How the USCG Inspection Teams Learn About Shipboard Fire Fighting Systems...

Hiller Systems, your premier Fire Protection & Security Solutions provider, presents:  Training the Inspectors, How the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Inspection Teams learn about shipboard fire fighting systems.  Article written and submitted by David Faller and Mike Glover.


Hiller Systems, located in Chesapeake Virginia, has been conducting training for the USCG Inspection Teams since 2004.  This annual course serves as an indoctrination for all newly assigned USCG inspectors and any experienced inspectors that require a refresher course.  During their 1 or 2 day course, inspectors are exposed to every type of shipboard fire fighting system they may encounter on vessels and cover basic components of each system such as time delays, manual release mechanisms and basic system operation and maintenance.  The inspectors also learn everything they need to know to properly inspect each system.  How often the systems require inspection, what type of inspections are required for each system and how to test each system.


"This course has been extremely beneficial to the USCG Inspection Teams in training newly assigned inspectors as well as seasoned inspectors.  Giving the inspectors the tools they need to properly inspect these systems and make sure everyone is safe while inspecting the systems and after the inspection....that's why we do this." - Dave Faller, Senior Instructor, Hiller Systems.


"Hiller Systems helps get our teams up to speed much faster then just relying on [on the job training].  Even our more experienced inspectors learn something new when they attend this course.  We truly appreciate everything that Hiller Systems does for the USCG in this effort." - USCG Inspection Teams.

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.

Ducktape Regatta - The Devil Ducks Win ! ! !

The annual Duck Tape Regatta took place this past Saturday to raise money for Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters (CHKD).  Entry fees raise money for the hospital which hoped to raise at least $35,000 this year. Since it's inception in 2004, the event has brought in over $125,000 to help provide needed medical care to children of all ages.  Participant teams receive the following material ONLY to construct a seaworthy vessel:

• One 60' roll of 2" duct tape
• One pound of fasteners, 1" fine Thread Drywall Screws
• One sheet of (4' X 8' X 1/4") plywood
• Two (2" X 4" X 8') pieces of lumber 

From those meager materials and with four hours to construct their boats, the teams commence building.  Once done, they race them in a series of heats. Prizes are awarded for creativity and speed. The whole event offers food, entertainment and children's activities throughout the day.

This year, the winning team was the Devil Ducks.  The Devil Ducks have been competing in this event for years.  The team consists of a group of friends who got together to try and help CHKD.  Two Hiller Systems employee's participate each year.  Donnie Coulsting and Jay Burns.  The boat this year was appropriately named "Smoke"...

The competition was tougher than ever this year.  Lot's of corporate teams from businesses all over Hampton Roads.  The competition gets tougher and tougher each year.  The Devil Ducks beat them all though.  They won their respective heats and then headed into the finals against the ever tough "ODU Engineering Squad".  The Devil Ducks pulled it off though and brought home 1st Place !

Hiller Systems would like to extend a warm and hearty "Congratulations" to the Devil Ducks for their hard work and effort for such a worthy cause.  Giving back to the community embodies the spirit of Hiller Systems and Hampton Roads!

Congrats again Devil Ducks...now you just have to retain your title!

The Devil Ducks (from left to right):  Morgan Burns, Jay Burns, Gary church, Donnie Coulsting, Chris Foster & Michael Blunt

A Story About Surviving....

A few years ago...Dan Clift, a good and faithful, longtime employee of Hiller Systems, was diagnosed with cancer.  If you have ever known someone who has been through this, you probably instantly welled up with emotions that bring back vivid memories of what they went through.  It's an incredibly difficult and painful process that all to often ends with dire consequences.  This however, is a story of survival.  A story of hope.  A story that needs to be shared.  This is Dan's story, in his own words...

I am a survivor.  In February of 2005 I was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (blood borne cancer disease).  I was diagnosed after having had a tumor taken out of my neck.  I sat in the doctor’s office as he pulled out a chart and began telling me the percentage of people who beat this cancer and the percentage of surviving.  None of the percentages were 100%. This began the toughest fight I would ever face.  I spent the rest of the year having chemotherapy, taking pills, getting sick, and eating scrambled eggs and Ramen noodles. I had the support from my family, friends and my fellow workers at Hiller Systems.

After I was diagnosed with cancer, a whirlwind of activity began.  I had so many tests to go through.  I had an MRI, a CT scan, a PET scan, and probably some other tests from the alphabet.  They found three more, smaller tumors around my neck and vocal cords.  I moved from a stage one to a stage two cancer level.  If you do not know, the higher the stage, the further along your cancer is.  The doctor and I discussed the options available for treatment.  He was not in favor of radiation, because it could do more damage to my neck, throat, and mouth.  We agreed that chemotherapy would be the best course of treatment.  I went home after that appointment and cried.  All I could remember was there was a chance that I would not make it, and there were things I still needed to do. All of my family and friends called to get an update on the diagnoses and treatment, I let the phone ring.  I could not answer it, or talk to anyone.  I had to get my head around the fact I was in for the toughest fight of my life.

My first day of chemotherapy was here.  I went into the Oncologist office and sat in a big recliner.  We started about 9:00 A.M. All day they kept taking the empty bags down and hanging new ones.  They gave me medicine to counter-act the potential side effects, and that helped me sleep through most of the treatment.  The needle finally came out around 3:00 P.M.  The following six months would consist of more Chemotherapy, PET Scans, shots, pills, and finding the strength to keep on fighting.

