Fire Water System Valve Position Monitoring (Ports & Terminals)

Readiness assurance

Valve position

Quick Overview

Problem

Fire water systems in ports and terminals are safety-critical assets. Valves left partially closed, incorrectly positioned, or unintentionally isolated can render firefighting systems ineffective during an emergency—often without any visible indication.

Solution

SENSAiO’s wireless valve position sensors provide continuous, real-time visibility of fire water valve status, ensuring system readiness and compliance across port and terminal facilities.

Value

Guaranteed firefighting readiness • Reduced inspection effort • Improved safety compliance • Faster emergency response

ATEX

Typically non-ATEX; ATEX-certified valve sensors available when installed in hazardous fuel or chemical areas

The Operational Challenge

Fire water networks in ports and terminals include:

  • Main fire water ring mains
  • Sectional isolation valves
  • Hydrant and monitor supply valves
  • Deluge and foam system isolation points

These systems are expected to remain fully operational at all times, yet common issues include:

  • Valves accidentally left closed after maintenance
  • Partial closure due to vibration or corrosion
  • Lack of real-time visibility across large sites
  • Manual inspections performed infrequently

Traditional assurance methods rely on:

  • Periodic valve walkdowns
  • Paper-based inspection logs
  • Visual confirmation only during audits

This creates a critical gap between inspections, during which system readiness cannot be guaranteed.

Why Valve Position Monitoring Matters

Valve position directly determines whether fire water can reach hydrants, monitors, and deluge systems.

Continuous monitoring enables operators to:

  • Verify that all critical valves are fully open
  • Detect unauthorised or accidental valve movements
  • Receive immediate alerts if a valve is closed or mispositioned
  • Maintain permanent proof of system readiness

For large port and terminal sites, remote valve monitoring dramatically improves safety assurance without increasing inspection workload.

SENSAiO Solution

SENSAiO delivers a wireless valve position monitoring solution designed for fire water systems in ports and terminals.

Core Components

Valve Position Sensor

Provides discrete or continuous feedback on valve open/closed status and intermediate positions.

Wireless Communication

Supports LoRaWAN, Modbus, and MQTT, enabling integration with terminal SCADA, safety systems, or maintenance platforms.

Installation & Power

Battery-powered clamp-on installation on gate, butterfly, or ball valves — no cabling or process interruption required.

Operational Benefits

  • Continuous verification of fire water system readiness
  • Reduced manual inspection effort
  • Faster response to valve mispositioning
  • Improved compliance with fire safety standards

Results and ROI

Metric Before After
Valve status visibility Periodic Continuous
Risk of closed valves Higher Significantly reduced
Inspection workload High Reduced
Emergency readiness Uncertain Assured

ATEX Compliance and Safety

Fire water valve monitoring supports compliance with:

  • NFPA and EN fire protection standards
  • Terminal and port authority safety requirements
  • Insurance and risk management audits

ATEX-certified sensor versions are available when installed in hazardous areas adjacent to fuel or chemical handling zones.

Integration and compatibility

Protocols

LoRaWAN, Modbus RTU/TCP, MQTT, REST API

Systems

Terminal SCADA, fire & gas systems, CMMS

Vendors

Siemens, Honeywell, Schneider Electric, ABB

Cybersecurity

AES-128 encrypted communication with secure transport

FAQ - Common Questions

Are Sensa.io sensors compatible with any gateway or network?

Yes, they connect to any LoRaWAN or MQTT infrastructure (Kerlink, Cisco, Milesight, MultiTech, etc.) for flexible integration with existing SCADA systems.

What ATEX certifications apply to Sensa.io devices?

All hazardous-area models are certified Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb and IECEx approved for Zones 0–2.

What is the typical battery life?

Up to 10 years at 15-minute intervals, depending on signal strength and environment.

How are the sensors integrated into existing systems?

Through standard protocols — LoRaWAN, Modbus, MQTT, REST API — no proprietary middleware needed.

How does predictive maintenance reduce OPEX?

Early anomaly detection reduces emergency interventions by 30–40 %, extends equipment life and lowers energy costs.

What does the Sensa.io Valve Position Sensor actually measure?

The device detects real-time valve position states—open, closed, or intermediate—with high accuracy. It continuously sends this information wirelessly to your monitoring dashboard.

Can this sensor detect partial valve movement or stuck valves?

Yes. The sensor identifies irregular patterns such as partial movement, delayed response, or stuck valves, enabling early maintenance before failure occurs.

Is this sensor suitable for manual, motorized, and actuated valves?

Yes. It supports a wide range of valve types including ball, gate, butterfly, actuator-driven, and manual valves.

How fast does it update the valve position?

You can configure the reporting interval—from seconds to minutes—depending on your operational and battery needs.

How long does installation take?

Most installations take under 10 minutes. The sensor mounts using brackets or clamps without modifying existing valves.

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