HSE

Thermal image fire detection allows for early intervention to prevent fire breaking out. (Image source: Teledyne Flir)

As the GCC market for thermal image fire detection grows in sectors ranging from refining to data centres, two of Teledyne’ thermal imaging cameras have received UL 2684 listing, providing fire engineers, insurers, and asset owners across the GCC with an independently evaluated benchmark for thermal image fire detection

Teledyne FLIR's A40 and A70 (Axx-Series) thermal imaging cameras are listed as thermal image fire detectors under ANSI/CAN/UL 2684, the joint US/Canadian standard for video and thermal image detectors used in fire alarm systems. This gives Gulf projects an NFPA-aligned benchmark for thermal image fire detection, as the UL 2684 listing complements the 2025 edition of NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, which introduced a dedicated category for thermal image fire detection.

How does this help the GCC?

For the GCC, where many fire protection frameworks draw upon NFPA codes and UL-listed equipment is already part of established project review, this makes it easier to evaluate and specify thermal image fire detection solutions within critical infrastructure projects.

UL 2684 sets out defined requirements for fire testing, environmental and electrical performance, and durability, providing stakeholders with equipment that has been independently tested against a published standard by an accredited laboratory.

Thermal image fire detection has a range of applications in the Gulf markets given the infrastructure being built and operated throughout the region, as it enables the detection of anomalies in temperature before smoke and fire appears, allowing for early intervention to prevent fire breaking out and thus promoting a more proactive safety management approach. Thermal image fire detection is increasingly valuable in petrochemical and refining facilities, where friction heating or equipment degradation can develop long before ignition. The same advantage applies to utilities and electrical infrastructure, battery energy storage systems, data centres, rooftop and utility-scale solar, manufacturing facilities, logistics hubs and other industrial assets where an abnormal temperature rise often represents the earliest indication of an emerging risk.

How does thermal image fire detection compare with traditional fire detection?

Traditional fire detection technologies respond to the products of combustion, such as smoke, flame, or heat reaching a detector. By that stage, the fire process has already begun.

A thermal image fire detector works earlier in that sequence, measuring the temperature of the asset itself before smoke is generated. Unlike conventional thermal cameras used primarily for visualisation, a calibrated thermal image fire detector continuously measures temperature across every pixel in the scene.

By identifying thermal anomalies at an earlier stage, organisations can address developing issues through planned maintenance rather than emergency response. A loose electrical connection can be tightened, a battery module isolated, or a failing component replaced before operations are disrupted, thus reducing downtime, avoiding potential costs and contributing to plant reliability and business continuity.

As well as operational benefits, thermal monitoring can also support broader risk management and asset-protection strategies, as insurers, risk consultants, and infrastructure owners increasingly seek solutions supported by independently validated standards.

Teledyne FLIR's Axx-Series cameras combine thermal detection with integrated visible imaging to help operators verify alarm conditions quickly. Analytics are processed directly on the camera, reducing dependence on external servers while enabling rapid response. When alarm conditions are met, the cameras initiate fire alarm events through compatible fire alarm control systems.

Designed for line-of-sight monitoring of high-value assets, thermal image fire detection is intended to complement conventional fire detection technologies as part of a comprehensive fire protection strategy.

"Safety has always been at the heart of what we do, and in fire protection, safety runs on standards. A fire starts as heat, not smoke, and our cameras detect that heat before there is smoke or flame. The question we get in this region is not whether thermal detection works. It is what the device is listed to, and how that fits the code the authority is working from. Until now there was no listing to point to. That has changed," said Matthew Hasty, Global Vertical Director for Science, Automation, and Early Fire Detection at Teledyne FLIR.

The Ampelmann L-type gangway. (Image source: Ampelmann)

Ampelmann discusses the changing offshore access strategies in the Middle East

Helicopters, crew boats, jack-ups. Vessels equipped with ropes, baskets or motion compensated gangways. Offshore activity across the Gulf of Arabia, the Caspian and Arabian Sea spans field development, maintenance and decommissioning, all dependent on getting personnel and cargo efficiently and safely to and from their worksite. From low cost but inconsistent, to reliable but OPEX-straining, these days there is a mix of different offshore access methods used across the Middle East.

Increasingly, motion compensated gangways are entering that mix, closing the gap between the consistency offered by the heavier, costlier options without carrying the same exposure to hazardous and time-consuming marine conditions.

