Test deployments

Using a small test fire, test your Silvanet deployment to ensure sensors receive fire alerts.

Deployment testing with a controlled test fire

Overview

The following table lists the steps required to run a successful test of the Silvanet System.

Step	Task	Description
1.	Prepare a deployment Packet.	Prepare a deployment Packet for the test that includes the anticipated number of sensors and gateways.
2.	Deploy the Border Gateway.	Use one Border Gateway to receive data from the sensors and to connect to the Silvanet Cloud. Deploy the Border Gateway at the location set in the Packet. Ensure it is deployed with a reliable power supply and ensure it has Internet connectivity via Ethernet or LTE-M mobile. If required, deploy an optional Mesh Gateway.
3.	Deploy the sensors.	Use two boxes of Silvanet Sensors (10 in each box) and deploy the sensors in a tight grid of approximately 15 m between sensors. By reducing the distance between the sensors, the detection time and amount of burning material needed for testing and validation is significantly reduced. Deploy the sensors at the locations set in the Packet. Ensure the Device IDs (QR Codes) are scanned into the Deployment app.
4.	Verify sensor deployments.	Ensure the sensors are sending data to the Silvanet Network by viewing the Site in the Site Management app.
5.	Allow 14 days for sensors to calibrate.	Sensors must be calibrated for 14 days after deployment. During and after calibration, do not interact with the sensors.
6.	Notify the Fire Department of the test fire.	Ensure the local Fire department has been informed of the test fire. Also, ensure you are permitted to burn a test fire in the selected area.
7.	Prepare test fire material.	Dry test fire material and store it indoors for at least 14 days. This can be done concurrently to the calibration period.
8.	Burn the test fire, then completely extinguish the fire.	After burning the test fire, ensure the burnt material from the test fire has been thoroughly put out and no embers are hidden in the ashes as they can ignite other material. Remove burnt material (ashes) and safely dispose of the ashes before putting in new material.
9.	Modify the test setup.	When modifying the test, change only one element per test. For example, change the type of material burnt.
10.	Allow sensors to settle before running modified tests.	After changing test locations, allow 5 days for the sensors to stabilize. After changing burning materials, allow 24 hours for the sensors to stabilize.

Warning

AFTER SENSORS HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED AND CALIBRATED, DO NOT INTERACT WITH THE SENSORS AS THIS WILL CAUSE ERRORS WITH SENSOR VALUES AND COULD ALSO RESET THE SENSOR CALIBRATION. For details, see Sensor calibration.

Initial sensor setup

A test deployment can include one Border Gateway and up to twenty sensors.

A test deployment involves burning a small test fire in a metal fire pit (about the size of a BBQ fire) in the midst of the sensor deployments to receive Fire alerts from one or more sensors. One Border Gateway is deployed which sends data from the sensors to the Silvanet Cloud.

In the following setup the sensors are arranged in a grid pattern with 2 m distance between sensors. The fire pit is placed in the center of the sensor deployment.

Example test plan

The following shows an suggested test plan for a four week duration.

Week	Test type	Day	Reset period	Material (examples only)	Sensor spacing
1-2	Initial	1 - 14	14 days	n.a.	n.a.
3	Initial	1	1 day	Douglas Fir	5 m
3	Material	2	1 day	Creosote railroad ties	5 m
3	Material	3	1 day	Pressure-treated poles	5 m
3	Distance	4	1 day	Douglas Fir	10 m
3	Distance	4	5 hr	Douglas Fir	15 m
3	Distance	5	1 day	Douglas Fir	80 m
3	Distance	5	1 day	Douglas Fir	100 m
4	Location	6 - 10	5 days	n.a	n.a
5	Initial	11	1 days	Douglas Fir	5 m
5	Material	12	1 day	Larch	5 m
5	Material	13	1 day	Maple	5 m
5	Distance	14	1 day	Douglas Fir	10 m
5	Distance	14	1 day	Douglas Fir	15 m
5	Distance	15	1 day	Douglas Fir	80 m
5	Distance	15	1 day	Douglas Fir	100 m