CA2222619C - Multi-signature fire detector - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-signature fire detection method and apparatus, utilizing first (1) and second (2) detectors for detecting first and second signatures. The first (1) detector outputs a first signal (A) indicative of the first detected fire signature, and the second detector (2) outputs a second signal (B) indicative a second detected fire signature. A signal processor (3) is provided for combining the first (A) and second (B) signals using a number of correlations, wherein outputs of the first (1) and second (2) detector means are coupled to the signal processor (3), and the signal processor (3) compares and combines the first (A) and second (B) signals to a first predetermined reference value (303), and outputs a fire condition signal if a combination of the first (A) and second (B) signals exceeds the predetermined reference value (303).

Description

W O 96/41318 PCTAJS96tO8615 MULTI-SIGNATURE FIRE DETECTOR

R~R~ROYND QF THE lNv~NllON:

Field o~ the Invention:
Barly detection and control o~ unwanted ~ires is and has been a national priority ~or decades. While specialized detectors were available prior to the development of smoke detectors (ionization and photoelectric), the relatively inexpensive and sensitive smoke detectors have had a major impact on reducing li~e and property loss due to ~ire. These technologies are now very mature and extremely a~ordable. Several problems have been identi~ied with the existing smoke detectors.
It was initially assumed that battery powered units were pre~erable so that detectors would operate even i~ the ~ire af~ected the home's electrical system. However, experience has shown that a large ~raction o~ battery operated units are not operational due to ~ailure to replace batteries. This problem is ~ar more ~erious than the problem the batteries were intended to solve. In addition, the ~alse alarm rate ~or smoke detectors has been very high. Typical ~alse to real fire alarms are on the order o~ 10:1. Breen ("False Fire Alarms in College Dormitories-The Problem Revisited," SFPB Technology Report 85-3, Society o~ Fire Protection Bngineers, Boston, MA, WO 96/41318 PCT~US96/0861 1985) has reported false:real alarm ratios of in excess of 50:1 ~or college dormitories. The failure of occupants to replace batteries in smoke detectors is being addressed through public education and a return to hard wired detectors. False alarm problems are also being addressed by a general reduction in the sensitivity settings of detectors. While this tradeoff appears to be advantageous because of the criticality of alarm credibility, there has been a clear reduction in the level of protection provided.
For clarity, the following definitions are set forth in order to assist in a proper understanding of the subject matter of this document: "Smoke" is defined as the condensed phase component of products of combustion from a fire. "Fire signature" is defined as any fire product that produces a change in the ambient ehvironment. "Fire product" can be smoke, a distinct energy form such as electromagnetic radiation, conducted heat, convected heat, or acoustic energy, or any individual gas such as CO, CO2, NO, etc., which can be generated by a fire. "Multi-signature fire detection" is the measurement of two or more ~ire signatures, in order to establish the presence of a fire.

W O 96/41318 PCTtUS96tO8615 Description of tho Related Art:
The current state-of-the-art in fire detection is best summarized by a recent review paper by Grosshandler ("An Assessment of Technologies for Advanced Fire Detection," presented at the ASME Winter Annual Meeting, Symposium on Heat Transfer in Fire and Combustion Systems, November 9-13, 1992) and the Proceedings o~ the 9th International Conference on Automatic Fire Detection as well as the Proceedings of the 1st (1988), 2nd (1989), and 103rd (1991) Symposium on Fire Safety Science. Research in fire detection can logically be divided into three distinct areas of investigation: novel detectors, improved signal processing, and assessment of the response of detectors to fire and non-fire environments.
15Grossh~n~ler presents a very thorough review of novel or innovative sensor technologies. These include particle, chemical, optical, and acoustical sensors. The review includes many technologies which have been actively pursued and others with potential application which have not been investigated specifically for fire detection.
Signal processing methods have received a great deal of attention in this age of microprocessors. Inexpensive computing power and digital electronics have made sophisticated detection algorithms very feasible in WO 96/41318 : PCT~US96/08615 commercial systems. It is interesting that for the most part, the algorithms being investigated are generic processing algorithms rather than methods speci~ically linked to a knowledge of ~ire dynamics, smoke generation, and other processes involved in the generation of ~ire signatures. A notable exception is the method of Ishii et al ("An Algorithm ~or Improving the Reliability of Detection with Processing of Multiple Sensors' Signal,"
Fire Safety Journal, 17, 1991, pp. 469-484) in which'a simple zone ~ire model is used to deduce source generation rates which are used as data in a cross-correlation algorithm. While this method is interesting, its r~ nce - on zone modeling means that it is not well suited to the earliest stages o~ the ~ire where the zone model is not yet valid and detection is desired. Nonetheless, it does represent a direction which needs to be explored.
Fortunately, there are many avenues which can be explored which do not include the zone model ~ormalism.
The assessment o~ ~ire and non-~ire signatures and the response of detectors to these signatures is an area of research that is absolutely critical to the development and evaluation of novel sensors, the refinement o~
existing sensors and the development of detection algorithms. While there are many st~n~'rd tests available W O 96/41318 PCT~US96/08615 and researchers routinely use test sources, there has been insufficient attention paid to the question of the types of sources that need to be investigated and how these sources can best be adapted to laboratory research and testing. Comprehensive source types are needed to assure the required performance of detectors to both real fire alarm and nuisance alarm sources. The definition of nuisance alarm sources which simulate false alarm scenarios in particular requires more in depth investigation. Overall success in improving detector performance will be limited until the characterization of real fire and nuisance alarm sources is more fully addressed. One result of importance is the clear indication that test results in moderate scale enclosures can provide excellent insights though attention needs to be paid to scaling the fire sources as well. The work of Heskestad and Newman ("Fire Detection Using Cross-Correlations of Sensor Signals," fire Safety Journal, 18(4), 1992) is a good example of this.
Most false alarms which are not related to hardware problems are the result of non-fire aerosols. Cooking ~ aerosols, dusts, tobacco, aerosol can discharges, and car ~h~ ts are examples of aerosol sources which cause false alarms. Cooking aerosols and steam (e.g., from a shower) are the most common ~alse alarm sources. Of these examples only tobacco smoke and car exhaust are expected to contain carbon m~nQ~; de. This makes carbon monoxide an attractive fire signature ~or detection purposes. The fact that carbon monoxide is the causative agent in a majority o~
~ire deaths further enhances the desirability o~ using CO
as a fire signature. Given the toxic properties o~ CO, it could be argued that false alarms due to the actual presence o~ CO in non-fire situations is not a false alarm at all. Rather, such alarms are desirable for the general sa~ety of building occupants.
Based on these factors, the evaluation of the ~easibility o~ a combination smoke detector/CO detector was a major focus of the present invention. There are a wide range of potential methods for detecting CO. These range from electrochemical sensors to IR (infra-red) absorption to oxidizable gas sensors (tin oxide) to gel cells.
o~ these methodologies, the oxidizable gas sensors are the least discriminating. Any oxidizable species including hydrocarbons will be detected. The f irst generation oxidizable gas sensors were developed in the early 1970's and operated at 300-400~C. Studies at NIST
by Bukowski and Bright ("Some Problems Noted in the Use of CA 022226l9 l997-ll-27 Wo96/41318 PCT~S96/08615 Taguchi Semiconductor Gas Sensors as Residential Fire/Smoke Detectors," NBSIR 74-591, National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD, December 1974) demonstrated the false alarm problems with such detectors and indicated relatively poor performance as a fire detector. The NIST
investigators found that the oxidizable gas sensor was very prone to false alarms due to hair sprays, deodorant, rubbing alcohol, cigarettes, and cooking aerosols. These false alarm signatures include many which plague conventional smoke detectors. Thus, the oxidizable gas sensor does little to complement conventional detectors in terms of false alarm resistance. Notably, none of these signatures involve CO. This indicates that a sensor which selectively measures CO would be far more useful in concert with conventional smoke detectors than would be oxidizable gas detectors. It is interesting to note that in recent work done by Harwood et al ("The Use of Low Power Carbon Monoxide Sensors to Provide Early Warning of Fire," Fire Safety Journal, 17, 1991, pp. 431-443), the very same type of oxidizable gas sensor was evaluated and found to be superior to conventional detectors in terms of its ability to detect BS 5445 test fires. These same investigators found the oxidizable gas detector to be resistant to false alarms. It is of interest that they CA 022226l9 l997-ll-27 W O 96/41318 PCT~US96/08615 did not include any spray aerosol or cooking aerosol in their testing. These recent ~indings serve to emphasize the criticality of using realistic sources for evaluating detector performance and false alarm resistance.
Harwood et al pursued further development of oxidizable gas detectors by the addition of Pt to allow ambient temperature operation to reduce power requirements. This enhancement has two disadvantages w~hich are more serious than the power issue. First, the high operating temperature tended to m; n; m;ze fouling of the detector by moisture and combustible gases which can be a problem at room temperature. This can lead to false alarm problems. Second, the heated sensor notably improved the smoke entry characteristics of the detector housing by a chimney effect. This is lost with room temperature operation. Qkayama ("Approach to Detection of Fires in Their Very Early Stage by Odor Sensors and Neural Net,"
Fire Sa~ety Science-Proceedings o~ the Third International Symposium, Elsevier Scient Publishers, Ltd., 1991, pp.
955-964) reported work using two different tin oxide detectors of different thicknesses to detect smoldering sources while rejecting non-smoldering volatile mat!erials.
This discrimination was successful and may have more general applicability though the nuisance alarm sources tested by Okayama did not represent normal ~alse alarm sources .
Electrochemical sensors and IR absorption instruments ~or CO currently exist. Electrochemical sensors are widely used in industrial hygiene applications and IR
absorption is widely used in fire and combustion areas.
The electrochemical sensors are reasonably a~ordable (hundreds o~ dollars), but do re~uire that the cell be replaced periodically. As such, they share some of the same maintenance problems with existing battery operated detectors. IR absorption has been demonstrated to be ~easible for measuring am.bient ppm levels of CO. The major barrier ~or these methods is the cost o~ the required instrumentation. There are definite indications that recent technical developments and mass production economies can overcome the cost issues.
United States Patent No. 4,639,598 (Kern) teaches a ~ire sensor cross-correlator circuit and method. Kern is concerned with an optical fl ~m; ng ~ire sensor system which makes use o~ the correlation of two radiation sensors in di~erent wavelength regions o~ the EM spectrum. This patent makes use o~ the fact that radiation ~rom ~laming ~ires has a primary ~requency in the 0.2-5 Hz range, depending on the size of the ~ire. This property o~

