Davor Damjanovic

Fire hazards in closed industrial environments pose a significant threat to workers, infrastructure and production processes. Traditional detection systems, such as smoke and heat detectors, often have limitations in their settings, including delayed response time and a tendency for false alarms due to non-fire factors such as dust, humidity and vapors. This paper researches the applicability of gas sensors as an alternative or complementary method for early fire detection. This research presents an experimental evaluation of six gas sensors integrated with a microcontroller. Tests were conducted in a controlled environment, simulating industrial conditions by monitoring the combustion of different materials, such as wood, plastic and textile. Sensor responses were analyzed at horizontal distances of 2 m and 4 m from the fire source. Results show that all sensors detected combustion byproducts, with those at 2 m exhibiting a faster response and higher concentration readings. The findings confirm that a multi-sensor approach significantly increases detection reliability and enables an earlier response compared to conventional systems.