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

IFSJ Exclusive: Stay Safe, Stay Agile with Hyfire

by Breaking NewsFire DetectionIFSJ Exclusives

Ollie Murray Hyfire’s Head of Sales for the UK, sat down with IFSJ Editor Iain Hoey to tell all about Taurus, TauREX and FIREX 2023

In recent years, wireless fire detection solutions have emerged as a game-changer in the fire safety industry. It offers several advantages over traditional wired systems, including easy installation, scalability, and flexibility. Hyfire, a leading provider of wireless fire detection solutions in the UK, has established itself as leading innovator and supplier of wireless fire alarm systems.

Having served as Hyfire’s Regional Sales Manager for the Southeast since 2021 and playing an integral play in the roll out of the company’s wireless detection flagship solutions Taurus and TauREX, Ollie Murray was promoted to Head of Sales for the UK. I sat down with Ollie to find out more about the Taurus and TauREX solutions, learn about what Hyfire has been up in recent years and what it’s got in store for FIREX 2023.

Who is Hyfire and what is its place in the fire market?

Hyfire was founded in 2007,  supplying wireless fire alarm and detection systems into the UK market. We have seen dramatic changes in the market demands, what is required of the company, and the systems that we have supplied over that time. In 2017 we were acquired by Halma as a move to spearhead their development within the fire industry.

Hyfire launched the Taurus product range in 2021 and it has been an overwhelming success, far more than we had imagined. A large contribution to that success has been down to the team at Hyfire – having such a focused, dedicated team that want to add value at every level has allowed us to continue pushing our boundaries. Our place in the market is now at the forefront as a wireless specialist, both in what we do and how we do it. We are recognised not just for our products, but our people and how we deliver the solution to the market.

Can you tell me more about the Taurus product line?

Taurus is a culmination of everything Hyfire has learned since 2007. It is offering market leading performance, it is highly adaptable and completely flexible, and it is used widely by the Hyfire partner network – it has become the core of the Hyfire business.

When we launched it into the market in 2021, did we perceive it would be where it was where it is now viewed? Probably not. It was designed to be an agile system from day one. It was designed, purely, as a wireless fire detection and alarm system, but very quickly, it has become a solution to system integrators. People are able to use our Taurus system in different ways, offering many answers to questions posed ways from what is a very focused product range.

In the last two years, we have been relied upon to provide fire detection alarm coverage to some of the most prestigious sites in the country. Taurus has become something very different to what we expected it to be, and that learning curve is continuing. We have learned so much in the last two years with this more focused product.

Can you tell me about the TauREX software?

Taurus is the product line, TauREX is the software. They are two very different things, but TauREX complements Taurus. We understood that a having product is good, but a providing a complete solution is what we needed it to be.

TauREX is the digital side of the configuration software. It is the software powering Taurus that the engineer uses. The software was designed by engineers for use by engineers. The configuration tool was a huge innovation for Hyfire – we learned over that last decade what works, what does not, what people have come to expect, and what people would like to have.

TauREX is a complete step into what is now possible with wireless fire detection. We offer the engineers the ability to upload site drawings, plans, and maps or designs into the software. They can digitally map their own fire detection system over the top of their own real-world plans. This gives them huge visibility of what the system is doing on a real footprint of a building. For engineers that are attending site for the first time or are new to the site, It means they’re not just looking at names, letters and numbers: they’re looking at a real image of the building where the devices are with accurate information on exactly how they’re behaving.

TauREX also offers you the ability to run a PDF report of the system. It data captures everything that the engineers put into it from site name, site address, key contacts, date of creation, all the way down to manufactured date of product, any notes assigned by the engineer, firmware versions, and most importantly, signal levels – it is a wireless system, we have to record the signal levels.

