Columns

NFPA Journal®, January/February 2005

GRAPHICS-BASED FIRE SYSTEM MONITORING
Silent Knight introduces the IFP-Net Fire System Manager, a PC-based system that works with Silent Knight’s intelligent analog/addressable fire control panels, the IFP-1000 and the IFP-100. The IFP-Net’s easy-to-use interface allows users to graphically capture and display fire events and conditions throughout a facility. The IFP-Net has a graphical display interface that allows users to auto-navigate and locate the device related to an alarm or event based on the priority of the event. Floor plans can be easily viewed in different degrees of detail by using a built-in zoom feature. Easy-to-use pull-down menus and proximity displays are available for device-specific information and functions. A built-in history manager records operator, event and response with a time and date stamp for efficient record keeping. Graphics printing for floor plans, reports, and device listings is available (compatible graphics printer required). Visit our online Reader Service site and enter #101 for more information on this product.

NEW WEB SITE
Fire Control Instruments (FCI) announces the launch of its newly designed Web site, www.firecontrolinstruments.com, which provides users with an in-depth view of the company and its products, as well as a link to a resource guide for the engineering community. Visitors can view company news, upcoming events, press releases, articles, and case studies. The easy-to-navigate layout allows for streamlined searches, with accompanying datasheets, manuals, software downloads and more. Information on FCI’s diverse selection of both addressable and conventional fire alarm control panels, network systems, and voice evacuation products is readily accessible for customers and engineered systems distributors. Visit our online Reader Service site and enter #102 for more information on this product.

SUPPRESSION SYSTEM AGENT CYLINDER
Siemens Building Technologies, Inc., is introducing the 1200 lb. FM-200® suppression system agent cylinder delivery system—the largest FM-200 agent delivery cylinder offered today by any FM-200 fire suppression system producer. A 1200 lb. agent can provide 24-hour suppression protection for areas up to 40,000 cubic feet. During a fire the system allows for a maximum of 1200 lbs. of FM-200 to be distributed through a fixed piping network for fast effective protection of a facility’s most critical assets, where costly downtime due to fire and water damage is not an option. Visit our online Reader Service site and enter #103 for more information on this product.

ANALOG ADDRESSABLE PANELS
Gamewell, a manufacturer of commercial fire alarm control panels and emergency life safety systems, introduces SmartScan — a new, fully digital communications protocol for improved event-reporting speed and accuracy. SmartScan provides alarm verification per detector and polling speed that is faster than existing protocols. The new protocol reduces panel end-to-end response to less than five seconds and supports 198 devices per loop (99 detectors and 99 modules). Visit our online Reader Service site and enter #104 for more information on this product.

STRATEGIC MARKETING ALLIANCE
Noveon, Inc., the producer of BlazeMaster® CPVC, and FlexHead® Industries, the producer of flexible sprinkler connection products, have entered into an exclusive co-marketing agreement. Under this new agreement, Noveon and FlexHead will be promoting the use of an innovative fire sprinkler system using BlazeMaster pipe and fittings in combination with FlexHead flexible sprinkler connection products that have been determined to be chemically compatible with BlazeMaster CPVC. Visit our online Reader Service site and enter #105 for more information on this product.

EMERGENCY ACCESS SYSTEMS
Click2Enter-I (C2E) allows any radio transceiver (mobile or portable) to act as an access control device. The C2E is a powerful, intelligent, multi-user device that provides emergency response personnel improved response times, immediate, stealthy, secure, and universal access to gates, bollards, and roll-up/security doors. No modifications to present, mobile or portable, radios are required. To operate, you only need be in sight of the C2E and pulse your radio and the device opens. Up to 50 different agencies can be programmed into one C2E device. Each C2E can operate within the entire spectrum of available frequencies, typically allocated to public safety agencies. For public safety organizations, the C2E solves the problem of mutual aid operations and the officer safety issue of stealth operation. Visit our online Reader Service site and enter #106 for more information on this product.

SPEAKER STROBES
Wheelock Inc. has introduced the Series E50 Speakers and Speakers Strobes for fire alarm notification. The new wall mount speakers and speaker strobes are available in red and white and in a wide range of strobe intensities including 15/30/75/110cd and 135/185cd field selectable models and 1575cd (with 75 on axis). Visit our online Reader Service site and enter #107 for more information on this product.

