• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • MARKETS & PRODUCTS
    • Markets


      Construction

      Cybersecurity

      Fixed Gas & Flame Detection

      General Industry

      Healthcare

      HVAC-R

      Oil & Gas

      Training

      Utilities

      Products


      Combustion Analysis

      Confined Space

      Connected Work

      Corporate

      Fall Protection

      Fixed Gas & Flame Detection

      Gas Analysis

      General

      Head Protection

      Heat Stress

      Leak Detection

      Portable Gas Detection

      Refrigerant Analysis

      Respiratory Protection

      Column
  • SUBSCRIBE

Flame Detection Design 101

3 Min Read | Oct 14, 2019

Reading Time: 3 minutesOptical flame detectors are proven performers in helping to protect people and equipment high-hazard areas and processes, but where do you start in deciding what system is right for you? Read this article to learn more about flame detection design.

October 14, 2019 by Kimberly Smith

Reading Time: 3 minutes
Fixed Gas and Flame Detection

Optical flame detectors are proven performers in helping to protect people and equipment in high value, high-hazard areas and processes.  We often hear the question “where do I start in deciding the type of flame detection system we need for 24/7 protection?”  First off, we recommend clearly identifying why the system is needed, and what are the most likely fire ignition scenarios that need to be detected and mitigated.

Where to Start?

After the facility or process owner has identified the most likely sequence of events leading to a fire,  a Hazard Operation analysis including identification of all possible flammable materials within the protected zone is typically performed.  From this analysis, a prioritization of flammable risks can be created, and identification of the optimal flame detection sensing technologies to match the radiant energy emission signature expected from the flammables to be detected.  Since different fuels emit unique flame spectra, not all detectors can detect flames equally.  Further, the presence of optical contaminants and non-fire radiant energy sources within monitored zones will have an impact on the performance of certain sensing technologies and installation locations, and must be evaluated.  In some challenging applications, there may be a requirement for additional optics protection accessories to ensure 24/7 availability. You can read our previous post on How to Select a Flame Detector for more details.

Onsite Coverage Considerations

After the hazardous operation analysis is completed and the optimal flame detection technology has been selected, a preliminary performance specification should be identified and documented by the end user.  Look for 3rd party certified performance test reports to validate your proposed performance specification, which will serve as the fundamental coverage template enabling proper assessment of different onsite installation points and alignment angles.  From this performance specification, a preliminary assessment of onsite coverage options can be performed.  Common approaches include geographic or scenario coverage assessments.  The geographic approach assesses coverage within a defined geographic fire ignition zone covered by one or more detectors, while the scenario approach specifies the most likely fire scenarios within a zone that can be detected with consideration given to frequency and catastrophic magnitude using defined coverage arrangements.  Some high value asset applications require cross-zoned voting flame coverage where for example, triplicated coverage is required and 2oo3 (2 out of 3) flame detectors must be in alarm simultaneously before a system fire alarm suppression output is energized.  In all cases, known physical obstructions must be identified and layouts must ensure proper installation locations and coverage to overcome these obstructions.

Transferring Theory to Reality

Whenever detector installation locations are being considered, the owner or designated installer should audit the flame detection coverage map against the reality of the jobsite whenever possible.  This task generally requires a site walkdown with coverage map in hand and a laser aiming accessory to validate field of view coverage provided by the proposed install locations.  Experience has proven it is not uncommon for one or more proposed detector locations or alignment angles to be unsuitable due to undocumented issues such as physical obstruction/blockage, inadequate mounting structure or accessibility, high structural vibration levels, high heat levels, or interposing clouds of process smoke, steam, or other problematic environmental conditions.  Proposed locations should also be selected with consideration given to a means of physical access for optics cleaning, maintenance, testing, and routine inspection.  If technicians cannot easily access a detector, it most likely will not be regularly maintained.

Significant technical advancements have occurred over the past decade which have improved the baseline performance of optical flame detectors. Detectors respond faster, can see farther and are more immune to false alarm sources. However, it remains incumbent upon the end-user or their assigned contractors to execute due diligence in performing proper analysis and evaluation of the onsite fire hazards and ensuring proper detection technology selection and coverage along with proper installation, operations, and maintenance practices to attain a continuously reliable, high-performing optical flame detection system.

Watch our Flame Detection Technologies Overview webinar to get a better understanding of how flame detectors work and things to consider when designing a flame detection system.

Recommended for You

Fixed Gas & Flame Detection

UV/IR vs MSIR Flame Technology

September 9, 2024
2 Min Read
Senscient ELDS
Fixed Gas & Flame Detection

Ethylene Gas Leak Detection

August 9, 2024
2 Min Read
Anhydrous Ammonia Tank
Fixed Gas & Flame Detection

Are You Prepared for Ammonia Gas Leaks

January 22, 2024
5 Min Read
Fixed Gas & Flame Detection

In the Know: Navigating the Hazards of Methane Gas Leaks

February 12, 2024
4 Min Read
Share:

Footer

MSA MISSION: That men and women may work in safety and that they, their families, and their communities may live in health throughout the world.

MSASafety.com

  • Construction
  • General Industry
  • Oil & Gas
  • HVAC-R
  • Utilities
  • Fixed Gas & Flame Detection
  • Fire Service
MSA on Facebook   MSA on X   MSA on Instagram   MSA on LinkedIn   MSA on YouTube  

Contact

  • blog@msasafety.com
  • 1-800-672-2222
  • View All Contact Info
  • Subscribe

Other MSA Blogs

  • Fire Service – The Scene
  • FieldServer – The Safety Connection

© 2024 MSA. All rights reserved.

© 2025 MSA . All rights reserved.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT