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Fire & Gas Detection Systems

Fire & gas detection systems are crucial components for the safety of buildings, infrastructure and complex environments such as in the marine or Oil & Gas sectors.

Their primary function is to promptly identify the presence of fires or gas leaks, triggering alarms and evacuation procedures to protect people and property.

Choosing the most suitable system depends on a variety of factors, including the characteristics of the environment being monitored, the risks present and applicable regulations.

 

 

 

The main fire & gas detection systems

 

Mozzanica designs conventional and analog systems with control panels assembled in our own workshop. Fire detection systems are often integrated with gas detection systems and EVAC control systems, allowing for better management of shared protocols with clients for alarm activation procedures.

  • Conventional systems: These systems are structured in zones, and each zone is protected by a group of detectors connected to a single zone on the control panel. They offer a simple and cost-effective configuration, suitable for small buildings or low-risk areas.
  • Addressable systems: Each detector has a unique address, enabling the control system to identify the precise activation point. They allow more efficient and detailed event management, ideal for complex or high-risk buildings.
  • Aspiration Smoke Detection: They draw air from protected areas through pipes and analyze it for the presence of gas or smoke. They provide precise and uniform coverage, suitable for large environments or areas with installation constraints.

During the engineering phase, Mozzanica's project managers verify the performance and the coverage of fire and gas detection equipment, as well as sound diffusion equipment, to ensure adequate coverage based on the processes, layouts and noise detected in the areas.

Mozzanica has a laboratory where control panels are assembled in 19” racks and the integrated systems are pre-tested.

  The key components of a fire & gas detection system

Detectors

 

These strategic devices are designed to detect smoke, gas or heat. Depending on the specific needs, we can distinguish between different categories of detectors:

  • Photoelectric Smoke Detectors: They utilize the principle of scattered light to identify the miniscule smoke particles generated by an incipient fire. They are particularly sensitive to smoldering fires that produce dense, black smoke.
  • Ionization Smoke Detectors: These detectors operate based on the ionization of air, detecting the presence of ions generated by combustion products. This technology offers greater sensitivity to flaming fires that produce thin, light smoke.
  • Infrared (IR) Gas Detectors: They use IR sensors to detect the presence of specific gases, such as methane, LPG, carbon dioxide or toxic gases. These detectors are particularly suitable in environments where there is a risk of gas leaks.
  • Catalytic Gas Detectors: They work through a catalyst that reacts with the target gas, generating an electrical signal that indicates its presence. This technology is specific for combustible gases such as methane and LPG.
  • Fixed Heat Detectors: They measure the ambient temperature and trigger an alarm when a predefined threshold is exceeded, signaling the potential development of a fire.
  • Rate-of-Rise Heat Detectors: Similar to fixed heat detectors, but with an additional sensor that detects a rapid drop in temperature, typical of an advanced stage fire.

Technological advancements provide increasingly “intelligent” detectors capable of enhanced performance in terms of signal detection and identification, thereby reducing, among other things, the number of false alarms.

Control panel

 

The control panel serves as the "brain" of the system, receiving signals from detectors, analyzing them, and activating appropriate actions. Modern control panels offer advanced functionalities, including:

  • System Status Display: It makes it possible to monitor the status of each detector and the presence of active alarms.
  • Event Logging: Maintains a history of alarms and events, providing valuable information for maintenance and risk analysis.
  • Remote Communication: It is possible to send notifications via SMS, email or phone call to the designated personnel or firefighters in the event of an alarm.
  • Interface with Other Systems: Can be integrated with other safety systems, such as smoke evacuation or fire suppression systems, for coordinated action during emergencies.

Wiring and Connections

 

Ensuring the transmission of alarm signals from the detectors to the control panel is of fundamental importance. The choice of wiring type depends on the characteristics of the installation site and specific system requirements. The main options include:

  • Traditional wiring: Uses dedicated cables to connect each device to the control panel, offering a robust and reliable solution.
  • Bus wiring: Utilizes a single cable for data transmission, simplifying installation and reducing costs.
  • Wireless Systems: They use radio technology to communicate between detectors and the control panel, offering maximum installation flexibility, without wiring constraints.

Advantages of fire & gas detection systems

  • Fire and accident prevention: Early detection of hazards enables rapid evacuation and timely intervention by emergency responders.
  • Reduced damage: Mitigation of the impact of fires or gas leaks on people, property, and infrastructure.
  • Compliance with regulations: Ensuring adherence to safety requirements mandated by law.
  • Protection of people and property: Safeguarding human life and minimizing material damage.

 

In addition, all detection systems can be managed and integrated with Mozzanica's proprietary cloud platform SeeIT, which allows continuous monitoring of the alarm or fault status of equipment using graphic maps, both on-site and remotely.


Industrial sector

 

Fire detection systems are often integrated with gas detection systems and EVAC control systems, thus enabling better management of shared protocols with clients for activating alarm procedures.

Mozzanica develops turnkey projects with the following types of technology for fire and gas detection:

Gas Detection

  • Electrochemical sensors
  • Infrared sensors
  • PID (Photoionization Detector) sensors
  • Catalytic sensors

Fire detection

  • High-sensitivity smoke and gas extraction systems
  • Fiber optic linear heat detection (LHD) systems
  • Thermographic systems with data analysis from thermal cameras
  • Certified thermosensitive cable
  • Flame detection
  • Smoke detection with smart cameras
  • Thermography

Marine sector

 

Thanks to our collaborations with the major industry manufacturers, Mozzanica offers a variety of types of detectors: smoke, heat, gas, flame, and oil mist.

Mozzanica designs and installs systems supervised by:

  • Conventional or analog/addressable fire detection control panels
  • Control panels for detecting toxic or harmful gases
  • Control panels for detecting flammable and explosive gases
  • Safety PLCs and supervision systems for high risks

System applications

  • Machinery rooms
  • Technical rooms
  • Ro-Ro decks
  • Public areas and cabins
  • Other areas

Reference standards

  • IMO Solas
  • FSS Codes
  • Flags Regulations
  • Class Regulations
  • Customer Specifications

Oil & Gas sector

 

Mozzanica provides conventional systems, addressable systems, and even safety PLCs, which can guarantee a level of functional safety up to SIL 3.

Applications

  • Point or open-path toxic gas detection
  • Point or open-path flammable gas detection
  • Heat detection with Fiber Optics
  • Heat detection with thermosensitive cable
  • Point heat detection
  • Flame detection
  • Point or open-path smoke detection
  • Aspiration smoke detection

Technologies used

  • Electrochemical sensors
  • Catalytic sensors
  • IR/UV sensors
  • Photoionization sensors
  • Ultrasonic sensors

Reference standards

  • EN 54
  • NFPA 72
  • UL 864
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