Fire detection solutions for industrial applications

Rooms for administrative work or research are often located close to the heart of industrial businesses – production lines and storage facilities which house potential sources of ignition and combustion. This makes office staff, resources and equipment vulnerable if a fire breaks out or if an explosion occurs, especially as computers, paper and fabric-covered furniture would all exacerbate the spread of fire.

Solutions:
AVENAR fire panels and the AVENAR 4000 detector series are ideal for maintaining safety in these areas. They offer rapid detection of smoke and fire so alerts are raised promptly and reliably with minimal false alarms. Bosch fire systems are forward and backward compatible which makes installation, maintenance and updates quick and easy.

To avoid the hazards of wires and cables dangling from ceilings or across work areas, they are often packed above false ceiling tiles or below false floors. This, however, limits the kind of fire safety solutions that can be fitted and maintained in these areas. Point detectors cannot be used as adequate clearing spaces are needed around them so they function effectively. Yet these tight spaces can easily ignite due to electrical sources and trapped dust.

Solutions:
Two types of detectors work well in confined spaces without any clearing space requirements. The first are aspirating smoke detectors which, thanks to two integrated isolators, even maintain LSN loop functions in case of wire interruptions or short circuits. The second are linear heat detectors. These are configured with an IP 65 rated enclosure, making them fully functional even in tough environmental conditions.

Continual movement of conveyor belts, robots and other machinery can cause overheating. This may result in smoldering, with high risks of ignition. An instant response to this ignition is vital, especially in the presence of power points, kindling materials and other fire hazards in factory and storage rooms.

Solutions:
Bosch linear heat detectors and point heat detectors are fitted with an internal temperature gauge. Continual monitoring ensures alerts are raised if temperatures exceed or rise in faster gradients than limits set within the device.

Production operations can also produce high volumes of dust, especially those handling dry or powdered raw materials. This accumulates on fire detectors, confusing the sensors, and sets off unwanted alarms. To avoid this, and to ensure continued operation and reliability, all fire safety equipment must be simple to maintain and clean.

Solutions:
AVENAR 4000 detectors feature a dust-repellent labyrinth and cap construction. This prevents dust buildup and other physical contamination which could cause false alarms. The detectors are also configured for predictive maintenance. Information is sent to safety managers automatically in case too much dust settles on them, so they can be cleaned before a false alarm is triggered. The chamber maid plug of AVENAR 4000 provides easy access for cleaning the optical chamber with compressed air. Bosch aspirating smoke detectors with filters prevent dust and dirt from accumulating, making them highly reliable. The slim design of invisible detectors is also suitable for production environments as they do not gather excessive dust on their exterior.

Unplanned downtime in manufacturing and similar industries is inconvenient for projected output quantities and tight delivery deadlines – and thus extremely cost-intensive. There have been multiple studies, including Aberdeen Strategy and Research* estimating losses of around 260,000 USD per hour with as many as 82% of manufacturing firms having experienced downtime in recent years. Yet false alarms are often triggered not only by dust buildup. Electrical machinery and electronic devices on industrial plants create electromagnetic disturbance values which also risk disruption to production and other operations.
*aberdeen.com

Solution:
The eSmog feature of AVENAR 4000 fire detectors is electromagnetic-compatible. The detector is therefore informed of disturbance values from sources such as equipment, which greatly reduces the risk of false alarms and subsequent downtime and evacuations.

Metalwork activities like welding, soldering or casting, or even the use of flame grills in mass food production, can produce smoke and vapors. This makes the use of traditional smoke detectors in these environments ineffective as a fire safety measure.

Solutions:
Where open flames are not present as part of the manufacturing process, flame detectors can be applied. They reliably respond to light emitted by flames in a fire or during combustion thanks to combined filters, signal processing techniques and infrared wavelengths. Alternatively, Bosch linear heat detectors or point heat detectors can be integrated to respond whenever temperature thresholds are exceeded or in case of sudden rises in temperature. Another, cutting-edge, protection solution is AVIOTEC video-based detection. The intelligent algorithms of this system can be configured to detect flames or smoke unrelated to standard work processes at their source within seconds, making them faster than any traditional solution.

