Xtralis Aspire 2 – Frequently Asked Questions

Contents

Software Installation .......................................................................................................................................... 2

Pipe Layout ...................................................................................................................................................... 3

3D View .......................................................................................................................................................... 6

Flow Calculations .............................................................................................................................................. 7

 Balance ............................................................................................................................................... 7

 Calculation Parameters ........................................................................................................................... 9

Installation Data Pack ....................................................................................................................................... 11

Support......................................................................................................................................................... 12

AUTHORISED DISTRIBUTOR OF VESDA www.flamestop.com.au | [email protected]

Software Installation

Question: With which operating systems is ASPIRE2 compatible?

Answer: Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, Vista (for builds greater than 3950), 7, 8 & 10. MAC OS is not supported.

Question: Do I need Administrator rights to use ASPIRE2 software on my PC?

Answer: You only need Administrator rights to install ASPIRE2. For older builds (before build 3950) you will also need it to
register the software. Once you have done this you can use ASPIRE2 without being logged in as an Administrator

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Pipe Layout
Question: I made a mistake while inputting data into the pipe wizard, how can I correct the design?

Answer: Click on the pipe you have created in the tree view and edit it manually.

Question: Can an end cap be a capillary drop?

Answer: You can get the same effect by, simply placing a capillary just before the end-cap and then changing the end cap to a
‘closed’ end cap.

Question: What do I do when the "total pipe length" is red?

Answer: If the "total pipe length" is red in ASPIRE2, this means that the pipe is longer than Xtralis recommends for this detector
based on detailed testing of the detector aspirator.

Some recommended actions to resolve this are:

 Upgrade to a higher performing detector.

 Consider situating the detector in a central location.
 Split the pipe into two shorter pipes.

If you are already using LaserPLUS or LaserSCANNER, consider redesigning the system to use additional detectors

Check the area coverage is within the regulatory limits.

ASPIRE2 allows the user to create designs that exceed Xtralis recommended limits for the LaserPLUS or LaserSCANNER
detectors. In this case, the designer must verify that the performance of the pipe network is acceptable with the customer and
regulatory requirements.

Question: Is it possible for a pipe not to have an end cap in an ASPIRE2 MODEL?

Answer: There must always be an end cap, but you can represent a closed pipe by using a closed end-cap (with a hole size of 0
mm).

You should never use an end-cap with a very large hole size because then your system will not be able to pick up a break in the
pipe network.

Question: Can I model return pipes with Aspire 2?

Answer: Aspire2 does not model return pipes but assumes that the air is returned to the same system as the inlets. So if the
detector is placed in an air duct, the return pipes should release the return air back to the duct. As always you will need to
install and test them.

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Question: In the pipe view, how can I change a hole to a capillary?

Answer: Select the relevant pipe section in the tree, select the hole, from the item type column and a capillary option will be
selectable from the drop down menu.

Question: I can’t change pipe assignments without first deleting them. What should I do?

Answer: Presumably the changes that you refer to are adding and removing joins and bends in a pipe. It is possible to both
insert new bends, Tees etc and also to remove them as described below.

To insert the bends, Tees or other items:

Select the pipe segment in the tree.

Select the insert position (on the table) then click on the item in the palette toolbar. Aspire2 will insert the item mid-way
between the selected item and the previous item.

Check the item distances are correct for the new item and the following item.

To delete an item:

Select the pipe segment in the tree.

Select the item to delete in the table.

Select the Delete Item toolbar button (the red cross)to delete. The distance of the deleted item would be added to the distance
of the next item.

Check that the item distance for the following item is correct.

Question: How can we change the order of a pipe/pipe section?

Answer: You can change the order of sections within a pipe or pipes within a detector using drag and drop on the tree. The drag
and drop allows items to be reordered under their parent item but does not allow items to be moved to another parent.

Question: Is it possible to copy pipes and/or detectors within Aspire2?

Answer : The user can copy and paste pipes, within the same design, as long as the detector has not reached its pipe limit.

You duplicate a detector by selecting it, copying it to the clipboard (using the copy toolbar button or using Edit->Copy menu or
Ctrl-C keyboard shortcut). Then select the project on the tree and paste the detector into the project (by clicking the paste
toolbar button or using Edit->Paste menu or Ctrl-V keyboard shortcut).

To copy a pipe, select it, copy it to the clipboard, select the destination detector and paste. The paste function will be disabled
when the detector’s pipe limit has been reached.

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Question: How could I copy one pipe over another?

Answer: Select the original pipe then click on the copy icon. Select the destination pipe then click the paste button. Aspire2 will
replace the destination pipe with that from the clipboard when you click OK to proceed.

Question: How do I delete a pipe section or Tees and Branches?

Answer: To delete a pipe section, select it on the tree and then use the Edit > Delete Section menu. You can also right mouse
click and select Delete Section from the context menu. Aspire2 will then delete the pipe section and replace the branch at the
head of the section with a bend or elbow.

