Prototype Early Warning Fire Detection System: Test Series 4 Results

Abstract : This test series has demonstrated the successful operation of the early warning fire detector (EWFD) system over twelve compartments on two decks of the ex-USS Shadwell providing continuous monitoring of the spaces. The EWFD system responded to both flaming and smoldering fires while maintaining an immunity to nuisance sources. The use of multiple sensors and the Probabilistic Neural Networks alarm algorithm in the EWFD system resulted in improved performance compared to only an ionization or photoelectric smoke detector. The improved performance was illustrated in the comparative results of the EWFD system and the system sensor smoke detectors that were used as part of the EWFD system.