FLIR - Warehouse Asset Protection

8/10/2019 FLIR - Warehouse Asset Protection

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APPLICATION STORY

Critical Content MonitoringMany types of material are exothermicwithout exposure to an external stimulus. Their internal temperature can increaseto the point where they begin to burnspontaneously. The resulting fire and

intense heat can cause the material inother containers to ignite; ultimately thewarehouse structure, electrical wiring, andequipment can be destroyed.

Although warehouses that are storingexothermic equipment are more susceptibleto fire than others, a fire can break out inany warehouse. No matter which goods arestored in it.

CCTV cameras

Warehouses and other facilities need to beprotected against fire. There are differentoptions to do this. CCTV cameras can beinstalled to monitor for smoke or flames. The

disadvantage is that when smoke or flamesstarts to produce, the fire has already set in.CCTV cameras are also only able to producea good quality image when there is enoughlight. In a warehouse where windows arescarce, this is not often the case. Certainly

not during the night. This means thatlighting needs to be installed. Not only is theinstallation expensive, also powering up thelights and periodical light bulb replacementis extremely expensive.

Another disadvantage of CCTV cameras isthat you can only see smoke or flameswhen the images are properly contrasted.A small amount of grey smoke against agrey background will not immediately benoticed.

Smoke detectors and sprinkler systemsSmoke detectors and sprinkler systemsare another option to minimize the risk to

Thermal imaging cameras for warehouseasset protectionWorldwide, warehouses are stocked with highly valuable goods. Protecting these goodsagainst theft is of the utmost importance. But theft is not the only danger. An even greaterdanger is fire. Fire can destruct an entire warehouse within an extremely short timeframe. Thevalue of the destroyed goods during a fire can be tremendous and the cost of a life that is lostduring a fire is impossible to calculate. Statistics show high increase in assets loss due to firealthough warehouses are equipped with fire alarms and fire fighting systems.

The FLIR A310 is an affordable and accurate non-contact temperature imaging and measurement tool that can help to avoidres in warehouses.

The temperature measurements by the FLIR A310 thermalimaging camera are combined with previously determined para-meters. If the measured temperature rises beyond the parameteran alarm will go off.

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APPLICATION STORY

warehouse contents. But not all fires are thesame and not all smoke detectors respondwell to all types of fires.

There are two main types of smokedetectors - ionization and photoelectric -contain technologies that work well undersome circumstances and not so well inothers. Ionization detectors respond morepromptly to fires involving high flames, andphotoelectric detectors alert more quickly toslower-burning, smoldering fires. Depending

on the type of fire that is breaking out smokedetectors might therefore not respond aswell as expected.

Smoke detectors can also generate quitesome unwanted alarms. They can be

triggered by steam and by dust. Installingsmoke detectors near stoves, ovens or otherheat and smoke generating devices is a quickrecipe for unwanted alarms. Unfortunately,these areas are among those most in needof careful monitoring for fire hazards. Heatdetectors, which sound alarms based onsharp temperature change, are worthysubstitutes in such areas.

But the main disadvantage of smokedetectors is that they represent a response to

fire that has already broken out.

Thermal imaging camerasFLIR thermal imaging cameras go a stepfurther by providing an early warningresponse to hot spots that are detected. This is important for all types of warehousesbut in particular for those that containcontents that that are prone to spontaneouscombustion, or highly flammable.

FLIR thermal imaging cameras clearly revealhot spots on a remote video or PC monitorin real time, and tell a viewer the precisetemperature and location of those spots.In addition, this “Smart Camera” can beprogrammed to set the temperature at whichan alarm signal is generated, and multipletarget spots and alarms can be used. Thealarm output can be wired directly to analarm device, annunciator, programmablelogic controller (PLC), or PC-based monitoringand control system. When an alarm occurs,personnel can then go to the visual monitorto verify the problem and its exact location.

FLIR thermal imaging cameras can beused to save hundreds of thousands ofeuros in content and structural damage byidentifying imminent fires in an extremelyearly stage.

Why thermal imaging is so effectiveAll objects emit thermal radiation in theinfrared spectrum that is not seen by thehuman eye. Thermal imaging camerasconvert that radiation to a thermal image thatis calibrated to a temperature scale. This non-contact temperature data can be displayedon a monitor, and can also be sent to a digitalstorage device for analysis.

