Smoke detector test tools

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We can ship up to 6 Poles in the same Priority Mail box. We do not currently have the ability to make changes to the shopping cart that will allow you to "uncheck" Sales Tax, but if you ship to or live outside of Nevada there is no tax charged.

To order using a check you may use our mail order form with the link provided below. Once filled out, you may mail the form, with payment, to the address below. The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in relation to its use as an in-situ test tool fitted on to the end of pole and generally constructed as described in EP-A the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The tool which comprises a cup-shaped housing 1 arranged to surround a detector 2 under test and fixed to the end of a pole 3. The improvement which is embodied in the present invention is that the stimulus and airflow are ducted up one side of the cup so as to flow laterally across it. To ensure that the diameter of the tool is kept to a minimum, thereby providing for good access to tight spaces for the tools the stimulus and airflow are generated by means located in the housing 1 in a portion 1 a of the cup below the portion arranged to receive the detector under test.

It may be necessary to provide an air inlet 5 to the housing if a fan is required to generate the airstream from the generating means 4.

In any event, the cup has an exhaust port 6 which allows the airstream to exit the housing 1. The exhausted air might be ducted back into the tool or left open to vent to the atmosphere. The ducting of the airflow and stimulus is achieved by the interior of the portion of the cup arranged to receive the detector 2 under test being provided with a duct 7 which has a portion 7 a which is parallel to the wall of the cup 1 and has a portion or aperture 7 b arranged to direct the airflow or stimulus generally normal to the plane of the wall of the cup and thus across the cup.

The duct 7 can be provided, if desired, with a nozzle or other constricting arrangement in order to direct the airflow in a precise direction. This technique can reduce the amount of stimulus required since it is aimed so directly at the sensing element. In the case of heat detectors, the sensing element of the detector under test is often positioned nearer the lowest extreme of the detector casing from the ceiling.

The actual distance of this sensing element from the ceiling may vary considerably approx mm , but the distance of the sensing element from the lowest point of the detector is relatively constant, approx 0 to 20 mm. This geometry can be used to advantage when aiming and focussing the stream of air. Within the cup, a spacer 10 is used, which contacts the underside of the detector 2 when the cup 1 is positioned over the detector.

This forms a reference from which the direction of the airstream from the duct 7 is positioned. With the lower part of the detector resting on this spacer 10 , and the airstream is arranged to flow across the cup just above this support, the heat detector's sensing element is well positioned to be in the line of this movement of air. The stimulus required for the heat detector can then be applied to the air in the knowledge that the sensing element is going to be targeted.

If the testing tool is battery powered it is desirable that the power in the battery is conserved as much as possible in order to extend the periods of use between battery replacement or recharging. To achieve this, the application of a heat stimulus to the airstream is best achieved using a heating element 11 which is sited at the top of the duct 7 which carries the airflow into the cup.

This way, none of the heat from the element 11 is used to heat the duct, but it is efficiently targeted towards the sensing element of the detector 2 under test only. Also, since the flow or air can also be directed and narrowed by use of the duct, the amount of heated air which is required can be reduced, thereby further increasing the longevity of the battery in the tool.

The Smoke Detector Pole was designed by a Housing inspector with many years of doing Housing inspections. His biggest complaint was being able to reach smoke detector test buttons that were in hard to reach places or up on a high ceiling. Many of the new senior complexes have ten foot ceilings making it hard to test the smoke detectors. Usually he would ask the tenant to borrow a broom, a mop, or even a walking cane to be able to reach them.

In some cases when it was a vacant unit, there was no broom, stick or cane to use. One problem was that a lot of smoke detectors have a small rounded button and trying to test one with the rounded tip of a broom was very difficult.

Another common smoke detector has a recessed red button that requires a small object to test it. Some inspectors use the smoke spray can. These cans once used up must be replaced at more cost. They are bulky to carry around and when a high smoke detector placement is found, they must be attached to a pole of some kind, making it more difficult to use. Maintenance men will usually carry a ladder around with them to reach the high place smoke detectors.

This is no longer necessary now that the Smoke Detector Pole is available.