Bristol, England: Bristol Industrial & Research Associates Ltd (Biral), a leading manufacturer and distributor of meteorological instruments, has signed up as a member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF).

Established in 1975, Biral’s scope extends from sensors to measure wind, temperature, precipitation, visibility, solar radiation and other standard parameters to present weather sensors and complete weather stations.

The privately-owned United Kingdom company’s new BTD-200 self-contained, standalone lightning warning system was showcased at this year’s Golf Industry Show in San Diego.

Hugo Aniksztejn, Biral’s International Sales Specialist, said: “The BTD-200 lightning warning system gives advanced warning of overhead lightning risk using its professional-grade detection system which is designed for leisure, sports and outdoor pursuits. This includes golf courses, team sports, university and school sports facilities, sports stadiums, outdoor leisure, theme parks and concert venues.”

The BTD-200 lightning warning system is a complete detection and warning system which has been developed from the Biral range of professional aviation grade lightning detection systems. It reliably detects the local presence of all forms of lightning out to a range of 35 kilometres (22 miles) from the sensor.

Designed to be installed and set up by non-technical staff, it comes with a power supply and the essential PC application ‘Lightning Works’, for monitoring and warning personnel of approaching thunderstorms.

Aniksztejn said: “In many applications, the lightning warning system is used to help protect people and equipment from the dangers of a lightning strike by providing advanced warning of a storm’s approach. This is all the more important in areas where large numbers of people are outside across a wide area, such as a golf course.

“Detectors which rely on lightning detection alone are only effective if the storm is already producing lightning at some distance before moving closer towards the detector. If the first lightning strike of the storm is overhead, then these types of systems give no advanced warning and therefore no protection.”

The advanced detection principle of the BTD-200 enables it to monitor the strength of the local electric field and the presence of charged precipitation, both of which are strong indicators of lightning risk. This allows the BTD-200 to provide warnings of the risk of an overhead strike even before any lightning has been produced.

This advanced warning can be up to 20 minutes before the lightning begins, giving more than enough time to alert the public to the risks of remaining outdoors.

Eric Lynge, the AGIF’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “The safety of players on golf courses around the world is paramount. In many parts of Asia where thunder and lightning are commonplace, it’s imperative for clubs to have effective warning systems.

“As a leader in their field, we’re pleased to welcome Biral to the Asian Golf Industry Federation as an Associate Business Member and look forward to seeing their products introduced at golf clubs in the region.”

Biral is also a specialist in the design, manufacture and supply of particle analysis and climate research instruments for science, industry and the environment.

As a dedicated member of the scientific community, Biral actively participated in European scientific projects such as CRAFT and belongs to the Royal Meteorological Society, the Aerosol Society, RenewablesUK and National Winter Service Research Group (NWSRG).