Often before industrial machinery start showing issues that require immediate maintenance, pending problems can be detected through minute vibration changes. Therefore, the first component of effective condition monitoring is a combined remote vibration and temperature sensing monitoring solution.
Manufacturing facilities from paper mills, to food and beverage processors to the oil and gas industry benefit from 24/7 remote condition monitoring of critical infrastructure and machinery. By combining the power of FLIR’s vibration and temperature detection, industries now have a complete solution kit that maximises production output, improves worker safety, and reduces operational costs.
Vibration detection not only provides early warning to help eliminate maintenance surprises before they happen, it also empowers staff to prioritize and streamline its maintenance schedule to maximise efficiency while reducing down-time. However, traditional wired continuous vibration monitoring systems can be expensive, not always up to date, and cumbersome to install.
The FLIR SV87-KIT™, on the other hand, is low cost, easy-to-configure, and can install on any surface with wireless connectivity to a Wi-Fi network. This also provides maintenance staff with the ability to track changes in vibration and heat in real time and over time, providing operational insights to predict potentially serious problems before failure.
The FLIR SV87-KIT is available to purchase globally today through FLIR and authorized FLIR distributors for $999, with shipments beginning in the fourth quarter 2020. To learn more, visit www.flir.com/SV87-KIT.
Valuation and home survey processes were previously insufficient to establish whether or not external cladding on high rise buildings [over 18 m height] contained combustible material and therefore would facilitate the spread of fire.
Following the Grenfell tragedy and subsequent MHCLG [Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government] guidance, RICS [Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors] along with UKF [UK Finance] and BSA [Building Societies Association] developed so-called EWS-1 forms as a means of enabling competent fire experts to assess whether these buildings are fire safe and if not, to identify that remedial work needs to be carried out.
The provision of EWS-1 forms has proved successful in creating a clear and consistent means by which the market understands the documentation required to support the buying, selling or re-mortgaging of properties in high rise buildings.
While the EWS-1 form has been downloaded from the RICS web site over 8,000 times, there remain some key issues to be resolved in order to create a fully reliable and accessible process for the upload and retrieval of these forms.
The FIA has stepped in to meet this requirement. In consultation with MHCLG and in collaboration with RICS and other stakeholders including lenders and insurers, it has developed a unique portal which now provides a central readily-accessible location for EWS-1 forms and, for the first time, the ability for signatories to complete the forms online.
Fraudulent EWS-1 forms
This meets an increasingly urgent need for property sellers and buyers, insurers and mortgage lenders to easily access for free and in one specific location the information they need in order for transactions involving properties in high rise buildings to proceed as normal post-Grenfell as well as identifying any remedial actions that must be taken on these buildings in respect of external cladding.
Of especial importance is the need to prevent fraudulent activity relating to EWS-1 forms which regrettably has been identified in the market and which can place lives at risk.
A rigorous approach has been applied to the portal to include manual checks at various stages of the process. Each signatory wishing to submit forms must present evidence that they are fully qualified and competent to do so and this is interrogated prior to enabling their forms to be submitted to the portal.
In addition, all existing forms and on-line submissions are subject to further checks to determine their validity before they appear as publicly-available documents. In this way, we would expect to minimise the problem of fraudulent EWS-1 forms appearing in the market.
The FIA has fully-funded this portal and has employed software specialists to create an effective, efficient and user-friendly site that has been approved by the RICS Forum.
The portal is now active and enables signatories to EWS-1 forms to register to submit these forms. Within a few days as initial registrations are checked and approved, signatories will be able to submit EWS-1 forms and these will shortly appear on the portal again once these are checked and approved. Forms that are uploaded will then be available for viewing and download free of charge.
The FIA is the largest fire protection trade association in Europe with over 900 members, a not-for-profit organisation that is a major provider of fire safety training.
Its objective is to promote, improve and perfect fire protection methods, devices, services and apparatus and achieves this through the representation of its members and providing technical support, guidance and opportunities for professional advancement through education and appropriate regulation.
