Latest innovations and products in the Fire, Security and Safety sections of the construction industry.

Coastal Hotel & Spa stops false alarms with Nittan

Nittan’s Evolution EV-DP Dual Wavelength Photoelectric smoke detectors have been installed into The Cliff Hotel & Spa in Cardigan, West Wales by Fire and Security Alarms Ltd. (FAS) Carmarthen.

The Cliff Hotel & Spa is a large family-owned hotel featuring 70 en-suite bedrooms, spa and gym facilities, function suite and a golf course. As part of a hotel wide refurbishment project, the existing fire alarm system has been removed and replaced with a sophisticated Nittan Evolution system featuring 260 Nittan devices, including over 200 EV-DP smoke detectors. The system runs on four loops controlled by an Advanced Electronics control panel.

Nittan Dual Wavelength Photoelectric smoke detectors were selected by installer Fire and Security Alarms Ltd. (FAS) to prevent further issues of false alarms that the hotel had been experiencing previously. The primary cause of these had been steam escaping from the en-suite bathrooms and activating the smoke alarms.

As an NSI Gold, BAFE and NICEIC approved contractor, Fire and Security Alarms Ltd. (FAS) provides both design, installation and maintenance of fire and security systems primarily in West Wales. It has a diverse customer base including nursing and residential homes, factories, shops, schools, social and domestic housing. It has built its business on the of quality of its services, providing effective fire and security solutions to customer’s requirements, including The Cliff Hotel where it identified Evolution EV-DP smoke detectors as an ideal solution to the false alarm issue.

Nittan Evolution EV-DP smoke detectors have been designed to reduce false alarms caused by non-combustion products such as steam, dust and aerosols. Unlike other industry standard (single optical sensor) smoke detectors on the market that claim to distinguish between smoke and non-combustion products, the EV-DP effectively measures the actual particle size in the chamber via its combined IR and blue LED technology. As steam and dust are much larger particles than smoke, the detector won’t false alarm.

Nittan EV-DP alarms are not just highly resistant to false alarms, but come with a number of key features and benefits, including their use of a sophisticated and highly flexible Sine Wave FSK protocol for data transfer to and from the panel. This protocol also allows for substantial amounts of information to be transmitted back to the panel at very high speeds. Furthermore, they come with a 360 degree OMNIVIEW LED indicator, permitting clear and visible indication of the sensor’s operation from any angle. Increased EMC immunity is also achieved by the inclusion of a “Bandpass Discriminator Circuit” which is built into every sensor head and loop device.

The Nittan Group has been at the forefront of the international fire protection industry since 1954 and has sales, R&D and manufacturing bases in four countries, including the UK. The company continuously innovates and strives for exceptional quality products that meet the highest of standards.

For sales information, please contact Nittan on 01483 769 555 or by email at sales@nittan.co.uk or visit the website www.nittan.co.uk.

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BM TRADA Scaffold Board Scheme promotes construction site safety

Scaffold boards are used in their thousands on construction sites across the UK, enabling workers to operate safely at height. However, BM TRADA, part of the Exova Group, warns recent incidents have highlighted that the failure of a timber scaffold board can result in serious injury or even death and leave contractors facing prosecution and significant fines.

With failures often the result of used scaffold boards being inadequately checked after having been stored or used inappropriately, BM TRADA has launched its Q Mark Used Timber Scaffold Board Inspection Scheme, to enable certified companies to demonstrate that their inspectors are competent to determine if boards should remain in use.

While there is no legislative requirement for used timber scaffold boards to be regularly inspected, to ensure safety on site, scaffold boards should be checked and assessed on a regular basis when in use and each time they are re-issued or supplied to site. It is also important that boards which have been checked are stored separately to those that have not.

With major contractors recognising the dangers, they are starting to ask how scaffold board issuing companies can demonstrate the competency of those inspecting boards. The BM TRADA Q-Mark Used Timber Scaffold Board Inspection Scheme provides a means of verifying that inspectors are suitably qualified.

While most scaffolding companies will ensure their employees complete a scaffolders’ training course, the BM TRADA Scheme provides added confidence to contractors, since the competence of board inspectors is regularly checked by an independent third party body. This enables contractors to specify their hire with confidence and demonstrate due diligence if required.

