Tyco Fire & Security launched what it claims to be the best flame detection device in Kuala Lumpur recently. The FV300 flame detector uses 256 infrared sensors and integrated CCTV in flame detection.

Unlike traditional flame detectors which usually uses three sensors, the new device uses 256 infrared sensors arranged in honeycomb structure, allowing a bigger field of vision and accuracy in flame detection.

According to Jan Johannson, Tyco Asia vice-president (strategic fire sales and marketing), the sensor is also armed with an intelligent software to distinguish between flame and non-flame sources, allowing effective monitoring and preventive measures to be taken immediately.

"The lack of visual information on the exact source of any fire is a major problem faced by operators around the world," said he said at the launch of the product. "This leads to delays in initiating the appropriate action such as shutting down the plant, and such unverified actions may cost companies millions of dollars."

Flame detectors are usually used in critical/hazardous industries such
as energy and power, oil and gas, marine and offshore, aircraft hangars, tunnels, munitions storage, semi-conductor, pharmaceutical. It is also
used in large areas or remote areas that are not easily accessible.

The accuracy with which a flame detector is able to detect a flame in
order to alert the operator to take immediate action is critical. If a
plant goes up in flames especially in oil and gas, it can have
disastrous consequences not only for the company, but also affect the
employees and the economy in terms of loss of lives and jobs and even
environment pollution, which will impact global warming.