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Innovation & Technology Request

A Dutch insurance company is looking for a smart system, a combination of technologies and methods, in order to prevent and signal chimney fires.

Country of Origin: Netherlands
Reference Number: TRNL20180328001
Publication Date: 28 March 2018

Summary

A Dutch insurance company is looking for methods and technologies to prevent chimney fires. They are seeking companies working in fire detection and/or the Internet of Things (signaling/measuring) to help develop a new smart system (broad toolbox) to detect and decrease chimney fires. They are seeking companies to carry out research via a research cooperation agreement, or to develop methodological and technological applications for the new system via a technical cooperation agreement.

Description

A known Dutch insurance company offers a wide variety of insurances to their clients. In order to execute an efficient and low cost insurance service, the company is also involved in the development and implementation of specific innovative programs regarding prevention and the limitation of damage. 

In their innovation laboratory the company works to combine innovative methods, services and new technology to come up with ideas and concepts that will be a future contribution to the security of their customers.



One of their focus areas is the creation of a safer home and living environment. The insurer has a large percentage members who have a woodstove or fireplace in their house. And this comes with an added risk, in the Netherlands alone, every year over 2000 chimney fires are reported. Most of these fires are caused by the build-up of creosote, which is often caused by incorrect heating behaviour and burning wrong materials.



The company is looking for novel insights such as methods, procedures and technologies (e.g. fire-resistant smooth coatings and highly communicative sensors, insight in heating behaviour) and other creative solutions which, used in a consorted action, will substantially prevent chimney fires. 

The company also wants to address the potential negative side effects of woodburning in highly populated areas, the solution could also provide suggestions on preventing these nuisances. For example if a smart system could connect with weather services and give suggestions based on data.



In order to fulfil this need the company is looking for effective and creative solutions. The company is aware of the fact that they are only able to solve this problem by working together. In collaboration the company would like to purchase a broad variety of ideas, behavioural methods and technologies.

Cooperation is sought with partners skilled in the prevention of fire in the frame of a research- or a technical cooperation agreement. But partners with expertise in developing internet of things  systems with a focus on measuring and signalling could also help in developing an appropriate solution.



This technology request is an innovation challenge and is published on an open innovation platform until May 25th 2018. If an organisation does express interest in cooperation with this firm before that date, it will be guided towards this open innovation platform on which one can get in touch via a chat function with the company. Mind that posts on this platform are not confidential.

Beside open discussions on the platform, sharing of confidential information will be made possible on demand. After that, the firm will select the SMEs with whom they would like to cooperate in the development of a solution.

Once the challenge is closed, EOIs for this technology request will be treated in the traditional way.

Expertise sought

Expertise, methods and technologies in order prevent chimney fires.

Furthermore, expertise in the development of smart systems and sensor technology.

Stage Of Development

Available for demonstration

Stage Of Development Comment

Since this technology request is part of an innovation challenge, the stage of development can be considered as broad from field tested to already on the market.

Requested partner

Type of partners: 

SMEs with a focus on the prevention and detection of fire and especially chimney fires.

SMEs specialized in developing internet of things systems with a focus on measuring and signaling

Role of partners:

- carrying out research together with the company under a research cooperation agreement.

- developing methodological and technological applications together with the company under a technical cooperation agreement.