Bayer MaterialScience LLC Plastic Helps System Sensor Achieve Greater Dimensional Stability and Thermal Performance

Pittsburgh, PA, January 22, 2011 --(PR.com)-- A mission-critical facility must operate around the clock with absolute reliability, 365 days per year. In this type of challenging environment, the new System Sensor FAAST™ Fire Alarm Aspiration Sensing Technology system helps ensure operational continuity while protecting building occupants and high-value assets.

An aspirating smoke detector, FAAST detects the faintest traces of smoke – the first indication of trouble – by drawing air into its sensor through a pipe network. This approach enables the detector to deliver highly accurate and discreet Very Early Warning Fire Detection to meet the needs of a variety of environments, including corporate data centers, 911 dispatch centers, military installations and prisons.

The System Sensor detector utilizes Bayer MaterialScience LLC Bayblend® FR3010 polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS) plastic in many device components, including the back housing, the left door and the front panel.

“Bayer MaterialScience is a preferred supplier of ours, based on years of experience with their resins in our life safety products,” said Kris Cahill, senior product manager, System Sensor. “They provided great support in our color matching needs and the material used for this product has great UV-resistance, dimensional stability, and a high Underwriters Laboratories flame rating, which go above and beyond the standard mechanical properties we require.”

Bayblend FR3010 plastic is a flame-retardant blend of Makrolon® PC and ABS that is antimony, bromine and chlorine-free. Bayblend FR3010 plastic is noted for its combination of high impact strength, high heat resistance and mechanical performance. The material is naturally opaque, can be pre-colored, and is supplied in pellet form for a wide variety of injection molding applications.

“Our relationship with System Sensor allows us to work seamlessly to ensure the appropriate plastic material is used for each of their products,” said Kevin Dunay, market segment leader, IT, Electrical/Electronics Polycarbonates (EE), Bayer MaterialScience LLC. “We’re gratified by their ongoing confidence in our materials and look forward to future collaboration on life safety products.”

FAAST’s smoke detection performance is built around its unique Dual Vision sensing technology. This sensor utilizes an extremely sensitive blue LED to provide early fire detection up to 60 minutes before combustion. The sensor also uses an infrared laser to identify nuisances like dust that can cause false alarms and downtime. The detector interprets signals from both sources to provide the earliest and most accurate warning of the widest range of fires available.

Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with approximately 14,300 employees at 30 production sites around the world and 2009 sales of 7.5 billion euros. The company manufactures high-tech polymer materials and develops innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries. Sustainability is central to Bayer MaterialScience LLC’s business and is based around the key areas of innovation, product stewardship, excellence in corporate management, social responsibility and respect for the environment.

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