In the last few years, a new type of fire detector has become available alongside the established smoke and heat detectors. This new type of detector senses carbon monoxide (CO) to give early warning of smouldering fires. The use of CO as an indicator of fire has advantages and disadvantages compared to the more traditional smoke detectors. The applications of CO fire detectors have been debated by a Task Group of technical experts from BFPSA member companies. The Task Group has produced a set of application guidelines, which have been placed in the public domain as BFPSA Fact File No 4. These guidelines have been well accepted by the fire protection community.

In parallel with the work on applications, a joint Task Group from BFPSA member companies and the LPCB has worked on a product standard for CO fire detectors. This draft is based on the smoke detector standard BS EN54-7:2001. However, it has drawn on the recommendations in the application guidelines in order to propose a sensible testing regime for this new type of detector. It is likely that the draft, when agreed, will be adopted as a standard for the purposes of LPCB approvals. It will also be submitted as a possible British standard.

The scope of the draft is restricted to CO fire detectors using electrochemical cells, since this is the technology used in detectors currently available in the UK. The test methods and requirements are chosen to probe the strengths and potential weaknesses of electrochemical cells when used as fire detectors.

The draft is now at a stage at which comment is invited from any interested party. There are still some unresolved questions on test requirements, and the Task Group is eager to ensure that the document is acceptable to all stakeholders in the fire protection and related industries. The content of the standard will have particular relevance to detector manufacturers, fire protection engineers and consultants, and manufacturers of electrochemical cells that may be used in CO fire detectors.
BFPSA
http://www.bfpsa.org.uk