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DETECT-A-FIRE® FENWAL <br /> CONTROLS <br /> Detection and Release Devices <br /> F-12-0-001 <br /> June 2020 <br /> FEATURES <br /> • Repeatable-self-restoring, nothing to replace,testable <br /> • Versatile-various temperature settings available <br /> • Durable- long lasting stainless steel shell _ <br /> Economical -wide spacings reduce installation costs i <br /> • <br /> • Factory set <br /> • Internal contact area hermetically sealed in stainless steel shell g <br /> • ROHS Compliant <br /> APPLICATIONS <br /> • Protection of schools, factories, offices, libraries, <br /> or other non-residential buildings <br /> • Power generation <br /> • Gas station islands <br /> • Paint spray booths <br /> • Range hoods <br /> • Engine compartments <br /> DESCRIPTION <br /> DETECT-A-FIRE®(D-A-F)detectors are the"heart"of many fire protection systems.The highly reliable D-A-F has been the standard for <br /> over 75 years.The D-A-F is used for signaling overheat or fire conditions. In the vast majority of applications, the D-A-F provides the ini- <br /> tial heat sensing that is used to activate suppression systems using clean agent, CO2, inert gases,wet or dry chemicals or water. <br /> D-A-F detectors are widely accepted, because they are designed with rate compensation. This provides a unique advantage over both <br /> fixed temperature and rate-of-rise types of detectors because the D-A-F detector accurately senses the surrounding air temperature <br /> regardless of the fire growth rate.At the pre-determined set point,the system is activated. <br /> Fixed temperature detectors must be completely heated to alarm temperature and therefore a lag in response time may occur with a fast <br /> rate fire. Rate-of-rise devices, on the other hand, are triggered by the rate of increase in ambient temperature and are subject to false <br /> alarms caused by harmless,transient thermal gradients such as the rush of warm air from process ovens. <br /> The key to the detector's sensitivity is in the design (Figure 1).The outer shell is made of a rapidly expanding alloy which closely follows <br /> changes in surrounding air temperature. The inner struts are made of a slower expanding alloy. Designed to resist thermal energy <br /> absorption and sealed inside the shell,the struts follow temperature changes more slowly. <br /> A slow rate fire(Figure 2)will heat the shell and struts together.At the"set point",the detector will trigger, actuating the alarm or releasing <br /> the extinguishant. <br /> A transient rush of warm air up to 40°F/min. may expand the shell,while not triggering the detector. By ignoring transient warm air excur- <br /> sions,the D-A-F detector virtually eliminates false alarms prevalent with rate-of-rise devices. <br /> If a fast rate fire (Figure 3)starts, the shell will expand rapidly. The struts will close, actuating the alarm and/or releasing the agent. The <br /> faster the fire rate of growth, the sooner the D-A-F detector will react. <br /> Contacts(Open) Contacts(Closed) Contacts(Closed) <br /> Alarm Alarm <br /> At140T At135°F <br /> (Surrounding (Surrounding <br /> Struts—Low Expansion Air Temp) Air Temp) <br /> Shell—High Expansion &9" <br /> Figure 1. Ready Figure 2. Slow Fire Figure 3. Fast Fire <br /> 1 <br />