Estimating the Response of Thermal Detectors

The paper considers the prediction of time to operation of sprinklers, as well as the response of heat detectors to changing fire conditions. The discussion concentrates on devices having a heat-sensitive element which operates at a preset temperature, though rate-of-rise devices are also mentioned. I NTRODUCTION The time which elapses between ignition and the operation of a sprinkler or fire detector has a cru-cial bearing on fire losses of both property and life. A quantitative assessment of fire hazard requires therefore that some prediction be made of the likely time to operation of such devices. Fire detectors (including sprinklers) respond either to some property of the fire itself or of the gases produced. Prediction of the time to opera-tion requires that an estimate be made of th