Firefighter Appreciation Rebate on Akron Brass Nozzles and Monitors, available through Hiller Systems

Written and submitted by Belinda Arthur:

Hiller Systems, an authorized distributor of Akron Brass, proudly presents the Firefighter Appreciation Rebate on Akron Brass Nozzles and Monitors:


You’re in the business of saving lives. To show our appreciation, we’d like to help you save money! Take advantage of this fantastic offer and upgrade to the latest life safety equipment by Akron Brass.


  

• Trade in your used combination nozzle and purchase a new Turbojet, Saberjet or Assault nozzle to receive a $50.00- $75.00 cash rebate!

• Trade in your portable or fixed monitor and purchase a new Mercury Quick Attack or MercuryMaster 1000 monitor to receive a $150.00 - $200.00 cash rebate!

There is no limit on the number of items that you can trade in.  Each qualifying trade-in and purchase will receive a cash rebate.

For details, contact Belinda.Arthur@hillerva.com or (757) 549-9123.  Hurry as the rebate offer will end on September 30, 2010!

Smoke Detectors: What is the difference between a Photoelectric Smoke Detector and an Ionization Smoke Detector?

This article written by: Mike Glover, Security & Fire Alarm Operations Manager @ Hiller Systems Virginia.

Hiller Systems - Your premier fire protection and security systems contractor in Virginia for all of your fire protection and security systems needs, presents a brief explanation of the difference between photoelectric and ionization smoke detectors and smoke alarms.

At Hiller Systems, we actually get this question a lot.  The short answer is that they detect different types of particles that are released during different times of a fire's life cycle.  Which smoke detector or smoke alarm is best for you?  Well, that depends on the application you intend to use the detector for.  Before you can decide which type of detector you should use, you should first probably know a little more about the way each one works.  Here is a brief outline designed to give you the knowledge you need to properly identify the correct type of detector for your particular application.

Ionization Detectors - This type of detector uses an ionization chamber and an additional source of "ionizing radiation" also known as "alpha radiation" to detect smoke.  Inside an ionization detector is a small amount (usaully about 1/5000th of a gram) of americium-241 radioactive material.  During normal operation and without the presence of smoke or fire particulate matter, the ionization chamber sends a very small electrical current through the ionization chamber.  The detector goes into an "alarm" condition when particulate matter from a fire enters this chamber and disrupts the normal electrical current flow through the chamber.  Once this is detected, an "alarm condition" is generated by the unit. 

Photoelectric Detectors - This type of detector operates on a different principal.  They also have a smoke sensing chamber, however instead of sending electricity across the chamber, the photoelectric detector sends photoelectric beams of light across the sensing chamber.  Any smoke particles that are present in the chamber will instantly begin to reflect the light and change the pattern by sending the light 90 degrees from the direction it was intended.  The redirected/reflected light is then picked up and sensed by the photoelectric sensor in the detector and that condition then triggers an alarm condition on the unit. 

For smoke "alarms" (units made and sold for residential and consumer use) the unit activates an internal sounder that alerts people of the fire/smoke condition present. In an industrial or commercial application where the detector is part of a larger fire alarm and detection system, the detector creates an alarm condition and notifies the Fire Alarm Control Panel, which in turns activates and evacuation signal via the notification circuits which can be either chimes, horns or in some cases voice notification of the alarm condition.

Because of these different detection technologies, ionization sensors are more likely to detect smaller, less visible fire particles, like those produced by flaming fires, sooner than photoelectric sensors. However, photoelectric sensors are more likely to detect larger, more visible fire particles, such as those produced by smoldering fires, sooner than ionization sensors.  Remember, these detectors look very similar in body type and color.  Determining which principal a detector operates on is not always easy to tell...

Can you tell which detector is an Ionization detector and which one is a Photoelectric Detector?

So which unit is best for you?  Well again, that depends on the application you intend to use the detector for.  Hiller Systems strongly recommends contacting a factory authorized representative of these type of units and consulting with a professional to help you select the correct detector for your application.  Remember, whether you are selecting a smoke alarm for your house or a smoke detector as part of a larger fire alarm and detection system, the best choice is always to let the professionals help you!  Learn more about Hiller Systems at our website or by clicking the about us page of this blog.  If you are still determined to go it alone...here is an informative video produced and published by NFPA (the National Fire Protection Association), that may help you!

Hiller Systems Virginia can help you no matter how large or complicated your fire protection problem is!  Be sure to contact us for more information or to schedule a hazard analysis. See our line card for more information on the manufacturers we represent and the systems and services we provide.

