Which detection method detects flames or a flame flash?

• A. Fixed temperature
• B. Rate of rise
• C. Smoke
• D. Flame/Flash

Answer: (D)

Flame detection relies on sensing the radiant energy emitted directly by a flame. A detector designed for flame/flash looks for the specific optical signals, often in the UV or IR range, and can respond to a flame or a brief flame flash very quickly, sometimes before much heat or smoke has built up. Fixed-temperature detectors only react when the surrounding temperature reaches a set point, so they may not indicate a flame early and can be triggered by non-fire heat sources. Rate-of-rise detectors track how fast the temperature increases, but rapid heating isn’t unique to flames and misses flames that don’t heat the area quickly. Smoke detectors pick up combustion particles, which may take time to appear or may not be present in a fast-flaming fire with little smoke. Because flame/flash detectors are specifically tuned to detect active flames or brief flame emissions, they are the best match for detecting flames or a flame flash.