Marine Vienney

PY L-S LED New Signaling Device to Assist in the Detection of Possible COVID-19 Infections

/in ,

This device is ideal for a combined use with thermal imaging to convey normal and irregular activity

As more and more organizations return to business as usual – or as close as is possible – in the next phase of the COVID-19 global health crisis, new health and safety measures are critically important. In many settings, from office buildings and commercial centers to schools and medical offices, infection detection technologies are a necessary component of safe reopening.

One such infection detection technology option is that of skin temperature sensing systems. Composed of a thermal imaging camera, computer or other control device, and, often, a signal for flagging elevated temperatures, these systems can help to identify individuals with elevated skin surface temperatures for further health screening. In doing so, the system is part of strategies for ensuring infection containment and community health and safety.

Pfannenberg has developed the PYRA L-S color changing LED visual signal alarm with four selectable colors, part of the PYRA product family, is an ideal addition to skin surface temperature monitoring systems for real-time people flow control and COVID-19 monitoring. In these systems, the signaling device can be incorporated to convey normal and irregular activity to alert operators to alarm conditions so that suitable next steps can be undertaken.

Useful in manufacturing facilities, office buildings, commercial centers, schools, medical centers, and many other settings, such monitoring systems can aid in ensuring infection containment and community health and safety through its color changing blinking and flashing mechanism.

The PY L-S LED Visual Signal Alarm offers flexible, ultra-bright, color changing or single-color LED technology in four selectable colors and three selectable signaling modes. It can be surface or flush-panel mounted, and is a suitable, easy-to-install replacement for stack tower lights. Its IP 66-rated enclosure makes it suitable for use in all weather conditions, and for withstanding hose-directed spray during wash-down procedures.

“With this kind of access control systems, which generally have to be retrofitted, it is important to make handling as simple, efficient and cost-effective as possible for users,” says Volker Matthies, Director Global Product Management Signaling Technology at Pfannenberg. “On the other hand, the solution must work precisely and safely to ensure the health of employees and customers on site.”

 

Contact our Signaling Experts today to get more info on this product!

 

Marine Vienney

Signaling Technology Ensures Safety in Crane & Hoist Applications

/in ,

Audible and visible signals reduce risk of dangerous, costly accidents

By Jacob Vernon, Signaling Specialist Audible & Visual Signaling, Pfannenberg

June is #NationalSafetyMonth, an opportunity to raise awareness about  significant dangers to technicians, operators, and other workers on the floor related the the use of crane hoists. To avoid accidents, it is imperative that everyone around knows that a crane and its load are nearby.

Audible and Visible Signals help to protect from these dangers, notifying those underneath or near a moving load so that they can take necessary precautions to avoid harm. Proper signals are thus critically important; inferior signals that are inaudible on the shop floor or not sufficiently visible can lead to dangerous and costly accidents.

In particular, combined visual and audible signaling devices  are recommended for overhead cranes for an immense added safety benefit to the user since shop conditions may prevent workers from either hearing or seeing a signal, but rarely prevent both.

Advantages of audible and visual signaling in overhead crane use

Combined visual and audible signaling devices in overhead crane settings can offer cost savings through two different avenues:

Reduced risk of harm to personnel: Signaling devices reduce risk to personnel by warning them of impending danger so that there are no deaths, injuries, or even lost time. This reduced risk, however, depends on the efficacy of a signaling device in a given application, based on its decibel and joules level.

Increased throughput of the factory floor: Signals can reduce the likelihood of crane downtime. Cutting-edge combination signaling devices are capable not only of warning personnel of a moving load, but also of using separate tones or lights to warn the operator of conditions that can cause downtime.

This can include collision avoidance, over-speed alarms, hoist break failure alarms, overload alarms, and over-temp of VHD alarms. These, in turn, save on costs, as businesses that use cranes to facilitate production rely on them to make them for revenue.

Selecting and installing the correct audible signal

When choosing an audible signal for an overhead crane application, it is important to ensure that the signal is the correct decibel level for the given application – able to be heard over machinery, but not so loud as to pose a risk to workers. Determining the correct audible signal decibel level is based on the application and area that the device will be used. Signals should be set at no less than +5dB above the application’s maximum sound pressure level; however, the ideal set point is +10dB above this sound pressure level for added safety.

