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Label: Eco Title: Cleaner delivery for greener fluids Teaser: Mark Fletcher speaks to 3M Label: Warehouses Label: Protective clothing Label: Detection Title: Improving ergonomic design Teaser: Viking’s new PPE is developed with cancer risks in mind Teaser: Tyco’s new ZETTLER PROFILE

Mark Fletcher looks at the effect of environmental legislation on fire-fighting solutions, especially fluids and delivery systems. He also quizzes Bart Goeman, Business Development Manager for Novec™ 1230 Fire Protection Fluid at 3M, who explains how this has been addressed by 3M and its technical partners. With 3M recently announcing that it has become a member of the Construction CPD (Continuing Professional Development) Certification Service and can now offer a one hour CPD certified training course covering the topic of Sustainable Fire Suppression options, I took the opportunity to speak with Bart Goeman about the industry, past, present and a little bit future. The aim of the 3M CPD course is to support buyers, designers and providers of fire suppression systems, by presenting up to date information about clean agent fire suppression options, taking into account the changing regulatory landscape. Attendees will be able to earn one CPD credit as part of their on-going professional development. According to Goeman’s colleague, Simon Mitchell, Key Account Manager for the Electronics Materials Solutions Division: “Fire suppression is a necessity for organisations of all kinds, to protect human life and to protect valuable equipment and other assets. However, recent environmental legislative changes, and the need to ensure that the right system is installed for the right application, means that fire suppression can quickly become a confusing and complex topic. Our aim is to simplify and improve understanding, both for users and providers.” Goeman explains the wider picture: “Originally, we were working with a set of products called PFCs – specifically CEA-410 (clean extinguishing agent). At the time, like all PFCs, we knew that it had an impact on global warming and we were therefore following regulations very closely and we kept a strict eye on the Kyoto agreement, which was becoming more popular. Deciding on a proactive approach, we actually decided to stop the use of these agents in fire protection in 1999. “This proved to be the right strategy,” he explains, “as we all now face legislation introduced due to Kyoto, which focuses on phasing down use of HFCs as well in all markets, including their use in fire protection. Indeed, the Spanish Government has actually gone as far as introduced an environmental tax on the use of HFCs.” As you can imagine, 3M had a plan and was fortunate to have in its inventory fluoroketone 5-1-12 – better known as Novec 1230 – a ‘side product’ from its thermal management research. Novec 1230, as it turns out, is incredibly good at putting out fires, meets all the necessary standards and offers the highest safety regulations for people for any fire fluid available on the market. “Novec 1230 offers excellent environmental characteristics for now and the future,” Goeman elaborates, “with a global warming potential of less than 1 coupled to its very short atmospheric lifetime of just five to seven days. It is also accepted in every country.” The use of Halon was incredibly widespread and research into delivery methods was commensurate with its widespread use. However, thanks to a much better understanding of atmospheric chemistry it was removed from sale and Halon delivery systems had to be decommissioned by the end of 2003. As a result, investigations into the use of alternative engineered agents and fire extinguishing agents has exploded, especially in terms of research and development. System design has also had to evolve to take into account fluid types, the storage possibilities and the means of delivery and dispersal. “My personal view is that inert gases, Novec 1230 and water mist will ultimately take over the market” Goeman elaborates. “System design for the delivery of clean extinguishing agents (those that do not leave a residue) has clearly evolved over the past 12-13 years to more compact, user-friendly systems. The focus has been to develop systems that can be stored centrally and then support/protect different rooms. This used to be the monopoly of inert gas systems due to high storage pressures, but extensive R and D efforts have now seen the possibility of centrally stored delivery systems using Novec 1230 Fluid.” The design of a system is largely driven by standards – EN15004 in the EU for example – which defines what a system using an engineered agent looks like. “These standards are going to be translated by approval bodies,” Goeman explains, “to define certain fire and system test protocols and it is up to the system manufacturer to then address these protocols. The better the system is optimised to the agent the better the system will fit the standard. Leading companies are really working hard to optimise systems to make sure all components work well together and the calculations match the exact system needs. When they are all put together and subjected to standards-based evaluations the results will ultimately define the efficacy of the system.” Goeman explains how 3M keeps a strict eye on Novec 1230-based systems. “We really want to make sure that the systems out in the market function correctly, we therefore demand from our OEM partners that they subject their systems to international approval. We want to make sure that the valve, manifolds, nozzle, software, etc. have all been tested together and only these systems can be deployed to the market. “This is about safety of people,” he continues. “Systems using Novec 1230 are used in ship engine rooms, for example, so you need to be 100% sure that the system works. There are always conditions where an accident can occur, with no pre-alarm; you have to be sure that when activated, it will work.” When it comes to the design of delivery systems, Goeman elaborates on how a change in media type has resulted in a change of mind set. “Most systems using halon ran at 25 Bar, with relatively simple nozzles as gaseous agents boil at negative temperatures, so you didn’t have to have a really high level of nozzle design. Novec 1230 on the other hand is a fluid at room temperature, which is