It promotes and shapes legislation and the professional standards of the fire industry through close liaison with government and official bodies as well as other key stakeholders and also provides funding for research projects in line with its principal objectives.
For further details about the FIA, visit the web site at www.fia.uk.com
CSL have announced that two of their latest innovations have been chosen as finalists for this year’s prestigious Security & Fire Excellence Awards! CSL Live (including the My Base App) and DualCom Pro were both chosen for the coveted prize.
DualCom Pro offers Installers easier, faster installation of professional signalling systems with even greater resilience. Available as a single path Radio option (DigiAir Pro) or dual path Radio/Radio or LAN/Radio (GradeShift Pro). Each DualCom Pro variant utilises 4G Roaming WorldSIMs and is compatible with CSL Live our new device management portal and App.
In combination with the DualCom Pro Range, they launched CSL Live and the My Base App – the brand-new device management portal and App. Both the portal and App allow Installers to view, commission and configure DualCom Pro devices securely allowing them to identify issues quickly and pro-actively to support end-users.
The Security & Fire Excellence Awards will not be run in a face to face event format, instead, the virtual awards will take place on Wednesday 25 November 2020.
With the ability to respond globally to catastrophic fire events, US Fire Pump has quickly become one of the world leaders in Emergency Response.
The company can mobilise Emergency Response teams and flow more than 100,000 gallons per minute with its standby equipment, something they have worked extremely hard to achieve.
This equipment on standby consists of Submersible pumps, Boost pumps, Dry Chemical trailers, Direct Foam Injection units, Firetrucks, and the ability to deploy over 6 miles of industrial large diameter hose for challenging water scenarios.
US Fire Pump has also strategically stored foam in 6 locations across the Globe. From the locations, the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia can be served.
Emergency Response experts
Boosting an already robust array of equipment, the company also employs over 60 Industrial Firefighters ready to respond when duty calls. US Fire Pump’s Industrial Fire Fighting Specialists consist of experts who have a wide field of experience from flammable liquid bulk storage, flammable/combustible gas bulk storage to onboard ship firefighting.
Additionally, US Fire Pump’s Haz Mat Specialists allow their teams to be prepared for the hazardous materials so often encountered in the field and during post extinguishment operations.
Chris Ferrara-President/CEO US Fire Pump states, “US Fire Pump has made a conscience investment in our Emergency Response assets. No two emergency incidents are alike, and equipment needs vary widely.
“For instance, on a response we recently were called to, the water source was more than 1.5 miles away. With our 10,000 gallon per minute submersible pump and boost pumps we were able to lay 12” hose at 1.5 miles to achieve suppression.
“Coincidentally, during that event we were called to a second emergency response in a different State. Because of our inventory of equipment, we were able to deploy the needed resources and assist the customer in their efforts…again while simultaneously fully involved in another major event.
“This is why it’s important to invest in your equipment and take the approach that We can never have enough equipment for emergency response.”
In the last two years alone, the company has responded and successfully extinguished the largest fire events the United States has seen in decades.
Outside of the United States, US Fire Pump has also been called upon to advise and respond to emergency operations and has done so with success. In the event of an emergency, US Fire Pump can be the resource needed to assist. For 24/7 assistance call their emergency hotline at +1-225-209-6551.
Chris Peters, chief design manager,Wrightstyle, on a breakthrough fire test for the company.
Over the years, we have prided ourselves on our ability to understand changing market demands and innovate to meet those new requirements.
For example, we were the first company internationally to successfully develop a round opening fire-rated window.
More recently, we were the first company to develop unlatched fire doors, openable in either direction.
Worldwide, our systems regularly have project-specific fire tests, ensuring that everything we do meets the highest specifications.
Our design and testing programmes have consistently pushed boundaries to meet increasingly-stringent performance targets. In the process, our aim is to make the built environment just a little bit safer.
This month we are delighted to have achieved another milestone fire test with international significance.
