• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

SAFER Systems Launches Major New Release of Its SAFER Real-Time(R) Chemical Emergency Management System

Posted on: Thursday, 6 November 2008, 12:00 CST

SAFER Systems, the global technology leader in chemical emergency management solutions, today announced that it has released the latest version of SAFER Real-Time, the company's highly integrated, comprehensive system for detecting, analyzing and responding to toxic chemical release emergencies. SAFER Real-Time Version 10 uniquely equips its users with a range of vital information that enables better emergency planning, decision-making and response.

The flagship of SAFER Systems' chemical emergency management product portfolio, SAFER Real-Time is used by organizations worldwide that manufacture, process, store or transport hazardous materials to detect the release of toxic chemicals at the earliest stages and predict in real-time how the plume will disperse.

Version 10 enhances the already robust capabilities of SAFER Real-Time by enabling additional critical data to be gathered, integrated and applied. New features in Version 10 enhance users' ability to detect a toxic release using high-sensitivity Open Path optical-sensors, estimate its source area location, predict and share data on the plume's likely path, integrate Internet-based weather data, and map and share plume data using Google Maps(TM) and Google Earth(TM).

"In the chaotic and frantic aftermath of a toxic chemical release, accurate information -- delivered rapidly in a visual, easy-to-comprehend format -- is critical to understanding the scope and magnitude of the event and thus is vitally important to saving lives and resources," said Ernest Gilbert, President, SAFER Systems. "Our mission is to provide a comprehensive solution that allows our users to take every precaution in minimizing the risk of exposure to an accidental or intentional release, thus better protecting their employees and the communities in which they operate.

"SAFER Real-Time helps companies all over the world to predict what would happen in the event of a chemical release, permitting them to take necessary steps to plan for such an event and to make informed decisions as to how to most effectively handle an event should one occur," said Gilbert.

Version 10 of SAFER Real-Time adds new state-of-the-art technologies that are tightly integrated within the highly automated SAFER Real-Time system, including:

-- Open Path optical sensor detection integrates data feeds from laser, ultraviolet or infrared light sources to measure minute chemical concentrations of single or multi-component gas releases across an open path of air at a distance of 200 meters and combines with SAFER Systems' patented Advanced Back Calculation (ABC) model using a new, patent-pending ABC-Open Path module to estimate the release rate of a chemical, enabling alarms to be triggered when defined levels are exceeded.

-- Source Area Locator(TM) (patent pending) analyzes real-time data on wind speed and direction along with gas concentration levels from at least two gas sensors to locate a release source area -- an industry "first." Knowing the source area of a chemical release, odor or attack is critically useful in containing the release, predicting the plume path and making informed decisions about escape routes, shelter-in-place options, etc.

-- Internet weather data integrates streaming meteorological data from any of some 8,000 Weatherbug(R) Internet weather stations scattered across North America or from 4,300 weather stations on other continents, or from stations connected directly to the SAFER Real-Time system or from manually-entered data. This lets users quickly calculate and model the likely course of a simulated or actual chemical plume that extends beyond the scope of fixed weather stations, and helps first responders better assess a chemical event in early and subsequent stages.

-- Internet-based terrain mapping works with the SAFER Real-Time system to render geocoded graphical plume models using Google Maps software and export the models to Google Earth as a Keyhole Markup Language (.kml) file for display on any computer running Google Earth freeware. All of the viewing and layering tools of the Google suite -- including tilt, rotate, geographic web, roads, 3D buildings, borders, traffic, weather, places of interest and terrain -- are available when viewing a plume's impact.

-- OPC linkage facilitates data communication between the Real-Time system and the distributed control systems (DCSs) at the heart of most manufacturing processes today, providing SAFER Real-Time users with access to the real-time plant data needed for effective detection, analysis and response.

"By integrating sophisticated electronics with leading-edge digital technology and data in a single comprehensive system, SAFER Real-Time Version 10 provides the most advanced tool set available to quickly detect and analyze the behavior of a chemical incident and promote rapid and appropriate response," said Gilbert.

"With SAFER Real-Time Version 10, users are better able to see what the effects would be on the local community and surrounding environment of different release scenarios for their particular situations, to plan accordingly, and to respond more quickly and more collaboratively."

About SAFER Systems

Founded in 1978, SAFER Systems is the global technology leader in chemical emergency management solutions, with advanced chemical plume modeling software that integrates real-time weather and sensor data. The company's scalable state-of-the-art solutions, which incorporate patented technologies, are designed to detect and accurately predict in real-time the dispersion of accidental or terrorist related releases of toxic chemical agents. Using SAFER Systems products, organizations worldwide that manufacture, process, store or transport hazardous materials and the communities in which they operate can better estimate the associated risks, thoroughly prepare for the possibility of a chemical release, and quickly determine the best ways to mitigate those risks when responding to an actual emergency. The company's international customer base includes over 70% of Fortune 500 chemical and petroleum companies, all Class 1 railroads in North America; and many government HazMat/First Responders, including teams located in U.S. cities and states and Canadian provinces, as well as the Civil Defense agencies of Singapore and Luxembourg. Other industries in which SAFER Systems' products can be used include manufacturing, nuclear reprocessing, smelting, oil and gas pipelines, chemical storage and transporting, plant construction and expansion, and seaports and airports. Headquartered in Camarillo, California, SAFER Systems maintains regional sales and support offices in the United States, Canada and Europe, and supports a network of authorized sales and service agents throughout the world. http://www.safersystemv10.com.

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=869301

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=869306

 Contacts Hebert Communications for SAFER Systems John Hebert 617-232-1161 Email Contact  SAFER Systems Marketing Communications Jill Bassett 805-383-9711, ext. 172 Email Contact

SOURCE: SAFER Systems

Source: MARKET WIRE

More News in this Category