Fire Protection

On May 13th this year, the yearly Euralarm Symposium will take place. This years' conference venue is the Melia Madrid Serrano Hotel in Madrid, Spain. The symposium will start with a Networking Lunch and will end with a President’s Dinner (optional). In between, participants will have ample opportunities to mingle with Euralarm members and industry peers, build relationships and exchange views on the profession. Euralarm Symposium  First and for all, the conference is the place to get insights about where the fire safety and security industry is heading in the near future. The annual event is organized by Euralarm, the industry’s main European representative body and trade association.  The Euralarm Symposium will bring together fire safety and security experts from across Europe to share insights, network and listen to market changes impacting their professional activities. The conference itself contributes to the development of the European industry as a key player worldwide. The focus this year will be on key trends affecting the fire and security industry The Euralarm Symposium’s broad and inclusive approach will allow the security and fire safety community to discuss a variety of up-and-coming topics impacting the industry. The focus this year will be on key trends affecting the fire and security industry, providing participants insight into the latest and upcoming developments, standardization and regulations that will shape the future of the sector. New Euralarm Manifesto This year's Symposium will also be the moment that Euralarm unveils its new Euralarm Manifesto, outlining strategies and focus areas for 2019 - 2024. It will also address innovation and standardization and the impact of these themes on our industry. The symposium’s Networking Lunch will start at 12:30. The program will kick off at 14:00 until 18:00. A Networking Break during the afternoon and a President’s Dinner in the evening (optional) will allow participants to share insights and exchange views on the industry.

The Arson Awareness Week highlights that almost half (47%) of all fires attended to by the fire services are started deliberately, sometimes with a tragic cost of lives, and with a bill for insurance claims of £1.2 billion. Last year 76,000 fires were as a result of arson - that's over 200 a day across the UK - and vacant properties in particular are often targets. Rigorous Inspection Procedure VPS Security Services specialize in protecting properties that are temporarily vacant or unoccupied, and their inspectors advise property owners and facilities managers how to reduce the risks of arson. Here are their top 5 priorities: Ensure combustible materials are removed before they become a potential target for arson. Protect your property. Seek an assessment and advice on security, good lighting and CCTV; use a letterbox seal if the property is to be vacant for a while - measures that will act as deterrents to an arsonist. There are specialist fire alert systems designed for temporarily empty sites which are easy to install, wireless and do not require building remodelling but still meet fire safety Adopt a rigorous inspection procedure when leaving a property vacant, ensuring: External doors are locked Internal doors are closed No unauthorized persons are left on the premises No accumulation of waste or rubbish Alarms are switched on Take advice and responsibility and think of ways in which someone could start a fire inside or outside of your property. Act on any issues you find. Security Through Occupation VPS Security Services are part of the VPS Group that specialize in protecting people, property and assets, by securing, maintaining and managing properties across a wide range of customer and industry sectors. Core building services cover the vacant, unoccupied and void property lifecycle from an initial risk assessment, to security, including guarding, monitoring, clearing, maintenance and also ‘security through occupation', via their VPS property guardians service.

