Ultra's 24/7 Guard Against Arson

Ultra Surefire’s water mist systems have continually demonstrated their value in protecting vulnerable people such as the elderly and those with disabilities. Rapidly suppressing fire with their gentle but highly effective clouds of tiny micro-droplets, our water mist fire protection solutions provide a first line of protection for a wide range of applications, from safeguarding care home residents to protecting individuals at risk in their own properties.

Unfortunately, fire hazards are now increasingly generated as a result of criminal activity. Recent statistics claim that arson is the fastest growing crime in the UK. Every week an average of 2,100 fires are started deliberately across the UK, resulting in a weekly average of 55 injuries and two deaths. The cost per week is a staggering £40 million.

(see http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/870/community_safety/222/arson)

However, once again water mist systems are on hand with their invaluable fire suppression capabilities. Recent tests carried out at Surrey Fire & Rescue Service have proved how our UltraGuard portable water mist fire protection system can deal with arson attacks. The tests (involving cardboard sheeting soaked in four litres of petrol and ignited) showed how UltraGuard could be activated by a flame detector or smoke detector to rapidly to lower the fire temperature. Simultaneously, carbon monoxide and noxious gas levels were reduced to survivable levels and the fire suppressed within seconds.

The demonstrations were organised by Fire Investigation and Arson Reduction Manager Bryn Strudwick and attended by Mark Howells, Surrey Police Crime Reduction Advisor, who respond to concerns of the police and rescue services about known threats of petrol arson attacks being made on families in the UK. Bryn Strudwick explained that typically, arson attacks on households involve between one and five litres of petrol being poured through the letterbox and then ignited. He added that “With stairways frequently leading directly from the front door area, fire can migrate rapidly to upper levels. These tests have confirmed that the UltraGuard water mist system is a fast reacting and effective barrier for protecting those at risk.”

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UltraGuard portable water mist system has received growing interest from fire and rescue services across the UK in line with their desire to have sprinkler or misting systems installed in the homes of the elderly and vulnerable. Those lacking mobility and particularly smokers are most at risk.

Recently, BBC East Midlands TV highlighted the UltraGuard installation by the Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service after a Home Fire Safety Check at the property of an elderly lady in Long Eaton. A short while later a fire caused by a cigarette falling into a litter bin could have had disastrous consequences but for UltraGuard’s fast-acting water mist fire suppression.

Following a similar event involving UltraGuard coming to the rescue of an 86 year old smoker whose cigarette had ignited newspapers in his living room, Chief Fire Officer Martyn Emberson of Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service fully endorsed the provision and installation of the UltraGuard water mist system to help protect the most vulnerable in society. “It really is like having your own fire fighter on hand 24/7 to put out a fire,” he said.

Holding 110 litres of water, UltraGuard acts as a first response in protecting the vulnerable. The system’s gentle water mist action will extinguish fire and the system is engineered to alert the fire and rescue services. The system can be installed in the hallway or fitted remotely with the nozzle in place to cover the area requiring protection.

UltraGuard, using only a small amount of foam additive, will fully safeguard a space of up to 20 square metres and yet only uses 10% of the water required by conventional sprinklers. This minimises water damage to the property and assets as well as saving the occupants from the danger of injury or death.

The tests at Surrey Fire & Rescue also involved a bed fire with duvet and pillow that was rapidly and successfully extinguished by Ultra Surefire’s new VillaMist domestic fire protection system. There’ll be more news coming about this exciting new safeguard against fires in the home, so watch this space!

Heroes in the Battle against Fire

Ultra Fire Group is committed to being at the forefront of fire protection and has pioneered the use of water mist fire suppression technology and other innovations in the battle against fire.

Throughout history, fire has been a formidable tool for advances in industry, science and improving the quality of life, but out of control it can be lethal and destructive. In less than a week, the Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed 373 acres of the City, burning over 13,000 houses, 84 churches (including the old St Paul’s Cathedral) and 44 company halls.

The first heroes in the battle against fire were both English: the chemist Ambrose Godfrey, who established the first recorded fire extinguisher patent in England in 1723, and George Manby, who brought out the first portable fire extinguisher in 1813. Known as the “Extincteur”, Manby’s invention was a copper canister containing three gallons of potassium carbonate solution and compressed air. This operated on the principle still used by fire extinguishers today; where a fire suppressant is propelled from a container by pressurised gas.
 Manby’s “Extincteur"


The predecessor of the “Extincteur” by nearly 100 years, Ambrose Godfrey’s method was a static system and an ambitious early attempt at the sprinkler technique.  The device was left in place in a room to protect the area against fire. It had a series of fuses that could be ignited when the fire started. These would detonate an explosive charge inside a container full of liquid, which would scatter around the room, aiming to extinguish the flames (and hopefully not blow up any bystanders).

