Tag Archive for: digital mobile radio

EMR strikes oil with major communications upgrade for country’s leading petrochemicals manager

EMR strikes oil with major communications upgrade for country’s leading petrochemicals manager

Utility network and wireless telecoms supplier, EMR Integrated Solutions today announced the deployment of a high performance, two-way radio solution for the Common Oil Pipeline (COP) located at Dublin Port.

Based on Motorola Solutions technology and managed by COP operators, Hugh Munro and Co, the system eliminates blackspots by providing improved radio coverage for staff and boosts health and safety compliance with lone worker tracking via integrated GPS.

The COP is a critical piece of infrastructure with over two-thirds of all petroleum fuel imported into the country, coming through this pipeline network that runs from the port jetties back to the tank farms of each individual oil company.  Organisations operating at Dublin Port include household names such as Applegreen, Calor, Circle K, Tedcastles and Valero.

Commenting on the deal, Peter Murphy, managing director with Hugh Munro and Co said:

“We have a long-standing commercial relationship with the team at EMR.  They have always demonstrated a deep understanding of our business that helps us to deliver for our clients.”

Design of the two-way radio system had to take into account the hazardous nature of the environment.  Motorola’s range of ATEX DP4801Ex portables met that challenge head on, delivering high quality audio, integrated GPS, text messaging and full-colour displays with day/night mode to make reading text messages easier.

The deployment of extra base stations throughout the facility helps to eliminate several blackspots and in a clever twist of technology, a custom-built Call Point was designed.

This Call Point is used by the on-site fire warden to communicate with port staff and has at its core, Motorola telemetry radio.  Once activated, radio signals can remotely open the jetty gate on demand.

A five-year managed service brings management and monitoring of the radio system to a new level, with a greater degree of proactivity.  And a managed service financial model, negates the need for large-scale, upfront investment as the cost is spread over a five-year cycle.

“We designed a robust solution based on best-in-class Motorola Solutions technology. Motorola’s robust design philosophy coupled with our managed service ticks all the boxes for Peter and his team.”

Mark Quinn, managing director with EMR

 

Pictured left to right above are:  Mark Quinn, Managing Director, EMR, Peter Murphy, Managing Director, Hugh Munro & Co and Dean Reardon, Account Manager, EMR

AIRSIDE SAFETY: Pic l-r: Rioch Farrelly, Operations and Quality Engineer, CLH Aviation Ireland, Mark Quinn, Managing Director, EMR and Dean Reardon, Account Manager, EMR

EMR boosts airside safety at Dublin Airport

Dunboyne, Co Meath, Ireland, Wednesday, 14th August 2019:  Leading SCADA network and mobile telecommunications supplier, EMR Integrated Solutions today announced the introduction of an airside emergency fuel shut down system for Dublin Airport.

The system, which allows staff to immediately cut jet fuel supply to the underground fuel hydrant following the accidental release of fuel at aircraft stands, significantly boosts airside safety for staff and the 30 million passengers that pass through the airport annually.

Based on Motorola wireless radio technology, the emergency stop system consists of eight emergency shut down enclosures located at fixed points in Pier Four, where the airport’s new underground fuel farm is now live.  A fleet of 16 mobile fuel support vehicles have also been fitted with emergency stop buttons.

“We were under huge time pressure to get this emergency system in place,” said Rioch Farrelly, operations and quality engineer with CLH Aviation Ireland.

“The system had to be fully operational before the underground hydrant went live.  The team at EMR were extremely knowledgeable and they brought that expertise to bear in the design, planning and deployment of a quality system, which was completed within a matter of weeks,” he said.

Each enclosure consists of an emergency button connected to a Motorola radio, which when triggered sends a telemetry signal back to SCADA system located in the CLH operations centre.  This immediately shuts off the fuelling valves and halts the flow of jet fuel.  The system provides remote, real-time status reports on the emergency enclosures, negating the need for manual checks by airside staff.

The enclosure also includes a front-mounted security camera to capture the image of the activator.*  It records 10 seconds before and after the activation and an integrated USB port allows aviation staff or airport police to download the images as required.

