A water detector is an electronic device that is designed to detect the presence of water and provide an alert in time to allow the prevention of water damage. A common design is a small cable or device that lies flat on a floor and relies on the electrical conductivity of water to decrease the resistance across two contacts. The device then sounds an audible alarm together with providing onward signalling in the presence of enough water to bridge the contacts. These are useful in a normally occupied area near any infrastructure that has the potential to leak water, such as HVAC, water pipes, drain pipes, vending machines, dehumidifiers, or water tanks.
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Water leak detection |
Water leak detection is an expression more commonly used for larger, integrated systems installed in modern buildings or those containing valuable artefacts, materials or other critical assets where early notification of a potentially damaging leak would be beneficial. In particular, water leak detection has become a necessity in data centres, trading floors, banks, archives and other mission-critical infrastructure.
The water leak detection industry is small and specialised with only a few manufacturers operating world-wide. The original application was in the void created by "computer room" floors in the dhays of large main-frame computer systems. These use a modular, raised floor based around a structural "floor tile" usually 600 mm square and supported at the corners by pedestals. The void created gave easy access and routing for the mass of power, networking and other interconnecting cables associated with larger computer systems - processors, drives, routers etc. mainframe computers also generated large amounts of heat so a void under the floor could also used as a plenum to distribute and diffuse chilled air around the computer room. The void therefore was likely to have chilled water pipes running through it along with the drains for condensates associated with refrigeration plant. In addition, designers found the floor void a very convenient place to route other wet services feeding bathrooms, radiators and other facilities.
A leak occurring within a floor void would therefore go unnoticed until the hydrostatic head of pressure meant that the water found its way through to floors below where its dripping through the ceiling would be noted or, and more disconcerting, the water would penetrate the joints and connectors of the power or network cabling and cause system failure from short circuit.
Current digital water leak detection systems can locate multiple water leaks to within 1 meter resolution over a complex network of cables running several kilometers. This functionality reduces the downtime and potential damage caused by inaccurate reporting that was common with older analogue based systems.
| Integrated multi-zone systems |
The computer room therefore became the early application for systems which would alert the operator to a leaking pipe in sufficient time for remedial action to be taken to prevent a disaster.
As computer rooms could be quite large simple "point of use" detectors were not really appropriate although Point Sensors do have value where simple, single point detection is required in, say, basements and sumps. Most modern leak detection systems developed around the use of a water sensitive cable which can be laid in long lengths and complex patterns around the base of the floor; around the perimeter of rooms; as a "barrier" over which water has to flow; following, tracing or attached directly to lines of water pipes.
| General application |
The mainframe computer room has largely been replaced with the Data Centre but the application has remained with almost universal use of "computer-room" style raised floors in nearly all new commercial and office construction. To warrant the installation of leak detection the operator has to perceive the risk in addition to the circumstances but most Mechanical and Electrical Design Engineers will take a view of the risk of damage from a leak in terms of effect on the client's own operations, services and assets and, often as important, those of their adjoining neighbours and the those on floors below.
The installation of leak detection systems is therefore becoming more commonplace in most new commercial office construction schemes along with the more obvious targets of museums, galleries and archives.
Leak detection systems must be unobtrusive, effective and robust enough to withstand getting dirty and the moderate physical abuse of other works being carried out under the same floor.
Zoned systems have a reputation for being safe, reliable and not prone to the same types of false alarms which those systems which use cumulative resistance techniques.
Manufacturers such as TTK from France have introduced hi-tech variants like FG-NET touch screen panels with interactive maps on screen. The sensing cables are fitted with micro-controllers patented, that allows unique ability to pin-point faults on every individual sense cable simultaneously.
The leak detection industry is very small and it can be expected that manufacturers will also offer an installation and after sales service.
| Delivering a New Standard in Water Leak Detection |
| The Problem |
Despite the understandably significant resources spent on mitigating loss through fire, there is a much greater threat to business continuity, that of disruption to business and asset damage through water leaks.
Statistics show that the most likely cause of claims in blocks of flats, hotels, retail premises and commercial buildings is water damage. It is now a commonly accepted fact by UK insurers that water leakage is now the costliest and most common claim made by commercial customers with a total loss in the UK alone approaching £800 million.