Stefan Haug, Product Marketing Manager, Fire at Bosch Security Systems explains how their video surveillance technology is transcending from the security industry into fire detection applications for warehouses and industrial spaces Warehouses can be a fire-fighter’s worst nightmare. Although warehouse fires do, thankfully, usually result in few bodily injuries or deaths, the lack of early fire detection technologies and the immense fire loads in warehouses do often result in fire-fighters arriving on the scene just to see that it’s too late – the fire has already become too hazardous and too large to risk entering the warehouse. Total loss of the building is the typical result. Video-based fire detection technologies promise faster and more accurate detection of such potentially devastating fires, allowing fire-fighters to limit the damage. Most warehouses are characterised by high ceilings and very large open areas, also resulting in huge volumes of air inside which is a major challenge for traditional fire detection technologies. Usually, such technologies have been developed to discover the presence of smoke, heat or flames. In warehouse environments, heat detection by means of sprinklers is a commonly used technology, but even fully compliant sprinkler systems may not be able to extinguish the fire they detected. Using sprinklers also bears the potential of the water doing more harm than the fire itself. They are designed to save the building, not the commodities inside. Smoke detection is considered to be a reliable option for early fire detection. Smoke is usually produced way before any flames become visible. However, traditional detectors like point-type, beam or even aspirating smoke detectors need the smoke to migrate to their location, which is a challenge in large warehouses. Mounted at ceiling level, point detectors are usually far away from the source of the smoke. Furthermore, given the large volume of a warehouse, the smoke is being heavily diluted. A starting fire may thus not produce enough smoke to be detected or not enough buoyancy to drive the smoke upwards to the ceiling where the detectors are located. In addition, traditional detectors need some maintenance which can be hard and expensive to perform in high warehouses with narrow aisles between shelves full of commodities. Optical beam smoke detectors can be an option in some environments, but they still need the smoke to migrate to the area of detection. They can be located at lower heights than point detectors usually are, but then may be disturbed by moving equipment such as automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS). They are also prone to misalignments due to vibrations or building motion caused by wind. Aspiration detectors, finally, suffer from the very same problems that other smoke detectors do: They need buoyancy or ventilation because they can pull smoke over short distances only. The only smoke detection technology that does not need the smoke to migrate to the sensor is video. Video-based smoke detection is basically a set of algorithms in an intelligent camera. These algorithms process the camera image to determine whether smoke is present, and they can detect a fire as soon as the smoke enters their field of view. This way they can cover larger areas and volumes than point, beam or aspiration detectors, making them a much more affordable solution for warehouse environments. Further, in such environments video is much faster than traditional smoke detection. It can detect a starting fire within ten to 30 seconds while other technologies will need minutes due to the slow smoke migration – minutes that can make the difference between a nuisance and a disaster. Detect smoke and flames But video can do more than just smoke detection. If you use one set of algorithms to identify smoke, you can just as well implement another set to deal with flames. Flame characteristics of different fires are well understood, and thus flame detection through intelligent video analysis is just as reliable as smoke detection. Using video to detect flames avoids the necessity to install and operate optical flame detectors and adds additional value by way of full video visualisation of the scene. The operator can therefore precisely locate the seat of the fire as well as involved commodities, potentially providing valuable time for fire-fighting. The video image can also be used to verify alarms in the first place, avoiding costly false alarms. However, video-based fire detection (VFD) is by itself highly immune against such false alarms, as intelligent video analysis within the camera allows to detect disturbing values such as movement, reflections or changing lighting conditions and to offset such influences. In internal tests, Bosch Security Systems has therefore achieved very high detection reliability in all test fires (TF1 through TF8) as specified in EN54. Cameras cover broad areas, need