Monday, April 4, 2011
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
NFPA
The mission of the international nonprofit NFPA, established in 1896, is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.
The world's leading advocate of fire prevention and an authoritative source on public safety, NFPA develops, publishes, and disseminates more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks.
NFPA membership totals over 75,000 individuals around the world.
The NFPA Conference & Expo is the most important event of the year for professionals in fire protection, electrical & life safety and security.
This Conference & Expo is being held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
NFPA Conference & Expo website: http://www.nfpa.org/categorylistconf.asp?categoryID=1600
The exhibit’s hours are as follows:
Monday, June 7
3:30 -7:30 pm
Networking reception in hall, 6 - 7:30 pm
Tuesday, June 8
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Wednesday, June 9
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Meet executive decision-makers from all building types from every state in the nation and beyond to get current with new developments in codes & standards and to find suppliers who can help them achieve safety-related objectives for their companies, facilities, or customers.
Please view the floor plan of the NFPA Conference & Expo 2010 and find our booth:
Fire Sentry Corporation’s Booth: #512
http://www.rocexhibitions.com/floorplans/10nfpa/start.html
Source: NFPA website
This Conference & Expo is being held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
NFPA Conference & Expo website: http://www.nfpa.org/categorylistconf.asp?categoryID=1600
The exhibit’s hours are as follows:
Monday, June 7
3:30 -7:30 pm
Networking reception in hall, 6 - 7:30 pm
Tuesday, June 8
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Wednesday, June 9
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Meet executive decision-makers from all building types from every state in the nation and beyond to get current with new developments in codes & standards and to find suppliers who can help them achieve safety-related objectives for their companies, facilities, or customers.
Please view the floor plan of the NFPA Conference & Expo 2010 and find our booth:
Fire Sentry Corporation’s Booth: #512
http://www.rocexhibitions.com/floorplans/10nfpa/start.html
Source: NFPA website
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Using an external portable Test Lamp is the best and only sure method to perform a fully functional test
Most optical fire and flame detectors have automatic internal self-tests for checking its viewing window lens cleanliness. These detectors include UV, UV/IR, Multi-Spectrum UV/IR/VIS, Multi-spectral IR, Single Band IR, Dual Band IR, Triple Band IR, Multi-Spectrum Triple IR, QuadBand Triple IR, etc. However, these detectors´ automatic tests do not constitute a fully functional "end to end" detector test. The automatic self-tests only partially check the operational readiness of a detector since the actual alarm outputs are not activated.....
Please read the rest here at our website.
Please read the rest here at our website.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Superior FSX™ WideBand IR™ Fire / Flame Detection Technology
Introduction
Fire Sentry Corporation continues its long tradition in utilizing superior and innovative technology with the creation, design, development, testing, and manufacturing of all its fire detection products. Our products are designed to provide the fastest response to all types of fires without false alarms over the widest fields of view in all environmental conditions. Fire Sentry Corporation has been the technological leader in electro-optical fire and flame detection for over a quarter of century and continues to capitalize on the military/aerospace electro-optical detection background of its engineers. Our tens of thousands of installed fire detection products continue to perform as advertised in a myriad of applications worldwide.
Fire Sentry Corporation´s entire product line of WideBand IR™ fire / flame detectors including the newer FSX detectors (FS24X Multi-Spectrum QuadBand™ Triple IR and FS18X Multi-Spectrum TriBand™ IR) Models FS24X and FS18X), Ultraviolet/Infrared (UV/IR) detectors (Models SS2, SS3, and SS4) and Infrared (IR/IR) fire/flame detectors (Models FS10 and FS7) do not rely on the narrowband 4.3-micron CO2 molecular emission line with its intrinsic shortcomings, restrictions, and as do other flame detectors, whether it is Triple IR, Dual IR, single band IR or other UV/IR flame detectors. All Fire Sentry Corporation FSX fire and flame detectors use its patented WideBand IR™ technology with high-speed, wide temperature range photoconductor quantum-based sensors.
Furthermore, Fire Sentry detectors are designed to alarm to all fire types, hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon, which is made possible by its patented and unique WideBand Infrared technology. This means one can use a single FS18X or FS24X Triple IR flame detector (or a single SS2, SS3, or SS4 fire detector) to protect against both hydrocarbon fires and non-hydrocarbon (i.e., hydrogen, silane, metals, etc.) fires in virtually all weather conditions, altitudes, and environments. Others require two separate flame detectors (great for selling more flame detectors, but more costly for users) for complete fire coverage against both hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon fires. Unfortunately, the narrowband CO2 technical problems remain and shall remain as one would have to change physics (and how our entire universe operates) to overcome these intrinsic and inherent shortcomings, restrictions, and limitations when using narrowband 4.3 micron sensors.
Fire Sentry´s Multi-Spectrum QuadBand FS24X Triple IR Detectors´ sensor array uses high speed and wide temperature range photoconductive quantum sensors with four (quad) distinct wide spectral bands that include the 4.3 micron band with:
1. WideBand IR: 3 to 5 microns
2. WideBand IR: 1.1 to 7 microns
3. Near Band IR: 0.7 to 1.2 microns
4. Visible Band: 0.4 to 0.7 microns
Fire Sentry´s FS24X flame/fire detectors with its patented WideBand sensor array technology achieves the long detection ranges of 4.3 micron based sensing without the numerous inherent and intrinsic disadvantages by all other narrowband Triple IR flame detectors.
