Protecting People and Property: NFPA’s 2005 World Safety Conference & Expo

In the past, the National Fire Protection Assn. has hosted two national meetings per year. Beginning this year, however, they are being combined into the annual World Safety Conference & Expo, to be held in Las Vegas June 6 through 10. The trade exposition promises to be the biggest NFPA expo ever.

In the past, the National Fire Protection Assn. has hosted two national meetings per year. Beginning this year, however, they are being combined into the annual World Safety Conference & Expo, to be held in Las Vegas June 6 through 10. The trade exposition promises to be the biggest NFPA expo ever.

Directional sounder incorporates four field-selectable pulse patterns that create an egress pathway out of a building and mark its exits. Triggered by existing fire-detection systems, the directional sounder features a wide range of power settings, including

Mass-notification systems deliver live voice, pre-recorded tones or other messages via a wireless platform. The system uses either fiber-optics or hardwired application. Each system can be customized, while redundancy and supervision are built in. Ideal for military facilities and other applications where large groups of people assemble. (by Wheelock, Inc.) RS#16

Pumping system provides flexibility in piping distance, configurations and nozzle design, with sustained, pulsed discharges or any combination of the two. It can be put back online immediately after discharge, as its atmospheric storage tank can be refilled with no need to remove equipment or bottles. (Clean Agent Pumping System by 3M) RS#17

Firestop system selector uses a short questionnaire to determine all acceptable options and installs them directly onto the user’s digital organizer. Additionally, the selector software displays recommendations in order of importance and eliminates irrelevant questions based on previous answers. (FS 411 by Hilti, Inc.) RS#18

Emergency evacuation system is a peer-to-peer network and includes fire-protection, mass notification and evacuation capabilities that can be upgraded over time. The system can be arranged as Style 4 or 7 using two-conductor, unshielded wire or fiber cables. The network riser includes paging, fire-fighter telephones and input/output capabilities. (E3 by Fire Control Instruments) RS#19

Concealed sprinkler protects light-hazard combustible and non-combustible small spaces including narrow attics, eave areas accessible for storage and interstitial spots between floors. Featuring a 5.6 K-factor, 144-sq.-ft. coverage area and 12-ft. spacing, the sprinklers can be used with wet- or dry-pipe systems. (CC2 Combustible Concealed Sprinkler by Tyco) RS#20

Vertical in-line fire pumps have a self-venting design that eliminates the need for an automatic air-release valve. Suction and discharge flanges are on a common centerline, 180 degrees apart, and are equally sized to simplify piping and installation. (1,250/1,500 GPM, Series 1580 by A-C Fire Pumps Systems) RS#21

Antifreeze sprinkler system protects Class II storage commodities in buildings up to 40 ft. high with racked storage up to 35 ft. As an alternative to in-rack sprinkler systems, it can protect storage environments as cold as -23°F. (K25 ESFR Sprinkler by Viking) RS#22

Exit speaker produces broadband noise near building exits or along egress routes, acting as an audible exit sign. Using directional sound, the system generates noise at all frequencies across the human hearing range, with varying tones and intensities, to provide directional cues to those looking for the exit. (ONYX ExitPoint by Notifier) RS# 23

Fully digital communications protocol for event reporting provides alarm verification, with panel end-to-end response time in less than five seconds, and supports 198 devices per loop. The system also includes detector adjustability and compensation as well as adjustable analog heat-detector range-circuit isolation and priority interrupts. (SmartScan by Gamewell) RS#24

Smoke detector series uses both heat and carbon monoxide elements to eliminate unwanted alarms. Features include self-cleaning ability, a dual-color LED indicating normal and alarm status, 12- or 24-volt system compatibility and self-diagnostic repair notification. (F220 Series by Bosch Security Systems) RS#25

Single-loop fire-alarm panel supports up to 252 addressable inputs and signal/relay outputs. The panel is programmable from the front keypad or through Windows-based PC software and is polarity-insensitive and able to operate on standard wire. Ideal for schools, health-care facilities, strip malls and motels. (FS-250 by Siemens) www.sbt.siemens.com/fis

Fire-alarm control system has two digital SLC circuits and can be expanded to 12, with each supporting 126 addressable devices. Analog thermal sensors can be programmed with a temperature threshold from 135°F to 194°F. Daytime and nighttime sensitivity settings can reduce false alarms, while the system’s maintenance condition may be viewed from the backlit panel display. (Series 3,000 by WSA Fire Systems) RS#27

Fire-alarm series features all-in-one panels with a voice-evacuation system for small- to large-sized facilities. The series’ fire-system manager gives users the ability to graphically capture and display fire events and conditions throughout a facility. (IFP-50, IFP-100, IFP-1,000 and IFP-100/1,000 VIP by Slient Knight) RS#28

Fire-alarm control panels offer automatic strobe synchronization of audio/visual devices that minimizes noise and enables system compliance with ADA standards. The panels operate at 24 volts with 3 amps of total power. (MS-2 and MS-4 by Fire-Lite Alarms) RS#29

Fire-alarm power products connect to most control panels to provide additional power needed for notification-appliance circuit expansion. Offering either 6-amp or 9-amp power with direct-AC power connections, the units feature an on-board battery-charging circuit and backup battery space. (HPF602ULADA and HPF902ULADA by Honeywell) RS#30

Exothermic connection provides a permanent ground connection for the design life of a facility’s grounding system. The process is said to be an effective method for copper-to-copper or copper-to-steel welding. Connections use the high-temperature reaction between powdered copper oxide and aluminum. The reaction takes place in a semi-permanent graphite mold that lasts for 50 or more welds if properly cared for. An exothermic bond is preferred when making underground connections or when the connection is exposed to weather. (Ultraweld by Harger) RS#31

Firestopping device for through-wall penetrations allows wires and cables to be easily added or removed while maintaining the fire rating of the wall. Fittings combine built-in intumescent firestopping material with a fully enclosed wall penetration, and are tested to UL 1479 for flame, temperature and smoke. It is also suitable for use in air-handling plenums. (FlameStopper by Wiremold/LeGrand) RS#32