Summary

Chiltern International Fire (CIF) has recently developed a test facility for fire suppression and detection system applications in sub-surface mass transit system escalators. This type of testing offers manufacturers and designers the opportunity to demonstrate the performance of their systems to gain marketing advantage and allows those responsible for fire protection of escalators to make an informed decision when selecting systems.

The Test

The aim of the test is to provide a consistent means to evaluate fire suppression systems to common criteria that will enable assessment of the suitability of a system for adoption. A robust pass/fail criteria has been produced based on the ability of the suppression system to control a reproducible and appropriately onerous test fire that can be applicable to all modern escalator designs. The test has been developed from site surveys and calorimeter testing and is able to evaluate both the fire detection and fire suppression components of a system. Alternatively the test may be used to evaluate solely the suppression component of a system. The test procedure involves the following: Pre-test CIF prepare the instrumentation and fire load. Client installs the system. Test CIF will set up and run the test.

Report

The data recorded will be put into a report and issued. An immediate notification of pass or fail is available to the client. Two test Stages are required to evaluate one system and one complete test (both Stages) takes approximately 2 hours to set up and complete. Therefore without major changes between tests it is possible to evaluate three systems in one day.

 Contact Us

The next step is to contact James Lavender to discuss your requirements and arrange a viewing of the test rig. If it is difficult for you to visit us then we can arrange to send you a CD of video clips and photographs. After initial discussions, we will forward a copy of the test method and interpretative document.

Test Standard

The EWSS Test Standard and Interpretive Document are available on CD ROM on request from the offices of Chiltern International Fire (Chiltern House, Stocking Lane, Hughenden Valley, High Wycombe, Bucks HP14 4ND, UK). For a copy of the CD ROM please contact  Chiltern International Fire on +44 (0) 1494 569820 or email . A nominal fee of £50.00 plus VAT will be payable in advance.