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Chubb & CriticalArc SafeZone announce partnership

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Chubb’s global business and CriticalArc have joined forces to enable SafeZone, CriticalArc’s cloud-based safety, security and emergency management solution to be offered to Chubb customers through its connected services offering, Chubb VisiON+. Chubb is a part of APi Group, a global business services provider of safety and specialty services. The investment by both companies in the development of a streamlined, cohesive offering delivers far reaching benefits to customers. As a key supplier in the remote monitoring sector, Chubb has been extending support for its service with more fluid, hybrid working models. Meanwhile, CriticalArc’s SafeZone provides powerful new capabilities, with its ‘Safety EverywhereTM’ concept, helping organisations comply with standards such as BS8484 in the UK for lone worker safety. SafeZone lets them manage the safety of their people wherever they have a duty of care, regardless of geography, with a whole suite of services from lone worker emergency assistance and real time location services. SafeZone supported by Chubb, is designed to bring peace of mind to all individuals 24/7, either working at an office, remotely or both, regardless of whether their employers have their own security response teams. The solution can be configured so all alerts are responded to solely by Chubb’s expert monitoring team, the organisation’s own responders or a combination. Because of this, the solution is suitable for a wide range of people including field workers, healthcare and care workers visiting patients and remote workers of all types. It can also be used by universities to protect students, government and healthcare associations. An app-based solution, SafeZone makes it easy for users to call for help via their smartphone and to share their location in real time with operators at Chubb’s security monitoring centres. In critical situations they will be directly connected to the appropriate response team for the most efficient emergency assistance. Integrating Chubb’s global scale and local expertise with SafeZone’s cloudbased, SaaS technology, helps enterprises and organisations with large sites instil confidence in employees’ personal safety. Customers further benefit from Chubb’s consistent and fast response monitoring teams, bolstered by SafeZone’s highly scalable distributed command and control environment. “We are excited to announce Chubb’s partnership with CriticalArc, which has enabled us to set a new standard for the industry when it comes to personal safety. CriticalArc’s offering perfectly complements our 24/7 Chubb VisiON+ service which focuses on using data and insights to take the right actions at the right time. Together, we can respond to alerts quickly, bringing improved connectivity, responsiveness and overall peace of mind,” commented Frederic Peyrot, Global Customer Solutions & Innovation Director at Chubb. “This partnership is genuinely a first-of-its-kind for the market, and great news for organisations looking to offer their work force Safety EverywhereTM,” said Darren Chalmers-Stevens, Group Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director EMEA/APC, CriticalArc. “The depth and breadth of Chubb’s global reach into multiple industries will enable organisations around the world to take advantage of Chubb’s and CriticalArc’s unique capabilities as we continue to innovate.”   Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Quality at Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection

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Robust and quality-centric manufacturing processes ensure that products perform their designated function, be it site protection, area monitoring or personal protection, in a failsafe manner. At three highly-specified manufacturing sites in France, the UK and the US, Teledyne produces a wide range of gas and flame detection solutions to meet the requirements of customers across all industry sectors. Product quality and reliability equate to customer trust. But delivering these attributes relies on robust manufacturing processes. At Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection, production operations leverage the experience of a history in manufacturing that dates back more than a century. Of course, locations and facilities have changed over the years, but production capacity today is a global concern that embraces Teledyne Oldham Simtronics (Arras, France), Teledyne Gas Measurement Instruments (Renfrew, UK) and Teledyne Detcon (Cypress, US), with each facility supported by expert staff and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Made in Arras, France The Arras headquarters and manufacturing plant of Teledyne Oldham Simtronics is located in the Hauts-de France region. Covering an area of 5,552 m2, the Teledyne Oldham Simtronics’ plant includes 3,379 m2 of workshop and warehouse space. Manufacturing products since 1948, the factory’s track record of production excellence centres on its accreditations, which include ISO9001 for quality, ISO14001 for environmental management and ISO45001 for health and safety. The plant benefits from an advanced in-house manufacturing engineering team that creates the software, tools and machines required by production. With over 100 highly capable employees on site, some 75,000 gas and flame detectors and controllers are ‘Made in Arras’ every year. Each one provides customers with highly capable and dependable performance to ensure complete protection. With over 100 highly capable employees on site, some 75,000 gas and flame detectors and controllers are ‘Made in Arras’ every year. Each one provides customers with highly capable and dependable performance to ensure complete protection. UK manufacturer Teledyne Gas Measurement Instruments is the number one supplier of gas leak detectors to the UK natural gas distributor sector, and a key player in the industrial portable gas detection market with over 300,000 high-quality instruments delivered. Ideal for use in challenging industries such as gas utilities, chemical, shipping, brewing, construction, defence, nuclear, petrochemical, papermaking, refining and telecoms Teledyne Gas Measurement Instruments is also prominent across Europe and North America. Producing trustworthy, proficient products is key to building further on the brand’s established reputation for providing customers with assured protection. The company’s production facility is located in Renfrew, near Glasgow, where its portable gas detection and measurement devices have been manufactured in the UK since 1947. Spanning 2,230 m2, the site boasts ISO9001, ISO14001 and ISO45001 accreditations. Additionally, Teledyne Gas Measurement Instruments is an active member of many global gas associations, including the Institution of Gas Engineers & Managers (UK), the American Gas Association (USA) and the Canadian Gas Association. The company was also a founding member of the Council for Gas Detection and Environmental Monitoring (CoGDEM) in Europe. There are around 80 knowledgeable employees at Renfrew including 35 fully cross-trained assembly operators. In particular, the site is notable for its high-end production technologies.   Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Argus Spectrum’s CEO talks mesh-network technology