WideBand IR vs. Narrowband 4.3 Micron IR Flame Detection
When comparing Fire Sentry´s proprietary, patented WideBand IR based Multi-Spectrum QuadBand Triple IR FS24X Detector´s quantum four sensor array with the conventional Narrowband 4.3 micron based three sensor array used by every other "Triple IR" flame detector manufacturer, one should consider the following:
1. Narrowband "Triple IR" (or as falsely claimed by some manufacturers as MultiSpectrum IR) flame detectors depend solely on a hot fire generating a strong, clean 4.3-micron signal from the excitation of hot carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules. All Triple IR flame detectors are essentially single band 4.3-micron detectors with the addition of two false alarm rejection, non-flame sensing "guard" bands. If there is insufficient 4.3-micron flame signal or if the adjacent non-flame signals generate a larger signal (due to blackbody radiant energy from hot sources or a "dirty" fire), there is no flame detection. Basically, Triple IR flame detectors measure the amplitude of the 4.3-micron signal generated by the fire and then subtract (cross-correlate) the two guard band signal strengths to obtain a fire signal. On the other hand, Fire Sentry FSX WideBand fire and flame detectors see and alarm to all fires, whether the signal is predominately a molecular-based (i.e., CO2, CO, H2, etc.) flame or a predominately a "dirty" blackbody radiant heat fire, and all combinations thereof.
2. Although CO2 is generated throughout a fire´s total volumetric area, essentially it is the outer surface flame front that actually produces the bulk of the radiated 4.3-micron CO2 signal. The reason is the CO2 gasses produced inside the fire volumetric area actually absorbs the hot radiated 4.3 micron CO2 emission line because of Kirchoff´s Law that states essentially that a good emitter (CO2) is also a good absorber. Conversely, Fire Sentry´s WideBand IR™ senses not only the surface front CO2 signal but also, importantly, the blackbody radiated energy from the entire volumetric area of a fire. The small, hot Planckian blackbody particulates and other hot gasses inside the fire do not absorb in the radiated energy inside the fire´s volume as the narrowband 4.3-micron band CO2 does.
3. Not ALL fires produce pure, clean burning flames that generate a reliable, strong 4.3 micron signal – many, if not most, real-world fires are dirty, sooty, smoky fires (i.e., heavy crude oil, JP jet fuels, diesels, etc.) with copious amounts of primarily hot carbon-based particulates each radiating Planckian blackbody energy which can obscure, absorb, or seriously degrade a 4.3 micron flame surface front CO2 signal while increasing the signal strengths of the guard bands radiated inside the fire´s volumetric area thereby reducing the subtracted resultant fire signal. The final result is a much-reduced real world fire detection range and fire response time to real world fires compared to ideal test conditions against clean burning test fires. Alternatively, Fire Sentry FSX WideBand fire and flame detectors see and alarm to fires based on the wide band total, integrated radiant energy of a fire including all molecular emission lines and blackbody sources.
4. The fires must burn sufficiently hot to generate a strong 4.3-micron signal (colder fires may not produce sufficient 4.3 micron signal needed to produce a positive signal when subtracted from its two guard bands). For example, IPA, ethanol, methanol and other alcohol derivatives fall in this category of cold burning fuels. The result is reduced detection and longer detection times. In contrast, the Fire Sentry FSX WideBand fire and flame detectors see and alarm to fires based on the wide band radiant energy emitted. In other words, if the fire generates heat (radiant energy), Fire Sentry detectors will see it.
5. Non-hydrocarbon fires, such as hydrogen, silane, metals, etc. do not generate a 4.3 micron signal because there is no carbon dioxide (CO2) in the combustion process and conventional Triple IR flame detectors are totally blind to these fires. Conversely, the Fire Sentry FSX WideBand fire and flame detectors see and alarm to all fires based on the fire´s total, integrated fire radiant energy and do not rely solely (as narrowband Triple IR detectors do) on a 4.3 micron signal.
6. Atmospheric conditions can attenuate or seriously degrade the 4.3-micron signal before it reaches the conventional Narrowband Triple IR flame detector. Again, this is partially due to Kirchoff´s Law where the CO2 in the atmospheric path from the fire to the detector absorbs the 4.3-micron signal. The result is reduced detection range and slower response times. Again, Fire Sentry FSX WideBand fire and flame detectors are designed to see and alarm to all fires as they sense the total, integrated radiant energy generated by fire.
7. Carbon dioxide (CO2), water, and other commonly used fire suppression agents absorb the 4.3-micron fire signal, so suppression discharges can absorb the 4.3-micron signal before it reaches the conventional Triple IR flame detector. Again, this is because of Kirchoff´s Law. The result is reduced detection range or complete blindness to the fire under certain conditions. This also prevents detection of fire re-flash after a suppression release. On the other hand, the Fire Sentry FSX WideBand fire and flame detectors are not blinded by these conditions.
8. Altitude effects can degrade the 4.3-micron signal generated by a fire since there is less oxygen to produce a strong CO2 signal. The result can be reduced detection range for Narrowband Triple IR at higher altitudes. In contrast, the Fire Sentry FSX WideBand fire and flame detectors do not rely solely on the 4.3 micron narrowband signal, rather the total, integrated radiant energy of a fire.