Industrial facilities, such as factory rooms, warehouses or storage areas, typically have high ceilings. Classic smoke detectors fail to alert quickly enough in case of fire if they are fitted to these ceilings. Any smoke or smoldering would take valuable minutes to travel to their sensors. By time an alarm is triggered, business assets could already be consumed by flames.

Solutions:
Bosch beam detectors can be installed at varying heights and thus detect a fire much faster – but these cannot be used for floor-to-ceiling shelving as the stored goods and shelves inhibit their ability to function effectively. Aspirating smoke detectors can protect shelving areas vertically and react rapidly in case of fire. AVIOTEC video-based flame and smoke detection is also an optimal solution with the scope and speed of detection it offers. It can be installed to monitor large areas around the clock at different heights and detect a fire at its source within seconds.

Outdoor structures built as an extension of storage space are popular due to lower costs and convenience. They are, however, exposed to the elements. Strong sunlight on paper-based materials can kindle or smolder. Overheating could also cause combustion in the presence of high-pressure vessels or some chemicals. Windy conditions affect the efficacy of some fire detection solutions yet, combined with a source of sparks or smoldering, even a breeze has the potential to ignite a fire.

Solution:
AVIOTEC Outdoor can be installed exactly where other surveillance cameras are fitted on the ceilings and frames of semi-covered constructions. AVIOTEC cameras therefore provide all-in-one, 24/7 monitoring for signs of flames and smoke, as well as keeping watch for vandals, arsonists or other intruders. The smart algorithms of AVIOTEC can instantly differentiate between harmless events, like a person walking past in high-vis clothing, and real fire. This makes them extremely robust against false alerts and provides a reliable solution for safety outside where no other exists.

Refrigerated warehouses or large-scale freezers used in the food and beverage, chemical and pharmaceutical industries may not be considered as a fire risk at first due to their low temperatures. However, safety professionals know that flammable materials burn more rapidly in dry, icy conditions. Electrical points or flammable substances like alcohol in these spaces help a fire spread quickly or cause explosions. The challenge for fire safety is that not all solutions work effectively in such low temperatures.

Solution:
With suitable configuration, Bosch aspirating smoke detectors are quick to detect signs of fire in cold storage areas. AVIOTEC is also highly effective down to temperatures as low as -20 degrees.

In industrial environments where the presence of airborne and other contaminants must be prohibited, such as the production of food or medication, obligatory fire safety measures must also comply with imposed regulations for cleanliness and hygiene.

Solution:
Bosch invisible fire detectors are ultra-slim and therefore do not gather dust and dirt to the extreme of other devices. Any unavoidable dust which does settle can be cleaned away easily from their slender surfaces.

Some industries require the use of combustible substances, or certain processes combine different materials and conditions which together carry a high risk of explosion. Not all fire monitoring equipment can be relied upon in these zones as, for instance, the first of several explosions may damage sensors and alarm functionality. Total damage could occur with no alarm having been triggered. Robust, Ex-Zone-compatible equipment is vital.

Solution:

Bosch explosion-proof smoke, heat and flame detectors, plus call points, continue to work effectively in these challenging conditions, thus providing a reliable safety solution.

Some production and storage areas pose special challenges for site safety. The release of some gases, including methane and carbon monoxide, pose risks to human health. If they ignite or are present when a fire takes hold, their toxic fumes would be dispersed rapidly. Combustible chemical dusts also have the potential to start a fire and emit harmful vapors.

Solution:
Specialized detectors like carbon monoxide monitors can be integrated in the customizable fire protection products by Bosch. All-in-one fire, smoke and gas detection solutions ensure safety in all potentially hazardous scenarios.