Housing 2023 expo to showcase advanced fire safety solutions

by Featured NewsFire Detection

Unveiling of innovative wireless fire safety systems

Leading companies in fire detection and alarm systems, Cygnus and Bull Products, are gearing up to introduce their latest products at the forthcoming Housing 2023 trade show, taking place from 27th to 29th June at Manchester Central.

Cygnus will be unveiling its SmartNet range: a fully wireless, EN 54 certified fire detection and alarm system. This product, hailed as a “game changer” for the housing sector, eliminates the need for wired elements such as boosters and translators. This removes the often stressful initial stage of installation. A spokesman for the company said: “SmartNet leverages the latest wireless technologies and is ideal for a range of installations, from small to large scale.”

Steamlined installation with minimum disruption

Installing the SmartNet system promises minimal disruption for residents of existing properties. With reduced downtime, installation can often be completed in a matter of hours rather than days or weeks. Austen Wells, Sales Manager at Cygnus Group, said: “After launching our SmartNet alarm system earlier this year, we’re looking forward to introducing the fully wireless solution at Housing 2023 for the first time.”

Bull Products to showcase temporary fire protection solutions

Bull Products, recognised for their temporary fire protection solutions, will also be showcasing their new wireless, EN 54 certified SiteNet solution at Housing 2023. This robust, reliable and scalable wireless solution features self-forming and self-healing wireless mesh protocol technology, providing a cause-and-effect programming capability for timed and zone-controlled evacuations.

Comprehensive fire safety and first responder solutions

Also on display will be Bull Products’ First Responder Stations, designed specifically for construction sites. Matthew Trigwell, Sales Director at Bull Products, spoke enthusiastically about the upcoming event: “The show will provide the perfect platform to collaborate, learn and work together to meet the needs of the housing market.”

A leap forward in fire safety technology

The participation of Cygnus and Bull Products in Housing 2023, with their innovative fire safety solutions, signals a significant step forward in the sector. The systems these companies offer promise to revolutionise the way housing associations, local authorities and developers approach fire safety, ensuring more efficient and less disruptive installation processes.

SFRS overhauls response strategy after 30,000 unwanted fire alarms

by Featured NewsFire Detection

Over 30,000 unwanted fire alarm signals trigger firefighter response in 2022

More than 30,000 instances of unwanted fire alarm signals were addressed by firefighters throughout Scotland in the previous year, averaging roughly 80 incidents per day. These statistics have come to light as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) prepares to modify its response strategy to such signals in business premises and workplaces.

Changes to emergency response protocol due in July

Starting from the 1st of July 2023, in the event of an alarm, dutyholders – those entrusted with fire safety responsibility, are expected to examine the cause of the alarm and only dial 999 after a fire is confirmed. This strategy has already been implemented by several other UK fire and rescue services, who dispatch fire appliances only when a fire is confirmed.

Altered procedures to exclude certain premises

The impending change will not affect premises providing sleeping accommodation, such as hospitals, care homes, hotels, student accommodation, and domestic residences. These will maintain their current level of emergency response. Workplaces are being urged to provide staff with sufficient training regarding the new procedures and establish appropriate fire safety measures.

Calls for dutyholder readiness and preparation

David Farries, the Assistant Chief Officer (ACO) and SFRS Director of Service Delivery, urged dutyholders to prepare for the upcoming changes. He emphasised the significance of providing staff with adequate training and ensuring suitable fire safety provisions are present within business premises. Furthermore, he recommended dutyholders familiarise themselves with the information provided on the SFRS website.

The majority of signals from automatic fire alarm systems are not due to actual fires. Instead, they are false alarms frequently triggered by cooking fumes, dust or poor maintenance. The new procedure aims to free up operational crews for actual emergencies, reduce unnecessary road risk and environmental impact caused by false alarms.

Potential time saving and benefits to businesses

By altering the response to such incidents, Farries indicated that around 64,000 hours could be saved annually. This time could be utilised for other activities like training and fire safety prevention work. Businesses could also benefit from fewer disruptions. Each unwanted fire alarm signal interrupts business activities for approximately 27 minutes on average.

Educational premises, call centres, offices, pubs, restaurants, shops, and single retail units were among the most frequent sources of unwanted alarms. The changes on 1st July 2023 result from a public consultation in 2021. The SFRS website provides guidance to assist dutyholders in preparing for the changes.

IFSJ Exclusive: Every second counts with Blackline Safety

by Breaking NewsFire DetectionIFSJ Exclusives

Sean Stinson, newly appointed president at Blackline Safety tells all about his new role and future plans at the company

In March of this year, Blackline Safety announced key promotions and changes to its executive leadership team, including Sean Stinson’s promotion to the additional role of President. With this appointment, Stinson assumed the leadership of software and professional service offerings, including Blackline Vision custom analytics. He also continues to lead all revenue generating activities, including sales, customer success and channel management.

Stinson joined Blackline in 2013 and has held progressively senior roles at the Company, including sales, product, data services, user experience, client success and customer care. Prior to Blackline, Stinson held leadership roles in engineering and project management at BW Technologies and Honeywell. IFSJ Editor Iain Hoey sat down with Stinson’ to discuss his background, his thoughts on the industry, and his vision for Blackline’s future.

How did you become involved in the fire and safety industry?

A big part of what gives me my passion for the job and led to my early understanding of what customers need to do to keep people safe, is that I worked in the oil industry in Alberta early on, performing a variety of general labour jobs to help pay my way through university.

