to increase service life
Interruption of monitoring beam causes
trouble signal (no alarm)
Wide response spectrum to the various
types of smoke
Not suitable for wide spread fires from liquids. A violent concentration of smoke can
block the alarm actuation (interrupted light
beam). For these risks the combination with
point-type detectors may be considered
((mixed monitoring)
g)
May not be operated with pulse
memories!

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permissible
ambient tem
perature in C
-10 ...+60

Humidity

max. applica
tion height
above sea
level (m)

IEC protec
tion cat.
cat (de
tector / base)

75C

unlimited

IP 52

Degrees of resistance to
dry dust

Fibres (heavy
fibre content)

Accumulation of
moist, dirt, grease

very good

good

adequate

Influence of air currents

transient
max.

continuous
max.

no influence

periodic
external
cleaning

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4.3

Heat detectors types D/T

Application:
In an incipient fire with rapid increase in temperature
Where due to the presence of smoke and vapour etc. smoke detectors cannot be used.

Operating
principle
Heat detector

Dual
heat detector

Maximum heat
detector

Application

Deceptive phenomena

Detection of incipient fires

with rapid increase in temperature and where smoke detectors cannot be used due to
deceptive phenomena or
smokeless fire, e.g. in:
- Solvent stores
- Heating plant rooms
- Kitchens (do not forget water vapour)
- Workshops
- Dusty rooms
- Small offices with only
slight fire danger provided
fire compartment 150m2

Sources of heat e.g.

- Radiators
- Baking
g ovens etc.

D716

Standard, EN 54-5,
category 2
high resistance to corrosion

Direct solar radiation

D900

Standard, EN 54-5,
category 1
high resistance to corrosion

D901

As for D900, but intrinsically safe for explosion hazard zones 1+2, EN 50 020

D915

As for D900, but AFNOR standard

D920

As for D900, but for higher ambient temperature (EN 54-8, temperature range 1)

D921

As for D920, but intrinsically safe for explosion hazard zones 1+2, EN 50 020

D2417

Standard, EN 54-5,
category 1
with integrated base (Scandinavia)

D2401

The detector contains two measuring systems with different response sensitivity

Detection of incipient fires

with rapid increase in temperature and rooms in which normal heat detectors cannot be
used due to a chemically
aggressive atmosphere,
heavy dust formation, high humidity, moisture etc. e.g.:
- Road tunnels
- Wood chips silos
- etc.
Cases where a higher response sensitivity is required
than laid down in EN54-5

Detection of incipient fires

upon exceeding the specified
maximum temperature
Application under tough ambient conditions e.g. the monitoring of:
- Oil baths
- Hardening shops
- Ships engine rooms
- Cupellation chambers (with
sensor protective coating
e.g. Teflon)
- Large
g kitchens (e.g.
( g direct
installation of the D2410 in
large extractor hoods)

Type/model
detector

Water vapour
Rapid temperature fluctuation
e.g. large doors leading to
warm adjacent rooms

Sources of heat e.g.

- Radiators
- Baking ovens etc.

Special features

System 2 sensitive

Direct solar radiation

System 1 insensitive, EN 54-5 category 2

Water vapour

Special composite circuit to increase response sensitivity between adjacent detectors

Rapid temperature fluctuation

e.g. large doors leading to
warm adjacent rooms

Special type of base (Z2401) required

No connection for external response
indicator

Work processes which allow

ambient temperatures to exceed the specified maximum
value

D2401 Ex

As for D2401, but intrinsically safe for explosion hazard zones 1+2, EN 50 020

D2409

Compact model with 21.5cm long perforated,

rigid protective tube
Not compatible with base
Temperature range +40C ... +300C
Complies with no EN standards

D2410

As for D2409, but with sensor separate from

housing (connected via capillary tube)
Capillary tube 2m long (up to max. 5m)
Details and other dimensions can be found
in the data sheet

T2418

Standard, EN 54-8,
Temperature range 1 (+74 ... +90C)
with integrated base (Scandinavia)

T2416

Standard, EN 54-5,
category 2
with integrated base (Scandinavia)

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Degree of resistance to

Permissible
ambient tem
perature in 5C

Humidity

-10 ...+50

75C

-25 ...+50

IEC protection category

(detector / base)

Influence of air currents

Dry dust

Fibres (heavy
fibre content)

Accumulation of moist,
dirt, grease, etc.

transient
max.

continuous
max.

with standard base IP 43

with ZS90 IP 53
(detector IP 65)

very good

very good

good, provided protected from direct dirt

accumulation

critical with strong

draughts, which can carry
away the heat

75C

with standard base IP 43

with ZS90 IP 53
(detector IP 65)

very good

very good

good, provided protected from direct dirt

accumulation

critical with strong

draughts, which can carry
away the heat

-40 ...+50

75C

IP 43

very good

very good

-25 ...+50

95C

IP 65

very good

very good

good, provided protected from heavy dirt

accumulation

critical with strong

draughts, which can carry
away the heat

-25 ...+60

95%

IP 65

very good

very good

good, provided protected from direct dirt

accumulation

critical with strong

draughts, which can carry
away the heat

-25 ...+270

100% for
sensor +
capillary
tube

IP 65

very good

very good

good, provided protected from heavy dirt

accumulation

critical with strong

draughts, which can carry
away the heat

-40 ...+50

75C

IP 43

very good

very good

-25 ...+50

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4.4

IR flame detectors type S..

Application:
Are suitable for applications in which an incipient fire involving carbonaceous material
is expected to produce flames instantaneously and where smoke and heat detectors
are unsuitable.
Detectable flaming fires
These are all flaming fires involving carbonaceous materials, such as wood, plastic, alcohol, mineral oil products, natural gas, butane, propane etc.

Operating
principle
IR flame
detector

IR flame
detector

Type/model
detector

Application

Deceptive phenomena

Rapid detection of flame-forming fires e.g. in

- high rooms
- churches
- hangars
- covered storage tanks
- etc.

S610
(1-channel
detector)

The detector can not detect

through window glass!

Direct sunlight (but not

through pane of glass)
Sunlight reflected at a short
distance from puddles, venetian blinds etc. unless filtered
out by an intervening pane of
glass, or by eliminating this
phenomena by masking the
angle of vision
Modulated radiators *, such
as
- hot an moving machine
parts
machine parts
- motors etc.
- welding work etc.

Standard with 2 adjustment facilities

- 2 sensitivity stages
- 2 integrating stages
MS6 base required
Only slight loss of sensitivity from obstruction
by fire smoke
* The likelihood of detectors being deceived
increases:
- with increasing area
- with increasing temperature
- the shorter the distance from detector to
source of nuisance signal

Rapid detection of flame-forming fires in rooms and in the

open air e.g.
- hangars
- oil-cooled reactor pumps
- refineries
- oil rigs
- ships engine rooms
- open-air stores
- etc.

Extremely immune to deceptive phenomena due to the

correlation of 2 sensors built
into the detector. Thus highly
insensitive to:
- artificial light
- sunlight and all kinds of
heat, ultra-violet, x-ray and
gamma radiation

S2406
(2-channel
detector)

Standard with 2 adjustment facilities

- 2 sensitivity stages
- 2 integrating stages
Special base (Z2406, IP 65) required
Only slight loss of sensitivity from obstruction
by fire smoke
The detector must be able to see the flame.
The rain hood must be used for applications
in the open air

S2406 Ex
S2406 SEx

As for S2406, but intrinsically safe for explosion hazard zones 1+2, EN 50 020
1) Electrical welding only at short distance to
detector

S2406 R
S2406 REx

As for S2406, but with rapid alarm actuating

(R=rapid) for special applications in rooms

The detector can not detect

through window glass!

Susceptible to welding work1),

especially oxy-acetylene cutting. With powerful sun rays,
detector axis towards the sun,
radiation modulated and made
more sensitive by clouds in
blue sky, detector adjustment
cannot eliminate deceptive
alarms. The same applies to
modulated and very hot bodies which are only a few
metres from the detector. By
y
reducing detector sensitivity
(1 or 2) the detector is once
again immune to deceptive
phenomena. Therefore, the
detector must not be turned
towards the sun.

Special features

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Non-detectable flaming fires

These are flaming fires involving exclusively non-organic elements such as phosphorus,
sodium, magnesium and hydrogen.
However, as other materials are usually present in almost every fire, e.g. packing material, even these non-detectable fires can be detected.

Degree of resistance to

Influence of air currents

permissible
ambient
temperature
in C

Humidity

IEC protection category

(detector / base)

Dry dust, fibres

Accumulation of moist,
dirt, grease, etc.

-20 ...+70

75C

IP 43

good (nevertheless keep optics

clean)

poor, optics become

obscured

No influence

-40 ...+70

95C

IP 65

good (nevertheless keep optics

clean)

poor, optics become

obscured

No influence

transient
max.

continuous
max.

95C

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4.5

Manual call points

Application:
For immediate manual actuation of fire alarm
For immediate manual alerting of external fire-fighting forces
For safety, the alarm actuating element is protected by a glass plate which must be broken in order to give an alarm.

4.5.1

Special design manual call point

For immediate manual actuation of fixed extinguishing systems such as gas and deluge systems.

