Simulating the Effect of Sloped Beamed Ceilings on Detector and Sprinkler Response (NISTIR 5499)

Published

October 17, 1994

Author(s)

William D. Davis, Glenn P. Forney, Richard W. Bukowski

Abstract

The rapid activation of fire detection and suppression systems in response to a growing fire is one of the important factors required to provide for life safety and property protection. Rapid activation requires that sensors be located at optimal distances both beneath the ceiling and radially from the fire. Ceiling obstructions, such as beams and joists, and ceiling slope can significantly modify the flow of smoke along the ceiling and must be taken into consideration when a particular detection system is designed. At present, the standards used to guide the design of these systems contain very little quantitative information concerning the impact of beamed, sloped ceilings on detector placement.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 5499

Report Number

5499

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.5499

Keywords

fire research, ceilings, simulation, detector response, sprinkler response, detectors, joists

Citation

Davis, W. , Forney, G. and Bukowski, R. (1994), Simulating the Effect of Sloped Beamed Ceilings on Detector and Sprinkler Response (NISTIR 5499), NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.5499 (Accessed October 4, 2025)