16 FIRE PRODUCTS See more like this online at:
New Nittan
Interface
Modules
mini Module for mounting within
other equipment such as Firebeam
or Aspirating detectors.
The main Modules feature the
same uniform, sleek design for
aesthetic appeal, are all EEPROM
Addressed (Programmer) and come
complete with Short Circuit Isolator;
many also have mains rated relay.
A tried and tested solution, the
Evolution range combines truly
exceptional and reliable fire
detection with a very high degree of
protection against unwanted false
alarms. Its highly flexible protocol is
resistant to interference and allows
for substantial amounts of
information to be transmitted at
high speed.
For more information, visit
www.nittan.co.uk
Tel: 01483 769 555
IFEDA voices concern over fire
extinguisher removal
THE INDEPENDENT Fire
Engineering & Distributors
Association (IFEDA) was recently
made aware of a news article that
advised that Castles and Coasts
Housing Association, Whitehaven,
Cumbria had removed fire
extinguishers in communal areas of
their properties.
Residents at the property have
apparently been told that ‘it is not
considered necessary to provide fire-fighting
equipment in the buildings
and such equipment should only be
used by people who have been
trained’. The letter goes on to state:
‘It is not considered appropriate or
practicable for residents in blocks of
flats to receive such training’. IFEDA
is questioning the reason behind
this decision.
Mike Tobin, Chairman of IFEDA,
commented, “IFEDA would question
what available evidence demonstrates
that the removal of fire extinguishers
would enhance residents’ safety.
Providing the correct type of fire
extinguisher is in place, as
determined by British Standard 5306
PT8, the likelihood of using the
wrong type of fire extinguisher on a
fire is minimal. Surely the sensible
option would be to train residents in
the practical use of handling a fire
extinguisher, rather than removing
them altogether. The Regulatory
Reform (Fire Safety) Order (FSO)
recommends that all premises be
provided with appropriate fire-fighting
equipment. It also states that
for the majority, ‘first aid’ fire-fighting
equipment – typically, fire
extinguishers, blankets and buckets –
should be sufficient. In more complex
premises, automatic fire suppression
systems may be necessary.”
IFEDA, as an independent trade
association, promotes quality
standards and procedures within the
fire safety industry. Further details
about IFEDA can be found at
www.ifeda.org or by emailing
info@ifeda.org.
Tel: 0844 2251800
NITTAN IS delighted to announce
the availability of new Interface
Modules to allow for improved
connection of our Evolution range to
even more third-party equipment
than ever before.
The six new modules – EV-2I1O,
EV-ZMU2, EV-SCM2, EV-3IO, EV-IO-
420, EV-Mini IP2 – cover a
variety of interface applications,
including door release, sounder
control, communication with
industrial plant & equipment and
non-addressable detectors, plus a
www.fsmatters.com
Chemstore launches Electrovault
Halma acquires Ampac
HALMA HAS acquired Ampac, a
leading fire and evacuation systems
supplier in the Australian and New
Zealand markets.
Founded in 1974, Ampac is
headquartered in Perth, Australia,
and has a strong global presence,
with businesses in Australia, New
Zealand and the UK.
Ampac brings strong brand
equity, robust technology, and
established routes to market. Its fire
detection systems are highly
complementary to our existing
portfolio of market-leading fire
companies, and its voice evacuation
panels, sounders and beacons will
help extend the intellectual property
of our business.
The acquisition supports our
strategy of growing our geographic
footprint and increasing our fire
system offering. Ampac is a market
leader in Australia, and Halma’s
Growth Enablers will help
strengthen its market position,
enhance its digital offering, and grow
its business internationally.
The company will continue to run
under its current management team
and will become part of Halma’s
Infrastructure Safety sector.
Group chief executive at Halma
Andrew Williams commented, “This
is an exciting acquisition that
extends our geographic footprint and
strengthens the intellectual property
of our fire detection businesses.
Ampac brings a strong brand, robust
technology and well-established
routes to market. Its highly
complementary technologies will
strengthen our value proposition,
and it is well positioned to benefit
from Halma’s Growth Enablers.
This is a further example of our
strategy to acquire regional partners
to accelerate growth in our core Fire
Detection markets, following our
successful acquisition of Limotec in
Belgium in 2018, and Advanced
Electronics in the UK in 2014. We
look forward to Ampac joining
Halma and to working with its
management team.”
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
experts Chemstore has launched
the Electrovault, a dedicated
lithium-ion battery storage unit
which can be tailored to an
individual company’s needs.
Lithium-ion batteries are
becoming increasingly popular, not
least due to their use in electric
vehicles, but there is still some
confusion around the safest way to
handle and store the technology.
Chemstore Managing Director
Mike Brodie explains: “When it
comes to lithium-ion battery storage
a standard fire rated unit just won’t
do yet we are finding many
companies are unaware aware of this.
“For example one issue with
lithium-ion batteries is the
occurrence of thermal
runaway; lithium-ion
batteries have a
narrow operating
temperature range of
between +15 and
+45°C and if they
exceed this limit a
thermal runaway can
occur where an
increase in
temperature changes
the conditions in a
way that causes a
further increase in
temperature. During a thermal
runaway hydrogen fluoride HF,
phosphorus pentafluoride (PF5) and
phosphoryl fluoride (POF3) are
released and studies have shown that
using water as a fire suppressant may
increase the formation of HF yet it’s
not uncommon to find people
storing lithium-ion batteries in units
with water suppression systems.”
The Electrovault units are made to
comply with RC61 guidelines for
battery storage and can be tailored to
suit your specification. Call
Chemstore today for a free review of
your lithium-ion storage
arrangements on 0208 704 1807. For
more information, visit
www.chemstore.co.uk
Tel: 0208 7041807
/www.nittan.co.uk
/www.ifeda.org
/www.fsmatters.com
/www.chemstore.co.uk
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