Australian start-up Autonomous Fire Systems has developed a guard against costly blazes at waste management hubs.

CEO Nick Boyd says the FlameSmart tool offers round-the-clock surveillance using thermal cameras that detect heat sources before flames are visible.

It is equipped with water cannons from US manufacturer Elkhart Brass, allowing optimum range, precision and durability, and even in windy conditions it has “pinpoint accuracy to extinguish the fire before it escalates”, Mr Boyd says.  

The tool continuously calculates the best aim and movement, “exactly like a trained firefighter”, he says.

AI image recognition software targets the fire in real time, and verified threats trigger immediate alerts to authorities and designated contacts.

Mr Boyd says it is particularly suited to waste management, where a high number of fires –due in part to lithium-ion battery disposal – has pushed up insurance costs.  

“It’s a serious problem across the whole industry and FlameSmart is in a unique position to significantly mitigate the risks, ensuring lower premiums and higher business continuity. This world-first Australian technology has great potential to significantly reduce insurance premiums,” Mr Boyd told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

According to industry estimates, up to 12,000 fires in trucks and at waste facilities are caused each year by improper lithium-ion battery handling.

FlameSmart is already used at a waste transfer station in Victoria. “Now that we’ve proven and optimised the technology at scale in a live industrial waste transfer station site, we're ready to take orders and start rolling out these systems,” Mr Boyd said.