The circular airflow created by the Airius system within the building significantly enhances the detection time of any high-level particulate fire detection system—such as a Very Early Warning Smoke Detection (VESDA) system—by improving the transport and distribution of smoke particles to the system’s sensors. Here’s how it works:
1. Enhanced Smoke Particle Movement
In a fire’s early stages, smoke particles are generated in small quantities and tend to rise due to heat-driven buoyancy. Without proper airflow, these particles may linger near the source or disperse slowly, delaying their arrival at a detection point.
Circular airflow, created by strategically placed Airius fans, establishes a consistent and directional flow pattern. This actively draws smoke particles away from the fire source and circulates them throughout the building, speeding up their journey to the detection system’s sampling points.
2. Improved Sampling Efficiency
High-level particulate detection systems often rely on air sampling through a network of pipes or sensors positioned at key locations (e.g., ceilings or return air ducts). The consistent circular airflow the Airius units create ensure that smoke-laden air is more uniformly distributed and pulled toward these sampling points.
Instead of relying solely on passive diffusion or random air currents, the controlled circulation reduces “dead zones” where smoke might otherwise stagnate, ensuring faster and more reliable detection.
3. Reduced Stratification Effects
In buildings with still air, smoke can stratify—forming layers at different heights based on temperature and density—which delays its interaction with ceiling-mounted or elevated detectors. Circular airflow disrupts this stratification by mixing the air, bringing smoke particles into contact with sensors more quickly.
4. Minimized Dilution Delays
While excessive turbulence might dilute smoke concentrations, the delicate well-designed circular airflow created by the Airius system maintains a balance: it moves air efficiently without overly dispersing particulate matter. This ensures that detectable levels of smoke reach the system’s sensors before being vented out or overly diluted by fresh air intake.
Practical Example
Imagine a large warehouse with a VESDA system installed. A smouldering fire starts in a corner. Without airflow, smoke might take minutes to drift across the space to a sampling pipe. With the Airius system pushing air from the fire’s vicinity toward return ducts tied to the detection system—the smoke is actively transported, reducing detection time from minutes to seconds.
In short, the airflow created by the Airius system acts like a conveyor belt for smoke particles, delivering them to the detection system faster and more consistently, which is critical for early warning and rapid response in fire safety.
