Fire monitors, also called deluge guns, play an important role in industrial firefighting by directing powerful water streams to combat large, intense fires. Traditionally, these monitors required operators to be stationed directly at the equipment during a fire event. However, advances in remote control technology now allow fire monitors to be operated safely from distant control stations, improving safety and effectiveness.
Traditional Fixed Monitors
In the past, fixed monitors were installed and aimed permanently at strategic hazards like large fuel or chemical storage tanks. They utilized high-volume water pumps and large-diameter monitors capable of flows over 1,000 GPM. Though powerful, these monitors had some drawbacks if requiring human operators to manually direct the stream:
Exposure to extreme heat, smoke and potential explosions placed operators at high risk.
Limited range of motion, as monitors could not be traversed remotely from threatened areas.
Slow response, as it took time to safely deploy operators during an escalating fire.
Lower accuracy targeting the fire, compared to remotely-controlled aiming.
These safety and performance limitations drove the development of remote control systems for fire monitors. Now, trained operators can direct powerful water streams from a protected control station using closed-circuit cameras, joystick controllers and wireless monitors.
Benefits of Remote Control
Remotely-operated monitors address many shortcomings of traditional fixed systems:
Human operators work from a safe distance away from fire hazards. High-definition cameras provide an effective view.
Wireless control allows panning, tilting and positioning monitors more precisely and reactively on targets.
Monitors can be aimed and traversed rapidly from any angle during dynamic fire scenarios.
Initial attack can begin immediately from the remote station without deployment delays.
Multiple monitors across wide areas can be coordinated simultaneously by a single or team of operators.
Easy aiming makes it simpler to cool and protect exposed equipment, structures or hazards.
Less chance of operator injury/exposure to hazards improves safety compliance and recordkeeping.
Lower lifetime costs than fixed monitors through reduced insurance and health/safety expenses.
Ability to functionally test and calibrate monitors safely without a live fire event.
Remote Control Components
Typical remote control fire monitor systems comprise the following main elements:
Monitor – A deluge gun with integrated wireless control motors/actuators for panning and tilting movement. High-volume water pumps also located at the monitor.
Camera – An explosion-proof, heat-resistant camera is mounted to the monitor for live video feed to the control station.
Joystick Controller – Ergonomic joystick, pedals and switches allow precision movement and activation of the monitor from the remote location.
Wireless Transceiver – Secure digital transceiver securely transmits control signals from the joystick to the monitor using radio, cellular or spread spectrum technology.
Monitor Controls – Built-in monitor electronics receive wireless commands and power control motors, pumps and water flow proportional to joystick movement.
Control Station – Secure console area housing video monitor(s), joystick(s) and equipment for operators during an incident.
Capabilities can also be expanded with pan-tilt-zoom cameras, telescoping monitor masts, pre-programmed patterns and integrated fire detection/suppression systems networked to the monitors. Advanced command and control software scales performance for large facility networks.
Applications for Remote Control
Remote control technology enabling round-the-clock standby protection has found widespread use:
Petrochemical Plants – Refineries rely on monitors to quickly douse tank fires endangering other equipment or processes.
Power Generation – Coal, gas and nuclear plants face risks from electrical explosions or ash/fuel silo fires and benefit from remote monitor defense.
Warehouses and Storage – Remotely wetting down catches fires before they can spread to stored product across wide areas.
Ports and Maritime – Monitoring docks, vessels, fuel depots and more from central emergency response command centers.
Mining – Open pit mines use monitors aboard heavy equipment or at equipment yards to isolate fires.
Wildland Firefighting – For taming large brush/forest blazes and supporting ground crews even in remote wildlands.
As remote control capabilities continue enhancing firefighting performance, more industries are leveraging the technology to quell major incidents faster, safer and more strategically than ever before possible. The fusion of monitors and control ensures critical infrastructure protection for decades to come.