Key partnership facts
Key partnership facts
The challenge
Leak detection in plantrooms is a challenging and unsolved problem. Static sensors that can detect localised spillage do exist, however this would be a costly and impractical solution to install them densely across a large plantroom.
Project overview
We are collaborating with Innovate UK, and the robotics innovation facility (RIF) (based at the University of West Bristol) to develop an autonomous plantroom inspection platform. Leak detection was chosen as an important first task to be investigated by the RIF, as it is a challenging problem, that can be costly and impractical to detect with static sensors.
Our solution
Preliminary investigations suggested the idea of a robotic solution for the leak detection problem. The concept consisted of a mobile platform equipped with multiple sensors that could identify spillages.
This system would log the location of spillages and notify maintenance staff of their presence. To be able to successfully perform liquid spilling detection in a plantroom, the robotic solution would need to be able to work and adapt in a dynamic environment. The first stage of this project was to identify the most suitable platform for liquid spillage detection. After trialling two robotic platforms, the Leo Rover Platform was identified as the most suitable.
Key features of the Leo Rover Platform:
- Nimble
- Stable
- Long battery life (4 hours, with a 20-minute charge time)
- Easily transverse the plantroom walkways (can navigate corridors down to 50cm wide)
- In-built safety features to reduce the impact of battery failure, including having the battery contained within an IP-rated enclosure.
- The Leo Rover’s customisability would allow for changes, such as fitting larger wheels
There were also some features, such as opening doors, that neither platform trialled. As a result, it is likely that any future robotic platform will need to be modified to meet these requirements if they are deemed necessary.
Impact
The project revealed that a leak was detected 80% of the time. Resulting data insights indicate that there would be shorter and less frequent shutdowns for failure thus benefitting the NHS through mitigating patient care disruption
Testimonials
“The existing methods are predominantly manual through plantroom visual inspections by the operational team and alarm alerts from the Building Management System (BMS). This leads to a run-to-fail or blanket replacement programme which is not cost effective. The ideal scenario is to intervene just before the failure. This is both cost effective and frees up trained resources to perform more complex and technical maintenance tasks.”
- SIMON HAYMAN, REGIONAL DIRECTOR AT EQUANS UK & IRELAND
Frequently asked questions
The autonomous inspection platform uses a mobile robot equipped with multiple sensors to detect plantroom spillages, helping maintenance teams identify issues earlier and reduce unnecessary shutdowns.
Early leak identification leads to fewer and shorter shutdowns, meaning the hospital can avoid unexpected failures that disrupt clinical operations and patient services.
By continuously monitoring plantroom conditions and logging leak locations, the system moves the hospital away from reactive “run‑to‑fail” maintenance toward timely interventions before equipment failure occurs.
Our expertise
Equans supports businesses, communities and the public sector by mobilising its expertise to provide low-carbon energy solutions, offer cutting-edge technical and FM services and transformative regeneration across the UK & Ireland.