To delete a branch (or Tee) you will first need to delete one of the pipe sections which will replace the branch with an elbow as
described above. You can then delete this elbow by selecting the pipe section in the tree, selecting the elbow in the table and
using the Delete Item toolbar button (the red cross).

Question: An entire screen in the pipe wizard is dedicated to ambient pressure. How do I make sure I enter in the right value for
the application?

Answer: If there are no airtight doors in the pipe or detector areas set this value to zero (0). If there is fan forced air or air doors
fitted check with building management for the air pressure specified in the air conditioning floor plans.

Question: How do I change units to imperial, the field is greyed out?

Answer: Only when Pipe type = American do you have the option to change between Imperial and Metric units. Bring up the
System Defaults window using the Tools > Systems Defaults menu and change the Units field to Imperial. Save and restart
Aspire2.

Question: I would like to view all possible hole size choices how can I do this?

Answer: Open ASPIRE2, select Tools | System Defaults | Allowable Hole sizes and enter all the required sizes. You will need to
do this before starting work on a project.

Question: How do I choose my local pipe?

Answer: Select ‘Tools’ in the top toolbar and click on “System Defaults”. In the Pipe Part Collection field, select the appropriate
region. Then click on the “Save” button and follow the prompts to restart Aspire 2.

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3D View

Question: How do I invert my detector so that it shows up correctly on the 3D view?

Answer: To invert the detector you need to select the detector in the tree and then on the General tab on the right pane you
will find an Inverted Detector checkbox below the group of properties on the right of the tab. Use this to define the detector
orientation.

Question: What can I do if I cannot see the 3D view in ASPIRE2?

Answer: If selecting 3D view in ASPIRE2 makes your computer screen flash and display a blank window or you get an error
message of "insufficent memory", the following steps will optimise the 3D view function in ASPIRE2:

1. Ensure that you have the most recent driver for the video card in your computer.
2. Reduce your computer "hardware acceleration" from 100% to 40%. (You can do so from the Control panel - Display -
Advanced. Select the "Trouble shoot" tab and change the sliding scale for hardware acceleration).

Note that to function fully, ASPIRE2 requires support for Java3D version 1.5.2. Some limits may be imposed by your video card
and drivers.

Question: How could I see what I have just created?

Answer: Aspire2 provides live 3D view update at the pipe level only. If you select the pipe then select 3D view and keep it open.
Any changes to the pipe assignment will also update the 3D view.

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Flow Calculations

Balance

Question: Why is it important to have a balanced pipe network and how is this achieved?
Answer: A balanced system is one where there is similar flow through each sampling hole so that the entire protected region is
being monitored uniformly. We want to avoid networks which have dead regions that are poorly monitored. In ASPIRE2, the
default flow balance is 70% (and this can be adjusted). This means that every sampling hole has at least 70% as much flow as the
best sampling hole.

So how do we achieve similar flows through each hole. A simple starting approach may be to make all the holes the same size.
However the flow rate through each hole reduces with distance of the hole from the detector. To help achieve a balanced
system, try increasing the hole size as the holes get further away from the detector.

Question: Is perfect pipe network balance really necessary since the regulations only stipulate transport time?
Answer: Transport time is certainly important but if a network is not well balanced then it means that there are ‘dead’ regions
that are not being fully monitored. So both balance and transport time are important. The designer must ensure that the
transport time requirement is met and complies with the regulations and also verify that there is an overall system balance.

Question: Can I change the acceptable thresholds for % balance?

Answer: Balance should be as close to 100 as possible. However, you can set your acceptance level. To alter your defaults see
Tools > Application Defaults > Group > Target balance.

Question: Can I accept a pipe network design when some of the parameters are shown as red even after optimising the ASPIRE2
design?
Answer: Aspire2 estimates the pipe network performance. Where parameters will ensure the most reliable performance these
are shown in green. Parameters appearing in red indicate that the network falls outside of the recommended range. However,
you may still accept a design with red settings if the pipe network design meets your installation and regulatory requirements.
Contact your local Xtralis office should you require further assistance.

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Question: What causes AutoBalance to fail?
Answer: AutoBalance searches for a solution to your pipe design that has acceptable transport times to all the holes, achieves
reasonable flow rates and pressures at each hole and is balanced.

If the network is inherently unbalanced such as one that combines long and short pipes then it may be impossible to satisfy all
the constraints and so the only way then to meet approved standards would be to even out the pipe network so that all the
pipes are of similar length.

With long pipes it is difficult to meet the required transport times for the holes at the ends of the pipe. The options are
generally to increase the fan speed or reduce the pipe length by relocating the detector.

Aspire2 may find a potential solution but still show some hole sensitivity values in red. This indicates that the detector threshold
(which drives the Aggregate Sensitivity) is not achievable for these holes. In this case review the threshold levels and consider
reducing them.

Question: I don’t like the changes that AutoBalance has made to my pipe network and wish to undo them and go back to what I
had before I ran AutoBalance. How do I do this?

Answer: The AutoBalance changes can be reversed by clicking the Tool > Reject Configuration menu item.

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Calculation Parameters

Question: What is an acceptable transport time?