Fire Protection has become a lot more sophisticated and effective since those early days. For instance, water mist is an incredibly impressive fire suppression agent and reduces temperature at an extraordinary rate. This was shown in recent tests when a fire was activated in an 8m x 4m room set at the BRE testing facility, with three Ultra Sidewall Residential nozzles installed at locations along the length of one wall. After only 30 seconds from activating the water mist system, the temperature at head height (1.6m) had dropped by 400oC to below 50oC and in less than two minutes was down to under 20oC.

Nevertheless, it is worth remembering and celebrating the work of these early pioneers of fire protection.  Without their inventive determination, we might still be putting out fires by passing buckets of water along a human chain!

NEW WATER MIST NOZZLE AND CAP - FIRE SUPPRESSION INNOVATIONS FROM ULTRA

Ultra Fire Group is once again ahead of the field in fire protection by launching the first Sidewall water mist nozzle to be tested by the BRE under the new BS9252 residential fire protection standard. Also successfully tested was Ultra’s new 8mm diameter self-releasing thermally activated Concealed Cap with integrated heat element, designed to operate with both Sidewall and pendant water mist nozzles. 

These new products represent the leading edge in fire protection technology; exceptionally effective at suppressing flame and heat, minimising water damage and offering a solution that is virtually invisible to the observer.

The Ultra Sidewall Residential Nozzle is a low pressure water mist appliance developed as the result of an EU sponsored European partnership. Offering up to 16 square metres of area protection, it is ideal for fire suppression in care homes, hotels, historic houses (Ultra Fire Group is currently working on a heritage project of national importance), prisons and a range of residential applications. 

Water mist is an incredibly impressive at fire suppression and reduces temperature at an extraordinary rate. This was shown in an 8m x 4m room set at the BRE testing facility, with three nozzles installed at locations along the length of one wall. After only 30 seconds from activating the water mist system, the temperature at head height (1.6m) had dropped by 400oC to below 50oC and in less than two minutes was down to under 20oC. 

Sidewall nozzles are easy to install and minimise on pipework. Relatively simple configurations can be achieved by running pipes along a wall with the nozzles spaced at the recommended 4m intervals, potentially serving a number of rooms in sequence. This avoids bringing pipes through the ceiling space and installation issues related to concrete ceilings. 

Further features of the Ultra Sidewall Nozzle include:

• Water pressure 8 bar

• Water flow 35 lpm

• K factor (flow rate x √ pressure) 12.4.

• Nozzle brass with thin nickel coating, length 30mm

The Ultra Concealed Cap is thermally activated when the temperature bulb set in its casing breaks. The standard temperature to trigger release is pre-set to 57oC, but the temperature can be set to any desired level. Being screwed on to a Sidewall or pendant nozzle by hand, installation is easy and the Cap can be the last item to be installed after a room is painted, so there is no risk of painting over the nozzles. The Cap can be pained to match the colour scheme of the room.

Peter Kemp, Managing Director of Ultra Fire Group, comments: “Ultra recently launched its new Ultramist fast response low pressure LPR water mist nozzle, which was the first product to be tested at the BRE under the new draft British Standard DD8458-1:2010 for water mist appliances. Our new Sidewall nozzle and cap are exciting innovations in this continually developing technology that is so effective for fire suppression, at protecting people from injury and trauma and in minimising damage to assets.” 

Until British Standards introduced its new testing approach, water mist technology had been hampered under the technical standards regime because its difference to conventional water sprinklers. In fact, its low water usage benefit worked against it when assessed according to the sprinkler standard, which stipulates a minimum 5mm depth of water should be left on the floor surface after the appliance has been used in a fire suppression incident. 

Now this barrier is being removed, water mist is able to demonstrate its value on equal terms with other fire protection systems.

Royal opening for Stirling Palace

The spectacular £12m refurbished royal palace at Stirling Castle was officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen on the 6th of July 2011.

First Minister Alex Salmond joined Her Majesty and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh to meet some of the many craftspeople who created the intricate carvings, tapestries and paintings that bring the royal apartments to life as Scotland’s most recently opened heritage attraction.

First Minister Alex Salmond said:

“The re-creation of the Royal Palace at Stirling as it would have looked during the reign of the Stewart Dynasty is testament to the magnificent craftsmanship and dedication of a superb conservation team from both Scotland and France.
The three-year refurbishment by Historic Scotland will bring real benefits to the tourist economy both for Stirling and Scotland as a whole and begins a new chapter in the history of one of our country’s best-loved attractions.”

