Hochiki Blog

Life Safety in Care Homes in a Post-Pandemic World

Over the last year, the country watched COVID-19 tear through our care homes and leave devastation in its wake. Regardless of the mistakes made at the start of the pandemic, the very nature of our elderly care environments means protecting society’s most vulnerable has always been a challenge. But now, as we start to see a possible ending of the pandemic but faced with the very real prospect of having to live with the virus long-term, a new set of challenges present themselves.

Where it Makes Complete Sense to Use Hybrid Wireless Fire Detection

In this blog article we explore applications in which Hybrid Wireless Fire Detection excels to help understand why it should be considered in certain situations.

Waking Watch vs Hybrid Wireless

All across the UK the effects of the Grenfell Tower tragedy are still with us today with many local authorities and private housing organisations declaring the presence of highly combustible cladding and/or insulation within their housing portfolios, rendering these assets dangerous and uncompliant until remedial work to remove and replace the cladding materials can begin. The scope of work to replace all of the cladding so far identified is enormous and will take years to rectify.

Protecting Refurbishment Projects Against Fire Risks

Fires occurring on refurbishment projects seem to be happening all too often, with several high-profile incidents, including the infamous Notre-Dame Cathedral disaster, having made headlines in recent years. Understanding the factors that increase the threat of fire and identifying ways in which building owners can mitigate them is vital.

Beam Detectors and their uses

Life safety technology comes in all different forms. However, it can be difficult to know which products are best suited for certain tasks and environments. In this blog, we take a look at beam detectors, what they are, how they work and when and where they should be installed.

A Lesson in Life Safety for the Education Sector

With hundreds, sometimes thousands of students to account for during an emergency, education facilities need particular focus when it comes to life safety. To allow for the best possible outcome in a fire phenomenon, it is essential these buildings are equipped with the most appropriate safety systems. To help understand the specialised protection required, Richard Wharram, Regional Sales Manager at Hochiki Europe, provides his top considerations when specifying these at-risk environments.

Approaching Life Safety with Medical Precision

Healthcare facilities are some of the most at-risk environments in need of reliable life safety systems. With so many patients to care for, it’s important for the medical professionals and duty holders, who are housed together under the same roof, to uphold the integrity of these spaces to protect our society’s most vulnerable. Here, Neil Eves, systems manager at Hochiki Europe, explains the importance of life safety within these environments.

Homeworking and the Life Safety Sector

COVID-19 means homeworking is no longer a privilege or additional benefit for employees. By restricting the public’s movements, this pandemic has meant working from home has become a necessity for all industries, with many people dragged into this new way of working, whether they are comfortable with it or not. So, what can the life safety sector learn from this experience, and how can we cope with it going forward?

Multi-Sensors: Spotting the Small Print

Mark Jones, our Export Sales Manager speaks about the confusion surrounding multi-sensor certification.

Avoiding Disruption in a Digital Age

David Brown, our Product Manager explains how advanced moisture detection systems can help building owners mitigate the risks to their bottom line.

Combatting the Component Shortage Crisis

Roland Martin-Bessy, our Operations Director speaks about the global component shortage crisis.

Upholding Life Safety in Specialist Environments

Robert Head, our Specialist Product Business Manager, outlines best practice for duty-holders when addressing life safety in ‘hazardous’ areas.

Expert Roundtable: Improving Life Safety in HMOs

Fire and life safety within Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) is a topic that is being discussed more now than ever before. With a number of high-profile events casting a spotlight on the importance of the subject, leaders from a multitude of sectors and industries are working together to better protect these properties and their occupants.

Understanding the Capabilities of a Module

Modules, also known as interfaces, are powerful devices designed to connect fire detection systems with other fire safety devices and/ or third-party equipment. For example, if there is a fire in a factory, you may wish to release magnetic locks on fire doors, send signals to access controls and automatically shut down plant machinery; all of which can be done through the capabilities of a module. The problem is, with so many modules available, how do you know which one you need?

Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer

What is Carbon Monoxide? Carbon Monoxide is a highly toxic gas which is difficult detect without a CO detector. It is known as ‘the silent killer’, because it is colourless, odourless, tasteless, yet deadly. It is produced by the incomplete burning of various fuels, including; coal, wood, charcoal, oil, kerosene, propane and natural gases. Toxic poisoning isn’t just confined to domestic properties; there have been many cases in which care homes, schools and commercial premises have experienced gas leaks. Faulty boilers, generators and plant machinery, are often the main causes of CO exposure.

The Secret to Cutting Building Maintenance Costs – The Right Way!

Whilst some argue that it is impossible to reduce costs without cutting corners, forward-thinking building maintenance teams have managed to employ some practical changes, which have not only reduced costs, but have also reduced carbon emissions, increased operational efficiency and helped them to remain fully compliant with legislation.

Bold Claims Over Multi-Sensors; But What’s All the Fuss About?

Multi-sensors are the topic of conversation at the moment, but do we really understand them? This blog has been written to demystify multi-sensors and help you make a more informed decision when selecting the best detector for the environment.

Record Emergency Lighting Fine of £400,000

A private landlord has been fined a record £400,000 over the lack of emergency lighting and other breaches of fire health and safety legislation (luxreview, 2018). It is therefore the perfect time to remind building owners, installers, architects and consultants of the revisions made to BS 5266-1 2016. Please note, this blog has been written to provide essential information on key changes found in BS 5266-1 2016, but should never be utilised as a substitute for the standard itself.

E-Cigarettes: a burning issue for Facilities Managers?

Electronic cigarettes, or ‘e-cigarettes’ as they’re more commonly known, were first introduced into the European retail market in 2006, just one year before Britain’s indoor smoking ban. Ten years’ later, an estimated two and a half million people in the UK are thought to use these devices regularly.