Week 15 No.1 – Thermal detectors

Early fire warning

You often hear about the importance of smoke detectors in the media, especially in saving lives through early fire detection. However, not every area of your home, apartment block, or business premises is suitable for smoke detectors. For example, areas where dust is present may trigger false alarms. In such cases, the design of your fire protection system may require the installation of week-15-no-1-thermal-detectors or heat detectors to ensure effective fire detection.

Thermal detectors

Thermal detectors often resemble smoke detectors, which may make them easy to overlook. Like smoke detectors, they are generally hard-wired into your electrical system and send signals to the fire indicator panel. They also require battery back-up to maintain functionality in case of a power outage. Code regulations dictate that all alarms should sound if any one is triggered.

As with all detectors, routine maintenance and testing are essential. We begin by switching your Fire Indicating Panel to test mode.

Image 1 Testing apparatus

Image 1 show testing equipment we use for the different detector types., typically used for ceiling or wall mounted detectors.

The test unit on the left (standing upright in the photo) uses a smoke dispersing aerosol to fill the cup, for testing smoke detectors. The test unit on the right (lying down int he photo) shows the heating elements of the thermal test unit which is shown in Image 3. Both detectors have an extension handle for ease of testing on ceiling mounted detectors, and a tilt facility to enable testing of wall mounted detectors.

The cup of the test unit is held over the detector (Image 3) for the test duration and an alarm must sound within the prescribed time.

Thermal detectors are to be tested annually. Thermal detectors require to be replaced in accordance with the manufacturer\’s instructions, generally after 10 years.

We also check your back-up batteries on our routine visit, and replace them when required.

Image 2 – Thermal detector; ceiling mounted in basement car park Image 3 – Thermal testing & timing the response

We carry a variety of thermal detectors so we can easily make a like-for-like swap out of your expired detectors.

After testing is complete, the Fire Indicating Panel is returned to normal operating mode.

How can we help you?

Give us a call if your Essential Safety Measures maintenance isn\’t getting the attention it needs.

Call 1300 134 971.

We\’ll help keep your family safe over Easter.

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