Short answer: there are three ways a camera can spot a fire. The Jovision JVS-N517-FDL uses AI on a normal colour camera to detect fire and raise an alarm, at the lowest cost. Hikvision thermal cameras such as the DS-2TD1228-7/QA see heat, so they detect a fire 0.2 × 0.2 m in size at 82.8 m and alarm when a temperature goes over the limit you set; the DS-2TD4228T-10/S2 thermal PTZ covers whole yards. The Synology BC800Z detects visible smoke.
Important: none of these cameras replaces the smoke alarms or fire detection system your building needs by law. They add an early warning and a picture of what is happening. ARC IP Networks keeps all four in Australian stock.
Key takeaways
- Lowest-cost fire alerts: Jovision JVS-N517-FDL, AI fire detection on a 5MP colour camera.
- Heat and temperature alarms: Hikvision DS-2TD1228-7/QA thermal turret, a 0.2 × 0.2 m fire detected at 82.8 m.
- Whole yards and open storage: Hikvision DS-2TD4228T-10/S2 thermal PTZ, a 2 × 2 m fire at 833 m.
- Smoke alerts on a Synology NAS: Synology BC800Z.
- No camera replaces AS 3786 smoke alarms or an AS 1670.1 fire system. Cameras add early warning with a picture.
Updated 13 November 2026 by the ARC IP Networks team, Blackburn, Melbourne.
On this page
- Fire detection cameras at a glance
- Three ways a camera detects fire
- Full specifications compared
- Jovision JVS-N517-FDL: AI fire alerts on a budget
- Hikvision thermal cameras: see heat, measure temperature
- Synology BC800Z: smoke detection on a 4K camera
- Cameras add warning, they do not replace your fire protection
- Which fire detection camera for which Australian site?
- Shop fire detection cameras by brand
- Buy fire detection cameras in Australia
- Need help choosing a fire detection camera?
Fire detection cameras at a glance
| Camera | In one line | Best for | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jovision JVS-N517-FDL | 5MP colour bullet with AI fire detection, warm-light night vision, dual microphones and a speaker | Sheds, workshops, small sites | Buy now |
| Synology BC800Z | 4K bullet with on-camera smoke detection (or plate recognition, not both) | Synology NAS sites | Buy now |
| Hikvision DS-2TD1228-7/QA | Bi-spectrum turret: 256 × 192 thermal + 4MP colour, fire, smoking and temperature alarms | Plant rooms, loading docks, bin and battery areas | Buy now |
| Hikvision DS-2TD4228T-10/S2 | Thermal + 4MP 32x PTZ, fire detection to 833 m, temperature to 550 °C | Hay yards, recycling yards, large sites | Buy now |
Three ways a camera detects fire
- AI fire detection (visual). A normal colour camera runs an AI model that detects fire in the picture. It needs to see the fire, and Jovision does not publish a detection range, so give it a clear, close view of the area. Example: Jovision JVS-N517-FDL.
- Visual smoke detection. The camera recognises smoke in the picture. Synology notes it is a video analytics tool, not a certified smoke detection system. Example: Synology BC800Z.
- Thermal (heat) detection. A thermal sensor sees heat instead of light, so it works in total darkness, can measure temperature and can alarm when something gets hotter than the limit you set. Examples: Hikvision HeatPro and thermographic cameras.
Visual AI is the low-cost option for watching a known risk area. Thermal costs more but sees heat at long range and can warn you about overheating, not only open flame.
