Understanding the Risk
In the event of a fire, delayed fire detection and warning
can lead to an increase in risk both to life and property.
An adequately designed, installed, monitored, and
maintained automatic fire detection system can help
mitigate this risk by providing an early fire warning. Such
a warning will enable the timely evacuation of the
protected premises, activation of the site emergency
response plan and prompt notification of the public fire
department.
For those premises, which are unoccupied overnight and
are not protected by an adequate automatic fire
detection system, the risk of loss or damage as result of
delayed fire detection and public fire department
notification is even greater.
Managing the Risk
Proper Detector Selection is Critical.
There are many types of fire detectors that respond to
the different types of fires that occur and that are better
suited for specific environmental conditions. For
instance, oil fires burns rapidly and give off thick black
smoke while a hydrogen gas fire burns hot and fast with
almost no visible flame and minimal smoke. Bailed
cotton burns slowly and produces visible smoke but
lacks hot temperatures.
The environment in which a fire occurs is also a critical
factor in detector selection. Abnormal ambient conditions
such as a dusty environment may cause a detector to
fail to operate or may contribute to false alarms
depending on the type of detector used. The goal here is
to understand the risk and the surrounding environment
you are trying to monitor and select the right detector to
achieve the optimal results. This process starts with
having a trained fire protection professional assess and
select the appropriate fire detector and associated alarm
system equipment.
Common Detector Types
Heat detectors activate when the room
temperature or the rate of temperature rise
reaches a preset level. Generally they are best
suited for confined spaces where sufficient heat
can quickly build up from a fire to activate the
unit. Typical occupancy applications include a
food preparation/cooking area or normally
smoky or dusty environments where other
detectors might falsely trigger alarms.
Smoke detectors activate based on either the
visual obscurity of smoke or the density of
smoke particles. Ionization detectors work well
in fast burning fires or electrical fires where the
number of smoke particles is high but not
necessarily that large or visible. Photo-electric
AIG Insight | Ref: 07-CG-01-0136
Typical automatic fire alarm panel
detectors respond best to slow smoldering fires
where the level of visible smoke is high but the rate
of combustion is slow, such as in a pile of saw dust
or rags.
Radiant energy sensing detectors activate based on
unique UV/IR energy signatures emitted by the
specific burning material. Typical applications will be
in close proximity and have unblocked line of sight
to flammable liquid or gas hazards.
Selection, Installation, and Monitoring
The type of fire detection chosen should be made by
qualified individuals with careful consideration given to:
The goal of fire detection
Type of hazard to be detected
The environment of the hazard to be detected
Method of hazard control desired
Applicable regulatory requirements.
Fire detectors and associated alarm equipment should
be tested and approved by recognized equipment
testing agencies such as Underwriters Laboratories
(UL). All discrete components should be listed /
approved to work with one another. Specific fire
detectors should be installed in accordance with their
testing agency listing / approval ratings for the type of
fire to be detected and the gross area covered per unit.
The fire detection system installation should follow
recognized national and or international fire protection
codes such as the National Fire Protection association’s
(NFPA) Standard 70, National Fire Alarm Code.
For a fire detection system to be effective, its alarm must
promptly summon emergency response personnel to
allow the fire to be extinguished. It is therefore very
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important that the fire detection system alarm be
connected to a central station alarm company or direct
to the public fire department.
Another common option is to connect the alarm to a
constantly attended location such as a 24/7 supervised
facility security center with trained individuals to take
action. A local alarm in an unattended area can result in
unnecessary notification delays to fire suppression
resources with elevated damage and disruption of
operations.
Inspection, Testing and Maintenance
Regardless of how good and state-of-the-art a fire
detection system is, it will not provide the proper
response if it is not periodically tested and maintained.
The first test conducted on a newly installed system
should be the acceptance test where parts of the system
are put through performance based testing. This step is
needed prior to placing the system in service as a fire
detection control system to assure it is in full working
order.
Over time, all fire detectors and associated alarm panel
equipment require periodic inspection, testing and
maintenance to assure that components and the system
continue to perform as design and installed. Typical
items requiring attention included cleaning of detectors
to remove dust or dirt that could impair prompt detector
operation, testing back-up power supply batteries to
assure they will maintain the proper charge, and testing
of all indicator lights to make sure they work. This
usually requires a bi-annual inspection and testing
frequency by a competent / certified professional with
some components requiring additional
Through proper risk awareness, selection, installation,
testing and maintenance, fire, detection systems can
help ensure a well protected facility.
For further information, contact your local AIG Global
Property Engineer.
American International Group, Inc. (AIG) is a leading international insurance organization serving customers in more than 130 countries
and jurisdictions. AIG companies serve commercial, institutional, and individual customers through one of the most extensive worldwide
property-casualty networks of any insurer. In addition, AIG companies are leading providers of life insurance and retirement services
in the United States. AIG common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
AIG is the marketing name for the worldwide property-casualty, life and retirement, and general insurance operations of American
International Group, Inc. For additional information, please visit our website at www.aig.com. Products and services are written or
provided by subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group, Inc.
Not all products and services are available in every
jurisdiction, and insurance coverage is governed by actual policy language.
Certain products and services may be provided by
independent third parties.
Insurance products may be distributed through affiliated or unaffiliated entities.
Certain propertycasualty coverages may be provided by a surplus lines insurer. Surplus lines insurers do not generally participate in state guaranty
funds and insureds are therefore not protected by such funds.
The information, suggestions, and recommendations contained herein are for general informational purposes only. This information has
been compiled from sources believed to be reliable. No warranty, guarantee, or representation, either expressed or implied, is made as
to the correctness or sufficiency of any representation contained herein. Reliance upon, or compliance with, any of the information,
suggestions or recommendations contained herein in no way guarantees the fulfillment of your obligations under your insurance policy or
as may otherwise be required by any laws, rules or regulations. This information should not be construed as business, risk management,
or legal advice or legal opinion.
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