Fire Safety & Building Security Report 2016

a supplement of:

Fire SaFety & Building Security REPORT

WaTch This space AdvAncES in SEcUriTy TEchnoLogy KEEp US SAFE And SoUnd

Turning up The heaT

BuiLDing a secure ciTY ABU dhABi’S Upc iS WorKing To A BETTEr FUTUrE

The UAE’s Fire and Life Safety community wants more to be done when it comes to fire-rating materials

Your partner in creating a Safer World •

Performance Testing

•

Fire Safety Testing & Certification

•

Field Labeling of Fire Doors On-site

•

Existing Building Fire Risk Assessment

Dubai Tel: Fax:

•

Certification to EN/BS, ASTM, UL and NFPA

www. intertek.com me.contactus@intertek.com

www.intertek.com/building

Abu Dhabi Tel: +971 2 613 1000 Fax: +971 2 642 8009 +971 4 317 8777 +971 4 331 6719

Introduction

CPI MEDIA GROUP FOUnDER Dominic De SouSa GROUP CEO naDeem HooD

PUBLISHInG DIRECtOR RaZ iSLam raz.islam@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5471 EDItORIAL DIRECtOR ViJaYa cHeRian vijaya.cherian@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5472 EDItORIAL EDItOR GaVin DaViDS gavin.davids@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5480 REPORtER JeRuSHa SeQueiRa jerusha.sequeira@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5477 OnLInE EDItOR Ben FLanaGan ben.flanagan@cpimediagroup.com SUB EDItOR aeLReD DoYLe aelred.doyle@cpimediagroup.com ADVERtISInG COMMERCIAL DIRECtOR micHaeL STanSFieLD michael.stansfield@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5497 SALES MAnAGER FaaJu aBDuLFaTaH faaju.abdulfatah@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5495 MARKEtInG MARKEtInG MAnAGER LiSa JuSTice lisa.justice@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5498 DESIGn ARt DIRECtOR Simon coBon CIRCULAtIOn & PRODUCtIOn DIStRIBUtIOn MAnAGER SuniL KumaR sunil.kumar@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5476 PRODUCtIOn MAnAGER Vipin V. ViJaY vipin.vijay@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5713 DIGItAL WEB DEVELOPER mohammad awais PUBLISHED By

Enough is enough

2

CREATE A DIALOGUE

F

ire safety is again on everyone’s lips this year, following the dramatic events of New Year’s Eve. I happened to be in India when the fire at The Address broke out, and I can remember thinking to myself that it was most likely the cladding insulation at fault for the rapid spread of the fire.

While of course there’s yet to be any definitive proof of this, it’s not an unreasonable assumption to make, and one that has been made by many far more qualified than I am, both on and off the record.

Thankfully, the attitude that we now seem to be seeing is one of ‘enough is enough’. There is now a concerted effort to crack down on offenders, and it’s heartening to see the industry get fully behind this. It’s about time. We’ve been tremendously lucky so far that no fatalities have occurred. The next time we might not be so lucky.

12

8

THOMAS BELL-WRIGHT

16

18

WATCH THIS SPACE

Registered at impZ po Box 13700 Dubai, uae Tel: +971 4 440 9100 Fax: +971 4 447 2409 www.cpimediagroup.com printed by printwell printing press LLc a supplement of Big project middle east © copyright 2016 cpi. all rights reserved While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.

Gavin Davids Editor gavin.davids@cpimediagroup.com

22

BUILDING A SECURE CITY Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016 1

Fire safety overview

CREATE A DIALOGUE Big Project ME talks to fire safety experts to gauge the level of awareness of fire safety in the wake of the Address Downtown fire

A

s the images of the flames that engulfed the Address Downtown Dubai on New Year’s Eve were beamed around the world, speculation over what caused the fire was rampant even as firefighters battled to control the blaze.

Outlandish claims of fireworks being set off from hotel room balconies were made on Twitter, while others theorised that a stray cigarette may have been sparked the flames. Ultimately though, Dubai Police have revealed that an electrical short circuit was at fault for the fire which gutted the 63-storey hotel.

However, this revelation has done little to alleviate the discussion around why the fire

spread so rapidly, and with such devastating effect. As a high-end hotel, surely it’s not unreasonable to assume that every precaution was taken to ensure that only the best and most reliable fire-rated materials were used during the construction?

Unfortunately, that may not have been the case, with consultants and fire safety experts expressing concerns about the quality and fire rating of materials used on buildings in the region, especially the towering skyscrapers that make up the bulk of Dubai’s landscape.

“Manufacturers of listed equipment also manufacture unlisted ones, and are more than happy to offer clients ‘cheaper alternatives’ which pretty much look the same, but are different, and inefficient or inadequate,” says Ian Peters – Risk Consulting and Claims leader, MENA for Marsh, the global insurance broker and risk advisor.

“Particularly, in this region, a major issue is with regards to the levels of maintenance, although

2 Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016

Fire safety overview

Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016 3

Fire safety overview

the UAE is better than most.

Maintenance service providers often cut corners to provide additional discounts to the client, without explaining what they are not doing properly.”

Therefore, it is incumbent upon the fire safety industry to explain to building owners and operators what is being installed, how the systems are expected to work and how frequently they should be checked and maintained, Peters adds.

This extends to passive fire safety systems, like door seals, fire dampers, and cable and service penetrations. Abdulla Al Gurg, group general manager at Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group LLC, points out that any product used for fire protection needs to be approved

by Civil Defence authorities, with individual product approvals and system approvals also given.

“These approvals for a product or system are only provided after detailed evaluations and tests performed by the manufacturer.

These tests need to be performed at labs approved by Civil Defence authorities,” he says.

“Also, products need to be covered under exclusive agency agreements. For example, as a Group, we work with principals after a careful evaluation of their systems and tests, and we take pride in offering the best to the market,” Al Gurg reiterates.

However, the biggest challenge remains in educating the market and ensuring that owners, operators and all associated stakeholders are aware of what must be done to make a building fire-safe.

David Black, a chartered fire engineer and senior project leader at BuroHappold (Middle

East), explains that the level of fire-safety awareness in the UAE needs to be better than where it is currently. However, the efforts of Civil Defence bodies and municipalities are slowly making headway, spurred on by the heavy attention given to fires in high-profile buildings by local and international media.

“Awareness triggers change. However, it also has a lot to do with tradition and culture – not only in the UAE. Change takes time; public awareness on fire safety raises particularly when there’s a spectacular fire, but people tend to forget much too fast.