As a junior-level employee, I was often crawling inside petrochemical plants to do maintenance during a turnaround and I relied on portable gas protectors for my own personal safety. When I graduated as an electrical engineer, it was a natural progression to end up on the manufacturing side of the safety business and I’ve been here for more than two decades now.

Early in my career I held engineering and project management roles at BW Technologies and Honeywell, where I used my lived experience to create products that resonated with users. My deep understanding of customer needs allowed me to move quickly into leadership roles where I applied my knowledge to make better design decisions.

When Blackline embarked on our product strategy to build the G7 EXO area monitor, it was my responsibility to make sure we had the proper specifications in place to provide the best possible user experience.

What prompted your appointment as President?

Largely, the leadership changes are related to growth. Our company is almost 500 employees now and we’re selling products around the world. Six years ago, most of our revenue was generated in Canada whereas now we are the undisputed global leader in wearable connected safety devices for the industrial market. That growth necessitated the creation of new roles, including the role of President, to assist our CEO Cody Slater as we execute on strategy and allow him to retain a clear focus on direction and other C-level decisions. Cody and I have known each other and worked well together for a long time now and between us, we provide really good coverage of the skills required for strong leadership.

What does your new role entail and how does it fit with your role as Chief Growth Officer?

I still have the Chief Growth Officer responsibilities of sales, revenue generation and customer care. In addition to that, I’m assuming leadership of our software and professional service offerings, which brings me back to my engineering roots in some ways.

The title of President reflects my natural tendency to focus on strategy and business operations. I believe that leadership is really about empowering people to rise to their full potential, and now I’m in a position to make moves that allow employees to contribute more to our business at an individual level.

We have a fantastic team here and a big part of what I do now, and have done in the past as well, is pull people together to ensure we maintain our strong corporate culture. As President, I can step beyond my own team to fight the silos that often creep in when a company grows, and ensure we continue to build a productive, energised and inclusive culture here at Blackline.

What has Blackline been working on recently?

One of our most recent developments for the fire and safety market is the enhanced G7 EXO area monitor which now has plume modelling capabilities. We built this product with fire safety in mind, knowing that any time there is a release of harmful chemicals, it’s of utmost importance for the tactical teams on the ground to have accurate information about what’s happening now and what’s about to happen next.

Our newest technology was designed with input from Business Development Specialist Doug Mayer who works directly with our customers in the fire and safety space. We’ve incorporated their feedback about the most pressing challenges they face to design a product that offers a very fast deployment – it’s up and running in 60 seconds whereas competing monitors can take hours to set up – and automatically connects directly to the cloud to steam critical insights during an emergency.

What are Blackline’s plans for the near future? Is there anything specific you’re working towards?

Broadly, we’ll be continuing to expand and enhance our EXO product line. For the fire and safety market in particular, we’ll be adding more interchangeable cartridges to our area monitor so that responders will have the ability to sense more than five gases at a time. We understand that every second counts when they’re facing an unexpected gas release. Our goal is to provide a wide range of swappable cartridges, so that no matter what they’re faced with when they arrive, they’ll have a kit that that can keep them safe.

This exclusive article was originally published in the May 2023 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Advanced installs fire system in Dubai’s MIRACLZ tower block

by Featured NewsFire DetectionMiddle East - Projects

Advanced, a renowned manufacturer of fire protection solutions, has installed its cutting-edge fire system in MIRACLZ, a brand-new mixed-use tower block in Dubai.

The implementation of Advanced’s Axis EN range, featuring voice evacuation, fire telephone, and smoke management capabilities, now provides comprehensive fire safety coverage for the entire building.

Situated adjacent to the iconic Miracle Garden, the 37-storey MIRACLZ tower offers a diverse range of amenities and living spaces. The impressive structure accommodates a total of 591 fully furnished apartments, including one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and studio layouts.

Alongside the residential units, MIRACLZ also has an array of shopping and leisure experiences, a state-of-the-art swimming pool, a luxurious sauna, a well-equipped gymnasium, a spacious party hall, and a dedicated kids’ play area.

About the fire system

The main fire panel with voice command centre is located in the ground floor fire command centre room and is networked with multiple 1, 4 and 8-loop panels to form a distributed system. The installation also included an Advanced remote repeater panel and a dedicated voice evacuation amplifier on each of the building’s floors.

EDMAC Consulting specified the fire system and it was supplied, installed and commissioned by Advanced distribution partners, Cignetix Systems. Fully integrated with BACNET BMS, the system incorporates over three thousand addressable devices including interfacing units for monitoring or controlling of water flow switches, staircase pressurisation fans, lifts, air handling units and fire dampers. The system complies with various European, American and UAE Civil Defence codes.

Robust and versatile

Sunil Gopalkrishnan, Managing Director at Cignetix, said: “Thanks to their reputation for performance, quality and ease of use, Advanced are our preferred choice of fire alarm, fire telephone and voice evacuation systems – capable of handling large networks of up to 200 panels and complex cause and effect programming.”

Sasi Kumar, Commercial Manager, Middle East and Africa at Advanced, said: “The Middle East is a unique market with both EN and UL solutions being used. GCC customers can be disappointed if a fire system doesn’t meet the standard they require on a project, but we offer solutions for both standards in our Axis EN and Axis AX product ranges respectively.

“Few competitors can match us from that respect and this flexibility is valued by our customers. The Axis ranges are not only robust and versatile, but also easy to use – from installation and commissioning to servicing, maintenance and day-to-day operation. We have had excellent feedback on the Advanced Axis EN system from the installer at MIRACLZ.”

