The name VESDA is an abbreviation for Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus!  The name VESDA has become a generic name for most air sampling applications.  The name VESDA is a trade mark of Xtralis. 

What is VESDA?

VESDA is simply a laser based smoke detector, which means it is a very good smoke detector!  VESDA smoke detectors have been operating in specialist fire detection applications for over 20 years.  VESDA is the most advanced aspirating smoke detection equipment on the market. VESDA smoke detectors hold more certifications than any other aspirating smoke detectors. 

How does VESDA work?

A VESDA detector is much like a vacuum cleaner.  It sucks air for the protected environment through the purpose built aspirating pipe and samples the quality of air passing through the VESDA laser chamber.

Where do we use VESDA smoke detectors?

The aspirating smoke detection market has change over recent  years.  VESDA smoke detection was traditionally used for specialist smoke detection environments

VESDA smoke detection is now used more extensively in non specialist fire detection application and of course the traditional specialist market

VESDA detectors are normally used where high smoke sensitivity is required

VESDA detection works far more efficiently in area where there is high air flow, such as computer rooms, Telecoms etc!

Why do we use VESDA

VESDA detection for warehouses

VESDA smoke detection is a suitable replacement for conventional smoke detection where accessibility is limited.  For example, VESDA detection will be better suited to a warehouse with smoke detectors situated at high levels.  Conventional smoke detectors can become faulty and access equipment will need to be deployed, this can be extremely disruptive to operation and it is also dangerous.  VESDA smoke detection eliminates this issue as the aspirating pipe work will be located at high levels and the VESDA detector will be located at accessible levels.  Aspirating pipe will replace the smoke detectors at high level, with holes in the aspirating pipe replacing the smoke detectors.   VESDA smoke detectors have 18000 events log memory.  Smoke levels can be tracked and identified against time and density.  Commissioning VESDA should include measure smoke tests.  There are different tests for different applications, these are measure with a set amount of smoke and readings from the VESDA detectors tell us how the system will perform in a real life situation!

VESDA detection for cold rooms

VESDA smoke detection is commonly used where temperatures are not suitable for other types of smoke detection.  For example, a cold room operating temperatures ranging from  20’C to -20’C is an ideal environment for VESDA smoke detection.  Cold temperatures will ice up the optical chambers of conventional smoke detectors rendering the system useless.  VESDA detectors are located outside the cold environment, with aspirating pipe work located within the risk or outside the risk with capillary smoke sampling heads located within the risk! The cold air is then drawn to the VESDA smoke detector and is naturally heated before it arrives at the VESDA laser chamber.  The condensation is collected at a condensate water trap and dry air arrives for sampling by the VESDA detector.  In extreme cases air dryers may be needed, but in the most, are not required for the VESDA system!

VESDA detection for computer rooms

VESDA detection is ideal for area that have high airflow.  Conventional smoke detectors struggle to activate with volumous air passing through their chambers.  VESDA detectors draw smoke from the aspirating pipe and the holes in the pipe collectively capture the air and draw it back to the VESDA detector.  Fire Suppression Limited have conducted test which conclusively prove that VESDA smoke detection is far more responsive than conventional smoke detectors.  Measured tests again provide reports and samples of how the VESDA detectors will operate in a high airflow environment.

VESDA detection for Fire Suppression environments

VESDA detection with Fire Suppression is a fantastic combination.  With ever increasing environmental responsibilities, it is essential that a fire suppression system should deploy unnecessarily.  VESDA smoke detection use in conjunction with conventional smoke detection is a perfect match.  Preferably VESDA detection samples the air across the return plenums of the air conditioning systems which provide primary smoke detection! An alert alarm can be raised and human intervention can prevent the gas from discharging!  VESDA can also be used as a double knock system, which provides the most suitable fire detection model for any automatic fire suppression system!

VESDA smoke detection for Ceiling voids

With the recommendations of the BS5839 that stipulates that any ceiling void over 800mm in depth must be treated as the area below.  With today’s modern architecture, many ceiling are solid ceiling with little access.  VESDA smoke detection is ideal for this, as the aspirating pipe work will replace the conventional smoke detection, with the VESDA smoke detector in an accessible location. 

VESDA smoke detection in lift shafts

VESDA smoke detection for lift shafts enhanced that smoke detection within what is a high sensitive area.  It also makes maintenance safe as the engineer will not need to get into the lift shaft for maintenance purposes.

The VESDA detection range

VESDA detectors range from the VESDA LaserFocus range, through to the VESDA LaserCompact, VESDA LaserPlus to the VESDA LaserScanner.