Putting all of the information into one place for the engineer at one click of a button is a huge leap forward into what we are able to offer our partners. They are no longer having to manually write everything down. It also offers huge transparency from the manufacturer to the integrator to the end user. We can show who installed it, when it was installed, the date it was manufactured, and the signal levels at the time of recording it, all in one purpose-built report that shows you all the information in a clear-cut document. There’s no hiding from it, there is no falsifying it: it is a transparent document that allows everyone to be on the same page.

It works in many different ways for different people, but it has become really effective, and we find the more people use it, the more benefits they find in TauREX. It is an agile tool.

Are there any new additions or updates to the software?

TauREX has been out for two years now. When we launched it, based on first impressions and working with some key partners in launching it, we knew we were onto something good. Two years have gone very quickly, and we have learned that there is a lot more to be developed. There is always room for improvement. Working closely with the partners shows us that our work isn’t done: there is more that we can do to keep driving change and growth. We know that in the future there are additional improvements that we are going to have to make which will further improve the solution.

One new development is our QR code gun which enables users to scan devices into TauREX much quicker. Engineers will be able to use a wireless QR code scanner to scan in devices at speed, even faster than they currently are. We already offer our partners an edge when it comes to speed of programming, and now we are improving that again: it is going to be going to be even quicker. That development came from listening to feedback from our partners.

The other new development is that our users are going to be able to map and link devices quicker. Wireless is often referred to as a rapid solution and tests engineering capabilities. The slight improvements that we can make through listening to feedback are going to have the greater effect down the line to our partners.

What should people look out for from Hyfire at FIREX?

We have a couple of exciting things coming in months ahead – but people will have to come to FIREX to find out a little bit more about those, so come and see us and we will be able reveal a little bit more there. There is definitely more coming and we are not sitting still. We have got a demonstration of BS 8629 for people to come and see.

To people that have seen Taurus before, to our partners: come see the improvements that we have made to our products. To people that have not seen what Hyfire can do: you don’t know what you have been missing for two years, and we have even more to show than ever before, so make sure you stop by.

Finally, how will Hyfire remain agile in the years ahead?

One thing that I don’t think has changed, and dare I say we have probably gotten better at, is the delivery of the product and the service and the value that we add. Even though the business has upscaled, and the business has changed in a positive way, we have become more refined in what we are doing, and how we are doing it.

For us, to continue adding that value to the partners, learning how to adapt both with them and for them is really where I have really enjoyed the last couple of years of being at Hyfire. This new role for me is about how we shape the upcoming years continue to add that value and that next stage of what Hyfire can and will offer, learning from the success that we have had in the last two years.

The emphasis from Hyfire is that our wireless detection solutions are at the forefront of the industry. The reasons for that are the products, the partners, and the people. The products are market leading; the partners that we work with trust us to develop a product and around them and their needs, which has been crucial; and having the right people at Hyfire has allowed us to gain the trust of those partners.

We listen to the feedback as and when it is required, and this has allowed us to bring about changes to the market that are not only going to meet people’s expectations, but that are going to allow us to take that next step. For me, Hyfire’s greatest strength is the people and the partners: we could not have done any of it without them.

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

Editor’s Product: GFE’s FALCON and FALCON EX

by Featured NewsProducts

European manufacturer of fire detection equipment, Global Fire Equipment (GFE), has added to its product portfolio with the launch of two new fully certified control panels – the FALCON 2-wire conventional panel and the FALCON EX conventional extinguishing control panel. Both panels are designed and manufactured to comply with the standards EN54-4, as well as EN54-2 for the FALCON, and EN12094 for the Falcon EX.

The new FALCON conventional fire control panel is GFE’s first conventional control panel with 2-wire and 2-wire dwelling mode compatibility. Expandable from 8 to 16 zones, the FALCON is ideally suited for smaller premises such as shops, office spaces, schools and residential accommodation.

The 2-wire dwelling mode acts as a fire alarm confirmation enabler so that when a detector is activated within a dwelling zone, such as an apartment or room, the detector will warn of a fire on the first activation but then process the alarm before reconfirming the alarm condition, at which time it will sound the alarm. This significantly reduces the likelihood of false fire alarms. 

