Fire Safety

From 25 to 28 September 2018, Security Essen at Messe Essen will be the meeting place for the international security and fire protection industry. According to the current Cyber Security Report of the consulting company Deloitte, 83 percent of the surveyed companies report at least one attack per month on their company. In half of these companies there is even a daily alarm - with a total annual damage sum of around 13 billion euros. That's why Security Essen is setting standards with a targeted focus on digital security. In the new Cyber Security Conference, experts will pass on their knowledge about this ever more pressing challenge. On all four days of the fair, the Cyber Security Conference will offer listeners concrete knowledge transferable to their own companies about the current challenges and potential of Cyber Security. The programme opens and closes on September 25 and 28 with the main topic ‘Opportunities and Risks of Cyber Security’. On September 26, discussions and lectures will follow on the topic of ‘Entry, admission, access: Identification options’. The portfolio will be rounded off by a further topic for the future: Thursday, September 27, will be dedicated to smart homes and will focus on ‘Connected building, security in the buildings of the future’. Expert discussion on cyber security Dr. Timo Kasper from Kasper & Oswald analyses the dangers in the area of radio, RFID and access systems and presents the necessary defence mechanisms Among the top-class speakers will be Arne Schönbohm, President of the Federal Office for Information Security, who will talk about cyber security as a challenge for politics, business and society. Tilman Frosch from G DATA Advanced Analytics will talk about the defence of medium-sized IT infrastructures. Dr. Timo Kasper from Kasper & Oswald analyses the dangers in the area of radio, RFID and access systems and presents the necessary defence mechanisms. With Brian Niehöfer, an employee of TÜV Informationstechnik (TÜViT) talks about the IT security of smart meter gateways. The focus of the lecture by Oliver Woll and Jörg Schulz from VZM will be on securing the availability of IT infrastructures. Conference for educating visitors The conference will flank Security Essen's even stronger orientation towards digital security. For the first time there will be a separate exhibition hall for this area, prominently located directly at the new East Entrance. The Cyber Security Conference will also take place there. "This will give trade visitors and exhibitors the opportunity to obtain information close to the fair and right in the middle of the action. After all, the conference should bring them the best possible benefit. It is important to us that the presentations are user-related and that the audience receives valuable suggestions," explains Julia Jacob, Project Manager of the Security Essen. The fair organises the conference in cooperation with the BHE Federal Association of Security Technology and with the technical support of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI).

Dycon Power Solutions Ltd, the Wales-based developer and manufacturer of advanced-technology, high-reliability power products is pleased to announce the promotion of Paul King to the position of General Manager. Paul now assumes day-to-day control of both the commercial and manufacturing functions of the business. Opening new markets Paul, who joined the company in 2017 as Business Development Manager, has had a successful career in the technical, sales and commercial aspects of both the security and fire sectors having worked for some of the industry’s manufacturers and distributors. This career includes several years developing export sales and opening new markets for power products and his skills in this area are helping Dycon Power Solutions develop new markets for the company’s exciting new products.

ASSA ABLOY the global provider of door opening solutions, has issued its whitepaper in response to Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, following the Grenfell Tower incident of 2017. The whitepaper summarises practical recommendations derived from the key points made within the Independent Review and advises ways in which the industry can work together towards best practice. Fire door installation solutions Compartmentation has been highlighted as a key reason for the failures at Grenfell. Fire doors intended to stop and slow down the spread of fire were not performing as designed, due to failures in hardware specification and lack of fire door inspections. The paper also highlights the importance of not only ensuring that third-party certification for fire door products is in place and specifications are fit for purpose, but also ensuring that they are installed correctly and maintained. We believe we need to work collectively to create a cohesive industry that puts fire safety at the forefront of building design" Fire door safety Tina Hughan, Marketing Director for ASSA ABLOY UK, said: “Our latest whitepaper has been issued to reflect on the findings of the Hackitt Review and make recommendations based on ASSA ABLOY’s many years’ of experience within the fire door industry.”  “We believe we need to work collectively to create a cohesive industry that puts fire safety at the forefront of building design, construction and maintenance, and this paper suggests ways in which manufacturers, architects, specifiers, contractors, facility managers and end users can come together to ensure that thorough due diligence is carried out at each and every stage of a project where fire doors are involved.” In addition to the whitepaper, ASSA ABLOY UK will host its annual fire door safety event in partnership with West Midlands Fire Service on Thursday 27th September, to support Fire Door Safety Week 2018 in raising the bar of fire door standards.  

