Cafeterias

What are the best occupancy sensors for cafeterias?

Best Practices: Cafeterias come in widely varying sizes, so we will look at the differences in sensor application for Small to Medium-sized and Large cafeterias separately.

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Small to Medium Sized Cafeterias (Up to 50' X 100', ceilings up to 12')

Typical Room Features: In cafeterias of this size, a typical layout includes many hard surfaces such as tables, chairs, hard surface flooring, columns, glass, and hard surface walls. This makes an ideal environment for Ultrasonic technology. These hard surfaces often result in increased sensitivity and improved reliability for Ultrasonic sensors. When combining this technology with Passive Infrared sensors utilizing Multi-Technology, you have a perfect scenario for flawless operation. 

Best Sensing Technology: Multi-Technology and Ultrasonic Technology

Best Mounting Type: Ceiling and Wall Mount sensors are the best choice, but smaller rooms up to 20 X 30 feet can be successfully handled with a Multi-Technology Wall Switch sensor.

Typical Motion Sensing: Major Motion for dining; but, if the room is multi-purpose, consider Minor Motion sensing dimensions for sensor placement. When applying sensors in larger areas that require multiple sensors, figure in about a 3 to 5 foot overlap of the major motion sensing area for best coverage. 

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Mounting Recommendations: Multi-Technology and Ultrasonic sensors

• Mount Multi-Tech sensors no more than 15 feet from the entrance - Since Multi-Technology sensors do their initial detection with the PIR sensing and then maintain detection using both sensor technologies, make sure sensors placed near entrances are no more than 15 feet from the entrance.

• Aim Ultrasonic Technology sensors away from doorways or room openings - Since Ultrasonic sensors are omni-directional, they are capable of detecting motion outside of the room they are monitoring if their coverage range extends beyond doorways into adjacent rooms or hallways. To avoid this, aim Ultrasonic sensors away from doorways or openings. These sensors should be mounted within 10 feet of an entrance, but need to be mounted no closer than 20 feet from entrances if sensors are pointing at the entrance or opening. Caution should also be taken to locate the sensor so people entering are not walking into the natural dead zone of the sensor.  

• Mount sensors at least 6 feet from HVAC ventilation openings - This will avoid any chance of false triggering in response to air currents. This applies to all Multi-Technology and Ultrasonic sensors.
• Mount sensors no higher than 12 feet and no higher than 10 feet if floors are not a hard surface - Carpeting, partitions and ceiling tiles will all absorb Ultrasonic waves, reducing coverage range. Use care when exceeding 10 foot mounting heights with absorbant surfaces, as this may reduce sensitivity to movement around tables. Increased heights will increase the overall room volume being monitored. 
• Allow for a buffer - Unless occupants will be against a wall, it is allowable to leave up to a 3 foot buffer area outside the sensor's detection range, rather than add additional sensors for coverage. Having greater coverage capacity than the room requires is always an advantage for best occupant detection. 

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Large Sized Cafeterias (Larger then 50' X 100' or ceilings as high as 40')

Best Sensing Technology: Multi-Technology and Ultrasonic technology for ceilings up to 12 feet; Passive Infrared when ceiling or mounting height exceeds 12 feet up to 40 feet.