A hydrogen fire burns invisibly. So does methanol. By the time you see flames, the damage is done. The SpyGlass SG50-F doesn’t need visible flames—it detects the infrared signature in milliseconds.

Traditional fire detection relies on smoke or heat. But in industrial environments—oil rigs, chemical plants, aircraft hangars—fires can reach catastrophic intensity before generating enough smoke to trigger a conventional alarm. And when you’re dealing with invisible fires from hydrogen or alternate energy fuels, smoke detection isn’t just slow—it’s useless.

False alarms are equally dangerous. Every false alarm desensitizes your crew. Every unnecessary evacuation costs time and money. Eventually, people start ignoring alarms—and that’s when real fires kill.

Why the SpyGlass Flame Detector Changes Industrial Fire Detection

The Teledyne SpyGlass SG50-F series represents the current state of the art in optical flame detection. Unlike single-spectrum detectors that can be fooled by sunlight, welding, or hot surfaces, the SpyGlass uses triple-spectrum analysis to distinguish real fires from false sources.

When selecting industrial flame detectors, there are five key considerations that determine whether your detection system protects your facility—or gives you false confidence.

Triple IR Flame Detection: Maximum Immunity, Maximum Range

The SG50-F-IR3 model analyzes three distinct infrared wavelengths simultaneously. This triple-spectrum approach provides:

• Optimized hydrocarbon fire detection — Detects fuel and gas fires at distances other detectors can’t reach
• Industry-leading false alarm immunity — Rejects interference from sunlight, hot surfaces, and reflected radiation
• Long detection distances — Maintains accuracy across large industrial spaces

UV-IR Flame Detector Technology for Specialized Applications

For applications requiring detection of non-hydrocarbon fires, the SG50-F-UV-IR combines ultraviolet and infrared sensing. This configuration detects:

• Hydrogen fires — Invisible to the human eye, deadly within seconds
• Metal fires — Common in machining and aerospace manufacturing
• Arc and spark events — Critical for windmill nacelle protection
• Ammonia and silane fires — Found in semiconductor and chemical processing

The UV-IR-F variant provides ultra-fast response optimized for munitions applications, where detection speed is measured in milliseconds.

SpyGlass Flame Detector Models and Configurations

Optional Flame Detector Configurations

CO2L Detector (Hot CO2 Rejection): Optimized for environments with combustion exhaust—aircraft hangars, helipads, tunnels, and loading docks where vehicle exhaust could trigger false alarms.

NFPA33 Detector (Hi-Speed Detection): Achieves sub-0.5-second response time for automotive spray booths, high-speed printing, and fast-moving conveyor systems. Meets NFPA33 standard requirements.

Integrated HD Video: See the Fire Before Responding

The -V models include integrated high-definition video that transforms flame detection from a binary alarm into actionable intelligence. First responders see exactly what they’re dealing with before entering the hazardous area.

Industrial Flame Detector Construction and Durability

The SpyGlass mechanical design reflects years of field experience in harsh industrial environments:

1. 316 Stainless Steel housing with electro-polish finish—resists corrosion in marine and chemical environments
2. Easy retrofit to existing mounts—drop-in replacement for legacy detectors
3. Precipitation lip—prevents water accumulation on sensor window
4. Individually machined sensor apertures—maximizes signal accuracy, reduces interference
5. Hermetically sealed terminal connections—NEMA 4X/6P rated, separated from main enclosure

Flame Detector Certifications and Approvals

Global industrial facilities require equipment certified to multiple standards. The SpyGlass SG50-F carries comprehensive approvals:

Comparing Industrial Flame Detection Technologies

PE Energy stocks multiple flame detector brands to match specific application requirements. For applications requiring UV/IR detection at different price points, consider the Spectrex SharpEye 40/40C-L4B UV/IR Flame Detector or the SharpEye 40/40D-L4B Ultra Fast UV/IR model for time-critical applications.

SpyGlass Flame Detector Accessories