Intertek and Knauf launch programme to improve fire safety standards

by Featured NewsMiddle East - Featured News Archives

Total Quality Assurance provider Intertek has announced a partnership with a leading manufacturer of building materials, Knauf, to launch a training programme for contractors, installers and professionals.

The programme is the first to offer Intertek Qualified Personnel (IQP) courses for drywall installers in the Gulf Corporate Council (GCC) region, and it is an extension of Intertek’s global initiative to independently qualify personnel to the highest industry standards.

The qualification programme is designed for technical professionals in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain and is delivered in the new Knauf Training Centre. Hundreds of professionals from the region are expected to complete this qualification every year, where they will learn how to optimise installation efficiency, how to reduce wastage and apply best practice to all installations in line with fire safety requirements.

The training programme expands on Knauf’s education and examination programme for the installation of its systems, certified by Intertek for compliance with international fire standards. 

Intertek’s IQP Programme increases the proficiency of participating installers and inspectors in installation practices, to ensure that their work is at the highest level of quality and safety assurance. Qualified professionals will be required to undergo a refresher training session every two years to maintain their qualification. The IQP Programme also gives relevant authorities independent assurance that the installations meet all industry requirements and have been carried out by qualified professionals. 

Amer Bin Ahmed, Managing Director at Knauf Middle East, said: “We are very pleased to offer IQP accredited courses in partnership with Intertek at the new Knauf Training Centre. The new programmes will ensure higher quality and safety standards for buildings, enable us to continue our vision for Quality, Sustainability, Health, and Safety, and train professionals with excellence through a growing range of courses.

“The new partnership with Intertek will improve skills and knowledge through accredited qualifications. This initiative will help to create and retain a greater talent pool for the overall industry and to set a high standard for the region when it comes to professional training.”

Cristina Perez Domper, Regional Operations Manager at Intertek Building & Construction for Middle East & Africa, said: “Partnering with an industry leader like Knauf to set up an IQP Programme is a significant step for Intertek in the region.

“We are very excited about launching the first IQP Programme of its kind in the region, and we look forward to expanding our network of certified programmes. This collaboration will elevate the standards for the industry and add an extra level of verification and qualification to the installation process, a key step which is often overlooked, in line with the increasing fire safety regulations implemented by authorities.”

Jean-Philippe Kayl, Vice-President Global Certification at Intertek, added: “Knauf’s commitment to excellence is truly impressive. Intertek is delighted to support Knauf in its journey to implement world-class quality and safety practices in the construction industry.”

EPA Issues first test order for Commercial Fire Fighting Foam

by Breaking NewsProductsPumps

As a part of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap, the agency has issued the first in a series of Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) test orders to require companies to conduct and submit testing on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). 

EPA selected 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide betaine (CASRN 34455-29-3) as the first order issued under the National PFAS Testing Strategy. The foam has been manufactured (defined to include importing) in significant quantities (more than 25,000 pounds in a given year) according to TSCA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) rule reports.

This chemical substance is a surface-active agent used to make commercial fire-fighting foams and may be found in certain floor finishes. CDR data also indicate that at least 500 workers in a given year could be potentially exposed to this chemical. Although there is some hazard and exposure information about this PFAS, EPA said it found insufficient data to determine the effects on human health associated with the inhalation route of exposure. This test order will address this data need.

The Chemours Company, DuPont De Nemours Inc., National Foam Inc., and Johnson Controls Inc. are the recipients of this first test order. The companies subject to the test order have been instructed to conduct the tests as described in the order, including testing of physical-chemical properties and health effects following inhalation, or provide EPA with existing information that they believe EPA did not identify in its search for existing information. EPA said it encourages companies to jointly conduct testing to avoid unnecessary duplication of tests. 

Based on available information and predictive models, testing on 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide betaine will also inform the agency’s understanding of the human health effects of 503 additional PFAS with similar structures as detailed in the Testing Strategy.

