NEWS2024-03-18T15:28:15+00:00

NEWS

Our latest news provides you with a summary of news articles, we share fire safety and security tips and advice, helping your business to stay safe and secure.

Season’s Greetings From SS Systems

December 20th, 2023|

Seasons Greetings From SS Systems Season’s greetings from all of us and we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We are taking orders throughout December and will be operational offering support, products and services as normal. Our last working day before Christmas will be Friday 22nd December 2023, reopening on Tuesday 2nd January 2024. SS Systems provides nationwide services in the installation and maintenance of bespoke fire and security systems. With over 25 years industry experience and technical knowledge we continue to work within some of the country’s finest properties, covering; National Heritage Sites, Educational, Commercial and Industrial buildings. Our team aims to deliver expert customer care, from site survey to completion through to ongoing maintenance. Developing a lasting relationship with a partner you can trust to protect you and your premises whilst ensuring your businesses and organisations are fully compliant to the latest legal requirements. #SeasonsGreetings #SSSystems

The Digital Revolution For Access Control Systems

December 18th, 2023|

The Digital Revolution For Access Control Systems The transition to digital solutions signifies a crucial shift in overcoming the constraints of outdated legacy systems. By leveraging advanced digital technologies, organisations can establish a seamless digital ecosystem that integrates keys, locks and access management efficiently. Physical Access Control Examples: Common examples of physical access control (PAC) encompass commercial door locks, turnstiles, security gate systems, or any physical barrier. Personal credential identification is a pivotal aspect, requiring users to prove their authorisation for accessing a designated physical space. There are three primary types of Access Control systems: Discretionary Access Control (DAC) Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) Integration and Functionality Our systems can function independently or as an integral part of a comprehensive security solution when combined with intruder alarms and CCTV systems. This grants users the ability to control staff and visitor access in, out, and around premises, monitor their locations, and provide individualised access to restricted areas. The approach ensures a secure, convenient, flexible, and cost-effective means of managing building access. Asset Protection and Operational Efficiency For businesses, safeguarding assets and employees [...]

Primary Causes of Fires in Healthcare Facilities

December 11th, 2023|

Primary Causes of Fires in Healthcare Facilities Fires in healthcare facilities pose a significant threat, resulting in loss of life and extensive property damage amounting to millions of pounds. Beyond the immediate impact, these incidents disrupt essential services, affecting thousands of individuals. Categorically, the causes of these fires fall into two main types: confined and unconfined. Confined Fires: Confined fires are limited to specific objects or equipment, making containment and extinguishment generally more manageable. Though they typically result in minimal injury or property loss, there can be damage from smoke and water. The primary causes of confined fires in healthcare facilities include: Cooking - The majority of confined fires in healthcare facilities originate in kitchens, with the peak occurrence just after noon during meal preparation. Electrical Malfunction - Constituting less than 10% of incidents, confined electrical malfunctions involve control mechanisms in small appliances or equipment with low voltage wiring. Extinguishing these fires requires either safely turning off electricity or using the appropriate fire extinguisher. Never use water on an electrical fire to avoid exacerbating the situation and risking injury. Heating Systems - Fires in [...]

Companies Fined For Safety Failures At Apartments Fire

December 4th, 2023|

Companies Fined For Safety Failures At Apartments Fire A judge has credited pure luck and the swift response of firefighters for preventing a potentially fatal disaster at a block of flats plagued by fire safety deficiencies. In February 2021, a fire at Tower Chambers in Hartlepool necessitated the rescue of seventeen individuals. Following their admission of multiple offenses in Teesside Crown Court, two companies received fines, and a fire risk assessor was handed a suspended prison sentence. Judge Jonathan Carroll emphasized that their actions had endangered lives. The court was informed that the fire ignited in one of the 18 flats in the building at approximately 05:15 on February 2, 2021. Smoke and flames rapidly engulfed the structure, leading to the rescue of two individuals from upper windows and the evacuation of three others by firefighters through the smoke-filled and burning building, as stated by Joseph Hart, representing the Cleveland Fire Brigade, which initiated the legal proceedings. The investigation into the apartment block fire found multiple serious failings, including: A malfunctioning fire alarm system that did not activate A lack of training for residents [...]