FM200 Fire Extinuishing Agent - Hiller Systems, Virginia

Hiller Systems - Your premier fire protection and security systems contractor in Virginia for all of your fire protection and security systems needs, presents a brief explanation of the FM-200 fire suppression system. 

FM-200 is the trusted choice in waterless fire suppression and was originally developed as part of the DuPont family of clean agent fire extinguishants.  FM-200 is an accepted and respected solution in the fire protection market worldwide, with a strong history of protecting some of the world's most critical assets.  In fact, FM-200 is in use in more than 70 countries and in hundreds of thousands of applications from data centers to industrial and manufacturing applications.

Hiller Systems has been designing, installing and servicing FM-200 systems since its inception in 1993 and today we are installing FM-200 systems throughout Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region.  FM-200 systems are available in cylinders and can be designed as "pre-engineered" or more commonly, as "engineered systems".  Engineered systems consist of components and a certain amount of fire suppression agent that is "designed" by an experienced and certified designer.  At Hiller Systems we support and encourage NICET certification for all of our designers and installers.  Our special hazards designers are all factory trained and NICET certified.  A sample FM-200 design would look like something this:

1. Discharge Nozzles
2. Releasing Panel
3. FM-200 Storage Tanks
4. Protected Equipment

FM-200 systems are designed to reach extinguishing levels in 10 seconds or less, stopping fires before they cause significant damage.  When fire is extinguished this quickly, it means less damage to equipment, property and lives.  It also means less downtime and disruption of business after the event.  FM-200 fire suppressant can also be safely used in occupied spaces, helping to ensure the safety of your employees.

In design applications where available space is at a concern, FM-200 fire suppression systems are the best choice.  The FM-200 agent is stored in cylinders as a liquid and pressurized with nitrogen, saving storage space.  In fact, for the same amount of protection, FM-200 systems take up to seven times less storage space than systems based on CO2 and other "inert" gases.

A good demonstration video on FM-200 can be seen here:

Hiller Systems can help you no matter how large or complicated your fire protection problem is!  Be sure to contact us for more information or to schedule a hazard analysis.  See our line card for more information on the manufacturers we represent and the systems and services we provide.

Effectively Dealing With Employee Theft....

From Security World News (by Shipali Sharma):  Every business, every industry, every service, regardless of their stature, or expanse, suffers to some degree due to the problem of employee theft. This problem has always, and unless curbed, will continue to be a leading cause of the reduced profits and performance of businesses everywhere.


By definition, employee theft refers to the stealing, use or misuse of one’s employer’s resources without permission to do so. Noticeably, money or financial assets are not the only resources which are victimized by this widespread problem of employee theft. There are several other kinds of “employee theft” which......Read more here.

If you are experiencing any level of employee theft, inventory shrinkage or loss, Hiller Systems. can help you!  We offer FREE site analysis and recommendations.  Learn more about the security and loss prevention services we offer at http://www.hillersystemsinc.com/ or email us at security@hillerva.com . 

Summer Time Safety!

Every year thousands of people are injured during summer time activities such as barbeque's, picnics, fire works and general outdoor activities.  Please be sure to take some extra precautions during this fun and festive time of year!

From the USFA:  Annually just under 10,000 Americans are injured by fireworks and almost 5,000 are injured by charcoal/wood-burning and propane grill fires.  Read more here.

Did you know that many older Hotels/Motels lack fire sprinklers?

NFPA:  ...federal officials say an estimated 3,900 hotel and motel fires are reported to U.S. fire departments each year, causing on average 15 deaths, 150 injuries and $76 million in property loss. The National Fire Protection Association says it's rare for a guest to die when a fire breaks out in a room with sprinklers, and that there hasn't been a documented fire in a sprinklered hotel that killed more than one person.  Read more here.

Electrical fires continue to be a leading cause of home fires...

NFPA:  “Electricity literally runs modern lifestyles by powering the amenities that so many of us depend on day to day, so fire safety is something to keep in mind whenever electricity is being used,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of communications. “There are lots of simple things each of us can do to prevent electrical fires, like keeping lighting fixtures and light bulbs away from things that can burn, and never using extension cords to plug in major appliances.”  Read more here.

Every year in the United States, about 3,000 people die in home fires...

The "Install. Inspect. Protect." Campaign is part of the U.S. Fire Administration’s effort to reduce fire deaths and injuries across the nation by urging residents to install smoke alarms in their homes and inspect and maintain them on a regular basis. Working smoke alarms and sprinklers save lives.  Read more here.