W O 96/41318 PCT~US96/08615 flaming fires has been widely studied and documented in the fire literature. Through the use of a cross-correlation of the two regions of the EM spectrum in which fires are known to emit radiation, false alarm sources which lack either spectral region in its radiative output or which do not have strong frequency components in the 0.2-5 Hz frequency range are excluded. This provides discrimination between flaming fire and non-fire radiative sources. For these optical flaming fire detection systems, like all fire detection systems, sensitivity to fires is not the limiting aspect of the detection system's usefulness. Rather, the ability to distinguish a fire from a non-fire source is the limiting aspect of these systems. Kern deals with the various aspects of a single fire signature, radiative output of a flaming fire. The present invention, which uses multiple fire signatures, applies to both flaming and smoldering fires, while Kern's methods have no role in smoldering fires.

SUMMARY OF THE lNv~NllON:
The present invention, there~ore, is a multi-signature fire detection system, wherein two sensors or detectors detecting different fire signatures are used, and their outputs combined to improve fire detection per~ormance. The use of two detectors according to the claimed invention can detect ~ires more rapidly and more reliably than either detector could alone. Additionally, the invention results in a ~ire detection apparatus which is more resistant to ~alse alarms, thereby addressing a signi~icant problem with current detectors.
A multi-signature ~ire detection apparatus according to the present invention comprises first detector means ~or detecting a first type o~ fire signature; the ~lrst detector means outputs a ~irst signal indicative o~ a ~irst detected fire signature. A second detector means is provided ~or detecting a second type of fire signature;
the second detector means outputs a second signal indicative o~ a second detected ~ire signature. Signal processing means are provided, ~or combining the ~irst and second signals. Outputs of the ~irst and second detectors are coupled to the signal processing means; the signal processing means compares the ~irst and second signals to a ~irst predetermined reference value, and outputs a ~ire condition signal i~ a combination o~ the ~irst and second signals exceeds the first predetermined re~erence value.
The signal processing means can include means ~or multiplying the ~irst and second signals, and then outputs a ~ire condition signal i~ a product o~ the ~irst and CA 02222619 l997-ll-27 WO 96/41318 PCTnJS96/08615 12 second signals exceeds the first predetermined re~erence value.
An alternative embodiment of the invention may utilize a signal processing means which includes means ~or adding the ~irst and second signals, such that the signal processing means outputs a fire condition signal if a sum of the first and second signals exceeds the first predetermined re~erence value.
The signal processing means can include means ~or comparing the product of the ~irst and second signals to the ~irst predetermined re~erence value, and also include means ~or comparing, if the product is below the ~irst predetermined value, each o~ the ~irst and second signals to second and third predetermined values, respectively.
The signal processing means will then indicate a fire condition i~ one o~ the ~irst and second signals exceeds one o~ the second and third predetermined re~erence values.
The first and second detector means can detect combinations of particulates, gases, temperature, particulate size distributions, etc. The speci~ic particulates and gases detected can be smoke, carbon m~nox;de, carbon dioxide, hydrochloric acid, oxidizable gas, nitrogen oxides, etc.

In addition to the apparatus discussed above, the invention includes a method for detecting fires, with the method comprising the steps of providing first and second detector means as discussed above. The next steps would be detecting the first fire signature with the first detector means, and generating the first signal indicative of the first fire signature. The second fire signature would then be detected with the second detector means, with the second detector means outputting the second signal indicative of the second fire signature. The first and second signals are then combined, yielding a combined result. The combined result is then compared to a first predetermined valuei if the combined result is below the first predetermined value, the first signal is compared to a second predetermined value and the second signal- is compared to a third predetermined value. A fire condition is then indicated if the combined result exceeds the ~irst predetermined value, if the first signal exceeds the second predetermined value, or the second signal exceeds the third predetermined value.
The signal processing means of the above-discussed embodiments can include means for multiplying each of the first and second signals by a predetermined weighting coe~ficient prior to adding the first and second signals.

This weighting coefficient yields weighted first and second signals, and the signal processing means is configured to output a fire condition signal if a sum of the weighted first and second signals exceeds the predetermined value. The signal processing means can also include a baseline determining means for determining a baseline for at least one of the first signal and the second signal. The baseline value is based upon either a running average of the first or second signal or a rate of change of the one of the first and second signals over time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION QF THE DRAWINGS:
The above and other objects and the attendant advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a test environment having an embodiment of the invention disposed therein;
Figure 3 illustrates an alternative view of the test environment;

W O 96/41318 PCT~US96/08615 Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of the signal processing means of the present invention;
Figure 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the signal processing means of the present invention;
Figure 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the signal processing means of the present invention;
Figure 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the signal processing means of the.present invention, Figure 8 illustrates a change in CO concentration with respect to ambient conditions for a number of heptane tests;
Figure 9 illustrates smoke as measured by an ionization detector;
Figure 10 illustrates smoke as measured by the photoelectric detector;
Figure 11 illustrates results for CO formation and smoke production for a fire threat source;
Figure 12 illustrates results for CO formation and smoke reduction for a non-fire threat source;
Figure 13 illustrates an increase in CO concentration and measured smoke production versus time for smoldering PVC insulated cable;
Figure 14 illustrates a plot of smoke versus CO
concentration for a plurality of detection algorithm W O 96/41318 PCT~US96/08615 strategies, as illustrated thereupon;
Figure 15 illustrates an alarm curve created by combining curves 2 and 3 of Figure 14;
Figures 16 and 17 illustrate improved response times for the claimed invention;
Figure 18 illustrates the ability of the claimed invention to reduce false alarms;
Figure 19 illustrates an embodiment of the invention which is similar to that shown in Figure 5, but.wherein the signal processing means includes an adder instead o~
a multiplier of the two inputs thereo~;
Figure 20 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the signal processing means of the present invention;
Figure 21 illustrates yet another aspect of the invention, wherein detector output is input to a differentiator.

