Frequently Asked Questions

General

Pipework

Stratos-HSSD

Stratos-Quadra

Stratos-HSSD 2

Stratos-Micra

Command Module


General

How do I design a system?

Our "Brief guide for the designer" together with a range of specific application guides is available for download. These documents can be applied along with any relevant local codes or legislation to provide an outline proposal. AirSense Technology is happy to offer advice on a system proposal.

 

What type of dust separator do I require?

There are currently four types of dust separator supplied by AirSense Technology;

Filter Part No. Fitted To

30072 Stratos-HSSD-A® Package "A" type detector - identified by a model number with the prefix"MA" and the Stratos-HSSD-B® Package "B" type detector, identified by the model number 30600 or 30601, located inside the door.

30095 Stratos-Quadra detector, identified by the model numbers 30120, 30121, 30122 or 30110, located inside the door.
30699 Stratos-HSSD 2® detector, identified by the model numbers 30620 and 30621, located on detector chamber beside filter change label (Remove front cover).
30755 Stratos-Micra detector, identified by the model numbers 30752 and 30753, located on inside rear wall of detector (Remove front cover).

If you have any queries please contact AirSense

 

How do I identify what type of detector I have on site?


Stratos-HSSD-A® " Package A" type detector - identified by a model number with the prefix"MA".
Stratos-ES® "Enhanced Sensitivity" - Identified by a model number with the suffix "ES"
Stratos-HSSD-B® " Package B" type detector, identified by the model number 30600 or 30601, located inside the front door.
Stratos-Quadra® Identified by the model numbers 30120, 30121, 30122 or 30110, located inside the front door.
Stratos-HSSD 2® Identified by the model numbers 30620 and 30621 located on detector chamber beside filter change label (Remove front cover).
Stratos-Micra® Identified by the model numbers 30752 and 30753, located on inside rear wall of detector (Remove front cover).


Pipework

What is the recommended spacing for pipe clips?

Pipe clips should located at intervals of no greater than 1.2 metres.

 

What hole sizes should I drill?

As a rule of thumb 3mm sampling holes with 4mm end caps can be used on small and medium sized pipe runs. A copy of PipeCAD pipe modelling software is available for download, free of charge for accurate sampling hole size calculation. This software allows the user to model a proposed design and accurately determine the appropriate hole sizes to use. Estimated response times are also generated for each calculation to ensure the design is compliant to the required specification.

 

What pipe can I use?

AirSense Technology can supply red ABS. Pipe of the correct size together with the associated fittings required to create a suitable sampling pipe network for most applications. The has been tested by LPCB, is of smooth bore, has an internal diameter of 22 mm and an external diameter of 27 mm.

 

What are remote capillary sampling points?

In some applications it is not practical or aesthetically undesirable to locate pipe work within the risk, in these instances remote sampling points can be employed. The main pipe run is located within a ceiling void or such area, a "T" piece is used to interrupt the man pipe run and introduce one end of a 10mm flexible tube at the desired point. The 10 mm diameter capillary tube then be terminated with various fixings to provide an unobtrusive sampling point e.g. below a false ceiling.


Stratos-HSSD 2

Can I connect a Stratos-HSSD 2 to an existing Stratos-HSSD or Stratos-Quadra® system?

The Stratos-HSSD 2 and Stratos-Micra detectors communicate with either a command module or P.C. Interface and remote display units (RDUs) via an RS485 data loop. Fitting an existing Stratos-HSSD or Stratos-Quadra detector with a DOM (Digital Output Module) allows that detector to be connected to the RS485 data loop.

 

What is the Current Consumption of the Stratos-HSSD 2?

The maximum current consumption of the Stratos-HSSD 2 is 500mA at 24 Volts DC.

 

What is the maximum length of pipe I can use on a Stratos-HSSD 2?

The maximum total length of pipe for the Stratos-HSSD 2 is 250 metres, please note that this total should consist of up to four pipe lengths that are within 10% of each other, to obtain a reasonable flow balance between pipes i.e. 4 x (62.5 metres ± 10%). The maximum single length of pipe fitted to a Stratos-HSSD 2 should not exceed 100 metres.

 

How many air handling units can I protect with a Stratos-HSSD 2?

Each Stratos-HSSD 2 can protect a maximum of four standard sized air handling units, the best configuration for this application is one pipe per air handling unit. Each pipe should be spaced off from the return air register by a distance of 100 mm to 200 mm. This reduces the effect of negative air pressure acting on the sampling pipe. A piped exhaust may also be required to overcome the effects of pressure differential.

 

How do I interface a Stratos-HSSD 2 to a fire alarm panel?

There are a variety of methods available for interfacing to a fire alarm panel. Supplied, as standard, with each Stratos-HSSD 2 detector are terminal connections for four programmable alarm levels and a common fault. All alarm relay outputs are volt free and normally open, the fault relay is normally closed to provide fail-safe operation. Also available as an option is a plug in Addressable Programmable Interface Card (APIC) please see "How do I interface to the fire alarm panel?" under FAQs for the Command Module for details.