Napco Security Technologies, Inc. is pleased to announce that its award-winning FireLink Integrated 8 to 32Pt Fire Alarm Control Panel is now available in an LTE sole path model, FL-32FACP-LTEVS, Connected by Verizon LTE Service. FireLink, and all StarLink LTE’s offer the longest available cellular lifespan, over 10+ years, and the Verizon LTE (Long Term Evolution) CAT 1 service Napco uses is the most extensively-deployed LTE Network nationwide – all for the best, most reliable coast-to-coast coverage. Plus, their unique Signal Boost and twin dual diversity, precision LTE antennae design, ensures greater range & reliability, maximising signal acquisition and null-avoidance, for proven StarLink performance, even in fringe areas. Lowest equipment cost Chosen ESX 2018 Innovation Award Winner, for Fire Systems, at this year’s ESX Expo in Nashville, TN, the FireLink Integrated 8 to 32Pt Fire Alarm Control Panel with StarLink Fire Communicator and annunciator onboard, offers the lowest equipment cost available and fastest installation for any system of its kind, saving dealers both time and money, while offering new RMR for fire. FireLink starts as a pre-programmed 8 conventional point FACP all-in-one solution, with integral menu-driven LCD annunciator, and communications powered by proven StarLink Fire cellular reporting inside. (The popular $100 StarLink Free for All Tradeup credit promo. is also applicable to FireLink purchases.) Custom programmable &/or expandable up to 32 points using any combination of conventional, addressable and wireless devices, the NFPA 72/UL code-compliant FireLink also features a built-in horn/strobe sync module and 4A power supply.

Honeywell, a pioneer in Connected Buildings, announced its advanced smoke detection technology – capable of detecting and reporting smoke at its inception, before a fire develops – can now integrate with some of the most widely used fire panels in commercial buildings without the need for additional hardware or wiring. Combining Intelligent VESDA-E detection technology with NOTIFIER and Gamewell-FCI fire systems allows owners and operators to easily upgrade Connected Buildings to improve occupant safety. “The true measure of innovative technology in this industry is the ability to keep people safe faster and smarter, and VESDA has proven itself in this area for decades,” said Samir Jain, general manager at Honeywell Fire Americas. “Combining this advanced detection technology with proven legacy brands like NOTIFIER and Gamewell-FCI shows exactly what a smart building fire detection system looks like.” Prior notification about potential fire The Intelligent VESDA-E detector resides on the Signaling Line Circuit (SLC) loop of a fire panel and directly communicates with NOTIFIER and Gamewell-FCI fire systems. Unlike traditional spot detectors, VESDA-E’s patented technology actively draws in air from the environment and can notify building staff to potential fires before they develop. The VESDA portfolio is the most widely used advanced smoke detection technology in telecommunications and data centre applications The technology is ideal when very early warning of a potential fire is needed and for highly secure environments where routine maintenance and servicing would disrupt daily operations. The VESDA portfolio, which Honeywell acquired from Xtralis in 2016, is the most widely used advanced smoke detection technology in telecommunications and data centre applications. It also is increasingly used in the healthcare, education, retail, logistics and transportation industries. Improving safety of building occupants From advanced fire protection solutions to smarter security capabilities, Honeywell helps owners and operators leverage building connectivity to simplify management of increasingly complex building environments and improve occupants’ safety. Honeywell’s portfolio consists of the most-trusted and best-known brands in the security and fire safety industries; each designed to be easy to use, install and maintain – even in the most demanding and critical environments. Being among the most widely used fire panels in commercial buildings, NOTIFIER and Gamewell-FCI customers can now maximise their protection capabilities with Intelligent VESDA-E technology.

