Hikvision launches people-counting solution

The new Density Control Solution just launched by Hikvision is designed to help the staff at supermarkets, retailers, Post Offices, banks and other buildings and facilities manage the number of people on their premises at any given time.

With social distancing an ongoing requirement in public places at present, Hikvision’s system uses highly accurate people-counting technology, a clear, dynamic display and real-time alerts to ensure that pre-defined capacity thresholds are never exceeded, even in those locations with multiple entrances and exits.

Optional central management software allows end users to obtain in-depth business intelligence reports for trend analysis. Importantly, the Hikvision Density Control Solution can be easily and rapidly deployed.

Gary Harmer, sales director for Hikvision UK and Ireland, told Security Matters: “The Density Control Solution is designed to be simple to use and highly accurate, with options to suit all potential application scenarios. There’s a single door option for smaller establishments and also a version incorporating multiple people-counting cameras for multiple doors. The Density Control Solution can also be managed across multiple sites using our HikCentral management software.”

Harmer continued: “In all of these scenarios, a clear and very easily understood dynamic data display monitor is sited at each entrance, providing those awaiting entry with real-time updates on the number of people inside. An alert is created when the pre-configured maximum is reached, while an audio alarm can be triggered if anyone attempts to enter the building before the numbers go below that threshold.”

The solution allows organisations to reduce the number of staff required to be physically present at doors as the remaining capacity is clearly displayed. Additionally, the highly accurate nature of the cameras’ people-counting functions – which make effective use of 3D binocular stereo vision and Deep Learning algorithms – means that potentially complex counts in multi-door sites are no longer an issue.

Alongside the Density Control Solution, Hikvision also offers a Mask Detection Solution which is designed to ensure that anyone entering a given premises is wearing a face mask if local restrictions dictate that this is required.

The Mask Detection Solution can be delivered in a variety of formats depending on user needs: on board a specialist camera, on a Hikvision DeepinMind NVR for those users with existing camera systems, integrated within Hikvision’s Temperature Screening Thermal Solution or as part of a MinMoe door access unit with built-in face detection technology, which can deny entry if a mask is not worn or an out of range skin surface temperature is detected.

www.hikvision.com

PELI agrees to donate to fire and humanitarian services

PELI Products, global designer and manufacturer of high-performance protective cases and advanced lighting systems, is uniquely positioned to provide support to those most in need.

After its large donation of PELI 9600 Lighting systems to the Italian Red Cross at the beginning of the crisis, PELI decided to help its closer community in Barcelona; the city where the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) headquarters is located.

PELI’s donation to the ‘Fundació Patrimoni Natural de Matadepera´ includes fire & rescue teams, forest preservation and law enforcement entities

The foundation was created for the preservation and to improve safety against natural hazards, fires and emergencies, with the ultimate goal of reducing the loss of assets and natural heritage in our territory: Matadepera and the Natural Park of Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac. Approximately 45 torches PELI 1910 has been given to them.

Other entities belonging to the same Foundation such as a unit of the local Police has also received a selection of 400 models including PELI 7110, 7610 and 7620 from PELI. Furthermore, several Fire departments from Barcelona and Catalunya have received 1380 units of PELI 3325Z0 and almost 50 units of PELI 9430; the Forest Agents and Fire departments also received approximately 1020 headlamps of model PELI 2785Z1. Lastly, the Red Cross of Barcelona has received 300 headlamps.

Piero Marigo, Managing Director of PELI says: “We are delighted to contribute with our lighting systems to these professional entities, especially after the complexity of the times we have gone through during the last months. We are totally sure they will use them for humanitarian search and rescue and to preserve our environment too.”

www.peli.com

ASFP releases new advice on the fire protection of structural steel

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has released a suite of new Advisory Notes which offer guidance on the fire protection of structural steel. The four new Advisory notes address specific concerns identified by industry.

ASFP Advisory Note 18: ASFP Position on Installing Partitioning to the Underside of Structural Steel Sections Coated with a Reactive Fire Protection System highlights concerns related to fixing partitioning directly to columns or beams treated with intumescent paint. It notes that fixing anything directly to either the column/beam will impede the intumescent paint from expanding and may allow heat to transfer to the steel, resulting in localised loss of strength and potential failure in the event of a fire.