D~T~ TT.l;!n PES ~RT PTTON OF THE pR~ 13MBODTM~NTS:
In developing the present invention, a number of prel; m; n~ry tests were conducted in order to determine the characteristics of a number of different fire signature detectors in a controlled environment.
The tests were per~ormed in a 2.8 x 2.8 x 3.7 m (9.25 x 9.25 x 12 ft) room (1027 ft3). The walls were WO 96/41318 PCT~US96/08615 constructed o~ two layers o~ 0.5 inch gypsum board. All seams were taped and spackled, and the interior was painted. Figure 2 shows a schematic o~ the test compartment. There were three viewing windows, one in the le~t wall, ~ront side, one in the back wall right corner, and a third one in the right wall. A standard door was centered on the ~ront wall. Ventilation was provided through a 38 cm x 30 cm duct located at the floor in the ~ront right corner o~ the room. The room was exhausted with a 0.9 m3/s (2000 c~m) ~an which is ducted into the back le~t corner o~ the room.
The experiments are divided into two test series.
The ~irst series consisted o~ multiple tests with each of the ~uel sources. Each test consisted o~ initiating the test source with the compartment closed except ~or the inlet duct (see Figure 2). This setup constituted quiescent conditions in the test room. The second test series consisted of the same sources initiated under a stirred atmosphere condition. This condition was created with the use o~ a small 15 cm (6 inch) ~an in the inlet duct blowing into the test compartment.
Figure 3 shows the instrument layout on the ceiling o~ the test compartment. Smoke obscuration was measured using (1) a Simplex (tm) ionization detector (Model 4098-CA 022226l9 l997-ll-27 WO 96/41318 PCT~US96/08615 9716), (2) a Simplex photoelectric detector (Model 4098-9701), and (3) a diode laser with photodiode setup.
Temperature in the compartment was measured with (1) a Simplex heat detector (model 4098-9731), (2) a type-T
thermocouple, and (3) a tree o:E 10 type-K thermocouples.
Carbon monoxide concentrations were measured using standard gas ~ampling techniques as described below.
Most single station commercially available smoke detectors are designed as closed units in which:smoke obscuration is signaled as either an alarm or no alarm condition. It was desired to use available detectors which could provide a signal proportional to the level of smoke obscuration in the test space. This resulted in the use of Simplex detectors which are designed as part of an integrated ~ire detection system. These detectors are typically used in commercial and public buildings and represent costlier detectors than normally ~ound in residential structures. As such, it is believed that these detectors may have been more rugged and less prone to false alarms than many single station detectors.
Manufacturer experience indicated the same.
The Simplex detectors were supplied with a specifically designed hardware/software package which is normally used for UL(tm) testing. This package (UL

W O 96/41318 PCT~US96/08615 Tester) polled the detectors every 4 to 5 seconds and saved the data to a computer file. Due to proprietary constraints, the design o~ these detectors precludes obtaining a measurement from the detectors without the UL
Tester. The output from the UL tester is provided as a percent obscuration per unit length based on a standard smoke used by UL in evaluating smoke detectors. Thus, although the smoke detectors do not measure the attenuation of light by smoke directly, the oùtput is represented as equivalent smoke obscuration (~/meter) based on the UL standard smoke. The third smoke measurement device consisted of a 5 mW laser with a 670 nm wavelength (Meredith Instruments (tm)) and a photodiode receiver. The percent tr~n~m;.~sion of light was measured over a pathlength of 282 cm (9.25 ~t).
The tree of 10 type-K thermocouples extended from the ceiling to the floor near the center of the room.
Thermocouples were placed 30 cm (12 inches) apart, starting 61 cm (24 inches) above the floor. The type-T
thermocouple was made of 36 awg wire with a 0.005 inch bead and was located next to the Simplex heat detector.
~ This fine gauge thermocouple was selected to assess i~ a faster response a~forded an ~nh~nced capability to detect a fire compared to the Type-K 24 awg thermocouples.

W O 96/41318 PCT~US96/08615 Gas analysis consisted of CO, CO2 and ~2 concentrations. Carbon monoxide was measured with a Beckman (tm) 880A NDIR analyzer using a 500 ppm range with a il~ full scale accuracy. Carbon dioxide was measured with a Horiba (tm) VIA-510 NDIR analyzer using a 1 percent range with a iO.5~ full scale accuracy. The oxygen concentration was measured with a Servomex (tm) 540A
analyzer using a 0 to 25 percent range with a il ~ full scale accuracy. The gas sampling probe consisted of a 6 mm (0.25 inch) diameter copper tube extending 7.6 cm (3 inches) below the ceiling. The 90 percent response times for the gas sampling system were measured to be 13, 17, and 15 seconds for= the CO, CO2 and ~2 analyzers, respectively.
The output from all instrumentation except -the Simplex detectors was recorded at 1 second intervals using a PC computer and LABTBCH(tm) Notebook data acquisition software. Data reduction was performed with standard spreadsheet software.
Detailed descriptions o~ each source are presented below. Unless specified otherwise, the test sources were placed 61 cm (24 ; n~he-~) from each wall in the front left corner of the compartment and approximately 10 cm (4 inches) above the floor. This location was chosen to CA 022226l9 l997-ll-27 W O 96/41318 PCT~US96/08615 separate the test source and the detectors as much as possible while not placing the source in ~ront o~ the inlet duct. In all cases, the source was started at 100 seconds ~rom the start o~ data collection. The ~irst 100 seconds o:E data collection were used to establish a baseline ~or each measurement.
The hot plate used for smoldering sources was a Thermolyne (tm) HP46825 1100 W unit with a 19 cm (7.5 inch) square sur~ace. Samples were placed on a 0.6 cm (0.25 inch) al-lm;nl~m plate which is on top o~ the hot plate. A type K thermocouple, inserted into the side o~
the aluminum plate, monitored the temperature throughout the test.

Cigarettes Four Marlboro (tm) cigarettes were mounted horizontally approximately 2 cm on center from a ring stand assembly. The stand was positioned underneath the detectors so that the cigarettes were 51 cm (20 inches) Erom the walls and 168 cm (66 inches) above the floor.
Tests were also conducted with the cigarettes in the ~ront le~t corner of the compartment, positioned 147 cm (58 inches) above the ~loor and 30 cm (12 inches) Erom the walls.

Candles Six 5 cm high, 4 cm diameter candles were placed in the standard location. The candles were ignited with a match starting at 100 seconds a~ter the start of data collection. Tests were also conducted with the candles positioned at the same height but centered underneath the detectors.

Automotive Exhaust The exhaust from a 1986 Ford (tm) pickup truck having an internal combustion engine was piped into the compartment through 7.6 cm (3 inch) diameter al~-m;nl]m duct. The open end o~ the duct was positioned 61 cm from the walls and 20 cm above the floor so that the exhaust vented upward.

Aerosol An aerosol can o~ hair spray was sprayed approximately 61 cm (2 ft) below the detectors. Other tests consisted o~ air freshener sprayed ~rom the front le~t corner of the compartment. These tests proved less e~ective in causing a ~alse alarm condition.

W O 96/41318 PCT~US96/08615 Cooking Fumes Cooking fumes were produced by heating vegetable oil in a pot placed on top of the hot plate. The pot with a base diameter of 16.5 cm was filled to a depth of 2 cm with oil. A Type K thermocouple was placed in the oil to monitor the temperature throughout the test. Data collection started at the moment the hot plate was turned on. The hot plate was initially set to its m~ mllm setting and then turned down to half power when the oil temperature reached a value of 500 K. The resulting-vapor from this procedure appeared representative of a typical cooking event.
A second cooking scenario consisted of cooking 5 strips of bacon in a 25 cm (10 inch) skillet located under the detectors, 51 cm (20 ~nch~s) from the walls and 132 cm (52 inches) above the floor. The skillet was heated with a propane gas burner for one test and on the hotplate for a second test scenario. The propane gas burner was a source of CO when the skillet was placed on it. This was due to flame quenching at the pan surface. Without the skillet the burner produced no measurable CO.

Dust Dust was generated using a 10 gallon wet/dry vacuum WO 96/41318 PCT~US96/08615 24 quarter-~illed with a fine gray concrete powder. The dust was vertically propelled out of the exhaust port. The vacuum was placed in the standard location.

Smoldering Wood Modeled after UL Standard No. 268, ponderosa pine sticks were heated on a hot plate to produce a smoldering source. The stick size was 7.6 x 2.5 x 1.9 cm (3 x 1 x 0.75 inch). The hot plate was preheated outside of the compartment to a temperature of 400~C (673 K) and placed in the standard position just prior to 100 seconds. The plate was heated outside of the compartment to avoid any e~fects of the thermal plume. At 100 seconds, eight sticks were placed (wide side down) in a spoke-like pattern on the hot plate.

Cotton Wick Similar to EN54, cotton wick (No. 1115, Pepperell Braiding Co. (tm)) was used to produce a smoldering source. Twenty pieces of 13 cm (5 inch) long cotton wick were hung from a ring stand so that the wicks were adjacent to one another. The stand was positioned so that the end of the wicks were at the standard source location.
The wicks were ignited using a matçh and blown out CA 022226l9 l997-ll-27 W O 96/41318 PCT~US96/08615 immediately upon ignition, leaving them to smolder.

