Hochiki sensors embolden fire safety regime at Technical Metals

Established back in 1984, Technical Metals is a previous winner of The Queen’s Award for Enterprise. Specialised Fire and Security was awarded the contract to update the company’s existing fire detection system, which demanded complete modernisation. Formed in 2013 by two experienced fire and security professionals with a combined 65 years’ worth of industry experience, Specialised Fire and Security has developed into one of the best known and respected independent specialist fire and security providers in Northern Ireland.

Situated on an industrial park, the Technical Metals site consists of a group of buildings including offices, goods-in, packaging and high-risk manufacturing environments complete with acid baths, the production of heat and smoke and the operation of corrosive atmospheres. This presented something of a unique challenge for the team at Specialised Fire and Security, itself led by Tom Skates.

Skates selected Hochiki Europe products to help keep this hazardous facility safe. In conversation with Fire Safety Matters, Skates explained: “Originally, we were presented with a plan that included multi-sensors situated at high-level points in the adonising department block. However, during a site inspection we realised this would be an issue. Some of the light fixings were corroding due to the chemical fumes rising from adonising equipment below. We recommended that Hochiki flame detectors should be fitted at a low level, pointing to the area above. This meant the area would be secured without any risk of deterioration.”

Heat and smoke detection

Hochiki’s multi-sensors have been fitted throughout the rest of the building, in turn allowing for heat and smoke to be detected night or day.

“This kind of manufacturing plant is naturally prone to dust and smoke, which can cause false alarms,” continued Skates. “A key requirement on this project was to reduce and even eliminate false alarms. Hochiki was chosen as the company offers the most reliable products to help protect against false alarms. Multi-sensors are particularly good at this and allow for a flexible approach to fire detection. We’ve set up an ongoing maintenance programme with Technical Metals which means that, should they need to change parts of the building, the Hochiki multi-sensor devices we’ve fitted can be easily switched to the most applicable detection method required. This is a future-proofed project.”

Products with integrated short-circuit isolators have also been fitted. On a healthy addressable fire system, the voltage from the fire control panel is driven one way around the loop, both powering devices and carrying data. If a fire loop cable is accidentally damaged by tools, equipment or chemicals, for example, and particularly so if not mechanically protected by conduit, and the result of that damage is that the positive and negative conductors within the cable make contact with each other, that vital voltage level drops.

This is a short-circuit and, at this point, the entire loop would be instantly out of action, which of course puts the whole building and its occupants at risk.

Voltage drop

Hochiki’s integrated short-circuit isolator-enabled devices recognise this voltage drop and, when they activate, they divert the loop voltage back along one of the conductors, maintaining the flow of power and data for the rest of the loop.

At the same time, because it’s programmed to recognise when it’s no longer receiving a return loop drive voltage, the fire control panel will automatically switch to driving voltage from both ends of the loop, subsequently using both conductors. In high-risk manufacturing environments such as that operated by Technical Metals, this innovative technology makes all the difference.

“I’ve worked with Hochiki products for nearly all of my career,” asserted Skates. “In fact, when I moved to Specialised Fire and Security four years ago, it was a big tick in the box for me that the business was already recommending Hochiki kit to its customers. The reliability is second to none. The devices are innovative and easy to install and flexible to suit a range of applications.”

The installation project at Technical Metals is perfect example of how Hochiki Europe’s range of products can be used in high-risk environments to help reduce the risk fire poses to people and assets.

*Further information is available online at www.hochikieurope.com