High sensitivity fiber optic based detection

A method of measuring one or more conditions within a predetermined area comprising:

• transmitting light along at least one fiber optic cable from a light source to a plurality of branches, each branch terminating in a node being located to measure one or more conditions in the predetermined area, each branch of the plurality of branches operably connected to the at least one fiber optic cable via a coupling, the fiber optic cable extending from a first end of the fiber optic cable to a second end of the fiber optic cable, opposite the first end;
• receiving scattered light from the plurality of nodes;
• communicating the scattered light to a control system;
• and
• analyzing the scattered light associated with the node at a control system to determine at least one of the presence and magnitude of the condition within the predetermined area;
• wherein the control system and the light source both located at the first end of the fiber optic cable.

A detection system for detecting smoke or fire within a building comprising:

• a fiber harness having a first fiber optic cable for transmitting light and having a second fiber optic cable for receiving scattered light, the first fiber optic cable extending from a first end of the first fiber optic cable to a second end of the first fiber optic cable, opposite the first end;
• a plurality of first branches operably connected to the first fiber optic cable, each first branch terminating at a first node wherein light is emitted from first nodes into a predetermined area, each first branch operably connected to the first fiber optic cable via a first coupling;
• a plurality of second branches operably connected to the second fiber optic cable, each second branch terminating at a second node wherein scattered light from the predetermined area is collected, each second branch operably connected to the second fiber optic cable via a second coupling;
• and
• a control system operably coupled to the fiber harness such that scattered light associated with the each second node is transmitted to the control system, wherein the control system analyzes the scattered light transmitted from the plurality of nodes to determine at least one of a presence and magnitude of the one or more conditions at the node;
• wherein the control system includes a light source to transmit a light signal along the first fiber optic cable to the plurality of branches, the control system and the light source both located at the first end of the first fiber optic cable.