Got a question that needs an answer? Here are our most frequently asked questions surrounding Bandweaver and fiber optic technology.
Distributed Temperature Sensing – FAQs
How does the FireLaser system work? How does it detect fire and sound an alarm?
The FireLaser system uses the principle of heat detection to detect fire. The heat sensitive cable is fiber optic based and uses a system called a fiber optic Distributed Temperature Sensor (DTS). The technology principle is Raman based OTDR and more can be found at the following link: https://www.bandweaver.com/fiber_optic_sensing_technology/distributed-temperature-sensing/
What temperature does the FireLaser actuate at?
The FireLaser LHD system uses smart alarms to actuate in the event of a fire. The levels of actuation can be set by the user according to the environmental conditions. In addition to actuating on a specific temperature threshold, it can also be activated on the rate of rise or deviation from average temperature within a zone
Can you omit / isolate zones easily within the software?
The smart zones are defined within the software and can be defined precisely to the user requirements. This means that any zones can easily be omitted or isolated.
How is the testing process of the FireLaser carried out?
The general principle of system testing/commissioning FireLaser LHD systems is to create a temperature event at a location and the system then detects this. This can either be a virtual event created within the software (to demonstrate system integration) or a heat event. This may be a small controlled fire (e.g. a fire pan test) or using a heating test element which is attached to the sensing cable.
How does the capital cost of the FireLaser compare to other technologies?
Each FireLaser LHD controller can measure up to 40,000 detection points. This means that the system has very efficient economies of scale as the number of detection points increases and the system is very cost-effective in larger spaces. Typically compared to aspirating systems, the system becomes more cost-effective when the space is greater than 5000 sqm. For some beam detectors fiber optic LHD becomes more cost-effective when the space is greater than 10,000 sqm.
Does the FireLaser use open protocol to interact with other systems?
Yes. As standard, the FireLaser fiber optic LHD system communicates using electrical relays to communicate with the fire control panel and MODBUS protocol to communicate with SCADA or Building Management Systems.
When is the FireLaser chosen as opposed to smoke sensors or point heat sensors?
The FireLaser LHD system is typically chosen in a few scenarios.
1: When there are a large number of detection points required.
2: Challenging environmental environment (dust, particulates, humidity) where other sensors have failed
3: Close positional accuracy of the fire is required
Can the FireLaser be used in conjunction with other sensors (eg. Video flame, smoke beam, aspirating and ionisation) ?
Yes. In larger industrial applications it is very common to use multiple fire detection technologies across a single site or facility. Which specific technology is chosen really depends on the specific requirements.
How quickly does the system detect fires?
There are 2 key factors which mean the FireLaser LHD can typically alarm earlier than conventional technologies.
1: The smart alarms mean that the actuation temperature (or rate of rise/ deviation) can be set lower than with other technologies without risking false alarms.
2: The continuous nature of the sensing cable means there are detection points every 1m. The cable can be run so that it has much greater coverage and there is a high probability it will be closer to the fire source.
Can the system be affected by changes in environmental temperature?
No, the ambient changes can be tuned out. The smart alarms within a zone can be configured to the specific environmental conditions to ensure that they are not triggered by any ambient environmental temperature fluctuations.
What is the maximum ceiling height for sensing cable?
The ceiling height often depends on the local regulations in the region where the system is deployed. However, due to the advanced smart alarms and continuous coverage, we are increasingly seeing examples where consultants are allowing deviations from the standards due to enhanced detection performance.
If subjected to mechanical or fire damage, can sections of cable be replaced or does the whole cable length need to be replaced?
Yes. As standard, the FireLaser fiber optic LHD system communicates using electrical relays to communicate with the fire control panel and MODBUS protocol to communicate with SCADA or Building Management Systems.
What is the backup in case of power failure?
The system is typically powered by the fire control panel. However, in many installations, the installer will also include a backup battery within the system to give even greater redundancy.
Is the system suitable for residential communal spaces and shared areas?
The system is typically deployed in industrial applications and special hazard scenarios. There are different regulations around safety and you will need to check with the local approval bodies, regulators or experts (consultants, installers etc…).
What approvals are relevant for this system in the UK and Europe?
In Europe the relevant standard is EN54-22 and the system is certified to EN54-22. This standard is also currently applicable in the United Kingdom at the time of writing. There are also standards around the system design and installation. These are typically localised standards and you should check with the local approval bodies, regulators or experts (consultants, installers etc…).