Since partitioning is often installed along the line of a structural steel frame, the ASFP has joined with the FIS (Finishes and Interior Sector – the dry lining industry trade association), to recommend that, regardless of the existing sound or acoustic protection, the beam or column should be boxed out with an independently tested framed or an unframed system that will provide the required level of fire protection to the beam/ column.

Advisory Note 19: ASFP Position on the Use of Critical Steel Temperatures above 650°C recommends that if a limiting temperature of above 650°C is specified, then a second opinion should be sought from an appropriately trained structural engineer. This reinforces the best practice guidance contained within Advisory Note 12: Best Practice Guide for Specifying reactive coatings for structural steel fire protection, published jointly by the ASFP and the British Coatings Federation.

ASFP Advisory Note 20: ASFP Position on Portal Frame Buildings provides advice on providing fire protection to portal frame rafters, and should be used in conjunction with the SCI document P313: Single Storey Steel Framed Buildings in Fire Boundary Conditions.

It recommends that where fire protection is required to portal frame rafters, certified 4-sided beam thicknesses should be applied to all 4 sides of the rafter, using the appropriate critical temperature.  In cases where a portal frame rafter cannot be coated on the top flange if the roofing materials are in place, a structural engineer and/or fire engineer should be consulted, as further action may be required. Care should also be taken to use the appropriate 4-sided section factor in all cases.

ASFP Advisory Note 21: ASFP Position on Coatback with Respect to Unprotected Secondary Beams Fixed to Protected Primary Beams advises against the omission of coatback to protect secondary beams when the primary beam is fire protected.

It describes references to such omissions contained within Steel construction – Fire Protection, published by the British Constructional Steelwork Association in 2013, as unconservative. The recommendations in the advisory note has more detail than that contained within ASFP Yellow Book (5th edition) and ASFP TGD 8: Code of practice for junctions between different fire protection systems whichwill be amended accordingly.

The Yellow Book will state: ‘If there is no evidence to support the omission of coatback then a figure of 500mm as stated in ASFP TGD 8 Code of practice for junctions between different fire protection systems when applied to load bearing structural steel elements should be assumed as a conservative solution.’

The guidance highlights that the primary beam must be a solid web beam and that omitting coatback does not apply when the protected beams are cell beams. While noting that individual manufacturers have undertaken tests to show that reduced coatback may be sufficient, the guidance states that, the specific end use situation and the proprietary evidence must be considered and that coatback should only be omitted in situations where a detailed engineering study has been completed.

All ASFP guidance documents are available for free download from the Publications area of the ASFP website: www.asfp.org.uk.

Hochiki Europe to host webinar on I.S. systems

Life safety manufacturer, Hochiki Europe is continuing its successful series of webinars, with an online session focusing on demystifying Intrinsically Safe (I.S.) systems. The webinar will take place on Thursday 20 August at 11am and is free-to-attend for those looking to enhance their knowledge and expertise of these integral life safety systems.

There is some confusion around the use of I.S. equipment due to the misconception that they are simply ‘bolt on’ products that can be added to life safety systems to provide protection in more dangerous environments. However, this is not the case and there are many instances where specially developed I.S. equipment is required due to the level of protection that they can offer and the hazardous nature of the environment in which they are to be used. Throughout the online session, experts from Hochiki will take attendees through the key issues, considerations and requirements, covering the technical makeup of I.S. devices, the different classifications of hazardous areas as well as common and uncommon applications where I.S. equipment would be best suited.

The host of the webinar, Rob Head, Commercial Project Manager at Hochiki Europe, said: “Helping our customers understand the place of I.S. equipment within the field of life safety technology is incredibly important due to the misunderstanding that currently surrounds them. With more buildings being left unoccupied or having fewer occupants, fire detection and prevention, particularly in hazardous environments, must remain ultra-dependable.

“So, if you’re an installer, facility manager, end user, life safety professional, or anyone responsible for hazardous environments looking to update your knowledge and expertise, join us on 20 August.”

Paul Adams, Marketing Manager at Hochiki Europe, added: “In this new, socially-distant world, webinars are an effective way of delivering vital training and technical information to our audiences helping ensure our industry remains in the know about the latest developments. Our previous sessions have received some really positive feedback and so we’re excited to see what this next chapter will bring.”

