FireVu flame detection algorithm

We are pleased to announce the release of the latest upgrade to the FireVu flame detection algorithm available now with the FireVu 500, our premier video fire detector. The FireVu 500 uses intelligent flame and smoke algorithms to analyse the camera image in order to quickly and reliably detect fire.

This latest update has increased both the robustness of the algorithm and the detection range. The detector will react to the presence of even a small fire* in the specified field of view in under 30 seconds. These times apply to the most challenging of environments and in the majority of cases detection is even faster. The FireVu 500 has three pre-defined detection footprints, the largest of which has a range of up to 100m for flame-only detection. There are other offerings with ranges of 50m and 25m which have a wider field of view.

*TF5 pan fire – an industry standard accepted test fire, consisting of 500ml of N Heptane solution contained in a 330mm x 330mm x 50mm deep square pan

FireVu is a complete solution which can be used in a wide array of challenging environments for a variety of applications, unlike some other detection methods.

Aspirating smoke detectors and beam detectors can only be used indoors and struggle with large voluminous areas as they rely on smoke reaching the beam or pipes. Historically they have issues with dusty, dirty environments triggering false alarms or going into a trouble/fault state as filters become blocked, resulting in frequent extra maintenance
Thermal imaging cameras are often prohibitively expensive and unless accompanied by an additional CCTV image provide little or no situational awareness, preventing the end user or system operator from being able to identify the true nature of the risk and adopt the most appropriate course of action.
Triple IR detectors have a limited range, the greatest of which is listed at 65m.
A complete lack of any visual ouput means that any alarm received cannot be verified, with end users or fire authorities unable to assess the situation prior to attendance. Field experience has shown that this technology is susceptible to false triggers as a result of direct sunlight, either if used externally or from nearby entrances when deployed internally.

FireVu solves this situational awareness issue through full visual verification, courtesy of the real-time video stream.:

Draws attention to exactly what triggered the alarm and where in the field of view it is through the use of coloured boxes.
Lets you immediately know the size and scale of the fire so appropriate action can be taken. From allowing someone to tackle it with a fire extinguisher to immediately evacuating the building.
Provides footage of the incident which will allow for post-event analysis to help determine the cause of the fire. This means processes can be improved and the site made safer in order to ensure there’s no repeat incident.

Tried and Tested

We conduct extensive fire testing both in-house and at independent facilities such as the BRE in Watford. The below tests were conducted using the Mid-range FireVu 500, which has a stated detection distance of 35m for both smoke and flame or 50m for flame alone. TF5 fires were performed at 20, 30 and 95 metres from the detector.

The videos viewable here are just a sample of the tests which have been conducted with the FireVu 500. They were all recorded by the camera itself and so represent the real footage that would be seen by an operator or end user. Visually the FireVu 500 viewing software provides two levels of flame detection, the first being a Cyan box which is rendered around pixels that the FireVu 500′s intelligent algorithm has selected as a potential flame presence. A full alarm state is triggered when all the required criteria to be certain a flame is present are met and results in the second level of detection and a magenta coloured box.

FireVu500 20 metre N Heptane fire test

This test was performed using the mid-range 35metre detection FireVu 500 viewing a TF5 N Heptane test fire.

The test was conducted in-house by NetVu looking across an operational farming field from a permanently external mounted FireVu 500 detector. Placed 20 metres from the detector it can be seen that from ignition of the N Heptane to a full alarm state took less than 5 seconds, showing a clear and definitive detection of the true flame whilst ignoring other stimuli such as the high-visibility protective clothing worn by the operative lighting the fire and any direct sun light or reflections.

This detector has been deployed as shown for several months and during that period not a single false alarm has been generated despite the regular presence of personnel, farming equipment, sun light and all types of weather and yet all fire tests have resulted in a quick and definitive detection.

FireVu500 30 metre N Heptane fire test

This test was performed using the mid-range 35 meter detection FireVu 500 viewing a TF5 N Heptane test fire.

The test was conducted at the BRE Watford independent test facility looking down a 100 metre concrete slab allowing numerous tests to be conducted at various distances from the detector. Here the N Heptane was placed 30 metres from the detector and as can be seen in the video an alarm response was received in less than 20 seconds.

A full day of tests was conducted and during that period no false alarms were received as a result of sun-light, people movement or any other activity.

FireVu500 95 metre N Heptane fire test

This test was performed using the mid-range 35 meter detection FireVu 500 viewing a TF5 N Heptane test fire.

The test was conducted at the BRE Watford independent test facility looking down a 100 metre concrete slab allowing numerous tests to be conducted at various distances from the detector. For this test it was decided to position the fire as far as possible down the concrete slab and observe what response could be achieved – if any, given that we were able to be a full 95 metres away – nearly 3 times further than the recommended detection range for this field of view. As can be seen in the video not only did the FireVu 500 detector respond to the presence of the flame from 4 seconds, (visible by the presence of the Cyan boxes), but a FULL alarm response was achieved after approximately 60 seconds, a result which all present found impressive.

A full day of tests was conducted and during that period no false alarms were received as a result of sun-light, people movement or any other activity.