“For far too long, families across America, especially those in underserved communities, have suffered from PFAS. High-quality, robust data on PFAS helps EPA to better understand and ultimately reduce the potential risks caused by these chemicals,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. 

“Our communities deserve transparency from the companies that use or produce these substances about their potential environmental and human health impacts.”

New Fire Standard ‘Emergency Preparedness and Resilience’ launched

by Featured NewsSafety

The Fire Standards Board (FSB) has launched the eleventh professional Fire Standard; Emergency Preparedness and Resilience, which focuses on ensuring fire and rescue service are prepared to respond to major incidents and large-scale emergencies or disruptive challenges.

The FSB has said it hopes the Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Fire Standard is that services will contribute effectively to national resilience requirements and have suitable and sufficient access to resources and assets to support response to local, regional and national scale emergencies.

The development of the standard was led by CFO Phil Garrigan of Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, who oversee National Resilience Capabilities on behalf of the Home Office, and NFCC Lead for Local Resilience Forums, Stuart Errington. It was also supported by Business Continuity and national and local resilience practitioners from across a wide range of services, and the Home Office and Cabinet Office.

One of the expected benefits of achieving the Standard is that members of the public will be reassured that their fire and rescue service is resilient, prepared and able to respond to emergencies while maintaining its critical functions during a disruptive event.

As with all Fire Standards, there’s a corresponding Fire Standards Implementation Tool to support services with the implementation. The tool was designed to support services in assessing how well they meet the standard; helping them to build an action plan to identify and address any gaps.

Chair of the Fire Standards Board, Suzanne McCarthy said: “The Board welcomes the launch of the new Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Fire Standard and recognises the contribution it will bring to fire and rescue services and the communities they serve. The standard builds on our increasing portfolio of professional Fire Standards.”

Fire Minister Lord Greenhalgh said: “I am delighted to see the launch of the Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Fire Standard. This standard will help ensure consistency in how fire and rescue services prepare for and respond to major incidents and emergencies, and importantly how they will work with partner agencies. It will provide reassurance to the public that their local services are resilient and prepared to deliver a coordinated response.”

Chair of NFCC, Mark Hardingham said: “The Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Fire Standard aims to ensure that there is a consistent approach from fire and rescue services in preparing for, and responding to, major incidents and emergencies.  

“Thankfully major incidents and emergencies are infrequent, but when they do happen members of the public should be reassured that their local service is prepared to ensure an effective response through a standardised approach to emergency preparedness. Thank you to everyone who has been involved in the development of this standard.” 

Quelfire talks the importance of early engagement in firestopping products

by Breaking NewsPassive

Craig Wells, Sales Director, Quelfire highlights the importance of early engagement in firestopping products and what’s required from a client’s perspective

As a manufacturer and supplier of specialist firestopping products for gaps and penetrations in buildings, Quelfire has made it their mission to use their knowledge to promote the importance of early engagement in firestopping. This being the practice that firestopping should be considered at the earliest stages of construction and firestopping contractors, as well as the firestopping manufacturers, should be involved.

Early engagement in firestopping is imperative because ultimately, it saves lives and protects property. By designing and installing firestopping solutions correctly, this allows it to do its job when exposed to fire.

To ensure buildings are safe and comply with relevant regulations, firestopping needs to be designed according to manufacturers’ tested details. If firestopping is not considered when decisions are made about the location of compartmentation walls and main routes of M&E services, there is no guarantee that the manufacturer will have a tested solution. If these discrepancies come to light too late in the project, participants can face serious extra costs and delays due to needing to redesign service penetrations. By involving the specialist firestopping contractor and the manufacturer in the early stages, these can be avoided.

Moreover, considering firestopping at the early stages will support work further down the line when the project enters the installation stage. It will give all parties involved extra time to utilize the support offered by the manufacturer, such as on-site training about the correct installation of products as per the design and manufacturer’s guidance.