SCHOTT
The test was on our WSL SR60 curtain wall framing system, in partnership with SCHOTT PYRANOVA® 120 glass to 148 minutes integrity and insulation.
However, the test was carried out with the exterior building surface facing into the furnace. This made the test significantly more demanding on the system components.
It makes the Wrightstyle system an ideal solution in places where a high level of integrity and insulation is required. This might be, for example, in atriums, fire escapes and between buildings, or as a fire break between different areas of a building.
The system also provides a tested advantage to provide fire protection between higher risk areas such as car parks and workshops and lower risk areas such as offices and a building’s reception.
A good example of multi-directional compartmentation would be to provide a fire break between a supermarket and its underground car park. We have been involved in such projects.
We are also seeing more demand from the export market for this higher specification curtain walling. More and more, specifiers are designing in compartments with a fire risk from either side of the glass.
The test is an excellent result for our SR60 curtain walling system. It further underlines the quality and high performance offered by our systems.
It’s why our high-performance systems can be found across the UK, and from the USA to New Zealand. Contract completions in the past few weeks have been in the Kingdom of Jordan, for a new tourist village, and Hong Kong, for a flagship museum of art.
Performance
In addition to adding further test evidence to an already comprehensive list, the test incorporated steel spandrel panels. This makes it one of the first alternative infill options to achieve two hours of integrity and insulation performance.
The SR60 system is also fully weather certified being a gasket glazed system. This is an enormous advance on more commonly-used tape glazed system. It can also be installed internally or externally.
Spandrel panels can have both a functional and aesthetic purpose. Generally, they have to meet thermal, acoustic, fire performance and moisture requirements.
The target performance for the Wrightstyle test was EI120 (120 minutes integrity and insulation). The test ran for a period of 148 minutes, exceeding the criteria for a pass by 23%. This significant overrun is rare in high performance tests.
Full furnace temperature was achieved after some 60 minutes into the test, with a peak temperature of 1050 degrees C.
The test module size was three metres by three metres and the test was jointly carried out with SCHOTT Technical Glass Solutions GmbH. SCHOTT is one of the world’s leading speciality glass manufacturers.
It was kind of Helmut Kugelmann, Sales Director for Fire Resistant and Security Glazing at SCHOTT, to say that, “SCHOTT were very happy to work with Wrightstyle on this fire test and look forward to further cooperation, in developing the worldwide demand for fully tested safe solutions that exceed local building code requirements.”
This latest test also gives Wrightstyle renewal of a full global assessment and fresh test evidence to underline the capabilities of the system.
It will therefore give architects and specifiers renewed confidence in the WSL SR60 system, allowing them to push the boundaries of what can be achieved with absolute fire safety.
Olympia Electronics S.A. have acquired a certificate from the European reputable BSI quality certification laboratory for the SPOT LIGHT series. These self-tested luminaires are ideal for various architectural projects such us hotels, shopping malls, skyscrapers, etc.
The decision of strengthening the certification process for our products, constitutes our top strategic upgrade choice. All the certifications, are the “key” to the competitive advantage Olympia Electronics S.A. has, and resembles the one-way to the increase of its extroversion.
With exports to more than 72 countries and its primary target quality, the company has adopted production and control procedures in recent years, which have resulted in the market for products that are fully compliant with European standards (EN). Most of its products have certificates from various laboratories such as LPCB, LLOYD’S, BSI, HEEQAC, EVPU, etc.
Advanced’s Technical Support Manager, Paul Duffy, gives his insight into the diagnostic features of fire panels that can save you time, money and hassle…
Fire detection and alarm systems are increasingly complex and sophisticated, benefiting from cutting-edge digital technology. As a fire alarm engineer installing, servicing and/or commissioning such technology, it can be hard to keep on top of your electrical skills and the latest regulations / local installation standards, let alone the many different panels’ features.
Any given day could see the typical fire engineer conducting a wide range of differing tasks – from diagnosing and remedying open/short circuits, earth or intermittent faults, to commissioning a new networked system in line with standards and project specification.
