Detecting overheating to prevent fire

Detecting overheating to prevent fire

Moerdijk – Dutch technology company Dyzle has developed a specially designed wireless monitoring solution for Overslag Bedrijf Moerdijk (OBM) and Osse Overslag Centrale (OOC). The system detects overheating, which often leads to fire. OBM and OOC both store dry bulk goods, such as grain, mixed fodder, synthetic fertiliser and biomass, at their sites in Moerdijk and Oss. “These are valuable goods and it’s up to us to ensure that they are not damaged by overheating or fire under any circumstances. So we decided to join forces with Dyzle in order to develop a solution that would monitor the temperatures inside and outside the halls. This enables us to spot overheating faster. If the difference between the inside and outside temperatures exceeds a certain limit value, an alarm goes off at the EBN monitoring centre. The centre assesses the situation and, if necessary, alerts the company and the fire brigade,” says Frank Nooijen, Managing Director of Overslag Bedrijf Moerdijk.

It is difficult to detect overheating*, so Dyzle virtual sensors were installed both on the ridge beams inside the halls and on the outside walls of the halls. The difference between the temperature inside and outside a shed is usually fairly constant. If there is a rapid rise in the inside temperature in relation to the outside temperature it may mean that goods have started to overheat. If this is the case, rapid action needs to be taken to prevent a fire hazard. Probes with sensors that are inserted into the piles of biomass for example also provide additional monitoring data. In addition to the alarm generated by an increase in the temperature differential, the virtual sensor generates a second alarm. This means that the teams at OBM and OOC are notified of the first alarm by text message and email, but if one of the second set of limit values is exceeded, an alarm will go off at EBN. Nooijen adds: “EBN can also check its surveillance cameras to see if there is any sign of smoke or fire in our halls.”

The collaboration between the two companies goes further. Nooijen: “To comply with fire and environmental regulations we have to ensure that our monitoring procedures are more than adequate. So together with Dyzle we also developed CO₂ sensors. If goods are overheating, a rise in CO₂ levels is an early warning sign.”

About Overslag Bedrijf Moerdijk and Osse Overslag Centrale
Overslag Bedrijf Moerdijk (OBM) provides transhipment and storage of bulk and general cargo in the Moerdijk port area and currently operates three terminals. As well as handling a wide range of dry bulk and general cargo, OBM specialises in the transhipment and storage of various kinds of polluted materials, such as soil, sludge, wood, glass and rubber. The company also takes in, processes and sells construction and demolition wood. OBM is part of the Nooijen Group and Martens en Van Oord. Osse Overslag Centrale (OOC) provides transhipment and storage in the Oss harbour. OOC is a trimodal terminal with its own wharf and rail facilities and handles both sea containers and dry bulk cargo. The company also has dry bulk cargo sheds, an outdoor storage area with a watertight paved surface and all of the necessary transhipment equipment. OOC is part of the Nooijen Group and a sister company of OBM. www.obm.nl and www.ooc.nl