VESDA VLF-500 LaserFOCUS Aspirating Smoke Detector (VLF-500-00)

The VESDA VLF-500 LaserFOCUS aspirating smoke detector (VLF-500-00) is designed to deliver very early warning fire detection in small to medium critical environments. Part of the Honeywell / Xtralis VESDA range, the VESDA VLF-500 continuously samples air through a micro-bore pipe network and analyses it using advanced laser smoke detection technology to identify smoke particles at extremely low concentrations, enabling very early warning aspirating smoke detection.

Unlike traditional point detectors, the VLF 500 aspirating smoke detector actively draws air from multiple sampling holes and detects smoke at the earliest stage of a developing fire. This makes the detector ideal for protecting equipment rooms, telecom infrastructure and other business-critical spaces where early detection is essential.

With coverage of up to 500 m², the VESDA LaserFOCUS VLF-500 provides reliable aspirating smoke detection while maintaining a compact design and simplified installation compared to larger multi-pipe aspirating systems.

The detector is commonly referred to as VESDA VLF 500, VLF500 or Xtralis VESDA VLF-500, all describing the same LaserFOCUS aspirating smoke detector designed for compact area fire protection.

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What Is the VESDA VLF-500?

The VESDA VLF-500 is a compact LaserFOCUS aspirating smoke detector developed by Honeywell / Xtralis and designed to protect small to medium-sized environments where very early warning fire detection is required.

The system continuously draws air through a micro-bore sampling pipe network and analyses it within a high-sensitivity laser detection chamber. This laser smoke detection technology enables the VESDA VLF-500 to identify smoke particles at extremely low concentrations.

Because the VESDA VLF-500 aspirating smoke detector actively samples air rather than waiting for smoke to rise to a ceiling-mounted sensor, it can provide earlier warning compared to conventional point smoke detectors.

The detector also includes an integrated display that allows engineers to monitor smoke levels, airflow performance and system status directly on the unit during installation, commissioning and maintenance.

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Key Features

Key Features

The VESDA VLF-500 LaserFOCUS aspirating smoke detector incorporates advanced smoke detection and airflow monitoring technologies to deliver very early warning fire detection while maintaining strong nuisance alarm rejection.

These features allow the VESDA VLF-500 aspirating smoke detector to maintain stable detection sensitivity while minimising nuisance alarms in demanding environments.

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Applications

The VESDA LaserFOCUS VLF-500 aspirating smoke detector is commonly installed in environments where very early warning smoke detection is required within compact or equipment-focused spaces.

Because the detector uses laser-based aspirating smoke detection technology, it is particularly effective in environments where traditional point smoke detectors may respond too slowly or where airflow conditions can delay smoke reaching ceiling-mounted devices.

Typical applications include:

• Server rooms and IT infrastructure environments

• Electrical switch rooms and plant rooms

• Telecommunications exchanges and communications hubs

• Control rooms and monitoring centres

• Air handling units and HVAC plant spaces

• Utility control and infrastructure facilities

• Transport signalling and railway infrastructure

• Equipment cabinets and enclosed technical spaces

Because of its compact design and simplified single-pipe sampling network, the VESDA VLF-500 is well suited to installations where space is limited but very early warning fire detection is critical.

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The VESDA VLF-500 LaserFOCUS aspirating smoke detector is designed to provide reliable very early warning fire detection across compact and medium-sized protected environments.

EN 54-20 Classification

The VESDA VLF-500 aspirating smoke detector can be configured to meet the following EN 54-20 performance classifications depending on pipe network design:

Pipe network design should be verified using approved aspirating system design tools to ensure correct airflow performance, sampling hole spacing and transport times.

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VESDA VLF-500 Manual & Software

Documentation such as the VESDA VLF-500 manual, Xtralis VESDA VLF-500 installation manual and VESDA VLF-500 product guide are available from the manufacturer or linked at the bottom of this page.

These documents provide detailed guidance on installation, pipe network design, configuration and commissioning of VESDA LaserFOCUS aspirating smoke detectors.

Engineers commonly use the VESDA VLF-500 installation manual alongside pipe design tools to ensure the aspirating smoke detector meets airflow requirements, sampling hole spacing and transport time performance for the protected environment.

During system setup, commissioning tools and configuration software may also be used to verify alarm thresholds, airflow monitoring and system diagnostics.

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VLF-500 vs VLF-250

The VESDA VLF series includes two compact LaserFOCUS aspirating smoke detectors designed for small and medium-sized environments where very early warning fire detection is required.

Both detectors use the same laser-based aspirating smoke detection technology, but they differ in the size of the area they are designed to protect.

The VESDA VLF-500 is typically specified when larger protected areas require coverage while maintaining the simplicity of a single-pipe aspirating detection system.

For smaller installations, the VESDA VLF-250 LaserFOCUS aspirating smoke detector provides the same very early warning technology but with coverage designed for areas up to 250 m².

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Why Choose the VESDA VLF-500?

The VESDA VLF-500 LaserFOCUS aspirating smoke detector is designed for environments where reliable very early warning fire detection is required without the complexity of large aspirating systems.

The detector is particularly suitable for installations where:

• Very early smoke detection is required across medium-sized protected areas

• Critical equipment or infrastructure requires continuous fire protection

• High airflow environments reduce the effectiveness of conventional point detectors

• Compact spaces require a simplified aspirating smoke detection solution

• Reliable aspirating detection is needed without complex multi-pipe networks

For compact and equipment-focused fire protection environments, the Xtralis VESDA VLF-500 delivers dependable laser-based aspirating smoke detection with straightforward installation, commissioning and long-term operational stability.