Full specifications compared
Swipe the table sideways to compare all models →
| Spec | Jovision JVS-N517-FDL | Synology BC800Z | Hikvision DS-2TD1228-7/QA | Hikvision DS-2TD4228T-10/S2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detection type | AI fire detection (visual) | AI smoke detection (visual) | Thermal fire + temperature | Thermal fire + temperature |
| Fire detection range | Not published | Not published | 0.2 × 0.2 m fire at 82.8 m | 2 × 2 m fire at 833 m, 1 × 1 m at 417 m |
| Temperature measurement | — | — | −20 to 150 °C, ±8 °C | −20 to 550 °C, ±2 °C or ±2% (whichever is greater) |
| Other alarms | Motion, region intrusion, line crossing | People/vehicle, intrusion, counting | Smoking detection, human/vehicle | Smoke detection, up to 10 fire points |
| Colour camera | 5MP 3072 × 1728, 4 mm F1.0 | 8MP 4K, 4.38–9.33 mm zoom | 4MP + 256 × 192 thermal | 4MP 32x PTZ + 256 × 192 thermal |
| Night | 6 warm LEDs, 30 m | IR 38 m | IR 15 m, white light 30 m | IR 100 m |
| Audio | Dual mic + speaker | Built-in microphone | Mic/line in, audio out | Line/mic in, line out |
| Power | PoE or 12 V DC, under 9 W | PoE (802.3af) or 12 V DC | PoE (802.3af) or 12 V DC, max 6.5 W | Hi-PoE, 24 V AC or 36/48 V DC, max 30 W |
| Weatherproofing | IP67 | IP66 / IP67, IK10 | IP67, 6,000 V surge protection | IP66, 6,000 V surge protection |
From each maker's published datasheet. "Not published" means the maker gives no figure.
Jovision JVS-N517-FDL: AI fire alerts on a budget
The JVS-N517-FDL is a 5MP (3072 × 1728) bullet with a large 1/1.8″ sensor and a 4 mm F1.0 lens. It has 1 TOPS of built-in AI computing and Jovision's MVT (Multistage Verification Technology). Jovision lists fire detection as an alarm trigger, alongside motion, region intrusion and line crossing.
Six warm-light LEDs give colour video up to 30 m at night. Dual microphones and a speaker let you hear and talk on site. It is IP67 rated, runs on PoE or 12 V DC and records to a microSD card of up to 512 GB.
It costs a fraction of a thermal camera, which makes it practical to put one on every shed, workshop or store you want watched. ARC IP Networks is the national distributor of Jovision in Australia, so it comes from Australian stock with a 3-year warranty. See the full range on our Jovision page.
5MP AI fire detection bullet with warm-light colour night vision, IP67, PoE, 3-year warranty. In Australian stock.
Hikvision thermal cameras: see heat, measure temperature
The Hikvision DS-2TD1228-7/QA HeatPro turret puts a 256 × 192 thermal sensor (NETD under 40 mK) next to a 4MP colour camera. Hikvision lists fire detection of a 0.2 × 0.2 m fire at 82.8 m, smoking detection at 10.35 m and temperature measurement from −20 to 150 °C with 21 rules (points, areas and a line). It is IP67, runs on standard PoE and has 6,000 V surge protection.
For large outdoor areas, the Hikvision DS-2TD4228T-10/S2 combines the thermal sensor with a 4MP 32x optical PTZ that pans 360°. Hikvision lists dynamic fire detection of up to 10 fire points, a 2 × 2 m fire at 833 m and temperature measurement from −20 to 550 °C, accurate to ±2 °C or ±2%, whichever is greater. It suits hay and recycling yards, timber yards and open storage. See more on our Hikvision page or read Hikvision thermal cameras explained.
Bi-spectrum thermal turret: fire, smoking and temperature alarms. In Australian stock.
Thermal + 4MP 32x PTZ, fire detection to 833 m, temperature to 550 °C. In Australian stock.
Synology BC800Z: smoke detection on a 4K camera
The BC800Z is a 4K bullet with a 4.38–9.33 mm motorised lens that can run smoke detection on the camera and send real-time alerts through Synology Surveillance Station. Smoke detection and licence plate recognition cannot run at the same time, so you choose one per camera. Synology states that the feature supplements traditional fire safety systems and is not certified smoke or fire detection. See more on our Synology page.
4K bullet with on-camera smoke detection for Surveillance Station. In Australian stock.
Cameras add warning, they do not replace your fire protection
In Australia, homes need smoke alarms that meet AS 3786, and many commercial buildings need a fire detection and alarm system to AS 1670.1. A security camera with fire or smoke detection is not certified to these standards and does not replace them.
