Gamewell-FCI - Experts & Thought Leaders

Honeywell will highlight its latest security and fire products at ISC West 2019, April 10-12 in Las Vegas. Attendees can test and learn more about security and fire solutions with streamlined operational efficiency that provide automated control, real-time response, predictive analytics and flexible integration that ultimately help reduce operational costs and increase revenue for end users. “Safety and security are critical aspects of the connected building,” said Pete Lau, President, Honeywell Commercial Security. “We pair the latest advancements in hardware and software to provide customers with integrated security solutions that help keep people and places safe and secure. We are working to develop powerful, comprehensive security products that are easy to integrate and manage from anywhere.” OmniAssure Touch Access Control Readers Honeywell will feature its first all-in-one BDA system, an emergency communication solution Honeywell’s integrated technologies demonstrate all aspects of its security and life safety systems in a single location, providing end users with a comprehensive picture for decision making. Among the technologies on display include OmniAssure Touch, a new range of passive intent access control readers compatible with Honeywell's existing security suites including WINMAG, WIN-PAK and Pro-Watch. Honeywell will also feature its first all-in-one Bi-Directional Amplifier (BDA) system, an emergency communication solution that minimizes response time under critical situations with full support across Honeywell’s family of life safety brands. “Honeywell is highly focused on delivering life safety innovations that leverage connectivity to help create a smarter and safer world,” said Samir Jain, Product Marketing Leader, Honeywell Fire. “Our objective is to equip customers with life safety systems that provide the earliest detection, enable the fastest response as well as centralize decision making and management.” Featured Security Technologies Include: OmniAssure Touch, a range of access control readers that provide security against credential cloning and reader tampering, increase operator productivity when deploying mobile credentials and is interoperable with a range of credential technologies and panel communication protocols. The passive intent access control readers help people get into an area faster – just with the touch of a finger – no swiping of a card or a phone is necessary. MAXPRO Network Video Recorders (NVR), an open, flexible and scalable IP video surveillance system that supports simultaneous recording, live monitoring, and search and system management for up to 128 IP cameras. equIP series cameras, a family of IP video security cameras that feature low-light capability, a simplified user experience and quick installation for use in enterprise installations. NDAA Compliant Cameras and Recorders, a complete line of NDAA-compliant cameras, recorders, viewers and mobile app with end-to-end video encryption. ADPRO iFT Gateway, a low-cost IP video multi-service platform offering four IP channels of video transmission with the option to easily add ADPRO analytics and event recording via MicroSD card; the platform is ideal for small to medium business applications with full remote monitoring, command and control from anywhere via the ADPRO mobile app, iTrace. Featured Fire Technologies Include: SWIFT with Activation and Notification, is a complete Class A commercial wireless fire detection system that detects and responds to a fire like its wired counterparts while providing installation flexibility in a wireless format. OSI-R Reflective Smoke Imaging Beam Detector designed specifically for large, open spaces that pose unique challenges to traditional fire detection due to environmental nature and limitations. Bi-Directional Amplifier/ERCES (BDA), emergency communication system designed to enhance in-building radio frequency in challenging environments during crucial moments to ensure the safety of first responders and lives of those they rescue. Unified Notification Platform (UNP), a mass notification ecosystem solution that enables the efficient sharing of important information during a critical situation by centralizing fragmented systems and process into one platform. PS Series, a line of power supplies that adds more flexibility and variety for meeting installation and servicing requirements that is available through the Honeywell family of brands, including: Fire-Lite, Silent Knight, Farenhyt Series, GW/FCI and NOTIFIER.