Passive fire protection is a complex matter, needing coordination between several trades and for all factors to be considered. However, having a clear, structured plan will safeguard reputations and give a competitive edge, eliminating any concerns about non-compliance amidst the increased scrutiny in the construction industry. 

Who Else Needs to be Engaged?

The virtual panel discussion titled: “Firestopping service penetrations – the importance and benefits of early engagement” of the London Build (2020) highlighted that firestopping service penetrations should not only be about the firestop products, but about the services themselves and the substrate construction. It’s important to engage with all trades and system manufacturers involved, such as manufacturers of gas pipes or sprinkler pipes, as well as contractors installing these systems. For example, the insulation that is added to the pipes will need to be determined that there is a tested firestopping solution compatible with it before building can start. Therefore, every participant must communicate with each other before anything gets designed or built to avoid running into any problems later.

Quelfire’s support

Committed to protecting people and property, Quelfire are advocates of early engagement in firestopping and are keen to educate the construction industry about the importance of fire safety. By working together with every participant involved in a construction project, from design to installation, Quelfire offer value-added services and support material to facilitate all parties in achieving compliance.

An early engagement consultation can be hosted via Teams or Zoom, with face-to-face meetings being an option if required. This consultation will identify the requirements of the project through the Quelfire information collection form (ICF) with additional drawings for more complex scenarios. This is an internal process, designed by Quelfire, that helps collect all necessary information to provide a correct tested detail. For example, the composition and size of services running through a compartment wall, or whether a letterbox is being formed. A follow up with a package of suitable standard details will then be issued accordingly. These consultations will involve and primarily work to educate all members of the project team.

As Quelfire specialise in firestopping, they have a dedicated technical team who are readily available to help with any questions and challenges that come up during the later stages of the project. To support design and specification, on the website there is no-strings-attached technical documentation such as: NBS specifications, BIM models, tested detail drawings and product datasheets.

Other than technical advice, Quelfire offer high-level, CPD certified, training on Effective Passive Fire Protection. This is beneficial for anyone involved in the design or management of installation of firestopping solutions. The CPD training is available as an open webinar for individual registration and as a dedicated session for organisations such as: architect practices, main contractors, and other organisations.

One important detail that gives Quelfire a competitive advantage is their wider range of tested details. By using real-life scenarios and regular customer feedback, they carry out fire tests monthly, with a significant proportion of their annual investment going into R&D. 

The requirements

Quelfire appreciate how difficult it is to change current practices within construction. However, they firmly believe that it is a necessary change to help reduce the risk of further incidents and overall, help improve the perception of the construction industry. In most cases, a cultural change is required to appreciate that decisions made about fire stopping are life safety decisions.

Being dedicated to ‘doing it right the first time around’ and paying attention to detail will not only improve fire safety but work to serve all parties. By taking these measures at the design stage, all parties can relish in the fact that they are saving lives and protecting property, whilst knowing that they are preserving their reputation.

Further to this, it is essential for cross-party communication and coordination. Referring to the ‘Firestopping of service penetrations: best practice in design and installation’ and ASFP’s development, there are 37 questions that need to be considered when designing and installing firestopping solutions. Not a single party involved will know the answer to all questions, so it is vital that every party participates and shares their expertise. This further links to competency and the idea of knowing what you do not know and being prepared to seek professional advice from firestopping contractors and manufacturers.

By providing these value-added services, Quelfire can educate all parties involved to decrease the risk of any catastrophes, like Grenfell, happening in the future. Through using every platform to get the word out, they hope to be the catalyst of a cultural change that encourages buildings being designed around available tested solutions. As FIREX approaches, there has never been more of an urgent time than now to have these important conversations about early engagement in firestopping.

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

FBU Scotland: zero budget increase will put communities ‘in great danger’

by Featured NewsSafety

Scotland’s firefighters have responded to the Scottish finance secretary’s statement on the Scottish spending review, which sees zero increase in the budget of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service over the next five years.

