Advanced ESPA Pager Interface enhances fire safety at University of Southampton

by Featured NewsFire DetectionProjects

Overview of Advanced paging upgrade

Advanced has reported that the University of Southampton has introduced a paging-based fire safety system for deaf and hard-of-hearing users across its multi-campus estate.

The project uses Advanced MxPro 5 fire panels integrated with the ESPA Pager Interface to deliver targeted alerts.

Premier Fire Security and Scope Communications delivered the solution in partnership with Advanced.

According to the Advanced, the installation is designed to provide accessible fire alerts without relying solely on audio alarms.

The system is already in use across the wider estate and is being expanded.

System configuration and campus coverage

Advanced said there are more than 200 of its panels installed at the University of Southampton, including two networks of 30 to 40 nodes and a growing number of extinguishing panels.

The ESPA 4.4.4-compliant Pager Interface links the fire detection network with Scope’s PageTek Pro Mk2 transmitter and EPOCBLUM pagers.

Each building or defined group of buildings is assigned a dedicated pager address.

Only users who have selected a particular address receive alerts for that area, which reduces confusion and supports faster responses.

Pagers can be programmed by users to activate or deactivate locations as required.

Password protection is used to prevent unauthorised changes to pager configurations.

Scope pillow pad and nightstand accessories are used so that alerts can be received at night while users are asleep.

Chris Chance, University of Southampton Contract Manager at Premier Fire Security, said: “We’ve worked closely with Scope and Advanced to create a system that’s not only reliable but incredibly flexible.

“The ability to configure pagers for any location means we can reduce hardware stock and improve coverage across the entire campus.

“It’s a huge step forward in inclusive safety.”

Partner roles and operational alerts

Advanced reported that the installation includes a dedicated paging group for engineers, janitors, security staff and fire marshals.

This group receives diagnostic and fault messages generated by the Advanced network.

Members of the group can also initiate fire messages for defined locations when required.

The arrangement is intended to support operational control and coordination across the estate.

Rob Baker, Head of Technical Support at Scope Communications, said: “This project demonstrates how powerful the ESPA interface can be when paired with our paging technology.

“The system ensures that alerts are both accurate and accessible, and we’re proud to support Premier Fire Security in expanding this solution across the university.”

Future expansion and Advanced perspective

Advanced stated that the long-term plan is to extend the paging solution to all student halls at the University of Southampton.

Under this plan, pagers would be reconfigured so that users can carry them between locations and still receive relevant alerts.

The company said this approach is intended to improve safety, streamline inventory and reduce overall costs.

Salvy Vittozzi, Regional Sales Manager for the South East at Advanced, commented: “This installation is a great example of how our ESPA Pager Interface can be used to deliver tailored fire alerts in complex environments.

“It’s rewarding to see our technology helping to make campuses safer and more inclusive for all users.”

Advanced noted that its wider portfolio includes complete fire detection systems, multiprotocol fire panels, extinguishing control, false alarm management and reduction systems and emergency lighting.

The company is owned by Halma, which is described as a global group of life-saving technology companies.

Implications for campus fire safety planning

The University of Southampton installation provides an example of how paging can be integrated with existing fire panels to deliver location-specific alerts to deaf and hard-of-hearing users.

Facilities managers responsible for multi-building estates can see how distinct pager addresses for each building or group of buildings support targeted notification.

Fire safety officers and system installers may be interested in how the ESPA 4.4.4 interface is used to connect fire panels with campus paging infrastructure.

The dedicated paging group for engineers, janitors, security and fire marshals illustrates how operational staff can receive diagnostic, fault and fire messages from the same network.

Procurement officers and fire-protection contractors can observe how the University plans to expand the system to student halls, using reconfigurable pagers to control inventory and costs.

Expecting the Unexpected: Why fire safety in airports should never be left to chance

by Featured NewsFire DetectionProjectsSafety

The fire that occurred at the substation serving Heathrow Airport, on March 21 2025, caused massive flight delays and cancellations all over the world; despite the actual cause of the fire is still unknown, experts believe that a lack of automatic fire detectors present at the substation may have been a contributing factor to the amount of damage and delays caused.

Experts believe that if automated fire systems were in place the damage would have been immensely reduced.

Substations like the one in Heathrow can be susceptible to numerous types of fire hazards.

From the risk of short-circuiting or overheating to leaks in the oil-cooled transformers, project managers must be aware of every possibility and prepare for the worst.

The risks present in airport construction sites

When it comes to airports, any kind of disruption can have major repercussions, which is why extensive planning and security measures are crucial.

Electrical fires and leaks, which may have caused the Heathrow disaster, are very common hazards on construction sites, and pose an even bigger issue when said sites are located in airports.

Ramtech, the wireless fire and safety detection systems company, has had experience in dealing with such environments, having provided WES3 temporary fire devices to aid in the expansion of one of Europe’s biggest major airports.

The goal is to expand the airport by 2026 to accommodate over 70 million passengers annually, an increase of 14 million from current levels.

This massive expansion includes the construction of a new pier and terminal, operational and commercial spaces, aprons, and taxiways.

To handle the increase in passengers, parking capacity will be expanded with landside access to the new terminal.

This major project demanded strict adherence to safety regulations to prevent significant disruptions across the entire airport.

To ensure comprehensive coverage, Ramtech provided and installed the WES3 Water Leak Detection System, the WES3 Wireless Fire Alarm System, and the REACT Emergency Notification platform at the airport.

