Oikos Storage operates the UK’s largest independent liquid petroleum bulk storage facility. Located on the north bank of the Thames at Canvey Island in Essex, the terminal has supported the country’s transport fuel infrastructure for more than 70 years.
The facility receives liquid petroleum imports by ship and is the only independent terminal connected to both of the UK’s main underground pipeline distribution systems. This gives Oikos an important role in the distribution of road, aviation and bunker fuels.
Handling large quantities of highly flammable petroleum means safety is a critical part of everyday operations. Oikos operates under strict requirements including the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH) and has established a strong record across health, process safety and environmental performance.
Dependable communication forms an important part of maintaining those standards. When Oikos began reviewing its ageing fleet of Motorola GP340 ATEX analogue radios, the company approached MTech to recommend a modern replacement.
Moving to Digital ATEX Radios
Oikos was already using ATEX rated radios designed for environments where potentially explosive gases or materials may be present. Following a detailed survey of the terminal, MTech recommended moving from the existing analogue equipment to a digital ATEX radio system.
Motorola DP4401Ex and DP4801Ex two way radios were supplied, providing equipment specifically designed for demanding and potentially hazardous working environments with protection against water, gas and dust.
The radios also provide important safety functionality including Man Down and Lone Worker monitoring alongside integrated GPS location tracking. Longer battery life, clear audio and improved coverage help employees remain connected throughout their shifts, particularly when working in higher risk areas of the terminal.
To strengthen radio coverage and address potential blackspots, a Motorola SLR5500 repeater was also installed to improve communication across the site.
Greater Visibility from the Control Room
Alongside the radio equipment, MTech introduced software to give supervisors greater visibility and control over communications across the terminal.
Motorola TRBOnet Plus allows the two way radio network to be monitored and managed from a PC based control room, helping supervisors coordinate different teams and maintain oversight of activity across the site.
The platform provides functionality including voice dispatch and recording, incident logging, GPS geofencing and RF coverage monitoring. IP connectivity can also be used to connect remote users and networks, extending communication beyond the immediate radio system when required.
Supporting Future Growth
MOTOTRBO Capacity Plus was also introduced to provide additional capacity as Oikos’ communication requirements develop.
The digital trunking system increases the number of users that can be supported by the radio network, giving Oikos greater flexibility as operational requirements change.
Combining digital ATEX radios, improved site coverage, GPS functionality and centralised system management gives Oikos a dependable communication platform designed around the safety requirements of its operation while providing the capacity to support future growth.
