Fire Protection

To help meet the requirements of the updated BS 7671 IET Wiring Regulations, Marshall-Tufflex has extended its range of Firefly fire clips. In the event of a fire the clips are designed to prevent cables falling and creating a hazard – providing a safer evacuation and allowing easy access for fire service crews. Firefly fireclips The Firefly range now includes clips suitable for use on Marshall-Tufflex Maxi, Mono, Twin165, Twin Plus, Sterling Profile, Sterling Curve and Odyssey trunking systems. The clips fix to walls or ceilings and with a spring-loaded design are quick and easy to install. The Firefly fire clips are fire resistant above 1000°C for up to 120 minutes and feature rounded ends to prevent damage to cables and injury to installers, and the design optimizes the usable space within the trunking. It is vitally important that cables are suitably protected from collapse and spill" The range includes both internal versions that are fitted within the trunking prior to cable installation and externally fitted variants for a fast and simple retrofit. The previous IET Wiring Regulations required that all wiring on escape routes be protected from premature collapse during a fire. The 18th Edition of the regulations published in 2018 extends this requirement to the entire installation. Fire safety regulations Nick Hayler, Technical and Product QA Manager at Marshall-Tufflex has worked extensively with BEAMA on fire safety including chairing a committee on the issue of premature collapse. The committee aims to clarify the definition of ‘premature collapse’ and is in the process of drafting guidance for specifiers and installers to help achieve compliance. “Falling or hanging cables present a serious risk in the event of a fire, not only during the evacuation of building occupants but also for the fire service crew entering the building,” Nick explained. “Due to the severely reduced visibility within a building, Firefighters will commonly use the walls to guide them when sweeping the building. As such it is vitally important that cables are suitably protected from collapse and spill. The new additions to the Firefly range make it easier for contractors to comply with the updated regulations and minimize the risk to life in the event of a fire.”

Apollo Fire Detectors will be showcasing its internationally renowned products at FIREX International 2019 within the event’s largest ever exhibition zone and will also be running a competition to win an Apollo Test Set worth £500. Apollo can be found on stand FX510, which is part of a 250 sqm area alongside Advanced, Argus, FFE, Klaxon and LAN Controls, which are all part of Halma PLC, a FTSE 100 company focused on specialist safety, health and environmental technologies. Visitors to this year's three-day event, being held from June 18-20 at ExCeL London, will be able to see a variety of Apollo products in action as well as speak with technical experts involved in the Show Me How initiative at FIREX. Warren Moyle, Senior Technical Support Manager and Steve Claxton, Technical Support Engineer will be wearing Show Me How badges identifying them as technical experts for detailed explanations of products and solutions. Chance To Win Apollo Test Set The Apollo Test Set comes with a 10-year warranty and can be powered from an AC mains charger unitThere will also be the opportunity for visitors to win an Apollo Test Set. The portable test unit features a 7” touch screen display designed to help engineers and installers investigate, control and maintain individual fire detection devices or complete circuits of analog addressable devices in the Apollo ranges including CoreProtocol, Discovery and XP95. The Apollo Test Set comes with a 10-year warranty and can be powered from an AC mains charger unit or from its own internal batteries. The handheld device offers fault finding capabilities which helps to reduce time spent on site during the commissioning stage of the system installation, therefore reducing the overall costs of installing Apollo systems. Ed Browning, Sales & Marketing Director at Apollo said: “FIREX gives us the opportunity to interact with a wide range of professionals within the fire industry and share our knowledge, expertise and solutions. We’re joining forces with five complementary businesses on the largest stand at FIREX so that visitors can quickly and easily find the right information and solutions for them.”

During the Section Fire meeting following the Euralarm General Assembly, Petra Riesterer has been elected to Vice-Chair by its delegates. She follows in the footsteps of Michael Scharnowsky. Lance Rütimann (Chair of the Section Fire) stated, “My sincere appreciation and thanks for the positive working relationship with Michael. I am looking forward to the future development of the Fire Section together with Petra.” Protection Of Life And Asset Asked about her new role within Euralarm Petra replies: “Fire safety and the protection of life and asset has been and is a topic that is in the center of Euralarm’s Fire Section.” “It requires international cooperation bringing the best in our field together to contribute not only to safety but also to the future of the European industry. That is exactly what Euralarm has to offer. I am proud to be part of that team.” Petra Riesterer represents the Euralarm member Swiss Securitas Group.

