Cameras that spot fire: AI video smoke and flame detection
Traditional smoke detectors work best under ceilings in enclosed rooms. In warehouses, atriums, yards and car parks, smoke can take too long to reach them. AI video analytics adds another layer by watching for smoke and flame in the camera picture itself.
In September 2025, NYU Tandon's Fire Research Group described an AI system that analyses live video from existing security cameras. Several AI models must agree before a fire is confirmed, and the system tracks how a detected region changes over time to tell a real, growing fire from a picture of flames. It processes a frame in about 0.016 seconds and sends email and text alerts with video clips. The research was published in the IEEE Internet of Things Journal.
How it fits with fire alarms
- It is an extra early-warning layer – not a replacement for certified fire detectors
- Best for large open areas, outdoor stores and yards
- Alerts can feed the same control room and mobile alerts as your fire panel and panic buttons
Keep reading
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