The financial market is particularly sensitive to these potential losses with Data Centre outages costing such businesses an average of £12,000 per minute, hourly losses on the Stock Exchange around £4.5 million and Credit Card Clearance around £1.8 million. The cost to businesses due to water leakage can therefore be significant and it is not just the obvious cost of physical damage to IT and other electronic equipment, plant, fixtures and fittings, stock and the fabric of the building. Like fire damage, even a seemingly minor water leak can result in temporary relocation, resultant increased employment costs and significant business interruption and loss of profits.
| The Solution |
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The only way to mitigate the risk of water damage is to continuously monitor for water leaks. Risk assessment of the risk of water damage and the installation of Water Leak Detection Systems are increasingly being recommended by commercial insurers and is often a requirement for full cover. Leading the way in Water Detection technology is the new ‘Hydrosense’ system from Vimpex, it includes both Conventional and Addressable solutions and designed to be infinitely reliable, with many of its features also found in systems designed to ensure life safety. |
| How it Works |
Hydrosense leak detection systems are designed to protect areas where water ingress could seriously damage electrical, communication and computer networks. It continuously monitors for water leaks around the clock, year in year out and has the facility for 72 hour battery standby in the event of power failure. Should a leak be detected the control panel sounds an alarm which can be extended to a remote location. When an alarm is raised, Hydro-Cryer® voice sounders can be used to broadcast an unambiguous message, avoiding confusion with other sounders on site.
The new Hydrosense systems provide both linear detection using Hydrowire and point detection using probes. Linear detection Hydrowire is a flexible cable which will continuously monitor large areas. When even a small amount of water or moisture comes into contact with Hydrowire it will trigger an alarm. Point detection is provided by Hydrosense floor or drip tray probes, these are fixed to the floor or drip tray and adjusted to give the required detection level and connected to the control panel via a Hydrosense water leak detection module.
Utilising life safety technology in the design of Hydrosense provides the reliability and integrity of BSi approved fire detection systems, meaning there is virtually no risk of failure, downtime and significantly fewer false alarms.
Hydrosense Conventional (HS) Control Panel
- Ideal for small and medium sized installations
- 2, 4 and 8 Zone Control Panels available, with all variants featuring battery standby as well as common fault and alarm relay contacts
- Simple to install and maintain
- Detection and Sounder circuits constantly monitored for faults
- RS485 data bus allows both zonal contacts and repeater panels to be incorporated
- Battery Backup
Hydrosense Addressable (ID) Control Panel
- Ideal for larger installations
- Allows the user to address each module with location specific information, as well as featuring fully configurable remote outputs
- Lower Installation Costs
- A single loop control panel can support up to 254 point-detection probes, and over 12,700 metres of Hydrowire
- Single and Dual Loop panels available
- Detection and Sounder Circuits constantly monitored for faults.
- RS485 data bus allows up to 32 additional expander cards to be incorporated.
- Battery Backup
Hydrosense Addressable Module
- Each module can exclusively support up to 100 metres of Hydrowire, a combination of
- Hydrowire (max 50m) and one probe or 2-point detection probes
- 127 modules permitted per loop (Each module is fitted with two outputs)
- Each output is equipped with an attractive blue LED to signify when an alarm condition has been activated
Hydrowire
- Available in 5 and 10 meter lengths (other lengths on request)
- Simple connection and termination
- Consistent sensitivity
- Aesthetically attractive
Hydro-Probe
- Ideal for areas where moisture is permitted
- Mechanically Robust
- Drip Tray and Floor
- Mounted Variants Available
- Height adjustable clip option
Hydro-Cryer
- Voice Enhanced Sounder, broadcasting a clear and concise Hydrosense orientated message
- Uses one of the two sounder outputs available
- Attractive looking design
Short-Message Communicator
- Assessing system status via SMS communication
- Simply requires 24Vdc and control panel integration via the remote alarm contact
Zone Breaker Cable
- Ideal for areas that require non-constant, localised coverage
- Available in 5 and 10 metre lengths
Simple Connection and Termination