The Fire Safety Event 2019 and its co-located shows have enjoyed the most successful event to date welcoming over 11,733 visitors across three days at the NEC, Birmingham. The Fire Safety Event has firmly cemented itself as the fastest growing exhibition in the UK for the industry, providing a platform that ensures its visitors are equipped to maintain the highest fire safety standards. High-profile incidents in recent years have put a spotlight on the industry and The Fire Safety Event recognizes it has a role to provide ongoing education on new standards and legislation, best practice advice and help support the industry by providing them access to companies and products that will better prepare them. Events Exceptional Growth The Fire Safety Event has seen phenomenal growth since its inception in 2017 The Fire Safety Event has seen phenomenal growth since its inception in 2017. The event, which began with 16 exhibitors this year boasted over 50 and remains a firm favorite with many exhibitors who have been with the show from day one. Liam Hunt of Safety Technology International enthused, “It was refreshing to meet so many installers and end users who use, trust, and recommend our products – the Fire Safety Event provides a platform to target new faces within the fire and security industry. A trio of crowded days highlights a marked increase in footfall on previous years, STI look forward to making it four shows out of four in 2020.” Over 75% of 2019 exhibitors have already secured their space for 2020, promising that the events exceptional growth will continue into 2020 - and beyond. Fire Industry Exhibition The high caliber, industry-leading exhibitor line up for this year included Advanced, asecos, c-Tec, Checkmate Fire Solutions Ltd, FFE Limited, Fike Safety Technology Ltd, FireClass, FirePro UK Ltd, Kingspan, Klaxon, Turner & Townsend, WAGNER UK Ltd, and Xtralis UK Ltd. Ian Rose, Director of Global Fire Equipment (UK) commented, “The Fire Safety Event is fast becoming the key fire industry exhibition to attend for both visitors and exhibitors alike. With its being held central to the UK at NEC it is accessible to all. Global Fire Equipment will be returning for the 2020 show”. The event received high praise from both exhibitors and visitors, with feedback attesting that, “For all things connected to fire safety the fire safety event is the place to be.” Higher Profile Speakers The Fire Safety Event is an interesting and enjoyable experience for all those involved with an interest in fire" The Fire Safety Event’s intent is to break the mold for such exhibitions, aiming to challenge and educate audiences by offering creative, varied and dynamic features alongside its world-class exhibitor line up. Features which they hope visitors will continue to remember off-site. The exhibition achieved a fine balance of features, seminars and exhibitors, with another visitor noting: “The Fire Safety Event is an interesting and enjoyable experience for all those involved with an interest in fire. It covers all aspects; I will definitely be back next year.” As it grows in stature, it’s not only new exhibitors that are attracted to The Fire Safety Event, but higher profile speakers. Two impressive keynote speakers for this year being Neil O’Connor CBE, Director of the Building Safety Programme at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and former NYC Fire Commissioner Sal Cassano. Hosting Contemporary Seminars With 67% of visitors also pre-registering for seminars, The Fire Safety Event is shown to fulfill the desire within the industry for the latest product innovations, best practice, and advice on legislative changes. Particularly noteworthy for this year were the numerous specialist demonstrations on offer - such as the live burn tests from Kingspan and asecos’ DSEAR with a Bang Demo Area. This content helps translate the importance of fire safety into real world scenarios and has made a memorable impact on this year’s visitors. Brand new for 2019 and another great success was the Tall Building Fire Protection Area hosted by the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP). This feature brought together expert speakers from across the industry, hosting highly contemporary seminars. Business Protection The event was really helpful in getting what I needed all under one roof at the same time - Fire, Security & Health and Safety" Throughout the full 3-day duration, this Protection Area was a hive of activity across all the ASFP’s varied sessions. Visitors recognize the value of the concurrent seminar programme, commenting: “I would highly recommend this event to anyone within the field of Health and Safety, Fire Safety or Compliance.” The Fire Safety Event truly recognizes the importance of providing guidance and insight through such event features and they will continue to be developed in the 2020 edition. WBE (Part of Nineteen Group), owner of The Fire Safety Event saw impressive growth across the entire series, covering the three co-located exhibitions - The Security Event, The Facilities Event and The Health & Safety Event. One visitor commented, “The event was really helpful in getting what I needed all under one roof at the same time - Fire, Security & Health and Safety.” With such a comprehensive offering, The Fire Safety Event and its co-located events are a must attend for anyone who has an interest in improving life safety, business continuity and business protection within their organization.

