Blackline Safety expands detection services to working dogs
Iain Hoey
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Detection devices deployed for canine leak work
Blackline Safety has deployed GPS-enabled gas monitoring devices for canine pipeline leak work in Calgary.
The company announced the first deployment to Calgary-based K9 Leak Hunters, which uses a trained canine unit for pipeline leak detection in rural oil and gas utilities.
Blackline Safety said the deployment involves German Shepherd Nala wearing a rented G6 single gas detector on her harness while handler and company CEO Jay Stephens works alongside her wearing a G7c Multi-Gas detector.
Nala’s wearable detector provides GPS-tagged gas readings intended to validate her findings in the field.
The data allows Stephens to produce a report for clients that combines the dog’s detection work with quantifiable gas readings for compliance and decision-making.
Blackline Safety also offers rentals of its connected safety devices alongside real-time monitoring support for canine security organisations, many of which it said are small businesses.
Detection data supports field reporting and lone worker protection
Blackline Safety said the devices used by K9 Leak Hunters are connected to the Blackline Live cloud-based 24-7 monitoring platform.
The devices include lone worker protection features such as emergency SOS alerts, fall detection, location monitoring and communication functions for Stephens when he is working alone with Nala.
Stephens said: “The technology is phenomenal and the dog is another layer.
“Dogs smell in parts per billion – which beats most traditional sensors – and then we confirm the findings with Blackline’s gas readings to decrease the likelihood of false indications.”
Stephens added: “The rental experience has been phenomenal.
“You get a piece of ridiculously amazing technology for a fraction of the cost of other gas detectors that have fewer capabilities.
“I feel like I have a million-dollar team backing me and that’s a huge win for a small business.”
Blackline Safety said its rental devices are available on demand on daily, weekly or monthly terms, with users paying for the time and number of devices required.