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Intersec 2022 continued its work and attracted visitors from all over the world. More than 400 people visited the Argus Spectrum International company at the fair trade, the Streletz-PRO unique technology arouses significant interest. Mikhail Levchuk, CEO of Argus Spectrum International, became a speaker at the Tech Disruption Zone conference with the presentation “Mesh-network in a fire alarm: quick setup, reliable operation”. Every two hours the Streletz-PRO presentations were held in the seminar room at the Argus Spectrum International stand. Argus Spectrum International is a manufacturer specialising in the development and production of innovative wireless and wired fire detection and security systems. The company was founded in the city of St Petersburg in 1993 by two scientists working in the field of experimental radio physics and electronics, operating within the faculty of Peter the Great Polytechnic University. This St Petersburg University is recognised as a centre for engineering and technology throughout Russia. In 2018 Argus Spectrum International established an office in Savonlinna Finland to develop its wireless technology throughout Europe and the International markets. In 2019 we have completed our new International manufacturing facility in Savonlinna (Finland) which is fully approved and certified by LPCB / BRE Global in 2020. The factory supplies EN54 LPCB approved wireless products to the global market. A department for radio-physical studies has been established in Peter the Great Polytechnic University by our General manager, Sergey Levchuk, and providing us a wealth of talented employees. A continuous program of research and development is led by a team of 40  engineers delivering a c range of products to their global partners. Argus Spectrum International has been presented with 2 awards from the Government of the Russian Federation in the field of science and technology. They have also received many accolades for innovation and technology products from the fire and security industry. Argus Spectrum International products are protecting significant and high-profile installations including the Hermitage and the newly constructed Medical Academy in Saint Petersburg incorporating more than 20,000 wireless devices. In the fight against COVID-19 the Russian Government has ordered the fast track construction of 30 new hospitals. Argus Spectrum International has been chosen to provide all the hospitals with the “Streletz-PRO” advanced wireless fire detection system in record time. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Hochiki expands panel compatibility reach for ACD

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Hochiki Europe has announced a new perfect fit partnership which will enable its most sophisticated addressable multi-sensor device, the ACD, to be compatible with the MxPro 5 range of addressable fire control panels from Advanced Electronics. This new partnership with Advanced Electronics allows Hochiki’s ACD addressable loop-powered multi-sensor, with smoke, heat and CO sensing elements to be installed in even more projects than was previously possible. Schools, hospitals, accommodation, commercial premises, cultural properties and beyond will now benefit from greater choice when it comes to choosing the latest in life safety technology. Both the ACD multi-sensor and MxPro 5 panel systems include several features that make this new partnership the perfect product and panel fit for the smallest to the largest of sites. Advanced Electronics’ MxPro 5 range is their highest performance analogue addressable fire panel range to date, approved to EN54 Parts 2, 4 and 13 and certified by FM approvals to EN54 Parts 2 and 4. There are 24 modes of operation in the Hochiki ACD multi-sensor, detecting smoke, heat, CO and the threat of COHb poisoning, all fully supported by the MxPro 5 panels. There is also a Reduced False Alarm function (+RFA), where the sensor will automatically adjust the sensitivity of the optical sensing element over time, learning from its surrounding environment from the moment of installation. This allows the installer to ‘fine-tune’ the product to work perfectly with MxPro 5 panel and more importantly for the environment to which it is being fitted. Commenting on the partnership, Nathan Hudson, Hochiki Europe’s Sales and Marketing Director said “It is imperative that installers and end users get the greatest choice across the market when selecting fire detection products and systems. Not only to ensure the best products are used to protect people and property, but also to ensure budgets are met, especially important on complex projects. We’re really excited by this partnership with Advanced Electronics as it means even more customers around the globe now have access to the most sophisticated and innovative life safety technology on the market which can be perfectly tailored to their projects” Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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AEI Cables – Risks of not using approved cabling

