Early smoke detection
Recognises the faintest traces of smoke, before a smouldering pile or overheating machine becomes a serious fire.
AI video smoke & fire detection
Spot smoke in seconds. Using the cameras you already have
Woodcock AI watches every CCTV feed on your site, day and night, for the first visible signs of smoke and flame. The moment it sees them, it sends an alert with the video clip, so your team can check and act before a smoulder turns into a blaze.
Live test on your cameras
No new cameras
Edge or cloud
On your phone
From first wisp to acknowledged
When the AI sees smoke on an existing camera, the alert lands on your phone with a written description and a clip. Your on-call contact can open it, view live and acknowledge it, so everyone can see who picked it up.
- First wisp flagged on the camera that saw it
- Alert sent by push and email
- Acknowledged in the app, with the clip attached
<4sto detect faint smoke or small flames on the edge server
98%of CCTV cameras supported, via ONVIF & RTSP
24/7monitoring, with support open 24 hours, Mon to Sun
60 daysvideo retention as standard, longer on request
Live teston 2–3 of your own cameras, with no obligation to continue
The problem
Waste fires are rising. Point detectors can't see a yard
Stockpiles, tipping halls and open yards are too big, too open and too dusty for conventional point detectors, and air sampling can be too slow across large spaces. Most sites already have cameras pointed at exactly those risks. Woodcock AI gets them watching for fire.
256
industrial waste fires attended by fire and rescue services in England in 2025
MHCLG, Table A81, Jul 202632
of the 2025 incidents lasted more than 24 hours
MHCLG, Table A811bn+
pounds a year: the cost of battery-related fires in UK waste, with 1,200+ incidents in 2023/24
ESA, battery fire briefing, Sep 2025
Detection
Fire safety that sees the whole site
Built to protect large areas, indoors and outdoors, alongside your heat and point smoke detectors. It adds wider coverage and gives you clear video to make fast decisions.
Flame detection
Picks out small flames in real time on live feeds, with instant alerts to help reduce damage and protect people.
Works with existing CCTV
ONVIF and RTSP cameras and recorders. Connect a camera by entering its login details.
Alerts with video
Push and email, each with the clip attached. Alerts to a monitoring centre (ARC) and phone-call alerts are available as optional add-ons. Set alert schedules and detection zones for each camera.
Self-learning AI
Unique to Woodcock AI. The model adapts to each camera's view and keeps retraining itself. It learns natural movement and changes in the weather, and tells smoke apart from fog, dust and steam, which keeps false alarms down.
Indoors, outdoors, 24/7
Built to keep detecting in changing light and weather, including at night and in bad weather on outdoor yards.
Fire and security in one
The same cameras handle smoke and fire detection plus intrusion and human detection, on one platform and one app.
Edge or cloud, your choice
Process video on site with the Woodcock AI edge server for maximum data privacy and no high-bandwidth streaming. Or connect to the Woodcock AI Cloud for central monitoring, instant alerts and remote management.
Rapid-deploy towers
Self-contained camera towers with solar power, 4G, 5G or Starlink and battery backup for construction sites, temporary yards and remote locations.
Real footage
Real detections, on ordinary CCTV
These are Woodcock AI detections on standard camera feeds, many of them at night, the hardest conditions for any camera.
Why CCTV-based AI
Wider coverage. Visual proof. Lower cost
Fire detection and security from the same cameras. A smart, economical choice next to conventional alarms and thermal CCTV.
| Metric | Woodcock AI on CCTV | Conventional smoke alarms | Legacy thermal CCTV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Wide area, smoke-focused | Point-based, limited area | Wide area, heat-focused |
| Accuracy | High, reduces false positives | Prone to false positives | High for heat, less for smoke |
| Early detection | Detects smoke early, with visual aid | Depends on proximity | Detects heat early |
| Cost | Cost-effective, uses existing cameras | Low initial, multiple units | High, specialised hardware |
| Maintenance | Low, software-based | High, periodic testing | Low, durable |
| Dual function | Security and fire detection | Fire detection only | Heat detection only |
| Visual verification | Yes, clear video footage | No | Limited, heat profiles |
Sectors
Built for sites where fire can't wait
Watch every stockpile, all night
Tipping halls, bales, quarantine bays and outdoor stockpiles, monitored 24/7, including nights and weekends when the site is empty. Writing a fire plan? Use our fire prevention plan checklist. For the full picture, read our pillar guide to video smoke detection on existing CCTV.
Household waste recycling centres: Spot battery and vape fires in small-electricals cages and skips after closing.
