Fibresense – going the extra mile

Industrial fire detection specialist Patol has introduced a new fibre-optic linear heat detection cable (LHDC) and controller suite to its range of solutions and, in doing so, has extended the capabilities of LHDC technology.

FibreSense is a fibre optic distributed temperature sensing solution. The fibre optic sensing cable is available in two primary forms, Thermoplastic Tube (TT) and Armoured Tube (AT), with both versions of the sensing cable providing cost effective fire detection for a wide range of different applications. The Thermoplastic Tube cable is suited to many environments including those characterised by high levels of electro-magnetic (EMC) activity. The cable is Flame-Retardant Non-Corrosive (FRNC) and Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSOH), with a Kevlar strength layer protecting a central structure comprising a gel-filled thermoplastic loose tube. It measures temperature profiles at thousands of points simultaneously along the length of the cable and, given that it is immune to electro-magnetic interference (EMI), signal quality is unaffected in hostile environments.

Iain Cumner is Sales Director at Patol and comments: ‘LHDC is a well-proven and extensively used fire detection method. Over 4 million metres of our LHDC is operating in projects throughout the world, providing early detection of overheating in circumstances where other forms of detection would not be viable – either through the inability to withstand the environment or through prohibitive costs. Our previous cable supplier ceasing manufacture made us look into alternatives and now, with the introduction of the new FibreSense products, we are able to offer an option which not only draws on the existing benefits that LHDC offers but also extend them.’

The new FibreSense systems can provide protection of up to 10km per channel with controllers available in 2km, 5km or 10km versions, with 1, 2 or 4 sensing channels. Each channel will provide multiple detection zones, offering unlimited protection length, with data available in multiple different formats (fixed/max temperature, average temperature and rate-of-rise). It features an intuitive, user-friendly LCD touchscreen, enabling local programming rather than engineer-led programming.

Alarm, real-time temperature and distance data can be sent via a Modbus communications path to a third-party system, such as SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), for controlling ventilation or extinguishant systems.

The multiple system configurations, choice of fibre optic cable type, plus a choice of mounting hardware, ensures the ultimate flexibility to cater for all fire detection applications where Linear Temperature Sensing is the preferred solution, from tunnels, conveyor systems and escalators to power generation, car parks and warehouses.

For more information, please visit: www.patol.co.uk