The video fire detection (VFD) product has been deployed in the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) hangar to protect museum assets. Based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, the aircraft of the BBMF are regularly seen at events commemorating the Second World War, British state occasions and at air displays around Europe. Most notable among the aircraft of 1939-45 are the Spitfire, the Hurricane and one of only two flight-worthy Lancaster bombers in the world. It was therefore imperative that when the fire protection needs of the flight hangar were reviewed, an effective and reliable fire detection product was chosen. The new product, the SigniFire from Fike Safety Technology (FST) was designed and installed by TIS, part of Fike’s nationwide integrator network.
The camera-based product visually detects the presence of fire or smoke at its source. Multiple cameras were installed, covering the floor of the hangar and roof space. A bonus is the providing of CCTV images for security purposes, if required. The video can aid incident response and can be recorded for post-incident analysis.
After a competitive tender, SigniFire was chosen for its technology, resilient and redundant architecture and its field proven reliability, according to the installer. The testing phase at Coningsby created an unusual problem, says Mark Wilson, Head of Contracts for TIS. He says: “Due to the nature of the environment and the priceless value of the assets held in the hangar we were not allowed to light real test fires for the commissioning of the system, so we developed a unique artificial flame and smoke simulator. At the time of testing both the original fire detection system and the VFD were operational. These tests demonstrated SigniFire’s excellent fast response to the initial presence of both smoke and flame.”
According to Fike, unlike conventional fire detection systems, SigniFire doesn’t use traditional forms of smoke, heat or flame detection. Instead, it works by automatically analysing video images at the point of detection in each video fire detector, looking for tell-tale characteristics that indicate the presence of smoke and/or flames. Distributing the video processing to within each fire detector camera delivers improved resilience and with the use of fire resistant cable allows the system to be BS 5839 certified. Video is recorded on a network recorder and monitored remotely on a touchscreen SpyderPanel. SigniFire is also connected to a newly installed addressable fire alarm system in the building.
An aircraft hangar can place demands on VFD, given day-night light changes, slow moving aircraft, bright sunlight and opening and closing of hangar doors. The application of video exclusion zones and double-knock triggers on flame and smoke detection ensures it’s claimed that false alarms are minimised and that the BBMF hangar has protection around the clock. LED white lighting was installed next to each camera for minimum illumination at all times.
For further information
Ring Fike Safety Technology on: 01633 865 558, Email: [email protected] or visit www.fikesafetytech.co.uk.
