Detector re-alarms – reducing the risk

• 12th July 2018
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Detector testing is sometimes slowed down by nuisance re-alarms.  Re-alarms occur when the ‘smoke’ used to test the detector remains around the sensor causing the detector to re-alarm.

In a recent twitter poll, 60% of respondents told us they experience re-alarms when testing.  This obviously extends the time spent testing and can lead to greater disruption around site.

Typically, re-alarms are most common when testing with a smoke aerosol can – when the application of smoke to the detector can be over-applied.  So, what can be done to reduce the risk of re-alarming detectors?

• If you are using a dispenser, ensure the smoke aerosol is compatible. The Solo 330 is designed to work only with the Solo range of smoke aerosols, other aerosols may appear to work – but their design and the way they discharge spray is not compatible with the Solo 330
• When using the Solo 330 dispenser and Solo smoke aerosol – ensure the right amount of ‘smoke’ is used. A short one second burst is all that is needed to operate the majority of detectors – over application doesn’t lead to faster testing
• If you are using a hand-held aerosol, ensure you are not too close to the detector. The best way to ensure this is to use SmokeSabre where the built-in ‘sabre’ prevents use too close to the detector.

In recent years, more modern forms of testing have been developed which include a built-in ‘clearing’ cycle.  These cycles clear the detector of smoke after testing ensuring the detector doesn’t go back into alarm.

Both Testifire and Solo 365 generate smoke on-demand, meaning that smoke is only generated whilst the detector is within the test cup.  This helps ensure only the amount of smoke needed to activate the detector is used – which in turn helps reduce the risk of re-alarms.  If a re-alarm does occur using Testifire or Solo 365 the ‘clearing’ function can be used immediately after testing to clear the ‘smoke’ away from the detector.

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