Given the presence of flammable materials, heavy equipment, heat and sparks, the lumber industry is highly vulnerable to the catastrophic damage that can result from fire. Most facilities have already implemented a range of fire detection and suppression systems to help minimize the impact, but these reactive solutions only trigger when a fire has already started.
To mitigate the risk of fire before ignition, lumber and wood processing facilities need to take a proactive approach to fire detection and prevention.
Andy Beck
Compared to other industries, the lumber and wood processing sector is highly cyclical and heavily impacted by wider economic trends. High fixed costs associated with capital-intensive equipment, growing labor costs and ongoing maintenance requirements mean that firms must maintain high production levels simply to cover expenses.
At the same time, the industry still relies heavily on manual processes and skilled workers. High turnover rates, an aging and retiring workforce and increased competition for workers from other industries have all made it difficult for companies to fill positions and bring in the skills they need to grow in the future.
Recognizing these trends, companies are increasingly turning to advances in technologies such as the Industrial Internet of Things, big data analytics, automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning and robotics. Although the manufacturing sector has been relatively slow to embrace these technologies compared to other segments, there is a growing awareness of their potential to enhance productivity, efficiency and profitability in facilities.
Fire is a well-known risk and it is one that the lumber and wood processing industry takes seriously. In a recent report, the US-based National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recorded more than 36,000 fires at industrial or manufacturing facilities that resulted in more than $1.5 billion in direct property damage.
The lumber and wood processing sector is particularly vulnerable to fire. The presence of flammable materials, fine wood dust, wood chips and other byproducts of the manufacturing process means even small fires can quickly grow into an out-of-control blaze that damages equipment and puts the safety of workers at risk.
Most warehouses, storage areas and processing facilities are already equipped with fire systems. Smoke, flame and spark detectors alert to the presence of fire while sprinklers, water mist, foam and other suppression systems slow the spread of flames until authorities arrive.
These systems are necessary for both safety and compliance. But they all share a common limitation – they are inherently reactive solutions that trigger only when a fire has already started.
Andy Beck
The true costs of an undetected fire go well beyond the initial structural damage. Companies incur significant costs repairing and replacing equipment, rebuilding structures, replenishing inventories, and restoring operations.
Additionally, every minute of downtime disrupts operations and results in lost productivity. For an industry that requires high equipment utilization rates to be profitable, any extended downtime, especially during periods of high demand, can be devastating.
Finally, a fire can make it difficult for companies to access funding, invest in capital projects, or deploy new performance improvement initiatives over the long term. Insurance claims also negatively impact a facility’s risk profile, leading to higher premiums, additional exclusions, increased deductibles and more difficulty securing adequate coverage.
Just as lumber and wood processing facilities are embracing technology to improve their operations, many are now looking to technology to take a more proactive approach to fire detection and prevention. The companies that reinvest in their business, adopt new technologies and enhance their production processes will be the ones that come out ahead.
Continuous Thermal Monitoring solutions provide 24/7 coverage of critical equipment and high-risk areas. They monitor the conditions needed for fire rather than the presence of fire itself. This allows facilities to proactively address potential fire risks such as hotspots, overheating assets, residual heat, or other hazards and take action to prevent ignition.
The versatile solution can be configured and deployed for a variety of applications, allowing Operators to improve safety, enhance operations and mitigate the risk of catastrophic fire.
Andy Beck
To see how you can benefit from Continuous Thermal Monitoring solutions, download our white paper: Mitigating the Risk of Fires – Why Lumber and Wood Processing Facilities Need Continuous Thermal Monitoring.
Andy Beck is one of the co-founders of Viper Imaging and current Vice President of Sales Technology. With over 20 years of experience in the infrared imaging market, he has worked with both global and national organizations, managing sales teams that provided diverse systems for the industrial marketplace.
These systems include robotics, automation and gas analysis systems. Andy is also a certified Level III Thermographer and Fluid Power Specialist.
