Proprietary fire-control technologies bringing new hope
Despite all of the positive aspects we associate with the summer season, one major problem recurs more frequently with each passing year: fires. Many of us still can’t erase from our memory the terrifying images of the 6,132 wildfires that ravaged 16.5 million hectares in Canada, alone, during 2023.
Faced with this ubiquitous menace, more and more firms are putting their knowledge to work in the area of fire control. Whether to detect fires in a timelier manner or to contain them without causing further damage to the environment, new technologies are emerging, both internationally and in Canada.
When it comes to fire control, the best defense is detection
Even though classic methods can still effectively address an urgent situation, there is only so much they can do in the face of the increasing number of disastrous fires and their ability to spread rapidly.
This is why more and more companies specializing in cutting-edge technology are committing resources to processes that can anticipate and detect fires from the outset. Imagine being able to proactively monitor the signs pointing to the imminent breakout of a fire. The benefits? Better chances of containing or even stopping the fire at its source, fewer risks of endangering human life or causing environmental damage, and of course, lower costs associated with mobilizing fire-fighting resources.
In this context, some new companies have recently made a name for themselves with the development of sensors that can detect minute changes in the gas composition of the air in order to recognize the signs of a forest fire before the authorities officially declare it. Powered by solar energy, these sensors are positioned in strategic locations where there is an elevated risk of fire. As soon as they identify a threat, they alert the local firefighters, who can then deploy in the target area quickly and confidently.
Other advances in the realm of fire detection include the development of software leveraging artificial intelligence. Relying on the same principles as the detectors described above, these technologies analyze various parameters (temperature, humidity, rain, wind, etc.) in order to provide the authorities with the best possible tools for prediction.
Although these solutions are still under development, they appear to hold a great deal of promise.
Another type proprietary of technology is available, as well. Taking a different approach from that of the two technologies mentioned above, this one extinguishes fires rapidly in an eco-responsible manner.
Fighting fires with plants
Over the past decade, various groups of researchers have taken up this seemingly crazy challenge. One example of a product that is garnering a lot of attention is a gel or liquid concentrate that not only puts out flames more quickly than the usual mixtures of water and chemicals but also produces less pollution. Made primarily from plants, it is non-toxic and requires less water than traditional solutions. Several certification committees in the United States and Canada have already recognized the value of these products. As they continue to enjoy increasingly widespread use, it’s probable that they will soon find their way into conventional fire-sprinkler systems.
Examples like this are inspiring and demonstrate that it’s possible for us to minimize our ecological footprint at every level. This same mindset underlies the philosophy of ACME Sprinklers. The executive team takes a keen interest in the latest advances in proprietary technologies related to fire control. The team is happy to note that researchers and other fire-control companies are getting involved in order to update current practices and fight against climate change, knowing that some of these technologies could also lead to new developments in fire sprinkler systems, which are at the very core of the services we provide here at ACME.
Sources :
Radio-Canada. Du maïs pour combattre les feux de forêt. 2017
Global News. Eco-friendly, plant-based, edible gel could help Canada fight wildfires. 2024
TELUS. Susciter le changement : miser sur l’innovation pour répondre à la crise des feux de forêt. 2024.
CScience. L’IA pour lutter contre les feux de forêt : une solution encore sous-exploitée. 2023.