Operating principle

Application

Danger of erroneous actuation

Breaking of the glass plate

- along escape routes, e.g.

exits, corridors, staircases
- in specially hazardous areas, e.g.
chemical laboratories, solvents stores
- at extinguishing cabinets
- in areas where automatic detectors frequently have
to be switched off, or only insensitive detectors can
be operated
- in and at the entrance to extinguishing sectors

- When mounted close to light switches

- When mounted at exposed parts of buildings e.g.
risk of damage from vehicles
- Penetration by water, e.g.
from snow in multi-storey parking
- Deliberate actuation when mounted in places where
people act and escape unobserved e.g.
in multi-storey parking, or where units are mounted
on outside walls
- Where the purpose of the unit is not clearly shown

Type/model unit

Permissible ambient
temperature in C

Humidity

IEC protection category

Special features

-25 ...+80

75C

IP 30

Standard manual call point

for surface mounting

AT50
AT51

As for AT50, but with protective cover

AT50Mi

Addressable standard manual call

point for surface mounting

AT51Mi
ATAN50

As for AT50, but with protective cover

-25 ...+80

100C

IP 66

Model for wet and very dusty applications and in explosion hazard areas
Application in intrinsically safe areas

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Number and arrangement of point-type

detectors

5.1

General

5.1.1

All detector types

The fire phenomena which are utilized for fire alarm (smoke, heat, radiation) spread in
different ways. Therefore, the number of detectors required (or the monitoring area per
detector) is to a large extent influenced by the spreading characteristics of the fire phenomena concerned.
Heat
(convection)

Smoke

Radiation

Seat of the fire

Fig. 8

The different spreading characteristics of various fire phenomena

In general, a fire detection system with a decreasing monitoring area per detector becomes more sensitive because the distance between the detector and fire location is
smaller. Beyond a certain size of monitoring area (particularly with smoke detectors) an
increase in the number of detectors produces little gain in sensitivity. We must strive for a
sensible ratio between cost and effectiveness when choosing a suitable monitoring area.
Thus the number and arrangement of automatic detectors depends on:
the type of detector used and its sensitivity
room geometry
ambient conditions
They must be so chosen and arranged so that incipient fires can be detected at an early
stage (see also the section on system test fires).
Each room to be monitored must contain at least one automatic detector. Smoke and
heat detectors are mounted on the ceiling or wherever the fire phenomena to be expected
spread and accumulate. As far as possible, flame detectors require direct line of sight to
every likely fire location and, therefore, are best installed high up in the corners of a room.

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The detector arrangement must be adapted to the prevailing features of the room such as
ceiling construction, room division, (wall recesses etc.) furnishings, fittings etc. Other aspects to be taken into account:
It must be possible for the corresponding fire phenomena (smoke/heat/ radiation) to
reach the detectors
Foreseeable deceptive phenomena
Foreseeable mechanical influences (vibration etc.)
Correct testing and exchanging
Often when positioning detectors it is necessary, for aesthetic or construction reasons, to
make a compromise whereby the maximum prescribed distances or monitoring areas
may be exceeded by up to 10%.

5.1.2

Cross-zoning
When detectors are cross-zoned the permissible monitoring area for the same type of
detector must be reduced in principle by 50%, providing that the alarm signal is only actuated by two linked detector zones. Excluded from this exception is the cross-zoning of
detectors for specific purposes to prevent false alarms, e.g. smoke detectors in parking
garages. Here the detectors must be uniformly and symmetrically distributed through the
two zones.

Zone A

Zone B

Fig. 9

Cross-zoned room monitoring with 2 detection lines (conventional solution)

Detection line MS9i

Fig. 10 Cross-zoned room monitoring with addressable detection system MS9i

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5.1.3

Special cases
Special cases which are not covered by the Cerberus guidelines, or not in sufficient detail,
and the causes of which lie in the fire hazard, the type of detector used, room geometry,
room utilization, or the ambient conditions, require individual treatment. It may be necessary to determine the number of detectors and their locations by carrying out fire tests
with measuring detectors and the corresponding measuring equipment.

Planning symbols for fire detection systems (ISO/DIS 6790.2)

5.1.4
Symbol

Designation

Symbol

Designation

Fire detector

Transmission equipment (Model ...)

Ionization smoke detector

Receiving equipment (Model ...)

Scattered light smoke detector

Signal box (Model ...)

Heat detector

Audible alarm device (Model ...)

Maximum temperature detector

Visual signal transmitter (Model ...)

Flame detector

Permanent magnet (Model ...)

Linear smoke detector

External control relay fire control installation

Air sampling unit ASD-Duct

Signal display panel of actuation of extinguishing

(Model ...)

ASD (ASD-Mono, ASD-Flex, ASD-Modular)

Extinguishing system valve

Manual call point

Response indicator

Automatic alarm transmitter for extinguishing system

Fire detection system control unit (Model ...)
Signalling, e.g. mimic panel, terminal etc. (Model ...)
Supplementary equipment for addressable detection system MS9i
F
(i)

Ionization smoke detector in a Z90i base

...
(Mi)

... detector in a Z90Mi base

...
(Si)

... detector in a Z90Si base

AT50
(Mi)
AT50

Manual call point AT50Mi

Manual call point for parallel operation AT50Si

(Si)
Control element E90Ci
(E90Ci)
Master element E90Mi

(E90Mi)

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5.2

Smoke detectors

5.2.1

Influence of room height

As the room height increases, so smoke density decreases because the quantity of
smoke is distributed throughout a greater volume of air.

h
3

Room height

(Accumulation of heat)

h
2
h
1

Open
fire

Fig. 11 Decrease in smoke density and smoke distribution with increasing room height
The higher the room, the further away from the ceiling the detector must be mounted. The
smoke which gradually cools as it rises cannot break through the cushion of warm air.
The mounting of point-type smoke detectors on the wall is only effective if the room is of
small dimensions.
Smouldering fires usually have insufficient thermal current to carry smoke to high ceilings.

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h3

Room height

(Accumulation of heat)

h2

h1

Smoldering fire

Fig. 12 Smoke distribution in a smouldering fire with little thermal current

Consequences
With increasing room height:
response sensitivity of the fire detection system decreases
the incipient fire would have to be larger to actuate an alarm
the smoke from a larger incipient fire would spread over a greater ceiling area
the smoke from smouldering fires would not reach the ceiling
These physical conditions must be taken into account when installing the fire detection
system as shown in Fig. 13 below.

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open fire
smouldering fire

AM

Small monitoring area because:
- room height ~3m
- the detection of smaller incipient
fires (both open and smouldering
fires) is possible by means of
smoke detectors on the ceiling.

open fire
smouldering fire

AM>

AM>>

Large monitoring area because:

- room height ~6m
- the detection of open incipient fire
(smouldering fire often only at the
point of transition to open fire) is
possible by means of smoke detectors on the ceiling.

Very large monitoring area because:

- Room height ~9m and above
- the detection of larger and more open
incipient fire (smouldering fire normally
only at the point of transition to open
fire) is possible by means of smoke detectors on the ceiling.

Application of smoke detectors with standard sensitivity

Application of smoke detectors with increased 1) response sensitivity as partial compensation for the smoke dilution
in large volumes of air.

Fig. 13 Taking increasing room height into consideration when planning a fire detection
system
1)

The immunity to deceptive phenomena of this smoke detector with increased sensitivity is normally maintained by increasing room height itself, as deceptive phenomena without any appreciable inherent thermal current cannot reach the ceiling.

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5.2.2

Monitoring area per smoke detector

The monitoring area (AM) is determined as a function of room height and the fire danger.
Room height
h [m]
25
20
15
12
10 9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2

3
1

AM [m2]

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160

Monitoring area per smoke detector

Degree of danger
1 little fire danger
2 moderate fire danger
3 major fire danger

Fig. 14 Monitoring area per smoke detector as a function of room height and degree of
danger
Degree of danger 2 can be chosen for most applications
Degree of danger 1 should only be chosen:
if all danger to life can be eliminated
if no valuable or irreplaceable articles are stored in the room concerned
if the fire risk is low
if other fire protection measures would virtually preclude fire spread
if no smoke logging, in particular involving corrosive fission products, can occur in adjacent areas
Degree of danger 3 is recommended if:
if there is serious danger to life
if valuable and/or irreplaceable articles are stored in the room concerned
if the loss of goods or installations would threaten the existence of the owner of the
premises concerned
if the fire risk is classified as high

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5.2.3

The influence of exchange of air

In artificially ventilated rooms the spread of smoke is disturbed. The greater the exchange
of air the more the smoke particles are continuously carried away so that a uniform smoke
concentration cannot be formed. As the amount of smoke is reduced and varies from
place to place this leads to a reduction in sensitivity of the fire detection system. This can
be partly compensated for by reducing the monitoring area and increasing detector sensitivity.
To reduce the monitoring area for a situation with increasing air change, the monitoring
area based on the room height must be reduced by the following multiplication factors:
Air change per hour

Multiplication factor to reduce smoke detector AM

>10
<20

0.9

>20
<30

0.8

>30
<40

0.7

>40
<50

0.6

>50
<75

0.5

>75
<100

0.4

>100

0.3

Example: Air change 25 times

AM 100m2
Result:

100m2 x 0.8 = 80m2 AMk

Fig. 15 Reduction of the monitoring area per detector in rooms with an abundant
change of air
AM
AMk

= Monitoring area
= Monitoring area rectified

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5.2.4

Maximum detector spacing (s)

The maximum permissible distance from detector to detector or detector to wall depends
on the chosen monitoring area AM.
In principle a detector monitors a circular area. The maximum distance from detector to
detector as defined by Cerberus is approximately the diameter of this circle. The square
based on this diameter has a larger area than the selected monitoring area AM. In order
that AM can be maintained, the maximum distance between detectors may only be applied in one direction (length or width) and must be reduced in the other direction.

AM
S

2
A M + s x + s x d
4

s max + 1.2 x

AM

A
d max + sM
Fig. 16 The relationship between the monitoring area and the maximum distance between detectors (s)
Maximum distance detector  wall
1

2 s +

1.2 A M
2

For practical reasons the maximum distance detector  wall must be measured at right
angles horizontally to the wall and not to the corner of the room (this is why the factor 1.27
is rounded down to 1.2).

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Reduced detector spacing between

detectors to maintain A M

Fig. 17 below shows the symmetrical distribution of detectors maintaining the permissible detector spacing and the monitoring area AM.

AM

S/2

max. detector spacing

between detectors utilized

s + 1.2 A M
Fig. 17 Distribution of detectors
12m
(s)

6m
(s/2)

8.3m
(d)

A 400m2

4.15m
(d/2)

16.6m

4.15m
(d/2)

6m
(s/2)

24m

Fig. 18 Example AM 100m2

If for reasons of room geometry, or due to obstacles which prevent detector mounting
(e.g. light fittings) maximum detector spacing is applied in both directions, the monitoring
area AM must still be maintained.