To achieve certification under the scheme, the scaffolding company must nominate individual employees who will be covered. Each is required to demonstrate their competence to identify damage which is likely to reduce the strength of used timber scaffold boards. Every nominated inspector is required to complete scheme-specific training, pass an examination and complete a competence assessment at the company’s premises.

BM TRADA will also undertake an initial audit of the company to ensure that a documented inspection process is in place. This process must demonstrate that only approved inspectors carry out inspections, only approved boards are released for use and all rejected boards are segregated.

Companies who meet the scheme’s requirements will be issued with a certificate and certification marks to enable them to demonstrate and promote their certification. Certification is valid for two years and following this is maintained through a programme of annual surveillance audits, with a recertification audit required in the second year before the certification expires.

In addition to offering confidence to contractors, the scheme enables certified companies to demonstrate their competence and highlight their commitment to quality. This offers them a competitive advantage when tendering and can increase repeat business as contractors increasingly recognise the benefit of specifying used timber scaffold boards which are regularly inspected by third party certified competent inspectors.

For further information on the BM TRADA Q-Mark Used Timber Scaffold Board Inspection Scheme, visit www.bmtrada.com, email: sbeer@bmtrada.com; or call: 01494 569821.

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Locker Systems don’t have to be boring.

Kemmlit’s locker systems combine inspirational design with highly robust materials to provide systems suitable for all types of application.

The glass locker system featured is not only stylish to look at but is practical too; its 8mm toughened glass with ceramic silkscreen print and sanded edges is easy to clean and maintain and its solid grade high pressure laminate carcass provides outstanding performance and longevity.

If glass is not your thing, Kemmlit’s lockers are also available with steel, solid grade laminate (HPL), aluminium or even natural veneer or solid timber doors, all manufactured to exacting standards and designed to work in the most demanding environments.

For more information please visit www.kemmlituk.com

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Progressive housing association upgrades to AudioLINK CO alarms

First Choice Housing Association based in Penarth, the Vale of Glamorgan is installing Aico AudioLINK Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms throughout all of its properties in Wales and Shropshire.

First Choice is a small housing association founded in 1988 that provides bespoke homes for vulnerable adults, many of whom have additional physical disabilities. It also provides accommodation for respite and emergency intervention services for children and adults with a learning disability.

A forward thinking housing association, First Choice was one of the first in Wales to install CO alarms in all of its properties. That was ten years ago and, with the alarms coming to the end of their lives, the housing association was keen to investigate the latest quality alarms in the market to replace them.

First Choice was invited to visit Aico’s parent company Ei Electronics’ manufacturing facility in Ireland to see the development and production of Ei’s new AudioLINK CO alarm technology, and was duly impressed. First Choice Housing Association Maintenance Manager, Andrew Mouncher, comments: “Together, with one of our Board members Tim O’Connell and our Installer Gareth Selway from Frie-Rite Ltd., we were extremely impressed with this new product and the readings it could deliver via a phone app and email which would be invaluable should the alarm be called into action. From this visit we were convinced this was the right product for our association.”

First Choice opted for Aico’s Ei208 CO alarm with in-built AudioLINK data extraction technology. AudioLINK allows for invaluable real time data to be extracted via the alarm’s sounder – all you need is an AudioLINK enabled CO alarm, a tablet or smartphone and the free AudioLINK App. This data is converted into an Alarm Status report, which is simple to review and store. The Report displays useful information about the alarm and detection levels of CO, and can be emailed or stored in a key location for future reference.

First Choice will now be installing Aico AudioLINK CO alarms throughout all of its properties as a standard specification, with each property containing up to four alarms, depending on the size of the property and the number of fossil fuel burning appliances within.

For First Choice there were a number of key features of the alarms that made them so appealing, including their ease of installation, the ability to interconnect them with other alarms within a property (where required), their value for money and ten year life span, but the most important factor was the AudioLINK technology. Andrew explains: “I have worked in the RSL sector for many years and within this time I have experienced CO detectors activating on several occasions. If I had then the information that I can download for this new generation of CO detectors I am sure all involved would have been better equipped to provide a more targeted response. Coupled with these safeguards is the ability to accurately monitor testing and any unauthorised tampering.”

First Choice was also impressed with the level of service it has received from Aico: “The service from Aico has been exemplary; they have gone to great lengths to ensure the our Association’s satisfaction during the whole process. The visit to the factory confirmed the product was being manufactured by a company that was passionate about innovation and more importantly quality.”

