Thermal monitoring systems for combustible piles

Prevent fires in coal, biomass, and waste piles.

how to prevent landfill fires using infrared fire detection

Early detection for high-risk combustible piles

Coal, biomass, and waste piles often ignite deep below the surface, where rising heat and smoldering hotspots go unnoticed until it’s too late. By the time flames appear, the fire is already spreading. Our thermal monitoring systems continuously scan for early signs of combustion, spotting risks before they ignite—helping you prevent costly downtime, equipment damage, and safety hazards.

Stay ahead of hotspots, prevent a fire

See how real-time monitoring, instant alerts, and automated response work together to prevent fires in coal, biomass, and waste piles before they start.

24/7 Autonomous Monitoring

Continuous thermal scans catch hidden heat before it ignites.

Instant Alerts & Actions

Pinpoint hotspots in real time for a fast response.

Multi-Sensor Detection

Combine thermal, gas, and smoke data for full protection.

Automate Emergency Response

Dispatch alerts to first responders and trigger safety systems automatically.

Monitor Multiple Sites 

Manage all multiple locations/facilities from one platform.

Reports & Trend Analysis

Get historical insights to improve fire prevention.

How it works

Combustible pile fires don’t begin with flames—they start with hidden heat pockets buried deep inside coal, biomass, or waste piles. Our system monitors piles 24/7, detecting dangerous temperature spikes before they ignite. The moment a hotspot is identified, you receive an instant alert and the ability to respond quickly—stopping a small heat anomaly before it becomes a full-scale fire.

Trusted by facilities that can’t risk a fire

Hear from facilities that replaced worry with confidence.

“Since we’ve implemented moviTHERM’s system, it’s been night and day. The ability to track and monitor has given us peace of mind. We can handle problems before they escalate, and it’s made our operations run much more smoothly.”

Toby Sakraida, Fire Suppression Engineer at Biomass One

“We have an extensive sprinkler system, but by the time a fire reaches it, it may be too late. With moviTHERM’s system and the thermal cameras, we get instant notifications. We can pinpoint exactly where the fire is, which helps us respond faster and more effectively.”

Brandan Fix, Operations Manager at MarBorg Industries

“moviTHERM’s system has been a game-changer for us. We can pinpoint issues, and react faster. It’s saved us so much time and effort, and it’s been much more effective than what we had installed before.”

Nick Admi, Operations Supervisor at Biomass One

“Being familiar with infrared technology and knowing how effective it is, it was simple for us to support what moviTHERM was offering… The early detection and the infrared is just that next step in the evolution to keep environments as safe as possible.”

John Patterson, Division Chief, Jackson County Fire District 3

Getting started is simple

Tell us your needs and we’ll help you choose the best solution for your site.

Receive a tailored setup that fits your facility, safety plan, and budget.

Your system arrives ready to install, with onboarding to ensure a smooth start.

Combustible piles are high risk, monitor them all

Built for coal, biomass, wood products, and waste piles where early detection is critical.

Coal Piles

Catch self-heating and hidden hotspots before they combust.

Biomass Piles

Monitor temperature buildup in organic storage areas.

Wood Product Piles

Prevent smoldering fires in chips, sawdust, and timber stockpiles.

Waste Piles

Detect heat pockets and smoldering before they ignite.

Alerts only when it  matters

False alarms are frustrating and distracting. This system uses thermal data, not motion or smoke, so you’re only alerted when there’s a real heat event. You set the temperature thresholds based on your environment, so the system knows the difference between what a normal condition is and when something truly needs your attention. It is designed to keep distractions low and awareness high.

Monitor multiple high-risk areas at once

If you’re responsible for more than one fire-prone location, keeping eyes on everything can be a challenge. This system makes it simple. All your monitored sites show up in one platform, so you can track activity across zones, compare data, and respond quickly, without jumping from one system to another.

Track trends. Document everything.

This isn’t just real-time detection, it’s a record of what’s happening over time. Every alert and temperature event is logged, so you can review trends, pinpoint problem areas, and build reports automatically. It’s a valuable tool for safety planning, insurance documentation, and understanding the fire risks unique to your site.

Is fire risk putting your insurance coverage at risk?

Insurance providers are tightening requirements for high-risk facilities storing coal, biomass, wood, and waste piles. Undetected fires and smoldering hotspots can lead to higher premiums—or worse, canceled coverage. Our early fire detection system helps you stay protected by spotting risks before they escalate, keeping your facility compliant, lowering liability, and giving insurers confidence in your fire prevention plan.

*Compliance with NFPA 72 depends on proper installation and local regulations. Insurance benefits vary by provider and policy terms.

Choose your monitoring style

Whether you need a simple setup, remote access, or full on-site control, we’ve got you covered.