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5.2.5

Minimum detector spacing

The distance from the detectors to the walls, fittings and stored goods may not be smaller
than 0.5m except in corridors, ducts and other similar parts of a building with a width of
less than 1m. If there are joists or beams, or, e.g. air conditioning ducts under the ceiling
which are closer to the ceiling than 0.15m, then the lateral distance must be at least 0.5m.

15cm

0.5m
0.5m

Fig. 19 Distances between detectors and walls, joists and fittings

5.2.6

Racks, stored goods

Stored goods or racks whose distance from the ceiling is less than 0.30m, prevent smoke
spread to such an extent that they must be treated as room dividers (walls).

Fig. 20 Room divide = h <0.3m

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5.2.7

Roof structures
Roof structures which are connected to the room to be monitored and whose surface
area exceeds 10% of the total ceiling area, or providing this portion of the ceiling is >AM,
must be regarded as separate rooms. Otherwise they need not be taken into account.

Roof structure

Fig. 21 Room with roof structure

Wall-mounting of smoke detectors
For installation reasons the mounting of detectors on the wall can be useful in small
rooms, providing that 1 detector is enough for monitoring and the following conditions can
be maintained.
min. 10cm

Roomheight
4m

min. 10cm

max. 30cm
10% h

Ceiling

unsuitable zone

max s

Floor

Fig. 22 The wall-mounting of smoke detectors

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5.2.8

Ceiling vents
With ceiling vents (Cupolux, domed vents, dampers etc) detectors must be mounted in
the vicinity of the vents providing the distribution of the vents, the monitoring area and the
maximum distance between detectors permit this.

~40cm

Fig. 23 Detector arrangement with unilateral ceiling ventilation

~40cm

Fig. 24 Detector arrangement with bilateral ceiling ventilation

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5.2.9

Galleries
Basically galleries or similar structures which do not allow smoke to pass should be
treated in the same way. The degree to which smoke can penetrate trellis-work must be
judged on the basis of the section on Grid pattern dropped ceilings.
Detectors must be provided beneath galleries which do not permit smoke penetration,
providing:
b >s
whereby s must be calculated from the monitoring area in relation to room height beneath the gallery.

1/
3

2/
3

Fig. 25 Detector arrangement for a gallery without joists

h + t 0.1
h
the joist can be ignored. Detectors to be arranged according to Fig. 25.
If however h + u 0.1 and b u 1m
h
detectors must always be mounted beneath the gallery. The monitoring area must be calculated according to the room height beneath the gallery.

If

Fig. 26 Detector arrangement for a gallery with joists

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5.2.10

Grid pattern dropped ceilings

Dropped ceilings in the form of grids, trellis-work, or slats, e.g. for decoration purposes, to
act as a screen or to support light fittings, influence the spread of smoke and heat. The
degree to which grid pattern dropped ceilings allow smoke penetration varies according
to the size of the grid openings and the type of fire, i.e. open fire or smouldering fire.

Void

Grid pattern

Position A
h

Ceiling opening

Position B

Room monitoring I, II, III

Fig. 27 Detector arrangement for a grid pattern dropped ceiling

Monitoring
category

Percentage of grid ceiling

opening (uniformly distributed)

Must grid openings be monitored?

yes / no
according to Fig. 1

Pos. A

Pos. B

50%

yes

no

I
or

II
III

Detector arrangement

>50%

yes or no

50%

yes

no

50 - 70%

yes or no

>70%

yes or no

provided h 4m
x

Fig. 28 Detector arrangement for a grid pattern dropped ceiling

In order to ensure response sensitivity detectors may not be mounted between the upper
and lower covering layers of the grid pattern dropped ceiling, rather in the layer which
forms the ceiling.

Grid pattern ceiling

Fig. 29 Detector arrangement for on a grid pattern dropped ceiling

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5.2.11

Ventilated / air conditioned rooms

Basically speaking, the fire detection system must be planned so that even when ventilation is switched on, monitoring is guaranteed. Smoke detectors used for room monitoring
may not be installed in the path of the fresh air current of air conditioning and ventilation
systems.
Fresh air:
Fresh air supply laterally on the wall, through grilles: Detector position at least 1.5m distance from air inlets.
1,5m

Fig. 30 Detector positions with lateral fresh air supply

Point-type ceiling fresh air inlets (diffusers etc.). Detector position symmetrically between
the air inlets

Fig. 31 Detector position with point-type air inlets on the ceiling

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~1m2
seal off

Fig. 32 Detector arrangement with fresh air ceiling vents covering a large area
Return air:
Point-type return air ceiling vents (diffusers etc.): Do not mount detectors in front of return
air vents, rather in the turbulence zone.

Fig. 33 Detector position with point-type return air vents

Return air vents distributed over the ceiling surface normal detector arrangement

Fig. 34 Detector arrangement with return air ceiling vents spread over a large area

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Return air grille in the wall directly below the ceiling: Detectors must be mounted in front of
the return air grille

Fig. 35 Detector arrangement with lateral return air

Fig. 36 Return air vents in the wall near the floor: In addition to the detectors on the ceiling, monitoring of the return air duct with the air-sampling unit ASD-duct detector unit is recommended

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5.2.12

Ventilation ducts
Fresh air duct
In order to prevent smoke-logging when fire breaks out in an air conditioning or ventilation
system (e.g. motor or filter fire) the air-sampling unit ASD-duct (with F smoke detectors)
must obviously be installed immediately after the equipment concerned on the outgoing
side.

Fig. 37 Position of the air-sampling unit to monitor fresh air

Return air duct
Monitoring of the return air duct in no way replaces monitoring of the room by detectors
because room monitoring must be guaranteed even when the used air is switched off.
Furthermore, the smoke from an outbreak of fire is usually diluted with smokeless return
air from other areas. Thus normally only large fires are signalled by detectors in the return
air duct. In spite of this the installation of the air-sampling unit ASD-duct in the return air
duct is recommended for room with an air change of >30 times per hour. In order to prevent smoke being overdiluted, wherever possible the return air sectors must be monitored with the air-sampling unit ASD-duct and not just the manifold.

Fig. 38 Monitoring of the return air with air-sampling unit ASD-duct in the return air
sectors

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Tips on installation:
The distance to duct change of direction or change of cross-sectional area must be
approx. 1.5 times duct circumference
Air sampling tubes should as far as possible be in the centre of the duct
Good accessibility for service work
Recommendation: Provide service hatches immediately next to the ASD-Duct
Minimum duct depth:
The tubes may not be shortened to less than 15 cm. Each tube must have at least 6 air
holes (if necessary drill additional holes). Replace the end plug.

5.2.13

Staircases
In staircases at least one detector must be installed on the top floor ceiling. If other floors
are separated from the top floor by a door, another detector must be mounted on the ceiling in front of this door. In staircases which are >12m high and have no vertical separation, an additional detector must be installed at least on every third floor or every sixth
landing.

Smoke barrier
between basement
and upper floor

Fig. 39 Detector arrangement in staircases

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5.2.14

Vertical installation shafts

In vertical installation shafts, detectors must be mounted at a maximum distance apart of
8m as there is a danger that in spite of the collector plate the smoke will go past the detector. A smoke detector must always be mounted at the highest point of the shaft and in front
of each horizontal fire-proof seal.

0,6m

0,5m

Collector plate 0.3m2

Fig. 40 Detector arrangement in vertical installation shafts

5.2.15

Ceiling constructions
The monitoring area and detector arrangement will vary according to the slope of the
ceiling.
For practical reasons the slope of the ceiling is not given in degrees, but as a ratio of
height to length of slope. This factor is called the slope (N)
No slope:
(h = 0)

N + h + 0
b
Fig. 41 Room with ceiling slope N = 0
(see section 5.3 Detectors on flat ceilings)
Slight slope:
N1

N2

b1

b2

h + v 0.2
h + v 0.2
b2
b1
Fig. 42 Ceiling slopes N1 = N2 0.2

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Ceilings with N 0.2 are regarded as flat ceilings (see section 5.3 Detectors on flat
ceilings).
If a ceiling (or roof) has surfaces with different slopes, e.g. north light roofs, then the least
steep slope applies providing it is not less than s and therefore can be ignored. If both
parts of the ceiling are steeper than s, then each part can be treated separately.
Moderate slope:

N1

N2

h
h

b1

0, 2 t h + v 0.5
b1

b2

0, 2 t h + v 0.5
b2

Fig. 43 Ceiling slopes N1 = N2 >0,2 0.5 (see section 5.4 Detectors on sloping
ceilings)
Steep slope:

N1

N2

h
h

b1

h + u 0.5
b1

b2

h + u 0.5
b2

Fig. 44 Ceiling slope >0.5 (see section 5.4 Detectors on sloping ceilings)

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N2

h
h

b2

b1

N 2 + h + u 0.2
b2
Fig. 45 Asymmetrical ceiling with N2>0.2
Ceilings with N >0.2 are regarded as sloping ceilings (see section 5.4 Detectors on sloping ceilings).

5.3

Smoke detectors on flat ceilings

5.3.1

Distance from the ceiling

Detectors must be installed at a level below where heat accumulates so that smoke can
reach them unhindered. They must be spaced from the ceiling according to the table within the limits shown.
Room height in m

Ceiling slope (Angle )

up to 58cm/m (up to 30)
a

from 58cm/m (from 30)

a

3 up to 30cm

20 up to 50cm

6 up to 7.5m

7 up to 40cm

25 up to 60cm

7,5 up to 9m

10 up to 50cm

30 up to 70cm

9 up to 12m

20 up to 80cm

50 up to 100cm

up to 6m

Fig. 46 Table Distance from the ceiling

Fig. 47 Distance from ceiling of smoke-sensitive element

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5.3.2

Monitoring area per detector

Room height
h [m]
25
20
15
12
10 9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2

3
1

AM [m2]

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160

Monitoring area per smoke detector

1 little fire danger

2 moderate fire danger
3 major fire danger

Fig. 48 Monitoring area per detector with flat ceilings

5.3.3

Maximum detector spacing

Monitoring area
AM [m2]
160
140
120

s + 1, 2 A M

100
80
60
40
20
0

s [m]
0

10
12
14
16
max. detector spacing (s)

Fig. 49 Maximum detector spacing s

5.3.4

Room space A AM
The detector must be mounted on the ceiling so that 1/2 s is not exceeded.

