GB2472646A

GB2472646A - CCTV system arranged to detect the characteristics of a fire

Info

Publication number: GB2472646A
Application number: GB0914253A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Frederick Boyd
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-08-14
Filing date: 2009-08-14
Publication date: 2011-02-16
Also published as: GB0914253D0

Abstract

A closed circuit television system is arranged such that it can automatically detect a fire and actuate an alarm. The system is provided with a means for analysing the images being relayed by at least one camera of the CCTV system, and detecting a characteristic of a fire. The system is further provided with a means for actuating an alarm in the event that a characteristic of a fire is detected by the analysing means. The characteristic of the fire may be a flame or smoke. The CCTV system may be linked to a remote monitoring centre such that if the alarm is actuated on detection of a characteristic of a fire, the fire brigade may be alerted.

Description

A DETECI1ON SYSTEM The present inventionS relates to a detection system. In particular, the present invention relates to an automatic fire detection and alarm system.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a closed circuit television (CCTV) system, which has been modified so that it can also detect fires and actuate an alarm on doing so. The present invention also provides a process for converting a CCTV system already in situ to detect fires and actuate an alarm on doing SQ.

In 2001 it was estimated by insurers that arson resulted in �65 million worth of damage to schools In reality, a recent Government report stated that the true cost of arson attacks is upwards of �1 15 million that is taking cognisance of the fact that each fire results in the use of resources by the fire brigade and police and the considerable inconvenience and disruption suffered by staff, pupils and parents.

Although the common perception is that most deliberately started school fires occur outside of school time, in reality, nearly a third of all school arson fires occur when pupils are hi the school. This proportion appears to be rising.

Research also indicates that virtually all arson attacks are started within a school building To this end, research seems to suggest that the majority are started in school cloakrooms with the next most popular locations being classrooms and storage rooms.

With a view to addressing the problem, the Home Office in the UK have made a number of recommendations With a view to preventing arson attacks, the Home Office has recommended that a New schools should be designed and built with arson ia mind. For example cloakrooms should be constiucted with fire resistant walls and ceilings, and have self-closing fire doors, Consequently, architects responsible for such new projects and existing alterations should consult with fire service and insurance specialists.

* Stores in and around the school which contain combustible material should be kept locked.

* Stores that contain chemicals and hazardous materials, often adjacent to chemistry laboratories should be well managed, clean and kept locked. The fire brigade should be advised of the location of such rooms for their records.

a Waste bins and wheelie bins should be located well away from the buildings, preferably in locked compounds. Waste skips used for any purpose should be located well away from buildings but not near perimeter fences or walls. Litter bins should be emptied before I at start of lunch break and at the end of each day.

With a view to improving detection and protection, the Home Office have recommended that: * Automatic fire detection should be considered and included in all escape routes, stores, cloakrooms and high risk areas.

* Coats and other combustibJes should not be kept in corridors or escape routes.

* Fire doors should be maintained in good working order and closed at all times.

Full cost benefit analysis should be undertaken on the installation of sprinkler systems for all new building projects or substantial refits I renovations.

Automatic detectien and fire alarm systems should be connected to a commercial collector station for constant monitoring and immediate transmission of a fire alarm signal to the local authoilty fire brigade whenever the school is unoccupied.

Unwanted calls such as malicious calls and system faults should be treated senously and with the highest prionty Malicious calls are a criminal offence and should he forwarded to the police by the fire brigade.

As pad of the recommendations they also state that consortium and other lightweight constructions, which present a problem for uncontrolled tire spread especially in roof and ceiling void areas should be inspected regularly and any weaknesses in fire cornpartmentation including roof void areas should be addressed.

As will be appreciated there are a number of stand alone automatic detection and fire alarm systems, which can visually detect i.e. by way of a camera, characteristics of a fire, such as smoke or the flames of a fire. On detectiOn, they can actuate an alarm.

