PRACTICAL FIRE DETECTION
Commercial buildings also need to balance fire safety with the practical demands of occupied spaces. Shopping centres, hotels, offices, showrooms and other commercial environments may operate for extended hours, making disruption for installation, testing and maintenance an important consideration alongside detection performance.
Ciqurix develops and manufactures video flame detection technology for these operational environments. CORE uses visual and near-infrared analysis to identify the physical presence of flame directly, rather than waiting for the byproducts of fire — smoke and heat — to travel through a large space and reach a detector.
Why Ciqurix Is Suited to Commercial Buildings
Detects the physical presence of flame using visual and near-infrared analysis
Suitable for large atria, high ceilings and open commercial spaces
Can detect fire at distances of up to 180 metres, subject to application and system design
Can help reduce difficult high-level installation and maintenance access
Operates during day and night across all light levels
CORE is designed for compliance with BS 5839-1
Ciqurix was the world's first company to achieve product certification to LPS 1976
Integrates with virtually all fire alarm control panels
Can integrate with automatic suppression and remote monitoring systems
Provides flexible detector positioning in architecturally complex spaces
Fire Detection for Complex Commercial Environments
Commercial buildings vary considerably in their design and use. A large hotel atrium presents a very different detection environment from a trading floor, shopping centre or car showroom, which is why fire detection technology should be selected according to the operational environment and fire risk rather than the building category alone.
Large open spaces and high ceilings can create particular challenges. Smoke and heat may need to travel significant distances before reaching ceiling-mounted detectors, while complex ventilation systems can influence their movement through the building. Installing and maintaining detectors at height can also require specialist access equipment and disruption to occupied areas.
CORE uses a different detection principle. Ciqurix detectors process visual and near-infrared images simultaneously to identify the physical characteristics of flame.
Because detection is based on an appropriate view of the fire risk, detectors can be positioned according to the architecture and protected area rather than simply at the highest point within the space. This can provide greater flexibility where building height, access or architectural design makes traditional detector positioning more difficult.
Fire Detection for Large Atria and High-Ceiling Spaces
Atria are a common feature of hotels, shopping centres, offices and other modern commercial buildings, but their height and volume can make fire detection more complex.
Traditional automatic fire detection technologies have defined installation-height parameters under BS 5839-1. In high spaces, smoke and heat also have further to travel before reaching detection installed at ceiling level.
Video flame detection identifies the physical characteristics of flame directly from an appropriate detector position. This reduces dependence on smoke or heat travelling through a large volume and provides greater flexibility in where detection can be installed.
Ciqurix is the only approved video fire detection solution for buildings exceeding 40 metres, making the technology particularly relevant where exceptional height forms part of the building design.
Reducing Access and Operational Disruption
Fire detection has to be maintained throughout the life of a building, making accessibility an important consideration when designing the system.
In large atria and other high-ceiling commercial spaces, accessing ceiling-mounted detectors may require mobile elevated work platforms, scaffolding or other specialist arrangements. In an occupied hotel, shopping centre, showroom or office, that work can also require areas to be temporarily closed or restricted.
Video flame detectors can be positioned at more accessible locations where they maintain an appropriate view of the fire risk. This can help reduce difficult high-level access requirements during installation, inspection and maintenance.
Considering installation, access, disruption and future maintenance alongside equipment cost can therefore provide a more meaningful assessment of total lifecycle cost.
SPECIALISING IN FIRE DETECTION
Video flame detection technology like Ciqurix’s FCam System addresses these challenges. By using advanced algorithms and video and infrared analysis, our tech can visually detect the first signs of fire in real-time. Unlike traditional detectors, video flame detection can monitor large areas from a distance, identify fires in hidden or obstructed spaces and reduce the likelihood of false alarms. This leads to faster alerts and quicker emergency responses, which are crucial in minimising damage and protecting both lives and property.
Typical Commercial Building Applications
Shopping centres combine large public spaces, atria, multiple levels and extended operating hours. Fire detection needs to work within the architecture while allowing installation and maintenance to be managed with minimal disruption.
Hotels can contain high atria, reception spaces, restaurants and other large communal areas alongside conventional accommodation. Video flame detection may be appropriate in the larger or architecturally complex spaces where height and access create particular detection challenges.
Car showrooms often combine large open floor areas, extensive glazing and high ceilings. Video flame detection can monitor defined fire risks across these spaces from suitable detector positions.
Business centres and offices may contain large atria, open-plan areas and complex layouts. Video flame detection can form part of the wider fire detection strategy where building geometry or access makes traditional approaches more difficult.
Trading floors can contain high concentrations of electrical equipment within large open operational areas where business continuity is particularly important.
Large atria and architecturally complex buildings can present challenges because of their height, volume and geometry. Direct flame detection provides an alternative detection principle where relying on smoke or heat travelling to ceiling-mounted detectors is less appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can fire detection be challenging in commercial buildings?
Commercial buildings can combine high ceilings, large atria, complex layouts, ventilation systems and difficult maintenance access.
These conditions can influence where traditional smoke and heat detectors can be installed and how the byproducts of fire move through the building.
Is video flame detection suitable for large atria?
It can be particularly suitable where the height and volume of an atrium create challenges for traditional detection approaches.
CORE identifies the physical characteristics of flame directly using visual and near-infrared analysis rather than depending on smoke or heat reaching a detector at ceiling level.
Can CORE be used in commercial buildings over 40 metres high?
Yes. Ciqurix is the only approved video fire detection solution for buildings exceeding 40 metres.
Because CORE identifies flame directly rather than relying on smoke or heat reaching ceiling-mounted detection, it does not have a comparable detector installation-height limitation.
Can video flame detection reduce maintenance disruption?
It can help. Detectors can be positioned in accessible locations where they maintain an appropriate view of the fire risk rather than necessarily being installed at the highest point within the space.
Can CORE integrate with an existing commercial fire alarm system?
Yes. CORE is compatible with virtually all fire alarm control panels and can connect directly to the Fire Alarm Control Panel or through an appropriate input/output interface.
CORE is a primary fire detection system designed for compliance with BS 5839-1.
Does video flame detection replace smoke and heat detection in commercial buildings?
No. Traditional smoke and heat detection remains appropriate across many areas of commercial buildings.
Video flame detection should be considered where particular operational or architectural conditions — such as excessive height, large open volumes or difficult access — create challenges for traditional approaches.
DETECT IN SECONDS
ALL LIGHT LEVELS
INDOORS & OUTDOORS
DETECT UP TO 180M
Implementing Ciqurix’s FCam System in commercial buildings enhances safety by ensuring that any potential fire is caught early, allowing for immediate action. This helps to protect the building and its contents and ensures the continuity of business operations, safeguarding both employees and customers.
Increasing productivity by providing a fully automated fire watch for hot works..
Reliably detecting fire in a busy waste transfer station with high levels of airborne contaminants.