Another significant airport fire incident occurred at London Luton Airport in October 2023, when a fire broke out in a multi-story car park, causing extensive damage and the partial collapse of the structure.

The blaze, which affected over 1,200 vehicles, forced the suspension of flights and created major travel disruptions.

Investigations suggested that the fire may have started from a single vehicle before spreading rapidly due to the lack of sufficient fire suppression measures in the car park.

This incident highlighted the vulnerability of airport infrastructure to fire hazards and underscored the necessity of stringent fire safety systems in parking facilities as well as operational areas.

The path moving forward

The Heathrow substation fire serves as a stark reminder that fire safety in airports can never be left to chance.

Airports are critical hubs of global connectivity, and any disruption, especially one caused by preventable hazards, can have widespread economic and safety consequences.

As demonstrated by Ramtech’s prior experience, implementing proactive fire detection and emergency response systems is essential to mitigating risks and maintaining operational stability.

Moving forward, investing in cutting-edge safety technology and stringent regulatory compliance will be key to ensuring that airports remain resilient in the face of unexpected challenges.

Beyond the immediate operational disruptions, incidents like this highlight the importance of infrastructure resilience.

Airports must continuously evaluate and upgrade their electrical and fire suppression systems to adapt to new risks, including the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions.

A well-maintained and thoroughly inspected infrastructure can significantly reduce the likelihood of catastrophic failures, ensuring passenger safety and minimizing financial losses.

Moreover, collaboration between airport authorities, fire safety experts, and technology providers is crucial in developing robust emergency response strategies.

By integrating smart monitoring systems, artificial intelligence-driven risk assessments, and real-time alert mechanisms, airports can stay ahead of potential threats.

The Heathrow incident underscores the need for a forward-thinking approach, one that prioritizes innovation, preparedness, and a commitment to safety at every level of airport operations.

Wildfire Alerts app brings real-time wildfire information to all US states

by Americas - Breaking NewsBreaking NewsFire DetectionWildland Fire

Nationwide Wildfire Alerts reach every US state

Watch Duty has expanded its Wildfire Alerts platform from 22 US states to nationwide coverage, providing verified real-time wildfire information to communities across the country from 1 December 2025.

The nonprofit organisation said it launched just four years ago to serve a small number of counties in California and has since built a wider presence in public safety.

According to Watch Duty, its core public service focuses on actionable wildfire updates and also includes air quality index readings, wind direction information and red-flag warnings delivered through the Watch Duty app.

The organisation stated that these core services remain free, ad-free and open to all users.

Alongside the free offer, Watch Duty has developed subscription-based tools that provide deeper operational detail for users who need enhanced intelligence.

These tools include advanced mapping, extended weather information, aircraft tracking, utility infrastructure overlays and satellite-based detections, which the organisation positions as a professional-grade feature set at lower cost than traditional commercial platforms.

John Clarke Mills, Co-Founder and CEO of Watch Duty, said: “We’re transforming how disaster information is shared by putting people, not profit, at the center.

“This nationwide expansion ensures no one faces disaster in the dark, like I was in 2021 when I founded Watch Duty.

“By bringing first responders and technologists together, we’re solving long-standing problems in public safety and we’re doing it better, faster, and together.”

Platform functions and wildfire risk context

Watch Duty stated that wildfire is no longer confined to local fire seasons or narrow geographic areas.

The organisation reported that nearly one in three people in the US now lives in an area that faces elevated wildfire risk and that smoke from distant fires can affect people far beyond the fire perimeter.

It highlighted research reported by The Washington Post which estimates that wildfire smoke contributes to more than 40,000 premature deaths in the US each year.

According to Watch Duty, these health impacts make wildfire smoke one of the most serious environmental hazards facing the country.

The organisation argued that, despite the availability of detection technology and suppression resources, critical data about fast-moving incidents often reaches the public slowly or in uneven ways.

It said that many warning signals sit inside fragmented systems that were not designed to share information directly with the public.

Watch Duty stated that its service is designed to close this gap by collecting, verifying and translating complex information streams in real time.

The platform then presents this information as plain-language, map-based updates so that users can understand changing conditions and act more quickly.

Recent wildfire use and role in operations centres

Watch Duty reported that its service was heavily used during the 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles County in California.

According to the organisation, more than 8,000,000 people used the platform in a single week during that period.

The company said its live feed was displayed inside the Los Angeles Emergency Operations Center as a primary source of ongoing intelligence.

Watch Duty stated that this operational use case demonstrates how its service can support both the public and decision-makers during active wildfire events.

With the shift to nationwide coverage, the organisation said it is aiming to build a system where verified updates can move at the same speed as emergencies in any US state.

It added that the goal is to give every user information that can help them protect people, property and other assets that matter to them.

To support its work, Watch Duty invited users to download the app for free through the App Store or Google Play, to share it with friends and family and to consider donating, partnering or volunteering.

Operational value of nationwide wildfire intelligence

Fire and rescue chiefs and senior officers can use information from Watch Duty’s nationwide rollout to assess how public alerting tools may support situational awareness during fast-moving wildfire incidents.

Emergency and disaster response managers may examine how map-based wildfire information, air quality index data and weather details from a single national platform could feed into control rooms and operations centres.

Government departments with responsibility for public alerting and warning systems could evaluate whether the reported use of Watch Duty as a live intelligence feed in the Los Angeles Emergency Operations Center offers a model for closer collaboration with nonprofit data providers.