Registered Duty Holders & Fire Risk Assessments

November 27th, 2023|

Registered Duty Holders & Fire Risk Assessments Over 13,000 dutyholders have initiated or completed their registration applications for the new regulatory framework established by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), which became effective on October 1st. Principal Accountable Persons (PAPs) were granted until the end of September to register all high-rise residential buildings that are at least 18 meters or seven stories tall, as mandated by the Building Safety Act of 2022. The Duty Holder is responsible for maintaining records related to various aspects of fire safety, including Risk Assessments, the current Fire Safety Policy, Evacuation Procedures, Training and Drills. Additionally, they must document the regular inspection, testing, and upkeep of all Fire Alarm Systems, Emergency Lighting, Extinguishers, and Escape Route Doors. Registration of existing high-rise residential buildings with the Building Safety Regulator, overseen by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), is now a legal obligation as per the Building Safety Act of 2022. The deadline of October 1st signified the commencement of the registration process for dutyholders, signifying the progression of the regulatory regime. The information provided in these registrations will enable the [...]

Electric Vehicle Fleet Fire Risks In The Spotlight

November 20th, 2023|

Electric Vehicle Fleet Fire Risks In The Spotlight Residents have been voicing opposition to the construction of an underground electric bus garage beneath the planned building of numerous new residential apartments. Their concerns revolve around the potential for battery fires to create a destructive "volcano" and threaten the neighbourhood. Barnet Council is currently in talks with Transport for London (TfL) and developer Ballymore regarding a project estimated at £1.7 billion, which involves erecting 25 tower blocks on top of a proposed underground electric bus depot in Edgware town centre. The community group "Save Our Edgware" has expressed apprehension, asserting that residents would face severe risk in the event of battery fires in electric vehicles, which could lead to explosive combustion and fires involving multiple vehicles. Their concerns are substantiated by a previous incident in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, where an entire fleet of electric buses was destroyed when one of them caught fire.In a similar incident that occurred in Paris, a transportation company took 149 Bluebus electric buses out of service after two of them caught fire on separate occasions. The heightened risk of "thermal [...]

BS 5839-8:2023 Voice Alarm Systems Is Now Published

November 13th, 2023|

BS 5839-8:2023 Voice Alarm Systems Is Now Published This new revision of the code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of voice alarm systems includes some editorial changes, most notably it has been restructured to the new BSI format. The new BS standard is a code of practice for fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings and is now available as a British Standards Institution 2023 document. There have also been many technical changes, including: A new recommendation regarding voice alarm loudspeakers and disabled refuges Simplification of the equation for calculating I2 for standby batteries A new clause on cybersecurity This part of BS 5839 supersedes BS 5839 8:2013, which is withdrawn. BS 5839 is published in the following parts: Part 1: Code of practice for design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of systems in non domestic premises; Part 3: Specification for automatic release mechanisms for certain fire protection equipment; Part 6: Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises; Part 8: Design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of voice [...]

Fire Alarm Subcontractors Required North West & North East

November 7th, 2023|

Fire Alarm Subcontractors Required North West & North East SS Systems are looking for fire alarm subcontractors to assist with service, small works and project labour for the North West and North East of England. Knowledge of hard wired fire alarm installation is preferable, but not essential, and works are set to begin from the end of November. Please enquire to sales@sssystems.co.uk if you, or someone you know can help. #FireAlarms #FireRiskAssessment #FireSafetyEquipment #FireAlarmMaintenance