One of the key differentiating features of the new FALCON conventional panel is its ability to identify whether an alarm is activated by a detector or a manual call point and thus determine the appropriate action in response to either input.

GFE’s FALCON fire control panel also boasts fully customisable inputs and outputs, including a failsafe output so that in the event of any faults, passive fire safety equipment such as fire door holders and fire protection measures still activate. Remote inputs can be individually programmed with the following commands: restart, evac/silence, disable selected inputs, disable selected output, disable selected input and output, and class change).

The FALCON panel also features individual zone programming so each zone can be programmed as standard (no output) or as a 2-wire (output approx. nominal system voltage). This makes it easier for the fire control panels to adapt to different wiring configurations. In addition, there is NFC connectivity (for user access) and web connectivity which allows access and monitoring from a web browser. Finally, the FALCON’s maintenance menu can be pre-programed so a pop-up will appear when maintenance is required.

The FALCON EX is GFE’s first conventional extinguishing fire control panel and has been introduced by GFE to meet the increasing global demand for dependable fire detection and suppression systems. It can be integrated with addressable fire control systems and boasts extensive configuration options.

Heineken Cork Brewery benefits from Advanced remote fire panel monitoring

by Featured NewsProjects

Heineken Ireland has upgraded its fire protection system with Advanced fire panels and AdvancedLive remote monitoring. The new system is helping to reduce false alarms, improve safety and provide peace of mind for the brewery’s employees and customers.

The Heineken Cork Brewery was founded in 1856 and is one of the oldest breweries in Ireland. The brewery produces a variety of beers, including Heineken, Murphy’s Irish Stout and Kaliber. The brewery employs over 400 people and is a major tourist attraction in Cork.

The brewery’s previous fire protection system was nearing the end of its life and was no longer meeting the brewery’s needs. The new system, which was installed by TEE Fire Safety Solutions, includes seven Advanced MxPro 5 panels and 1,055 devices, including cutting-edge Hochiki Ekho wireless detectors. The system also includes Patol linear heat detection and Wagner air sampling equipment.

The new system is monitored remotely by AdvancedLive, which provides instant notification of fire events and allows for remote troubleshooting. The system has already helped to reduce false alarms by 50%.

“We are delighted with the new fire protection system,” said Enda Buckley, Commissioning Engineer at TEE Fire Safety Solutions. “The Advanced panels are easy to use and provide excellent protection for the brewery. The AdvancedLive remote monitoring system gives us peace of mind knowing that our fire system is always being monitored.”

“Heineken Cork is a great example of a business seeing real benefits from remote panel monitoring,” said Neil Parkin, Advanced Sales Manager for Ireland. “Not only have false alarms been reduced thanks to a system upgrade, when they do occur, they can now be dealt with quickly and with minimal disruption, without the expense of keeping a trained individual on site at all times.”

Advanced is a world leader in the development and manufacture of intelligent fire systems. The company’s products are used in locations around the world, from single-panel installations to large, multi-site networks. Advanced is owned by FTSE 100 company Halma PLC – a global group of life-saving technology companies.

Image credit William Murphy licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

London tower blocks safeguarded by Kentec

by Featured NewsProjects

Kentec Electronics has installed its K-Mesh and Taktis systems at five residential tower blocks in Wapping, central London, providing residents with a highly sophisticated fire detection and alarm system.

The fire safety system was installed at 21 Wapping Lane by DPJ Fire and Security after the firm won a competitive tender issued by property developers, Ballymore. The system protects five mixed-use luxury and affordable housing residential complexes, including an 18-storey tower near St Katherine’s Dock. There are more than 380 dwellings over an area of 7,500 square metres.

A wireless solution was proposed due to the ease and speed of installation, less disruption to site occupants and aesthetics. The number of floors meant running cables was impractical, and so the wireless solution avoided costly builders’ work and fire stopping.