Risk assessors and fire engineering consultants may consider how estimates reported by The Washington Post on wildfire smoke-related premature deaths interact with existing health risk frameworks and long-term planning.

Facility managers across industrial, commercial and public sectors can review whether nationwide access to consistent wildfire information and smoke impacts may support continuity planning, evacuation decisions and air handling strategies for their sites.

OroraTech GENA-OT nanosatellite links wildfire detection expertise with shared research access

by Featured NewsFire DetectionWildland Fire

OroraTech launches GENA-OT nanosatellite platform

OroraTech, a Munich-based space company that operates satellite-based wildfire detection systems using thermal infrared sensors, has launched its GENA-OT nanosatellite as a shared scientific platform in low Earth orbit.

The 16U CubeSat mission is the first flight of the company’s GEneric flexible NAnosatellite (GENA) platform and carries multiple research payloads for partners including the Universität der Bundeswehr Munich.

The mission lifted off on 1 December 2025 on SpaceX’s Transporter-15 rideshare flight from Vandenberg Space Force Base under a European Space Agency (ESA) General Support Technology Programme project.

According to OroraTech, GENA-OT was developed within ESA’s General Support Technology Programme with funding from the German Space Agency at DLR.

The company stated that the platform is designed as a standardised modular bus so scientific customers can reach orbit without building complete satellites.

OroraTech positions the GENA family as the basis for future missions that can host both wildfire-focused thermal payloads and other experimental instruments in sun-synchronous orbit.

Shared GENA-OT platform for scientific payloads

OroraTech reported that GENA-OT carries several payloads from academic and research institutions.

One of the headline payloads is the relaunch of the ICARUS satellite-based animal tracking system from the Max Planck Institute, which has been on hold since 2022.

Other payloads include technology demonstrators from the Universität der Bundeswehr Munich SeRANIS Mission and contributions from the Munich Center for Space Communications.

The platform allows these programmes to conduct scientific experimentation and technology validation in orbit using a common spacecraft rather than separate missions.

OroraTech explained that GENA-OT uses standard experimental modules and interfaces to shorten lead times to orbit for new payloads.

The company added that the shared bus is intended to lower cost per experiment for universities, startups and research institutions that need in-orbit testing.

By using the same nanosatellite expertise that underpins its dedicated wildfire detection satellites, OroraTech aims to support both environmental monitoring and wider scientific use cases on related hardware.

European partners back responsive space infrastructure

Professor Andreas Knopp, Universität der Bundeswehr Munich, said: “GENA-OT demonstrates the future of satellite development, one that combines speed, modularity, and innovation.

“Within an unprecedented timeframe, we implemented several innovative payloads built by the university and other startups.

“This project showcases how academia and commercial partners can rapidly meet the needs of the New Space economy.”

Dr Martin Langer, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer at OroraTech, said the mission illustrates how commercial satellite buses can support public objectives, including space-based wildfire services.

Dr Martin Langer, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer at OroraTech, said: “This mission shows how commercial platforms can power public benefit.

“GENA-OT is the result of a public-private partnership that delivered spaceflight-ready hardware in record time.

“We believe in turning data into action, and this satellite proves that infrastructure can be fast, flexible, and ready for tomorrow’s missions.”

Dr Shahin Kazeminejad, Head of the General Support Technology Programme at DLR Space Agency, highlighted the role of European funding in the project.

Dr Shahin Kazeminejad, Head of the General Support Technology Programme at DLR Space Agency, said: “This mission reflects the German Space Agency’s and ESA’s commitment to supporting scalable platforms for in-orbit demonstration and validation.

“GENA-OT is the first purely German mission to be funded under the GSTP Element 3 ‘FLY’, and is a great example of how smart public investment and industrial innovation can work together to advance European space capabilities and enable new business opportunities for companies.”

OroraTech stated that standard commercial platforms such as GENA-OT can help governments and institutions shorten mission schedules and reduce the cost of access to orbit.

The company views the mission as aligned with national and European plans for sovereign responsive space infrastructure that can carry wildfire monitoring sensors as well as broader research payloads.

Relevance of OroraTech’s GENA-OT mission for wildfire and safety planning

OroraTech already operates thermal infrared payloads and dedicated satellites that provide near-real-time wildfire detection, burnt area mapping and fire spread intelligence to public and private customers.

The GENA-OT mission shows how a standardised nanosatellite bus can host both research instruments and sensors relevant to wildfire intelligence, using similar hardware and processing approaches.

Emergency and disaster response managers who rely on satellite-derived fire alerts can treat GENA-OT as an example of how new sensors might be brought into orbit more quickly using shared platforms.

Government departments and standards bodies involved in commissioning or regulating space-based wildfire services can see how ESA and the German Space Agency are using the General Support Technology Programme to derisk new payloads before larger operational constellations are deployed.

Fire and rescue chiefs, civil protection agencies, forestry operators and infrastructure asset owners who already use OroraTech wildfire products may encounter future services that depend on technology first exercised on missions like GENA-OT, including improved thermal imagers, on-orbit AI processing and expanded global coverage.

Apollo Fire outlines how CPD and UKAS rules reshape fire safety responsibilities

by Breaking NewsBuilding ManagementFire DetectionSafetyTraining

As CPD becomes central to competence under BS 5839-1:2025, Apollo Fire explores how new FRA rules and UKAS certification reshape professional responsibility

Competence in fire safety has always been central to protecting lives and ensuring compliance.

