Video Smoke Detection - The FAST Vision of Fire Protection

Video smoke detection has to be considered as an early warning system in addition to primary fire and smoke detection devices. In many cases, video detects smoke faster than any conventional fire alarm system.

The cost effective video detection method is applied in various areas such as forest watch, public area surveillance, tunnels and in public or industrial buildings. In some cases video smoke detection is the only feasible way to detect hazardous fire.

Outdoor smoke detection, for instance used for the Canadian forest watch, imposes particular requirements where image movement is the norm rather than the exception. Filtering out critical smoke formations from other image movements such as rain, snow, clouds, birds, cars and light changes requires a system with high sensitivity and a low rate of false alarms. The reliable video smoke detection system provides for an early warning and rapid intervention to keep Canadian forests from fire destruction.

Indoor video detection is particularly suited in buildings with high ceilings such as manufacturing or public halls were the possible damage would be devastating by the time smoke reaches a conventional detector. Time is absolutely critical when it comes to protection of people and high value assets.

Potential of Video Smoke Protection

Video smoke detection can also be combined with georeferenced systems for easy location of hazards or with other warning systems to increase the protection against fire destruction.

System Architecture

The architecture of the system can be adapted to the particular needs. Detection and inspections units are linked over a database and in most cases combined with video recording