VESDA LaserFocus (click here to see prices)

·       Out-of-the-Box Installation and Commissioning

·       Ultrasonic Air flow Sensing

·       Laser-Based Absolute Smoke Detection

·       Pre-engineered pipe network designs

·       Programmable Alarm Thresholds

·       Dual Stage Air Filtration

·       Instant Recognition Display

·       Instant Fault Finder™

·       AutoLearn™ Smoke

·       AutoLearn™ Flow

·       Field Service Access Door

·       Multiple Event Logging in separate logs

·       Event log – up to 18000 events

·       Offline/online configuration capability

·       Up to 250 m2 (2500 sq. ft.) coverage*

VESDA LaserCompact

The VESDA LaserCompact is the intermediate VESDA detector between the VESDA LaserFocus and VESDA LaserPlus.  The VESDA LaserCompact detector can protect a space of up to 800sq metres.  It has a single pipe entry which can be extended to 80 metres. The VESDA LaserCompact comes in three models:- VESDA LaserCompact 400:- This has a built in Apollo XP95 interface card for direct connection to and XP95 fire detection Loop. This eliminates the use of an interface devise such as a switch monitor or input/output unit. VESDA LaserCompact 500RO:- This detector 3 relay outputs only VESDA LaserCompact 505VN:- The detector has three relays with a built in interface card to connect to a VESDAnet network The VESDA LaserFocus has a sensitivity range of 0.025% - 20% obscuration The VESDA LaserCompact incorporates the VESDA Dual stage filter for enhanced reliability The VESDA LaserCompact provides adjustable alarm thresholds for Alert, Action, Fire 1 and Fire 2

A summary of some of the features of the VESDA LaserCompact:-

• Reduced size compared to LaserPlus and LaserScanner detectors
• Wide sensitivity range
• A VESDA LaserCompact detector can cover an area of up to 800 m2 (8000 sq. ft.)
• Up to three programmable alarm thresholds
• Programmable relays
• AutoLearn feature
• One pipe inlet that can be split into two pipes
• Dual stage air filter cartridge
• Option for inverted mounting
• High efficiency aspirator
• Airflow monitoring
• Optional remote display and relay capability
• Active fault monitoring
• Easy cable termination
• Event log to 12000 events
• RO Version: Relay Only version for stand alone LaserCompact
• VN Version: VESDAnet (VN) version for networked LaserCompact
• Remote modules available (VN version only) to meet site specific requirements
• Three programmable general purpose input functions
• PC capable programming and monitoring

VESDA LaserPlus

The VESDA LaserPlus is a single area four pipe system.  The VESDA LaserPlus will protect a space of up to 2000 sq metres.  Each aspirating pipe can be extended to 50m in length The VESDA LaserPlus has seven programmable relays The VESDA LaserPlus has a built in VESDAnet network card for connection to a VESDAnet network The VESDA LaserPlus range comes in four models:- VESDA LaserPlus 400 – VLP400 - This incorporates a Fire and OK LED, but has no Display or built-in Programmer VESDA LaserPlus 002 – VLP002 – This incorporates a Display but no built-in Programmer VESDA LaserPlus 012 – VLP012– This incorporates a Display and built-in Programmer

A summary of some of the features of the VESDA LaserPlus:-

• VESDA LaserPlus can cover an area up to 2,000 m2 (20,000 sq. ft.)
• Wide sensitivity range
• Four programmable alarm thresholds
• AutoLearn feature
• Four pipe Inlets
• Individual pipe flow monitoring
• Replaceable air filter cartridge
• Option for inverted mounting
• Recessed mounting option
• Modular to meet site specific requirements
• Modular Display Module and LCD Programmer
• Seven programmable relays
• High efficiency aspirator
• Programmable general purpose Input
• PC capable programming and monitoring
• Multilingual displays
• Event log for up to 18,000 events

VESDA LaserScanner

The VESDA LaserScanner is a multi area four pipe system.  The VESDA LaserScanner will protect a space of up to 2000 sq metres.  Each aspirating pipe can be extended to 50m in length and can be zoned. The VESDA LaserScanner has seven programmable relays or twelve relays The VESDA LaserScanner has a built in VESDAnet network card for connection to a VESDAnet network The VESDA LaserScanner range comes in SIX models:- VESDA LaserScanner 600 – VLS600 - This incorporates a Fire and OK LED, but has no Display or built-in Programmer and seven relays VESDA LaserScanner 204 – VLS204 – This incorporates a Display but no built-in Programmer and seven relays VESDA LaserScanner 214 – VLS214 – This incorporates a Display and built-in Programmer and seven relays VESDA LaserScanner 700 – VLS700 - This incorporates a Fire and OK LED, but has no Display or built-in Programmer and twelve relays VESDA LaserScanner 304 – VLS304 - This incorporates a Display but no built-in Programmer and twelve relays VESDA LaserScanner 700 – VLS314 - incorporates a Display and built-in Programmer and twelve relays

A summary of some of the features of the VESDA LaserPlus:-

• Wide sensitivity ranges 0.005% obs/m to 20.0% obs/m (0.0015% obs/ft. to 6.24% obs/ft.)
• Each detector can cover an area of up to 2,000 m2 (20,000 sq. ft.)
• Four programmable alarm thresholds (Alert, Action, Fire 1 and Fire 2)
• AutoLearn feature
• Four pipe inlets
• Individual pipe flow monitoring
• Scans individual sectors once smoke has been detected
• Replaceable air filter cartridge
• Option for inverted mounting
• Recessed mounting option
• Modular to meet site specific requirements
• Modular Display Module and LCD Programmer
• Programmable relays (option for 7 or 12 relays available)
• High efficiency aspirator
• Programmable General Purpose Input (GPI) to invoke operational modes
• PC programming and monitoring
• Multilingual displays
• Event Log for up to 18,000 events