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The cost of not using approved cabling in signal and control equipment for fire safety is being highlighted by cabling pioneer AEI Cables. The company is bringing an industry-wide campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of not using approved cabling as specified under the revised version of BS8519, the Code of Practice for Category 3 fire performance cables. Heat extraction systems The systems powered by these cables – including smoke and heat extraction systems – assist fire services in firefighting and a safe evacuation in the case of life safety. The applications of Category 3 Control fire performance cables also apply to evacuation alarms for the disabled in care homes, emergency voice communications systems, and voice alarm systems in relevant buildings including tall buildings, office spaces, hospitals, shopping malls, and stadia. Professional fire safety Stuart Dover, General Manager of AEI Cables, said: “If these systems fail because the cable is not able to function properly then the consequences are apparent. Lives and property are at stake here. Category 3 Control fire performance cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and flame spread in the event of a real fire.” “We have seen a lot of support for our message and our customers are seeing the peace of mind of installing approved cables which provide continuity of power for these systems.” The wider fire safety industry and professionals have also welcomed the message including the professional fire safety membership body the Institution of Fire Prevention Officers (IFPO). Fire survival time AEI Cables is the only supplier in the UK with independent approval from LPCB for BS8519 Category 3 Control fire performance cables with a fire survival time of up to 120 minutes. AEI Cables’ Firetec Enhanced cabling has been approved and certified by LPCB to BS8519 (Annex B), Category 3 Control in addition to Category 2 Control. The BS Code of Practice under BS8519 contains six categories of cables, three for power cables and three for control cables each covering survival times of 30, 60, or 120 minutes. All AEI Cables’ products are supplied with approvals from independent bodies including BASEC and LPCB. It also holds approvals from organisations including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail, and LUL and works to international standards around the world.   Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Johnson Controls introduces TYCO sprinkler shields

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Johnson Controls introduces the Tyco Model ES-1 and ES-2 Sprinkler Shields for the protection of in-rack early suppression fast response (ESFR) sprinklers in storage facilities and warehouses. The all-metal shields work to protect sprinkler elements from cold soldering, which occurs when cascading water from ceiling-mounted and high-mounted in-rack sprinklers cool down and inhibits the operation of in-rack sprinklers mounted at lower heights. Fire protection solution As storage ceiling and rack heights continue to trend higher and hold higher-hazard material like non-expanded and expanded plastics, the need for in-rack sprinklers has increased. When used in conjunction with ceiling protection, in-rack ESFRs have become an integral component in an overall fire protection solution. FM datasheets 8-9 and 8-34 now require that when multiple levels of ESFR sprinklers are used, the sprinklers below the highest level have shields to protect them from getting wet should a sprinkler above them operate. FM approved shield “ESFR pendent sprinklers now have an FM Approved shield for in-rack storage applications to help ensure proper function when used in combination with ceiling protection,” said Don Ricca, global Product Director, Johnson Controls. “The shields provide a dry atmosphere allowing sprinkler elements to operate as designed, even when surrounded by falling water from sprinklers mounted higher in the rack or on the ceiling.” ES-1 and ES-2 sprinkler shields The sprinkler shields are designed for use with Tyco Model ESFR pendent sprinklers. The ES-1 Shield is designed for a thread size of 3/4-inch and works with ESFR-14 and ESFR-17 sprinklers. The ES-2 Shield is designed for a thread size of 1-inch and works with ESFR-22 and ESFR-25 sprinklers. Tyco ES-1 and ES-2 Sprinkler Shields are available zinc-coated or painted red, allowing for aesthetics that meet the needs of the operational space in which they are installed. The new Tyco Sprinkler Shields complement a full line of Johnson Controls fire suppression products. Together, they help serve the Johnson Controls mission of reimagining building performance to serve healthy people, healthy places, and a healthy planet.   Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Inspect Point investment from Mainsail Partners

