Nittan installs fire detection system at Ashburton Triangle development

by Featured NewsFire DetectionProducts

Manufacturer of conventional and addressable fire detection products, Nittan Europe, has installed its Evolution analogue addressable fire detection system installed throughout Ashburton Triangle, the mixed-use development situated on the Emirates Stadium site in North London.

The development, owned and managed by Newlon Housing Trust, is made up of 249 flats over 12 floors, along with the Arsenal Museum, and encloses a landscaped communal garden. 

Nittan’s fire detection system was chosen for the development due to its reliability and protection against unwanted false alarms, as well as it flexible protocol which allows for large levels of information to be transmitted at high speed, supporting the cause and effect programming which also was a key factor in the decision-making process. 

Over 3,500 Nittan devices have been installed throughout Ashburton Triangle, including a large number of Evolution EV-DP smoke detectors, which are designed to reduce false alarms caused by non-combustion products such as steam, dust and aerosols. 

The EV-DP does this by measuring the exact particle size in the chamber via its combined IR and blue LED technology – as steam and dust are much larger particles than smoke, the detector won’t false alarm. 

The Nittan Evolution devices feed back to eight Advanced MxPro 5 panels which together cater for very comprehensive, but simple to use cause and effect capabilities. 

The fire detection system integrates with a wide range of third-party safety systems installed throughout the premises, including a sprinkler system, intelligent escape signage, lifts, door entry and access control systems, and dampers for both individual apartments and rooftops.

The system was supplied and commissioned by Nittan Elite Partner Coomber Fire and Security Systems on on the extensive project. Commenting on this latest project between the two companies, Adam Pitman, Senior Fire Systems Engineer at Coomber Fire and Security Systems, said: “As a Nittan Elite Partner and long standing customer, we have extensive product knowledge of Nittan’s Evolution range and know from first hand experience just how reliable and flexible it is. 

“The requirements for the Ashburton Triangle development were relatively complex, with extensive cause and effect programming and the necessity for staged evacuation.

“The high number of dwellings and potential for unwanted alarms also made false alarm management a key driver in our choice and we know the highly resilient Nittan EV-DP with the Dual Photoelectric sensor is more than capable of meeting these needs.”

Robin Edmunds, Nittan Sales General Manager added: “Nittan are delighted that Coomber continue to see not only the benefits of being a Nittan Elite Partner, but also the strengths of our individual products such as EV-DP. We look forward to working with Coomber and supporting them on many future projects of this nature.”

Global fire alarm and detection market to reach $53.15bn in 2032

by ActiveBreaking NewsFire DetectionHealthcareIndustrialIndustry SectorsPorts & MaritimeProducts

The global fire alarm and detection market is expected to be $53.15bn in 2032 expanding at a CAGR of 6% from 2022 through to 2032. The market is currently valued at $29.68bn in 2022.

The increase is forecasted to comes from a demand for developed fire safety systems in mining, automotive, petrochemical, oil and gas exploration, and power and utility sectors.

Rising deployment of fire alarm and detection systems across educational institutes and increasing awareness about its benefits among residents for fire detection systems are key factors propelling market expansion during the forecast period. Furthermore, ongoing technological developments in fire detection and alarming devices is expected to boost the industry’s growth in the coming time.

In addition, the advancement of wireless and remote function fire detection and alarm systems are anticipated to offer significant opportunities for expansion in the evaluation time.  

The Covid-19 pandemic ushered in a change in the demand and consumption pattern of fire alarm and detection systems. With increasing hospitalisation rates and shift towards remote working, the need for residential and healthcare setting oriented fire safety protocols have increased, leading to growing sales of fire alarm and detection systems across these domains.

Key players in the global fire alarm and detection market have adopted various strategies of mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships. In August 2021, ProPharma group acquired iSafety Systems, an Indian pharmacovigilance service provider.

Then in July 2021, ICON plc acquired a CRO, called PRA Health Sciences. The objective of the acquisition was to increase the services portfolio of ICON plc. In October 2020, Honeywell rolled out its first tools from its new suite of Connected Life Safety Services (CLSS), which is its first all-in-one cloud platform for fire safety systems.

EN54 (Fire) certified variants added to the DualCom Pro range

by Products

CSL have announced that their DualCom Pro range has been extended to include two new EN54 (Fire) certified products. These variants are available to order now from your chosen ARC. EN54 certification is the most important aspect in terms of signalling for fire detection and alarm systems.

