Quantitative Comparison of Scattering Coefficients of Fire Smoke and Nuisance Aerosols Using a Ratio-Based Analysis Methodology

This study quantitatively analyzed the optical scattering characteristics of fire smoke and nuisance aerosols using a ratio-based analysis method. A light scattering chamber, designed with a size and geometry comparable to those of photoelectric smoke detectors, was developed to measure angular scattering signals. Fire smoke generated by burning filter paper, kerosene, and polyurethane as well as nuisance aerosols, including cooking oil mist, steam, and patty aerosols, were examined. Scattering coefficients were derived from the ratio of the collimated to the total transmittance. At the detector activation threshold, the fire smoke and nuisance aerosols exhibited distinct characteristic levels of, and distribution trends in the scattering coefficients. These results provide quantitative evidence that the use of scattering coefficients enables the number of false alarms to be reduced.