Partners

Airwave Solutions Australia continues to work with FireWatch Australia in the $3million Federal Government-funded trial of bushfire detection technology.  As the FireWatch implementation partner, Airwave has deployed the proven FireWatch bushfire detection system and the underlying communications network in the designated trial areas of the Otway Ranges in Victoria and Tumut, NSW.

Each of the two FireWatch bushfire detection trial networks comprised a number of sophisticated sensors with secure communications connectivity to regional, manned control centres.  The FireWatch Control Centre is located in Burwood, Victoria, with subsidiary systems in Colac, Victoria, and Tumut in NSW.

Founded on aerospace technology developed for NASA's Mars Pathfinder mission, the FireWatch system incorporates an optical sensor which boasts enhanced spectral sensitivity with near-infrared (NIR)-sensing capabilities.  This permits detection across a wide range of visible light wavelength (480 to 1200nm) day or night - far superior to that of the human eye (400 to 750nm).  Furthermore, the sensor's extremely high grey-scale resolution enables it to distinguish between over 16,000 shades of grey - critical functionality for detecting first signs of smoke and differentiating between smoke, cloud and dust.

In operation, each FireWatch camera rotates through 360 degrees every four to eight minutes, detecting smoke at distances of up to 40km.  Once smoke or fire is detected, an alarm with a corresponding image is transmitted to the relevant control room via the Airwave-built communications network.  Here, the image is rapidly assessed and the resultant information disseminated to the fire agencies, allowing them to commence their fire suppression acvities.

For more information visit www.firewatchaustralia.com.au.