Monday 20th September 2004
Groveley Detection is to produce visual flame detector systems in conjunction with Micropack Engineering Ltd.
The Dorset-based hazard detection specialist will design and handle systems engineering for installations utilising Micropack's video-based visual flame detector.
Micropack's FDS-101 detectors are being hailed a huge advance in safety for both onshore and offshore applications because they virtually eliminate all false alarms.
Each detector operates standalone and incorporates, within a single unit, an integrated CCTV system, digital signal processing and software algorithms to process the live video image and interpret flame characteristics.
These unique software algorithms are capable of discriminating between genuine fire conditions and other radiant sources that may cause conventional detectors to become de-sensitised or produce unwanted alarms.
Each unit provides local video data and fire alarm status to the control equipment, providing the operator with full display and alarm handling facilities. The surveillance aspect of the detector eliminates the need to dispatch operators to investigate alarms as the live video images are viewed directly in the control room. This reduces the risk of injury to operators and improves response time.
The detector is immune to common sources of unwanted alarms such as hot work, hot CO2 emissions and flare reflections.
It offers an extended field of view compared to conventional flame detectors and can detect fires at greater distances. At the same time it produces CCTV surveillance, saving both maintenance and installation costs.
A built-in optical test facility automatically checks the camera window for contamination and to check its field of view is not restricted by an obstruction.
Groveley's managing director Robert Bennet said: "There are major safety benefits from using this type of detector - and it costs around the same as other systems.
"You instantly know for sure if you have a fire or not - and the classic false alarms, such as reflections of flare stacks on metalwork or even the reflections from sea, are totally eliminated."
Micropack's detector camera covers a 90 degree 'cone' to identify a flame anywhere in its vicinity and was first developed for use on FPSOs where it needed to monitor areas around flare stacks without giving false alarms.
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