Products & Apps

New Technology

Fire detection management

A software solution that provides building managers with full control over fire detection and monitoring will be launched this autumn.

The Ockular software system by Kentec has been designed for use in complex buildings and enables the creation of a site map to monitor fire safety and detection and quickly locate the source of a fire. Suitable for medium to large systems, it automatically highlights a fire device activation in a particular area to enable immediate viewing and investigation.

The software provides an additional layer of detail to fire protection systems through a graphical representation of the building and its detection devices. “A control panel will tell you there is a fire and give you a location message, but if it is a complex building, such as a heritage building, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact location of the activation,” explained Kevin Mears from Kentec. “What Ockular does is provide a floorplan and highlight both the room and detector. It’s a management tool for the fire system.” Ockular was developed for use in medium to large infrastructure with complex layouts such as shopping centres, railway stations and even stately homes.

Ockular is fully configurable on site using an administrator login and a separate application that interfaces with the existing fire system(s) via an IP connection. It supports dual screens allowing for a dedicated screen for the 2D graphic map and a separate screen for system management and configuration error reports. This ensures that the system is maintained and updated whenever the panel configuration is revised.

System features include programmable macro buttons for panel control operations and map navigation; the ability to enable or disable devices in a particular area via the graphical interface; and event reporting and log filtering with an automatic archive facility. It will also display the relevant emergency assembly and fire control points.

“Using the event filter, you can review data specific to incident type, location, or time frame, and carry out basic diagnostics by checking the health status of individual detectors,” added Mears. “Each detector has an analogue value, which is a representation of how much smoke it can sense. This information can be pulled from the graphics to allow you to identify detectors that are not functioning properly and take corrective action.” An intuitive interface enables system users to import image files of the building’s floorplan, as well as drag and drop detector information from the existing fire system.

Kentec can provide training to system users and the system is available worldwide.

Gas and smoke detection combined

Gas detection capability has been added by Patol to the Securiton range of aspirating smoke detection.

The new detection capability has been achieved by attaching a wall-mounted gas monitor housed in a Perspex enclosure to the pipework of the aspirating system.

Air that is drawn from the pipework by the ASD system pump then passes through the gas monitor before entering the ASD chamber.

The monitor checks for the presence of toxic or flammable gases such as carbon monoxide, oxygen or hydrogen in a single unit that combines a transmitter and a controller. The monitor features pluggable smart sensors and a large LCD display for ease of reading, and the alarm is triggered if the gas

concentration reaches a pre-set threshold. The system features a two-stage alarm, with the alarm LED simultaneously activating the alarm relay of the ASD system.

The system also includes a menu-assisted configuration where calibration is accessed from just three keys, with an Autocal feature that automatically adjusts the measurement signal of the test gas during calibration. A large display continuously provides information relating to the gas concentration levels and the operation status.

The integrated solution was a joint effort by Patol with gas detection specialist GFG.

Evacuation controlled

A highly flexible public address and voice alarm system has been developed that can be customised for buildings of any size or type.

The Cerberus Pace (public address and controlled evacuation) system is modular and scalable and offers a full range of components, including control panels, call stations, digital audio matrix, and network switches. Made by Siemens Building Technologies, it can be used in any location where narrow escape routes might require a phased evacuation.

Pre-recorded evacuation messages can be initiated by the fire detection system, manually or by other emergency systems. Emergency responders can also make live announcements through a fire brigade call station to the entire building or selected zones.

The system can be connected to any fire detection system from Siemens or a third-party system that has a compatible I/O interface. It accommodates legacy speaker line structures through the use of smart end-of-line modules.

Cerberus Pace is fully compliant with EN 54-16 and European local codes. It can cover all redundancy levels from individual backup components to complete double structures. Moreover, the network can be made redundant by expanding the EN 54-16 standard single-loop topology to a double-loop or double-tree topology, or combinations thereof. In case of short circuits, 100V-loop isolators keep the speaker line functional and end-of-line modules report any malfunctions.

For public address system announcements, advertisements or background music, the system offers high-quality sound and low audio latency. The voice alarm overrides these applications in an emergency.

Cerberus Pace comes with dedicated configuration software. It can be configured while live and controlled via remote access for maintenance and public address applications.

Pulsing fast

A range of visual alarm devices and visual indicating devices designed to improve the functioning of fire detection systems and speed up evacuation responses in a real-fire event has been launched by Johnson Controls.

The company used the findings of independent research into the effect of light patterns on triggering human reactions to inform the design and functionality of the range. As a result, the visual alarm devices flash at a pulse width of less than 20 milliseconds when activated, which has been shown to be more effective for alerting people to an emergency.

The devices also use Johnson’s self-testing technology, which the company says enables real light and sound output levels to be checked and recorded in a fraction of a second for each device. The test data is sent to the

fire control panel to highlight any problems, speeding up testing and maintenance tasks for facility managers, avoiding disruption to occupants and reducing desensitisation of a genuine activation.

The devices can be used across a range of environments and project sizes, and thanks to their low power consumption, more sounders, VIDS and VADs can be accommodated on a single loop, making the system more cost effective and energy efficient.

Cost-effective gas detection

A new modular gas detection system enables businesses to tailor detection functionality to their project requirements and reduce costs by eliminating features that are not needed.

