Label: Case study Title: Packexe Teaser: The tool for fire-fighters during extrication situations Label: Communications Label: Official report Label: Case Study Title: Emirates Towers Teaser: Official report from the NFPA Teaser: International hospitality goes high-tech

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Workers on the move are doing more critical work away from the office In your world, getting the job done means being on the move. The rugged Panasonic Toughbook® H1 Field handheld tablet PC is the ultimate productivity tool for mobile workers. With superior ergonomics, a 10.4” sunlight-viewable screen and sealed all-weather design, the H1 Field lets you work virtually anywhere.   Designed with a magnesium alloy internal frame, the IP65 and MIL-STD-810G certified1 Toughbook H1 Field delivers a complete range of integrated wireless features including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth® and optional Gobi™2000 mobile broadband.   Add to that fast charging hot-swappable twin batteries for maximum uptime, optional integrated GPS and SmartCard reader, and you’ve got a handheld tablet PC that is unmatched in the field. www.larstan.com   Assessing the broad business case for rugged computing    This paper outlines the key demand drivers for reliable computing while describing the elements for different levels of “ruggedness.” It reports on the spectrum of mission-critical mobile users who have different levels of needs for rugged computing. It provides guidelines for “certification” and testing to accurately assess vendor claims and appropriately map the correct rugged form factor to the required functionality.   Devices While the concept of rugged computing has been pioneered by users working in extreme environmental conditions, there is growing evidence that a broader business market is developing for this category of mobile computers. The new trend is driven by three factors:   • The number of mobile workers as a percentage of the overall workforce is growing; • New broadband wireless technologies (EVDO1 and HSDPA2 and Gobi in particular) increase the opportunities to connect to key information resources from more places and at any time; and • Increased usage of mobile computers in a greater variety of environments exposes these devices to greater risk of physical harm.   According to analysts at Boonton, NJ-based Insight Research, employers are now actively promoting the expansion of their mobile workforce, especially as new technology developments enable continuous communication with employees outside of the office. This observation is further supported by a study from the Washington, DC-based Telework Coalition, which found that:   • 89 of the top 100 US companies offer telecommuting; • 58 percent of companies consider themselves a virtual workplace; • Only nine percent of employees worked at headquarters; and • 67 percent of all workers used mobile and wireless computing.   Workers, in short, are on the move. They are increasingly doing mission-critical work when they are away from the office. While it may have been feasible in the early days of mobility to use dial-up facilities— and later find Wi-Fi hotspots in coffee houses or hotel lobbies— the mainstreaming of mobility creates a new requirement for anytime access.   This helps to explain why demand for wireless broadband services is expected to grow at a compounded rate of more than 60 percent through the rest of the decade, while wireline services will grow at only 10 percent over the same forecast horizon, according to in sight analysts. Business users— and a growing number of consumers— find that they cannot afford to wait when they need to connect with colleagues, customers and suppliers.   1 Evolution, data only or evolution, data optimised. 2 High-speed downlink packet access assessing the broad business case for rugged computing. 3 “Anytime” connectivity implies an “anywhere” requirement.   As people access their network resources more often, they are also doing it from more places; some of those places are not always computer friendly. That is why, in a separate survey conducted by Harris Interactive, 70 percent of U.S. adult laptop users (in a sample of 2,300 respondents) strongly agreed that they would not feel comfortable storing their laptop in an overhead bin while traveling on an airplane because of fear that it might become damaged. The survey further found that:   • Among adults who regularly use a laptop computer, 47 percent use their laptop outside of a typical office environment on a daily basis;   • 25 percent regularly (i.e. 3 days a week or more) use a laptop while traveling or somewhere else outside their home or work;   • Among laptop users, 68 percent report their laptop is most at risk when traveling as a result of being dropped and knocked against a hard surface or getting crushed under the weight of other objects;   • 39 percent reported experiencing some form of mishap (drop, knock, and spill) with their laptop. These findings are in line with research conducted in 2005 by Framingham, MAbased IDC, which showed that dropping while carrying was the “number one” cause of accidental notebook damage. Liquid spills and falls from a table or desk rounded out the top three mishaps leading to accidental damage.   