New Year. New Look. Same Great Values
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New Year. New Look. Same Great Values
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You may not have recognised us with our brand-new makeover – but the fact is, we’re turning 30 this year and we wanted to make a change to celebrate our three decades of being innovative market leaders within wireless technology!
Over our years in the business, we’ve gone from strength to strength and have expanded exponentially since our inception to serve in over 20 countries, introducing platforms such as WES, WiSE and REACT – platforms that exist solely to empower our customers to safeguard and save lives, protect their assets and gain insight into their businesses.
We thought a brand refresh was the perfect way to honour our hard work, what we’ve achieved and, hopefully, what we’ve helped you achieve – so we’ve made a new start for a new decade, while continuing to serve the industry we love.
John Newbury, our Product Innovation and Marketing Director here at Ramtech has given a brief insight into what’s coming up over the next few years:
“We have state-of-the-art products in development that will improve safety, security, operational efficiency and provide data insight to our customers – as a team, we’re really excited about the years ahead.”
So, don’t be alarmed by our new look – everything that has made Ramtech, well … Ramtech over the years, remains the same. Our core values, our ethos and our commitment to providing the very best to our customers are as strong as ever.
New Funding Address Waking Watch Issues
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New Funding Address Waking Watch Issues
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Adam Jurka from Ramtech looks at how the new £30 million Waking Watch Relief Fund provides hope to thousands of residents in high-rise buildings with unsafe cladding.
In December 2020 the government announced a £30m fund to help leaseholders living in blocks with dangerous cladding and facing excessive ‘waking watch’ bills. Known as the Waking Watch Relief Fund, it will go towards installing fire alarms in high-rise buildings with dangerous cladding, so removing the financial burden on leaseholders and eliminating the issues associated with waking watch patrols.
There remains a question of who is responsible for remediation costs in the thousands of buildings with dangerous cladding that, according to ARMA’s own figures provide home to around 500,000 people. . Whilst this is being sorted out, leaseholders should be encouraged by news of the new fund. It means that they now have a means of avoiding costly and problematic interim measures that had caused them untold misery.
At its most basic, waking watch or fire warden patrols involve a person or persons, depending on the size of the building, seeing the fire and then alerting residents to evacuate. For large projects it may require a waking watch person on each floor, which for a building of four or more storeys can soon add up to a significant amount. The cost of doing this – borne by the building owner and / or residents – can be as high as £500,000 a year per building. The Waking Watch Relief Fund sets out a way forward to resolve this issue.
It is not just a simple funding solution that supports the continuation of waking watch, either, because it specifically encourages the use of a technology-based alternatives, such as a fire alarm system. Not only are these more cost effective, but they are more reliable and don’t create issues during the lockdown with social distancing.
The December announcement was for a £30 million fund to help toward moving away from waking watch, as part of a further move to support thousands of residents in high-rise buildings. The new Waking Watch Relief Fund, which is now open, will pay for the installation of fire alarm systems in high-rise buildings with dangerous Grenfell type cladding, removing or reducing the need for costly interim safety measures.
Many in the industry had been calling for action in this area for a long time. There are justified concerns from residents about having a succession of ‘waking watch’ guards in the building, too, especially at a time when they are required to maintain social distancing. We should also give a thought to residents in lockdown who are living in buildings with unsafe cladding. It certainly can’t be easy for them, aware that they are of the increased fire risk, whilst guards who have to self-isolate can make around-the-clock staffing difficult.
The Waking Watch Relief Fund signposts what the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) have been saying in recent guidance; that building owners should move to install common fire alarm systems as quickly as possible to reduce or remove dependence on waking watches. Announcement of the fund should therefore reassure members worried that they may have faced high costs for interim safety measures by providing financial support and delivering a better, long term fire safety system in their buildings.
NFCC recently released its third edition ‘Guidance to support a temporary change to a simultaneous evacuation strategy in purpose-built blocks of flats’. It states that building owners should move to install common fire alarms as quickly as possible to reduce or remove the dependence on waking watches. This is the clear expectation for buildings where remediation cannot be undertaken in the ‘short term’. Again, they view this approach, in almost all circumstances, should reduce the financial burden on residents where they are funding the waking watches. Others have also supported this guidance, with calls for affected buildings to move over to safer and more permanent interim measures such as sprinklers and fire alarms.