PVC-insulated Cable Electrical cable with a polyvinylchloride (PVC) covering (Granger (tm) 18/3 SJT) was placed on the hot plate to produce a smoldering source. Six pieces o~ 15 cm (6 inch) long cable were spaced about 2 cm apart on top of the hot plate. The hot plate was preheated outside o~ the compartment to 400~C and positioned in the standard source location just prior to placing the cable on it at 100 seconds.

Polyurethane Foam Three pieces of 13 x 13 x 2.5 cm (5 x 5 x 1 inch) polyurethane ~oam were stacked to ~orm a 7.5 cm high pile.
The ~oam had a density o~ 18.4 kg/m3 (1.15 lb/~t3) and was not ~ire resistant. At 100 seconds after the start o~
data collection, a match was used to ignite a corner of the bottom piece o~ ~oam.

Heptane A liquid ~ire was produced from burning 100 mL o~
heptane in a 10 x 10 x 2. 2 cm (4 x 4 x 0.88 inch) steel pan. Just prior to ignition the ~uel was poured in the CA 022226l9 l997-ll-27 pan on top of a 20 mL water substrate. Ignition was with a match.

Shredded Paper This source was modeled after the paper fire (Test A) as specified in UL 268. Newsprint (black only) was shredded into strips approximately 8 cm long and 0. 6 cm wide. Original tests consisted of 1. 2 ounces o:E shredded newsprint poured into a vertical 10 cm diameter metal tube, 30.5 cm long (a 7. 6 cm dia tube was also used).
With the bottom temporarily capped, the fuel was tampered down so that the top of the paper was 10 cm below the top of the tube. A hole about 2. 5 cm in diameter was then formed down through the center of the paper. The temporary cap was then removed. The paper was ignited with a match at the bottom center of the tube. This setup produced a large volume o~ smoke for the first 70 seconds and then transitioned to a flaming fire for about 20 seconds. Due to a large volume of smoke the smoke detectors became saturated once the plume came in contact with the detectors. This was true even for the smaller tube. Additional tests were conducted with 1 ounce o~
shredded paper in a 10 quart pail. The paper was ignited with a match resulting in a flaming fire.

.

W O 96/41318 PCT/U~G/08615 Fabric Two different types of fabric were tested, poly/cotton and cotton fabric. Each was burned as a 25 by 64 cm (10 by 25 inch) strip hung with the 64 cm long side in the horizontal direction. The fabric was ignited with a match at one of the bottom corners.

Tests were performed in triplicate for most sources to assess the reproducibility of the measurements. In general, the tests were quite reproducible as can be seen in Figures 8 to 10 which show selected measurements for heptane pool fires. Figure 8 shows the change in CO
concentration with respect to ambient conditions versus time for each of three heptane tests. The rise in CO is virtually identical, leveling off to a value of about 16 ppm. Figures 9 and 10 show the smoke as measured by the ionization and photoelectric detectors, respectively.
Again, the data agree quite well for all three tests. It should be noted that the value of 7.7 percent obscuration .~ 20 per meter (2.4 percent per foot) reached by the ionization detector was the m~c;ml7m measurable limit for the detector. Identical heptane tests were also performed with and without the gas sample system on. These tests WO 96/41318 ~ PCTAUS96/08615 showed that there was no e~ect o~ the gas sample probe being located near the smoke detectors.
Creating non-~ire threat sources which caused the smoke detectors to reach alarm levels proved to be more di~icult than expected. This is believed to be partly a result o~ the Simplex detectors which compared to some less expensive single station units have unique design mechanisms aimed at eliminating ~alse alarms. A ~alse alarm was considered to be a smoke detector output correspo~; n~ to 4.8 percent obscuration per meter (1.5 per ~t) ~or a nuisance alarm source. The level o~ 4.8 was chosen as a representative value at which the ionization and photoelectric detectors could be compared on an equivalent basis to the alarm criteria discussed below.
O~ the nuisance alarm sources, the ionization detector only alarmed ~or cigarettes underneath the detectors with quie~cent conditions and frying bacon on the gas burner.
Alarm conditions ~or other sources would not have been reached even ~or a smoke detection threshold o~ 3.2 percent obscuration per meter (1.0 ~ per ~t). The photoelectric detector alarmed ~or most o~ the sources, except the car exhaust and candles. Attempts were made to create non-fire threat sources o~ steam by boiling large pots o~ water. However, even with increases in relative W O96/41318 PCT~US96/08615 29 humidity from 16 to 82 percent in the ~ompartment, the photoelectric detector failed to respond and the ionization detector reached sporadic peaks of only 1.3 percent obscuration per meter (0.4 ~ per foot). The dry winter conditions may have contributed to the difficulty of obtaining false alarm levels.
Although not fully achieved in these experiments, it is known that cooking events and steam are the major sources of false alarms for residential smoke detectors.
A standardized test of a common false alarm source is needed in order to fully compare the performance of current detectors and to evaluate improved performance of new fire detection technology. This cannot replace field testing, however it would provide a benchmark for comparison of the false alarm susceptibility of detectors.
The UL 268 standard specifies three tests utilizing non-fire threat sources: (1) a Humidity Test, (2) a Dust Test, and (3) a Paint Loading Test. These tests are primarily designed to determine the change in sensitivity of a detector af~ter exposure to the source. As such, these tests do not address the level of a source that causes a false alarm or the time to which a detector will alarm due to a non-fire threat source. In other words the tests fail to establish a baseline ~or comparison which assesses -WO 96/41318 PCT~US96/08615 a detector's susceptibility to false alarm.
In general, conducting tests under stirred conditions provided little insight with respect to detector sensitivities. These conditions primarily resulted in the sources (fire threat and non-fire threat) being harder to detect due to greater dilution. This was true ~or both CO
and smoke detection.
As expected, the ionization detector was more sensitive than the photoelectric detector to the flaming sources. However, the opposite was not always true for smoldering sources. Table 1 illustrates this point by showing the elapsed time ~rom ignition at which the ionization and photoelectric detectors reached a value of 4.8 percent obscuration per meter (1.5 ~ per ~t) for ~ire sources. As can be seen, the ionization detector responded earlier ~or all flaming sources. The ionization detector also responded sooner than the photoelectric detector for two o~ the ~our smoldering ~ire threat sources. It is interesting to note that the ionization detector also alarmed much sooner for clgarette smoke and frying bacon on the gas burner, as seen in tables 5 and 6.
In general though, the photoelectric detector was more prone to false alarms. The ionization detector produced negligible responses to hair spray, dust, and cooking oil, WO 96/41318 PCT~US96/08615 31 whereas values greater than 6.4 percent obscuration per meter (2 ~ per ft) were observed ~or the photoelectric detector.
Table 2 presents data ~or the initial response time for the smoke and CO detectors ~or representative ~ire threat sources. Listed in the table is the time ~rom ignition at which the detector started to respond.
Although the time to an alarm condition is o~ greater importance, this comparison indicates the relative response capabilities o~ the di~erent detectors while avoiding the uncertainty associated with selecting appropriate alarm levels. For all fire sources, the ionization detector started to respond be~ore or at the same time as the photoelectric detector. However as seen in Table 1, the photoelectric detector reached alarm conditions sooner in the case o~ smoldering wood and PVC
cable. As can be seen in Table 2 ~or all sources, the CO
detector responded ~aster than either the ionization or photoelectric detectors. Response times for the smoke detectors were 30 to 300 percent longer. These results indicate that the use o~ a CO detector could signi~icantly shorten the time to alarm ~or CO producing ~ire threat sources.

CA 022226l9 l997-ll-27 Table 1. Time ~rom Ignition at which the Ionization and Photoelectric Detectors Reached a Value o~ 4.8 percent obscuration per meter (1. 5~ per ~t) Time to Ignition to Alarm(s) Fuel SourceTest IonPhotoelectric DetectorDetector Smoldering Sources: -Wood 25 471151 Wood(s)1 66 511168 Cotton Wick 7 484855 Cotton Wick(s) 37 __2 __ PVC-cable 28 --249 PVC-cable(s) 49 -- __ Shredded Paper 17 83 88 Flaming Sources:
Polyurethane 15 4570 Polyurethane(s)38 4570 Heptane 3 79289 Heptane(s) 56 88289 Shredded Paper 51 37 --Shredded Paper(s) 65 28 --Poly/Cotton Fabric 72 54 92 Cotton Fabric 73 32 --1(s) indicates stirred conditions.
2_ - indicates smoke level was not reached.

CA 022226l9 l997-ll-27 W 096/41318 PCT/U'96/'~8~15 Table 2: Time(s) to Initial Response ~or the Carbon Monoxide, Ionization, and Photoelectric Detectors ~or Fire Threat Sources DescriptionTest CO IonPhotoelectric Wood 400~C 25 46 78 91 Cotton wick 7 182 331 365 PVC cable 28 NR 104 134 Smoldering paper 17 27 79 98 Polyurethane 15 28 36 62 Heptane 3 20 37 49 Flaming paper 51 17 24 24 Fabric 72 25 37 37 (poly/cotton) Fabric (cotton) 73 20 28 45 NR - no response.

