The use of drones in fire prevention is a great reinforcement for the video surveillance network of the public protection and security forces, and by having a panoramic view, they help in the prevention of fires. In high risk situations, having a quick response is crucial. In a market of new technologies, drones allied to artificial intelligence are the most effective, thanks to their size and manoeuvrability. They can access places that people or helicopters cannot, making them the greatest innovation in fighting forest fires, for example.
How do drones work in detecting and fighting fires?
With the application of drones in the area of security, the transmission of images in real time allows an accurate assessment of the outbreaks and their intensity. This speeds up the response to occurrences and guides the combat teams.
Today, drones with RGB cameras provide firefighters with a versatile and easy-to-use tool, which improves situational awareness and helps teams work faster and smarter. The introduction of aerial thermal cameras promises greater visibility and a more complete view of the situation at hand.
The main uses of drones in fire prevention are:
Information collection: A pilot can cover a large area and identify the hottest spots using thermal camera drones. The on-screen visualisation features, which include blending, colour palettes and isotherms, simplify the process of obtaining data on the ground and can be adapted to the situation at hand. The DJI Matrice 300 RTK drone equipped with an H20T sensor is able to gather information and ensure that resources are distributed appropriately.
Help and protection: Knowing about fire spread and direction in a fire is vital. For a firefighter in the field not to have this information is to be, easily, in danger. With a drone, teams can easily monitor from afar and ensure everyone is safe, as well as get data on fire spread. The recent Mavic 3 Enterprise with thermal camera is able to gather data of potential hazards quickly and intelligently.
Capture and Mapping: Thanks to visual RGB and thermal cameras civil protection teams benefit from several factors. With this technology, it is possible to identify unseen critical points and increase the safety of operations. Thermal image capture can be used to support operations before, during and after a fire, as well as when dealing with hazardous material incidents and search and rescue missions. Captured images can be transformed into 3D maps assisting post-incident work.
Real-time situational awareness: Drone data can help ensure that decision-makers have the same information. Responding to a fire typically involves large-scale operations where the head of the operation has to make decisions about personnel and resources. The isothermal technology used by drones allows the operator to highlight certain temperature ranges and highlight them in real time. In a fire, situational awareness is needed for planning. Drones fly over the area to collect data and thus plan and bring help to the scene and control the situation.
What are the best drones for fire prevention?
Matrice 300 RTK + Zenmuse H20T: Offers up to 55 minutes flight time, advanced AI. A leading combination of smart features, high performance and reliability. Its triple H20T payload combines an RGB camera with a 640x512p thermal sensor and laser rangefinder, which allows operators to see what the human eye cannot due to high thermal sensitivity and 30 fps video definition. The 6-direction detection and positioning system has a maximum detection range of up to 40 m and allows the aircraft’s detection behaviour to be adjusted using DJI Pilot 2 . Over ten system redundancies and safety procedures are in place to ensure maximum safety and reliability.
Mavic Enterprise 3T Series: This thermal version is designed to meet the unique needs of aerial operations for firefighting, search and rescue, inspections and night missions. To help professionals locate critical points and make quick choices, the Mavic 3T’s thermal camera provides point and area temperature measurements, high temperature alarms, colour palettes and isotherms. With simultaneous split-screen zoom, the Mavic 3T’s thermal and zoom cameras support 28× continuous side-by-side zoom for easy comparisons.
Matrice 30T: A valuable piece of equipment for combat teams. A drone with environmental adaptability, IP55 protection, the M30 can easily handle adverse weather conditions and temperatures ranging from -20° C to 50° C. A drone that has revolutionised the way firefighters respond to emergencies. And it also allows them to use resources quickly and safely. The Matrice 30T will give you more stability and an engaging flying experience in extreme conditions.
In conclusion drones are increasingly revolutionising the way firefighters carry out monitoring. HPDRONES is ready to offer companies the best solutions for protection and safety teams.