For example, a steel mill might have hundreds of overhead cranes used for production and throughput of raw steel. It does not make sense to use the same signal on a crane in the blast furnace as the one that is used in a coil stacking yard, as having an audible signal with the kind of low decibel level that would suffice in the coil stacking yard would add even more risk to the already dangerous blast furnace area. Companies specializing in audible and visual signaling technology like Pfannenberg maintain extensive data to helps determine appropriate volume levels for signaling sounders in a wide range of different applications.

Once the decibel level of a sounder is determined, where to install the sounder is of next concern. Most often, signaling devices are mounted on the moving trolley or the bridge of the crane. Additionally, it is important to mount the cone of the sounder in the direction of the load the crane is carrying so the sound travels to those in the risk path.

Selecting and installing the correct visible signal

Next, of course, is determining the correct joules level for the combination signaling device’s visual signal. Sound decreases significantly over distance, and significantly louder-than-necessary audible signals can be startling or even dangerous to workers. Light, on the other hand, does not undergo the same kind of decrease in intensity over distance, and is not as obtrusive if overly intense in a given environment. Visible signaling devices are thus rated by distance, but adding power (and thus intensity and brightness) can only add to the signal’s safety factor and reduce personnel risk without causing inconvenience.

As with the audible signal, once the brightness level of a visible signal is determined, where to install the signal is the next important choice. Visible signaling devices are also usually mounted on the moving trolley or the bridge of the crane, and the pyramid shape of the strobe light should also be mounted in the direction of the load the crane is carrying to minimize risk.

Extreme environments demand specialized signaling equipment

Applications with extreme environments demand specialized signaling technology. Some signaling products, like the PATROL and PYRA series signaling devices from Pfannenberg, are designed for extreme high and low temperatures; these feature electronic board, digital sound capsule, and polycarbonate housing designs that enable them to be rated for use in -40ºF to +131ºF environments.

Meanwhile, Pfannenberg’s DS series sounders feature aluminum die-cast housings for use in areas up to +160ºF. In loud environments, these same PATROL and DS series devices offer exceptionally high sound pressure outputs of and the capacity to be volume controlled up to -12dB to fit each exact application.

 

Download Pfannenberg’s New Signaling Catalog for more info!

Marine Vienney

Find Pfannenberg’s Gas Detection Alarms at the IIAR Natural Refrigeration Conference & Heavy Equipment Expo

/in , , ,

Pfannenberg to Showcase Fixed Gas Detection Audible and Visual Alarms at 42nd Annual IIAR Natural Refrigeration Conference & Heavy Equipment Expo

Meet Us at Booth #935 To Understand How to Comply with the New 2021 Regulations

Orlando, FL – Pfannenberg, Inc., a leading global manufacturer of thermal management and signaling technologies, will highlight their combined visual-audible signaling products at the upcoming 42nd Annual IIAR Natural Refrigeration Conference & Heavy Equipment Expo March 15-18, 2020. Pfannenberg, the industry expert in fixed gas detection alarming, produces visual alarms (strobes), audible alarms (horns), and combined devices. These critical technologies make Pfannenberg’s signaling devices industry leaders in quality, safety, and robustness for proper ammonia coolant system design under IIAR-2A standards.

Ammonia gas leaks can be both dangerous and deadly. Ammonia leaks continue to rise due to:

  • The increased use of natural refrigerants over fluorinated gas counterparts
  • Population growth, which increases the need for cold storage.

In the face of this increased risk to worker safety, the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) has updated its standards for the safest regulation of this dangerous gas.

In 2021, IFC refrigeration systems that use ammonia refrigerant, along with the buildings where they are used, must comply with IIAR–2 for system design and installation, IIAR-6 for maintenance and inspection, and IIAR-7 for operating procedures. Though these standards help ensure safety and efficacy, guidelines for selecting the correct audible and visual alarms can be buried deep within this regulatory code and, accordingly, these standards can be difficult to adhere to.

Pfannenberg offers a new, effective approach to product selection, one that assists the customer in choosing the correct signaling device based on the conditions of the area where ammonia is present. This approach, known as Signaling 3D-Coverage, ensures that the workers can hear and see an alarm when it is activated, no matter where they are when ammonia is present.

Pfannenberg specifically seeks to foreground the durable PATROL PA X Series Audible and Visual Alarms, the ideal solution for alarm applications for adverse environmental conditions like high ambient noise levels or bright surroundings. The PATROL PA X Series Audible and Visual alarms range from 105 dB to 122 dB in sound output. The PA X Series is easy to install making it extremely safe. It also boasts extremely high efficiency and good penetration of acoustical obstacles, which significantly reduces the required number of sounders for a location. The alarms feature 80 tones and a 5-15J Xenon Strobe.

