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Pfannenberg Announces PMF LED-Hi Multifunction Light

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Ultra bright LED technology ideal for indoor and outdoor use in industrial applications

Lancaster, NY – Pfannenberg, Inc., a leading global manufacturer of Thermal Management and Signaling Technologies, announces the PMF LED-Hi LED multifunction light, ideal for both indoor and outdoor use in industrial environments, including automotive, plant construction and logistics, open-cast mining, heavy industry, and maritime applications. Equipped with three signal options, eight different operating modes, and a wide signaling area of up to 1350 feet, the PMF LED-Hi offers day/night reduction, individually switchable sectors and inrush current limitation. It is highly insensitive to vibration and has a service life exceeding 50,000 operating hours.

The versatile PMF LED-Hi offers three 3 different signaling modes, including:

  • A blinking light that is highly efficient for permanent warning;
  • A flashing light, which is brighter than comparable xenon flashing light;
  • A rotating beacon effect, without mechanical rotating mirrors.

The availability of eight operating modes means users can switch off individual sectors to align signaling precisely and avoid unwanted reflections or glare.

The multifunction light is available in all common signal colors and can be adapted to specific applications. When the lens is clear, the light offers 315 candela (cd) flash brightness for large areas and outdoors. The signal lamp can withstand temperatures from -40 to +55 °C and is resistant to shock and vibrations, making it a good choice for harsh environments.

Despite its long operating time and large operating voltage and signaling area, the PMF LED-Hi features low current consumption. With a nominal voltage of 24VDC and a wide-range power supply, higher supply voltages can be compensated. The standard inrush current suppression ensures further energy savings.

The LED-Hi is available in three versions for use in safety-relevant applications (SIL / PL) or for ambient temperatures up to 70 °C.

Any question? Please click here to contact our Signaling Product Manager for additional information.

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How to Increase Your Workers Safety with Proper Signaling?

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

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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.

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Pfannenberg Signaling Alarms Notify Personnel and Community of Chlorine Gas Leak

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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

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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!

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Pfannenberg will be exhibiting at The Western New York Safety Conference

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Pfannenberg will be exhibiting at The Western New York Safety Conference,  from 3rd April to 4th April 2019 at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, NY. Visit booth #6 to learn more about audible and visual signaling solutions for industrial safety.

The focus of the 2019 WNY Safety Conference will be on “Enriching Your Safety Program” and Pfannenberg will share its expertise about the roles of visual and audible signaling devices in industrial manufacturing and quality assurance procedures.

With up to 800,000 workers every day suffering a work-related accident (worldwide), ensuring the best plant safety is crucial. Pfannenberg  will feature its PATROL® and PYRA® Series Sounders which indicate a wide range of different statuses and warn, alert and protect personnel and machines from danger.

Visual and audible signaling solutions from Pfannenberg help protect personnel from dangerous and life-threatening situations and narrow the risk gap associated with hazardous process systems and machinery.

>> Click here for more information about Pfannenberg’s Signaling Technology

Pfannenberg is proud to increase Industrial Safety with its robust, field-proven, visual and audible signaling devices for alarm, warning, and indication. Our business philosophy – Protecting Man, Machine and the Environment.

 

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New Redesigned and Updated 2019 North American Signaling Product Catalog

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Pfannenberg is glad to announce its updated 2019 North American Signaling Catalog, featuring the complete North American focused audible and visual signals for industrial applications.

Redesigned to assist with product selection, the new catalog highlights indication, warning, and alarm solutions for automotive, metal manufacturing, material handling, cold storage, water/wastewater treatment, mining, heavy industry and maritime applications. Pfannenberg’s innovative 3D-Coverage approach gives customers a reliable tool to evaluate product performance based on physical space to be covered, personnel limitations like eye and ear protection, and special conditions.

The new catalog includes audible signaling devices, visual signaling devices, and combined signaling devices. Pfannenberg’s durable DS Sounders, PATROL® Sounders, PYRA® Flashing Lights, and Quadro LED-HI Lights carry an industry-leading factory-backed 10-year warranty. Also featured are PATROL® and PYRA® combined signaling products for enhanced safety in loud, bright, or dirty conditions featuring multiple tones for multiple events.

Pfannenberg’s unique 3-D Coverage approach creates transparency for signaling product performance and results in more efficient solutions. To ensure personnel safety, this approach takes into account the space needing to be covered, the standards or codes that must be met, and the detailed performance characteristics of visual and audible signaling devices needed. Pfannenberg’s 3D Audit methodology guides customers in selecting the most effective signaling to capture the attention of personnel, and to convey critical information on the nature of the alarm.

Download the catalog to get more information on how Pfannenberg provides protection for man, machine, and the environment with technically superior signaling devices.

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.

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Signaling for Fixed Gas Detection: Pfannenberg PATROL Series

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Gas detectors – whether for toxic, flammable, or asphyxiant gases –  are crucial for safeguarding human life in the midst of dangerous situations. These sensors can be used to control ventilation to dissipate toxic and combustible gasses, or to alarm personnel when gas accumulations become excessive and potentially hazardous. As a result, they can be critical lifesaving devices. The failure to implement appropriate systems, on the other hand, can lead to injury or even death within a remarkably short span of time. According to OSHA data, twelve employees have lost their lives in situations involving NH3, CO2, R22, CH4, and CL2 gas exposure in the last five years alone.

Alarms, however, are typically not included in gas detection systems, and so separate alarms must be selected and installed as part of the detection system in order to ensure worker safety and awareness of hazards at all times. As a result of the rigorous demands of such applications, signaling devices for these critical alarms must perform even under adverse conditions.

 

A wide variety of industries deal with the threat of toxic gas leaks. Ammonia alone is used at power plants to reduce emissions for EPA compliance; in fertilizer for agribusiness; as a refrigerant in food, beverage, and chemical manufacturing and storage; and in other circumstances.

Pfannenberg PATROL® Series Combination Strobe/sounders are compatible with all gas detection systems (NH3, CO2, R22, CH4, CL2, and more), and are ideal for warning personnel of an evacuation when there is presence of hazardous gasses.

With modern technology, no moving parts, wide temperature range, flame retardant materials, and weatherproof construction, Pfannenberg Flashing Sounder signaling devices are the reliable choice for safeguarding lives and assets.

Flashing sounders offer an enhanced level of signaling – and thus, safety – by combining visual and audible alarms. Such devices are particularly well suited for environments with high ambient noise levels or when the use of hearing protection may hamper a sounder’s effectiveness.

Pfannenberg’s PATROL Flashing Sounders are designed as integrated flashing sounders, rather than combining a sounder with a bolted-on flashing light. This integration makes installation safer and simpler, and ensures proper operation regardless of onsite conditions.

>> Click here to contact our Signaling Experts and find the best Gas Detection Solution for your Application!

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

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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.