Detector Sensitivity and Siting Requirements for Dwelling: Phase 2. Final Report.
Detector Sensitivity and Siting Requirements for
Dwelling: Phase 2. Final Report.
(23340 K)
Harpe, S. W.; Waterman, T. E.; Christian, W. J.
NBS GCR 77-82; 379 p. February 1977.
Sponsor:
National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
(NTIS), Technology Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161.
Telephone:
1-800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000;
Fax: 703-605-6900; Rush
Service (Telephone Orders Only) 800-553-6847;
Website:
http://www.ntis.gov
Order number: PB-263882
Keywords:
detector sensitivity; escape; fire tests; gas detectors;
heat detectors; residential fires; smoke detectors;
photoelectric detectors
Abstract:
The contract for a field investigation of the
effectiveness of residential smoke detectors was
extended to cover 36 additional tests investigating
details not completely covered in the first report. The
objective of the second phase summer/fall conditions
without air conditioning and to expand available
information on high volume, two story structures. The
effects of open windows, new technical developments in
photoelectric detector design, and the response of
semiconductor type residential gas detectors and
mechanically powered heat detectors were also included.
The tests reinforced the conclusions of the first phase
of testing. They showed that open windows have little
appreciable affect of life safety and detection times,
and that semiconductor gas sensing fire detectors
exhibit fuel specific response characteristics which
seriously degraded the effectiveness in certain types of
fires.