“The Civil Defence and municipalities in the UAE have been investing time, financial resources and manpower in training, educational programs and conferences,

with the aim of making the importance of fire safety accessible to a wider audience.

“Despite the positive response, the probability of a fire event not occurring is still what leads to a lack of end-to-end safety precautions. The urgency of this topic is the reason for the presence of renowned fire and life safety organisations in the UAE – among others SFPE, NFPA and IFE,” Black says, adding that BuroHappold’s Fire Engineering Department has been working closely with Dubai Civil Defence to update the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code, which is likely to be issued towards the end of March or April this year.

The efforts being taken by the authorities and regulatory bodies to improve awareness and education means that the onus is now on owners and Quality concerns Fire safety experts have expressed concerns over the fire-rating of materials that have been used on buildings like The Address.

4 Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016

Fire safety overview

developers to follow the rules and, in fact, lead change within the construction and real estate development industry.

“Owners, developers, constructors and operation companies must ensure adequate building protection at all construction and operation stages and comply with the Fire & Safety regulations in the UAE,” asserts Black. “Fire strategies are an integral part of the building concept – from the earliest concept phase through the entire design and construction process until maintenance after completion of the building.

“The chasm between architectural complexity and the false belief to operate the building according to “one size fits all” fire safety regulations is what makes the operator and the owner dangerously helpless in case of fire which can put people, assets and the environment at risk,” he adds.

Ian Peters points out that property developers will often choose the minimum specifications required, just to satisfy the relevant codes, while operators are there to run a building with the minimum maintenance and operating costs.

“Owners will, in some cases, be ignorant to the degree of protection and rely on their consultants and contractors to ‘get it right’. There’s an assumption that all systems are maintained in top condition, their built-in fire safety and protection systems are superior and would work 110% when needed,” Peters says.

“The reality is often very different. A lack of quality and regular maintenance and inspection is often the reason problems go undetected. The policing of regular inspections needs to be improved so that there is no opportunity for problems to fester away,” he warns.

Match conditions Fire safety standards should match local conditions and reflect the regulations and codes of the country, David Black says.

“Awareness triggers change.

However, it also has a lot to do with tradition and culture – not only in the UAE. Change takes time; public awareness on fire safety raises particularly when there’s a spectacular fire, but people tend to forget much too fast”

6 Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016

While these are legitimate causes for concern, there are also reasons for optimism, with Abdulla Al Gurg noting that with Expo 2020 on the horizon, there will be no compromises made when it comes to building safety.

“Any product used for external cladding has to be approved as a system by the Civil Defence authorities for it to be used on projects.

“A recent directive in the market which requires MEP Consultants to be responsible for design approval has brought in a system of checks,” he explains.

“Now fire safety solution specialists have to provide validation to consultants on their design credibility, and only if these are found satisfactory does the consultant proceed with Civil Defence approvals.

Also, it is critical that any fire protection solution needs to be tailored to the size and purpose of the building.”

David Black also highlights the efforts of Major General Rashi Thani Al Matroushi, the director general of Dubai

Civil Defence, and says that the initiatives introduced by him have resulted in a comprehensive monitoring programme of all commercial premises in Dubai, through a state-of-the-art operations centre that runs 24X7. “[In addition] there is the implementation of a new practice-oriented Fire & Life Safety code and a sound training policy tailored for all levels of fire-fighting forces. He has also decreed extensive campaigns to alert and educate the public about fire safety and control.”

Peters adds that these initiatives can, and are, being taken further forward. The many training programmes in the US and the UK can be developed and adapted, in cooperation with the Civil Defence authorities, to be used in the region, he insists.

“There are numerous training programmes at the public level developed and used by the likes of NFPA in the US, LPC in UK, FPAA in Australia, and these can be taken and adapted for the Middle East. We should start training from an early stage in a person’s career and continue through people’s working lives.

For instance, a lot of people are unaware of how to use a portable fire extinguisher as no one showed them what they are or how they can be used.”

“The fire safety industry has been continuously evolving on a global scale. However, fire safety standards should match the local conditions and reflect the regulations and codes that apply to each phase of the building’s lifecycle. A city-specific fire risk management and the dialogue between communities, city planners and municipalities are key to ensure appropriate fire safety and security provisions in the event of an emergency,” adds David Black in conclusion.

In profile

8 Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016

In profile

“Providing an environment which is safe from the danger of fires is a critical resPonsibility, and one that the Uae is working tirelessly to meet and exceed�

Thomas Bell-Wright International Consultants is a local firm that has been providing independent building testing services for more than twenty years, and fire testing for the last five. Big Project ME talked to CEO Tom Bell Wright about building codes and enforcement Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016 9

In profile

a

long with the noticeable resurgence in construction in Dubai in 2015, building fires are still flaring up, with several in the last few months. On the back of this, the issue of fire safety practices in the UAE and whether buildings really conform to international standards for fire safety is as hot as ever – as is the question of whether progress is being made with flammable exterior panels from the early development days.

We talked with the owner of one of the companies trying to make a difference in this field. Thomas Bell-Wright International Consultants is a

Dubai-based, multi-accredited engineering firm providing independent Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) services for large commercial buildings. It has been building its reputation over the last two decades in Ras Al Khor, and is currently moving to larger premises in Jebel Ali Industrial Area 1. It provides a range of third-party quality assurance services for building architectural elements, as well as (since 2009) for fire separation and material safety. It holds accreditations to ISO 17025 (Testing Lab), ISO 17020 (Inspections), ISO 17065 (Certification Body) and AC291 (Special Inspections Agency) variously provided

by UKAS, GAC and IAS, and is on the approved list of departments of Civil Defence and fire safety around the GCC. Talking to Big Project ME, CEO and CTO Tom Bell-Wright says Dubai is still dealing with

the aftermath of the early mega construction years. “I believe we’re still feeling some of the effects from the speed of development leading up to 2008 – and that’s very typical, the developers are always ahead of the regulators. I think that the present state of play is that we now have these codes which are really state of the art; however, checking that the work is done properly on-site and is maintained properly is probably lagging a bit.”

He adds: “The Civil Defence does have an excellent programme whereby any time a fire alarm goes off on our premises, for example, it rings in a call centre at Pacific Controls who can determine whether it is an actual fire or a false alarm. We also have to have a contract with a fire maintenance contractor to make sure that our systems are working all the time. But yet we still hear stories about

changing attitudes Tom Bell-Wright says that attitudes towards fire safety have changed dramatically over the last few years.

