VESDA ASPIRE ® TM

Pipe network design software

VESDA ASPIRE – aspirating smoke detection made easy

The performance of an aspirating smoke detection system is dependent on the design of the
pipe network used to transport air back to the smoke detector.
VESDA ASPIRE is a Windows®-based application that aids the specification and design of
pipe networks for VESDA air sampling smoke detectors. It provides the designer with tools to
speed the design process and ensure optimum network performance and installation quality.
ASPIRE also makes implementation of the design easy. With automatic generation of lists
of all the components required for the project and an Installation Data Pack, the installer will
have all the information they need at their fingertips.
ASPIRE is the latest generation of the ASPIRE application, used by VESDA system
designers and installers around the world for over 15 years.
Fast pipe network design
Using the Pipe Design Wizard, you can quickly transcribe your pipe network design into Features
ASPIRE. A single click adds pipe fittings such as a pipe, elbow or sampling point and drag • Ensures optimum design of VESDA aspirating
to reorder your fittings as you tweak the design to suit. ASPIRE allows full flexibility in smoke detection pipe networks, including
placement of any network components. For example, extra elbows can be introduced to VESDA ECO gas detection and environmental
direct the pipe around a ceiling beam. monitoring
Once the layout is established, you enter your performance criteria for the pipe network e.g. • Accurately models pipe network designs to
NFPA-76 VEWFD or EN54-20 Class B (or set transport time, sensitivity etc. directly). Using environmental performance criteria
the AutoBalance function, ASPIRE will automatically calculate sampling hole sizes (to suit • User-friendly interface that allows easy
the drill bit sizes you specify). Alternatively, you can manually set the hole sizes and review manipulation and handling of design in terms of
the predicted system performance. adding branches, drop pipes, bends, etc
One of the great time-saving features of ASPIRE is the ability to save environmental design • Live display of total pipe length and number of
parameters for particular applications. For example, certain applications require specific sampling holes. Highlights exceeded limits
transport time and sampling hole pressures or certain environments have specific conditions • Speeds the design process by automating
such as low temperatures. These parameters can be saved and used in later projects. adjustment of hole sizes
3D View • Unique building constraints can be easily
accommodated
The improved 3D View now updates as the pipe network is built and allows the network to
be edited. Fittings can be directly added or removed from the 3D view and their properties • Allows different detector performance
such as their directions can be changed. The 3D view is synchronised with the table allowing requirements within one building
intuitive, direct selection of elements whether fittings or whole pipes and sections. Moreover, • Interactive 3D view to aid design
the 3D view can be manipulated (rotate, zoom and pan) using the mouse. • Multilevel “undo” and “redo” along with
autosave to aid the designer
Easier file handling • Improved usability and presentation including
ASPIRE allows multiple instances of ASPIRE running concurrently. With the drag and drop standard keyboard shortcuts
feature, detectors, individual pipes, branches, etc, can be copied and shared between • Custom design elements can be documented to
ASPIRE instances, thus saving design time. The user can now open files by dragging them guide the installation team
from Explorer and dropping them onto ASPIRE.
• Inclusion of special fittings (valves, water traps,
Simple handover for installation socket unions and refrigerated sampling points)
to achieve an accurate BOM
The Installation Data Pack (IDP) is a series of reports that describes the pipe network,
detailing the locations of the fittings, their settings and the expected system performance. • Exhaust included in flow calculations
Data and diagrams from the IDP can be printed (in colour) or copied and pasted into other • Professional reports and materials lists can be
programs, e.g. Microsoft® Excel® for further calculations or Microsoft® Word® for client reports. generated to add to client submissions
ASPIRE allows notes to be made on any element of the pipe design to convey design • Supports both imperial and metric measurement
reasoning to the installer. Notes are stored in the project file and are shown on the IDP systems
printout. For example: an overall description of a project, project milestone dates, installation • Compatible with other Windows® – based
considerations or file/drawing references. This is very useful when handing the installation applications
over to a contractor. • Set multiple detector alarm thresholds within a
Need to vary the performance for different areas of a building? detector
• Sampling Point Sensitivity tab to confirm
The Group function in ASPIRE allows you to set different performance criteria for different
EN 54-20* and NFPA** compliance
areas of a building. For example, your design may need to cover a computer room and a
manufacturing area. The computer room requires high sensitivity due to the high airflows, • Introduction of safety factor when setting the
while the manufacturing area may only require enhanced sensitivity to accommodate detector’s sensitivity to achieve an EN54-20
background levels associated with manufacturing processes. class
*European Standard 54 – Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems
ASPIRE includes a safety factor when setting a detector’s sensitivity to match a standard
– Part 20: Aspirating Smoke Detectors
EN 54-20 class* allowing the design to be robust against minor variations in the system
implementation. **NFPA – VEWFD, EWFD, SFD Limits
VESDA ASPIRE ® TM
Pipe network design software

4 simple steps to an optimized pipe network design Specifications

Step 1 Computer OS requirements
Use the Pipe Design Wizard to • Windows 7,
quickly create a pipe network that • Windows 8, or
is appropriate for the building or
area. • Windows 10
• 3D Graphics acceleration required
Calculations available
• Sampling hole diameters: Calculated diameter
for each sampling hole to ensure consistent
sensitivity throughout the pipe network
• Transport time for the pipe network:
The time taken for a sample to travel from the
furthest point on the pipe to the detector
• Transport time for every hole
• Pressure at each hole
• Flow rate at each hole (in L/min and relative to
the total flow)
• Sensitivity at each hole (% obscuration per foot)
• Flow balance (indicates the similarity of flow
Step 2 into each hole)
Enter the performance criteria • The aggregate sensitivity of a group of holes
you wish to achieve e.g. Class C • EN 54-20 Class (A, B or C) - Europe
or SFD • NFPA: VEWFD, EWFD or SFD
VESDA detectors supported
• VESDA-E VEU
• VESDA-E VEP-1
• VESDA VLF
• VESDA VLC
• VESDA VLS
• VESDA VLP
Step 3 • VESDA VLI
Use the AutoBalance function to Parameters
automatically adjust the sampling • Elevation above sea level and ambient pressure
hole sizes to achieve the required can be nominated for design calculations
performance. Color-coding is • Unlimited number of detectors in a project
used to provide feedback on the • Pipe diameter and length
performance of the design. • Capillary diameter and length
Report options
Installation Data Pack (IDP): This includes 3D
schematics, plan and elevation drawings with all
the pipe lengths, fittings and required drill bits for
the installer to be able to successfully install the
Step 4
project.
Generate the Bill of Materials Bill of Materials (BOM): This lists the components
to assist quoting and ordering for
required to install the project, the detectors and
the job. Generate the Installation
Data Pack (IDP) to aid the correct pipes needed. The bill of materials includes the
installation of the pipe network. relevant part numbers to order from your local
Xtralis office or representative.

Ordering information
ASPIRE is available for download from
www.xtralis.com.

www.xtralis.com
UK and Europe +44 1442 242 330 D-A-CH +49 431 23284 1 The Americas +1 781 740 2223
Middle East +962 6 588 5622 Asia +86 21 5240 0077 Australia and New Zealand +61 3 9936 7000
The contents of this document are provided on an “as is” basis. No representation or warranty (either express or implied) is made as to the complete-
ness, accuracy or reliability of the contents of this document. The manufacturer reserves the right to change designs or specifications without obligation
and without further notice. Except as otherwise provided, all warranties, express or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are expressly excluded.
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Doc. no. 10768_09 Part: 30073