HIGH CANDELA STROBES
Edwards Systems Technology has added a new series of high-output strobes to its Genesis® line of emergency signals. Genesis high-cd signals are UL 1971 listed and ready for applications where high light intensity and broad flash coverage is critical. With selectable 95, 115, 150, or 177 candela settings, these signals offer the flexibility of field configuration and the power-saving advantage of choosing the most efficient light output setting for each application. Visit our online Reader Service site and enter #108 for more information on this product.

ADDRESSABLE CONTROL PANEL
NOTIFIER introduces its newest intelligent addressable fire alarm control panel, the FireWarden 100™. Targeted at the small building market, FireWarden 100 features advanced smoke detection capabilities, auto-programming ease, and unparalleled dependability. Built on a platform of proven technology, the FireWarden 100 is a high-quality, single-loop panel with a capacity of up to 198 addressable NOTIFIER devices. This sophisticated fire alarm control panel is suited for small building owners who demand the flexibility of individual software zone mapping for their facilities. Auto detector testing, drift compensation, maintenance alert, and auto device type verification offer advanced maintenance and troubleshooting capabilities to ensure lower ownership costs for the life of the building. Visit our online Reader Service site and enter #109 for more information on this product.

FLOW SWITCH TESTER
Tyco Fire & Building Products, a business unit of Tyco Engineered Products & Services, recently announced the introduction of the Zonecheck® flow switch tester to the fire protection market, providing a less-costly and more reliable means of fire sprinkler system alarm testing. As mandated by the NFPA 25, Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, wet fire sprinkler system flow switches must be tested on a quarterly basis. The Zonecheck flow switch tester performs quarterly flow switch tests through a simple key switch operation that reduces testing time and allows for multiple zone key-switches to be operated from one master. Installed directly onto the pipe housing the flow switch, the Zonecheck simplifies testing by re-circulating the water within the pipe around the flow switch, simulating the flow of one fire sprinkler in operation, and causing the actuation of the flow switch. Visit our online Reader Service site and enter #110 for more information on this product.

PENDENT SPRINKLER
The Viking Corporation, a global leader in the manufacture of fixed fire protection devices, introduces a new K-14 (20,2 metric) Extended Coverage, Ordinary Hazard (ECOH) Pendent Sprinkler. This sprinkler produces the flows required to meet Ordinary Hazard density requirements at lower pressures than 8.0 or 11.2 (11,5 or 16,1) K-factor sprinklers.  Additionally, with its extended coverage capability, this sprinkler is ideal in large open-type occupancies, such as shopping malls or other retail structures. Visit our online Reader Service site and enter #111 for more information on this product.

THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA
International Safety Instruments (ISI), the company that introduced the first BST thermal imaging cameras for firefighters, has released a next-generation thermal imager featuring instant-on responsiveness, longer battery life, greater resiliency and simplified operation. The ISI 2500 Thermal Imager is the latest product innovation from the manufacturer of technologically advanced respiratory protection and thermal imaging equipment.  Operational in three seconds, the handheld ISI 2500 is ready when the firefighter needs it most. The ISI 2500 can be further enhanced with options including an innovative remote LCD screen and telescoping pole, allowing the firefighter to search hard-to-reach areas such as attics, basements and confined spaces without personally entering the hazardous environment. More information,  call (888) 474-7233. Visit our online Reader Service site and enter #112 for more information on this product.

CONTROL PANEL
Fire-Lite Alarms announces their MS-2 and MS-4 Fire Alarm Control Panels. The MS-2 and MS-4 offer automatic strobe synchronization of audio/visual devices, which enables the control system to perform in compliance with ADA standards, minimizing noise and undue disturbance by ensuring that strobes flash simultaneously.  These panels also feature the “EZ Walk Test,” which simplifies testing and maintenance and makes inspection easier. In addition, the MS-4 allows for an optional Class-A-Converter (CAC-4) module, which provides for Class A wiring when necessary. While both operate at 24 volts with 3 amps of total power on board, the MS-4 is also capable of supplying a total of 6 amps with an optional transformer. Visit our online Reader Service site and enter #113 for more information on this product.