9. Type of hydrocarbon fuel (different types and grades of gasoline, for instance) can significantly alter the 4.3-micron signal strength resulting in different detection capabilities and alarm times of Narrowband Triple IR detectors. On the other hand, the Fire Sentry FSX WideBand fire and flame detectors are not appreciably affected by this.
10. Water, ice, snow, fog, rain, condensation, mist, etc. on the detector viewing window lens can completely attenuate (blind) the 4.3 micron fire signal on conventional Narrowband Triple IR flame detectors. The slightest, thinnest film of water on one or more of the three sensor windows will completely attenuate the 4.4 micron emission line signal on conventional Triple IR / multi-spectrum detectors. This is the primary reason why conventional Triple IR detectors must be heated to keep condensation off the viewing lens and the result is detectors that consume more unnecessary electrical power thus leading to more costly larger gauge wiring, increased size of power supplies, and larger battery backup systems. If the heaters fail or cannot keep the water or ice off all three sensors, the result can be a fire that is not detected or, a false alarm can occur. This is why rain can cause these narrowband 4.3 Triple IR detectors to false alarm. Again, Fire Sentry FSX WideBand IR fire and flame detectors are designed to see and alarm to fires and not false alarm to non-fire stimuli in all environmental scenarios.
11. The 4.3 micron signal is completely attenuated (absorbed) by ordinary window glass which is why conventional Triple IR flame detectors cannot detect (blind to) fire and flames looking through ordinary window glass. This is why CO2 based flame detectors will not alarm to a fire if it is on the other side of window glass. If one of these detectors must protect against a fire threat behind a window, the window must be made of extremely expensive sapphire. On the other hand, the Fire Sentry FSX WideBand fire and flame detectors see and alarm to fires on the other side of ordinary window glass, but since the CO2 emission line (but not the integrated WideBand IR radiant energy) is completely attenuated (blocked) by the glass, the detection distance is reduced.
12. The 4.3-micron signal requires that the fire have adequate oxygen for complete combustion or the 4.3-micron signal is reduced since it partially shifts to wavelengths outside the narrow 4.3-micron pass band producing more carbon monoxide (CO) instead of carbon dioxide (CO2). This can result in reduced detection range and longer response times for conventional Triple IR detectors for fires that are oxygen starved. Fire Sentry Corporation´s WideBand IR quantum sensors easily accommodate wavelength shifting because of their wide bands provides coverage for the CO fire emission line. Importantly, our FSX WideBand IR detectors do not rely solely on the 4.3 micron narrowband signal, rather the total, integrated radiant energy of a fire which includes all the molecular emission bands including CO2 and CO.
13. Hand-held portable Test Lamps can be used at a longer alarming distance with the Fire Sentry WideBand IR detectors when compared to conventional Triple IR detectors. The result is easier manual testing of Fire Sentry detectors that provides end users and Authorities Having Jurisdiction with the assurance that the entire fire protection system including the flame and fire detectors, cabling, control systems, and suppression systems operate "end-to-end" as a complete system.
14. Since all conventional single, dual, and Triple IR hydrocarbon detectors depend solely on the narrow band 4.3 micron CO2 signal, Fabry-Perot type interference filters are necessary to select this narrow band 4.3 micron signal and as well as narrow band guard bands. This is why these narrowband detectors have difficulty with external environmental temperatures changes since interference filters shift their peak pass band wavelength as a function of the ambient temperature. One solution to help alleviate this problem of the wavelengths from drifting and shifting out of the pass band and guard bands is to maintain the sensors´ interference filter elements at a constant temperature using electrical heaters. However, this consumes significantly more electrical energy thereby causing the detector to have significantly higher electrical power requirements, especially in low temperature environments. This also results in the need for larger backup batteries and power supplies.
Thermal-Based Sensors vs. Photoconductive Quantum Sensors
Fire Sentry´s FSX detectors, including its FS24X QuadBand Triple IR Detectors, utilize an array of high-speed solid-state photoconductive quantum sensors with a combination of wide band spectral absorption type optical filters and wide band spectral interference optical filters that are not adversely affected by temperature and incident angle. Therefore, Fire Sentry Detectors exhibit a wide 110-degree full field of view and a significantly higher operating temperature of +85C with a wide temperature option available for -60 to 110C operation at reduced detection ranges. Other competitive flame detectors use thermal (bulk heat sensing) pyroelectric sensors or thermopile heat sensing sensors with narrow band temperature dependent and angle of incidence limiting optical narrowband interference filters.
Pyroelectric sensors (thermal-based) intrinsically are limited to maximum operational temperatures significantly less than photoconductors and thermopiles because of the physics of their operation. They indirectly respond only to changes in incident radiant energy and are intrinsically insensitive to non-changing constant radiant energy. This means these sensors do not provide an output signal corresponding to the magnitude level of background infrared energy as photoconductive and thermopile sensors. The incident radiant energy is converted to thermal heat when striking the pyroelectric crystal which causes expansion and contraction in the bulk crystal material that generates a small electrical signal due to the "piezoelectric effect." Mechanical shock and vibration to a pyroelectric crystal sensor can also generate these electrical signal currents that can result in a false alarm.
