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Panasonic Electric Works Nordic AB
MEW01091
Rev: 3
36
How to avoid unnecessary
(nuisance) fire alarms
We all realise, when life, buildings, production facilities, etc. shall be
saved, it is of utmost importance that an initial fire is detected as soon
as possible. That's why more and more automatic fire alarm systems
are installed.
In an automatic fire alarm installation, especially if smoke detectors
(sensors) are used, everybody in the building needs to be informed
how to avoid so called unnecessary (nuisance) fire alarms.
To avoid trouble and unnecessary expenses there are a couple of
things to bear in mind. Here are some advice and tips.
Tobacco smoke
The detectors (sensors) cannotsense the difference between "smoke"
and "smoke". They cannotseparate tobacco smoke from smoke from a
fire. Intensive tobacco smoking in connection with bad ventilation
can cause a fire alarm.
Welding, grinding, cutting, sawing & drilling
This kind of jobs cause smoke.
Carpet welding
Welding of plastic carpets causes a smoke that can be almost invisible,
but it still influences the smoke detectors (sensors).
Cooking fumes, toasting & candles
It is not only "normal smoke" that influences smoke detectors
(sensors). It is all kinds of "combustion products", caused by cooking
(frying/grilling), toasting, etc. Warning! Be careful when there are
smoke detectors (sensors) near such activity.
Special environments
Certain premises and environments can influence smoke detectors
(sensors) and cause alarms. It can be ions (from plastics), flour dust,
oil haze, aerosols, strong perfumes, strong ventilation, insecticides,
disinfecting sprays, etc. If many odd and unnecessary alarms occur,
the environment must be examined and perhaps other detector types
have to be chosen.
Steam / hot air
Smoke and heat detectors are influenced by steam and hot air, e.g.
from an oven, dry-blower, heater, etc.
135
EBL128 Operating Instructions V1.1.x
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