The grant from the Technology Strategy Board’s smart awards program will let Trolex develop a system that will lead to a safer underground working environment.

It expects to have the system ready for launch in 2015.

Fire in underground workings represents one of the greatest dangers to lives and livelihoods in the mining and tunnelling industries.

Detecting fire at an early stage is crucial to safeguard against the potential loss of life and assets.

The system will incorporate technologies, materials and concepts developed by Trolex to identify fire in its earliest stages.

It will be designed to outstrip existing single characteristic detection systems that often respond only when a fire is well established or burning near sensors.

The Trolex solution will use multiple sensors and detectors to monitor a wide area and use processing systems to make intelligent and accurate assessments.

The need for a fully integrated system solution to monitor the underground environment was highlighted by the recent fire at Daw Mill colliery.

The blaze led to the closure of the mine, the loss of hundreds of jobs and huge financial losses for UK energy.

It is expected Trolex’s development will significantly improve working conditions, protect lives and safeguard the environment.

While the system is to be designed predominantly for underground mining and tunnelling applications, it will be adaptable for certain applications above ground.