Disadvantages of stand alone automatic detection and fire alarm systems are that they are expensive and their installation is labour intensive and can be disruptive, especially in a school environment during term time It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to the detection and protection of buildings against fire.

in a first aspect of the present invention there Is provided method of converting a Cclv system such that it can automatically detect a fire and actuate an alarm, the method comprising the steps of: providing the CCIV system with an analyzer which can analyse the images being relayed by at least one camera of the CCIV system and detect or spot a characterIstic of a fire, and an actuator which actuates an alarm in the event that a characteristic of a fire is detected or spotted by the analyzer.

As will be appreciated close circuit television (CCIV) systems are primarily used as a security device and as a deterrent around office buildings, stores, school campus sites etc. By converting an already existing CCIV system such that It can automatically detect a fire and actuate an alarm on doing so, addresses the problems associated with having to Install a stand alone automatic detection and fire alarm system to protect a properLy from fire. That is, by converting a CCIV system already in existence in accordance with the present invention is less time consuming1 less disruptive and less costly. It will also be apprecIated that as the present system is actuated on visually detecting a characteristic of a fire, it doesn't suffer from the drawbacks associated with fire alarms which rely on smoke detectors and/or heat detectors which only work in confined spaces.

Preferably, the characteristic of the fire the analyzer can detect is a flame and/or smoke. As stated above, as the present system can detect a fire based on a visual characteristic ci a fire, its efficiency is not hampered by not being located in a confined space unlike fire alarms which detect the existence of smoke or heat.

Advantageously, the method of the invention further incLudes the step of linking the Cclv system to a remote monitoring centre such that if the

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alarm is actuated on detection of a characteristic of a fire, the fire brigade is alerted Further preferably, the monitoring centre is the fire brigade As will be appreciated, this enables a quick reaction to any fire detected.

In a further asoect of the present invention theie is provided a converted CCTV system which pan automatically detect a fire and actuate an alarm, the system being additionally provided with: an analyzer which can analyse the images being relayed by at Least one camera of the CCTV system and detects characteristic of a fire; and an actuator which actuates an alarm in the event that a characteristic of a fire is detected by the analyzer.

Advantageously, the analyzer can detect a flame of the fire or the smoke from the image relayed by the at least one camera.

Preferably the system is linked to a remote monitoring centre such that if the alarm is actuated on detection of a characteristic of a fire the fire brigade is alerted. In this regard, preferably the monitoring centre is the fire brigade or fire station.

A biock diagram of a non-limiting embodiment of a system as converted in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in figure 1. As will be appreciated, in this embodiment the video processor is provided wfth an analyzer, which can detect or spot a characrei istic of the fire When used in this specification and. claims, the terms "compriaest' and "comprising and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are Included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or n terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features) be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of converting a CCTV system such that it can automatically detect a fire and actuate an a Farm, the method comprising the steps of: providing the CCTV system with an analyzer which can analyse the images being relayed by at least one camera of the CcTV system and detect a characteristic of a fire, and an actuator which actuates an alarm in the event that a characteristic of a fire is detected by the analyzer.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic of the fire the analyzer can detect is a flame.
3. The method of claim I or 2, wherein the characteristic of the fire the analyzer can detect is smoke.
4. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method further includes the step of linking the CCTV system to a remote monitoring centre such that if the alarm is actuated on detection of a characteristic of a fire the fire brigade is alerted.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the monitoring centre is the fire brigade.
6. A converted CCTV system which can automatically detect a fire and actuate an alarm, the system being additionally provided with: an analyzer which can analyse the images being relayed by at least one camera of the CCTV system and detect a characteristic of a fire; and an actuator which actuates an alarm in the event that a characteristic of a fire is detected by the analyzer.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the analyzer can detect a flame of the fire.
8. The system of claim 6 or 7, wherein the analyzer can detect smoke.
9. The system of any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein the system is linked to a remote monitoring centre such that if the alarm is actuated on detection of a characteristic of a fire the fire brigade is alerted.The system cf claim 9 where in the monitoring centre is the fire brigade.ii. A converted CCTV system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1.12. A converted CCTV system as claimed by any one of claims 6 to 10 substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figure 1.13 A method of converting a CCTV system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1.14. A method of converting a CCIV system as claimed by any one of claims 1 to 5 substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figure 1.A converted CCTV system substantially as hereinbefore described 16. A method of converting a CGTV system substantially as hereinbefore described.