The updated IIAR-2A regulations harmonize with Pfannenberg’s cutting-edge methods for selecting proper signaling devices, such as the PA X PATROL Series Alarms. In light of the incredibly high risks of ammonia leaks, this combined effort can save lives.

Download Pfannenberg’s NEW Ammonia Gas Detection Whitepaper to learn more!

Marine Vienney

The Elements of Effective Signaling for Industrial Safety and Process Control

/in ,

Industrial signaling is critical to both process control and personnel safety. Horns and strobes are necessary in order to alert workers to hazards such as gas accumulation and machine failure. They are only effective, however, if they are bright enough to be seen and loud enough to be heard. The right industrial alarm can cut through the noise of heavy industry, but it is important to know the ambient sound level, as well as the maximum sound level, to determine the right decibel level for a given area.

Determine the required safety level for your specific industry

Despite the crucial role that signaling technologies play in protecting employees, many companies still look strictly at minimum standards. With so much at stake, operators need to set a higher standard. Once they determine the required safety level for a specific manufacturing environment, operators can ask a range of questions to arrive at the right signaling devices that best protect their workers, normalize the flow of process conditions, and mitigate overall risk.

Industrial signaling includes audible signaling, visual signaling, and combined audible/visual signaling devices. With so many different aspects of signaling to consider, answering the following questions can effectively lead designers toward the ideal signaling technologies for any intended environment:

  • What must you accomplish with the signal? An alarm? An evacuation notice?
  • What potential hazards prompt you to install the signaling device?
  • How loud is the ambient noise in the intended work environment?
  • Within what area around a machine will people be able to hear an alarm or see a strobe?
  • How far does sound travel in the intended space?
  • What personnel are in the room and where are they located vis a vis the alarm or strobe?

Addressing these concerns provides a good first step towards ensuring safety. However, meeting alarm specifications such as decibels (sound) or lumens (light) is not enough to guarantee the required response by personnel. In order to be effective in alerting personnel, one must consider the following three indispensable dimensions:

The personnel dimension:

The location of personnel with regards to the safety of being notified by a signaling device.

This includes restrictions due to ear and eye protection.

 

The special conditions dimension:

Unique factors in the surrounding environment that could affect whether someone hears or sees an alarm and the life of the alarm’s operation.

 

 

The spatial dimension:

The element that determines the actual effective coverage volume for audible and visual signaling devices. Not just decibels and lumens, but the way sound and light travel through space.

 

Pfannenberg “3D-Coverage” for your alarm notification planning

Pfannenberg’s innovative “3D-Coverage” does not overlook these considerations. For example, Pfannenberg retrofitted a wastewater treatment facility in Tonawanda, NY with chlorine gas alarms. The previous system required 50 devices to cover the facility. Using the 3D approach, Pfannenberg put together a design that integrated its PATROL® and PYRA® systems.

 

These achieved a higher level of coverage with only 20 devices, saving the facility money while simultaneously improving its safety. When it comes to signal processing, Pfannenberg’s 3D coverage brings the vision that can help you find the right approach for both your workplace and your personnel.

 

Coverage example depending on the ambient level:

Marine Vienney

How to Increase Your Workers Safety with Proper Signaling?

/in ,

Initially published in “Workplace Material Handling & Safety” Magazine.
September 2019 Issue

—————————————

Safety in the workplace is only as good as the systems and measures in place to keep it that way. But, let’s face it, sometimes things do go awry. When that happens, it’s important to have a signaling system in place warn and alert workers to nearby dangers. We talked to Pfannenberg Signaling about the importance of proper signaling devices for any occasion.

Here’s what Jake Vernon, Product Specialist-Audible & Visual Signaling, Pfannenberg Sales, had to say about the importance of proper signaling:

 

HOW DO SIGNALING SYSTEMS ENSURE BETTER WORKER SAFETY?

Unheard, unseen or confusing alarms can have serious consequences in some situations, and specifications on paper do not always reflect how a signal will perform in the actual location. This is why Pfannenberg focuces on providing the best solution to effectively capture the attention of personnel, and it communicate the critical information of the nature of the alarm. If a signal device isn’t properly sized for the type of event that it’s communicating, there is a high likelihood that people can get severely hurt.

 

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO CATEGORIZE EVENTS?

An event, as it pertains to signaling, is defined as “something that happens which has a varying degree of importance.” Not any signaling devices can be used to communicate the varying levels of severity in each situation. You wouldn’t lift a 10-ton load with a 5-ton crane; the same concept is used when selecting signaling devices.

