Advances in technology are not only making fire detection more effective and reliable, but also smarter and more integrated with other smart home devices.
Traditional fire detection for housing is based on standalone smoke and heat detectors that trigger alarms when they sense the presence of smoke or a rapid increase in temperature. While generally reliable, the effectiveness of such devices can be limited by their susceptibility to false alarms and their inability to communicate with other devices and safety systems.
With the advent of smart technologies, smoke alarms have undergone significant improvements, such as advanced split-spectrum technology. This acts to reduce false alarms by using two wavelengths of light (an infrared photoelectric sensor and a second, blue LED) to detect smoke from both fast-burning and smouldering fires. The technology can also reduce the incidence of false alarms triggered by causes such as steam and dust.
Rather than relying solely on conventional smoke alarms for housing, smart technology now provides the opportunity to monitor other safety-critical criteria, such as carbon monoxide, heat and humidity levels. Monitoring humidity levels is crucial because excessive humidity can lead to health-compromising situations such as damp and mould. On this point, the government has issued guidance by which housing providers must ensure that their properties are free from serious hazards; it says they must treat cases of damp and mould with the utmost seriousness and act promptly to protect tenants’ health.
Wireless systems
Compared with hard-wired devices, wireless fire protection delivers a range of benefits to installers and end-users. Top of the list is that no wiring is needed because the devices are powered from sealed battery units and connect with each other via radio links. This provides a number of advantages, including faster installation times and avoiding damage to walls and ceilings caused by running cables.
Wireless technology also gives installers the freedom to place devices precisely where they are needed to create a system with optimal performance. Wireless fire alarm systems offer an ideal solution for buildings where cabling may not be practicable or desirable. They are also a versatile, practical and aesthetic choice for all building types.
Wireless fire detection systems can also be expanded more easily than their hard-wired equivalents. Housing providers can easily add new sensors, alarms or other devices to the system without needing to rewire or make significant changes to the existing setup. Wireless systems are generally easier to maintain because troubleshooting doesn’t require checking physical connections and battery replacements are straightforward.
The upfront costs of wireless devices can be slightly higher than their hard-wired equivalents, but when the cost-savings of faster and simpler installation and easier maintenance are considered, the total cost of ownership may be comparable.
Real-time information & diagnostics
One of the key innovations of fire detection systems has been the wireless gateway. Simply put, this is a device to which sensors are linked wirelessly, providing housing providers with real-time information and diagnostics on the status and health of sensors. Housing providers can also monitor and control their fire detection systems remotely, checking the status of sensors and batteries, silencing false alarms or testing the system via a mobile app or web interface.
When connected to a wireless gateway, environmental detectors provide real-time alerts about deteriorating humidity conditions that may lead to damp and mould. A wireless gateway can also be the key to integration with other smart home systems, such as security and lighting, creating a more comprehensive and holistic home automation network.
AI and IoT
AI is refining fire detection by making systems more predictive and less prone to false alarms. For example, AI-based detectors can analyse patterns in smoke and heat data to determine the likelihood of a fire more accurately. AI systems can also learn from previous incidents, improving their accuracy over time.
IoT-enabled fire detection systems can be part of a larger network of interconnected devices that monitor a housing environment, such as a smart thermostat and a lighting system. If a fire does break out and develop, IoT devices can provide real-time data for firefighters, such as the exact location of the fire and the status of smoke levels at each location.
In conclusion, advancing technology has made fire detection in homes more sophisticated and user-friendly. By harnessing the advances in wireless technology, the latest sensors, wireless gateways and AI/IoT, housing providers can benefit from better protection, better information and greater integration with non-fire systems.
Michael Lawrence is the marketing director for WisuAlarm UK & Ireland.