Infographics announced it has successfully streamlined and enhanced the mobilization processes used by Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) within the Thames Valley Fire Control Service. By integrating FireWatch and Capita Vision, RBFRS can now automatically share intelligent vehicle availability data between systems and remove manual processes. The integration provides a level of live, connected management information and increased efficiency This latest phase builds on work undertaken as part of the wider deployment of Infographics’ FireWatch Fire Service Management platform, which connects RBFRS’ data, back office teams and front office operational staff to deliver a ‘complete picture’ of live organization status. Enhanced Mobilization Process The integration provides a level of live, connected management information and increased efficiency not achievable with separate silo systems. The result is a reduction in administration and enhanced mobilization process within Thames Valley Fire Control Service. The FireWatch-to-Capita Vision integration includes sharing directly, via FireWatch, this information, and the impact of live changes on vehicle needs and availability, with data coming from across the following areas: Real-time, integrated HR, training, fleet and availability Vehicle level availability status based on resource needs and priority calculated to-the-minute Graphical county-wide availability map status and change notifications of the same data Mobile-optimized client, with booking on/off duty facility and real-time status views SMS-based workflows and booking on/off duty processes with crewing exception notifications for managers Streamline Time And Attendance Processes RBFRS plan to deploy Infographics’ latest version of the FireWatch Capita Vision interface as part of a future FireWatch upgrade. This will deliver a bi-directional interface, with FireWatch processing live incident data from Capita Vision to provide a ‘closed loop’. It will also further streamline processes around time and attendance, and pay and maintenance of competency with event-related processes initiated automatically in the FireWatch system. Through the integration of FireWatch and Capita Vision systems, we have streamlined some ways that data is shared" Jim Powell, Area Manager for Service Delivery at RBFRS said: “Through the integration of our FireWatch and Capita Vision systems, we have streamlined some of the ways that data is shared and used in the organization. “We are committed to investing in information and communication technology that helps to improve the efficiency and resilience of our service. This will help us to deliver a more effective service to the communities we serve.” Enhancing Operations Of Customers Russell Wood, Commercial Manager at Infographics, said: “We are delighted to have assisted Royal Berkshire to successfully deliver this project. By working closely with multiple UK Fire Services and Capita to provide a standard set of bi-directional Mobilization interfaces, we are able to further enhance the operations of our customers. “FireWatch already connects departmental data, teams and processes to provide an integrated and accurate ‘big picture’ of resources and status. This same pre-calculated and integrated data is now available to Capita Vision and other Mobilization systems, and the collection and processing of event-related data can also be greatly streamlined in the other direction.”

The still-young CEFE is set to become a major international platform for safety and security themes. It stands to benefit from the support of INTERSCHUTZ, the world’s leading trade fair for fire and rescue services, civil protection, safety and security. Taking place from 5 to 7 November 2019, the Shanghai-based trade fair will run for the first time under the name "CEFE powered by INTERSCHUTZ". CEFE Powered By INTERSCHUTZ By launching CEFE powered by INTERSCHUTZ, we are strengthening the international appeal of the INTERSCHUTZ brand" "By launching CEFE powered by INTERSCHUTZ, we are strengthening the international appeal of the INTERSCHUTZ brand," says Dr. Andreas Gruchow, Managing Board member at Deutsche Messe, adding: "Exhibitors who enter the Chinese market through us will benefit. And INTERSCHUTZ in Hannover will in turn benefit from the strengthening of our connections to the Chinese market and our ability to attract exhibitors and visitors to the Hannover exhibition venue." Staged on an annual basis, CEFE has been in existence since 2017. At "CEFE powered by INTERSCHUTZ", nearly 300 companies will be exhibiting at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC) on an area of some 20,000 square meters. Around 10,000 professionals are expected to attend. The fair is divided into the following display categories: fire brigades, rescue services, monitoring and early warning systems, preventive fire protection, civil protection and protective equipment. The aim of the trade fair is to accelerate the development of key technologies and equipment, optimize industrial structures, promote needs-based development in the emergency services industry and improve international communication and cooperation. Networking Hub For Fire Safety Services The China-based event is already the third international pillar for the German-based INTERSCHUTZ In addition to Deutsche Messe, the event’s organizers include the China National Machinery Industry International Co., Ltd. (SINOMACHINT), the Guangzhou Lisheng Exhibition Co., Ltd., the Guangdong Xinhaijun Development Co. and the China Association for Disaster Prevention. The China-based event is already the third international pillar for the German-based INTERSCHUTZ. Further "powered by INTERSCHUTZ" cooperative arrangements exist with REAS in Italy and AFAC in Australia – events which also serve to reinforce the international standing of the INTERSCHUTZ exhibition brand. The next AFAC takes place from 27 to 30 August 2019 in Melbourne, Australia, offering a networking hub for the fire brigades and rescue services in that country. From 4 to 6 October 2019, REAS in Montichiari, Italy, will once again serve as a hub for the Italian rescue services.

