Safeguarding history: fire protection for heritage buildings
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Safeguarding history
Fire protection for heritage buildings
Losing any building to a fire is always a tragedy – but when there is a wealth of history or significance also at stake, the loss is irreplaceable. James Pecz at Ramtech, discusses the fire protection challenges associated with heritage projects and how they can be safeguarded from the risk of fire thanks to innovative wireless fire safety technology.
The world watched in great sadness and shock as flames engulfed Paris’ Notre Dame – one of the most famous and culturally significant buildings of our time. The twelfth-century Catholic treasure had been undergoing renovations at the time, although after a lengthy investigation, the cause of the fire was still fairly inconclusive. The blaze was a stark reminder that hundreds of years’ worth of legacy can be turned to ashes and destroyed in mere minutes. Historic England* describe fire as ‘probably the most devastating of disasters’ for protected buildings. While heat and smoke are obviously detrimental, the water used to fight the fire can cause problems too, along with the impact of having a building exposed to the elements.
Historic England’s research in 2019 indicates that there were over 1,000 incidents requiring Fire & Rescue attendance including:
- Listed buildings: Grade I listed buildings x 15, Grade II* listed buildings x 47, Grade II listed buildings x 343
- World Heritage Sites x 16
- Conservation Areas and locally listed buildings x 554
Factors to consider
For site owners, their contractors and fire safety professionals, preserving the safety of the site and those on it from fire risk during construction is extremely important. If a fire did occur, being able to identify the source would limit devastating, irreplaceable damage and ensure that those present on the site could be quickly located and evacuated. This is why fire alarm systems need to remain active day and night, so whether a site is occupied or not, there can be real-time insights given to enable sites to quickly react to potential disasters and mitigate risk by alerting the local fire brigade and other responsible building personnel immediately.
On top of the practical fire safety concerns, heritage projects have the added concern of protecting the building fabric from any unnecessary alterations to maintain its historical value. So, choosing a fire protection system that does not rely on an external power source and will not impact the building fabric is another consideration.
Wireless solutions in action
To monitor and locate fire risk during the construction phase, while the permanent solution is waiting to be installed, a temporary fire alarm system is essential. To support heritage buildings, Ramtech has wireless solutions that can be deployed no matter the size, location or timeframe that the temporary fire safety system is required for.
For instance, when Great Scotland Yard and London contractor Galliard Homes needed to protect a Grade II-listed former metropolitan police headquarters undergoing a transformation into a luxury five-star hotel, it was important to have a system that could span across the vast Edwardian building, which was being extended (boasting 92,000 sq. ft. over seven stories). To protect the iconic structure Ramtech deployed a system of over 30 WES alarm call points and dust proof detectors. A GSM base station with text message alerts was also used to monitor the building for fire out-of-hours.
Similarly, the restoration of Bolton Albert Hall completed by contractor Willmott Dixon required extensive internal alternations while the building was still occupied by Bolton City Council, so a system of more than five WES alarm call points and heat detectors were deployed in the refurbishment areas.
For projects that span long periods of time, such as the £30m renovation at Nottingham Castle by G.F Tomlinson – which lasted three years – or the six-year conversion project at Donaldson’s – a Grade A listed former school in the centre of Edinburgh – by City & Country, having a system that can be scaled up or down quickly without the need for time consuming wired installation is a must.
In Edinburgh, more than 60 WES alarm units were deployed across the site, to move with the flow of the project. Over at Nottingham Castle, protecting close to 1,000 years of history from the risk of fire during a significant refurbishment was an incredible undertaking. The castle trusted Ramtech’s WES alarm system and solution in place was strengthened by combining with Ramtech’s REACT platform. A cloud-based solution that can raise alerts in real time, sent straight to mobiles via a handy app, REACT ensures those that need
immediate notifications and detailed insights can receive them in the most efficient way.
Other heritage projects that have featured WES systems include St George’s Hall in Bradford, Norwich Castle and The Fry Building at the University of Bristol. The possibilities for wireless safety systems are endless and ensure no heritage site ever needs to go without adequate protection.
Keeping our history alive
Heritage buildings are irreplaceable, like the lives of those working on site. To safeguard the future of heritage sites, fire safety must remain a priority. The fire protection industry can do its part to raise standards by promoting the innovations available to it. At Ramtech, we are dedicated and passionate about providing the best solution to protect them and our technology is designed to accomplish this. We believe that by harnessing wireless technology, the construction industry benefits – these systems can be completely tailored to meet the modern challenges of individual sites, while protecting their history for future generations to enjoy. For more information on Ramtech’s solutions, please get in touch either by phone on +44 (0)115 957 8282, by email to solutions@ramtechglobal.com or via the online enquiry form situated on our contact page.
TURNING THE HEAT UP ON FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
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TURNING THE HEAT UP ON FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
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As a responsible construction manager, you want to be certain that the products you use to protect your workforce and assets from fire are effective, reliable and compliant with the appropriate legislation. Indeed, it is law that a fire risk assessment is carried out on a site and appropriate measures are put in place.