little maintenance and do not even require individual power supplies. With Power over Ethernet (PoE), power and video signals use the same cable, even allowing the camera to benefit from the uninterruptable power supplies (UPS) in the Ethernet switches. Video-based solutions thus come with a very affordable cost of ownership. Video-based fire detection systems scales well from a single camera to a networked system of distributed cameras with a central console and management system. They can relay alarms to an existing fire alarm panel or transmit them via Ethernet to the monitoring centre or even a mobile device. Receiving HD quality video images in real time during their approach gives the fire-fighters a good understanding of the current situation even before they arrive on the scene. Video combines safety and security While video-based fire detection can be more reliable and more affordable than other technologies in most warehouse scenarios, it offers an additional benefit that no other option can. It allows to combine safety and security. Having installed a video-based fire detection system, the operator of a warehouse can use the very same cameras for video surveillance. There are lots of reasons to monitor the warehouse, avoiding theft being the most obvious one. But just as intelligent algorithms can identify smoke or flames, others can

 Phil Cunliffe, Senior Fire Product Manager, Tyco Fire Protection Products, explains how the company’s new range of products has been designed with the user in mind Ergonomics put people at the heart of design to optimise comfort, functionality and user-friendliness. It encourages product developers and manufacturers to take into account how users interact with products, focusing on the strengths and abilities of people rather than setting a fixed design and forcing users to adapt. These parameters cover a wide range of factors, including age, size, strength, cognitive function and – most importantly in the case of technology-based products – prior experience. Applying good ergonomic practice to products, such as fire control panels, strips out complexity from the user experience, making the systems easier, safer and more efficient to use. Combining an ergonomic user interface with an enhanced operating system and software capability makes this technology more accessible to a wider user base, which in turn meets the changing needs of system designers, integrators and end users. The functions and components of a fire detection system Fire detection systems are built to save lives and protect critical assets and property. Effective fire detection requires the careful design and selection of robust and reliable components within the overall system to ensure identification and alarm in the event of a fire. The system must simultaneously reduce the risk of errors and false alarms, which can cause unnecessary evacuations. At the centre of a fire detection system is the control panel. This integrates the functions and status of all system components, including various types of devices such as detector modules, call points, beacons and sounders with other ancillary systems such as protection, plant and extinguishing equipment and alarm routing. A key component of the control panel is the user interface, where trained personnel operate the various functions of the panel and respond to alarm notifications. Technological innovations in other markets, such as the security industry, have addressed the need to update user interfaces to keep pace with industry regulations and innovations in both software and hardware, and improve user experience. These advances in technology enable the fire industry to benefit from a reengineered approach to panel usability in order to deliver the next generation in control panel equipment. Focusing on user experience User interface ergonomics play a key role in ensuring ease of use and relieving the common pain points associated with operating fire alarm control panels. Understanding how different system users interact with a fire control panel and the challenges they face is key to considering the appropriate technology, based on the system components and level of severity in terms of the fire risk. Applying this insight influences research and development into new product design and engineering in a way that supports improved user experience for all operators. To gain further understanding, Tyco Fire Protection Products categorised typical operators of a control panel based on the frequency with which they interact with the system, and the type of function they are likely to perform. User groups are classed as occasional, medium or high frequency operators, all of which tend to require a different level of understanding and access in order to operate the control panel confidently. Occasional users include receptionists and facilities employees. This group is likely to have less experience of working with the fire control panel and in this instance common ‘fear factors’ can become prevalent – flashing LEDs, unexpected alarm buzzers and system faults all create the potential to confuse the user. Often located near to the panel, a building receptionist is often the first responder. They therefore require a general level of understanding with regard to the system functions, such as silencing the buzzer, system fault notification and awareness of LED warnings and their relevant meanings. Recognising and understanding the phases of the fire detection system, along with a basic level of access, ensures the ability to interrogate and assess the information quickly, as well as identifying potential false alarms and system errors. The