Despite many fire engineers being highly trained, skilled and experienced, without the right tools at their disposal the process of undertaking these routine tasks can be challenging and time-consuming.
Thankfully, the features of today’s fire panels offer tangible benefits to engineers and end users alike, by delivering versatility, ease of use and time-saving capabilities that were previously unavailable.
Standard logging versus trace-logging
Upon arriving at a site with a suspected system fault, one of the first things to do to troubleshoot the problem is refer to the fire panel’s log. In this state, a high-quality system can quickly flag any system faults – within seconds in some cases.
Although useful, standard logging gives only one part of the picture and provides minimal help in cases where the cause of the problem is not straightforward.
Trace-logging mode is a feature of some modern fire panels that lets users see a more complete log of a fire system’s events covering the standard fire, faults, alarms and pre alarms as well as more advanced diagnostic reports on corrupt data and device interrupts. This more detailed view of all the faults on a system can radically reduce the time it takes to establish the true cause of the problem, allowing you to implement a quick, effective remedy.
Another important factor to consider is how easy the panel’s menus are to navigate – and some interfaces prove easier to use than others. Advanced’s trace-logging mode has been developed with the engineer in mind. The need to navigate and decipher options from complicated menu structures has been removed. In addition, the data is delivered in easy-to-understand format to help minimise the risk of misinterpreting information and enabling you to diagnose problems with greater accuracy.
The process of fault-finding can be significantly more difficult when working with a fire alarm control panel that doesn’t feature a diagnostic logging mode. These panels may register a number of intermittent faults coming and going, but not necessarily offer any further traceability to these events. Commonly where a fire panel has a limited ability to trace a fault, issues within a system can go un-remedied for long periods of time, placing the safety of occupants within a building or a site at risk.
Some fire systems give you the ability to transfer the panel’s event log to a PC where you can then use software, such as the Service Tool on Advanced’s MxPro panels, to drill down into specific events and information. Integrated software allows you to easily identify particular devices that are returning corrupt messages, and even lets you predict when faults are likely to occur. Once a problematic device or area has been identified, you are then able to investigate.
The oscilloscope
An oscilloscope is a vital tool when commonly dealing with the installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire systems. A scope reading can help diagnose faults by identifying the areas of a site where problems are coming from.
In cases where you are working across large sites – such as university campuses, tall buildings or hospital settings – identifying disturbances on a loop can prove labour-intensive and time-consuming. Carrying additional equipment through multiple departments, floors or wings of a development in order to set up at a different panel each time, makes the job of pinpointing faults more taxing.
An oscilloscope, built in to the fire alarm control panel, will not only relieve you of having to carry around additional equipment, but also provides a graphical representation of the signalling voltages/currents and waveforms on the display. In this way, you get a detailed view of the loop operational conditions which can’t be seen using multimeters or volt meters.
As the only intelligent addressable fire alarm control panel in the world to offer an onboard oscilloscope, Advanced’s MxPro 5 provides readings from any loop at the panel, making it easy to identify forms of noise that may be causing faults. The oscilloscope feature also lets you easily use trigger-addresses from the loop to identify issues and investigate – a particularly useful feature on large sites with multiple panel networks.
The multimeter
A high-performance fire panel will provide you with powerful tools that enable you to quickly and efficiently access information in order to make key decisions. A multimeter is an instrument designed to take precise measurements of electric current, voltage and usually resistance across the system.
On a well-designed system, all devices have the optimum voltage in order to be able to communicate back to the panel. However, if that voltage drops below a certain level, devices can drop off the system or report intermittent faults.
Uniquely, Advanced’s MxPro 5 fire alarm control panels come with an in-built multimeter designed to measure all voltages and currents across the fire alarm system. For engineers, a multimeter within the fire panel makes it easy to identify voltage/current levels in real time without needing to set up a portable multimeter or probing circuits, which speeds up the commissioning process.
