Hyundai Construction Develops 'Pre-Detection Safety IoT System' for Infection, Flooding, and Fire

Added '3 Types of Safety Services' to In-house Safety Management Platform 'HIoS'
Technology Applied at Smart Construction Innovation Site 'Daegu Government Integrated Data Center'
Expected Expansion to Other Sites and Enhanced On-site Safety through Big Data Analysis

Daegu Data Center HIoS Dashboard Screen View. / Provided by Hyundai Engineering & Construction.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kangwook Cho] Hyundai Engineering & Construction announced on the 22nd that it has developed a safety IoT (Internet of Things) system that detects abnormal signs at construction sites such as worker infections, flooding, and fires in advance, and will strengthen safety management.

Earlier, Hyundai Engineering & Construction became the first construction company to independently develop the safety management system HIoS (Hyundai IoT Safety System) in 2019. Recently, Hyundai Engineering & Construction Technology Research Institute additionally developed the "infection, flooding, and fire accident response functions," which have been highlighted as major safety issues, providing a total of seven on-site safety services including the existing four accident response functions (worker location tracking, confined space gas leak detection, T/C collision prevention, and environmental complaint management).

Currently, the additional technologies are being integrally applied at Hyundai Engineering & Construction’s smart construction innovation site, the Daegu Government Integrated Data Center, and there are plans to expand application to other sites in the future to lead the enhancement of safety at construction sites.

The worker infection response function links thermal imaging cameras with entry and exit gates to check workers’ body temperatures upon site entry and prohibits entry if fever symptoms are detected. The movement paths of all workers on site are continuously tracked, and detailed movement routes such as the worker’s work section and time are stored as big data in HIoS.

This information enables rapid provision of necessary data for epidemiological investigations to government and related agencies within one minute in case of a COVID-19 infection occurrence on site, by identifying the infected worker’s movement paths over the past two weeks and contact with other employees. In addition, site entry blocking, isolation, and epidemiological investigations are conducted to minimize infection spread, and timely responses and measures such as setting construction suspension zones and disinfection work through worker route analysis are possible, minimizing the risk of infection occurrence.

To proactively respond to flooding accident risks at underground construction sites such as immersed tunnels and deep long tunnels, Hyundai Engineering & Construction developed a flooding response function that collects and transmits real-time flooding and water level data. This flooding response function is especially effective for site management during the rainy season such as summer monsoons.

Flood sensors installed on site measure contact with water in an On/Off manner and provide installation location information and status data. Water level data measures the distance from the measurement location to the water surface to manage the remaining water level until overflow. When values exceed or fall below preset thresholds, they are displayed as caution or danger levels, and real-time alerts are sent via text messages to safety managers or pre-designated administrators. Water level and flood sensors allow information checking not only by zone but also for the entire site, enabling comprehensive and efficient site management.

To proactively respond to fires, Hyundai Engineering & Construction also developed technology that detects leaks of volatile organic compounds and flammable gases that may occur at construction sites and provides alarms. Various gas sensors are integrated into a single housing, and to respond to changes in gas generation points depending on construction types, the housing is designed to be mobile.

The VOC sensor provides historical information by gas type in chart form, allowing for post-event history management. Similar to the flood sensor function, when values exceed or fall below preset thresholds, real-time alerts are sent via text messages to safety managers or pre-designated administrators.

A Hyundai Engineering & Construction official stated, "We will continue big data analysis based on worker location and sensor data stored in HIoS and devote ourselves to enhancing safety at construction sites through smart safety management methods befitting the status of a global construction company."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.