ASSA ABLOY Security Solutions, the global provider of door opening solutions, is encouraging stockists, specifiers, installers and end-users to take advantage of its Cam-Motion door closers. Launched over 15 years ago as the first and still the only totally universal and unhanded Cam door closer solution, ASSA ABLOY’s Cam-Motion door closers offer pure simplicity for installers and end users alike. Its innovative Cam profile provides a unique unhanded and universal installation, and allows pull and push mounting from the same unit. This profile also produces efficiencies and user-friendly opening forces to create an advanced door closer solution. Universal Cam system The Universal Cam system was invented by ASSA ABLOY, and highlights the company’s reputation as a provider of adaptable door control solutionsFurthermore, ASSA ABLOY’s Cam-Motion door closers can be specified for, or installed in any of four fixing applications – on door or head mount for both push and pull applications. This Universal Cam system was invented by ASSA ABLOY, and further highlights the company’s reputation as a provider of innovative, comprehensive, and adaptable door control solutions that are easy to install. Thanks to the removable and height-adjustable spindle, offered as standard on all ASSA ABLOY door closers, initial installation is quicker and less expensive, making it easier to achieve optimum results. This is because the innovative spindle design offers more room to manoeuvre and can be easily re-positioned to provide the correct spring pre-load. The design also reduces the need for secondary installation work, such as cutting out architraves to allow guide rail installation. Such versatility can be further amplified with a range of supporting accessories such as mounting plates, hold-open devices and dampers to create bespoke door control solutions. Innovative door control solutions Another factor which sets ASSA ABLOY door control devices apart, is the ease in which they can be adapted to suit changes in building function and design. It is very easy to upgrade power sizes, functionality and technologies across the whole range. This is because all core models in the Rack and Pinion and Cam-Motion portfolio, including the DC200, DC300, DC500 and DC700, share identical mounting positions, fixing centres and positioning from the hinge. Cam-Motion devices balance excellent performance and quality with outstanding ease-of-use"All Cam-Motion models include adjustable backcheck as standard, helping doors avoid damage from colliding with walls or fixed items when opened fully. They also require only three valves to achieve perfect performance, with a two-stage latching action as standard via the singular latch valve. Simple installation process David Hindle, Head of Door Closer Sales at ASSA ABLOY, explains: “As the inventors of the first Universal Cam door closer solution, we’re proud of our extensive product portfolio. Our Cam-Motion range stands out against competitor models as it has always been both unhanded and universal, offering four different fitting applications in a single unit.” “Additionally, Cam-Motion devices balance excellent performance and quality with outstanding ease-of-use. Because installation is simpler and easier, users can quickly enjoy the benefits of an attractive, discrete product that is fully compliant with fire regulations and durable to over half a million cycles.”

International logistics giant DB Schenker has set benchmarks with its new headquarters in Essen. On 30,000 m² of floor space, the new building offers not only ideal working conditions, but it also features an impressive holistic building, safety and security technology concept from Siemens. All disciplines – room automation, access control, fire and intrusion detection, and video surveillance – are integrated in one central building management platform. Architecturally speaking, the Ruhr region metropolis of Essen continues to reinvent itself. One recent example is the new corporate headquarters of DB Schenker, a leading international logistics provider. In the spring of 2016, the company moved into a new eight-story office building located just a few steps from the city’s main train station. It has 30,000 m2 of floor space for 900 employees. DB Schenker has dubbed the X-shaped, fully gazed structure The Grid. From here, the Deutsche Bahn AG subsidiary manages its logistics network of 700,000 customers worldwide. Desigo room automation controllers With just a glance at the screen, operators can check the status of all the systems, devices and alarm management components – in each of the 431 rooms For its new corporate headquarters, DB Schenker wanted building technology from a single source. The building owners chose the Desigo building automation system from Siemens, a seamlessly integrated solution covering the entire range of building automation – from the field level to room automation to the management level. In addition, the Desigo solution can be adapted to new requirements at any time. The dimensions alone made the job extremely demanding. The system includes 560 Desigo room automation controllers, a DALI lighting control system, shading control for 2,000 blinds, an access control system with 40 Siport readers, a fire detection system with 1,500 detectors, an intrusion detection system with 50 elements, as well as video surveillance equipment. Advanced visualisation of building disciplines All the systems and devices at DB Schenker headquarters are interconnected via the Desigo CC building management platform. All disciplines can be centrally controlled, monitored and optimised from two operator screens. Support for open communication standards also allows the integration