Saying goodbye to catastrophic fires
Forest fires and industry-related fires can cause loss of life and loss of property amounting to billions of euros. High-tech early detection systems being developed, however, hold much promise in snuffing out fires before they cause significant damage. The EU-funded UV-MULTICAM (Multiple application UV camera for highly reliable, cost effective, long range and early detection and accurate localisation of fire) project is working on such a solution. Based on a sophisticated ultraviolet (UV) camera, the envisioned solution could be effective in detecting fires rapidly not only in forests, but also in tunnels and mines as well as on drilling platforms. To achieve its aims, the project is bringing together top-notch experts in safety systems, communications, relevant technology and fire detection. It is using vacuum UV sensors, optoelectronics and advanced software to produce a prototype. The project team already possesses an excellent flame detection camera able to detect fire at relatively close ranges, eliminating possible false alarms from infrared emissions and sunlight. It is now perfecting a system to avoid other types of false alarms that could arise in industrial settings. Work continues on finalising an easy-to-install system that accurately detects fires within the scanned area immediately upon deployment. With the project team expecting to develop a product that offers a 100 % invariable detection rate, UV-MULTICAM is well on the way to setting a new standard in fire detection. From the forests of Greece to the oil rigs of the North Sea, Europe's property, industry and environment may soon be able to make catastrophic fires a thing of the past.
Keywords
Fires, fire detection, detection system, UV camera, vacuum UV, optoelectronics
