Citation

Nam S. J. Fire Prot. Eng. 2005; 15(1): 5-18.

Affiliation

FM Global Research, 1151 Boston-Providence Turnpike, Norwood, MA 02062, USA, Soonil.nam@fmglobal.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1042391505044674

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The current method of assigning the maximum heat detector spacing based on fire tests that compare detector response to that of a sprinkler does not produce clear performance criteria for detectors. Wide variation in the maximum spacing assigned by testing laboratories for the same type of detectors is another strong indication of the lack of principle behind the concept of testing detectors, and it adds more confusion. Instead, it is proposed in this paper that the maximum detector spacing should be determined based on a specific mission that is expected to be achieved by using detectors. An example introduced in this work shows: (1) how that can be accomplished, and (2) how the spacing determined here makes a lot more engineering sense than that determined by the current method.