As a responsible construction manager, you want to be certain that the products you use to protect your workforce and assets from fire are effective, reliable and compliant with the appropriate legislation. Indeed, it is law that a fire risk assessment is carried out on a site and appropriate measures are put in place.
Here, Adam Jurka, looks at why having an EN54 compliant wireless fire alarm system provides the best way forward.
EN54 sets benchmarks for the design, operation, production, testing and manufacture of fire detection and fire alarm products. Effectively, best practice guidelines suggest you to protect your construction site with a suitable fire alarm system, and EN54 is the standard against which fire alarm systems should be measured.
The Construction Products Regulation requires that where a harmonised technical standard exists for a product it must comply with the provisions of that standard. The 30 parts of EN54 is the harmonised standard relating to fire detection and fire alarm systems. The Regulation also states that fire safety products must have a CE mark (although this is transitioning to the new UKCA marking at present), for which they are required to have a properly completed Declaration of Performance (DoP), and to obtain this the products must be tested by an approved external agency, known as a notified body.
If the fire alarm system you are thinking of specifying for a construction site has been tested by a notified body you’ll see a four digit test centre number after the CE mark. To be absolutely sure, ask your supplier for their DoP certificate. If the certificate you are presented simply covers, for example, an individual component within a larger unit, it does not follow that the whole unit meets EN54 requirements.
To comply with the appropriate EN54 rating, the complete unit – and every unit in the system including the base station, fire call point or smoke and heat detection unit – should have been tested in accordance with the relevant section of EN54.
Fire practice
The reality is that construction sites often have little or no technology-based fire protection system in place, which means that they rely on people present seeing the fire and then alerting others. This can present a number of issues as personnel on higher floors may not necessarily hear the alarm. On larger construction sites, these variables and risks are multiplied several-fold.
Bringing this into stark reality is the fact that fires on construction sites are far more frequent than most people realise. For instance, Zurich Insurance estimates that there are around 104,000 fires each year on site, costing around £400m.
Consider the scenario of a fire on site. Once workers become aware, a process that can take a critical amount of time, they immediately evacuate the area to a safe muster point. What happens if, in the confusion, the alarm – which could simply mean someone ringing the bell – is not audible to everyone throughout the site? In the vital minutes before everyone became aware, the fire could have spread and seriously limited their escape routes.
A properly planned wireless fire alarm system overcomes these issues. A good system includes manual fire alarm call points that are installed on site in accordance with the project’s Fire Plan. These should be wirelessly interlinked, creating a completely secure mesh network so that the alarm can be manually triggered throughout the site by personnel from any call point. Where automatic heat or smoke detectors are incorporated into the system, it provides automatic cover 24/7, ensuring that the site is protected even when personnel are not present.
At the same time, a base station allows fire officers to identify quickly which fire point or heat/smoke detection unit has been activated, allowing emergency services to be deployed to the exact source of the fire. Modern wireless fire alarm systems are able to provide this site wide coverage, whether it’s a multi-use redevelopment project or a large and complex demolition – the wireless frequency passes through all solid materials found on site.
Conclusion
The need for wireless fire alarm systems is likely to grow, especially with the move to timber framed buildings and high rise developments to make optimum use of available land. Both present their own specific dangers from fire and we are seeing more clients take proactive steps to ensure their sites include a wireless fire alarm system that is fully compliant with EN54-25 requirements.
Conclusion
The need for wireless fire alarm systems is likely to grow, especially with the move to timber framed buildings and high rise developments to make optimum use of available land. Both present their own specific dangers from fire and we are seeing more clients take proactive steps to ensure their sites include a wireless fire alarm system that is fully compliant with EN54-25 requirements.
Ramtech North America 2021 Partner of the Year Award
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Ramtech North America 2021 Partner of the Year Award
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Our incredible partners are constantly raising the bar in the delivery of the Ramtech technology that is transforming the construction industry around the world. We wanted to celebrate our shared success and highlight the partner who is going the extra mile. That’s why, in 2021, we launched the ‘Ramtech Partner of the Year Award’.
Our incredible partners are constantly raising the bar in the delivery of the Ramtech technology that is transforming the construction industry around the world. We wanted to celebrate our shared success and highlight the partner who is going the extra mile. That’s why, in 2021, we launched the ‘Ramtech Partner of the Year Award’.
Without further ado, let’s introduce this year’s well-deserved winner.
Space Age Electronics is our North America Partner of the Year. Space Age Electronics has worked closely with Ramtech since our early roots in North America and has demonstrated a true dedication to our vision and mission. The organization always keeps their customer at the forefront of everything they do and continues to further the development and innovations of products that are code compliant in order to continue to assist the industry with life safety solutions.
Massive congratulations Space Age Electronics for being nominated as this years’ winner.
