Experimental Research on Operation Characteristics of Smoke Detection Equipment with respect to Varying Humidity Environments

Abstract

In this study, experimental research is conducted on the operation characteristics of smoke detection equipment in environments with varying humidity levels. To examine the smoke detection equipment’s operation characteristics with respect to humidity, we manufactured an experimental equipment based on the standard room size specified in ISO 9705. Furthermore, humidity was generated by boiling water via water mist generator, humidifier, coffee pot, and gas burner. Hence, in the static case under 80% humidity, the operation characteristics of the smoke detection equipment were not affected. However, the operation characteristics were observed under a dynamic airflow of 0.8 m/s. Furthermore, the most active operation characteristics were identified at dynamic airflow of 1.5 m/s as opposed to 3.0 m/s. Additionally, in the humidity experiment utilizing a gas burner, the water fog phenomenon was not observed. The smoke concentration, measured via the type one operation of the smoke detection equipment, was 7.5% /m. Hence, we sufficiently confirmed the potential of false alarms due to humidity even without the occurrence of the water fog (steam) phenomenon.