Across the country, law enforcement officers are finding it increasingly difficult to respond to the near overwhelming number of calls coming from security alarms. Police departments commonly define a false alarm as a call, which upon investigation, shows no evidence of criminal activity, such as broken windows, forced doors, items missing, or people injured. While false alarms bog down police, they can also negatively impact customers and integrators. End users can expect hefty fines for false alarm responses, and when these customers receive large bills from the city, many turn to installers, dealers, and even manufacturers expecting them to accept the responsibility and pay the check. What First Brought The Issue Of Alarm Verification To Your Attention? It is crucial to both see a situation and concurrently listen to any corresponding sounds to gain full insight I’ve been aware of the problem of false alarms for about 5 years. I believed audio capture, through microphone deployment, could be an active part of the solution when used as a second source for indicating ‘out of the norm’ activity and as an equal component with the video surveillance technology. In 2015, I found similarly minded security professionals when introduced to the Partnership for Priority Verified Alarm Response. After reading PPVAR’s paper on ‘Audio Verified Alarms Best Practices; [April 2015],’ I knew that the Partnership was on to something important. In our lives, two of the five senses we count on day-in and day-out are sight and sound. It is crucial to both see a situation and concurrently listen to any corresponding sounds to gain full insight. What Is The False Alarm Rate? In 2016, the International Association of Chiefs of Police reported that over 98 percent of all alarm calls in the United States were false. This number is obviously staggering, and something we need to work towards correcting. Why Did This Issue Resonate So Strongly With You? When I first investigated this issue, I was sure that the security industry would have already recognized this and was acting to ensure improved alarm verification, preferably through a combination of audio and video technologies. However, I quickly saw that this was not the case, or even close to the norm. I have questioned the rationale behind the lack of adoption and found the deployment of audio is often hindered by the concern of privacy. I’ve spearheaded many initiatives to explain the monitoring policies surrounding audio As CEO of Louroe Electronics, I’ve spearheaded many initiatives to explain the monitoring policies surrounding audio. I’ve had to reassure many security personnel and customers how the law supports the use of audio in public places as long as there is no expectation of privacy. By dispelling fears with facts around deploying and implementing audio sensors, customers can confidently include audio in their surveillance systems and gain a more effective security solution. Who Is Affected By This? Truth be told, everyone from the end user to the manufacturer is affected by this issue. Not to mention the strain this puts on law enforcement who are tired of ‘wasting time’ and effort out in the field on these nuisance alerts. When an end user receives a check for their false alarm, many of them will immediately blame the integrator and or the monitoring center for a faulty set up and management and expect the integrator to remedy the situation, including carry the burden of paying the fines. The integrator, on the other hand, will turn to the manufacturer, assuming faulty equipment and installation instructions; therefore, looking for reimbursement for the cost. What Is The Average False Alarm Fee? It depends on many factors, and especially your first responder assigned location for responseIt depends on many factors, and especially your first responder assigned location for response. According to the Urban Institute, fees generally range from $25-$100 for the first offense, rising as high as a few thousand dollars per false alarm if a location has a large number in a single year. What’s worse, in extreme cases, alarm systems may even be blacklisted by the police dispatch center if they have raised too many false alarms in the past. Why Do You Believe Audio Is The Ideal Technology For Secondary Source Verification? Video surveillance has been the main option for security monitoring and alarm validation for decades, however industry professionals are realising that video alone is not enough. Video only tells half of the story, by adding audio capture, the responsible party gains a turnkey solution with the ability to gather additional evidence to verify alerts and expand overall awareness. In reality, audio’s range is greater than the field of view for a camera. Sound pickup is 360 degrees, capturing voices, gunshots, breaking glass, sirens, or other important details that a fixed camera many not see. How Would A Secondary Source Verification System Work With Audio? Using a video monitoring solution equipped with audio, the microphone will pick up the sounds at the time a visual alert or alarm is triggered. If embedded with classification analytics, the microphone will send alerts for specific detected sounds. The captured audio, and any notifications are immediately sent to the monitoring station, where trained personnel can listen to the sound clip, along with live audio and video from their station. When law enforcement receives a validated alarm, they can better prioritise the response From here, an informed decision can then be made about the validity of the alarm, along with what the current threat is at the location. If the alarm is in fact valid, the information is then passed along to the law enforcement within minutes. When law enforcement receives a validated alarm, they can better prioritise the response. It also provides more information in a forensic evaluation. Are There Any Additional Resources You Would Suggest Looking Into? Yes, we would suggest looking into the following to see a few different perspectives on the matter: NSA Support For 2018 Model Ordinance For Alarm Management and False Alarm Reduction Partnership for Priority Verified Alarm Response Support for the Term “Verified Alarm” and Prioritising Verified Alarm Responses Urban Institute Opportunities for Police Cost Savings without Sacrificing Service Quality: Reducing False Alarms

