Fire detection system

• US 4,149,159 A
• Filed: 11/11/1977
• Issued: 04/10/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cerberus ABP Investor LLC (Cerberus Capital Management LP)
• Original Assignee: Cerberus ABP Investor LLC (Cerberus Capital Management LP)
• Inventors: Huber, Ernst, Datwyler, Fritz
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US05/850,789
• Time in Patent Office: 515 Days
• Field of Search: 340/587, 340/584, 340/522, 340/508, 340/589, 340/593, 340/595, 340/628, 169/23, 169/61, 169/60, 169/56
• US Class Current: 340/587
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 17/00 Fire alarms; Alarms responsive to explosion

Abstract

In a fire detection system, detectors of different sensitivities are arranged in pairs and the pairs of fire detectors are positioned at regular intervals along an elongated protection area, whereby detectors of one sensitivity alternating with detectors of the other sensitivity are connected via two line systems to a signal center which emits an alarm signal when an alarm signal is simultaneously received via both line systems. In use, for example in a vehicle tunnel, a more uniform response sensitivity is obtained along the protection area, accompanied by a decrease in the necessary number of fire detectors and a reduced tendency to false alarms.

Claims

1. A fire detection system of the type for monitoring an extensive area by means of a plurality of fire detector pairs connected to a fire detection center by means of at least two parallel lines, the individual detectors of each pair being connected to different lines, with the center signalling an alarm only if it receives signals simultaneously from both said parallel lines that at least one detector connected to each of said parallel lines has been activated,

the improvement therein comprising that each of said pairs of detectors includes a first detector having a first sensitivity and a second detector having a substantially different, second sensitivity, said detectors being connected to said parallel lines so that along each of said parallel lines there are connected alternately detectors of said first sensitivity and detectors of said second sensitivity.

2. The system of claim 1 and wherein said first detectors are sensitive to a different fire phenomenon than are said second detectors.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said first and second detectors are sensitive to the same fire phenomenon, but have different sensitivity thresholds to it.

4. The fire detection system of claim 3, wherein said first and second fire detectors are provided with a temperature-sensitive element.

5. The fire detection system of claim 4, wherein said fire detectors are constructed as temperature-differential detectors and emit a signal when the rate of temperature rise exceeds a predetermined threshold.

6. The fire detection system of claim 1, wherein said fire detectors react to smoke, combustion gases or flames.

7. The fire detection system of claim 1, wherein said first and second fire detectors of one of said pairs are arranged in the immediate vicinity of one another.

8. The fire detection system of claim 1, wherein said pairs of fire detectors are arranged at regular intervals along the protection area.