Honeywell, a pioneer in Connected Buildings, announced its advanced smoke detection technology – capable of detecting and reporting smoke at its inception, before a fire develops – can now integrate with some of the most widely used fire panels in commercial buildings without the need for additional hardware or wiring. Combining Intelligent VESDA-E detection technology with NOTIFIER and Gamewell-FCI fire systems allows owners and operators to easily upgrade Connected Buildings to improve occupant safety. “The true measure of innovative technology in this industry is the ability to keep people safe faster and smarter, and VESDA has proven itself in this area for decades,” said Samir Jain, general manager at Honeywell Fire Americas. “Combining this advanced detection technology with proven legacy brands like NOTIFIER and Gamewell-FCI shows exactly what a smart building fire detection system looks like.” Prior Notification About Potential Fire The Intelligent VESDA-E detector resides on the Signaling Line Circuit (SLC) loop of a fire panel and directly communicates with NOTIFIER and Gamewell-FCI fire systems. Unlike traditional spot detectors, VESDA-E’s patented technology actively draws in air from the environment and can notify building staff to potential fires before they develop. The VESDA portfolio is the most widely used advanced smoke detection technology in telecommunications and data center applications The technology is ideal when very early warning of a potential fire is needed and for highly secure environments where routine maintenance and servicing would disrupt daily operations. The VESDA portfolio, which Honeywell acquired from Xtralis in 2016, is the most widely used advanced smoke detection technology in telecommunications and data center applications. It also is increasingly used in the healthcare, education, retail, logistics and transportation industries. Improving Safety Of Building Occupants From advanced fire protection solutions to smarter security capabilities, Honeywell helps owners and operators leverage building connectivity to simplify management of increasingly complex building environments and improve occupants’ safety. Honeywell’s portfolio consists of the most-trusted and best-known brands in the security and fire safety industries; each designed to be easy to use, install and maintain – even in the most demanding and critical environments. Being among the most widely used fire panels in commercial buildings, NOTIFIER and Gamewell-FCI customers can now maximize their protection capabilities with Intelligent VESDA-E technology.

Robert supports the growing network of Gamewell-FCI engineered systems distributors throughout Latin America and Caribbean Gamewell-FCI by Honeywell  announces the promotion of Roberto Orozco to Regional Sales Manager, hired to support the growing network of Gamewell-FCI Engineered Systems Distributors throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Orozco’s 15 years of experience as a Senior International Technical Training Specialist for Honeywell Fire Systems is an asset that will undoubtedly help him to support the fire alarm and mass notification systems work of Gamewell-FCI users in his territory. “I’ve worked in this industry for nearly 20 years, with the majority of that time traveling in this part of the world as a technical systems trainer for Gamewell-FCI,” says Orozco. “Now I can work more closely with our Distributors and their customers on systems specific to the needs of their particular facilities.” In addition to past roles as a fire alarm Technical Support Specialist and a Quality Assurance Technician, Orozco holds a NICET (National Institute for Certification of Engineering Technologies) Level II Fire Alarm Systems certification, as well as an IMSA (International Municipal Signal Association) Level II Fire Alarm Technician Instructor certification. For more information on Gamewell-FCI fire alarm and mass notification systems or to contact a local Regional Sales Manager, visit www.gamewell-fci.com.