The Fire Brigades Union Scotland has said the lack of increase will mean a potential large real terms cut, especially given the currently rampant rate of inflation.

Responding to the finance secretary’s statement on the spending review, John McKenzie, FBU Scotland regional secretary, said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has already suffered the loss of a thousand members of staff, cuts to crewing levels and stagnation of pay.

“The announcement by Kate Forbes shows a zero increase in the budget for the service over the next five years. If enacted this will put our communities and our members who serve them in greater danger. The FBU in Scotland will be seeking an urgent meeting with the Justice Secretary to discuss the future funding of the Fire and Rescue service.”

CIOB updates Code of Practice to reflect construction industry changes

by ConstructionFeatured NewsIndustry Sectors

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has updated the Code of Practice for Project Management for the Built Environment to reflect changes in the practices and processes of construction and the increasing pressures of the industry.

 The guidance from the world’s largest and most influential professional body for construction management and leadership aims to equip construction and project managers with insight into a whole life-cycle approach, where assets can be delivered not only to meet the expected quality, cost and time targets, but where other broader, but equally important, notions of value can be incorporated.

The updated Code of Practice ” acknowledges the many challenges in the construction industry and sets the scene in the new version with a set of strategic drivers, such as sustainability, quality, competence and skills, the golden thread of information, and some guiding principles including health and safety, EDI (equality, diversity and inclusion), ethics, sustainability, whole-life perspective, project management as a strategic enabler, building information, and leadership.

The eight themes included in each chapter are designed to ensure they are embedded throughout all decision-making processes at every stage of the project. These are: quality, sustainability, value, productivity, leadership, collaboration, knowledge and risk.

Dr Gina Al-Talal FCIOB, CIOB’s Head of Technical and Standards Development, said: “I am pleased to see this publication undergoing a total revamp at a time when it’s needed more than ever, given the extraordinary pressures on the industry around the world. I have no doubt that this edition will prove an invaluable reference to built environment professionals at all levels. It was not an easy task and my gratitude goes to the construction professionals and academics who contributed so much time and effort into helping us deliver this updated resource.”

At least 49 killed in Bangladesh container fire

by ActiveFeatured News

Firefighters worked for a second day on Sunday (5 June) to extinguish a large fire that has killed at least 49 people at a container depot in southeast Bangladesh at Sitakunda, 40 km (25 miles) from the port city of Chittagong, injuring more than 200 after breaking out at the shipping container facility on Saturday night, triggering a huge blast and multiple container explosions.

Chemical-filled containers were still exploding on Sunday as firefighters attempted to douse the fire and officials said the army had joined the mission. Drone footage showed thick columns of smoke and rows of burnt-out containers and local residents commented that the explosions had shaken the neighbourhood and shattered windows in nearby buildings

Chittagong civil surgeon Mohammed Elias Hossain said that the death toll could rise as some injured were in critical condition and the rescue operations were ongoing. All doctors in the district had been called in to help tackle the situation, while social media was flooded with appeals for emergency blood donations.

Five firefighters have been confirmed as among the deceased.

It has not yet been confirmed as to the cause of the fire, but fire service officials said they suspected it may have originated in a container of hydrogen peroxide and spread quickly to other containers.

Newton Das, a fire service official, said there were still explosions on Sunday afternoon of containers containing hydrogen peroxide and others containing sulphur. “It’s really getting harder as toxic fumes engulfed the area,” he said.

Fire Safety Enforcement in NYC strengthened by new bill

by Americas - Featured NewsConstructionFeatured NewsIndustry SectorsSafety

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has signed five pieces of fire safety legislation into law aimed at strengthening enforcement, education, and outreach efforts in the wake of the tragic Bronx apartment fire in January which saw the death of 17 people.

The new laws include shortening the timeline of re-inspection for self-closing door violations, increasing the fine for building owners who do not fix violations, banning the sale of certain space heaters that do not meet certain safety standards and codifying increased fire safety outreach.

