Automatic heat or fire detection and extinguishing solutions

In the past years the industry has seen an advancement in fire detection capabilities and a growing awareness for automatic and remote-controlled extinguishing solutions. With the risk of fires being a continued concern in various industries, solutions to extinguish these fires in the early stages of development are imperative. In this article, differing detection systems will be discussed, with a focus on coupled automatic extinguishing solutions such as remote-controlled fire monitors. 

To allow a fire to develop it needs an ignition source (heat), fuel (material that can burn), and an oxidizing agent (usually oxygen), combined in the right mixture. In the first stage of a fire (incipient stage) there will only be non-flaming smoldering with the creation of heat and a limited amount of smoke, if any. Unless we have a surface incident there will not be any flames.

In the following stages the amount of heat created will increase and smoke will continuously develop to a wider extent. Only after some time will flames develop, that will ultimately also show on the surface as flames. Depending on the type of material burning the color of the smoke and flames will differ. With time, sufficient oxygen and fuel the fire will develop and grow. 

Only when either the oxygen or the fuel is depleted, the fire will decay.  This can either happen naturally, or through extinguishing efforts. The earlier a developing fire is detected and the extinguishing efforts commence, the easier it will be to control and extinguish the fire hazard. 

Various kinds of fire detection systems have been developed over the years. Basically, we can differentiate between three types of fire signatures with their corresponding detection methods. 

• Heat
• Flame
• Smoke

All detectors have in common, that they are designed to detect, but not control a fire, although fire detection and extinguishing can be combined. The simplest version of a combined system is a conventional sprinkler, a more complex solution is a hot-spot detection system with automatic pinpoint placement of water, wetting agent or foam. 

heat detection

A basic form of heat detection can be done via Spot or Linear Heat Detectors. They provide fast and reliable detection of overheating. The system consists of at least one temperature sensor or one length of heat sensing cable and a controller. The temperature sensors are installed above or around the area to be monitored. The heat sensing cables are installed along or around the area to be monitored. When an overheat event occurs, the temperature of the spot sensor or the cable increases. Once it reaches a predefined temperature, the controller reports an event to the fire alarm control panel. Dependent on system type and setup a general alarm can be given, or the control panel can provide an accurate location of where the overheat event was detected. Due to air movement, it is possible that the site of the overheating and the location of the alarm does not match exactly.

In modern, advanced fire detection installations heat detection is achieved through thermal imaging by using infrared (IR) detection technology. In contrast to detecting smoke or a fire, the environment is monitored for radiated heat. By continuously monitoring a specific point or area and measuring the actual radiated heat, or analyzing the increase in temperature, fires can be detected, even if they have not yet developed a visual flame or reached the surface of a pile. The rise of hot gases and the consecutive heating of materials generally is sufficient to allow a fire or be detected. Usually, temperatures of 80°C are considered strong indicators of a fire. Heat monitoring of an object with an infrared early fire-detection system means a fire may be identified in its incipient (formation) phase.

flame detection

A flame detector is a camera that is designed to detect the radiation that is emitted by a flame. Depending on the sensors used, different types of fires can be detected. As with infrared detection systems specific zones or wider areas can be monitored. As with smoke detectors, the fire detectors raise an alarm once a fire has been detected. Dependent on the utilized software for analysis, the location or area of a flame can be determined. 

As an alternative to the detection of radiated heat, video flame detection can be used. Video flame detection generally consists of a digital video camera coupled with a computer running video analytic software which can recognize flames in the image.

smoke detection

Smoke detectors are devices that detect particles in the air. During the development of a fire smoke is created, which will contain various differing particles that can be sensed. Smoke detectors can either be devices that air streams through, or they can be aspirated, which means that the system draws air through a network of pipes and uses a central detection unit. Aspirated units can typically detect smoke before it is visible to the naked eye.