Understanding the true total cost of PC ownership   Many buyers have focused on purchase price alone when procuring notebooks. A closer look at the numbers— and the quality of the end-user experience— is turning this conventional wisdom into seriously outdated thinking. According to a recent market research report authored by analyst David Krebs at Natick, MA-based Venture Development Corporation, nearly 50% of the total cost of operating an enterprise mobile computing device is caused by lost worker productivity when the device fails. He concludes that the upfront cost of hardware adoption accounts for only 16% of mobile computer total cost of ownership (TCO). This implies substantial savings with the purchase of rugged equipment, because operating costs will be much lower over the long-term than with non-rugged mobile platforms.   This could explain why a study conducted by ABI Research in December of 2006 forecast that a new durable notebook category (also known as business-rugged) will grow at a compound annual rate of over 16% between 2006 and 2011.   Assessing the broad business case for rugged computing   “The combination of rugged features in more consumer-grade mobile devices is at the very core of product differentiation and the growing need to cater for field force enablement. Fully ruggedised products in traditional vertical markets such as oil and gas, mining, and the military will continue to be strong…[but] there will

Alerting: and the future Hybralert – Swissphone’s hybrid alerting system   Alerts indicate an emergency situation and have to be distributed fast and safe. The previous paragraph explained why it is recommended to use local- and end-independent alerting networks like the POCSAG network. It transmits alerts which can be received by all pagers in its surroundings.   Increasing reception possibility   Hybrid alerting is intended to establish safer message delivery and to close reception gaps. It supplements and combines existing alerting systems with additional transmitting technologies. The alerting distribution increases the reception possibility in areas with poor or problematic network coverage.   In the past, alerts were transmitted via sirens or landline telephones. The latter are stationary and do not meet today’s mobility demands. The GSM network is suitable to be combined with a paging network to build up a hybrid alerting solution because of its pervasive nature. Paging can use GSM either as a fall back or for simultaneous alerting. Alerts have to be transmitted primarily via a paging network which offers a higher transmission safety due to its end-independency. Zurich’s insurance company “Gebäudeversicherung Zurich” GVZ, for example, uses two separate paging networks in addition to GSM: their own, private SIKAN and the national TPS network. Multiple technologies in a single unit   The safe reception of alerts via various networks and technologies in one single unit requires sophisticated solutions. Regardless of the technical complexities, users should be able to use the terminal with ease. Swissphone developed hybrid alerting with the following in mind:   • Different reception technologies • influence each other • The battery life of a GSM operated • device is shorter • SMS messages require cost control • Redundant messages must be • suppressed  

Mark Fletcher speaks to Bruce Lee from Sprint Nextel to discuss how the latest communication protocols are providing powerful tools for fire services and, more importantly, how they can be exploited to enable the emergency services to create enhanced and shareable real-time situational-awareness data. Like many consumer-driven technological advances, cellular technology is powering forward at a tremendous rate. The air-time providers spend billions evolving the capabilities of the infrastructure and handset manufacturers undertake massive product development programmes and slash design cycles and product lifetimes in order to create and be first to the market with the next great USP. One of the positive side effects of this incredibly rapid development programme is the sheer number of new services and capabilities that can be exploited by the emergency services. Services that will enable them to not only be more readily aware of the issues they are dealing with, but also access this information far quicker and in real time – leading to optimised decision making and much greater situational awareness. Core to this new capability is the concept of Wide Area Networks or WANs, which are provided by the cellular companies nationally across the globe. However, to get a full picture of what is out there, we need to discuss the impact of the Global Positioning System or GPS. “The availability of accurate location formation presented an almost instantaneous advantage to fire services when it was first made available commercially by the US Military,” explains Bruce Lee, Manager of Industry Solutions at Sprint Nextel. “Higher interaction levels were immediately on hand from both vehicles and personnel, freeing up and removing some of the burden on the dispatchers.” Using sensors in vehicles and personal devices, location information can be sent to central control rooms autonomously and dealt with by situational software and displayed on map overlays. This machine-to-machine interaction instantly removes the need for person-to-person communications and the ambiguity that comes with it. The other advantage it offers is that it works in real time – which is a key for the emergency services. The crux of the approach is that if you know what is going on in real time, you can make much better and more informed decisions. As Lee explains: “GPS was developed by the military… In the fog of war, if you can get clear, unambiguous information you are in a much better situation tactically – something the emergency services can appreciate. This real time information, coupled with situational awareness can then be shared with all other agencies and acted upon in the most appropriate manner; allowing the strategic allocation of assets to where they will be most effective.” GPS is a very undemanding protocol, requiring relatively low data transfer rates and low bandwidth. However, with the advent of faster and more powerful cellular-based WANs, the emergency services now have at their disposal an incredibly powerful infrastructure for accessing even more pertinent information at far higher data levels. Modern cellular networks, such as 3G and HSDPA, are evolving at such a rate that many are offering data capabilities akin to those more commonly seen on wired networks. These enhanced data-transfer rates give those on the scene and those in control centres access to even greater levels of detail in the form of maps, videos and photos as well as access to IP-based security systems in or near the incident scene. Once again this can be achieved in real time, shaving vital seconds off response times and the resultant remedial action. “Sprint, as a cellular air time provider, does not create hardware,” Lee explains, “but what it does do is partner with best-in-breed companies, to help them leverage the capabilities of the cellular network.” Internally, the company has what is, in essence, a machine-to-machine organisation which, as well as looking at GPS and graphical information, also addresses the cellular transmission of asset health, such as the mechanical well being of vehicles and other hardware – in a similar vein to that used by modern car racing companies. “We have people working with fire departments, major automotive OEMs and trucking firms who need large quantities of data to work effectively, be it geographical, mechanical or situational,” Lee continues. Within sprint the Emerging Solutions Group has the concept of machine-to-machine at its core and overlays these capabilities on top of other groups who may be dealing with geographically defined customers such as city fire departments. “One such success,” Lee continues, “is the Anaheim fire department, whose area of operation covers both built-up and rural forested areas. Both require the fire service, but they both have unique needs and subsequent interaction with differing groups and services, depending on the location and scope of the emergency. They are using data solutions to better allocate resources and interact with other departments to help ensure more successful operations.” When quizzed on the future of cellular communications and the associated hardware Lee believes that the primary area of development will be the evolution of what is already out there. “Miniaturisation of hardware is a constant,” he explains, “when you consider what is possible now on a smart phone compared to even five years ago, the trend is very obvious. Devices may not get much smaller, but what they will do is pack a bigger punch and give the user greater capabilities. “I also think that there will be an increase in the reliability and subsequent analytics and interpretation of video feeds,” he concludes. “With more data available, there is more data to process and I think software will begin to take the lead. Not necessarily in the actual decision making process, but what it will do is determine if human interaction and intervention is required. People want to know if there is anything outside of the norm without staring at banks of monitors.” With 4G already in place in many countries, data rates and bandwidth are no longer the limiting factors towards the efficacy of a system. It is now down to the hardware developers to exploit these

Standing guard for the safety of millions From Europe to Australia, South America to the Far East, commercial, residential and industrial facilities around the globe are depending on Patterson fire suppression pumps and Pre-Pac® engineered self-contained systems.   Millions count on Patterson for their unparalleled knowledge and expertise in developing quality fire pumps and pumping systems that perform reliably when needed in office buildings, schools, dormitories, industrial sites, high-density residential areas, manufacturing plants and commercial sites.   All Patterson Fire Pumps and accessories are engineered to meet, or exceed, all applicable codes, including: UL and ULC listings, FM and NYBSA approvals, NFPA, VdS, LPCB, CNBOP and CE certifications worldwide and all NFPA-20 standards.   