 

WHAT TYPES OF EVERYDAY CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE AN ALARM/SIGNALING SYSTEM?

Signaling systems and devices are used to communicate a message of an event which is happening at that very moment. They can be broken down to three types of events:

  • Alarm – Used when immediate evacuation for emergency situations
  • Warn – Used to alert of nearby danger or critical process condition
  • Indication – Used to communicate the status of process or functioning conditions

WHAT TYPES OF HAZARDOUS INCIDENTS REQUIRE SUCH SYSTEMS?

Signals don’t always need to be in hazardous areas to warrant their existence, but to understand how critical the event is will help you determine which type of signal is needed.

 

WHICH SITUATIONS ARE BEST FOR VISUAL SIGNALS VERSES AUDIBLE? WHICH ENVIRONMENTS WARRANT USING BOTH?

Visual signals can be broken down into two categories, LED and Xenon flashing strobe. Audible signals come in the form of tones and the expansive reach of how far they can be heard.

  • Status or function conditions are best used with visual LED and Xenon strobe lights, this is best categorized as an Indication type event.
  •  Nearby danger or critical process conditions would best be used with Xenon strobe and/or audible signals. Audible signals in this area should be a minimum of 5-10dB above the operating sound pressure level. This would be a Warning type event.
  • Immediate evacuation of an area must be a combination of audible and visual to effectively communicate the danger of a life critical situation. This would be an Alarm type event.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT THE  SIGNALING DEVICES BE RUGGED OR BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND SEVERE CONDITIONS?

Effective communication of an event is only as good as the ability of the device to be able to relay that information to keep personnel safe. Pfannenberg offers sounders which are suitable for use both indoors and outdoors, and are adapted to all industrial requirements.

 

DO YOU OFFER A WARRANTY ON YOUR PRODUCTS?

Pfannenberg Signaling offers the North American leading 10-Year signaling warranty, no questions asked. Much of the reason for this was due to the art illumination project where we outfitted the Eiffel Tower with 20,000 flashing strobe lights, which needed to be maintenance- free for over 10 years. Much of the signaling landscape in the Americas carry a 2-5 year warranty, which separates the parts and labor.

 

WHAT MAKES YOUR SIGNALING DEVICES DIFFERENT FROM YOUR COMPETITION?

Pfannenberg’s 3-Dimensional signaling concept sets us apart from the competition through the three most critical areas needed when specifying the correct device:

  • Personnel Dimension – The location of the personnel with regards to the safety of being notified by a signaling device.
  • Spatial Dimension – Determining the area a specific device can cover based on conditions around the alarm (i.e. Decibel level, etc.)
  • Special Conditions – Unique factors in the surrounding environment which could affect the hearing or seeing of the alarm

The Spatial Dimension sets us apart from our competition due to the area each device can cover. Pfannenberg audible and visual signaling devices can cover a larger area per device, allowing for significant cost savings in total cost of ownership to the end-user.

 

WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE FOR COMPANIES LOOKING TO INCREASE SAFETY?

Make safety a priority! Signaling products that are effectively incorporated into your workplace can reduce risks of injury or death, and allow your personnel to leave work the same way they arrived.

Marine Vienney

Pfannenberg Signaling Alarms Notify Personnel and Community of Chlorine Gas Leak

/in , , ,

Chlorine Gas Detection Alarm System Works as Designed

In 2015 Pfannenberg provided signaling notification appliances (alarm horns and strobes) to the North Tonawanda Wastewater Treatment Facility as part of their new Gas Detection Alarm System. On the evening of Tuesday, September 13, 2016 there was a very small chlorine gas leak. Pfannenberg’s PATROL Signaling Alarms were triggered through the system notifying plant personnel and surrounding area. The alarms could heard up to a mile away from the facility.

>> All clear given following chlorine leak (VIDEO)

Even though the leak was very minor, everyone was pleased to know that the system worked as specified, providing adequate warning. Hopefully there will never be a larger leak, but if there were then it is reassuring to know that the personnel and community will have plenty of advanced warning to the potential hazard.

Click Here to check out our case study about this project.