Back at CLH operations, staff have a granular view of the power status at each enclosure and this is visually represented on screen via their SCADA system.  They know the exact location of each enclosure and this saves time when re-setting or troubleshooting the emergency system.

Thanks to a SCADA controller, also deployed by the EMR team, CLH can carry out scheduled testing of the enclosures and hydrant support vehicles, without interfering with the live system or aircraft flight schedules.  It is a critical component of health and safety operating procedure, strictly enforced by the airport operator, Dublin Airport Authority.

Under a 20-year contract, CLH Aviation has plans to build an underground fuel hydrant pipeline to serve Piers One, Three and Four.  With the recent completion of the pipeline at Pier Four, aircraft can be fuelled airside, accelerating turn-around times and protecting tight operational margins for some of the major airlines based there.

EMR has just been appointed a Platinum Partner for Motorola in Ireland.  This is the highest possible accreditation in the Motorola partner program and recognises the company’s expertise and success in bringing innovative mobile communications solutions to the island of Ireland.

ENDS

Pic l-r: Rioch Farrelly, Operations and Quality Engineer, CLH Aviation Ireland, Mark Quinn, Managing Director, EMR and Dean Reardon, Account Manager, EMR

Reliable Digital Mobile Radio solution delivers ‘anywhere’ communications for ESB staff

Reliable Digital Mobile Radio solution delivers ‘anywhere’ communications for ESB staff

ESB staff at the country’s only pump storage hydroelectric power station enjoy high performance, crystal clear digital mobile radio, even in the deepest underground tunnels.

Turlough Hill, an underground, stored hydro power station is one of the ESB’s most critical generating stations as it’s the central control point for all hydro electricity generation throughout the country. It also has a unique ability to rapidly respond to step changes in power generation and consumption across the entire electricity networks.

Having deployed digital mobile radio (DMR) in Turlough Hill, which keeps staff in contact with central control from anywhere in the facility, the solution has been extended to all eight hydro stations in Ireland.

Business Challenge

Since coming on line, staff in the hydroelectric power station at Turlough Hill, which produces up to 290 megawatts of electricity, had experienced consistently poor radio coverage. The underground network of tunnels and galleries meant signal propagation was very ineffective resulting in communication black-spots.  This posed a problem for maintenance teams and operations staff and represented a significant health and safety risk for lone workers, as George Rathborne service delivery manager, telecoms services, ESB Networks explains.

“With a control room that’s manned 24×7 and a huge underground cavern that’s carved almost one kilometre into granite rock, an upper and lower lake and an outdoor transmission compound, you can imagine that radio coverage across the site is somewhat challenging. At Turlough Hill we wanted coverage for staff so that no matter where they are, they have communications with the control room,” he said.

The Solution

EMR’s radio engineers completed a comprehensive radio survey and designed a multi-channel solution based on Motorola MOTORTRBO repeaters, portables and fixed stations operating on a distributed antenna system, with the facility to connect to the ESB IP wide area network.  Three DR3000 repeaters provide six voice and data channels, facilitating the requirements of safety, maintenance and operations while staff were provided with DP3600 and DP4800 portables.

“The initial system installation at Turlough Hill proved so successful that it has been extended to all other hydroelectric power stations, essentially rendering it as a single system,” said Alan Feenan, sales director with EMR Integrated Solutions.

Benefits

The solution immediately addresses the ESB’s concerns around health and safety issues and specific challenges in relation to lone workers.  The safety provided by the man-down capability and the speech clarity ensure that even in the highest noise environment, lone workers are in instant contact with the control room operators.

The IP connectivity between Turlough Hill and all the other hydros mean that a radio user in Cork or Ballyshannon can press TX to speak to any co-worker in any of the other stations.  Groups can be set up in such a way that staff can have a local or cross-hydro talk, with swapping between groups a simple undertaking.

“The coordination of activity has greatly improved with work groups having dedicated channels that allow them communicate without impacting on the safety or operations channels,” said Mr Feenan.

“There’s good buy-in to the system from the users,” said Mr Rathborne.  “In some of the stations they’ve expanded the functionality to include alarm notifications direct to the portables and lone worker tracking within the complex.

“We’ve also implemented a telephone interconnection so we can make and receive phone calls from the portable,” he said.

Why EMR?

