Deploying FIDO Sensors for Fixed Network Monitoring

-

FOR network monitoring you need to deploy a FIDO sensor and a FIDO Relay unit at assets across your network.  You can deploy them at any asset but you need to select them carefully to make sure your network is completely covered.  To help avoid data blind spots, you can use FIDO’s optional optimal deployment location (ODL) feature.  This will automatically show the best locations for your sensors to guarantee complete coverage. 

Before you start deploying your FIDO devices, click the ‘GIS’ download button in the bottom left corner of your app home screen. 

Deploying Devices at Optimal Deployment Locations (ODLs)

If you have opted to use optimal deployment locations (ODLs) as part of your FIDO account, you need to enable them on your home screen map. Press ‘Filters’ in the top right corner and scroll to ‘ODLs’. Slide the toggle to on, then go back to the home screen. You should now see all the ODLs that have been identified on your network GIS. These will show as icons on your map.

To deploy a sensor and a Relay device at any ODL, first go to its location and open the app. Click on the ODL icon on the map. At this point the app will give you two choices, ‘Deploy to ODL’ or ‘Can’t Deploy to Asset’.

If you press ‘Can’t Deploy to Asset’ you will be given three further choices; ‘Permanently Unavailable’ is used if an asset has been tarmacked over or is lost for any other reason; ‘Temporarily Unavailable’ is used if something is obstructing access, such as a parked car; and, ‘Requires Maintenance’ is used is you are unable to gain access to the asset, for instance if the chamber is stuck shut. Guided workflows built into the app will explain the steps you need to take for all these options.

If the chamber is accessible, open it to check that the asset is usable (there is no dirt burying the asset etc.) and click on 'Deploy to ODL’. You will be taken to the sensor page where the app will list all the FIDO sensors it can detect within your phone’s Bluetooth range. Select the ID of the sensor you are going to use at the ODL then press ‘Start Session’, making sure that ‘System mode’ is selected in the dropdown menu. You can now press ‘Confirm’ to go to the next screen. This will show you all of the session information including Session ID, Sensor ID, Start time, Interval and Sample length.

Tap ‘Photo markup’ to take a picture of the asset to show that it is clear of any obstruction. Also take pictures clearly showing the sensor in position ON the asset and pictures from upstream and downstream of the asset showing its location. This will help any future technician locate the sensor if needed.

Deploying Devices on Other GIS Assets

If you are not using ODLs, then go to the asset you wish to deploy on, open the app and select the asset’s icon on the app. Next, press the icon which appears to the right of the screen. This will take you through to the sensor screen, where you can select and instruct the sensor you are going to use in exactly the same way as when using ODLs.

Once the sensor has been deployed it is time to get the Relay device in place and active. To begin with, place the Relay unit into the asset chamber. The unit should either be flat to the bottom of the lid if there is space, or otherwise be placed with the thick side facing downwards on the side of the chamber, as shown below.

When the Relay unit is in place, open your app’s home screen, press ‘Devices’ in the bottom left corner and select ‘Relays’ at the top of the page. All Relay units within your phone’s Bluetooth range will appear. Select the ID of the Relay unit that you have placed in the chamber. The Relay unit’s status will show as ‘Asleep’. Press ‘Deploy’ to open a screen showing the above graphic and double-check that your Relay has been installed correctly. You then have the option to ‘Choose network type manually’. If you are unsure, leave this toggled off and the Relay will automatically connect to the default network for the area. When you are happy, select ‘Relay is in position’. The app will show you a progress bar while the Relay connects to the network. There is a 5 minute time out. If the Relay cannot connect within this time it will fail to deploy.

Once the Relay is connected, a message will appear saying ‘Relay deployed successfully’. Press ‘OK’ to go back to the Relay page. The status will have changed to ‘Deployed’ with a green light next to it.

With everything now complete, make sure to close the chamber lid before moving on to the next deployment.