Ask a group of physical security managers what their most critical security priority is, and not many would answer fire detection and prevention. However, according to the National Fire Protection Association, more than 3,000 lives and more than $10.6 billion dollars in damages were attributed to fires in the United States last year alone. A catastrophic fire can cause loss of life, damage to assets and inventory, and lost productivity due to downtime. In fact, according to KPMG, 40 percent of businesses that suffer a catastrophic disaster, such as a major fire, go out of business in less than two years.
- By Mariann McDonagh
- Feb 01, 2009
Growing up is never easy, but when things get out of hand, there are places where the most vulnerable can find hope. One such place is White’s Residential and Family Services in Wabash, Ind.
- By Beth Welch
- Feb 01, 2009
Courthouses must provide a presence that conveys stability, integrity, and suggests the vital duties of the court while maintaining an open and inviting atmosphere.
- By Christa Poss
- Feb 01, 2009
Aimetis Corp., a provider of intelligent IP video surveillance software, recently announced that Aimetis Symphony will be installed as the video surveillance software platform in Munich Airport’s Terminal One.
Intransa, a provider of physical security data management and video storage, and Convergint Technologies LLC, a North American systems integrator of electronic security, fire alarm, life safety and building automation systems, recently announced a new sales alliance.
Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers, Baltimore Fire Chief James Clack and Washington, D.C. Fire Chief Dennis Rubin recently joined United States Fire Administrator Greg Cade to ask all residents to install, maintain and test their smoke alarms.
Move over, drills, saws and jackhammers. Now there's something much faster for search-and-rescue missions. And, it just won a technology Best-of-the-Year Award from Popular Science.
3n Global recently announced that the Town of Durham, Conn. has selected the 3n InstaCom Citizen Alert solution as its official emergency notification system.
Fire-Lite Alarms has released its 2009 fire alarm systems training schedule, composed of more than 50 sessions offered free throughout the United States.
Omnilert, maker of e2Campus, an emergency notification system for higher education institutions, recently announced that Pacific University of Forest Grove, Ore. is the first school in the country to integrate its Facebook and Twitter accounts into the e2Campus emergency notification system.
Cooper Notification recently announced that ArCom Systems Inc., based in North Little Rock, Ark., has signed an agreement with Cooper Notification to be a Mass Notification System Channel Partner.
Xtralis, a provider of intelligent fire detection and security solutions, recently announced that its VESDA Very Early Warning Aspirating Smoke Detection system has been chosen by BAA to help ensure the safe transit of passengers through the baggage halls of the recently opened Heathrow Terminal 5 in London.
A historic landmark is much like a piece of art. It reveals something about us and our past, and it must be protected and preserved as if it were priceless.
- By Megan Weadock
- Dec 01, 2008
NICE Systems recently announced the Miami-Dade Police Department has selected NICE Inform and other NICE solutions to capture and manage emergency communications at four county-wide emergency communication sites, including a new state-of-the-art communications center scheduled to open in 2009.
Findings from the soon-to-be released report Large-Loss Fires in the United States 2007 are featured in the latest issue of NFPA Journal, the official magazine of the National Fire Protection Association.
Carbon monoxide detection has been around for some time, but has not been mainstreamed—until now. When NFPA 720-2009, which is a complete rewrite of the CO detection standard, was published, it addressed the trend of CO detection with concise remedies to alleviate any uncertainties. The standard brought about the opportunity to help facilities hone in on new protection strategies.
- By David George
- Nov 01, 2008
The Auditorio Nacional de Música (National Musical Auditorium) in Madrid recently chose the Bosch Security Systems Modular Fire Panel 5000 Series to provide complete control of fire detection in for the internationally renowned concert venue.
The American Red Cross and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently released results of a survey showing the majority (79 percent) of Americans are concerned about the rising cost of heating their homes, and many will use an alternative heating source to reduce their bills this winter.
For the first time, a new high-tech solution to emergency response planning was used to help secure the Republican National Convention at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. in September. The Saint Paul Fire Department set a new standard for the first-response industry with its use of the Coordinated NIMS Incident Planner, or CNIP.
The national nonprofit Home Safety Council has released new national survey results revealing that only 37 percent of respondents have taken any actions at home to prevent fires and burns -- the third leading cause of injury-related death in the home.