Did you know an estimated 30% of smoke alarms in the UK are inoperable due to missing, flat or disconnected batteries? For a property to comply with The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, it is vitally important that all fire safety equipment is kept in perfect working order at all times. This involves checking that the fire safety equipment is accessible, well maintained and hasn’t been tampered with. There are many ways you can take care of your fire safety equipment, to ensure your property is prepared, should there ever be a fire. Equipment Assessment Checks There are two types of equipment assessment checks that should be carried out, including monthly and annually If you’re the ‘responsible person’ for commercial property, you need to ensure your building meets fire safety standards. Here are 5 tips on how to properly maintain your fire safety equipment. Both passive and active fire safety equipment must be check regularly for any signs of wear or damage. There are two types of equipment assessment checks that should be carried out, including monthly and annually. There is a range of equipment checks you must carry out, including fire doors, fire alarm test, emergency lighting and fire extinguishers. Emergency lighting should be checked monthly, with all issues kept in a logbook. Fire doors should also be checked to ensure their seals and frames are in good condition.   Fire Alarm Tests All fire protection has to be checked annually including alarms, detectors, lighting, sprinklers, extinguishers and fire doors. They should be carefully inspected. Fire alarms are a legal requirement for commercial premises. To check that your Fire alarms still function correctly, it is important to get them serviced. All fire alarms should be tested, maintained and inspected by a competent person who is able to carry out any remedial work. Fire alarms are a legal requirement for commercial premises Fire extinguishers must be ready to work straight away in the event of a fire, so it is vital they are regularly checked and serviced. You should ensure they are maintained and kept in a functional condition. Every month, the pressure gauge should be tested on all fire extinguishers. Fire Risk Assessments Every year, it is required that a qualified technician carries out a thorough check on all your extinguishers for them to be fully serviced and certified. In addition to regular maintenance checks on your fire safety equipment, it is vital your commercial property has a fire risk assessment carried out every 4 years, with a renewal every 2 years. Fully trained and qualified assessors should undertake this to make sure it is done professionally Fully trained and qualified assessors should undertake this to make sure it is done professionally. By having a fire risk assessment review, it determines whether any changes could impact the ability for your equipment to properly protect your building. Fire Safety Logbook During a risk assessment, all fire doors must be checked to ensure they are in good condition and close efficiently with secure hinges. The fire seals must be fixed in position, with signs on the door present and legible. To keep an overview of all findings and actions, there should be a fire safety logbook and maintenance record that remains at your premises at all times. The logbook is used to record and review any significant findings when carrying out the fire risk assessment. This helps to keep all fire safety equipment functioning effectively and available to respond to emergency fires.

I gave a lot of thought to identifying the biggest challenge facing the American fire service in 2019. Many things came to mind: funding; fire prevention - if every building was sprinklered and all had working smoke alarms, it would solve a lot of other problems; political influences; initial, regular and ongoing training, and a bunch more. But the one constant that kept popping up is the people issue. Staffing. This obviously isn’t the first time you’ve heard that. Normally, when we talk about staffing, we talk about the number of firefighters on the apparatus. That is not exactly what I'm talking about. What I mean is, in 2019, we better figure out where our next group of recruits is coming from. Measurable Drop In Applicants If one fire department is paying more than another, members jump ship On the career side, numerous areas are reporting a measurable drop in applicants—in other words, they need people who want to be firefighters and medics. In some areas, it’s a bidding war. If one fire department is paying more than another, members jump ship. And who can blame them? They have families to take care of. But when the dust clears, there are still far fewer people interested in this job than we need. Some theories are that the new generation: Doesn’t like helping people Are self-focused Aren’t into doing physical things Are lazy Can make the same money without shift work Can make the same money without risk None of these theories gets us far in addressing the problem. The goal of any fire department is to deliver staffed, trained interior firefighters just a few minutes after someone dials 9-1-1 Big Picture Focus On the volunteer side, all you have to do is listen to a fire radio nearly anywhere in the U.S. (and Canada) and you will hear volunteer fire departments toning out... toning out... and toning out—with little response when members are responding from home or work. It, too, is a measurable problem. There are volunteer departments with little funding and others with plenty of funding. Regardless, there seems to be little “big picture” focus on solving the problem based upon what’s best for the people having the fire. Some say to simply hire career firefighters. Is it that simple? What are the pros? And are there any cons? There certainly are. Trained Interior Firefighters Some departments solve the problem by having their volunteers on duty, in quarters, ready to roll The old model of volunteers responding from home or work doesn’t work very well when you consider the proven fire spread in 2019 vs. fire spread even just 20 years ago. Some departments solve the problem by having their volunteers on duty, in quarters, ready to roll. That may be the least expensive option depending upon the local model. Some hire part-time firefighters. Some unfairly and regularly rely on mutual aid. Some have a fair and balanced mutual aid system. Some have their heads in the sand. The goal of any fire department is to deliver staffed, trained interior firefighters just a few minutes after someone dials 9-1-1. If we don’t have people knocking on the fire station doors to become career firefighters or to volunteer, that goal is in jeopardy. I simply can’t see a bigger, more immediate challenge for 2019 than the “people” issue.