K-Mesh’s SmartGuide technology also supports safe and strategic building evacuation, meaning the fire detection system can be converted to an EVAC evacuation system easily as and when desired or practical.

The system, networked to K-Mesh, features five of Kentec’s 4-loop Taktis control panels and over 750 devices, including wireless heat sensors and sounders, and optical smoke detectors. K-Mesh was chosen for its impressive wireless network performance using a self-healing dynamic mesh network, making it easy to use, install and commission.

Reliable detection

Ultimately, the network provides a highly redundant and robust wireless network, providing assurance that fire incidents are detected and communicated immediately. A wireless translator module, which sits at the centre of the K-Mesh system, is hard-wired to the fire alarm control panel loop and communicates continuously with the wireless devices.

The detection range provides the highest reliability for automatic detection and includes Optical, Thermal and combined Optical and Thermal detectors that can respond to a wide spectrum of fire phenomena, while minimising false and unwanted activations.

Paul Fitzsimmons, Account Director of DPJ Fire and Security, said K-Mesh’s unique SmartGuide technology is a considerable benefit: “It wirelessly utilises sound, light and voice command functionality to provide clear evacuation instructions. And because it can be easily converted to an EVAC evacuation system it provides a future-proofed solution,” he says. “It was without doubt the best solution for this development.”

A complex installation

Lauryn Amara, Senior FM/Projects Manager of Ballymore, says the project was delivered on time and to budget: “A complex installation went well, and DPJ Fire and Security provided excellent communication throughout. Overall, we are very pleased to have furthered the safety of our residents.”

Derrick Hall, Director of Sales at Kentec Electronics, says K-Mesh overcomes all the traditional barriers to using wireless systems: “It has a seven-to-ten-year battery life, which is approximately twice that of the industry standard,” he explains. “The advanced technology is also fully expandable and configurable from anything from two to 2,000 devices, so even the largest, most disparate, and complex sites can now be protected wirelessly. It provides an easy-to-install and highly practical wireless solution, ideal for residential complexes.”

Ballymore is an independently-owned property developer responsible for some of Europe’s largest regeneration projects. 21 Wapping Lane provides a modern living space in one of London’s oldest maritime neighbourhoods.

Cygnus to launch SmartNet at the Fire Safety Event

by Featured NewsProducts

Cygnus, a leading manufacturer of wireless fire detection and alarm systems, is set to launch its ground-breaking SmartNet range at The Fire Safety Event.

The event will take place at NEC Birmingham from April 25-27, 2023, and will be a must-attend for anyone who has a focus on improving life safety, business continuity and business protection for their organisation.

The complete range of fully wireless, EN54 compliant wireless fire detection and alarm devices will be available for visitors to view on stand 3a/B10.

SmartNet is a highly innovative and newly designed network of EN 54 wireless fire detection and alarm devices suitable for permanent installation across all types of building environment. By eliminating the need for cabling during installation, a SmartNet system greatly reduces engineering time and the overall project cost.

This enables faster and easier installation on new buildings, where project timescales are often extremely pressurised. It also opens up the retrofit opportunity since wireless installation minimises occupant disruption and reduces the cost of rewiring.

‘A game changer for the industry’

“The Fire Safety Event has come at the perfect time for us,” says Austen Wells, Sales Manager at Cygnus. “We are thrilled to be launching SmartNet and to talk to visitors about this exciting new product. It is a game changer for the industry as it brings significant operational and installation benefits of wireless technology to the market, with no need for wired boosters, translators or any other wired element, it removes the often stressful first fix stage of an install.”

In addition to showcasing its new SmartNet range, Cygnus will also be highlighting the new Cygnus Academy. Designed to offer in-person, high specification training, it is ideal for installers seeking to learn about the company’s new SmartNet wireless fire detection and alarm system. Visitors to the stand will be able to learn more about the Academy and the training available.

The Cygnus stand at The Fire Safety Event is not just about displaying products – it is also about demonstrating Cygnus’ commitment to innovation and its continued goal to operate sustainably – Cygnus aims to be carbon neutral by 2030.