The morning after my second chemotherapy treatment I was taking a shower, and the first physical side-effect became apparent.  I washed my hair, looked down at my hands, and they were full of hair.  From this point on, my hair would fall out by the hand full.  It was at this point that I received an email from one of my coworkers.  Dave Faller, a long time co-worker and friend had shaved his head, as well as several other friends all in a show of support.  The beginning of the following week, a bunch of my coworkers helped me shave my head in the warehouse on our lunch break.  They made it a game, took pictures, and made funny hair styles in my head.  The following days would have my facial hair fall out, eye brows, arm hair, and leg hair.  I found out when you have a bald head, you are cold all the time.  Hair on your head helps retain heat.

As the chemotherapy treatment progressed, the sicker and more fatigued I would become.  There were days I could not get out of bed.  This is when I was at my worst.  It was a struggle to get out of bad, a struggle to eat, a struggle to survive.  If at any point I did not think I would make it through this, this was that time.  I had trouble eating....nothing tasted good, I had sores in my mouth that felt like I was swallowing broken glass.  If I did manage to get food down it usually did not stay long.  I saw first hand why some people give up.  You spend most of your time in bed or sick.  If it was not for the great support network, I do not know if I would have found the strength to fight.  Bottom line, no one should ever have to go through this alone.

Fast forwarding through chemotherapy, being sick and tired all the time.  August 3rd is here, this would be my last day of chemotherapy.  I have received my latest PET scan results; all of the tumors are gone....my body is clean of all cancer, I have won the fight.  The last therapy session is to ensure the cancer stays gone.  This was the best therapy session, my mom sat with me for the whole day as if to put the exclamation point on the end of the sentence, “the cancer is gone!”.

My birthday was coming up in a few weeks after my final treatment.  The doctor said I could go back to eating real food whenever my body could tolerate the food.  I made a plan, and several people from my office were ready.  The week of my birthday would start my food fest.  It started with pizza, went to fried chicken and then Mexican.  I wanted all of the things I could not eat while fighting the cancer.  I even ate a whole bag of grapes for dinner one night.  Grapes, believe it or not, was something the doctor had said to stay from.

The following months would have more doctors’ appointments and PET scans.  The night before was always tough, all I could think of was the conversation in that office explaining there was a chance I would not make it through this.  I would get little to no sleep, go see the doctor, and he would tell me everything was great.  There were still no cancer cells detected, my blood work was good, and I was gaining my strength back.

Fast forward to present time.  The date is August 4th, 2010 and I have a follow up appointment with the Oncologist.  Five years have passed from my last chemotherapy treatment.  This was the day I have been looking for since that life changing day five years ago.  I want to hear him say the words, “you are cured”.  The appointment went very well.  The doctor was as excited as I was.  He checked all of my blood work, did a physical examine, and concluded that I was indeed, cured.

The fight was over and I had won.  I could not have made it through without my family, friends, and the people at work who supported me through this terrible time in my life.  This has changed the way I look at my life.  The small things that use to get me upset or mad, just does not matter anymore.  I watch people sitting in traffic getting upset; I turn my radio up and remember that I am glad to be able to sit in traffic.  I ask that everyone take a look at their lives and realize what is truly important, and surround yourself with only positive things.  You do not need a brush with death to enjoy your life to the fullest. 

Today, I am part of the Light the Night team.  Every year, we walk two miles to raise money to find a cure for Leukemia and Lymphoma.  To be on the oceanfront and see the waves of lighted balloons carried by people there to support me and everyone else battling a blood cancer is somewhat overwhelming.  I see the red balloons, which are people supporting someone who has cancer.  There are the white balloons for the survivors, or the people still fighting.  The gold balloons are for people walking in memory of someone who lost the fight.  As I look out over the sea of balloons, I always say a small prayer for the white balloons and a prayer for the gold balloons.  The thought that someone could be carrying a gold balloon for me, just makes me want to live my life to the fullest and enjoy everything life has to offer and everyone around me.

Thanks for reading my story - Dan Clift

If you are interested in supporting the Light the Night Team.  Visit the web site and find out more.

In this picture:  Mark Herzog, Dan Clift & Belinda Arthur 5 years later....

Hiller Systems - Employee's of the Quarter (3rd Qtr, FY2010)

Hiller Systems proudly announces the 3rd Qtr FY2010 Employee's of the Quarter!  Each of these employee's were nominated by their respective supervisor and hand picked because of their outstanding service during the 3rd Quarter of the year.  These employee's exemplify the Hiller spirit, team work and customer service that makes up "The Hiller Difference".  Congratulations to...

JOHN "RUSS' ABRAMS

DAVE MASDEN

PATRICK CRIBB

The employee's were treated to a celebration lunch with the management team, received a certificate of appreciation and a check in a show of appreciation for the hard work and dedication to the Hiller team.

Congratulations gentlemen...and keep up the hard work!

Hiller Systems - SALES PERSON OF THE QUARTER !

Hiller Systems proudly announces the 3rd Qtr FY2010 Sales Person of the Quarter! Dan Clift earned the top spot for the 2nd quarter in a row.  Dan was treated to a lunch with the best Sales Manager in the world and his co-workers to show our appreciation for his hard work and dedicated, loyal service.

In this Picture (from left to right) - Mark Herzog (boss man), Dan Clift & Belinda Arthur

Congratulations Dan!  Keep up the hard work...we ALL appreciate it very much!

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.