Early Fire Detection Using LWIR Thermography with ARTUS
ARTUS is a fully automatic temperature measuring and monitoring system. It uses a modern LWIR microbolometer camera (long wave infrared) to precisely measure surface temperatures at an accuracy of up to 1K using a contactless method. ARTUS automatically and continuously checks the monitored area to make sure it is within the specified temperature thresholds and detects potential hazards if the thresholds are exceeded.
As a combined system comprising video monitoring, temperature measurement and fire alarm systems, LWIR (long wave infrared) thermography opens a new dimension in protecting property from damage. This is the only technology that makes it possible to meet key requirements when it concerns comprehensive and gapless monitoring using just one single system:
Video imaging and/or fully electronic evaluation
Objects traveling in the monitored area
Coordination of firefighting measures
High resolution monitoring of small objects
Effective monitoring both daytime and nighttime
Triggering alarms in the case of low temperatures and minor fluctuations
Detection of slowly developing hot spots
High-resolution LWIR video camera
IP 65 protective housing with optional purge air unit and heating system
Objects traveling in the monitored area
Using state-of-the-art video processing, objects travelling in the monitored area can be detected, identified and specifically addressed. For example, objects which emit high temperatures but do not pose a fire hazard can be excluded from the monitoring process. Consequently, vehicles can travel freely on monitored outdoor areas without triggering an alarm or limiting the scope of the monitoring, despite hot engines, brakes and exhaust gases and fumes.
Similar to visual videography, objects of any size can be visualized for monitoring by selecting the appropriate lenses. If the area cannot be sufficiently monitored with a static camera position, a panning and tilting camera can be used to enlarge and adjust the monitored area as needed. Likewise, several cameras can be linked to form a monitoring system.
Coordination of firefighting measures
In addition to monitoring, ARTUS is superior to any other fire alarm system when it comes to facilitating fire prevention and firefighting measures, since it supplies active LWIR video images throughout the entire process. This enables an assessment of the situation onsite at any time and allows immediate verification of the effectiveness of the measures taken.
Smoke and fog contamination
Typical airborne particles in the atmosphere, such as smoke and fog, are almost fully transparent to LWIR radiation, since these compact particles have only a very slight effect on the ultralong wave rays. Consequently, ARTUS is capable of clearly and precisely sensing and visualizing the monitored area with its LWIR camera, even if the environment is highly contaminated with aerosols. It can be used in dusty environments. In contrast to standard video cameras (CCTV), the system also provides effective monitoring in situations where there is major smoke formation.
High resolution monitoring of small objects
ARTUS partitions every monitoring image into 76,800 measuring points. Each of these images is separately monitored by measuring the surface temperature, making it possible to monitor very small objects. For example, if a static ARTUS camera monitors a 1m wide conveyor belt, objects as small as approximately 2.4mm x 3mm can be detected. When monitoring an outdoor area with a diameter of 40m, the detection range starts at objects the size of a mobile phone.
Effective monitoring both daytime and nighttime
Unlike visual video monitoring and other temperature measurement methods, the ARTUS monitoring system does not need additional lighting and is resistant to glare from visible light. As a result, it can always be deployed to the full extent, without limitations, regardless of the time of day or if work lighting is used. Since detection is restricted to the radiation of the objects being monitored, there is no need to invest in additional expense and resources for installing special lighting.
High investment security
ARTUS is available in a wide range of expansion stages and grows with your requirements. All of the system components are integrated in a modular system and are compatible with each other.
Consequently, cost-effective solutions are also based on the full-fledged technology that forms the backbone of the complex systems. When expanding systems, it is guaranteed that the existing components can continue to be used. As a result, the installation of an ARTUS system is always a long-term, sustainable investment.
Selective masking
Often, certain areas within the monitored zone have to be excluded from the monitoring process. For this purpose, ARTUS can be configured to mask individual areas and thus exclude hot parts or components from triggering an alarm. Of course, these settings are protected and can only be changed by authorized personnel.
Triggering alarms in the case of low temperatures and minor fluctuations
ARTUS visualizes temperature differences regardless of the absolute temperature. The system can therefore also be used for monitoring low temperature environments, e.g. in cooling facilities and at room temperatures. Alarm thresholds can be specified for any temperature of -20°C and above as well as for temperature differences of 1K or higher within the monitoring range. Consequently, alarm thresholds can also be specified for temperatures that drop below a certain degree.
Detection of slowly developing hot spots
Since the measurement data can be recorded and evaluated, the temperature development is another possible alarm criterion which, for example, can be used to detect a strong build-up of heat within an environment that indicates slowly increasing temperatures, regardless of the temperature level already
reached. This is important in situations where the temperature difference between the environment and potential hot spots has a range similar to the naturally occurring temperature fluctuations in non-hazardous areas. This can occur, e.g. with hot spots that lie beneath the monitored surface and
can only be detected on the surface in a weaker form. In these types of difficult cases in particular, ARTUS has proven its value in numerous waste incineration plants.
High-resolution LWIR video camera
The ARTUS video camera is equipped with a microbolometer camera. The standard version has a field of vision of 25° x 19°. The geometry of the visualization can be adjusted using lens attachments made of high-quality germanium, so that the measuring field can be optimally tailored to the respective application. The area being monitored is divided into 76,800 individual fields (320 x 240 pixels). Each pixel is individually monitored. The camera has a 100Mbps Ethernet interface connecting it to the control cabinet.
IP 65 protective housing with optional purge air unit and heating system
Since the camera is usually deployed in extremely harsh environments, it is enclosed in a protective housing with a front-sided IR window made of barium fluoride (BaF2). An optional germanium window is available for applications in high-humidity environments.
The optional purge air unit can be used to positively pressurize the housing with clean compressed air. The positive pressure ensures a continuous airflow from the housing into the environment, thus preventing dust from entering the housing and reducing soiling of the IR window caused by dust particles. When the purge air option is used, the housing is rated as protection class IP 65. An optional sensor is available for detecting dirt on the IR window. The standard operating temperature range of the camera can be expanded by using the purge air unit and an optional heating system.
Control cabinet
The control cabinet can be installed outside of the hazard zone in an environment that is less dust-laden. The cabinet is the control center of the ARTUS ECO system and performs the following tasks:
- Control unit and power supply for the camera
- Digital processing and supply of a live video image on up to two PCs
- Transmission of alerts indicating that a limit value has been exceeded via isolated (potential-free) relay contacts, e.g. to the central fire alarm system
- Remote maintenance access to the monitoring system
- Purge air treatment (optional)
- Control unit for the pan-tilt head (optional)
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