Experimental Study on the Availability of Fire Detection Using Gas Sensors for Air Quality Measurement

Abstract

This study tested gas sensors used to measure indoor air quality to explore the feasibility of using them as detection sensors in case of fire. A B-class fire environment was implemented in the compartment (ISO 9705 standard fire room), and four types of high- and low- accuracy and priced gas sensors (Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, t-VOC) used for indoor air quality measurement were installed. From ignition of the fuel to alarming of the heat detector, the responses from the sensors were analyzed. The results revealed the following: 1) Among the four types of sensors, CO and t-VOC sensors were effective as fire detection sensors in terms of their concentration increase and response time. 2) Low-accuracy CO2 and CH4 sensors were not effective in fire detection as they responded late relatively to CO and t-VOC sensors. 3) It was confirmed that low-accuracy gas sensors are feasible for use for fire detection in that they showed valid increase in concentration before the heat detector alarms. However, as only liquid combustible (Heptane) was applied as a fire source, analysis in an environment where different types of combustibles are used will be necessary in the future.