The government highlights the fact that some have already installed fire alarm systems due to the significant savings they offer, with leaseholders in those buildings, who on average were paying £137 per month for a waking watch, expected to collectively save over £3 million per month.
Endorsement in the same report comes from National Fire Chiefs Council Chair, Roy Wilsher, who said: “It has been our firm and long held expectation that building owners should move to install common fire alarms as quickly as possible and this funding is a positive step.”
There are several eligibility criteria for Waking Watch Relief Fund and this includes the building being in the private sector, over 18 metres in height and having an unsafe cladding system. There must also be a waking watch in place where these costs have been passed on to leaseholders. Social sector buildings where the Registered Provider can evidence that waking watch costs have been passed to leaseholders and the costs of installing an alarm will fall on leaseholders will also be eligible.
The fund will cover the cost of alarms installed on or after 17 December 2020. High rise buildings with other fire safety defects such as compartmentation issues will be ineligible for funding although in these situations self-funding of wireless fire alarms, which can be rented or bought, may still make financial sense. The £30m fund will benefit leaseholders who may have faced high costs for interim safety measures by providing financial support and delivering a better, long term fire safety system in their buildings. It will cover the upfront capital costs of installing an alarm system. The common fire alarm system should generally be designed in accordance with the recommendations of BS 5839-1 for a Category L5 system, which is referred to in the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) revised guidance on simultaneous evacuation.
Announcement of the waking watch fund also confirmed that there is a 6-month extension to 30th June for building owners to complete their applications to the £1 billion Building Safety Fund. The fund supports the remediation of unsafe non-ACM cladding system on residential buildings 18 metres and over in both the private and social housing sectors.
The Government’s new Waking Watch Relief Fund represents an important step forward in helping residents of buildings with dangerous cladding. Those that take up the funding will find that it will pay for the installation of fire alarm systems, removing or reducing the need for costly interim measures, which can run into tens of thousands of pounds.
The new funding is therefore encouraging news for leaseholders because it addresses the ongoing costs of waking watches. It also aligns with what the National Fire Chiefs Council have been calling for; that leaseholders should adopt more reliable fire detection services such as alarm systems. The National Fire Chiefs Council have been clear in recent guidance that building owners should move to install common fire alarm systems as quickly as possible to reduce or remove dependence on waking watches.
In terms of ongoing remediation, Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, says that the government continues to prioritise the removal of unsafe ACM cladding even throughout the pandemic. The expectation is that around 95% of remediation work will have been completed or be underway by the end of this year.
On the other side of the equation, the number of buildings relying on fire wardens continues to rise as more work is done to uncover potential fire safety risks in the built environment. The scale of the issue is concerning, which is why more are choosing a wireless fire alarm system, which is easy to set up and available to rent or buy. The benefit of this type of system is that it makes residents feel safe in their home, aware that they are of the limitations of fire wardens or waking watch. With remediation still likely to be taking place next year, that is an important consideration for buildings owners and landlords who face many months of uncertainty, waiting for a way forward on remediation.
Has Grenfell Ground to a Halt
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Has Grenfell Ground to a Halt
A technology-based approach
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Here Adam Jurka, National Sales Manager at Ramtech Electronics, looks at why buildings with dangerous cladding should follow NFCC guidance and move over to safer and more permanent interim measures to protect residents from fire.
It is now three years since the devastating fire at Grenfell. Soon afterwards it emerged that many other buildings around the UK had similar dangerous cladding. A way forward was identified; implement interim fire safety arrangements for the temporary, short term management and mitigation from the risk of fire, until replacement of the cladding could be carried out.
The question therefore is why, after three years, are residents still relying on these ‘temporary, short term’ measures, such as waking watch to alert them of a fire. It hasn’t helped that the government has adopted a ‘hands-off’ approach to remediations by insisting that the work is responsibility of building owners.
The fact there is still confusion about who should pay for remediation works hasn’t helped. A consequence of this is that building owners who implemented waking watches – an expensive system that is prone to human error – as a short-term solution are finding that they are still having to rely on them. The fact that some waking watches have been in place for three years shows just how protracted this affair has become.
