Due to the high combustibility of wood and the presence of dust, along with the existence of volatile organic compounds present in varnishing, painting and lacquering operations, the Australia-based kitchen manufacturer Imperial Kitchens faced a constantly high risk of fire. In order to eliminate that risk, Imperial Kitchens installed HIKMICRO's Thermal Bi-Spectrum HeatPro cameras, providing an early warning to help protect staff and increasing facility safety.
The challenge: To enhance fire detection and early warning in a challenging environment and to comply with an updated insurance policy
Imperial kitchens in Meadowbrook, Queensland, a reputable manufacturer specializing in design, manufacture and installation of indoor and outdoor kitchens, vanities, and other joinery, operates in a challenging environment where the presence of wooden materials, sawdust, and varying airflow can pose serious obstacles to reliable smoke detection. Aside from that, a recent update to the company’s insurance policy dictated that the fire and smoke detection system needed to be upgraded, should Imperial Kitchens wish to remain insured.
Michael Cooper, the General Manager at Imperial Kitchens, decided that a smoke detection system alone was not sufficient for the challenges his factory was facing. “Our factory, by its very nature, is a dusty environment, which could trigger false alarms and cause unnecessary panic and costs. There had to be a better way to improve the safety of our staff and facility, and it was also high time for us to consider a digital transformation of the business.”
The solution: HIKMICRO's Thermal Bi-Spectrum HeatPro Cameras
In order to address the challenges, Imperial Kitchens collaborated with Intechsys, a solution provider specializing in high-end automation and security, who conducted a thorough review of the facilities and reached the conclusion that HIKMICRO's thermal cameras provided the best solution for Imperial Kitchens. The thermal cameras not only keep the manufacturer’s staff and facilities safe with an early warning, but also meet the requirements in the updated insurance policy.
Intechsys installed four HIKMICRO Bi-Spectrum HeatPro cameras for Imperial Kitchens, which were equipped with both optical and thermal sensing. The cameras were placed high up on the walls of the factory, limiting the dust exposure. A 24/7 continuous recording option is available to keep the property safe. The HIKMICRO Thermal HeatPro Camera has a high sensitivity thermal module, and features a reliable temperature-anomaly alarm, advanced fire detection algorithm, and high quality optical module with 4 MP resolution.
During testing, Intechsys noted that a MAP gas torch triggered the thermal camera’s temperature-anomaly alarm instantly, which then set off an alarm via a high-level interface to a Hikvision NVR. This then passed both the alarm notification to the Hik-Connect app as well as to the Monitoring Center via the Alarm System.
The servers in the control room decipher alarm signals, and the staff in the control room will be able to verify the alarm using actual camera footage, which is impossible to achieve with a fire detector system made of thermal detectors or smoke detectors. Then it is up to the staff to decide how to respond to the alarms – whether to send a patrol, call the police, or call for a fire brigade.
The benefits: An efficient and cost-effective approach to preventing loss of life and property
With many kitchens leaving the multi-million-dollar factory every day, the bustling Imperial Kitchens not only achieved a capital outlay savings, but also an overall reduction in downtime costs by applying the Hikvision solution. Aside from the cost efficiency and easiness to install and maintain, the Thermal Bi-Spectrum HeatPro Camera solution enables Michael Cooper, Imperial Kitchens’ general manager, to visually confirm a fire in the event of an alarm warning remotely via the Hik-Connect cloud-based app on his smartphone. Even if Michael is not around or on holiday, he can rely on the Alarm Monitoring Control Room, which operates 24 hours per day, seven days a week. This solution gives Michael peace of mind by allowing visual confirmation before calling for the fire brigade.
Although the story begins with Imperial Kitchens seeking to upgrade their fire and smoke detection system to remain insured, they made the most of the HIKMICRO solutions, and also took some new steps with digital transformation of their business. Fire detection and early warning using the Thermal Bi-Spectrum HeatPro Cameras not only effectively helps prevent loss of life and property, but also brings about capital outlay savings and reduced downtime costs. The Bi-Spectrum HeatPro Camera’s optical detection helps avoid false alarms, and adds value to Imperial Kitchen’s security agenda. The Hik-Connect app, providing an easy way for devices to connect to the Internet, makes the manufacturer’s remote security monitoring seamless.
Stephen Cooper, owner of Intechsys, commented on the solution: “Certainly all the additional benefits are just other reasons why Thermal Bi-Spectrum HeatPro Cameras are the future of early warning detection in challenging environments, potentially saving lives and protecting expensive equipment from risk of fire.”
