Maintenance (Cleaning) for the Addressable Heat and Smoke Detector 2

[sal10]

Dear Friends,

As per NFPA 72 the detectors have to be tested yearly. In the power plant I work, We conduct functional test for detectors every year.Apart from these yearly testing,
1. Do we have to conduct a Preventive maintenance (Mainly cleaning the detectors' chamber using air blower)? If it requires kindly provide the reference and the maintenance instruction and recommendations.
2. Does NFPA 72 requires cleaning programs for the Addressable heat/Smoke Detectors?

Thanks in Advance.

 

[cdafd]

They are required sensitivity testing on a periodic bases.

Best thing is get with the fire alarm company that inspects your fire alarm system,,

And they should be able to answer every question you have.

 

[sal10]

Dear cdafd,

Thanks for your reply. We are doing the inspection and maintenance of the fire alarm systems.

 

[LCREP]

Have you tried contacting the manufacture of the equipment for advise? They are the best resource on how to maintain the equipment and answer questions. NFPA always refers to the manufacturer for these types of questions.

 

[cdafd]

Do you have someone trained in fire alarm systems?

Do you have a somewhat new edition of NFPA 72

Does an actual fire alarm company do any of the inspections?

 

[cdafd]

Here is one manufactures recommendations for smoke detectors

http://www.systemsensor.com/en-us/documents/system_smoke_detectors_appguide_spag91.pdf

Heats not much maintenance involved

 

[sal10]

Thanks for providing the information cdafd.
The thing is, the detectors are inaccessible for maintenance due to safety conditions(Energized electrical equipment and excessive height).
Is there any solution for cleaning the detectors without erecting the scaffolding? Erecting scaffolding would disturb the process operation which is not desirable.

 

[sal10]

How to remove smoke detector from high ceiling? Is there any equipment available?
Is using a vacuum cleaner desirable to clean the detector without remove it from the ceiling?

Thanks in advance.

 

[cdafd]

Cleaning a smoke detector is not required.

Sensitivity testing per NFPA 72 is required

You can clean them if you are having alarm activation, due to a smoke detector being dirty.

As far as removing a detector, the problem is some just take a quick turn, some quick turns are easier than others, and some take a screw driver applied to the device to remove it.

 

[cdafd]

Do you have a fire alarm company do any inspections ???


What state are you in

 

[sal10]

We have a fire alarm company doing the maintenance work for the fire protection systems. But the problem is the inaccessibility of the detectors because it is installed at a height more than 20 meter and also it is above the energized equipment.

Is there any equipment available to remove the detectors from a height more than 20 meters?


Thanks,

 

[cdafd]

far as removing a detector, the problem is some just take a quick turn, some quick turns are easier than others, and some take a screw driver applied to the device to remove it.


Ask the fire alarm company how they are mounted and removed

 

[LCREP]

At 20m height it is unlikely the detection device will give you early detection during a fire event. I would replace the spot detection with projection beam unit. 1 unit can protect a distance of 100 m. They can be placed at a lower level and detect the fire early. Install the unit where they can be serviced easily and safely. Here is an example

https://www.systemsensor.com/en-us/Documents/BEAM200_BEAM200S_DataSheet_BMDS754.pdf

 

[sal10]

Thanks for the reply cdafd and lcerp. I was looking for some devices which can be used to remove detectors. Please see below link.

http://www.solo-tester.com/cms/document/Solo_English.pdf.

But unfortunately it can be used for a maximum height of 9 meter. Our detectors are installed at a height of 20 meter.

 

[sal10]

please refer page number 6

http://www.solo-tester.com/cms/document/Solo_English.pdf

 

[cdafd]

In general what kind of business/ process area are these detectors located in??

I take it you are not in the US?

 

[sal10]

it is a electric switch gear room, part of power plant.

i am from the middle east.

 

[cdafd]

Ok
I think I have given all the advice I can.

Taking down a smoke detector varies from brand and year made.

Fire alarm company should be able to advise you, or if you have a low one to look at.

 

[sal10]

Thank you

 

[DavidCR]

Changing from spot to beams.
I don´t like standard beams in some apllications, consider Ossid detectors from Xtralis (I´m sorry to mention a brand in the forum, don´t know if its OK) I think only them have that technology.