Thermopile sensors (thermal-based) sense radiant heat using the "thermocouple effect" of dissimilar materials. Their primary advantage is they, like quantum sensors, provide the blackbody infrared magnitude of the fire radiant energy. Since thermopile sensors respond indirectly to the thermal heat provided by the incident radiant photon energy, they exhibit an intrinsically slow response to radiant energy when compared to the response times of pyroelectric or photoconductors and are not used by our major competitors.
Photoconductive solid-state sensors operate on a quantum basis since each incident radiant energy photon quanta (which have quantum energy of hv) directly releases electrons from the electron-hole pairs in the sensor´s crystal lattice. Therefore, they are intrinsically capable of very high speed response and, since the electron emission is not the result of the sensor´s crystal temperature, wider temperature operation. For wide temperature operation, Fire Sentry flame/fire detectors use special sensor crystals developed from aerospace/military applications that can tolerate high and low temperature variations without crystal degradation.
Quantum-based photoconductive sensors directly provide both the magnitude and dynamic signal amplitudes of the incident radiant energy photon energy generated by fire. Pyroelectric sensors, on the other hand, only indirectly provide the amplitude of the change of the radiant heat energy. Pyroelectric sensors do not sense or detect the fire or flame´s blackbody energy level increase (or for a dying fire´s decreased signal strength); they only sense change of incident radiant energy. A fire´s Planckian blackbody radiant energy is essentially the radiant heat generated by the fire and is measured in watts and is the best indicator of fire´s growth and decay.
Conclusion
All Fire Sentry FSX detectors utilize photoconductive quantum solid-state sensors. All other Triple IR flame detectors use either pyroelectric or thermopile thermal effect sensors. Pyroelectric and thermopile sensors all use temperature-dependent interference filters to obtain the narrow pass band spectral filtering. All of these detectors only rely on the narrow band 4.3-micron molecular emission of hot CO2 (carbon dioxide) as the fire radiant energy sensing channel and use one or two adjacent narrow bands to compare against for background and false signal reduction. Hence, these types of flame detectors respond only to hot, carbon-based fires or false alarm scenarios that simulate these conditions.
All Fire Sentry WideBand IR flame and fire detectors utilize optical absorption and wide band interference filters that provide WideBand IR spectral coverage which includes all molecular emission lines (i.e., 4.3 micron CO2, CO, etc.) for sensing both complete combustion flames, incomplete combustion (oxygen-starved) and sooty, dirty hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon (i.e., hydrogen, silane, ammonia, and metal fires, etc.) real world dynamic fires as well as hot and colder burning hydrocarbon fires such as isopropyl alcohol. Both growing and steady state fires are detected as well as shuttered and non-shuttered fires.
Fire Sentry Corporation continues its long tradition in utilizing superior and innovative technology with the creation, design, development, testing, and manufacturing of all its fire detection products. Our products are designed to provide the fastest response to all types of fires without false alarms over the widest fields of view in all environmental conditions. Fire Sentry Corporation has been the technological leader in electro-optical fire and flame detection for over a quarter of century and continues to capitalize on the military/aerospace electro-optical detection background of its engineers. Our tens of thousands of installed fire detection products continue to perform as advertised in a myriad of applications worldwide.
Fire Sentry Corporation´s entire product line of WideBand IR™ fire / flame detectors including the newer FSX detectors (FS24X Multi-Spectrum QuadBand™ Triple IR and FS18X Multi-Spectrum TriBand™ IR) Models FS24X and FS18X), Ultraviolet/Infrared (UV/IR) detectors (Models SS2, SS3, and SS4) and Infrared (IR/IR) fire/flame detectors (Models FS10 and FS7) do not rely on the narrowband 4.3-micron CO2 molecular emission line with its intrinsic shortcomings, restrictions, and as do other flame detectors, whether it is Triple IR, Dual IR, single band IR or other UV/IR flame detectors. All Fire Sentry Corporation FSX fire and flame detectors use its patented WideBand IR™ technology with high-speed, wide temperature range photoconductor quantum-based sensors.
Furthermore, Fire Sentry detectors are designed to alarm to all fire types, hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon, which is made possible by its patented and unique WideBand Infrared technology. This means one can use a single FS18X or FS24X Triple IR flame detector (or a single SS2, SS3, or SS4 fire detector) to protect against both hydrocarbon fires and non-hydrocarbon (i.e., hydrogen, silane, metals, etc.) fires in virtually all weather conditions, altitudes, and environments. Others require two separate flame detectors (great for selling more flame detectors, but more costly for users) for complete fire coverage against both hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon fires. Unfortunately, the narrowband CO2 technical problems remain and shall remain as one would have to change physics (and how our entire universe operates) to overcome these intrinsic and inherent shortcomings, restrictions, and limitations when using narrowband 4.3 micron sensors.
Fire Sentry´s Multi-Spectrum QuadBand FS24X Triple IR Detectors´ sensor array uses high speed and wide temperature range photoconductive quantum sensors with four (quad) distinct wide spectral bands that include the 4.3 micron band with:
1. WideBand IR: 3 to 5 microns
2. WideBand IR: 1.1 to 7 microns
3. Near Band IR: 0.7 to 1.2 microns
4. Visible Band: 0.4 to 0.7 microns
Fire Sentry´s FS24X flame/fire detectors with its patented WideBand sensor array technology achieves the long detection ranges of 4.3 micron based sensing without the numerous inherent and intrinsic disadvantages by all other narrowband Triple IR flame detectors.