However, the cost of products has always been an issue, with most fire systems having no monitoring at all despite many fires occurring when the premises are empty. DigiAir Pro Fire offers a totally wireless single path solution, whilst GradeShift Pro Fire offers dual path signalling via 2 separate radio modules.

Both solutions come with multiple 4G WorldSIMs, providing the most reliable fire signalling systems ever. The wireless capabilities of DualCom Pro mean that no installation is limited by the infrastructure of the premises, making it easier than ever to provide professional Fire Monitoring.

CSL’s Sales Director, Rob Evans, commented: “Over the past few years CSL has seen an increased industry demand for EN54 (Fire) certified signalling products that offer flexibility of installation, increased reliability and cost-effectiveness. We are confident that all criteria have now been satisfied with the new DualCom Pro Fire products.”

www.csl-group.com/

TrueAlert ES from Autocall Fire Detection Systems

by Passive

Autocall TrueAlert ES appliances are the industry’s most advanced line of intelligent, fully addressable notification products. Constant electronic supervision of each notification appliance and revolutionary self-testing capability help ensure that appliances will work when needed and enable building owners to avoid tedious and potentially expensive after-hours manual testing.

Highlights:

  • Delivers better protection: Each appliance has the intelligence to report its location and status to the Autocall fire alarm control panel, improving protection and giving facility managers and system operators the confidence of knowing all their notification appliances are ready to perform in an emergency.
  • Minimizes disruption to business operations with appliance self-testing: Built-in light and sound sensors enable the fire alarm control panel to detect the operation of the strobe and sounder and confirm whether the device tested properly. This means testing can be performed at any time, without disrupting building occupants and operations—it can even be scheduled to take place automatically.
  • Provides greater design and expansion flexibility: Flexible wiring architecture allows system designers to go further with less wire and face fewer design roadblocks. TrueAlert ES systems are also highly scalable, so they can grow and expand as buildings change and life-safety needs evolve.
  • Allows faster, easier, lower-cost installation: Addressable technology and a flexible wiring scheme make it possible to significantly cut installation time and cost. In many cases, TrueAlert ES appliances can be installed with smaller gauge, unshielded wiring, and the forgiving wiring architecture helps avoid mistakes during installation.
  • Provides stronger documentation and reporting capabilities: Appliance information and test history are stored and can be easily retrieved from an Autocall ES panel to generate reports for compliance officials.

www.autocall.com/

FIA publishes new guidance note on fire detection in high airflow environments

by Passive

FIA has just published a new guide that reviews best practice and the Standards underpinning contemporary fire detection systems for use in high airflow environments, including those used to automatically activate fixed gaseous fire extinguishing systems.

It focuses on UK practice, identifying relevant codes, and describing how they are used to achieve effective detection systems in these challenging environments. The document does not consider special hazards with liquid fuel fires and fast flaming fires which may not have a significant and detectable incipient stage.

The document considers detection in high airflow used for equipment cooling with a focus on electronic equipment. However, the principles are applicable to other forced ventilated situations and may be relevant to free or naturally ventilated conditions.

Find out more here – https://www.fia.uk.com/uploads/assets/55bd7faa-a8ac-40bc-9a1f1afd32853bfb/Guidance-Document-Fire-Detection-in-High-Airflow-Environments.pdf

Det-tronics launches X3301 Multispectrum Infrared Flame Detector

by Products

Det-tronics has released the X3301 Multispectrum Infrared Flame Detector, which, when equipped with the unique dual-stage automotive mode and combined with the Eagle Quantum Premier® (EQP) Safety System Controller, delivers the level of detection/protection needed for this application as defined by NFPA 33.

The current requirement in fire/loss prevention for automotive paint lines is to use independent alarm action to initiate a two-stage extinguishing process. In the first stage of this extinguishing process, the painting operation is shut down. Sometimes, this action is combined with the discharge of a gaseous suppression agent. If this first action does not successfully extinguish the fire, the second stage of suppression, typically water deluge, is initiated.

The dual-stage response is designed to minimise process interruption in case of a fire. If the first stage extinguishes the fire, use of a water deluge is eliminated, minimising downtime and loss. If the first stage of action fails to extinguish the fire, the second stage of action (water deluge) is executed to prevent catastrophic damage and loss.

