Posts in category: Fire Detection

Recycling and waste sites are places prone to huge fire hazards due to some potentially flammable materials, inherent risks during disposal process as well as other environmental factors. In particular, battery-related waste fires have become a growing challenge facing the global recycling and waste management sector today. A new report jointly produced by Eunomia and the Environmental Services Association (ESA) estimates that of all the average 300 waste fires in UK each year, approximately 48% are believed to have been caused by Lithium-ion batteries, with a total annual cost of about £158 million.

Considering the destructive consequences of waste fires on both the environment and society, an early detection solution is crucial for fire prevention and early fire control. However, traditional detection technologies and devices such as smoke detectors (video, laser, etc.) often detect the fire source only after it has already developed, making it difficult to control and extinguish the fire in time. Therefore, a new technology is needed to realize early detection of fire source.

As a world-leading video-centric smart IoT solution and service provider, Dahua Technology adopts the latest thermal technology to empower its economical Eureka Series – Thermal Mini Hybrid Camera with early fire source detection function. Together with on-site alarm linkage, overheating detection, smoking behavior detection, equipment condition monitoring and other intelligent features, this series provides a proactive entry-level fire prevention solution for waste operators and plant owners.

Early Heat Source Detection

Equipped with a “thermal eye”, the Dahua Eureka Series can find what traditional surveillance cameras can’t see: heat source. Based on temperature measurement, this high-performance thermal camera can detect a potential fire hazard, such as sudden temperature rise or abnormal temperature exceeding a given threshold (e.g. 80°C). By giving early warning signals, it can help prevent occurrence of fire and allow timely response before a fire develops and spreads.

Real-time Fire Signature Alert

The Dahua Eureka series activates the alarm as soon as an abnormal temperature is detected. It is significantly earlier and faster than a regular smoke detector alarm, especially in a relatively large space where the smoke takes a long time to reach the top. Combined with the built-in active deterrence system of the camera, the on-site personnel will also be notified in time through white light and audible alarm.

Visual Fire Source Location

By utilizing the powerful penetration ability of thermal technology, the Dahua Eureka series can accurately spot the location of the fire source even when surrounded by smoke. It can clearly capture images showing the temperature distribution and hot spots in the monitored scene. These thermal images guide on-site personnel in efficiently extinguishing the fire source before it spreads out of control.

Smoking Behavior Detection

For smoking behavior inside waste transfer stations, traditional cameras and detectors are unlikely to detect cigarette smoking and warn the smoker in time because the smoke is too small. The Dahua Eureka Series thermal camera adopts deep-learning algorithm that can identify suspicious smoking behavior by analyzing human postures and cigarette temperature. In addition, the camera uses white light and audible alarms as active deterrents to directly warn the detected smoker.

Machinery Overheating Detection

The Dahua Eureka series is also suitable for continuously tracking and monitoring the heat and temperature of conveyor, bearing, motor as well as other equipment to ensure the safe operation of waste stations and factories. When machinery overheating is detected, an alarm will be activated and sent to relevant personnel to inform them of any possible malfunction and fire risk.

All-weather 24/7 Monitoring

Featuring perimeter protection, the Dahua Eureka series can automatically detect and locate intrusion and other possible threats in a variety of harsh environments in real time, and can capture clear images even in total darkness. It provides 24/7 uninterrupted monitoring for waste facilities and factories generally located in remote areas with poor surrounding light condition, which fully improves the overall security level in the area.

As an entry-level product of the Dahua thermal family, the Eureka Series serves as a cost-effective early detection system for fire risks. Its long-distance detection capability enables it to measure temperatures ranging from 1-15 meters, which is ideal for large and spacious indoor facilities such as waste transfer stations, warehouses and plants. In addition to fire prevention, it can also be used to detect vessels and people in bodies of water, cell phone usage at gas stations as well as a wide range of small and medium-sized business applications.

