28 detection Fire detection 29

The Electromagnetic Spectrum Opacity Atmospheric

Figure 2 – A broad view of the electromagnetic spectrum depicting the (IR) and (UV) regions that are favourable for the detection of

the flame detector to an initiating device (NRTL). For instance, UFC-3-600, 9-18.12 circuit of an ultra-high-speed fire system requires panels used for fire suppression Updating flame detection and releasing systems:What can help reduce the potential damage to system control or release to be listed by a the facility by increasing the speed with NRTL. Another example is NFPA 72: 2016, which the system can respond. 23.11, which requires releasing devices for industrial plants that make or use energetic materials need to know suppression systems to be listed for use Applicable codes with releasing service alarm. and standards nergetic materials are defined as involve large amounts, while the processes Energetic material manufacturing There is little international code guidance Besides being designed for reliable Ethose with a high amount of stored – filling shell casings or pressing materials environments aren’t the only places available for the ultra-high-speed industry. performance at a critical time, fire-protection chemical energy that can be released. into forms – can cause a rapid deflagration where ultra-high-speed fire detection can In the United States, codes that address equipment listed by an NRTL has been Materials classes included are of the materials that requires an immediate help avert disaster. Consider high-voltage requirements for ultra-high-speed flame approved by a third party. Properly explosives, pyrotechnic compositions response. direct current (HVDC) electric power detection and releasing systems include: accredited third-party testing and certification and propellants. For manufacturers transmission stations, which house • Unified Facilities Criteria: UFC 3-600-01, provides potential users with an independent that handle these materials, time is Similarly, the materials used to activate large transformers and switch gear. Engineering for Facilities. and unbiased product evaluation. A number critical for dealing with events that automotive airbags may be present If a fire breaks out at an HVDC station, This code applies to facilities that are of independent organisations test fire may endanger personnel and property. in significant quantities near airbag it’s imperative to shut down the owned by the United States federal protection equipment using documented Process control setups in these manufacturing machines. If these equipment as quickly as possible so government. safety and performance criteria. facilities must include systems that energetic materials catch fire, damage that large amounts of voltage and • National Fire Protection Association: Figure 1 – Because there is little international respond in milliseconds when certain can result to the process machinery current are stopped as quickly as NFPA 15, Standard for Water Spray Fixed Over the last 30 years, codes and standards code guidance available for the ultra-high- materials catch fire, because of their speed industry, US codes can be applied to within the plant. possible to prevent further damage to the Systems for Fire Protection, and NFPA related to fire protection in industrial settings potentially rapid burn rate and the these systems equipment. For this reason, ultra-high- 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling have evolved and are now more stringent. damage that may result should the Energetic materials are also a danger in speed fire systems may be connected to Code. These codes and standards cover important materials ignite. to detect a flame in its incipient stage and plants that fill aerosol spray cans. To make the shutoff equipment in these stations. topics such as the supervising of system then quickly apply large volumes of water spraying possible, a propellant is added NFPA 15:2017 Chapter 12 states that inputs and outputs (I/O). In addition, system This article, by Mike Hosch of to extinguish or help to control the spread to the mixture inside the can. If a can isn’t Another possible application for ultra- an ultra-high-speed flame detection and requirements such as those for protection Det-Tronics, looks at the components of the fire. Facilities that require these sealed properly during the manufacturing high-speed fire systems is in automated releasing system must respond in no more from electromagnetic and radiofrequency of ultra-high-speed flame detection and systems are those that use, process and/ process, a of propellant can form in vehicle paint booths. As a vehicle moves than 100 milliseconds (a tenth of a second) interference (EMI/RFI) are more stringent. releasing systems and explains why or manufacture “energetic” materials such the air near production machinery – which through a paint booth, a spark from static from the presentation of an energy source plant managers and safety engineers as explosives, gunpowder, propellants and can possibly ignite and start a large flash electricity produced by paint moving at the detector to the flow of water from the In countries where no specific codes and should consider upgrading to the latest pyrotechnic compositions. fire. In a case like this, it’s important to through the spray nozzle may direct deluge nozzle. standards for ultra-high-speed fire systems versions of these systems. stop the machine as quickly as possible fire at the vehicle along with paint. The exist, the aforementioned US standards Not surprisingly, a major user of energetic so more propellant isn’t released into applicable standard in this case requires The codes and standards also require can provide guidance on good engineering In hazardous manufacturing settings, materials is the munitions industry. Machines the environment causing the situation that flame detectors respond to such a fire alarm systems to be “listed” by a practices and what constitutes an effective ultra-high-speed fire systems are designed that process energetic substances often to propagate. fire within 500 milliseconds. Connecting Nationally Recognised Testing Laboratory fire-protection system. Facilities that have

