GE Security announced today that, following three years in development, it is opening its half million dollar Fire Detection Research Center.

The new center, which will serve as a laboratory for testing and development of fire detection technologies, will be located at GE Security's global headquarters in Bradenton, Fla.

According to GE Security, the lab will be used by research scientists to develop tomorrow's fire detection systems and the research will be applicable across the globe.

GE Security's president and CEO Dean Seavers is officially opening the lab on Tuesday, July 1, and will be joined at the opening by Florida Congressman Vern Buchanan.