facilities management team will typically perform a regular fire test and have operational responsibility for the fire detection system and any related fire safety procedures such as evacuation plans. There­fore, easy login functionality is essen­tial to manage more features of the system, including fire drills and disabling certain components. Medium to high frequency operators are typically system integrators, installers and maintenance engineers. These users are often responsible for connecting and interrogating devices within the system, either during initial installation or routine maintenance, and possess a much more detailed technical understanding of the fire control system, being able to navigate to various functions quickly and easily. Flexibility, system integration and ease of use are critical factors for these individuals, as a complex and convoluted user interface impacts the speed of installation and commissioning. The ability to access complete system functionality multiple times speedily and easily is valuable as operations are often repeated many times during a single engineer visit. Common problems with fire systems Exploring the common problems affecting system operators has enabled fire detection suppliers to develop technology which overcomes these pain points. A key issue is the fact that many users are concerned about making mistakes because the user interface is too confusing and complex. The first time many operators interact with the control panel could potentially be in an emergency, and the more complex the user interface – particularly for the building management and first response emergency services – the greater the risk for costly mistakes, wasted time and potential business and operational disruption. Complex menu systems can easily lead to confusion, inciting fear and paralysing the user due to a lack of guidance or panel intuition. System operators often equate additional and enhanced functionality with a more complex interface, which could potentially only add to their worry. Undermining users’ confidence in how to operate the system through complex and convoluted procedures creates an unnecessary cycle of confusion and stress, which ultimately works against the need for rapid and calm reaction in

Keld Valentin, Global Sales Manager, Fire at Viking Protective Clothing, explains how growing awareness of the cancer risks for fire-fighters is driving the PPE market Tell us a bit about Viking
 Viking is a family-owned company, founded in 1960. We originally come from the marine safety industry – life rafts, evacuation equipment and so on, but in the early 1980s we took over a smaller manufacturer that had worked with us in the past and stepped straight into the PPE business with fire suits and everything that makes Viking what they are today. Today we employ over 2000 people with an annual turnover of over 230 million Euros. We operate on a global scale, with over 70 branch offices around the world. Our fire suits are made in Europe and at our own factory in Thailand. The European market is served from our European factories. At Interschutz, you launched your new Guardian range. Tell us a bit more about that. Originally it was a development project initiated by the Gothenburg Fire Department in Sweden, which is one of the most innovative Departments in Europe. They had a need for new suits, but instead of going out in a traditional tender and stating their requirements, they invited manufacturers to help them develop a brand new type of suit. What they required was a suit where the fire-fighter, without any assistance, would be able to take off the outer shell and thereby reduce the immediate exposure to carcinogens and harmfull particles, put the outer shell into a dissolvable washing bag and deliver it directly into the washing machine at the station, thereby also reducing the contamination of his vehicle, the station and the people preparing his laundry. That was the concept. There has been a lot of discussion around the risks to fire-fighters of carcinogen-based cancers. The fire-fighters themselves have, of course, been following these discussions and have felt the need to take a stand and say ‘there are probably going to be many more discussions before final conclusions are made and new regulations implemented. We need to do something right now that is logical and achievable without compromising protection.’ The logical thing to do is to remove the contamination as early as possible and stop people being unnecessarily exposed to potentially harmful substances. How serious are the health risks from carcinogens to fire-fighters? It’s a global concern at the moment; there have been numerous studies into it, both in Europe and, especially, in the US. The international agency for cancer research has classified the fire-fighting profession as being at possible risk from carcinogens, but it is expected that will change to a probable risk. Everybody is aware that there is an escalating situation, and all the investigations to date have compared fire-fighters to the average population, not taking into account that fire-fighters are probably a lot fitter than the average population – something they feel they don’t get enough credit for. Also, the whole work environment for fire-fighters has changed in recent years. As an old fire-fighter once told me, 50 years ago the smoke wasn’t as dangerous as it is now because all that was being emitted in the smoke originated from wood and cotton materials. In a modern home, there are almost no natural materials any more. Are there certain types of fire that the Guardian suit is best designed for? Our suits are all designed