United States
Client
Torre New York Life
Partner: ACIL México
Torre New York Life is an office skyscraper located in Mexico City, Mexico. With 35 floors and a total height of 499 feet, it is one of the tallest buildings in the country. Torre New York Life is known for its modern design and extensive use of advanced technologies. The office tower actively integrates smart solutions to optimize daily operations, enhance security, and improve overall efficiency.
Challenge
Build a smart leak risk management system for a 35-floor office tower
Living up to its high-tech reputation, Torre New York Life has automated many critical systems within the building. However, plumbing and water supply remained uncovered.
Water leaks can cause significant damage to foundations, walls, furniture, and costly office equipment. The repairs disrupt regular business operations and may even require temporary office closures.
Torre New York Life needed a smart solution to prevent such situations.
Solution
Wireless water leak prevention system with automation scenarios
After analyzing the client’s request, ACIL México recognized an Ajax system as the most suitable solution thanks to its advanced wireless technologies, proven reliability, and scalability.
Torre New York Life is a challenging facility to protect. It is a multi-story construction with many metal and concrete obstacles that affect radio signal strength. For this reason, an installer chose the wireless Hub 2 (4G) Jeweller control panel as a core of the system. With a communication range of 6,550 feet, this model has no problem transmitting signals despite the obstacles and covers several floors.
Hub 2 (4G) Jeweller supports up to 100 devices. This allows for a large system with fewer control panels and provides room for future scaling.
To further expand the system’s coverage, the ReX 2 Jeweller radio signal range extender was added. With some smart planning, the installer was able to cover the 35 floors using two hubs and five range extenders.
To detect leaks, the system uses 48 LeaksProtect Jeweller wireless water leak detectors. They were placed throughout the building in areas prone to leaks, such as under sinks and near boilers. The devices require no installation and have a battery life of up to 5 years. This makes them low-maintenance, which is important given their large number throughout the facility.
LeaksProtect Jeweller detectors react as soon as water contacts their sensors and instantly transmit an alarm to the hub. The devices are addressable, meaning users know exactly when and where the leakage happened and respond quickly.
To stop water supply in case of a leakage, 24 Ajax WaterStop Jeweller shutoff valves were installed at critical water points of the building. Once the leak detector is triggered, the valve automatically shuts off the water within seven seconds, preventing any damage.
Ajax WaterStop Jeweller comes in three most common valve sizes, which allows for easy integration into the existing plumbing system. Unlike most shutoff valves, this model doesn’t require an external power supply. It runs on batteries for up to three years, reducing maintenance costs.
The detectors and valves can work together thanks to automation scenarios. Hub 2 (4G) Jeweller supports up to 32 scenarios, providing many customization options. The valves can be configured to respond to specific leak detectors. For example, a leak under a bathroom sink will shut off water to the bathroom's valve, while the water supply to the kitchen on the same floor remains unaffected. Additionally, water can be automatically shut off not only when a leak is detected but also by arming/disarming the system or by schedule.
The Ajax system notifies tower personnel and ACIL México about leaks in real time via Ajax apps. Users receive detailed information about the leakage, including which detector was triggered, the time, and the location where it occurred. The apps enable users to manually open or close the valve and allow installers to remotely adjust system settings. The system is supported by ACIL’s subscription plan, which covers maintenance, updates, technical support, and 24/7 monitoring.
With this comprehensive solution, Torre New York Life has significantly improved its emergency response capabilities with a minimal set of devices. The system has proven effective, successfully preventing eight flood incidents in three months and protecting the facility from further damage and costly repairs.
Why Ajax
Strong and reliable wireless connection. Ensuring broad coverage is difficult, especially with wires. Ajax long-range wireless solution perfectly addresses this challenge without compromising reliability. The encrypted Jeweller radio protocol ensures stable communication over distances of up to 6,550 feet. This made it possible to cover the entire 35-floor building with just two hubs and five range extenders.
Easy installation and low maintenance. Quick deployment is a core feature across all Ajax solutions. The leak detectors need no installation and fit even in hard-to-reach places where pipes are usually hidden. The shutoff valves are easily integrated with an existing plumbing system. With pre-installed batteries, these devices run for years with minimal maintenance.
Automation scenarios. The system automatically stops the leakage before it becomes a problem. The shutoff valves can be configured to react to an alarm from corresponding leak detectors to avoid unnecessary shutdowns. These scenarios can be created remotely via the app.
