Honeywell has introduced the MicroRAE gas monitor, said to be the industry’s first wireless four-gas monitor that operates with all major wireless communications protocols — including Bluetooth™, Mesh, GPS, and Wi-Fi. The MicroRAE also can be paired with an intrinsically safe smart phone (available from Honeywell) to transmit gas readings over a cellular network.
“Extending wireless gas monitoring capabilities to include the broadest range of communications platforms in a single device will enable companies with wireless and non-wireless infrastructures to reap the benefits of real-time monitoring and remote safety management,” said Thomas Negre, Global Marketing Director, Honeywell Analytics.
For those that already have a Wi-Fi or mesh network, MicroRAE will extend their capabilities by ensuring continuous wireless coverage; for example, when a worker goes beyond the network range or otherwise can’t connect to the network, the worker’s smart phone will continue sending gas monitoring data, location and Man Down status to the real-time monitoring software. And for customers that don’t have a wireless network, MicroRAE gives them a way to start experiencing the benefits of real-time, wireless gas monitoring without the cost and perceived complexity of setting up a network.
Real-time, wireless gas monitoring allows remote stakeholders to view critical information within seconds, from anywhere, so they can respond quickly and assuredly to mitigate or prevent safety incidents and process malfunctions.
Practical applications extend to carrying out a man-down rescue or plant egress with greater confidence and better outcome or identifying an equipment malfunction in its early stages so costly downtime can potentially be averted. Both the wireless and non-wireless versions of the detector are the first of many Honeywell Analytics products to feature Bluetooth™ Low Energy (BLE). BLE capabilities are enabled by apps on the intrinsically safe smartphone, the first of which is Honeywell’s Safety Communicator™, which pushes gas readings, location and other data from the detector to Honeywell’s ProRAE Guardian™ software. Through ProRAE Guardian, remotely located safety managers can view information from plant locations in real-time and respond proactively to safety incidents in their earliest stages of development.
The MicroRAE monitors H2S, CO, O2 and combustible gases (LEL) in its standard four-gas configuration. There is also a sensor configuration of LEL, O2, CO and HCN available, making the unit suitable for a wide range of applications including waste water treatment, manufacturing, utilities and telecommunications, firefighting, construction, petrochemical/chemical, confined spaces and various industries with toxic and flammable gas hazards.
The unit includes other features of note, including:
· Asset and location tracking – Integrated GPS capability ensures that companies can determine the precise location of the worker carrying the detector.
· Agnostic communications platform – The unit can switch back and forth from Bluetooth to WiFi or mesh wireless communications as needed, and is compatible with Honeywell’s ConneXt Plus, Pro or Loneworker systems.
· Over-the-air software upgrades – Data or software update packages for firmware can be managed quickly and easily through wireless transmission.
· Small footprint and ergonomic advantages – the unit is as lightweight and as small as previous non-wireless, Honeywell four-gas portable detectors.
