http://www.means-of-escape.com/ The latest articles from Means of Escape Copyright: (C) Means of Escape.com 60 en-gb Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/608/introducing-the-tagevac™-system/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/608/introducing-the-tagevac™-system/ In the case of fire, ensuring your buildings are evacuated and providing this information to the Fire and Rescue Service immediately on their arrival is essential. The uniquely designed TAGEVAC™ System can provide this information for any premises, regardless of complexity or the type and size of your organisation. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:51:40 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/607/draka-clarifies-the-confusion-surrounding-new-code-of-practice/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/607/draka-clarifies-the-confusion-surrounding-new-code-of-practice/ The publishing in February of the new BS 8519:2010 Code of Practice has led to a number of misleading claims being made for some cables, according to Derby-based Draka, with the confusion appearing to have arisen from a misinterpretation of the different test methods required for power and control cables. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:48:57 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/606/innovairflex-addressable-and-conventional-duct-detectors/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/606/innovairflex-addressable-and-conventional-duct-detectors/ As close control air conditioning systems for computer and IT rooms and air conditioning systems for personal spaces become increasingly common throughout Europe, the risk of fire or smoke spreading through the duct systems they use to transfer the warm and cold air increases. System Sensor Europe has developed new detectors to provide specific fire protection for the square and circular air conditioning ducts that form part of such systems. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:41:19 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/605/escape-route-signs...-do-you-comply/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/605/escape-route-signs...-do-you-comply/ If your premises has recently been subjected to a formal risk assessment then it is more than likely that a recommendation has been made to audit and review existing safety and escape route signs. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:35:24 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/604/five-towers;-five-star-cable/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/604/five-towers;-five-star-cable/ The soon to be completed, billion-dollar, Etihad Towers development is set to become one of the most prestigious in Abu Dhabi and Prysmian’s FP200 Gold is currently being installed in the vast fire alarm system right across the complex. Consisting of five towers and located on the waterfront at the end of the Abu Dhabi Corniche, the development rises up to 77 storeys at its peak and features a range of amenities, including five star hotel tower, huge shopping mall, 870 luxury apartments and extensive conference centre. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:26:51 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/603/lets-discuss...-fire-doors/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/603/lets-discuss...-fire-doors/ There are a number of issues around Fire Doors and their application, installation and use which are likely to smoulder further into the future. Forgive the obvious pun, but the regularity with which our consultants see Fire Doors in place that are of sound construction, yet fitted so as to render their application worthless is beyond a joke. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:21:34 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/602/small-but-powerful-intrinsically-safe-panel-mount-sounder/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/602/small-but-powerful-intrinsically-safe-panel-mount-sounder/ E2S has added a new product to its intrinsically safe range of sounders and beacons, the IS-pA1 panel mount sounder, which is certified II 1G Ex ia IIB T4/5/6 for use in Zones 0, 1 and 2. The IS sounder is ideal for use as fault indication or process alarm in control panels located in intrinsically safe environments. It produces a 100dB(A) @ 1m continuous 2600Hz tone that can be pulsed externally to produce different signals. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:18:08 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/601/take-art-signets-integrity-voice-alarm-system-makes-an-impression-at-renowned-art-gallery/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/601/take-art-signets-integrity-voice-alarm-system-makes-an-impression-at-renowned-art-gallery/ SigNET’s sophisticated Integrity voice alarm system is now in operation at Eastbourne's famous Towner Gallery.Established in 1923, the South East’s most celebrated art museum moved to a new state-of-the-art building adjacent to the Eastbourne Congress Theatre in 2009. With an invaluable collection of 4000 pieces of art including paintings by Pablo Picasso and Henry Moore, the installation of life-safety-equipment was obviously a top priority. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:14:36 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/600/the-new-draeger-x-am-5600-the-smallest-portable-gas-detector-to-measure-up-to-six-gases/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/600/the-new-draeger-x-am-5600-the-smallest-portable-gas-detector-to-measure-up-to-six-gases/ The new Draeger X-am 5600 is believed to be the smallest portable gas detection instrument for the measurement of up to six gases. With an ergonomic mobile phone design, it features innovative infrared (IR) sensor technology and provides accurate, reliable measurements of explosive, combustible and toxic gases and vapours, as well as oxygen. Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:33:10 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/599/rethinking-automatic-domestic-fire-suppression/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/599/rethinking-automatic-domestic-fire-suppression/ By William Makant - Managing Director, Plumis Ltd.Commercially, automatic fire suppression is well established. From restaurant kitchens to data centres, a wide range of solutions can be seen in the market, from traditional sprinklers to inert gas and chemical systems. In UK homes, by contrast, only manual suppression methods like fire extinguishers and blankets have any real presence, with very few homes having sprinkler installations (either water or watermist). On reflection it is a little surprising that only manual fire fighting solutions which require an occupant to “step up” and take action, are found in homes, where occupants have little or no training, while workplaces, where training can be guaranteed, tend to be automatically protected. Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:29:45 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/598/ensure-you-have-all-the-correct-info.../ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/598/ensure-you-have-all-the-correct-info.../ ...Because if you don’t you could be in danger, both customer & supplier! We have seen in the news this week that a leading extinguisher company was found to be negligent in their supply of a powder extinguisher to a church where valuable artefacts were held. These artefacts were irreparably damaged when schoolboy vandals ‘pirouetted’ down the aisle and set off the extinguishers. Their corrosive contents impacted on tapestries, ancient stone work and other invaluable pieces of history. Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:26:16 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/597/great-fire-protection-for-capitals-museum/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/597/great-fire-protection-for-capitals-museum/ Since 1976 the Museum of London has offered visitors a unique insight into the city’s history and holds many millions of historical artefacts. On the 28th May 2010 five new galleries opened to the public, telling the story of the capital from the 1666 Great Fire of London right up to the present day, at a cost of £20 million. The extensive redevelopment gives easier public access to the many exhibits as well as a new learning centre, cafe and architectural features. It also benefits from a state of the art fire alarm system using Prysmian FP Plus cable. Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:24:18 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/596/water-alarm-system-updated-with-new-control-panels/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/596/water-alarm-system-updated-with-new-control-panels/ Vimpex has launched a new range of control panels for its popular Hydrosense Water Leakage Detection System. Hydrosense is designed to protect areas where water leakage could seriously damage electrical, communication and computer networks by quickly detecting the leak and raising an alarm. The system continuously monitors vulnerable areas and can be interfaced to other fire, security and safety systems to provide total protection. Hydrosense can be easily installed by specialist contractors working in the electrical, fire and security industries and is suited to a wide range of applications including HVAC, sprinkler systems and water-cooled plant. Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:22:43 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/595/automist-now-available-to-pre-order/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/595/automist-now-available-to-pre-order/ Automist turns your kitchen tap into a fire safety device that could save your life.Automist, the award-winning automatic fire protection system, is now available to pre-order. Last year Automist won the James Dyson Award, one of the world's most prestigious design competitions. Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:21:17 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/594/c-tecs-quantec-call-system-protects-new-mental-health-centre/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/594/c-tecs-quantec-call-system-protects-new-mental-health-centre/ C-TEC's revolutionary Quantec addressable call system is playing a key role protecting a new £6.5M purpose-built mental health centre in Kendray, Barnsley.Located adjacent to the existing Kendray Hospital site and linked to the main hospital by a connecting corridor, the Oakwell Centre is a brand new acute mental health unit consisting of two 15 bed separate male and female wards, a six bed Intensive Care Unit and a therapy/administration area. Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:15:24 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/593/wagner-launches-cpd-seminar-to-demystify-new-european-standard-for-aspirating-smoke-detection/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/593/wagner-launches-cpd-seminar-to-demystify-new-european-standard-for-aspirating-smoke-detection/ WAGNER UK has launched a series of CPD Seminars to help fire system designers, installers and consultants better understand the implications of a new European Standard that has changed the way Aspirating Smoke Detection Systems have to be designed and installed. EN54 Part 20 is the new European product standard for Aspirating Smoke Detectors (ASD). From July 2009 the vast majority of ASD systems installed in Europe will have to fully comply with this standard. The standard encompasses both the project design and the ASD systems installed. Since ASD systems, like other detectors for fire detection systems, fall under the Construction Products Directive, compliance with EN 54 Part 20 is a prerequisite for CE marking. Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:12:36 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/592/new-fast-set-up-alarmsense-two-wire-fire-alarm-panels-from-kentec/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/592/new-fast-set-up-alarmsense-two-wire-fire-alarm-panels-from-kentec/ It’s estimated that an AlarmSense® two-wire system can achieve a 20-25% reduction in set-up time compared with a standard four-wire conventional system, because all devices in a given zone can be wired to the same pair of cables. Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:10:30 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/591/updated-conventional-interface-module-for-addressable-fire-systems/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/591/updated-conventional-interface-module-for-addressable-fire-systems/ System Sensor Europe has introduced an updated conventional zone interface module, the M210E-CZR, designed for use in addressable fire systems to enable a zone of conventional two-wire detectors to be managed by the control panel via a single module address on a loop. Fri, 28 May 2010 14:08:52 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/590/ready-steady-store/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/590/ready-steady-store/ In response to a growing demand from customers who work in the food and hygiene industries Empteezy has developed a new, polyethylene covered spill pallet with a practical roller shutter door for ease of use. Fri, 28 May 2010 14:06:47 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/589/zoning-in-on-portable-gas-detection-with-new-draeger-x-zone-5000/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/589/zoning-in-on-portable-gas-detection-with-new-draeger-x-zone-5000/ Transportable gas detection has entered a new era with the launch of the Draeger X-zone 5000 wireless monitoring unit. Easily positioned and providing clear alarms, these robust, waterproof units ensure increased levels of safety by detecting and communicating the presence of a wide range of toxic, combustible and explosive gases over longer distances. Bringing Zone 0 ATEX performance, longer sensor life, enhanced battery life and more flexibility to area monitoring, the Draeger X-zone also offers a lower cost of ownership. Fri, 28 May 2010 14:05:12 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/588/new-pressurised-system-set-to-save-lives-in-residential-buildings/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/588/new-pressurised-system-set-to-save-lives-in-residential-buildings/ Until recently a pressurised method for the control of fire smoke in high rise residential buildings was considered too expensive, well not any more, thanks to a breakthrough in technology. Fläkt Woods in collaboration with fire systems design specialists, Fire Engineering Associates and Interactive Special Projects, is pleased to announce the launch of their Smoke Angel system, designed to save lives in the event of fire. Fri, 28 May 2010 11:26:40 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/587/train-industry-incorporates-jalite-photoluminescent-material/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/587/train-industry-incorporates-jalite-photoluminescent-material/ JALITE Photoluminescent materials are accredited to produce its wide range of on-board safety signs for the train industry, after exceeding the requirements of BS EN ISO 4589-2. Fri, 28 May 2010 11:17:37 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/586/the-importance-of-being-noticed/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/586/the-importance-of-being-noticed/ In the building and construction arena, crowd control at football matches and in every arena where authority figures need to be designated and noticeable, identification is key. This is also key in the case of a fire in the workplace, where nominated wardens or marshals should be visible to other evacuees and for themselves as the last to leave the building. Fri, 28 May 2010 11:06:24 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/585/liberal-democrats-support-prysmian-on-non-approved-cables/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/585/liberal-democrats-support-prysmian-on-non-approved-cables/ Prysmian won the support of Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Chris Huhne, in its drive to ensure cable systems purchased and installed throughout the UK are safe, fit-for-purpose and fully compliant with regulations as part of their association with the Approved Cables Initiative (ACI). Fri, 28 May 2010 11:04:54 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/584/a-visible-improvement/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/584/a-visible-improvement/ By Bob Choppen - Product Manager, Cooper FulleonAudibility?Audible