What is shifting now is the way competence is defined, assessed and legally recognised.

Recent updates to BS 5839-1:2025 and changes to Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) legislation from the Home Office and MHCLG are placing greater emphasis on demonstrable qualifications, continuous learning and independent certification.

The revised standard now acknowledges Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as part of what it means to remain competent, while new rules require FRAs to be delivered by UKAS-certified providers.

These developments set a new baseline for those designing, maintaining or assessing fire detection and alarm systems, with consequences for how businesses manage compliance.

As an accredited Apollo Partner and BAFE SP205-certified body, Veritas brings practical insight into what these changes mean in practice and how organisations can prepare to meet them.

Competence and CPD

BS 5839-1:2025 now links competence to ongoing learning.

The standard describes a competent person as: “a person, suitably trained and qualified by knowledge and practical experience, and provided with the necessary instructions, to enable the required task(s) to be carried out correctly.” It adds: “Maintenance of competence is likely to require continuing professional development.”

This shift moves CPD from desirable to expected.

It sits alongside the long-standing requirement that system design and related tasks must be undertaken by a competent person who accepts responsibility for the work.

Apollo’s pocket guide reinforces that designs should be signed off by a competent person and based on an FRA carried out by someone demonstrably qualified.

Why CPD matters

The reason is straightforward: fire safety evolves with new technology, standards and risks.

BS 5839-1:2025 makes clear that competence is not a one-off achievement but an ongoing obligation.

Apollo has called this a milestone because it embeds CPD into everyday practice rather than leaving it as an optional extra.

For practitioners, it means structured learning routes that keep pace with the standard and evidence that training has taken place.

From design to cause-and-effect programming, competence must be demonstrable and current.

The pocket guide’s emphasis on accurate documentation at handover underlines the case for refreshing knowledge through CPD across a system’s lifecycle.

New FRA rules

Under new Home Office and MHCLG rules, FRAs must now be carried out by a UKAS-certified body.

At present, this requires compliance with the BAFE SP205 scheme.

SP205 mandates that works are audited, and authors undergo peer review to confirm CPD, DBS checks and Professional Indemnity insurance.

These requirements build on the framework of the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order, in force since 2006.

The Order places duties on those in control of premises to assess and reduce risks, plan for containment and ensure safe escape.

Fire alarm designs must be risk-based, assessments kept under review, and findings properly recorded.

Risks of non-certification

FRAs carried out outside third-party certification lose statutory legal defence.

If a report is later judged inadequate by an enforcing authority, the responsible person cannot rely on the provider.

The rules also warn against credentials below UKAS level.

Non-UKAS trade body memberships may now be deemed insufficient to meet the threshold of competence, a position recognised by magistrates and coroners.

The clear message is that only UKAS-backed certification provides legal assurance.

BAFE SP205 explained

SP205 provides assurance at both company and individual level.

Organisations offering FRA services are independently audited, while assessors are peer-reviewed to prove CPD, probity and insurance cover.

This mirrors BS 5839-1:2025’s approach to competence: knowledge must be current and backed by governance.

Because SP205 is tied to UKAS certification, using a certified provider directly meets the Home Office and MHCLG requirement.

Dutyholders can therefore show their process is not just robust in practice but defensible in law.

CPD support

Apollo supports the sector’s learning needs through fortnightly CPD sessions and on-demand webinars covering technical subjects and practical application.

The updated BS 5839-1:2025 pocket guide also provides a concise reference for site-level decisions.

It addresses categories of protection, detector selection and spacing, call point placement, audibility, visual alarms, cabling and documentation.

For those with design or maintenance duties, it ensures alignment with the standard in day-to-day practice.

What businesses should do now

Organisations should first review how competence is evidenced.

Roles linked to system design should align with BS 5839-1:2025’s requirement that a competent person signs the design certificate.

Competence must be maintained through CPD, with records kept alongside drawings, certificates and log books.

Next, review your approach to Fire Risk Assessments.

Future FRAs must be commissioned from UKAS-certified providers, currently achieved through SP205.

Confirm that assessors are named, peer-reviewed and insured.

If you use providers with only non-UKAS memberships, change course quickly.

Finally, use Apollo’s CPD programme and pocket guide to brief teams on technical points of BS 5839-1:2025.

Whether dealing with audibility in sleeping accommodation, detector spacing in corridors, or fire-resistant cabling, these resources anchor compliance in practical detail.

The wider framework remains unchanged.

The Fire Safety Order has long required competent assessment, training and accurate records.

What has shifted is the clarity around how competence is proven.

With BS 5839-1:2025 tying it to CPD, and UKAS certification setting the benchmark for FRAs, the route to defensible compliance is now far clearer.

This was originally published in the November 2025 Edition of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE copy, click here.

Advancing fire safety in spas and leisure with Call Systems Technology

by Breaking NewsEvacuationFire DetectionSafety

Bruce McNair, Commercial Director, Call Systems Technology Ltd. (CST), explains how innovation is transforming fire safety and emergency response in leisure facilities

From saunas to pools, modern leisure facilities are embracing intelligent, integrated safety systems to protect guests, staff, and assets without compromising the guest experience.

Wellness and leisure spaces have evolved far beyond simple relaxation zones.

Today’s spas, steam rooms, and pools are high-tech environments that demand cutting-edge safety solutions.

Behind the calm and luxury, these facilities face unique challenges, heat, humidity, flammable materials, and heavy footfall that push traditional fire and emergency systems to their limits.

