Environmental Monitoring Devices and Sensors
Penstock Solutions supply and support a range of environmental monitoring devices and sensors to automate the activation of our water pollution prevention devices.
In an emergency situation like a spill or fire we would hope that you would be immediately aware of the threat and have the opportunity to activate your pollution containment system. Spills and fires are the biggest and most obvious causes of water pollution but there are instances where less obvious threats can be equally damaging. A slow, continuous flow of pollutant materials, regular activities like vehicle washing or taking deliveries or less obvious risks like remote flooding can all cause significant water pollution. Responsible businesses monitor their water emissions using a range of environmental monitors – Penstock Solutions’ innovation is to use those monitors to automatically activate our pollution containment devices, preventing water pollution from seemingly innocuous activities.
The ToggleBlok™ water pollution containment device is unique in that it can be activated remotely from a control centre or mobile phone, more locally via a control panel or automatically by connecting the valves to other devices on the GSM network including fire alarms, environmental monitors, gate sensors, flood sensors, pressure washers and emergency lighting systems.
The range of environmental monitoring devices and sensors supplied by Penstock Solutions includes:
- Oil Separator & Monitoring Devices
- Fuel Monitors
- Flood Monitoring Devices
- Ph and other monitors
Oil Separator Alarms & Monitoring Devices
Penstock Solutions supply a range of Oil Separator Alarms and Monitoring Solutions from the most basic oil separator monitors to full solar-powered, GSM optimised oil monitoring stations.
What is an oil separator monitor?
Oil separator alarms monitor the level of liquids in an oil separator and signals an alarm when there is an excess of oil, liquid or silt, or if the unit needs to be emptied.
Penstock Solutions also offer float based oil monitoring systems which provide more reliable feedback of oil or hydrocarbon levels in instances where there are moving depths of water.
Why do I need oil monitoring?
Oil separators are necessary to contain residual oil discharge to surface water and foul sewage systems and prevent hydrocarbons reaching the environment. Oil separators are typically located on garage forecourts, car parks, highways, transport yards and vehicle loading areas where cars and lorries will be emitting oils and hydrocarbons not just from engines or exhausts but also from tyres.
As stated in the Pollution Prevention Guidelines of 2006 there are two classes of oil separators
“Class 1 separators are designed to achieve a discharge concentration of less than 5 mg/litre of oil under standard test conditions. These separators are required for discharges to surface water drains and the water environment.
Class 2 separators are designed to achieve a discharge concentration of less than 100 mg/litre of oil under standard test conditions. They are suitable for dealing with discharges where a lower quality requirement applies such as discharges to the foul sewer (in accordance with your sewer providers guidance).”
In 2005 it became mandatory that all installed oil separators have a robust device to provide visual and audible warning when the oil level reaches 90% of the oil storage volume.
Quite often oil separators are left in carpark or forecourt with the monitor disconnected, this is a non-compliance and could result in a fine or prosecution for the site owner. If your site oil separator predates 2005 we would advise installing an alarm or inspecting the separator annually to prevent failure of the separator. Oil discharge from a separator is potentially a criminal act.
Fuel Monitoring
With the introduction of biofuel oil separators are no longer effective in capturing all fuels as the Ethanol in biofuels separates from the hydrocarbon layer. Though regulators in the UK are aware of this risk there is currently no official advice as to the correct course of action to prevent the discharge of Ethanol. Our advice is to monitor the separator more closely and action oil removal more regularly. Penstock Solutions supply several products that will support you to achieve this goal.
Flood Monitoring
Penstock Solutions supply and support a range of flood monitoring solutions that can be connected to our Toggleblok water pollution containment valves.
What is flood monitoring?
Flood monitors are designed to measure fluctuations in water levels in areas that may be prone to flooding. Businesses that have been impacted by flooding or rely on local regulator alerts use flood alarms to provide a notification if action is required. Penstock Solutions install flood monitoring devices into a range industrial applications including bunds, sumps and basements for example.
Why would you need flood monitoring?
Flooding can very quickly overwhelm your drainage system causing a cocktail of pollutants if it were to reach the materials that you are handling or storing on site. If your business is at risk of flooding a flood alarm provides you with a notification or early warning and enables you to implement your flood containment measures and protect your business in good time.
Penstock Solutions’ Toggleblok drainage valves play a key part in preventing flooding via the drainage system when linked to one of our flood monitors. When connected to our pollution containment devices, if the pre-set alarm level is reached the Toggleblok valve is activated automatically, closing the drainage pathway. A text message will then be sent to all authorised operators so even if you are away from site you will know that your flood defences are operating.
pH & other environmental monitoring devices
Penstock Solutions supply and support you with a range of pH monitoring and other environmental monitoring systems. These devices monitor for a range of pollution risks from basic pH monitoring through total organic carbon live monitoring.
We work with a number of strategic partners to deliver these systems.
Why would you need pH monitoring?
Many sites have specific pH limits set in their Environmental Permits based on activity and location. If you were to suffer a pollution incident you may be required by the EA to invest in full monitoring like total organic carbon, with the aim of ensuring that you are able to react to an accident or process fault effectively.
Monitoring Service
Penstock Solutions, along with our partners supply a number of options for remote monitoring, please do not hesitate to call if you are looking at remote pollution containment.
If spill containment and CIRIA c736 compliance is currently a consideration for you please do not hesitate to call 01299 823158 or email us, we will be very happy to discuss our solutions with you.