Silversafe 500 is ATEX-approved and is designed for use in the oil and gas and petrochemical industries.

The system from Silvertec can be adapted to meet the specific parameters of gas detection systems by the addition or removal of functions and features.

Module options include display, communication, and output such as 4-20mA and relay contact. Since all these options are not required in every system, they can be removed as necessary, reducing the overall cost of the system.

Sprinkling of solutions

Early suppression fast response pendant sprinklers have been added to the Tyco range of storage sprinklers.

The sprinklers are designed primarily for ceiling-only protection of most encapsulated and non-encapsulated common materials, including cartoned and exposed unexpanded plastics, and some storage arrangements of rubbers tyres, roll paper, flammable liquids, and aerosols.

Compliant with NFPA and FM Global installation standards, the ESFR-22

sprinklers can be used in storage facilities with a ceiling height of up to 45ft (13.7m) and a storage arrangement of up to 40ft (12m) without requiring in-rack sprinklers. The system has a maximum deflector-to-ceiling distance of 18 inches (45.7cm).

Also new from Johnson Controls in the Tyco sprinkler portfolio are the TY-B and TY-FRB series poly-stainless sprinklers for commercial applications where there is a risk of corrosive conditions.

The TY-B and TY-FRB have heat-sensitive glass bulbs rated standard and quick response respectively. These bulbs contain fluid that expands when exposed to heat, shattering the glass bulb when the rated temperature is reached and activating the sprinkler system.

The sprinklers come in upright and pendant or horizontal sidewall versions. The upright and pendant applications provide standard coverage spray and are available with a K-factor of either 5.6 or 8. The horizontal sidewall sprinklers are designed for installation along a wall or the side of a beam and beneath a smooth ceiling, usually when piping across ceilings is not possible or desirable.

While the sprinklers have passed standard corrosion tests, Johnson says that this testing does not cover all possible corrosive atmospheres, which may be affected by a range of factors such as ambient temperature, the concentration of chemicals and their corrosive nature, and the gas/chemical velocity; all of which should be considered prior to installation.

Looking good, performing better A new generation of outershell fabrics for fire-fighter turnout gear has been developed by aramid fibre producer Kermel.

The two new fabrics, Kermel KTS 210 and Kermel GM 10, have been engineered to provide improved performance and a higher quality appearance. Kermel is a high-performance aramid fibre that doesn’t melt, shrink or burn when exposed to heat and flame.

The integration of a para-aramid fibre into a micro-ripstop grid in and a specific weave structure gives Kermal KTS 210 its high mechanical performance. It also offers better breathability thanks to an optimum fabric weight that allows for increased sweat removal. Finally, use of long-staple Kermel fires and a smooth surface provide increased durability and abrasion resistance. Solution-dyed fibres preserve a garment’s original colour even after multiple washes.

Kermel GM 10, meanwhile, is a doublesided outer fabric with an integrated para-aramid fibre structure on the hidden face that the company says makes it virtually tearproof. Dope-dyeing and long-staple fibres give the fabric a high-quality appearance and superior colour retention, while the combination of the double-sided structure, fine Kermel yarns in the outer layer, and the para-aramid hidden layer result in improved thermal protection and durability.

Both new fabrics comply with the requirements of EN469.

Atex-approved beacons and horns

The D2x range of beacons and combined alarm horn/beacon units from E2S Warning Signals has been certified for use in public fire systems in hazardous locations.

Compliant to UL464 and UL1638/ UL1971, the beacons enable automatic fire detection systems to be extended into hazardous locations, and all versions automatically synchronise multiple beacons on the same circuit to

reduce system cost and installation time.

The range includes the D2x1BLD2-H, which uses high-power Cree LEDs to optimise visibility in any direction. The D2xB1XH1 5-joule and D2xB1XH2 10-joule Xenon strobe beacons provide low inrush and operating currents to optimise cable selection and reduce power requirements. Meanwhile, the D2xC2LD2-H combination unit offers complete audio-visual notification with a sound output of up to 116dB(A), 64 alarm-tone frequencies, and four remotely selectable stages/channels for safe signalling for multiple scenarios from one device.

The D2x units are approved to UL/cUL for Class I Div 2, Class II Div 2, Class I Zone 2/22 and IECEx and Atex Zone 2 and 22. The products are housed in marine-grade aluminium enclosures with ingress protection of IP66, NEMA Type 4 and 4X.

Not just an ID badge

A lone-worker device has been introduced with the ability to stream video during a live red alert.

Weighing just 103g, it is designed as an ID badge holder and can be incorporated into clothing. In combination with event audio, the video functionality provides operators with a full picture of an event and speeds up incident response.

The ID Pro by Solo Protect also offers the ability to receive geographicallytriggered risk messaging using the indoor-location capability powered by Bluetooth and wifi.

The device is a low-end privacy impacting body-worn video product because of its user-defined recording deployment, which is based primarily on a threat within the lone worker’s personal space. In addition, management and storage of video data is handled by Solo Protect. The company only supplies clients with video relating to genuine red alerts and redacts, stores, and deletes video data in line with data privacy requirements.

To improve the location of lone workers indoors, the device uses Bluetooth beacons and is enabled with wifi sniffing.