We’re always looking to recognize our partners for their amazing achievements, no matter their partnership tier. The truth is, though, that there just aren’t enough awards to go around to all those deserving. It’s always going to be a hard call to make. Next year, we’re looking to expand the awards even further, opening more opportunities for partners to earn accolades and give their business a boost.
A watchful eye: how wireless technology is protecting void properties from fire
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A watchful eye: how wireless technology is protecting void properties from fire
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While fire safety may seem obvious for occupied properties, there is often more risk of a blaze starting in an empty building despite the common assumption that damage may be minimal. Thankfully, there is remote monitoring technology out there to help safeguard these sites, and as more spaces lie empty in the wake of the pandemic, adopting these systems should be considered. Adam Kovics, export sales manager – Europe, at wireless solutions firm, Ramtech, discusses.
Across Europe there are hundreds of thousands of buildings lying dormant, which is likely to have risen with the impact of the pandemic. While European statistics aren’t readily available, as a reference, in England, there were 665,600 vacant dwellings in October 2020, which had increased by 2.7 per cent (17,500) on the previous year. Fire safety is often associated with the risk to those inhabiting or working within buildings. But in the UK, the Home Office recorded 14,308 primary fires* as well as 1,730 fires within derelict buildings between 2019-2020, so the figure is likely to rise above this when taking an entire continent into account.
The risk and responsibility
Void or empty properties of concern typically include old factories, warehouses, office buildings, rail depots, shipyards, historic buildings, old housing and more. Often while there may not be occupants, there are remnants of the past such as wiring, old furniture, and other waste products that could become highly flammable material.
The lack of activity and safety checks inside these types of buildings means they have different fire risks. Arson, criminal damage, illegal occupation and theft are much more common in empty buildings as opposed to those that are occupied.
Pre-existing materials or excess materials brought in by individuals potentially taking shelter could escalate a fire should one break out. Pests are also more likely to roam unnoticed, chewing through wires that may spark an electrical fire. The onus is on the building proprietor to ensure there are fire safety measures in place even those that have been deserted. The same legal obligations apply for an empty building as if it was in full use.
While it may seem difficult to lose out on rent and still have the responsibility of the safety of the site, ensuring there are measures in place is bound to make your property more attractive for a future tenant or purchaser.
Connectivity for the future
Fortunately, right now, our world is more connected than ever before. The internet has become such a vital component of the world’s infrastructure that it is unlikely many of us get through our day without linking up to the web at one point or another.
This has created its own ecosystem called the Internet of Things (IoT), which spans nearly 100 billion physical objects and enables them to communicate with each other. As the IoT continues to expand, the world is only going to become more entwined.
As technology that is faster and able to store more data emerges, it becomes intuitively efficient and practical for the end user – having a real impact on outcomes and preventing disasters.
Peace of mind security
Automatic detection is very important at the type of building sites previously mentioned, and smart equipment integrated with an IoT software platform creates a safer community where we can all be more connected. This innovation has given property owners, project supervisors and safety personnel the ability to receive alerts for a variety of events in real-time – helping to prevent accidents, unauthorised access, vandalism and disasters.
The pandemic has really led to the wider adoption of technology, due to the implementation of measures such as social distancing, which meant only a limited number of personnel could be on site at one time. Technology has been able to fill some of the gaps in terms of monitoring safety systems and generating data remotely.
Until the world finds its feet again, many buildings could remain empty and vulnerable. The emerging technology and the requirement from the industry is a lot less to do with detecting and responding to fires – it is more about monitoring sites, identifying risks and preventing emergencies in the first place. The entire sector is looking to technology to provide pre-emptive, proactive management of risks; responding to them once they have occurred is already too late.
Wireless fire alarm systems have advanced greatly over the past few decades and contribute to solving these problems. Our WES3 fire alarm system features automatic heat and dust resistant smoke detectors, giving an early warning to a potential fire. When paired with our REACT platform, off site notifications can be received by managers, who can then decide what to action. The WES units can be deployed in almost any style or size of building and have a three-year battery lifecycle to keep maintenance to a minimum for the duration of most projects.
Once ordered, these systems can be delivered the very next day and easily self-installed or professionally fitted by Ramtech.
Investing in protection
Vacant, derelict or void buildings are dangerous places to work, with the threat of fires being ever-present. Ensuring adequate fire measures have been adopted to keep the public and property safe should the worse happen is crucial.
Having a robust system to watch over an empty building may cost a little more upfront, but the potential savings involved should a fire breakout will more than offset such bills.
For more information on Ramtech’s solutions for void/vacant properties, please feel free to get in touch either by phone on +44 (0)115 957 8282, by email to solutions@ramtechglobal.com or via the online enquiry form situated on our contact page.
Investing in protection
Vacant, derelict or void buildings are dangerous places to work, with the threat of fires being ever-present. Ensuring adequate fire measures have been adopted to keep the public and property safe should the worse happen is crucial.
Having a robust system to watch over an empty building may cost a little more upfront, but the potential savings involved should a fire breakout will more than offset such bills.
