G3 Systems confirms Interschutz 2022 presence

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G3 Systems Limited has confirmed its participation at Interschutz 2022, the world’s foremost fire, rescue, civil protection, and safety/security trade show, from June 20-25, 2022, at the Deutsche Messe Hannover, Germany.   

Interschutz was last held in 2015, and the pandemic caused the show to be postponed in both 2020 and 2021.

Joining around 1,000 other companies from 50 countries, G3 Systems will be presenting its outsourced fire and rescue service capability to industrial, aviation and critical infrastructure customers from around the world.

With around 160,000 visitors expected to visit the show over 6 days, G3 Systems will demonstrate how its 24/7 fire and rescue services can minimise risk and improve on-site safety; protecting staff, visitors and facilities while enabling operations to continue in full compliance with national and international fire and safety standards and regulations.

Based in Portland UK, and currently celebrating 20 years in business, G3 Systems Fire & Rescue Services include structural and aviation rescue and fire-fighting services, emergency dispatch and response, incident command, fire safety, fire inspection and investigation, equipment and vehicle maintenance, testing and compliance, firefighter training and Medical Crash Crew / Ambulance Services.

In addition, G3 Systems provide waking watch services and client training in emergency response procedures, as well as through-life logistics support via mobile Field Service Engineers and forward deployed support staff.  Over 80% of its personnel work at its client’s facilities around the world.

G3 Systems will be present at Stand A51: Hall 17.

Has the pandemic overhauled the security landscape?

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Insightful contributions on a range of key, topical issues facing the security systems and security services sectors were shared at last month’s Thought Leadership Summit, held at the Royal Lancaster London after a two-year break following the pandemic. Organised by the Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) in association with NSI, the annual event attracted a wide range of senior leaders from across the industry.

The 2022 conference programme reflected a variety of current themes affecting buyers of security and industry providers alike, including upcoming legislation covering protection of most public spaces – the Protect Duty proposals. These implications and opportunities were debated by three speakers: Andrew Donaldson, head of security at Real Estate Management UK Ltd; John Frost, Group head of business continuity at Marks & Spencer and chairperson of the Retail Business Continuity Association; and Stuart Toal, head of non-motor commercial insurance, Allianz UK.

The speakers’ contributions on the Protect Duty consultation reflected a wider, common thread: the value of collaborative working, regardless of commercial considerations. As one delegate put it, in a contribution ‘from the floor’: we have to work collaboratively to make the most of this once in a moment opportunity and explain to all parties how improved protection of public spaces will impact them in the future.

Those attending the Thought Leadership Summit also gained an insight into the current thinking guiding licensing body the Security Industry Authority, from CEO Michelle Russell. Michelle outlined a plan of actions including improvements to the SIA’s core licensing systems and processes, alongside a more proactive approach to compliance, inspection and enforcement.

The impact of the pandemic on the security sector was discussed by two speakers in a session addressing the topic ‘Who are the winners and losers amongst security suppliers? What the bosses say.’ Paul Evans, CEO of Carlisle Support Services and Christian Watts, MD, Fire and Security Systems at Mitie agreed that key worker status has raised the public perception and status of officers with a welcome increase in pay across the sector.

In contrast, there have been increases in violence, including serious assaults, along with a significant rise in abuse towards guards, and Paul argued for a “meaningful employee value proposition” to attract candidates and counter labour shortages.

Christian added that other “headwinds and challenges” include rising crime statistics, increases in the cost of living, supply chain disruption, tightening compliance, changing workplaces and technology evolution.

Richard Jenkins, NSI’s chief executive, provided Thought Leadership Summit delegates with an overview of the positive ways in which third party certification raises standards, reduces risks and independently demonstrates key competencies across the sector. He said: “Following NSI’s inaugural involvement with this prestigious event in 2020, the environment in which companies operate has changed and the 2022 Thought Leadership Summit provided challenging first-hand perspectives from practitioners on the key issues driving the direction of travel in both security systems and security guarding services deployment and operations.”

Professor Martin Gill, founder and director, Thought Leadership Summit commented: “Thought Leadership Summits are designed to inspire new thinking, provide a critique of what is happening and generate insights on where security should be heading, it once again achieved that. The presentations and debates remind us of the passion for those who work in security to want to improve it.”

Hochiki fire system installed at Italian food production site

by Featured NewsFire DetectionFire SuppressionHospitalityIndustry SectorsProductsWarehouse

In 1959, eight dairies in the Parmigiano Reggiano area founded the CCS Consorzio Caseifici Sociali. Over the years, the business expanded to include the production and maturing of Parmigiano Reggiano.

In 1995, the Granterre Consortium was established, bringing together the entire Parmigiano Reggiano dairy chain, and then almost ten years later, in 2004, control of Parmareggio Spa was acquired. In 2019 Bonterre Spa, the holding company under which the control of Parmareggio Spa and Grandi Salumifici Italiani Spa (controlled by UNIBON) was established.