Official figures illustrate the scale of the problem with 300 tower blocks over 18m in England alone, all with ‘Grenfell-style’ cladding and still waiting to be made safe. This is only the tip of the iceberg because it doesn’t include the government’s estimated 1700 buildings over 18m that have systems known to be dangerous including, some timber, high-pressure laminate and polystyrene cladding and insulation systems. Then there is an estimated 100,000 buildings between 11m and 18m across the UK that may have dangerous cladding materials on the outside. There’s certainly a case that the Building Safety Fund should cover all buildings with dangerous cladding, regardless of height.
However, at current levels of progress, remediation work will take decades. Would you, as one of the 500,000 residents living in these dangerous buildings, be happy relying on waking watch for the foreseeable future, knowing that the EWS (External Wall System) is a serious fire risk? Even last week, over 1,000 residents at a six-block housing and student accommodation development in West London were evacuated from the buildings over fears about fire risks.
Waking watches are far from ideal because they rely on the person seeing the fire in a very large building with multiple floors. Others with dangerous cladding are protected only by security guards who are expected to patrol 24 hours a day, alerting residents should a fire break out. The cost of doing this – borne by the building owner and / or residents – can be as high as £250,000 a year per building. Then there is the issue of how long it takes a waking watch person to alert an entire block of residents, when we know that fire in buildings with dangerous cladding can spread in minutes. They are usually required to do this using an airhorn, which is hardly an efficient method in a multi-occupancy building. Plus, whilst the fire is spreading, guards are required to hold their finger on an airhorn to alert and evacuate a building full of people. Do they put themselves at risk whilst carrying this out?
NFCC has recently released their third edition ‘Guidance to support a temporary change to a simultaneous evacuation strategy in purpose-built blocks of flats’. They clearly state that building owners should move to install common fire alarms as quickly as possible to reduce or remove the dependence on waking watches. This is the clear expectation for buildings where remediation cannot be undertaken in the ‘short term’. This approach should, in almost all circumstances, reduce the financial burden on residents where they are funding the waking watches. Others have also supported this guidance, with Inside Housing calling for affected buildings to move over to safer and more permanent interim measures such as sprinklers and fire alarms.
That is why, in this paper, we support the guidance from NFCC calling for all buildings with dangerous cladding to have a technology-based fire alarm that is capable of simultaneously alerting the whole building.
A major benefit of wireless fire alarm systems is that they can be rapidly deployed to create a ‘common’ fire alarm system in any size of building. Significantly, being wireless avoids having to drill holes through walls for cabling, so maintaining integrity of the fire compartments. The NFCC has identified holes or apertures as a potential issue; “common alarm systems installed in the premises must not have any adverse effect on the other fire safety provisions in the building. For example, the installation of a wired system must not create a route for fire and smoke to spread in fire rated walls which were previously imperforate’’.
A wireless fire alarm system allows the signal to pass through all commonly used materials in a building, whilst avoiding having to drill holes through walls. If just one of the heat / smoke detectors in a wireless system is activated, it sounds an alarm via multiple interconnected call points in all areas of the building allowing ‘simultaneous evacuation’ of residents. It does not rely on manual intervention, or a waking watch person seeing the fire. Systems such as our WES3 are fully wireless, so no cabling or mains power is needed – and they have a three-year battery life, so little or no maintenance is required, whilst automatic detection reduces human error. When specifying a wireless fire alarm system, it should be compliant to EN 54 and scalable to any size building utilising flooded mesh radio technology. They are tamper proof, available for hire or sale, and can be despatched on next day delivery.
Innovation in internet connectivity, apps and the ability to collect, analyse and interpret data in live stream have extended the functionality of wireless fire alarm systems. For instance, REACT cloud system can remotely communicate alerts raised by the alarm system in real-time to relevant personnel such as property managers who are based off site via an app installed on their smart phone or tablet device. Alerts raised can be supported with site specific plans to highlight the incident’s precise location. Users can then record actions on their device, which are automatically uploaded to the cloud for feedback to relevant group members.
One thing that is clear from the Grenfell tragedy is that owners of multi-occupancy buildings are legally responsible for fire safety. There are justified concerns from residents about having a succession of ‘waking watch’ guards in the building especially at a time when they are required to maintain social distancing. We should give a thought to residents in lockdown who are living in buildings with unsafe cladding. It certainly can’t be easy for them, aware that they are of the increased fire risk, whilst guards who have to self-isolate can make around-the-clock staffing difficult.
