How AUTEC protects natural waters in case of fire with LoRaWAN.

AUTEC Softwareentwicklung und Hardwareplanung GmbH is an experienced expert in the key areas of IT & automation, which are growing ever closer together. Since 1991, the company has been helping industry and public clients to plan and implement highly complex automation projects. Customers from a wide range of industries have been served for years, establishing the service provider as a competent and reliable partner.

THE SITUATION.

The operator of an industrial estate in Luxembourg was struggling with the requirements of the fire protection ordinance for the approximately fifty companies located there. Under normal circumstances, rainwater flows through the existing storm sewer into the surrounding waterways. In the event of a fire, however, it is essential to prevent contaminated extinguishing water from reaching the neighboring natural environment via this route. In the event of a fire, the firefighting water that may be present was to be diverted by automatic control of the gate valves and separated in a retention basin so that it could later be pumped out manually. The biggest challenge here was the distance between the fire detectors of the individual commercial properties and the gate valve control system. Of course, it would have been possible to wire between all the detection points and the control system. However, this would have meant an extreme amount of material and labor that was far beyond the available budget.

Finding the right solution.

The responsible project manager Tobias Lang then looked for a wireless solution. After some research, he found LoRaWAN and thus also the specialist ime mobile solutions. Together they discussed various approaches before AUTEC decided on the final solution. On the infrastructure side, this consists of a Kerlink iStation LoRaWAN gateway on which both LoRaWAN Network Server (LNS) and a Node-RED instance for automation are installed. This was installed at an access point to the control network. Fifty LoRaWAN sensors for floating contacts from Adeunis were also installed, which are used to transmit signals from the fire detectors.

For feasibility testing, ime mobile solutions was commissioned by AUTEC with a site survey. The LoRaWAN coverage of the entire industrial park up to the detection points in the buildings had to be guaranteed. ime mobile solutions provided mobile measurement equipment and expert support for this purpose. After evaluating the measurement data, it was clear that LoRaWAN coverage with just one gateway was sufficient for the entire industrial park and even beyond. The expensive installation of a wired solution was finally off the table.

FIRST THE LEARNING PHASE.

In the further course, the installation of the LoRaWAN components and their use in the control technology was to be tested. For this purpose, AUTEC booked a LoRaWAN workshop with ime to learn how to handle the gateway, sensors and LNS using a practical example. Specialist Uwe Rutsche from ime mobile solutions then extended his workshop to include a more in-depth session on the use of Node-RED for LoRaWAN and automation.

THEN THE IMPLEMENTATION.

„Aspects that were especially important for AUTEC, such as payload decoders and PLC connection via Modbus TCP, were discussed in detail. On this basis, our team was able to subsequently implement the connection of the LoRaWAN sensors to the Siemens controllers and independently commission the complete LoRAWAN infrastructure,“ says Tobias Lang, the project manager. Furthermore, the browser-based SCADA system „FlowChief“ was used by AUTEC. This provides the customer with a central platform for monitoring and operating his plant – from gate valves to fire detectors. Additionally all process data are archived by the FlowChief system. In case of malfunctions or fire events, the corresponding personnel is automatically alerted.