Matt Head – Page 17 – International Fire & Safety Journal

Euralarm welcomes new member Vanderbilt

Following a decision of its Board, Euralarm has welcomed its newest member Vanderbilt. The company will join the Security Section of Euralarm. The Security Section represents the intrusion, access and video sector and is key stakeholder in organisations such as CertAlarm, CEN-CENELEC, IEC and the European Commission. Together with a diverse number of stakeholders in Europe, the section collaborates on finding solutions for today’s as well as tomorrow’s challenges for security in a digitised world.

The Security Section meetings gathers experts presenting on actual topics such as the standardisation landscape on video surveillance. The section liaises towards key standardisation groups in the security field and closely follows technological developments to guide regulation and standardisation. Concerning standards, the section continues informing members of changes and advocacy activities at both national and EU level.

Being a member of Euralarm Vanderbilt will benefit from Euralarm’s representation towards European institutions and standardisation organisations. This includes the monitoring of legislative and standardisation issues relevant to the industry. Vanderbilt will have access to the extended network of national associations and major companies in the electronic fire safety and security sectors, which form Euralarm’s members. The new membership will create opportunities for both sides, as it also strengthens the association.

Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt is a global provider of high-performance security systems across access control and intrusion detection. Vanderbilt is recognised for its future-proof, innovative, and easy-to-use portfolio that contains award-winning products such as access control solutions ACT365 and ACT Enterprise and intrusion solutions SPC and SPC Connect. An advocate of open platforms and integrations, Vanderbilt understands the issues customers face and provides multiple solutions that are designed to meet these needs.

European expertise on markets and opportunities

Companies joining Euralarm get a unique insight into what is happening in European markets and the opportunities that they might offer. They not only tap into the political expertise and understanding of the EU policy but can also make personal connections with technical and political experts and potential business partners.

Being a member of Euralarm enables companies and associations to gain expertise on standardisation. Members have their voice heard in Brussels and can support and direct standardisation and legislative processes.

euralarm.org/

www.vanderbiltindustries.com

Auxiliary Firefighting Programme from Jaheziya

Jaheziya offers the Auxiliary Firefighting Programme, designed to provide current and prospective firefighters with the tactics needed to handle emergencies in industrial environments. This enables delegates to develop skills for preventing and responding to emergencies.

The auxiliary firefighting programme is designed to provide current and prospective firefighters with the tactics needed to handle emergencies in industrial atmospheres. This enables delegates to develop skills for preventing and responding to emergencies.

Prerequisites:

Students are required to be:

Medically and physically fit (sponsor to ensure medical fitness).
Able to understand instructions / training delivered in the English Language.
A minimum of 18 years old.
Medically fit to participate in all elements of the course, and they will be asked to complete a self-declaration medical form before the course commences.
Holding a valid Emirates ID or passport from their home country.

jaheziya.ae/

Viking launches emergency phones with ADA standards for handsfree communication

The same strength and reliability and durability experienced with Viking’s standard ADA compliant emergency phones is now available in a compact chassis.

When the button is pressed, the compact emergency phones automatically dial a pre-programed emergency phone number or central station number. The phones will roll to the next number if there is a busy signal or no answer, and will continue to dial until the call is answered. The red ‘Call Connected’ LED is built into the button and can be initiated manually or automatically to indicate the call was received.

“All the function and long-lasting durability of a Viking emergency phone all wrapped up in a sleek compact chassis, plus – we have some new colours!” – Greg Yocom, Engineering Manager, Viking Electronics.

Viking’s compact emergency phones meet ADA standards for handsfree emergency communication in elevators, areas of refuge, or any place an emergency phone is needed. The ADA compliant phones provide a single push-button auto dialer, call indicator light, pre-recorded location announcement, and a tactile braille label.

All programming parameters, including phone numbers and location numbers, are stored in non-volatile memory. The units are phone line powered, requiring no batteries or external power and are compatible with common Central Station Monitoring equipment. The compact phones are available in 6 different models: red, yellow, black, stainless steel, or blue chassis with ‘Emergency Phone’ verbiage, as well as a blue chassis with ‘Police’ verbiage.

www.vikingelectronics.com/

The Robot-TINO firefighting response unit

The Robot-TINO is a remote-controlled emergency response unit designed to fight or to mitigate fires and other hazardous events.

The unit is specifically designed to support firefighters during firefighting or fire mitigation operations in industrial process areas, tank farms, tunnels or anywhere congestion may create dangerous situations for the fire brigade.

The unit is powered via a compact diesel engine. Robust and sized to overcome difficult conditions such as those that are often found by emergency responders.

The unit is protected against heat radiation with a cooling system which allows the Robot-TINO to get closer than ever to the fire origin to suppress it with higher probability of success.

The unit is mechanically protected by a shell that prevents debris and fragments from entering the engine or control system parts. The roll-bar is also framed within the chassis and can be used to lift the vehicle in complete equilibrium. The frame also features a hooking point structure to lift the vehicle, as well as front and rear hooking systems for the fastening of equipment and optional devices.