Then in 2021, Agriform Sca (leader in the production of Grana Padano PDO and the main Veneto PDOs such as Asiago, Piave, Montasio and Monte Veronese) merged with Parmareggio Spa to create the first Italian company in the world of PDO cheeses and cemented this new company as the leader in the Italian food industry.

New company requires fire safety upgrade

In 2021, the site at Sommacampagna required an upgrade of the fire detection system. Hochiki were the appointed manufacturers to supply the life safety system and devices due to their experience and expertise in the Italian fire safety market.

Within food production sites, the temperature and humidity inside the environment must be carefully controlled to comply with food hygiene laws, and because of this, these sites can be notoriously complex buildings to design and install fire safety systems for. The customer was looking for a high-performance fire detection system that would not be affected by these environmental factors, and most importantly avoid false alarms which can halt production and cost the company thousands of Euros for every minute the site is not fully operational.

The installation team also needed to pay particular attention to the installation of cables and piping. As a specialist in aged cheese production, it was imperative that the delicate work of the cheese wheels and the hot marking of the upper layer of the Parmesan rind was not affected during the installation project. One of the benefits to Hochiki products to this project was the ease of install and ease of use of the devices which had minimal impact on the business.

To meet the requirements of the project, the installer NET Technologies Srl chose Hochiki’s market leading system L@titude to be the brain of the life safety system. This innovative fire detection technology combines the very latest hardware and software to produce a control and indication system which is powerful and sophisticated, yet simple to use and understand via a graphical interface.

Mirko Corsini, project manager at Hochiki Italia said: “The installer chose Hochiki’s L@titude panel together with our SPC-ET beam smoke detectors, which are characterised by low power consumption at rest and incorporate a sophisticated algorithm of automatic compensation to environmental changes.

The technical features of these products make them perfect for meeting the needs of this type of food processing environment. The flexibility of the Hochiki ESP protocol made it possible, through the CHQ-SZM2/SCI Zone Modules, to integrate conventional detectors (SPC-ET) as if they were addressable devices, without having to use auxiliary power supplies that would have required additional cables and batteries.”

Detectors with short circuit isolators were installed to ensure the system complied with the requirements of UNI EN 9795, which states that a short-circuit isolator must be installed for each room/compartment.

Intelligent Photoelectric Smoke detector with SCI incorporates Hochiki’s newest High Performance Chamber Technology. This detector removes the need to use Ionisation Smoke Sensors in many applications. This also allows the sensor threshold level to be increased, thereby improving the signal to noise ratio, and reducing the likelihood of false alarms.

Throughout the site Intelligent Loop-Powered Wall Sounder Beacons and Visual Alarm Devices were installed to ensure a fully compliant and state of the art fire safety system.

Commenting on the project, Fabrizio Bergamin, Technical Coordinator at the installer company NET Technologies srl, said: “We chose Hochiki devices and system because of the technical characteristics and reliability that this brand offers, as well as a wide range of products that fully meet market demands. Post commissioning of the project, the operating conditions envisaged in the design phase have been amply met. Over the course of the next year, there will be further implementations of the fire detection system at the Parmareggio production site, with distributed intelligence solutions or with several autonomous and networked L@titude control panels.

During the project we have had to deal with several technical design studios to solve various kinds of system problems; a fundamental role, together with the products they offer, is played by the Hochiki Italia technical support. They have responded competently to regulatory and design aspects, as well as proposed solutions for applications”.

Connected Technologies adds new fire monitoring control panel capabilities

by Featured NewsFire DetectionProducts

Connected Technologies LLC, cloud management platform manufacturer, has expanded its fire alarm monitoring capabilities, allowing dealers to add growing fire alarm services to their business. According to a recent report from Grandview Research, the demand for fire protection systems will continue to increase steadily from 2022 to 2030.

Connect ONE, the single software solution that controls intrusion, access control, video surveillance, critical environmental monitoring, and energy management systems now interfaces with additional popular commercial fire alarm panels.

Along with the ability to integrate with the fire alarm modes of Bosch and DMP combination control panels, dealers may also use Edwards, Fire-Lite and Notifier fire control panels for full-data monitoring within the Connect ONE interface. Other manufacturer integrations may be available upon request.

With a single dashboard view of all security and fire alarm events, Connect ONE works with mass notification signaling protocols and provides instant notification of events via email, text message, push, Microsoft Teams and/or mass notification app.

