For all your fire alarm testing needs
- Tests a smoke detectors sensitivity, not just that it can give an alarm if filled with test gas.
- Measures whether a smoke detector has become sensitive or insensitive due to contamination.
- Tests the smoke detector in-situ, it doesn't have to be removed from the base.
- Tests both ionizing and optical (photo-electric) smoke detectors.
- Max/min. test to determine if the detector is within a certain range of acceptable sensitivity.
- Ramp test, to test an absolute sensitivity.
- Self calibrating.
Trutest is a unique detector tester that tests a smoke detectors ability to detect smoke. The detector is enclosed by the transparent test cup and a controlled amount of smoke is circulated in the cup. The amount is slowly increased until the detector goes into alarm. The smoke generation is then stopped and the control unit is then comparing with stored limits to decide whether the detector passes or fails (over/under sensitive) the test.
The unique design enables Trutest to be used in-situ without having to remove the detector from the base/ceiling. Unlike the Gemini tester Trutest ramps the smoke level and can determine if the detector is sensitive or insensitive.
It tests both ionizing and optical (photo-electric) smoke detectors in both conventional and analog systems. It can test detectors with a diameter up to 185 mm and a depth of 85 mm. Different membranes are used for different detector diameters.
It's fully automated and self-calibrating and is the most advanced in-situ tester today.
It can not be used when the detector is at a great angle to the floor or in some inaccessible places due to the fixed cup.
The particles of the test gas have a diameter that looks like a real fire to the detectors. The gas is environmentally friendly.
A detector with a high sensitivity will give nuisance alarms more easily than one with normal sensitivity. Since many fire brigades charge for false alarms, testing with Trutest is a way to keep those costs down. False alarms also cost money and can be very disruptive since everybody might has to evacuate the building at every alarm.
A detector with a low sensitivity will delay the alarm, if it is activated at all. Such a detector just gives a false sense of security and must be replaced immediately.
Tests done with a functional tester does not tell you how dirty a detector really is. If enough test gas is pumped into the detector it usually gives an alarm.
Even in an analogue system you need to test that the detector really can detect smoke. The electronic surveillance is not enough since a covered detector will look clean from the control panel's point of view but no smoke can enter the detector chamber.
The control unit is used for setting what type of detector is tested (ionizing or optical (photo-electric) and what type of test (max/min. or ramp).
It has a built in chargeable battery to give one whole day of testing.
- Number of tests per test can: approx. 100.
- Test time per detector: 3-4 minutes
- Detector diameter: max. 185 mm
- Detector depth: max. 85 mm
- Max test height: 6.2 m
- Service interval (calibration): 1 year or 5 000 test
Sizes and weights
- Main unit: 195 x 105 x 740 mm, 2.5 kg
- Con troll unit: 175 x 85 x 110 mm, 1.6 kg
- Telescopic pole: 1.26 - 4.5 m, 1.8 kg
