Keeping fires at bay with detection and suppression technology

September 2015 Editor's Choice, Fire & Safety, Products & Solutions

There’s a wealth of technology available on the market that helps to detect fires and provide the necessary suppression required to halt the progress of a fire. Sadly not all of this technology is up to spec. Hi-Tech Security Solutions looks at a few of the brands that consider quality and compliance to be of prime importance.

G2 Security

G2 Security markets the ASD 535 high sensitivity aspirating smoke detector. This device consists of one or two independent sampling pipes, each having one or more sampling apertures and a sampling chamber. The air of the space being monitored is sucked in for precise analysis by the scattered-light smoke detector located in the sampling chamber. The ASD 535 has a smoke sensitivity of 0.02 to 10%/m.

The ASD 535 incorporates the most powerful fan on the market, which means that larger areas can now be monitored. Moreover, the new HD (High Dynamic) technology with which the smoke sensor is equipped, represents a step change in detection accuracy. Its alarm sensitivity can be fine-tuned to the specific circumstances and hazard potential of the area being monitored.

The Patol digital linear heat cable is an analogue LHDC designed to provide early detection of fire and overheating in circumstances where other forms of detection would not be viable, either due to inability to sustain the environmental requirements or through prohibitive costs. Detection is provided at alarm temperatures of 70, 90 and 80°C, well below flame point. The rugged construction makes this unit ideal for use in harsh environments and a stainless steel sheath is available for use in environments where corrosion is an issue.

The Fireray 50R/100R series conventional infrared optical beam smoke detectors provide economical and effective protection of large, open plan spaces with high ceilings, particularly if access to point type smoke detectors presents practical difficulties. Optical beam smoke detectors are ideally suited for protecting warehouses, factories, atria, shopping malls, leisure centres, churches, museums, power stations and industrial plants. Area coverage of 50 or 100 m is available.

Pinnsec

The two most popular products in the company’s fire suppression portfolio are the Eckoshield 227 and the FireEater Inergen 300-bar system. All manufacturing is undertaken in accordance to ISO 90001 certification and SAQCC-Fire certified gas designers ensure conformance to all regulations and standards.

Having both inert and Halocarbon gas solutions available allows the company to offer customers a system that best fits their needs. The company also provides room integrity testing to SANS 14520 regulations which stipulate that the suppressant should be able to hold down the fire for 10 minutes at the design height. Since insurance companies base claim payouts on adherence to the regulations, room integrity testing is highly advisable.

The Eckoshield 227 is available as a pre-engineered modular fire suppression system with SABS and SANS 347:2012 approval. With the hardware manufactured in South Africa, and only the halocarbon gas imported, the system is geared towards South African conditions and represents substantial cost savings.

No hydraulic calculations need to be made as the cylinder is fully self-contained, with all engineering calculations performed in advance by Pinnsec. Since low pressure gas suppression systems need to be located close to the source of the fire, the modular construction of the Eckoshield 227 makes this the ideal solution. Suited to suppression in smaller floor and ceiling voids and rooms in general, in instances where rooms are larger than the calculated coverage, Pinnsec can custom engineer a system fit to purpose.

The FireEater Inergen system contains a very dry gas mixture (Nitrogen, Argon and CO2) with low conductivity, making it suitable for use in transformer and high-voltage rooms where non-insulated components are installed.

The 300-bar system requires 33% fewer cylinders than the 200-bar system, making it an economically viable option. During the extinguishing process, Inergen systems reduce the air humidity, minimising the probability of sparkovers. The systems work on the principle of oxygen displacement but distinguishes itself by furthermore maintaining an oxygen level that ensures the comfort of those remaining in the room. This is possible due to the 8% CO2 contained in the agent that assists with respiration should the person be trapped in the area during a discharge.

Other advantages of the FireEater Inergen are the system’s modularity and the fact that by means of selector valves, a common bank of cylinders can be used to cover several risk areas, resulting in substantial cost savings. For this type of installation Pinnsec uses fully certified design software for the hydraulic calculations.

