Case Study: Sonora Behavioral Health achieves earlier detection and less patient disruption with Xtralis VEA aspirating smoke detection

Aspirating, Addressable Smoke Detection Technology Transforms Approach to Smoke Detection While Promising Less Disruption to Patients

Sonora Behavioral Health, a psychiatric facility in Tucson (part of Acadia Healthcare Group), faced repeated disruption from NFPA‑required annual testing of traditional spot smoke detectors. Testing forced contractors to enter every room and introduce smoke, creating loud noises and interruptions that unsettled sensitive patients and complicated operations in sterile or restricted areas.

The facility installed the VESDA‑E VEA addressable aspirating smoke detection system, which draws room air through microbore tubing to a central laser‑based analyzer. VEA provides room‑level pinpointing, adjustable sensitivity to reduce false alarms, and centralized, non‑intrusive testing—cutting maintenance time dramatically and lowering total cost of ownership while delivering earlier detection and far less disruption to patients and staff.

Sonora Behavioral Health

Jeremy Robison

Facilities Director/Safety Officer