An embodiment of a flame detector coverage verification system includes an optical source for generating a light beam, and a control unit configured to point the beam in a direction generally co-aligned with an optical center line of the flame detector and through a range of movement about the direction to visually demarcate an area that falls within the flame detector's field of view. In one embodiment, the control unit includes a movable mirror to deflect the laser beam. The system may include an indicator device configured to determine and visually indicate a pan direction of the detector optical center line with respect to a defined direction, and a declination indicator configured to determine and visually display the tilt angle (angle of declination) of the detector optical center line with respect to a ground plane.