“We have a strong relationship with EMR because they’ve dealt with us on a few different business lines over many years. They are technical sales people in the real technical sense and we would bring some of their staff to our customer meetings to talk through solutions.  EMR is in the solutions business as distinct from an equipment vendor.  We don’t want somebody who just sells us boxes,” said Mr Rathborne.

EMR Integrated Solutions today announced a deal with multinational fuel corporation, ConocoPhillips to provide mission-critical voice and data communications

ConocoPhillips selects EMR to provide mission-critical voice and data communications for offshore fuel terminal

Leading communications infrastructure provider, EMR Integrated Solutions today announced a deal with multinational fuel corporation, ConocoPhillips to provide mission-critical voice and data communications at its island-based fuel terminal at Whiddy Island in Bantry Bay, Co. Cork.

The system provides a resilient, reliable voice infrastructure via two-way radio for onsite communications and a microwave network for high speed, data communications at the fuel terminal and beyond.

Due to the vast area to be manned and operated by the various staff they required an on site two-way radio communications system.  This radio system provides standard shore and a selection of marine operation channels, serving dual land and shipping operating channels for jetty and vessel crews during fuel unloading operations.

To address the requirement for a fixed point data network link EMR recommended a microwave data link solution. This system consists of two fixed microwave antennas terminated on the main land and terminal building. This solution provided a fixed point communications link with enough bandwidth to support critical data, internet and LAN based network services between the two remote locations.

Commenting on the project, Dave Lee from ConocoPhillips said:

“EMR have been providing our communication system for some years now. The solution that they have provided for extending the office data from the mainland has been so successful that it is now our primary operating system. The Motorola integrated ATEX radio system has helped to resolve all of the operational and staff safety issues that we had with the previous radio system. We are very pleased with the  essential services that EMR provide to ConocoPhillips that are critical for ensuring daily operation of this terminal.”

Up to this point, ConocoPhillips had received all their data and broadband services via an underwater cable system. This solution has proved troublesome in recent years and a modern data communications solution was urgently required as a resilient backup system.

This solution from EMR has been a tremendous success for providing this essential service, so that it has now become their primary system. The existing cable system has been retained as the resilient back up system for any potential loss of service from the microwave system

To meet the criteria required for the voice communication system, EMR recommended the Motorola Professional ATEX radio equipment. The GP380 ATEX model was selected as the operator handsets as this provided dual PMR and Marine channel operation. The large backlight display allows staff to select the correct operating channel for the shore or jetty required communications. A man down version of the radio and a dispatch base radio were also supplied to provide a man down emergency system to the remote site based staff. In event of an emergency an automated emergency call is reverted to the 24 hour manned control room providing immediate emergency assistance.

EMR Integrated Solutions today announced a contract with premium hotel, the Ritz Carlton – Powerscourt, to install a new radio-based digital communications system.

Ritz Carlton books EMR Solutions to install new digital radio communications system

Leading communications and network services provider, EMR Integrated Solutions today announced a contract with premium hotel, the Ritz Carlton – Powerscourt, to install a new radio-based digital communications system.  This system has been a tremendous asset to the hotel in maintaining a high level of guest service levels and enhancing staff efficiency within the hotel.

The system also overcomes difficulty of mobile, cellular coverage due to the mass concrete construction of the building.

Using the inbuilt digital technology of the Motorola platform, two channels were made available to the hotel, providing separate channels to security and household operations from a single system installation.

Commenting on the project, John Anders- Loss Prevention Manager with the Ritz Carlton said:

“EMR recommended the MOTOTRBO radio system to provide the necessary staff communications within the hotel. Having extended off site coverage to the adjacent estate facility buildings was a bonus to the system. Having two separate channels at our disposal was a huge benefit to our operations and the coverage and audio quality from the system are superb. The IMPRES battery system provides extended radio duration times during corporate events. Overall we are very impressed with this system and the service from EMR.”

EMR recommended the Motorola MOTOTRBO digital radio system for this communication system. A specialist digital antenna system was engineered to disperse the radio coverage down throughout the hotel and also provide extended off site coverage.

The audio from the radio is crystal clear and the new battery technology ensures extended radio operation times during extended shift duties for the staff.