Capabilities of the fire monitoring include:

  • Full-data event capture – fire alarm printer output connects to the RS-232 port on the Connect ONE network gateway (Barix Barionet controller)
  • Automated reports with the ability to run point audits of fire alarm testing and inspection activity
  • Onscreen alerts and real-time notifications
  • Integration with video and other critical systems
  • Integration with mass notification platforms via Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) messaging

Connect ONE works with Bosch B and G, DMP XR/XT, ELK M1 and Honeywell Vista Turbo security and access control panels. It also integrates with ASSA ABLOY Aperio wireless locks as well as Digital Watchdog, OpenEye, ExacqVision and Eagle Eye Networks video technologies. With the Safe Passage module for access control user authorization and ScanPass mobile credential for frictionless entrance control, dealers and their customers have the latest services to manage multiple locations through a single Connect ONE user interface.

Access 360 to showcase fire safety solutions at The Fire Safety Event 2022

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Bilco UK, Profab Access and Howe Green, which together form Access 360, will be exhibiting a complete range of certified access solutions for roofs, ceilings, walls, and floors at this year’s Fire Safety Event.

From 5th – 7th April, industry professionals can meet with Access 360’s technical experts at Birmingham’s NEC on stand 3a/E25 to learn more about its comprehensive range of fire integrity and fire safety access products.

This includes Bilco UK’s unique SKY Flatglass Smoke Vent, Profab Access’ revolutionary patented PRECISION Adjustable Frame and Howe Green’s extensive offering of fire rated floor access covers.

On Thursday 7th April, Marcus Parnham, Access 360’s commercial director, will be delivering an exclusive seminar in the Fire Safety Theatre at 11am, discussing the importance of comprehensive fire testing and certification to ensure the highest standards of safety, efficiency and compliance.

Across the three days, visitors can receive live demonstrations of Profab Access’ ground breaking PRECISION Adjustable Frame, which makes the installation of riser doors up to 30% quicker.

The only product of its kind currently available, the PRECISION Adjustable Frame has been expertly engineered to be fully adjusted to meet the specific dimensions of each structural opening, when installed into a flexible or solid wall construction.

Featuring a continual adjustable steel packer system and built in factory applied intumescent fire rated mastic strips to the outer frame that provides fire stopping between the wall and the frame, it ensures the installation is fit for purpose, by providing the highest standards in accuracy.

Profab Access’ comprehensive portfolio of third party tested solutions, including the INTEGRA 4000 Series and VEGA 1500 Series Riser Doors, in addition to the PRIMA 1000 Fire Rated Series and SPIRA 6000 Series Access Panels, will also be on display.

Attendees can also receive a demonstration of Bilco UK’s innovative SKY Flatglass, which offers professionals a diverse ‘three in one’ solution, as it can be utilised as a smoke vent, roof access hatch and rooflight.

Howe Green’s 7500 Series Floor Access Covers will also be on display, which are independently CERTIFIRE fire rated to BS 776 Part 22 for two hours on integrity, and up to two hours on insulation.

Visitors can also receive demonstrations Howe Green’s unique CoverSkate lifting device, which enables the safe lifting and movement of heavy floor access covers, whilst also viewing Howe Green’s Visedge Series Flexible Floor Access Covers.

The Access 360 team will be available throughout the event to discuss professionals’ upcoming projects and provide information regarding how their extensive offering of fire integrity access solutions can be specified to ensure the highest standards of performance and compliance.

Parnham said: “The Fire Safety Event is the perfect opportunity for us to present our most popular fire rated access products to visitors and share expert advice to assist them in achieving adherence with all relevant regulations by achieving the most effective and efficient specifications.”

Evacuation: Fire Sector Federation releases checklist

by Featured NewsFire DetectionProducts

The Fire Sector Federation has published a checklist aimed at Fire Risk Assessors to help them evaluate the safe escape of individuals from a building fire.

The ‘Personal Emergency Evacuation Residential Premises’ guide recognises that evacuation procedures with associated provision of safe routes of escape to a place of safety must be inherent in every building safety strategy.

Following a series of prompts, the questions posed in the checklist are designed to be interpreted by the fire risk assessor and used in discussion with their clients to help decide what actions are appropriate for the building. The checklist relates specifically to general residential buildings, which are usually unstaffed and operate a ‘stay put’ two- phase evacuation strategy.

The guide offers a lead where currently none exists and was developed by the Fire Sector Federation in conjunction with members who work as fire risk assessors in the sector.

Dennis Davis, executive officer, Fire Sector Federation said: “Assessment of evacuation procedures from a personal level to ensure the safe escape of every individual from a fire is a critical component of any fire risk assessment. We have worked closely with colleagues in the fire sector to develop the overview and checklist to support fire risk assessors in their audit and review of buildings. Some of the information may also help the Responsible Person, who have very specific duties for fire safety, meet their own responsibilities. 

“The guide has no formal status but having a simple general checklist we believe assists, when linked into a recordable process, discussion and assessment of evacuation during any audit and review to the benefit of building owners and residents.”