10 Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016

big buildings with sprinklers that are not maintained, which I can’t really explain.”

For buildings, there are two aspects of fire safety: active fire protection and passive fire protection. Active fire protection covers the sprinklers, hose reel cabinets, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Passive fire protection, which Thomas Bell-Wright is mainly involved in, refers to TIC services for products and materials used in construction, making sure that they either don’t contribute to the spread of flame or that they resist the passage of fire, according to the requirements of the building code.

Asked about ACP (Aluminium Composite Panel) panels with a combustible core on the outside of buildings, Bell-Wright comments, “I know of a couple of things having been discussed to tackle this, such as putting a band every couple of floors of non-combustible material so a fire couldn’t spread. However, I am not aware of anything on that scale being implemented.”

“Some buildings have made rules that people can’t store items on balconies, because sometimes there are objects that can easily catch fire. As for replacing all the panels, I suspect there’s a lot of resistance because of the massive perceived cost. We deal a lot with curtain walls, and the replacement of one of these is a much bigger operation because the panels and glass are so much heavier. However, it seems to me the replacement of these ACP panels could actually be done over time using the existing building maintenance equipment, and the cost could be manageable.”

Bell-Wright says that since TBW has been providing fire testing in Dubai, the overall attitude to fire safety has come a long way. One area with room

In profile

for improvement, though, is ongoing inspections while construction proceeds. There are requirements for fire protection inspections in the Abu Dhabi International Building Code and in the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice covering products, fire stops, penetration seals, perimeter fire barriers, fire doors and compartmentalisation.

Such inspections are supposed to be done as construction proceeds, and indeed Thomas Bell-Wright has qualified staff doing just that in Doha.

In the UAE, however, the provision of inspections is only allowed by companies called Houses of Expertise, which are really all-round fire consultants.

“Everybody has to be approved by the Civil Defence, and Houses of Expertise have to have two fire protection engineers, an architect, two mechanical engineers and two electrical engineers,” explains Bell-Wright.

“These are the experts that say where the exits have to be, and what the width of corridors should be and all the critical code requirements at the design stage. They also have to find a way around when things are not covered specifically by the code; they propose ways a particular construction can be accommodated, so it’s an important job. However, I’m not sure that the ongoing inspections which are required by the codes are actually fully implemented.

In Europe and America, there is more reliance on professional bodies such as ours, which are regulated by government agencies like the Civil Defence. Those agencies may not always have the resources to provide adequate inspections efficiently themselves, so they qualify private firms to do the work on their behalf.”

Another issue is the language of the codes. English is full of

certification body Last year, Thomas Bell-Wright became a certification body.

“Everybody has to be approved by the Civil Defence, and Houses of Expertise have to have two fire protection engineers, an architect, two mechanical engineers and two electrical engineers”

nuance and ambiguity, which for second-language readers can be an obstacle. The average reader of building codes and standards is bound to be left with questions of interpretation, but strangely enough there is no one to turn to for clarification. The reader is therefore forced to make an intelligent guess at what is meant, or to try and establish a consensus with colleagues. This also means that different people or groups of people may come up with different interpretations.

This is just a characteristic of the construction environment.

Fire rating for resistance to the passage of fire is an area where a huge amount of progress has been made by the Civil Defence.

This applies to walls and doors which have to contain fire for a period of time, such as walls separating different tenants in a commercial building, hotel doors,

stairwells and electrical cabinets.

The Civil Defence approves all products used in fire safety, and these products have to be tested and carry certification from a body approved by them.

Thomas Bell-Wright has raised the bar for its door certification scheme, in that labels which cannot be copied or reproduced are issued specifically for a named project. “For example, if a door manufacturer client of ours wants to install 500 doors on a project, we’ll give him 500 labels which we have printed in-house with the name of the project on it, and a QR code which links to the certification documents online.

Without accusing anybody of cheating, we wanted to design a system which ensures that a door with our label on it is guaranteed to be part of our scheme.”

Thomas Bell-Wright became a certification body last year, which is something of a big deal.

In relation to testing of a product or material, the certification body visits production facilities to make sure they have a quality management system and production quality control; it selects the sample to be tested from the production, and witnesses the test. Without product certification, the supplier would simply show the end user a test report, and the end user would have no way to confirm that the products he is buying are the same as those that were tested.

“We’re proud to be contributing to the safety of our adopted home and grateful for the support and encouragement of the UAE departments of Civil Defence,” says Bell-Wright.

“Providing an environment which is safe from the danger of fires is a critical responsibility for all local and national authorities, and one that the UAE is working tirelessly to meet and exceed.”

Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016 11

Codes and standards

12 Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016

Codes and standards

the first line of defence

Gavin Davids chats to Michael Luna, general manager of Intertek, to find out how third-party assurances, inspections and certifications can help improve fire safety in buildings

Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016 13

Codes and standards

o

ne of the key weapons in the fight for better fire safety is the proper implementation of codes and standards in the construction industry. As recent incidents have shown, it is not enough to have high-end materials that only provide aesthetics. The materials also need to have gone through the proper testing, and where necessary certifications, to ensure they are rated correctly for their intended use and perform when they are most needed.

To this end, Big Project ME spoke to Michael Luna, general manager at Intertek’s regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi, to find out how independent third parties that provide assurance services such as testing, inspections and certification are the first line of defence as government authorities look to mitigate risk in the UAE construction industry.

“We perform third-party assurance activities for customers by carrying out on-site field evaluations on installed products and systems, quality assurance of materials that are delivered to site, and risk assessment of buildings through design drawing reviews and site audits,” says Luna. “As an independent and unbiased third party, we bring an element of perspective to the project that helps mitigate the risk to the building and its inhabitants.”

“Additionally, we test and certify products that are trying to enter into the market.

Certification of a product is never

further development Mike Luna says that Intertek is instrumental in the further development of the building code in the UAE.

a given and the process is quite involved. Audits are conducted on the manufacturing process, to understand the quality of the products produced. Depending on the industry standard, the product then must pass specific tests before certification is authorised. Once certified, the manufacturer is subject to a follow-up programme, where teams visit the manufacturer’s facilities every quarter to ensure that product quality continues to be maintained.

“Beyond new projects, we have the ability to inspect and investigate existing buildings.

Over the last few years, our services have evolved to engage us earlier in the construction cycle, starting with consulting, through the testing and certification of building materials, field testing of curtain walls and facades, and the building enclosure commissioning of the constructed building.”

