SigniFire Video Image Smoke and Flame Detection

Fike Video Image Detection

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What is Video Smoke and Fire Detection?

• Uses visible spectrum spatially resolved video images from stationary cameras

• Analyze each frame pixel by pixel using Digital Signal Processing (DSP) high and low pass filters

• Converts 15 frames of pixel data to one normalized pattern

• Pattern is fed to neural network for confirmation

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Detection Algorithms• Video Analytics

– Artificial Intelligence– Neural Networks

• Alarms– Flames– Reflected Fire Light (RFL or Offsite)– Smoke– Motion Detection

• Trouble– Image change– Loss of camera– Poor image (dirty, low light, out of focus)– System Failure– Loss of power

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Flame Detection – Large Pan Fire

Flame Detection – Small Pan Fire

Reflected Fire Light Detection

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Smoke Detection

Motion Detection

• Motion detection is a byproduct of analysis• Can be tied to image location and schedule

IP Network Camera

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SpyderGuardTM

• Remote monitoring software application• Functions on a standard PC

workstation• Provides video surveillance, fire safety

monitoring, and allows integration of an unlimited number of SigniFire systems

• View active alarm conditions• Receive an audible voice warning• Locate the event on building and site

plans• Coordinate response efforts • Continuous 24/7 Video Recording• Alarm events archived for post event

analysis

System ArchitectureVideo Management• SigniFire IP Network cameras• CAT 5 Computer Cable• IP Infrastructure (Switches)• FSM-IP Network Video

Recorder (NVR)• Remote Monitoring Software

Spyderguard

Fire Alarm• Dry contacts• Monitor Module• Fire Alarm Panel

Ignition–Detection–Alarm–Response-Suppression

Positive Detection• Call Fire Department• Start Notification

– Pull station

• Attempt Suppression• Smoke Control

False Alarm• Record Response• Report to

Management• System Modification

to enhance discrimination and mitigate future false positives

Company Policy – Written procedures – Training Plan

Explosion Proof Enclosure

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Hot Work

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Challenge• Conventional detection methods are not suitable for

many of the environments requiring protection• The nature of these detectors makes the severity of a

nuisance alarm greater due to limited situational awareness

• Codes mandate that fire equipment be installed for life safety and to prevent conflagration

• DOE Hazard Analysis– FHAs for high bay locations should consider the effects of

smoke/hot gas stratification that may occur at some intermediate point below the roof or ceiling as well as the potential for delayed sprinkler response

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Smoke Detection in a Distribution Center

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Dominion Energy Flame Test

Dominion Energy Smoke Test

Outdoor Detection

CustomersCustomers

Sikorsky Helicopter

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Smoke detection - Trash to Energy Plant

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Arenas

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Mitigating Nuisance Alarms

• Sensitivities• Blocking or Detection Zones• Delays• Cross Zoning• Schedules• Commissioning Period

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Marriott Textile Edison NJ

Comparative Testing Objective

• Compare the smoke and fire detection capabilities of various technologies during the developing stage of a fire in a high bay environment.

• Testing was witnessed and documented by Schirmer Engineering

• Equipment was designed and installed by fire protection distributors

• Test Facility measures ~60 ft by 35 ft with 18 ft ceilings

Source Images

Results

Detection Technology % activation (% first to Activate)

ASD Level 1 100% (6%)

ASD Level 2 70%

Beam 63%

Ion 55% (6%)

Photo 52%

VID 100% (88%)

Development of Design Fire Scenario

Facility Characteristic – • Large Volume Space• High Value Assets• Desire for Security• Outdoor flame detection

Fire Characteristic -• Visible Signature

Occupant Characteristics –• Trained• On Site Security /

Monitoring

Design

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Risk Management of Fire

The Risk of Fire is equal to

Probability of a Fire

X

Loss associated with that Fire

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Warehouse Fires - ExampleAnnual Risk Expense – Probability of Fire X Single Loss Occurrence• 1% chance of fire that requires fire brigade intervention Avg. cost $590,000• 0.25% chance of warehouse fire that causes roof collapse Avg. cost $6,000,000*• Average annual risk expense = (.01 X 590,000 + .0025 X 6,000,000) = $20,900*The Probability of Fires in Warehouses and Storage Premises, Hymes & Flynn, 1992

SigniFire mitigates this risk through very early detection and situational awareness

4 SigniFire Camera System can be installed for less than $20,000!

XL Gaps Insurance article excerpt from SFPE Magazine

The $250,000 figure is a representative loss tolerance established by the insurance company. In many cases, properly designed sprinkler systems will satisfy this objective. Loss experience is usually the guide as to whether or not a properly designed sprinkler system will meet this objective. If the occupancy is particularly smoke sensitive, has a high business interruption potential or has an extremely high value-per-unit volume, additional protection may be needed.

(Think SigniFire)

At this time, specific performance criteria to prevent excessive smoke damage are usually lacking. There is no agreed upon criterion such as reducing smoke concentration to some specified value. Instead, more qualitative solutions are used such as ignition resistance of wet benches, early smoke detection, faster suppression of smaller fires, smoke control or separation. If these measures are not felt to be adequate, an underwriting solution such a proportional share policy may be used.

Combustible Dust

• Combustible dust in a facility can cause a very dangerous condition in suspension

• SigniFire can detect dust clouds that resemble smoke

• Several of the largest explosion and fire events were attributable to dust– West Pharmaceutical– Imperial Sugar– Grain Elevators– Coal Dust

Dust Detection

Where do fires start?

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When do fires happen?

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Maintenance and Commissioning

• Report generation• NFPA requirements

– Left to Manufacturers

• How to commission– Commissioning report– Ways to test system

• Propane torch• Smoke emitters• Canned smoke• Motion zones• User initiated alarms

Advantages

• Volume Detection• Large coverage area• Situational awareness• Continuous video

recording• Standards and Listing

• Fast detection• Cost• Nuisance rejection• Post event

reconstruction• NFPA 72, FM and UL

Provides a solution to fire and smoke detection in large volume facilities where no detection has historically been deployed

• Questions, Comments, Words of Wisdom

• Contact Information

Fike Video Image Detection47 Loveton Circle, Suite FSparks, MD 21152Ph: 410-472-6590Fax: 410-472-6595Webpage: www.signifire.com