Fortunately, innovations in integrated safety, wireless communication, and intelligent fire messaging are helping operators worldwide create environments that are safer, smarter, and more connected, giving both guests and staff confidence that help is never far away.

A unique environment with unique risks

Few areas within a leisure facility test the limits of safety technology quite like those requiring cable runs across large spaces.

Beyond the challenges of lengthy installations and the disruption caused by cabled systems, these environments often combine high temperatures, humidity, and continuous operation conditions that can rapidly corrode traditional electrical components and undermine the reliability of standard emergency call systems.

To address these challenges, many facility operators are adopting wireless emergency call systems.

These fully monitored systems are supported by intelligent software that records activations and daily testing routines, enabling automatic report generation for Health and Safety audits.

This not only demonstrates the facility’s commitment to maintaining a high standard of safety but also provides clear evidence of system performance and response times during incidents.

Beyond the spa: integrated safety and rapid response

While specialist equipment like air-operated call buttons and waterproof switches remains essential, the future of leisure safety lies in integration.

Modern wireless systems now link panic alarms, pool alerts, disabled toilet alarms and first aider call points into a cohesive network, eliminating the need for disruptive cabling, simplifying installation, and ensuring critical alerts reach key responders instantly.

A compelling example can be seen at the University of Surrey’s Sports Park, where Call Systems Technology (CST) partnered with the university to enhance safety across spa, pool, and leisure areas.

Twelve wireless First Aider Call Points and two Sauna Call Points were strategically installed throughout key leisure zones, including spa treatment areas, poolside locations, and changing facilities, to ensure immediate access to assistance when needed.

Each call point messages thirty-eight intelligent IP68 Rated Waterproof Radios, enabling real-time communication with trained first aiders.

The results speak for themselves: emergency response times improved by up to 75%, with assistance reaching guests in under 60 seconds.

According to Luigi Mansi, Health, Safety and Quality Manager at the University of Surrey: “Since moving over to the new radio-based and alarm system with CST, we have found their service to be very professional with quick response times.

The alarm system that connects to the software has helped to improve response times to emergencies, and the radios have helped with communications, being clearer and able to remove feedback, which helps in emergencies.”

The success of this approach is also reflected at the Britannia Leisure Centre, a multi-level community hub in London combining gym, pool, and wellness facilities under one roof.

With its wide range of high-traffic zones and specialist environments, Britannia required a far more complex, fully integrated Gen2 Queue monitoring software.

This system includes gym, changing room, poolside, sauna, and disabled toilet emergency buttons, alongside underwater camera alerts, all routed through CST’s Gen2 Queue platform.

Alerts appear instantly on display screens with accompanying audio and beacon notifications and are simultaneously transmitted to pager devices carried by staff.

This ensures a consistent, multi-channel response mechanism that minimises downtime and guarantees rapid assistance, regardless of where an incident occurs.

The result is a unified alert ecosystem capable of managing a diverse range of emergency inputs across an extensive facility, a benchmark for how intelligent integration can deliver resilience and real-time visibility in modern leisure environments.

Together, these installations demonstrate how wireless, software-driven integration and intelligent system design can transform emergency response capabilities across leisure and wellness environments.

Whether in a university sports complex or a large public leisure centre, CST’s connected approach ensures that every call for assistance is detected, prioritised, and acted upon without delay, elevating safety standards, enhancing guest confidence, and ensuring that help is never more than a moment away.

Fire safety in the modern leisure environment

Fire safety within spas and leisure facilities presents a unique set of challenges.

Heat sources, electrical systems, flammable oils, wooden structures, and limited visibility due to steam all demand a precise, layered approach to risk management.

A robust fire safety strategy integrates multiple layers of protection:

  • Automatic water mist systems: designed for saunas and steam rooms, these systems cool, suppress and prevent the spread of fire and smoke while minimising water damage.
  • Wireless fire detection: adaptable and easy to install, ideal for wet zones or refurbishment projects where traditional cabling is impractical.
  • Scheduled maintenance: regular inspection and servicing of alarms, emergency lighting, and extinguishers form the cornerstone of reliable fire protection.
  • Comprehensive fire risk assessments: identifying hazards across treatment rooms, pool areas, and adjoining facilities ensures all risks are effectively managed.
  • Staff training and drills: ensuring teams know how to respond when alarms sound is as vital as the technology itself.

Together, these measures create a resilient and responsive fire safety framework, protecting guests, staff, and assets while maintaining the calm, welcoming atmosphere of modern leisure environments.

Looking ahead: the next wave of innovation

The future of safety in leisure facilities is being shaped by a powerful combination of regulatory evolution and technological advancement, transforming how spas, pools, and leisure facilities are managed globally.

For example, the recent update to British Standard 5839-1:2025, a widely recognised fire detection and alarm standard, emphasises competence, documentation, and system integration, ensuring installations are not only compliant but optimised for long-term reliability.

While standards vary worldwide, the principles of rigorous maintenance, clear accountability, and integrated system design are universally relevant.

Many facilities are also transitioning from legacy analogue systems to IP-based or wireless alternatives, offering faster alerting, remote diagnostics, and improved resilience, providing real-time assurance in critical spa and pool environments.

Supporting this shift, our Fire Alarm Messaging System (AlarmCall Pro+) equips operators with a powerful transmitter capable of delivering addressable fire alarm notifications across their site to both two-way messaging pagers and radios.

