Not all fire detection environments are created equal. While standard smoke detectors work well in offices, schools, and domestic settings, high heat environments, such as commercial kitchens, manufacturing areas, boiler rooms, and workshops, present unique challenges.
In these settings, choosing the wrong detector or system setup can lead to frequent false alarms, delayed detection, or total system failure—all of which pose serious risks to safety and compliance.
In this blog, we explore how high temperatures affect fire detection systems, the different types of detectors available, and how to select the right equipment for hot and demanding environments.
Why High Heat Environments Are Problematic
Environments that are regularly exposed to heat, steam, or airborne particles can interfere with fire detection in several ways:
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Smoke detectors may be triggered by steam or dust
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Heat detectors may struggle to distinguish between normal high temperatures and genuine fires
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Wiring and system components may degrade faster due to ambient conditions
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Alarm systems may fail to activate in time if the detectors aren’t suitable for the setting
Common locations that face these issues include:
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Commercial kitchens
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Food processing plants
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Factories with ovens, furnaces or welders
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Boiler rooms and plant spaces
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Foundries and metal workshops
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Large laundries or steam rooms
Common Issues in Hot Workplaces
1. Frequent False Alarms
Steam, aerosolised oil, or fine dust particles can cause traditional optical smoke detectors to activate unnecessarily. This can lead to repeated evacuations, loss of productivity, and potential complacency when a real alarm occurs.
2. Delayed Detection or No Activation
In very warm areas, fixed-temperature heat detectors may already be close to their activation point. If they’re not carefully selected, they may trigger late—or not at all—during an actual fire.
3. Accelerated Wear and Tear
Sustained high temperatures can degrade the performance of:
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Detector sensors
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Plastic housings
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Battery back-ups (if used)
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Alarm sounders or speaker units
Regular maintenance is even more critical in these environments.
Choosing the Right Detectors for High-Heat Areas
1. Heat Detectors Over Smoke Detectors
In hot environments where smoke or steam is likely to be present as part of normal operations, heat detectors are usually more appropriate. These fall into two main types:
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Fixed-temperature heat detectors: Trigger when a specific temperature threshold is reached (e.g. 57°C, 70°C, 90°C)
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Rate-of-rise heat detectors: Trigger when there’s a sudden increase in temperature, even if it doesn’t hit the set maximum
- Fixed-temperature detectors are ideal for environments with consistently high background temperatures, while rate-of-rise detectors are useful where the temperature normally fluctuates but a sharp rise would be abnormal.
🛑 Avoid using smoke detectors in kitchens, steam rooms, or dusty workshops unless they are specialist models.
2. Specialist Detectors for Extreme Conditions
Some manufacturers offer industrial-grade heat detectors or multi-sensor detectors designed specifically for high-temperature, humid or contaminated environments. Features to look for include:
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Water- and dust-resistant housings (IP-rated)
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High-temperature tolerance
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Sealed sensor chambers
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Remote testing capabilities
Best Practices for High Heat Fire System Design
1. Strategic Detector Placement
Install detectors away from:
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Cooking hobs and ovens
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Steam vents or extractors
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Machinery that emits high heat as part of normal use
This helps reduce false activations while ensuring timely response in a genuine fire.
2. Increase Maintenance Frequency
High-temperature environments tend to create more airborne debris, oil, or condensation, meaning detectors require more frequent cleaning and checks. Follow the manufacturer’s servicing recommendations and consider quarterly inspections in extreme cases.
3. Use Alarm Zoning and Pre-Alarm Features
Larger industrial systems can benefit from:
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Zoned fire alarm panels to isolate high-risk areas
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Pre-alarm warnings that alert staff to rising temperatures without triggering full evacuation
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Manual call points placed at safe locations near heat-intensive zones
4. Keep Your Fire Risk Assessment Up to Date
Any time you change the layout, equipment, or use of a hot environment, your fire risk assessment should be reviewed. This ensures your detection system remains suitable and legally compliant.
Final Thoughts
High heat environments require specialist fire detection strategies. Installing the wrong type of detector can lead to false alarms or dangerous delays, both of which put people and property at risk.
Whether you manage a commercial kitchen, manufacturing plant, or boiler room, it’s essential to work with experienced fire safety professionals who understand the challenges these environments present.
At Martyn Young Fireproofing Consultancy, we offer comprehensive advice on fire protection and prevention measures. Contact us today on 07585 896648