University installs first-class fire protection

The University of Edinburgh, one of the UK’s most prestigious educational establishments with a history stretching back to 1582, is now protected by industry-leading intelligent fire panels from Advanced

Edinburgh is the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world, with the Old College building being opened in the early 19th century as a school for anatomy and surgery. The original campus was expanded in the 1880s with the addition of the New College, and the university now occupies six sites throughout Edinburgh.

The new fire system installed at the main campus by long-term Advanced partner FMS Fire and Security Limited, covers the entire university campus. It compromises of multi-loop Advanced MxPro 4 and MxPro 5 panels, connected using fault-tolerant network cards.

Dominic Rea, Director for FMS Fire and Security, said: “The new panels installed at the University of Edinburgh are the latest in a long line of installations we have undertaken throughout the university Campus, all using MxPro components. The Advanced panels installed are not only flexible and reliable but are also compatible with the existing systems already installed.”

MxPro is the industry’s leading multiprotocol panel and offers customers a choice of two panel ranges, four detector protocols and a completely open installer network that enjoys free training and support.

Ronald Kerr, spokesperson for the University of Edinburgh, commented: “The safety of our staff and students is paramount and they are now protected by the best fire panels on the market. The university has been shaping history since it welcomed its first students in 1583 and has played a large part in the scientific and literary development of Scotland. Our buildings are a big part of that history and, thanks to Advanced, they will be protected for many years to come.”

MxPro 5 offers high performance fire detection and alarm control across multi-panel networks and multiple sites. MxPro 5 panels are EN54 parts 2, 4 and 13 approved. They can be used in single loop, single panel format or easily configured into high speed, 200-panel networks covering huge areas. Advanced’s legendary ease of installation and configuration make MxPro customisable to almost any application and the panel is fully compatible with MxPro 4.

Neil Parkin, Advanced Sales Manager for the North, said: “The University of Edinburgh is the latest in a long line of educational establishments protected by Advanced panels, including Sheffield University, Herriot Watt University and a number of leading independent schools. Our MxPro range offers the performance and reliability required by a site such as the University campus and the system is flexible enough to be expanded and upgraded as technology evolves.”

Advanced is a world leader in the development and manufacture of intelligent fire systems. The legendary performance, quality and ease-of-use of its products sees Advanced specified in locations all over the world, from single panel installations to large multi-site networks. Advanced’s products include complete fire detection systems, multi-protocol fire panels, extinguishing control, fire paging and false alarm management systems.

More details can be found on the website at: www.advancedco.com

Affordable thermal imaging camera

FLIR report on its most affordable thermal imaging camera for first responders – the FLIR K1 – giving first responders the power to see heat in total darkness and through smoke

The new FLIR K1 handheld thermal imaging camera is available for purchase in EMEA, FLIR’s most affordable camera for first responder officers and fire investigators. The FLIR K1 detects heat and provides visibility through smoke and in total darkness to enhance situational awareness for use in wildland fire control, search and rescue missions, structure damage evaluation, and investigative work.

“FLIR is committed to providing first responders with lifesaving technology and solutions that help them keep their communities safe,” said Jim Cannon, President and CEO of FLIR Systems. “At a more affordable price, the FLIR K1 will allow more emergency service professionals to adopt the power of thermal imaging and ensure a safer mission.”

The dual sensor FLIR K1 is powered by the FLIR Lepton® thermal microcamera, FLIR’s smallest and lowest cost thermal camera core. The K1 uses FLIR’s patented MSX® technology, which extracts high-contrast details from the images taken by an onboard visible light camera and superimposes them onto the thermal images. The FLIR K1 simultaneously captures thermal and visible images of a scene and stores up to 10,000 image sets to create post-scene reports, analysis and evidence.