What a camera adds is a picture. You see straight away whether an alert is a real fire, where it is and how big it is, from your phone, wherever you are. That is most useful where no smoke alarm is fitted or no one is around: hay and machinery sheds, outbuildings, bin areas, loading docks and yards.
No power at the shed? A 4G solar camera such as the JVS-N47-AOR watches a remote site without cables. To record several fire cameras in one place, use an NVR such as the Jovision JVS-ND7008-PD01 or a Hikvision NVR. For more farm ideas see the best farm security cameras in Australia.
Which fire detection camera for which Australian site?
| Site | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hay or machinery shed | Jovision JVS-N517-FDL | Low cost per shed, fire alarms, colour night video |
| Workshop or garage | Jovision JVS-N517-FDL | Fire alarms plus intrusion alarms |
| Plant room, switch room, loading dock | Hikvision DS-2TD1228-7/QA | Temperature alarms catch overheating, not only flames |
| Waste, recycling, timber or hay yard | Hikvision DS-2TD4228T-10/S2 | PTZ thermal, fire points out to hundreds of metres |
| Office or shop on a Synology NAS | Synology BC800Z | Smoke alerts in Surveillance Station |
ARC IP Networks suggestions. Call 1300 100 440 to talk through your site.
More camera comparisons from ARC IP Networks:
Shop fire detection cameras by brand
Each brand page shows the full range with live Australian stock.
National distributor of Jovision in Australia. Australian stock, 3-year warranty.
Buy fire detection cameras in Australia
Live Australian pricing (inc. GST) and stock levels are on each product page.
5MP AI fire detection bullet, warm-light colour night vision, IP67, PoE.
Common questions
Straight answers from the ARC IP Networks team. Last reviewed November 2026.
A security camera that recognises fire and sends an alarm. Visual AI cameras such as the Jovision JVS-N517-FDL detect fire in the picture; thermal cameras such as the Hikvision DS-2TD1228-7/QA see heat and can alarm on temperature.
No. Australian homes need AS 3786 smoke alarms and many commercial buildings need an AS 1670.1 fire detection system. Fire detection cameras are not certified to these standards; they add an early warning with a picture.
AI fire detection uses a colour camera and needs to see the fire. Thermal detection sees heat, works in total darkness, reaches further and can measure temperature, so it can also warn about something overheating. Thermal cameras cost more.
Hikvision lists a 0.2 × 0.2 m fire at 82.8 m for the DS-2TD1228-7/QA and a 2 × 2 m fire at 833 m for the DS-2TD4228T-10/S2 thermal PTZ. Jovision and Synology do not publish a detection range, so place them with a clear view of the area you want to watch.
Of the cameras we stock, the Jovision JVS-N517-FDL is the lowest-cost camera with built-in fire detection.
Yes, for sheds and yards with no smoke alarm and no one nearby. A Jovision JVS-N517-FDL on each shed adds AI fire detection at low cost; a Hikvision thermal PTZ suits large hay or machinery yards.
Yes. The Jovision JVS-N517-FDL records colour at night with warm-light LEDs up to 30 m, and thermal cameras see heat in total darkness.
ARC IP Networks in Blackburn, Melbourne stocks Jovision, Hikvision and Synology fire and smoke detection cameras with Australia-wide delivery. We are the national distributor of Jovision in Australia, with a 3-year warranty.
Who we are
About ARC IP Networks
ARC IP Networks is an Australian supplier of security cameras, CCTV systems and networking, based in Blackburn, Melbourne. We supply Jovision, Hikvision, Ubiquiti UniFi, Synology and TP-Link cameras to homeowners, farms, installers and businesses across Australia.
We are the national distributor of Jovision in Australia, with Australian stock and a 3-year warranty, and an authorised reseller of every other brand we sell, with Australian stock and the full manufacturer's warranty. Our team helps you choose the right camera, and installers get trade accounts and project pricing.
- Australian stock, Australia-wide delivery
- Jovision: national distributor, 3-year warranty
- Trade accounts for installers and integrators
- Showroom in Blackburn, VIC, Mon–Fri 9–5
Need help choosing a fire detection camera?
Tell us what you need to watch and we will recommend AI or thermal. Trade pricing for installers.