The consequences of a fire outbreak in high-risk working environments can be catastrophic. These events can jeopardise the safety of personnel and the integrity of critical infrastructure and operations on-site.
Traditionally, fire detection in industrial settings has relied heavily on a variety of outdated and manual methods. These methods often include manual inspections and automated systems that utilise thermal sensors, smoke detectors, thermal cameras, or copper linear heat detectors.
Whilst these methods have served their purpose to an extent, they come with inherent limitations that compromise their effectiveness. Particularly in environments characterised by harsh conditions (underground mining) and vast expanses (industrial solar farms).
In this blog, we delve into the challenges associated with traditional fire detection and explore the fibre optic benefits in environments such as underground mines, solar farms, and data centres.
Understanding the limitations of traditional fire detection methods
The shortcomings of traditional fire detection systems pose significant challenges in effectively identifying and preventing fires in industrial environments. Traditional methods often lack the reliability and precision required to detect early-stage fires or heat detection in smouldering phases. False alarms, whether triggered by environmental factors or technical malfunctions, can interrupt operation and desensitise personnel and lead to safety complacency on site.
The reactive nature of many traditional methods means that by the time a fire is detected, it may have already caused substantial damage to infrastructure and equipment or posed a threat to personnel safety.
Here are just a couple of examples of traditional fire detection methods that can leave you exposed to fire risk.
Manual Fire Inspections
Manual inspections require personnel to physically inspect and patrol the premises with the intention of reviewing infrastructure for signs of overheating or fire. While manual inspections allow for direct observation and assessment of potential hazards, this method presents risk.
In large-scale industrial settings including underground mining and utility tunnels, expansive solar farms and data centres, manual inspection can be labour-intensive, time-consuming, and subject to human error.
Conducting thorough inspection across vast areas naturally presents logistical challenges, especially in environments that may have restricted or hazardous conditions.
Underground mines are particularly tricky, due to confined spaces, and areas with high levels of dust or debris. These environments provide multiple roadblocks for safety personnel on-site, when trying to ensure comprehensive coverage through manual inspections.
Basic Automated Fire Detection Systems
Automated fire detection systems (thermal sensors and smoke detectors) offer a more proactive approach to fire prevention. Utilising sensors or detectors can assist in monitoring signs of abnormal temperature fluctuations and signs of fire on-site. However, traditional automated systems have limited capabilities, which mean they can still present safety risk.
Thermal sensors, for instance, detect temperature changes and are commonly triggered when predefined temperature thresholds are exceeded. In some scenarios on-site, sensors may be confused by hazardous conditions (dust), and struggle to differentiate between harmless variations and genuine fire hazards. Harsher environments can lead to missed detections or even false alarms, which are both costly and unsafe.
Similarly, smoke detectors rely on the detection of airborne particulate matter (a mixture of solids and aerosols, small droplets of liquid, or dry solid fragments) in the air. This type of system’s reliability is compromised when used in industries such as mining and solar farms.
Overcoming the limitations of traditional fire detection methods through fibre optics
Fibre optic innovation plays an essential role in identifying hazards before they escalate into emergencies.
The development of fibre optic technologies has sparked a revolution in how key safety personnel approach fire detection and prevention in industrial settings. This approach of fire detection represents a safety-driven shift from traditional methods, offering innovative advantages that redefine fire prevention and risk mitigation.
Unlike discrete sensors or manual inspections, our advanced fibre optic detection cabling enables continuous, real-time monitoring of temperature changes.
This innovative fire detection solution is facilitated through a 4mm stainless steel-reinforced fibre optic cable, which acts as the sensor.
This cable is accredited for fire detection use, with a flame resistance of 750°C for up to 2 hrs. The ability to withstand harsh environments is also supported by the high crush resistance of the stainless-steel cable sheath.
Paired with Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) technology, there is 24/7 remote temperature monitoring along the entire fibre optic cable.
The DTS detector uses a safe, low-power laser (class 1M) to generate measurement pulses in the cable. Data is polled every 10 seconds, with measurement points every 0.5 metres. The coverage capability is also vast, spanning from 1-70km.
Some other key fibre optic benefits include:
- Design and installation costs are minimal and tailored to each site,
- No calibration is required after commission,
- Costs are reduced on spare parts and repairs, with a 40-year lifespan,
- Certifications from Vds,FMGlobal, UL, and EN54-22, leading to lower insurance premiums,
- Resistant to electromagnetic interference, complying with EMI standards.
And that’s just to list a few…
As industries continue to embrace the benefits of fibre optics in fire prevention and detection, technology such as Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) is fast becoming indispensable for safeguarding personnel, assets, and operations against the ever-present risk of fire.