Axis EN

Providing powerful networking capacity, the Axis EN system supports robust networks of up to 200 panels per network. Networks can also be combined to create very large fire systems making the Axis EN ideal for complex, large-scale installations. Whether networking high-risk sites with complicated cause and effect, remotely monitoring networked sites, or integrating with building management systems, intuitive software and panel navigation make setup straightforward.

Axis EN is a complete fire system solution combining a high-performance, addressable panel approved to EN54 Parts 2, 4 and 13 with a comprehensive wired and wireless detector range plus extensive peripheral options.

Fire telephone solution

Advanced’s fire telephone solution is ideal for high and low-rise apartment buildings, hotels, universities, government and military sites where local fire departments and emergency personnel need access to fire/emergency communications. Designed for clear, easy-to-use control, the conventional system benefits from LED status indications showing its operational state – whether the system has a call-in, is connected or is in fault condition. The fire telephone system can be configured as either a standalone, independent system or completely integrated into the Axis EN fire system.

Hyfire’s TauREX software update transforms wireless fire tech

by Featured NewsFire Detection

Hyfire, a pioneer in global wireless fire technology, has announced the release of a new update to its TauREX software package. The upgrade, known as TauREX 1.3, offers a range of enhancements that will significantly transform the experience of anyone involved in installing or maintaining Taurus wireless fire systems.

TauREX software, designed as a single tool for the installation, commissioning, and maintenance of Taurus systems, has been a key component in the transformation of wireless technology from a niche to a mainstream choice in the fire industry. This latest update from Hyfire brings significant improvements, including enhanced usability and speed of programming, as well as a new feature that streamlines maintenance work.

Tom Crane, Hyfire International Director, said:”regular software updates are just one part of our commitment to making regular enhancements to the capabilities and reliability of Taurus devices and systems that support them. Thousands of fire installers and end clients have already chosen Taurus devices for their performance, efficiency, and reliability, and the latest TauREX update builds on this to deliver an even smoother, simpler experience for installers, fire engineers, and technicians.”

The new version of the TauREX software enhances usability, refines the process of associating network devices and field devices, and streamlines the programming and maintenance processes to make them faster and more convenient. The update also fine-tunes the EasyScan feature, enabling Taurus devices to be installed using a QR code, and adds an enhanced ‘Drag & Drop’ feature that automatically groups associated devices with the network node, making the software even more efficient to use.

Hyfire offers the widest range of commercial standard wireless fire devices on the market, ranging from optical, multi-criteria, and heat detectors to EN54-23 Approved VAD’s, all fully certified to EN54. All products offer the highest performance and quality in the industry, and are also fully compliant with BS5839 Part 1.

Hyfire’s commitment to excellence is not limited to the purchase of the product. Crane explained: “Our commitment to excellence doesn’t end when you buy the product; in fact, that’s just the beginning. We think that the customer deserves constant support and updates throughout the lifecycle of the product.” Hyfire provides software and firmware updates to ensure that Taurus products remain at the cutting edge of fire technology, maximizing the performance potential of the physical devices.

About Taurus

Taurus, developed in Trieste, Italy, the global center for wireless fire design, features Pathfinder Technology, which allows the devices to communicate over 1km, point to point in open air, and further where expansion hops are used. Antenna technology has been optimized to allow communication across different frequencies and environments, which means that Taurus can do the job with less equipment and less batteries, thus saving on costs.

About Hyfire

Since its launch in 2007, Hyfire has become synonymous with quality, reliability, and innovation in the commercial fire sector. The Hyfire brand comes with a five-year warranty and is backed up by a dedicated partner program. Hyfire is part of The Orama Group, an alliance of companies committed to keeping people and their environment safe using the

Read IFSJ’s exclusive interview with Hyfire’s Ollie Murray, Head of Sales for the UK.

Exclusive: The importance of fire system survivability with GFE

by AmericasBreaking NewsFire Detection

Paul Pope, Group Business Development Director at Global Fire Equipment (GFE), takes a closer look at the complex but important subject of fire system survivability

Fire system survivability relates to ability of the entire fire detection and alarm system (FDAS) to perform properly and remain fully operational while under attack by fire. If systems require a phased or complex evacuation, the FDAS needs to be able to continue working while the fire is taking place as this will ensure that the fire management authorities can establish the location of the fire and monitor its spread – information which is critical to ensure a safe and controlled evacuation.

A badly designed FDAS could fail relatively quickly, and failure in one area due to poor survivability could result in the system being unable to activate audible and visual alarms to warn people of the imminent danger. In the case of a phased evacuation, the system might be incapable of further evacuating another alarm zone area where the fire is spreading to. If all the detection control panels are located in one area and there is a fire in that area, for example, the entire system would be wiped out very quickly.

System survivability should be a shared responsibility

Survivability should be a prerequisite of all complex systems, and each building needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Although some standards touch on survivability – including BS7975, BS8629, BS 5839 and BS 8519 – there is no clear industry performance specification for FDAS survivability and how the standards are actually achieved comes down to the design, installation and system commissioning process. And this is the root of the problem.

Many different factors determine the survivability of a FDAS and unless it has been designed with survivability in mind from the outset – and each individual element of the system is capable of surviving for the length of time required by the building and its evacuation strategy – the risk of system failure is high.

There is a lack of industry understanding about the length of time FDASs should be able to survive. There is a common misconception that the different elements of the FDAS only need to survive for 30 minutes before they can fail, but this is not long enough in complex buildings such as large residential buildings, offices, shopping malls, airports and hospitals etc.

Complex buildings must be actively assessed as a single, coherent system of interdependent components. In these types of buildings, the design and the connectivity of a FDAS and the building’s evacuation system have to last much longer than 30 minutes.