Need a simple setup? – I/O Module

  • Quickly set up IR camera temperature thresholds and outputs

  • Best for small, straightforward applications

  • No historical trend reports

  • No email, text, or voice notifications

  • No centralized dashboard for all cameras

Want full remote access? – Cloud Monitoring

  • 24/7 remote monitoring with real-time alerts
  • Access all cameras and incident history in one platform

  • Automated text, email, and voice notifications

  • Advanced reporting and trend analysis

  • Lower upfront costs, no heavy IT requirements

Full control on-Site? – On-Premise Server

  • All the smart features of the cloud (trends, notifications, camera views)

  • Local server keeps all data stored on-site

  • Added control for high-security facilities

  • Ideal for sites concerned about external connections

Feature Basic & Simple (I/O Module) Smart & Connected (Cloud Monitoring) Powerful & Private (On-Premise Server)
Installation Quick plug-and-play connection Hassle-free setup with remote access Locally installed, IT-managed
Compatible Sensors Thermal camera only Thermal, gas, and smoke sensors Thermal, gas, and smoke sensors
Automated Response Yes Yes Yes
How You’re Alerted No direct alerts; triggers alarms through the connected output Instant alerts via voice call, text, email, and alarm output Instant alerts via voice call, text, email, and alarm output—managed locally
Set Custom Temperature Limits Yes Yes Yes
Additional Settings N/A Customize notification settings, emergency levels, alarm severity, schedules, recipients, dashboard layout, and more Customize notification settings, emergency levels, alarm severity, schedules, recipients, dashboard layout, and more
Access & Control On-site only Manage from anywhere Local control only
Reports & History No data storage or history Access alarm history, sent notifications, and more Access alarm history, sent notifications, and more
Scalability For single-location setups Add sensors across multiple sites Expandable within local network
Integration Connects to a single output Works with fire, security & automation Integrates with local fire & security
Best For Basic fire detection Businesses needing remote monitoring Facilities requiring local data control

Need to go off-grid?

Our skid tower solution with solar panels lets you deploy autonomous fire detection anywhere, even in remote or off-grid locations. Get the same 24/7 thermal monitoring, real-time alerts, and emergency response capabilities, without relying on external power.

Smarter monitoring, safer facilities

Protect your piles with proven early detection.

FAQ

Early fire detection uses infrared cameras to identify abnormal temperature increases before visible flames or smoke appear. This proactive approach helps prevent fires by detecting potential ignition sources in real time.

moviTHERM’s solution uses advanced thermal imaging cameras that continuously monitor critical areas for temperature anomalies. If a hotspot is detected, the system triggers alerts and can integrate with automated safety systems to prevent escalation.

moviTHERM’s system is designed to minimize false alarms by using smart algorithms that can tell the difference between normal temperature changes and real fire risks. We also use timing controls and multiple sensors to confirm a real threat before triggering an alert. This ensures that your system is reliable and only notifies you when it truly matters.

Industries handling flammable materials or high-risk environments benefit the most, including:

  • Waste & Recycling Facilities
  • Energy & Utilities (Battery Storage, Power Plants, Oil & Gas)
  • Manufacturing & Industrial Facilities
  • Warehousing & Logistics
  • Agriculture & Food Processing

Traditional smoke and flame detectors react after a fire has started, while moviTHERM’s thermal detection identifies heat anomalies before ignition, providing a critical early warning to prevent fire outbreaks.

Yes. Many insurance providers offer lower premiums for facilities with proactive fire prevention systems like thermal early fire detection. Reducing fire risks can demonstrate improved safety measures, making it easier to negotiate better insurance rates. We recommend consulting with your insurer to see if EFD qualifies for cost reductions.

  • Prevent Fires Before Ignition – Detects potential hazards before flames or smoke appear.
  • Minimize Downtime & Damage – Reduces risks of costly fire-related incidents.
  • Automated Alerts & Integration – Works with safety systems to trigger alarms or activate suppression.
  • 24/7 Monitoring & Peace of Mind – Continuous surveillance for high-risk areas.

moviTHERM’s early fire detection system is compatible with a range of high-performance thermal imaging cameras, including:

  • FLIR AX8
  • FLIR A40/A50/A70
  • FLIR A400/A500/A700
  • Seek G300

We are also expanding our offerings soon, incorporating additional cameras and sensors to provide even more flexible and effective early fire detection solutions.

In addition to thermal cameras, moviTHERM’s system is compatible with LoRaWAN and IoT-based sensors, allowing seamless integration with a variety of fire detection technologies.

By integrating multiple sensor types, moviTHERM’s solution provides a comprehensive fire prevention strategy, reducing false positives while increasing detection accuracy and reliability.

Yes. We offer both indoor and outdoor thermal monitoring solutions, with weatherproof enclosures and remote access capabilities for off-grid locations.

moviTHERM offers both cloud-based and local monitoring options:

  • Cloud-based monitoring enables remote access, alerts, and data logging.
  • Local monitoring operates without an internet connection and integrates with on-site safety systems.

Installation depends on your facility’s needs. moviTHERM provides ready-to-use plug-and-play solutions as well as custom configurations for large-scale or specialized applications. Our team can assist with setup, calibration, and system integration.

Contact moviTHERM for a consultation and site assessment. We’ll help you determine the best solution based on your risk factors, facility size, and safety requirements.