Intertek is a trusted quality and safety solutions partner, with more than 40,000 people in over 1,000 locations in

14 Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016

“Fire safety starts with the implementation of codes and regulations, understanding the systems and their certification, inspection of installed systems, risk analysis and, lastly, continuous maintenance of all fire-related safety equipment in the building”

over 100 countries. Whether a customer’s business is local or global, Intertek ensures their products meet quality, health, environmental, safety and social accountability standards for virtually any market around the world.

As an independent provider of assurance, testing, inspection and certification services, Intertek works closely with civil defence and government authorities in the region to develop and maintain the standards and codes that manufacturers need to follow, particularly in the UAE. “Over the last five years, the UAE authorities understood they needed to make big changes and strides in developing the codes.

They did, and continue to do, a great job in tackling these issues straight on,” Luna asserts.

He points out that standards and regulations in the UAE are continuously being reviewed and updated, to protect the safety of citizens. “As an active participant in the industry, Intertek is instrumental in the further development of the building code. We directly work with manufacturers and authorities to help them understand the process and importance of code compliance.”

Intertek’s experience in the field helped them identify three main issues: “In many cases, building products used on projects are not necessarily used in the same manner as they were when tested and certified. Products entering the UAE are tested according to local requirements and then certified according to the specific assembly in which they were tested.

“The issues arise on-site when the product is used in a different assembly and expected to maintain the same performance.

In such cases, the consultant must

Codes and standards

conflicting requirements As the UAE codes are developed around American standards, they can come into conflict with project specifications that follow European or British standards.

ask the manufacturer to produce the proper documentation by a third-party certification body, in order to show that the product complies in the designed system. This seems to be lacking in the region.”

Another issue Luna points out is in regards to project specifications.

“UAE codes are developed around North America’s International Code Council (ICC) and National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) codes. However, the project specifications can be based on different European or British codes.

“The local requirement allows the use of equivalent codes, but this can cause two issues. The first is that there can be conflicting requirements between the two codes. The second, and more complex, issue is that these sets of codes are developed differently.

“For example, British codes and standards are very specific and are developed mostly around fire containment – allowing for the product to either pass or fail the test for that specific assembly. In the US, however, codes and standards implemented depend on the type of building, how active fire suppression

systems, like sprinklers are used, the type of materials being utilised, and are developed to include fire suppression systems and not only containment.”

The final issue is that of the fire safety of buildings built to conform to older codes and regulations, which means that there may be potential risk factors associated with them.

“Every building is constructed to be in compliance with the

implemented code at that time.

Over time and as the codes get updated, a lot can change, which means there could be a large gap in the safety requirements from when the building was first constructed to now.

Intertek’s industry experience and knowledge allow us to develop fire risk assessments to help determine a plan of action to reduce the risk of fire, and may even help fight the

rise of insurance premiums.

“This could be done in a variety of ways, from replacing a portion of the building envelope, through an annual check of the fire suppression systems to ensure maintenance and functionality, or through annual inspections to ensure a fire safety plan is implemented in the building to allow people to evacuate. These kinds of things are not only important, they can be life-saving.”

Luna reiterates that fire safety starts with the proper implementation of codes and regulations. Once implemented, it is up to architects and consultants to understand the requirements of systems and their necessary certifications, as well as the importance of the inspection of installed systems and risk analysis on existing buildings.

Finally, all fire-related safety equipment in the building must be continuously maintained to help minimise the danger and damage of potential fires.

continuous maintenance All fire-related safety equipment must be tested and maintained regularly to help minimise the danger of potential fires.

Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016 15

Comment

Peter Richards

The hidden ArT of SecuriTy

In this day and age, security is foremost on everyone’s mind – but do we really know what measures are being taken to mitigate the risks? Peter Richards, head of Security Risk Management at WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, gives us an insight into the more subtle protective measures being employed all around us As a security risk management consultant, thinking about risk and how to mitigate it is my everyday job. We are constantly asking ourselves how we can put in place designs and systems to better protect people from today’s everchanging security threats.

How do we do this effectively, yet also support the architect’s design vision?

If we get our designs right, they should incorporate many protective measures barely noticeable to the untrained eye. Of course, the terrorist attacks and individual pursuits we have seen across the globe in recent years have brought

this subject to the fore, but for the most part what we do is still a hidden art.

Our job is simply to identify the threat and risk levels to our clients’ projects and assets, and help them mitigate those risks by either minimising them or designing them out altogether, though the latter is often a significant challenge.

We do an initial analysis to determine what the risk is, and use that information to come up with a cost-effective and realistic solution to reduce the overall risk to an acceptable and manageable level.

An example is a vehicleborne improvised explosive

16 Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016

device (VBIED) – incidents of which are devastating and pose a very real risk, though thankfully no precedent has been set in the UAE. If we are working with a client who is building a new commercial tower, we combine a number of different mitigation measures in order to reduce this risk by putting in place hostile vehicle mitigation, which is essentially a number of obstacles to restrict how close a vehicle can get to a building. This distance is called standoff distance.

The first step is to advise on standoff distances – thinking about the fact that the

strength of a blast dissipates very quickly over distance, so keeping the bomb farther away from your building is the first line of defence.

There are obstacles all around the cities we live in; they take many different forms, but essentially they are things vehicles can’t easily traverse in the landscaping of the grounds surrounding a building, like low walls, water features, grade changes and street furniture, reinforced to resist a vehicle impact.

These enforce vehicle exclusion, stopping cars getting too close to a building.

Every metre enforced is

Comment

discreet security Water features are examples of discreet additions that provide an added layer of protection for a building.

“What is exciting in our industry are the advancements in technology, which are changing the way we protect our communities for the better”

valuable in terms of blast.

Incorporating low features rather than high walls for hostile vehicle mitigation also supports a number of approaches to reducing lowlevel crime, because by keeping perimeters low, at knee or hip level, we promote better sight lines and increased visibility of activity in the vicinity.

This is called natural surveillance. If you think about burglars entering a house, often the first thing they do is close the curtains to ensure they are hidden from view.

This is a particular problem in this region, where there is a perception that having

high compound walls around the perimeter of a building is a good security measure – actually these block sight-lines, hiding intruders once they have penetrated the defences.

Exciting advancements in technology are changing the way we protect our communities for the better. In Dubai, we are seeing a rise in the use of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) for law enforcement purposes.