The stand has been designed to be re-used and recycled, with walls, carpeting and furniture all being repurposed for future shows and energy-efficient technology, such as LED lighting, being implemented wherever possible.

“It is our first time exhibiting at the Fire Safety Show and we are looking forward to meeting everyone as well as demonstrating the capabilities of SmartNet. It’s an exciting time, so make sure you pop by the Cygnus stand,” concludes Wells.

To learn more, visit Cygnus on stand 3a/B10 during The Fire Safety event or take a look at the website www.cygnus-systems.com.

IFSJ Exclusive: The Evolution of Fire Detection with GFE

by Breaking NewsFire DetectionIFSJ Exclusives

João Paulo Ajami, Managing Director and Founder at Global Fire Equipment (GFE), talks about the evolution of the fire detection company

How did you get started in the fire industry?

I first became interested in electronics when I was around 12. By the time I was 20 (in 1977), I started working in the electronics lab of a security company, working in repairs and development. In 1983, I launched my first company – a security manufacturing company – where we produced control panels for intrusion alarms. By 1986, we were supplying most of the security companies in Portugal before I sold the company.

I moved into fire detection through a collaboration between the company I was working for in Lisbon and I.A.S. Electronics in the early 1990s. Our plan was to establish a joint venture to manufacture fire alarm control panels in Lisbon. That fell through but I was then invited to move to England and help I.A.S. develop a new range of products. I stayed there until Spring 1993 when I moved to Denmark with my Danish fiancée.

In 1994, I established Global Fire Equipment, known as I.A.S. Denmark at that time. In 1998, the parent company I.A.S. Electronics was acquired, and our collaboration was left in limbo. I decided it was time to branch out on our own.

Why did you make the move to Portugal?

By 2000, we were doing a lot more manufacturing and needed to relocate to somewhere where it would be more cost effective to operate. I decided to move the company to Portugal – being Portuguese it was a natural move. Right from the beginning we opted to base the company in the Algarve. The quality of life in the south of Portugal is far better than in Lisbon. We were also in a place where there is very little other industry in terms of manufacturing which put us in a good position in terms of finding and retaining labour resources.

The fire safety sector is constantly evolving – how do you stay agile?

We keep re-inventing ourselves. The big difference between GFE and most of our competitors is that we are technology driven rather than commercially driven. We understand the importance of innovating and developing new products. We also understand that you always need to listen to customers – old and new – to understand the challenges they face. This is what sets GFE apart from our competition.

The challenging part is being able to continually innovate and deliver what the customers ask of us within their regulatory framework. We ensure that everything we do always conforms to the requirements of each customer’s regional regulation.

What different requirements are there in different regions and how you work to meet these?

The most important thing is listening to our customers. The big advantage we have against the larger corporations is that we work across more than 90 countries worldwide. This means we are fully versed in the differing requirements in countries all over the world.

What did you learn from working with them?

Well of course you need to understand the different legal systems. For example, in an unregulated market like Brazil almost anything goes. So, we spend a lot of time helping educate them so they understand that they are protecting lives and should pay attention to what the system is doing.

In comparison, our Scandinavian customers demand exceptionally high levels of functionality and reliability. There is a wide range of requirements, and we listen to all of them. It’s not easy, but it is a necessity and can be rewarding.

What are GFE’s biggest milestones as a company so far?

When we moved to the Algarve, we had been active for six years and we moved into a 200sq m facility. Seven years later, we moved to an industrial park where we had an 800sqm facility. In 2013, we moved again to an old mushroom canning facility that was 3,400sq m and at the start of 2023 we moved into a new estate converted from a cork transformation factory, which spans around 7,500 Sq m, with the option to expand up to 16,000sq m.

