Coltraco 2024 Year End Review – Our Growth Journey
As we approach the end of 2024, we would like to extend our warmest thanks from everyone at Coltraco for your support throughout this year.
January 2, 2025
Welcome to Coltraco Ultrasonics’ range of portable Liquid Level Indicators.
We pride ourselves in our UK made, high-quality, reliable, and accurate instrumentation designed for fire suppression systems such as CO2, FM-200™, NOVEC™ 1230, Halons and a wide variety of other clean agents.
We have been developing non-invasive level detection technology for over 30 years and are proud leaders in this field.
Coltraco Ultrasonics are global leaders in the monitoring of liquefied and non-liquefied gaseous extinguishing systems that protect high-asset value installations and critical national infrastructure.
Portagas® is a world’s first technology for non-invasive, non-destructive monitoring of pressurised, inert gas systems.
It is a unique and innovative solution designed to monitor the pressure of pressurized, non-liquefied inert gases and compressed gas cylinders, including Inergen®, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Propane, Methane, Chlorine, Ammonia, Hydrogen, and CO2.
Utilizing sophisticated signal processing and acoustic technology to detect even minor fluctuations in internal cylinder pressure, with precision below the 5% required by regulations and by detecting marginal changes in the internal cylinder pressure with precision well below 5% demanded by the regulations, making it a valuable tool for ensuring safety and compliance.
P/N: 3107505-GAS
Portalevel® MAX PLUS is our latest high-spec UL listed addition to our line of handheld, battery powered liquid level indicators. With Portalevel® MAX PLUS, an operator can rapidly and reliably detect the liquid level within a fire cylinder with a clear GAS / LIQUID interface, with an accuracy of ±1.5mm in under 30 seconds.
P/N: 2290334-COMXPS
NSN: 6680-99-275-5292
IMPA MSG P/N: 652776
KD983 CAGE code – COLTRACO LIMITED
Portalevel® MAX NIPPON is a handheld, battery powered liquid level indicator specifically designed to be used on the thicker-walled cylinders which are common in Japan. It comes with a sensor extension rod for testing banks of cylinders and Portalevel® MAX NIPPON is specially calibrated as a solution for cylinders commonly used in the Japanese fire sector.
P/N: 2290334-COMX-NIP
KD983 CAGE code – COLTRACO LIMITED
The Portalevel® ORIGINAL is our low-cost, portable and battery powered, liquid level indicator designed to non-invasively, accurately, and reliably measure the level of fire suppression agent contained within a cylinder. The Portalevel® is suitable for most standard size cylinders containing CO2, Liquified Clean Agents and Halons.
P/N: 2290334-OR
The Portalevel® MINI is a portable and battery powered, liquid level indicator designed to non-invasively, accurately, and reliably measure the level of fire suppression agent contained within a cylinder. The Portalevel® MINI is suitable for most standard size cylinders containing CO2, Liquified Clean Agents and Halons.
P/N: 2290334-MINI
The Portalevel® INTRINSICALLY SAFE is an ultrasonic liquid level indicator approved for Zone 1 and Zone 2 ATEX and IECEx hazardous or explosive environments.
P/N: 2290334-IS
The Portasteele® CALCULATOR is the perfect partner to any of Coltraco Ultrasonics’ liquid level detectors. It allows you to convert your measured liquid level to an agent weight, precisely and accurately. These readings can then be saved and exported for future reference and traceability.
Used in partnership with the Portalevel® Ultrasonic Level Indicator range
P/N: CALC-007
Using ultrasonic technology to check the contents of your fire suppression cylinders is non-invasive, non-destructive and non-disruptive meaning it is safer for personnel and does not require the user to shut down the fire suppression system during inspection. The use of ultrasonic technology is a regulatory approved alternative method for monitoring the contents of cylinders. Our range of ultrasonic liquid level indicators (LLI) are accurate to ±1.5 mm.
The non-disruptive, non-invasive nature of ultrasound contents monitoring in-situ and operational. This process takes around 30-seconds per cylinder using our easy-to-use, intuitive technology. Compare this to traditional, manual weighing which requires lifting equipment, multiple people and around 15-minutes for inspection.