Stratos-HSSD

What outputs does Stratos-HSSD give to the fire panel?

The detector gives normally open and normally closed volt-free relay contacts for the three alarm levels and for fault. An optional plug in card for connection to Apollo series 90 and XP95 fire panels is available from AirSense as well as many third party cards for other protocols.

What standby batteries do I use on Stratos-HSSD?

2 x Yuasa NP10-6 (6 volt) batteries can be housed in front of the fan area, held in place by a bracket. The internal power supply and battery charger is suitable for charging much larger batteries that can be housed in a suitable external enclosure. Total battery voltage should not exceed 12 volts, i.e. 2 x 6 volt or 1 x 12 volt battery.

How many pipes can be connected to a Stratos-HSSD?

The Stratos-HSSD detectors can have four pipes connected with a maximum total length of 200 metres. Operation with 200 metres of pipe and 100 holes was independently verified during approval testing.

How long can the Stratos-HSSD slave loop be?

The recommended maximum length is 200 metres. Screened four core cable is used for the slave loop connection.

How many slave detectors can be connected to a Stratos-HSSD master?

The Stratos-HSSD master can control up to three slave units and a fresh air reference detector providing that the total cable length is within 200 metres.


Stratos-Quadra

What standby batteries do I use on Stratos-Quadra?

A. 2 x Yuasa NP10-6 (6 volt) batteries can be housed in front of the fan area, held in place by a bracket. The internal power supply and battery charger is suitable for charging much larger batteries that can be housed in a suitable external enclosure. Total battery voltage should not exceed 12 volts, i.e. 2 x 6 volt or 1 x 12 volt battery.

 

How many pipes can be connected to a Stratos-Quadra?

The Stratos-Quadra detectors are specified by the number of detector heads they have installed. A Stratos-Quadra 4 can have four pipes connected with a maximum total length of 200 metres. Operation with 200 metres of pipe and 100 holes was independently verified during approval testing.


What outputs does Stratos-Quadra give to the fire panel?

The detector gives normally open and normally closed volt-free relay contacts for the three alarm levels and for fault. An optional plug in card for connection to Apollo series 90 and XP95 fire panels is available from AirSense as well as many third party cards for other protocols.

 


Stratos-Micra

What's the maximum pipe length and number of sampling holes that can be used on a Stratos-Micra?

It is recommended that the Stratos-Micra ® be used with no more than 50 metres of pipe and 10 sampling holes in still air. A greater number of sampling holes will often work but as air movement within the protected area increases, performance may be degraded.

 

How many air handling units can I protect using a Stratos-Micra?

Only one standard air handling unit should be protected, due to the relatively small size of aspirator incorporated in the Stratos-Micra ®. A piped exhaust type docking station may also be required to overcome the effects of pressure differential.

 

How do I program a Stratos-Micra?

The software required to program a Stratos-Micra ® detector via a suitable laptop or PC is provided free of charge with each detector, together with a manual explaining the software operation. In addition you will require a screened RS232 Male to Female serial interface lead.

 

What is the power consumption of a Stratos-Micra?

The Stratos-Micra ® has a maximum current consumption of 250mA at 24 Volts DC.

 

How do I interface a Stratos-Micra to a fire alarm panel?

There are a variety of methods available for interfacing to a fire alarm panel. Supplied, as standard, with each Stratos-Micra detector are terminal connections for a fire level and common fault condition. Both relays are volt free, the fire contact is normally open and the fault relay is normally closed to provide fail-safe operation. Also available as an option is a plug in Addressable Programmable Interface Card (APIC) please see "How do I interface to the fire alarm panel?" under FAQs for the Command Module for details.


Command Module

How do I interface a Command Module to the fire panel?

The Command Module is supplied as standard with terminal connections for four programmable alarm levels and a common fault. All alarm relay outputs are volt free and normally open, the fault relay is normally closed to provide fail-safe operation. Also available as an option is a plug in Addressable Programmable Interface Card (APIC). A Command Module linked to up to 127 detectors can then be connected directly to a main addressable fire panel loop.

 

Do I need a Command Module?

The Command Module provides overall control and indication of up to 127 separate detectors located on an RS485 data loop from a single convenient point, the standard global relay output or optional Addressable Programmable Interface Card (APIC) may also provide a suitable single interface point. In addition the Command Module has a second RS232 serial port for connection to BMS systems using the BACnet communications protocol.

 

There are three types of Command Module, which one do I need?

30620 If you need the detection provided by a Stratos-HSSD 2 and the functions of the Command Module at a single location then this model number is required, a suitable external 24 volt power supply will also be required.

30623 If the functions of the Command Module only are required i.e. no detection, this model is required, comes complete with an internal power supply/battery charger fitted and sufficient space within the detector to house 2 x Yuasa NP7-12 batteries.

30624 This model offers the functions of the Command Module only, it has no 24 volt internal power supply/battery charger or space allocated for battery storage.


©AirSense Technology Ltd 2008