From a technology and staff point of view, we went from mainly supplying control panels to making our own range of sensors back in 2012. We decided we needed to have our own manufacturing facilities for everything in the fire detection system, so we parted with our detector supplier and designed and started making our own. This was the biggest milestone because it meant increasing our manufacturing by more than 60%. Today, we have a state-of-the art manufacturing facility and are able to cope with anything that is thrown at us.

What is GFE’s main focus for the years ahead?

Our goal is to strengthen our production capability – that is 100% necessary. We are looking to increase our autonomy and go into metal working because that’s the only thing we don’t do in-house currently.

Back in 2018, we acquired Createch, a company from the North of Portugal that specialises in emergency lighting. They were operating exclusively in Portugal and are the number two player in Portugal in their field. It’s an exciting opportunity that’s very much on the horizon but for now we are focused in growing the core fire safety business in new regions around the world.

This article was originally published in the April edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Exclusive: Complete component compatibility and connectability with GFE

by Breaking NewsFire DetectionIFSJ Exclusives

Paul Pope, Group Business Development Director at Global Fire Equipment (GFE) explains the crucial role of EN 54-13:2017+A1:2019 in fire detection and alarm system components

EN 54-13 was first published in 2005 and has since been through a number of technical revisions. The latest version of the standard – EN 54-13:2017+A1:2019 – was published in February 2017. It supersedes EN54-13:2017 and replaces EN54-13:2005 which was withdrawn on the date of the publication of the latest version. 

EN 54-13:2017+A1:2019 is one of 23 standards for fire detection and alarm (products) systems in the EN 54 series of standards. The European standards define the requirements, test methods and performance criteria required by various individual components making up fire detection and alarm systems (FDASs).

Whereas other standards are ‘product’ performance approval, EN 54-13 is a ‘system’ performance approval. This makes it a particularly important standard as it confirms – through assessments and tests – the compatibility and ‘connectability’ of all the individual components of a FDAS. Even though some products on the network are not defined by an EN 54 standard, to achieve the latest EN 54-13 approval, all the individual components which make up the FDAS must be compatible and all the requirements relating to the performance of the overall system must be fulfilled.

The BSI addressed the importance of compatibility and connectability of components in a blog, stating: “Conformity of an individual component to a recognised standard does not necessarily ensure that it will operate satisfactorily in conjunction with another component that conforms to the relevant standard for that component. It is essential that compatibility between components is taken into account by the designer of the system. BS EN 54-13 can be used to confirm system compatibility”.

More stringent assessment procedures

The main difference between earlier versions of EN 54-13 and the latest version relates to testing procedures. Although the earlier versions of the standard emphasised the documentation analysis of the different components of a FDAS, the latest version tests a real-life installation of the system for worst-case scenario performance. This means that realistic cable lengths and number of devices must be installed in the set up. At GFE, we already take this approach and test all our products under extreme conditions to ensure full system compatibility.

The test procedures then create various fault scenarios and there is an evaluation of system performance under stress. As the possible configurations of FDASs are unlimited, the assessment is only carried out on the configuration(s) declared by the applicant.

Within the latest standard, two different component types are defined: Type 1 components (covered by an EN 54 standard) and Type 2 components (not covered by an EN 54 standard). Type 1 components are assessed for their compatibility with other Type 1 components of the system. Type 2 components, such as building management systems, printers etc, are assessed for ‘connectability’ to the system and for their ability to operate without negatively affecting the performance of the system.

The latest EN 54-13 standard takes into account new techniques such as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) communications and new interface technologies available on the market. 

Benefits of whole system compatibility

There are two different classifications of approval – component suppliers (such as detector or panel suppliers) and complete systems providers like GFE. GFE was awarded EN 54-13:2017+A1:2019 system compatibility approval by an international third-party accredited laboratory in March 2021 for our entry level and high-end addressable fire detection and alarm systems.

We chose to go down the route of applying for EN 54-13:2017+A1:2019 approval because we have seen a marked increase in the number of authorities, specifiers, installers and end users in certain markets requesting compliance with the latest standard. We are also seeing the standard being stated in the approval requirements for commercial installations in several European countries.

