Industrial fire-detection specialist Patol now offers a fibre-optic linear heat detection cable (LHDC) and controller suite in its range of solutions and, in doing so, has extended the capabilities of LHDC technology.
FibreSense is a fibre-optic distributed temperature sensing solution. The fibre-optic sensing cable is available in two primary forms – Thermoplastic Tube (TT) and Armoured Tube (AT) – with both versions of the sensing cable providing cost-effective fire detection for a wide range of different applications. The Thermoplastic Tube cable is suited to many environments including those characterised by high levels of electromagnetic (EMC) activity. The cable is Flame-Retardant Non-Corrosive (FRNC) and Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSOH), with a Kevlar strength layer protecting a central structure comprising a gel-filled thermoplastic loose tube. It measures temperature profiles at thousands of points simultaneously along the length of the cable and, given that it is immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI), signal quality is unaffected in hostile environments.
Iain Cumner is Sales Director at Patol and comments: ‘LHDC is a well-proven and extensively used fire-detection method. Over 4 million metres of our LHDC is operating in projects throughout the world, providing early detection of overheating in circumstances where other forms of detection would not be viable – either through the inability to withstand the environment or through prohibitive costs. Our previous cable supplier ceasing manufacture made us look into alternatives and now, with the introduction of the FibreSense products, we are able to offer an option which not only draws on the existing benefits that LHDC offers but also extends them.’
The FibreSense systems can provide protection of up to 10km per channel with controllers available in 2km, 5km or 10km versions, with 1, 2 or 4 sensing channels. Each channel will provide multiple detection zones, offering unlimited protection length, with data available in multiple different formats (fixed/max temperature, average temperature and rate-of-rise). It features an intuitive, user-friendly LCD touchscreen, enabling local programming rather than engineer-led programming.
Alarm, real-time temperature and distance data can be sent via a Modbus communications path to a third-party system, such as SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), for controlling ventilation or extinguishant systems.
The multiple system configurations, choice of fibre-optic cable type, plus a choice of mounting hardware, ensures the ultimate flexibility to cater for all fire-detection applications where Linear Temperature Sensing is the preferred solution, from tunnels, conveyor systems and escalators to power generation, car parks and warehouses.
Iain continues: ‘FibreSense was one of the solutions we showed at the recent Intersec 2022 exhibition and it created a lot of interest. We saw a number of visitors to our stand from India where linear heat detection technology is well established and widely used, particularly in protecting the country’s power-supply infrastructure. They currently use a mix of digital cable (non-resettable) and analogue cable (resettable). The benefits of fibre-optic distributed temperature sensing and its particular suitability for protecting critical infrastructure ensures it has excellent potential in this market.
‘We also showed examples from our other fire detection solutions, including Infrared Transit (Conveyor) Heat & Flame Sensors, Thermal Imaging Heat Detection and Special Fire & Safety Control Equipment. This gives us the capability to address a whole range of different fire-safety scenarios with technologies which are specific to an application’s particular requirements.’
Infrared transit heat and flame sensors are designed to provide early warning of potential incidents by detecting heat in products moving along conveyor systems. The 5000 Series features IR temperature sensors which detect ‘hot spots’ in the presence of ambient light. Coal is the most obvious application, but they are also suited to protecting conveyors carrying biomass or recycled waste. The flame sensors in the 5000 Series provide early warning on conveyors carrying such products at temperatures up to 240°C.
Patol’s FireTIR thermal infrared imaging offers real-time temperature monitoring of industrial stockpiles. The images captured by each camera can be divided into specific zones to identify various risks and to establish non-detection sectors. High or low pre-alarm and alarm set temperatures can be programmed for each zone, with camera enclosures available to IP66 or ATEX certification to ensure effective operation in even the most hazardous environments (for applications subject to dust, automatic lens cleaning can be provided). The FireTIR system is based on fixed infrared cameras which measure the viewed surface temperatures in real time, providing data to a user-friendly software interface.
Patol also produces modules, panels and cubicles to meet specific requirements. These range from encapsulated electronics units installed in military vehicles through to multiple bay equipment cabinets integral to the control of facilities such as power stations, process plants and petrochemical sites.
For more information, go to www.patol.co.uk
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