of third-party components. Even though DB Schenker uses an escape door control system from a specialised vendor, the doors can be unlocked via Desigo CC. For maintenance, all the fire detectors in an area can be switched off from the control centre, eliminating the need to send technicians to each location Desigo CC offers advanced visualisation of the integrated building disciplines. With just a glance at the screen, operators can check the status of all the systems, devices and alarm management components – in each of the 431 rooms. The setpoints for valve position, room temperature or lighting can be individually adjusted for every single device and room. On-screen graphics are used to control the various disciplines; Desigo CC displays floor plans identifying all the field devices installed in any given room or floor. Auto display of reports and trends This also allows central control of cross-disciplinary scenarios such as an event in a specific room or a fire in a particular area. In addition, cross-disciplinary timer groups can be defined. Alarms are displayed for all disciplines on one overview screen. Reports and trends can be displayed automatically if so desired: PDFs are created and e-mailed based on individual preferences. For maintenance, all the fire detectors in an area can be switched off from the control centre, eliminating the need to send technicians to each location. This saves DB Schenker building services a great deal of time and personnel costs. Adjusting temperature for energy efficiency The individual room controllers are connected to the central control system and can hence be operated centrally as well Every room at DB Schenker headquarters is equipped with integrated room automation controllers, allowing heating, cooling, lighting and shading to be adjusted for maximum energy efficiency. A total of 431 Desigo TRA individual room controllers were installed in offices, conference rooms and open spaces. They are equipped with sensors, but users can adjust the temperature, lighting and shading as desired using the room operator unit in each room. The panel displays a green or red leaf to indicate whether the settings are eco-friendly. Open KNX communication standards make the room operator units freely programmable. For example, the presentation scenario can be programmed from the operator unit in a conference room to simultaneously dim the lights, close the blinds and lower the projector. The individual room controllers are connected to the central control system and can hence be operated centrally as well. KNX standard DALI lighting controller The DALI lighting controller uses the KNX standard as well, making the digital lighting systems efficient and easy to operate. Defective light fixtures are identified immediately so they can be replaced as quickly as possible to avoid repeated complaints. Optional motion sensors for autonomous DALI lighting systems were not installed at The Grid. Instead, they are replaced by occupancy buttons on the room operator units. To save even more energy, weather sensors on the roof of the building control the blinds for optimal incident light. The measures taken to increase the energy efficiency of the building earned DB Schenker a LEED Silver certification Heating, ventilation and air conditioning use approximately 900 data points whose signals converge in seven plant rooms. Siemens supplied and installed the field devices for heating, cooling and ventilation and set up the control cabinets. The measures taken to increase the energy efficiency of the building earned DB Schenker a LEED Silver certification, demonstrating that the logistics provider takes its sustainability strategy seriously. EN 54-compliant FC2080 fire control panel The Siport system controls access to The Grid. 40 readers and 200 door locks with electric rotary knobs (offline cylinders) were installed. At DB Schenker’s request, the access system forwards timestamps to a separate system. The electric locking system secures nearly 300 doors. The fire protection system combines an EN 54-compliant FC2080 fire control panel with 1,500 fire detectors, 900 sounders and 40 loops. This latest and most powerful Siemens fire control panel was selected because of the size of the building. DB Schenker uses multi-protocol detectors that can be tailored to individual room parameters. If the room usage changes, i.e. if the space is converted to a computer or break room, the fire detection system can be adjusted without having to replace the sensors. Intrusion detection, video surveillance and VMS Siemens installed a CIC 2000 intrusion detection system, a SINVR video surveillance system and SiteIQ Analytics video management system Siemens also installed a CIC 2000 intrusion detection system according to VdS standards. 50 elements were integrated, including motion sensors and door monitors. A SINVR video surveillance system with the SiteIQ Analytics video management system rounds out the solution. 30 cameras are interconnected, 24 of them around the building as a virtual fence solution. Any violation of the defined security distance triggers automatic recording. Because the building borders on public streets, the video system uses partial pixelation. In the past, DB Schenker had to outsource building management to specialised vendors. Now Desigo CC gives the in-house building technicians everything they need on a central screen: heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, shading, fire detection and building security. The technicians work independently, although a five-year service contract ensures they can request support at any time. Siemens technicians and experts are available to assist DB Schenker technicians via remote access.

