Thermometric cameras deployed to reduce fire risk at waste management facility

Recycling Lives is a very special business. Ostensibly a recycling and waste management operation, the company actually makes use of this commercial element to support and sustain charitable programmes aimed at offender rehabilitation, residential support and food redistribution.

It’s a genuinely effective approach to social aid, and one that has earned the company four prestigious Queen’s Awards and numerous admirers, among them Andy Moore (managing director of Chorley-based security and fire specialist ADJ Fire and Security). ADJ works with Recycling Lives to provide technology-based solutions that will minimise risk at the former’s myriad sites.

“The whole company’s called Recycling Lives, because that’s exactly what it does,” Moore explained in conversation with Fire Safety Matters. “It gives people a second chance. Individuals who’ve come out of prison or who are homeless. The business helps them back into society. It’s providing assistance to people who really need it by giving them jobs and, if necessary, re-homing them if they require somewhere to stay until they can find their own place. Recycling Lives is most definitely a special company. ADJ Fire and Security is extremely proud to be associated with a company like Recycling Lives.”

Recycling Lives operates sites across the UK. It was founded (and is run) by second generation recyclers. Time-served experts with a wealth of industry knowledge, insight and contacts. Their charity and social enterprise teams provide residential accommodation for the homeless, help to reduce re-offending and redistribute food, directly supported by recycling, recruitment, compliance and waste management businesses.

As a result, the business creates more than just environmental and financial value from its activities. It provides significant social value as well.

Fire risks

At the Recycling Lives site on Longridge Road in Preston, ADJ was asked to help devise a solution which could assist the Recycling Lives staff to prevent and detect fires on-site during and out of office hours.

Moore stated: “Fires can happen within waste piles on site, and can end up burning inside without any notification. They can seriously flare up when the pile is disturbed. There are batteries stored on site from de-polluted cars and these can also be a serious fire hazard if ignited.”

ADJ Fire and Security is a Hikvision Gold VASP partner and works closely with the surveillance solutions developer to devise intelligent and efficient smart technology-driven systems for its many clients. In this case, ADJ Fire and Security, Hikvision and Recycling Lives collaborated on the development of the ideal system for Recycling Lives’ specific requirements.

ADJ Fire and Security recommended the use of Hikvision’s thermometric thermal bullet cameras, specifically the DS-2TD2136T-15 model. These specialist cameras are designed to detect even minor changes in temperature by dint of using specialist thermal imaging technology.

Image processing technology

The cameras use cutting-edge image processing technology, including adaptive automatic gain control, digital detail enhancement, 3D dynamic noise reduction and a noise equivalent temperature difference of less than < 40 mk.

The powerful behaviour analysis algorithm enables automatic smart detection including line crossing, intrusion and region entrance and exit. It also provides a reliable temperature exception alarm function in addition to an advanced fire detection algorithm. The temperature measurement range is -20℃ to 550℃ with ±2℃ accuracy.

The thermal imaging module provides 384 x 288 resolution and a high sensitivity sensor. It supports contrast adjustment and shutter adjustment in various modes. There are 15 palettes of adjustable colour available and, because this is a thermal imaging camera rather than a conventional CCTV device, there’s no need for additional lighting.

No less than 19 thermometric cameras have been installed at the Preston site, with more set to be added in the future.

Powerful technology

“Cameras are located in the high-risk areas where fires could break out such as in the plant rooms and at the stockpiles, and also at the shredder and de-pollution areas,” explained Moore. “When the cameras detect an increase in temperature that signifies a potential fire risk, they automatically raise an alarm and alert the client to the issue. That allows the end user to take action much more quickly than relying on traditional video or other forms of fire detection. They can react immediately even to the risk of fire breaking out.”

Recycling Lives’ compliance manager Dave Gallagher stated: “The prevention of fire, and the early detection of any fire that may break out, is of critical importance when it comes to protecting our people, infrastructure and, indeed, the local environment. While our risk controls have proven effective year after year, the opportunity to invest in new technology that enhances our ability to react as quickly as possible in the event of an emerging fire hazard was one that couldn’t be missed.”

Tangible results

The results have been tangible, outlined Moore, and have actively impressed some influential people.

“Recycling Lives recently had a visit from the Environment Agency as part of a routine inspection,” he explained. “The officials involved were impressed with the standard of risk management and controls on the site, including the recent investment in fire detection technology. As a result, the Environment Agency’s director of regulated industry was subsequently invited to the site to view the systems in place.”

The success of the Preston solution has prompted Recycling Lives to once again engage ADJ Fire and Security with a view towards implementing similar systems at all of its other sites across the country.

 “We’ve been particularly impressed with how ADJ Fire and Security and Hikvision have worked collaboratively with us to identify how the technology can best be employed to reduce risk,” concluded Dave Gallagher. “We look forward to the enhanced levels of protection the system provides. ADJ Fire and Security is adaptable and commercially aware and completely understands the commercial realities of the scrap metal industry.”