Specifiers need to fully understand the intended use of the building, its detailed fire/evacuation strategy and must specify the survival time of fire alarm/fire-fighting systems. Engineers must understand the fire risk experienced by the whole system to ensure continued fire/evacuation strategy and system design compliance. And those responsible for procurement need to manage expectations of survivability performance.   

Using technology to achieve system survivability

One way in which GFE is leading the way in system survivability is our inbuilt mesh network. Our Chameleon multi-master, multi-path peer-to-peer network is a fundamental departure from previous fire alarm control panels’ (FACP) networking arrangements as it creates an extremely resilient infrastructure for the management and interaction between multiple FACPs in a single system.

Every FACP connects directly, dynamically and non-hierarchically to all the other FACPs in the network. This contributes to extremely high resilience, particularly in complex buildings, where higher levels of system are required for life safety and fire-fighting applications, including circuit integrity during a fire.

A fully closed loop and multi-path solution, Chameleon addresses and overcomes the limitations associated with traditional RS485 multi-drop topology. When RS485 multi-drop topology is used, there is no redundancy in the network so in the event of a short circuit in the cables, all interaction and communication between the different FACPs would cease because the information can only travel from node to node in a linear manner, to the left or right. In comparison, Chameleon has point-to-point communication across the entire network.

The FACP forwards every event through all network communications ports, effectively broadcasting the event across the entire network. Each node then records the event on its local event log (up to 10,000 entries). Each FACP can send and receive messages from other FACPs, ensuring high network redundancy because all FACPs are interconnected. If one or more FACP links go down, all the other FACPs participate in the information relay so the entire network will continue working while the individual incident or issue with the FACP/FACPs is resolved. 

What next?

Moving forward, we need to push for FDASs to be designed for survivability from the outset rather than as an afterthought. We also need to ensure those responsible for specifying, procuring, installing and using fire and life safety systems have a better understanding of system survivability and accept shared responsibility for it.

For further information on Global Fire Equipment, please visit www.globalfire-equipment.com.

This exclusive article was originally published in the May 2023 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Exclusive: Choosing the right fire system with Advanced

by AmericasBreaking NewsFire Detection

Advanced looks at the key things to consider when deciding on the best fire system for your site

Choosing the right fire system can be a challenge. With a variety of solutions and options available, knowing which products are best suited to your needs and meets the right fire safety legislation and regulations for your location can prove confusing.  

Whether you are looking for a panel or a full system, here are some of the key choices to make when deciding on the best solution for your site.

Protocol compatibility

At the centre of any active system is the fire panel – single or multi-loop, standalone or networked. The choice available is wide, and the priority should be finding a solution that offers versatility.

Open- or multi-protocol fire systems allow much greater freedom of device choice, allowing you to choose devices that best suit the site’s needs rather than restricting you to what’s available in a particular manufacturer’s range. Some brands of devices lend themselves much better to the demands of areas prone to false alarms, for example, while others are ideal for buildings that require flush-mounted devices for reduced visual impact.

Leading detector protocols include Apollo, Argus, Hochiki and Nittan, and it’s worth looking out for these names when choosing your fire system to ensure you can access a complete range of wired and wireless devices. For retrofit projects, backwards compatibility and the option to easily combine existing and new equipment are also important considerations, and choosing a fire panel that works with a variety of protocols can save time and money.

Compliance

Fire industry legislation and regulations can be a minefield, and it can be frustrating trying to find a product that has the features you want, approved for use in your region.

Advanced offers solutions for both UL and EN markets – so you can be confident you’re getting the great Advanced features you need while complying with your country’s local fire safety standards.

Featuring a high-performance addressable panel approved to EN54 Parts 2, 4 and 13, Axis EN has been tested to the highest standards of quality, reliability and technical integrity. Offering the versatility of UK best-seller the MxPro 5 panel, combined with complete peripheral and wired and wireless device ranges, it’s a great fire system option for territories that have adopted European product standards.

Part 13 compliance ensures that a fire system will continue to perform to its maximum capability during a fire situation. Increased current in alarm conditions combined with a high-resistance connection (e.g. an incorrectly tightened screw in a sounder base), could prevent the sounders and beacons from operating on what would have incorrectly appeared to have been an acceptable ‘fault-free’ installation. Axis EN continuously monitors all transmission lines for compliance, checking and reporting faults every minute of every day to ensure maximum safety.

Meanwhile, Axis AX offers the same high-performance and flexibility of Axis EN to those who require UL compliance, combining feature-packed addressable panels with audio systems, command centres and a comprehensive range of detectors.

Built with versatility and choice in mind, Axis AX is designed to be scalable and flexible, allowing you to easily adapt your fire alarm system to suit your needs with minimal disruption. Its modular system makes customisation easy, offering a wide variety of configurations and applications.

Even better, Advanced’s easy-to-use fire panel software is available for both its EN and UL-approved products, so benefits like easy configuration, networking and BMS integration are available no matter where you are in the world.

Site size

While large business sites might need complex multi-loop networked fire panels with a high number of detectors, smaller and medium-sized businesses, such as coffee shops, GP surgeries, small offices, bars and restaurants often have far more straightforward requirements for a simpler alarm solution with fewer detectors.

These types of sites generally don’t have the capacity to invest in a solution that goes beyond their needs, instead looking for systems offering value for money, reliability, performance and quality. For example, in a small coffee shop if a fire occurs the shop will be instantly evacuated so there is no need for a sophisticated multi-loop fire panel which allows the phased evacuation that would be necessary in a hospital.