Located in the Northern Italian town of La Spezia, the Biblioteca Civica Pietro Mario Beghi is a state-of-the-art public library with an extensive collection of books and media across three floors. The 1,560-square meter facility with its bright, modern interior architecture was completed in April 2017 in a historic building remodeled by the architect’s firm 5+1AA. It continues the region’s long literary tradition: The harbor town is situated on the “Golfo dei Poeti” (meaning “Poet’s Golf”), named for the many writers and poets who have lauded the coastal area throughout history.   EN 54 fire detection and alarm system standard Aside from a self-service book lending station, a child reading room and a 72-seat auditorium, the Beghi library is also home to the La Spezia Institute for the History of the Resistance and the Contemporary Age. With so many valuable books and original documents under one roof, end-to-end fire protection according to the high demands of the European Union’s EN 54 fire detection and fire alarm system standard – plus demands by the local fire brigade – was a prime requisite from the start. Choosing a fire alarm and evacuation solution for the library in an open tender, the municipality of La Spezia had an open ear when local system integrator Bagnone SNC proposed a comprehensive solution: An interface between a high-end fire alarm system and evacuation system delivered by Bosch as the single provider. Convincing the officials, the Bosch system could be installed discretely without disturbing the library’s upscale interior design. Addressable Fire Panel 1200 Series The comprehensive solution enables automated alarm messages and public addresses over wall-mounted speakers After receiving the contract, Bagnone SNC installed the Addressable Fire Panel 1200 Series from Bosch interfaced via a serial connection with the Plena Voice Alarm System, supporting also multi-stage evacuation. The comprehensive solution enables automated alarm messages and public addresses over wall-mounted speakers from Bosch that match the library’s color palette. The system accurately detects fires via automatic optical fire detectors and three beam smoke detectors strategically placed across the building. Alarms can also be triggered via manual call points, while in the case of an emergency, pre-recorded messages, sounders and strobes direct building occupants to safety. As a result of the interfaced solution, the Biblioteca Civica Pietro Mario Beghi benefits from highly accurate fire detection and efficient evacuation in an aesthetically pleasing package from Bosch as the single provider. “Our expectations have been exceeded in a major way. Everything went as planned from both a technical and a management point of view,” said Claudio Canneti, Technical Public Works Manager, La Spezia Municipality.

Completed in 2017, the Adana Integrated Health Campus is a state-of-the-art hospital complex in Turkey comprising three specialised clinics with a total capacity of 1,550 beds. Located in Adana - the country’s fifth-largest city - the over 318,000 square-meter facility is a public-private partnership project realised in cooperation with the Ministry of Health to serve patient populations from the surrounding Adana, Hatay and Osmaniye provinces. The Adana Integrated Health Campus prides itself in offering the highest level of care through specialised physicians and advanced equipment. The Main Hospital offers an Oncology Hospital as well as a Cardiology and Cardiovascular Hospital with a 367 bed capacity. The Maternity & Pediatrics Hospital have 349 beds and the General Hospital 584 beds. Before opening to the public, the project already won several awards, including Best Healthcare Project and World’s Largest Seismic Isolated Health Campus. IP-based video surveillance system When it came to choosing a security and safety solution for their high-profile health facility, officials in Adana wanted to integrate the most advanced hardware on a single platform covering four areas: video surveillance, access control, fire alarm plus public address and voice alarm. Bosch won the contract as the one-stop provider with the capacity to unify all systems via its Building Integration System (BIS) through different interfaces. The installation was completed by the Bosch partner Ateksis. The IP-based video surveillance system consists of 2,000 cameras for monitoring critical indoor and outdoor areas Due to the size and complexity of the modern campus, this level of integration proved a true test for the Bosch Building Integration System (BIS). The IP-based video surveillance system consists of 2,000 cameras for monitoring critical indoor and outdoor areas such as entrances and corridors. Managed on the Bosch Video Management System (BVMS), live feeds from high-definition FLEXIDOME, DINION IP starlight, and AUTODOME IP starlight cameras are monitored on-site through a single control room. Providing fire safety, BIS controls roughly 45,000 detection points, including 30,000 fire detectors, plus manual call points and interface modules across the campus. Use of RFID tags to prevent baby kidnapping For an extra level of integration, the hospital’s telephone switchboard is integrated into the public address and voice alarm system via BIS to enable public announcement and/or fire alarms from the nurse desks for immediate evacuation of patients and their relatives. And to safeguard the Maternity Clinic against ‘pink code’ cases (baby kidnapping), the Bosch access control integrates RFID tags on newborn babies to trigger alarms. By implementing a complete solution on a single platform from the start, Adana Integrated Health Campus sets the standard for exemplary patient safety in a system marked by low overall cost of ownership, maintenance costs, and failure rate. In the bigger picture, the state-of-the-art campus proves the end-to-end capabilities of Bosch Building Technologies and serves as a showcase for the next level of healthcare and integrated security.

