Next Generation Confined Space Monitoring & Inspection System

The development of the Next Generation Confined Space Monitoring System will achieve a new level or worker safety at Tinker and other air force bases. This system will incorporate a privision for state-of-the-art gas, radiation and physiological monitoring, biometric logon, indoor personnel tracking, video surveillance and portable handheld devices utilizing COTS (commercial off the shelf) hardware. Biometrics will allow quick and easy worker logon and authentication while indoor tracking technology monitors the workers location throughout the facility. Sensors and instruments will be wirelessly enabled and will transmit secure, encrypted data from the confined space to the monitoring attendant. A worker in distress can easily send a help alarm to the attendant. Automated alarms will be generated upon detection of unsafe gas levels, radiation levels or physiological heat stress as detected by the workers sensors and instruments. The worker or attendant can establish voice communications that will aid in the mitigation and confirmation of an emergency situation. Video surveillance will be available to the attendant to monitor activities around the entrance of confined spaces utilizing high quality pan/tilt and zoom wireless cameras. The system incorporates several unique features specifically evaluated for SBIR. The system will also feature traditional Life·lineÔ functionality as well as enhanced features as found in Safe Environment Engineering’s Critical·Path software suite for the first response and HAZMAT sector. The core competency of the Safe Environment’s Engineering group in conjunction with a SBIR phase II award will allow the successful development and deployment of the Next Generation Confined Space Monitoring System.