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5.3.5

Room space A >AM

Increase of AM in rooms with an area of max. 1.33 AM
If the area of the room to be monitored is no more than 1/3 larger than the monitoring area
per smoke detector, the monitoring area AM may also be 1/3 larger. Under such conditions, thanks to smoke accumulation 1 detector is sufficient for room monitoring. Detector
spacing s in relation to the increased monitoring area must be maintained.
Normal monitoring area AM

Increased monitoring area (max. 1.33 AM)

Fig. 50 Cutting down on the number of smoke detectors by utilizing smoke accumulation in the room
Symmetrical distribution of detectors
Once the monitoring area AM per detector and therefore the maximum permissible spacing of detectors s is known, the symmetrical distribution of detectors in large rooms is
made as follows:

l
Length: l = 55m
Width: b = 35m
Area: A = 55 x 35m
= 1925m2
Monitoring area: AM
= 100m

Maximum detector spacing s = 1.2 100 + 12m

Fig. 51 Example of distribution of detectors

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Detector distribution

Variant 1:
Begin with the length

Variant 2:
Begin with the width

1. Number of detectors (M) in

lengthwise direction l:

width b:

M l + sl + 55 + 4, 58 5
12
2. Effective detector spacing in

lengthwise direction l:

s + l + 55 + 11m
5
Ml

35
Mb + b
s + 12 + 2.9 3
width b:

s b + b + 35 + 11.70m
3
Mb

3. Max. reference measurement without exceeding AM

in the width:

lengthwise:

4. Number of detectors (M) in

width b:

length l:

A
s bmax. + sM + 100 + 9.10m
11
l
b
M b + s max.
+ 35 + 3.84 4
9.1
b

5. Effective detector spacing in

Width b:

s b + b + 35 + 8.75m
4
Mb
6. Check:

sl x sb AM
11 x 8.75 = 96.2m2
i.e. <100m2

A
s lmax. + s M + 100 + 8.50m
11, 7
b
l
M l + s max.
+ 55 + 6.5 7
8.45
lb

length l:

s lb + l + 55 + 7.85m
7
Ml
sl x sb AM
11.,7 x 7.85 = 91.8m2
i.e. <100m2

Fig. 52 Systematic detector distribution

Variant 1 requires 5 x 4 = 20 detectors

Variant 2 requires 3 x 7 =21 detectors
The experienced planning engineer can achieve the same result with the following, simpler procedure:
Calculate the minimum number of detectors:
Mm + A
AM
The number of detectors (Mm) must be symmetrically distributed throughout the room
concerned so that s is not exceeded. Moreover, the effective number of detectors is
usually higher.

5.3.6

Narrow rooms
In narrow rooms the smoke spread is channelled. Therefore detectors may be spaced
further apart. The monitoring area AM may not be exceeded however.
Providing the room width is s, detector spacing s can be increased as follows:

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Monitoring area
AM [m2]
180
160
140
120

s l + 1.6 A M

100
80
60
40
20
0

s [m]
0

10

12

14
16
18
20
Maximum detector spacing (s)

Fig. 53 Increased detector spacing

Example:
Monitoring area chosen AM 80m2
sl

sl

sl

5m
<s

7m

14m

7m

Fig. 54 Increased detector spacing

s +

1, 2 80
+ 5.36m + 5.4m
2

i.e. the room width is <s and the lengthwise spacing may not exceed sl.
s l + 1.6 A M + 1.6 80 + 14.3m
Actual detector spacing of 7 or 14m is always slightly below the permissible maximum
detector spacing.
In corridors not wider than 3m, in general detector spacing may be in creased to a maximum of 15m.
7,5m

15m

15m

3m

Fig. 55 Increased detector spacing in narrow corridors

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One detector must always be installed at corridor junctions.

15m

15m

15m

Fig. 56 Detector arrangement at a corridor junction

5.3.7

Joists
Minimum distance detector  joist
Joists obstruct the spread of smoke. The minimum distance joist  detector is 0.5m.

50cm

Fig. 57 Minimum distance between detector and joist

Obstruction of smoke spread
The deeper the joist in relation to room height and the smaller the inter-joist area in relation to the monitoring area per detector, the more smoke spread will be obstructed. With a
large number of very small inter-joist areas the obstruction of smoke spread again becomes less. The obstruction of smoke spread must be taken into account by first determining the joist/room height ratio and the inter-joist ratio.

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Ratio of joist height to room height

h Joist height

h Room height

Fig. 58 Room height and joist height

Ratio joist height/room height = h
h
A ratio of h/h >0.3 counts as a room division, i.e. the joist must be regarded as a wall.
Joists with h 10cm can be ignored with the exception of the minimum spacing.
Ceilings with suspended structures or fixtures, e.g. air conditioning ducts, the upper
edges of which are not closer than 15cm to the ceiling should be treated as flat ceilings.
Otherwise they should be regarded as joists and treated in the same way.
Ratio of inter-joist area to monitoring area AM
The inter-joist area (AU) must be worked out and divided by the monitoring area AM.
Inter-joist area ratio =

AU
AM

Detector arrangement with an inter-joist ratio of AU/AM 0.9

If the ratio of joist depth to room height h/h lies between 0.1 and 0.3, and if the inter-joist
area ratio AU/AM is 0,9, then the monitoring area AM must be reduced as follows (otherwise see page 51).
Correction factor K for the reduction of the monitoring area AM
The reduction of the monitoring area is achieved as a function of the ratio of joist depth to
room height and the ratio of inter-joist area to monitoring area and takes into consideration the obstruction of smoke spread.
The corrected (reduced) new monitoring area per detector is designated AMk.

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Ratio

Ratio

AU
AM

h
h

-0.05 *

0.06-0.1

0.16-0.2

0.21-0.25

0.26-0.3

- 0.1

0.9

P1

0.9

P2

0.9

P2

0.8

P2

0.8

P2

0.8

P2

0.11 - 0.2

0.9

P1

0.9

P3

0.8

P3

0.7

P4

0.6

P4

0.6

P5

0.21 - 0.3

0,9

P1

0.8

P4

0.7

P4

0.6

P4

0.5

P4

0.5

P7

0.31 - 0.4

0.9

P4

0.8

P4

0.8

P4

0.7

P4

0.6

P5

0.5

P7

0.41 - 0.5

1,0

P4

0.9

P4

0.8

P5

0.8

P5

0.7

P5

0.6

P7

0.51 - 0.6

1.0

P1

0.9

P5

0.9

P5

0.8

P5

0.8

P5

0.7

P7

0.61 - 0.7

1.0

P1

0.9

P5

0.9

P5

0.9

P5

0.8

P7

0.8

P7

0.71 - 0.8

1.0

P1

1.0

P6

1.0

P7

0.9

P7

0.9

P7

0.9

P7

0.81 - 0.9

1.0

P6

1.0

P6

1.0

P7

1.0

P7

1.0

P7

0.9

P7

0.9

>0.3
Treat as room
division, ii.e.
division
e the
joist forms a
wall

No reduction of the monitoring area, see page 51

AU = Inter-joist area
AM = Monitoring area
*
K
P

0.11-0.15

h =
h =

Joist height
Room height

Ignore joists of <10cm!

Correction factor
Arrangement

Fig. 59 Detector arrangement on ceilings with joists (AU 0.9AM)

The monitoring area AM chosen on the basis of the risk and room height must be multiplied by the correction factor K shown in Fig. 59.
AM x K = AMk
The detector arrangement factor is given in the adjacent box.
Detector arrangement factor:
P1

In inter-joist area or on joist

P2

On joist or in inter-joist area at joist level

P3

On joist

P4 On joist, provided the width of the inter-joist area is s; otherwise in the centre of
each 2nd inter-joist area. If, as a result, detector spacing is exceeded, detectors must be
arranged in a staggered (chess board) pattern in every 2nd inter-joist area, whereby a
reduction of up to 15% of the number of detectors required is permissible.
P5 On joist provided the width of the inter-joist area is s; otherwise install one detector in each inter-joist area.
P6 One detector in the centre of each inter-joist area, provided that s can be maintained; otherwise arrange the required number of detectors on the joists.
P7 Install one detector in the centre of each inter-joist area, provided that the increased
maximum detector spacing ( 1.6 A Mk ) is not exceeded; otherwise arrange the required
number of detectors on the joists.
Application example for calculating the reduced monitoring area AMk
Room height

4m

Joist depth

1m

Monitoring area AM 80m2

Inter-joist area

AU 24m2

Calculate

AMk

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Solution:
1. Calculate the ratio
h + 1 + 0.25
4
h
2. Calculate the ratio
AU
+ 24 + 0.3
80
AM
Ratio

Ratio

AU
AM

h
h

-0.05 *
- 0.1

0.06-0.1

0.16-0.2

0.21-0.25

0.26-0.3

0.9

P1

0.9

P2

0.9

P2

0.8

P2

0.8

P2

0.8

P2

P1

0.9

P3

0.8

P3

0.7

P4

0.6

P4

0.6

P5

0.11 - 0.2
0.21 - 0.3

0.9

P1

0.8

P4

0.7

P4

0.6

P4

0.5

P4

0.5

P7

0.31 - 0.4

0.9

P4

0.8

P4

0.8

P4

0.7

P4

0.6

P5

0.5

P7

0.41 - 0.5

1.0

P4

0.9

P4

0.8

P5

0.8

P5

0.7

P5

0.6

P7

0.51 - 0.6

1.0

P1

0.9

P5

0.9

P5

0.8

P5

0.8

P5

0.7

P7

0.61 - 0.7

1.0

P1

0.9

P5

0.9

P5

0.9

P5

0.8

P7

0.8

P7

0.71 - 0.8

1.0

P1

1.0

P6

1.0

P7

0.9

P7

0.9

P7

0.9

P7

0.81 - 0.9

1.0

P6

1.0

P6

1.0

P7

1.0

P7

1.0

P7

0.9

P7

0.9

>0,3
Treat as room
division, ii.e.
division
e the
joists forms a
wall

No reduction of the monitoring area, see page 51

AU = Inter-joist area
AM = Monitoring area
*
K
P

0.11-0.15

h =
h =

Joist height
Room height

Ignore joists of <10cm!

