Siemens has released its FDA241 aspirating smoke detector, which uses two sensing wavelengths to differentiate between smoke and deceptive phenomena, to provide fire protection and detection capabilities for lithium-ion energy storage system installations.
Siemens’s FDA241 detector can detect smoldering or off-gas particles up to five-times earlier than competitive spot detectors, decreasing the risk of thermal runaway in a lithium-ion battery energy storage system. The patented dual-wavelength technology uses blue and red wavelengths to detect small off-gas particles that are produced in the early stages of battery failure and overheating. Using two wavelengths allows the detector to differentiate dust and steam particles from smoke and off-gas particles, thus signaling the appropriate warning signal and minimizing potential false alarms.
“Once a lithium-ion battery thermal runaway occurs, it is difficult to put out and can be catastrophic,” said Brian O’Mahoney, UL Fire Safety Segment Head, Siemens Smart Infrastructure USA. “Implementing innovative detection technology can help protect organizations’ assets, keep facility occupants safe, and prevent millions of dollars in potential losses.”
The FDA241 has a VdS approval (no. S 619002) and performance verification as an early warning detection device for lithium-ion battery off-gas detection. This VdS approval can be used to meet NFPA 855 requirements through equivalency allowance in NFPA 72 section 1.5. Currently there are no other global product performance standards for the detection of lithium-ion battery off-gas detection.
