Aspirating Smoke Detection Systems for Cold Store

Difficulties of Applying Smoke Detection System in Cold Store.

A fire happening in a cold store sounds unbelievable. However, because the air in the cold storage areas is extremely dry, and the flammable materials like polyurethane, polystyrene foam insulation materials, wooden pallets, and plastic wrapping materials are everywhere in it, the possibility of catching fire in a cold store is increasing. Besides, the electrical failures of the conveying equipment or the lighting systems, or the heating generated by maintenance, can also increase the possibility of occurring a fire.

The cold store is usually at 8°C to -45°C, during which the conventional smoke detection systems can’t function effectively or at all, for their designs in electrical components and responses make it hard to give early smoke detection alarms under the extremely low temperature. Other than this, to utilize the room to the fullest, the cold store tends to use large shelves, which will affect the airflow and the detection and responses of the conventional smoke detection systems.

To prevent fire in cold storage facilities, installing an aspirating smoke detection (ASD) system is the best solution.

Advantages of Installing Aspirating Smoke Detection System in Cold Store.

The aspirating smoke detection system can continuously collect the air samples through the sample ports of the sample pipes (Diagram 1), and transmit them to the smoke detectors installed outside for precise analysis, checking if there is smoke. In this way, the aspirating smoke detection system can give early alarms under low temperatures. Even in an area that is hard to reach inside, the aspirating smoke detection system can still offer smoke detection through remote monitoring, as long as it is installed outside near to this area.

Diagram1: The aspirating smoke detection system continuously collect the air samples

The early detection of fire by the aspirating smoke detection system (Diagram 2) can minimize the danger of smog contamination of goods, damage to facilities, and sudden stop of distribution.

Diagram2: stages of fire

Performance of Aspirating Smoke Detection System.

When applying an aspirating smoke detection system in a cold store, the professionals should evaluate the fire hazard of the place, for example, the inside and outside environments, the movement of smoke and the heat transfer of the building, etc., to decide the most suitable aspirating smoke detection system.

The advanced detection technology of the aspirating smoke detection system can help improve the operation of the cold store, including its continuous refrigeration, humidity control, automatic processing and storage systems.

Besides, though the cold store has various areas including freezer area, cold storage area, infeed table area, workshop area, etc., the flexible design of the aspirating smoke detection system can ensure the entire place’s safety.

ASENWARE's aspirating smoke detection systems are immune to false alarms and have advanced AI technology, they can be applied in different types of cold stores.

Installation of Aspirating Smoke Detection System.

The cold store is usually built according to the structure of a warehouse. Industry standards require the aspirating smoke detection system to be installed on the ceiling and in the mezzanine above the ceiling of the cold store. (Diagram 3)

Diagram 3:Installation of Aspirating Smoke Detection System.

Installing the aspirating smoke detection system outside of the cold store can protect it from low-temperature harm, for the temperature in the cold store is below 0℃. The air samples are continuously collected from the detecting area, preheated to a minimum sampling temperature, and then sent to the detector installed outside for precise analysis.

And the sample pipes need to be installed in a humid place away from the cold store’s building structure, and they need to be installed at a certain oblique angle to prevent the water condensation from blocking the sample ports. Doing so can also allow the condensed water to flow to the dew collection device installed outside.