The X3301 automotive mode meets these requirements by providing independent outputs to activate these two stages of mitigation. This important feature helps minimise the losses associated with the consequences of executing an extinguishing event when it is unnecessary.

Features

  • Multiple sensitivity modes
  • Optical Integrity (oi®) performs automatic fail-safe checks every 60 seconds
  • Heated optics for adverse environments and weather
  • Data logger with event time and date stamping (1500 events)
  • Longest FM Approved detection range

Technical Specifications

  • Multiple communication protocols, including 0-20 mA, relay, Modbus, HART, FDT®/DTM and Eagle Quantum Premier® (EQP) safety system
  • Diagnostic LED for local alarm and simple fault identification
  • Large capacity event log storage (1,500 events)
  • HART capable

www.det-tronics.com

Wagner highlights causes of fire and ultimate prevention in warehouses

by Projects

Statistics on warehouse fires make it clear: If a fire occurs in the warehouse, the owner has not only to deal with business interruptions, but also with the loss of goods, damages to the building and delivery problems. German-based fire protection system supplier, Wagner, has produced a review of the possible causes of fires and the evaluation of the consequences of the fire lead to a definition of the protection goals. This is the basis for the planning of a holistic fire protection with the analysis showing whether the warehouse is safe.

According to a study by the German Insurance Association, more than one third of all industrial and commercial fires occur in warehouses. As such, fire prevention takes on special importance within the storage and logistics sector, and needs to play an important role in logistics centres and warehouses right from the planning stages. Most warehouse fires are caused by sparks emitted by overloaded electronic components, such as drive motors or high-back racking units.

Technical defects represent another fire hazard. The particular conditions in warehouses and logistics centres increase the risk that fires will spread rapidly: narrow alleys, high bay systems, long conveyor belts, a concentrated volume of goods within a tight space, and flammable packaging materials are all conducive to fire development. Fire protection takes on particularly great significance when storing small load carriers (SLC) or hazardous materials. In SLC storage, the fire behaviour of the plastic material used to make the SLCs creates additional risk. In hazardous materials storage, the mildly to highly flammable substances stored here must be specially protected due to the explosion hazards fires would create.

The significance of fire protection in storage and logistics…

  • Personnel protection
  • Environmental protection
  • Protecting operating processes and maintaining uninterrupted delivery capability (thus part of securing continued existence)
  • Protecting investments in goods, technology and buildings

The need for, and thus the number of, logistics centres and warehouses is steadily increasing. At the same time, the storage and logistics industry is being confronted with a number of new requirements: Developments like online retail and increasingly high customer expectations (same-day delivery, for example) are resulting in new and increasingly complex challenges.

Process automation, optimised interfaces, speed and complete flexibility are all necessary for providers to be able to ensure ever-shorter throughput times from goods receipt to dispatch. And maintaining delivery capability and operational processes at all times is crucial to the company’s success and continued existence.

Wagner take a solution-oriented approach to addressing the individual requirements and protection needs that our customers bring to us. With more than 40 years of experience as successful fire protection systems engineers, Wagner’s numerous innovations are the product of their in-house research and development labours, which have resulted in more than 700 patents so far.

www.wagnergroup.com

Apollo launches hybrid wireless fire detection range for schools

by Products
Apollo’s new XPander hybrid wireless range offers a comprehensive solution to many problems that present themselves when installing a fire detection system. It is quick to install and requires minimal cabling and is reportedly 75% quicker to install, in comparison to a wired system.
XPander has many applications, its versatility key to deciding on which type of system fits best for a building. Ideal applications:
  • Time-sensitive Projects
  • Minimising Disruption to Building Operations
  • Temporary Structures (i.e. marquees)
  • Annexes
  • To Minimise Disturbance of Asbestos Materials
  • To Preserve Building Fabric (e.g. in Heritage / List Buildings)

A great example of a time-sensitive ­project where XPander excels is in schools. A school is generally occupied most of the time and therefore being able to install an entire fire system without jeopardising safety is a tricky line to walk. So, a quick and compliant solution is needed.

XPander can be used during a remodelling project, for an off-campus outbuilding, or even to protect a temporary structure like a graduation marquee. The physical interface is wired onto the loop as standard, but the detectors can be placed inside of these areas wirelessly during the event and then can be removed when the marquees are taken down. This is much faster than hard wiring each time. You can take comfort in the knowledge that students are kept safe in every scenario.