For more information on Ramtech’s solutions for void/vacant properties, please feel free to get in touch either by phone on +44 (0)115 957 8282, by email to solutions@ramtechglobal.com or via the online enquiry form situated on our contact page.
Has fire safety innovation caught up with the demands of European industrialisation?
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Has fire safety innovation caught up with the demands of European industrialisation?
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The value of industrial exports in many European countries is vital for their economy. Temporary production lapses are costly and fire safety comes into question during a range of scenarios. Adam Kovics, export sales manager at Ramtech, explains why having access to a temporary fire safety solution is critical for modern day industry.
The combined value of sold industrial product by Germany, Italy and France accounts for almost 60 per cent of total EU sold production, according to stats captured by eurostat in 2020. This highlights the significance of industrial sites in countries focused on maintaining strong national economies in a global system that is becoming increasingly unpredictable.
When referring to industrial sites, there is a range of production outputs to consider. From major manufacturing facilities, focused on the creation of key materials and consumer goods, to warehouses storing items before they continue their journey along the supply chain. Additionally, there is also the small matter of industrial power plants producing energy for domestic and overseas markets.
These facilities are all part of a system that impacts our daily lives in a multitude of ways and are not excluded from refurbishment, extension or temporary closure, despite the headache this can cause site owners and facility managers.
A concern during construction work and a possible cause of closures in the first instance is fire outbreaks – something easily possible in environments containing highly flammable materials and large-scale equipment.
Code red
Over 5,000 fire incidents occur daily in in the EU according to Fire Safety Europe, and while the majority of these do not take place on industrial sites, the consequences are often far greater when they do. Only recently a fire in an English convertor station caused disruption to energy imports from France and the repercussions will be felt for months to come. This incident highlights the importance of responsive fire safety systems that can alert personnel quickly if a fire outbreak happens. Allowed to spread, a fire causes costly damage, but in this case also resulted in pushing power prices still higher and forcing the grid to call on coal plants.
Across Europe, a universal approach to fire safety does not exist, posing danger to both people and business in equal measure, and in some cases, without adequate protection. Therefore, it is the responsibility of senior industry professionals to be fully informed and educated on the latest threats and solutions, or risk both financial cost and danger to human life.
Should you feel threatened?
There is little evidence to suggest the risk is rising, but a pre-emptive approach is far better than a reactionary one. Key causes for concern when exploring fire safety on European industrial sites include arson, human error, machine error and vacant facilities.
Another, relatively new threat to Northern Europe that has earned more attention lately is wildfires. Calls for a more integrated approach to prevent accidents caused by wildfires have been published, with industrial sites being one of the key locations that will feel the force of these natural disasters if our climate continues to change.
While wildfires may be somewhat easier to see coming and do not start at the heart of an operational site, they still deserve attention. Having said this, it is the aforementioned fire safety concerns specific to industry environments that must be mitigated using technological innovations.
Embracing modernisation and digitisation is a must
For many industrial sites, fixed fire alarms are the system of choice, although this is not the only option. The evolution of fire safety technology has reached a defining point, whereby easy-to-install wireless systems can offer a solution to support structural or system changes, as well as much needed maintenance in industrial environments.
When automotive manufacturer BMW experienced a fault with its traditional sprinkler system at its Munich production facility in Germany, an alternative system was required for several months, ensuring the building could remain open and compliant with insurance agreements. At the time, the two options insurers considered acceptable were fire watchers or a mobile fire alarm system.
In this instance, BMW opted for Ramtech’s WES3 system – a compliant wireless fire, evacuation, and emergency alarm system that is quickly deployed and able to offer 24/7 automatic early detection. Efficient modern systems combining hardware and software are enabling minimal labor and maximum insight. Aspects of modernisation and digitisation in fire safety systems mean European industries need not fear situations where mains electricity is unavailable. For example, a three-year battery life can reassure site managers that their temporary system will be more than capable of providing protection for short-term on-site works, while integrated on-and-off-site notifications to mobile devices ensure businesses are kept in the know through a cloud-based network.
Site managers in Europe should embrace the opportunity to use connected, Internet of Things (IoT) driven technology options that will give them greater control over their operations. Fires can have devastating effects on both life and property, but these risks have changed thanks to rapid innovation. Fire is no longer something to be feared, though this is only true when the associated risks are given the acknowledgment and pre-emptive action they need. For more information on Ramtech’s solutions, please get in touch either by phone on +44 (0)115 957 8282, by email to solutions@ramtechglobal.com or via the online enquiry form situated on our contact page.
Fighting fire with technology: how wireless fire detection is the answer to construction site safety
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Fighting fire with technology
How wireless fire detection is the answer to construction site safety
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Fire risk is one of the biggest threats to Construction sites. John Harrison, sales director at Ramtech, explains the dynamic security needs of construction sites, including how fire during construction, alteration, or demolition operations can be eliminated or controlled through early planning, scheduling, rapid communication and on-site security.