The Robot-TINO comes with high-visibility LED headlights and blinkers. The vehicle is remote-controlled including the Fire Fighting Monitor or other accessories which can be installed to allow complete operation from a remote location.

The Robot-TINO is available with a wide array of accessories such as monitors, dry chemicals, foam, gas detectors or Infrared camera systems. All options available can be tailored and adapted to the specific application and requirements of the Emergency Response Team.

https://robot-tino.com/

California ‘Apple Fire’ forces thousands to evacuate

California fire services are currently battling a massive wildfire that has forced thousands of people from their homes east of Los Angeles.

More than 1,300 firefighters, backed by helicopters and water-dumping planes, have been tackling the blaze dubbed the Apple Fire which started on Friday 31st July.

Parts of the fire are on steep, rugged hillsides, making it hard for fire engines to reach.

Around 7,800 residents have been told to evacuate the area.

Images show flumes of smoke filling the sky over the mountainous region. In a tweet, the National Weather Service said some smoke had blown east to Phoenix, Arizona – nearly 300 miles (482km) away.

The wildfire began as two adjacent blazes in Cherry Valley, an area near the city of Beaumont.

It has since stretched out to 20,516 acres (8,302 hectares), San Bernadino National Forest said in a tweet on Sunday 2nd August.

Geofire: How can holding open doors prevent the spread of COVID-19?

Reducing the spread of germs and bacteria has never been more essential in the current climate. Holding open internal doors provides an easy and effective method of infection control within your building, but it is important that this does not impact your fire safety.

Reducing door handle contact

A study by the New England Medical Journal, which researched the survival of coronavirus on a number of surfaces, identified that the virus was still detectable on hard surfaces such as plastic and stainless steel 72 hours later. While regular cleaning can help combat transmission, the inevitable use of door handles means that they can quickly become a hotspot for the spread of germs.

Improving visibility and aiding social distancing

While lock down restrictions remain uncertain, social distancing measures are expected to stay for some time. Holding open internal doors facilitates social distancing by allowing improved vision when entering or leaving a room, or when travelling through a corridor. Not to mention the post-COVID etiquette of whether or not you should hold the door open for the person behind you!

Increasing ventilation

Workplace guidance published on 11th May 2020 identified ways employers and employees can work safely during the pandemic. One of the recommendations included the requirement for increased ventilation which can be achieved by opening windows and doors. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), said: “Good ventilation can help to minimise the risk of spreading coronavirus, so focus on improving general ventilation. Where possible, consider ways to increase the supply of fresh air, for example, by opening windows and doors”

The solution

Geofire’s Agrippa door holder allows a door to be hygienically held open in a fixed position, preventing the need to touch the door handle. The Agrippa door closer’s free-swing feature allows a door to be held open at any angle. Using ‘listen and learn’ technology, the Agrippa suite of products will automatically release the door on the sound of the building’s fire alarm. Wedges or homemade devices should never be used to hold open a fire door and is illegal should a fire occur. Building operators have a legal responsibility to ensure fire doors are not illegally wedged open to ensure that they can prevent the spread of smoke and flames. The Agrippa wire-free fire door holder and closer are fully compliant to the requirements of BS 7273-4 for standard actuation of fire doors, and third party tested and approved to EN1154 and EN1155.

Andy Collinson, CEO at Geofire said: “Wedging open a fire door removes its ability to stop the spread of fire, putting lives at risk. There are legally compliant solutions readily available if ease of movement around a building or increased ventilation is required. “From new builds to listed buildings, we have products to suit every installation; conventional hard wired, radio wire free and the Agrippa fire door holder and closer allow ‘dual mode’ installation, meaning you can install straight from the box and programme our innovative ‘listen and learn’ patent technology at a more convenient time”.

To learn more about Agrippa and how it can help infection control within your building, visit http://www.geofire.co.uk/agrippa-covid19-solution/.

Envirograf’s multi-purpose square box

The Envirograf multi-purpose square box is the most versatile of its kind available and has been specifically designed for most installations where services pass through fire barrier ceilings, floors, and walls. It can be surface – mounted or recessed.

Advantages

A versatile solution to the problem of services passing through walls, floors and ceilings, offering up to 4 hours protection
Detachable face plate allows for the box to be fitted in tight corners
Adjustable brackets can be bent flat to fit flush against flat surfaces such as walls or ceilings, or kept at a right-angled position to fit in corners

Application Instructions

For standard open areas, simply place the box over the services, use the smoke seal if required, and screw into position. If the services are already in place, remove the detachable section, fix the ‘U’ section first then slide back the detachable section and fix the smoke seal if required.

When the unit is flush against a ceiling, floor, wall, or corner simply bend the fixing brackets flat and screw into position. When using multi-purpose box to fit around existing services in a tight corner, simply remove the detachable section and fix the ‘U’ section into position. Fixing brackets can be bent flat if required. Replace the detachable section and fix to finish. Insert the smoke seal if required.

envirograf.com/

NFPA announces new FPRF study ‘Modern Vehicle Hazards in Parking Structures & Vehicle Carriers’

The NFPA has released a new report, detailing an analysis of the current scientific literature regarding the fire hazard modern vehicles represent to parking garages and marine vessels.

