Security Sales & Integration February 2023 - 18

SMARTS & PARTS
Fire Side Chat by Shane Clary
smclary@bayalarm.com
European Expo Gives Some
New Tech First Exposure
Planck Vision
Systems'
thermal
imaging
camera detects
both near
infrared fl ames
and near
long-wave IR
temperature,
yielding
quicker
detection of
a thermal
event before it
becomes a fullfl
edged fi re.
▶ LAST SEPTEMBER, I traveled to Germany,
for the bi-annual Essen Security Expo. I go to see
what technology is occurring in Europe regarding
fi re detection and as well as fi re intrusion detections.
Advances tend to be fi rst deployed in Europe
before they come to the U.S. and Canada.
Th is is because: 1. Products only have to meet EU
standards but not UL or ULC; 2. Th ere are no
ADA requirements; 3. Th ere are no general requirements
for low-frequency (520Hz) sounders
Th is enables less power to be used for the operation
of a detection system, which allows for detection
and notifi cation appliances to be on the same
Signaling Line Circuit (SLC). Th is also permits
expanded use of wireless detection devices and notifi
cation appliances.
Some new products and technologies caught
my attention. Th e fi rst is from Planck Vision
Systems, which has developed a thermal imaging
camera that can detect both near infrared fl ames
Shane Clary, Ph.D., is an
SSI Industry Hall of Famer
and has more than 45
years of security and fi re
alarm industry experience.
He serves on a number of
NFPA technical committees,
and is Vice President of
Codes and Standards
Compliance for Concord,
Calif.-headquartered Bay
Alarm Co.
18
and near long-wave infrared temperature. Th is
yields quicker detection of a thermal event before
it becomes a full-fl edged fi re. It also covers
a potential fi re in areas where standard detection
would not function or would operate at a slower
rate of detection - power substations, datacenters
and server rooms, electrical cabinets, storage facilities
and electric vehicle charging stations, to name
a few. Th is should not be confused with Video Imaging
Detection (VID), which was using software
to detect the development of smoke and fl ames. I
do see this for areas where spot detection or aspiration
detection would not work and in which early
detection is required.
New Wares for People Counting,
Aspiration Detection
Th e next technology aids people counting. Here
in the States, you'll see a sign posted in meeting
rooms and halls noting maximum occupancy allowed
within that space. In most cases, no one
is tracking this, or there may be a person(s) with
a manual counter who is keeping track of those
going in, but most likely not of those leaving
the space. In Europe, several fi rms off er people
counter systems that keep tabs on the number
Security Sales & Integration FEBRUARY 2023
of individuals within a space. IEE was showing a
new bi-directional counting system that can track
those entering and departing a space, and provide
alerts as the maximum occupancy is reached and
exceeded. Th is can benefi t numerous applications,
but it will most likely require a change within
the U.S. building and fi re codes to mandate such
technology a requirement.
When it comes to aspiration detection, there are
many applications in which this is the preferred
method of detection. Edwards highlighted its
ModuLaser, whose multiple " circuits " of piping
feed back to a single, central control unit. Once
there, the signals can either operate independently
or work as a single unit, analyzing the possible
products of combustion that may be coming
into the processor from within the space. Th is
can allow for a faster detection while reducing the
chance of an unwanted alarm due to a brief spike
that may occur for one of the " circuits. "
At Essen, a few products being shown that are
now available in the States, though with tweaks
for Europe. M2M Services' alarm communicators
have a Universal Cellular communicator for
Europe listed to the required EN standards as opposed
to the standards required in the U.S. and
Canada, for instance. It allows for the use of two
SIM cards, so that two separate pathways may be
used. Unlike here where you must address several
networks, all within a single nation, the product
for use in Europe has been modifi ed to be able
to address the requirements found within a number
of countries, and the networks that are within
those countries.
Lastly, Honeywell was rolling out a European
version of Connected Life Safety Services (CLSS).
Th e module is quite diff erent from the version
now being off ered in North America (I'll cover
CLSS in a future Fire Side Chat). In Europe,
the challenge is working within the regulations of
myriad countries.
As mentioned, there were numerous wireless
solutions on hand. It will take further changes in
technology and power requirements to be able to
bring these advances to us. Th e next Essen Security
will be held in September 2024.
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Security Sales & Integration February 2023

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