This fantastic technology will go a long way to improving the quality and depth of police information – once ANPR is installed widely, the police will be able to

quickly and efficiently place a vehicle’s movements over the previous hours and days, a powerful forensic tool in locating suspect vehicles and tackling criminality.

There is never a dull day, leading a security risk management consultancy for a global business where we have the opportunity to work on some of the most high-profile projects in the region. However, for me the best thing about my job is the knowledge that I am improving the communities we work and live in by making them safer for everyone.

Even if no one knows it.

Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016 17

Security systems

Watch this space

The security systems industry is soaring and new technology means monitoring has never been so sophisticated and unobtrusive, says Emma Procter

18 Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016

January saw Intersec, one of the world’s biggest security industry trade shows, take place in Dubai at the World Trade Centre. Around 1,290 exhibitors from 55 countries were out in force, displaying an array of new products and solutions in areas such as commercial security, smart homes and perimeter security.

In the Middle East alone, the value of the physical security market – things like access control and surveillance and notification systems – is estimated to be a whopping $10.9

billion by 2020, from its 2014 level of $3 billion, growing at a phenomenal 23.7%, double the global average rate. By 2020, the Middle East will have 10% of the global security market. In other words, this is very big business.

Aside from the huge money to be made, what is also interesting is just how fast innovation and technology is growing. Forget clunky old CCTV cameras stuck to a wall; these days, security systems are so advanced they can predict movement, analyse behaviour

Security systems

and speak to each other via IP (internet protocol) systems. A key trend is the move to make them blend seamlessly, almost unnoticed, into our daily lives.

Consultants and systems integrators working in this region are up against tough competition to win big projects in developments such as airports, hotels and swanky residential towers. Making a system fit for purpose, no matter what sort of budget is available, is seen as the key to success.

“If you’re installing systems advanced thinking Modern security systems can predict movement, analyse behaviour and speak to each other via IP systems.

to meet with compliance, then you have to make sure that they are designed with that in mind by people with the right experience, otherwise you will discover many hidden costs further down the line as you try to pass certification,” says Geoff Moore, CTO of Red Solutions in Dubai, which designs and implements sophisticated security management systems.

“On the other hand, if the system is designed for security, make sure you understand the assets you’re trying to protect, the threats that they are exposed to and the end user’s operational needs. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and customers need to work with a provider who can tailor their offering to their needs, not just cut and paste from a standard catalogue of generic parts.”

When it comes to installing the latest security systems without obstructing day-today life, Moore says a deep understanding of the end user’s day-to-day life is key. “You have to design systems around their actual requirements.

Generic specifications are all very well, but every client and every application has something unique about it. You need to capture that directly from them and build the systems to deliver real business benefit for the way they operate – not just to be a tick in the box for compliance.”

He adds: “There are many things that people get wrong about security. Often this doesn’t necessarily make life difficult afterwards, but opportunities to get real benefit from the systems are missed as a result, and frequently gaping holes are left in the organisation’s security. Every system needs to be designed for the specific application in order for it to be

“A common error is not trying to look for a synergy between the security aspect and design aesthetics to suit the entire infrastructure.

A door should essentially bring out the essence of its interior, and is a gateway to the brand itself” really useful, and the chances are you are not going to get that level of customisation if you go for the cheapest equipment from the lowest price bidder. You also need to consider your purchase in terms of the lifetime of the system – both its lifetime cost and the level of obsolescence and renewal you are willing to accept over the coming years.”

Access control – how people get in and out of a building, and how their presence is monitored and recorded – is a huge segment. Security companies have worked hard to make this somewhat off-putting technology blend naturally into the given environment.

HID Global, a leader in secure identity solutions, has completed a regional survey that finds that

secure access solutions are a concern for many organisations across the Middle East.

The survey reveals that 52% of respondents have already deployed basic secure access solutions to protect their interests, with almost 50% of organisations planning to upgrade their access within the next 12 months. This indicates a strong upward trend for deploying advanced secure access control solutions. The most common solutions for 29% of respondents are basic access card solutions, while 26% still use photo identification.

39% of respondents feel biometrics would enhance their secure access solution, while 34% desire mobile access features in future upgrades.

In 2016, security starts from the moment you leave a premises until the second you depart – doors included. Dorma is a wellknown name in locking systems and physical access systems, plus automatic door systems.

Altaf Afridi, regional marketing director, Dorma MENA, believes there are some common mistakes that architects and designers make when deciding which access solutions to use.

“A common error is not trying to look for a synergy between the security aspect and design aesthetics to suit the entire infrastructure,” he says. “A door should essentially bring out the essence of its interior, and is a gateway to the brand itself. More and more buildings opt for glass doors, and it’s important to install the appropriate hardware for the infrastructure, the base material and the brand image. A glass door, as an example, may need a panic function, which will have to be specially created since the generally available bulky panic bars will weigh down the elegant

Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016 19

Security systems

evolving technology Security systems will continue to evolve and adapt to the needs of the market.

hardware used in glass door fittings, and is far more suited to a timber or metal door. A great elegant solution in this case would be the DTG 1000, which will match the patch fittings and hardware requirements of the glass access. Aesthetics and safety have to coincide when it comes to something as important as an access port.”

On the back of the Address fire in Dubai, mechanisms that ensure a quick and safe exit are in the spotlight. Afridi would like to see a well thought-out system for all eventualities from the get-go.

“In case of a fire emergency, the safety mechanism will mainly depend on the entire infrastructural plan of the building or vicinity. It’s not imperative, but would be ideal to differentiate between emergency and panic situations, as both would require a different set of hardware and will cater to different settings. Mechanisms with emergency functions apply better to office and residential

“If you’re installing systems to meet with compliance, then you have to make sure that they are designed by people with the right experience, otherwise you will discover many hidden costs further down the line as you try to pass certification”

20 Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016

settings where people are aware of escape routes due to their regular drills. On the other hand, in public arenas such as symposiums and malls, hospitals and hotels, there is a need for a panic bar on every door leading to the back staircase, as these are the easiest to identify, especially since nobody would be aware of emergency exits in a mall.”

When it comes to surveillance, the rise of the network camera has been unstoppable. IP video cameras in particular are changing the face of society. They work by broadcasting their video as a digital stream over an IP network. Like an analog system, video is recorded on hard drives, but since the video is an IP stream straight from the camera, there is more flexibility as to how and where that video is recorded.

The DVR is replaced with an NVR (network video recorder), which in some cases is just software, since it doesn’t need to convert analog to digital. Video footage can then be stored on

new or existing network drives as directed by the NVR software.