WideBand IR vs. Narrowband 4.3 Micron IR Flame Detection
When comparing Fire Sentry´s proprietary, patented WideBand IR based Multi-Spectrum QuadBand Triple IR FS24X Detector´s quantum four sensor array with the conventional Narrowband 4.3 micron based three sensor array used by every other "Triple IR" flame detector manufacturer, one should consider the following:
1. Narrowband "Triple IR" (or as falsely claimed by some manufacturers as MultiSpectrum IR) flame detectors depend solely on a hot fire generating a strong, clean 4.3-micron signal from the excitation of hot carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules. All Triple IR flame detectors are essentially single band 4.3-micron detectors with the addition of two false alarm rejection, non-flame sensing "guard" bands. If there is insufficient 4.3-micron flame signal or if the adjacent non-flame signals generate a larger signal (due to blackbody radiant energy from hot sources or a "dirty" fire), there is no flame detection. Basically, Triple IR flame detectors measure the amplitude of the 4.3-micron signal generated by the fire and then subtract (cross-correlate) the two guard band signal strengths to obtain a fire signal. On the other hand, Fire Sentry FSX WideBand fire and flame detectors see and alarm to all fires, whether the signal is predominately a molecular-based (i.e., CO2, CO, H2, etc.) flame or a predominately a "dirty" blackbody radiant heat fire, and all combinations thereof.
2. Although CO2 is generated throughout a fire´s total volumetric area, essentially it is the outer surface flame front that actually produces the bulk of the radiated 4.3-micron CO2 signal. The reason is the CO2 gasses produced inside the fire volumetric area actually absorbs the hot radiated 4.3 micron CO2 emission line because of Kirchoff´s Law that states essentially that a good emitter (CO2) is also a good absorber. Conversely, Fire Sentry´s WideBand IR™ senses not only the surface front CO2 signal but also, importantly, the blackbody radiated energy from the entire volumetric area of a fire. The small, hot Planckian blackbody particulates and other hot gasses inside the fire do not absorb in the radiated energy inside the fire´s volume as the narrowband 4.3-micron band CO2 does.
3. Not ALL fires produce pure, clean burning flames that generate a reliable, strong 4.3 micron signal – many, if not most, real-world fires are dirty, sooty, smoky fires (i.e., heavy crude oil, JP jet fuels, diesels, etc.) with copious amounts of primarily hot carbon-based particulates each radiating Planckian blackbody energy which can obscure, absorb, or seriously degrade a 4.3 micron flame surface front CO2 signal while increasing the signal strengths of the guard bands radiated inside the fire´s volumetric area thereby reducing the subtracted resultant fire signal. The final result is a much-reduced real world fire detection range and fire response time to real world fires compared to ideal test conditions against clean burning test fires. Alternatively, Fire Sentry FSX WideBand fire and flame detectors see and alarm to fires based on the wide band total, integrated radiant energy of a fire including all molecular emission lines and blackbody sources.
4. The fires must burn sufficiently hot to generate a strong 4.3-micron signal (colder fires may not produce sufficient 4.3 micron signal needed to produce a positive signal when subtracted from its two guard bands). For example, IPA, ethanol, methanol and other alcohol derivatives fall in this category of cold burning fuels. The result is reduced detection and longer detection times. In contrast, the Fire Sentry FSX WideBand fire and flame detectors see and alarm to fires based on the wide band radiant energy emitted. In other words, if the fire generates heat (radiant energy), Fire Sentry detectors will see it.
5. Non-hydrocarbon fires, such as hydrogen, silane, metals, etc. do not generate a 4.3 micron signal because there is no carbon dioxide (CO2) in the combustion process and conventional Triple IR flame detectors are totally blind to these fires. Conversely, the Fire Sentry FSX WideBand fire and flame detectors see and alarm to all fires based on the fire´s total, integrated fire radiant energy and do not rely solely (as narrowband Triple IR detectors do) on a 4.3 micron signal.
6. Atmospheric conditions can attenuate or seriously degrade the 4.3-micron signal before it reaches the conventional Narrowband Triple IR flame detector. Again, this is partially due to Kirchoff´s Law where the CO2 in the atmospheric path from the fire to the detector absorbs the 4.3-micron signal. The result is reduced detection range and slower response times. Again, Fire Sentry FSX WideBand fire and flame detectors are designed to see and alarm to all fires as they sense the total, integrated radiant energy generated by fire.
7. Carbon dioxide (CO2), water, and other commonly used fire suppression agents absorb the 4.3-micron fire signal, so suppression discharges can absorb the 4.3-micron signal before it reaches the conventional Triple IR flame detector. Again, this is because of Kirchoff´s Law. The result is reduced detection range or complete blindness to the fire under certain conditions. This also prevents detection of fire re-flash after a suppression release. On the other hand, the Fire Sentry FSX WideBand fire and flame detectors are not blinded by these conditions.