W O 96/41318 PCT/U~,Gi~8615 The advantages of including a CO measurement in an alarm algorithm can be seen in the ~ollowing two examples.
The results for CO ~ormation and smoke production are presented in Figures 11 and 12 ~or a fire threat and non-~ire threat source, respectively. Figure 11 shows theincrease in CO concentration and the measured smoke production versus time ~or 20 pieces o~ smoldering cotton wick. An increase in CO provides the earliest detection of the smoldering wick. At about 285 seconds the measured carbon monoxide concentration increased quickly to 40 ppm and ~inally reached a m~; ml~m o~ 70 ppm at the time the wicks were consumed. Although the ionization detector started to respond at 441 seconds, which was more rapid than the initial photoelectric detector response at 465 seconds, it was considerably slower compared to the CO
detector.
Detector responses to a non-~ire threat (cooking ~umes ~rom heated oil) are shown in Figure 12. In this case, the photoelectric detector was quite sensitive to the heated oil vapor as evidenced by the steep rise in the detector output. Values as high as 14.5 percent smoke obscuration per meter (4.7 ~ per ~oot) were reached at the end of the test. The ionization detector showed no significant response over the course of the whole test.

-W O 96/41318 PCTnJS96/08615 Due to the lack of combustion, there was no CO produced.
The results ~rom these two sources indicate that the combination o~ the CO concentration and the ionization detector output provide a good multi-signature technique to detect fire threats and eliminate false alarms. This is in agreement with the f; n~ ngS of Heskestad and Newman.
The inclusion of a rise in CO has two advantages. One is that the detection time is shortened and the second is that many false alarms can be avoided as these sources (cooking ~umes, shower steam, and dust, for example) do not produce CO. The detection of CO alone, however, is not sufficient since certain potential fire threats do not produce significant levels of CO. For instance, as can be seen in Figure 13, the smoldering PVC coated cable generated less than a 2 ppm increase in CO even though smoke levels of over 12.5 percent obscuration per meter (4 ~ per ~t) were measured using the photoelectric detector.
This example points out the need ~or establishing multi-signature detection techniques using smoke and CO
measurements which can distinguish between fire threat and non-fire threat conditions. The present invention is directed to such multi-signature detection techniques.
The results of these tests indicate that the use o~
a CO measurement can significantly shorten the time to alarm for many fires, and, in conjunction with standard smoke detectors, can reduce false alarms. Toward this end, many multi-signature signal processing algorithms were ~m; ned to identify promising detection techniques, in the development o~ the present invention. Due to time constraints in studying the numerous experiments and possible alarm algorithms, focus was given to identifying simple detection algorithms which provided the a~r~riate trends (i.e., quicker fire detection and fewer false alarms). The approach taken is depicted in Figure 14 which shows a plot of smoke obscuration versus CO
concentration. This plot illustrates several multi-signature detection algorithm strategies. Line represents the alarm of a smoke detector set to 4.8 percent obscuration per meter (1.5 ~ per ft). Sources which produce detector outputs lower than this value are considered nuisance alarm sources.
Curve 2 represents the use of "AND/OR" logic by requiring that the sum o~ the smoke measurement AND the CO
concentration OR the smoke measurement OR the CO
concentration reach a preset value. For this example the alarm value is 10 (i.e., Smoke + CO = 10) and the smoke is measured in percent obscuration per meter and the CO
concentration is measured as parts per million (ppm).

W O 96/41318 PCT~US96/08615 Compared to curve 1, curve 2 effectively reduces the sensitivity of the smoke detector when considered individually. The required smoke level for alarm is 10 instead of 4.8. Reducing detector sensitivity has been a common method for reducing false alarms [4]. However, the reduced sensitivity can also result in much longer response times for real fires. Since fire growth is exponential, longer response times can translate into fire deaths. The inclusion in the algorithm o~ a change in the CO level serves to reduce this response time e~fect while maint~;n;ng the original objective of reducing false alarms. For example, in order to have an alarm with a smoke measurement of 5 percent per meter, the measured increase in CO would have to be 5 ppm. Since most false alarm sources do not produce CO, the multi-signature detection algorithm eliminates smoke producing nuisance alarm sources that fall below curve 2 in Figure 14. This type of detection algorithm can also provide faster alarm responses for fire threats in which CO is detected much faster than smoke, such as the smoldering wick test shown in Figure 11.
A general embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 1 and 4. Detector 1 and detector 2 can be, for example, a smoke detector and a CO detector, respectively.

The outputs of these detectors are fed to signal processor 3 which could be, Eor example, a CPU. The signal processor combines the ~irst and second signals, and compares the ~irst and second signals, to a first predetermined reference value stored in memory 303. If the signal processor determines that the combination o~
these signals exceeds the predetermined re~erence value, a signal is sent to alarm 4 to indicate that 'a ~ire condition exists. Figure 4 illustrates a more detai~ed view of one embodiment of signal processor 3. Output signals A and B o~ detectors 1 and 2, respectively, are input to multiplier 301. Multiplier 301 multiplies signal A x B, generating output C. Output C is fed to comparing device 302, which compares the value of output C to a reference value D stored in memory 303. I~ comparing device 302 determines that output C exceeds reference value D, a signal is sent to alarm 4, indicating a ~ire condition. I~ output C is not greater than re~erence value D, a "no alarm" signal is generated. If the per~ormance of the apparatus is being recorded or monitored, the no alarm signal could,be stored in memory 304. In Figure 14, curve 3 represents the product as a constant value o~ 25.
For clarity the curves in Figure 14 have been arbitrarily drawn with a common point of tangency. Due to the W O 96/41318 PCTrUS96/08615 asymptotic nature of this curve, a non-zero value for both smoke obscuration and the change in CO concentration is required to signal an alarm for this detection algorithm.
This characteristic is not always desirable since there are fire sources which can produce near zero changes in the measured CO concentration (eg., smoldering PVC cable).
There~ore, in actual practice, this algorithm would preferably be combined with an alarm limit for both smoke and CO. As an illustration, an alarm condition would exist for a product greater than 25 or if the change in CO was greater than 20 ppm or the smoke level was greater than 10 percent per meter. Such an embodiment will be discussed later.
A yet further alternative embodiment of the signal processing means is illustrated in Figure 5, wherein multiplication device 301 is replaced by addition device 306. In this embodiment, output signals A and B are added, and output from addition device 306 as output C.
Output C is then compared to reference value D. If output C does not exceed reference value D, no fire condition signal is generated. The implementation of Figure 4, as discussed above, suffers from a limitation that if the type of fire which is detected causes a high output on detector 1, but causes a zero output on detector 2, output WO 96/41318 PCT~US96/08615 C in Figure 4 would be zero, and a :Eire condition would not be signalled even if a fire existed. Using a very low reference value in the embodiment of Figure 5, this problem can be eliminated; however, this would cause a significantly high incidence of false alarms, and therefore be unacceptable. The embodiment of Figures 6 and 7 are therefore directed to addressing the zero condition signal. Referring to Figure 6, input circult 305 receives signals A and B from detectors 1 and 2, and first multiplies signals A and B, and then adds at least one and optionally two of the individual outputs A and B
to the final product, thereby creating output C. Output C is compared to reference value D by comparing device 302, and a fire condition signal is sent to alarm 4 if output C exceeds reference value D. The reference value can be optimized as appropriate for particular applications.
Referring to Figs. 14 and 15, one method and apparatus to eliminate the problem of near zero smoke or CO measurements is actually a combination of curves 2 and 3 using OR logic. A similar combination using AND and OR
logic is represented by curve 4. For this example, the alarm level for both the AND and OR combination is 35.
Therefore, the two conditions can be represented as a single equation. This type of detection algorithm states that an alarm condition is reached when the product o~ the smoke and CO outputs plus the individual outputs equals a set value (AND logic). An alarm will also be signaled if the product or one o~ the individual signals equals the alarm value (OR logic).
By selecting di~erent alarm thresholds and various combinations of these signals using Boolean logic, an in~inite number of alarm curves can be created. Figure 15 shows an example of an alarm curve created by combining curves 2 and 3 in Figure 14 using OR logic with di~erent alarm levels and weighting coef~icients. Curve 2 in Figure 14 has been changed so that the smoke measurement is weighted more in curve 2' o~ Figure 15 (i.e., a line ~rom 8 percent smoke to 12 ppm CO instead o~ a line ~rom percent smoke to 10 ppm CO). This change is representative o~ decreasing the detection algorithm sensitivity with respect to the CO component. This would tend to reduce ~alse alarms due to CO ~rom tobacco smoke, ~or example.
The dashed and dotted lines in Figure 15 represent the individual curves ~or the two di~erent detection algorithms. The solid line represents the alarm condition which results ~rom combining the two algorithms using OR