To reserve your place on this webinar, register here: https://www.hochikieurope.com/event/

For more information about Hochiki Europe’s I.S products, visit: https://www.hochikieurope.com/is.

Task Force Tips launches SHO-FLOW App

TFT’s enhanced dual featured SHO-FLOW® app works either independently with established fire flow formulas, or in conjunction with TFT’s SHO-FLOW Bluetooth® Flow meter, determining actual flow rates for fire hose lines and nozzles, in addition to calculating true Pump Discharge Pressures (PDP), Nozzle Reaction, Hose Friction, and allowing for real time NFPA 1962 flow testing.

When used in its stand alone water flow calculating mode, SHO-FLOW’s app allows both Android or Apple users to calculate flow rate, nozzle reaction, hose friction loss, or to target fire flow rates by using the application’s built-in time tested formulas.

The revolutionary app, designed to deliver information in either metric or USA units, allows custom naming of the team’s SHO-FLOW meter device, as well as enabling an unlimited amount of first responders to see real time flow rate, total water delivered, and device friction loss from up to a quarter mile away via the Bluetooth link.

The dynamic app also includes instant links to water flow education videos and recommendations for target fire flows when using water or foam.

The new and improved free application can be downloaded on Google Play or at the App Store.

https://tft.com/

Government failures over cladding lead to extra hours for firefighters

London firefighters are spending over 4,000 hours per month visiting high rise blocks where fire safety failings have resulted in ‘Stay Put’ advice being suspended.

Labour’s London Assembly Fire and Resilience Spokesperson, Andrew Dismore AM, who obtained these figures from a series of written questions to the Mayor, said that the Government’s “dither and delay” over removing dangerous cladding from tower blocks is leading to the London Fire Brigade (LFB) becoming a “free building safety service for tower block owners”.

High rise blocks of flats are designed to stop the spread of fire between apartments, which is the basis of the “Stay Put” advice. In March, the LFB identified that in 120 tower blocks, Stay Put was suspended because each building was still wrapped in Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding, like that used on the Grenfell Tower.

In March, another 166 towers had the Stay Put policy revoked due to other factors such as compartmentation failures or the presence of other types of dangerous cladding, such as high-pressure laminates.

As of June, the advice in 274 tower blocks in the capital is now for all households to simultaneously evacuate in the event of a fire instead.

The LFB is currently dispatching a fire engine and a crew of between four and six firefighters to check these buildings twice a month while Stay Put advice is suspended.

The building checks, including the follow-up work for both visits, take two to four hours to complete on average.

This comes despite the Government’s previous pledge to strip ACM from tower blocks by June 2020, in the wake of the Grenfell tragedy three years ago.

The Mayor of London’s Budget guidance for 2020/2021 shows that in the absence of additional Government funding, the LFB will need to make £25 million of savings over the coming years due to the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Labour’s London Assembly Fire and Resilience Spokesperson, Andrew Dismore AM, said:

“The Government’s dither and delay in stripping dangerous cladding from high rises is contributing to the London Fire Brigade becoming a free building safety service for tower block owners.

“Keeping Londoners safe will always be the top priority, but providing this service takes time that could be used for other important duties such as training exercises and conducting smoke alarm checks.

“If the Government is going to require the Brigade to pick up the slack from its stalling building safety programme, it should allocate the necessary extra funding and resources.

“Firefighters have stepped up during the Covid-19 outbreak, from driving ambulances and fitting masks to delivering supplies in the community. However, the fallout from the pandemic is also due to have a huge impact on the Brigade’s finances.

“The Government must get its act together over cladding remediation and properly invest in our emergency services”

New Commander Safety Box from Check Fire Group

New this year, the Commander Safety Box from Check Fire Group offers a very practical solution for the protection and storage of fire safety equipment.

– Smooth, flat roof for sign application
– Ground fixing kit. Sold separately
– Plastic material with high resistance to: water and dust ingress, UV rays, high and low temperatures
– Logistics optimisation thanks to the stack-ability

For fire extinguishers in an outdoor setting, this time of year brings more need than ever to provide protection to ensure they work as they should in the event of a fire. Fire safety equipment stored outdoors should take cover from bad weather.

