What is the detector time constant for a 135° heat detector that has a listed spacing of 50′?

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Multiple Choice

What is the detector time constant for a 135° heat detector that has a listed spacing of 50′?

Explanation:
For a fixed-temperature heat detector (135°F), the detector time constant scales with the spacing between detectors. The listing uses an approximate rule: time constant in seconds ≈ 0.88 × spacing in feet. With a listed spacing of 50 feet, the calculation is 0.88 × 50 = 44 seconds. This reflects how the detector’s response grows as detectors are spread farther apart—the farther apart, the longer it takes to reach the trip condition. The other numbers would correspond to different spacings, not 50 feet.

For a fixed-temperature heat detector (135°F), the detector time constant scales with the spacing between detectors. The listing uses an approximate rule: time constant in seconds ≈ 0.88 × spacing in feet. With a listed spacing of 50 feet, the calculation is 0.88 × 50 = 44 seconds. This reflects how the detector’s response grows as detectors are spread farther apart—the farther apart, the longer it takes to reach the trip condition. The other numbers would correspond to different spacings, not 50 feet.

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