IDENTEC SOLUTIONS, the industry leader in wireless sensor based networks and systems, joined forces with Zonith A/S to meet the increased demand for rapid emergency response times on tunnelling projects, oil platforms, mines and other harsh environments.
By drawing on ZONITH’s expertise with alarm control systems, IDENTEC SOLUTIONS is able to offer increased value with their innovative and intelligent access control, personal safety monitoring, and automatic alarm handling systems portfolio for oil, gas, mining, tunneling and construction industries.
“We are pleased to partner with Zonith A/S,” states Frank Wehus, General Manager, IDENTEC SOLUTIONS Norway. “By integrating our technology into one solution, we are able to offer a comprehensive and rapid emergency response system that meets the intricate needs of the oil, gas, mining, and tunneling industries.”
In Norway, it is mandatory for some organizations to account for all personnel within their facility. IDENTEC SOLUTIONS’ WATCHERSYSTEM is the preferred choice to maintain accurate data about the location and the personnel within a facility to meet the stipulated legal requirements. ZONITH Software provides quick alarm response times to further satisfy the regulatory need for an organization to provide safe and reliable alarm communication to enable rapid evacuation and assistance in the event of an emergency.
The results of this co-operative approach further safeguards against the unauthorized access to hazardous working areas and allows for localized real time updates of alarms, personnel and asset information.
Improving personnel safety and reducing risk in times of emergency was achieved by integrating an IDENTEC SOLUTIONS WATCHERSYSTEM and ZONITH Alarm Control System. The combined solution ensures emergency and security staff are instantly aware of the exact number of workers inside a facility and can enable a rapid and fail safe site evacuation.
Current deployments of the IDENTEC SOLUTIONS and ZONITH system include the Norra Länken Tunnel construction site in Stockholm, and an underground vehicle tunnel project in Northern Stockholm.
How it works:
IDENTEC SOLUTIONS provides an active RFID (Radio Frequency ID) and sensor driven tagging system, called Watcher, to track and provide real-time information on personnel and an assets location within a working area.
Each employee or asset being monitored is provided with a uniquely identifiable RFID tag. When a tag enters or exits a known area its location is automatically read, and the entrance or exit time recorded. Designed for harsh work environments, the IDENTEC SOLUTIONS’ system has been specifically designed and tested for use within harsh working environments and in areas where there is a high risk of explosion.
The RFID reading device can rapidly detect either individual or large groups of tags, such as a moving bus of employees, entering the site. The system will also flag any unauthorized personnel entering the site and will immediately notify security.
In the instance a fire alarm is raised the ZONITH software will immediately notify personnel in the affected area and automatically instigate a predetermined evacuation process. At the same time security staff are kept up to date on the status of the evacuation and the whereabouts of personnel via text messages on their radios.
All communications, both within the tunnel and worksites, are enabled with a TETRA wireless radio communication system. In an emergency all personnel are immediately notified of alarms through their TETRA radio. Information on the status of the employees remaining in the tunnel is simultaneously and instantly communicated to security staff allowing them to take appropriate actions.
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