Finding the Right Flame Detector

The risk of explosions and fires are common in industries, especially in oil and gas, chemical, and refining plants. However, basic control systems don’t warn of conditions outside the normal limits. In addition, gases and vapours burn with very high flame temperatures, it’s imperative to have an external IR3 Flame Detector in place to protect valuable equipment and human lives, as they send alerts and sound an alarm in the event of a fire.

That said, as a safety personal of your facility, you’ll want to purchase reliable and durable flame detectors that meet your industry’s safety regulations. That’s why it’s essential to choose the right flame detector.

Reliability

Since flame detectors respond to the radiant emissions from the flame, the first thing you need to consider when selecting sensors and detectors is the accuracy and reliability of the equipment. The flame or spark detection sensors must suit the hazard and its spectral responses must match the spectral emissions of the flames to be detected. Unfortunately, most industries fail to choose sensors based on the fluid present in the coverage area, while many sites don’t even consider other fire hazards in their facility. Therefore, in order to make sure the detector is reliable, it’s important to consider the type of hazards present in your facility.

Detector Range and Response Time

The detectors’ range and response time is the next important factor you need to consider when looking for flame detectors. It’s imperative to know the maximum distance within which the device can recognise the flame based on the fuel and the time taken to receive signals, process, and report feedback through alarms for the radiant energy detected. Make sure the response time is quick, as early as within 30 seconds and look for a wide coverage area per device, especially if your facility is vast, combined with the shortest time to detect a fire or flame or smoke.

Resistance to Unwanted Alarms

A flame or spark detection device should mitigate the possibility of false signals from wrong or non-fire sources. This is because false alarms can halt the production and lead to longer downtime, resulting in lost productive hours. Restarting the process might take weeks or even months, considering quality and process safety requirements.

While considering performance variables, it’s also important to check whether the detector is approved for use in hazardous areas in which they will operate. So, make the right choice by considering all these factors.

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