Correction factor
Arrangement

Fig. 60 Example of detector arrangement on ceilings with joists (AU 0.9AM)

Read off K = 0.5 in Fig. 60. Multiply the monitoring area determined AM by this correction
factor, i.e.:
80m2 x 0.5 = 40m2 AMk
Guidelines for detector arrangement for inter-joist areas with a ratio of AU / AM 0.9
Basic information:
Detector location depends on the ratio of joist depth to room height and ceiling geometry.
The location of detectors can vary according to the size of inter-joist areas and their
shape (square, rectangular, predominantly long and narrow).
Detectors must be distributed symmetrically while maintaining max. permissible detector
spacing.
Maximum detector spacing must be recalculated from the reduced monitoring area.

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Corrected monitoring area

AM [m2]
160
140
120

s + 1.2 A Mk

100
80
60
40
20
0

s [m]
0

10
12
14
16
Max. detector spacing (s)

Fig. 61 Maximum detector spacing

Maximum detector spacing must always be chosen in the longitudinal direction of the inter-joist areas so that detector spacing is reduced at right angles to the joists (obstruction
of smoke spread).
Oblong inter-joist areas with a ratio of h/h 0.1 promote smoke spread in the longitudinal
direction. Provided one detector is mounted in each inter-joist area, maximum detector spacing may be increased as follows:
Corrected monitoring area
AM [m2]
180
160
140
120

s l + 1.6 A Mk

100
80
60
40
20
0

s [m]
0

10

12

14

16
18
20
Increased detector spacing

Fig. 62 Increased maximum detector spacing

Guidelines for detector arrangement for inter-joist areas with a ratio of AF / AM >0.9
Width of inter-joist area s
The obstruction of smoke spread by joists is negligible provided that at least one detector
is mounted in each inter-joist area. The number of detectors (M = A/AM) must be distributed symmetrically. Preferably, detectors should be mounted in inter-joist areas or on
the joists.
Detectors must therefore be distributed to comply with these conditions. This is the case if
the maximum permissible detector spacing s is used in the longitudinal direction of the
inter-joist area. The minimum distance detector  joist of 0.5m must be maintained.

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Example:
AM 100m2 / AU 120m2
8m

8m

8m

8m

4m

6m

24m

12m

6m

4m

40m

Fig. 63 Example of detector arrangement on ceilings with joists (AU >0.9 AM)
Width of inter-joist area <s s
h/h 0.1
Distribute as for flat ceilings, however, maintain minimum space between detector and
joist of 0.5m.
h/h >0.1
Maximum detector spacing is increased in the longitudinal direction because smoke
spread is promoted in this direction.
s l + 1.6 A Mk
The required number of detectors (M = A/AM) is so arranged that each inter-joist area
contains at least one detector. Take advantage of increased detector spacing in the longitudinal direction!
Example: AM 100m2
15m

7.5m

25m

7.5m

30m

Fig. 64 Example of detector arrangement on ceiling with joists (AU >0.9AM)

If with this arrangement considerably more detectors are needed than with A/AM, proceed as if for a inter-joist area width of s.
Inter-joist area width of s

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The required number of detectors (M = A/AM) are distributed on the joists so that s or s is
not exceeded.

31.9m

2.9m

Example: AM 100m2

35m

Fig. 65 Example of detector arrangement on a ceiling with joists (AU >0.9AM)

Frequently the number of joists prevents symmetrical distribution.

26.1m

2.9m

Example: AM 100m2

35m

Fig. 66 Example of an unsymmetrical detector arrangement on a ceiling with joists

(AU >0.9AM)

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5.4

Smoke detectors on sloping ceilings

5.4.1

Smoke channelling
Sloping ceilings tend to channel smoke towards the ridge where we find the heaviest concentration of smoke. For this reason the basic area to be monitored AM and detector
spacing are increased.

Fig. 67 Smoke channelling on a sloping ceiling

5.4.2

Monitoring area per detector on sloping ceilings

Room height
h [m]
30
25
20
15
12
9 10
8
7
6
5
4
3
2

3
1

10 20

2
40

1 little fire danger

2 moderate fire danger
3 major fire danger

60

1
80

AM [m2]
100

120

140
160
132 - 147

180

200

Degree of danger 2, chosen 145m2

Fig. 68 Monitoring area per detector on sloping ceilings

Application example grey shaded (h = 9m /AM = 145m2)

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5.4.3

Detector spacing in the vicinity of the ridge

In order that smoke can reach the detector unimpeded, the detector must be installed in
the vicinity of the ridge below the level at which warm air accumulates. When dealing with
ceiling structures with varying angles of slope, the longer of the two sides is decisive.
Additional rows of detectors on the slope of the ceiling (with the exception of non-insulated ceilings which in fact form the slope of the ceiling) need not be spaced. The detector
must merely be mounted vertically.
Ceiling slope (Angle )

Room height in m
(RH)

up to 50 cm/m
(N 0.5)
distance a

from 50 cm/m
(N 0.5)
distance a

up to 6

3 up to 30cm

20 up to 50cm

6 up to 7.5

7 up to 40cm

25 up to 60cm

7,5 up to 9

10 up to 50cm

30 up to 70cm

9 up to 12

20 up to 80cm

50 up to 100cm

Fig. 69 Table Detector spacing in the vicinity of the ridge

N + h
b
a

h
h

Fig. 70 Detector spacing in the vicinity of the ridge

Where the ceiling slope varies, the detector must be moved to the side with the least
slope.
a

N + h2
b

h
h

b1

Fig. 71

b2

Detector arrangement with asymmetrical gable roof

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5.4.4

Reference figure for determining the required number of rows of detectors

Instead of the maximum detector spacing s, the reference figure z is used which takes
into account the effect of smoke channelling with sloping ceilings.
Monitoring area
AM [m2]
180
160
145 140
120

z + 0.75 A Mk

100
80
60
40
20
0

z [m]
0

9 10

Fig. 72 Reference figure z for determining the required number of rows of detectors
Fig. 75 allows us to determine the number and spacing of rows of detectors using the
reference figure z.

5.4.5

Rows of detectors parallel to ridge

In Fig. 73 below shows both symmetrical and asymmetrical ceiling structures with slopes
of varying steepness. With asymmetrical ceilings, the shorter distance from the side wall
to a vertical from the ridge is always designated b1 and the longer distance b2. Depend ing
on the slope of the ceiling, detectors on the slope are moved to a greater or lesser degree
towards the ridge.
h1

N1

N2

b1

N1 +

h 1
b1

N2 +

h 2
b2

b2

N2

h2

h2

N1

b2

h1

b1

h
h

Joist ratio

h
h

Fig. 73 Designation of building measurements for Fig. 75

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The number and arrangement of rows of detectors parallel to the ridge is determined taking into account the slope of the ceiling N1 and N2 and the comparison of the two parts of
the building width b1 and b2 with the reference figure z.
With very narrow buildings, the ratio room height to joist depth is taken into consideration
as an additional criterion.
In Table Fig. 75 the various criteria for the comparison are shown horizontally and vertically. At the point of their intersection which meets the conditions for the comparison, we
can read off the corresponding number and arrangement of detector rows.

b1 / b2
1/3

1/3
0

8 [m]

2/5

2/5
0

10 [m]

1/2

1/2
0

10

11

12 [m]

2/3

2/3
0

10

11

12

13

14

15

16 [m]

1/1

1/1
0

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 [m]

Fig. 74 Table to read off the fractions of b1 or b2

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Application example:

z = 9m

See detector
arrangement
Flat ceilings
with joists

h1
9m

h 0, 3
h

5m
(
)
15m

4m

N 1 + 0, 83

4m

b 1)b 2 u z
2

b1, b2
z

5m
+ 0, 33
15m

5m

N2 +

15m
b2

6m
b1

b1, z

b2 z

1/2b2 z

1/3b2 z

b2>z, 2/3b2 z

1/2b2 z

2/5b2 z

1/3b2 z

2/3b2>z, 1/2b2 z

1/3b2 z

1/2b2>z, 2/5b2 z

2/3b1 z

1/2b1 z

2/5b1 z

1/3b1 z

Key:

N1 <0,5 N2 <0,5

N1 >0,5 N2 >0,5

N1 <0,5 N2 >0,5

N1 >0,5 N2 <0,5

1/3b2 z

2/5b2 >z, 1/3b2 z

+
_

Yes

Special case: 3 or more lateral

rows required

No

1/
2
1/
3
1/
5

4m

b1 z

7.5m

b2
15m

7.5m

b1
6m

b1

b2

Fig. 75 Determining the required rows of detectors parallel to the ridge and their distribution over two parts of the
building width b1 or b2

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5.4.6

Symmetrical arrangement of detectors

1 row of detectors in ridge (Result from Fig. 75)

b
The minimum number of detectors M is calculated with
A/AM. The result is then rounded up to the nearest figure.

1/2x

The greatest possible detector spacing x at the ridge depends on the monitoring area A and full building width b
and may not exceed 2z.