Horizontal split case fire pumps   Ideal for both high and low pressure pumping requirements Patterson Horizontal Split Case Fire Pumps are engineered for reliable operation upon demand. Patterson sweats the details   All fabricated parts are standardised and accurately machined for true alignment, increasing overall durability. Precision balancing of all rotating components provides mechanical dependability, reliable operation and minimal maintenance. Impellers are constructed with double inlets that practically eliminate end thrust while boosting operating efficiency.   The simple, split case design of these pumps allows for in-line service without disturbing piping while ensuring long, efficient unit life, reduced maintenance costs and minimal power consumption.   These pumps are designed to operate with pressures in excess of 390 psi (27 bar) and flows from 150 gpm to 5,000 gpm (568 litres/min to 18,925 litres/min).   Whether your fire pump application requires an electric motor, a diesel engine or vertical or horizontal orientation, these industry-approved pumps can be configured to meet your specific needs.   High pressure two-stage DMD fire pumps   Engineered for rugged, reliable service when space is at a premium High Pressure Two-Stage Fire Pumps are engineered to produce as much head as two single-stage pumps in series but in a much more compact size. Heavily built, they are highly dependable and have every mechanical feature to assure long life.   Design highlights include dual single-inlet, enclosed impellers, mounted back-to-back, and an interconnecting passage between stages. Bronze or bronze-bushed interstage pieces guard against wear.   Sizes range from 3-in. to 6-in. (7.6-cm to 15.2-cm) discharge for capacities to 1,000 gpm (3,785 litres/min) and heads to 1,150 ft (351 m).   V.I.P. vertical in-line fire pumps   Compact, self-contained design for easy adaptability to new or existing applications Patterson’s V.I.P. series of Vertical In-Line Fire Pumps offer a simple alternative to horizontal split case pumps in fire applications with lower flow ranges. Their unique design also minimises energy consumption while lengthening service life.   These fire pumps are easy to install into existing pipe lines. With the inlet and outlet on a common center line, only standard piping supports on either side of the pump are needed. This eliminates the need for costly foundations or pads.   The precision-cast impeller is dynamically balanced for smooth operation, and it is enclosed for optimum performance and long service life. Balance holes on the back side of the impeller reduce thrust with hydraulic balancing of the pressures.   Designed for durability, every pump has standard packing and a two-piece gland. Coupled to V.I.P.’s standard JP/JM motor, this quality, integral drive system features uniformity of tolerances, minimum shaft deflection and bearings sized properly for the job.   An integral clean-out port on the suction side enables cleaning without having to remove the driver, eliminating the need for a NFPA 6.3.4.1 Pipeline Strainer.   With pressure ratings from 40 psi to 150 psi (3 bar to 10 bar), Patterson’s V.I.P. Vertical In-Line Fire Pumps deliver flow ranges of 50 gpm to 1,250 gpm (189 litres/ min to 4,731 litres/min).   Vertical turbine fire pumps   Flexible staging enables capacity requirements in minimum floor space   Among the most versatile pumps in Patterson’s arsenal, the Vertical Turbine Fire Pump stands on Patterson’s more than 50 years of vertical pump expertise. Employing the latest design concepts and engineering technology, these pumps are ideal for fire fighting.   They can be staged as needed to meet specific pressure requirements, with lengths and construction adaptable to the application. And their space-saving vertical design minimises floor space requirements. Standard construction offers cast iron discharge heads with a fabricated steel column, stainless steel head and bowl shafts, or alloy steel line shaft and cast iron bronze fitted bowls. Open line shaft construction is standard; special metallurgies are available.   No priming is necessary to provide flows from 500 gpm to 5,000 gpm (1,892 litres/ min to 18,925 litres/min), with pressures in excess of 350 psi (24 bar).   End suction fire pumps   Deliver Patterson performance and reliability to new or existing installations   Choose from two configurations—frame mounted and close-coupled, which can be flanged or threaded. These pumps are engineered to last with a precision-cast, dynamically balanced and enclosed impeller that minimises vibration and maximises bearing life. Engineered for lasting integrity with standard packing and a shaft sleeve, each unit is hydrostatically pressure-tested to 1-1/2 times shut off before shipping.   Removing the rotating element without disturbing suction and discharge connections is easy because of our unique, back pullout design.   Registered fits at the volute and volute cover maintain pump alignment.   Featuring pressure ratings from 40 psi to 150 psi (3 bar to 10 bar), Patterson’s End Suction Fire Pumps are available in flow ranges of 50 gpm to 750 gpm (189 litres/min to 2,835 litres/min).   Pre-Pac® fire pump systems    Save on compact, custom-engineered pre-packaged systems   The Patterson Pre-Pac is one of the most popular and reliable, self-contained fire protection pump systems on the market today. It is compact, highly efficient and cost effective. From high-density residential complexes to industrial and commercial sites, the Pre-Pac helps you properly protect the lives and property in your care even while facing budget constraints and space limitations. Here’s how   Created to provide highly efficient, quality fire control in less space and for less cost, the Pre-Pac saves money by reducing labor, engineering and installation costs. Each Pre-Pac is built in