Network diagnostics
In large-scale sites, a network of fire panels is the most effective means of protecting life and property. Where a networked system is installed, the most common installation problems are open/short circuit conditions, reversals in wiring or poor termination.
An effective network diagnostics tool, such as that within Advanced’s MxPro control panels allows you to view all CIE node status and access levels in real time. In levels 1 and 2 the CIE will be operating in normal condition, whereas in level 3 the CIE will be in commissioning. In this level the control panel will be isolated while work takes place, preventing fires and faults from being transmitted across the network.
In addition, the network diagnostic tool has been developed to identify reverse ring faults in systems that consist of one or more fibre optic links, something that is increasingly common across installations.
Conclusion – what next for diagnostics?
Understanding the tools and built-in features of the fire panel that effectively help fire engineers to install, commission, diagnose faults and repair a system can save significant time and money. This knowledge in turn helps to ensure the long-term safety of occupants within a building.
As technology evolves, and the fire panel continues to develop, Advanced predicts that we will continue to see a trend towards more digitally-driven products and remote services. These will provide commissioning engineers and system integrators with a more global view of the systems they’re responsible for servicing and maintaining.
As the fire industry moves increasingly towards cloud communications and data analytics, the automatic generation of service reports, the remote control of panels and the ability to put zones in and out of test from a web / mobile app will likely become commonplace. These developments will see systems becoming smarter than we’ve ever seen before.
C-TEC’s revolutionary Hush Pro BS 5839-6 Grade C domestic fire detection and alarm system has been chosen for three iconic tower block developments in Manchester.
Located in the centre of Piccadilly, Oxygen Towers is a striking set of three new 31-storey, 16-storey and 10-storey buildings consisting of 345 stylish 1, 2 and 3-bedroomed apartments and 12 spacious family townhouses.
Designed to provide the ultimate living experience, the futuristic ‘vertical village’ combines luxury accommodation with fabulous five-star leisure facilities including a swimming pool, cinema, gym and spa. The stunning development also features lush garden terraces and rooftop gardens.
Selected for its cutting-edge technology and capacity to align with the building’s fire strategy, Hush Pro will integrate with the site’s BS 5839 part 1 landlord system to offer higher levels of fire protection than the Grade D unmonitored battery alarm systems typically used in domestic installations. As a fully-monitored BS 5839 part 6 Grade C system, Hush Pro reports open and short circuit faults and operation faults back to the fire panel and even allows management and maintenance companies to remotely monitor the system.
Once the project is complete, each of the flats will feature an easily accessible low-level Hush Pro Controller connected to a series of Hush Pro smoke detectors, base sounders, multi-sensors and heat detectors all seamlessly interfaced to a powerful network of C-TEC 4-loop ZFP addressable fire control panels to provide all-encompassing fire and fault monitoring of the system.
If, for any reason, part of the domestic fire alarm is compromised, this will immediately be reported to the building management team to allow them to action the fault and re-instate full fire detection coverage to the flat.
Said John Blundell, Head of Solid State Living, the specialist fire company involved with the design and delivery of the project: “As well as enhancing the fire safety management, property and life protection of the buildings, a key factor in our client’s decision to invest in Hush Pro was the system’s ability to notify building management in the event of a real fire and, at the same time, its potential to virtually eliminate false alarms.”
“Hush Pro’s unique capacity to differentiate between Fire Level 1, usually a false alarm reported locally in the dwelling, and Fire Level 2, almost always a real alarm activated outside of the dwelling, reduces false fire alarms, unnecessary call-outs and the risk of a real fire alarm being ignored.
As our client requires immediate notification in the event of a fire but also first-class false alarm management, Hush Pro will prove ideal.”
“Also of vital importance to our client is that, as the project consists of private balconies with an open plan flat arrangement, Hush Pro is the only fire alarm solution that can actually meet the requirements of BS 9991 Annex D3.”