The Ritz Carlton Hotel is one of Ireland’s luxurious hotels set amidst one of the most scenic estates in Powerscourt county Wicklow. The hotel offers guests a host of amenities including 200 guest rooms, luxury spa, two championship golf courses and a Gordon Ramsay signature restaurant.

EMR Integrated Solutions today announced a major contract with bread and confectionery provider, Cuisine de France to provide an on-site radio communications network at their manufacturing facility in Grangecastle, Co Dublin.

Cuisine de France selects EMR radio communications for Grangecastle manufacturing site

Leading voice and data infrastructure provider, EMR Integrated Solutions today announced a major contract with bread and confectionery provider, Cuisine de France to provide an on-site radio communications network at their manufacturing facility in Grangecastle, Co Dublin.

The system based on the Motorola technology platform provides high quality, resilient radio coverage between staff across the large, multi-building complex which comprises food processing, manufacturing and storage facilities.  A multi-channel operation for separate user group communications is also provided.

Commenting on the deal, Stuart Gavin of Cuisine de France’s purchasing department said:

“EMR recommended this system as it provided enhanced coverage levels throughout the complex. The system also supported future expansion when required which was an important feature as the site was expanding when we first purchased this system. The system has become essential for providing site wide staff communications and we were very impressed how the portable radios coped in the chilled storage areas. We heavily rely on this system that EMR recommended as it addresses our critical present and future site wide staff communication requirements.”

Twin Motorola DR3000 system repeaters were installed in key areas within the complex. This provides four operational channels for separate communication channels for the dedicated user groups. The new digital transmissions provides enhanced levels of in building radio coverage ensuring staff were kept in contact at all times.

The cold storage staff found this system extremely beneficial.

As the staff entered the fridge storage areas the radios were found to provide full system operation even in -16 degrees temperature levels. This ensured staff communication was never compromised in this high risk operation area.

Staff safety was also a major concern with the ability within the system for future upgrades for staff man down or lone worker safety systems when required. EMR recommended the new Motorola MOTOTRBO digital radio system for this system solution as this system catered for all of these system requests and also allowed for future system expansion within the complex.

The lightweight Impres battery packs allowed radios to be carried within the staff protective clothing for easy operation of the radios in this area even while wearing heavy protective clothing and gloves.

EMR Integrated Solutions today announced a deal with Dundrum Town Centre for the supply and configuration of a two-way radio communications system for the site.

Dundrum Town Centre enjoys retail therapy with purchase of two-way radio system from EMR

Leading communications and networks provider, EMR Integrated Solutions today announced a deal with Dundrum Town Centre for the supply and configuration of a two-way radio communications system for the site.

As Ireland’s largest shopping centre with over 140 shops, restaurants and 3,400 parking spaces, the communications system will be used to manage the various contractors on site, as the centre continues to expand and develop.

Based on Motorola technology, EMR recommended upgrading the existing system to the new Motorola MOTOTRBO digital radio system to provide the extended radio system coverage throughout the centre.

Commenting on the project, Eddie Ingle, security manager, with Dundrum Town Centre said:

“EMR supplied the initial radio system and when we expanded the centre buildings they helped to recommend a solution to address the black spot coverage issues. The MOTOTRBO digital radio system upgrade solution has been a tremendous success. The digital audio quality from the radio handsets is superb even in the high noise public mall areas. The Impres battery technology has reduced any of the previous battery duration and charging issues. We are extremely impressed by this system and value the service provided by EMR to Dundrum Town Centre.”

Several Motorola DR3000 system repeaters were commissioned to the existing specialist combining infrastructure and dispersed antenna systems throughout the complex. Utilising the new digital transmission system the result was an immediate signal improvement to all of the operational areas throughout the complex. All of the black spot areas unreachable by the older analogue system were now fully covered by this new digital system.

Further advantages of this digital upgrade provided enhanced off-site coverage levels extending to the old Dundrum shopping centre. As both the car park and cleaning contractors carry out duties within this location this new system allowed staff in both site locations to remain in contact at all times. The benefits of this additional coverage enhanced the daily safety and support levels to the staff in this remote location providing further value and efficiency from this digital system upgrade.