In today’s world, safety is a high-priority concern at airports. With this in mind, Paris’ Orly Airport electrical power plant underwent a full overhaul in 2004. When developing plans for the project, one of the essential component specifications was a remote alarm system and, after a comprehensive study was conducted to determine the product best suited for the plant’s specific requirements, the Alert alarm notification system from WIN-911’s strategic partner, Micromedia International, coupled with a PCVue monitoring system, was selected.
Consisting of two 10-megawatt turbines feeding the commercial power grid, plus three diesel units used for operational purposes as well as air navigation aids (ANA: air traffic control, runway lighting, and radio navigation), the Orly plant is tasked with power production and distribution, as well as the repair, maintenance and control of the infrastructure. The plant is also responsible for covering Orly’s energy requirements in the event of a failure of the regional power supply. Should the local power grid ever fail, restoration of power must be seamless to ensure an uninterrupted supply of energy to all ANA-related systems.
There is simply no margin for error when faced with such an implacable need for continuity. In that regard, the combination of Micromedia’s Alert and PCVue offers great peace of mind, helping to ensure rapid, successful outcomes when responding to emergencies.
Using alarm notification software ensures that the Orly power plant’s managers and staff are able to effectively respond in a timely manner to critical fluctuations within the power grid. Short circuits, grounding faults, voltage drops, surges, interruptions, or unknown flows (e.g.,the operation of equipment without prior warning) are all issues requiring immediate attention and all can now be addressed more quickly and efficiently than was previously possible. To simplify the response process, alarm notices are categorized, prioritized, and filtered for easy identification, allowing them to be transmitted more effectively, while also preventing overloads, should an overwhelming number of alarms occur.
When an alarm is triggered, a designated staff member equipped with a GSM mobile phone will receive phone notifications. The primary role of the recipient is to relay the information, but they also maintain control over the alarm’s validation and final distribution of the notifications. By centralising these alarms, plant managers are able to quickly diagnose the degree of urgency and determine the appropriate response.
Upon receiving an alarm notification, the operator first acknowledges the call by pressing a predetermined digit. Alarm notices can be accessed by the recipient at any time. In addition, they can be acknowledged in groups or one-by-one. It is also possible to call back at any time to obtain a summary of the incidents as they are being resolved.
Previously, the Orly plant used a traditional system of warning lights and audible alarms. This style of warning system compromised the effectiveness of operators for two main reasons. First, the fixed nature of the hardware required trained personnel to be present in the control room at all times. Second, the information they received was incomplete: An alarm provided the location of a problem, but not necessarily its specific nature.
In comparison, the calls received from the Alert system consist of a prerecorded voice message which includes as much detail as possible, received on any mobile device. Operators at the plant now enjoy greater mobility, allowing them to monitor the sector while remaining reachable at all times. They are also able to address faults with the right information and level of precision at exactly the right time, enhancing their reactivity in any emergency. Once an alarm has been addressed, repair work is better distributed and more effective, as maintenance operators can access information on the exact nature of the fault.
Increased efficiency, operator mobility, and safety are the clear benefits of alarm notification software. Thanks to Micromedia International and PCVue, Paris’ Orly Airport is now enjoying those benefits.
For more information, please contact WIN-911’s partner Micromedia at https://www.micromedia-int.com/en/