Said Jason Lawler, 24-7’s Group Director and the person responsible for delivering the electrical and mechanical systems for the project: “Hush Pro is an outstanding solution.
The system will provide residents with easy-to-use detection, alarm, silencing and test facilities so they can test their own devices, be alerted to system faults and hush any false alarms at the Hush Button which is positioned at light-switch level for safe and easy access. Hush Pro’s powerful false alarm management capability will also prove invaluable at the site.”
Said John: “Client satisfaction is incredibly important to us so we were delighted to be able to specify a robust and fully-compliant integrated BS 5839 part 1 and part 6 fire alarm solution for Oxygen Towers.
With its capacity to provide high levels of fire protection yet also minimise costly and disruptive false alarms, Hush Pro is fast becoming the system of choice for fire strategy engineers and consultants dedicated to enhancing fire safety in high-rise residential and specialist housing projects throughout the UK.”
Spartan Emergency Response, a subsidiary of REV Group, Inc. and manufacturer of fire apparatus today announced that REV Technical Center (RTC) will sell and service the full portfolio of Spartan ER fire apparatus including Aerials, Pumpers, Rescues, Tankers, and Wildland units throughout Florida.
Headquartered in Ocala, FL, RTC also represents fellow REV Group brands for fire apparatus and ambulances. The experienced sales team works closely with customers to determine the optimal product designs for their specific needs. RTC also serves as a one-stop shop for after-market parts support, including major component and accessory manufacturers to support customers’ fleet maintenance operations. In addition, RTC stocks spare parts unique to the fire service vocation including emergency lighting, plumbing, electrical systems, and hydraulic components to ensure customers’ apparatus stays on the road.
With satellite facilities in Fort Lauderdale and Tallahassee, RTC provides full service technical repair and maintenance services including complete apparatus refurbishment, collision repairs, and remounts. Additionally, the RTC has mobile service technicians who are available 24/7 to keep apparatus in mission-ready condition. RTC technicians are factory-trained, EVT certified as well as ASE certified.
“We are excited to partner with REV Technical Center to expand our apparatus sales in Florida, including our new product such as NXT Custom Pumper™ and NXT 110’ Aerial™,” said Chris Wade, Director of Sales of Spartan Emergency Response. “In addition to sales capabilities, RTC is the right fit for Spartan ER with its complete service and after-market parts infrastructure to support existing Spartan units as well as future new deliveries.”
E-ONE®, a subsidiary of REV Group, Inc. and a leading manufacturer of fire apparatus, has received an order for 70 Active Air Purification Systems to be installed into existing fire and rescue apparatus by Marion County Fire Rescue in Ocala, Florida.
The Active Air Purification System kills 99 percent of pathogens, including COVID-19, in the air and on surfaces delivering better air quality and a safer cab environment. Designed with advanced photohydroionization™ (PHI) and UV technology, this system also offers proven reduction in sneeze germs by 99% within three feet, proven efficiency on microbes (3rd party tested on H1N1, Avian Flu, sneeze test) and proven impact on odour reduction.
The compact design of the Active Air Purification System allows it to be placed in multiple locations within the cab while still achieving the same results, giving the Marion County fleet management team the flexibility needed when retrofitting the system into its existing vehicles. Funding for the units is made possible through the county from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“Marion County Fire Rescue has put in place a plan to outfit all transport units and fire apparatus with the air purification units,” said Division Chief Drew Rogers with Marion County Fire Rescue. “These units safely sanitize the interior of the apparatus and combat communicable diseases. This addition to our frontline apparatus will increase safety for both our first responders and the citizens we transport.”
“E-ONE is proud to partner with Marion County Fire Rescue on the industry-leading Active Air Purification System,” said Larry Daniels, E-ONE’s Director of Sales. “Our first responders deserve every defense possible against harmful pathogens. This technology will provide a safer environment to and from incidents and anytime they are in the truck. Protecting the safety of our first responders is a priority for Marion County and for E-ONE. We are proud to serve our first responders as they protect and serve our citizens.”