alarms are firmly established as the warning method for fire detection as well as many other type of safety system and yet their effectiveness has always been limited and now appears to be decreasing further due to changes in people's behaviour.That may sound like a strange statement to come from someone who works for an organisation that provides literally millions of alarm sounders of many different types every year, but it is I think a fair assessment. Wed, 26 May 2010 10:41:57 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/582/fire-safety-employees-capabilities-england-regulations-2010/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/582/fire-safety-employees-capabilities-england-regulations-2010/ An additional piece of legislation of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 was released on the 6th of April 2010. It is purely a technical article that states the employer must consider what a worker is able or unable to do when delegating responsibility for fire related risks. The new regulation states, 'Employer to take employees' capabilities into consideration, every employer must, in entrusting tasks to employees, take into account their capabilities with regards to health and safety, so far as those capabilities relate to fire.' Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:24:21 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/581/tunnel-escape-route-systems/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/581/tunnel-escape-route-systems/ Escape routes in tunnels are unfamiliar territory for the majority of occupants and with growing concerns on effective evacuation procedures a leading construction company has set the benchmark for evacuation systems. Designed and developed by Jalite the pioneers of photoluminescent technology, the 316 Low Location Lighting (LLL) System requires no electrical connection illuminating immediately with the removal of external light sources, providing excellent delineation of the escape route guiding occupants to a place of safety. Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:42:02 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/580/wide-area-sounder-with-750m-effective-range/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/580/wide-area-sounder-with-750m-effective-range/ With an output at 1m in excess of 140dB, louder than a jet engine on full power at takeoff, the new A141 high output disaster siren and alarm from E2S is the most powerful device ever produced by the company – so far. With a power increase from 100W to 400W, the output of the A141 is substantially higher than the A140 it replaces, giving it an effective warning range of between 500 and 750m depending on the atmospheric conditions. The unit has a choice of 32 user-selectable warning tones and with second and third stage alarm capability, it is ideal for use in quarries, on large industrial and petrochemical sites and for civil defence requirements. The A141 generates multiple internationally recognised alarm tones including fire, security, civil defence, alert, COMAH (SEVESO II) toxic gas a Thu, 29 Apr 2010 16:06:38 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/579/academic-excellence-c-tecs-innovative-quantec-call-system-installed-at-new-super-school/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/579/academic-excellence-c-tecs-innovative-quantec-call-system-installed-at-new-super-school/ A new £20M state-of-the-art ‘Super School’ has been equipped with C-TEC's Quantec addressable call system, SigTEL disabled refuge system and an extensive range of induction loop amplifiers for the hard of hearing.Specialist electrical company, Solid State, stepped up to the challenge of installing the essential life-safety equipment on behalf of H&C Moore Limited at the new Abraham Guest High Pathfinder School in Wigan, Greater Manchester. Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:59:26 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/578/system-x-wireless-fire-safety-system/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/578/system-x-wireless-fire-safety-system/ At the heart of the latest version of Fireco's highly successful System X wireless fire safety system is a transmitter (TX) unit that's wired directly into the fire alarm panel fire and fault relay or loop. Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:39:21 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/577/sigma-matrix-continues-kentecs-revolution-in-fire-alarm-mimic-display-technology/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/577/sigma-matrix-continues-kentecs-revolution-in-fire-alarm-mimic-display-technology/ In the event of fire, a clear indication of the origin of the incident is vital. Kentec’s new Sigma Matrix range of Conventional Fire Alarm Mimic Display panels, based on the highly successful and innovative Syncro Matrix Mimic Display System, uses flexible fibre optic light guides to illuminate areas on a floor plan, laid over a high resolution grid. As this unique system dispenses completely with wiring, it allows indicators to be moved, removed or added on site. Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:36:48 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/575/the-toxic-twins-a-free-draeger-webinar-programme-to-help-save-firefighter-lives/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/575/the-toxic-twins-a-free-draeger-webinar-programme-to-help-save-firefighter-lives/ Modern technology and the increasing use of synthetic materials has changed the way that fire burns, making it more toxic, much hotter and with faster flashovers. As a result, more and more of today’s firefighters are dying from exposure to toxic chemicals like hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and Carbon Monoxide (CO). Open to firefighters around the world, a free Webinar programme,"Unmasking the threat of HCN and CO poisoning - a firefighter's perspective" is being held by Draeger on 8 June, 2010. Registration details can be found at www.draeger.com/HCNCO. Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:22:52 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/574/sti-launch-alert-point-lite/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/574/sti-launch-alert-point-lite/ Fire and security specialists STI (Europe) have extended their Alert Point range with the announcement of the Alert Point:Lite, which offers an ideal solution for smaller premises that require a simple and effective means of raising an alarm. Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:15:26 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/573/the-biggest-ever-change-to-construction-standards/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/573/the-biggest-ever-change-to-construction-standards/ BSI will be withdrawing 54 British Standards for the design of buildings and civil engineering structures and full implementation of the Eurocodes will take place. Wed, 31 Mar 2010 16:40:44 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/572/ems-launches-firecell/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/572/ems-launches-firecell/ A New Generation Of Wireless Fire DetectionIndustry leader EMS is proud to announce the launch of the FireCell wireless fire detection system. The introduction of the wireless link fire standard (EN54-25) has paved the way for the launch of a European-compliant radio solution. FireCell will be the first UK wireless fire system to be accredited by an independent test house to this new standard. Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:16:25 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/570/jalite-prestige-iso-7010-escape-route-signs/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/570/jalite-prestige-iso-7010-escape-route-signs/ Designed specifically for the implementation of EN ISO 7010 as a replacement for obsolete back illuminated signs, this aesthetic fitting is simple in design yet an effective escape route sign to satisfy the requirements of a required risk assessment. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:12:28 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/569/smoke-control-dampers-grey-area-resolved/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/569/smoke-control-dampers-grey-area-resolved/ E (integrity) and ES (integrity and leakage) classified fire dampers are used throughout the United Kingdom and other countries as a primary method of preventing fire and smoke from passing through heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and thereby, from one compartment to another, thus maintaining fire separation for means of escape. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:25:23 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/568/chubb-fire-and-security-deploy-taskmaster-to-extinguish-field-inefficiencies/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/568/chubb-fire-and-security-deploy-taskmaster-to-extinguish-field-inefficiencies/ Chubb Fire & Security is part of UTC Fire and Security, a company that provides fire safety and security solutions to more than one million customers worldwide. The Chubb Fire Corporate national accounts business in the UK has over 200 field technicians serving customers for extinguisher service in business sectors ranging from Retail and Leisure, to Government, universities, councils and hospitals. Every year Chubb Fire & Security performs over 150,000 inspections and services over four million fire extinguishers. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:03:44 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/567/dutch-college-benefits-from-advanced-fire-protection/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/567/dutch-college-benefits-from-advanced-fire-protection/ A sophisticated integrated fire protection system, based on Advanced Electronics’ intelligent fire panels, has been deployed in a new college in Nijmegen, Netherlands. ROC Nijmegen is a Regional Teaching Centre offering 12,000 young and mature students courses in secondary vocational education and adult education classes. The education complex has over 1,100 staff and is housed in 9 buildings interconnected by a glass-roofed atrium. In addition to the teaching areas, the college includes a day care centre, food and retail outlets, administration offices and a job centre – creating a complex fire protection environment. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:01:12 GMT http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/564/firex-south-celebrates-record-attendance/ http://www.means-of-escape.com/articles/564/firex-south-celebrates-record-attendance/ - Firex South 2010, 16 -17 March, Sandown Exhibition Centre, Esher - Firex South 2010, one half of the popular biennial Firex Roadshows, was a resounding success when it took place at the Sandown Exhibition Centre, Esher from 16 – 17 March. The show attracted a record attendance of 1,353 industry professionals, representing a 16% increase in visitors from 2008. Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:22:04 GMT