When installed in a warehouse assetprotection system FLIR thermal imaging

cameras produce a clear thermal image onwhich the smallest of details can be seen.But more than that. The image also displaystemperature data that have been obtained ina non-contact mode.

“Lights-out” warehouse monitoringUnlike visible image cameras that mightbe used to detect smoke, thermal imagingcameras do not require lighting to producetheir images. Therefore, they support “lights-out” 24/7 warehouse monitoring. Furthermore,thermal imaging cameras have anotheradvantage: they can also see through smoke. This means that in case a fire should break out,they can be used to guide firefighters to thesource of the fire and to see if there are stillpeople in the smoke filled room.

However, thermal imaging cameras can“see” hot spots well before smoke or flamesappear. This makes them ideal tools for assetprotection in warehouses.

Multiple alarm features Thermal imaging camera can provide a signaldirectly to an audible or visual alarm devicebut they can also be combined with a PLC orPC controller to create a monitoring systemwith advanced features. With FLIR’s thermalimaging camera firmware, or PC-based

Thermal image of a hazardous waste storage area showing two spot temperature readings(-3.1ºC and -8.4ºC) that are in the safe range, plus one reading 37.1ºC that is abnormally high.

A subsequent image of the same area shows that the abnormal reading has increased further,causing an alarm to go off.

The use of the FLIR A310 thermal imaging camera is not restrictedto warehouses, it can also be used for outdoor applications, suchas this coal pile. The thermal image clearly identies a re that isabout to erupt in the coal pile.

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software, these features can include:• High, low, and average temperatures in an

image• Temperature set-point alarms• Multiple target spots and alarms• Delays to ignore temporary temperature

increases due to forklift trucks in the area• Temperature trend analysis to reveal

problems before a set-point is reached• Ethernet connections to a central controller• Connecting multiple cameras to a central

monitor• Alarm messages and images via ethernet,

email, or FTP

Thermal imaging in combination with afire extinguishing systemDetecting a hot spot that can lead to a fire

is one thing. Preventing that it becomes afire is another. Therefore many users andalso insurance companies come with thequestion to create a system that can not onlydetect hot spots, but one that can cool themdown immediately as well so that a fire doesnot break out.

Technology Advantages DisadvantagesCCTV camera CCTV cameras are relatively

inexpensive at purchaseBecause this solution needs lights it isrelatively expensive in the long run

Can monitor a large area Need light to produce an imageHigh maintenance costs and energybills due to installed lightsCan not see through smokeProvide response to a fire that hasalready broken outNeed contrast between smoke andthe environment in order to see thesmoke

Smoke detectors Relatively inexpensive to buy Provide response to a fire that hasalready broken outGenerate a lot of unwanted alarmsHigh maintenance cost

Thermal imaging Need no light whatsoever Thermal imaging cameras are moreexpensive than CCTV at the initialpurchase.

See through smokeGive an alarm BEFORE a fire breaksout.Can monitor a large areaProduce good contrasted images.Practically no unwanted alarmsCan guide a fire extinguishing systemin order to minimize damage.No maintenance

Typical System Configurations The schematic illustration depicts a typical system configuration using the FLIR A310 thermal imaging camera. Although analogvideo and digital I/O outputs allow it to operate as a standalone smart sensor, many warehouse applications also use its digitaldata stream, sent over Ethernet lines to a PLC or PC controller.

When used in this manner, the temperature data is one of the primary inputs to the PLC or PC controller that is part of a broaderfacility monitoring and control system. In conjunction with its alarm setpoint capabilities, the A310’s Ethernet communication cansupply a digital compression of the camera’s analog video signal to virtually anywhere a PC is running monitoring software. FLIR’Ssoftware allows a PC to display up to nine camera images at a time, and switch between additional camera groups as needed.

In addition to viewing thermographic video images, temperature data can be stored and analyzed to produce a trend analysis.Increasingly, the TCP/IP protocols of the A310 thermal imaging cameras are used to facilitate monitoring from multiple locations. They can automatically send temperature data and images to a PC via e-mail (SMTP) or FTP protocol whenever a temperaturewarning threshold is reached. Safety personnel at designated locations can open a password protected web browser to accessthe camera’s web server for basic control functions, and view live video of the monitored area.



