A new fire detection method developed in Russia predicts outbreaks before flames appear

Moscow, May 3 – A program for early detection of fires by gas formation in the air is being created by scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University. According to them, this will prevent the ignition from spreading to fires in offices, shopping centers, residential buildings and warehouses. The research findings have been published in the Journal of Engineering Physics, Thermal Physics and the Fire Safety Journal.

Modern fire detectors are triggered when combustion has already spread into a room. A more modern approach, according to experts, is to detect a fire before a flame appears, which is possible by analyzing the gas composition of the air.

Tomsk Polytechnic University scientists are developing a new method for detecting fires by air composition, which is based on neural network processing of data from various sensors. According to the scientists, the proposed approach will significantly reduce response time to fires and improve the efficiency of fire extinguishing systems.

A team of specialists from Tomsk Polytechnic University conducted more than 800 experiments on a special installation, analyzing the entire combustion process of wood, plastic panels, linoleum and other combustible building and finishing materials.

According to the researchers, the concentration of gases can determine the type of fire and the predominant materials in it. Understanding these parameters allows you to determine the optimal extinguishing strategy.

“As part of the project, we are studying the effectiveness of different fire extinguishing fluids and their different modes of use, for example, what additives should be used to most effectively suppress the combustion of a particular substance,” explained Alina Zhdanova, associate professor from the Research School of High Energy Process Physics at the University of Tomsk Polytechnic.

As confirmed by scientists, the correct choice of an effective method of extinguishing reduces toxic emissions during combustion, which will help make the evacuation of people safer.

The scientists explained that the special programs being developed at the university can be used to prevent a fire from turning into a fire in offices, warehouses, shopping centers and small residential areas.

The scientific team intends to prepare the new system for testing scheduled for the summer of 2023.

The study is supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation, Project No. 21-19-00009. Tomsk Polytechnic University is a participant in the program of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science “Priority 2030”.