VESDA/Smoke detector false alarm

[sider]

Hi all,

I have a mechanical background and don't have much experience with fire detection. I hope somebody here could give some clarification regarding this issue.

Is it possible or have you maybe encountered a situation that refrigerant discharge containing refrigerant and oil mixture that could raise a false alarm on VESDA and smoke detector (photoelectric)?

 

[cdafd]

They are sensitive creatures.

Either check with the fire alarm company, that services the system,,,, Or,,,

Have the fire alarm company there and release some of the gas,,, or similar gas, to see what happens..

Is this an existing VESDA or proposed???

They are basically a sensitive smoke alarm,,, So if you have had false alerts in your home, over burnt toast,, almost the same, just more sensitive.

 

[sider]

Yes, to give it a try with some test release would be a good idea, however, that would be the last resort now since it requires some level of coordination and effort

This is a proposed system, but I would say that this question also applies to existing installations.

The real issue is that is hard to say how the refrigerant leak looks like (smoke, mist, or whatever else). From my understanding, VESDA can tell apart smoke from suspended dust particles, but of course, I am not sure how the leak looks like as I previously mentioned

 

[cdafd]

Can I ask what setting the vesda system will be in???

Not use to seeing it in a refrigerant setting, Normally they are in a fairly clean setting.

What is the refrigerant being used to cool?

My first would be ask the vesda installing company

Or nearest vesda supplier

Or call their tech support and ask the questions

https://xtralis.com/page/411/xtralis-technical-support-contacts

 

[cdafd]

I believe the sensitivity is adjustable, to compensate

What is this system controlling????

Clean agent

Fire sprinkler

Deluge???

Other???

 

[sider]

Hi, pharmaceutical environment, refrigerant is R410A, the system used to extinguish is a clean agent.

 

[cdafd]

I am thinking for a few reasons you may not have a problem.

Should have asked is the discharge

1 a normal occurrence, that happens daily, weekly or monthly???

2. Or talking a dump if something goes wrong or breaks??