Fig. 76 Longitudinal arrangement of detectors with 1 row of detectors in the ridge

2 rows of detectors with no row of detectors in the ridge (result from Fig. 75)

b1

b2

The minimum number of detectors M is calculated with

A/AM. The result is then rounded up to the nearest figure.

1/2x

1
Detector spacing x is: x + 2
M

Fig. 77 Longitudinal detector arrangement with 2 rows of detectors with no row of detectors in the ridge

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3 rows of detectors (result from Fig. 75)

b1

b2

The minimum number of detectors M is calculated with

A/AM. For a practical detector arrangement the result must
be corrected acc. to the following table:
Result

Detectors required M

1-3

3*

4-5

6-8

9 - 11

11

12 - 14

14

15 - 17

17

18 - 20

20

etc.

etc.

* Position all three detectors in the same axis

1/2x
x
x
l

x
x
x

My

Mx

My

The number of detectors Mx in the ridge is: Mx + M * 2

3
The number of detectors My in the lateral row is: My = Mx + 1
1
Detector spacing x is: x +
My

Fig. 78 Longitudinal arrangement of detectors with three rows of detectors

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4 rows of detectors with no row of detectors in the ridge (result from Fig. 75)

b2

b1

The minimum number of detectors M calculated with A/AM.

The result is then rounded up to the nearest figure which is divisible by 4.

1/2x

My

My

My

My

1
Detector spacing x is: x + 4
M

Fig. 79 Longitudinal arrangement of detectors with 4 rows of detectors with no row of

detectors in the ridge

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5 rows of detectors (result from Fig. 75)

b1

b2

The minimum number of detectors M is calculated with A/AM. For a

practical detector arrangement the result must be corrected according to the following table whereby AM is slightly exceeded in
borderline cases:
Result

Detectors required M

1-5

5*

6-7

8 - 13

12

14 - 18

17

19 - 24

22

25 - 29

27

etc.

etc.

* Position all 5 detectors in the same axis

1/2x
x
x
l

x
x

My2

My1

Mx

My1

My2

The number of detectors Mx in the ridge and in both outer lateral

M*2
rows are each: Mx + My 2 +
5
The number of detectors My1 in both inner lateral rows is: My = Mx + 1
Detector spacing is: x + y 1 + y 2 + 1
My 1

Fig. 80 Longitudinal spacing of detectors with 5 rows of detectors

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5.4.7

Asymmetrical arrangement of detectors

1 row of detectors as for symmetrical gable roof (result from Fig. 75)
2 rows of detectors (result from Fig. 75)

b1

b2

The minimum number of detectors is calculated with A/AM. The result is then rounded up to the nearest uneven number.

1/2x
x
x
l

x
x

Mx
The number of detectors Mx in the ridge is: Mx + M * 1
2
The number of in the lateral row is: My = Mx + 1
Detector spacing is: x + 1
My

Fig. 81 Longitudinal arrangement of detectors with 2 rows of detectors with a row of detectors in the ridge

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3 rows of detectors with a row of detectors in the ridge (result from Fig. 75)

b1

b2

The minimum number of detectors M is calculated with A/AM. For a practical arrangement the result must be corrected according to the following
table:
Result

Detectors required M

1-3

3*

5-7

8 - 10

10

11 - 13

13

14 - 16

16

17 - 19

19

etc.

etc.

* Position all three detectors in the same axis

1/2x
x
x
l

x
x

Mx

My1

My2

The number of detectors Mx in the ridge and in the outer lateral row My2 is each: Mx + My 2 M * 1
3
The number of detectors My in the lateral row is: My1 = Mx + 1
Detector spacing x is: x +

1
My 1

Fig. 82 Longitudinal arrangement of detectors with 3 rows of detectors with row of detectors in ridge

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3 rows of detectors with no row of detectors in the ridge (result from Fig. 75)

b1

b2

The minimum number of detectors M is calculated with A/AM.

The result is then rounded up to the nearest figure divisible by 3.

1/2x

Detector spacing x is: x + 3 1

M

Fig. 83 Longitudinal arrangement of detectors with 3 rows of detectors with no row of

detectors in the ridge

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4 rows of detectors (result from Fig. 75)

b1

b2

The minimum number of detectors M is calculated with A/AM. For a practical detector arrangement the result must be corrected acc. to the following
table:
Result
1-4
5-6
7 - 10
11 - 15
16 - 19
20 - 24
25 - 28
etc.

Detectors required M
4*
6
10
14
18
22
26
etc.

* Position all 4 detectors in the same axis

1/2x
x
x
l

x
x

My1

Mx

My1

My

The number of detectors Mx in the ridge and in the outer lateral row are each: Mx + My 2 M * 2
4
The number of detectors My on the two inner lateral rows is: My1 = Mx + 1
Detector spacing x is: x +

1
My 1

Fig. 84 Longitudinal detector arrangement with 4 rows of detectors

<1/4s

Fig. 85 Detector arrangement for special north light roofs

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5.5

Heat detectors

5.5.1

No spacing from the ceiling

Unlike smoke detectors, heat detectors are mounted at the highest point of the ceiling.

Fig. 86 Heat detector arrangement at the highest point of the ceiling

5.5.2

Ceiling structures / Sloping ceilings

The monitoring area and the detector arrangement is determined according to the slope
of the ceiling.
For practical reasons the slope of the ceiling is not given in degrees but as a ratio of height
to length of slope. This value is designated the slope (N).

N1

(h = 0)

N2

h
h

h
h
b

b1

N + h
b

N 1 + h
b1

b2

N 2 + h
b2

Fig. 87 Calculation of ceiling slope(s)

N 0.2
N >0.2... 0.5
N >0.5

= flat ceiling
= moderately sloping ceiling
= steeply sloping ceiling

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5.5.3

Heat channelling
With sloping ceilings, heat travels across the slope of the ceiling to the highest point. This
creates a concentration of heat in the ridge. For this reason the basic monitoring area AM
and detector spacing are increased.

Fig. 88 Flow of heat to the highest point on the ceiling

5.5.4

Monitoring area and maximum detector spacing

The temperature increase at the ceiling directly above the seat of the fire falls by the
square of the room height. For this reason the monitoring area per heat detector is smaller than for smoke detectors.
The maximum permissible distance from detector to detector (s) or detector to wall (1/2s)
depends on the monitoring area and the slope of the ceiling.
Area of the
room to be
monitored

Maximum monitoring area (AM) and maximum detector spacing (s)

Slope of ceiling N *
>0.2 ... 0.5

0.2

>0.5

AM

AM

AM

30m2

30m2

7.80m

30m2

9.20m

30m2

10.60m

>30m2

20m2

6.60m

30m2

9.20m

40m2

12.00m

Fig. 89 Table Monitoring areas and detector spacing for heat detectors
* If a ceiling (or roof) has surfaces with varying slopes, e.g. north light roofs, then the one with the least slope is
determinative provided it is not shorter than 1/2s and therefore can be ignored. If both halves of the ceiling are
1/2s, then each half can be calculated separately.

5.5.5

Symmetrical detector arrangement

A symmetrical detector arrangement is the same as for smoke detectors (section 5.3.5).

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5.5.6

Minimum detector spacing

The distance between detectors and walls, fixtures and fittings and stored goods may not
be less than 0,5m, except for corridors, ducts and similar parts of buildings of less than 1m
in width. If there are joists, beams or e.g. air conditioning ducts running below the ceiling,
which are closer to the ceiling than 0.15m, then detectors must be spaced at least 0.5m
laterally from these structures.

0.15m

0.5m
0.5m

Fig. 90 Spacing detectors from installation fittings

5.5.7

Racks, stored goods

Stored goods or racks which extend to within less than 0.3m of the ceiling obstruct the
spread of heat to such an extent that they must be regarded as room divisions (walls).

Room division = h <0.3m

Fig. 91 Room divided by racks or stored goods

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5.5.8

Raised roof structures

Raised roof structures which are connected to the room to be monitored and whose surface area exceeds 10% of the total ceiling area, or as long as this part of the ceiling is AM,
must be regarded as separate rooms. If not, they can be disregarded.
Roof structure

Fig. 92 Room with raised roof structure

5.5.9

Ceiling ventilation
With ceiling ventilation (Cupolex, mushroom vents etc.) detectors may be installed
near the vents provided this is permitted by the arrangement of the vents, the area to be
monitored and the maximum detector spacing.

~0.4m

Fig. 93 Detector arrangement with unilateral ceiling ventilation

~0.4m

Fig. 94 Detector arrangement with bilateral ceiling ventilation

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5.5.10

Galleries
Basically, galleries or similar structures which suppress the influence of heat flow should
be treated in the same way. The permeability of the flow of heat through trellis constructions must be assessed as under the section Grid pattern dropped ceilings (5.5.13).
Detectors must be provided beneath galleries without heat flow permeability provided:
b >1/4s
whereby the monitoring area s must be based on the room height beneath the gallery.

1/
3

2/
3

Fig. 95 Detector arrangement beneath a gallery

If

h + t 0.1
h

the joist can be disregarded. Detector arrangement according to Fig. 94.

However, if

h + is u 0.1 and b u 1
h

detectors must always be provided beneath the gallery. The monitoring area must be calculated according to the room height beneath the gallery.

Fig. 96 Detector arrangement for a gallery with joist

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5.5.11

Ventilated / air conditioned rooms

Detectors for room monitoring may not be installed in the path of the fresh air current from
air conditioning and ventilation systems. Perforated ceilings which provide ventilation
must be sealed around the detectors.

~1m2
abdichten

Fig. 97 Sealing a perforated ceiling

5.5.12

Narrow rooms / corridors

In narrow rooms or corridors not wider than 3m, detector spacing may in general be increased to 10m. The maximum permissible monitoring area may, however, not be exceeded. A detector should always be installed at the junction of corridors.
5m

10m

10m

Fig. 98 Detector arrangement in narrow rooms / corridors

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5.5.13

Grid pattern dropped ceilings

Dropped ceilings which form a grid pattern, e.g. for purposes of decoration, to diffuse
light, or to support light fittings, influence the spread of heat. The heat permeability of grid
pattern dropped ceilings varies according to the percentage of space taken up by the
openings and the nature of the openings themselves.