“More than a dozen New Yorkers, some just children, were killed in the fire at the Twin Parks apartments. We mourn their passing but that is not enough — we must ensure that a tragedy at that level never happens again,” said Mayor Adams. “In March, I signed an executive order to immediately improve fire safety coordination and outreach. Today, I’m proud to work with the City Council to create long-term solutions that strengthen enforcement and education and will keep all New Yorkers safe.”

The mayor signed the following bills into law:

Intro. 104 which clarifies the definition of a self-closing door to mean a door equipped with a device that will ensure the door, when opened and released, returns to the closed position and self-latches shut.

Intro. 105 which shortens the timeline for correction of self-closing door violations from 21 days to 14 days, requires HPD to reinspect a self-closing door violation no later than 20 days after the expiration of the 14-day correction period, and increases penalties for building owners who do not cure those violations. It also establishes a civil penalty range of $250-$500 for the violation of the self-closing door requirement and a $250/day penalty from the date set for correction of the violation until it is corrected, increases civil penalties for the false certification of corrections for Class A, B, and C violations of the Housing Maintenance Code.

Intro. 106 which bans the sale of electric space heaters that do not have automatic shut off capabilities if the heater falls over or overheats, and requires that space heaters sold in New York City be labeled by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.

Intro. 131 which expands fire safety education to require FDNY to provide educational materials and conduct outreach relating to the safe use of electric space heaters in residences. The law — which takes effect as FDNY continues to conduct a robust fire safety education program — also requires that such educational materials be made available to tenants in the top 10 most common languages in New York City.

Intro. 155 which prohibits the DOB from charging filing fees for a permit to repair fire damaged conditions of one-, two- or three-family homes. If construction defects are discovered at such fire-damaged locations, this fee exemption would extend to other dwellings within the same homeowner or cooperative association to correct the same construction defect. The law will diminish repair costs for owners remediating fire-damaged properties and construction defects found during the remediation process and task DOB with conducting targeted outreach showcasing the fee-exemption program.

Commenting on the new legislation, New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Acting Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said: “Educating New Yorkers on fire safety and prevention is key to the Department’s lifesaving mission. These bills, and the mayor’s Executive Order increasing coordination between our department and HPD, will strengthen the FDNY’s ability to reach the neediest residents in our city with critical messages of fire education and prevention.”

Patol: origins of the business and plans going forward

by Breaking NewsFeatured News

The company was founded in 1968 with an original focus on alarm annunciation. Back then Patol was heavily involved in supplying alarm solutions for the shipping industry but building on this experience in alarms and employing engineers with specific knowledge of the fire sector enabled the business to move swiftly into wider applications.

Less than a decade later, in association with Sterling Cables, Patol developed and started the manufacture of linear heat detection cables (LHDC) to offer the opportunity for early detection of fire and overheating in applications where other forms of detection were not viable due to the environmental challenges of a given site or the costs being prohibitive.

In fact, the technology is still used today. And its success is illustrated by the fact that LHDC is still manufactured and sold globally by Patol. In the early days it was quickly adopted as a preferred detection method in the new nuclear power stations that were being built. A notable project was its use in protecting the Thames Barrier when it was constructed in 1985 and it has also been used extensively on the London Underground network, particularly on escalators following the Kings Cross fire in 1987.

The technology involved in developing the original cable was sound and while there have inevitably been innovations over the years, we have always looked to build on this solid foundation. We now offer a range of options: analogue, digital and fibre optic. Recognising the different requirements of applications and the temperatures at which detection is required, we have extended the range to offer temperature ratings from 70°C to 240°C.”