It is no secret that construction sites are full of potential hazards, and without the right protection it is generally accepted that a construction site can quite rapidly turn into a dangerous place to be. Fire in particular is a key concern. As recently as November 2021, ten people, including two firefighters, were hurt in a fire at a Brooklyn construction site*. While this is shocking, when you consider that a construction site is vulnerable to fire for many reasons, the fact that a fire was able to break out is unfortunately not all that surprising.
However, with the right fire protection technology in place at the very start of construction, alteration, or demolition, sites can be monitored for potential blazes and if they do occur can quickly be prevented from getting out of control.
Why is fire such a threat?
Busy workers on-site operating machinery are often close to sources of ignition, such as highly combustible materials and solvents. On top of this, fire could also happen during the construction phase as open sites are often more vulnerable to theft, vandalism, and arson. Further adding to this risk is the fact the typical building protection systems such as sprinklers, fire walls and detectors are not always in place until the final stages of construction. For the reasons mentioned, both builders and insurance companies know that fire is a very real threat – so why are many construction sites choosing to operate without the best fire safety protection? Whatever the reason, whether it is down to time, cost or a combination of both, if a fire does happen being able to act quickly is crucial. If left to spread the consequences can be grave in terms of loss of life and finances. To put this into perspective, according to the NFPA local fire departments responded to an estimated average of 3,840 fires in structures under construction and 2,580 fires in structures under major renovation per year in 2013-2017. What’s more, the fires in structures under construction caused an average of four civilian deaths, 49 civilian injuries, and $304 million in direct property damage annually. While those in structures under major renovation caused averages of eight civilian deaths, 52 civilian injuries, and $104 million in direct property damage annually.
Taking action
The NFPA Code 241 standards states that construction sites need to have security measures in place from the very moment ground is first broken up to and including the final phase of building. When it comes to hardwired fire detection, this can at first seem to be problematic if a reliable electricity source is not yet fully outfitted on the construction site. Because of the lack of power, some sites still rely on outdated air horns as an evacuation method on construction sites. However, this does come with disadvantages. Namely, an air horn cannot provide site-wide evacuation as it isn’t able to tell you where the fire is located, merely that there is a fire somewhere on the site. It can also be hard to distinguish the noise of an air horn above other background sounds on a site. Furthermore, there isn’t the capability with an air horn to add in smoke / heat sensors and other added value functions such as a medical call feature. This is not the case however if smarter wireless fire safety technology is used in these scenarios. The Ramtech WES3 fire evacuation detection system eliminates the need for a hardwired power source and there is no wired panel required as with most other similar systems. Each unit is powered by a battery with a three-year life under normal use to secure the job site during all phases of construction whether electricity is available or not. Each WES3 unit can also be mounted anywhere at all. With this fully customizable system, you can set out the units in the configuration that best meets the needs of your site.
Preparation is key
As well as being quick and simple to set-up and deploy, the WES3 system greatly helps with the creation of a construction pre-incident plan in accordance with NFPA 1620. If you have a site with hundreds of workers and something happens, it is important to be able to pin point where the fire is and to also evacuate workers away from the blaze. WES3 effectively achieves this objective because each unit can be numbered and named so that all alerts give a precise location. WES3 protection is constant, meaning that no matter the time or place the fire can be detected and communicated to personnel via the use of secure radio frequencies. With an unlimited number of units able to be used per site, more units can be added as the build progresses. Repeater units ensure the signal gets a boost on especially large sites. An emergency signal can be triggered automatically or manually from anywhere. This is all possible without wires or cables and without having to rely on the presence of workers to detect and extinguish fires.
Don’t get caught out
In the event of an on-site fire, those responsible will be held to account. While the building owner holds the primary responsibility, it falls on the contractor to carry it out daily. Pre-construction planning documents and processes must be worked out with the fire department to clearly define the owner’s responsibilities during the construction phase and ensure that the NFPA Code 241 is being upheld. The NFPA Code 241 standard has recently been updated to the 2022 edition and as such must be carefully scrutinized to ensure compliance.
Ramtech can support construction sites to meet parts of the latest NFPA Code 241 by implementing the WES3 wireless evacuation and emergency system. Through advancements in the use of wireless fire safety technology – saving lives, protecting building infrastructure and safeguarding communities is made more possible than ever before. Those who choose to take advantage of this will reap the benefits of a more secure and safe future. For more information on Ramtech’s solutions, please get in touch either by phone on +44 (0)115 957 8282, by email to solutions@ramtechglobal.com or via the online enquiry form situated on our contact page.
Don’t get caught out
In the event of an on-site fire, those responsible will be held to account. While the building owner holds the primary responsibility, it falls on the contractor to carry it out daily. Pre-construction planning documents and processes must be worked out with the fire department to clearly define the owner’s responsibilities during the construction phase and ensure that the NFPA Code 241 is being upheld. The NFPA Code 241 standard has recently been updated to the 2022 edition and as such must be carefully scrutinized to ensure compliance.
