New developments in beam detection, alarm panels, suppression systems and detector testing were among the presentations at the first ever new technology day organised by the Fire Industry Association. Ron Alalouff brings you a sneak preview of the technology trends and launches for 2011.

The seminar last week saw presentations from 13 companies, giving a taster of the trends in technology this year and some of the new launches expected at International Firex in May.

OSID - new IR/UV beam detection from Xtralis

Open Area Smoke Imaging Detection (OSID) from Xtralis is designed to be used in large spaces such as transport terminals, shopping malls and atria where conventional point detection may be ineffective. The system uses algorithms to map and compare the strength of infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) light signals from beam detectors. This dual wavelength technology, says the company, enables the system to provide repeatable absolute smoke obscuration values while rejecting the presence of potential false alarms from dust particles or solid objects. Also on show from Xtralis was Vesda Eco, an aspirating smoke detection system combined with gas monitoring. [See OSID presentation]

Staying with the theme of beam detection, Fire Fighting Enterprises presented Fireray 5000, a motorised, auto aligning and self-correcting beam detection system. The transmitter and receiver are housed in the same unit, with the beam being reflected off a small prism fixed to the opposite wall. The beam can be adjusted, controlled and tested from a low-level system controller, so avoiding the need to access detectors at height. [See Fireray 5000 website]

Moving onto control panel technology, Siemens unveiled Cerberus Pro, a system that is networked via an Ethernet backbone using LAN technology. Up to 16 panels/operator terminals can be networked together on a fault tolerant network. The company’s C-NET allows what is described as “rapid, fail-safe” communication between the Cerberus Pro bus elements and the control panel. [See Cerberus Pro presentation]

DX-Connexion is a new, “low cost” analogue addressable fire alarm panel from Morley-IAS. Designed for small to medium sized systems, it is available in a one, two and four loop format and supports Apollo, Hochiki and System Sensor protocols. The company has concentrated on quick installation and programming, and says that once fitted, just five key presses can result in a basic working system. [Morley-IAS website]

FireCell wireless detection and alarm system from EMS

FireCell is described as a “next generation” wireless detection and alarm system from EMS, and was the first system certificated to meet the requirements of EN-54-25. The system incorporates Smart Cluster Technology which is designed to eliminate signal blocking and signal collision, providing multi-path signal availability. This, says EMS, provides a high margin of signal strength to be maintained throughout the system. [See FireCell presentation]

C-Tec presented its solution to unwanted alarms in HMOs – the Hush Button. It provides residents with a means of silencing false alarms themselves, so preventing unnecessary building evacuations and fire service call outs. Designed to work with Apollo XP95 or Hochiki ESP analogue addressable systems, it can be used in a BS 5839-6 compliant system. [See C-TEC presentation]

Multi-sensor detector testing courtesy of Testifire

Testifire is the 3-in-1 smoke, heat and CO testing solution from Detectortesters. It offers faster and more efficient testing of both single and multi-sensor detectors, says the company, by producing different stimuli either sequentially or simultaneously. Originally launched in 2009, Tetsifire has now been upgraded with more resilient materials and can be used for aspirating smoke detection and ‘virtual’ smoke chamber detectors too. [See Testifire presentation]

IDA8 is the new public address/voice alarm system from Ateis UK. Described as a “third generation” modular system that complies with demands requiring IP and/or fibre-optics networking, it provides the flexibility of adding devices and features such as PA microphones and background music using the client’s IP network. Ateis says the system has been designed to satisfy the requirements of EN 54-16, ISO 7240-16 and BS 5839-8, with specific attributes for larger installations. The system has been installed in the Singapore Metro and at the Tangier Stadium in Morocco. [IDA8 presentation]

Peccater is a new device designed to prevent electrical fires in buildings and, in a modified version, prevents dangerous overheating in domestic heating systems. The tiny component, which can be embedded in electrical devices at their point of manufacture, or retrofitted by electrical contractors, is designed to prevent abnormal thermal rises at the point of connection by tripping a residual current device. [Peccater website]

Freedor allows fire doors to be safely held open

Fireco has launched a new wireless device that holds open fire doors to improve normal access, but closes them when a fire alarm sounds. Freedor is installed at the top of a fire door, allowing the door to swing freely or to be left in any position. When the device ‘hears’ a fire alarm at over 65dBA over a 14 second period, the fire door is released to close. Features include adjustable closing speed, operation up to power size 4 (80kg fire door), and a night-time release facility. [See Freedor presentation]

Turning to fire suppression, Impulse is the new valve technology from Fike, designed to enhance the efficiency of clean agent fire suppression system discharges. It features a “reverse-acting” rupture disc valve which can be actuated mechanically, pneumatically or electrically – or by combining these methods. Impulse is available with DuPont FM-200 and Ecaro-FE25 fire suppression gases and is available both as LPCB and UL/FM approvals. [Impulse presentation]

Argonite C60 from Kidde Fire Protection combines Argonite inert gas fire suppression with a patented control flow technology, and can be summed up by the number 60. The

Argonite C60 - control flow technology for inert gas fire suppression

system is designed to provide a 60% reduction in peak mass flow, a 60% reduction in noise and vibration, and a 60% reduction in enclosure pressure relief requirements (or a correspondingly lower pressure impulse) during discharge; a 60-second discharge; a 60 bar outlet pressure, and up to 60 cylinders actuated from a single release unit. In addition to these features, the system offers reduced installation time and savings in overall system costs, says Kidde. [Argonite C60 presentation]

Demonstrating the advantages of high pressure water mist systems – which produce very fine droplets of water providing local cooling and oxygen displacement – Fogtec unveiled one of its high profile installations at a stunning concert hall in Hamburg. Currently being built on top of an existing heritage-protected structure, the Elbphilharmonie will have the protection of a high pressure water mist system installed at floor level and triggered by a linear heat detection system. The system design was integrated in the overall fire safety concept of the building and was tested prior to receiving the go-ahead for installation. [Fogtec presentation]