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Abstract

The current method of assigning the maximum heat detector spacing based on fire tests that compare detector response to that of a sprinkler does not produce clear performance criteria for detectors. Wide variation in the maximum spacing assigned by testing laboratories for the same type of detectors is another strong indication of the lack of principle behind the concept of testing detectors, and it adds more confusion. Instead, it is proposed in this paper that the maximum detector spacing should be determined based on a specific mission that is expected to be achieved by using detectors. An example introduced in this work shows: (1) how that can be accomplished, and (2) how the spacing determined here makes a lot more engineering sense than that determined by the current method

Keywords

heat detector response detector spacing pre-action system fire detector RTI performance-based detector spacing

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References

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A Case Study: Determination of Maximum Spacing of Heat Detectors

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