Flame Detectors: How to Select the Right One

The risk of explosion and/or fire remains a critical concern, in traditional industrial environments as well as today’s increasingly complex hazardous processes. Yet, basic process controls do not usually warn of conditions outside normal system limits.

Flame Detectors: How to Select the Right One

Image Credit: MSA - The Safety Company

An external fire detection system that can sound an alarm quickly in the event of a fire is crucial to protect human lives and valuable equipment, as industry gases and vapors (hydrocarbons) burn with extremely high flame temperatures.

A safety professional must purchase flame detectors that best meet their facility’s particular requirements. Some things to consider when researching a flame and gas detection system are outlined below.

The most popular systems utilize optical techniques to detect flames; that is, they detect the absorption of light at specific wavelengths. Two common optical flame detector types are:

  1. Combination ultraviolet/infrared (UV/IR)
  2. Multi-spectrum infrared (MSIR)

UV/IR and MSIR devices are sensitive to more than one band on the energy spectrum, unlike simple IR or UV detectors, and so are less likely to generate a false alarm. Both technologies provide a reasonably fast response time and function well both indoors and outdoors.

There are several factors to consider when choosing a UV/IR or MSIR detector​​​​​​​:

  • Should a fire occur, how high is the risk of air-borne particulates? Oil, smoke, grease, and some chemical vapors can decrease a UV/IR unit’s detection range, so you should consider MSIR technology if, for instance, heavy smoke is a concern.
  • Understanding your fuel’s flammable properties will help you determine the optical flame-detection technology required, for example, solvents, alcohols, gasoline, LNG/LPG or something else. 
  • How wide an area should the device monitor? Can the detector be placed near the potential ignition source or must it be located relatively far away? Different UV/IR and MSIR units provide varying detection ranges and fields of view (FOV). Match your environment with the corresponding device specifications for the best coverage. ​​​​​​​
  • Do other types of radiant energy exist in your facility, like direct sunlight, arc welding, or hot objects? A flame detector must distinguish between real flames and these non-fire energy sources. Usually, MSIR detectors supply the best immunity to these types of false alarms.

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by MSA - The Safety Company.

For more information on this source, please visit MSA - The Safety Company.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    MSA - The Safety Company. (2021, October 11). Flame Detectors: How to Select the Right One. AZoSensors. Retrieved on December 11, 2024 from https://www.azosensors.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2331.

  • MLA

    MSA - The Safety Company. "Flame Detectors: How to Select the Right One". AZoSensors. 11 December 2024. <https://www.azosensors.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2331>.

  • Chicago

    MSA - The Safety Company. "Flame Detectors: How to Select the Right One". AZoSensors. https://www.azosensors.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2331. (accessed December 11, 2024).

  • Harvard

    MSA - The Safety Company. 2021. Flame Detectors: How to Select the Right One. AZoSensors, viewed 11 December 2024, https://www.azosensors.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2331.

Ask A Question

Do you have a question you'd like to ask regarding this article?

Leave your feedback
Your comment type
Submit

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.