False alarms are a serious problem: In 2004, more than 280,000 false alarms were generated throughout the United States by automatic fire detection systems, causing disruption, unnecessary cost and a waste of firefighters’ time. In response to this critical issue, System Sensor has developed an innovative solution based on advanced technology. The Advanced Multi-Criteria Fire Detector is the first detector specifically optimized to address false-alarm issues while also offering major response time improvements.

Scheduled for introduction to U.S. markets in fall 2008, the Advanced Multi-Criteria Fire Detector is the first detector to integrate four independent sensors into a single-point fire detector. It combines a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor, a photoelectric smoke sensor, a temperature sensor and an infrared light sensor. All four are continually analyzed by an embedded microprocessor running sophisticated and responsive algorithms in one low-profile housing unit. By controlling, measuring and processing the individual sensor outputs with intelligent algorithms, the Advanced Multi-Criteria Fire Detector is ultra-immune to false alarms, yet is very sensitive to fires.

Based on signal data, the Advanced Multi-Criteria Fire Detector automatically adjusts the sensitivities of the four sensors. When one element of a fire is detected, it will increase the sensitivity of the other sensors in case of a fire. The alarm will activate only when the combined sensor inputs indicate that a genuine fire condition is present. Similarly, the Advanced Multi-Criteria Fire Detector is unaffected by false-alarm threats because the absence of a key element of a fire (most commonly CO) means the device knows there is no cause for concern. Unlike other detection technologies, it rejects the threat because of the lack of other key elements.

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Although the Advanced Multi-Criteria Fire Detector monitors each of the four major elements of a fire (not just the generated particles), it’s a fire detector that bases its decision on enhancement of the smoke-detection element. This fundamental difference sets the Advanced Multi-Criteria Fire Detector apart from any other product on the market, moving the science of early fire detection onto a far higher level of efficiency.

The integration of continual monitoring of all four major fire elements has enabled System Sensor to create a detector that responds more quickly to an actual fire, has high immunity to nuisances and is highly configurable from the panel, allowing the detection system to be profiled to changes in the use and occupation of the protected building.

Managed by on-board intelligence running advanced algorithms, the Advanced Multi-Criteria Fire Detector is able to be re-characterized on the fly as ambient conditions change. Based on sensor signals, the program is capable of dynamically changing its sensor thresholds, sensor gain, time delays, combination, sampling rates and averaging rates. If any sensor fails, the Advanced Multi-Criteria Fire Detector is able to change sensitivity of the remaining sensors, as well as indicate a fault condition. The unique combination of sensors, in addition to on-board intelligence, enables the Advanced Multi-Criteria Fire Detector to significantly outperform all detectors using alternative single or multi-sensor technology.

Tags: Multi-criteria Detection

Posted in Commercial, Fall 2008, Intelligent Detection

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