Complementing this, our Gen2 Queue Software continuously monitors and displays Fire Alarms, Security Alerts, Wireless Call Points, DDA Toilet Alarms, Pool-View Cameras, and Wireless Pool Alarms.

The system provides live monitoring, instant notifications to connected devices, integration with wireless flashing beacons and sounders, and comprehensive performance reporting.

This real-time visibility not only streamlines communication but also ensures that every alert is prioritised and actioned without delay, a vital feature in large or multi-zone leisure facilities.

At sites such as Britannia Leisure Centre, this next-generation technology is already redefining what integrated safety looks like in practice.

Here, a complex Gen2 Queue configuration seamlessly links poolside, gym, sauna, and disabled toilet alerts with underwater camera notifications, all displayed on central monitoring screens and instantly transmitted to staff pagers.

This unified, data-driven approach illustrates how connected safety ecosystems can operate effectively across expansive and diverse environments, setting a new benchmark for responsiveness and resilience.

Cloud-based asset management is revolutionising maintenance, allowing equipment such as extinguishers, detectors, and call points to be logged, monitored, and updated online.

This provides full visibility of compliance and maintenance cycles, especially valuable in facilities with frequent refurbishment or high staff turnover.

Finally, integrated safety platforms combine fire detection, emergency communication, and building management systems, enabling operators to oversee all aspects of safety from a single interface.

This improves response times, operational efficiency, and overall safety oversight.

The result is a new era of proactive, connected safety management: smarter, more resilient, and ready to meet the evolving expectations of leisure facilities worldwide.

Creating safer, more sustainable leisure spaces

For operators and safety professionals, the challenge remains clear: achieving full compliance and operational resilience without compromising the guest experience.

The convergence of wireless communication, mechanical reliability, and intelligent fire suppression is redefining how leisure facilities are protected.

Today’s leading sites are adopting connected safety networks, systems that communicate, self-monitor, and provide real-time visibility across every corner of the property.

Whether through advanced wireless technology, intelligent suppression systems, or robust solutions like air-operated emergency buttons, the direction is clear: safer, smarter, and more connected environments.

Ultimately, the goal is to create leisure spaces where safety is built in from the ground up, seamless, intelligent, and ready when it matters most.

As the sector evolves, collaboration between fire safety specialists, facility managers, and system designers will ensure that innovation enhances, rather than complicates, the guest experience.

In the future, the safest spas and leisure facilities will not only meet regulatory standards, but they will also be responsive, seamlessly connected, and proactively designed to protect both people and assets.

Find out more

For more information visit: call-systems.com, or email us to schedule a free consultation: Bruce.McNair@call-systems.com

This was originally published in the November 2025 Edition of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE copy, click here.

LPCB certifies Ciqurix video flame detection for complex environments

by Featured NewsFire Detection

Ciqurix achieves first LPS 1976 certification

Ciqurix has become the first manufacturer to receive certification under the new LPS 1976 Video Flame Detection Standard.

The company said approval covers its FC-XFP detectors, which form part of the Ciqurix CORE Video Flame Detection System.

Certification has been granted by the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB), part of BRE Global, and is recorded under Certificate No. 1852a on RedBook Live.

According to Ciqurix, achieving LPS 1976 approval confirms independently assessed performance, reliability and resistance to false alarms for the CORE System.

The Ciqurix certificate was presented by senior BRE representatives during a handover ceremony at London Build Expo, London, UK, on Wednesday 19 November 2025.

New benchmark for video flame detection systems

Ciqurix stated that LPS 1976 is the first research-based benchmark developed specifically for intelligent video flame detection systems.

The company noted that previous standards did not provide a dedicated framework for assessing this type of technology.

LPCB developed the standard through several years of experimental testing, working with industry specialists, the Fire Industry Association (FIA) and manufacturers.

The resulting criteria focus on how systems behave in service conditions, including their ability to detect flames reliably and limit false activations.

BRE Assurance has described LPS 1976 as a framework that can be applied internationally and supports both product developers and end users.

Applications and deployment of the CORE System

Video flame detection is used in large, complex or high-airflow environments where conventional heat or smoke alarms may not respond quickly.

Ciqurix highlighted waste processing facilities, manufacturing plants, warehouses, tunnels and transportation hubs as examples where this approach can be applied.

The CORE System combines advanced infrared video analytics with visual imaging to identify flames within seconds and trigger connected fire detection systems.

Live video feeds from the detectors can provide operators and first responders with early situational awareness and visual confirmation of incidents.

Ciqurix reported that CORE installations now cover nearly 150 sites in 16 countries.

The company expects certification under LPS 1976 to support wider adoption in the UK and other markets.

Industry perspectives on certification and standards

Chief Executive Officer Paul Seligman said the LPS 1976 approval reflects the development path Ciqurix has followed since it began work on video flame detection.

Paul Seligman, Chief Executive Officer, Ciqurix, said: “When we first set out to create a video flame detection system, we were told it couldn’t be done, especially not by a small company with no existing market and a product we had to invent from scratch.

“I’m immensely proud to see that same innovation becoming the world’s first system accredited under LPS 1976.

“Independent certification provides the confidence that customers and regulators need.

“This is a major step forward for fire safety innovation and for the industries that depend on early, reliable flame detection in the most challenging environments.”

Jane Fields, Managing Director, BRE Assurance, said the development of LPS 1976 has been based on tests rather than solely on discussion.

