What it is
A small alarm system that reads both flame and smoke sensors. If either sensor passes its warning threshold, the Arduino turns on the buzzer, flashes warning LEDs, and keeps the alarm active until it is reset.
Why I built it
I wanted a project that felt practical, not just cool on a desk. Fire detection is a good embedded-systems exercise because it has real constraints: noisy sensors, fast response, clear outputs, and no room for confusing behavior.
What's inside
- An IR flame sensor for direct flame detection.
- An MQ sensor module for smoke or gas warning readings.
- A buzzer and LED pair for immediate local alerts.
- Serial output so thresholds can be tuned while testing.
What I learned
Sensor thresholds need calibration. The first values I tried were too sensitive, so the system reacted to normal room changes. Printing readings to the serial monitor made it much easier to pick values that were responsive without false-triggering constantly.
What I'd do differently
A future version would add battery backup, a reset button, and a wireless notification module. The prototype proves the sensing and alarm behavior; the next step is making it more dependable as a real safety device.