International Developments in Fire Sensor Technology

There have been a number of developments in fire sensor technology over the past ten years. Some, such as incipient smoke detection systems, have become readily available, while others remain in the research, pre-production, or newly released stage. This second group of sensors utilizes technologies ranging from optical fibers and wax, to integrated video and infrared sensors controlled by artificial intelligence algorithms. This paper presents an overview of several less known, yet promising, fire sensor technologies. Although it does not address specific applications, it illustrates the wide range solutions available for addressing a variety of fire detection needs.