Fire / Life Safety


DARPA Demonstrates New Fire-Suppression Method

Using electromagnetic fields and acoustics techniques to destabilize flame plasma worked on small flames, but large-scale suppression has yet to be demonstrated, the program manager said.

London Fire Brigade Backs Sprinklers in Schools

According to new figures the brigade released Jan. 10, 36 arson attacks and 113 accidental fires occurred in London’s schools, colleges, and nursery buildings in 2011.

When Clean Isn't Clean Enough

Some solutions are just no-brainers. Take medical backboards, for example, those hard plastic boards used to stabilize patients during emergencies before the patient is lifted onto the gurney and hurried into the ambulance.

vivint

TV Show Features Home Automation System from Vivint

The company was recently featured on an episode of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition as it helped make a family’s home more secure.

Infrared Technology for Measuring The Effect of Fire on Materials

Researchers at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid are developing an infrared measuring method to analyze the thermal properties and resistance to fire of composite materials.

Stress Response in Police Officers May Indicate Risk for PTSD

Stress-related disorders are often linked to people working in the line of fire.

Wildland-Urban Interface Fires are Costly Natural Disasters

One of America's most costly natural disasters are wildland fires, and wildland-urban interface (WUI) fires rank among the worst of these. WUI is the threshold where wildfires consume not only the landscape, but also infrastructure. Once that threshold is crossed, flames can spread – well, like wildfire.

Bosch Launches Website for Security Specifiers

The new site features product specifications, CAD drawings and vertical market information, including proven installation examples.



Comark Announces Availability of 19-inch In-wall, Building Alarm Touch PC

The UL 864 ninth edition specification meets the NFPA requirement for equipment installed in life safety applications, such as fire alarms, smoke control and mass notification systems.

Tyco to Separate Into Three Independent, Publicly Traded Companies

Tyco International Ltd. announced today that its board of directors has unanimously approved a plan to separate the company into three independent, publicly traded companies.

How to Choose a Mass Notification System

Given the myriad options businesses have when choosing mass notification systems, we set out to find what factors system managers should take into account when they select a solution.

Trendy Protection

Trendy Protection

Beverly Hills, Calif., has been glamorized in countless film and television depictions as the home of the wealthy and famous. Beyond the glamour, though, it has municipal management issues much like those any city faces.

Got Intelligibility?

For the life safety community, mass notification is a relatively new concept. It arose from emergency management personnel’s inability to communicate with and direct building occupants during emergencies. Since the publication of the Unified Facilities Criteria, many U.S. military facilities throughout the world have installed mass notification systems. The criteria outlined the design, operation and interfaces required for mass notification in military facilities, and the Defense Department approved the final version for mass notification in 2008.

PSA Security Network Announces VES Fire Detection Systems as Newest Vendor Partner

As a PSA vendor partner, both member companies and distribution customers are able to purchase VES products and become certified on Elite networked systems.

Here's the Know-How

The term mass notification originated with the Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) document 4-021-01, titled Design and O&M: Mass Notification Systems, created by the Department of Defense (DoD). The UFC outlines the design, operation and maintenance of mass notification systems (MNSs) required on all DoD properties, including posts for the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy.

Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies Makes BOMA Commitments

The company will serve as BOMA 360 ambassador and on the building codes and voluntary standards committee.

Silent Knight Continues Fire Alarm Technology and Code Seminar Tour

Half-day seminars for fire alarm specifiers and designers offer Continuing Professional Development units.

Security Products 2011 New Product of the Year Award Winners Announced

The Security Products New Product of the Year Award honors the outstanding product development achievements of security equipment manufacturers whose products are considered to be particularly noteworthy in their ability to improve security.

USFA Releases University Housing Fires Report

FEMA’s United States Fire Administration (USFA) has issued a special report focusing on the causes and characteristics of fires in college and university residential buildings that include dormitories and fraternity and sorority houses.

Bosch's Safe & Sound Tour Truck Wins 2011 Event Design Award

Featuring video surveillance, access control, intrusion and fire detection, critical communications and audio systems, the 53-feet long, double-expandable trailer features 1,000 square feet of product display space.

Featured

  • Security Industry Association Announces the 2026 Security Megatrends

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has identified and forecasted the 2026 Security Megatrends, which form the basis of SIA’s signature annual Security Megatrends report defining the top 10 factors influencing both near- and long-term change in the global security industry. Read Now

  • The Future of Access Control: Cloud-Based Solutions for Safer Workplaces

    Access controls have revolutionized the way we protect our people, assets and operations. Gone are the days of cumbersome keychains and the security liabilities they introduced, but it’s a mistake to think that their evolution has reached its peak. Read Now

  • A Look at AI

    Large language models (LLMs) have taken the world by storm. Within months of OpenAI launching its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, it amassed more than 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history. Read Now

  • First, Do No Harm: Responsibly Applying Artificial Intelligence

    It was 2022 when early LLMs (Large Language Models) brought the term “AI” into mainstream public consciousness and since then, we’ve seen security corporations and integrators attempt to develop their solutions and sales pitches around the biggest tech boom of the 21st century. However, not all “artificial intelligence” is equally suitable for security applications, and it’s essential for end users to remain vigilant in understanding how their solutions are utilizing AI. Read Now

  • Improve Incident Response With Intelligent Cloud Video Surveillance

    Video surveillance is a vital part of business security, helping institutions protect against everyday threats for increased employee, customer, and student safety. However, many outdated surveillance solutions lack the ability to offer immediate insights into critical incidents. This slows down investigations and limits how effectively teams can respond to situations, creating greater risks for the organization. Read Now

New Products

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.