Vehicles have changed significantly over the years. Modern Vehicles present new hazards due to the incorporation of larger quantities of combustible materials (e.g. fuels, plastics, synthetic materials, etc.) into their designs. As alternative fuel vehicles are popularised, concerns regarding their unique hazards, burn characteristics, and typical burn duration have been raised.

Compared to older vehicles, modern vehicles burn differently. Modern parking garages have optimised space requirements for vehicle parking and storage and often implement automated retrieval features and car stacking, which presents unique hazards as well. Thus, it raises the question if the safety infrastructure of these parking structures and vehicle carriers (i.e. maritime vessels) have kept pace.

Vehicle fires in parking structures developing into large, out of control incidents are fairly rare and the rate of civilian injuries is low. However, fires in parking structures can lead to significant economic losses, as evidenced by recent fires at Liverpool’s Echo Arena in the UK and Stavanger Airport in Norway. These incidents involved hundreds of automobiles and resulted in severe structural damage.

Visit https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Data-research-and-tools/Building-and-Life-Safety/Modern-Vehicle-Hazards-in-Parking-Garages-Vehicle-Carriers to download the report.

FMC launches X Alert extinguisher alarm

The FMC X-ALERT Fire Extinguisher monitoring alarm is the first of its kind, by combining the benefits of the traditional wooden backboard where it is used to spread the weight of the extinguisher over a larger area on the wall and an integrated Alarm that protects the alarm from theft and miss-use. X-ALERT also benefits from 12 bright SMD’s and its loud 100dB siren that are triggered when the extinguisher is removed from the bracket.

The distinctive Piezo siren boasts a loud 100dB output, which serves as both a deterrent to potential vandals and a recognisable alert tone to the responsible person on site. The high volume signal can be instantly silenced by receipt of the missing extinguisher or the master key located on the bottom of the unit.

FMC X-ALERT FIRE EXTINGUISHER ALARM FEATURES

100dB Siren
12 Bright SMD’s
interchangeable bracket system
9v PP3 Battery Powered
integrated extinguisher support
Maintenance mode key switch
Up to 6 hours alarm time
Bespoke Company branding Available
Built in spirit level to aid easy installation
Spreads the weight of the extinguisher over a larger area which is perfect for stud walls.
Predrilled mounting holes
Interchangeable J & Lug Brackets For Different Extinguisher Types

FMC X-ALERT FIRE EXTINGUISHER ALARM SPECIFICATION

IP Rating : Not Applicable
Power Source : 9v PP3 Battery
Dimensions : H 360 x W 80 x D 50mm
Weight : 0.4Kg

www.fmcfire.co.uk/

Patol announces Iain Cumner as new Sales Director

The next stage in the development of Patol as the leading specialist in industrial fire safety equipment and systems has been announced with the appointment of Iain Cumner as Sales Director.

52-year-old Iain joins the business with extensive experience in security, fire and BMS (building management systems). Starting out his career with an apprenticeship in electronics with Marconi, Iain moved into integrated security systems in 1989 with Card Key Systems, one of the first large scale manufacturers of access control systems in the UK. Since then he has worked for companies ranging from Caradon Trend and Control Systems International (CSI) to G4 Technology and Frontline Security.

In his roles he has been involved in sales, both end user and through the supply chain, with notable contracts which included blue chip projects for companies such as Coca-Cola, Lloyds of London, Amazon Web Services, DPD and Motorola. For Motorola, Iain was responsible for a project which saw an integrated solution rolled out through the company’s whole portfolio across18 countries.

Iain joins Patol from Johnson Controls (JCI) where he most recently worked in developing framework agreements with Tier 1 construction companies for specification of fire, security and building management systems. The focus was on integrated system solutions, with a particular emphasis on data centres and tall buildings.

The timing of the appointment is part of Patol’s commitment to succession planning, with current Sales Director Kelvin Miller retiring from the business later in the year.

Commenting on his appointment, Iain said – “I am delighted to be taking on the position at an exciting time for the company. While the Patol name is well established worldwide, with its linear heat detection cable providing reliable fire detection in many diverse applications, developments in other areas are also raising the profile of the Patol brand. I see particular growth potential in the thermal imaging technology offering from the company. Throughout my career I have seen the focus on integration increase, with intelligent solutions now developing exponentially through the opportunities afforded by the IoT (Internet of Things) to deliver significant benefits in terms of AI and analytics.”

Kelvin Miller comments – ‘We are delighted to be bringing Iain on board. I will be working closely with him over the coming months to ensure he has a good understanding of the nuts and bolts of the business to enable him to take Patol forward. Given the worldwide nature of our markets, it was important that Iain had experience of both UK and overseas projects. In addition to prestigious contracts here, he has also worked extensively in Europe and the Middle East. He will be able to build on the momentum we have gained as a business and also identify new opportunities through his particular experience with system integrators.”