The Fire Safety Event 2026

This session explores how fire detection strategies are evolving to meet the demands of modern high risk and hard to protect environments. It examines where traditional smoke and heat detection methods can struggle, particularly in areas affected by height, airflow, contamination, extreme temperatures, or maintenance constraints, and introduces alternative detection approaches designed to address these challenges. Attendees will gain a clear and practical understanding of video based fire detection principles, including how flame detection differs from smoke and heat technologies, and the types of environments where visual detection can offer meaningful benefits. The session also provides an overview of the LPS1976 standard, explaining why it was developed, how it is tested, and its role in supporting confident specification of video flame detection as part of a compliant fire strategy. Key considerations from current fire design guidance, including BS 5839 1 2025, are referenced to help connect emerging technology with real world system design. The talk concludes by aligning common site challenges with appropriate detection approaches, enabling specifiers, installers, and end users to make informed and standards led decisions without focusing on any single product or manufacturer.