to meet or exceed all the requirements for structural fire-fighting gear according to either the European EN469 or the American NFPA standards. Do the different standards prove a hindrance to the development of the suits? Do you think there needs to be more standardisation of the standards? There are two standards we have to adhere to, of course. In Europe we adhere to the EN:469 standard, and in the US they have the NFPA standard. We have to offer two completely different suits – the requirements are completely different between EN and NFPA. We know that there is some work into making an all-encompassing ISO standard. This has been talked about for a long time, but the trouble is that there is a lot of different tradition and needs for fire-fighters around the world. There are positives and negatives in each aspect. American suits require higher thermal protection and thus have a higher weight than European ones, but their suits are tested against a lot more things than in Europe. Moisture barriers, for example, are tested in the States for their resistance to viruses and blood-borne pathogens, which isn’t done in Europe. In the US they also have NFPA 1851, which mandates a fire-fighter to hand in their suit once a year for washing and a advanced inspection. In Europe, there is no requirement for periodical inspection or, indeed, washing: You can do what you like. Do you think that’s something that should be adopted in European standards? In America, they have a different view on the ageing process of the components of a suit. After ten years, a fire suit has to be condemned because the components it is built out of are not the same as they were when they were new. They have been used in a range of conditions for such a long time that there is no way of knowing what you are wearing unless you test it. The whole discussion about carcinogens and the risk of cancer has created more awareness amongst fire-fighters; however, before anything happens because of it you have to implement a change of attitude in terms of how you handle a suit, how you maintain and repair it. We are seeing that a lot of the organisations and Fire Departments concerned about occupational safety are very interested in these new concepts, as it offers a tangible solution and a best practice. Once you create best practices, the fastest way to implement them is through regulations. Would you say that the emphasis on suit care should be on the fire-fighters themselves? No, they

The detectors, call points and notification devices all share the same zone wiring  Power management company Eaton today announced the launch of its new BiWire Ultra fire alarm system, which is designed for fast and efficient installation. Unlike standard conventional systems, the detectors, call points and notification devices all share the same zone wiring, reducing cabling requirements by up to 50%. Simple to operate and quick to install, it’s ideally suited to small hotels, offices, primary schools, restaurants and retail stores as a means of protecting people, property and business continuity. Peter Regan, product marketing manager at Eaton, said: “Our new BiWire Ultra system has been designed with simplicity in mind. It is quick and easy to install, reducing cabling costs and the time spent programming and operating the system.” BiWire Ultra comprises a central panel alongside fully compatible detectors, sounders and EN54-23 approved beacons, all of which are designed to identify fire hazards and notify occupants as quickly as possible in order to ensure safe and controlled evacuations. The range is the latest addition to Eaton’s comprehensive suite of life safety solutions, which aim to help building owners and managers meet their safety obligations in the most effective and efficient manner. Available in two-, four- or eight-zone variants, the system can support up to 52 devices per zone, wiring faults are easily spotted and indicated by flashing the detector LED nearest the fault. Supplied with a back-up battery to ensure the correct ratings and to reduce complexity, the central panel has an attractive appearance and a simple user interface. Conforming to the requirements of BS5839-1, commissioning and maintenance is straightforward, making it easy for one person to carry out testing and ensure the healthy state of the system, as required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order of 2005. Additional functionality of the system includes a class change facility for schools which automates the class change bell via the fire alarm, expansion card support for fire alarm routing equipment (FRE) and fire protection equipment (FPE) and an Interlink relay for connecting two panels together. Peter Regan added: “The BiWire Ultra range is the first of its type to offer EN54-23 approved beacons, so whatever the risk assessment, premises fitted with a BiWire Ultra system comply with the latest standards for fire notification. However, the legal and moral obligations of fire safety are not only concerned with installation but also ongoing maintenance and testing, and the BiWire Ultra has been developed with the objective of making that process straightforward. With all of this in mind, we believe this range will appeal to a diverse cross-section of small and medium-sized premises where owners need protection without problems.” Augmenting the range are a number of complementary devices including call points, a five-in-one fire detector plus a range of EN54-23 approved sounder beacons and sounder beacon bases. For more details on fire systems from Eaton visit, e-mail www.cooperfire.com , e-mail [email protected] or call +44 (0)1302 303200.