The Rabun County Fire Services, located in the northeast corner of Georgia, has placed a Lake Assault Boats fireboat into service on Lake Rabun, an 835-acre reservoir with 25 miles of shoreline. The new craft provides fire suppression and emergency response services for homeowners, visitors, and Georgia Power facilities located on the lake. “The combination of hydroelectric plants and a growing number of high-end waterfront single family homes in a region susceptible to wildfires make our on-the-water emergency response capabilities a critical part of our department’s mission,” said Captain John Murray of the Rabun County Fire Services. “The new fireboat has greatly improved our emergency response performance and significantly reduced our ISO rating.” Lake Water For Firefighting Operations The 26-foot craft can quickly transport water into a network of standpipes located along the shoreline – that were furnished by neighborhood homeowners’ associations – to supply lake water for ground-based firefighting operations. Moreover, its deck-mounted monitor enables the craft to conduct direct fire attack. The fireboat is powered via twin 175 hp Mercury outboard engines and features a 1,250-gpm fire pump The fireboat is powered via twin 175 hp Mercury outboard engines and features a 1,250-gpm fire pump driven by a marinized V-6 engine. The TFT Hurricane monitor is rated at 1,250 gpm and there are four discharge ports including one that feeds a 5-inch large diameter hose (LDH). Other features include a 63-inch hydraulically operated bow door capable of transporting ATVs, a swing-out side dive door, and a Davit crane with two access points. Easy To Operate Fireboat The T-top pilothouse is seven-feet long and has an interior clearance height of 76 inches. Its componentry includes a helm station with fire pump and monitor controls, and a 12-inch touchscreen commands a full suite of advanced electronics, including: forward looking infrared (FLIR), sonar with side structure scan, chartplotter, and GPS.  “We’ve been blown away by our new fireboat’s performance – it is smooth, agile, quick to plane, and very easy to operate,” added Murray. “Plus, once on the scene, we can be flowing water in a matter of seconds.” Located in a mountainous region in the far northeast corner of Georgia, Rabun County Fire Services protects 361 square miles with a department that includes 200 volunteer firefighters, six paid personnel, 12 volunteer fire stations, 17 engines, 11 tankers, 11 mini pumpers and three fireboats. Each year the department responds to approximately 2,000 calls.

A fire system with integrated fire telephone and voice evacuation system from Advanced has been installed at an exclusive 30-storey residential high-rise in Dubai. Boasting state-of-the-art amenities, luxury interiors, a fully equipped gym and rooftop swimming pool, the Siraj Tower has become one of the most sought-after residential projects in the ambitious $64billion entertainment complex, Dubailand. As Advanced’s exclusive distributor in Dubai, Cignetix were responsible for integrating this crucial part of the building’s active fire protection. Four Advanced Axis EN panels, which were recently certified by FM Approvals to the EN54 standard, and 2000 devices have been installed alongside its high-performance fire telephone solution. Designed for clear, easy-to-use control, the system benefits from LED status indications showing its operational stateSunil Gopalkrishnan, Managing Director at Cignetix, said: “Thanks to their reputation for performance, quality and ease-of-use, Advanced are our preferred choice of fire alarm, fire telephone and voice evacuation systems – capable of handling large networks of up to 200 panels and complex cause and effect programming.” Fire Telephone Solution Advanced’s fire telephone solution is ideal for high and low-rise apartment buildings, hotels, universities, government and military sites where local fire departments and emergency personnel need access to fire/emergency communications. Designed for clear, easy-to-use control, the conventional system benefits from LED status indications showing its operational state – whether the system has a call-in, is connected or is in fault condition. The fire telephone system is compliant with EN54 parts 2 and 4 and can be configured as either a standalone, independent system or completely integrated into the Axis EN fire system. Steve Carroll, Advanced’s General Manager for the Middle East, said: “The Siraj Tower is another fantastic example of the successful partnership between Cignetix and Advanced. In order to take full advantage of what our products offer, it takes companies like Cignetix, who have the skills and experience required, to apply Advanced to sites such as this prestigious high-rise.” Axis EN Fire Panel Range Axis EN, which is part of Advanced’s Axis range of systems, holds global approvals, including EN54, UL864 and AS1670Available for European, Middle East and South East Asian markets, Axis EN is Advanced’s highest performance analogue panel range, combining 1-8 loop, fire panels configurable up to 200 panel networks with a complete range of wired and wireless loop devices and powerful peripherals. Axis EN, which is part of Advanced’s Axis range of systems, holds global approvals, including EN54, UL864 and AS1670. It is designed to go anywhere where high quality, reliable and easy to use fire detection and control is required. Advanced, owned by FTSE 100 company Halma PLC, have a long history of protecting some of the most prestigious high-rise residential developments in the world, including the Gold Coast’s Soul Building and Miami’s Sands Pointe. Advanced is a pioneer in the development and manufacture of intelligent fire systems. The legendary performance, quality and ease of use of its products sees Advanced specified in locations all over the world, from single panel installations to large, multi-site networks. Advanced’s products include complete fire detection systems, multi-protocol fire panels, extinguishing control, fire paging and false alarm management systems.

