Aspirating smoke detection: fire safety for demanding conditions

What is an aspirating smoke detection system?

An aspirating smoke detector takes samples of air from the protected space through a sampling pipe network to a central unit, where the air samples are analysed. Unlike conventional point detectors, an aspirating smoke detector continuously draws in air through holes in the sampling pipework, and the pipe network carries the samples to the central unit for analysis.

The system can be fully integrated into modern fire alarm systems, enabling seamless interaction with other safety systems. This integration ensures that a fire alarm is passed on immediately to the right recipients and that evacuation measures can begin without delay.

Technically, the solution is based on actively drawing air from the protected space, which makes the system considerably more sensitive than passive detectors. As the air travels through the sampling pipework, it quickly reaches the sensor inside the detector unit, regardless of where in the protected space smoke begins to form.

Demanding conditions and the strengths of aspirating smoke detection

Industrial environments place demands on fire safety systems that conventional solutions cannot meet. Aspirating smoke detection is designed specifically for these challenges.

Large temperature fluctuations are typical of many production facilities. Heat treatment plants, freezing plants and the process industry can see conditions vary by tens of degrees over the course of a day. Conventional detectors suffer in such conditions, as their sensitivity changes with the temperature. An aspirating system, on the other hand, keeps working despite temperature fluctuations.

Dust and dirt are another major challenge. In the wood processing industry, building materials factories and warehouses, airborne dust can clog conventional detectors or cause unwanted fire alarms.

An aspirating system analyses the air samples in the detector unit, which allows dust and dirt to be distinguished more effectively from genuine combustion gases.

High humidity is a problem particularly in the food industry, laundries and swimming pools. Moisture can condense on the surfaces of conventional detectors, impairing their operation and causing unwanted alarms. An aspirating system also works reliably in humid conditions, because its air samples are processed in a protected environment.

Corrosive gases occur in the chemical industry, battery storage facilities and certain process areas. These gases can damage the electronics and sensors of conventional detectors. The centralised design of an aspirating system gives critical components better protection from these effects.

Integration with the EBL512 G3 system

Full integration of aspirating smoke detection with the EBL512 G3 fire alarm control panel brings significant benefits to a building’s fire safety. Depending on the site design, the aspirating system is connected either directly to an addressable loop or, where necessary, via input/output units.

Integration means that aspirating smoke detection is not a separate system but a fully fledged part of the fire alarm system. When the aspirating system detects smoke particles, the information is passed immediately to the EBL512 G3 panel, which handles it in the same way as an alarm from any other detector. This uniformity simplifies the operation and maintenance of the system.

When aspirating smoke detection is integrated into a wider fire alarm system, all components are programmed to work seamlessly together. This ensures that fire alarms are passed on correctly and that evacuation systems are activated as designed.

Maintaining the system is easier when all monitoring takes place through a single panel. The EBL512 G3 shows the status of the aspirating system in the same user interface as the other detectors, making it effortless to monitor the overall condition of the system.

Suitable sites and applications

Aspirating smoke detection is ideal for sites where fire safety is critical but conditions are challenging. The high ceilings and large spaces of industrial halls require particular sensitivity from a fire alarm system. Aspirating smoke detection identifies smoke formation at an early stage, even if the smoke rises a long way before it would reach detectors on the ceiling.

Warehouses and logistics centres benefit from aspirating smoke detection particularly when valuable goods or hazardous substances are stored there. An early fire alarm or pre-warning gives time to react before a fire spreads further through the building.

In the process industry, where chemicals or other sensitive materials are handled, the ability of an aspirating system to work in corrosive conditions is invaluable. The system can monitor production lines, storage areas and handling areas in which conventional detectors would not last long.

Food industry facilities, such as freezing plants, cold stores and production areas, face both temperature and humidity challenges. Aspirating smoke detection offers a reliable solution for these conditions. At the same time, it meets the sector’s strict hygiene requirements, because the system does not collect dirt in the same way as conventional detectors.

Battery storage facilities and electrical plant rooms are particularly critical sites. When batteries are damaged, corrosive gases can be released before an actual fire breaks out. An aspirating system detects these early signs, allowing preventive action to be taken before the situation escalates.

Installation and commissioning

Installing an aspirating smoke detection system requires careful design and professional execution. The system’s performance depends on the sampling pipework being correctly dimensioned and positioned in the protected space.

The electrical contractor is responsible for the physical installation work. This includes installing the sampling pipework, cabling and connecting the components. The pipework is positioned to cover the entire protected area in accordance with design guidelines and standards. The location and number of sampling points are calculated on the basis of the size, height and air circulation of the space, as well as the coverage areas.

PAP Group handles the design of the system or the review of the designs, as well as programming, commissioning and testing. Programming defines how the aspirating system reacts in different situations and how alarms are passed on.

The system is tested at the commissioning stage to verify that air sampling works in every part of the pipework and that the detector unit reliably detects developing smoke. At the same time, integration with other systems and the correct transmission of alarms are checked, tested and reported.

User training is provided where required. Building staff need to understand how the aspirating system works as part of the wider fire safety system. The training covers the system’s operating principle, its user interface and how to act in different situations.

Maintenance and servicing

Maintenance is an essential part of the reliable operation of an aspirating smoke detection system. PAP Group services the system in connection with the servicing of the fire alarm system.

Periodic servicing includes a comprehensive check of the system’s condition. The sampling pipework is cleaned and filters are replaced as necessary. The operation of the central unit is tested and, if necessary, its settings are adjusted to suit the prevailing conditions.