8. Altitude effects can degrade the 4.3-micron signal generated by a fire since there is less oxygen to produce a strong CO2 signal. The result can be reduced detection range for Narrowband Triple IR at higher altitudes. In contrast, the Fire Sentry FSX WideBand fire and flame detectors do not rely solely on the 4.3 micron narrowband signal, rather the total, integrated radiant energy of a fire.
9. Type of hydrocarbon fuel (different types and grades of gasoline, for instance) can significantly alter the 4.3-micron signal strength resulting in different detection capabilities and alarm times of Narrowband Triple IR detectors. On the other hand, the Fire Sentry FSX WideBand fire and flame detectors are not appreciably affected by this.
10. Water, ice, snow, fog, rain, condensation, mist, etc. on the detector viewing window lens can completely attenuate (blind) the 4.3 micron fire signal on conventional Narrowband Triple IR flame detectors. The slightest, thinnest film of water on one or more of the three sensor windows will completely attenuate the 4.4 micron emission line signal on conventional Triple IR / multi-spectrum detectors. This is the primary reason why conventional Triple IR detectors must be heated to keep condensation off the viewing lens and the result is detectors that consume more unnecessary electrical power thus leading to more costly larger gauge wiring, increased size of power supplies, and larger battery backup systems. If the heaters fail or cannot keep the water or ice off all three sensors, the result can be a fire that is not detected or, a false alarm can occur. This is why rain can cause these narrowband 4.3 Triple IR detectors to false alarm. Again, Fire Sentry FSX WideBand IR fire and flame detectors are designed to see and alarm to fires and not false alarm to non-fire stimuli in all environmental scenarios.
11. The 4.3 micron signal is completely attenuated (absorbed) by ordinary window glass which is why conventional Triple IR flame detectors cannot detect (blind to) fire and flames looking through ordinary window glass. This is why CO2 based flame detectors will not alarm to a fire if it is on the other side of window glass. If one of these detectors must protect against a fire threat behind a window, the window must be made of extremely expensive sapphire. On the other hand, the Fire Sentry FSX WideBand fire and flame detectors see and alarm to fires on the other side of ordinary window glass, but since the CO2 emission line (but not the integrated WideBand IR radiant energy) is completely attenuated (blocked) by the glass, the detection distance is reduced.
12. The 4.3-micron signal requires that the fire have adequate oxygen for complete combustion or the 4.3-micron signal is reduced since it partially shifts to wavelengths outside the narrow 4.3-micron pass band producing more carbon monoxide (CO) instead of carbon dioxide (CO2). This can result in reduced detection range and longer response times for conventional Triple IR detectors for fires that are oxygen starved. Fire Sentry Corporation´s WideBand IR quantum sensors easily accommodate wavelength shifting because of their wide bands provides coverage for the CO fire emission line. Importantly, our FSX WideBand IR detectors do not rely solely on the 4.3 micron narrowband signal, rather the total, integrated radiant energy of a fire which includes all the molecular emission bands including CO2 and CO.
13. Hand-held portable Test Lamps can be used at a longer alarming distance with the Fire Sentry WideBand IR detectors when compared to conventional Triple IR detectors. The result is easier manual testing of Fire Sentry detectors that provides end users and Authorities Having Jurisdiction with the assurance that the entire fire protection system including the flame and fire detectors, cabling, control systems, and suppression systems operate "end-to-end" as a complete system.
14. Since all conventional single, dual, and Triple IR hydrocarbon detectors depend solely on the narrow band 4.3 micron CO2 signal, Fabry-Perot type interference filters are necessary to select this narrow band 4.3 micron signal and as well as narrow band guard bands. This is why these narrowband detectors have difficulty with external environmental temperatures changes since interference filters shift their peak pass band wavelength as a function of the ambient temperature. One solution to help alleviate this problem of the wavelengths from drifting and shifting out of the pass band and guard bands is to maintain the sensors´ interference filter elements at a constant temperature using electrical heaters. However, this consumes significantly more electrical energy thereby causing the detector to have significantly higher electrical power requirements, especially in low temperature environments. This also results in the need for larger backup batteries and power supplies.
Thermal-Based Sensors vs. Photoconductive Quantum Sensors
Fire Sentry´s FSX detectors, including its FS24X QuadBand Triple IR Detectors, utilize an array of high-speed solid-state photoconductive quantum sensors with a combination of wide band spectral absorption type optical filters and wide band spectral interference optical filters that are not adversely affected by temperature and incident angle. Therefore, Fire Sentry Detectors exhibit a wide 110-degree full field of view and a significantly higher operating temperature of +85C with a wide temperature option available for -60 to 110C operation at reduced detection ranges. Other competitive flame detectors use thermal (bulk heat sensing) pyroelectric sensors or thermopile heat sensing sensors with narrow band temperature dependent and angle of incidence limiting optical narrowband interference filters.
Pyroelectric sensors (thermal-based) intrinsically are limited to maximum operational temperatures significantly less than photoconductors and thermopiles because of the physics of their operation. They indirectly respond only to changes in incident radiant energy and are intrinsically insensitive to non-changing constant radiant energy. This means these sensors do not provide an output signal corresponding to the magnitude level of background infrared energy as photoconductive and thermopile sensors. The incident radiant energy is converted to thermal heat when striking the pyroelectric crystal which causes expansion and contraction in the bulk crystal material that generates a small electrical signal due to the "piezoelectric effect." Mechanical shock and vibration to a pyroelectric crystal sensor can also generate these electrical signal currents that can result in a false alarm.
