High sensitivity fiber optic based detection system

A method of detecting the occurrence of a condition using a detection system located within a predetermined area comprising:

• transmitting light from at least one node of a plurality of nodes into an ambient atmosphere adjacent the at least one node;
• receiving scattered light from the ambient atmosphere at the at least one node;
• communicating the received scattered light to a control system operably coupled to the at least one node;
• analyzing the scattered light at the control system to determine a condition of the ambient atmosphere adjacent each at least one node;
• and
• adjusting a sensitivity of the at least one node of the plurality of nodes, wherein adjusting the sensitivity of the at least one node further comprises determining a region of the predetermined area within which the at least one node is located and determining a risk associated with the region of the at least one node.