APPLICATION STORY

For more information about thermal imagingcameras or about this application,please contact:

FLIR Commercial Systems B.V.Charles Petitweg 214847 NW Breda - NetherlandsPhone : +31 (0) 765 79 41 94Fax : +31 (0) 765 79 41 99e-mail : [email protected]

In cases like these the thermal imagingcamera can be connected with a fire monitor. The thermal imaging camera will guide thefire monitor to the exact location where thehot spot is located and cool it down. Thismeans that only a small amount of goodswill be damaged by water. This contrary tosprinkler systems that might damage a vastpart of the warehouse.

Case study 1: Swimming pool purificationLet’s have a look at a company that hasa large manufacturing plant for calciumhypochlorinate used in swimming poolpurification. The anhydrous form of thisexothermic material is stored in large

containers in the company’s warehouses.

Initially, the firm began insertingthermocouples in selected containers tomonitor their temperature. The thermo-couple outputs were connected to amonitoring system that would trigger analarm if the temperature got too high. Witheleven warehouses spread over a largearea, and a huge number of containersto be monitored, there was a massivethermocouple wiring problem. To keep thissomewhat manageable, the company tooka sampling approach, installing thermo -couples in only one-third of the containers.However, this left them exposed to asignificant degree of risk.

To reduce this risk, the firm began installingFLIR A310 thermal imaging cameras as fixedposition non-contact temperature sensors,monitoring all the containers in a groupeasily covered by the camera’s field of view(FOV). A single Ethernet connection fromeach thermal imaging camera routes thetemperature data to a PLC monitoring systemover a wireless network. An alarm time delayis programmed into the FLIR thermal imagingcamera’s firmware so it can ignore temporarytemperature increases due to forklift trucksentering the warehouse. This cost-effectivesolution results in 100% product coverage,and the huge thermocouple wiring mess hasbeen eliminated.

Case study 2: Chemical waste disposalAnother example is a warehouse for storage

of barrels containing chemical waste.Although this is a covered facility, the barrelscannot be totally protected from moisture. Thus, there is the possibility of leaks, or barrelcontents can become contaminated by airand moisture, causing a rise in temperaturedue to a chemical reaction. Ultimately, there

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is a risk of fire, or even an explosion. Althoughvisible light cameras can detect flames, orsmoke if adequate lighting is provided, thismight be too late for preventative measuresto be taken.

Like the previous example, the operator ofthis warehouse uses stand-alone thermalimaging cameras to detect a temperaturerise within their FOV before fire occurs,and send an alarm to a central monitoringstation. The camera’s hysteresis function isused to prevent the alarm from turning offuntil the detected temperature falls wellbelow the temperature setpoint and thealarm is cleared by an operator.

Thermal images are displayed on a controlroom monitor that points personnel to theexact location of a hot spot.

Prevent the fire before it startsFLIR thermal imaging cameras are an idealtool for warehouse asset protection. Unlikeother methods, such as CCTV monitoringand smoke detectors, thermal imagingtechnology can prevent a fire before itbegins with its automatic temperature

alarm feature, preventing expensive stockloss. It also provides an intuitive and easyto understand visual image that will allowpersonnel and firefighters to immediatelyassess the situation and recognize theproblem.

Thermal imaging cameras require nomaintenance nor any expensive and powerconsuming lighting to be effective. Thermalimaging cameras also generate fewerunwanted alarms, which are a commonproblem with CCTV cameras and smokedetectors. And as an additional advantagethermal imaging cameras from FLIR Systemscan also be used for security, detectingintruders in total darkness if necessary.

Thermal imaging cameras might be slightlymore expensive than CCTV cameras andsmoke detectors at the initial purchase,but as they require no light whatsoever tofunction the maintenance costs and energy

bills are kept low. This solution is also theonly system that actually prevents the fire,keeping your assets safe and protecting youfrom costly stock loss, making it the bestwarehouse asset protection solution on themarket today.

Fire development stages

Depending on the previously set temperature alarm a thermal imaging camera will detect re in either the incipient or the smolderingstage. A smoke detector relies on smoke production to detect the developing re, so it will only detect the re at the end of the smolde-ring stage or at the beginning of the ame stage. CCTV cameras rely on color contrast, so it will only detect the re in the ame or restage, depending on lighting conditions.

FLIR - Warehouse Asset Protection

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