With small-site budgets in mind, cost-efficiencies have been central to the development of Advanced’s Go, the new generation, single-loop fire alarm control panel which gives access to popular MxPro 5 premium features but in a simpler, non-networkable format for complete fire protection peace of mind. Developed for smaller locations while still offering flexible and powerful protection, Go’s versatility provides complete freedom to quickly and easily design the perfect wired or wireless solution for any standalone site.

Advanced also offers a cost-effective, single-loop option for countries where EN standards apply, in the form of AxisGo. Featuring the same reliability and flexibility of the premium Axis EN range, AxisGo is a great choice for simpler sites where networking isn’t required.

Wired or wireless?

For many locations, standard wired devices are the go-to option. But what solutions are there for sites where cabling would impact the building’s aesthetic, or be difficult and costly to reach inaccessible areas?

Choosing a fire alarm system that supports wireless detection means you’ll have the flexibility to opt for wireless devices, whether you require a fully wireless or hybrid system.

Wireless solutions not only mean lower visual and physical impact, they are also faster and cheaper to install, making them an increasingly popular alternative for sites where downtime isn’t an option, or re-wiring would prove disruptive. Thanks to two-way communication with the panel, battery replacement and fault reporting can also be worked into the on-going maintenance schedule via the panel service tools.

Advanced open-protocol MxPro 5 and Go panels both support a versatile range of wireless devices, including Apollo REACH, Argus Taurus and Hochiki Ekho so there’s plenty of flexibility to customise your system to best suit your needs.

There are wireless options available for Axis EN users too. Axis wireless devices are powerful, reliable and fast to install and configure. They’re also rigorously tested to meet EN54-25 standards and can be used as part of completely wireless or hybrid systems, providing a trusted, flexible solution.

System integration

When choosing your fire system it is a good idea to consider any add-ons you might want to incorporate – either now or at a later stage – to ensure your system supports them. For example, do you want to integrate your fire alarm panel with other safety or security systems, or a wider Building Management System (BMS)? It is worth checking with your chosen supplier if they have their own solutions for your requirements, or if you will need integration with third-party equipment for full protection.

A popular requirement is the option to link the fire control panel to an intelligent emergency lighting system, such as Advanced’s Dynamic Safety Signage (DSS). Available in the UK, it can be used as a standalone system, or integrated with a fire alarm panel programmed to trigger emergency lighting if an incident occurs.

Proven to make building evacuations faster and safer, DSS uses green moving and pulsing LED arrows to clearly indicate safe exits and red LED crosses to boldly show no-go areas. It provides a safer alternative to traditional static signage, particularly when installed at high-footfall sites where people are likely to be unfamiliar with the layout, such as transport hubs, hospitals, and stadiums.

Fire system integration means it’s also possible to program cause and effect, allowing DSS to be used adaptively. This ensures that as evacuation situations evolve, only the safest escape routes are highlighted whilst unviable exits are clearly marked as no-go areas. For added safety, DSS is also compatible with Advanced’s LuxIntelligent emergency lighting test system, making it easy to prove compliance and identify any parts of the system requiring attention.

Depending on your site, you may also want to consider including additional fire protection measures in your system. For example, high-risk and sensitive areas such as IT server rooms, or museums housing historic or cultural collections, may benefit from including a gas extinguishing panel such as Advanced’s ExGo.

Like Dynamic Safety Signage, ExGo offers the versatility of standalone use, or it can be integrated with an Advanced MxPro 5 panel or Axis EN fire system, or with any third-party fire system.

Used all over the world to protect sensitive and strategic assets – from the Magna Carta at Lincoln Castle, to M Station, the United Arab Emirates’ largest power generation and desalination plant – ExGo provides a simple, dependable solution to complex fire protection problems.

The choice is yours

When it comes to making decisions about your fire system, the options really are endless. Ultimately, the key thing to look out for is versatility. Your supplier should be able to offer everything you need to achieve your required level of functionality, while providing peace of mind that your site and the people in it are being effectively protected. Choosing a fire equipment manufacturer that offers a versatile range of options is the best way to guarantee compatibility, compliance and above all, safety.

This exclusive article was originally published in the May 2023 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Training: Room for improvement with Apollo Fire

by Breaking NewsFire Detection

Jess Mann, Customer Journey Manager at Apollo Fire, talks competency, Responsible Persons and CPD training

Training is essential for ensuring competency in any industry, but it is especially crucial when it comes to life safety products. Jess Mann, Customer Journey Manager at Apollo Fire, understands the importance of training in achieving their company’s purpose of keeping people safe from fire every second of every day.

IFSJ Editor Iain Hoey sat down with Jess to discuss the challenges of competency in the industry and the various types of training that Apollo offers to raise competency levels and contribute to a safer built environment.

What does training mean to Apollo?

Our purpose is simple; to keep people safe from fire every second of every day. Training plays an integral role in achieving our purpose. We offer a range of training so our customers can specify, design, install, commission and maintain our products. We manufacture life safety products and we have a duty of care to ensure our products are used correctly.

Our team at Apollo is diverse. Included in the team is long serving, Senior Technical Support Engineer, Warren Moyle who has trained our customers worldwide for over 30 years. His wealth of knowledge and expertise on our product range is invaluable.

Our sales team are internally trained on our product range, they develop and deliver bespoke Continued Personal Development (CPD) courses and product training to our customers. It is important to us that all people with customer facing roles are able to maximise the benefits of our products by sharing their knowledge which in turn helps the end user.

We are aware that there are competency challenges in our industry. We aim to increase our training offering to contribute to a safer built environment.

Why is there a lack of competency in the industry?

There could be several reasons for the lack of competency within the industry – from client demand outweighing the skill set in the country, financial implications, unethical business practices, or the way legislation is set up.