The very best in product sourcing, networking, and meaningful business exchanges will be on offer in Ho Chi Minh City later this year, when the regional security industry converges at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre for the 12th edition of Secutech Vietnam. The fair has been on an impressive growth trajectory since 2014, owing to high demand for security products in vertical markets such as hospitality, transportation, residential property, and newly completed commercial construction projects. In fact, between 2014 and 2018, numbers of visitors to the fair increased by over 225%, while exhibitor numbers experienced a rise of 210%, to reach 13,898 and 310, respectively. Video Surveillance Market To Grow At 12.4% The combination of these factors has bolstered the video surveillance market in Vietnam, which is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 12.4% by 2020Construction has been one of the key driving forces behind market growth, with newly completed hotels, residential complexes and shopping malls requiring comprehensive security and fire safety provisions. Meanwhile, a welcoming FDI environment and low import taxes, due to agreements such as the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), have encouraged foreign players to enter the market. The combination of these factors has significantly bolstered the video surveillance market in Vietnam, which is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 12.4% by 2020. Learn About Industry Developments Ms Regina Tsai, Deputy General Manager of Messe Frankfurt New Era Business Media Ltd, spoke about Secutech Vietnam’s role as a springboard for new business: “The fair is an excellent avenue for distributors, contractors, consultants and system integrators to learn about new industry developments and source the right products for their projects. At the coming edition, we are expecting over 360 high quality exhibitors to occupy 11,000 sqm of exhibition space. “The ongoing support that the fair receives from government authorities such as the Ministry of Public Security demonstrates the fairs’ relevance across Vietnam’s important vertical markets. This year, we are delighted to be adding new supporters the Vietnam Railway Authority, the Directorate of Roads of Vietnam, the Vietnam Federation of Civil Engineering Association, and Houselink.” Security Products And Solutions On Display Buyers will find the latest surveillance camera systems, access control systems, time attendance systems, smart locks, biometrics solutionsIn keeping with its position as a one-stop business platform for the entire security industry, the fair will cater to a full spectrum of sourcing needs. Across the show floor, buyers will find the latest surveillance camera systems, access control systems, time attendance systems, smart locks, biometrics solutions, video content analytics, intrusion/perimeter detection systems, data storage solutions, management platforms, and security services. In addition to this, even more sourcing opportunities will be on offer at two concurrent events – Fire Safety and Rescue Vietnam, and SMABuilding Vietnam. The smart home and buildings market has been gaining traction in Vietnam and across Asia, with many research institutes predicting significant growth. IHS Markit, for example, has forecast the Asian smart home market to grow to US$26 billion by 2022. Smart Home And Fire Safety Solutions SMABuilding Vietnam will help visitors gain an upper hand in this market, by providing a platform for channel players to build connections with suppliers of the latest IoT based smart home and building technologies. A selection of products to be featured at the event include building and energy management systems, parking management solutions for residential and commercial settings, intercom systems, office management systems; and smart home solutions such as security surveillance cameras, sensors, and smart control panels. Fire Safety and Rescue Vietnam will return to connect trade visitors with the relevant suppliers of fire extinguishers, alarms, escape equipmentMeanwhile, against a backdrop of rising social awareness and strict safety regulations, Fire Safety and Rescue Vietnam will return to connect trade visitors with the relevant suppliers of fire extinguishers, alarms, escape equipment, smoke exhaust devices, public address systems, personal protection equipment, fire vehicles, fire resistant materials and more. Return Of The Singapore Pavilion Besides the two concurrent events, the Singapore Pavilion is set to return as the place to find a selection of Singapore’s leading solution providers. The pavilion will be expanded to include even more exhibitors in the security and fire safety sectors, including Force 21, Kedacom International, Multron Systems, Nitti (Asia), Servo Dynamics, Teleradio Engineering, Ubergard, and Worldtags.    To ensure that the right connections are made during the fair, a number of VIP tours and business matching programs will be held, while visitors will also have the opportunity to catch up on industry developments through a range of educational seminars. Further details will be announced closer to the show. Secutech Vietnam will be held from 14 – 16 August 2019.