Void

Position B

Position A
h

Ceiling opening

Grid pattern

Monitoring categories I, II, III

Fig. 99 Detector arrangement with grid pattern dropped ceilings

% of space taken up
by openings (evenly
distributed)

small, e.g. 1cm slits

large, e.g 2cm slits or

larger

Must the void be monitored?

yes/no according to
Fig. 1

>50%

yes or no

yes or no

yes or no

yes

no

no

>25% ... 50%

yes

no

yes

nein

yes

yes or no

<25%

yyes or no

yyes or no

no

yes

5.5.14

Size of opening

Detector arrangement
Pos. A

Pos. B
X
X
X
X

Joists
Joists must be taken into account according to room height and depth of joist.

9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

Joists need
not to be
taken into
account

0.1

0.2

Joists must be taken into account

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

Detectors to be installed
in each inter-joist area

h [m] Room height

0.7 0.8
Joists in m

Fig. 100 Determining whether joists must be taken into account

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If they have to be taken into account refer to the following table Fig. 101:

Maximum monitoring area

Size of inter-joist area

Mount one detector in

each

20m2

>12m2
8 - 12m2
6 - 8m2
4 - 6m2
<4m2

IJA*
2. IJA
3. IJA
4. IJA
5. IJA

30m2

>18m2
12 - 18m2
9 - 12m2
6 - 9m2
<6m2

IJA
2. IJA
3. IJA
4. IJA
5. IJA

Heat
detector

* IJA = Inter-joist area

Fig. 101 Detector arrangement where joists have to be taken into account

5.5.15

Sloping ceilings (N >0.2)

If the slope of the ceiling N is >0.5, then one row of detectors must be installed in the ridge
or the highest part of the room.
Other rows of detectors on the slope of the ceiling are inevitable if the permissible detector spacing s is maintained. Detectors in the lateral row are slightly offset towards the
ridge, i.e. the distance from detector to wall should be the same as from detector to detector.

<s

s<b2s

min. 0.5m

s<b2s

Fig. 102 Arrangement of detector rows with a ceiling slope of N >0.5

If the slope of the ceiling N lies between 0.2 and 0.5m, a row of detectors in the ridge can
be waived. The rows of detectors are heavily offset towards the ridge.

1/
3

1/
6

1/
6

s<b2s

1/
3

5/
12

5/
12

1/
6

s<b2s

Fig. 103 Arrangement of detector rows with a ceiling slope of N from 0.2 up to 0.5
For ceilings with varying slopes, the row of detectors in the ridge is installed on the least
steep slope. The greater the variation in slope, the more the row of detectors must be
offset.

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0.2 - 0.5m

Fig. 104 Detector arrangement in the ridge with varying slope of ceiling
For north light roofs, detectors can be mounted as for roofs with joists where the roof
structures are less than 1/4s provided h + 0.3 . h The monitoring area AM must in this
h
case be calculated as for a flat ceiling.

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5.6

Flame detector S2406

The description and planning are contained in document e164 Infrared flame detector
in the DS24 manual, section 2.

5.7

Linear smoke detector DLO1191

The description and planning are contained in document e1276 Linear smoke detector
in the DS11 manual, section 3.

5.8

Air sampling smoke detection

The description of and planning for the following products are contained in the corresponding documents.
ASD-Duct DBZ1197A: Document x1367, manual DS11, section 3
ASD-Flex, ASD-Mono, ASD-Modular: Manual DS24, section 5
HSD2400: Document e993, manual DS24, section 5

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5.9

Manual call points

5.9.1

Number and locations

Manual call points must be installed where they are clearly visible along escape routes,
e.g.
Exits
Corridors
Staircases
Lift foyers
Entrance halls
Hose cabinets
particularly hazardous areas
at intervals of not more than 40m.

40m

<40m

40m

40m

>40m

Manual call point

Hose cabinet

Fig. 105 Locations of manual call points along escape routes

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Fig. 106 Locations of manual call points in rooms with increased fire danger
Zones of manual call points without mechanical self hold may not be operated via intermediate alarm memories.

5.9.2

Mounting height
In general manual call points should be mounted at a height of 1.5 to 1.7m from the floor.
This prevents unwanted operation (e.g. confusion with light switches in the dark).
They may be mounted at a lower height when built into hose cabinets or control desks.

1.50 - 1.70m

Fig. 107 Mounting height of manual call points

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Detector zones and detection lines

6.1

Terminology
A detector zone is a group of detectors connected in one detection line, for which an
indicator (fire location indicator) is provided at the control unit.
The detection line is the monitored electrical transmission line which connects the fire
detectors to the control unit.

6.2

Formation of detector zones

6.2.1

Automatic fire detectors

The entire monitoring zone must be divided up into detector zones. Detector zones must
be planned so that the fire location is signalled quickly and clearly.

Attic

Fire detection system

control unit
Detector
zone

Location
Attic

Upper floor

Upper floor
Ground floor

Ground floor

Fig. 108 Seat of fire location by forming detector zones

Detector zones must not extend beyond one floor and/or one fire compartment. Excluded
from this rule are staircases, light, lift and installation shafts or tower structures and small
multi-storey buildings which can be treated as separate detector zones.

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Zone
Attic

Zone
Ground floor
south

Fire wall

Zone
upper floor
Zone
Ground floor
north

Zone
Staircase

Fig. 109 Sub-division of the entire monitoring area into detector zones
A number of rooms should only be combined in one detector zone
if the rooms are adjoining, if there are not more than five rooms
or
if the rooms are adjoining, if their entrances are easy to supervise and if easily visible
external response indicators are mounted in the vicinity of the entrances to signal a fire
in the room concerned.

Control unit

Fig. 110 One detector zone for max. 5 adjacent rooms, external response indicator is unnecessary

Control unit

Fig. 111 One detector zone for more than 5 adjacent rooms, external response indicator
necessary
Normally flame detectors form detector zones of their own because these detectors often
monitor large areas.

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Detectors installed in raised floors, dropped ceilings, cable, air conditioning and ventilation systems, should form a special zone of their own, or it must be possible to determine
in a simple way, e.g. using external response indicators, in which area detectors have
responded.
Zone
Room
External response indicators
on the wall (or under glass
panel in raised floor)

External response
indicators under glass
(or external response
indicators on the wall)

Zone
Floor void

Zone
Room and ceiling void
all external response
indicators on the wall

Fig. 112 Formation of detector zones in areas which are not immediately visible

6.2.2

Manual call points

The specific zone alarm signal is the initiating function at the control unit for the alarm
organization sequence. For this reason separate zones must be created for manual call
points.
Manual calls points in staircases with more than 2 basement levels must always form
separate zones working downwards from the ground floor or from the fire department entrance.

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Zone A
F

Upper floor

Fire department
access
F

Basement floor

Zone B

Fig. 113 Formation of zones of manual call points in staircases with more than two basement levels

6.2.3

Fire control installations

Frequently, in the event of fire, installations such as dampers, ventilation systems, lifts
etc. have to be automatically activated. In order that this is possible from the zone control
outputs at the control unit, the size of zone must be must be determined according to
these conditions.

6.3

Maximum number of detectors per detector zone and detection line

Note:

6.3.1

Collective detection line MS9

Addressable detection line MS9i
See Planning guidelines, document d804, Manual ZH4.1
Planning Control unit for danger detection CZ10

Restrictions on application
In order that a fire can be located quickly and clearly no more than 25 automatic detectors
or 10 manual call points may be connected in one detector zone.

6.3.2

Maximum technical ratings

Fire detection system control unit line modules have varying technical specifications. The
maximum permissible number of detectors per line module is technically restricted and
varies according to the kind and model of the detector.

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6.4

Temporary, local switching off of fire detectors

Fire detectors can be switched off by means of the time switch (AMT 12C) for between 18
minutes and 12 hours and automatically switched on again upon expiry of the selected
switch-off period.
Within the same detector zone (MS7/MS9) any two detectors or several detectors in sequence can be switched off.
During the switch-off period fire alarm must still be guaranteed by
manual call points in the zone concerned so that personnel permanently present can
raise an alarm
installing other, possibly less sensitive detectors (e.g. F detectors partially switched off,
S- or D-type detectors continuously switched on).
220V / 50Hz

MAT

Fig. 114 Switching off of several detectors in sequence (MS7 or MS9)

MAT

220V / 50Hz

Fig. 115 Switching off of slave detectors with addressable detector system MS9i

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Fire detection system control unit

7.1

Location of control unit

The control unit must be located according to the following criteria:
In the immediate vicinity of the main entrance of the area to be monitored, or the entrance used by the fire department in an emergency. If this is not practical, then a display and operating terminal should be located here and connected to the control unit by
a primary wire.
Normal ambient conditions in respect of temperature, humidity, dust, vibration and mechanical damage.
Easily accessible for servicing
No solar radiation (avoid accumulation of heat)
Location of the control unit in the area to be monitored and monitored by smoke detectors
Trouble-free wiring (detector network, alarm, fire control installations etc.).

7.2

Remote display and operating terminal

With systems which cover a wide area it is practical to install display and operating terminals in different locations to save time in investigating alarm signals. According to the
Cerberus alarm concept, alarm investigation including the resetting of an alarm, should
not exceed ten minutes. In addition, no part of the area monitored should be more than
200m from a terminal.

Fire department
access

CZ..

CT..

Display and
operating terminal

CT..

Display and
operating terminal

Fire detection system

control unit

Fig. 116 Example of a fire detection system with remote display and operating terminal

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7.3

Centralized or decentralized arrangement of the control unit in large

fire detection systems
Cerberus control units are designed for a certain maximum number of detector zones.
Their specifications and configuration possibilities are laid down in separate planning
documents (Manual ZH4, CZ control units).
If the fire detection system requires a larger number of detector zones or detection lines
than permitted by the fire detection system specifications, one or more additional control
units are required. In order to keep the line network to the fire detectors and control equipment as short and economic as possible, the additional control units are usually decentralized. They can function autonomously and can be combined with:
display and operating terminals in one place
or
comprise with the DMS7000 integrated system.

