Fire Protection Research Foundation report: "Smoke Detector Performance for Level Ceilings with Deep Beams and Deep Beam Pocket Configurations"
Author: Schirmer Engineering Corporatin and Vision Systems Ltd.
Date of issue: April 2006
Foreword
In April of 2005 , the Fire Protection Research Foundation s Detection and Alarm Research Council identified the need for a study to develop the technical justification for spacing rules for smoke detectors located on ceilings with deep beams and waffle-type construction.
The NFPA 72 rules on smoke detector spacing have been a major point of discussion and concern among the membership of the Initiating Devices Committee. The comprehensive review of smoke detection parameters for a wide variety of beam spacings, ceiling heights and room areas carried out in this study provides the technical information necessary to provide engineering and installation guidance and to resolve technical issues that will allow for more costeffective and protection-effective smoke detector installations.
The project was initiated in July of 2005.