WO 96/41318 PCT~US96/08615 logic. An alarm is indicated if either condition 2' (Smoke+(2/3)CO28) OR condition 3 (Smoke*CO210) is true.
This alarm algorithm is more sensitive to fire sources that produce both smoke and CO than simply using curve 2'.
And it sets individual alarm limits for both smoke and CO, thus avoiding the asymptotic behavior of curve 3.
An embodiment of the invention which addresses the zero condition is illustrated in Figure 7. Figure 7 illustrates signals A and B from detectors 1 and 2 being fed in to multiplication apparatus 301, thereby forming output C. Output C is fed to comparing device 302, which compares output C to a reference value D. If output C
exceeds the reference value D stored in memory 303, a fire condition signal is sent to alarm 4, therefore indicating a fire condition. If output C does not exceed reference value D, alternate initiation 307 is executed, which initiates comparing devices 308 and 309. Reference value E, stored in memory 310, is compared to output A in co~r~ing device 308. If output A exceeds reference value E, comparing device 308 sends a fire condition signal to alarm 4. If output A does not exceed reference value E, comparing device 308 does not send any alarm signal.
Simultaneously, output B is compared to reference value F, stored in memory 311. If output B exceeds reference value CA 022226l9 l997-ll-27 W 096/41318 PCT/U59Gi'~15 F, a ~ire condition signal is sent to alarm 4. If output B does not exceed reference value F, then no alarm is sent. With this configuration, if A is a high number and B is zero, then although output C will not exceed reference value D, output A would exceed reference value E, thereby indicating an appropriate alarm signal.
Reference values D, E, and F could be set sufficiently high to m;n;m~ze the amount of false alarm occurrences.
Figure 19 illustrates a similar embodiment to that shown in Figure 7, but wherein multiplier 301 has been replaced with adder 306.
A further embodiment o~ the invention is illustrated in Figure 20; the embodiment of Figure 20 iS similar to the embodiment of Figures 7 and 19; however, in Figure 20, multipliers 312 and 313 are provided to multiply inputs A
and B, respectively, by weighting coefficients ~ and ~, which are supplied from memories 314 and 315, respectively. These weighting coefficients can be determined based upon particular applications, wherein the inputs from one of detectors A and B may need to be weighted to have a higher weighting value in order to ensure accurate fire detection for the particular application. The determination of the particular weighting coefficients is within the purview of a person of ordinary W O 96/41318 ~ PCTAUS96/08615 skill in the art, in view of the information contained herein.
An example of how the particular weighting of the signals can be performed is a system wherein the signal processing means is configured to multiply or add weighting coe~icients ~ and ~ by the signal, raised to a power. As an example, the signal processing means could perform one of the following calculation:

(o~An) (Bm) . ., or (~~An) + ( ~Bm) wherei~ ~, ~, n, and m are predetermined constants, and A and B are the first and second signals. It should be noted that any combination o~ functions, such as trigonometric, exponential, or logarithmic, can be used for varying the weighting of the first and second signals based upon a desired relationship of signal values to alarm/no alarm signals. These functions can be détermined by the signal processing means ~sing known series ~xr~nqion methods such as Maclaurin Series, Taylor Series, and Fourier Series functions.
Figure 21 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the output of detector 1 is input to a differentiator which calculates a rate of change of the CA 022226l9 l997-ll-27 W O 96/41318 PCTrUS96/08615 output signal over time dA, and wherein the output of the dt differentiator is provided to a circuit which performs the mathematical equation:
1 ~ dA~
n i=1 dtJi The output of this calculation means, A* is then compared to the output A' of the differentiator. If A' is greater than A*, a fire condition is signalled. If A~ is not greater than A*, then no alarm is sounded. The circuit of Figure 21 can be implemented on one or both of outputs A
and B of detectors 1 and 2, and can be used in conjunction with the circuitry of any of the other embodiments of the invention.
The specific circuitry necessary to implement the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings would be known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, based upon the explanation of the invention contained herein. The various embodiments of the invention, as discussed herein, could be implemented in a number of - 20 ways. A hardware engineer could implement the algorithm using discrete logic components, to implement the means which perform the functions set forth above. The embodiments could, in one alternative, be implemented in WO 96/41318 PCT~US96/0861 one of many available types of ROM, or in a suitable hardware location to form a self contained unit with the detectors at local detection sites. An alternative embodiment could comprise the detectors being locally disposed at a detector site, and the detector signals being fed back to a remote computer which is configured to analyze and process the outputs according to the above-discussed embodiments. The figures illustrate various reference values and coefficients being stored in memory locations both in and outside of the signal processors.
For the purposes of this invention, the memory locations storing the actual reference value and coefficient value information may be part of the signal processor, or may be fed to the signal processor from an external memory source. As indicated above, specific configuration-s of the invention may vary widely depending on the particular desired application. The specific elements of the methods and apparatuses of the present invention are clearly set forth in the appended claims.
Tables 3 and 4 show comparisons between the time to alarm for detectors and for two different detection algorithms. In both comparisons, the time to alarm for the detectors was based on an alarm value of 4.8 percent obscuration per meter (1.5 ~ per ft). Both tables compare W O 96/41318 PCT~US96/08615 the detector alarm times to the alarm times based on a detection algorithm criterion that the product of the change in CO concentration (ppm) and the smoke obscuration (percent per meter) is greater than or equal to 10. All tests shown represent quiescent conditions in the compartment.
In Table 3, the smoke obscuration measurement is taken ~rom the ionization detector. Overall, the algorithm (Ion*CO=10) proved to be a better means of distinguishing between fire and non-fire threats than the smoke detectors alone. Compared to the ionization detector, the multi-signature technique resulted in the same number of false alarms. Each alarmed for a test consisting of cigarette smoke and a test of frying bacon on the gas burner. However, the multi-signature detection algorithm did provide some improvement in fire detection.
The ionization detector never alarmed for smoldering PVC
cable, but an alarm level was obtained when using the multi-signature detection algorithm.

WO 96/41318 PCT~US96/0861S

Table 3. Comparison Between the Time to Alarm ~or the Ionization (ION) and Photoelectric;(PHOTO) Detectors and the ION*CO criterion Test ION PHOTO ION*CO
1.5~/~t 1.5~/~t 10 Non-~ire Threats ~ Cigarettes 59 49 521 44 Hair spray 69 -- 91 --Dust 75 _- 45 __ Cooking oil 11 -- 701 --Bacon (*, gas burner) 61 130 241 87 Bacon (*, hot plate) 64 -- 641 --Fire Threats Wood 400~C 25 471 151 172 Cotton wick 7 484 855 331 PVC cable 28 -- 249 445 Smoldering paper17 83 88 79 Polyurethane 15 45 70 40 Heptane 3 79 289 71 Flaming Paper 51 37 -- 28 Fabric (poly/cotton) 72 54 92 37 Fabric (cotton) 73 32 -- 28 Table 4. Comparison between the Time to Alarm for the Ionization (ION) and Photoelectric (PHOTO) Detectors and the PHOTO*CO criterion Test ION PHOTO PHOTO
1.5~/ft 1.5~/ft *CO

