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Intelligent fire and smoke detection

Honeywell SA has made a new method of smoke detection avaliable to the local market. Video Smoke Detection VSD-8 - for which Honeywell SA is the sole distributor in South Africa - is based on sophisticated computer analysis of the video image from standards CCTV. Using advance image-processing technology and extensive detection (and known false alarm phenomena) algorithms; the VSD-8 can automatically identify the distinct characteristics of smoke pattern.

VSD-8 greatly improves reaction time through very early warning detection ability. Programmed within the algorithms are all known fire and smoke phenomenon so that the VSD system can identify the specific signature of smoke while ignoring other environmental nuisance alarms such as dust particles and water vapour.

Conventional/addressable point smoke detection placed in the normal office environment will usually be close to the source of the fire and smoke will be detected quickly and effectively. Place the same detection in a large voluminous area such as an aircraft hanger or warehouse and there is a high reliance on the smoke overcoming distance, stratification and temperature layering before being detected. In this type of environment, conventional/addressable smoke detection methods have been found to be inadequate.

This technology has been specifically designed by D-Tec in the UK for use in large voluminous environments where the detection of a fire threat in its very early stages is vital. Other benefits include visual verification, detection at source, memory file and use of existing CCTV surveillance cameras where possible.

Says Tim Timmins, Honeywell SA regional business manager, "VSD has a proven track record worldwide; there are numerous systems in operation. Clients include Swiss Re building in London, Nissan, Ford and Statoil to name but a few. All have the same problem. the need to detect smoke very early and identify its precise location; then react immediately to the alarm while the fire is in its early stage. Why wait until you have a big problem? Using the latest technology (VSD) you can identify the source of the problem in its early stage. Then have either human response or a fully automated response. Either way you will save valuable time and hopefully save lives and asset damage."

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