Jane Fields, Managing Director, BRE Assurance, said: “Many standards are written around a table.

“What makes this one different is that it was built through actual experimental testing, collaboration with industry experts and real experience of how these technologies behave in the service environment.

“By grounding the standard in research, we’ve given the industry a credible, globally applicable framework that both supports manufacturers and enhances safety.”

Implications of LPS 1976 for high-risk sites

Procurement officers and equipment specifiers can now reference LPS 1976 when evaluating video flame detection systems for complex buildings and sites.

The standard gives these roles a research-based benchmark for performance, reliability and false-alarm behaviour drawn from experimental testing.

Standards and certification bodies may use the framework when comparing different technologies and aligning future requirements with independently verified criteria.

Fire engineering consultants and risk assessors working on waste processing plants, manufacturing facilities, warehouses, tunnels and transport hubs can factor the availability of LPS 1976-certified products into design choices.

Facility managers in high-airflow or large-volume environments gain access to systems where performance has been assessed under conditions intended to mirror real service operation.

For system installers and fire-protection contractors, the existence of a dedicated standard for video flame detection supports clearer specifications and documentation during project delivery.

Fire and rescue chiefs responsible for pre-incident planning at high-risk sites may find that installations based on LPS 1976-certified equipment offer enhanced visual information through live video verification during early stages of an incident.

The Last Word on gas detection with Sensitron

by Featured NewsFire DetectionGas Detection

Sensitron’s Key Account Manager HVAC-R, Emanuele Barbieri, explains how accurate gas detection safeguards people and assets in regulated high-risk environments

How long have you worked at Sensitron, and what does your current role involve in HVAC-R?

I’ve been working at Sensitron for over five years as a Key Account Manager focusing on the HVAC-R sector.

My role involves developing the refrigeration market by identifying customer needs and providing bespoke solutions, ranging from integrated machine-side systems for chillers and heat pumps to standalone gas-detection products.

For new audiences, what does Sensitron do and which industry problems is it addressing?

Sensitron designs and manufactures gas-detection systems, including both detectors and control panels, capable of monitoring more than 70 different gases.

We are committed to staying ahead of technological developments, particularly with new refrigerants, and to addressing the potential risks they introduce, such as flammability, toxicity, and environmental concerns.

Our goal is to help our customers protect people, environments, and infrastructure from gas-related hazards.

Can you outline Sensitron’s main product series and how they are used in daily operations?

Our product portfolio includes four main series: SMART 3G, SMART 3, SMART S, and the PARK system.

Each is designed to meet specific application needs; for instance, the SMART 3G series is ideal for high-performance settings.

We provide complete gas-detection systems, including both control panels and detectors, that operate autonomously when a gas hazard is detected.

However, regular maintenance is essential to ensure continued performance.

Maintenance personnel play a critical role in keeping each system efficient and reliable.

How do Sensitron’s detectors manage various gases, and why is accurate differentiation important?

Each type of gas requires a specific detection technology to ensure accurate readings.

We use infrared sensors for A1 and A2L refrigerants, carbon dioxide, and flammable gases; electrochemical cells for toxic gases and oxygen; catalytic sensors for flammable gases; and photo-ionisation detectors for volatile organic compounds.

New-generation refrigerants, owing to their complex compositions, have been particularly challenging, but we’ve achieved excellent results by using infrared sensing technologies.

We remain open to evaluating new detection technologies to continuously improve performance and accuracy.

How does Sensitron ensure product reliability in harsh or industrial environments?

Our approach always starts with understanding the customer’s specific requirements so we can provide the most suitable solutions.

Our systems are built to perform in difficult environments, including classified areas, and meet rigorous standards such as ATEX and EN 60079-29-1.

This ensures both reliability and accuracy, even under the most demanding conditions.

What developments should safety professionals expect next from Sensitron’s HVAC-R division?

We are focused on responding to evolving market needs by continuously adapting and reinventing ourselves.

We are currently developing new products that we believe will align with future safety requirements.

The HVAC-R sector, in particular, is experiencing strong growth, and we anticipate further consolidation in ATEX-classified areas as well as expansion into non-classified environments.

This was originally published in the November 2025 Edition of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE copy, click here.

Fire Aware calls for culture shift on duty of care in fire safety supply chain

by ConstructionFeatured NewsFire DetectionPassiveSafety

Fire Aware links culture to duty of care

Fire Aware has urged the fire safety industry supply chain to raise standards and focus on duty of care through its expanding membership body.

The organisation said its core message is that working in fire safety involves a moral responsibility as well as legal compliance.

Fire Aware framed its work around protecting people, arguing that the buildings and fire protection measures delivered by the supply chain must meet obligations to end users.

The body described fire safety work as more than a job and said activity in the sector should be treated as a vocation.

Gavin Skelly, Fire Aware CEO, said: “We are receiving a lot of positive feedback from the supply chain at all levels from large organisations to smaller businesses.

“They all want to play their part and we are asking all of those working this industry to think about their duty of care and what that means.

“We should all be following the new legislation including the new Building Safety Act as a minimum level.

“Our standards go beyond that and address the issues of best practice.

“Ultimately, we are all protecting people’s lives.

“The buildings we work on and the protection we install in all its different forms mean we are meeting our obligations.

“This is more than a job.

“Working in this industry is a vocation and should not be underestimated.”

Membership open across the fire safety supply chain

According to Fire Aware, membership is available to organisations and individuals across the fire safety industry supply chain.