The client is a prestigious purpose-built skin, laser and cosmetic surgery clinic based in central Birmingham. In 2018, they relocated to a Georgian building following an expansion of the practice to welcome new professional associates and provide a greater range of patient services. Their upgraded and refurbished building includes a larger operating room with dedicated recovery areas, treatments rooms, consultation rooms and waiting areas. At this clinic, plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic experts carry out surgical and non-surgical procedures for the face and body as well as cosmetic dentistry, IV nutritional therapy and advanced spa treatments. As well as a team of renowned doctors and practitioners and their administration team, the new premise is also accessed by numerous patients and their families visiting the clinic for pre-treatment and post-treatment consultations, as well as for the procedures themselves. Access Control And Intruder Detection System In their new premises, the practice required an access control and intruder detection system that delivered: Hassle-free access for staff with various levels of authority, from surgeons to administrators, for e.g. restricted access to consultation/treatment rooms and post-procedure recovery areas Limited access to patient information, drugs, high value surgical equipment and other high-risk assets Simple and reliable off-site management by permitted personnel, at any time and via their own computer, tablet or smartphone A secure yet serene and private experience for patients and visitors, for e.g. easy entry and exit for visitors to/from the main reception area Safety Of Staff And Visitors IGNIS Fire Protection Services installed Inception for this popular cosmetic surgery practice in Birmingham. With nearly 100 years of combined experience installing security systems, the IGNIS team delivers on its reputation for quality of service, knowledge, reliability and honesty. Inner Range's Inception access control and intruder detection system was used by IGNIS Fire Protection Services on this siteIGNIS works with integrated access control and intruder detection manufacturer Inner Range to deliver a cost effective, reliable service every time, with safety of staff, customers and visitors of paramount importance. Inner Range provided Inception, the core access control and intruder detection system used by IGNIS Fire Protection Services on this site. Inception was the perfect choice for this customer because it hangs off the same infrastructure with a single user interface. An integrated system gives the client reassurance, simplicity and ease of use. Offers Smart Building Management A pioneer of integrated access control and intruder detection systems, Inner Range has been a pioneer in the design and manufacture of intelligent security solutions since it was established in 1988. More than 150,000 Inner Range systems have been installed in over 30 countries. Inner Range’s award-winning integrated security systems offer smart building management at local, national and global levels. Inception is Inner Range’s powerful yet affordable access control and intruder detection system, now featuring a range of extra reporting functions, anti-pass back protocols and interlocking doors. The system provides this dynamic clinic with the integrated access control they need to run their business with the utmost efficiency, safety and security. Key Features Available With Inception: A web-based interface that can be controlled by authorized staff using existing smartphones, tablets or computers Various entry points starting at 2 or 4 doors and 16 users and can be expanded if required up to 32 doors and 512 users Universal inputs and outputs that can be used independently of each other, to directly control door locks and powered sirens modules Secured alarm communication is using 128Bit AES encryption to ensure data privacy Interactive Commissioning Checklist IGNIS installed the Inception system using its interactive Commissioning Checklist that ensures no steps are missedIGNIS installed the Inception system using its industry-first interactive Commissioning Checklist that ensures no steps are missed. That process includes core programming, custom automation, changing default credentials, backing up the database and downloading commissioning reports. Inception’s wireless adaptability not only gives users flexibility, it means technicians don’t need to find an IP address or connect to the user’s local network. They can also use an adaptor as a service tool to perform maintenance on site. Benefits For The Client: Peace of mind – 24/7/365 access and intruder detection solutions to keep patients, staff, visitors and assets safe and secure Convenience – the system can be controlled at all times via any mobile device No forgotten codes to interrupt the sensitive day to day running of the business or cause issues out of hours Value for money - no costly additional hardware and no need for a set on-site administrator or security guard Easy access and security means reception and support staff can focus on other responsibilities such as patient care