I-CAT

I-CAT Fire Solutions recently launched the TRT-VPS-FM product range to protect valuable production vehicles and assets against fire. Making use of The T-Rotor Technology, the TRT-VPS-FM system uses foam mist as the agent. The system creates a fine atomised mist, charged with kinetic energy to penetrate the heat radiation caused by a fire. It performs gradual cooling without causing thermal shock to the equipment. 0.5% Telesolv AFFF green foaming agent is added to the system to prevent any B class fire from spreading when fuel lines or hydraulic lines rupture, causing engine fires.

I-CAT Environmental Solutions is an official supplier of Telesto’s EXTINGUISHmist – a handheld water mist fire extinguisher able to suppress all common causes of fire. With conventional equipment, only 5% of the water directed at the fire is actually applied to extinguish it. The remaining 95% floods the surroundings. With the EXTINGUISHmist, a superfine ‘dry to the touch’ mist is emitted that quickly vapourises in the fire zone.

For more information contact:

• G2 Security, +27 (0) 87 940 9322, ht@g2security.co.za, www.g2security.co.za

• Pinnacle Security Solutions, +27 (0)11 265 3335, brigittab@pinnsec.co.za, www.pinnsec.co.za

• Andro Gibhard, I-CAT, +27 (0)81 409 5578, andro@i-cat.co.za, www.i-cat.co.za





Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Global security in 2026
Editor's Choice News & Events Security Services & Risk Management Industrial (Industry) Mining (Industry)
The World Security Report 2026 states: “In a world of increasing volatility, physical security has evolved. It is no longer just a defensive measure; it is a critical driver of corporate value.”

Read more...
Who is to blame for autonomous mistakes?
Editor's Choice Security Services & Risk Management Industrial (Industry) Mining (Industry)
Most supply agreements for AI-integrated equipment still closely resemble plant hire contracts from ten years ago: bilateral, human-focused, and silent on who bears the risk when a machine makes a decision on its own.

Read more...
Beyond the checkpoint
Veracitech Editor's Choice
For decades, mining corporations have treated employee screening as a necessary friction point, an operational cost to be managed rather than a strategic capability to be optimised. A new generation of full-body X-ray technology, purpose-built for the realities of high-throughput precious-metals environments, is beginning to change that calculus.

Read more...
Persistent surveillance with rapid deployment
Editor's Choice
Sky Robots has introduced an aerial drone system designed to operate as a consistent layer within security environments, addressing long-standing challenges around visibility and response across large or complex sites.

Read more...
The control room problem that nobody wants to talk about
Technews Publishing Editor's Choice
WhatsApp has become the unofficial backbone of security communications across the mining and industrial sectors, but it was never designed to be a security tool.

Read more...
Controlling access for people and vehicles
IDEMIA STid Security Technews Publishing Editor's Choice Access Control & Identity Management Asset Management Industrial (Industry) Mining (Industry)
When it comes to access control, the security requirements of mines and the industrial sector are similar, requiring a layered approach that combines physical barriers, digital authentication, and continuous monitoring to protect personnel, assets, and operational continuity.

Read more...
SWEAR integrates with Milestone
Milestone Systems Surveillance Products & Solutions
Security footage, legal evidence, and other critical surveillance assets face increasing risks of tampering, raising chain-of-custody questions, jeopardising admissibility, and undermining the timely operational decisions that depend on credible video.

Read more...
The AI goldrush has a credibility problem
Refraime Editor's Choice Surveillance AI & Data Analytics
The single most important question a surveillance buyer can ask is deceptively simple: “Was this system programmed or was it trained?” That question alone will reveal more about what you are evaluating than any feature list or marketing video.

Read more...
Crime behaviour insights more important than ever
Leaderware Editor's Choice Surveillance Training & Education AI & Data Analytics
Behavioural surveillance skills are as essential now as they have ever been, especially in situations where quick evaluation of context is needed. Training operators in behavioural recognition skills is a vital part of control room success.

Read more...
Proactive estate security in Cape Town
neaMetrics OneSpace Technologies Technews Publishing SMART Security Solutions Fang Fences & Guards ATG Digital Editor's Choice News & Events Integrated Solutions Infrastructure Residential Estate (Industry)
SMART Security Solutions started the year with our annual SMART Estate Security Conference in Cape Town on 26 February 2026. Held at Anna Beulah Farm, the conference saw a number of delegates enjoying the farm’s excellent cuisine, while listening to outstanding presenters.

Read more...










While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd. | All Rights Reserved.