| Haze and smoke alarms (or sprinkler systems) [message #381978] |
Fri, 28 November 2008 22:49  |
 Bob Hulme
Messages: 260
Registered: February 2005
Location: Canada |
Has No Life |
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I have a venue owner that's concerned that my Le'Maitre Neutron haze machine will set off his sprinkler system. I'm convinced that it won't but I'd like to get some written proof. Does anyone know of any info on this. I tried the Le'Maitre website but there doesn't seem to be anything there.
The venue is a converted IMax Theatre with a 50' trim height for the lighting rig and a downdraft ventilation system. I'm also told that the sensors for the sprinkler system are up high.
I'd probably be hard pressed to get enough haze in the building for an adequate effect, given the ventilation system but I'd like to make sure.
Any help would be great, Thanks, Bob H
"I finally thought I had the rat race won, then along came faster rats"
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| Re: Haze and smoke alarms (or sprinkler systems) [message #382016 is a reply to message #381985 ] |
Sat, 29 November 2008 04:50  |
Dave Potter
Messages: 245
Registered: April 2004
Location: North London |
Has No Life |
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That's not wholly accurate.
Some fire detectors work on heat and some on smoke. The really smart heads use both and work with other heads so they can tell the difference between a cigarette and the real thing.
Now, "disco smoke" isn't actually smoke at all but a mist of water and glycol. However, if your expecting me to say that glycol won't set off a sensor head - sorry - it can. It what is used to test detectors. Confused? Its the formula and mist particles. that matter.
You guessed it - My day job is a Production Engineer at a leading firm of detector testing equipment. If you could use disco smoke, I'd be out of a job. You can't actually see our canned smoke. However I'm not the brains. I can have a more definitive answer for you by Monday Evening.
Do you know what system it is?
*************************************************
"When he wakes up, think of something cool. Tell him I said it" ( Buffy)
www.davethebass.com
www.myspace.com/theswatbanduk
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| Re: Haze and smoke alarms (or sprinkler systems) [message #382023 is a reply to message #382016 ] |
Sat, 29 November 2008 08:37 |
Bob Hulme
Messages: 260
Registered: February 2005
Location: Canada |
Has No Life |
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Thanks guys, I don't know the make of the system but I'm going to the venue today and I'll try to find out more about it. The owner called it a deluge system that drops a lot of water at once.
I can't believe that I'd set off the system with a Neutron hazer. They're used in a lot of Theatres and music venues with apparently no problems.
Thanks again, and I'll try to find out more today,
Bob H
"I finally thought I had the rat race won, then along came faster rats"
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| Re: Haze and smoke alarms (or sprinkler systems) [message #382036 is a reply to message #382023 ] |
Sat, 29 November 2008 10:05 |
Dave Potter
Messages: 245
Registered: April 2004
Location: North London |
Has No Life |
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remember:- its not the kind of water that counts. Its the detectors.
*************************************************
"When he wakes up, think of something cool. Tell him I said it" ( Buffy)
www.davethebass.com
www.myspace.com/theswatbanduk
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| Re: Haze and smoke alarms (or sprinkler systems) [message #382513 is a reply to message #382042 ] |
Mon, 01 December 2008 12:53 |
Dave Potter
Messages: 245
Registered: April 2004
Location: North London |
Has No Life |
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I got into work today and the Technical Director wasn't in, BUT our consultant was. This guy knows detectors inside out, he designs the chemical recipe for smoke (someone has to), also in his spare time, he works in a theater. As far as credentials go, that's as good as it gets.
The news isn't what I expected. Haze and effect smoke WILL set off a detector, especially the more commercial optical types. It seems that they work on deflected light, so it doesn't matter what particles deflect it.
Its so bad that his theater installed a kill switch for the detectors (which is ok if there are people in the building).
So in short, categorically, Bugger! 
*************************************************
"When he wakes up, think of something cool. Tell him I said it" ( Buffy)
www.davethebass.com
www.myspace.com/theswatbanduk
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| Re: Haze and smoke alarms (or sprinkler systems) [message #385345 is a reply to message #382594 ] |
Tue, 09 December 2008 22:40 |
Emil Barnabas
Messages: 118
Registered: December 2005
Location: North Carolina |
Has No Life |
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You can hire a fireman to turn off the smoke detector system and stand around all night looking out for a real fire.
http://www.barnabas.com
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| Re: Haze and smoke alarms (or sprinkler systems) [message #386315 is a reply to message #385345 ] |
Sat, 13 December 2008 15:05 |
Sean Conerly
Messages: 8
Registered: June 2008
Location: Hattiesburg Ms |
Newbie |
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OK haze will set off detectors and alarms and fire dept and police will come to check but it will not set off SPRINKLER systems since their trigger mechanism is a small piece of plastic that has to be melted from heat and not smoke. So to answer your question turn off the smoke alarms and you will be fine.
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news Dave. The hazer goes back in the truck. Although I can swim well, I sure don't want to be the one to test it.