2020-2_Pages_84-87

УДК 614.842.4                                                                                     DOI 10.37657/vniipo.2020.99.2.010

V.L. Zdor, M.A. Zemlemerov, N.V. Semenenko

IF AN ANALOGUE FIRE DETECTOR IS ANALOGUE ONE

Abstract. The simplest fire detectors contain a sensitive element that controls a certain physical parameter of the environment, which changes when a fire occurs. When this parameter reaches the set threshold value, the detectors generate an alarm signal perceived by the control equipment (control panel). When using this algorithm, the decision to detect a fire is made by the fire detector, which is called the threshold detector. One of the significant drawbacks of such an algorithm is the inability to track the dynamics of changes in the controlled environment parameter, which often causes the fire detector to form a false signal.

In the 60s and 70s of the 20th century, when digital technology was widely developed, a different fire detection algorithm was proposed. Only an analog-to-digital converter was installed in the fire detector. The real-time digitized value of the monitored parameter was broadcast in serial code to the control panel. All elements of memory and mathematical processing were part of this panel. As a result, the fire detector became, in fact, a sensor that transmits the measured readings on the control equipment, and the decision to register a fire was made not in the detector, but in the control panel. This type of fire detector is called “analogue”.

The main advantage of analogue detectors was the reduction in the likelihood of a false alarm being generated by the fire alarm system.

On the current level of digital technology development, the concept of «analogue fire detector» for the most part loses its meaning. The development of digital technology has led to the global miniaturization of electronic components and reduced their energy consumption. Under these conditions, the need to transmit information about the controlled factor of fire to control panel without preliminary data processing in the detector itself disappeared.

Currently, the concept of “analogue” fire alarm systems in the semantic meaning of the term “analogue”, which was used at the beginning of digital technology development, has changed the meaning. Almost all modern fire detectors can be considered as threshold because they take decision on the need to generate an alarm signal transmitted to the control panel.

Keywords: fire detector, analogue fire detector, threshold fire detector, control equipment, fire alarm system

Received February 28, 2020

Authors: 

Vladimir L. Zdor – Senior Researcher. E-mail: zdor_vl@list.ru;

Matvey A. Zemlemerov – Deputy Chief of Department;

Natalya V. Semenenko – Researcher.

All-Russian Research Institute for Fire Protection (VNIIPO), the Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM of Russia), Balashikha, Moscow region, Russia.