Complete fire and gas safety solutions that provide detection, notification, and mitigation in a range of industries are now available from HMA South Africa, thanks to an exclusive distributorship with Det-Tronics of the US.

The company has been a recognised leader in this field for over 40 years, and is now set to make inroads into both the local and Sub-Saharan African market, according to Mark Hall, Sales Manager for HMA Instrumentation.

As a global leader in flame detection, Det-Tronics’ solutions are based on performance (coverage, field of view, and range), reliability (superior protection of people, products, and property), and technology (patented signal processing and precision optics).

Advanced detection means that fires can be detected using UV, UVIR, IR or MIR technology. International certification includes SIL 2 for safety compliance, performance-certified to FM 3260, EN 54 and VNIPO in response to a variety of fuel sources, and NFPA 72 compliant LON output for safety system integration.

The Australia-based HMA Group comprises divisions for materials handling, wear solution, power generation, geotechnical, and instrumentation. The South African subsidiary was established in 2016 when Uretech, a local manufacturer of polyurethane products such as wear liners for the mining industry, entered into an agreement with the HMA Group to have its product range distributed internationally. In turn, the HMA Group’s wide product range is now available in Africa for the first time.

The latest addition to HMA South Africa’s portfolio is the Det-Tronics agency, with Dieter Spangenberg appointed as Product Manager from the beginning of July. “We have had a highly successful relationship with Det-Tronics for the past 20 years in both Australia and New Zealand, accumulating extensive product and application experience and expertise over that period,” Jeremy Moore, Operations Manager for HMA Instrumentation, comments.

This has culminated in the South African distributorship, which will be used as a springboard to target the burgeoning oil and gas industry on the continent. “Our local customers will have full access to our international knowledge, which will naturally extend to aftermarket support and technical back-up,” adds Nathan Morris, Product Manager for HMA Instrumentation. Critical spares and common product items will be held locally, while application-specific technology will be imported directly.

“All Det-Tronics detectors pass rigorous flame testing, including exposure to multiple fuel sources and at varying ranges, both on and off axis. Skilled engineers also simulate specific applications to ensure uncompromising safety and performance,” Hall highlights.

Leading products include the X3301 multi-spectrum infrared flame detector, a benchmark unit approved for a range of hydrocarbon fires, with best-in-class flame detection coverage and false alarm rejection. Performance-approved at 81 m for a 0.3 m x 0.3 m n-Heptane fire, the X3301 features patented detection algorithms, optics, and signal-processing.

The Det-Tronics X3301 multi-spectrum infrared flame detector has proven technology for fast detection of invisible hydrogen flames and methanol, while the X5200 ultraviolet/infrared flame detector leverages state-of-the-art UV and IR technology to detect fires. This high-speed, versatile detector is ideal for specialised applications.

The X9800 infrared flame detector offers quick fire technology for high-speed detection in areas with infrared sources. The X2200 ultraviolet flame detector combines an ultraviolet sensor and advanced algorithm for rapid detection and false alarm immunity.

The Det-Tronics Eagle Quantum Premier (EQP) safety system combines gas and flame detection with extinguishing agent release capability in a single integrated solution.

The full Det-Tronics’ product range and service offering covers flame detection, gas detection, suppression equipment, control equipment, HMI programming, custom engineering, project management, system integration, factory approval testing, formal training, and commissioning, field service, and technical support.

Applications and industries include aircraft hangars, automotive, chemical, fuel storage, LNG terminals, munitions, offshore platforms, petrochemical plants, pipeline compressor stations, refineries, semi-conductors, transport loading racks, and turbine enclosures, among others.