SeSys has deployed a MOBOTIX camera modified to meet ATEX standards |
During the commissioning stage, the camera allowed technicians from Wessex Water to adjust the speed of the pumps in what David Mining, ICA Technical and Development Manager at Wessex Water describes as an extremely "unpleasant environment."
Wessex water is a regional water and sewage treatment business serving an area of the south west of England, covering 10,000 square kilometres including Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, most of Wiltshire and parts of Gloucestershire and Hampshire. In March 2010, the company began building a new pumping station at Ashton Avenue near the Cumberland basin in Bristol. The facility is used for storm pumping in the event of heavy rains and includes a new 400 square metre screening chamber that removes debris from the flow.
The screen is essential to stop debris being carried into a stream or river when a significant amount of rain exceeds the requirements of the treatment process. "We had experience working with SeSys and IP cameras from other projects and it was felt that the technology would be useful especially during the commissioning phase," explains Mr. Mining, "When the pumps are going full speed, the chamber can be an unpleasant place to work and the MOBOTIX cameras allow us to monitor the process from the control room." To place the power of the pumps into perspective: At full speed, they move enough water to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in just 6 minutes.
Wessex Water selected a MOBOTIX solution from SeSys, a specialist in digital IP and network video who has worked with major utility providers including Yorkshire Water, Northern Ireland Water and Scottish Water for several years. The firm is well known within the industry for innovative, bespoke projects- especially within challenging outdoor, subterranean and haz-chem environments.
The SeSys SE-ATEX-IP-S-D24 camera uses technology based on a MOBOTIX D24 camera and was selected based on its ATEX rating, proven reliability in similar hostile locations and high quality images. "We have also integrated the video feed into the local control panel and we can also remotely view any situation over our Wide Area Network."
This installation has proven extremely reliable within the pumping station and Mr. Mining believes that the use of CCTV technology in this way helps the organisation to ensure the highest levels of service delivery, especially during times of heavy rain.