The value of Walk to Work

Sea conditions across the Middle East are often benign, but high waves, strong winds and seasonal weather like the Shamal can disrupt and delay operations. Walk to Work (W2W) – as transferring personnel and cargo with motion compensated gangways is commonly known – provides a stable pathway that ensures personnel can safely reach their offshore destinations in these conditions.

W2W systems are increasingly used throughout the Middle East because they also offer advantages beyond the weather. Since its first operations in Qatar in 2012, Ampelmann has transferred over three million crew members in over 75 projects for international and national oil companies in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan, Egypt and Oman.

By enabling quick and reliable personnel transfers to fixed and floating structures, the company’s gangway systems increase tool time and accelerate project delivery.

Trusted, proven, experienced

The value W2W brings is increasingly applied to established access strategies. While jack-up accommodation barges are a familiar sight across the Gulf, housing large crews to facilitate construction and maintenance work, W2W solutions are complementing this model. Accommodation vessels paired with an Ampelmann gangway system offer a flexible and cost-effective solution that can relocate quickly between offshore assets.

For routine crew transfer, W2W also offers a reliable alternative to helicopters and scales naturally with campaign length and crew sizes. Crew boats, both DP and non-DP, are a prevalent vessel class across the region, but are frequently equipped with baskets, ropes or simple gangways. Due to its compact size, Ampelmann’s fully electric L-type is ideal for smaller vessels, enabling safe and continuous access that maximises uptime and hands-on-tool time. Quick to mobilise and capable of connecting to an offshore platform within a minute, this tried and tested configuration already sees much use in the oil fields near Brunei and Malaysia.

Global presence, local support

Ampelmann’s extensive track record in the Middle East is underpinned by strong localised support. Local project managers, operators, maintenance technicians and engineers bring decades of combined regional experience, backed by storage facilities in Qatar and the UAE and a 24/7 global support network through the Operation Control Centre (OCC).

Together, this keeps projects running and response times short. It's this combination of proven technology and local presence that continues to deliver safe and efficient offshore access across the Middle East.

Health, Safety & Environment, in association with SafeStart, is set to present on 15 September The Neuroscience Behind Human Error -- an insightful webinar capable of questioning the conventional approach to safety

SafeStart is a globally renowned safety programme that helps organisations reduce workplace incidents by addressing human factors, critical errors, and decision-making risks. The programme enables driving long-term cultural change and boost performance.

In this session, participants will learn four critical error reduction techniques to help deal with these problems

In addition, participants will also learn ways to deliver and sustain this training to create increased engagement and a positive change in safety culture.

The webinar will highlight:

• Understand the four human factors responsible for the majority of critical errors
• Learn practical error reduction techniques to manage risk in real-time situations
• Gain insights on sustaining behavioral change and improving safety culture 

Expert speakers: 

Larry Wilson
Co-founder and author, SafeStart International

Mitchell Wilson
Project manager - Middle East, SafeStart International 

To attend the webinar, register here for free. 

The controller is designed for increasingly complex industrial environments. (Image source: Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection)

Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection has launched the MCX32-TP, a next-generation gas and flame detection controller offering a flexible and scalable solution to meet the growing demands of industrial safety systems in industries such as oil and gas, water and wastewater and petrochemicals

Combining an intuitive touchscreen interface with high channel capacity and industrial-grade reliability, the controller is designed for increasingly complex detection environments involving more sensors, distributed assets and stricter integration requirements.

Standard models support 4, 16, 32, or 64 channels, while the ability to scale up to 128 channels within the same architecture provides flexibility for evolving safety infrastructures.

“The launch of the MCX32-TP reflects the evolving needs of our customers as gas detection systems become larger, more connected and more complex. By combining a modern touchscreen interface with scalable architecture and advanced connectivity, we offer a controller platform that not only replaces legacy systems but also enables users to future-proof their safety infrastructure. The MCX32-TP represents a new benchmark in delivering the flexibility, visibility, and reliability required to manage critical safety systems with confidence,” said Thibault Fourlegnie, vice president and general manager, Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection.

The advanced touchscreen HMI, available in sizes from 5 to 15 inches, enables intuitive system configuration, real-time monitoring and clear visualisation of alarm conditions. The controller supports a wide range of communication protocols, including Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP and BACnet, as well as Industrial Internet of Things capabilities such as MQTT and web-based remote access. Integration with existing plant infrastructure is enabled with dual LAN ports, multiple serial interfaces and modular I/O options.

As a comprehensive gas control and alarm system, the MCX32-TP can monitor gas detection sensors and other field devices, while its modular architecture, combined with configurable enclosure options and support for wireless integration, provides flexibility.