The publication is available as a free download on the Fire Sector Federation website at: https://www.firesectorfederation.co.uk/fire-risk-assessment/ The Fire Sector Federation seeks to give voice to and exert influence in shaping future policy and strategy related to the UK Fire Sector. The federation is a not-for-profit, non-government organisation established to act as a forum for the benefit of its membership and to evolve as a central source of information on all aspects relating to fire.

Euralarm’s Jon Konz selected on CEN-CENELEC Industry Advisory Forum

by Featured NewsPeople

Euralarm president Jon Könz has been selected as a member of the CEN-CENELEC Industry Advisory Forum. The Industry Advisory Forum consists of 18 members who were selected, based on their specific experiences and knowledge in the identified CEN-CENELEC Strategy 2030 areas and European Industrial Ecosystems.

Via the Industry Advisory Forum (IAF) high-level European industry representatives and CEN and CENELEC can have an open exchange on current standardisation issues and identify and advise on standardisation priority topics for the European industry. Besides the Forum can express suggestions, expectations, and concerns to identify common solutions.

By providing advice to the CEN and CENELEC corporate governing and advisory bodies and proposing medium- and long-term industry-driven standardisation objectives for CEN and CENELEC, the Industry Advisory Forum (IAF) contributes to reaching and successfully implementing the CEN and CENELEC strategic objectives. These objectives support European industry’s priorities, challenges and expectations from standardisation.

Könz said: “We are living in exciting times, with digitalisation and sustainability as both opportunities and challenges. I’m proud that on behalf of Euralarm I can contribute to the synergies between policy and standardisation and the green and digital transition.”

The IAF members are appointed for a 3-year term and are selected based on their high managerial level, relevant know-how on standardisation, expertise in one of the identified priority areas, sectorial balance across CEN and CENELEC, representing both SMEs as well as large industries and adequate geographical and gender balance.

Magirus will not participate in Interschutz 2022

by EventsFeatured NewsIndustry SectorsProductsPublic EventsVehicles

In a major development, German truck manufacturer Magirus has announced it will not participate in this year’s Intershutz.

The firm said it made careful considerations, not to take part at the Interschutz 2022 exhibition and “allocate part of the planned investment to charitable initiatives in support of firefighters in the Ukrainian conflict”.

After two long years marked by the global pandemic, which has deeply depressed the business environment, the brand was already focusing its resources on the development of its “Next Generation Firefighting” portfolio.

A statement from Magirus added: “Now, the unexpected war in Ukraine is further impacting the whole automotive and firefighting industry. Issues ranging from chassis supply to logistics challenges and very significant cost increase acceleration require Magirus to take an even more decisive step in focusing on core activities: developing the best firefighting products and services to ‘serve heroes‘.”

The brand will continue its marketing efforts for the entire product portfolio through plans to conduct an roadshow, to participate at the September IAA Transportation event in Hannover, and to host an in-house Magirus fair in the latter part of the year on its home turf in Ulm, Germany.

Additionally, in light of the ongoing crisis, Magirus has donated two turntable ladders to firefighters in Ukraine and has decided to use part of the planned Interschutz investment where it can make an immediate positive impact, contributing to the German Fire Services Association’s charitable initiative in support of Ukraine. “Magirus remains more committed than ever to its clients, dealers, suppliers, and all its stakeholders and will start planning right away to find new direct and effective ways to engage with them on an ongoing basis,” the firm added.

NFPA appoints new board member to Standards Council

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The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Board of Directors appointed a new member to the NFPA Standards Council. Chief Randy J. Krause of Port of Seattle Fire Department was appointed by the Board in November 2021. He began serving a three-year term on January 1, 2022.

In addition, three current council members were reappointed to serve additional terms. Jeffrey Foisel was reappointed for a second three-year term, while Kenneth Bush and James Quiter were each reappointed for one-year extensions. All terms began January 1, 2022.

Krause has been a member of the fire service for 36 years. He began his career in 1985 as a firefighter in the United States Air Force (1985-1989) and continued in the private industry at Boeing Company (1990-2010).

Krause left Boeing as a deputy fire chief and is currently the fire chief of Port of Seattle Fire Department where he has been for nearly 12 years providing service to the Sea-Tac International Airport and the surrounding communities.

He has been involved with NFPA Technical Committees since the mid-1990’s, currently serving as chair of NFPA Emergency Responders Occupational Health (ERH-AAA) and Fire Service Occupational Safety (FIX-AAA). Krause is also a member of Gonzaga University’s School of Leadership Studies Advisory Board. Krause earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of Washington – Bothell in 1998, and his Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University in 2006.

The NFPA Standards Council, appointed by the NFPA Board of Directors, is comprised of 13 members. The responsibilities of the council include overseeing NFPA standards development activities, ensuring compliance with the NFPA Regulations and Rules, and serving as the appeals body over matters related to standards development.