The body said its members include designers, developers, asset owners and managers and other stakeholders involved in building delivery and maintenance.

Membership is also available to domestic trades, material suppliers and building management teams.

Fire Aware stated that it is engaging with sectors such as hotel and leisure, commercial landlords, private landlords and local authorities.

The organisation explained that members can provide training courses on fire safety and management, including content on relevant legislation.

Training is aimed at roles such as designers, main contractors and domestic trades, as well as material suppliers and building management functions.

Fire Aware said this approach is intended to support understanding of legal duties and practical responsibilities across different parts of the built environment sector.

Charters aim to reshape industry culture

Fire Aware said it aims to change the culture of the built environment sector through a moral code of conduct.

The organisation is developing a series of charters that set out how member companies are expected to behave when upholding their duty of care.

According to Fire Aware, these charters are designed to influence decisions in design, construction, maintenance and management activities.

The body described itself as a recognised membership organisation for the built environment and related sectors.

It said members share a common aim to work and trade responsibly in line with best practice standards.

Fire Aware linked this objective directly to the safety of the general public, indicating that culture, behaviour and technical standards cannot be separated.

The organisation repeated that new legislation, including the Building Safety Act, should be treated as a baseline rather than a ceiling for practice.

How Fire Aware’s approach supports built environment decision-makers

Fire Aware positions its membership model and charters as tools for those making decisions about fire protection in buildings.

The organisation’s focus on duty of care is relevant to designers, developers and asset owners who specify and approve fire-safety measures.

Building management teams and those responsible for hotel and leisure facilities, commercial property and rented housing can use the charters to frame expectations of contractors and suppliers.

Domestic trades and material suppliers involved in installing or providing fire-safety products are addressed through training opportunities that cover legislation and management responsibilities.

Local authorities can reference Fire Aware’s emphasis on going beyond minimum legislative requirements when assessing how duty of care is being interpreted across their estates.

By linking culture, moral responsibility and best practice, the body offers a reference point for organisations seeking to align technical compliance with wider obligations to occupants and the public.

Blackline marks fourth appearance in Deloitte Technology Fast 500 listing

by Americas - ProductsFeatured NewsFire DetectionIndustrialSafety

Blackline recognised in 2025 Fast 500

Blackline Safety has been named to the 2025 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 list of high growth North American technology companies, according to the company.

The recognition marks Blackline Safety’s fourth appearance on the Fast 500 after listings in 2018, 2020 and 2021.

The Calgary, Canada based connected safety technology firm is one of 114 Canadian companies included in the 2025 ranking.

It is also one of eight companies from Alberta to be recognised this year.

The Deloitte Technology Fast 500, now in its 31st year, ranks technology companies in North America based on revenue growth.

Blackline Safety stated that the 2025 listing reflects continued momentum for its connected safety portfolio.

Blackline growth linked to connected safety demand

Blackline Safety said the company’s latest Fast 500 placement is tied to increasing expectations from customers for connected safety solutions.

Cody Slater, CEO and Chair, Blackline Safety, said: “This recognition, and our continued growth, reflects the rising expectations among our customers worldwide for connected safety solutions.

“Our success is driven by a relentless focus on delivering technology that keeps workers connected and protected in real time, helping to ensure every worker gets home to their loved ones.”

According to the company, its portfolio combines software services with connected gas detectors, lone worker devices and area monitors.

Blackline Safety stated that these products are designed to keep workers in constant contact with monitoring centres.

The firm added that real time connectivity can support faster awareness of hazardous conditions.

EXO 8 area monitor receives multiple awards

Blackline Safety reported that its placement on the 2025 Fast 500 follows a year of wider product recognition.

The company’s EXO 8 area monitor received eight industry awards in 2025.

According to Blackline Safety, the awards recognised the EXO 8 for innovation and ease of use.

The monitor was also cited for its ability to change how organisations detect and respond to hidden hazards.

The company stated that EXO 8 is part of a connected safety approach that links area monitoring with personal devices and software services.

Blackline Safety added that this approach is intended to improve visibility of gas hazards across sites.

Canadian growth rankings highlight ongoing expansion

Blackline Safety noted that its 2025 Fast 500 listing follows further recognition in Canadian business rankings.

Earlier in 2025, the company was named to the Globe and Mail’s Top Growing Companies list for the seventh consecutive year.

Blackline Safety said the recurring inclusion shows sustained revenue growth over multiple years.

The firm added that its ongoing expansion is supported by a focus on connected safety technology.

According to the company, the combined impact of regional and North American rankings reflects continued demand for its products and services.

Operational relevance of Blackline’s growth for safety decision makers

Procurement officers responsible for connected gas detection, lone worker protection and area monitoring may view Blackline Safety’s repeated appearance in the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 as evidence of sustained commercial growth.

This kind of revenue performance can provide an indication that a vendor’s connected safety products are being adopted across multiple sectors in North America.

For fire safety officers, industrial facility managers and risk assessors, the highlighted role of the EXO 8 area monitor in eight separate awards points to industry recognition of area monitoring platforms that combine ease of use with detection of hidden gas hazards.

The company’s continued presence on the Globe and Mail’s Top Growing Companies list may also be relevant for organisations evaluating long term support when considering multi year deployments of connected gas detectors, lone worker devices and area monitors.

Fire engineering consultants and system installers working on integrated safety solutions can use this information when assessing which connected safety ecosystems have both market traction and a growing customer base.