Chubb Sicli completes the installation of a full suite of fire safety and security equipment and services at Webster University Geneva. The new equipment will better protect students, staff and facilities with essential fire and security systems across the entire campus. Chubb Sicli is a part of Chubb Fire & Security Group, which is a part of Carrier, a provider of innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies. Providing Fire Safety After many years of providing fire safety support to Webster University Geneva, Chubb Sicli conducted a complete fire and security audit, the first of its kind at the university. The audit resulted in a number of areas for improvement and the team provided a complete, tailor-made fire and security solution to meet the university’s needs. Chubb Sicli carried out fire safety improvements across all buildings Chubb Sicli carried out fire safety improvements across all buildings, paired with full scale intrusion alarms, access control for all entrances, CCTV system upgrades using the latest video surveillance technology, and also automatic fire extinguishing in kitchen areas. The project drew on many areas of Chubb Sicli expertise, from fire extinguishers and fire detection to security audit, emergency light installation and maintenance, as well as intruder detection, access control and video surveillance. Key Fire Detection Michel Pollak, Human Resources Director from Webster University Geneva, said: “Across our campus, it was a priority to provide effective and interconnected fire and security solutions that were as comprehensive as possible. Chubb Sicli is our long-standing fire safety provider and the audit was a great step forward in protecting our people and property, and responding to our evolving needs. The university campus is set across acres of park, which brings distinct challenges.” “Chubb Sicli’s excellent management of the project, their responsiveness and attention to detail meant that we now have key fire detection and suppression and intrusion and security capabilities at all key points. This work has enhanced the security of our student and faculty population. Chubb Sicli also demonstrated an understanding of our position as a local University but with international roots and needs,” Pollak added.

Horbury Property Services, part of the Horbury Group, has been selected to provide fire safety services for over 55s accommodation managed by Sheffield-based Arches Housing. The contract involves Horbury Property Services providing fire door replacement and fire compartmentation upgrades, which will be completed within a four-week schedule, as part of enhancing fire safety for residents. Offering Optimal Fire Protection Richard Sutton, General Manager at Horbury Property Services, said: “This is our second major contract with Arches Housing and we are very pleased to be working with them again to enhance fire safety in one of their sheltered housing schemes. Fire safety is an essential requirement in all buildings, and we aim to ensure that the residents of Arches Housing are offered the best possible fire protection.” Luigi Iantorno, asset compliance & reinvestment officer at Arches Housing, said: “Horbury Property Services secured this contract as a result of a rigorous competitive tender. The upgrade to fire doors and fire compartmentation is an important part of our planned maintenance works as we aim to ensure our homes are as fire safe as possible.” Other Services Offered By Horbury Horbury Property Services provides a full range of works, which includes installation, repair and maintenance of fire doors As well as fire door and fire compartmentation services, Horbury Property Services provides a full range of works, which can form part of planned maintenance programs. This includes ceiling and dry wall partitioning inspection, installation, repair and maintenance of fire doors, joinery works, fire stopping, sealing, fire compartmentation, fire alarm and emergency light testing, portable appliance testing, electrical testing and installation work, building fabric repairs as well as external cladding and render repairs. In addition, the wider Horbury Group provides painting and decorating, flooring refurbishment and installation, amongst others. The company has its head office in South Yorkshire, plus regional offices in London and South Wales, ensuring a truly national capability. This regional presence enables its teams to successfully deliver responsive repairs or large planned refurbishment and maintenance programmes.  Arches Housing is a community-based social landlord, which was established in 1975 and provides more than 1,200 affordable homes in Sheffield and Rotherham.

In large factory halls used for metalworking operations, conventional fire alarm systems are often not enough to protect buildings, employees and equipment. In many cases, high ceilings, greater fire hazards and interference from reflected light characterize these halls. The company of MKM Mansfelder Kupfer und Messing GmbH (MKM) faced exactly this challenge. MKM is a manufacturer of copper and copper-alloy precursor and semi finished products. Achieve Better Protection The company wanted to achieve better protection from fire hazards in two of the halls at its Hettstedt site in Saxony-Anhalt, a state in the eastern part of Germany. Conditions in the halls are particularly challenging because the pace of production constantly varies While searching for the optimal solution, the plant fire brigade tested a number of candidates, including quite a few conventional fire alarm systems. Conditions in the halls are particularly challenging because the pace of production constantly varies. “Due to the large size of both halls, in the end we decided that only one solution was up to the job: the AVIOTEC visual early fire detection system from Bosch,” explains Christoph Dammann, administrator fire and alarm systems at MKM. Fire Detection System AVIOTEC is the first video-based fire detection system to be certified by VdS Schadenverhütung GmbH (VdS). Intelligent algorithms integrated in the camera ensure reliable early detection of smoke and flame. This innovative technology also excels in terms of costs and efficiency. Bosch experts planned and configured the solution for MKM and then took care of integrating it into the existing fire detection system and connecting it to the monitoring center of the plant fire brigade. If a fire is detected in either of the two halls, it sends signals to the central fire detection system as well as directly to the fire brigade. Then the firefighters can check the video monitor and take targeted appropriate action to extinguish the fire before it can spread.