Security & Early Fire Warning
Overview
Dovecote Park, a leading UK meat producer supplying major brands such as Waitrose and Burger King, operates a high-output production facility running 24/7. To protect its people, assets, and operations, the business implemented a combined early fire detection and perimeter security solution delivered by Bi3.
Key Benefits
- Proactive fire prevention (not just suppression)
- Intelligent perimeter security with reduced false alarms
- 24/7 monitoring across safety and security systems
- Faster response times for incidents
- Reduced downtime and operational risk
- Protection of people, assets, and brand reputation
The Challenge
Operating continuous production with large volumes of electrical and mechanical equipment created a significant fire risk, particularly within roof voids where critical infrastructure is housed. At the same time, the site required robust perimeter protection to support its on-site security team.
Key challenges included:
- Risk of equipment overheating leading to fire
- Limited visibility in high-risk roof void areas
- Need for proactive (not reactive) fire detection
- Requirement to secure a large perimeter efficiently
- Supporting security personnel with real-time intelligence
Why Traditional Systems Fall Short
High Install Cost
Traditional fire suppression systems such as sprinklers require extensive infrastructure to cover large production areas, making them costly to install and maintain—particularly in complex industrial environments.
Reactive Rather than Preventative
Conventional systems only activate once a fire has already started. By this stage, damage to equipment, operations, and facilities may already have occurred, limiting their ability to prevent disruption.
Risk of Water Damage
In environments with sensitive electrical and mechanical equipment, sprinkler activation can cause significant secondary damage, leading to costly repairs and extended downtime.
The Bi3 Solution
Early Fire Detection (Thermal Imaging)
Using FLIR FH-Series R cameras:
- Continuous thermal monitoring of high-risk equipment
- Early identification of heat build-up before ignition
- Automated alerts via VMS to security and engineering teams
- Configurable temperature thresholds per asset
Perimeter Security (Dfusion)
To strengthen site security, Bi3 deployed Davantis Dfusion video analytics to protect the perimeter:
- Advanced AI-powered perimeter intrusion detection
- Accurate filtering to reduce false alarms (e.g. weather, wildlife)
- Real-time alerts integrated into the site’s security systems
- Full visibility for the on-site security team
How It Works
Rising Temperature Detection
- Thermal cameras continuously monitor equipment temperatures
- Alerts are triggered when thresholds are exceeded
- Security and engineering teams respond immediately
Perimeter Protection
- Dfusion analytics monitor perimeter cameras 24/7
- Suspicious activity is automatically detected and verified
- Alerts are sent directly to the on-site security team
Together, the system delivers complete situational awareness across the site.
“Thermal imaging enables the prevention of fires before they start… this solution delivered immediate and tangible benefits for Dovecote Park.”
– Chris Eccles, Sales Director, Bi3
Results & Impact
Within The First Year
Fire Prevention
✅ Overheating motor bearing detected early – preventing major failure
✅ Steam pipe fault identified before escalation
✅ Shift from reactive to proactive maintenance
Together, the system delivers complete situational awareness across the site.
Security Enhancement
✅ Improved perimeter visibility and intrusion detection
✅ Reduced false alarms through intelligent analytics
✅ Stronger integration with on-site security operations
