Cawleys industry first for fire prevention
Cawleys has become the first waste management company in the UK to install, within a building, a high-tech heat detection system combined with foam fire suppression equipment at its Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) in Luton, as part of its ‘smart fire prevention’ procedure.
As waste material enters through the MRF’s reception area, it will be scanned using thermal imaging cameras which will be able to detect ‘waste hotspots’.
For example, lithium batteries accidently disposed of in general waste can cause a hotspot, more likely to ignite, and have caused an increased number of waste fires at other places across the country.
Once the hotspots have been detected foam cannons mounted above the waste streams are automatically triggered, re-positioning themselves to target the exact hotspot with fire-fighting foam.
Installed by Helios Systems Limited, there are only two waste operations in the UK utilising the combination of the Pyrosmart Fire Detection and Foam Fire Suppression system, and Cawleys is the only one to be installed within a building. William Furniss, Cawleys Health and Safety Manager, commented:
“At Cawleys, we have long been champions of innovation – and that extends to our health and safety culture. Our new smart fire prevention system will now be in action 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, identifying hotspots at early signs and tackling fire outbreaks before they can spread.”
“When we learnt about the PYROsmart system we were very impressed with its capabilities and by adding the foam fire suppression, we have offered even more assurance that should a fire break out, we have the equipment on site to deal with it instantly.”
The PYROsmart heat detection system with foam fire suppression will help Cawleys meet the Environment Agency’s (EA) new Fire Prevention Plan (FPP) guidance.
The system consists of a highly sensitive infrared thermal imaging camera and a video camera in an enclosed casing. Using a specially developed pan and tilt drive, the system constantly scans radiometric high-resolution data of the area being monitored. All the recorded data is assimilated to an accurately detailed thermographic panoramic image.
William added: “PYROsmart really does give us peace of mind that our site is now monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks of the year, providing early identification of any hot spots should they occur. By adding the foam fire suppression system as well we know we can tackle any hotspots or fires that are identified before they spread.”
This latest investment follows a programme of innovation celebrating Cawleys 70th anniversary, including its new waste collection vehicles featuring fuel-saving, low-emission engines with enhanced safe, assured driving characteristics.