PLANT MANAGEMENT
FIGHTING FIRE F
An in-depth look at the history of flame detection in high-risk environments
HD vision-based flame detectors perform in high-risk environments
ire detection has advanced from basic heat and smoke sensors to modern visual flame detection systems.
Developed in Scotland and improved over 30 years, today’s HD vision- based flame detectors from Micropack are designed to perform in high-risk environments like FPSOs, refineries, and chemical plants. As industries grow, ensuring early and
accurate fire detection remains crucial for safety and operational efficiency. Traditional fire detection methods often lead to false alarms or missed real fires. Visual flame detection changed this by providing a smarter, more targeted solution. Just like Tesla’s self-driving technology detects obstacles; and iPhones use facial recognition to unlock securely, Micropack’s flame detectors use vision-based technology to identify flames while filtering out false alarms. This intelligent flame detection system
cuts false alarms and integrates seamlessly with industrial fire and gas systems.
EARLY FLAME DETECTION METHODS Fire detection originally relied on heat, smoke, and infrared (IR) sensors. These methods had major drawbacks:
Heat sensors: Too slow to detect flames early.
Smoke detectors: Only work in enclosed areas with slow-burning fires.
IR and IR3 flame detectors: Prone to false alarms from hot surfaces and reflected radiation.
IR detectors improved detection
times but couldn’t distinguish between real fires and background heat, leading to frequent false alarms. This created demand for a smarter detection approach.
Seamless integration: Visual flame detectors now integrate with fire and gas safety systems like the Consilium SMIG System, providing real-time insights into fire risk areas.
THE BIRTH OF VISUAL FLAME DETECTION Visual flame detection (VFD) changed fire safety by using image processing to identify flame patterns based on movement, shape, and spectral properties. In 1996, Micropack introduced the
FDS101, the world’s first visual flame detector, ‘setting the foundation for today’s advanced systems. This marked a major shift from heat-based detection to a vision-based approach, reducing false alarms while maintaining high sensitivity to real fires. The FDS301 further improved
accuracy by using real-time video processing, allowing operators to visually confirm fire alarms. These early innovations paved the way for today’s HD vision-based flame detectors.
CONTRIBUTING TO VISUAL FLAME DETECTION Micropack has continuously refined its flame detection technology, making it more reliable and consistent in challenging environments. Key developments include:
MAVIS (Machine Vision Algorithm for Intelligent Sensing): A highly developed vision algorithm that detects flames while filtering out false alarms from flare reflections, hot exhausts, and process heat sources.
Event recording and verification: Live video footage lets operators instantly verify alarms, reducing unnecessary shutdowns and improving response times.
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