In an unprecedented collaboration within the fire and security industry, three not-for-profit organizations with expertise in fire and security doorsets have combined their knowledge to offer guidance on a newly-published document on flat entrance doorsets. The joint publication: ‘A Guide for Selecting Flat Entrance Doorsets; A publication for housing associations, landlords, building owners and local authorities in England’, relates to new doorsets and is the product of DHF (Door & Hardware Federation), Secured by Design (SBD) and the Fire Industry Association (FIA). The publication brings together the best collaborative advice available from the industry in one straightforward document to highlight the fundamental issues of fire safety and security for those selecting fire doorsets. The publication makes the point that there is no conflict between fire and security with Building Regulations ADB and ADQ carrying equal weight Equal Weightage For ADB And ADQ Importantly, the publication makes the point that there is no conflict between fire and security with Building Regulations ADB (fire) and ADQ (security) carrying equal weight with neither taking precedence over the other. It explains why only factory produced doorsets can meet both ADB and ADQ. Specifiers can have confidence in using the publication as an authoritative source of information as they are guided through the complexities of an extremely important area of Building Regulations to help them make informed choices. The publication, which can be downloaded from any of the co-operating organizations’ websites, comes in the wake of the 2017 Grenfell Tower tragedy and in response to the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Governments’ (MHCLG) Implementation Plan – ‘Building a Safer Future’, released at the end of December 2018. Enabling Safer, Easier Escape This new guidance document recommends that all fire doorsets are factory-prepared, and audited by a third-partyThis new guidance document, which launched in March of this year, recommends that all fire doorsets are factory-prepared (as opposed to prepared on-site), and furthermore, audited by a third-party. It is suggested these recommendations will offer greater assurance on door performance and protect occupants, control the spread of fire and enable safer, easier escape in the event of an incident. “We are delighted to have collaborated with SBD and FIA, in sharing our joint expertise on doorsets and fire safety,” explains DHF’s CEO, Bob Perry. “It seemed a natural partnership to come together and offer guidance on what to look for in a flat entrance doorset, how this relates to the latest advice supplied by Government (MHCLG) and why third-party certification of fire and security doorset manufacture, installation and maintenance is a critical part of the protection against fire ingress and unlawful entry. “Third party certification of manufacture, installation, maintenance and inspection of fire, smoke and security doors is something DHF has lobbied for tirelessly, as well as issues surrounding poorly or ill-fitting door closers,” he continues. “These form a vital part of fire safety.” Importance Of Third-Party Certification It is worth noting that although this document is specific to England and Wales, it is also useful information for Northern Ireland and Scotland"FIA’s CEO, Ian Moore, says: “We are very pleased to work with DHF and Secured by Design in producing a guidance document to assist housing associations, landlords, building owners and local authorities on what to look for in a new flat entrance doorset and why third-party certification of fire doorset manufacture, installation and maintenance is a critical part of fire protection. “This underlines the Fire Industry Association’s objective to improve and perfect fire protection work and builds on MHCLG guidance within the Government’s building safety program. It is worth noting that although this document is specific to England and Wales, it is also useful information for Northern Ireland and Scotland.” Establishing Effective Security Standards Chief Operating Officer of Secured by Design, Jon Cole, emphasized how important it is for the three organizations to work together to provide a holistic overview. Third party certification, by suitably qualified bodies, has certainly delivered consistency and quality within the security sector"He says: “For many years, we have worked closely with national and local government, manufacturers, trade associations and standards authorities at home and abroad to establish effective security standards in the building and construction industry. We insist on United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredited independent, third-party certification to provide product control and to ensure that specification and quality is maintained over time.” “Third party certification, by suitably qualified bodies, has certainly delivered consistency and quality within the security sector. This is why, we have campaigned for flat entrance doorsets to have dual certification, meeting all the relevant requirements for security and fire resistance in a single combined design specification. We believe that certification remains the best and only way to assure that effective quality products are delivered to market, providing additional assurance of performance.”