Non-fire Threats Cigarettes 59 49 521 87 Hair spray 69 -- 91 91 Dust 75 -- 45 --Cooking oil 11 -- 701 --Bacon (*, gas 61 130 241 151 burner) Bacon (*, hot plate) 64 -- 641 735 Fire Threats Wood 400~C 25 471 .151 134 Cotton wick 7 484 855 403 PVC cable 28 -- 249 296 Smoldering paper 17 83 88 88 Polyurethane 15 45 70 66 Heptane 3 79 289 160 Flaming Paper 51 37 -- 28 Fabric (poly~cotton) 72 54 92 45 Fabric (cotton) 73 32 -- 49 When compared to the photoelectric detector, the multi-signature technique showed even better improvements.
The photoelectric detector produced six false alarms compared to two for the multi-signature algorithm. The detector also failed to alarm ~or the test with flaming paper and the test with cotton fabric. Use of the multi-signature algorithm resulted in alarms for both of these tests.
Table 4 compares the detector alarm performance against the multi-signature algorithm criterion using the photoelectric detector output (i.e., Photo*CO=10). The results are the same as those ~or the Ion*CO detection algorithm, except that the Photo*CO detection algorithm produced additional false alarm conditions for the tests with hair spray and for frying bacon on the hot plate.
One small improvement was that for the cigarette test the multi-signature algorithm did not produce a false alarm until 38 seconds after the ionization detector alarmed.
Tables 3 and 4 also show that the two multi-signature algorithms result in shorter detection times for fire threat sources. In Table 3 it can be seen ~or all sources that the ION*CO detection algorithm provided shorter times to alarm than the ionization detector. Compared to the photoelectric detector, ~aster response times were achieved with the multi-signature detection algorithm ~or all sources except smoldering wood and PVC cable.
As can be seen in Table 4, the Photo*CO detection algorithm was not as successful as the Ion*CO detection S algorithm in shortening the time to alarm. This is partially indicated in that for most ~ire threat sources, the Ion*CO detection algorithm provided shorter times to alarm than did the Photo*CO detection algorithm. In comparison to the ionization detector, the Photo*CO
detection algorithm produced shorter alarm times in only about hal~ o~ the ~ire threat tests. However, use o~ the multi-signature detection algorithm proved to be superior to using the photoelectric detector. The multi-signature detection algorithm resulted in shorter (equal ~or one test) alarm times in all cases except :Eor smoldering PVC
cable.
Figures 16 and 17 show illustrations o~ the improved response time ~or the two multi-signature detection algorithms studied. Figure 16 shows the smoke obscuration per meter measured with the ionization detector (Ion) versus the change in CO concentration (ppm) during a smoldering wood test. On the ~igure are drawn two curves.
Curve 1 represents the alarm level o~ 4.8 percent per meter ~or the ionization detector and curve 2 represents WO 96/41318 PCT~US96/08615 52 the multi-signature detection algorithm (Ion*C0=10).
Since the smoke obscuration and CO concentrations basically increase with time, the distance ~rom the origin (o,o) is proportional to time. In other words, a longer vector ~rom the origin to a curve equals a longer time to alarm. It can be clearly seen that the data intersects the Ion*CO detection algorithm well before it intersects the ionization detector alarm level (curve 1). As such, the multi-signature detection algorithm results in a time to alarm o~ 172 seconds compared to 471 seconds ~or the ionization detector alone. Figure 17 shows a similar result ~or the Photo*CO detection algorithm ~or the same smoldering wood test. This algorithm results in a time to alarm o~ 134 seconds compared to 151 seconds for the photoelectric detector alone.
Figure 18 illustrates the ability of the multi-signature detection technique to el;m;n~te ~alse alarms.
Figure 18 shows the smoke obscuration per meter measured with the photoelectric detector versus the change in CO
concentration for a nuisance alarm source. The source of fumes was heated cooking oil. As can be seen the cooking fumes resulted in a large photoelectric detector smoke signal that well surpassed the alarm threshold (i.e., resulted in a false alarm). In contrast, the use of a CA 02222619 1997-ll-27 W O 96/41318 PCT~US96/08615 multi-signature detection algorithm eliminates the false alarm by establishing a criteria ~or which the smoke versus CO data lies below the curve. The few data points that lie above the alarm criteria curve were spurious data that did not occur successively in time. As most detection systems employ some signal conditioning (eg., time averaging), these data points do not represent false alarm triggers.
As discussed above, the present invention provides improved fire detection capabilities over standard smoke detectors which are known in the prior art. The improved capabilities are provided by combining two fire - signatures, such as smoke measurements with CO
measurements. False alarms can be reduced while increasing sensitivity, using the multi-signature detection algorithms discussed above directed to the products of the smoke or particulate detector and the CO or gas detector.
Even simple algorithms resulted in a signi~icant reduction of false alarms, compared to ionization and photoelectric detectors alone. This algorithm also resulted in shorter detection times for all ~ire threats than did the ionization detector.
Particular applications o~ the invention may require the establishment of a baseline level of ~ire signature, caused by manu~acturing environments or other environments where a higher level than normal o~ particulates and gases associated with ~ire signatures are in the air. The invention can be con~igured such that the signal processing means establishes the baseline based upon a sampling process. This baseline can be based on either the average value o~ the fire signature or the average rate o~ change of the ~ire signature over some suitable period o~ time. Once this baseline is established, the signal processing means would use the di~erence between the instantaneous value of the ~ire signature and the baseline or the di~erence between the instantaneous rate o~ change of the ~ire signature and the baseline as input to the multi-signature detection algorithm.
Additionally, the invention can be configured such that the smoke detector, instead o~ sensing a speci~ic smoke value, senses a particle size distribution, wherein the detector senses a plurality of particle sizes, and compares data regarding a particle size distribution to a threshold stored in memory. Furthermore, although the explanation o~ the invention discussed above is directed primarily to a multi-signature ~ire detection apparatus utilizing a particle detector and a gas detector, any combination o~ detectors can be implemented, and be within the scope of the claimed invention. Two gas detectors sensing different types of gases, or combination of smoke detector, gas detector, thermal detector, etc. can be utilized, with the output of the detectors being processed as discussed above. The combination of detectors could include smoke, carbon monoxide, temperature, carbon dioxide, hydrochloric acid, oxidizable gas, and nitrogen oxides. Other detectors can be selected, based upon the application of the apparatus.
It is readily apparent that the above-described invention has the advantage o~ wide commercially utility.
It is understood that the specific form of the invention hereinabove described is intended to be representative only, as certain modifications within the scope of these teachings will be apparent to those of skill in the art.
There~ore, in determining the ~ull scope of the invention, re~erence should only be made to the following claims.

Claims (27)

Claims

1. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus, comprising:
first detector means for detecting a first type of fire signature, said first detector means outputting a first signal indicative of a first detected fire signal;
second detector means for detecting a second type of fire signature, said second detector means outputting a second signal indicative of a second detected fire signature;
signal processing means for combining said first and second signals, wherein outputs of said first and second detector means are coupled to said signal processing means, said signal processing means comparing said first and second signals to a first predetermined reference value, and outputting a fire condition signal if a combination of said first and second signals exceeds said first predetermined reference value, wherein said first detector means detects a particulate size distribution indicative of a potential fire condition, and said second detector means detects gases indicative of the potential fire condition.

2. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus, comprising:
first detector means for detecting a first type of fire signature, said first detector means outputting a first signal indicative of a first detected fire signature;
second detector means for detecting a second type of fire signature, said second detector means outputting a second signal indicative of a second detected fire signature;

signal processing means for combining said first and second signals, wherein outputs of said first and second detector means are coupled to said signal processing means, said signal processing means comparing said first and second signals to a first predetermined reference value, and outputting a fire detection signal if a combination of said first and second signals exceeds said first predetermined reference value, wherein said first detector means detects smoke, and said second detector means detects carbon monoxide, wherein said combining of said first and second signals is based on a change from an ambient base line of the signal representing the output of the carbon monoxide detector.

3. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus, comprising:
first detector means for detecting a first type of fire signature, said first detector means outputting a first signal indicative of a first detected fire signature;
second detector means for detecting a second type of fire signature, said second detector means outputting a second signal indicative of a second detected fire signature;
signal processing means for combining said first and second signals, wherein outputs of said first and second detector means are coupled to said signal processing means, said signal processing means comparing said first and second signals to a first predetermined reference value, and outputting a fire condition signal if a combination of said first and second signals exceeds said first predetermined reference value, wherein said signal processing means includes means for adding said first and second signals, wherein said signal processing means outputs a fire condition signal if a sum of said first and second signals exceeds the first predetermined reference value, and wherein said signal processing means further includes means for multiplying each of said first and second signals by a predetermined weighting coefficient prior to adding said first and second signals, yielding weighted first and second signals, wherein said signal processing means outputs a fire condition signal if a sum of said weighted first and second signals exceeds the predetermined value.

4. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus, comprising:
first detector means for detecting a first type of fire signature, said first detector means outputting a first signal indicative of a first detected fire signature;
second detector means for detecting a second type of fire signature, said second detector means outputting a second signal indicative of a second detected fire signature;
signal processing means for combining said first and second signals, wherein outputs of said first and second detector means are coupled to said signal processing means, said signal processing means comparing said first and second signals to a first predetermined reference value, and outputting a fire condition signal if a combination of said first and second signals exceeds said first predetermined reference value, wherein said signal processing means includes baseline determining means for determining a baseline value for at least one of said first signal and said second signal, said baseline value being based upon an average rate of change over time of said one of said first and second signals, said signal processing means outputting a fire condition signal if an instantaneous rate of change of the one of the first and second signals exceeds the baseline value.

5. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus, comprising:

first detector means for detecting a first type of fire signature, said first detector means outputting a first signal indicative of a first detected fire signature;

second detector means for detecting a second type of fire signature, said second detector means outputting a second signal indicative of a second detected fire signature;

signal processing means for combining said first and second signals, wherein outputs of said first and second detector means are coupled to said signal processing means, said signal processing means comparing said first and second signals to a first predetermined reference value, and outputting a fire condition signal if a combination of said first and second signals exceeds said first predetermined reference value, wherein said signal processing means includes baseline determining means for determining a baseline value for at least one of said first signal and said second signal, said baseline value being based upon an average value of the fire signature over time of said one of said first and second signals, said signal processing means outputting a fire condition signal if the instantaneous value of one of the first and second signals exceeds the baseline value.

6. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus, comprising:

first detector means for detecting a first type of fire signature, said first detector means outputting a first signal indicative of a first detected fire signature;

second detector means for detecting a second type of fire signature, said second detector means outputting a second signal indicative of a second detected fire signature;

signal processing means for combining said first and second signals, wherein outputs of said first and second detector means are coupled to said signal processing means, said signal processing means comparing said first and second signals to a first predetermined reference value, and outputting a fire condition signal if a combination of said first and second signals exceeds said first predetermined reference value, said apparatus further comprising first rate-of-change comparison means connected to said first detector means; and second rate-of-change comparison means connected to said second detector means, wherein said first rate-of-change comparison means compares a rate-of-change of the first signal to a first threshold rate-of-change, and said second rate-of-change comparison means compares the second signal to a second threshold rate-of-change, and wherein a fire condition signal is outputted if the rate-of-change of the first signal or of the second signal exceeds the respective first and second threshold rates-of-change, respectively.

7. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus, comprising:
first detector means for detecting a first type of fire signature, said first detector means outputting a first signal indicative of a first detected fire signature;
second detector means for detecting a second type of fire signature, said second detector means outputting a second signal indicative of a second detected fire signature;
signal processing means for combining said first and second signals, wherein outputs of said first and second detector means are coupled to said signal processing means, said signal processing means comparing said first and second signals to a first predetermined reference value, and outputting a fire condition signal if a combination of said first and second signals exceeds said first predetermined reference value, wherein said signal processing means includes means for multiplying said first and second signal, and outputs a fire condition signal if a product of said first and second signals exceeds the first predetermined reference value, wherein said signal processing means includes zero-condition detection means for detecting a fire condition when an output of one of said first detector means and said second detector means is below a second predetermined reference value.

8. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said zero-condition detection means includes OR logic means for indicating the fire condition if one of said first and second detection signals exceeds one of said first and second predetermined reference values.

9. A method for detecting fires, comprising the steps of:
providing a first detector means for detecting a first fire signature, said first detector means outputting a first signal indicative of the first fire signature;
providing a second detector means for detecting a second fire signature different from said first fire signature, said second detector means outputting a second signal indicative of the second fire signature;
detecting the first fire signature with said first detector means, and generating the first signal indicative of said first fire signature;
detecting the second fire signature with said second detector means, said second detector means outputting the second signal indicative of said second fire signature;

combining said first and second signals, thereby yielding a combined result;
comparing said combined result to a first predetermined value;
comparing, if said combined result is below said first predetermined value, said first signal to a second predetermined value and said second signal to a third predetermined value;
indicating a fire condition if said combined result exceeds said first predetermined value, said first signal exceeds said second predetermined value, or said second signal exceeds said third predetermined value.

10. A method for detecting fires as recited in claim 9, wherein said step of combining said first and second signals comprises a step of multiplying said first and second signals.

11. A method for detecting fires as recited in claim 9, wherein said step of combining said first and second signals comprises a step of adding said first and second signals.

12. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus, comprising:
first detector means for detecting a first type of fire signature, said first detector means outputting a first signal indicative of a first detected fire signature;
second detector means for detecting a second type of fire signature, said second detector means outputting a second signal indicative of a second detected fire signature;

signal processing means for combining said first and second signals, wherein outputs of said first and second detector means are coupled to said signal processing means, said signal processing means comparing said first and second signals to a first predetermined reference value, and outputting a fire condition signal if a combination of said first and second signals exceeds said first predetermined reference value, wherein said signal processing means includes means for multiplying said first and second signals, and outputs a fire condition signal if a product of said first and second signal exceeds the first predetermined reference value, wherein said signal processing means further includes means for adding at least one of said first and second signals to said product, and outputs a fire condition signal if a sum of said product and said at least one of said first and second signals exceeds the first predetermined reference value.

13. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said first detector means detects smoke indicative of a potential fire condition, and said second detector means detects gases indicative of the potential fire condition.

14. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said first detector means detects a first gas indicative of a potential fire condition, and said second detector means detects a second gas indicative of the potential fire condition.

15. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said first detector means detects particulates indicative of a potential fire condition, and said second detector means detects a temperature which is indicative of the potential fire condition.

16. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said first detector means detects temperature indicative of a potential fire condition, and said second detector means detects gases indicative of the potential fire condition.

17. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said first detector means detects at least one first type of fire signature selected from the group of fire signatures consisting of smoke, carbon monoxide, temperature, carbon dioxide, hydrochloric acid, oxidizable gas, and nitrogen oxides, and said second detector means detects at least one second type of fire signature selected from the group of fire signatures consisting of smoke, carbon monoxide, temperature, carbon dioxide, hydrochloric acid, oxidizable gas, and nitrogen oxides.

18. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus, comprising:
first detector means for detecting a first type of fire signature, said first detector means outputting a first signal indicative of a first detected fire signature;
second detector means for detecting a second type of first signature, said second detector means outputting a second signal indicative of a second detected fire signature;
signal processing means for combining said first and second signals, wherein outputs of said first and second detector means are coupled to said signal processing means, said signal processing means comparing said first and second signals to a first predetermined reference value, and outputting a fire condition signal if a combination of said first and second signals exceeds said first predetermined reference value, wherein said signal processing means includes means for multiplying said first and second signals, and outputs a fire condition signal if a product of said first and second signals exceeds the first predetermined reference value, wherein said signal processing means includes means for comparing said product of said first and second signals to said first predetermined reference value, and means for comparing, if said product is below said first predetermined value, each of said first and second signals to second and third predetermined values, said signal processing means indicating a fire condition if one of said first and second signals exceeds one of said second and third predetermined reference values.

19. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein said first detector means detects smoke indicative of a potential fire condition, and said second detector means detects gases indicative of the potential fire condition.

20. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein said first detector means detects a first gas indicative of a potential fire condition, and said second detector means detects a second gas indicative of the potential fire condition.

21. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein said first detector means detects particulates indicative of a potential fire condition, and said second detector means detects a temperature which is indicative of the potential fire condition.

22. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein said first detector means detects temperature indicative of a potential fire condition, and said second detector means detects gases indicative of the potential fire condition.

23. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein said first detector means detects at least one first type of fire signature selected from the group of fire signatures consisting of smoke, carbon monoxide, temperature, carbon dioxide, hydrochloric acid, oxidizable gas, and nitrogen oxides, and said second detector means detects at least one second type of fire signature selected from the group of fire signatures consisting of smoke, carbon monoxide, temperature, carbon dioxide, hydrochloric acid, oxidizable gas, and nitrogen oxides.

24. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus, comprising:
first detecting means for detecting a first fire signature, said first detecting means outputting a first signal indicative of the first fire signature;
second detecting means for detecting a second fire signature different from said first fire signature, and outputting a second signal indicative of the second fire signature;
signal processing means coupled to said first and second detecting means, said signal processing means for combining said first and second signals, thereby yielding a combined result, said signal processing means including first comparing means for comparing said combined result to a first predetermined value, and second comparing means for comparing, if said combined result is below said first predetermined value, said first signal to a second predetermined value and said second signal to a third predetermined value; and indicating means for indicating a fire condition if said combined results exceeds said first predetermined value, said first signal exceeds said second predetermined value, or said second signal exceeds said third predetermined value.

25. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein said signal processing means includes means for adding said first and second signals, and wherein said signal processing means outputs a fire condition signal if a sum of said first and second signals exceeds the first predetermined reference value.

26. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus as recited in claim 25, wherein said signal processing means further includes means for multiplying each of said first and second signals by a predetermined weighting coefficient prior to adding said first and second signals, yielding weighted first and second signals, wherein said signal processing means outputs a fire condition signal if a sum of said weighted first and second signals exceeds the predetermined value.

27. A multi-signature fire detection apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein said signal processing means includes means for multiplying said first and second signals, and wherein said signal processing means outputs a fire condition signal if a second signals first and second signals exceeds the first predetermined reference value.