SafetySCAN licenses NASA flame detector for firefighters

17 Jun 2002

The NASA John C. Stennis Space Center (Hancock County, MS) has licensed the FIRESCAPE near-infrared imager invented there to SafetySCAN (Buffalo, NY). Because more than a million gallons a month of hydrogen are used in rocket-propulsion testing at the center, the binocular- like device was developed to help fight clean-burning, invisible hydrogen fires.

The imager optics are sealed for protection against smoke and grit, and the unit can run for two hours without recharging. Traditionally, firefighters dealing with hydrogen or alcohol blazes had to rely on a corn-straw broom catching fire as it was waved around to locate invisible flames. Now personnel can remain at a safe distance and can also see through any smoke.
Courtesy of Laser Focus World