The performance of the sampling pipework is measured regularly. The aspirating system must draw in air at a sufficient rate from every sampling hole. If the airflow weakens, this may indicate a leak in the pipework or blocked sampling holes, which must be repaired immediately.

Servicing verifies that the aspirating system communicates correctly with the fire alarm control panel and that all alarms are passed on as designed. Servicing is documented in line with standard practice. Read more about documenting servicing in our article on the fire alarm system log book.

Legislation and guidelines

Technical solutions alone are not enough: a fire safety system must also meet regulatory requirements and standards. Under the Rescue Act 379/2011, the owner and occupier of a building must ensure, among other things, that the risk of a fire starting and spreading is low and that the people in the building are able to escape safely. Fire detection devices must be kept in working order and appropriately maintained and inspected. Aspirating smoke detection helps to meet these requirements, particularly at demanding sites.

The Decree of the Ministry of the Environment on the Fire Safety of Buildings specifies the requirements for different types of building. The need for and scope of fire safety equipment are determined by the intended use of the site, its risks and the building permit procedure. A solution such as aspirating smoke detection may be the only way to meet these requirements at sites where conventional detectors do not work reliably.

The functional requirements for fire alarm systems are laid down in the Act on Certain Fire Safety Equipment (191/2024) and Decree 976/2024 of the Ministry of the Interior. The Finnish ST-ohjeisto 1 guideline (Paloilmoittimen suunnittelu, asennus ja ylläpito 2019) sets out the principles for designing and installing fire alarm systems to ensure safe and reliable operation. It covers, among other things, detector positioning, system dimensioning, cabling, fault tolerance, and commissioning and documentation. The guideline emphasises compliance with standards and regulatory requirements, as well as the importance of maintenance and testing.

EN 54 is a European series of standards that specifies the requirements for fire detection and fire alarm systems. It covers, among other things, fire detectors, alarm devices, control and indicating equipment, power supplies and system testing. The standard ensures the compatibility, reliability and performance of equipment from different manufacturers. EN 54 also governs product certification and CE marking. The aim is to ensure early detection of fire hazards and safe alarms throughout Europe.

PAP Group’s expertise

PAP Group specialises in delivering demanding fire safety systems. Installing and maintaining specialist systems such as aspirating smoke detection requires in-depth technical expertise and experience of challenging sites.

Trained installers ensure that aspirating smoke detection integrates seamlessly with the EBL512 G3 system. Programming is carried out carefully, taking into account the special features of the site and the customer’s needs. At the commissioning stage, the system is tested thoroughly to verify that it works reliably.

Maintenance services cover the entire life cycle of the system. Periodic servicing is carried out professionally and documented carefully. If faults occur in the system, PAP Group’s experts identify the cause and fix the problem quickly.

Every customer’s needs are different, and PAP Group tailors solutions to the requirements of each site. Aspirating smoke detection can be combined with other safety systems, such as voice alarm and emergency announcement systems, to create a comprehensive safety solution.

See also: Aspirating smoke detection systems.

PAP offers a comprehensive service for aspirating smoke detection systems, from design to commissioning and maintenance.

Frequently asked questions

How does an aspirating smoke detection system differ from a conventional fire detector?

An aspirating system actively draws air samples through its pipe network and analyses it in the detector unit. Conventional detectors, by contrast, detect smoke or heat locally. The advantages of aspirating smoke detection are its considerably greater sensitivity and its ability to work in conditions in which conventional detectors do not work reliably. The system is particularly effective in large spaces and at sites with large temperature fluctuations, dust, dirt, humidity, fumes or corrosive gases.

Can aspirating smoke detection replace all other detectors in a building?

Aspirating smoke detection is a specialist system for particular conditions, not a general solution for an entire building. It is integrated into a wider fire alarm system and complements other detectors. Typically, aspirating smoke detection is installed in the spaces with the most challenging conditions, while conventional smoke and heat detectors are used elsewhere in the building. The EBL512 G3 panel manages all detector types in a uniform way.

How often should an aspirating system be serviced?

Periodic servicing is carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the conditions at the site, typically once or twice a year. In challenging conditions, such as very dusty spaces, servicing may be needed more often. Servicing includes checking the condition of the sampling pipework, cleaning it as necessary and testing the operation of the system. The condition of the filters is also checked during servicing, and they are replaced as necessary.

Does aspirating smoke detection cause a lot of unwanted alarms?

On the contrary: in challenging conditions, aspirating smoke detection reduces unwanted alarms compared with conventional detectors. Centralised analysis of the air samples allows more accurate discrimination between genuine combustion gases and other factors such as dust, dirt, humidity or steam. A correctly installed and serviced aspirating detector unit is highly reliable. If unwanted alarms do occur, they are usually caused by incorrect programming of the system or neglected servicing, not by the technology itself.

How does aspirating smoke detection work during a power cut?

The aspirating system is integrated with the EBL512 G3 control panel, which has a standby power system and batteries to secure communication. In the event of a power cut, the aspirating detector unit has its own standby batteries and continues operating on battery power for the time specified in its life-cycle documentation and instructions. The capacity of the standby power system is dimensioned to the needs of the site to ensure sufficient operating time. The system automatically reports if the mains supply is lost and the standby batteries take over. This ensures that fire safety is maintained in exceptional situations too.

Is aspirating smoke detection compatible with an existing fire alarm system?

Aspirating smoke detection is designed to integrate fully with fire alarm control panels from a number of different manufacturers. If a building already has a fire alarm system, adding an aspirating detector unit is relatively straightforward. PAP Group assesses the existing system and recommends the best solution. In some cases, it may be more appropriate to upgrade the whole system into a modern solution than to try to integrate aspirating smoke detection with an old system.