Fire Detection Systems Are Evolving to Meet the Safety Demands of High-Risk Industries

Modern, growing industrial plants are increasingly complex, making more rapid and reliable fire detection technologies increasingly important.The innovation of fire detection technology in safety instrumentation is the result of the growing complexity of industrial plants. Oil and gas, chemicals, petrochemicals, and energy are among the industries that are now more inclined to spend the extra dollars required to implement more sophisticated flame detection equipment that will allow them to more quickly respond with fewer false alarms. 

Emerson’s flame detection product line continues to grow with a new flameproof version of its Rosemount 965 Flame Detector.

The new model is optimized for hazardous environments in which hydrocarbon fire detection is a critical application. It also includes QuadSense technology, which identifies the true flame of hydrocarbons from other heat sources using four infrared sensors, which enhances the accuracy of detection in difficult industrial environments. 

The detector also comes factory calibrated for life, which means there is less need for routine maintenance, and is compatible with a number of different communication options so it can be integrated into existing industrial safety systems.

The flameproof rating opens up the detector’s use in oil and gas processing plants, chemical plants, storage terminals, hazardous materials handling locations and other areas where it must withstand fire.

Industry context

Industrial operators are increasingly turning to ever more sophisticated fire and gas detection systems as they strive to enhance the safety of their plants as well as the reliability of their operations. Relying on traditional flame detectors is soon to be replaced by intelligent detectors that can detect flames quickly, self-diagnose and integrate with digital control and safety systems.

Meanwhile, tougher safety standards and the increased prevalence of digital technologies in industry are driving the trend to deploy safety technology that is easier to maintain and more reliable. For critical safety equipment, self-testing, advanced sensing technology, and network connectivity are now considered must-haves.

The addition of Rosemount demonstrates a larger move toward better industrial safety solutions by Emerson. Advanced flame detection systems are playing a growing and more critical role in helping to protect people, critical assets and the continuity of the business in high-risk industries as automation, digital monitoring and connected operations evolve.