Early Fire Detection Systems Help Manufacturers Avoid Costly Problems
Two-hundred workplace fires ignite every day in the US alone1, damaging infrastructure, endangering lives, and costing US businesses in excess of $328 billion annually.
The consequences of these fires include infrastructure damage, endangered lives, and the loss of vital assets. So, how can companies protect both workers and property from these devastating impacts?
In industrial environments, heat buildup is unavoidable. Whether the cause is mechanical, electrical, chemical, environmental, or related to volatile substances such as combustible dust or waste materials, any manufacturing facility could see incidences of heat accumulation and its potential to spark fires.
Most fire systems are designed to contain a fire once it starts, leaving the facility vulnerable to major damage if fire crews don't reach the flames in time.
A system that allows companies to avoid fires or stop them in their tracks can save lives, save money, and prevent downtime.
TACKLING FIRES WITH THE HELP OF THERMAL SENSORS
Many companies protect their assets by installing fixed-mount thermal imaging cameras to monitor electrical systems, motors, and flammable materials.
These cameras watch for temperature increases, catching the rising heat before the target combusts.
Because thermal imagers rely on infrared instead of visible light, these cameras can provide coverage day or night, regardless of the lighting conditions.
An automated thermal camera with pan-tilt capabilities monitors for potential signs of heat build-up.
THE ADVANTAGES OF EFD
True early fire detection (EFD) offers more than a thermal image of hot spots. These crucial thermal sensor systems provide rapid temperature data updates that can trigger alarms when the heat spikes dangerously, allowing companies to safeguard materials or turn off equipment that could cause or spread a fire. The most intuitive and intelligent systems can identify patterns and even predict that a fire is about to ignite.
EFD systems can be configured to trigger once a pre-set threshold has been reached or exceeded. This adaptability is important, as the cause for concern will be different for almost every facility and every environment. Many of these systems can also factor in the ambient heat emissivity of the location, materials, personnel, and vehicles to avoid prematurely raising the alarm.
NO SECTOR IS IMMUNE TO FIRE
For example, the production hall of meat producer Dovecote Park in Yorkshire, UK, operates 24/7 with machinery that increases the risk of fire incidents. To mitigate this, they invested in EFD technology from FLIR, installing multiple fixed thermal cameras in the roof voids of their main production hall.
All critical devices, including motors, pumps, electrical cabinets, and distribution boards, are installed in the roof void to keep it separate from the food-grade factory floor yet still close enough to efficiently power the machinery below.
To mitigate concerns about heat build-up from this machinery, Dovecote Park invested in EFD technology from FLIR, working with FLIR partner, Business Insight 3 (Bi3), and system integrator WRS Solutions, to get more than 30 FLIR FH-Series R cameras installed within the roof voids.
The FH-Series R is a ruggedized, multispectral fixed camera offering both thermal and visual output for rapid, early fire detection and 4K visual verification of the incident as it unfolds.
When the camera detects a hot spot or any temperature that exceeds a predefined threshold, the FH-Series R sends an audio/visual alert through a connected Video Management System (VMS) to the company’s security operators. This allows for rapid response and visual verification of incidents as they unfold.
PROOF OF CONCEPT
Beyond preventing physical damage and business loss, these cameras also protect a brand's reputation, especially in competitive markets such as food production. By being proactive in equipment maintenance, businesses can avoid costly disruptions.
For instance, Dovecote Park avoided two potential incidents in one year alone, thanks to their thermal imaging system. One incident involved a motor bearing that had started to overheat; the other was a steam pipe that broke down. FLIR cameras picked up both incidents, preventing extensive damage and work stoppages while ensuring worker safety.
In summary, investing in early fire detection using thermal imaging and fixed thermal cameras is a cost-effective way to safeguard infrastructure, protect lives, and maintain business continuity.
Failing circuit breakers discovered by a FLIR thermal EFD solution.
From monitoring production lines at factories to safeguarding national forests, fire detection and prevention is paramount to on-site safety. Download this guidebook to learn more about the challenges fire presents to facilities and the solutions you can take to stop them from ever igniting in the first place.
Learn more about Dovecote Park, Business Insight 3 (Bi3), and WRS Solutions.
1 According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