Over the long term, our devices are cheaper and save you time and money. Enabling inspection to take place without disruption of your cylinder installation means no shut-down, saving time and no requirement for multiple operators, saving labour costs. We have a large range of level monitoring technology allowing us to be competitive with pricing and Coltraco Ultrasonics have a “Price Promise” to be the most competitive on the market. For more information on how our devices support your fire suppression products and fire suppression systems, get in touch with Coltraco Ultrasonics today.
Fire suppression systems consist of a group of fire cylinders, either welded seam, or seamless depending on the pressure and are integral for protecting vital infrastructure, people and assets from damage due to fire. Fixed fire suppression systems are used to extinguish, control and prevent fires from spreading. These systems are used in a vast variety of applications in multiple sectors and environments all with unique requirements and challenges associated with the installation.
The way that the fire suppression system works and the standard configuration of a fixed fire suppression system includes a bank of high-pressure cylinders. These cylinders contain a fixed quantity of fire suppression agent used to extinguish a fire and are controlled by a centralised fire panel and actuating system. We specialise in the monitoring of all types of liquified fire suppression agents, but the most common types are CO2, FM-200™, NOVEC™ 1230 and Halons.
In the event a fire is detected the centralised monitoring system, which usually consists of detecting heat and smoke detectors, that trigger the alert system and activates the fire suppression system. The cylinder valves are opened, and the pressure of the cylinders drive the agent through a pipe network to be discharged at the point of fire. In some cases, these systems are supported by ancillary nitrogen cylinders if the distance the agent needs to travel is great.
Fire suppression solutions, especially high-pressure cylinders can leak and fail over time. Regulations state that storage container contents must be checked at least every six months, which ensures that the system is fully operational and contains the correct volume of agent sufficient to suppress a fire.
ISO 14520-1:2015 (Gaseous fire-extinguishing systems – Physical properties and system design – Part 1: General requirements)
Chapter 9.2 Inspection, 9.2.1 General
9.2.1.3: The storage container contents shall be checked every 6 months as follows:
Liquefied gases: for halocarbon agents, if a container shows a loss of agent in quantity of more than 5% or a loss of pressure (adjusted for certain temperature) of more than 10%, it shall be refilled or replaced
Annex F – System Performance Verification
Every 6 months: perform the following checks and inspections:
For liquefied gases, check the weight or use a liquid level indicator to verify the correct content of containers; replace or refill any showing a loss of more than 5%
All of our liquid level indicators (LLI) use ultrasonic sensors to identify the contents of fire suppression cylinders. Ultrasonic sensor technology or Ultrasonic Testing (UT) is a reliable, versatile and safe method for Non-Destructive-Testing (NDT). Ultrasonic waves are sound waves with frequencies above the upper limit of human hearing (above 20 kHz, or 20,000 Hz). Sound waves are mechanical waves that travel in a straight line and require a medium through which to travel. The propagation and attenuation of sound waves depend on the structure of the medium down to an atomic level; therefore, ultrasound is a useful method of studying a material’s structure and the processes occurring within it.
Whilst the highest frequency a human can hear is around 20,000 Hz, Our Portalevel® units are high-frequency ultrasound transmitters that use sound at a frequency of 1,000,000 Hz or 1 MHz. To do this, the main unit sends a strong electrical signal to the sensor (a piezoelectric crystal), which then emits a high energy pulse of ultrasound into the fire cylinder wall through what is known as the reverse piezoelectric effect.
The ultrasound that is produced is conducted through the solid walls of the container and then interacts with the contents (CO, FM™-200, NOVEC™1230, etc.). After the sensor, also known as an ultrasound transducer, stops emitting ultrasound, it starts listening for the returning echoes of the signal. It sends these signals back to the main electronic unit, which then analyses the returning signal in comparison to the calibration signal taken for each cylinder. This allows Coltraco’s range of liquid level indicators to detect the presence or absence of liquid behind the area of the container wall where the sensor is placed without disturbing the contents.
Ultrasound interacts differently depending on the transducer and crystal. The diagram on the left (above) shows bulk waves in gas travelling radially inwards from the walls of a fire cylinder. Displacement is in the direction of propagation. The diagram on the right represents shear waves propagating radially over the surface of the cylinder from the point of the transducer contact. Displacement, in this case, is perpendicular to the direction of propagation. This information along with advanced signal analysis and calibration algorithms, provide us with a clear picture of contents inside the cylinder and allows us to differentiate between the liquid and gas section.