Honeywell, Twitter integration brings security communication to its life safety products Honeywell, Northford, Conn., is leveraging the Twitter social media platform to bring higher levels of situational awareness and emergency communications to its life safety products. This move focuses to improve emergency response by monitoring various security, safety or building systems and providing information to identify potential threats. Gamewell-FCI’s Focal4 Now, Gamewell-FCI’s Focal4 Shared Situational Awareness (SSA) system integrates with Twitter to deliver real-time, topic-trending information. According to a free Gamewall-FCI white paper, Combining Situational Awareness and Emergency Communication, the term situational awareness describes the “thorough understanding of a situation required to provide greater insight through more knowledge.” Focal4 is a vendor-agnostic software platform that aggregates information from all types of systems and manufacturers, including access control, video, fire alarm, HVAC, traffic, cellphone devices and more. The open architecture solution is suited for smaller facilities as well as enterprise locations and is designed to enable security directors, emergency management officials and first responders to make fast, accurate emergency response decisions. CAPSOL With Focal4 At the NFPA Conference & Expo 2015 in June in Chicago, Honeywell announced an integrated add-on to the Focal4 software – CAPSOL, which stands for Capture Social Media. CAPSOL uses search engine optimization to look for keywords cited in open and public Twitter feeds, for example: shooter, bombing, fire, rape. Because Twitter activity posted online is public and includes geo-locations based on the IP address of the person initiating the communication, CAPSOL and Focal4 can more accurately pinpoint the location of that communication and provide greater insight through situational awareness. Situational awareness involves centralized monitoring, alerting and reporting for any and all alarm systems. It delivers information, including location data, to the right people at the right time to ensure business operations and/or to save lives and property. CAPSOL Twitter Integration Can Secure Lives Founded in March 2006, Twitter has more than 300 million active monthly users and logs some 500 million “tweets” per day. Some 80% of its users engage with the social media platform via cellphone devices. Gamewell-FCI’s Focal4 Shared Situational Awareness (SSA) system integrates with Twitter to deliver real-time, topic-trending information  “There’s so much information coming in quickly from Twitter, and CAPSOL captures it and makes it actionable,” says John Stofa, municipal account manager for Honeywell Fire Safety, Northford, Conn. “CAPSOL filters out extraneous information and gets to the core information with keyword searches. It provides immediate, real-time notification of events,” he adds. The software-based Focal4 system uses an open, layered and networked architecture to integrate and present information and events from previously disconnected systems into a single interface. It can be used on-site at command centers or remotely with smartphones, iPads, tablets, laptops or other Web-enabled devices. A cellphone app available with the system can be loaded during an emergency to provide geo-location data and immediate communication. “The best way to mitigate an emergency situation is to be able to tap information from multiple sources, especially when multiple emergencies are occurring simultaneously,” Stofa says. “The CAPSOL Twitter integration assists in those efforts. It’s proactive and powerful, and getting ahead of a situation with this type of information can help save lives.” CAPSOL Features And Uses CAPSOL is downloaded to the primary Focal4 software, where users can activate the social media engine and enter the rules and keywords that the organization or campus wants to search for in Twitter feeds. It can also dictate how and when to notify campus personnel, responding authorities or others via text message or email. CAPSOL also allows users to aggregate information so it’s known whether one person is tweeting about an event or multiple people, which also assists with response. The platform also has some integration with Facebook, but is limited because of the privacy settings of that social media network. “The user can customize the key and search words for their facility,” Stofa continues. “This type of instant communication is not going to go away. We need to intercept it and make it actionable. We can get feet on the ground and make a timely warning so people can help themselves and save themselves.”

