In an exclusive interview with TimesTech, Vinay Vidyadharan KK, Manager West India at Axis Communications, delves into the critical role of explosion-protected cameras in hazardous environments. He highlights how these advanced surveillance solutions not only enhance safety and operational efficiency but also ensure compliance with stringent regulations across various industries.
Read the full interview here:
TimesTech: Can you elaborate on the significance of explosion-protected cameras in hazardous environments and why conventional CCTV cameras pose a risk in these areas?
Vinay: Explosion-protected cameras are necessary in hazardous environments where flammable substances can create potentially explosive atmospheres. While the normal CCTV cameras are potentially explosive due to their basic structure that can ignite fireworks, explosion-protected cameras, on the other hand, are engineered to either contain any potential sparks within a heavy-duty enclosure normally constructed of stainless steel or aluminium or any other material (for Zone/Division 1 areas) or operate with reduced energy levels that are incapable of causing ignition (for Zone/Division 2 areas).
Such cameras make it possible to have eyes in places that are too risky for conventional cameras to operate while providing industries with real-time comprehension of crucial processes that are unattainable with human operators due to the risks involved and adherence to safety measures needed to neutralize rising threats. Their significance extends beyond regulatory compliance, playing a crucial role in maintaining safety and operational continuity in industrial settings.
TimesTech: What are the advanced technological features behind Axis Communications’ explosion-protected cameras that differentiate them from standard surveillance solutions?
Vinay: Axis Communications’ explosion-protected cameras are equipped with cutting-edge technologies that are appropriate for risky areas with elevated dangers of flare-ups. They offer good image quality regardless of the lighting environment, with the use of better sensors and image processing to capture good images in poorly lit or high-contrast settings. These cameras are also equipped with analytical tools like motion detection and object recognition that turn the cameras into smart business assets improving security measures and company performance.
These cameras provide remote control, to permit direct access to the hazardous areas, reducing the risk of personnel exposure and providing real-time monitoring from a safe distance. Some models also have thermal or temperature alerts that detect heat and provide early warning in case of overheating. The employment of Axis’s proprietary ARTPEC chip accelerates image recognition and contributes to safety limitations by controlling power consumption and heat generation. Moreover, the cameras can connect with network audio systems and video management software, and they meet global certifications like NEC (National Electrical Code) and CEC (Canadian Electrical Code) in North America, and ATEX (Atmosphères Explosibles) and IECEx (International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres) internationally, making them suitable for hazardous environments worldwide.
One specific example of Axis’ advanced explosion-protected technology is the AXIS Q1961-XTE Explosion-Protected Thermal Camera. This camera is the world’s first thermometric camera specifically designed and certified for Zone and Division 2 hazardous locations. It features remote temperature monitoring capabilities with a detection range that can extend into Zone and Division 1 areas. The camera can monitor temperatures from -40°C to 350°C, provide automatic alerts for temperature threshold violations, and offers 10 configurable detection areas. It uses an uncooled microbolometer with 384×288 pixels and includes Axis Edge Vault for enhanced cybersecurity.
In addition to cameras, Axis has also developed the AXIS XC1311 Explosion-Protected Network Horn Speaker, certified for use in Zone and Division 1 hazardous locations. This device enables live, scheduled, and event-triggered voice messages, enhancing safety applications and operational efficiency. It can be integrated with analytics-equipped cameras to provide automated audio alerts for various scenarios, such as smoke detection or personal protective equipment reminders. The speaker delivers high-volume, clear audio even in noisy environments and includes features like content management, zone management, and remote system health monitoring.
TimesTech: Which industries stand to benefit the most from the installation of explosion-protected cameras, and what specific challenges do these cameras address in such sectors?
Vinay: Explosion-protected cameras will be of great advantage to industries that handle sensitive materials or in areas where there is a likelihood of explosions for instance, oil and gas industries, agricultural industries, food industries, chemical industries, and pharmaceutical industries. In the oil and gas industry, such cameras record the process of drilling, refining, and storage and act as a precautionary mechanism to avoid mishaps as well as confirm compliance with safety measures. In agriculture and food production, they assist in preventing hazards that are related to grain dust explosions by conducting assessments on dust buildup and faulty equipment. The chemical and pharmaceutical industries might find the cameras useful for monitoring the handling of volatile substances and complicated processes to guarantee compliance with safety procedures, as well as to detect possible risks. Other sectors, like mining and certain manufacturing processes, benefit from the safe monitoring these cameras provide, reducing explosion risks associated with flammable gases, dust, and solvents.
These cameras solve several key issues in these industries, with the primary one being safe operation monitoring in explosive environments while reducing ignition possibilities. It plays a role in adherence to health and safety standards because it confirms proper utilization of protective gear and safety measures. These cameras improve the efficiency of operations by offering visual data that can be used to detect areas requiring improvement or that may escalate into problems. Equipped with thermal imaging capabilities, the cameras provide early warning on excessive temperature of equipment, or a small blaze, which could later develop into a big disaster and lead to damages. Also, they enable predictive maintenance by continuously monitoring equipment and processes, allowing proactive scheduling of repairs and minimizing time personnel spend in hazardous areas.
