Skip to main content
Log in

Fire detection in computer facilities

  • Published:
Fire Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A recent fire in a computer center in Canberra, Australia, prompted an investigation of the installed smoke detection system. The opportunity was also taken to evaluate alternate detection equipment in the actual center under operational conditions. One device tested was VESDA, a new highly sensitive smoke detector developed in Australia for clean occupancies such as computer rooms and telephone exchanges. Details of the test program and the effects of high room airflows on all forms of detectors are presented. The effectiveness of VESDA in giving very early warning of fire is demonstrated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Pucill, P. M., “Special Requirements for Computer Systems,”Fire, Computer Supplement, August, 1978.

  2. “American Experience in the Fire Protection of Computers,”Fire, Vol. 71, No. 885, March 1979, p. 498.

  3. British Standards Institute,British Standard Code of Practice for Fire Protection for Electronic Data Processing Installations, BS 6266: 1982, London, pp. 8–9.

  4. National Fire Protection Association,Standard for the Protection of Electronic Computer/Data Processing Equipment, NFPA 75-1981, Quincy, MA.

  5. “Fire Detection: An Investigation into Procedures for Approving Either Smoke or Flame Detectors — Part 1: Room Fire Tests,” Technical Report No. 116, Central Testing and Research Laboratories, Melbourne, September 1973.

  6. British Standards Institute,Fire Detection and Alarm Systems in Buildings; Part 1 — Code of Practice for Installation and Servicing, BS 5839 Part 1: 1980, pp. 9–13.

  7. Commonwealth Department of Construction,Fire Detection Document 002 — Approval Test Procedures for Fire Detection Systems, Issue No. 3, October 1976, Melbourne, pp. 12, 13.

  8. Standards Association of Australia,SAA Code for Automatic Fire Alarm Installations, AS 1670, 1974, Melbourne.

  9. Packham, D. R., Gibson, L., and Linton, M., “The Detection of Smoke in Air-Conditioned and Ventilated Buildings,”Control, Vol. 1, No. 2, November 1974, pp. 77–85.

    Google Scholar 

  10. IEI Pty. Ltd. — E700 Mk. II Data Sheet, Melbourne, 1982.

  11. May Oatway Fire Alarms — VESDA Data Sheet, Melbourne, 1980.

  12. National Fire Protection Association,Standard on Automatic Fire Detectors, NFPA 72E-1982, Quincy, MA.

  13. Johnson, P., “Tactical Trainer Building, H.M.A.S. Watson, Fire Alarm Installation — An Appraisal of Smoke Detector Performance,” Commonwealth Department of Housing and Construction, CIRL Report No. 226, November 1980, Melbourne (Restricted).

  14. “Computer Accommodation,” Commonwealth Department of Housing and Construction, TI 167EA, Canberra, January 1984, p. 22.

  15. Johnson, P. F., “Fire Detection in Residential Premises — The Effectiveness of Smoke Detectors in Reducing Fire Losses,” 12th Annual Conference of Institution of Fire Engineers, Brisbane, May 1982, p. 4.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Reference: Peter F. Johnson, “Fire Detection in Computer Facilities,”Fire Technology, Vol. 22, No. 1, February 1986, p. 14.

Note: This paper is a modified version of a CIRL Major Report No. 251, 1984, prepared for Department of Housing and Construction, Canberra, Australia.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Johnson, P.F. Fire detection in computer facilities. Fire Technol 22, 14–32 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01040241

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01040241

Key words

Navigation