Magnet Sensors for Securing Fire safety and Emergency Exits

Building codes provide standards for the safety, welfare and general health of the personnel occupying the buildings. This includes standards for structural integrity which include water supply, lighting and sanitation, and also for fire safety, prevention and control.

Fire safety norms state that all fire safety and emergency exit doors be monitored electrically to ensure that they are not being used at times other than during an actual fire, when the main fire alarm has been triggered.

Normally mechanical switches are used, but as fire safety doors remain closed for many years sometimes, they tend not to operate as their mechanical reliability is suspect. This is where Magnet Sensors help because even though the reed switch inside stays in a closed state for many years, the spring back forces are so good that it opens instantly, when the fire safety door is opened. This sort of system works for Aluminium doors, but if the doors are made of a Ferromagnetic material, special Steel sensors which can detect Ferromagnetic materials work well. Even in this case, the reed switch inside works on the same principle using the embedded magnet, that even if actuated after many years, functions as expected.

Application Classification

Applications are classified as Position Sensing, Pulse Counting, Electromagnetic or Relay, Temperature Sensing or Magnet Biasing types. This application is classified as follows and the link gives more information on best practices to help select the most suitable AT band and matching magnet.

Magnet Biasing Type

Magnet Biasing type Vane application Some special field applications, for the sake of circuit logic, security concerns, or a power Continue reading -> Nov 30, 2020

Recommended Products

The Reed Switches and Sensors used in such applications need to be robust, durable and efficient in meeting a high life expectancy. Our engineers work hard in life testing our products under various conditions, and our intention is to ensure end product durability and life. Although we wouldn’t want to restrict any of our products for use in only certain applications, the recommended products for use in this application are listed below.

MS-328 Flat Pack Reed Sensors with Actuator

starFeatures10W Contact Rating. Normally 30W Contact Rating. Normally Open contact. Three sensitivity bands. Sputtered Ruthenium Continue reading -> Oct 30, 2020

LV-1925 Reed Switch for Line Voltage switching

The LV-1925 is a Line Voltage Reed Switch is designed for endurance at switching line voltage loads of 230V. Two versions are capable of Continue reading -> Dec 2, 2020

HW-5052 Reed Switch for High Wattages

This HW-5052 High Wattage Reed Switch is physically robust and can switch up to 120W. The two types of contact ratings available cover a Continue reading -> Dec 3, 2020