Flame detector manufacturers, continually search to advance detection technologies, to improve performance, distance, reliability and strive to improve false alarm immunity.
Modern technology, both in areas of manufacturing, design and software processing have greatly improved the way in which we are able to design, manufacture and process information from both fire and false alarm stimuli.
The key in designing an optical flame detector is to never miss a fire event, reliability, faster response times, greater detection distances and higher immunity to false alarms. To gain greater detection distances it was accepted within the industry that in doing so was a trade off with an expected increase in false alarms or a slower response time.
Designing a detector with very high immunity to false activations is a very complex process, as most techniques used will have a significant effect on the speed of response and sensitivity of the detector. It is also true that a fire system that generates a frequent number of false activations will cause personnel to, overtime become complacent regarding alarm events and in some extreme cases lead to the system or a particular detector to be placed in bypass. The FlameSpec family of detectors changed that expectation, with increased detection distances, faster response times and significantly improved false alarm immunity.
Detection
The benefits of increasing detection distances and maintaining such a high degree of immunity to false alarm stimuli. For the end user is a cost saving as fewer detectors are required to be installed to cover a large area, because of the increase in detection distance/coverage and with significantly improved false alarm immunity there is less of a requirement to cross vote between detectors covering that same area.
UV-IR Improved Technology Older technology, such as UV-IR detectors had a typical maximum detection range of 60-65 ft and could be prone to false alarm issues when used outdoors. The FlameSpec UV-IR detector incorporates a UV solar blind sensor, has an increased maximum detection range outdoors of 100ft (30m) and maintains a substantially improved level of false alarm immunity over this increased detection distance. Along with these improvements is a faster speed of response to a wide range of fuel sources. e.g. 1 x 1ft gasoline fire at 100ft (30m) in 1.8 seconds.
Video Surveillance
In the last 20 years we have seen a tremendous growth in the use of CCTV Video surveillance, mainly for security but also to monitor high risk processes/areas. There has also been a growth in unmanned sites both onshore and offshore which are required to have video monitoring. With the FlameSpec family of detectors all are available with or without integrated HD (high definition) video. Flame detectors with integrated HD video and integrated into an explosion proof housing, provide detection and surveillance in hazardous areas to monitor, control and address fire and explosive events.
The range of HD video detectors provide clear monitoring of the detection area and personnel with clear imaging of personnel up to 100ft (30m). In the event of a fire or an explosion the detector automatically records video of any fire event (1 minute pre- and up to 3 minutes post alarm initiation). Along with the recorded video the detector also records data to an event logger. This provides the ability for the fire event to be analyzed, for the cause and how the fire developed. The HD video when streamed to a control/monitoring center offers first responders the ability to view and assess the area prior to entering/approaching.
Technology The FlameSpec family of detectors includes: UV-IR models at the 2.7-micron water absorption band for hydrocarbon and hydrogen fires, and UV-IR-F at the 4.3-micron CO2 absorption band for hydrocarbon fires. Historically Hydrogen fires were detected by using UV-IR detectors at short ranges typically less than 40ft. However, in addition to a newly designed IR3 and IR3-HD detectors, the FlameSpec detector range also offers a new detector. IR3-H2 & IR3-H2-HD models for detection of “invisible” Hydrogen Fires, with a long detection range of up to 100ft (30m) and explosion detection in less than 40 milliseconds. All with substantially increased false alarm immunity. Hydrogen fires are invisible to the naked eye, IR3-H2-HD detectors are designed with video filtering, which allows the hydrogen fire to be visible within the video image and to be recorded. This is a significant advantage to site personnel and first responders in locating the source of the hydrogen fire from a safe distance.
Remote Support
The FlameSpec family of detectors, provide the commissioning engineer with the ability to easily configure each detector on site using the communicator software. Today, it is possible to store events (flame or suspicious flame events) in nonvolatile memory. The flame detector can store critical video and raw sensor recordings as well as diagnostic data that is now easily accessible and extractable and can store over 100 events. Direct TCP/IP access as well as RS485 allow for extracting the recorded data and supply security and support personnel with valuable data that can be accessed in real time or at a more convenient time for analysis and diagnostics.
Additionally, with internet access, a detector can be remotely and securely accessed by support personal for real-time analysis. Log files and recordings can be downloaded and immediate support can be given to solve technical field specific problems. To get technical assistance, it is no longer required to remove a detector and send it to a support center. With a commonly available internet connection, it is now possible to connect, download, diagnose and configure a detector to fit a specific field requirement. This is an extremely valuable time saving option that is available across the full range of FlameSpec products.
Technological progress provides for much faster processing and response times but importantly at the same time substantially improving false alarm immunity. The latest detectors were developed tested and approved and include different configurations/types of UV-IR and IR3 flame detectors. All incorporating data/event loggers and all are much faster than detectors in current use.
Flame detectors need to provide for:
The fastest possible response time with 100% positive detection of fire (no misses) in all weather conditions. While maintaining:
- The highest immunity to false alarms in all background illuminations and weather conditions.
- Fast and reliable detection of any type of fuel or gas ignition, outburst of fire, or vapor explosion.
- Reliability in all operating conditions with very high mean-time-between-failure (MTBF).
The industry is agreed the faster the detection of a fire the quicker the extinguishing medium can be deployed, thereby improving the overall outcome to a fire event and greatly reducing the damage and risk. So why wait precious seconds for an alarm by older technology, slower detection speeds or to not be in a position to instantly respond to fuel cloud ignition (in milliseconds) when, today, there are approved faster and better performing Flame detectors that can do just that – with significantly higher immunity to false alarms.
The FlameSpec family provides:
Faster detection time:
- IR3-Ultra-fast Mode detects in 40 milliseconds to Fireballs and Explosions
- Extreme Sensitivity up to 260ft (80m)
- High Immunity to false alarms.
- UV-IR-Ultra-fast Mode detects in 5 milliseconds for Fireballs and Explosions. (faster than any other detector).
- For standard fire at 100ft (30m) within 3.0 seconds and 0-50ft (0-15m) within 1.5 seconds.
- High Immunity to false alarm.
- Data logger: Records over 100 events with operational and video data (1 minute before and up to 3 minutes after the event).
- Continuous High Definition video: Full HD resolution real-time video with clear imaging of fire events at a distance of 100ft (30m).
- LAN Ethernet communication (ONVIF protocol) and RS 485 interface: Enables you to monitor and better address fire events, assess events and reduce unnecessary and costly downtime while conducting remote diagnostics and maintenance.
- Remote Support Access: Enables factory support to the detector at site without the need to remove and return.
Summary
Fire & Gas Detection Technologies FlameSpec detectors have been designed and developed by the original team of engineers that developed the IR3 and UV-IR technologies. The new generation of FlameSpec detectors addresses the fire protection industry challenge to have flame detection with improved accuracy, detection distance and speed of response, high reliability and higher immunity to false alarms. The FlameSpec detectors are the newest approved addition to the industry designed to fulfill this need. Add to this the integrated HD video, real time data logging, visual confirmation on location of fire and secure remote access. The FlameSpec Family, now provides the fire protection industry a significant leap forward in flame detection technology and performance. FlameSpec detectors, “When Every Second Counts”.
For more information, email info@fg-detection.com
Yechiel Spector