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determined that an ultra-high-speed UV and UVIR Optical Flame Detection respond in a matter of milliseconds. fire system may be beneficial within the In addition, the solenoid takes time to application may find that US codes and UV sensor relieve the pilot pressure from the deluge standards for ultra-high-speed fire systems valve. Lastly, water requires time to travel can help to provide guidance for system out of the nozzle. design attributes. To optimise the speed of response: UV sensor IR sensor A look at the systems • Detectors designed to detect the Typical components of ultra-high-speed fire spectral emission of the material of Detectable Detector Control Solenoid Pilot-actuated Water systems include flame detectors, a central interest should be considered event alarms system activates valve flow control system, a solenoid, a pilot-operated • Detectors should be installed as close as activates activates valve, a pre-primed deluge piping system Figure 3a – Both UV and UVIR optical possible to the potential hazard detection technologies are capable of with nozzles, and a water supply. detecting rapidly enough for use in • All air should be purged from within the ultra-high-speed applications piping of the hydraulic system Optical flame detectors are used to detect • The fastest possible solenoids should Presentation of 20ms 2ms 25ms 53ms a fire from a given material of interest. Ideally, an optical flame detector should be used an energy source These devices sense and analyse the be performance-tested with the fire • Deluge nozzles should be installed as electromagnetic emitted by a flame. type of interest to determine its effective close as possible to the potential hazard Figure 3b – Per NFPA 15, Standard for Water Spray Fixed Systems for Fire Protection, response time for an entire ultra-high-speed detection and suppression When burning, different types of materials detection range. Flame performance system from presentation of an energy source at the detector to flow of water from the water spray nozzle cannot exceed 100 milliseconds (ms). emit differing spectra of light energy that testing can also determine a detector’s Those who take these steps may achieve allow their detection. The region of spectral coverage area, or field of view (FOV). In optimal performance at the outbreak of replace the safety system until it no longer The latest ultra-high-speed fire systems Whether working as a stand-alone system emission to which a detector is sensitive, ultra-high-speed applications, detectors fire, meeting or exceeding response time functions may lead downtime. are designed to retain more information or in conjunction with life-safety systems, must be tightly controlled in order to minimise are installed as close as possible to the requirements. about a hazardous event than older new ultra-high-speed flame detection the effects of spectral emission from non-fire area that requires monitoring, typically Besides being up to date in terms of codes systems. New systems include a log that and releasing systems upgrades are an sources such as , ambient light, at distances of less than three metres. Why an upgrade makes sense and standards, today’s new systems offer records and stores critical information important consideration for any process machinery and processing equipment. Optical flame detectors require a clear line While older ultra-high-speed fire systems more features, such as EMI/RFI protection such as the date, time and duration of that requires a split-second response to of sight to the area being monitored, so currently in use by munitions and other and I/O monitoring. The latest systems are an event, as well as which detectors hazardous situations. Optical flame detectors employ several they must be installed in locations with no manufacturers may respond quickly enough designed to be much more user-friendly were activated during the event. These sensing technologies, including ultraviolet obstructions between the detector and to comply with codes and standards, these than their older counterparts. Those systems systems can also transmit event data to a About the author (UV), infrared (IR), ultraviolet / infrared (UV/ the area of interest. older systems may present challenges typically communicate via LEDs and computer to facilitate review and analysis IR) and multi-spectrum infrared (MIR). MIR in terms of product support. In some numerical displays, requiring plant personnel by plant personnel. technology, however, cannot respond quickly Under ideal circumstances, ultra-high- cases, the manufacturers of older systems to be well versed in interpreting what they enough for ultra-high-speed applications. speed flame detectors can detect a may no longer offer service support and mean. New systems typically display easily Another key feature of the latest systems When selecting from among the remaining rapidly developing fire in approximately 30 replacement parts may not be readily understandable event information through is their ability to integrate with a facility’s options, potential users must match the milliseconds. The response speed of the available. When a component of the safety text on the controller screen. existing life-safety system. If a high- spectral response of the detector to the detector, however, is only a small subset system fails, this could lead to a ‘line down’ hazard event occurs, new systems can spectral emissions of the to be detected. of the response time of the entire system. situation until the issue can be resolved. output information about the event to a The speed of response of the entire In high-demand applications, waiting to connected life-safety system, which then system is the most critical metric. Other carries out the appropriate alarm and

Ultra-High-Speed Detection system components that must be taken notification functions in the building. and Releasing System Components into account include the releasing service

EQP Safety Input/Output System Controller Module fire alarm control unit, which may also

Notification Appliances

High Speed Deluge Module

Michael J. Hosch is Lead Applications Engineer at Det-Tronics in Minneapolis, Suppression/ Deluge Minnesota. He has worked with optical X-Series Flame Detector flame detection for Det-Tronics for over 30 years and has developed extensive

Source experience in the application of flame detection in high hazard environments ranging from the oil and gas industry Figure 4 - An example of today’s ultra- to aircraft hangars and munitions high-speed flame detection and releasing systems manufacturing.

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