It is important to be aware that not all FDAS manufacturers will have the latest EN 54-13:2017+A1:2019 approval. There are a number of component suppliers who, unlike complete systems providers, will only be able to achieve approval for their whole system if one manufacturer (e.g. the fire control panel manufacturer) takes responsibility for the other’s products (e.g. the detector manufacturer). This complicates the approvals process and requires a more stringent communications process if there are any changes to the individual components.

You will not know if the whole system is compatible if you purchase different components for the FDAS from separate suppliers. If, one the other hand, you purchase from a complete systems provider who also has EN 54-13:2017+A1:2019 approval, you can be confident that they have independent certification of system compatibility.

It is easy to understand the growing interest in this latest standard, and there are a number of benefits of whole system compatibility for installers and end customers. A complete systems provider who has EN 54-13:2017+A1:2019 approval has far greater control and can test and maintain compliance/certification, including developing new products and making any adjustments to existing products – all under one roof.

Communications about any changes are made much easier which is really important for whole system compatibility. Ongoing systems testing is also much easier when the manufacturer is responsible for the full system. Regular testing of the whole system is key to ongoing compliance and if the system’s components are not tested regularly, there is a risk that you will drift away from compliance.

At GFE, as we manufacture our own components we can fully test the whole system on a regular basis to ensure it works. When we went through the application process for EN 54-13:2017+A1:2019 approval in 2020, the most difficult test scenarios were related to cable interruptions and short-circuits in critical areas of the installation.

EN 54-13:2017+A1:2019 compliance demonstrates the systems supplier has achieved the highest level of certification so customers and installers can have full confidence that the system has been tested under the harshest of conditions.

By choosing a manufacturer who has EN 54-13:2017+A1:2019 approval and using system designers to ensure compatibility is achieved, customers are guaranteed that each individual component of the FDAS will be compatible with the other components which, in turn, conform to their own relevant standards.

Furthermore, the manufacturer takes full responsibility for the system compatibility and regular conformance testing must be undertaken and communicated to third party approvals.

Customers also benefit from having technical support from a single, dedicated point of contact. This makes it far easier to get quick and easy resolutions for any warranty issues or component failures.

Finally, it is much easier to establish the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of a FDAS if you buy the whole system from one manufacturer.

The advantages of choosing a manufacturer with EN 54-13:2017+A1:2019 approval are clear so we anticipate more FDAS manufacturers will apply for this latest approval over the coming years. We are proud to be one of the first fire safety equipment manufacturers to have been awarded this latest approval.

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

A summary of the benefits associated with complete systems procurement

  • Total cost of ownership is much easier to establish the TCO of a FDAS if you buy the whole system from one manufacturer
  • System control is guaranteed as a complete systems manufacturer develops the entire system from scratch in-house and can therefore support full system design and advise on how all the different parts of the system interact. If you have separate suppliers, on the other hand, you don’t know where all the individual components are coming from and how they interact
  • Liability is through one company, whereas there is a question mark over where the liability lies if components are purchased from multiple suppliers
  • Independent testing is undertaken for the system as a whole whereas if you have different suppliers, none of them are responsible for whole system testing
  • Technical and service support is provided for the entire system instead of having multiple points of contact and being passed from pillar to post between different suppliers
  • Access to system information will be freely provided, ensuring easy access to all the required information about the system such as installation and commissioning manuals
  • A dedicated point of contact will be able to assist you with any required sales, technical, maintenance and warranty support
  • A competent trained fire alarm company will be able to install, commission and maintain the system, giving you greater choice of who to appoint 
  • Spare parts will be easier and often quicker to order as they come from one source

This article was originally published in the April edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Cygnus Wireless Alarm System rebrands to SiteProtect

by Featured NewsProducts

Bull Products, a provider of temporary fire protection solutions suitable for the building and construction industries and other applications, has recently announced the launch of SiteNet, a new range of fire detection and alarm devices designed for temporary installation. Additionally, the company has renamed its popular Cygnus Wireless Alarm System to SiteProtect.

