Tag: fire suppression
Study: Hybrid suppression systems need own standards
July 30, 2014Tess Nacelewicz
QUINCY, Mass.—A hybrid fire suppression system is a combination water mist and gas suppression system, and because this new technology is a hybrid, there is no one NFPA standard that covers it. Should there be? A recently released study looked to answer that question.The Fire Protection Research Foundation initiated the project, which is titled a “Literature Review on Hybrid Fire Suppression Systems.” The foundation, based here, is an affiliate of the National Fire Protection Association.Amanda...
Education one of the highlights at the NFPA show
May 16, 2014Tess Nacelewicz
LAS VEGAS—Education will be a robust feature of the 2014 National Fire Protection Association Conference & Expo. The number of education sessions grew to 150 last year and will remain at that level this year when the annual event is held June 9-12 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center here.Some sessions of particular interest to dealers and installers include ones titled “Detecting Residential Fires Faster At Lower Sensitivities With Fewer False Alarms;” “Smoke Alarms: Nuisance...
ESA supports 'balanced approach'
May 12, 2014Leif Kothe
ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The Electronic Security Association is ramping up efforts in support of the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act, a bill that would give installers of fire detection systems the same access to federal tax incentives currently available only to fire suppression companies.The issue was among the core issues ESA brought to the attention of lawmakers during its annual Day on Capitol Hill, held May 6-7 in Washington D.C.The ESA, which has long advocated a “balanced approach,”...
Potter: Sprinkler systems last longer with nitrogen
March 11, 2014Tess Nacelewicz
ST. LOUIS—A new Potter Electric Signal Co. study shows that replacing air with nitrogen as the supervisory gas in dry and pre-action sprinkler systems dramatically reduces rust and makes the systems last more than five times longer.Potter, based here, makes a line of nitrogen generators specifically designed for fire sprinkler systems, said Josh Tihen, the company's corrosion product manager. He told Security Systems News that using nitrogen instead of air in the system “allows someone...
False alarms, MNS to be features of SupDet 2014
February 19, 2014Tess Nacelewicz
QUINCY, Mass.—The Fire Protection Research Foundation's annual Suppression, Detection and Signaling Research and Applications Symposium (SupDet) will take place March 4-7 this year and includes sessions useful for installers, such as ones on nuisance alarms and mass notification.
“There are definitely things that would be of interest to installers,” said Amanda Kimball, research manager for the foundation, which is based here and is an affiliate of the National Fire Protection...
Potter: New flow switch a first
December 10, 2013Tess Nacelewicz
ST. LOUIS—Potter Electric Signal Co. recently introduced what it says is an industry first: a self-testing flow switch for wet sprinkler systems that requires no discharge of water.Mike Henke, sprinkler product manager for Potter, which is based here, said the company developed its new VSR-AT flow switch with auto test feature because of industry demand. He said the VSR helps “conserve water, reduce corrosion and eliminate any pollution concerns that are associated with discharging sprinkler...
Fire suppression market hot
November 7, 2012Tess Nacelewicz
AUSTIN, Texas—The fire suppression products industry in the Americas is growing, but as it does, fire sprinklers—which constitute the majority of the market—are facing competition from other technologies, according to a new report from IMS Research.The total market, which includes portable fire extinguishers, is about $888 million now but is expected to exceed $1 billion by 2016, Adi Pavlovic, report author and analyst, told Security Systems News.“Sprinklers are the majority...