Innovations

We recently introduced FibreSense, a Fibre Optic distributed temperature sensing solution.  The Fibre Optic sensing cable is available in two primary forms, Thermoplastic Tube (TT) and Armoured Tube (AT), with both versions providing cost effective fire detection for a wide range of different applications.  The Thermoplastic Tube cable is suited to many environments including those characterised by high levels of electro-magnetic (EMC) activity. The cable is Flame-Retardant Non-Corrosive (FRNC) and Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSOH), with a Kevlar strength layer protecting a central structure comprising a gel-filled thermoplastic loose tube.  It measures temperature profiles at thousands of points simultaneously along the length of the cable and, given that it is immune to electro-magnetic interference (EMI), signal quality is unaffected in hostile environments.

Other fire safety solutions

Over the years Patol has also moved into different areas of specialised detection, adding IR Infrared Transit Heat and Flame Sensors, Securiton Aspirating Smoke Detection (ASD), and Vision TIR Thermal Imaging Fire Detection to its portfolio. The company has also expanded its role in international markets, including setting up a dedicated sales operation in India which is actively involved in many markets, including the country’s expanding power generation and industrial applications.

In addition to the power generation sector, Patol solutions are being widely adopted in many diverse projects, from waste recycling and petrochemical sites to car parks, tunnels and the food industry.

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

Exclusive: The Value and Growth of Monitored Fire Alarm Signalling Systems

by Featured NewsFire DetectionProducts

John Coleman, Head of Sales UK & Ireland at CSL, discusses the latest developments around professionally monitored fire alarm signalling systems.

Historically, Fire Systems have been designed to protect lives when the building is occupied. But increasingly, we have seen examples where fires have occurred in empty premises. 60 fires a day occur in or beside vacant or derelict properties in the UK (Home Office Statistics). When a fire occurs and the premises are empty, it will not be reported unless someone nearby sees it or hears the alarm.

The Benefits of Monitoring

Statistics suggest that only around 6% of fire systems have a monitored alarm, yet 67% of fires occur when premises are empty. A Fire System with Professional Signalling reports any faults or alarms to a Monitoring Centre, providing 24/7 365 peace of mind for premises owners. In addition, arson – just like criminal damage and theft – is much more common in empty buildings as opposed to those which are occupied. Monitored Fire Systems allow for faster reporting of incidents as well as acting as a deterrent.

Recent Examples

In February this year, 130 firefighters were called to tackle a blaze at the Armadillo Self Storage Unit in Cheadle, Greater Manchester. The fire, which started at 1 am, destroyed 40% of the building and many companies using the facility lost everything they had on-site. In these instances, every second counts. A professionally monitored fire alarm would immediately alert the Alarm Receiving Centre and the Fire Brigade, to ensure the fastest possible response to such incidents. In doing so, this would minimise the impact of the fire as best as possible.  

European Standards

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.

Over the past few years, we have seen an increased industry demand for EN54 (Fire) certified signalling products that offer the 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.

The DualCom Pro 2 Fire Range

We recently announced the arrival of the new DualCom Pro 2 Fire variants. These latest innovations, which include DigiAir Pro 2 and GradeShift Pro 2, are now available to order from your chosen ARC. DigiAir Pro 2 Fire offers a wireless single-path solution, whilst GradeShift Pro 2 Fire offers dual-path, dual-radio signalling via 2 separate radio modules. Both solutions come with multiple 4G WorldSIMs, providing the most reliable fire signalling systems ever, whilst the wireless signalling options mean the installation is not limited to the infrastructure of the premises.

Our Fire variants enable devices to signal alerts directly to a professional monitoring station 24/7 when the premises are left unattended. This is one of the reasons CSL’s Fire variants are now trusted in over 7,000 professional fire installations across Europe.

Wireless 4G Connectivity

All variants of the DualCom Pro 2 Fire Range are wireless 4G solutions. This means that the device can be placed in whatever position is best for the installer and radio coverage. The Range is supplied with High Gain Aerials and extension cables are available to ensure that the best signal can be accessed every time.

