Fire Safety Standards in Brazil on Smoke Detectors: Why was the Commissioning with Real Smoke Stopped?

Excerpt

In the main cities of Brazil, such as Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Porto Alegre and São Paulo, the use of fire detection and alarm systems (very often sophisticated technologies, including aspirating smoke detector, voice alarm, optical beam smoke detectors, etc.) are gradually becoming more popular; especially in enclosures such as private hospitals, high-tall office buildings, TV studio buildings, data centers, shopping malls, airports, big hotel chains and industrial buildings. Within this context, smoke detectors play a very important role. Indeed, these devices are responsible to detect if a fire is taking place. Based on that, it is reasonable to consider that smoke detectors should be certified, installed properly and after the installation they should function efficiently. In other words: (i) smoke detectors should be tested in fire laboratories before they are sold in the market, (ii) contractors should be able to install the smoke detectors properly: following technical and safety procedures, and (iii) and after their installation, smoke detectors should be tested for checking if they can function or not (considering clearly what they are made for: to detect smoke). …