Video Fire Detection technology detects fires by examining an image from a specialist CCTV camera for signs of fire.
What is Video Fire Detection?
VFD is a revolutionary technology that works in almost any application. This includes outdoors and in areas where high ventilation renders traditional detection systems dysfunctional. Sophisticated detection software ensures that your VFD system is highly reliable and resistant to false alarms caused by your operations. Advanced customisation options during commissioning allow us to fine tune the system around your unique requirements. Therefore, we can set different detection parameters to areas that potentially cause false alarms due to processes taking place.
Insurance companies are becoming increasingly aware of the improved protection offered by using VFD. At times some will offer substantial reductions in insurance premiums in applications where VFD systems have been installed.
Depending upon your requirements and application, you can have just flame detection, flame and smoke detection or flame, smoke and thermal imaging detection. We can assist you in choosing the best solution for your requirements. To ensure you get a solution that exactly meets your own unique requirements contact us today.
Why is VFD great for Waste Recycling Environments?
VFD is ideal for a huge range of waste recycling applications:
- Very fast detection of a fire – usually between 4-20 seconds.
- As the VFD system operates like a CCTV system, you can view and visually confirm the detected risk from your computer/control room. This ensures that no time is wasted in taking the appropriate action to deal with the fire.
- It is suitable in outdoor or highly ventilated areas.
- A single camera can cover a wide area, ensuring the system remains affordable and is easy to install and maintain.
- Hybrid VFD systems can also act as thermal imaging cameras, rolling the two functions into one. Visit page 21 to find out more about the benefits of thermal imaging.
Video Fire Detection FAQ’s
- What happens to my site protection if my VFD server crashes?
This depends upon the type of VFD system you have in place. We recommend using cameras that have all the detection technology built into the camera itself and have their own power supply – this way even if the server relaying the visual image is not functioning, the individual cameras will still be detecting fires and sending the fire signal to the alarm system.
- Can my VFD cameras be linked into my existing CCTV System?
Yes, this is usually achievable. The visual image can run through your DVR to be viewed through the same system and linked to remote monitoring stations if necessary.
- Can I convert my CCTV system into VFD to cut costs?
Yes, depending upon the quality and compatibility of your CCTV system. A specialist VFD server will be linked into your CCTV system to monitor the visual images from the camera for signs of smoke and flame.
- Will vehicles with hot exhausts moving around my facility trigger the thermal or IR detection on my VFD System (depending on the type of camera)?
No, the VFD systems will only detect a flickering flame. A heat source will not trigger the fire detection system on its own without other visual characteristics of the flame being present.
- Will Dust or Steam trigger my VFD System?
Only if smoke detection is being used, in which case it depends upon the environment and the sensitivity of the smoke detection functionality.
- Will my VFD system work in low light conditions?
Light conditions will not affect thermal or flame detection. However, most video smoke detection systems will not work in low light.
- I don’t think VFD will work for me because…
If you feel that VFD will be unreliable in your application, please speak to us. During commissioning we can customise almost any aspect of the detection system to increase its reliability around the processes taking place.
