APN0056.

PM6 Jan 99

FLAME DETECTION
BASIC PRINCIPLES
technical note

1. INTRODUCTION
The aim of this technical note is to introduce the basic technology and options
currently available for flame detection. This information provides a general
guide regarding the application of various detector types. However we
recommend expert guidance should always be sought as many applications
are covered in detail by national and international standards / codes of practice
which do not form part of this technical note.

2. OVERVIEW
Several different fire detection
technologies exist all aimed at
providing the earliest warning of a
fire incident and offering false
alarm immunity to the local
environmental conditions.
This document focuses on flame
detection technologies suitable for
hydrocarbon gas or liquid based
fuels, which operate by detecting the
optical characteristics of a fire or
flame.

Selecting the best detection Alternative fire detection

technology for a given application
is based upon the type of
combustible material to be
detected and the environmental
conditions present.
technologies such as point heat and
smoke etc. are the subject of a
separate technical note.

total environmental solutions

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3. OPTICAL FLAME DETECTION

Standard optical flame detection operates by detecting specific wavelengths of radiation i.e. ultraviolet,
visible, infrared, or a combination of these (see Figure 1).

Another form of flame detection uses the visible wavelength via a CCTV system. This principle of detection
is still in the early stages of development and therefore will not be discussed in this document.

There are numerous sources of Carbon Dioxide Spike

Ultraviolet Visible Infrared
naturally occurring radiation in Light
addition to those emitted by man
made equipment which do not
represent any form of fire hazard
but could inadvertently activate a
Radiation intensity

flame detector. Ultraviolet

Detection
Range
Typical non fire hazard radiation Infrared
sources include: solar radiation, Detection
Range
artificial lighting, furnaces, welding
and lightning. Several different
types of detector exist. Each type
employs one or a number of
detection principles along with a 0.2µ 0.29µ 0.4µ 0.8µ 2.7µ 4.3µ
range of signal processing Wavelength (µm)
techniques all aimed at improving
false alarm discrimination. Figure 1 - Typical Emission Spectrum of a Hydrocarbon Fire

4. OUTLINE SPECIFICATION OF FLAME DETECTORS

Flame detectors are available in either stainless steel, aluminium or poly-carbonate designed to withstand
external corrosive atmospheres or meet local engineering preferences.

Hazardous area certification is typically Exd to both US and European standards with some devices being
certified intrinsically safe.

Detector outputs are either:

a. Alarm relay contacts for fire and fault.

b. 4 - 20mA output, where 0mA = fault, 4mA = operational and 20mA = fire. Power supply is typically
24V dc.

c. Operating current change in the same way as a conventional smoke detector would operate.

High temperature versions designed and certified to operate in temperatures up to 125oC for turbine
enclosures are also available.

All detectors require the use of a swivel bracket for mounting and alignment to the target area.

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5. TYPES OF DETECTION AND SELECTION

5.1 Ultraviolet (UV) Flame Detection

This detector uses a UV detection tube which responds to UV radiation operating within the 0.18µm -
0.29µm region of the electromagnetic spectrum. This is the fastest principle of flame detection with typical
response times of less than 10ms.

However other sources of UV radiation will also activate the detector, these include: welding and lightening.
UV radiation emitted by the sun is filtered by the ozone layer and generally causes little concern although
the depletion of the ozone layer in some geographical regions means extra care must be taken.

The presence of contamination or oily film on the optical surfaces of a UV detector can limit the detectors
performance. To offset this effect most commercially available devices include optical test facilities. These
test facilities include a UV source integral to the detector which is directed through the optical window at
known time intervals. The resultant signal is compared to reference signal levels to determine the level of
contamination. This in turn can be used to initiate a fault alarm if contamination is to high.
Applications tend to be restricted to indoor clean environments ie: gas turbine enclosures and vehicle /
engine test cells.

5.2 Infrared (IR) Flame Detection

Hydrocarbon fires emit IR radiation in the range of 4.1µm and 4.6µm of the electromagnetic spectrum.
This IR range is associated with the wavelengths emitted by the hot CO2 gases in a flaming fire. IR
detectors operating on this principle have a typical response time of less than three seconds.

Other sources of IR radiation will also activate the detector, these include: solar radiation, ovens and
furnaces. To reduce the possibility of spurious alarms various techniques are employed, the most common
of which is to look for the frequency of flicker within a flame in conjunction to the intensity of IR radiation.
Although this improves the level of false alarm discrimination it does not compensate for all external
sources of IR radiation.

This detection principle is more tolerant to the presence of contamination and unaffected by oily film on
the optical surfaces of the detector, and is therefore more suitable for outdoor applications

5.3 Multi Wavelength IR Flame Detection

These detectors operate by looking at infrared radiation at two or more specific but separate bands of IR
radiation. One type of detector compares the separate wavelengths of IR radiation generated by the target
hydrocarbon fire. Whilst others look for the fire along with background levels of IR radiation at a different
wavelength. Both types are designed to improve false alarm discrimination, and do not suffer from any of
the limitations associated with UV detectors.

The main limitation of this type of detector comes from the atmospheric absorption of IR radiation at the
detectors target wavelength of 4,3mm. This aspect limits the detectors long range capability. Although
less prone to spurious alarms generated from solar radiation this still remains a prime consideration when
locating devices outside.

5.4 Ultraviolet / Infrared (UV/IR) Flame Detection

These detectors employ both the UV and IR detection principles as stated above. This configuration is
designed to improve false alarm discrimination from radiation generated from sources other than
hydrocarbon fires. Comparative signal processing of the detector outputs is used to add an additional
level of false alarm discrimination.

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Performance limitations are concerned with the likelihood of non fire generated UV and IR sources occurring
at the same time or of optical contamination which could adversely effect the signal ratio between both
types of detector. This type of detector is the most widely used configuration being suitable for both indoor
and outdoor applications ie offshore oil and gas platforms and onshore petrochemical plants.

5.5 Application Selection Chart

Type of Detector Advantages Disadvantages Application

Ultraviolet (UV) Fastest speed of response, Affected by external UV Indoor.

Highest sensitivity, sources.
Automatic self test. Blinded by thick smoke or oily
film.

Infrared (IR) High speed. Affected by temperature and Indoor.

Moderate sensitivity. sources of IR radiation.
eg sunlight, furnaces.

Multi Wavelength Moderate speed, Limited operating temperature Indoor / outdoor.

Infrared (IR) Moderate sensitivity, range. Affected by some
Good false alarm sources of IR radiation.
discrimination.

Combined UV/IR High speed of response, Dense smoke can limit Indoor / outdoor.
High sensitivity, detection range.
Wide temperature range,
Auto self test.

ZELLWEGER ANALYTICS LTD.

Zellweger Analytics Ltd. is a member of the Zellweger Luwa international group of companies, based in
Switzerland.

Backed by a worldwide network of after-sales service facilities, the company manufactures high quality
safety and environmental pollution monitoring instruments under the product names of Sieger, Polymetron,
Neotronics, Solomat, MDA Scientific and Astro.

Each is a well known brand in its own right, but together they represent more than 150 years of experience
and applications know-how in the detection and monitoring of toxic and flammable gases, fire, and the
measurement of pollutants and other parameters in liquids.

Please Note:

While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in this publication, no responsibility can be accepted
for errors or omissions. Data may change, as well as legislation, and you are strongly advised to obtain
copies of the most recently issued regulations, standards and guidelines.

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