Re: Fog/Smoke machines in the UK

In message <qP-dneArotKCuBPZnZ2dnUVZ8sydnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, David Lee <davidlee_malvern@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes
That's exactly how our local theatre (Malvern Festival Theatre) operates, due to the usual thetre consultants' nonesense of smoke detectors in the fly tower (and the restaurant kitchens believe it or not - one slice of burnt toast could lead to an evacuation of all three venues!) Members of resident stage management are posted on stage and at the alarm panel, in radio contact. I'm not certain whether the stage area is still zoned out whilst smoke and pyro effects are in use or whether a false alarm is cancelled on confirmation from the stage before the general alarm is triggered (the system has a short period of grace that allows a fast runner to kill an obvious false alarm before the public alarms and announcements commence). The latter procedure would probably be safer.

If the fire alarm system is fairly current then you may be able to simply swap out the rogue smoke detectors for rate of rise heat detectors that operate by detecting a sudden and sustained increase in heat.

Most modern detectors are simply heads that twist into a base like a bayonet cap fitting. Even the latest ones where each head has an address like a DMX network is no problem since the address is usually set on the base itself so changing the sensor won't require anything complicated.

If in doubt you can talk to your local fire department about this and explain the false alarms in the kitchen and fly tower due to cooking smoke and atmospheric effects. They will probably be glad to receive less nuisance calls from false alarms.

You don't require a "specialist" to change the detectors, just so long as you get the correct model. Look for any spares knocking about or remove a head for the make and model number. You could even ask the original installer to sell you replacement rate of rise heads. The detectors are usually hot-swappable, but have someone next to the alarm panel when you do it since it will cause a zone fault indication briefly when the detector is removed.

Because fire alarms are a legal requirement the installation companies tend to overcharge for even basic work. They also tend to maximise profit by using young and inexperienced labour to do the work. No sensible alarm installer would have put smoke detectors in the kitchen without questioning the sensibility.

--
Clive Mitchell
http://www.bigclive.com
.

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