Teledyne FLIR’s A40 and A70 Axx-Series thermal imaging cameras have become the first models to achieve UL 2684 listing as thermal image fire detectors. The listing provides independent validation for thermal imaging based fire detection as Asia-Pacific expands battery energy storage, data centres, EV charging infrastructure and automated industrial facilities.
The cameras are listed under ANSI/CAN/UL 2684, the US-Canadian standard for video and thermal image detectors used in fire alarm systems. They can be incorporated into systems designed in accordance with NFPA 72, whose 2025 edition introduced a dedicated category for thermal image fire detection.
For APAC markets, where NFPA and UL benchmarks often influence codes and approval pathways, the listing provides fire engineers, consultants, insurers and asset owners with an independently evaluated reference when considering thermal fire detection in performance-based designs and equivalency assessments.
Detecting Heat Before Smoke
Conventional fire detection responds to smoke, flame or heat reaching a detector. Thermal imaging takes a different approach by continuously monitoring the temperature of the asset itself, potentially identifying abnormal heat before smoke develops.
Temperature measurement areas can track minimum, average and maximum temperatures. Alarms can be triggered by absolute temperature limits, differences between areas or rate of temperature rise. This enables systems to identify equipment behaving differently from its normal thermal profile.
Applications include battery energy storage systems, EV charging hubs, rooftop solar installations, production machinery and data centres. Thermal anomalies involving batteries, connectors, cables, inverters, motors, bearings, busbars or power distribution equipment can be investigated while they remain manageable maintenance issues.
“Fire engineers across Asia-Pacific have been asked to evaluate this technology without a product standard to point to,” said Matthew Hasty, Global Vertical Director for Science, Automation, and Early Fire Detection at Teledyne FLIR. “The UL 2684 listing changes that by providing independent, standard-based evidence for performance-based submissions.”
Supporting Early Intervention
The Axx-Series combines thermal detection with integrated visible imaging for event verification. Analysis runs on the camera, while compatible fire alarm control systems can receive fire alarm events through supported protocols.
The technology is designed for defined, high-value assets and is intended to complement conventional detection rather than replace general-area fire coverage. Its line-of-sight capability makes application planning particularly important.
As battery plants, charging hubs, data centres and solar installations continue to expand, the UL 2684 listing provides a new benchmark for evaluating thermal image fire detection and supporting earlier, data-driven fire-risk intervention.