Label: Hybrid Alerting Title: Hybralert Teaser: Hybrid Alerting Systems Label: Lead Feature Label: Communications Label: Promotional Feature Title: Rugged Computing Teaser: Technology revolutionises situational awareness Teaser: Rugged handheld tablet PC

LUKAS eDRAULIC relieves both patients and rescuers Less noise at the accident scene LUKAS eDRAULIC relieves both patients and rescuers In recent years, the focus on methods and tactics in rescue has shifted more and more to the accident victim. As a result, rescuers already establish both eye and speech contact with the patient during their initial assessment of the accident site, and they maintain this contact throughout the entire rescue operation. These efforts to calm the patient help reduce stress and minimise the psychological impact on the patient. All rescue activities should always be performed with the least possible impact on the patient. Interference from noise Marc Bigalke, medical director of rescue services for the city of Amberg/Germany and emergency physician, confirms that noise in particular is one of the unwanted side effects of rescue operations. Loud power units make communication more difficult, not only with the patient but among the rescuers as well. The use of low-noise rescue tools helps reduce these undesirable disturbances to the minimum necessary level. Both rescuers and patients profit from the resulting improvement in teamwork and communication. Quieter rescue With the eDRAULIC series, LUKAS probably offers the quietest rescue tools, and the safest ones for patients. The tools operate with electricity and generate sound immission only when they are in use. If the eDRAULIC tool is not in use, it is absolutely quiet. So you have a role in making rescue safer for your patients  

The first Peli Area Safety light with an ATEX approval is now available… The first Peli Area Safety light with an ATEX approval is now available. The 9435 is the latest in a successful and expanding range of Area Lighting systems from Peli. The new 9435 features 18 LEDs which output a brilliant 1500 lumens (high setting) to illuminate a work area. This rechargeable Peli area light is certified for use in hazardous areas (ATEX Zone 2). Weighing less than 8kg, the Peli 9435 unit is easy to carry on site. It is highly versatile, the mast extends to almost 1 metre and swivels 360° while the head can be tilted to angle the light where required The new 9435 is silent running and has a dual power mode, with a light duration of approx. 10 hours (economy mode). Ideal for Fire and Emergency Service use, Peli Area lighting systems are rugged units offering a safe, economic and convenient alternative to generator powered lighting. There are no fumes emitted and no liquid fuel is required, thus improving worker safety and adding to the environmental benefits of this range. Details on all Peli Area Lighting products can be found at www.peliproducts.co.uk.

UK fire service personnel have raised concerns regarding the safety of new engines that are being rolled out and an investigation has been launched…c By Samuel Couratin UK fire service personnel have raised concerns regarding the safety of new engines that are being rolled out and an investigation has been launched after reports that the machines carry a risk of catching fire when attending incidents. The problem has been highlighted by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), which called for an inquiry into the potential problem following the purchase of four of the Combined Aerial Rescue Pumps (CARPs). South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue spent £2 million on the engines, which are claimed by some to place lives at risk. "They have continually been off the run since they were brought in," FBU spokesman John Gilliver told the Sheffield Telegraph, adding that two firefighters tackling an incident at height had to be rescued when a cage malfunctioned. One of the vehicles is reported to have caught fire while at a blaze in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, while two others smoked after faults occurred. A total of £700,000 was spent on the four specialist CARPs as they were initially found to be too heavy for use on UK roads and an investigation will now be carried out into whether they are safe to use. The fire service said in a statement: "Like the FBU, we are concerned about these issues and are working tirelessly to address them to keep the CARPs available as often as possible." Last month, the FBU responded to the report by the Public Accounts Committee on the failure of the FiReControl project by stating that lessons have not been learned from the exercise and ministers need to listen to control staff and their representatives to ensure the service operates effectively. In its report on the scheme, the Parliamentary committee was heavily critical of abandoned plans to scrap 46 local fire and rescue control rooms and replace them with high-tech regional control centres.