| FiRST is an intelligent monitoring system developed to improve the safety and operational effectiveness of firefighters in action |
An electronic personal protection system designed to detect and predict the rapid rise in temperature that precedes a “flashover” incident is being launched by IntelliMon, a new division of STS Defence, at the Emergency Services Show being held in Birmingham on 21 and 22 September 2016.
Faster flashover prediction
FiRST (Fire-fighter Rescue and Support Technology) is an intelligent monitoring system developed to improve the safety and operational effectiveness of fire-fighters in action. It comprises of electronics connected to thermal sensors which use artificial intelligence to analyse the rapidly changing temperatures in a smoke-filled contained-fire environment where fire-fighters frequently operate. It is encased in ruggedised housing and mounted on to a fire-fighter’s breathing apparatus, as a core component in fire fighting equipment. Unlike simple threshold-based temperature sensors, FiRST is far more sensitive and intuitive and predicts a “flashover” much more rapidly, providing fire-fighters with vital time to react accordingly.
The intuitive nature of the technologies means that FiRST continually processes and updates temperature data, notifying the operator of critical changes through both visual and audible warnings. This data can then also be fed to a computer through established radio telemetry for command and control, and post-incident analysis.
RF tag
A secondary feature of the FiRST™ system is an RF tag incorporated into the electronics module, and a handheld scanner utilising radio direction finding, for rapid intervention rescue teams to locate and rescue fallen or trapped comrades.
The newly launched IntelliMon specialises in the design and development of intelligent monitoring systems for industrial, maritime, public safety and defence markets.
IntelliMon is exhibiting on stand number M61 during ESS.