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Factories and industrial plants are places where many people, standardised tasks and therefore risks are concentrated. Industrial safety standards are well-developed, but in practice, their effective enforcement is what matters most. In other words, it is vital to know the risk but also have an appropriate and efficient safety system. Modern warning technologies are becoming key nowadays: electronic sirens, communications systems, and other acoustic warning systems.

The types of risk vary depending on the industry, but many are universal. The dangers of fire, leakage of hazardous substances, explosions, equipment failures, and natural disasters are relatively universal, but they manifest themselves differently.

There are several different risks and, therefore, applications for electronic sirens. They can adapt to the specifics of the working environment and be linked to other safety elements. Here are some examples of their application:

• Steel Industry: Working with metals at scorching temperatures poses many risks, including fire, leakage of toxic substances (e.g. carbon monoxide), or accidents. Moreover, the deafening noise of the machinery in the environment makes the situation even worse. That is why it is necessary to include powerful sirens and, if necessary, visual warning devices such as beacons, plus the possibility of triggering an alarm directly from the plant.
• Chemical Industry: Many chemical industries work with chemicals that can threaten both human health and the environment. When a spill occurs, humans cannot even recognise many of these substances until it is too late. Therefore, sirens and alarms frequently combined with chemical sensors are used in chemical plants.
• Energy Industry: Power plants are vital infrastructure, and their failure can spell disaster, especially for nuclear power plants. The 1986 nuclear accident at Chernobyl, Ukraine, and the 2011 tragedy at Fukushima, Japan, were by far the most significant nuclear incidents in history. Although the estimates of direct fatalities resulting from acute radiation exposure may vary, the number of people impacted over long-term radiation exposure is definitely greater, still harder to estimate. Hydroelectric power plants also carry a risk of material damage or explosion, so quality warning systems are a must.
• Oil and Gas Extraction Industry: One of the most dangerous industries is characterised by challenging conditions. Extraction of crude oil, natural gas or minerals typically entails the risks of explosion, fire (often on extraction platforms/oil rigs, far from the assistance of the fire brigade), and spillage of oil or gas itself. There is also the risk of cave-ins in underground mining.

Safety does not concern only heavy industry. Other industry types, such as manufacturing, building, or automotive sectors, face many site-specific threats. For this reason, there is not only one “proper” system of sirens or warning devices to suit every customer. A modern tailor-made industrial warning system that serves the specific needs of a particular customer is the best solution.

In general, any warning system should take into account the following aspects:

1. Speed and reliability – The most common is the use of a variety of automated sensors (e.g. pressure, temperature, or chemical sensors) linked by software in a control centre into a single comprehensive system.
2. Acoustic coverage – An entire industrial area (sometimes even consisting of more plants) can be connected to a single siren system. Both outdoor and indoor sirens can be easily adapted to the local conditions (e.g. a high noise level).
3. Efficiency – Systems such as Amadeo made by Telegrafia combine public address, evacuation, and warning elements with control via computers, panels, or mobile devices.

We will look at the safety and application of warning systems in specific industries in more detail in the following articles.

The article was written by

Zuzana Janočková

Zuzana works at Telegrafia at the marketing department. Her main responsibility is to keep an eye on Google Ads and Facebook. Online marketing is changing all the time, giving her the chance to expand her knowledge constantly and put it into real practice. After work, she relaxes best by going to the gym and watching good films.