User Manual

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3.2.2 High-tech laboratories
The majority of universities have a number of specialized high-tech laboratories for very diverse fields of research.
A fire in such a research facility could have a considerable impact on the research work itself and significant
financial consequences for the university concerned.
The size, type and infrastructure of such a laboratory strongly depend on the specialization of the particular
university faculty. A university which is offering a course in nanoscience and technology may require climate
controlled electrical and material characterization facilities with appropriate cleanrooms for device processing and
interconnection research. A university which is offering a course in mechanical engineering, however, may need
laboratories suitable for research on gas and steam turbines. It is not surprising, therefore, that the requirements
regarding fire protection are as different as the facilities themselves and reflect the particular specialization of the
laboratories concerned. Depending on the application, different types of fire detection system may be appropriate,
for example: flame detectors, hazard area devices, linear smoke detectors etc. One example of such specialized
research facilities are cleanrooms, which are also extensively used in commercial research establishments. They
fulfill a key role, as research work in many widely diverse fields would be virtually impossible without them.
A fire in such a cleanroom, however, could have devastating financial consequences for the university. Special fire
protection measures must therefore be taken to address this high risk area.
Aspirating Smoke Detection (ASD) systems are capable of reliably detecting even the smallest aerosol
concentrations, which could have been generated by the malfunction of an individual electrical or electronic
component. The risk of such an incident developing into a damaging fire can be effectively eliminated
by immediately removing power from the faulty unit.
Furthermore, if ASD sampling pipes are also installed in the air intake vents, any harmful pollutants can be
detected immediately and appropriate measures taken to prevent these from entering the cleanroom atmosphere.
More detailed information can be found in the application guide: “Fire protection in cleanroom laboratories”.