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Inspect Point, a company that offers cloud-based business management software for the fire inspection industry, has announced a US$ 28 million investment from Mainsail Partners, a growth equity firm that invests exclusively in fast-growing, bootstrapped software companies. Inspect Point, end-to-end business solutions Founded in 2014, Inspect Point is an end-to-end business solutions provider that strives to enable fire inspection companies to operate more efficiently, by supporting the full spectrum of core business functions, from completing inspections to documenting deficiencies, creating service proposals and work orders, generating compliance reports, scheduling and dispatching technicians, communicating with customers and reviewing dashboards. Utilising capital invested by Mainsail Partners, Inspect Point intends to invest further in its product, in order to deliver more solutions to address common industry challenges. Fire inspection technicians often struggle with the always growing set of compliance codes, which can vary by type of equipment, jurisdiction and parameters, set by local fire marshals. Inspect Point aims to help technicians understand these targets, identify deficiencies more quickly and drive high-margin service revenue more effectively. Under the leadership of Inspect Point’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Co-Founder, Padraic Doyle, the company has built a comprehensive business management suite for fire inspection companies. He said, “We believe we have grown considerably in a relatively short time and we’ve achieved this level of success without any outside capital, which we believe is a testament to the strength of our core product. Enabling software companies to grow Padraic Doyle added, “When considering a partner, we were committed to finding someone who respected our roots and culture, and also has experience helping software companies get to the next level of growth. We find that Mainsail Partners fits that profile.” “We are excited to work with the great team at Inspect Point,” said David Farsai, a Partner at Mainsail Partners, adding “They have clearly built a robust product with staying power that we believe is well positioned in an attractive market. We look forward to lending our experience and resources to help the company scale.” Vast experience in fire & life safety industry Inspect Point’s Vice President of Strategy, Drew Slocum, is experienced in the fire & life safety industry, which has seen a recent influx of capital and innovation. “As fire protection becomes even more of a priority, we continue to see more companies spring up to support it,” said Drew Slocum, who serves on multiple fire industry associations and hosts The Fire Protection podcast. Products cover the full cycle of fire protection work Drew Slocum added, “While many of these products are launched as either general field service management or point solutions for inspection, Inspect Point’s product covers the full cycle of fire protection work. He said, “We believe the timing is perfect to partner with Mainsail, so we can capitalise on the industry’s momentum while we make efforts to broaden our customer base and increase the value of our product.”   Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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The importance of fire safety signage

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Coopers discusses the importance of fire safety signage in a commercial building. While users may not notice fire safety signs immediately as they enter a building, they are an essential factor in every commercial building. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 legislation, it states that commercial properties must present several particular signs depending on the size of the property. It’s important to have the correct knowledge of fire safety signage to ensure everyone in the building remains safe in the event of a fire. Coopers Fire explains the different types of fire safety signage and their meanings below. Fire safety signage provides reassurance to evacuees in an emergency. A guided route supported by the use of signs can help assist those who may be unfamiliar with the building to escape as safely and efficiently as possible. Fire assembly points Establishing a fire assembly point is crucial so that there is a dedicated location for staff and visitors to come together in a designated safe area. The premise of a fire assembly point sign is to point out where the chosen area is so everyone is aware. The location must be accessible for those with mobility issues and should be outside the building, away from any dangerous points or flammable materials. Fire exit signs Fire exit signs are required in larger buildings where the exit may not be obvious. This sign needs to refer to the nearest escape point, helping guide those who are not familiar with the building. The safety of visitors is just as important as the safety of building occupants. Fire equipment signs Fire equipment signs take a more detailed approach. For example, a fire extinguisher sign will require details of which class of fire they are designed to extinguish, and how to operate them in the event of a fire. A fire alarm sign is needed to notify where the alarm is located. Other equipment signs, such as hoses and fire blankets, are only required if the building has said equipment on site. All signs must be located alongside the equipment itself to ensure that users have the relevant instructions on how to operate the equipment. Fire action notices go hand-in-hand with fire alarm signs because they will alert all occupants of the fire procedure to follow after the alarm is activated. Fire action notice A fire action notice is arguably the most essential of all fire safety signs as it is a mandatory requirement in every commercial property. Fire action notices break down the actions needed to take in the event of a fire. Instructions usually include: Sound the closest fire alarm Alert the fire brigade Evacuate the premises Find the mutual assembly point outside Guidance on what not to do (Return to the building before instruction, gather personal belongings)   Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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FIA: Covid’s impact on fire safety risk management

