[SML] Smoke, heat, fire sensors for HVAC systems

[Bruce Bennett]

High-rate-of-Rise heat detectors are what you want wherever the local AHJ will let you put them.

A change of installed detector type will most likely require sign-off from a mechanical engineer and a life/fire safety constant, and perhaps a fire safety plan update.

I’ve seen buildings with high-rate-of-rise detectors in the room and particulate/ionizing detectors in sound and light locks and surrounding corridors.

Bruce Bennett

"A society grows great when old people plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in." - Greek proverb

> On Jan 25, 2021, at 14:43, Riter, Andrew via Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:
> 
> Same in our 25 year old venue.  When smoke/haze is required, we bring in a university Fire Life Safety electrician.  They bypass the automatic call out to the fire department if the system is triggered, and monitor the panel through the event.  They need to confirm real smoke/fire before calling out to the FD.
> 
> We were designed with Rate of Rise detectors in the venue (good), BUT smoke detectors were placed in the HVAC, and the FOH Cove (a separate "room" in the ceiling, but with open space into the venue, so haze just wafts up into the cove) and the orchestra pit (again, separate room on the drawings, but big air flow from the Concert Hall.
> 
> I'm told that to fix the issue (replace the smoke detectors with Rate of Rise) requires a "full" re-design and re-appoval of the entire system.  So the actual replacement cost is minimal, but the engineering, approvals, and paperwork, are what prohibit the upgrade.  YMMV. 
> 
> If you get to change your detectors, look at all spaces attached to the venue: off stage areas, lobby, lobby light locks, offstage storage rooms, orchestra pit / basement, etc.  the haze GETS everywhere when the doors open and the audience floods out, drawing the haze with them.
> 
> But failing that, some sort of "fire watch" with a disabled / silenced panel is often the typical solution.
> 
> Andrew M. Riter  
> Assistant Technical Director, Head Lighting Technician
> Chan Centre 
> 
> Phone 604 822 2372
> andrew.riter at ubc.ca
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stagecraft <stagecraft-bounces at theatrical.net> On Behalf Of Ben Thoron SML via Stagecraft
> Sent: Monday, January 25, 2021 10:22 AM
> To: Stagecraft <stagecraft at theatrical.net>
> Cc: Ben Thoron SML <bthoronsml at gmail.com>
> Subject: [SML] Smoke, heat, fire sensors for HVAC systems
> 
> [CAUTION: Non-UBC Email]
> 
> Our 10-year-old theatre was installed with sensors in the HVAC system that are easily set off by theatrical smoke and haze, to the extent that we can’t use either, at all.
> 
> I’m looking for a source that knows more about the options and devices than I do.
> 
> Any suggestions?
> 
> 
> 
> Ben
> 
> 
> 
> Ben Thoron | Production Manager | the old globe | 619-684-4105 direct
> | 619- 846-9529 cell | he him his | bthoron at theoldglobe.org
> 
> ____________________________________________________________
> For list information see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> Stagecraft mailing list
> Stagecraft at theatrical.net
> http://theatrical.net/mailman/listinfo/stagecraft_theatrical.net
> ____________________________________________________________
> For list information see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> Stagecraft mailing list
> Stagecraft at theatrical.net
> http://theatrical.net/mailman/listinfo/stagecraft_theatrical.net