British Standard BS 5839 Part 1 defines a ‘Competent Person’ as a ‘Person with the relevant current training and experience, and with access to requisite tools, equipment, and information, capable of carrying out a defined task’. However, there is no clear framework or assessment criteria for measuring an individual’s competency.

As a global manufacturer we are aware from our international customer base that clear legislation has been in place in certain territories for some time, which has naturally led to a high competency level.

Do you see this improving in the future?

There have been changes to the legislation post-Grenfell. In 2022, the Buildings Safety Act included requirements for the ‘Responsible person’. In a further update to the Building Safety Act there will be inclusion of a policy for duty holder. ‘Duty holders’ will carry far more responsibility. They must ensure that anyone appointing a ‘Principal Designer’, ‘Principal Contractor’, or other person who carries out building or design work, will take all reasonable steps to ensure the appointee meets competency requirements.

Appointees are under a duty to inform the client if they no longer satisfy a competency requirement. The accountability is on the appointee and the contractor and not elsewhere in the chain. This legislation intends to create accountability, and to encourage companies to seek adequate training for their teams, with the hope of building a safer future.

In 2020, the ‘Setting the Bar’ report, written by the Competence Steering Group, a collection of experienced industry volunteers post-Grenfell, detailed how competency could be proven.

243. Recommendation: The industry should adopt a framework for all the installer sectors working on in-scope buildings that can be applied to other project types. The framework will consist of:

  • Accredited third party certification of companies
  • Level 2 or 3 qualifications for individuals
  • A card scheme such as, but not limited to, the CSCS
  • CPD refresher training and the maintenance of individual skills
  • All installers have a core knowledge of fire safety in buildings – training to be standardised and made mandatory.

This report has already created a higher demand for different types of training since its release. And it’s likely that the new ‘duty holders’ policy will do the same.

Can you tell us more about these types of training?

A Level 3 Award in the fire alarm installation sector could be a Level 3 Award in the British fire alarm installation standards for non-domestic properties – BS 5839-1. This typically is a 4–5-day course with an exam which is equivalent to an A Level.

There are various training providers and manufacturers which offer a course like this. Some of our team recently visited ‘Zzeus Training’ in Lincoln, an EAL Level 3 OFQUAL approved qualification in the Requirements of Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems for Buildings BS 5839-1:2017. This training course exceeded our expectations. The attendees participated in designing, installing, and commissioning a fire system.

Our team managed to network with other attendees across two groups. It was a pleasure to see customers who have been installing systems for over 20 years still learning so much. It just goes to show how important this training really is.

CPD is another form of training. These courses are designed to help individuals’ learning and growth. Many CPD accredited courses are free from manufacturers and vary from an hour’s virtual session to a full day of product training.

These types of courses have been and will continue to raise the competency in our industry. However, getting the entire industry up to the expected standard will take many years. The costs for a Level 3 Award plus ‘time off the road’ for numerous engineers will be high and some will view it as being commercially cost prohibitive.

What kind of training does Apollo offer?

Apollo offer fortnightly virtual CPD training, face to face product training, on-demand webinars, and new product introduction training.

We have always loved face to face training, and we have a variety of free CPD accredited courses, all designed for different types of customers. Pre-COVID the methods of social interaction were different, Warren Moyle was hosting a training session almost every week, either in our office or at customer locations in the UK or worldwide.

Our most popular course is ‘Course A’ which is for anyone that’s new to the industry or requires a refresher around the fundamentals of fire detection installation. It includes detection principles and device selection. We often get experienced fire professionals who even come away having learned something new.

What is a training day like at Apollo?

When people come to us for a full day of training, we want to make it a memorable experience by going above and beyond. We include a tour of our factory and our different labs, including a live demonstration in our fire lab. We always receive good feedback from our customers’ experience – they get to see how the product is made and many are surprised that it is all still manufactured here in the UK, where we were founded over 40 years ago.

During lockdown, we adapted many of our courses to become virtual one-hour CPD sessions, continuing the growth of our attendees. We are pleased that our CPD sessions have reached customers in over 40 countries.

What CPD courses do Apollo offer?

Most of our CPD accredited virtual sessions are on industry topics such as: BS 5839-1, EN54-23, False Alarm Reduction and Hybrid-wireless fire detection. We aim to produce a few new courses each year, and we get our ideas from customer feedback forms.

The most frequent request that came out of the last few months was the desire for a CPD course that simply gives an overview of different fire systems and their uses. This has been made by our team and is pending certification. A special thanks to our partners, the FIA (Fire Industry Association) for third-party certifying our CPD’s as part of our membership.

We aim to understand the needs of our customers. After feedback, we found that some customers are not able to attend live CPD sessions so we created a host of bitesize product webinars on our website, which are available to watch on-demand. If they want to learn anything about features, benefits, applications for our different ranges, they can access these at any time, just visit our website.

We believe we offer a variety of training for our customers, but we are aware there’s always room to improve. We want to be a fundamental part of helping our customers showcase their competency going forwards. Training is critical to our vision of becoming the partner of choice for our customers.

This exclusive article was originally published in the May 2023 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

IFSJ Exclusive: No cause for alarm with STI

by Breaking NewsFire Detection

STI looks at why false fire alarms are continue to cost the UK

False fire alarm numbers continue to rise post-pandemic causing major issues for the economy by wasting vital time and resources.

The latest Home Office figures from the year ending September 2022 reveal fire and rescue services attended 238,885 fire false alarms, the largest total of false fire alarms in over a decade, an increase of 10% compared with the previous year.

