Nationwide Fire Hydrant Signs, Approximately 120,000 in Number, to Become Communication Hubs During Disasters | Syokasen Hyoshiki Co., Ltd. Conducts Technical Demonstration Utilizing Starlink

Syokasen Hyoshiki Co., Ltd. (Chuo-ku, Tokyo, President and Representative Director: Tsunasaku Mori) conducted a technical demonstration on July 2nd regarding the installation of communication equipment on the fire hydrant signs managed by our company and the construction of surrounding Wi-Fi environments, utilizing the satellite broadband service "Starlink." This initiative aims to verify the potential of using fire hydrant signs, which indicate the location of fire hydrants during fires, as "communication hubs" to support local information access during disasters and communication outages. From signs that indicate the location of water, to places that connect to information during disasters. We are exploring new possibilities for fire hydrant signs, which are existing disaster prevention infrastructure.

▲ Scene of Starlink technical demonstration utilizing fire hydrant signs (*image)

Technical Demonstration Overview

Location: Syokasen Hyoshiki Co., Ltd. Kanagawa Branch Premises

Content: Technical demonstration to verify the possibility of constructing a surrounding Wi-Fi environment by installing Starlink equipment on fire hydrant signposts.

Verification Objective: To verify the potential as an information access hub when terrestrial lines are interrupted due to disasters or communication failures.

Technical Configuration: Verification by installing Starlink communication equipment such as antennas on fire hydrant signposts.

Verification Perspectives: Usefulness as information access support during disasters, connection routes within the community, scenarios for use in normal and emergency times, compatibility with existing sign infrastructure.

* This initiative is not an announcement of practical implementation or service launch, but was conducted as an early-stage technical verification.

* The top image is an illustration of the technical demonstration and differs from the actual installation site and photographs.

* This is a technical demonstration utilizing Starlink and does not indicate any partnership or collaboration with SpaceX.

Background of Technical Demonstration: Towards a "Connected" City Even During Disasters

In recent years, ensuring access to essential information such as evacuation advisories and safety confirmations during power outages and communication failures caused by natural disasters like earthquakes, heavy rains, and typhoons has become a major social issue. To achieve this, it is important to have distributed communication points within the community.

Fire hydrant signs, numbering approximately 120,000 nationwide, are installed in locations close to daily life routes, such as residential areas, shopping streets, and along main roads. In this technical demonstration, we verified the possibility of using these existing signposts as Wi-Fi spots that are less dependent on terrestrial lines by combining them with satellite communication technology.

From Disaster Prevention as a Starting Point to Infrastructure with Value in Normal Times

The strength of fire hydrant signs lies in the fact that they do not require special land or new structures and are already spread throughout living areas nationwide. In addition to their value in emergencies as communication hubs during disasters, they also have potential for use in normal times, such as temporary communication environments during community events and disaster drills.

We aim to achieve both the maintenance of signs and new community contributions, transforming them from signs that indicate the location of fire hydrants to hubs that transmit community safety.

Future Prospects and Anticipated Use Cases

▲ Installation of Starlink equipment on a fire hydrant sign.

In the future, we will consider communication support models utilizing fire hydrant signs, while also considering collaboration with municipalities, local businesses, and related organizations.

By expanding everyday disaster prevention signs into "connected" community infrastructure even in emergencies, we will contribute to improving community disaster resilience and the sustainable maintenance of the signs.

Anticipated Use Cases:

・ Temporary community Wi-Fi spots during disasters

・ Information access support during power outages and communication failures

・ Communication supplementation around evacuation centers and temporary shelters

・ Temporary communication environments during community events and disaster drills

・ Temporary communication backup during large-scale events

・ Functioning as sponsorship signs in normal times and communication hubs in emergencies

Comment from Tsunasaku Mori, President and Representative Director of Syokasen Hyoshiki Co., Ltd.

Fire hydrant signs are important disaster prevention infrastructure that protect lives in times of need, while blending into the everyday landscape. We have continued to maintain these signs together with the local community by providing sponsorship slots.

This technical demonstration is an initiative to explore new value for fire hydrant signs. In addition to "knowing the location of water" during disasters, being "connected to information" also leads to community safety. We will consider new forms of social infrastructure, including collaboration with telecommunications carriers, satellite communication providers, municipalities, and local businesses.

About Fire Hydrant Signs

A sign is placed within the frame at the bottom of the fire hydrant sign.

"Fire hydrant signs" are signs that indicate the location of underground fire hydrants and support rapid firefighting activities during fires. Approximately 120,000 are installed nationwide, and many of them are maintained by private companies.

Currently, the maintenance costs for fire hydrant signs are supported by the rental fees for sponsorship signs displayed in the sponsorship slots at the bottom of the signs.

This initiative explores new values and possibilities for fire hydrant signs to contribute to the community, in addition to the conventional system of sponsorship signs, including communication support during disasters.

Company Profile

Company Name: Syokasen Hyoshiki Co., Ltd.

Representative: Tsunasaku Mori, President and Representative Director

Location: 2-2-2 Iriafune, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, PMO Hatchobori V 4F

Business Activities: Installation, maintenance, and advertising of fire hydrant signs.

URL: https://syokasen.co.jp/