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Detection

Fire detection

The first step toward reliable and effective fire safety.

Fire detection allows for the immediate identification of any fire outbreak in order to activate the building’s safety measures: evacuation, isolation, smoke extraction, and control of an automatic fire suppression system or a water mist protection system. Real core of the Fire Safety System, it ensures the protection of people, the preservation of property, and business continuity.

 

Designed, manufactured and maintained by  DEFFire detection allows for the immediate identification of any fire outbreak in order to activate the building’s safety measures: evacuation, isolation, smoke extraction, and control of an automatic fire suppression system or a water mist protection system. Real core of the Fire Safety System, it ensures the protection of people, the preservation of property, and business continuity. Designed, manufactured, and maintained by DEF, the fire detection system draws on more than 60 years of French expertise and technologies certified to the NF-SSI standard byAFNOR.

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  • Immediate detection
  • Risk reduction
  • Compliance guaranteed
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How does a Fire Detection System work?

The Fire Detection System, plays a key role within the Fire Safety System, as it is the first link in the chain. It is structured around several complementary components. Automatic fire detectors continuously monitor fire-related conditions. Manual triggers allow an occupant to immediately report an incident. The Control and Signalling Equipment centralizes signals and controls the signalling system. The role of the fire detection system is to interpret the data sent by the various detection modules (sensors) to identify phenomena characteristic of a fire, such as smoke, heat, flames, or certain gases. When an anomaly is detected, the information is forwarded to the control and signalling equipment, which identifies the issue and issues an alert to trigger the building’s established safety procedure. Without this early and automatic detection, the fire might not be addressed in time, resulting in much more severe human, technical, and economic consequences. , because it sits at the very start of the chain. It is built from several complementary parts. Automatic fire detectors continuously monitor the phenomena associated with fire. Manual call points let an occupant report an event immediately. The control and indicating equipment brings the signals together and drives the indications.

 

The role of the fire detection system is to interpret the data sent by the various detection modules (sensors) to identify phenomena characteristic of a fire, such as smoke, heat, flames, or certain gases. When an anomaly is detected, the information is forwarded to the control and signalling equipment, which identifies the issue and issues an alert to trigger the building’s established safety procedure. Without this early and automatic detection, the fire might not be addressed in time, resulting in much more severe human, technical, and economic consequences.

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  • Automatic Fire Detectors

    They continuously measure the physical phenomena characteristic of a fire: smoke, heat, flames, gases, etc.

  • Manual Triggers

    They allow any occupant to report an incident immediately.

  • Control and Signalling Equipment

    It is the true “brain” of the fire detection system, centralising signals, monitoring its operation, and communicating with other systems, such as the safety system.

  • The Fire Safety Management System

    It ensures the building’s safety functions (evacuation, isolation, and smoke extraction) by controlling and monitoring the various fire safety systems.

  • Supervision

    It provides real-time monitoring and traceability of events.

A four-step detection process

A properly configured and maintained system can reduce the time it takes to detect a fire by up to 60 seconds compared to a human alert alone (source: CNPP, 2023).

1. Detect

The detector, which continuously monitors its surroundings, identifies a fire-related event (smoke, heat, or flame) and transmits this information to the control and signalling equipment based on specific thresholds or an alarm condition.

2. Signal

The Control and Signalling System alerts the operator with an audible and visual signal (a convenience notification can also be sent to a smartphone). This allows the verification process to begin.

3. Act

The Fire Safety Management System activates its alarm, isolation, and smoke exhaust functions based on the active detection areas. The control and signalling equipment can also send the information to an automatic fire suppression control panel.

4. Use the information

Monitoring pinpoints the location of the incident and enables a more effective response while providing area-specific instructions.

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Scalable and connected technology

DEF systems can be:

  • Conventionnel Conventional: The detection system triggers an alarm for each area. This approach remains relevant for certain simple sites or when the expected level of detail is limited; Applicable to: Each detector is individually identified, which allows for more precise location, more detailed monitoring, and often a faster response from emergency response teams; Radio or hybrid: These architectures are particularly well-suited for historic sites, renovation projects, or environments with significant cabling constraints; Connected: remote monitoring via
  • Adressable
  • Radio ou hybride
  • Connectés : supervision à distance via VisioDEF 3D or the Fire360 portal for predictive maintenance.

