Industrial facilities worldwide rely on hazardous chemicals such as ethanol, formalin, sulfuric acid, toluene, and carbon monoxide for manufacturing processes. While these substances are essential to production, accidental leaks remain one of the leading causes of workplace accidents, equipment damage, and environmental pollution. In many facilities, emergency containment still depends on manual intervention, allowing hazardous liquids to spread before workers can respond. The research conducted by Jenni Ria Rajagukguk and Wanda Kurniawan addresses this challenge by introducing an automated containment system capable of responding immediately after a spill is detected.
Automation Brings Faster Emergency Response
The Automatic Safety Emergency Barricade (ASEB) integrates several technologies into a single automated safety platform. The system combines a water level sensor, an Arduino microcontroller, a linear motor actuator, and a manual push-button control.
When liquid reaches the sensor, the Arduino processes the signal and immediately activates the linear actuator. The actuator closes a mechanical barricade that prevents hazardous liquids from spreading into surrounding work areas. The system also includes manual controls, allowing operators to override the automation when necessary during emergency situations.
According to the researchers, combining sensing technology with automated mechanical movement reduces reliance on human reaction time, one of the most significant factors contributing to industrial accident severity.
Laboratory Prototype Demonstrated Reliable Performance
The research was conducted using an engineering experimental approach based on prototype development. The research team constructed a laboratory-scale barricade measuring approximately 100 × 50 centimeters before performing a series of controlled performance tests.
Three main evaluations were carried out:
- Water level sensor performance at liquid heights ranging from 0 to 5 centimeters.
- Detection accuracy through 10 repeated experiments involving both spill and non-spill conditions.
- Response-time measurements to determine how quickly the barricade could close and reopen after receiving sensor signals.
The researchers analyzed the collected data using quantitative methods, evaluating sensor resistance values, calculating detection accuracy, and determining average operational response times.
Key Findings Highlight High Detection Accuracy
The experimental results indicate that the ASEB prototype performed consistently throughout all testing stages.
The researchers reported several important findings:
- The water level sensor showed a stable inverse relationship between liquid height and electrical resistance.
- The automated detection system achieved 100% accuracy in identifying the presence and absence of liquid.
- Every spill detection successfully activated the linear actuator.
- No false detections or operational failures occurred during the ten experimental trials.
- The barricade required an average of 40.60 seconds to close.
- The average reopening time was 36.26 seconds.
The study explains that the slightly longer closing time results from the additional mechanical resistance and liquid pressure encountered while lowering the barricade. Even so, the researchers consider the response sufficiently fast for industrial emergency containment applications.
Supporting Safer Industrial Operations
The findings demonstrate how automated containment systems can strengthen occupational safety in industries handling hazardous chemicals. Rapid spill isolation reduces opportunities for chemical exposure, limits contamination, and provides additional protection for workers operating in high-risk environments.
Beyond worker safety, the technology may also help companies reduce production downtime and minimize financial losses associated with chemical spill incidents. Faster containment can simplify emergency response procedures while supporting compliance with industrial safety standards.
As an ethical paraphrase of the authors' conclusions, Jenni Ria Rajagukguk and Wanda Kurniawan from Universitas Krisnadwipayana conclude that integrating sensor technology, microcontroller-based control, and automated linear actuators enables the ASEB system to function as a reliable industrial safety solution capable of minimizing hazardous chemical spread without requiring immediate human intervention.
Future Development Could Integrate IoT and Artificial Intelligence
Although the laboratory prototype demonstrated excellent performance, the researchers acknowledge that additional validation is necessary before large-scale industrial implementation. The current study was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions and has not yet evaluated the effects of varying temperatures, humidity, pressure, different chemical compositions, or large industrial spill scenarios.
Future development is expected to focus on expanding the prototype for industrial-scale deployment, integrating Internet of Things (IoT) technology for remote monitoring, improving sensor capability to recognize multiple hazardous chemicals, and incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support predictive emergency response systems.
These enhancements could transform the Automatic Safety Emergency Barricade into an important component of smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 safety infrastructure.
Why This Research Matters
Industrial automation is increasingly becoming essential for protecting workers and reducing environmental risks. The research by Jenni Ria Rajagukguk and Wanda Kurniawan demonstrates that relatively affordable technologies—including microcontrollers, sensors, and automated actuators—can be combined into an effective emergency response system.
As industries continue adopting digital technologies, innovations such as the Automatic Safety Emergency Barricade (ASEB) may help create safer workplaces while supporting sustainable industrial operations and reducing the consequences of hazardous chemical accidents.
Author Profile
Jenni Ria Rajagukguk is a researcher in the Master of Management Technology Program, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Krisnadwipayana, Jakarta, Indonesia. Her research focuses on industrial automation, engineering technology, occupational safety systems, and smart manufacturing solutions.
Wanda Kurniawan is a researcher in the Master of Management Technology Program, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Krisnadwipayana, Jakarta, Indonesia. His expertise includes automation engineering, microcontroller applications, industrial safety technology, and intelligent control systems.
Source
Rajagukguk, J. R., & Kurniawan, W. (2026). Automatic Safety Emergency Barricade. Indonesian Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Analytics (IJAEA), Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 323–338.
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