ABSTRACT
This paper aims to ascertain whether gas sensing methods could be used as a means of early fire detection within electronics cabinets, specifically on Royal Navy vessels. It has been shown in previous work [1] that certain gases are released from electrical wires and electronic components before smoke particles. It is hoped that the detection of these gases will give a very early indication of an imminent fire within electronics cabinets and reduce false alarms.
Part of the work will compare the use of commercially available metal oxide gas sensors and a novel array of surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors against an advanced, commercially available, laser smoke detector, shown to be the most suitable point detector for the protection of electronics cabinets [2],