Topics: Industrial Safety & Signaling Solutions, Wastewater Treatment, Gas Detection, Alarms

Marine Vienney

Pfannenberg’s Rugged and Reliable Industrial Alarms Ensure Safety in the Steel Industry

/in ,

Steel industry employees face a great deal of danger at work. The BLS uses “Fatal Injury Rate” to signify the relative danger of industries by taking into account the rate of fatalities and the hours worked. By this measure, the rate for registered nurses is 0.5, for automotive service technicians and mechanics is 7.2, and for construction laborers is 14.2. Structural iron and steel workers contend with a fatal injury rate of 33.4, making it one of the most dangerous sectors in which to work. Tragically, fourteen structural iron and steel workers lost their lives from work injuries in 2017 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the same period, approximately 2,200 workers suffered non-fatal injuries at iron and steel mills alone.

This danger is costly, first to the injured workers themselves, but also to the morale of their coworkers, to productivity because of time lost, to the enterprise because of fines, to the relationship between labor and management, and more.

How can  still mills ensure their workers are working in safe conditions?

One way is to make danger easier to see and hear.

The hazards of the industry—moving machinery, on-site traffic, hot and molten material—are exacerbated by the extreme noises and sights of steel production. Electric arc furnaces, for example, are extremely loud systems. It is critical to employee safety to clearly communicate danger around the furnace, but noise and harsh environmental conditions can defeat the effect of poorly-suited warning devices.

These circumstances call for a rugged option. The PATROL Series Flashing Sounders from Pfannenberg, for example, offers high-durability. Tough enough to perform in -40° F or 131° F, these alarms are built to withstand the temperature fluctuations of steel production. Break-resistant ABS plastic houses the devices, designed with a resilient pyramid shape, and they are rated for harsh conditions with ingress protection of IP 66. For added grit, mills can choose from one of the most robust sounding products available, with IP 66, IP 67 cast aluminum housing, the DS series sounders.

Just as important, PATROL visual and audible signaling devices emit 80 alarm tones at varying frequencies between 400 Hz and 4000 Hz, so their sound cannot be mistaken for common mill noises. Plus, Pfannenberg’s unique 3-D Coverage approach factors in the cluttered sound environment and the hearing protection equipment worn by personnel to correctly size the effective range of each device. Regardless of whether they install PATROL or DS devices, workers and facilities managers alike can count on Pfannenberg’s industry-leading 10-year warranty.

In sum, Pfannenberg signaling is meant to be heard in time every time!

No steelworker should have to work in unnecessarily unsafe conditions, and Pfannenberg makes it easier for steel mills to ensure that every safety protection available is in place, including rugged and reliable industrial signaling devices.

Marine Vienney

Pfannenberg Signaling Expert to Speak About Crane Safety at AIST Crane Symposium

/in , , ,

Pfannenberg, Inc., a leading global manufacturer of thermal management and signaling technologies, announces that Audible & Visual Signaling Product Specialist Jake Vernon will present on the topic of Crane Safety at the 26th AIST Crane Symposium, to be held June 2-4, 2019, at the Seelbach Hilton, in Louisville, Kentucky.

 

Mr. Vernon’s speech will focus on signaling confusion in loud steel making environments. Mr. Vernon will provide an introduction on the science of sound and how it travels, including the concepts of frequency and amplitude, as well as an analysis of the steel making sound environment and crane safety topic.

He will then discuss ways to make signaling safer for personnel and machines, including use of such products as Pfannenberg PATROL®Series and PYRA® Series Flashing Light Sounders.

 

PATROL Series Flashing Sounders offer 80 pre-programmed alarm tones with 4 stages for distinctive signaling of specific events, such as conveyor start-up/stop, material jam, machine fault, and gas detection. Higher frequency tones prove safer for steel making, while other audible and visual signaling cues may lead to confusion.

Rugged PYRA Flashing Light Sounders emit extremely bright alarm flashes of up to 15 Joules.  Selectable flash frequency, optional control input flash activation, and separate visual and acoustic signal controls make them a good choice for crane safety in loud steel making environments.

About Pfannenberg

Established in 1954 by Otto Pfannenberg in Hamburg Germany, Pfannenberg is recognized as a leading global manufacturer of thermal management technologies within the Electro-technology Industry. In 1958 we invented the Filterfan®, which continues to be recognized worldwide as a leading product to help manage the temperature in electrical enclosures. Our business philosophy: Protecting Man, Machine and the Environment.

Marine Vienney

Time is money! Pfannenberg’s Signaling Devices Installation is 75% Faster Than The Competition

/in ,

We will never say it enough, Pfannenberg’s “Plug & Play” mounting system makes our PATROL and PYRA Signaling Devices the easiest and quickest to install in the market! Installation can be done in less than a minute thanks to a captive fastener plus electrical wiring that avoids the need for a 3-hand assembly.