IFEDA, the Independent Fire Engineering & Distributors Association is celebrating 30 years of raising standards within the fire protection industry. The association was formed on a desire to bring fire extinguisher technician training to the independent fire trade beyond the confines of the manufacturing companies. Credit for the association should go to Mr Dave Hulse and his company National Fire Training. Through his good offices and at the direction of the founding committee members, IFEDA quickly added what was to become one enduring principle, which is the stated aim of raising quality standards within the fire protection industry through third-party accreditation, initially being BS5750 and lately ISO 9001. Fire Protection Service IFEDA members are fire protection service companies, and membership works on the democratic principle of one member, one vote To this day IFEDA requires that its members should achieve third-party accreditation as a means of continued membership. This ensures that the quality standards and workings of member companies and their technicians are independently assessed via UKAS approved schemes such as BAFE SP101 and BAFE SP203 etc. IFEDA itself, whilst being the first fire industry trade association to require members to achieve third-party accreditation, was also the first association within the fire trade to achieve ISO 9001 for its services to members and training courses. IFEDA members are fire protection service companies, and membership works on the democratic principle of one member, one vote. From humble beginnings, IFEDA board members now sit on various industry committees including British Standards workings groups for fire alarms, fire extinguishers and fire safety signage. Cost-Prohibitive In addition they also sit on various BAFE scheme committees including fire extinguisher technicians, fire alarms, kitchen suppression and the dry/wet riser scheme. This ensures that IFEDA members’ voices and points of view are represented across the industry. Graham Ferris, General Manager at IFEDA commented: “There are simply too many people who have made massive and telling contributions to this association over the past 30 years to try and name and pay tribute to their efforts and input, to do so would risk offending an omission who was equally deserving. However, special mention should be made with regards to my immediate predecessor Mr Ray Griffin and our long-time Chairman and now Executive President Mr Colin Payne. Both, in the early 2000’s, were at the inception of major changes in IFEDA not least in making the, then cost-prohibitive, attainment of ISO 9001 available to all the membership, irrespective of their company size.” Authentic Trade Association 2019 marks an important milestone in this fast paced and ever-changing industry" Mike Tobin, Chairman of IFEDA remarked: “2019 marks an important milestone in this fast paced and ever-changing industry. I am honoured to be part of the IFEDA journey which has been built from the heart. With sustainable foundations that are built with human spirit, and a drive to continually improve the relevant industry standards. We believe IFEDA is possibly the most authentic trade association within the fire safety sector. Our aim going forward is to direct our operations to assisting members in a fast-moving market, backed with applications to assist in the day to day engineering of systems and services.” IFEDA continues to raise standards within the fire protection industry, and achieves this by running training courses across a number of disciplines, including: fire alarms, fire extinguishers, dry risers, hose reels, train the trainer, and fire safety signage. All of IFEDA’s training courses have Continuing Professional Development status from the Construction CPD Certification Scheme.

Members of the fire and emergency services pledge to serve and protect their communities from hazards of all kinds. Yet instances of bullying, harassment, and discrimination within the emergency services ranks persist. These actions are detrimental to the fire service, putting members in danger, discouraging people from joining or staying in the service, and tarnishing the reputation of the entire fire service community. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), International Association of Black Professional Firefighters, International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), IAFC Volunteer & Combination Officers Section, International Association of Women in the Fire & Emergency Services, National Association of Fire Training Directors, and National Association of Hispanic Firefighters have released a Joint Anti-Harassment, Bullying, and Discrimination Statement. Emergency Service Organizations This statement asserts that all members of fire, EMS, and rescue services should be treated and treat others with respect and dignity, and makes it clear that harassment, bullying, and discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. Departments should also adopt a Code of Conduct or Code of Ethics that clearly defines expected behaviors among personnel The statement issues a call to action that all fire and emergency service organizations implement an anti-harassment, bullying, and discrimination policy that is actively communicated to personnel and actively and consistently enforced. Departments should also adopt a Code of Conduct or Code of Ethics that clearly defines expected behaviors among personnel. Life-Or-Death Situations “Harassment, bullying, and discrimination have no place in our society and must never be tolerated in our fire and EMS stations,” said NVFC Chair Kevin D. Quinn. “As firefighters and emergency responders, we rely on each other in life-or-death situations. It is critical that we all treat our brothers and sisters in the fire service with respect and realize the value each of us has to our department and our community.” “I commend these fire service organizations for joining together in a show of unity against harassment, bullying, and discrimination, and I encourage all members of the fire service to stand with us.” The Joint Anti-Harassment, Bullying, and Discrimination Statement and corresponding resources can be used by departments as a basis for their own policies.

