Thermal Fire Detection in the Waste Industry Application

Keith Picton
April 10, 2020

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One of the main problems facing fire detection systems in the UK is exposed/external environments is the unpredictable British weather. Almost every detection system (Smoke, Heat, and even some Flame Detectors) can suffer from reduced effectiveness in varying weather conditions. Common issues can include smoke stratification, temperature fluctuations, and false alarms through direct sunlight on a detector lens.

One exception to this rule is Thermal Fire Detection. This system remains effective almost regardless of the weather conditions. This feature is particularly useful for waste management sites with substantial operations or storage space in open buildings or uncovered areas.

How does it work?

All particles produce a certain amount of infrared radiation, but as the heat rises, the concentration of radiation increases. The camera identifies this increase in radiation, reading it as a rise in heat levels. Operators can configure the fire system to activate the alarm when radiation reaches a certain threshold.

Benefits

Detection Method: Detects hot spots via infrared radiation instead of optical sight and is unaffected by low-visibility conditions. In addition, it doesn’t require 24-7 lighting like Video Smoke Detection, meaning there are fewer long-term running costs.
Detection Speed: The system can detect a sudden rise in temperature and reach a set alarm threshold, alerting the operator to intervene before a minor issue turns into a major fire.To enable quick response, the video feed is transmitted to the central monitoring station, allowing operators to evaluate the situation promptly and take appropriate action.
Installation Options: Unlike other stationary detection methods, the

Drawbacks

Surface-risk Detection Method: Deep-seated fires can build up heat energy without being detected. Also, large stockpiles and bunker walls can obstruct the camera view, reducing its effectiveness if mounted at a diagonal angle.
Type of Analytics: Un-intelligent software, thereby, site processes (e.g., vehicle exhausts, hot waste piles) may trigger false alarms. Heat maps streamed back to the central monitor can sometimes be hard for operators to read, creating confusion and resulting in incorrect action.

Conclusion

Despite the drawbacks listed above, Blazequel regards thermal fire detection as the most effective fire protection system for external environments, as it is reliable, adequate in most weather conditions, and allows you to achieve a pre-emptive alarm before a fire can even break out. Careful system design can largely overcome the ‘blind spot’ issue with wide-lens cameras or a scanning camera system.

For more information read more Fire Detection Thermal Camera. For inquiries and swift assistance contact us on 01234 357357 or email us at sales@dev.blazequel.com.