ASSA ABLOY Security Doors, a UK division of ASSA ABLOY, the global provider of door opening solutions, has secured a series of high-profile contracts with Transport for London and Crossrail Limited. These contracts have included supplying and installing security doors for major London Underground redevelopments including London Bridge, Bond Street and King’s Cross, as well as station upgrades such as Victoria. ASSA ABLOY Security Doors has then gone on to secure multiple contracts within the Crossrail construction programme. The new Transport for London-run Elizabeth line, built by Crossrail Limited, will open from December 2018 serving 10 newly-built accessible stations. Comprehensive doorset solutions Full doorset solutions have been delivered and installed to the new Elizabeth line stations at Canary Wharf, Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Woolwich and Custom House. They have also been installed at other sites along the route including Pudding Mill, Eleanor Street and Mile End, as well as at the Elizabeth line depot at Old Oak Common. Each project presented its own demands and challenges in relation to product performance requirements. Doorsets had to be fully compliant to achieve the latest standards and meet the specialist needs of each environment: Factors to consider included fire, acoustics, air tightness, high-security and pressure resistance. Decorative finishes such as vitreous enamel, stainless-steel and bronze cladding helped complement the aesthetics of the surroundings on doors that required a finishing touch, and many of the doorsets required installation in challenging conditions, being underground, with tight access and restricted working hours. Our experience working with London Underground provided us with the ideal foundation for supporting our working partners on the Crossrail project" Powershield & Prima door ranges Brian Sofley, Managing Director at ASSA ABLOY Security Doors, said: “Our experience working with London Underground provided us with the ideal foundation for supporting our working partners on the Crossrail project for new Elizabeth line stations.” “Each contract brought its own individual challenges, but from the very beginning we worked closely with the architects and contractors involved to understand their requirements. This meant we could provide specialist and tailored solutions that met their exact needs. Solutions were carefully chosen from both our Powershield and Prima steel door ranges including cross corridor doors for high traffic fire escape routes, and pivoted fire rated platform doors to conceal station equipment rooms.” “We take great pride in our wide portfolio of well-respected transport contracts. It says a great deal that customers choose to work with us time and time again, and we put this down to our full-service offering, financial stability, and expert advice at every stage of the project, from specification to installation and inspection.”