A wholly owned subsidiary of Ei Electronics, Aico are market leaders in residential fire and CO protection in the UK. All alarms are designed and built in Ireland specifically to meet the UK standards and regulations. 2015 sees Aico’s 25th anniversary. With more mains powered domestic smoke alarms installed in the UK’s social housing than any other manufacturer, Aico are tried, tested and trusted. Aico have a dedicated team of Regional Managers to support specifications and supply of products. Aico also offer technical support over the phone and an internal sales team to help with any enquiries.

For more information please visit www.aico.co.uk.

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New Energy-saving Smoke & Heat Alarms Launched

Low energy consumption is high on the agenda for the new Firex® range of smoke and heat alarms, alongside a host of other advanced features ideally suited to all types of housing.

For many years, Firex® has proved itself as a popular range of cost-effective hard-wired, interconnectable alarms, satisfying Building Regulations and British Standards requirements. The latest generation of Firex® optical and ionisation smoke alarms, and heat alarms offers Standard, Long Life and Rechargeable battery back-up versions of each sensing technology, giving nine options in all.

The latest range is fully compatible with all previous Firex® alarms and highlights several new advanced features. A particularly important benefit is the substantially lower, maximum mains energy consumption of less than 15mA – in the order of just 3.5W and less than many household items left on standby. This represents a 70% energy saving over previous models, ensuring significantly lower running costs and improving a building’s sustainability credentials.

Other new features include an Alarm Memory Function where a flashing LED continues after an alarm has been triggered to easily and quickly identify the source unit. The three new optical alarms now feature dust compensation and a bug screen to help minimize nuisance alarms. All the models retain popular Firex® features including a combined Test/Hush button, Auto-reset facility and a tamper-resistant locking device. Up to 23 Firex® alarms can be interlinked creating a network for protection throughout the home. Firex® can also form part of Kidde’s ‘Smart Interconnect’ feature which creates a comprehensive system for whole home protection, interlinking the company’s hard-wired smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms.

Additional accessories are also available for use with Firex® alarms. A surface-mounting base allows simple installation, particularly for retrofitting with trunking or conduit, and a relay pattress can operate other devices – such as door-closers, warning lights, horns and warden-call systems – when an alarm is triggered. The wired Remote Test and Hush unit allows for system testing of interconnected alarms and to hush unwanted alarms from a single location.

Firex® is manufactured and supplied exclusively by Kidde, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation. For more information or to contact Kidde Sales, email: sales@kiddesafety.co.uk or call: 01753 766 392.

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Capital Safety champions protection against dropped objects with acquisition of Python Safety, INC

Capital Safety, the world leading provider of safety solutions for workers at height has announced the acquisition of specialist manufacturer of tool drop prevention equipment, Python Safety, Inc.

Capital Safety’s industry-leading products, which include harnesses, lanyards, self-retracting lifelines, engineered systems and rescue devices, are sold through the globally recognised brands DBI-SALA® and PROTECTA®. The addition of Python Safety to the portfolio will support Capital Safety’s mission to bring every worker at height home safely by focusing on eliminating accidents from dropped tools.

Falling objects are a leading cause of injury for workers. According to DROPS, the Dropped Objects Prevention Scheme, more than 850 incidents have been recorded in the oil and gas industry alone since 2010, with predicted incidents on the rise*. Ensuring employers are focused on providing a total safety solution to protect workers at height, as well as those on the ground, from dropped objects is paramount to reducing and ultimately eliminating these incidents.

Nate Damro, President – Europe, Middle East and Africa at Capital Safety, commented: “We are very excited to have Python Safety become part of Capital Safety. This acquisition is a natural extension for us and in line with our continued commitment to bringing workers home safely.

“Struck-by falling objects is a leading cause of injury for workers and Python Safety’s portfolio of products are designed to prevent tools and equipment from falling. This deal enables us to bring a broader range of solutions to our customer base and helps them keep their employees safe.”

Mark Caldwell, CEO of Python Safety, added “We are delighted to join Capital Safety. As a combined organisation, we will be able to leverage Capital Safety’s global organisation and distribution channels with our core strength in drop prevention to broaden our reach and bring even more innovative solutions to a larger customer base. It will also allow us a better opportunity to expand the definition of fall protection to include tools and equipment.”