Ramtech can support construction sites to meet parts of the latest NFPA Code 241 by implementing the WES3 wireless evacuation and emergency system. Through advancements in the use of wireless fire safety technology – saving lives, protecting building infrastructure and safeguarding communities is made more possible than ever before. Those who choose to take advantage of this will reap the benefits of a more secure and safe future. For more information on Ramtech’s solutions, please get in touch either by phone on +44 (0)115 957 8282, by email to solutions@ramtechglobal.com or via the online enquiry form situated on our contact page.
Bridging the safety gap with temporary fire alarm systems
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Bridging the safety gap with temporary fire alarm systems
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When a permanent fire safety alarm system fails, a temporary solution must be sourced quickly to prevent a gap in protection while it is being fixed or replaced. Challenging scenarios are becoming more common for building owners. Whether that is damage to a permanent fire alarm system that leaves it in need of repair, or unexpected malfunctions that mean a replacement is necessary. A temporary system is a quick solution that will afford building owners precious time and peace of mind while any issues are being resolved with the permanent system. This is important as repairs or replacements are not always immediate due to time, financial, or other logistical constraints. Here, we take a deeper look at some of the scenarios a wireless fire alarm can add value as a temporary solution.
Damage control
Repairing or replacing a damaged permanent wired fire alarm system can be a lengthy process. The good news is that a wireless system does not require the same sort of installation. In fact, wireless solutions can be set up in minutes and in some instances can be rented out at short notice. For example, Ramtech was able to successfully install a WES wireless fire alarm system to enable a school in Bonn, Germany, to quickly reopen after flooding damaged the existing fire alarm.
The show must go on
For time sensitive events, a temporary fire alarm system can make all the difference if the permanent system fails at short notice. In fact, the safety net offered by a temporary solution allowed the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center to avoid cancelling its highly anticipated opening night, when a week before an electrical fault damaged the permanent fire alarm system. Waiting to rewire the permanent system would have thrown the entire show scheduling out of sync and cause a logistical nightmare as performances and tickets would have to be rebooked or refunded. By opting for the WES temporary fire alarm system this meant that the performances could go on as originally planned, while the permanent system was fixed.
The ability to reopen
To avoid closing a building due to safety concerns, a temporary wireless system is an ideal solution. For example, an auditorium within a famous theme park in Florida had issues with its fire system, which meant that the attraction was not protected and therefore could not be opened to the public for safety reasons. Within just 72 hours a temporary WES system was able to be installed to protect the area while repairs were made to the permanent system. The alternative would have been to close the attraction for a lengthy period, which needed to be avoided to ensure that park patrons could continue to enjoy the attraction.
Planning ahead
Not all wireless fire alarm systems need to be specified in an emergency, in fact a temporary wireless fire alarm system can, and should be, factored into the planning for use during periods of building and construction works. Making sure that a temporary fire alarm system is used on-site while the construction phase of a project is happening, and the permanent solution is waiting to be installed, is essential. Fires during construction, whether accidental or via intentional arson, must be monitored at all times to protect the lives of workers and safeguard the building investment. During construction, wireless systems can be placed anywhere on the site and moved if required. The WES3, for example, can be mounted onto temporary surfaces or onto trolleys that can be provided. All current WES systems are fully EN54-25 compliant wireless fire, evacuation, and emergency alarm system engineered to meet the unique fire safety challenges associated with construction sites and other industry sectors.
The right support
Wireless fire alarm safety systems ensure that you can carry on and prevent the loss of business, investment and delays when facing unpredictable circumstances. Not to mention how they help building owners, their contractors, occupants, and the wider public stay safe – when waiting for a permanent solution. With the help of experienced wireless technology specialists such as Ramtech, the right temporary wireless fire alarm solution can be quickly deployed to ensure that there is never a gap in safety. For more information about Ramtech and the WES range please click here.
Safety protection – then vs. now: MGM Grand fire
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Safety protection – then vs. now: MGM Grand fire
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Ramtech’s Content Marketing Manager Jon Bennett looks at how safety protection has evolved over time. In the third article in this series, Jon looks back 41 years to an infamous fire in Las Vegas. Would or could this disaster still happen now?
Background
It’s a Friday morning in November 1980 at the MGM Grand hotel and casino in Las Vegas. No doubt it was a busy time, especially heading into the weekend. In fact, there were around 5,000 people on site that morning, across the casino, entertainment and dining areas. There are circa 2,000 hotel rooms.
It starts in The Deli
Just after 7 in the morning, a fire was discovered in a restaurant within the complex known as The Deli. A tile crew was undertaking an inspection of the restaurant and noticed a flicker of light, which turned out to be the fire. It was ultimately caused by an electrical ground fault inside a wall-mounted electrical receptacle. Employees also noted at around the same time that smoke was coming from ceiling vents. Security was advised, who then contacted the fire department. Under 20 minutes from the fire first being noticed, the Clark County Fire Department was onsite. This was followed by various helicopters (who started roof top evacuations) and other fire crews.