That is the reason why we are joining the growing number of organisations that support NFCC’s call for ‘common fire alarms or sprinklers’ because it avoids the need for ‘waking watch’ and all the issues associated with it.
With protracted negotiations on where the money for remediations will come from, now is the time to follow the guidance set out by NFCC and others on effective interim measures that better protect residents. In terms of performance, cost and ease of installation, EN54-compliant wireless fire alarms offer a very effective way forward and have already been used on a number of buildings with dangerous cladding.
Hello, North America!
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Hello, North America!
Ramtech is making great strides to expand across the globe.
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In 1990, the Ramtech story began with humble beginnings. From a small team of just a handful of people, we have grown and expanded over the last 30 years into a wireless technology specialist that exports products to almost 30 countries across the world, with an increased specialism in IoT (Internet of Things).
We’re excited to announce that we’ve expanded Ramtech even further with the launch of Ramtech North America to better serve our partners and customers in the USA and Canada. This is part of our strategy to strengthen Ramtech’s position as the leading global provider of wireless communication solutions to the construction and industrial sectors, in addition to supporting the continued growth of our business across North America.
“We’re thrilled to announce this expansion and excited about the opportunities it brings our North American partners and customers,” said John Tyrer, Sales Director, Ramtech North America. “We have state-of-the-art products that will improve safety, security, operational efficiency and provide data insight to our customers – as a team, we’re really excited about the years ahead.”
Over the last few years WES has gained momentum on construction sites across the United States, with high-profile applications such as San Francisco International Airport, various Amazon distribution centers and a Naval building in Annapolis, Maryland. WES3, Ramtech’s wireless evacuation and emergency system, is specified as the security system of choice for these and many other large-scale construction projects.
Construction sites are especially vulnerable to fire, theft, and accidents, but because of their ever-changing and growing landscape they are also challenging to protect. Ramtech solves this problem with wireless WES3 units connected through REACT, a cloud-based monitoring platform/app that provides 24/7 monitoring of the site and accurate and real-time information on incidents.
Ramtech will continue to disrupt the wireless security industry with a consistent message of innovation and is positioning itself to handle rapid, global growth. The creation of new jobs and new products are on the horizon, as well as the strengthening and expanding of existing product lines.
We’re Exhibiting at NFPA 2024!
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We’re Exhibiting at NFPA 2024!
We are thrilled to announce our participation in the NFPA Expo & Conference 2024, held from June 17th to 19th. Make sure to visit us at Booth #536 for live demonstrations of our WES3 Wireless Evacuation System and the REACT Emergency Notification System. These innovative solutions are designed to provide robust safety measures for construction sites, offering reliable and efficient fire detection and emergency communication.
Fire safety is a critical concern, especially in the construction industry, where thousands of fires occur annually. According to NFPA reports, these fires result in significant losses and pose substantial risks to workers and infrastructure. Our products are purpose-built to safeguard these vulnerable temporary structures, ensuring safety and compliance across all construction projects.
Hands-On Experience and Expert Insights
Attendees will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience with our systems, witnessing first-hand how they enhance fire safety on construction sites. Our experts will be on-site to answer any questions and provide detailed insights into the functionalities and benefits of our products.
- WES3 Wireless Evacuation System: Witness this award-winning system in action. The WES3 system has been a game-changer on major projects like the Coney Island Renovation, the Navy Academy, and the Amazon Distribution Centre. See for yourself how easy it is to set up and operate, providing an efficient and reliable evacuation solution.
- REACT Emergency Notification System: Experience our cutting-edge, cloud-based platform that ensures emergency notifications reach the right people at the right time. Learn how combining REACT with WES3 can supercharge your safety protocols, offering a comprehensive emergency communication solution.
Meet Industry Expert Joel Pickering
We are honored to have industry expert Joel Pickering at our booth. With over 35 years of experience in construction management and fire prevention, Joel has overseen numerous safety and fire prevention projects across America. He served as Senior Vice President, managing fire prevention in the New York City market, and has a distinguished career in his local fire department, retiring as Deputy Chief after 32 years of service.