A pistol grip design allows users to view the scene from their line of sight for improved safety and situational awareness. The spot thermometer easily identifies unseen hot and cold spots for instant troubleshooting. The FLIR K1 carries an IP67 rating for water resistance, heat resistance up to 115°C, and can withstand a 2-metre drop onto concrete. An integrated, rechargeable battery lasts up to five hours on a single charge, and it also includes a 300-lumen flashlight that lends additional visibility of a scene.

To learn more about the FLIR K1 visit www.FLIR.com/K1

PPE supplier appoints a new business development manager

Hainsworth Technology reports on appointing Lesley Routh-Jones as its new business development manager

Lesley Routh-Jones has worked within the fire sector for over 15 years and is highly respected by her vast network of business associates, both in the UK and throughout the world. She is an experienced business development manager and Vice Chair to the FIA FIRESA.

She is also experienced in research and development, brand awareness, the organisation of events, corporate functions and charity work.

The appointment follows a successful 12 months for Hainsworth, having scored a number of contract successes since being selected to be part of the prestigious Collaborative Procurement Framework in June 2018.

Tom Hainsworth, Director of Hainsworth Technology, said: “With Lesley’s appointment we will be able to draw on her research skills and energetic approach to the commercial challenges faced by suppliers to the emergency service sector.”

Lesley Routh-Jones said: “Through my extensive engagement with the Fire and Rescue Service and my involvement within the recuperation side of The Fire Fighters Charity, I greatly appreciate that firefighters require the best possible PPE to be as safe as possible when encountering the dangers they are exposed to whilst attending incidents.

“I am delighted to be joining Hainsworth Technology and to be working with the business’s vastly experienced Protectives Team. The company has a fantastic reputation and I look forward to taking its industry-leading products into new and existing markets. I am proud to be part of a company with such a distinguished history.”

In addition to Tom Hainsworth, Lesley will also work closely with Colin Whittaker, Global Sales Manager, and Richard Gorst, Consultant for Hainsworth Technology.

For further details on Hainsworth Technology and its products visit: www.hainsworthtechnology.co.uk

 

 

Protection from the ‘silent killer’

In a step to provide greater protection from ‘silent killer’ carbon monoxide (CO), ABB reports on becoming the first company to integrate CO detectors into its home automation system

To provide a holistic fire protection solution, ABB has launched its new Alarm-Stick, which integrates ABB’s smoke, heat and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors into ABB-free@home®.

Providing ultimate security and control, both in the home and remotely, the solution, which consists of USB stick and the new detectors, has been designed to take fire protection to the next level. Thanks to the CO detectors, the system is not only suitable for residential homes, but for any location where carbon monoxide can be produced, for example, fire places, chimneys and waste gases.

Oliver Iltisberger, Managing Director of ABB’s Smart Buildings business, explained: “We know that protecting people and property from fire and Carbon Monoxide is a major concern for homeowners. That’s why we’ve used our knowledge of smart home solutions to create the first solution on the market to integrate CO detectors that will ultimately provide greater piece of mind for end users.”

The new Alarm-Stick connects to the ABB-free@home® System Access Point via USB and communicates wirelessly to the detectors, utilising the VdS 3515 certified detector protocol, making the integration process extremely easy. Connected via the Alarm-Stick and configured via ABB-free@home, the complete system of smoke, heat and CO detectors can operate autonomously.

The solution is so comprehensive that when a fire alarm goes off, all detectors in the property will sound and a push notification will be automatically sent to the owner’s mobile phone, informing them whether the alarm has been caused by fire or carbon monoxide.

It will also show which room the incident was detected in, so that measures can be taken to prevent further damage or risk to life. The Alarm-Stick provides additional fire protection measures, including the option to switch on all the lights or open the blinds.

“ABB has been at the forefront of accelerating progress in smart home technology for decades, with more than five million installed components of our connected ABB-free@home® automation systems in over 40 countries worldwide. The launch of our new Alarm-Stick takes home and people protection to the next level, providing greater peace of mind for residents, especially from the silent threat of CO poisoning,” added Iltisberger.