Aspirating smoke detection provides the earliest possible warning of fire by actively drawing air out of the protected space and testing it for the faintest traces of smoke. Instead of waiting for smoke to reach a detector, an aspirating system continuously samples the air through a network of pipes, so it can detect a fire at the incipient stage, long before it would be visible. This makes it the technology of choice for high-value and critical environments. MEP designs, supplies and installs aspirating smoke detection systems across the UK.
A network of small-bore pipes with sampling holes runs through the protected area, and a fan inside the detector unit constantly draws air from these holes back to a highly sensitive laser-based sensor. The sensor examines the air for even the smallest quantity of smoke particles, giving very early warning and multiple alarm levels so staff can investigate before a fire develops. Because the system actively samples the air, it works well even in spaces with high airflow, where conventional detectors can be slow to respond.
Aspirating detection is used wherever the earliest warning is critical or the environment is challenging: data centres and server rooms, clean rooms, telecoms facilities, cold stores, warehouses, heritage buildings and areas with high airflow or difficult access. The sensitivity can be tuned to the environment to give early warning without nuisance alarms. We assess the risk and the airflow, design the pipe network for effective sampling, and install to BS 5839 so the system delivers reliable, very early detection.
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A system that actively draws air from the protected area through a pipe network to a highly sensitive detector, giving very early warning of fire.
A conventional detector waits for smoke to reach it. An aspirating system continuously samples the air, so it can detect smoke at a far earlier stage.
In data centres, server and telecoms rooms, clean rooms, cold stores, warehouses, heritage buildings and high-airflow environments.
Because it actively pulls air to the sensor rather than waiting for smoke to arrive, it can detect fire even where air movement would dilute smoke and slow a normal detector.
Yes. Sensitivity and alarm levels can be tuned to the environment to give the earliest useful warning without nuisance alarms.
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