Capital Safety will be launching the premium range of dropped object prevention products for tools and equipment – including tool holsters and pouches, attachment points and lanyards – at the upcoming Safety & Health Expo. Taking place on 16-18 June 2015 at the ExCel exhibition centre in London, the event will offer delegates access to Capital Safety experts who will be available to discuss specific application challenges and solutions for workers at height. Stand – P2200.

For further information on Capital Safety, visit www.capitalsafety.com.

For details on Python Safety, go to the website, www.pythonsafety.com.

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Harlow MP reminds residents to stay safe from deadly carbon monoxide

Harlow MP reminds residents to stay safe from deadly carbon monoxide

Harlow MP, Rob Halfon (pictured left), urged people to ensure they stay safe against the potentially fatal dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) as he joined local campaigner, Melissa Matthews (right) to mark the start of this year’s Gas Safety Week.

Rob Halfon MP said: “Too many people continue to put themselves at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning by failing to ensure their appliances work safely and efficiently. I would like to thank local resident Melissa Matthews for all of her work on this issue and I urge Harlow Council and all of the relevant local health authorities to help make Harlow a Carbon Monoxide Awareness town. The more Harlow residents who understand the dangers of CO and how to protect themselves, the more lives that will be saved.”

Melissa is one of a group of women known as the CO Angels, who are each striving to raise more awareness about carbon monoxide poisoning after each losing someone special to this silent killer.

Melissa explains: “Gas Safety Week reminded us all of the need to ensure our homes are gas safe. Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas. As you can’t see it, taste it or smell it, it can claim lives quickly with no warning.”

Even exposure to low levels of the gas over a short amount of time can be lethal; causing long term damage to your health.

During Gas Safety Week Melissa Matthews challenged the residents of Harlow and surrounding areas to fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm before the clocks go back.

The danger is – with no taste or smell – CO is undetectable to the human senses and because symptoms are often mistaken for ailments including flu, food poisoning and even a hangover, its presence can go unnoticed until it’s too late.

Badly fitted, poorly serviced or faulty gas appliances can put occupants at risk from gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. Worryingly CO can also leak from adjoining properties and garages.

The only way to detect its presence is with an audible carbon monoxide alarm. As a smoke alarm alerts you to fire, a properly placed CO alarm detects the lowest levels early, warning you before the gas becomes life threatening so you can take action to stay safe.

The fourth annual Gas Safety Week aimed to bring gas safety to the forefront of people’s minds. Dangerous gas work can kill, so it is vital that gas appliances are safety checked at least once a year. If left unchecked, poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. In the last year alone, 343 people were injured and 10 people died as a result of gas related incidents.

Russell Krämer, chief executive for Gas Safe Register, said: “Every year, far too many people suffer from preventable gas related accidents, such as gas leaks, explosions, fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s great therefore, that we’ve had so much support in raising awareness of gas safety issues, helping to let the 23 million gas consumers in the UK know about the simple checks they can make to stay safe.”

Watch out for the signs:

Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often mistaken for other ailments such as flu, a hangover or food poisoning, so its presence can go unnoticed until it’s too late. Symptoms include:

  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Breathlessness
  • Headaches
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Collapse

One useful indicator that carbon monoxide may be the cause is if symptoms disappear when you leave your home and reappear when you’re at home.

Follow these simple checks to stay gas safe:

  • Always use a Gas Safe registered engineer when having gas work carried out in your home. You can find a registered engineer in your area by calling Gas Safe Register on 0800 408 5500 or visit www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk
  • Get your gas appliances safety checked at least once a year and serviced in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. This includes your gas boiler, gas cooker and gas fire. Sign up at www.staygassafe.co.uk for a free reminder service.
  • Check the front and back of your engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card, making sure they are qualified to do the specific type of gas work you require.
  • Install an audible carbon monoxide alarm which will alert you if dangerous levels are present in your home.
  • Check for warning signs your appliances aren’t working correctly, such as lazy yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room.

For more information or to find a Gas Safe registered engineer visit www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.

For more advice and information on Sprue’s complete range of carbon monoxide alarms, visit: www.fireangel.co.uk.

To read the experiences of the CO Angels, visit: www.co-angels.co.uk

Further reading

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Aico pledges its support for gas safety week

Aico pledges its support for gas safety week

Aico, UK market leaders in domestic Fire and Carbon Monoxide (CO) detection, has pledged its support for Gas Safety Week (15th -21st September), and will be running a competition to win the newly upgraded Ei208 Battery CO Alarm due out later this year to raise awareness of gas safety issues.

