What Are Flame Detectors?
Flame detectors act as the first line of defense against fire damage, setting off the alarm in the fire’s earliest stages.Early detection is critical to minimizing fire damage and loss. Before fire suppression measures go into effect, proper fire identification must first take place. Flame detectors initiate action in this early detection process, playing a major role in ensuring rapid response to structural fires.
In this article, we discuss the types of flame detectors as well as their applications across various industries. Learn which flame detection and fire suppression system is the best option for your organization.
What Are Flame Detectors?
Flame detectors are specialized devices that quickly identify the presence of fire. They act as the first line of defense against fire damage, setting off the alarm in the fire’s earliest stages.
A flame detector (also known as a flame sensor) works by detecting optical radiation that’s emitted by flames. This technology can spot a fire in its beginning phase, enabling faster detection than traditional smoke detectors which rely on detecting particles (ionization), light (photoelectric), or a combination of the two. Flame sensors identify fires before significant amounts of smoke are produced, which is valuable in high-risk environments.
The immediate response of a flame sensor is crucial for high-risk environments where fires spread quickly and cause irreversible damage. However, several types of flame sensors operate and respond to flames differently. It’s important to be aware of the different types of flame detection and the intended use cases.
Types of Flame Detectors
The four main types of flame detection used in fire protection systems include ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR), a combination of UV/IR, and multi-spectrum infrared.
UV Flame Detectors
An ultraviolet (UV) flame detector senses UV radiation emitted by flames. This type of radiation can be detected the moment a fire ignites. Most fires emit UV radiation including fires that typically don’t produce a lot of smoke such as those caused by hydrogen or alcohol.
UV flame sensors are so sensitive that they can detect invisible flames indoors. They also have an immediate response time. However, their detection works best at short distances between 0-50 feet and their sensitivity makes them prone to false alarms. Because of this sensitivity, avoid UV flame detection in areas where welding or intense lighting are common.
IR Flame Detectors
When flames begin to flicker, they emit hot infrared gasses. Infrared (IR) flame sensors identify the wavelengths of these infrared gasses, even through excessive smoke and debris. IR detectors are less sensitive than UV detectors and can sense flames from up to 200 feet away.
An IR flame sensor is ideal for indoor and outdoor settings. Additionally, they’re less prone to false alarms compared to UV detectors, being able to detect a wide range of fuel fires.
UV/IR Flame Detectors
Some flame detection systems combine both ultraviolet and infrared sensing technology for more powerful accuracy. UV/IR sensors operate separately but integrate both signals to minimize false alarms. This enables these flame sensors to sense both hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon fires, which is suitable for facilities that handle various chemicals.
However, UV/IR flame sensors require both UV and IR radiation to be present before triggering the fire alarm. This can be limiting in certain situations where one or the other radiation could be more prevalent.
Multi-Spectrum Infrared Flame Detectors (MSIR)
Multi-spectrum infrared (MSIR) detectors are one of the most advanced and sophisticated types of flame detection. They sense many types of infrared wavelengths to distinguish between radiation produced by flames and radiation produced by non-flame sources.
MSIR flame detection has the strongest immunity against false alarms. Their long detection range and ability to detect multiple fuel types make them ideal for industrial and hazardous areas, both indoors and outdoors.
Use Cases of Flame Detection Across Industries
The type of flame sensor best suited for your operation depends on its industry applications. Here are some specific examples and common use cases of flame sensors.
- Oil and Gas Facilities: Refineries, offshore platforms, and oil pipelines often use MSIR flame detection for long-range detection and minimal false alarms in harsh environments.
- Chemical Processing Plants: UV/IR detectors help distinguish between chemical fires and false alarms from processing equipment.
- Commercial Warehouses: Large open areas typically benefit most from the quick response time of IR flame detection.
- Retail Facilities: UV flame sensors are powerful for retail spaces that need immediate response time to small indoor fires that can quickly become catastrophic.
- Healthcare Facilities: The combination UV/IR flame sensor provides reliable protection in sensitive, highly trafficked medical environments.
- Food and Beverage Facilities: IR flame sensors respond quickly to dangerous kitchen fires while minimizing false alarms from regular cooking-related heat sources.
- Power Generation Plants: Both conventional and renewable energy facilities use MSIR to safeguard complex infrastructures.
The primary benefit of flame detection technology in these environments is its ability to identify fires rapidly, often within seconds, allowing for swift response and minimizing potential damage. To find the best type of flame detection system for your building, talk to a fire prevention specialist.
Maintenance and Testing of Flame Detection Systems
No matter what type of flame sensor you install, regular maintenance and testing are critical for ensuring reliability and accuracy. Best practices for optimal performance include:
- Conduct regular visual inspections for physical damage or obstructions to the flame sensor.
Maintain regular cleaning of optical surfaces. - Schedule routine fire alarm testing by using appropriate test methods.
- Initiate periodic calibration as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Document all maintenance and test activities to comply with fire safety standards and ensure operability.
Proper fire maintenance and testing are essential to keep all components in their functional, emergency-ready condition.
Choosing the Right Flame Detector for Your Business
Whether your business is in a high-risk industry or a standard commercial operation, flame detection systems are a central component of fire safety. Knowing the different types of flame detection is helpful when choosing the best system for your organization.
With several types of flame detection available, it can be difficult to choose the right system. Consider the following aspects of your facility:
- Environment: Indoor vs. outdoor, unique fire hazards, interference sources
- Common Materials: Fuel, supplies, products, building materials, and most prevalent types of radiation that would be emitted in case of a fire
- Detection Range: The area that needs to be covered for fire detection (facility size and flame detection range)
- Response Time: Some applications may require faster response times than others
Compliance: Confirm that the flame sensor meets relevant industry standards and regulations
For specialized guidance on choosing, installing, and maintaining optimal flame detectors at your facility, contact Impact Fire. Our fire prevention experts help you implement a comprehensive fire alarm system tailored to your industry requirements.