Value

In the past, fire monitoring has been cost-prohibitive as was not often pushed by insurers, and therefore installers didn’t see the benefits of doing this. Today, the options available via CSL are cost-effective and accessible for all. Many Installers are not include monitoring for fire systems as standard. It offers increased value for Installers in terms of insights on faults and performance. Take control of your professional fire installations and access this instant information using the My Base App.

All IP

The UK and Ireland’s Communications Providers are in the process of upgrading their customers from the existing analogue phone service to an enhanced IP service, with the plan to migrate to a fully digital phone service by the end of 2025. The change will affect anything that currently plugs into the existing analogue telephone wall sockets, including Fire signalling systems. The project is well underway, and the impact is already being seen at premises nationwide. For more information, please visit the CSL website!

Fire & Security Matters Awards 2022

We are delighted to announce that DualCom Pro Fire 2 has been announced as a finalist for the upcoming Fire & Security Matters Awards in the Fire Innovation of the Year category! Another reflection of how well this innovation has been received by the industry.

Case Study – Black Box

Black Box is a fully accredited BAFE (SP203) Fire Alarm System Service Provider with an extensive portfolio of installations. On every one of these systems, Black Box install the highest grade of professional fire monitoring with connections into an ARC. As part of this, they are installing GradeShift Pro 2 Fire as standard for all new and existing customers. GradeShift Pro Fire is a DP2 graded, radio/radio dual-path signalling solution, with a catastrophic failure reporting time of 31 minutes. With analogue telephone (PSTN) lines soon to be redundant, Black Box is using GradeShift Pro Fire to upgrade any legacy systems that rely on this older technology.

EN54 certified monitored signalling forms an essential part of a fully compliant system, that can report any faults or issues in a much shorter period, providing peace of mind for customers. The addition of the My Base App for remote configuration changes, allows Black Box to manage its entire DualCom Pro signalling base.

“GradeShift Pro Fire provides us with an ideal dual-radio, EN54 alarm signalling solution. It enables us to install to the latest and highest standards, whilst overcoming any on-site issues we may face such as no availability of IP or PSTN connections.”

David Barnes, Managing Director of Black Box

Case Study – Moray Fire

Moray Fire Protection provides personal and comprehensive fire detection and protection services to companies, government organisations and individuals throughout Scotland. The company is BAFE registered and operates under industry recognised standards. Located in Elgin, they are ideally situated to service clients throughout the whole of Scotland including Moray, the Highlands, Aberdeen, and Aberdeenshire.

Moray Fire Protection has recently taken over a contract to maintain eight care homes across Moray and the Highlands. Having inherited these sites from a previous contractor, Moray Fire Protection decided to upgrade and replace the installations with new equipment including the latest alarm signalling. With analogue telephone (PSTN) lines soon to be redundant, Moray Fire Protection reached out to CSL as they felt that the DigiAir Pro 2 Fire was the best-suited signalling product for these installations.

DigiAir Pro 2 Fire is an SP3 graded, radio only single-path signalling solution, utilising all mobile networks via our WorldSIM to signal an alarm. As a tailor-made fire signalling solution, DigiAir Pro 2 Fire also offers a faster catastrophic failure reporting time of 31 minutes.

With EN54 certified monitored signalling, Moray Fire Protection now have a fully compliant system, that can report any faults or issues in a much shorter period, providing peace of mind for their customers. The addition of the My Base App for remote configuration changes, allows Moray Fire Protection to manage their devices for their customers and ensure the service is always working correctly.

“DigiAir Pro Fire provides us with the perfect radio solution for upgrading all our legacy, monitored single-path sites. It is enabling us to future-proof our estate as part of the ongoing All IP transition and ahead of the ‘Big Switch Off’ in 2025.”

Neil Hughes, Alarm Engineer, Moray Fire Protection

In summary

Why wouldn’t you add professional alarm signalling to your fire systems? For more information, please visit our website:

www.csl-group.com/uk/sectors/fire

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