We are delighted to announce the launch of MaxiMet GMX552, the first compact weather station to integrate a black globe sensor for heat stress monitoring, providing highly accurate data in real-time.

Extreme heat events are becoming more frequent, longer lasting, and more intense. The World Meteorological Organization notes that extreme heatwaves in 2003 and 2010 were responsible for 80% of weather-related deaths in Europe between 1970 and 2019, while its State of the Climate in Asia 2024 confirms that the region is experiencing a warming trend almost double the global average.

As a result, businesses and governments are increasingly taking steps to protect their citizens and workforce through legislation and Health & Safety programmes that require reliable heat stress condition measurements.   

Developed and built in accordance with ISO 7243:2017, the international heat stress measurement standard, MaxiMet GMX552 measures black globe temperature, wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, pressure with optional GPS.  

Notably, Gill’s compact weather station is offered with an optional wet bulb sensor, enabling highly accurate, real-time calculation of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) from direct measurement of environmental conditions.

Mathew Middleton, Product Manager, Gill Research & Development, commented:

“Using only Heat Index is often insufficient, as it doesn’t reflect the real impact heat has on a worker or athlete. In comparison, WBGT is a more reliable indicator of heat stress, as it accounts for more parameters, such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and solar radiation (cloud cover), giving a more accurate picture. MaxiMet GMX552 has been designed to address these challenges: by providing Wet Bulb Globe Temperature data accurately and in real-time, organisations can take protective actions quickly, reducing risks of illness or fatal accidents, while maintaining safety, performance and productivity”.

MaxiMet GMX552 is a high-quality, extensively tested and certified solid-state sensor, easy to set-up, install and integrate with other systems. With a robust, low-maintenance design and the option to run on battery or solar power, Gill’s heat stress solution is ideally suited for outdoor applications with potential extreme heat sources such as agriculture, construction sites, military training grounds, smart city developments, infrastructure and transport maintenance, or leisure and sport venues such as stadiums and Olympic parks.

Luke Perkins, Chief Product Officer, commented:

“With more frequent and intense heatwaves, proactive heat stress monitoring is crucial to ensure people’s safety across multiple sectors. MaxiMet GMX552 provides an integrated solution for businesses, governments, and event organisers to accurately obtain WBGT data in real time, enabling them to act quickly to safeguard people whilst maximising productivity”.

Resources

• WHO, WMO issue new report and guidance to protect workers from increasing heat stress
• World Meteorological Organization – Extreme weather
• Understanding and measuring heat stress for safer outdoor working and leisure: FAQs explaining heat stress, how and where it is measured and how it differs from heat index