Answer: Most local codes and standards specify that the transport time cannot be longer than 90 seconds. (Check your local
codes for details). Remember that there can be additional delays once a fire panel is notified before an alarm is sounded so it is
important to keep the detector delay to a minimum.

Question: What can I do if the detector flow rate is too low?

Answer: You can either try to adjust the pipe network to match the detector or match the detector to better match the
network.

Where possible try using more pipes of shorter length. Alternatively, try using larger holes, but be aware that this will tend to
unbalance your system.

You can enhance the detector by increasing the aspirator speed (applicable only to detectors with adjustable aspirator speed). If
that is still insufficient then select a higher performing detector (eg, choice of LaserPLUS compared to LaserCOMPACT).

Question: What does it mean when the sample hole sensitivity is displayed in red?

Answer: The hole sensitivity is an indication of how high the hole smoke concentration must be in order to cause the detector to
alarm. When the sample hole sensitivity is shown in red it indicates that the smoke coming through that hole will be diluted too
much by other air flows to trigger the detector.

To resolve this issue the Fire threshold setting can be reduced or the Target Hole Sensitivity setting on the Group tab of the
Application Defaults can be adjusted.

Question: Why is the hole sensitivity shown as red above 6.092 %obs/ft or 20 %obs/m?
Answer: The maximum target aggregate sensitivity allowed in ASPIRE2 is 6.092 % obs/ft or 20 % obs/m. This is the least sensitive
that a point detector is allowed to be by any regulatory body. Given that sampling points are often discussed as replacements
for point detectors, this constraint ensures compliance. If it is necessary for the designer to install a system that does not meet
this criteria, the designer must verify that the performance of the pipe network is within acceptable customer and regulatory
requirements.

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Question: How do I find out what variables mean?

Answer: Most of the variable fields have a tool tip that explains their meaning when you mouse over the field.

You can also use the built in help by selecting Help then Contents or press F1.

Question: Can I export the calculated data in pipe table data to Excel?

Answer: Aspire2 supports exporting data from the Pipe Table to Excel. To do this select the rows in the table by clicking in the
first column on the pipe table view and then dragging to the end, or just press Ctrl-A to select all the rows. Select Ctrl-C to copy
then paste it in Excel. Please note that this does not include the table heading.

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Installation Data Pack
Question: There are empty spaces in the pipe detail table in IDP report. How do I hide them?

Answer: To hide the empty detail or unrelated data (for example, you don’t want to see capillary related column when you
design the normal sampling point network), right click on the pipe detail table header then deselect the field you don’t want to
display. This action will hide the column on the table and also on the IDP.

Question: I only want to print the pipe data. How do I do it?

Answer: You can select the preferred pipe then select the print IDP function to print the information related to the selected
pipe. If the detector is a Scanner then Scan mode data for the pipe will also be printed.

Question: How can I store a reference to the original drawings for my network?

Answer: Use the Notes field on the Project or Detector in the tree.

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Support

Question: Where can I obtain part numbers?

Answer: Contact your local distributor or Xtralis office to request the price list or sales brochure for your VESDA product model
number.

Question: Are there any specific training courses for maintenance and troubleshooting?

Answer: All VESDA devices should be installed, configured, commissioned and maintained by a VESDA accredited person. For
accreditation course details and online training information, go to the Training section of this website.

Question: Where can I obtain product specifications?

Answer: Technical data sheets, product guides and installation instructions are available on this web site under Support.

Question: How do I test the VESDA system after installation?

Answer: Only Xtralis accredited personnel are permitted to install, configure, commission and maintain VESDA products. The
Maintenance section of the System Design Manual contains performance tests for this purpose. Local regulations should be
checked for commissioning requirements. Customers may also have predefined requirements. All results should be recorded
and signed off by commissioning staff, the end user and a local fire approval inspector. These results should also be kept on
record.

Question: Where do I obtain the ASPIRE2 Product Guide?

Answer: ASPIRE2 contains a complete online help file. Contact your local VESDA distributor or Xtralis office for VESDA
accreditation course details.

Question: Where do I obtain ASPIRE2?

Answer: It is free for download on this website under ASPIRE2 Software Download.

About Xtralis

Xtralis® is the leading global provider of powerful solutions for the early detection and visual of fire, gas and security threats. Our technologies prevent disasters
by giving users time to respond before life, critical infrastructure or business continuity is compromised. We protect high-value and irreplaceable assets
belonging to the world’s top governments and businesses. Our brands include VESDA® & VESDA-E™ – the world’s No.1 very early warning aspirating smoke
detection (ASD) systems; ICAM™ for flexible ASD; ECO™ – Gas detection & environmental monitoring modules for VESDA & ICAM systems; OSID® – easy to use
smoke detection for open areas; ADPRO® & ADPRO-E™ – advanced, intelligent access, perimeter & intrusion detection solutions for multi-site & enterprise
security; HeiTel™ – digital video remote monitoring; and, ASIM® – intelligent traffic detection.

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AUTHORISED DISTRIBUTOR OF VESDA www.flamestop.com.au | [email protected]