With an 18% increase from the previous year for malicious false fire alarms, 6,473 false alarms were determined, the number still rising post-COVID.

False fire alarms continue to be the largest proportion of incidents attended at 38% and so it is increasingly important to minimise false alarms to ensure both the safety of individuals and the efficient use of emergency services.

The British Standard BS 5839:2017-1 recommends that: “All MCPs should be fitted with a protective cover, which is moved to gain access to the frangible element” – to reduce false alarms.

The recommendation is essential in helping to ensure that buildings are adequately protected against the risk of false fire alarms, leading to complacency and therefore possible fatalities.

Protective covers can also act as a deterrent to malicious activations of call points, a teenager was arrested in Aberdeen after setting off fire alarms more than a dozen times, which police investigated as ‘deliberate and malicious’. Firefighters attended calls and wasted time and resources, meaning they could not respond to real emergency calls.  

False alarms are costly and disruptive, amounting to around £1 billion a year for the UK they often require emergency responders to mobilise and respond to a non-existent emergency, wasting resources and time.

False fire alarms can be costly for building owners with fines introduced for repeated false alarms from emergency services, as they may have to attend multiple times, causing a drain on resources that could be better used elsewhere.

They can also cause panic and confusion, particularly if they occur frequently, making it harder for people to take the necessary steps to evacuate safely in the event of a real fire. Frequent false alarms can lead to complacency among building occupants, who may not take real fire alarms seriously, potentially putting themselves and others at risk.

Firefighters attended false alarms a considerable number of times at Basset Lodge, an independent living facility for many elderly and disabled people. False fire alarms are not only disruptive for staff and residents but also pose a risk to their safety, and place additional strain on fire and rescue services.

Residents of the facility said they were concerned that fire crews may not attend if there is a real emergency due to the number of false alarms. A 73-year-old resident, who has lived at the site for 19 years, expressed her frustration with the situation, said that the false alarms are causing panic among those with disabilities and health problems. She also noted that some tenants have to use the stairs because the lift is not working due to the alarm system.

These repeated false alarms can lead to complacency in the public, lowering the sense of urgency in real evacuations.

“Protective covers can help to control the number of accidental and malicious fire alarms.”

Protective covers can help to control the number of accidental and malicious fire alarms, but there are many ways in which you can reduce false alarms, for example regularly checking and testing equipment to ensure it is not faulty is one approach to preventing unnecessary risk for the fire department and public from false alarms.

As the original call point cover manufacturer, Safety Technology International manufacture tough covers that have been specifically designed to help deter false fire alarms and to prevent malicious or accidental activation of manual call points. The strong, durable construction of our Stopper polycarbonate call point protectors means they can withstand the toughest knocks, whilst offering lasting protection against false fire alarms.

With various models available in a range of sizes and colours, and multi-language or custom text options, we have covers suitable for most applications or devices. Sounder models help to deter malicious activations with an audible alarm that draws immediate attention to the area. Waterproof models also allow for outside application, protecting devices and manual call points against the ingress of dust or water.

You can view the full Stopper range on stand FI.2620 at FIREX International between 16-18 May 2023. 

10-year high

In the year ending September 2022, UK Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) attended 238,885 fire false alarms according to a report from the Home Office. This marks the largest total of fire false alarms since the year ending September 2012, and a 10% increase compared to the previous year’s figures of 217,925. False alarms were categorized into three types: due to apparatus, good intent, and malicious.

Due to apparatus calls accounted for 68% of all false alarms, with 163,257 recorded in the year ending September 2022. This represents a 10% increase from the previous year and a 9% increase compared to five years ago.

Good intent calls, made in good faith by the caller believing that the FRS would attend a fire, accounted for 29% of all false alarms. The number of good intent calls was 69,155, an 8% increase from the previous year and a 4% increase compared to five years ago.

Malicious false alarms, made with the intent of getting the FRS to attend a non-existent incident, accounted for 3% of all false alarms. The number of malicious false alarms was 6,473, an 18% increase from the previous year but a 9% decrease compared to five years ago.

The proportion of total incidents that were fire false alarms in the year ending September 2022 was 38%, which has been relatively stable over the past decade, varying between 38% and 44%.

The report notes that the number of fire false alarms attended by FRSs in England had been on a downward trajectory, from a peak of around 393,900 in the early 2000s to a low of around 211,000 in the year ending September 2015. However, since then, there has been a gradual increase to around 239,000 fire false alarms in the year ending September 2022.

The report suggests that the increase in false alarms may be due to a range of factors, including increased use of automatic fire alarm systems and changes to building use and occupancy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This exclusive article was originally published in the May 2023 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

IFSJ Exclusive: Fire safety and smart reporting in hotels

by Breaking NewsFire Detection

Mandy Bowden, Comelit-PAC Fire Manager, sheds light on smart fire safety management systems

Today hotel guests have higher expectations, including personalised experiences and the opportunity to create memories, even if it is just an overnight stay. With more focus on guest experience than ever before, it is critical that hoteliers continue to evolve their offerings to meet this demand.

This to be achieved with guests assured they are safe and secure, expecting a home from home experience. The responsibility is not only with hotel managers but also Responsible Persons and Maintenance Managers to ensure that peace of mind in the physical sense is achieved at all times.

When guests check into a hotel, they expect a level of safety and security during their stay to truly ensure they can settle and enjoy their experience. This includes the physical security alongside the fire safety. The knowledge that the hotel has taken all necessary precautions to prevent and respond to a fire emergency.

“Hotel management must ensure their fire safety management protocols are up to date, effective, and aligned with the latest standards.”