TimesTech: Could you provide an overview of the comprehensive range of explosion-protected cameras offered by Axis Communications and how they cater to different industrial needs?
Vinay: Axis Communications offers a comprehensive range of explosion-protected cameras designed to cater to various industrial needs and different levels of hazardous environments. For high-risk areas classified as Zone/Division 1, where explosive atmospheres are likely to occur during normal operations, Axis offers cameras with heavy-duty enclosures. These cameras are typically made of stainless steel or aluminium and are designed to contain any potential sparks or excessive heat within the camera housing. This makes them suitable for use in the most hazardous areas, such as in close proximity to flammable gas sources or in areas with constant presence of combustible dust.
For less hazardous Zone/Division 2 areas, where explosive atmospheres are not likely to occur under normal conditions, Axis provides cameras specifically designed for these environments. These cameras operate with reduced energy levels, making them incapable of generating sufficient heat or sparks to cause ignition, even in the event of a malfunction. This design allows for more flexibility in camera features while still maintaining the necessary safety standards.
Axis also offers thermal cameras as part of their explosion-protected range. These cameras are particularly useful for temperature monitoring in industrial settings. They can detect hotspots in machinery or processes, providing early warning of potential overheating issues that could lead to equipment failure or fire hazards. The cameras in Axis’ range likely vary in terms of resolution, field of view, and specific features to cater to different surveillance needs. Some may offer pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) functionality for broader area coverage, while others might be fixed cameras designed for monitoring specific points of interest. Additionally, these cameras are designed to integrate with Axis’ broader ecosystem of security and operational technology. This includes compatibility with video management software and the ability to integrate with network audio systems, allowing for a comprehensive approach to safety and security in hazardous environments.
By offering this diverse range of explosion-protected cameras, Axis Communications ensures that industries can select the most appropriate camera for their specific risk level, regulatory requirements, and operational needs. Whether it’s for monitoring a high-risk area in an oil refinery, overseeing grain storage facilities, or keeping watch over chemical processing plants, Axis aims to provide a suitable solution within its explosion-protected camera portfolio.
TimesTech: Can you share some case studies showcasing how Axis Communications’ explosion-protected cameras have been successfully implemented in various industries and the impact they have had?
Vinay: The Mysore Palace in Karnataka, India, installed over 125 Axis network cameras to manage large crowds and enhance security. This implementation improved remote monitoring capabilities and allowed for quick responses to potential security breaches. The cameras provided clear vision even in low-light conditions during evening events and integrated with Axis audio system and various analytics features such as people counting, body temperature monitoring, face mask detection, and perimeter defence.
At the Mochovce nuclear power plant in Slovakia, Axis IP cameras from the P and Q series were installed to enhance security and operational efficiency. The cameras significantly improved perimeter security, allowed for remote monitoring of critical areas with increased radioactivity and helped avoid unnecessary production shutdowns, leading to substantial financial savings. The plant is also planning to implement advanced video analytics for various purposes, such as automatically warning of items floating in the nearby river and monitoring vehicle speeds within the premises.
TimesTech: How do Axis Communications’ explosion-protected cameras help industries comply with strict regulatory demands while also enhancing operational safety and efficiency?
Vinay: Axis Communications’ explosion-protected cameras aid industries in meeting regulatory compliance and safety standards while raising effectiveness and productivity by complying with international certifications for hazardous regions particularly Class I/II/III Div 1 and Zone 1,21; Class I/II/III Div 2 and Zone 2,22. These certifications allow the industries to use the cameras in dangerous zones of the world as per the global standards. They constantly monitor the activity and automatically secure regions with high risks and thus are vital for compliance and demonstrating the measures taken to prevent accidents. Many processes can be observed from a safe distance, thereby minimizing operators’ exposure to dangerous areas of the facility.
The cameras’ analytics capabilities contribute to operational improvements through intelligent tools, process optimization, and rapid response to issues. They support predictive maintenance by providing information on the temperatures and conditions of the equipment to enable timely prediction of possible problems and a timely schedule of maintenance. This eliminates cases of equipment breakdowns, and cuts on avoidable downtimes thus improving overall efficiency.
The cameras also enable organizations to uphold health and safety requirements by providing evidence that employees adhere to measures put in place by the company or authorities, including wearing masks and other protective gear. Furthermore, the ability of these cameras to operate in hazardous environments without introducing additional risks (such as potential ignition sources) is itself a key factor in regulatory compliance. Integration with other systems like the network audio gives overall safety solutions that include automatic alarm sounds when there is an emergency. Thus, the explosion-protected surveillance systems contribute to continuous improvement efforts, optimizing workflows as well as enhancing emergency response procedures.