Initially, the fire spread rapidly. Fuelled by flammable materials such as wallpaper, glue, PVC piping, and plastic mirrors, once the fire had entered the lobby it continued into the casino at a reported 13mph. This resulted in a huge fireball bursting through the main entrance close to the famous Las Vegas Strip. This whole event was very rapid, and it seems to have claimed the first victims when 18 people were killed on the casino level.
The fire never actually spread beyond the second floor of the casino – so why did the incident claim a total of 85 lives?
Toxic atmosphere
The flammable material I mentioned earlier when alight created toxic fumes and smoke. Unfortunately, this spread through the complex into the hotel easily thanks to vertical shafts such as stairways and elevators. This widespread flow of toxic air would end up causing the majority of the deaths. Guests tried to evacuate, but some were unable to get out quickly enough due to the elevators not automatically returning to the main floor. 10 people died in one of these elevators. Some people even escaped via hanging bedsheets out of their windows to reach lower floors.
Some people who were trapped in their rooms broke open the windows to get fresh air, only for thick smoke from outside to pool into their rooms, making the situation worse. A few even managed to escape via a scaffolding platform.
A total of 78 guests and 7 employees died as a result of the incident. 650 suffered injuries, including 14 firefighters. 61 deaths happened from the 19th-24th floors, emphasising the impact of the toxic fumes. Following the disaster, there was a campaign to promote the fact that during a building fire, inhaling smoke is a more serious threat than flames.
Would it happen now?
Specifically, the cause of fire was electrical and related to a display case in The Deli restaurant.
This display case was added after the building of the hotel and without going into technical details, vibration of an internal fan in the display case was also a factor as the wiring became ungrounded after plastic insulation eventually corroded. This eventually caused heat to build and the connections to arc, which ignited the fire. Initially it is suspected that the fire smouldered for several hours, until fresh oxygen fed it and it spread rapidly. Modern display cases featured different, safer equipment – so although a fire is still possible of course, it’s likely in current times the technology would be such that a similar incident would never happen.
Once the fire has developed into the casino areas, there were a lack of sprinklers, which didn’t help the situation. Due to rules at the time, these areas didn’t have to have a sprinkler system. As they were occupied 24 hours a day, it was thought that any fire would be taken out by people using fire extinguishers, – although this opinion had opposition. Mainly due to cost, only a minimal amount of sprinklers were installed across the complex.
Within a week of the disaster, the local Governor formed a commission to determine whether older hotels in Nevada state should work to newer fire safety rules. However, less that 100 days after the MGM Grand fire, a fire broke out at the Las Vegas Hilton hotel, killing 8 people. These two incidents sped things along, leading to a major reformation of fire safety guidelines and codes. There were, after all, several failings noted to evacuation procedures and fire crew knowledge. Later in 1981, all public-use buildings in Nevada were required to have fire sprinklers, smoke detectors in rooms and elevators, with exit maps in all hotel rooms. It took several years for all complexes of this type to conform however, as it took time to specify.
The reality is that even in 2021, a fire is still possible. But the chances of it spreading are drastically reduced due to a mix of increased safety requirements and advances in technology. For example, even if a wired fire alarm is undergoing refurbishment, temporary solutions such as WES can ensure 24/7 early warning of potential fires.
Safety protection – then vs. now: Disaster at the Iroquois Theatre
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Safety protection – then vs. now: Disaster at the Iroquois Theatre
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Ramtech’s Content Marketing Manager Jon Bennett looks at how safety protection has evolved over the years, starting with a tragedy at the Iroquois Theatre in Chicago, USA. Would this awful event still have happened in modern times? Jon explains more.
Background
As the new year festivities approached on December 30th 1903, a theatre in Illinois, United States, was packed full of an excited audience ready to watch a matinee performance of ‘Mr Blue Beard’. Little did they know at the time that the theatre, and many of them, would not get to see the second act. The Iroquois Theatre was well known in Chicago at the time. It opened in late November 1903 in what one drama critic said was “the most beautiful … in Chicago, and competent judges state that few theatres in America can rival its architectural perfections …”. It was clear though those appearances were deceiving. Up to the opening, the theatre had been plagued by issues including workforce unrest, delays in architectural planning and, most pertinently, fire safety issues that were highlighted by Fireproof Magazine and even the local fire department at the time.
Just a month into opening, the issues highlighted by the editor of Fireproof Magazine and the fire department were to become frighteningly real. Some of the issues noted included:
- Inadequate fire exits
- Wood trim being used to frequently
- No sprinklers
- No fire alarm warnings
- A lack of telephones
- No water connections
In fact, it came to light that the only fire protection of any kind was the existence of six ‘Kilfyre’ fire extinguishers that were designed for residential fires. These powder-based extinguishers were designed for fires originating low down on a surface such as a floor – which as we’ll find out, were totally inadequate for the Iroquois Theatre.