In this arena, many household names are getting in on the action – notably at Intersec, Canon Middle East.

The firm has invested millions to become a leader in security and surveillance solutions, and launched a staggering nine new network cameras at the show.

This included the first infrared fixed box cameras, featuring a 2.4x zoom lens and an ultrawide angle of view for high quality monitoring day or night.

The cameras contain a builtin infrared LED that enables filming in zero-light conditions, and the Smart Shade feature, which brightens dark areas in the images captured. The cameras offer users longer zoom range to deliver improved identification, and feature a vandal resistance certification, ensuring that users can rely on the cameras operating in all conditions. This makes the cameras ideal for both indoor and outdoor environments, including construction, hospitality, retail, transport, city surveillance and critical infrastructure monitoring.

“Canon is no longer just a camera manufacturer. We’re a full service provider having high quality and powerful video surveillance solutions in our portfolio. Our new cameras offer monitoring with detailed images and intelligent analytic functions,” says Hendrik Verbrugghe, marketing director, Canon Middle East.

With Sony, Panasonic and others also well established in the market, expect security systems to get ever more sophisticated and aesthetically pleasing in the next few years.

This is one industry that is guaranteed growth, whatever the global conditions.

CONTRACTORS CUP 2016 Not only is the Golf Day a great day out, it also represents an ideal opportunity to network with potential clients and entertain existing ones, while giving you a chance to get to know the people who make up the contractor industry. Whether you’re part of the industry or if you provide services to it, it’s an opportunity not to be missed!

Now in its 4th year, the Big Project Golf Days are a staple of the construction industry’s annual calendar. With some of the biggest names in the industry coming together for a day out on the course, the golf days allow construction professionals to network with peers from all sectors of the industry in a relaxed and fun-filled environment, while also indulging in friendly competition.

The 2016 Contractors Cup is an invite-only, free-to-attend event for contractors.

We offer various sponsorship opportunities for those companies that provide services to the construction industry. All sponsorship opportunities include a free day on the golf course - you might even call it working!

6 APRIL 2016 EMIR ATES GOLF CLUB

For sponsorship opportunities please contact Raz Islam Publishing Director +971 50 451 8213 raz.islam@cpimediagroup.com Michael Stansfield Commercial Director +971 55 150 3849 michael.stansfield@cpimediagroup.com

SPONSORS

PRIZE SPONSOR

Urban security

approvals process The UPC has a team that takes architects and designers through the SSPM requirements.

building a secure city

The introduction of the Abu Dhabi Safety and Security Planning Manual in 2013 changed how developments and projects are planned, designed and built. Here, the UPC outlines how they help the process along 22 Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016

Building property in the UAE was once a comparatively unregulated process. Buy some land, draw up plans, award contracts and break ground. Now, developers are required to comply with a range of regulations and guidelines in order to receive planning approval, to ensure that the right building is built in the right place to serve the community in the right way.

Nowhere in the UAE is the regulatory framework more advanced than in Abu Dhabi, where the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council’s

(UPC) suite of Complete Sustainable Communities manuals and regulations covers such aspects as street design, mosque development, utility infrastructure and building sustainability.

For the past two years, the real estate sector, as part of the Complete Sustainable Communities initiative, has been factoring in another vital planning consideration – the prevention of crime and reduction in security risks within master plans and developments.

Urban security

The UPC introduced the Abu Dhabi Safety and Security Planning Manual (SSPM) in 2013, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Police and other stakeholders.

It focuses on creating safe and secure environments using planning and design methods, as well as considering the future application of security technology and operations.

But how do project developers and architects get to grips with mandatory safety and security requirements when their traditional considerations

“We know the importance of ensuring the changes are discreet, effective and don’t detract from the original vision of the sites”

are mostly budgets, contracts, logistics and building aesthetics?

The answer lies with a dedicated team of UPC specialists who methodically take developers through the SSPM approval process one step at a time, advising them on everything from where to safely position mall car parks and hotel lobbies to designing structures to be more resilient to blast effects.

“It’s very much a collaborative consultation process,” says Hassan Al Hassani, Safety and Security Manager, Infrastructure

Planning Department, UPC. “We understand that a lot of the SSPM requirements add a new planning dimension for developers, so we get involved very early on in the approval process and guide them through.”

“We want development to progress in Abu Dhabi, not to form an obstacle to it. But ultimately all developments – in particular hotels, entertainment venues, shopping malls and large residential developments – must be safe for residents and

Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016 23

Urban security

visitors. That is our priority.

“So we help project teams make subtle changes to their designs to incorporate appropriate security precautions. Many of the SSPM team members come from a planning background, so we know the importance of ensuring the changes are discreet, effective and don’t detract from the original architectural vision or functionality of the sites.”

Three of the museums in the Saadiyat Island Cultural District – the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum – all illustrate how to incorporate appropriate security precautions without compromising the original architectural vision.

“The key to the process working smoothly is early consultation,” says Al Hassani.

“It’s vital that our teams are involved in any project during the early stages of a project when opportunities are greater; change is possible and welcomed. We find that as time passes and the design becomes more fixed, changes result in time delays and cost increases, in addition to issues later on in the approvals process, which understandably creates resistance by developers and clients. So being involved early is the key.”

“Every time there is an issue in complying with the SSPM, we sit down and ask them to describe their problem, whether it’s financial, geographical or design-related, then we help them to find a solution. We’ve had fantastic successes in recommending changes in line with the SSPM that result in the project turning out better commercially, as well as safer and more secure. In every

“We want development to progress in Abu Dhabi, not to form an obstacle to it. But ultimately all developments – in particular hotels, entertainment venues, shopping malls and large residential developments – must be safe for residents and visitors. That is our priority”

24 Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016

case, the key has been to adopt a collaborative approach.”

A collaborative ethos is made possible by the fact that the SSPM does not include specific standards; rather, it specifies a mandatory process to be followed and a level of performance to be achieved.

This performance-based regulatory model deliberately allows planning and design freedom to enable projects to create the solutions most appropriate to their project context. “Applying the SSPM is more of an art rather than a science,” says Al Hassani.

Since its launch, the SSPM’s reputation as a manual that incorporates international best practice with local, context-based solutions has been steadily growing. It has featured prominently in global security publications, which have applauded the Abu Dhabi government’s approach to proactively securing the emirate’s urban environment.