HID Global, a worldwide provider in trusted identity solutions, announced that 85-year-old fire protection provider RAEL Automatic Sprinkler Company and integrator Automated Decision have deployed HID Trusted Tag Services at one of Manhattan’s most iconic skyscrapers. The combined solutions help secure, digitise, automate and streamline inspection and maintenance of the building’s massive fire and safety sprinkler system. "HID Trusted Tag Services are a real competitive differentiator for us when we bid for projects now," said David Israel, President, RAEL Automatic Sprinkler Company. "We plan to deploy it in other noteworthy buildings and we’re exploring using it for other mission-critical equipment we inspect and repair as well." The RAEL solution incorporates HID Trusted Tag Services into Automated Decisions’ work order management system and mobile inspection app HID Trusted Tag Services HID Trusted Tag Services empower robust Internet of Things (IoT) applications by attaching unique and trusted identities to virtually any object that can be read by mobile devices. Smartphones and other devices can then be used for innovative use cases, without compromising the privacy of end users. The RAEL solution incorporates HID Trusted Tag Services into Automated Decisions’ work order management system and mobile inspection app. The deployment includes HID’s trusted and tamper-evident NFC tag using dual NFC and QR code technology; unique cryptographic authentication and a unique QR code placed on every component of the RAEL sprinklers. After authenticating to HID’s cloud authentication service, RAEL technicians move through the building, tapping each applied tag with their mobile devices to authenticate upon completion of their component inspection or repair. Proof of presence Each individual tap generates a unique encrypted code appended to a URL to provide proof of presence. This process confirms the technician was physically at the site and conducted the required sprinkler inspections and repairs. "Proof of presence was critical for us,” said Israel, “as property managers are now expected to deliver a much higher level of compliance reporting." The solution also logs the user, tap time and date into the Automated Decisions work order management platform. Mobile online access provides inspectors with service request maintenance records, sprinkler part specifications, diagrams and photographs. Combined HID and Automated Decisions solution has enabled faster, more efficient inspections and repairs Combined tag services and mobile devices "That RAEL and Automated Decisions are leveraging our offering for fire and safety at an immense, iconic skyscraper reinforces the breadth of IoT use cases that our identification and sensing portfolio addresses," said Mark Robinton, Director of Business Development & Strategic Innovation, Identification Technologies with HID Global. "Facility managers are also increasingly seeking to combine the use of HID Trusted Tag Services and mobile devices to automate other safety and security functions, including guard tour and key management, as buildings become more intelligent and connected." In addition to providing peace of mind to RAEL and their property management clients, RAEL also reported the combined HID and Automated Decisions solution has enabled faster, more efficient inspections and repairs, improved first-time fix rates and fewer repeat visits.

Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, manufacturing company Mouka Limited has built a position on the country’s household and industrial markets since its founding in 1959. With 800 employees and production facilities in Lagos, Benin and Kaduna, Mouka is now Nigeria’s foremost supplier of branded mattresses and foam-based products for sleep solutions. Products such as foam blocks, beddings and duvets, and polyurethane blocks are widely available throughout retail and wholesale channels in Nigeria. Due to the highly flammable nature of foam and polyurethane materials, fire safety at manufacturing facilities is a prime concern. However, when Mouka Limited was looking for a solution that detects fire and smoke in less than 30 seconds – before fire can spread and potentially harm employees – the market had nothing to offer. The reason: Common point-type detectors, detecting smoke particles in the air, rely on smoke particles to rise, which can take several minutes – especially when detectors are mounted on high warehouse ceilings. Provides additional information Fortunately, Bosch offers an innovative product sensitive enough: AVIOTEC, a VdS-certified solution for visual fire monitoring detecting smoke and flames at the source, which is much faster than common point-type detectors. Software inside each device analyzes the video images for visual patterns associated with fires like specific motion and shape characteristics or color changes. When connected to IP-based video management solutions the video images provide additional information e.g. for alarm verification or localization of the fire. AVIOTEC was much closer to the insurance’s requirements than any other solution on the market. Working closely with the teams at the three Mouka Limited factories in Lagos, Benin and Kaduna, Bosch provided 34 AVIOTEC devices for video-based fire detection, alarm sounders, strobes and a third-party sprinkler system, all connected to a Bosch addressable Fire Panel 1200 Series. Ability to detect flame and smoke at a very early stage, Bosch video-based fire detection system is a real assetShorten alarm response times With its ability to detect flame and smoke at a very early stage, the Bosch video-based fire detection system is a real asset at all three facilities. First, it significantly raises the safety of hundreds of employees at Mouka Limited factories. Second, it shortens alarm response times and thereby minimizes the risk of potential damage to equipment and product inventories. And third, analysis of video images of a fire allows for root cause analysis after an incident. In addition, the fact that the system offers fire detection at industry-leading speeds has been appreciated by the insurance provider responsible for setting the insurance premium for Mouka Limited’s facilities. Meanwhile, word about the new state of the art in early fire detection at industrial manufacturing sites is spreading throughout Nigeria – and beyond.