New Technology Provides Fire Protection For SailGP Event Weekend And Beyond
The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch is nearing its second season of racing on Whakaraupō Lyttelton Harbour, and thanks to thermal imaging sensors being placed in the surrounding hills, fire risk will be closely monitored during the event.
Last year’s inaugural event in Christchurch has seen the location become a firm favourite for athletes, spectators and locals, with the city’s natural playground showcasing the vast beauty of the Port Hills and Banks Peninsula.
Set for March 23-24, the 2024 event has nearly double the attendance capability than last year, so a heightened focus on health and safety for Fire Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) has been paramount in planning for the weekend.
The jewel in Christchurch’s crown, Banks Peninsula is a large and complex area when it comes to health and safety, particularly due to the risk of fires. The Port Hills were devastated by fires seven years ago, and again this February.
Following the 2017 Port Hills fires, Christchurch City Council’s Smart Cities team began investigating technology that could help detect fires early.
The answer? Thermal imaging sensors with artificial intelligence capability, produced by Attentis Technology. When in place, the sensors send real-time data directly to FENZ, with the artificial intelligence determining the early beginnings of a fire.
Wayne Hamilton - Senior Advisor for FENZTechnology like this is designed to assist with the early detection of fires similar to a fire alarm system in a building. Early detection of fire helps to reduce the impact of fire on our community and provides us real time intelligence.”
Senior Advisor for FENZ, Wayne Hamilton says, “Technology like this is designed to assist with the early detection of fires similar to a fire alarm system in a building. Early detection of fire helps to reduce the impact of fire on our community and provides us real time intelligence.”
For a month surrounding the SailGP event weekend, Smart Cities will place four temporary sensors around the hill areas of the harbour. The sensors have 360-degree cameras with thermal detection within a 1km radius and will immediately notify FENZ if a fire has been detected. This has been funded by Smart Cities and ChristchurchNZ.
Karena Finnie - ChristchurchNZ Head of Major EventsDue to the unique environment of Banks Peninsula and Whakaraupō, we want to take every measure we can to keep the community, event attendees and staff safe. This technology is a game changer for Christchurch when it comes to managing scenarios that we hope never happen but need to be prepared for.”
ChristchurchNZ Head of Major Events Karena Finnie says, “Due to the unique environment of Banks Peninsula and Whakaraupō, we want to take every measure we can to keep the community, event attendees and staff safe. This technology is a game changer for Christchurch when it comes to managing scenarios that we hope never happen but need to be prepared for.”
“Health and safety is always a top priority in planning for major events and having this award-winning technology as part of our toolkit for the event weekend gives us an added layer of fire detection.”
As well as notifying FENZ of potential fires, the sensors can send environmental monitoring, live micro-climate weather updates and air quality sensors, all accessible through a public app.
Smart Cities Manager Michael Healy says, “One of the key things that the Christchurch Port Hills fires have taught us is that we need to continue to innovate and look for better ways of prevention and management.
“Early detection and intelligence is essential for emergency response to mobilise as quickly as possible, and it also provides time for communities to take action.”
