Innovative Residential Fire Detection

Southwest Sciences¿ Phase 2 SBIR project will lead to development of residential fire sensing systems based on recently developed, low cost temperature and optical imaging sensors combined with newly introduced highly miniaturized, micropower CO sensors. Sensor modules will be part of a low power wireless network. Each module will be about ½ the size of a business card, a few mm thick, and will operate for at least a year using a lithium battery. Volume production will keep prices low enough (we aim for $10) that it will be practical to install at least one in each room of a residence. Sensor modules will be unobtrusive and can be optimized to detect smoldering fires by attaching directly to furniture particularly for high risk residents including young children, the elderly and the physically handicapped.