7.4

Configuration of the Cerberus fire detection system control unit

For planning information for the configuration of fire detection system control units see:
See Manual ZH4.1 for CZ10, ZH5 for CZ1.02 and CS11 for AlgoRex.

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Alarm

8.1

General
Alarm must enable rapid intervention of fire-fighting forces. Basically the Cerberus
alarm concept (CAC) should be used.
See Planning guidelines, document e804, Manual ZH4.1 and document e1089, Manual
CS11.

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Fire control installations

9.1

General
Installations which form part of the fire protection concept can be actuated automatically
by the fire detection system.
This includes:
the switching off of air conditioning or ventilation systems
the closing of dampers
the closing of fire doors
the switching on of smoke and heat venting systems
the switching on of emergency lighting
the sending of lifts to the ground floor and blocking them there
the switching off of machines and equipment of all kinds
The actuation of such installations must not have a negative influence on the fire detection system.

9.1.1

Actuation of fire control installations

The actuation of fire control installations depends on the prevailing conditions in the area
being protected and must be specified in each case.
With smaller fire detection systems, normally all fire control installations are actuated in
the event of an alarm.
With large fire detection systems fire control installations are linked to certain zones and
actuated at alarm stage I or II.
Vital installations can be cross-zone actuated. Upon power failure all actuated installations must revert to their safe position, e.g.:
Fire doors and dampers must close.
Fire control installation functions must be laid down in the system file.

9.1.2

Switching of external control

The control panel of the system concerned must indicate that actuation via the fire detection system has taken place.
Actuated installations must be brought back to their normal operating condition independently of the fire detection system.
Example:
Control unit

Relay contact closes upon alarm, opens

upon reset, in exceptional cases upon
switching off the audible alarm

External control
P

Ventilation
control voltage

Fig. 117 Switching off ventilation

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9.1.3

Control unit in TEST mode

If the control unit is in TEST mode, fire control installations may only be actuated if the
fire detection system has to give a genuine alarm, e.g. when a manual call point is actuated.

9.1.4

Testing fire control installation actuation

It must be possible to test the correct functioning fire control installations without their being actuated.
Switch-off key
Actuation

External control

+
Performance check

Switch-off indicator

Fig. 118 Possibility of testing fire control installations

9.1.5

Safety precautions
Depending on the type of installation or device, actuation can have consequences which
question the advantages of automatic actuation.
If in doubt choose manual instead of automatic actuation.

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10

Avoiding deceptive alarms

10.1

General
Deceptive alarms can be largely avoided by choosing a suitable type of detector, response sensitivity, detector arrangement and by taking into account ambient conditions.
The fire detection systems immunity to deceptive alarms is more important than high response sensitivity.
The following possibilities are just a few examples of how deceptive alarms can be
avoided. Decide in each case on which measures are the most suitable.

10.2

Possible measures

10.2.1

Fire detectors
General information: Set all automatic detectors or detector zones to alarm intermediate data storage.
F-type detectors
a) In low rooms (room height 3m):
use integrating detectors (blue marker) or switch detector zone to alarm intermediate
data storage
install detectors outside ceiling areas above permanent work places (e.g. near the
door in small offices)
set detectors to sensitivity level 1
b) In dusty and low rooms:
use dust-resistant type of detector (e.g. F910 with small smoke entries or F930 with
drift inquiry)
shorter servicing interval (exchange of detectors)
set detectors to sensitivity level 1
c) In rooms with transient deceptive phenomena caused by work processes:
install detectors outside areas subject to deceptive phenomena
use integrated detectors (blue marker) or switch detector zone to alarm intermediate
data storage
use detectors with adjustable smoke entries
set detectors to sensitivity level 1
R-type detectors
As for F-type detectors, except:
use F-type detectors or linear smoke detectors in dusty rooms.

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D/T-type detectors
Do not install detectors in places where, due to natural or operational sources of heat, the
ambient temperature can cause the detector to respond.
no direct solar radiation on the detector
install at a distance from equipment which radiates heat such as baking ovens, hot air
blowers, hot steam etc.
protect detectors from warm air currents with metal screening
Rate-of-rise heat detectors
Replace the rate-of-rise heat detector by a maximum temperature detector if the
above measures are not successful.
Flame detector S610 (single channel detector)
Keep detectors as far as possible from heat radiators
the detector may only look towards the open air through glass, therefore, screw tight
window to prevent it being opened
do not expose detector to vibrations (oscillations) so that deceptive phenomena are
not modulated
reduce detector sensitivity, e.g. use stages 3, 2 or 1
use flame detector S2406 (dual channel detector)
Flame detector S2406 (dual channel detector)
Keep detectors as far as possible from modulated heat radiators
when used in open air the detector axis must not be pointed directly at the sun (observe suns movement, it should shine from behind detector)
do not expose detector to vibration (oscillations), so that deceptive phenomena are
not modulated
reduce detector sensitivity, e.g. use stages 3, 2 or 1
if there are very hot and modulated heat radiators near where a detector must be
installed, protect using the polyethylene foil provided.

10.2.2

Signal processing in the control unit

Cerberus alarm concept (CAC)
Temporary alarm storage
A temporary alarm storage (pulse register) in the control unit suppresses alarms, e.g.
from brief electromagnetic influence, following repeated polling.

10.2.3

Measuring deceptive phenomena

If the cause of an alarm is unclear likely deceptive phenomena must be measured with
the appropriate measuring devices.

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11

Procedure for planning a fire detection system

It is assumed that fire protection fire planning has been carried out according to Cerberus document 431 and that the fire
detection system has to be planned as part of the all-round fire protection measures.

1 Compliance with local national guidelines and regulations

- Establish which regulations must be complied with. Such regulations take priority
over Cerberus guidelines.

6 Specify control unit location

- Specify any possible additional indicator
and control terminals
- If several control units are required, check
out the CS100 system.

2 Specification of monitoring area

- Using plans, specify the area to be monitored.

7 Alarm
- Specify alarm concept (2-stage alarm/discreet alarm/possibly evacuation).

3 Specification of sectors with fixed extinguishing systems

- Fire protection planning or the regulations
will determine if an extinguishing system is
required and if so what kind
- The extinguishing system must be
planned according to separate guidelines.

8 Fire control installations

- Specify which equipment is to be operated
- Set up a function plan
- Specify the locations of control elements
with addressable systems and integrate
them in detection line.

4 Choice and arrangement of detectors

- Specify detectors on the basis of building
or room utilization and the protection targets
- Specify the number of detectors required
on the basis of the number of rooms and
their geometry
- Make a detector specifications list.
5 Specify detector zones / detection lines
- Comply with technical and application
limits
- Specify wiring for detector zones and
detection lines.

9 Prepare an installation block diagram

- Specify installation concept (with/without
intermed. distrib.)
- Take into account max. permissible voltage drop
- Comply with local national regulations as
regards type of cable, cross-sectional
area, method of wiring etc.
10 Specification of the control unit
- Specify number and type of signal lines
and extinguishing sectors
- Specify required emergency operating
power period (battery)
- Take into account space available at control unit location
- Specify peripherals (printer etc.).

11 Calculation of equipment costs

- Make list of the equipment required with
prices
- Possibly list in blocks for the purpose of
the quotation
- Also list required test equipment and
spares.
12 Calculation of installation costs
(usually estimated poss. external)
- Wiring
- Installation and connection of detectors,
alarm devices etc.
- Installation and connection of control
unit, remote operation
- Commissioning and training
- Insert detectors and performance
check.
13 Calculation of engineering costs
(poss. incl. in equipment costs)
- Project planning
- Prepare the customers technical documentation
- Prepare user data
- Co-ordination, visit site.
14 Prepare quotation
(possibly fill out a tender instead of quotation)
- Prepare system description (concept)
- Prepare quotation (brief specification
with price)
- Specify documents to be enclosed (system brochure, installation block diagram
etc.).

Explanation of abbreviations
<
>

a
b
d
d
h
h
l
s
sl
x
z

smaller than
greater than
smaller than or equal to
greater than or equal to
Lateral distance (S detectors)
Full building width (gable width)
Maximum detection distance (S detectors)
Reference measurement for maximum
detector spacing (s)
Height
Partial height
Length
Maximum detector spacing
Increased maximum detector spacing
Effective detector spacing parallel to ridge
Reference measurement to determine the
number of detector rows required for
gable roofs

A
AF
AU
AM
AMk
K
M
Mm
Mx
My
N

Total surface area to be monitored by detectors

Size of fire (S detectors)
Inter-joist area
Monitoring area per detector
Corrected (reduced) monitoring area per detector
(monitoring area per detector, multiplied by
correction factor K)
Correction factor for the reduction of the
monitoring area per detector
Number of detectors required
Minimum number of detectors required
Number of detectors required in the ridge
Number of detectors required on the slope of the
ceiling
Angle of inclination of ceiling

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Keyword index
C
Complete monitoring, 2

D
Deceptive phenomena, 5

E
Exchange of air, 28
Explanation of abbreviations, 92

F
Fire control installations, 88
Fire load, 3
Fire phenomena, 21
Fire resistance, 4
Fire risk reduction, 4
Fire spread, 6
Fixed extinguishing system, 4

O
Open incipient fire, 5

P
Partial monitoring, 2
Planning symbols, 23
Point-type detector, 14

S
Smoke distribution, 24, 25
Smouldering fire, 6
Smouldering incipient fire, 5
Sources of ignition, 3

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Siemens Building Technologies AG

Alte Landstrasse 411
CH8708 Mnnedorf
Phone +41 1 922 61 11
Fax +41 1 922 64 50
www.cerberus.ch

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no. Products
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Edition 06.2002

Manual 06.2002
CRPB
Section 2