The way the SSPM represents the best in international practices has resulted in its inclusion in the curriculum of the International and Civil Security Masters programme at Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR). The UPC now delivers tutorials at the university on the SSPM, risk management, security strategy and practical site visits.

The SSPM has received widespread positive feedback.

Last year, it scooped both the International Achievement Award and the Counter Terrorism Solution of the Year at the Security and Fire Excellence Awards 2014 in the UK. The awards were attended by almost a thousand people and have consistently broken new ground

in highlighting the very best people, projects and processes the security sector has to offer.

As the UPC continues to review projects on a daily basis, it is also thinking ahead to the future to build on the foundations laid by the SSPM over the past two years.

There are already plans to hold a series of workshops with property developers and industry consultants to boost understanding of official guidelines on safety and security on real estate projects, with plans for further training opportunities to be announced in early 2016. The training approach is similar to that of the Estidama Pearl Rating System (PRS), which has offered training and workshops to thousands of participants over the past five years.

“We’ve kept a close eye on how the real estate market has responded and adapted to the requirements of the Estidama Pearl Rating System and the progression in its implementation since it was introduced,” says Al Hassani.

“We anticipate a similar learning curve for the SSPM. When the SSPM was first introduced, it was a challenge for users to understand why it was necessary to create such a manual, because Abu Dhabi is one of the safest cities in the world.”

“But now individual project teams are increasingly embedding security into their project designs, in the same way that they have incorporated the PRS. The market has adapted and embraced the SSPM, which is good news for the real estate sector, for the UPC and, most importantly, for the safety and security of Abu Dhabi.”

Since 1915, Hempel coatings have been trusted to deliver outstanding protection against corrosion in the toughest environments. From wind turbines and bridges to ships and homes, our coatings can be found on every continent, bringing colour to people’s lives and keeping man-made structures safe from corrosion.

Today, we supply a full range of advanced coatings to the decorative, protective, marine, container and yacht markets and we own a number of companies, including Crown Paints in the UK. We are constantly working to improve the reliability of our products, and provide comprehensive technical service and colour advice to customers to help them reduce costs, increase efficiency and find the perfect colour for their home or brand.

www.hempel.com

Building surveyors

Surveying for Safety

Craig Ross, head of Project and Building Consultancy at Cavendish Maxwell, outlines the massive role building surveyors have to play in making sure buildings are safe for occupants

26 Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016

Following the recent spate of high-profile building fires in the region, questions have been raised in many quarters regarding the fire risk and fire safety arrangements of our existing building stock.

The issue of fire risk affects not only building owners, but anyone who lives, works or has a personal or financial interest in a building or its contents.

Residing in Dubai, much of the attention recently has been focused on the issue of facade cladding materials, mainly due to high-rise fires which have been

exacerbated by the presence of combustible cladding. But cladding is just one issue in the potential fire hazard of a building, typically contributing only to the fuel aspect of the fire triangle. We should also bear in mind that the building fire problem is not confined to this region: in the United States alone there are an estimated 15,500 high-rise fires annually.

A question we are often posed in our line of work is: “How can we improve the safety and longevity of our building?� The

Building surveyors

starting point for understanding the risks and obligations is to carry out a thorough fire safety audit, sometimes termed a fire risk assessment.

If we first ask ourselves why a fire risk assessment should be commissioned for an existing property – let’s say a building which has already been approved under the building regulations and fire codes of the time and operates well on a daily basis – we have to remember that buildings naturally change over time, and not just in Site inspections A fire risk assessment gives a surveyor an organised and methodical look at a property.

their physical appearance.

Systems are upgraded, fittings and components are replaced, management and operation of a building changes and evolves, and occupancy fluctuates and diversifies.

Building form typically follows function, so all these changes are physically reflected in the building over time.

Buildings also naturally degrade, sometimes with a well-loved patina of age, sometimes less benignly. We must also take into account external influences, for example fire safety expectations and regulations that are constantly refined in terms of passive design and technological advancements.

Regulations adapt to current practice and the availability of improved fire detection, suppression and alarm technology. The sum of these factors means that our buildings are constantly changing, and before we can know our liabilities, we must first appreciate the status quo.

The starting point for this is the fire risk assessment.

This takes us to the what. A fire risk assessment in overview is an organised and methodical look at the property, the activities carried out there and the likelihood that a fire could start and injure those in and around the premises. The aims of the fire risk assessment are: • To identify the fire hazards, for example sources of ignition and fuel.

• To remove the risk of the hazards identified causing harm, or to mitigate them to as low as is reasonably practical, for example providing smoke detectors.

• To decide what physical fire precautions and management arrangements

“Regulations adapt to current practice and the availability of improved fire detection, suppression and alarm technology.

The sum of these factors means that our buildings are constantly changing, and before we can know our liabilities, we must first appreciate the status quo”

are necessary to ensure the safety of people in your property if a fire does start.

• To communicate this information to the relevant people, and allow a mechanism for review.

To do this, a fire safety audit involves having a surveyor assess the property in what is typically a three-stage approach. First, the surveyor undertakes a detailed study of the relevant information, including the as-built drawings, any existing fire plans or safety registers, and records of all fire detection and suppression systems, to expose any potential issues prior to visiting the site. This step also provides the surveyor with detailed information on the building’s construction, and delivers clues as to what the hazards might be – for example, the location of service risers, which are then examined for evidence of fire stopping between compartments.

The surveyor then carries out a thorough site inspection, assessing all areas of the building against current regulations and best practice, as well as discussing the current systems and procedures with the building manager and, in Dubai at least, the Civil Defence-approved contractor responsible for the fire safety systems.

The list of interviews and management systems to be assessed really depends on the function of the building; for example, a hospital has far more complex procedures than a residential block.

Occupancy types and patterns should be established, as well as the presence and location of any hazardous materials.

Surveyors are generally not expected to carry out an engineering evaluation of BMS systems or detailed

Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016 27

Building surveyors

design of passive or active fire protection equipment, but such systems and equipment should be assessed against their suitability for the premises, and requirements should be noted in terms of testing and maintenance schedules. Faults to systems should be logged, and any differences between as built plans and the physical site conditions noted. Fire safety signage and way-finding should be checked, and the emergency action plan walked through.

Following completion of the site survey, the process culminates in a fire safety audit report being drafted, including comments on

“The issue of fire risk affects not only building owners, but anyone who lives, works or has a personal or financial interest in a building or its contents”

final audit Following the completion of the site survey, the surveyor will draft a fire safety audit report for the client.

