- Author
- Goedeke, A. D.
- Title
- Cost-to-Benefit Study of Machine Vision Fire Detection Systems (MVFDS). Final Report. July 13, 1994-March 13, 1995.
- Coporate
- Donmar Ltd., Newport Beach, CA
- Sponsor
- Wright Laboartory, Wright Patterson AFB, OH
- Report
- WL-TR-95-3034, March 1995, 48 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service LIMITED DISTRIBUTION to U.S. Government agencies only
- Contract
- F33615-94-C-3402
- Keywords
- fire detection systems | cost benefit analysis | smoke detection | flame detectors | fiber optics
- Identifiers
- Machine Vision Fire Detection System (MVFDS)
- Abstract
- The purpose of this study was to conduct a cursory overview of the potential costs and benefits associated with the use of the Machine Vision Fire Detection System (MVFDS) in aircraft and ground facilities. The study included costs for original outlay, installation, retrofit, and life cycle replacement/repair. These were compared with costs of older IR detectors on the C-5. Also considered were cost savings which could be realized directly from the use of MVFDS because of its performance, reliability, configuration and operational features. Many other indirect benefits were identified which could not be given a quantitative value. These included: (1) immunity to false alarms; (2) dual operation to detect flame and smoke with the same detector; (3) use of four fiber optic waveguides thus making the MVFDS four detectors in one; and (4) ability to detect small fires at large distances in less than a second, measure the size and growth rate of the event in real time, determine the location and distance, and display the fire area on a remote video terminal (such as in the cockpit), thus bringing the pilot into the decision loop. Qualitative benefits included minimizing the amount of suppressant released into the atmosphere; minimizing interruptions of military operations; reducing financial losses of expensive assets; and more reliable safety against personal injury.