The Commander Safety Box is the ideal storage solution for extinguishers in a variety of outdoors settings, including holiday caravan parks, construction sites, festivals and garage forecourts.

www.checkfire.co.uk/

SAM transforms traditional fire truck pump operations

SAM manages multiple lines at different pressures and maintains set pressures. It also monitors intake pressure too and switches back to tank if there are any interruptions in the supply lines. After water supply is established, the system automatically refills the tank so it is always full. If there is an issue with the supply lines, SAM will switch back to tank and alert the operator so the issue can be addressed.

SAM will:

  • Maintain set pressure on all active lines
  • Re-fill the tank
  • Monitors intake pressure and switches to tank if intake is lost
  • Keeps the pump cool
  • Alert you if there is a problem with water flow or equipment

The saved presets in the SAM interface allow pump operators to set discharge pressures fast. Even before charging lines, the system automatically opens the tank to pump valve so water is in the pump and it’s ready to go.

With one swipe, SAM:

  • Charges first line to preset pressures
  • Maintains set pressures for each discharge

SAM is an integrated total water control system that manages the truck’s pump, tank, intakes and discharges. The SAM system replaces the pressure governor and takes care of opening and closing valves based on operator settings. Instead of a complex fire truck pump panel, firefighters can have all of the pump controls in a 10″ touch-screen display.

www.samflows.com/

Kochek and AWG Fittings partner up on delivering valves to equipment dealers

Kochek Company, LLC has announced its new alliance with AWG Fittings GmbH. The two companies have partnered to provide Kochek loose equipment dealers with the superior performance and reliability, for which AWG valves are known throughout the industry.

AWG Valves For Kochek Dealers

As Kochek’s primary supplier of several sizes of gate, ball, intake, hydrassist, manifold, siamese, and pressure relief valves, AWG plays an important role in Kochek’s efforts to ensure the continued satisfaction of its dealers and customers. With every order, Kochek custom fits each valve to exacting specifications.

Kochek President and CEO, George J. Wessner, said of the relationship with AWG, “We’re thrilled to work with AWG to make this quality possible for our customers. They rely on their Kochek equipment when it matters most, and our valve performance is something they can always count on in the field.”

www.kochek.com/

EHang flies out rapid responder, firefighting drone

So far, much of the development focus of China’s EHang has been on providing air taxi and air tourism services, but now the air mobility company has its eyes on proving the versatility of its autonomous aerial vehicle platform with the launch of a firefighting version of its two-person multi-rotor flying pod.

Back in May, EHang secured approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China to use its air taxis for heavy lift logistics, and the latest variant of the EHang 216 puts that capability to good use by carrying up to 150 liters of foam and six extinguisher bombs per trip to high-rise fires within a 5 km (3.1 mi) radius of the station where they’re based.

Upon arrival at the scene, the 216F makes use of a visible light zoom camera to locate the fire, hovers in position and uses a laser guidance system to launch a window breaker, followed by extinguisher bombs and finally sprays the flames with foam.

China has a good many tall buildings, and out of 233,000 fires reported in 2019, according to a survey undertaken by China Fire Magazine, nearly 7,000 were in high-rise buildings. With a maximum flight altitude of 600 m (1,968 ft), the 216F should be of use for all but the tallest. EHang also points to significantly shorter response times thanks to the autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV) zooming over inner city traffic.

Though no performance specs have been released for this version, the passenger 216 can reach a top speed of 130 km/h (80 mph) and has a maximum flight time of 21 minutes. Thanks to its autonomous flying capabilities and with the help of centralised management technologies, a fleet of firefighting AAVs could be remotely dispatched as a first response to a high-rise fire up to 5 km from base.

“We are pleased to introduce the EHang 216F AAV aerial firefighting solution, which solves difficult challenges in high-rise firefighting,” said EHang’s Huazhi Hu. “The high-rise fire use case highlights the practical application of our passenger-grade AAV platform to different smart city management needs. The potential of our intelligent AAV technology platform is boundless. We will explore and develop more aerial solutions and use cases to empower smart cities.”

The EHang 216F has initially launched in China, but the company has plans to release the firefighting flyer globally in the future. The video below shows the aerial firefighting solution in action.

www.ehang.com/