Joel’s extensive background includes representing himself on the NFPA 241 Committee and his previous employer on the ANSI A-10 Committee, where he chaired the A-1026 Subcommittee for Emergency Procedures on Construction and Demolition Sites. Additionally, Joel served in the US Navy Reserves, retiring as a Captain after a 30-year career.
WES3 Wireless Evacuation System & REACT Emergency Notification System
The WES3 Wireless Evacuation System, combined with the REACT Emergency Notification System, offers a powerful solution for comprehensive site safety. This integrated approach ensures efficient fire detection, rapid emergency communication, and enhanced overall safety.
- 24/7 Fire Monitoring: Advanced smoke and heat sensors provide continuous monitoring
- Manual Call Points: Allow workers to raise alarms manually in case of emergencies
- Integrated Sounders and Beacons: Ensure that alarms are heard and seen throughout the site
- Real-Time Alerts: The REACT system provides instant notifications for fire, medical, and other emergencies
Customized Notifications: Alerts can be tailored to specific roles and responsibilities - Remote Monitoring: Allows safety managers to monitor site conditions and respond to emergencies from any location
Construction news countdown: Ramtech shortlisted for awards success
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Construction news countdown
Anticipation is building for the prestigious Construction News awards – with Ramtech in the running for the highly coveted ‘Best Use of Technology’ honour. Our Water Leak Detection Solution (WLDS), which launched in November 2022, has been highlighted for its innovative safety technology credentials in use at Heathrow Airport. Showcasing its exceptional escape of water protection, the WLDS solution was installed within a successful terminal renovation scheme in collaboration with global construction firm Mace Group.
Deployed over an extended period, the WLDS was in place whilst dilapidated water valves were replaced in Terminal 4 – a busy and expansive part of the airport – which covers more than 105,000 square metres and welcomes more than 20,000 passengers each year. Adam Jurka, sales manager at Ramtech, said: “Water loss and escape of water insurance claims is a huge problem within the construction industry, so we’re delighted to have our technology, which answers such a huge industry concern, being recognised as a contender for this prestigious award.
Deployed over an extended period, the WLDS was in place whilst dilapidated water valves were replaced in Terminal 4 – a busy and expansive part of the airport – which covers more than 105,000 square metres and welcomes more than 20,000 passengers each year. Adam Jurka, sales manager at Ramtech, said: “Water loss and escape of water insurance claims is a huge problem within the construction industry, so we’re delighted to have our technology, which answers such a huge industry concern, being recognised as a contender for this prestigious award.
“Our WLDS only launched to market late last year, having undergone a successful trial and development phase, so it’s hugely rewarding to see it already having a positive effect. “Research is out there to showcase the damage water loss can have on contractors’ reputations and assets, but really our work was born from the everyday conversations we are having with project managers and health and safety experts on site. They were very much part of the development period and their concerns and thoughts all fed into creating this successful product.
“Combined with WES, REACT and our integrated product suite, we’ve now helped solve two of the biggest safety issues on construction sites – fire and water – in one easy to apply and install package. We can’t wait to see what the future holds, with the solution already deployed across the UK.”
The Association of British Insurers placed commercial water damage losses at £981m in 2019, reinforcing the call for technology innovators such as Ramtech to develop a system that can bridge what is a huge gap in the construction market. The WLDS answers a universal escape of water problem for the construction industry by offering an automatic, 24/7 monitoring solution, which can detect if moisture reaches the various nodes along the technology’s detection tapes or cables. It then sends an alert via data when combined with our REACT platform – a cloud-based app solution used by personnel to raise alerts on-site.
Heathrow Airport is just one of several projects used to successfully trial the product ahead of wider launch to market, with Mace Group pointing to a number of advantages in its use. Danny Russell, associate director at Mace Group, said: “The potential for water leaks to go unseen on vast projects, such as Heathrow, poses a major threat. By deploying Ramtech’s water solution, we were able to mitigate this risk both quickly and easily. “The ability to identify incidents early on and put them right before any significant impact is caused helps us ensure our projects are delivered on time and on budget.” The results of the Construction News Awards 2023 will be revealed on 13 July 2023 during a ceremony at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London. To follow the evening’s results, visit https://twitter.com/CN_Awards