The venue was a sell out as the performance started, with around 2,200 people packed into the 3 tiers of the hall.
As the second act – a night scene – was being prepared at around 15.15, it seems like sparks from an arc light set fire to a muslin curtain. Quickly, the ‘Kilfyre’ extinguishers were used…but it was already too late, as the fire was spreading high above the stage. Sadly, things would get no better. The theatre was full of highly flammable painted canvas paintings, locked gates and more hazards. Even the fire curtain between the stage and the audience, supposed to separate the areas in the event of a fire, not only snagged halfway down but was primarily made of wood pulp and asbestos. In short, the theatre was fuelling its own bonfire.
There are many sources online that explain more about the intricate details of the fire. As a simple overview, the severe lack of exits, locked gates and badly designed passageways and stairs meant that when a fireball extended into the audience seating area and started to engulf the theatre hall, many people couldn’t make it out, or were crushed whilst doing so.
Due to the lack of a fire alarm or telephone, the local fire department were only alerted when one of the stagehands had literally run to the nearest fire station. In all, 575 people died on the day of the fire, with more passing away in the following weeks. Just a day later, changes started to happen to try to prevent a similar situation. Some theatres eliminated standing room. Building and fire codes were reformed and all over the US and Europe, where theatres were retrofitted with better fire safety systems and emergency planning.
What would happen in the modern day?
There is every chance that if the spark from a stage light had occurred in modern times, nothing would have happened. The initial fuel for the fire seems to have been the stage curtain – which are now available in a fireproof material.
Even if there had been a fire, modern extinguishers would have been able to cope with the initial fire if caught early enough and the correct extinguisher type was used. Looking even beyond this, modern building regulations are very different now too. Better fire exits would have allowed more people to evacuate easily. The designs of staircases and other corridors would be more suitable. Both fixed and temporary fire alarm systems exist to alert not only onsite staff, but those offsite too including the emergency services.
It is a tragic reality that hundreds of men, women and children would have been saved if the event had happened in later times…but the lessons learnt from this event have helped shape the safety we enjoy today.
What would happen in the modern day?
There is every chance that if the spark from a stage light had occurred in modern times, nothing would have happened. The initial fuel for the fire seems to have been the stage curtain – which are now available in a fireproof material.
It is a tragic reality that hundreds of men, women and children would have been saved if the event had happened in later times…but the lessons learnt from this event have helped shape the safety we enjoy today.
Ramtech looks to global growth with new owners
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Ramtech looks to global growth with new owners
Ramtech, the innovative UK wireless safety and security solutions business, has been bought by Halma plc.
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The acquisition by Halma will support Ramtech’s ambitions to enter new global markets and invest in a substantial product roadmap. Halma is a global group of life-saving technology companies whose purpose is to grow a safer, cleaner heathier future for everyone, every day. Ramtech will join a number of companies in the safety and fire detection markets that are part of the FTSE 100 company’s portfolio. Nottingham-headquartered Ramtech turns over £10 million annually, employs 65 people and is rapidly expanding in terms of the products and services it offers. Ramtech will become part of Halma’s safety division but will operate independently, retaining its name and brand. Ramtech’s senior team will remain with the company, including Andy Hicks, the company’s managing director and one of Ramtech’s co-owners before the sale. Halma divisional chief executive Charles Lombard will join Ramtech as chairman.
“It is the right time for Ramtech to enter its next phase of expansion and achieve truly global growth. The investment and access to Halma’s expertise and global network are all essential ingredients in helping the company achieve this”, explains Managing Director Andy Hicks.
Andy Hicks said: “It is the right time for Ramtech to enter its next phase of expansion and achieve truly global growth. The investment and access to Halma’s expertise and global network are all essential ingredients in helping the company achieve this.”
“Our ‘customer-first’ approach will remain, and we don’t see that passion for our customers changing in any way.”
Halma owns around 45 businesses covering safety, environment and analysis, and health. Ramtech will join Halma’s safety division whose companies’ technologies span elevator safety, fire detection, fire suppression, security sensors, access control, safe storage, people and vehicle flow. Charles Lombard, divisional chief executive of Halma, said: “We look forward to supporting Ramtech to help meet its ambitious growth plans, which will help more customers save lives and protect valuable assets.”
“We look forward to supporting Ramtech to help meet its ambitious growth plans, which will help more customers save lives and protect valuable assets”, states Charles Lombard, Divisional Chief Executive, Halma
Ramtech operates in a rapidly growing market. Governments are insisting on higher standards of safety on construction sites, including fire safety. Ramtech is well positioned to take advantage of these opportunities having established routes to market, industry-leading products and long-established customer relationships with the market leaders in its areas of operation. Currently, Ramtech’s WES3 technology and REACT system is installed on the 7km west section of London’s new Thames Tideway Tunnel – an ambitious 25km ‘super sewer’ that, once completed in 2025, will prevent the River Thames from being polluted by overflow sewage.