OSID reliably reduces false alarms - everything you need to know!

OSID uses coded InfraRed and Ultraviolet light beams to provide superior detection of all smoke types

Author -
Angus Stone
A chartered electronics engineer with over 40 years experience in Emergency Lighting and Fire Detection and Alarm systems.

Angus has been involved in developing and writing British and International Fire & Safety standards since the mid-1980s. The list of standards that he has participated in is impressive and includes BS5839-1, BS8629, EN54-18 and ISO7240-2.  Angus utilises his extensive experience to provide an authoritative perspective on the key issues that affect the Fire & Security Industry today.

Angus has been involved in developing and writing British and International Fire & Safety standards since the mid-1980s. The list of standards that he has participated in is impressive and includes BS5839-1, BS8629, EN54-18 and ISO7240-2.  Angus utilises his extensive experience to provide an authoritative perspective on the key issues that affect the Fire & Security Industry today.

Open-area Smoke Imaging Detection (OSID) by Xtralis is a new innovation in projected beam smoke detection technology. By using advanced dual wavelength projected beams and optical imaging technology for early warning smoke detection, OSID provides a low-cost, reliable and easy-to-install solution that overcomes typical beam detection issues such as false alarm incidents and alignment difficulties.

Beam detection is an extremely effective and an efficient means of providing smoke detection to large open areas.

Each beam detector provides a continuous line of detection across the protected area and initial installation and ongoing maintenance is simpler than alternative forms of detection.

OSID uses coded InfraRed and Ultraviolet light beams to provide superior detection of all smoke types and deliver new levels of reliability in large open spaces.

OSID offers significant benefits including:

  • With maximum detection length up to 150m, OSID is suitable for many applications such as shopping malls, atria, warehouses, concert halls and theatres, transport infrastructure, heritage applications and long corridors.
  • UV and IR make OSID resistant to birds, insects, reflections from nearby surfaces and airborne dust and it can operate in all lighting conditions. OSID’s use of a multi-pixel CMOS imaging chip with a wide viewing angle means it has excellent building movement and vibration tolerance without the use of moving parts or motor drives. Optical filtering, highspeed image acquisition and intelligent software algorithms also enable OSID to provide new levels of stability and sensitivity with greater resistance to variations in lighting.
  • OSID can successfully be applied in areas where limited free space restricts the use of normal beam detectors such as through roof support latticework, above gantry cranes, ductwork. OSID can transmit it’s UV and IR beam through a gap as small as 20 cm.

Ideal Applications include:

  • Airports & Train Stations
  • Logistics Warehouses
  • Museums
  • Stadiums
  • Atriums
  • Dirty Environments

Got a question about Beam Detection? Need a Fire Safety Risk Assessment? Get in touch today.

For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems, and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.

Freephone: 08000 891 999

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Following the recommendations of BS5839 Part 1 2017 (Fire Alarm British Standard), it is a mandatory requirement to have an up to date, clear and accurate Fire Alarm Zone Chart adjacent to your Fire Alarm Control Panel and any repeater panels you have in your premises.

The purpose of the Zone Chart is to assist persons responding to an alarm to quickly identify the specific location in the building and to help the Fire Brigade understand the building layout before they enter.

When the Fire Alarm System is installed, the building is divided into Fire Zones. Any Manual Call Point (Red Box) or Fire Detector that is fitted will trigger a particular zone when activated.

The Zone Chart shows the division of each zone area with a ‘You are Here’ arrow to identify the position of the Fire Alarm Panel. The view of the building should be orientated in relation to the Fire Alarm Panel position to minimise confusion.

What is involved in producing a Zone Chart?

STEP 1:
STEP 2:
You provide a suitable up to date drawing of your building in either:
  • Hard copy
  • PDF
  • Or preferably AutoCAD (dwg) format
Depending on the availability of installation records and the complexity of the building, we arrange a visit to identify the zone number associated with each Fire Alarm Manual Call Point and Fire Detector (for practicality this may involve two engineers).
STEP 3:
STEP 4:
Fire Alarm Zone Chart is created.
Fire Alarm Zone Chart is supplied in A4 or A3 glazed frame for installation adjacent to your Fire Alarm Panel.
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You have a legal duty of care to dispose of waste legitimately and safely via a licensed waste carrier. Failure to do so can result in prosecution, even if you have outsourced the disposal to a third party.

The Fixfire® Extinguisher Recycling Process is your reassurance that any Fire Extinguishers we remove from your premises have been disposed of in a safe and legal manner. 97% of each processed Fire Extinguisher is recycled.

Our contracted Extinguisher Recycling Unit (ERU) is a dedicated facility offering a service for the safe processing and recycling/disposal of fire extinguishers. The facility operates closely with the local Water Authority and the Environment Agency to develop safe, efficient and environmentally friendly processes, ensuring that ISO14001 certification is upheld.

Got a question about Fire Extinguisher Disposal?  Need Fire Safety Compliance advice? Get in touch today!

For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.

Freephone 08000 891999

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False Fire Alarms remain a huge concern within the education sector- interrupting already carefully scheduled, planned and well-prepared lessons or even causing major disruption and distress to exams.  

Clearly, these false alarms cause significant inconvenience and disruption to students, staff, and visitors. They compromise everyone’s safety in the school and present a significant risk to the local community since the Fire Brigade will prioritise the school over other emergency callouts.

Solutions you should consider:

Anti-tamper products

The first and most straightforward way is to use anti-tamper products.

Fixfire® supplies a wide range of solutions designed to protect Fire Alarm Devices from inadvertent damage or deliberate misuse/vandalism.

Products include:

  • Local plastic cover flaps which attach directly to manual call points.
  • The stopper consists of a clear, tamperproof, tough polycarbonate cover, frame and spacer that retrofits over a break glass call point. When lifted to operate the break glass unit, its optional battery powered integral sounder emits a piercing 96dB (at 1m). Immediate attention is drawn to the area and a prankster will either run or be caught!
  • A range of steel web stoppers designed to protect fire detectors and warning devices. They are constructed from heavy-duty galvanised steel rod which is plastic-coated for durability and external use.
  • A range of polycarbonate enclosures are available for the protection of devices such as fire alarm control panels and associated control equipment. The enclosures combine tough rugged construction with stylish design and offer excellent protection with a key lock for authorised access.

We also provide anti-tamper devices for fire extinguishers and associated products.

KeyCall® Call Point

KeyCall® is a patented anti-ligature Fire Alarm and Access Control call point. It is designed to use the same key as the doors, providing simple operation for staff whilst eliminating nuisance activations by service-users.

KeyCall® has been developed by Fixfire® specifically for approved applications where standard versions would be vulnerable to abuse.

It is one of the best solutions for SEN schools and it is also compatible with a wide range of Conventional and Addressable Fire Alarm Systems.

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Got a question about False Fire Alarms? Need Fire Safety Compliance advice?  Get in touch today!

For over 45 years, Fixfire® has been providing quality products, systems and services for Life & Property Protection. Whatever your requirement, please call our Compliance Team for expert advice and a refreshingly different approach.

Freephone 08000 891999

OSID - Smoke Detection
OSID - Smoke Detection
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OSID reliably reduces false alarms - everything you need to know!
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