Learning From The Luton Airport Car Park Fire

November 6th, 2023|

Learning From The Luton Airport Car Park Fire The Luton Airport Car Park Fire, which started on 10th October 2023 around 20:47, as reported by Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service (BFRS), was a harrowing and devastating event that sent shockwaves through the community, prompting serious questions about fire safety. By 8:45 on 11th October 2023, the fire had been successfully extinguished, but not before it had wreaked havoc in the multi-story parking facility, requiring an extensive response from emergency services. The focal point of the fire appeared to be a vehicle on the third level of the parking structure, resulting in widespread damage. Initial estimates suggest that as many as 1,200 vehicles may have been impacted by the fire's rapid spread. Fortunately, Chief Fire Officer Andy Hopkinson reported that no members of the public sustained injuries. However, five individuals, including four firefighters and an airline official, required hospital treatment for smoke inhalation, underscoring the risks faced by those on the front lines of such incidents. Eyewitnesses recounted loud explosions during the event, highlighting the intensity and rapid propagation of the fire. A notable [...]

The Significance Of Preserving Our Architectural Heritage

October 30th, 2023|

The Significance Of Preserving Our Architectural Heritage Official investigations conducted in the aftermath of this tragic event have brought to light a significant truth in relation to the Royal Albion Hotel, a magnificent example of Regency architecture overlooking Brighton Pier. On the ill-fated day of July 15th 2023, this historic hotel was engulfed in a devastating blaze. The subsequent investigation yielded a disconcerting revelation: it appears that a discarded cigarette was the likely cause of the destructive fire. The East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, tasked with unravelling the mystery behind the blaze that left the 200-year-old hotel in Brighton in a perilous state, officially stated that a dropped cigarette was probably the source of the fire. Their conclusion underscores the urgent necessity for proper fire safety measures, not only in public spaces but also in our daily lives. A spokesperson stated, "The fire investigation has determined that it likely began with a discarded cigarette that had not been fully extinguished." The consequences of a momentary lapse in fire safety were severe. The distressing aftermath of the incident necessitated the evacuation of approximately [...]

Building Safety In England Reaches Major Milestone

October 23rd, 2023|

Building Safety In England Reaches Major Milestone Several significant milestones in the establishment of the Building Safety Regulator are now in effect, as mandated by the groundbreaking Building Safety Act of 2022, which is described as the most substantial change in building safety in decades. The Building Safety Regulator is now responsible for supervising construction projects involving high-risk structures. Registration of such structures is now obligatory. Furthermore, both building control inspectors and building control approvers are eligible for registration. The Building Safety Regulator has assumed the role of the building control authority for all high-risk buildings in England. This means that developers can no longer select the body responsible for building control in the case of residential buildings exceeding 18 meters in height (or seven stories) and containing at least two residential units, as well as hospitals and care homes meeting the same height criteria. Applications for high-risk buildings will now be assessed by the Building Safety Regulator, and construction cannot commence until the regulator has granted its approval. After the launch of Planning Gateway One in August 2021, a new building approval process [...]

Business Development Manager Vacancy

October 17th, 2023|

Business Development Manager Vacancy To meet and surpass the Company’s expectations of rapid and sustainable growth by finding and cultivating service/maintenance agreements, and surveying, designing and estimating fire and security install projects we are looking for a Business Development Manager. SS Systems are a Fire & Security Company based in South Yorkshire. We service and install Fire Alarms, Intruder Alarms, Access Control, CCTV and ancillary systems throughout the country. We are known for specialising in wire free fire alarms. We’re a forward-thinking flexible company, who put our staff at the heart of what we do and you’ll find a warm welcome when you join our team. Although we’re based in South Yorkshire, we have high profile maintenance clients all over the country and we’re eager to grow this side of our business. You will be key in this. SS Systems aim to exceed our client expectations In terms of service delivery. Your basic working week will be 40 hours. For this you will receive an OTE salary OF £60k, with commission uncapped. In return for your hard work we’ll supply all the normal things [...]

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