How aspirating detection works
A continuously running fan draws air through a network of sampling pipes into a central detector. The detector compares particle counts against multi-stage alarm thresholds. Sensitivity is orders of magnitude better than spot detectors.
Sensitivity classes (EN 54-20)
Class A: very high sensitivity (≤ 0.03 %/m obscuration) for telecom, museums, semiconductor. Class B: enhanced (≤ 0.5 %/m). Class C: normal (≤ 5 %/m), competing with spot detectors.
Pipe design
Sampling holes max 25 along a single pipe; total pipe length depends on airflow modelling (ASPIRE / PipeIQ). Each hole equivalent to a spot detector. Transport time must be ≤ 120 s (EN 54-20).
Best fit
Data centres, atria, cold storage, telecom MDF/IDF rooms, archive vaults, very high ceilings. Cost per protected m² is higher than spot detection but lifecycle cost is competitive on large floor plates.
References
- EN 54-20:2006
- NFPA 72 (2022) §17.7.3
- APA
- FireTwin AI (2026). VESDA & aspirating smoke detection. FireTwin AI. https://firetwin.eu/learn/vesda-aspirating
- IEEE
- FireTwin AI, "VESDA & aspirating smoke detection," FireTwin AI, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://firetwin.eu/learn/vesda-aspirating