230: Video Fire Detection

Video fire detector, detects smoke clouds and flames based on fire specifications (movement, color, brightness and so on) where conventional detectors are not effective because of heigh altitude or large protection area, smoke stratification, air flow etc.

Vide fire detector consists of below parts:

1. Camera
2. Housing or shield protection against sun, rain and snow
3. Bracket or mounting plate
4. Power supply
5. Connectors
6. Software application (Video Management System) which usually will be imported in the commissioning software of camera

Note:

• Video fire detectors can be connected to central fire alarm panel via relays (Input modules). Relays can transmit the situation of smoke, flame, alarm and fault to the panel.
• Power supply of camera must be monitored through central fire alarm panel.
• Advanced detectors can show the following as well:
  • Out of position (field of view has been changed)
  • Dirty lens
  • Blocked or blurred images
• Video detectors must be immune against false alarms such as lightening, arc welding, rotating beacons and so on.

Design:

1. Designer must check the light condition (Lux: luminous intensity) of the environment and specification of the camera.
   • Lux = Lumen/m2 (Square Meter)
   • Lumen is the amount of light emitted from a source in each second.
2. Selecting the suitable location for installation considering the environmental conditions such as sun or other light resources, wind, dust, humidity, rain, snow and so on.
3. Selecting the field of view.
   • Evaluate the possible smoke flow.
   • Evaluate the possible flame spread.
   • Consider the obstacles.
   • Check the influencing factors such as light sources and air movement.
4. Choosing the proper ethernet and power cables.
5. Choosing the right power supply and battery.

Commissioning:

1. IP Assignment according to manufacturer instructions and available network in the site.
2. Considering the fire alarm panel required information for settings of the output relays.
3. Selecting the smoke and flame alarm settings (sensitivity, delay, fire size etc.) based on the design and situation of the site.

Applications:

• Power plants
• Parking places (especially for electrical cars)
• Power Transformers
• Gas stations
• Museums
• Historic buildings
• Waste re-cycling sites
• Airports