More than 70 firefighters tackle blaze  A fire has broken out at an industrial unit in north London. The fire at the East Duck Lees Lane in Enfield started at about 10:10 BST and is currently being tackled by more than 70 firefighters, London Fire Brigade (LFB) said. Thick black smoke can be seen from locations including Canary Wharf, 20 miles (32km) away. The cause of the fire is not yet known, but LFB have advised residents to "close their doors and windows".

Visual Smoke and Flame Detection System FireVu has announced that its Visual Smoke and Flame Detection System has obtained FM Approval, an internationally recognised testing standard. This latest achievement follows more than 10 years of success for FireVu, an award-winning solution which provides early fire detection for high-value assets and is used on more than 200 sites worldwide across various industries. FM Approval is issued by FM Global, a worldwide company which provides comprehensive global commercial and industrial property insurance. As a globally respected testing standard for certifying products that prevent property loss in industrial or commercial applications, FM Approval is stipulated by many international companies in their invitations to tender. FireVu’s attainment of this approval means that these applications will benefit from its diversity and sophistication. FM Approval, also recognised in Europe, ensures that products comply with its highest standards. Following extensive scientific research and examination at the FM test facility, FireVu’s solution was found to conform to the performance requirements of the Approval Standard for Video Image Fire Detectors for Automatic Fire Alarm Signalling. FireVu’s proven Video Smoke Detection technology detects, identifies and analyses smoke and flame at the start of a fire. It is used successfully across sectors such as power generation, manufacturing industries, tunnels and aircraft hangars, where time is of the essence when responding to fire. Pauline Norstrom, chief operating officer for FireVu, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for FireVu and reflects the hard work of our team in ensuring that our products meet the highest international standards. “Our goal at FireVu is to continue to bring our innovative fire detection solutions to market across a range of sectors. Having FM Approval can only help us achieve this.” Amongst FireVu’s latest innovations is the Multi Detector, which combines smoke, flame and thermal sensing in a single unique solution.

Lighter and more ergonomic than ever  Lighter and more ergonomic than ever, without any concessions on performance: Holmatro introduces the first two models of its new 5000 series cutters. The most important factors in the development of these cutters were weight reduction and improved ergonomics, while maintaining an optimal cutting performance on modern cars. This has been achieved through a combination of new materials, component integration and innovative design. Being much lighter than the previous generation, the new 5000 series cutters significantly reduce the physical burden on the operator. This burden is even further reduced by one special model, the Inclined Cutter. Both models are also available with Greenline battery technology for increased freedom of movement. Inclined Cutter CU 5050 i Designed for more ergonomic cutting high and low on the car, this cutter with its inclined jaw eliminates the need to lift the tool high up for a roof cut or to bend over deeply to cut the rocker panel. Working with the Inclined Cutter also means there’s more space for the tool to move towards the car when you cut a pillar from the side. And with the carrying handle going all-around, you can always use this cutter in its most favorable position, at all sides of the vehicle. The CU 5050 i too has been tested extensively on the latest prototypes. Optimal performance on modern cars The models currently introduced (CU 5050 and CU 5050 i) are New Car Technology cutters, offering an optimal cutting performance on modern vehicles. Contributing features are: • New Car Technology (NCT) blades. These U-shaped blades can surround wide pillars and automatically pull the material into the cutting recess, close to the central bolt, where it is cut at the strongest point of the tool. • Optimized cutting edge. We’ve further optimized the cutting edge of our NCT blades for a longer blade life and the best possible performance on modern cars. • The i-Bolt. This flat central bolt construction squeezes the blades together directly (no blade holder in between!) and more tightly. This results in a better cutting performance. It also gives you the advantage of better access into narrow spaces. Other features & benefits: • Ergonomic carrying handle increasing operator comfort in various working positions • Six LED lights with a high light output integrated in the carrying handle • Patented CORE Technology combining oil feed and return in one hose to make rescue operations safer, quicker and easier • On battery powered models: Greenline battery technology combining a long battery life with high capacity for maximum operational use More information on holmatro.com/en/cutters