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 original fire suppression agent has always been, of course, water. In the age of sail, it was ideal. Not so with the advent of the combustion engine, however. When applied to burning petroleum, the fire spreads. It also simply destroys electronics. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and Halon derivatives were the first widely used commercial fire suppression solutions, gaining popularity in the 1950s and '60s. Unlike water, they were highly effective, electrically non-conductive and didn't leave any residue. As compressed gases, storage wasn't a major issue. Unfortunately, Halon was found to be a high ozone depleting chemical; as a result, production was banned in 1990. Evolution Of Fire Suppression Systems Ideal for marine applications, HFC227 is fast, effective and clean With the sunsetting of Halon and the search for alternatives, CO2 gained prominence. However, it has three significant drawbacks: it's a greenhouse gas, requires a large number of cylinders and is potentially fatal if breathed at design concentrations. In the 1990s, HFCs rose to dominance as a fire suppression solution. Ideal for marine applications, HFC227 is fast, effective and clean. Like Halon and CO2, however, it's a greenhouse gas and contributes to global warming. Discharging an average-sized cylinder of HFC227 has the same CO2 equivalent as driving a car 268,760 kilometers. This is why it is being eliminated as part of a phased-down mandate from the EU, and restricted or taxed by various countries such as Australia and Norway. It is expected that similar legislation will begin to affect Canada and US-flagged vessels. Environmental Profile Of HFCs In 2002, 3M introduced Novec™ 1230 Fire Protection Fluid. It offers a number of important advantages over other clean agents in marine fire suppression applications. It has low acute toxicity and high extinguishing efficiency. This gives it a wide margin of safety compared to other chemical clean agents such as HFC227. A fluid, it vaporizes rapidly during discharge, is non-corrosive, non-conductive and leaves no residue. It is, importantly, a long-term, sustainable solution with virtually zero global warming potential, e.g., it has an atmospheric life of about a week versus HFC227's 34 years. So confident is 3M of its product, it offers its BlueSkySM Warranty; if it is ever banned or restricted from use due to its environmental properties, the company will refund the cost of the fluid. Unlike CO2, a gas, Novec 1230 fluid can be flown to the vessel or platform allowing less downtime waiting for supplies to arrive by ground For the marine and offshore oil and gas industries, Novec 1230 fluid offers distinct advantages. Because it's a fluid, recharging is simple. Unlike CO2, a gas, it can be flown to the vessel or platform. This means less downtime waiting for supplies to arrive by ground. It also takes up significantly less space. Recently, Sea-Fire Europe ceased distribution of HFC227. The move was strategic and ethical, given the environmental profile of HFCs. Novec 1230 Fluid For Recreational Marine Market With the phase-down of HFCs, supplies are running out. This means in the immediate future there will be a serious inability to service systems. Also, with shortages beginning, costs are rising, making the switch to Novec 1230 fluid a smart move financially. While 3M will obviously benefit from this, the real winner here is our planet and the people we share it with" Sea-Fire recognizes that it may lose business in the short term as boat and shipbuilders continue to choose HFC-based fire systems strictly based on cost alone. But, ultimately, eliminating the use of hydrofluorocarbons is the right thing to do for the marine industry as a whole. As the first manufacturer to introduce Novec 1230 fluid into the recreational marine market in 2012, Sea-Fire is fully prepared for the phase-out of HFCs. Benefitting The Marine Industry "As a corporation, 3M is committed to improving every life," said David Olds, 3M account executive for fire suppression applications. "Sea-Fire Europe made a difficult decision when announcing it would cease distribution of HFC227. While 3M will obviously benefit from this, the real winner here is our planet and the people we share it with." Sea-Fire Marine has long held the belief that it is in the business of protecting people and property at sea. With its recent declaration that its master European distributor Sea-Fire Europe is ending distribution of HFC-based fire suppression fluids, it can add the environment to its list.

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.