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The effect of an unpredictable Covid driven timeline of lockdowns, alternating with easements of restrictions, has placed a massive burden of responsibility on  over the past two years, requiring constant vigilance from those charged with safeguarding the public. Arson and high-rise fires We also learn that during pandemics “criminals take advantage of behavioural changes” and resultant “limited social contact”, a trend confirmed when we examine latest figures for Arson attacks during the Covid years, which show a 2% rise in fire-setting incidents against the previous recorded year. However, the ONS figures are qualified by the reservation that the “incidence of many types of crime… has generally been followed by a return towards previous incidence levels once lockdowns ended.” As it is, the scale of property at risk by fire is underlined by the rise in the latest fire insurance claims – a national upturn of over 7% – reported by ABI. At the same time, a new research England report draws attention to troubling new data – fresh insights into fire hazards in multi-storey high-rise apartment blocks that reveal “…flat dwellers are exposed to a much greater probability of their building experiencing a fire than those living in other dwelling types and are more than twice as likely to die and just under twice as likely to be injured in a fire.” Arson… learning lessons Only a month ago eight people, including children, were rescued after a fire, understood to have been started deliberately, broke out at a 13-storey block of flats. A pushchair and other items on a staircase were set alight on the 10th floor lobby, the fire service reported, and could have spread to nearby flats. Several residents were led to safety by firefighters who used smoke hoods to protect them. This recent case, which could have had fatal consequences, reminds us of warnings by high-rise residents addressed to Tenant Management teams identifying failures to deal rigorously with health and safety issues such as abandoned – possibly combustible – “bulk waste” accumulating in communal areas or the absence of signage when temporary fire exits are in use due to Improvement Works. Clearly in the midst of the pandemic there has been a temptation to have lockdown “clear-outs” of unwanted items – whether heaped in the communal areas of residential buildings or in the walkways of the workplace – comprising combustible materials that invite arson opportunists or even compromise your premises’ means of escape… fire doors. Such negligence could amount to another tragedy waiting to happen.   Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Kidde Fire Protection joins Euralarm

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Following a decision of its Board, Euralarm has welcomed its newest member Kidde Fire Protection. The company will join the Extinguishing Section of Euralarm. The section monitors the technical and political trends and takes action to guide, influence their development and improve them. The section collaborates with a diverse number of stakeholders in Europe on finding solutions for today’s challenges as well as tomorrow’s challenges for fire safety in a digitised world. Companies joining Euralarm get a unique insight into what is happening on other European markets and the opportunities that they might offer. They not only tap into the political expertise and understanding of the EU policy but can also make personal connections with technical and political experts and potential business partners. Being a member of Euralarm enables companies and associations to gain expertise on standardisation. Members have their voice heard in Brussels and can support and direct standardisation and legislative processes. Kidde Fire Protection will now benefit from Euralarm’s services in terms of representation towards European Institutions and Standardisation Organisations. This includes the monitoring of legislative and standardisation issues relevant to the Industry. Kidde will have access to the extended network of national associations and major companies in the electronic fire safety and security sectors, which form Euralarm’s membership. Kidde Fire Protection Kidde Fire Protection, headquartered in the UK, is a provider in Clean Agent & Inert Gas fire suppression systems for special fire hazards, serving industries such as marine/offshore, oil and gas, commercial cooking, manufacturing & industrial, power-gen and data centres since 1917. Kidde Fire Protection is part of Carrier a provider of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems, building controls and automation, and fire and security systems leading to safer, smarter, sustainable and high-performance buildings. Euralarm represents the European electronic fire and security industry, providing leadership and expertise for industry, market, policy makers and standards bodies. Their members make society safer and secure through systems and services for fire detection, intrusion detection, access control, video monitoring, alarm transmission and alarm receiving centres. Founded in 1970, Euralarm represents over 5000 companies within the fire safety and security industry valued at 67 billion Euros. Euralarm members are national associations and individual companies from across Europe.   Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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