Smoke detectors are mainly installed under the ceiling to monitor complete halls or sections of a big area. Especially passive smoke detectors generally require a large amount of smoke to trigger an alarm. Another possibility for smoke detection is the use of video smoke detection. Video smoke detection generally consists of a digital video camera coupled with a computer running video analytic software which can recognize smoke in the image. The systems can monitor large volumes to look for visible indications of a fire. 

The main extinguishing systems used in facilities that utilize fire detection systems are deluge systems and firefighting monitors. Dependent on the goods that must be extinguished, water, wetting agent or foam can be used as an extinguishing agent. As mentioned above, a special and likely the most common used automatic detection and extinguishing system is a sprinkler system. 

Sprinkler systems

Sprinkler systems are mainly used indoors and are generally water-filled. A fire's heat will activate individual sprinkler heads that will release extinguishing water onto the area below it. If the fire spreads, additional sprinkler heads are activated to extend the extinguishing capability. Each sprinkler head is designed to protect an area of several square meters. Large areas are exposed to the extinguishing water when several sprinkler heads are activated, and the system usually must be manually deactivated. Depending on the distance between the fire and the sprinkler heads, they may be triggered too late to successfully extinguish the fire. They are mainly used in areas with low ceilings. 

Sprinkler systems can alternatively be filled with a foam premix that generates extinguishing foam once released. The premix is made using specially designed proportioning systems, such as the GEN III water motor-driven proportioning pumps made by FireDos. They are especially suited for sprinkler systems due to the low minimum flow requirement when only a small number of sprinklers are activated and the big spread in water flow needed when all sprinklers may be open.

Sprinkler systems are not designed to be used with external fire detection systems, unless each sprinkler head is equipped with its own remote-controlled valve.

deluge systems

Deluge systems are sprinkler systems with open nozzles. They can be manually operated or may be equipped with remote-controlled valves that are triggered by heat, flame or smoke detections systems. On activation, extinguishing will occur in the complete pre-designed section of a larger area. As with sprinkler systems, deluge systems are typically used indoors. 

Firefighting monitors

Firefighting monitors, like the distinctive octagonal 'Oval Flat Design' from FireDos, are designed for indoor or outdoor use. When a fire is detected, they are either manually operated or can be remotely or automatically controlled. Fire monitors allow precise positioning of fire extinguishing media (water, foam or wetting agent) on a hot spot from a safe distance. When using appropriate software, automatic remote controlled fire monitors can place water on the hot spot identified by the detection system.                     

Dependent on the fire extinguishing system setup, it is possible to switch between water, wetting agent and foam. Firefighting monitors are optimally suited to be combined with detection systems to form an automatic fire extinguishing system. 

Check the following video for a FireDos M2 in action in a recycling plant: 

If the fire extinguishing system is automated, triggered by heat, smoke or fire detection, a deluge system may be activated, flooding the complete area. Alternatively, a fire monitor could automatically direct the extinguishing agent using a pre-programmed spray pattern in a pre-defined area. Deactivation of the extinguishing system is mainly done manually. 

If a detection system is used that can pinpoint a hotspot or a flame and can relay the coordinates to a remote-controlled monitor, the monitor can accurately direct water or foam to the exact location. A pre-programmed spray pattern may be used, but generally the area targeted will be much smaller than when using a detection system that can only determine a fire in bigger area. Deactivation may be manual, or the fire monitor can be automatically turned off after a defined extinguishing time. The hotspot or flame detection will continue and restart the extinguishing process when and where necessary.

Automatic heat or fire detection and extinguishing solutions allow a very much faster response in the event of a fire to reduce damage and property loss. When evaluating the installation of a fire extinguishing system, a significant part of the process is to determine the best approach for firefighting with an analysis of the premises to assess the best positions for detectors and fire protection devices. Optimum placement of the devices minimizes the quantity of components needed and the overall cost. 

Although the initial investment cost may be higher than for traditional methods, by focusing on early detection and smart, precise extinguishing, rather than extended firefighting, plant owners and operators can reduce reoccurring costs and facility shutdowns can be reduced and the total cost of operation optimized.