And yet several reports of fires have made headlines in recent months. The Accidental Fires and Deliberate Fires in UK Hotels highlighted a 20% rise in the last recorded year (2021-2022) and there have been more fire-related fatalities, in incidents overall, than the previous reported year. There were three hotel fatalities in the first week of 2023 alone.

Hotel management must ensure their fire safety management protocols are up to date, effective, and aligned with the latest standards and regulations.

In recent years, technological advancements have made it possible to implement smart fire safety management systems in hotels to ensure compliance, which can also enhance the safety of guests and staff and with dedicated incident reporting, reduce the risk of fire incidents.

Smart fire safety management

Smart fire safety management systems use advanced technology, such as sensors, alarms, and monitoring tools, to detect fires with the capability to alert hotel staff and guests quickly and efficiently.

These systems can also facilitate quick evacuation and prevent the spread of fire, minimising damage to property and protecting human life.

Smart fire safety management systems can be integrated into a hotel’s existing fire safety protocols or implemented as a standalone system. They can also be customised to suit the specific needs of a hotel and its guests, including blending with their surroundings to remain discreet.

One of the most significant benefits of smart fire safety management systems in hotels is the early detection of fire incidents. With advanced sensors and alarms, smart systems can detect fires in their early stages, even before smoke or flames become visible.

Another benefit is that they can be monitored remotely, allowing hotel staff to keep track of fire hazards in real-time. This feature is particularly useful for large hotels, where fire hazards can be difficult to monitor manually. Remote monitoring can also enable hotel staff to respond promptly to fire incidents, regardless of their location on site.

Communication is key

The causes of hotel fires are often difficult to predict. Here is where a risk assessment carried out at the beginning of any works programme will be critical, and so should be carried out by a Responsible Person and expert in the field to understand the full workings of the hotel environment.

“A risk assessment carried out at the beginning of any works programme will be critical.”

Risk assessments can act as a snapshot of how protected a hotel is in the event of a fire. It will help identify corrective actions and further steps to achieve a compliant level of fire safety.

A bespoke fire safety solution can be designed to take account of the findings, incorporating ease of install and integration into existing building management systems for the benefit of ongoing maintenance.

Enhancing the overall fire safety culture in hotels then involves promoting awareness and education amongst staff and guess, helping to foster a culture of safety and preparedness, reducing the risk of fire incidents and minimising their impact.

Furthermore, smart systems can provide hotel management with valuable data and insights into fire hazards and incidents, enabling them to make informed decisions and improve their fire safety protocols continuously.

Case example: Staybridge Hotel

The Staybridge Hotel has recently gone through the process of installing Comelit-PAC’s LogiFire system with cloud integration capability as part of a significant renovation project.

As a new hotel in the heart of Brighton, Staybridge Hotel, as part of the IHG Group, was built in 2022 and renovated in 2023 as an all-suite hotel providing guests with a shared lounge, together with offering the comforts of home in a stylish contemporary space.

Ensuring fire safety measures are compliant to latest legislation, the management team worked closely with H.E.S Alarms to carry out a risk assessment of the complete site and incorporate fire safety systems where required, including Comelit-PAC’s latest LogiFire solution with cloud technology integration.

Says Ryan Morgan, Maintenance Manager of Staybridge Hotels: “This is a very exciting chapter for Staybridge Hotel, and a significant investment that we are thrilled to present to our guests. Whilst its core objective is to offer the latest and contemporary amenities; the safety and security of our hotel experience was critical.

“We needed to ensure our partners were on board right from the early stages of the renovation programme at our hotel. H.E.S and Comelit-PAC offered advice and practical support on how and where to install fire safety measures to blend with their surroundings, without affecting the experience for our staff and guests.”

Comelit-PAC Logifire system was programmed to a cause-and-effect matrix specifically designed for the site. It consisted of lift grounding to alternate floors, each individual room being fitted with an extinguishant system fitted above the hobs, and time delays with zonal programming for the whole building. Designated sounders were also installed in specified areas to seamlessly operate with the system.

“Fire safety is one of the biggest challenges presented in any hotel environment.”

Mark Dynes, H.E.S Alarms, Managing Partner

Mark Dynes, H.E.S Alarms, Managing Partner added: “Fire safety is one of the biggest challenges presented in any hotel environment, to enable balancing a welcoming and relaxing environment that doesn’t compromise on the safety of guests.  

“At Staybridge Hotel, it has taken careful planning and a close working partnership to achieve these objectives for the hotel and renovations as a whole. We were especially impressed with the technical and sales support from Comelit-PAC and capability to support us at every stage of the works programme to ensure a seamless LogiFire integration using latest cloud technology.”

LogiFire

LogiFire is guaranteed by a range of control panels. The system was designed at The Staybridge Hotel using an 8 loop Logifire118 system. The panel is feature rich and have many onboard fault-finding diagnostics, which was very beneficial during the final commissioning stages.

The evolution to cloud technology and remote monitoring via MyComelit app, means that users can check their status across their fire safety network on a remote basis, making sure they are always connected and fully operational. Event notifications can be sent via email and/or SMS messaging.

What just this one example shows is the need for a true partnership approach between the Responsible Person on site, the installer and Comelit-PAC to understand the unique requirements of the works programme and deliver a tailored solution to accommodate.

LogiFire presents a solution that can not only be installed without impacting on the look or feel of the hotel, but also remotely monitored at all times. It is a wonderful example of a seamless integration, offering latest cloud technology to ensure the fire safety of all who work or stay at the hotel.

This exclusive article was originally published in the May 2023 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Picture Credit: Staybridge Suites Hotel Brighton, Photographed by Simon Callaghan Photography