Below are two very popular 100dB sounders, which are used very commonly on machines and in plants. Pfannenberg’s PA 1 can be installed in less than a quarter of the time as our competitors. Time = Money and Large scale installations make Pfannenberg the best choice!

Installing a PATROL® Sounder takes 45 seconds

Quick installation is guaranteed for the rugged PATROL® Series Signaling Devices, ideal for safety and process alarming applications on cranes, in mines, mills, and factories, and for other heavy industry. Plug and socket connections and safe wiring also protect installers from electrical hazards. Once set up, facilities can rely on these units to operate reliably in harsh environments for years, with IP66 ingress protection, IK08 impact rating, and an industry-leading 10-Year Warranty backing every unit.

PATROL® Sounders and Flashing Sounders offer 80 alarm tones with 4 stages, so one device can signal a number of conditions. These Signaling Devices can be integrated with ease into a variety of safety systems, including fixed gas detection. Alerting personnel of an evacuation when hazardous gas is present, these signaling products offer workplace safety in energy generation, wastewater treatment, food and beverage manufacturing, refrigeration, gas production….

For more information on PATROL® signaling devices watch the new video or visit www.pfannenbergusa.com/signaling-technologies.

For expert guidance on selecting the right signaling equipment for your facility, use our 3D Coverage Calculator.

 

‘PLUG & PLAY’ MOUNTING SYSTEM:

Saves time and reduces costs. Potential errors are eliminated and incorrect assembly is not possible.

 

Installation time is just one of the great features which makes Pfannenberg Incorporated the premier signaling company in the market!

Marine Vienney

Pfannenberg Installs Sounders at the Distribution Hub of One of the World’s Largest Online Retailers

/in , , ,

Standard-compliant alarm system: 96 PATROL Sounders in a  100,000 sq ft. warehouse

Pfannenberg has equipped a distribution hub of one of the world’s leading online retailers with Audible Signaling Devices for emergency evacuation. Pfannenberg used its practice-based planning system “Pfannenberg 3D Coverage” to design an ideal signaling solution for a space covering more than 100,000 sq ft. with high bay racks and high ceilings.

 

3D Coverage for Audible Signaling Devices 

It is important to plan the emergency evacuation alarm system for a noisy and hectic environment such as that of a logistics center. Early and professional planning of the signaling devices is particularly important in order to ensure emergency evacuation alarms comply with standards in a cost-efficient manner. Despite high shelves and significant noise levels, the online retailer was able to implement a signaling solution with the help of a system integrator and the use of Pfannenberg’s 3D Coverage method to meet all relevant standards and ensure that every worker in this large logistics center is effectively alerted in case of an emergency. In addition, data-based planning ensured proper sizing of the emergency evacuation alarm system: An undersized system involves a high-risk potential while over sizing represents unnecessary costs.

“Current norms state that the sound generated by acoustic signaling devices must exceed the ambient noise level by 10 dB(A) at all times. This often makes it difficult for planners and alarm specialists to determine the number of devices required to provide an alert through large spaces that will comply with standards but at the same time are cost-effective. The information traditionally supplied on technical data sheets by many manufacturers however, don’t allow conclusions to be drawn about the actual product performance in a given space. 3D Coverage shows the actual product performance and helps to achieve a safe solution, select the right products and save costs through correct sizing.”

Safety through visible signaling area

The 3D Coverage planning method makes it possible to determine and design the signaling range actually covered by acoustic signaling devices in relation to the height, width and length of the space throughout which the signal is to be heard. With 3D Coverage integrated in Pfannenberg’s free “Pfannenberg Sizing Software” (PSS), the electrical engineering specialists succeeded in designing the optimal signaling solution. The software not only calculates individual values, but also provides a qualified recommendation for suitable signaling devices and their positioning.

Planning reliability and cost savings

The calculations showed that 96 sounders of the PATROL series were required to alarm the logistics center with an area of more than 100,000 sq ft. at a calculated noise level of 85 dB(A). Furthermore, the calculations showed that PATROL sounders with 120 dB(A), were the perfect solution for this application, being powerful enough for covering the necessary signaling range and allowing for a simple and time-saving installation. This significantly reduced the number of sounders required compared to similar models available on the market.

The 3D Coverage display method used provided reliable protection against incorrect sizing and allows for reliable compliance with industrial norms and regulations, and optimum cost efficiency. Thanks to intelligent planning, the online retailer was able to save material and servicing costs.

For more information please read our TECHNICAL REPORT.