C-TEC has released an updated version of its market-leading NC951 accessible toilet alarm kit.

Stylish, compact and very cost-effective, the new-look kit contains everything you need to create a BS8300 clause compliant single zone emergency assistance system for any building. In addition to allowing distressed people to raise an alarm in the event of an emergency, it also includes a ‘Call Accept’ function to allow staff to send an intermittent call acknowledgment signal inside the WC compartment to confirm help is on the way.

Encased in smaller, environmentally friendly packaging, the kit now features an updated NC807C pull cord unit that can be mounted on a ceiling or wall dependent on the application.

C-TEC’s Sales Manager, Brian Foster, said: “The re-packaging and added versatility of our market-leading NC951 is testament to our commitment to continuously refining and improving existing products. We believe this new version will prove very popular especially as we have kept the cost of the product the same.”

Currently celebrating its 40^th Anniversary, C-TEC is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of world-class life-safety systems. The company’s latest innovations include CAST, its new own-protocol fire detection and alarm system, Hush, a revolutionary new BS 5839-6 Grade C domestic fire alarm system and EVAC-ALERT, a new evacuation alert system designed to meet the exact requirements of the new BS 8629:2019.

For more information, visit www.c-tec.com.

Industrial fire detection specialist Patol has introduced a new Fibre Optic linear heat detection cable (LHDC) and controller suite to 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 electro-magnetic (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 electro-magnetic 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 new FibreSense products, we are able to offer an option which not only draws on the existing benefits that LHDC offers, but also extend them.”

The new FibreSense systems can provide protection of up to 10 kilometres 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.

Bosch has introduced a new range of signaling devices, the Avenar all-in-one 4000, that combines visual and audible alarms in a single unit. Optionally, any fire detectors from the Avenar family can also be combined with the signaling device in one unit, creating a cost- and space-saving complete solution that significantly reduces installation and maintenance effort. The signaling devices are certified to EN54-3 and EN54-23 category C, for ceiling mounting, and W, for wall mounting. Due to IP 42 protection they are suitable for almost all indoor applications.

Up to 125 devices on one ring bus

Avenar all-in-one 4000 features a low power consumption of 865 µA, allowing up to 125 devices to be installed on just one ring bus. The devices do not require complex and expensive E-30 cabling to ensure functional integrity and uninterrupted alarming in the event of a bus failure. This is possible thanks to the integrated battery with a service life of up to 10 years.

“With up to 125 devices on one ring, we are defining a new category in fire protection,” comments Sebastian Wehr, product manager at Bosch Building Technologies. “For planners, installers and operators, this opens up completely new possibilities and significant savings potential.”

Focus on usability

While developing Avenar all-in-one 4000, Bosch placed particular emphasis on ease of installation and handling as well as flexible deployment options. For example, the signaling devices can be pre-assembled and are equipped with plug-in terminals, which significantly simplifies and speeds up installation compared to screw terminals. For different areas of application, users can choose between three intensities for both visual and audible alarms. Optionally, any fire detector of the Avenar family can be combined with the signal transmitter. This allows fire detectors to be replaced separately as part of maintenance if required, even without replacing the signaling device, saving operating and maintenance costs.

Wide range of applications

The combination of visual and audible alarms makes Avenar all-in-one 4000 particularly suitable for use in office buildings as well as in buildings with a lot of public traffic. It is in such environments that the new alarm devices really come into their own, as the dual alarm with visual and audible signal enables all persons to be warned – including the elderly or persons with disabilities. Due to the high protection class IP 42, even demanding production environments can be secured.

Avenar all-in-one 4000 is available in four versions – in combinations of red or white housing with red or white LED flashing light for visual alarm. The service life of the battery and detectors are matched to each other, so that no additional maintenance is usually required when the detector is replaced at regular intervals in accordance with the applicable standards. The new devices are integrated into Bosch’s “Safety Systems Designer”, a tool for easy planning of fire alarm systems.