Avery Dennison Debuts Extra-Durable High-Memory EPC Gen 2 Tag

The refinery's RFID implementation—which went into operation in early October—is expected to include 400 to 500 tags, the majority of which will be used on personnel. The tags will be embedded in specialized clothing employees wear when responding to emergencies. As first responders go out to an emergency, a supervisor holding an interrogator will capture tag data as the responders pass by. Not only will a responder's movement into and out of an emergency site be captured, but the amount of time that individual works at that site will also be logged. Such data can help ensure that responders are not exposed to dangerous conditions for too long. The information can also be uploaded into the refinery's payroll system.

According to Rabb, the RFID system will get plenty of use, and is replacing a process that included pen and paper and manual headcounts. "Refineries and chemical plants probably have small controlled incidents once a week," he states. "That's anything from popped-off valves, exploding steam releases, small fires, to pipeline bursts. The RFID system is scaled for small incidents and large incidents."

The refinery is also in the process of tagging assets in order to keep track of them during an emergency response, as well as during training exercises. These assets are expensive, Rabb explains, and by tagging them, the refinery will be able to account for these items before and after an emergency response, to ensure that no equipment was inadvertently left somewhere or misplaced.

The tag's performance boost, says Avery-Dennison's Dyche, comes in part from a metal reflector on its back side. "One issue with passive tags today is if they get too close to the human body or skin, performance drops off," he notes. "The metal reflector acts as a shield between the body and the tag. Also, because the tag is encapsulated, the layers of clothing don't come into contact with the tag itself. These two features are enabling this performance."