Need
Immediate intervention of the rescue teams with portable lighting systems with 24-hour operation; rapid illumination for both entire construction site and tent area.
Operating scenario
Collapse of the Rigopiano hotel following an avalanche triggered by an earthquake – January 18th, 2017 – around 5.00 pm
Environment
Extreme weather conditions: -10°C, snow up to 2 meters in several areas, gusts of wind up to 80 km/h; interruption of connection routes with the town; impossibility to reach the site by mechanical means; impossibility of transporting metal tower lighting systems; rescue stack leaving at approximately 19:30-20:00; interruption of power supplies.
Solution
Nr. 2 Towerlux, 1000W lamp, 90000 km with mains power supplied by the Fire Brigade nucleus of Pepoli (PE), carried by shoulders to the location of the accident, operating 24/7 non-stop from January 19th to the 26th. Powered by a 3 KW cycloconverter portable generator using extensions with CE 16A IP 67 sockets.
Main success factors
Reduced weight and resistance. 23 kg of weight and 60x40x60 cm of footprint can be taken anywhere. No additional accessory items needed. Wind resistance for up to 140 km/h and in the harshest meteorological conditions.
General success factors
- high lighting power;
- lighting spread over 360°;
- lack of glare;
- diffused lighting comfort without excessively lit areas.
Documentation
Technical analysis and test report by the Fire Brigade; RAI 3 documentary.
What they said
“The use of TOWERLUX proved crucial ever since the earliest hours, as its ease of use made it possible to reach the intervention area in absolute comfort, without any burden in terms of weights and vibrations on an already severely compromised context. The intensity of the light generated and its uniformity of irradiation, perfectly appreciable throughout the entire target area, allowed the rescue teams to operate safely in the many areas concerned. Finally, its reliability during 15 uninterrupted working hours a day for 7 consecutive days under the most adverse weather conditions was absolutely key: snow, rain, wind, low temperatures (approximately – 10 degrees).
Report VV Christian Salutari. Pepoli 25/02/2017
Conclusion
“First Aiders” have the difficult task of evaluating the scenario and making decisive choices, within a short time and almost always in critical conditions. Speed of restoration for visibility is an essential condition for setting up the appropriate intervention strategy. After their use in Rigopiano, the use of EIL Systems portable field lighting is contemplated in the interventions guidelines for all similar scenarios.
The use of EIL Systems in emergency conditions has saved lives, and allowed for rapid provision of needed services, as was the case in the railway disaster occurred in Uttar Pradesh (India) on March 20th, 2015.
