A recycling company specialises in processing corrugated paper in large “railroad-car-sized” amounts. This process entails sending the cardboard to a shredder and ultimately, producing craft paper, which creates high levels of heat.
When the metal bands that hold the cardboard bundles together are cut, there is potential for a spark to be created, resulting in a fire hazard.
Need for proactive measures
To avoid increases in their insurance rates, it was acknowledged that more proactive measures needed to be in place at the plant. The existing cameras could not provide the capabilities needed for prevention such as detecting smoke in the air from the heat before a fire erupted and spread.
Further, they needed to integrate the camera smoke/heat detection notifications with the fire alarms so there would be real-time alerts for the staff.
Solution used
The benefits of installing new thermal cameras and creating maps from multiple walk-throughs
Andrew Lundberg, Account Rep, Konica Minolta, was acquainted with the plant, and along with Sales Manager, Antonette Tobin, provided a security overview to the general manager.
The team worked with Scott Browne, Video Security Solutions Executive, to show the company’s senior leadership the benefits of installing new thermal cameras and also created maps from multiple walk-throughs.
MOBOTIX cameras
The Konica Minolta team addressed installation concerns by explaining how they could run the wire to accommodate the best location for the furnaces and operational points where a fire could start. Further, the plant manager was informed about the durability of the German-made MOBOTIX cameras in extreme temperature conditions since their plant created a hot environment.
“When we saw that the MOBOTIX cameras operated in harsh environmental conditions with very cold and very hot temperatures, we were relieved that the camera quality and operations would hold up well at our plant,” added the GM.
Results
Konica Minolta could also have the cameras directly integrated with their fire alarm systems
The plant purchased three MOBOTIX M16 cameras with thermal sensors for the interior of their facility. With a wide field of view, the cameras could cover the key areas where they felt smoke would need to be detected to proactively provide the alerts.
They were pleased that Konica Minolta could also have the cameras directly integrated with their fire alarm systems, providing the proactive operational improvement that the insurance company required.
Improved workflow efficiency
The installation of these new cameras would not only save them from additional insurance costs but also reduce the stress on employees who previously had to be on high alert to prevent potential fire problems.
This technology addition enabled the team to improve workflow efficiency, with employees focused on the operations. Once the board approved the funding, the plant GM indicated that in the future, he would like to consider additional outdoor cameras.
Operational oversight
Simply adding cameras to detect issues that may go unnoticed by employees helps with employee safety
Proactively improving the oversight of his operations, he noted, could only help with their safety, security, and future evidence to the insurer that they had a proactive mindset.
This solution applies nationwide, to organisations that want better oversight of their facilities and manufacturers that need operational oversight. Simply adding in cameras to detect issues that may go unnoticed by employees helps with employee safety. The story is simple, Konica Minolta can help to provide security via its Mobotix cameras, through its camera detection apps and react offerings.
Preventive maintenance
“We were eager to get this solution in place, but we could only install it during our shutdown period when we conducted our preventive maintenance,” said the plant General Manager (GM).
"The Konica Minolta team worked on our timeline for funding approval from our leadership team and with our plant’s operational timing requirements."
