1.1 Introduction
Smoke is a visible suspension of carbon or other particles in the air which emitted from a burning substance (Brain, 2021). It is commonly an unwanted by-product of fires and fireplaces but may also be used for pest control, communication as smoke signals, defense as smoke-screen and inhalation of tobacco or other drugs. Smoke inhalation is the primary cause of death in victims of indoor fires. Many compounds of smoke from fires are highly toxic and poisoning. The most dangerous is the carbon monoxide which leading to carbon monoxide poisoning. Those who inhale large amount of smoke quickly lead to incapacitation and loss of consciousness. Furthermore, a cloud of smoke in contact with atmospheric oxygen has the potential of being ignited either by another open flame in the area or by its own temperature. This leads to effects like back draft and flashover (Sinclair et al., 2021).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Smoke detection system being an important safety device nowadays. In 1902, an electrical engineer from England, George Andrew Darby has patented the electrical Heat-Indicator and Fire Alarm (EPA, 2021). This system operated by indicating an increase temperature above the safe limit in the room where it was fixed. Before scientists knew how to capture ionizing molecules in a small enclosed space, they actually used an open and close electrical system along with a wedge of butter to detect fires and heat. It consists of two plates or electrical circuits with a wedge of butter between them. When the heat of the room became overwhelming and the temperature is over the safe limit, the butter would melt. Both circuits collapse onto one another and then initiating the alarm. The first battery-operated home smoke detector was patented in 1969 by two Americans, Randolph Smith and Kenneth House.
For longer than recorded history, fire has been a source of comfort and catastrophe for the human race Fire is fast and self-sustaining oxidation process accompanied by the evolution of heat and light in varying intensities. In order to detect the presence of the smoke, smoke detection system is created. Every single electronic device in the building may have possibility to produce ignition whether through short circuit or any other ways. Even the charging mobile phone might contribute to the flame. Thus, awareness and consciousness of the importance of smoke detection system must be planted on people mind.
Fire is the major cause of accidents claiming valuable lives and property. The chemical reaction between carbon-based materials in presence of oxygen generates flammable vapor causing a steady rise in temperature and results in a fire. The major characteristics of fireside are it extends exponentially with time. Hence, timely detection of fireplace is vital for avoiding a serious accident. All fire incidents can be divided in many ways depending on the cause of fire outbreak, but broadly there are two types of fires, one is natural and other is manmade. Forest fires will be either because of natural or manmade reasons. All residential and non-residential structural fires are mostly manmade. Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to Design and Construct a Smoke Detector with Alarm System.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that there are number of smoke detection systems in the market. They use different model of matched transmitter and receiver to achieve excellent stability of frequency for signal transmission. Whether using photoelectric or ionization chamber, the vital element is sensitivity to detect the presence of the smoke. Some of them have built-in fixed and rate-of- rise heat detector. Straight-down and side-view configuration of video camera are also available beside glass-break detectors and panic transmitters. Furthermore, low standby current on sleep mode will save power. There is a new model which operates at very high sensitivity. The system adopts ‘artificial intelligence’ patent known as ClassiFire. It ensures that the system operates at maximum safe sensitivity to give warning of problems earlier than previously considered possible.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to Design and Construct a Smoke Detector with Alarm System. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To integrate radio frequency technology into smoke detector circuitry.
- To construct an alarm in smoke detector system
- To construct a Cost efficient system with compact design that will be easy to expand and simple to install.
1.5 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.6 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Design and Construction of Smoke Detector with Alarm System.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