Thermopile sensors (thermal-based) sense radiant heat using the "thermocouple effect" of dissimilar materials. Their primary advantage is they, like quantum sensors, provide the blackbody infrared magnitude of the fire radiant energy. Since thermopile sensors respond indirectly to the thermal heat provided by the incident radiant photon energy, they exhibit an intrinsically slow response to radiant energy when compared to the response times of pyroelectric or photoconductors and are not used by our major competitors.
Photoconductive solid-state sensors operate on a quantum basis since each incident radiant energy photon quanta (which have quantum energy of hv) directly releases electrons from the electron-hole pairs in the sensor´s crystal lattice. Therefore, they are intrinsically capable of very high speed response and, since the electron emission is not the result of the sensor´s crystal temperature, wider temperature operation. For wide temperature operation, Fire Sentry flame/fire detectors use special sensor crystals developed from aerospace/military applications that can tolerate high and low temperature variations without crystal degradation.
Quantum-based photoconductive sensors directly provide both the magnitude and dynamic signal amplitudes of the incident radiant energy photon energy generated by fire. Pyroelectric sensors, on the other hand, only indirectly provide the amplitude of the change of the radiant heat energy. Pyroelectric sensors do not sense or detect the fire or flame´s blackbody energy level increase (or for a dying fire´s decreased signal strength); they only sense change of incident radiant energy. A fire´s Planckian blackbody radiant energy is essentially the radiant heat generated by the fire and is measured in watts and is the best indicator of fire´s growth and decay.
Conclusion
All Fire Sentry FSX detectors utilize photoconductive quantum solid-state sensors. All other Triple IR flame detectors use either pyroelectric or thermopile thermal effect sensors. Pyroelectric and thermopile sensors all use temperature-dependent interference filters to obtain the narrow pass band spectral filtering. All of these detectors only rely on the narrow band 4.3-micron molecular emission of hot CO2 (carbon dioxide) as the fire radiant energy sensing channel and use one or two adjacent narrow bands to compare against for background and false signal reduction. Hence, these types of flame detectors respond only to hot, carbon-based fires or false alarm scenarios that simulate these conditions.
All Fire Sentry WideBand IR flame and fire detectors utilize optical absorption and wide band interference filters that provide WideBand IR spectral coverage which includes all molecular emission lines (i.e., 4.3 micron CO2, CO, etc.) for sensing both complete combustion flames, incomplete combustion (oxygen-starved) and sooty, dirty hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon (i.e., hydrogen, silane, ammonia, and metal fires, etc.) real world dynamic fires as well as hot and colder burning hydrocarbon fires such as isopropyl alcohol. Both growing and steady state fires are detected as well as shuttered and non-shuttered fires.
Friday, October 30, 2009
FS20X
Introducing Fire Sentry Corporation’s latest product:
FS20X Multi-Spectrum TriBand™ IR Fire and Flame Detector
The new Model FS20X is the latest generation high technology Multi-Spectrum (IR/IR/UV/Visible) Fire and Flame Detector, which is part of Fire Sentry´s new FSX family of advanced technology Electro-Optical Fire Detectors. Based on the foundation of highly successful and reliable SS4 detector, the new FS20X Detector represents a quantum leap in integrating Infrared and Ultraviolet sensing technologies. The FS20X is a Multi-Spectrum IR/IR/VIS fire and flame Detector with the addition of a proven UV solar-blind sensor. The FS20X exhibits faster, false-alarm free response to fires over a wider temperature range and with a much longer detection range compared to conventional UV/IR detectors.
FS20X Multi-Spectrum TriBand™ IR Fire and Flame Detector
The new Model FS20X is the latest generation high technology Multi-Spectrum (IR/IR/UV/Visible) Fire and Flame Detector, which is part of Fire Sentry´s new FSX family of advanced technology Electro-Optical Fire Detectors. Based on the foundation of highly successful and reliable SS4 detector, the new FS20X Detector represents a quantum leap in integrating Infrared and Ultraviolet sensing technologies. The FS20X is a Multi-Spectrum IR/IR/VIS fire and flame Detector with the addition of a proven UV solar-blind sensor. The FS20X exhibits faster, false-alarm free response to fires over a wider temperature range and with a much longer detection range compared to conventional UV/IR detectors.
Conventional and older technology UV/IR detectors, using narrow band 4.3 micron IR sensors, will not respond to smoky fires or if the detector lens is contaminated with oil and other substances since both UV and 4.3 micron signals are attenuated, obscured or absorbed by thick smoke or detector lens contaminations. Also, these old technology UV/IR detectors will not alarm to any fire if they are installed behind ordinary window glass.
The new FS20X Detector using advanced patented algorithms for signal processing and fire and flame analysis is designed to alarm to all types of fires, hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon, in all industrial environmental conditions. If the Detector´s UV signal is degraded due to heavy smoke, contaminated lens or blocked by ordinary window glass, the FS20X´s patented WideBand IR™, Near Band IR and Visible sensors will still alarm to fire but at a reduced sensitivity and slower response time.
