Wind Speed Alarms at Work
A wind speed alarm, or wind alarm controller, is used for the continuous monitoring of wind speed in construction, mining, agriculture, renewable energy, aviation, and marine industries. Wind speed alarms are used to alert workers to wind conditions that can cause safety concerns for people and equipment. For example, a wind speed alarm is an important safety tool for crane operators. When wind velocity reaches an unsafe speed according to the crane manufacturer’s recommendations and applicable safety regulations, crane operation must be stopped, and the equipment should be secured. In fact, OSHA’s standard for rail-mounted cranes used in marine terminals requires operating instructions for high wind conditions to be posted in the cab of each crane.
Thus, the continuous monitoring of wind speed using a wind speed alarm or wind alarm controller can prevent costly damages to machinery and protect workers from injury. Wind speed monitoring also can aid in optimizing everything from wind turbine placement to agricultural pesticide application.
Today, several modern devices exist for monitoring the wind. For continuous monitoring, a wind speed alarm often is used, as the alarm system can issue an audible and/or visual alert to provide a warning before unsafe wind conditions arise. An early warning wind speed alarm system should allow enough time for workers to secure any equipment and seek shelter as needed.
A wind speed alarm is not only a vital safety tool, but also an important auxiliary tool used for planning and assessment. A wind speed monitoring system can help determine if a certain area is suitable for the construction of everything from residential housing to marinas, amusement parks and commercial wind farms. A wind speed monitoring system also aids crop farmers in determining the best conditions and locations for planting, watering, fertilizing, and harvesting.
Real World Use Cases of Wind Speed Alarms
Brownout Prevention
High winds can sway power lines, often causing brownouts. Wind Speed Alarms can be integrated into a control panel which re-routes electricity within the electric grid when high winds occur. Wind speed alarms, in conjunction with this re-routing device, have helped reduce the frequency of brownouts caused by high winds.
Security/Observation Platforms
Wind speed alarms were designed into the elevation controller for mobile observation platforms. When winds exceed the specified levels, the alarm’s relay triggers a device that lowers the platform to a safer level.
Agriculture
Large tarpaulins are used to cover grain supplies and keep them from suffering water damage. During high winds, these tarps can be secured with the turn of switch. Wind speed alarms provide a reliable method for performing this task while saving the expense of 24/7 power and a human operator.
Fountain Control
Wind speed alarms were integrated into a fountain controller to regulate fountain operation based on wind speed. If the system continually turned off and on there was the possibility of damage to the controller. At a certain wind speed the fountain will now shut down until it is manually reset.
To learn more about how wind speed alarms are used across industries, check out our Use Cases page. Or, feel free to contact us today for more information.