Another challenge is making upgrades to a school system during summer holidays. You might only have a small window of opportunity to make the upgrades before the students return. Having to wire in a complete system just so that building work can be completed, only to remove all of that wiring hard work, is both costly and time-consuming. A wireless solution is ideal, it removes the need to delay construction, and shaves off time at the end of the project as there are no wires to remove. Just simply detach the detectors.

Similar issues occur in the healthcare sector. A hospital, for instance, is almost never vacant and therefore extensive wiring work would cause uncomfortable disruption. XPander would eliminate these concerns and installing a compliant fire system would cause minimal disturbance.

“XPander allowed for an easier install where the project area was an Emergency Care Department (inc A&E) where minimal intrusion on a live site was key. Wireless was the logical solution to bring these areas up to L1 standards with a new system.” : Apollo Customer Testimonial.

Temporary structures offer a unique challenge when trying to keep people safe from fire. COVID-19 Pods and temporary accommodation for medical staff / resources need to be protected without unwanted complications. XPander can be quickly added to the existing hospital fire system. An interface is placed on the loop, this device ‘manages’ all of the wireless devices fitted in the temporary structure. The devices even show up on the panel, as if it was wired into the loop. This secures the integrity of the existing system and makes sure that any necessary expansion is protected from fire.

COVID-19 has caused unexpected slowdowns within the construction and fire industry communities. But as the restrictions lift there will be an influx of work. And having a quick and easy solution at the ready could mitigate any further frustrations.

www.apollo-fire.co.uk/products/range/xpander

Nittan provides fire safety protection for Nottingham students

by Products

Nittan Europe has had its Evolution analogue addressable fire detection system installed into a new student accommodation development in Beeston, Nottingham. The system was installed by Nottinghamshire based integrated safety and security solutions provider, TIS.

Dagfa House is a unique development of townhouses, clusters and studios adjacent to The University of Nottingham campus. It provides accommodation to 229 students and a range of leisure and study amenities. At the heart of the development is a Grade two listed building that dates back to the 18th-century and was converted into a school in 1948. This latest development has been undertaken by the Cassidy Group, which has over 30 years of experience in construction and property.

One of the key fire safety challenges posed by the Dagfa House development was the mix of accommodation blocks, with some being relatively small. A cost-effective fire detection system was required that could potentially evacuate each site in the event of a fire and that would also be future proof, with spares readily available.

A Nittan Evolution analogue addressable fire alarm system, comprising two individually networked systems, each utilising eight Evolution1 panels and Nittan devices was chosen as the solution. Chris Mills, Head of Fire Division at TIS explains: “TIS carried out market research of a number of fire alarm manufacturers before finally settling on the Nittan Evolution panel with Nittan devices which provided a single source approach while providing a cost effective and reliable solution.”

Evolution is Nittan’s advanced, premium fire system. Evolution uses ASIC technology in the sensors and sophisticated detection algorithms, combining extremely reliable fire detection together with a very high degree of protection against unwanted false alarms.  Its advanced, highly flexible protocol allows for substantial amounts of information to be transmitted at high speed and is not affected by the number of devices on the loop.

At Dagfa House, the Nittan Evolution1 Panel was selected because of its built-in network connectivity, making it extremely cost effective, plus its ease of installation and cause & effect configuration.

For the primary detection in the majority of locations, Nittan’s EV-PYS Optical Detector with built-in sounder was selected for convenience, due to the reduced cost and time required compared to installing separate detectors and sounders, as well as the combined detector/sounder providing a more aesthetically pleasing solution.

In the open areas, such as the cinema room, games room, common room and the communal garden terrace, Nittan EV-HIOP-SB High Output Sounder Beacon VADs were installed.  These devices provide high volume sound, EN 54-23 compliant visual alarm and are waterproofed to IP65, making them suitable for the outdoor areas.

One of the most important devices in any fire alarm system is Manual Call Points, which are strategically located in the Dagfa House development at points of evacuation. Nittan EV-MCP2-SCI Call Point with built in short circuit isolators were chosen to ensure the loops were adequately protected, so the system remains compliant even under short circuit fault conditions.  Each Call Point was also fitted with a hinged front cover for compliance with BS-5839-1: 2017, the code of practice for designing, installing, commissioning, and maintaining fire detection and alarm systems.

nittan.co.uk/