TMG protects its silos at risk of explosion with Mobotix thermal technology

At the Punta Langosteira facilities, four cameras have been installed Mobotix S74 with high-sensitivity thermal sensors and EN54 certification, integrated into housings certified for ATEX hazardous environments.

Maritime Terminals of Galicia (TMG), at their facilities in Punta Langosteira, Exterior Port of A Coruña, needed a fire protection system suitable for their particular needs. Thanks to the collaboration between Ártabra Seguridad, By Demes Group and Mobotix, an advanced solution was implemented, reliable and allowing early detection of heat sources that could be indicators of spontaneous combustion, even at long distances and in ATEX conditions.

The installation was carried out in a strategic area of 6.750 square meters, In an environment where bulk operations entail latent fire risks due to spontaneous combustion of grain, the formation of explosive dust, and the presence of ignition sources, it is essential to have a technological solution capable of acting preventively, reliable and precise.

With the aim of anticipating these hazards, Ártabra Seguridad suggested to TMG to implement a thermal video surveillance solution together with the By Demes team and using Mobotix technology.

A solution capable of detecting thermal anomalies in advance was required, even before visible flames appeared, allowing the prevention of possible explosions and risks. The objective was clear: to avoid any type of incident that could compromise the safety of people and facilities, also ensuring operational continuity and minimizing interruptions due to false alarms. In addition, the system had to be scalable, easy to maintain and optimized to reduce the number of devices without giving up coverage effectiveness.

The solution adopted consisted of the installation of four Mobotix S74 thermal cameras (MX-S74TA-B640R050-EN54), each with an aperture of 90 degrees and capacity to cover areas of up to 60 metros. This design allowed efficiently covering a total surface area of 6.750 square meters, meeting the client's requirements in terms of detection distance and reliability.

Una de las principales ventajas de este modelo es su factor de forma compacto, que facilita la instalación en entornos industriales pudiendo adaptarse a casi cualquier espacio. Besides, dadas las necesidades, las cámaras fueron instaladas con carcasas específicas certificadas para entornos ATEX, lo que garantiza su operatividad en estas zonas con riesgo de explosión.

La tecnología térmica permite detectar puntos calientes de tamaño muy reducido, incluso a largas distancias, anticipándose a cualquier foco de incendio antes de que se desarrolle. En una planta como la de TMGA, where the detección precoz puede evitar daños operativos y medioambientales de gran escala, esta capacidad de anticipación es fundamental.

La instalación también incorporó la app de Validación Térmica desarrollada por Mobotix. This, integrada directamente en la cámara, actúa como filtro inteligente para reducir falsas alarmas, validando únicamente aquellas alertas térmicas que realmente representen un riesgo. Esto fue especialmente importante en esta instalación, ya que el constante movimiento de maquinaria y vehículos en la zona podría haber generado múltiples falsas alertas sin esta función.

“Trabajar con Mobotix nos ha permitido ofrecer al cliente una solución robusta y adaptada al entorno industrial complejo en el que opera TMG. La precisión de la imagen térmica y la capacidad de análisis embebido han sido clave para garantizar un sistema que actúe antes de que exista una emergencia real”, point out the Ártabra Seguridad engineering team.

Thermal precision, reduction of false alarms

From the very beginning, the system design required a rigorous technical analysis. It was essential to accurately calculate the size of the hot spot that needed to be detected, and to define the viewing angle and the exact location of each lens to ensure effective coverage with the fewest possible devices. This preliminary planning phase allowed for an optimized and efficient installation, meeting the client's requirements both in coverage and operating cost.

The installation was carried out without complications, and only small calibration and configuration adjustments were necessary after start-up.

The most important thing about this solution is the ability to prevent, beyond just detecting, any outbreak of fire. The cameras can be installed tens of meters away without losing accuracy, which reduces the total number of devices and ensures effective coverage in ATEX environments, comments Arón López Boente, commercial delegate of By Demes.

A robust solution

The choice of this technology was based on its ability to provide a robust, precise and flexible solution, adapted to the most demanding industrial conditions. Among the decisive elements are the high precision of its thermal sensors, the possibility of performing embedded intelligent analysis or generating alarms without the need for external servers; and the robustness of its hardware.

Besides, the solutions are integrated into ATEX-certified enclosures, an essential feature for deployment in potentially explosive environments. This capability was crucial to meet the strict safety standards required by the client, ensuring both compliance and operational reliability.

Thanks to the solution, Terminales Marítimos de Galicia has proactively strengthened the safety of its facilities, effectively minimizing risks while investing in technology designed to meet both current demands and future challenges.