Chiller, freezer and refrigeration facilities present some of the most challenging environments for reliable fire detection. Low temperatures, dry atmospheric conditions and humidity fog created by temperature changes during normal operation make an advanced technology solution necessary.

An increasing number of refrigeration facility managers are specifying next generation aspiration smoke detection systems because of the very rapid response and immunity to false alarms that can be achieved when protecting environmentally hostile installations. High sensitivity is essential for protecting food distribution facilities as the fire system must react quickly to even the smallest fire event because of produce contamination risks and potential scrap costs; it must also be resistant to the effects of non-fire related stimuli.

This particular refrigeration facility in the Netherlands includes two 2°C chiller rooms and one -24°C freezer room. The refrigerated areas have high ceilings and large wall doors for easy access and high volume loading. When the doors are opened, considerable temperature fluctuations occur, resulting in a humidity fog that can be problematic for traditional fire detection devices. The DC Bleiswijk distribution centre operates 24/7; the previously installed point detector system could false alarm up to three times a day, causing unacceptable operational disruption.

Tim Checketts, sales manager for speciality fire detection products within Honeywell Life Safety’s Sensors business, said: "Facility managers in refrigeration facilities are under a lot of pressure to ensure that people are protected, stored goods are not are not contaminated and the facility operates with no interruptions – whilst reducing costs. BRI Groep required a solution that would meet these needs along with simplified installation and integration into an existing fire panel; FAAST was the only aspiration system with this capability.

In addition to providing ultra-fast detection with zero false alarms, the FAAST units replaced hundreds of point smoke detectors, delivering significant ongoing maintenance cost reductions. The PipeIQ software provided with FAAST also proved very effective for designing the final system and providing ongoing system monitoring.”