Next-generation video-based flame and smoke detection

Many fire safety systems generate too many false alarms due to their sensors wrongly picking up signs of fire. Smoke alarms are triggered by steam, vapors or cigarette fumes. Optical sensors can mistake bright colors for flames. Sometimes human error or maintenance delays are to blame. Dust contamination or moisture can hinder the efficacy of detectors, for instance. All nuisance alarms resulting in downtime and evacuations come at a high cost to business. And they are dangerous. Too many false alarms may lead to complacency and real fires being ignored.

Solution 1

• The installation position and the robust housing lower maintenance efforts and increase reliability
• With AVIOTEC operators can verify alarms via live video footage before triggering an external alarm

When using traditional surveillance cameras or legacy video-based fire detectors, the possibility to differentiate between harmless events and real fires depends on either human vigilance or the setup of specific physical algorithms. However, both have their limits, plus many older systems produce only grainy visuals, especially outdoors in overcast conditions or at night. Humidity, frost and fog may generate condensation on camera lenses so any ignition or smoldering will not be identified quickly enough.

Solution 2

• AVIOTEC offers 4MP resolution for sharp images even in full darkness with 0 lux together with the integrated IR illumination
• The motorized lens that can be easily configured makes sure that no details get lost

Protecting people and valuable business assets from potential harm on large premises with very specific safety requirements is a huge challenge. Often, there is a complex mix of old and new buildings with different infrastructure and technology in place. For comprehensive 24/7 monitoring, an intelligent, highly customized safety system with all compatible accessories would need to be installed. It must spot any source of flames, smoke, sparks and smoldering instantly. It should provide reliability at different heights and angles, in and around every building, even in pitch darkness, so emergency personnel can respond rapidly to halt its spread and prevent destruction.

Solution 3

• AVIOTEC offers reliable detection directly at the source within seconds
• AVIOTEC comes in an all-in one solution comprising housing, IR illumination and installation brackets allowing a customization without additional accessories

False alarms can be an issue for traditional fire detectors requiring frequent maintenance. There could be an alert due to detector pollution or system failure from electromagnetic disturbances. Being more independent from these maintenance issues would save an immense amount of time and resources. And regular business could continue, avoiding the substantial costs and inconvenience of halts in business continuity.

Solution 4

• AVIOTEC’s all-in-one solution including a protective housing reduces regular cleaning and maintenance cycles
• The integrated tamper detection warns in time regarding lens pollution as well as lens covering and tilted camera

Industrial premises for production or waste management with machinery and electrical appliances in continual operation pose a constant threat of overheating. Hazardous substances, including residues left in recyclable vessels, may be flammable or combustible, adding to the high risk of a fire spreading quickly in the event of ignition or explosion. Furthermore, they could release harmful emissions if a fire breaks out. Depending on which materials are burning, smoke could appear prominently as jet black or translucent and thus hard for some sensors or cameras to identify.

Production facilities rely on the constant delivery of manufacturing materials from suppliers – with the risk of business or end customers choosing alternatives whenever there are bottlenecks. Freight and logistics companies are therefore under high pressure to keep their sites moving with robots and forklifts loading goods onto delivery vehicles and storage pallets, ready for collection. Online shops and postal services also depend on the efficient flow of packaging, stacking, collection and delivery. Delivery packages with diverse contents or finished products are typically stacked on high shelving in outdoor constructions adjacent to main processing areas. This risks their exposure to strong sunlight and wind gusts – and even faint smoldering can be the start of a devastating fire.

Parking lots are usually half-open, multi-storey constructions. Besides housing many gas-filled combustion-engine cars, an increasing number of electric vehicles (EV) could be parked on site. Some parking areas also have EV charging points as part of their infrastructure. Electrical sources such as these, lighting, pay point machines and automatic barriers, combined with highly combustible benzene pose immense fire hazards. In dry conditions, dust can accumulate which could combust if a gust of wind sweeps in from the parking lot’s open perimeter. Safety managers must take every precaution to ensure an instant reaction to any sign of overheating or sparks to avert a catastrophe.

Frequent movement of luggage conveyors, airstairs, airport buggies and delivery vehicles risk collisions at every airport. All this occurs while airplanes of varying dimensions, equipped with electrical sources, are tanked up with highly flammable fuel ready for their next flights. Fire risks are therefore extremely high. Even a short-lived fire would necessitate a partial halt in operations to ensure everyone’s safety and to investigate the source and any damage. High-value or even unique aircraft stored in hangars are at risk, especially if the vessel is fully tanked, fuel is stored there or if maintenance work is carried out. High ceilings, however, make classic detectors ineffectively slow to react as such devices rely on smoke migrating to them before an alarm is triggered.