Flame Detection

Question 1

What Four elements must be present for a fire to occur:

Answer 1

• Fuel - any substance that can combust, solid, liquid or gas
• Oxygen - supports combustion
• Heat / Source of ignition
• Chemical chain reaction (~ feedback loop)

Question 2

What is a flame detector?

Answer 2

• A safety device that uses optical techniques to monitor areas for fires that should not normally be present.

Question 3

Limitations of Flame Detectors

Answer 3

• Cannot detect smoldering fires
• Requires “line-of-sight”
• Price
• Use is not prescriptive and requires application / installation expertise

Question 4

UV Flame Detection - Capabilities, Inhibitors & False Alarms

Answer 4

Capabilities
• Detects all fires - Hydrocarbon, Metal, H2 and Sulphur fires.
• Fast response <25 mS
• No response to hot objects (black body)

Inhibitors
• Plastic Bags, Glass, Oil, Dirt, Solvents vapours

False Alarms
• Friendly fires (flares)
• Arc Welding, Electric Arcs, Gamma Rays, X-
Rays, Lightning