Weather monitoring plays a critical role in understanding our environment, predicting natural disasters, and enabling informed decision-making. However, the instruments designed to provide accurate meteorological data are often placed in precarious locations. Often they are exposed to harsh weather conditions too. Frangible masts ensure both the safety of the weather monitoring equipment and the reliability of the data collected. In this blog post, we will discuss how frangible masts are essential in safeguarding weather instruments during hazardous conditions.
Weather instruments in harsh environments
Meteorological instruments, including anemometers, wind vanes, and rain gauges, are frequently installed at height, to capture unobstructed data. While optimal for data collection, this exposes the instruments to a wide range of challenges. These include high winds, lightning, ice accumulation, and even collisions with birds or aircraft. Rigid structures can suffer damage under these conditions, potentially leading to inaccurate data and costly repairs. The safety of technicians during maintenance could also be jeopardised, which is a significant concern.
Frangible masts
Frangible masts, such as the fibreglass (fiberglass) ones offered by Pollite, offer an innovative solution to this challenge. They are intentionally engineered to break or deform upon impact. This controlled frangibility is key to safeguarding both the weather instruments and the people involved in maintaining them.
They do this by:
Impact absorption: Frangible masts are constructed to absorb the force of impact, redistributing the energy and minimising damage to the instruments. This prevents costly repairs and downtime that can result from a rigid structure failing under stress.
Reduced debris: In the event of a collision, frangible masts break into smaller, less hazardous pieces compared to rigid structures. This reduces the risk of injury to technicians and minimises the potential for collateral damage.
Weather-resistant materials: Frangible masts made from fibreglass (fiberglass) are weather-resistant. This ensures they can withstand the elements while maintaining their structural integrity.
Easy replacement: Frangible masts are easily replaceable after an impact. This reduces downtime and ensures uninterrupted data collection.
Frangible masts are the solution to the complex challenges presented by weather monitoring instruments. Their frangibility allows them to ensure the safety of both the instruments and maintenance personnel. Nowadays there is an increasing reliance on accurate meteorological data. Frangible masts represent an opportunity for minimal interruption to the flow of data garnered from weather monitoring equipment.
Why choose Pollite?
Pollite are one of the largest manufacturers of fibreglass (fiberglass) masts in Europe with an international presence that spans across Europe, Asia, USA, the Middle East, and Australasia. We work with our clients across every aspect of the design and manufacturing process to create bespoke engineered solutions and deliver masts that are, globally, the best in class. Contact us now to discuss your project requirements.