SiteProtect

Bull Products has renamed its original Cygnus Wireless Alarm System to SiteProtect. This temporary wireless alarm system will remain true to its original design, which sets a high standard in wireless emergency fire, first aid and intruder alarms.

Matthew Trigwell added, “This year we want to be clearer – your fire alarm protects your site, so from now on we are renaming our existing temporary fire alarm system Cygnus, to SiteProtect. SiteProtect will still link to Cygnus – it is just a name change to align with our business objectives and future plans. The name may be different, but the product is still the reliable system that it always has been.”

SiteNet

SiteNet is a fully EN54 compliant range of fire detection and alarm devices for temporary installation, featuring a control panel and six different fire call point, detection and alarm devices with multiple configurations and settings, as well as first aid alert functionality. With self-forming and self-healing wireless mesh protocol technology, SiteNet offers cause-and-effect programming capability for timed and zone-controlled evacuations, making it an ideal solution for any temporary project.

Matthew Trigwell, Sales Director at Bull Products, said, “We’re delighted to be introducing SiteNet to our range. This really is the gold-star temporary wireless solution. The system incorporates the latest technology into its range of smoke and heat detectors to provide enhanced early fire detection built on a wireless network that’s fully EN 54 compliant. It will improve fire safety on temporary sites and reduce the occurrence of unwanted or false alarms.”

Bull Products’ SiteNet and SiteProtect solutions offer a comprehensive range of temporary wireless fire detection and alarm devices, ensuring enhanced fire safety for temporary projects.

IFSJ Exclusive: The Last Word with Hochiki Europe

by Breaking NewsFire DetectionIFSJ Exclusives

Robert Drake, Director of Research and Development at Hochiki Europe talks R&D, teamwork and future plans

What does a typical day in research and development look like for you and the team?

As part of the R&D management team I not only guide the development activities I also act as a filter to protect the manager and team of engineers, who are a mix of hardware, software, and mechanical experts as well as test teams, from interruptions – something which is key to keep our new product designs on target, while providing our technical expertise in support of the rest of the business.

We hold daily stand ups, which are short meetings to discuss progress and identify blockers. The reason we call it a “stand-up” is because we hold the meeting standing, which helps to keep the meeting short and focused. The rest of my day is a mixture of sustaining, recruitment and product planning and building a strong product development funnel for the next 3-5 years.

What would you say are the fundamentals to a successful research and development team as well as output?

I think, and I’m sure the team here would agree, that the fundamentals to a successful R&D team output is clear goals, excellent communication and limited interruptions.  The processes we have in place here at Hochiki allow for this.  For example, our team is separate to production, but we have ensured that the link is still well maintained.  We work with support tickets and priority levels and ensure an engineer is available in the factory each week to help with improvements.

How important is customer insight and legislation to R&D at Hochiki?

Customer insight is critical to the success of our products. The voice of the customer alongside legislation drives everything from our department, through to customer support, sales, marketing, manufacturing, even the administrational side of the business. I’d say we are a customer first company.

In my career I’ve mostly worked with heavily regulated industries, and the fire industry is possibly one of the most heavily regulated there is. Legislation can make things slow moving, rightly so because it’s important, but I enjoy that challenge and Hochiki are committed to making sure the products they design, develop, manufacture, and put to market are 100% safe. We can only do this though through customer insight and having those experts in house to ensure we work closely with the governing bodies.

What can we expect to see from Hochiki over the next 12 months?

We’ve got some exciting research underway with Japan and with the BRE, plus some new products coming out this year, one being our newest intelligent emergency lighting product. The Middle East team were able to share a preview demo of this new system with the visitors to Intersec in Dubai. I can’t go into too much detail, but I’m excited to see how this is received by customers, new and old. I’ll just say watch this space because it’s an exciting road map year ahead for Hochiki Europe customers.

This article was originally published in the March edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.