Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
ManagementPhysicalSecurity Enterprise ServicesSecurity Leadership and ManagementSecurity & Business ResilienceSecurity Education & TrainingFire & Life SafetyPhysical SecurityVideo Surveillance

Preventing toxic landfill fires with thermal surveillance

Case Study

By Steve Lindsey
Landfill4-LVT.png

Image courtesy of LiveView Technologies and the Intermountain Regional Landfill

Landfill3-LVT.png

Image courtesy of LiveView Technologies and the Intermountain Regional Landfill

Landfill2-LVT.png

Image courtesy of LiveView Technologies and the Intermountain Regional Landfill

Landfill4-LVT.png
Landfill3-LVT.png
Landfill2-LVT.png
August 27, 2021

Getting rid of garbage is a lucrative business. But it can also be dangerous business.

Waste management is a $200 billion industry in North America, underscoring just how valuable garbage disposal is in every community. The logistics of waste management, though, rely on a complex web of commercial dump trucks, transfer stations, and trash compactors — which ultimately leads to the landfills where risks pile up alongside waste. 

It’s the job of the landfill to ensure that garbage is dumped safely and securely, which can be a devilish challenge. While thefts and break-ins are top of mind for landfill operators, the greatest fear is the outbreak of a fire. Decomposing waste can generate tremendous heat, and landfills often contain discarded grease, gas, and flammable chemicals from consumer products. All it takes is a single spark to trigger a fire that can last days, if not weeks or months, contaminating the air and soil with whatever burns up.

Luckily, innovations in thermal detection technology make it much easier for waste management companies to prevent these fires before they happen — not only making the job safer but also avoiding environmental pollution and saving precious resources during summer droughts.  

 

The big problem with little batteries

Approximately 1,800 fires occurred at landfills and garbage facilities last year, according to an industry analysis by Waste360, highlighting the severity of the problem. These fires not only threaten the businesses running landfills, but more importantly, they can endanger people who work on-site: At least 23 people were injured by fires in the waste and recycling industry in 2020, according to Waste360’s report.

Many of those landfill fires are caused by lithium-ion batteries — the sort of rechargeable battery found in phones, laptops, and other consumer technology — because they can easily spark when punctured or damaged. A 2020 industry study concluded that the fire risk caused by these batteries is “significantly too high.” They also pose a clear environmental problem: When batteries burn in a landfill fire, they can release harmful toxins that wind up in the nearby air, water, and soil.

Because batteries are often disposed of improperly, and because it’s impossible to find and remove every one of them before they’re dumped in a landfill, it’s all the more critical for waste management companies to identify potential fires before they erupt into full-blown infernos.

 

The high cost of a landfill fire

Established in 2011, the Intermountain Regional Landfill is a private, locally-owned business that provides waste disposal services to Utah, Davis, and Salt Lake counties. And, until recently, operations manager Brian Alba estimated that lithium-ion batteries caused 90% of IRL’s fires.

The landfill is located in a highly rural area, just west of Eagle Mountain, so when a fire broke out overnight in 2017, it quickly became a severe problem at the tipping face where garbage trucks unload waste.

The fire, which was already out of control by the time Alba arrived on-site, forced the landfill to shut down for four days. For that stretch of time, Alba and the IRL staff had to work in shifts to put out the blaze. (While the local fire department does train landfill workers, the business is responsible for fighting fires on site.) After such a draining experience, it was clear to Alba and general manager Rob Richards that they needed a more proactive and preventative strategy to avoid fires.

 

Detecting hot spots with thermal cameras

After the fire at IRL, Alba purchased two thermal cameras from LiveView Technologies (LVT) to pair with a 360-degree security camera he uses to monitor the site. If the thermal sensors detect a temperature spike of 251 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, the alert system kicks in. The security camera will automatically spin to the hot spot, record a 10-second video clip, and then send Alba a notification with the footage so he can determine appropriate action.

“Had we had the thermal cameras beforehand, the fire wouldn’t have gotten out of hand,” he says. “Since we installed them, there have not been any fires. We immediately see if something is smoldering, so we can send one of the guys or myself to smother it with dirt and keep watch.”

The benefits of an early warning thermal surveillance system quickly add up. IRL has reduced its fire risk, keeping its site safer and its operating costs down while also preventing environmental pollution and conserving drought-depleted resources in its community. And, for Alba’s part, there’s also the peace of mind that the site is secure.

“Not having to wonder if you’ll get a phone call in the middle of the night from the fire department saying your landfill is on fire, for us, that’s priceless,” he says. “I sleep better at night for sure.” 

KEYWORDS: business continuity emergency response tool natural disasters security cameras thermal cameras

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Steve Lindsey came to LiveView Technologies (LVT) in 2011. He has extensive experience with electronic engineering and specializes in computer programming. He began his career by selling computers and installing CAT 5 and fiber optic cables, and later worked for Novell on their NetWare, GroupWise, and eDirectory technologies, as the CTO at i3 Technologies, as well as starting his own company called AudioShare which was a first-of-its-kind digital audio distribution network. Because of this varied work history, Lindsey has a deep understanding of programming, engineering, networking, digital signal processing, RF engineering, and even physical wiring, all of which has had a powerful influence on LVT’s product offering. He won the 2007 Utah Innovations Award in Electronics Hardware and is currently on the annual selection committee. Lindsey has a bachelor’s degree in electronic and information technologies from Brigham Young University. He is married and has seven children. In his spare time, he enjoys music, including writing and playing four instruments, and biking. 

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Cybersecurity
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    Technologies & Solutions
    By: Charles Denyer
Manage My Account
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Sureview screen
    Sponsored bySureView Systems

    The Evolution of Automation in the Command Center

  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

Popular Stories

Rendered computer with keyboard

16B Login Credentials Exposed in World’s Largest Data Breach

Verizon on phone screen

61M Records Listed for Sale Online, Allegedly Belong to Verizon

Security’s 2025 Women in Security

Security’s 2025 Women in Security

Red spiderweb

From Retail to Insurance, Scattered Spider Changes Targets

blurry multicolored text on black screen

PowerSchool Education Technology Company Announces Data Breach

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

July 17, 2025

Tech in the Jungle: Leveraging Surveillance, Access Control, and Technology in Unique Environments

What do zebras, school groups and high-tech surveillance have in common? They're all part of a day’s work for the security team at the Toledo Zoo.

August 7, 2025

Threats to the Energy Sector: Implications for Corporate and National Security

The energy sector has found itself in the crosshairs of virtually every bad actor on the global stage.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • camera surveillance

    The new rules of security: How AI will transform video surveillance

    See More
  • parking-lot-freepik

    3 ways video surveillance can boost parking lot security

    See More
  • New Newswire Feature Image 3/8/2012

    Security Officer Is Charged With Setting 8 Fires at 2 Manhattan Hotels

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • s in europe.jpg

    Surveillance in Europe

  • intelligent.jpg

    Intelligent Network Video: Understanding Modern Video Surveillance Systems, Second Edition

  • 9780367667887.jpg

    Surveillance, Privacy and Security

See More Products

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • June 15, 2012

    Axis Thermal Cameras

    Axis thermal cameras allow users to detect people, objects and incidents in complete darkness, bright daylight, and difficult conditions such as smoke, haze, dust, and light fog. In this webinar, we’ll highlight Axis thermal camera series and capabilities.
View AllSubmit An Event
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing