Warning systems designed for Water Dams

Typical hazards

 

Dams have been built by people for centuries. Yet, despite extensive experience and technological progress, there is still a risk, given by natural disasters or by human activities (military or terrorist attacks), of dam mechanical damages and of endangering people living in the area around dams. In these cases early warning can help, especially, in term of saving people’s lives. Depending on local legislation, warning systems are either established by state, municipality or by dam operator.

 

Solution description

 

This solution is designed as an integrated monitoring, warning and notification system. When preparing this solution its reliability and false alarm elimination were of main concern. The reliability of this solution is ensured both by siren reliability and its auto-testing functionality and by quality of the monitoring system. This system was designed so that it would eliminate as many false alarms as possible and signal any damage of a dam sufficiently in advance. There is only one control centre and its technology is fully backed up. Communication in the system is of radio-type and since it mainly involves small and medium-sized systems (usually 5 - 30 sirens), there is no need for autonomous communication infrastructure in most of the cases. The radio modems installed directly in sirens, which can also be used as signal boosters if required, are sufficient when considering the desired response time. In the case of extensively divided terrain autonomous signal boosters can be used. The system consists of:

• a fully backed up dispatching centre;

• NEXUS-type electronic sirens;

• Communication infrastructure fully integrated with sirens;

• Monitoring system and transmitters;