Benchmark Testing VLC- 505 & FAAST 8100 Technical Report
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Benchmark Testing VLC- 505 & FAAST 8100 (return-air sampling) Technical Report April 2011
This page has been left blank intentionally.
Xtralis Benchmark Testing VLC-505 & FAAST 8100 (return-air sampling)
Executive Summary
This report presents the findings from a series of smoke tests in a representative computer/server
room environment at the Xtralis Test Facility to assess and compare the detection performance
between VESDA (VLC-505) and FAAST 8100 detectors when set up to monitor the return air from
the space (return-air grill sampling).
th
The fire tests were conducted on the 11 April 2011 and were witnessed and validated by a
representative from the Centre of Environmental Safety and Risk Engineering (CESARE) of
Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
Copyright © Xtralis AG
iBenchmark Testing VLC-505 & FAAST 8100 (return-air sampling) Xtralis
This page has been left blank intentionally.
iiXtralis Benchmark Testing VLC-505 & FAAST 8100 (return-air sampling)
Background
A series of smoke tests were conducted in a representative computer/server room environment at
the Xtralis Test Facility to assess and compare the detection performance between VESDA (VLC-
505) and FAAST 8100 detectors when setup to monitor the return air from the space (return-air grill
sampling). The fire tests were conducted on the 11th April 2011, and were witnessed and validated
by a representative from the Centre of Environmental Safety and Risk Engineering (CESARE) of
Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
Return-air grill sampling is a recommended practise in computer/server rooms and dictated in
various codes and standards (e.g. NFPA76, FIA CoP). The reason being that smoke from
smouldering fires may lack the thermal buoyancy to rise to the ceiling and is instead transported by
airstreams to the outside through return air openings. To ensure, however, effective sampling
across a return-air grill a high sensitivity ASD system that can reliably provide very early detection
must be used due to a number of reasons:
Detectors are expected and required in these spaces to detect smouldering type fires with often
minimal smoke output.
Smoke is expected to be heavily diluted from high airflow conditions within the room.
Return-air sampling offers a very narrow window of opportunity for detection as the
“transported” smoke will be present momentarily at the grill allowing detectors only a short
duration of exposure to it. This is opposite to under ceiling detection where to smoke can
accumulate.
The ventilation configurations of these spaces does not allow build up of smoke in the room
since smoke is either purged to the outside (no air circulation mode) or attenuated / removed
by depositing onto HVAC filters and fans each time air is circulated back into the room (air
circulation mode).
Test Conditions
Xtralis Test Facility – Computer/server Room (Figure 1)
Test room dimensions: length 11m (36ft), width: 6m (21ft), height: 3m (10ft)
Test room ventilation mode: air supply through perforated floor and exhaust via return-air
grill. No air circulation – smoke is purged directly to the outside
Return-air grill:
Dimension: 1m x 0.8m (3.3ft x 2.6ft). Area: 0.8m2 (8.6ft2)
Average air velocity: 0.5m/sec (148fpm)
Height from floor: 1m (3.3ft)
Test room air exchange rate: 7 air change rates per hour (ACH)
Figure 1 – Xtralis Test Facility – Computer/server Room
1Benchmark Testing VLC-505 & FAAST 8100 (return-air sampling) Xtralis
Detectors
The VLC-505 and FAAST 8100 detectors were setup to sample across the return-air grill. Both
detectors had identical pipe networks comprising a single pipe with two sampling holes placed
across the return-air grill (Figure 2).
Return-air grill
Sample Holes
Figure 2 – VLC and FAAST Return-air Sampling
Detectors’ configurations are stated in Table 1.
Table 1 Detectors Parameters
Parameters VLC-505 FAAST 8100
Serial Number 225682 0026C8002F6
Configuration Tool VSC PipeIQ
Alarm Thresholds*
Alert 0.04%/m (0.012%/ft)
Action 1 0.165%/m (0.05%/ft)
Action 2 0.33%/m (0.1%/ft)
Alarm delay 0sec
No. sampling holes 2
Sampling holes size 5mm (13/64”)
Sampling holes coverage area 0.4m2 (4ft2)
Detector flow rate 31 L/min 37 L/min
Alarm Thresholds set to FAAST default
Note: detectors’ alarm thresholds enable an effective sensitivity at each sample hole within the
minimum settings defined by the following standard and code:
NFPA 76 Standard for the Fire Protection of Telecommunications Facilities (2009) intended for
Very Early Warning Fire Detection (VEWFD) systems.
Fire Industry Association Code of Practice for Design, Installation, Commissioning &
Maintenance of Aspirating Smoke Detector (ASD) Systems (2006) intended for very high
sensitivity (Class A) detection systems.
Smoke Tests
1. Electrically overheated PVC-coated wire (2m)
Test method simulates the small amounts of smoke that would be created at the early stages of a
fire in a telecommunications equipment area and is used for the performance testing of detectors.
Test method is referenced in NFPA 76 and FIA CoP. See Appendix A for further information on test
2Xtralis Benchmark Testing VLC-505 & FAAST 8100 (return-air sampling)
method parameters. Fuel was placed 5m (16.4ft) from the return-air grill and 0.75m (2.46ft) from
the floor.
Results
Test results are shown in Table 2.