New notification appliances from Silent Knight provide code-required low-frequency output Just before the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) World Safety Conference and Expo, June 22-25 in Chicago, Honeywell unveiled new solutions and features designed to boost life safety and provide more intuitive installations. S3 Series Control/Communicator A “virtual press conference” unveiling the announcements was kicked off by Beth Welch, manager of public relations and social media engagement. She highlighted technology, code requirements and new market demand. Presenters included: Brian Carlson, manager of strategic marketing, Gamewell-FCI; Susan Adam, marketing director, NOTIFIER; Richard Conner, director of marketing, Fire-Lite Alarms, Silent Knight; Christa Poss, senior manager of product marketing, System Sensor; Charles Simek, industrial, product and technology specialist, Honeywell Industrial Safety; and Gene Pecora, business leader, industrial fire, Honeywell Fire Safety. Brian Carlson, Gamewell-FCI, manager of strategic marketing, outlined intuitive capabilities of the new S3 Series control/communicator designed for small- to mid-sized buildings. The S3 Series includes touchscreen technology that allows for greater confidence and ease of use during fire alarm programming and event control. “Some of the most commonly heard feedback is that there is some fear of fire alarms and what buttons to push during an event. We’ve taken the fear out of using fire alarm systems with the S3 Series. The focus is on mistake-free operation, and everything on the keypad is highlighted. This guides the user on exactly what to do during an emergency so they can have the confidence to press the right button and move on. Five custom shortcut buttons provide simple system control,” Carlson says. The S-3 Series comes with a built-in Ethernet port for programming, monitoring and diagnostics. “IP connectivity is critical,” adds Carlson. “Fire protection integrators can connect to the system via a smartphone, so they can see what’s happening on site.” New Opportunities In Wireless Fire Detection Honeywell also outlined new opportunities in wireless fire detection and protection, focusing on the Smart Wireless Integrated Fire Technology (SWIFT), introduced at the 2014 NFPA Conference & Expo. According to Susan Adam, marketing director for NOTIFIER, SWIFT offers systems integrators the ability to offer fast and flexible installation, a less evasive specification and heightened solution reliability. “SWIFT greatly expands the array of applications for wireless systems and is perfect for temporary protection and detection, even through metal construction.” SWIFT, she says, was recently deployed at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Vail Valley in Avon, Colo. "Fire protection integrators can connect to the system via a smartphone, so they can see what’s happening on site", says Brian Carlson of Gamewell-FCI Located on the edge of the ski course was a temporary facility called the VIP Building, with walls of glass that allowed spectators to watch the races outside the windows while staying indoors. Though not required by local code enforcement to install a fire alarm system within the temporary buildings, organisers did so as a precaution. “They concluded it would be a good idea to have some form of fire protection in the buildings,” says Tim Ward, NICET IV, general manager at Commercial Specialists of Western Colorado. The structures would be disassembled after the race, so organisers did not want to waste time pulling wires across the buildings to support the fire alarm system’s assorted field devices. Coupled with a tight deadline for installation and tear-down, it made sense to turn to wireless smoke detectors. “Because of the ease of installation, it was just the perfect solution to go wireless,” says Joe Quinn, service manager at Commercial Specialists of Western Colorado. “By running a wireless system, we knew it would be beneficial because all we would have to do is place our bases and do the programming.” Low Frequency For Waking Low frequency was also on the press conference agenda. Richard Conner, director of Marketing for Silent Knight, says new research indicates that a signal or tone at 520 Hz is more effective at waking building occupants, including those with mild to severe hearing loss. The expanded line of the Silent Knight IntelliKnight 5820XL-EVS emergency voice system now includes SpectrAlert® low frequency sounders and sounder bases. "SWIFT greatly expands the array of applications for wireless systems and is perfect for temporary protection and detection, even through metal construction", says Susan Adam, marketing director for NOTIFIER Conner says the International Building Code 2012 and others increasingly recognize the use of low frequency notification in certain applications, especially sleeping areas such as dormitories, hotels and motels. Current versions of Silent Knight detectors and traditional sounder bases can be upgraded simply by replacing the base with the new low frequency version. Other highlights of the press conference included the announcement that the FAAST XS Aspirating Smoke Detectors will soon be available for smaller applications up to 5,000 square feet, said Christa Poss, senior manager of product marketing, System Sensor. “The variable speed fan allows users to select the best coverage for their space,” she adds. Finally, Honeywell announced a new line of Industrial Fire and Gas Protection products featuring the HS81-HS Controller, designed for hazard monitoring and control at industrial sites such as oil and gas facilities and petrochemical processing plants. Gene Pecora, business leader, industrial fire, Honeywell Fire Safety, said the oil and gas industry and fracking are driving the construction of new facilities in the Americas and the world and demand for fire protection equipment, such as this fire and gas controller, that efficiently ties everything together with the plant safety system. “This is an area where damage, economic and structural, can be devastating,” Pecora says. The HS81-HS Controller performs flame, smoke, and gas detection and extinguishing/agent release, and seamlessly interfaces with plant safety and control systems through multiple protocols.