The headquarters of Bulgaria’s Communications Regulation Commission will be protected by high-tech fire systems from Advanced System, as part of a major refurbishment project and drive to reduce cases of false alarms. Located in Sofia, the Communications Regulation Commission (CRC) was established in 2002 as an independent state authority entrusted with the management and regulation of all electronic communications in Bulgaria. Axis EN System A recent upgrade of the fire system in the Communications Regulation Commission office was undertaken by Advanced partner, FireTech Engineering Ltd   A recent upgrade of the fire system in the Communications Regulation Commission office was undertaken by Advanced partner, FireTech Engineering Ltd. The project saw Advanced’s Axis EN system installed in the building supported by smoke detectors, and Advanced’s AlarmCalm false alarm management solution. Rossen Kolev, Managing Director for FireTech Engineering Ltd, said: “We specified Axis EN as the brains and backbone of the system for the CRC building as we know it offers the highest levels of quality and reliability. The client specified a system that would avoid false alarms and offer the option to expand or upgrade in the future, which is something we can guarantee with Axis EN and AlarmCalm.” AlarmCalm Fire Alarm Management AlarmCalm is a free upgrade to Advanced software and firmware that takes advantage of the high-speed robust panels and networks to offer the best-in-class solution for managing verification and investigation delays to outputs. It allows the false alarm management strategy for a site to be refined right down to points and to take account for resident needs and area usage. It includes the AlarmCalm loop device that allows residents or trained staff to indicate whether they believe a signal in their area is due to a false alarm. Axis EN is EN54 2,4&13 approved and its panels can be used in single loop, single panel format or easily configured into high speed, multi-loop panels in 200 node networks covering huge areas. Advanced’s legendary ease of installation and configuration and wide peripheral range make it customizable to almost any application. TouchControl And Dynamic Reporting  Axis EN also supports TouchControl, Advanced’s 10” HD touchscreen repeater and remote-control terminal that offers dynamic reporting and control Axis EN also supports TouchControl, Advanced’s 10” HD touchscreen repeater and remote-control terminal that offers dynamic reporting and control via a unique interface that includes Active Maps and zone plans. Etienne Ricoux, Advanced’s Head of Sales, commented: “The Communications Regulation Commission building in Sofia is the latest high-profile building in Bulgaria to be protected by Advanced panels. Our Axis EN panels lead the market and offer the performance, reliability and flexibility needed in a building such as this.” Intelligent Fire Systems Expert Advanced is a globally renowned developer and manufacturer of intelligent fire systems. The legendary performance, quality and ease-of-use of its products sees Advanced specified 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 and fire paging systems.

A fire safety system upgrade at Harwich and Dovercourt High School, a mixed secondary school and sixth form with academy status serving more than 1,200 students aged 11 to 18 years, has 110 Vimpex Fire-Cryer Voice Sounders at its heart to help protect students and staff. This extensive fire safety system upgrade, installed by life safety systems specialists Anglia Fire Protection Ltd. comprises 24 Vimpex wall mounted Fire-Cryer and 86 high output Midi Fire-Cryer Voice Sounders, with custom built voice message controllers built to the customer’s specification. Produces Bespoke Messages And Tones Such a busy, multi-use facility as a senior school demands a bespoke evacuation and warning system solution. Vimpex’s Fire-Cryer Voice Sounders can be programmed to produce bespoke messages and tones specifically designed for the educational environment. Vimpex’s Fire-Cryer is the only voice sounder system available with a range of discreet ceiling mounted voice sounders through to high output IP66 voice sounders. The Fire-Cryer range is the most extensive range of voice sounders available on the market today The advantage of using multi-message voice sounders in schools is that traditional fire alarms can be mixed with everyday messages such as class change. It can be customary practice for schools to use the fire bells or sounders to announce class changes with the potential for confusion during an actual fire or routine test. Low Current Consumption The Fire-Cryer range is the most extensive range of voice sounders available on the market today with five models to choose from and literally millions of message combinations, ensuring that any site requirement can be fulfilled. The units require no special wiring and can be retrofitted to existing installations. They can be fully synchronized and have a low current consumption allowing simple replacement of existing sounders and bells. Established in 1994, Vimpex is the independent manufacturer and distributor of fire detection, alarm and evacuation products and accessories in the UK. The company produces and distributes a range of high-quality evacuation, signalling and building infrastructure system products, both Vimpex-manufactured and supplied by the company’s manufacturing partners.