This fourth annual Gas Safety Week will see the whole industry coming together to bring gas safety to the forefront of people’s minds. Dangerous gas work can kill, so it is vital that gas appliances are safety checked at least once a year. If left unchecked, poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and CO poisoning. In the last year alone, 343 people were injured and ten people died as a result of gas related incidents.

People can sign up to a free reminder service at www.StayGasSafe.co.uk, and use the interactive gas map to see how many unsafe gas appliances are lurking in an area.

As one of the leading suppliers of quality CO alarms in the UK, Aico has worked steadily over the years to raise awareness amongst installers, social and private landlords, and specifiers of the dangers of CO. The company has produced a range of support literature and an online CO alarm specification tool to help spread the message and encourage best practice.

Find out about the basics of CO – what it is, why it is so dangerous and how to detect it – on Aico’s website at www.aico.co.uk/gassafetyweek2014. Enter the competition for the opportunity to win the newly upgraded Ei208 Battery CO Alarm, due out later this year, on the same page.

Russell Krämer, chief executive for Gas Safe Register, said: “Every year, far too many people suffer from preventable gas related accidents, such as gas leaks, explosions, fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s great therefore, that Aico has pledged its support and is raising awareness of gas safety issues, helping to let the 23 million gas consumers in the UK know about the simple checks they can make to stay safe.”

Further information

A wholly owned subsidiary of Ei Electronics, Aico is a market leader in residential fire protection in the UK. All alarms are designed and built in Europe specifically to meet the UK standards and regulations. For more information, please go to www.aico.co.uk.

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BAM is one of first to adopt new Cygnus wireless fire alarm system

BAM is one of first to adopt new Cygnus wireless fire alarm system

BAM Plant – part of built environment group BAM Construct UK – has installed the Bull Products Cygnus wireless fire alarm system on over 10 construction sites. The new system was launched in May this year.

One of these projects is a new development Hayes Retail which incorporates an Asda supermarket of 8,000 sq.m. floor space including car park and petrol filling station. Due to the large site footprint and separate office and welfare complex, the project management team at BAM Fire Protection Services has chosen to install the Cygnus system as the temporary fire alarm system.

Mike Whitfield, Contracts Manager at BAM Fire Protection Services was extremely impressed with the development of the new Cygnus system by Bull Products. He comments, “We were looking to adopt a wireless fire alarm system within the group and as Bull Products were very responsive to our needs and were happy to develop a system with us, we have been pleased to specify the new Cygnus system. We particularly like the system’s addressability and the integrated first aid alert call point which satisfied our needs.” Bull Products are now working on a future option for controlling panels remotely. BAM’s London team have recognised the benefits of the system by issuing a Best Practice safety bulletin.

Launched only two months ago, the Cygnus wireless fire alarm system has the capability of linking together no less than 480 units in 15 different zones around a construction site, with each zone having the capacity to accommodate 32 units. The individual units can be fire alarm call points, first aid alert points, smoke detectors, heat detectors and a combined call point first aid alarm. The alarms which can be used time and again are addressable to the panel and can be re-addressed very simply after being relocated.

Intended purely for use on construction sites, the Cygnus system has been specifically designed for use in dense concrete and steel structured buildings and areas where there are many other radio frequencies in operation, and so particular attention has been given to achieving an impressive connection range. Where there are multiple sites within range of each other, the Cygnus system has been designed to operate on different site addresses in order to keep each system separate and free from interference.

A major feature of the Cygnus system is the optional control panel which provides a very sophisticated capability with an event log function which records any events such as an alarm activation, low battery warning, and signal faults, all of which can be viewed if necessary in the history folder held on the panel. The system also has the ability to test all units and has an evacuate function which will act as a call point to the rest of the alarm units.

Each unit in the system can provide the panel with information at regular intervals. This explicit information confirms the unit is still present and what the battery status of each device is. Known as the ‘heart beat’ this message is monitored by the control panel where fitted and if the ‘heart beat’ is not heard for several intervals, the control panel logs a full status for that unit.

Bull Products offers a one-year guarantee on all Cygnus devices and provides high levels of technical, on-site and after-sales service support in addition to its standard maintenance contracts.

Further information on the new Cygnus combined first aid alert and call point alarm is available from Bull Products on 0844 669 1111, by emailing info@bullproducts.co.uk or by visiting the company’s website at www.bullproducts.co.uk

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