These scalable architectures integrate easily into new or existing IT systems and ensure maximum system availability.

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Each environment has its own type of detection

Because no two sites present the same risks, DEF designs and installs detectors tailored to the operating conditions and the building’s layout.

Operating principle Areas of application
Point-type optical smoke detector
Detects particles emitted by combustion; ideal for detecting slow-developing fires.
Offices, hotels, public buildings, and multi-family housing.
Point-type multi-sensor detector
Detects smoke, heat, and CO; reduces false alarms.
Mixed-use buildings, commercial buildings, and schools.
Linear optical smoke detector
Responds to the attenuation of a beam of radiated waves caused by smoke.
Logistics hubs, museums.
Image-analysis-based smoke/flame detection camera
The image sensor detects the presence of smoke and/or flames.
Logistics hubs, aircraft hangars.
Point-type heat detector
Responds to a rise in temperature or to a fixed heat threshold.
Kitchens, parking lots, utility rooms.
Linear heat detector
Measures temperature (threshold and temperature rise) via a sensor cable (copper or optical fibre).
Tunnels, semi-open parking garages, utility tunnels.
Heat detection using a thermal camera
The infrared sensor detects the infrared radiation emitted during combustion.
Industrial sites, waste treatment facilities.
Point-type flame detector
Analyses the UV/IR radiation emitted by flames.
Industrial sites, ATEX zones, storage.
Aspirating smoke detector
Continuously analyses the air sampled from the room: ultra-early detection.
Data centres, logistics hubs, museums, cleanrooms.
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A mandatory regulatory requirement

The installation and operation of a fire detection system are governed by several regulations and technical standards. They define the obligations of operators, the rules for installing equipment, and the maintenance requirements to ensure the system’s long-term reliability.

The school administrator must ensure:

  • System compliance;
  • Regular maintenance (mandatory semiannual inspection for public buildings in accordance with NF S61-933 Standard).
  • Training of staff on what to do in the event of an alarm.

  • Safety regulations for public access buildings

    Decree of 25 June 1980
    Safety regulations for public-access buildings require the implementation of a fire safety system appropriate for the building’s category and capacity. Fire detection is the first step in this safety chain.

  • Fire prevention in facilities

    Labour Code – Articles R4227-1 to R4227-57
    The Labour Code requires employers to implement detection and warning systems appropriate to the risks present in the workplace in order to ensure the safety of workers.

  • Building safety

    Building and Housing Code
    The Building and Housing Code establishes fire safety requirements for buildings, particularly for establishments open to the public and high-rise buildings.

  • Installation of fire detection systems

    NF S61-970 Standard
    This standard defines the rules for installing Fire Detection Systems, including the placement of detectors, connection requirements, and system operating conditions.

  • Fire safety management of buildings

    NF S61-932 Standard
    The NF S61-932 Standard defines the rules for the installation and operation of the Fire Safety Management System, which is responsible for activating safety measures such as evacuation, isolation, and smoke extraction.

  • Operation and maintenance of the fire safety system

    NF S61-933 Standard
    This standard specifies the rules for the operation and maintenance of the Fire Safety System. In particular, it provides for periodic inspections to ensure that the installations are operating properly.

  • Equipment certification

    NF-SSI Certification
    NF-SSI certification guarantees that equipment complies with regulatory requirements and is capable of performing fire safety functions in buildings.

Detection

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Key figures

These figures confirm that the sooner a problem is detected, the greater the safety.

  • Up to 50%
  • less damage thanks to early detection. 
  • 80 %
  • Fire victims die from inhaling toxic smoke. 
  • Less than 15 seconds
  • seconds after the first particles were emitted. 
  • +60 years
  • of French expertise and manufacturing of detection systems. 

Your sectors

Technology tailored to each of your constraints

Every sector has its own constraints, risk levels and regulatory requirements. DEF designs fire safety solutions that adapt to any environment, ensuring performance, compliance and business continuity.

Our services

DEF supports you at every stage of your fire safety

We offer services tailored to your needs, to support you effectively and guarantee quality results.

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Overview of a Fire Safety System

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