FIRE-PROFESSIONALS.com Blog

NOTIFIER Fire Alarm/Mass Notification Systems Now Provide Multi-Media Alert Services 

NORTHFORD, Conn, December 17, 2009 – NOTIFIER by Honeywell (NYSE: HON) has expanded its mass notification (a.k.a. emergency communications) capabilities to include delivery of multi-media alerts to PCs (personal computers), electronic signage, telephones and wireless devices. Communication management tools provided by REACT Systems™ can now integrate with NOTIFIER’s suite of mass notification systems to deliver critical information to targeted audi ences.

The REACT Critical Response Notification System works in conjunction with NOTIFIER’s suite of indoor/outdoor voice systems, amber strobes and LED signage to create a highly comprehensive emergency communication delivery system. Audio, SMS (text messaging), pictures and video alerts can be directed to targeted audiences, including first responders, personnel or the general public.

Instant pop-up windows containing emergency event information and response procedures can appear on PCs, regardless of the programs in-use. Alternate evacuation route diagrams can be shown on public video monitors simultaneously in different locales throughout a building. Verbal alerts can be sent to telephones while SMS and e-mail messages are delivered to wireless devices. Overall, communications can be distributed to an unlimited number of locations and recipients throughout the world, in any language.

Alerts can be triggered manually or triggered automatically via integration with NOTIFIER fire alarm and mass notification systems. The REACT Console allows authorized users to initiate and update alerts, manage users, track the status of events, update media content (i.e. maps, graphics, photographs) and manage the system configuration. To quickly launch general or predetermined notifications, “Single Button Alert” panic buttons can be configured to initiate alerts to specific audiences quickly with the click of the mouse or press of a button on the keyboard.

For more information on NOTIFIER’s complete portfolio of mass notification solutions, visit www.notifier.com.

Notifier is a member of www.fire-professionals.com.  Visit the Notifier Company Showcase page on Fire-Professionals.com

Tags: Fire-Professionals.com News, Life Safety, Members by Cathy Tabor
No Comments »

Jim Kidd is smiling and he is content.

Retirement is in sight at the end of this year, but he continues to work as hard now as he did on his first project.  Jim is smiling and content because he is one of those rare professionals who loves his work and is passionate about his industry.

In a recent phone interview, Jim said “I just cannot cruise into retirement. There are a few new projects starting up and a few older ones that I want to see to completion.”

Looking back over his career, Jim says there was never a time when he did not enjoy his work. “I truly love the industry and it has treated me well. It is never boring because I have had the opportunity to work on so many unique and varied projects.”

Those projects are all so diverse.  They include the special agent protection systems ranging from the newspaper presses at the Boston Globe … to the entire Pusey rare books library at Harvard University.

The beginnings of a career
Jim Kidd has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northeaster University. He is also one of the first in the country to achieve a National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technology (NICET) Level lV, Senior Engineering Technician (SET), in Fire Protection Engineering Technology, Special Hazards Systems Layout.

Throughout his career Jim has worked on projects where Hiller’s specialties apply but his first four years were spent as a systems designer and field technical representative for the FYR-FYTER CO. (Norris Industries). The following 29 years he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Systems Engineer for a Massachusetts-based fire systems reseller.

Jim has now worked in the Special Hazards, HPR, and Fire Protection business for a total of 48 years.  14 years ago, Jim partnered up with The Hiller Companies to open up the New England office, where he is vice president.

The Hiller Companies, who has existed for more than 90 years, are specialists in the special hazards, HPR fire protection business.  They are a nationally known company with 8 offices throughout the US.

Jim says that this field is a very interesting and exciting specialized industry, which offers an abundance of opportunities for new engineering graduates.   Jim feels this has certainly been a very productive and gratifying career for himself and is grateful for the myriad of opportunities it has presented him over the years.

Committees
The work Jim did in the industry exposed him to several different industry committees and associations. Jim is a 25-year member of the NFPA 12 Technical Committee on Carbon Dioxide Systems, and he was appointed to the NFPA 2001 Committee on Clean Agents in 2005.

 “I will continue to represent The Hiller Companies on with the NFPA Committee work. I feel it is important to have a voice in the creation of the industries’ codes and standards,” he says.

Jim is also a founding director and was a 25 year member of the Technical Committee  of the Fire Suppression Systems Association (FSSA).   He is also a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (NAFED) and the New England Chapter of Fire Protection Systems Designers Association.

The Future
Jim’s experience will continue to be shared with his valued and competent colleagues at The Hiller Companies.  Jim hopes to continue to offer training and be available for special projects.

“I am leaving Hiller New England with the utmost confidence that all my colleagues will continue to provide professional, expert fire protection services to our customers.”

What I’ll miss the most, though, are the wonderful colleagues and friends I’ve made throughout my years in the business.  I especially will miss the incredible group of people I’ve worked with at Hiller New England, some of them for more than 35 years. The many friends, too, at The Hiller Companies have been so supportive and encouraging and I’ve very much enjoyed their friendship and camaraderie throughout the years.

I’ll also miss the many friends I’ve made because of my involvement on the many committees I’ve had the privilege of serving.

What about retirement?   I am excited about pursing my favorite hobby, photography, as well as spending more time with my seven grandchildren.  I hope to enjoy some traveling with my wife, Nancy, also.  In addition, a new puppy is definitely in our plan!!

Tags: Fire-Professionals.com News, Members by Cathy Tabor
No Comments »

Advanced Fire Systems’  Ax Series of Intelligent Fire Alarm Control Panels support 1, 2 or 4 loops in both standalone and networked (up to 200 nodes) configurations. Each high current (500 mA) SLC driver, supports up to 126 intelligent devices with unique sub-addressing expanding system capacity up to 1512 points per panel. An integral “loop booster” sustains regulated loop voltage during AC power loss eliminating degradation in system performance and may support either shielded or non shielded wire.

Each panel comes with two expandable to four, high current, voltage regulated, Notification Appliance Circuits that are compatible with virtually any listed Notification Appliance Device available on the market. An integral 5 Amp power supply may be expanded to 10 Amps. Its built-in voltage and current meters provide tremendous time savings during the install process and similar to the system status, may be viewed on or off site with its Virtual Panel Software Tool or our IP Gateway product. All of the AX Series panels and peripherals are certified to ANSI/UL-864 9th Edition.

Tags: Fire-Professionals.com News, Life Safety by admin
No Comments »