Inorbit has emerged as one of Mumbai’s popular shopping destinations with its diverse and exceptional offerings in food, fashion and entertainment. Over the last 15 years of being in business, the mall has gained a huge fan following because of the unique shopping experience one can enjoy here. The Axis EN system, which has recently received globally recognized FM APPROVED accreditation, was installed by Advanced Partners, Abhay Fire and Security Engineers, who were tasked with replacing the entire system including full re-configuration, programming and commissioning. The installation, covering the entire shopping mall including all public areas and retail units, is comprised of two networked 8-loop panels linked to the building management system and exhaust and pressurization fans for the building’s smoke control function. Axis EN Analog Fire Panel System Axis EN, which is part of Advanced’s Axis range of systems, holds global approvals, including EN54, UL864 and AS1670Hiren M. Shah, Proprietor at Abhay Fire and Security Engineers, said: “Advanced are our first choice of panel every time, combining innovation, intuitive operation and reliability. The Axis EN system was selected thanks to its auto-learn feature and straight-forward programming of multiple zones and outputs according to the requirements of each retail unit.” Available for European, Middle East and South East Asian markets, Axis EN is Advanced’s highest performance analog 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. Quality Fire Protection Products Advanced is renowned for making things easy and its products enjoy a reputation for real quality and performance making them the fire systems of choice"Bharat Sharma, Division General Manager for Fire Safety Solutions in India, said: “Due to their complexity, great consideration must go into the fire protection for retail developments, with the Inorbit Mall being no different. Advanced is renowned for making things easy, even on more complex installations, and its products enjoy a reputation for real quality and performance making them the fire systems of choice.” Advanced, owned by FTSE 100 company Halma PLC, have a long history of protecting some of the most high-profile retail developments around the globe including Westfield Shopping Centre, Sydney and One New Change, London. 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.

One of London’s most prestigious hotels, The Berkeley in Knightsbridge, London, is now protected by a Lux Intelligent emergency lighting test system and MxPro fire panels from Advanced. With a history dating back to the 1800s, the current 214-bedroom Berkeley Hotel was built in 1972, incorporating elements of the original building, and it has recently been subject to a major refurbishment covering all bedrooms, suites, terraces, the lobby, the restaurant, the iconic Blue Bar and the main entrance. Lewis Bowden, spokesperson for Surrey-based Alarm Communication Ltd, the company that specified and installed the system, explained: “Hotels require state of the art emergency lighting systems to safeguard their staff and residents in an emergency situation, helping to facilitate an orderly evacuation and also to guide firefighters coming into the building. As a long-time Advanced partner, we believed that Lux Intelligent, alongside Advanced MxPro fire panels, was the right choice for The Berkeley, offering the stand-out capabilities, features and reliability required of a system of this type.” Luminaires monitored by Lux Intelligent panel Advanced luminaires are monitored and controlled by a Lux Intelligent panel, connected to the building’s fire system More than 200 Advanced luminaires have been installed in the historic hotel, on Wilton Place, which is part of the same stable as Claridge’s. They are monitored and controlled by a Lux Intelligent panel, connected to the building’s fire system. Most of the luminaires are from the Advanced LED-Lite range, which can be recessed into ceilings, offering an aesthetically pleasing solution in the public areas of the prestigious building. Etienne Ricoux, Head of Sales for Advanced, said: “Our Lux Intelligent system offers many benefits including real peace of mind, the ability to work with almost any light, and cost and admin savings. Alongside the MxPro multiprotocol fire panels, we’re proud to be providing market protection to the staff and residents at the Berkley.” Compatible with third-party lights Lux Intelligent ensures all emergency lighting is functioning and compliant to BS5266-1. The system can be retrofitted onto existing wiring and luminaires, keeping installation costs to a minimum. It is one of the most flexible systems available with panels supporting 1-4 loops, 249 devices per loop and up to 200 panels in a network. Lux Intelligent is also compatible with most third-party lights and luminaires, including LEDs, giving installers and end users unprecedented purchasing freedom. Lux Intelligent systems can be remotely managed and monitored using web and iOS apps via the Lux Intelligent Cloud Lux Intelligent systems can be remotely managed and monitored using web and iOS apps via the Lux Intelligent Cloud. Users can add any site in their portfolio to the cloud service and get live system data from site, right down to device level. Fault, test and maintenance reports can be generated from a whole site right down to individual devices. These can be shared with colleagues or maintenance partners in a click. Optimum multiprotocol fire panel The MxPro is the industry’s unbeatable multiprotocol fire panel. Built on almost two-decades of market leadership, it offers greater freedom to specifiers, end users and installers, and includes two panel ranges, the flagship EN54-2, 4 & 13 approved MxPro 5, and the benchmark MxPro 4. Both come in 1-8 loop formats, are compatible with Apollo, Argus, Hochiki and Nittan protocols and can be networked into 200-panel strong systems.