Fire cylinders come in two main types: welded seam and seamless cylinders. Welded seam cylinders are constructed by welding together two halves of a cylinder shell, offering a more cost-effective solution. On the other hand, seamless cylinders are crafted from a single piece of material without any welded seams, providing superior strength and durability. Seamless cylinders are often preferred for critical applications like fire suppression systems due to their enhanced safety and reliability.
Fixed fire suppression systems commonly utilize various agent types tailored to specific fire hazards. These include water-based systems, such as sprinklers and deluge systems, effective for ordinary combustibles. Chemical agents like dry chemicals, foam, and halon alternatives are suitable for Class A, B, and C fires. Carbon dioxide (CO2) systems are preferred for electrical fires and flammable liquids. Clean agents like FM-200 and Novec 1230 offer non-conductive, residue-free suppression for sensitive equipment and spaces. Finally, inert gases like nitrogen and argon displace oxygen to smother fires, ideal for occupied areas where minimal damage is crucial.
There are primarily two types of fire suppression systems: passive and active. Passive systems rely on fire-resistant building materials, structural design features, and compartmentalization to prevent the spread of fire. These measures are in place before a fire occurs and do not require activation. On the other hand, active fire suppression systems are activated in response to a fire. They include systems such as fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, gaseous agents, and foam-based systems, which are designed to suppress or extinguish fires once they are detected.
The five different classes of fire are Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class K:
The most common fire suppression system is the sprinkler system. It is widely used in commercial, industrial, and residential buildings due to its effectiveness in detecting and suppressing fires. Sprinkler systems consist of a network of pipes with sprinkler heads strategically placed throughout the building. When the heat from a fire activates a sprinkler head, water is released to control or extinguish the fire, limiting its spread and reducing property damage.
Fire suppression systems encompass various levels of protection based on their design and application. Level 1 comprises portable fire extinguishers, essential for initial fire response in diverse settings. Level 2 consists of fixed systems tailored to automatically detect and suppress fires in specific areas or equipment. Level 3 involves fire sprinkler systems, widely used in buildings to deliver water or other extinguishing agents upon fire detection. Level 4 addresses special hazards with engineered systems, while Level 5 integrates fire protection into building infrastructure, emphasizing passive measures like fire-resistant materials. Each level offers escalating levels of protection against diverse fire risks.
In the UK, the standard fire classification system uses letters to categorise different classes of fires. The standard fire classification in the UK includes Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class F. The classifications are similar to the ones mentioned earlier, where Class A refers to fires involving solid combustible materials, Class B involves flammable liquids, gases or a gaseous agent, Class C involves electrical fires, Class D involves fires with combustible metals, and Class F involves fires related to cooking oils and fats.
The main difference between fixed fire suppression systems and portable fire suppression systems lies in their application and mobility. Fixed fire suppression systems are permanently installed in specific locations, such as buildings, industrial facilities, or vehicles. They are designed to automatically detect and suppress fires without human intervention. Examples include sprinkler systems, gaseous suppression systems, and foam systems. On the other hand, portable fire suppression systems are designed to be easily moved and operated by individuals. They are typically handheld or wheeled devices that can be carried to the location of a fire. Examples include fire extinguishers and firefighting backpacks. While fixed systems provide continuous protection for designated areas, portable systems offer flexibility and can be used in various locations as needed.
Our air leakage detection systems use ultrasound to monitor the airtight integrity of any room or compartment.
Our watertight integrity leak detectors use ultrasound to monitor the watertight integrity of any room or compartment
Acoustic, non-invasive pressure monitoring systems.
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As we approach the end of 2024, we would like to extend our warmest thanks from everyone at Coltraco for your support throughout this year.
The Naval Damage Control Conference 2024 sought to discuss innovative technologies and training, with the objective to improve damage control, firefighting, and survivability in the
As one of the world’s first innovative portable ultrasonic liquid level indicator with a brand new dual certification, Coltraco Ultrasonic’s Portalevel® INTRINSICALLY SAFE (Portalevel® IS) meets stringent safety standards for explosive atmospheres, making it suitable for use globally in both Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous areas. The device measures liquid levels contained in fire suppression cylinders and other types of tanks stored in hazardous zone environments.