Waste & recycling
Reliable in harsh conditions
At a metal recycling site in South Yorkshire, Woodcock AI gives early smoke alerts in an industrial setting where traditional sensors struggled.
One system for fire and security
From a 42-camera members' club to vehicle depots and off-grid yards on rapid-deploy towers. One platform, one app.
Installers, integrators & fire-safety companies
Sell AI fire detection as your own monthly service
Install cameras as normal. We set up the accounts, the NVR and the AI in the background, so you add recurring revenue without extra technical work.
- Fully white-labelled app: your logo, your colours, your customer
- No AI configuration or backend setup needed on site
- Upsell existing sites without changing cameras
- We manage the platform, analytics, updates and tuning
Proven on site
Trusted by the people running real sites
Woodcock AI has significantly improved our site monitoring by providing clear, actionable alerts instead of generic motion notifications. The ability to remotely review relevant clips has streamlined our security operations.
Since integrating Woodcock AI across our 42 camera network, we've noticed faster identification of suspicious activity. The plain-English event descriptions help our team respond promptly without needing to sift through hours of video.
Metal recycling site
AI smoke detection on existing CCTV in a harsh industrial environment, with early, reliable alerts where traditional sensors struggled.
Members' club
AI detection for people, fire and intrusion across the site, with faster response and quicker footage review.
42+cameras monitoredCommercial vehicle business
Remote monitoring and clear event alerts across vehicle operations and commercial premises.
FAQ
Questions, answered
Anything else? Our team can talk you through your site and cameras.
Talk to the teamoffice@woodcock.aiTechnical support & customer services, open 24 hours, Mon to Sun
Does it work with my existing cameras?
Almost certainly. Woodcock AI works with ONVIF and RTSP cameras and recorders, including H.264, H.264+ and H.265 streams. It supports the vast majority of CCTV camera manufacturers. To connect a camera, you just enter its login details.
How quickly are alerts sent?
Within seconds. Alerts go out by push notification and email, each with the video clip attached. Alerts to a monitoring centre (ARC) and phone-call alerts are available as optional add-ons.
Does it replace our certified fire alarm?
No. Woodcock AI adds a visual early-warning layer to your CCTV and works alongside your heat and point smoke detectors. It does not replace certified fire detection systems or statutory fire safety procedures.
What about fog, dust, steam, rain or sunlight?
The self-learning AI adapts to each camera's view. It learns natural movement and changes in the weather, and it's trained to tell smoke apart from fog, dust and steam. That keeps false alarms down, day and night.
Do we need an internet connection?
Not with the edge server. It processes video on your local network and works without an internet connection, which suits sites with strict security rules or limited bandwidth. If you'd rather, connect to the Woodcock AI Cloud for central monitoring, instant alerts and remote management.
What happens during a live test on my cameras?
We review your CCTV system and the risks on your site, then set up selected cameras to watch for those risks. You get alerts and event clips to review, so you can judge performance on your own site. There's no obligation to continue afterwards.
I'm an installer. Can I resell it under my own brand?
Yes. Woodcock AI can be fully white-labelled, so the app carries your logo and colours. We provide the technology, backend platform and ongoing support in the background. See the partner programme.
Free site assessment
See it work on your own cameras
Tell us about your site. We'll review your CCTV and fire risks, then set up a live test on your cameras with no obligation.
Installer or fire-safety company? Partner with Woodcock AI
Related
Keep exploring
More from Woodcock AI on this topic.
Platform features
Works with every detection module
Each module runs on the same platform, so the same tools apply wherever you use it.
- Polygon detection zones. Draw the exact area on each camera, so alerts only come from inside it.
- Self-learning AI. Learns what is normal for each camera, and the feedback button on every detection goes into retraining for your site.
- Ask your cameras Coming soon, early 2027. Coming soon, early 2027: you'll be able to ask plain-English questions about your footage and download the matching clip.
Need new cameras? See Hikvision ColorVu smoke detection cameras, pre-configured by Woodcock.
Comparing suppliers? See how to choose AI fire detection software in the UK.
Using camera detection in a fire prevention plan? See what the Environment Agency expects for fire detection in an FPP.
Wondering what your insurer will think? Read does my insurer require fire detection CCTV?
Planning a budget? Read what drives the cost of fire detection cameras.
Running a warehouse or distribution centre? See fire detection cameras for warehouses.
Watching skips and timber on a build? See our construction site fire safety guide.
Outside cameras at village halls can watch bins, gas cages and rear exits after hours. See our guide to village hall fire safety for the full hall fire safety guide.