Table 2 Return-air Grill Sampling – Test Results
Response Time (sec)
Test No
VLC-505 FAAST 8100
1 188sec – Alert NA* (5)**
2 220sec – Alert NA (3)
3 132sec – Alert NA (4)
4 178sec – Alert NA (4)
5 NA NA (1)
6 NA NA (1)
* NA: No Alarm within test period (300sec)
** Maximum bar graph level attained during test (10 bars = Alert)
The VLC-505 smoke trend readings for each test are shown below.
0.03
VLC-505 Reading (%/ft)
0.025
0.02
0.015
0.01
0.005
Tim e (sec)
0
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300
Test No. #1
3Benchmark Testing VLC-505 & FAAST 8100 (return-air sampling) Xtralis
0.03
VLC-505 Reading (%/ft)
0.025
0.02
0.015
0.01
0.005
Tim e (sec)
0
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300
Test No. #2
0.03
VLC-505 Reading (%/ft)
0.025
0.02
0.015
0.01
0.005
Tim e (sec)
0
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300
Test No. #3
0.03
VLC-505 Reading (%/ft)
0.025
0.02
0.015
0.01
0.005
Tim e (sec)
0
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300
Test No. #4
4Xtralis Benchmark Testing VLC-505 & FAAST 8100 (return-air sampling)
0.03
VLC-505 Reading (%/ft)
0.025
0.02
0.015
0.01
0.005
Tim e (sec)
0
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300
Test ID #5
0.03
VLC-505 Reading (%/ft)
0.025
0.02
0.015
0.01
0.005
Tim e (sec)
0
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300
Test No. #6
Figure 3 – VLC-505 Smoke Trends
Conclusion
This investigation compared the detection performance of VLC-505 and FAAST 8100 detectors
when setup to sample the return-air grill in a computer/server room environment. The results have
shown that the VLC-505 detector responded to the electrically overheated PVC-coated wire (2m)
whereas FAAST 8100 failed to respond in all tests.
5Benchmark Testing VLC-505 & FAAST 8100 (return-air sampling) Xtralis Appendix - Electrically overloaded PVC-coated wire (2m) Test Method NFPA 76 Standard for the Fire Protection of Telecommunications Facilities (2009) - Annex B Performance Test Procedures for Very Early Warning and Early Warning Fire Detection Systems Fire Industry Association Code of Practice for Design, Installation, Commissioning & Maintenance of Aspirating Smoke Detector (ASD) Systems (2006) 6
Xtralis Benchmark Testing VLC-505 & FAAST 8100 (return-air sampling)
Disclaimer On The Provision Of General System Design
Recommendations
Any recommendation on system design provided by Xtralis is an indication only of what is
considered to be the most suitable solution to meet the needs of the common application
environments described.
In some cases the recommendations on system design provided may not suit the unique set of
conditions experienced in a particular application environment. Xtralis has made no inquiry nor
undertaken any due diligence that any of the recommendations supplied will meet any particular
application. Xtralis makes no warranty as to the suitability or performance of any recommendation
on system design. Xtralis has not assessed the recommendation on system design for compliance
with any codes or standards that may apply nor have any tests been conducted to assess the
appropriateness of any recommendations on system design. Any person or organization accessing
or using a recommendation on system design should, at its own cost and expense, procure that the
recommendation on system design complies in all respects with the provision of all legislation, acts
of government, regulations, rules and by-laws for the time being in force and all orders or directions
which may be made or given by any statutory or any other competent authority in respect of or
affecting the recommendation on system design in any jurisdiction in which it may be implemented.
Xtralis products must only be installed, configured and used strictly in accordance with the General
Terms and Conditions, User Manual and product documents available from Xtralis. Xtralis accepts
no liability for the performance of the recommendation on system design or for any products
utilized in the implementation of the recommendation on system design, aside from the General
Terms and Conditions, User Manual and product documents.
No statement of fact, drawing or representation made by Xtralis either in this document or orally in
relation to this recommendation on system design is to be construed as a representation,
undertaking or warranty.
To the extent permitted by law, Xtralis excludes liability for all indirect and consequential damages
however arising. For the purposes of this clause, ‘consequential damage’ shall include, but not be
limited to, loss of profit or goodwill or similar financial loss or any payment made or due to any third
party.
Recommendations on system design are provided exclusively to assist in design of systems using
Xtralis products. No portion of this recommendation on system design can be reproduced without
the prior approval in writing of Xtralis. Copyright and any associated intellectual property in any
such recommendations on system design or documentation remains the property of Xtralis
7Benchmark Testing VLC-505 & FAAST 8100 (return-air sampling) Xtralis www.xtralis.com The Americas +1 781 740 2223 Asia +852 2297 2438 Australia and New Zealand +61 3 9936 7000 Continental Europe +41 55 285 99 99 UK and the Middle East +44 1442 242 330 The contents of this document are provided on an “as is” basis. No representation or warranty (either express or implied) is made as to the completeness, accuracy or reliability of the contents of this document. The manufacturer reserves the right to change designs or specifications without obligation and without further notice. Except as otherwise provided, all warranties, express or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are expressly excluded. This document includes registered and unregistered trademarks. All trademarks displayed are the trademarks of their respective owners. Your use of this document does not constitute or create a licence or any other right to use the name and/or trademark and/or label. This document is subject to copyright owned by Xtralis AG (“Xtralis”). You agree not to copy, communicate to the public, adapt, distribute, transfer, sell, modify or publish any contents of this document without the express prior written consent of Xtralis. Doc. 20045_02 8
You can also read