28 Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016

any risks and shortcomings discovered and advice on how the building manager can best implement the fire safety plan.

This information is the cornerstone of fire escape and security strategy, which for the modern high-rise building can be an intensive process.

It is important that the report can be easily understood – it is essentially a safety management tool that may be used by many parties.

Although in this region there is no statute that places direct responsibility on owners, operators or individuals within an organisation to carry out fire risk assessments, there is a

moral obligation and question of liability concerning both people and property. One has to know the risks and take the appropriate steps to manage them through an emergency fire action plan, through the correct level of awareness and, where necessary, insurance.

Thus, a fire risk assessment must be undertaken in reflection of a building’s unique complexities. In the case of larger, more complex or high-risk premises, the service of an external consultant may be appropriate, as the task might well be beyond the ability of the building manager or duty holder.

As chartered building surveyors, part of our remit is to assess a building’s compliance with building codes and fire regulations and to advise our clients on how to make their buildings safer and more efficient.

As a result, part of the Building Surveying bachelor’s degree is dedicated to building design and fire engineering, with an emphasis on assessing buildings in comparison to modern fire regulations, which can be traced all the way back to the Great Fire of London in 1666.

In this region, we often come across rectifiable lifethreatening issues, including non-compliant fire escape routes and insufficient ratings to fire doors, all of which would be exposed during a thorough fire safety audit.

Ultimately, our task is to raise overall awareness of fire risk, so that the occupants and operators of our buildings can plan for them accordingly.

Otherwise, it is simply a matter of time until we read about the next building fire.

GAC

ACCREDITED

SIA-211,AA-748,TL-626 6762

TESTING

ISO/IEC 17025:2005

Member of European Group of Organisations for Fire Testing, Inspection and Certification

No. ATL 0017

TESTING ● INSPECTION ● CERTIFICATION

▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Fire Testing Facade Consulting Curtain Wall Testing Construction Monitoring Inspections Fire Propagation Testing in Cladding to NFPA 285 Product Certifications for Civil Defence Approval Fire Stop and Fire Door Inspections

PO BOX 26385 DUBAI UAE

t: + 091 4 333 2692

admin@bell-wright.com

www.bell-wright.com

Comment

Frank Ackland

Keeping up with safety, safely Frank Ackland, general manager of Eaton Middle East, explains the importance of having a clearly marked emergency exit route within buildings, just in case the worst happens Close your eyes. Your office fire alarm has just sounded. You are on the 43rd floor of the building.

Do you know where your nearest emergency exit is?

It’s an important question to ask, because an emergency situation is not the right time to develop a plan of action that should already be in place.

The Gulf region is growing at a rapid pace, with the population expected to reach 53 million by 2020, the majority under the age of 25. The GCC is also one of the most urbanised areas in the world, with dense city populations, and we must adapt to this changing landscape. This shift in social and economic

environment brings with it challenges and risks.

GCC cities have had to grow quickly and have rapidly become densely populated with high-rise towers, each one aiming to outdo the other in terms of style and shine. The result has been the use of many materials, specifically cladding, which do not fully withstand fire and are believed to have contributed to a number of such fires over the years.

In addition, while new building codes provide a greater level of safety for the future, a huge number of older buildings require retro-fitting in order to meet increasingly high standards. For many decades,

30 Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016

the primary safety risk faced by commercial buildings was fire, but the scope is expanding.

Thus, the GCC Building Code was developed, and is applicable to architectural, construction, fire, green buildings, renewable energy, maintenance, mechanical and electricity codes. The Code primarily looks at the safety of building occupants, but also at energy usage and how this can be reduced – a growing concern across all Gulf states.

The importance of clear evacuation and safety has been brought to the public’s attention through many highprofile building fires, most recently Torch Tower in the

“In public buildings, it is vital that managers be aware that visitors, unlike employees or residents, will not be fully aware of exit routes”

Comment

exit awareness Building owners and managers need to ensure that their emergency exits are clearly marked and easy to find.

UAE’s Dubai Marina area, which made world news.

Every resident of the building escaped unharmed; on 86 floors of residential and commercial space, the whole tower was evacuated within 25 minutes.

With high-rise towers spanning GCC skylines, evacuation time within a building ranges vastly, depending on which floor a fire breaks out on and where occupants are descending from. Many are forced to climb down thousands of stairs to reach safety. However, effective evacuation remains reliant upon swift and accurate detection of danger, and fast and reliable notification of

occupants. Modern systems are designed with a cause and effect matrix, to ensure the evacuation process occurs in phases to avoid a stampede, which poses an additional threat.

In the case of fire hazards, the latest fire systems combine detection and notification in a single control panel that, being ‘addressable’, indicates the location where the hazard is detected. This helps guide occupants in the right direction towards safety, as well as reducing the time fire services need to locate and tackle a fire.

Rather than being ‘fit and forget’ solutions, these systems require regular testing and

“Effective evacuation remains reliant upon swift and accurate detection of danger, and fast and reliable notification of occupants”

maintenance, with all actions properly recorded and logged, to ensure fire systems are ready to activate in an emergency.

New ways of alerting occupants are constantly being sought. For example, visual alarm devices (VADs) are high-performing flashing LED beacons that complement an audible alarm where further reinforcement is required. This ensures that building occupants in areas of high noise, or who are hearing-impaired, are notified of the need to evacuate, particularly if there is nobody nearby to help.

Other life safety system components that can prove especially valuable, particularly in high-rise buildings, are refuges with two-way communication points installed. These enable people stranded on upper levels to have contact with a central communication point on the ground floor.

It’s a basic point, but exit routes should be made apparent by illuminated signage and emergency lighting, to help occupants of commercial and industrial buildings find their way out in the event of power being cut. High-output lighting has also been shown to improve the ability of the sight-impaired to find their way along an exit route.

In public buildings, it is vital that owners and managers be aware that visitors, unlike employees or residents, will not be fully aware of action plans and exit routes. In the UAE, voice alarms are now mandatory in all public and residential buildings above 23 metres in height. They allow pre-recorded and live announcements to be made via a public address system to instruct occupants.

So even if you do have to close your eyes, you will still be guided in the safest direction.

Security & Fire Safety Supplement 2016 31

Wo r ld Class Lead e rs i n F i re De te c t i o n S i n ce 1 9 1 8

 UL approved 

Complete Fire Detection Systems



UL & FM Approvals



Wide Product Range



Specialist Applications



Easy to Install

For further information visit www.hochiki.ae