MD-11
Dispatch Dispatcher
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution
Aircraft
Crew called via SATCOM approximately 50 nm north of ZZZZZ intersection to request phone patch with [Maintenance Control]. Crew stated they were on O2 as they were getting slow intermittent cabin smoke alerts. No FSS (Fire Suppression System) activation or smell of smoke present. Alert would appear for a few seconds and then disappear. [Maintenance Control] checked the systems on his end and suspected it might be just an indication issue. Call got disconnected and crew called back within 2-3 minutes. While on the phone patch; crew advised that alerts were becoming more frequent. At this point we collectively agreed to cease the call and divert to nearest suitable as stated in the QRH. ZZZZ was approximately 200 nm ahead and we elected to divert there. Sent crew the latest weather and reroute message to ZZZZ along with time/initials. I began to gather and format the ZZZZ NOTAMs to uplink to the printer. By the time this process was nearing completion; the flight was about to turn final into ZZZZ. Due to the ACARS system limitations; the flight would have been on the ground by the time all the NOTAMs were sent. ZZZZ Ramp/Manager/Chief Pilot was advised of [flight] diverting. Approximately 15k of fuel was dumped; [requested priority handling] and CFR (Crash Fire Rescue) services were dispatched. Flight blocked in with no issues. Local Maintenance determined that 3 consecutive smoke detectors were defective and fixed 1 to comply with MEL that was issued shortly thereafter. Once blocked in; crew called and conducted conference call with duty officer so we can get more information about the divert. Crew stated that in position 5L there was some lithium batteries near the smoke detectors in question. [Weight and Balance] shows that ULD to be in position 3L. Increasing the current character limit in the ACARS system to send large amounts of information to the printer. When posed with another similar situation; I will send pertinent NOTAM information.
Commercial Airline Dispatcher reported precautionary divert due to frequent smoke alerts from aircraft with Hazmat cargo on board.