Dual microprocessors provide a high level of fail-safe operation combined with fast and reliable performance. The Master Microprocessor performs high-speed digital sampling and signal processing calculations; while the slave microprocessor handles various sensor data, performs communications, self-diagnostics and provides interface versatility; and additional memory for storing Event Log and FirePic™ data.
The FS20X Detector has a detection range in excess of 200 feet (Very High Sensitivity setting) for the detection of a one square-foot Heptane reference fire and has a cone of vision greater in volumetric coverage than most UV/IR Detectors. This means fewer Detectors can be used as compared to other manufacturers´ Detectors.
Applications
- Refineries and Oil Production Facilities
- Off-Shore Platforms
- Turbine/Compressor Enclosures
- Acetylene Processing and Storage
- Oil & Gas Pipelines and Pumping Stations
- LNG/LPG Loading & Unloading Facilities
- Natural Gas and CNG Plants
- Ethanol, Methanol, and IPA Production and Storage
- Crude Oil and Gasoline Storage and Tank Farms
- Aircraft Hangars
- Hydrogen Plants and Storage
- Paint & Solvent Storage
- Chemical Production, Storage, and Loading Facilities
- Power Plants
- Silane Gas Storage
Features
- Patented WideBand IR™ Infrared Technology
- Detection range greater than 200 feet to 1 sq. ft. heptane fire
- Patented Electronic Frequency Analysis™
- Visible Sensor for optimum false alarm rejection
- Selectable Detection Sensitivities
- Solar blind 90° full 100% cone-of-vision
- Dual Microprocessors for reliable performance
- Real-Time Clock for accurate time dating of events
- FirePic™ - Up to 6 Pre-Fire Event Data Storage
- Event Log - Up to 200 Events with Date and Time Stamp
- Built-in RS-485 ModBus Communication
- Built-in non-Isolated 4-20 mA Analog output (sink or source)
- Alarm, Fault and Fire Verification relays.
- Automatic Optical Path and Electronic Self-Test
- Widest Operating Temperature Range
- Patented Electronics Module for components protection with
plug-in terminations for easy field installation - Two ¾" NPT OR 25mm Conduit Connections
- Low Power consumption
- High RFI and EMI immunity
- FM approved
Benefits
- Detects Hydrocarbon and Non-Hydrocarbon fuel fires in all environmental conditions
- Arc welding immunity
- False alarm rejection for all environmental conditions
- Minimal Maintenance for trouble-free operation
- PC software and Interface Module (FSIM) for fault diagnostics,
RTGs, and downloading of FirePics™ and Event Log - Three Year Warranty - Optional Extended Warranty available
- Suitable for a wide variety of applications
Call 714-694-2700 today to see if the FS20X will work with your application or visit our website at http://www.firesentry.com/.
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Monday, October 5, 2009
WELCOME!!!!!
Welcome to Fire Sentry Corporation’s blog!
Fire Sentry Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, tests, and markets fast-reacting electro-optical fire and flame detectors, portable test lamps, controllers, and control panels. Fire Sentry detectors rapidly and reliably detect all types of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon fires for a broad range of industrial markets.
All products feature solid-state digital microprocessor electronics, Multi-Spectrum and Multi-Spectral Wide Band IR™ quantum sensors and FirePic™ for postulating the cause of fire events. Fire Sentry´s time-tested and proven fire detection products are used worldwide with over 50,000 installed in petrochemical plants, refineries and offshore platforms; the semiconductor industry; airbag manufacturing plants; munitions plants; automotive paint lines; general electrostatic finishing; power plants; general industrial facilities; as well as other diversified industries and applications.
We began as a company in 1981, and incorporated in 1984, by David A. Castleman and a small group of entrepreneurs to address the lack of advanced aerospace detection and sensing technology in the fire detection industry. During the last 28 years, we have grown into a group of dedicated fire detection professionals who continue to revolutionize the fire detection industry with their innovative products that are designed to provide the earliest warning of fires in order to save lives and property.
Fire Sentry Corporation’s offices and manufacturing plant are located in Yorba Linda, California. Fire Sentry is organized as a horizontal manufacturing company in Southern California’s aerospace community and because of the high technology military manufacturing environment in the Los Angeles/Orange County geographical area, horizontal manufacturing is cost-effective while providing the highest levels of Mil Spec quality and reliability. Mil Spec level PCB´s and components are procured from reliable, long-term strategic partner manufacturers and horizontal manufacturing allows the company to be flexible in meeting customer requirements.
In July 2008 the company moved into a modern single, free-standing building. All of Fire Sentry Corporation’s Administration, Engineering, Sales, and Manufacturing departments are located in the same two story facility which further facilitates all departments working closely together on the design, development, testing and manufacturing of new products that meet the needs of Fire Protection Industry. A training room, with a full range of fully functioning Fire Sentry products, is available for the use of customers, distributors and representatives.
Fire Sentry is committed to maintaining its high quality manufacturing standards.
For the last decade, Fire Sentry has been certified for conformance to ISO 9001:2000 quality standards for the entire company operations including manufacturing, engineering and marketing by SGS International Certification Services, Inc. In addition, Factory Mutual (FM), Canadian Standards (CSA), Cenelec/ATEX, CCCF, and other approval agencies regularly audit Fire Sentry Corporation.
Please check back for updates!
Visit our website at http://www.firesentry.com/
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