Stirling Castle

The Ultra Fire Group, working as part of a pan European team, have installed a state-of-the-art fire suppression system utilizing the existing fabric of the building to run pipes through ancient culverts and defensive architectural structures.

The fire suppression system protects the gallery housing the 34 surviving Stirling Heads, the 16th century carved wooden roundels that would have adorned the ceiling of the King’s Inner Hall.

Not only has there been no intrusion into the fabric of the historic building, but in the event of a fire, the low-pressure water mist system would use less than 1/3 of the normal amount of water used by traditional sprinklers.

The huge benefit of this to Heritage Scotland and any other heritage location is that not only is any fire-risk well covered, but in the event of activation, the structure, fabric and the artifacts within the castle would be susceptible to a greatly reduced risk of water and smoke damage.

Nick Ketteridge, the Technical Director of Ultra Fire Group, said “The installation here at Stirling has certainly been a challenge, but by working closely with both the architects and heritage Scotland, the results have been outstanding, and admired by many. We are proud to have been involved in a project of such historical significance ”

For further details of this unique installation and advice on how Ultra Fire Group sympathetically brings technology and heritage together, visit the Ultra Fire Group website.

ONE STOP FOR ALL IN FIRE PROTECTION

When Ultra recently acquired Surefire Systems and Surefire Services we brought together an exceptional range of technical skills and services to offer customers. The two parts of the new organisation complement each other very well, each operating as separate brands and each contributing their strong reputation in fire protection and their high level of technical engineering experience to the partnership.

The newest development is the launch of Surefire’s Sprinkler Department, which is an exciting addition to our portfolio of maintenance services. It means that we can provide customers with servicing for all their fire protection equipment in just one visit. This makes for more competitive, straightforward quotations while saving time and hassle for their businesses.

Fire maintenance packages can include:
• Fire Alarm Systems – conventional, addressable, wireless etc.
• Emergency Lighting
• Fire Suppression Systems – FM200, Pro-inert, Ansul etc
• Water Mist Systems
• Specialist Detection – air sampling, water detection etc
• Sprinkler Systems
• Fire Extinguishers and Hose Reels
• Dry Risers

We have 30 years of accumulated knowledge across every area of fire protection and can provide competitive quotes on installations and upgrades. A call to us on 0845 601 4110 could be a very good move.

Ultra Gear up for FIREX 2011

As FIREX 2011 rapidly approaches, the Ultra Fire Group are putting the finishing touches to their presence at the exhibition.

A display showcasing the UltraGuard mobile and automatic water mist suppression unit and a number of experts will be available to talk to on stand J40 for the duration of the exhibition, and Nick Ketteridge, the UFG Technical Director, will be giving a talk on the advantages of this fire suppression technology on the BRE stand on the 18th of May at 2pm.

Ultra have a presence on the European Standard CEN/TC191 working group with Nick Ketteridge advising on specific protocols for application scenarios. This level of in-depth expertise is typical of the Ultra Fire Group, who have been built on the premise that being at the leading edge of technology and having a back ground of engineering excellence is the best way to offer ground-breaking suppression solutions to industry.

Come along to stand J40 and see what we have to offer in terms of expertise, equipment, application and installation advice and a whole host of other information.

Good News for Housing Association Fire Protection

A joint venture between Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue, Stevenage Borough Council and the Ultra Fire Group will be demonstrating and explaining the benefits of Watermist to an audience of Housing Associations.


Nick Ketteridge, the Technical Director of the Ultra Fire Group, will be explaining the concept of water mist and how it works in combating fires at source. There will be a live demonstration of Ultra's 'FireGuard' portable water mist system - designed to protect vulnerable people and areas. The UltraGuard is portable, quickly installed and can be programmed to send warning messages to management, residents and the Fire & Rescue Services via SMS, telephone or local area networks.


The demonstration will cover all aspects of UltraGuard, including the integral control panel and the fail-safe power supply system that consists of a mains trickle charge and a 7 day back-up battery in the event of power failure. 


Water mist uses 20% of the water required by a conventional sprinkler system and as such lends itself to be used in flexible, portable units for specific fire risk control. Tested at BRE Watford in front of many Fire Brigades recently, the unit is a unique answer to a problem faced by many Housing Associations and multiple-occupation residences, as well as being a solution to other venues in search of temporary fire suppression systems.


UltraGuard can be ready for use in short time and requires nothing but a power supply. For further details on this and a wide range of other products, visit the Ultra Fire Group website at www.ultrafiregroup.co.uk or call 0845 6008330 for expert advice.

UltraGuard installed by Staffordshire Fire & Rescue

Staffordshire Fire & Rescue have become one of the first brigades to install an Ultra Fire Group 'UltraGuard' unit into a domestic residence. The installation is to protect a vulnerable person in their own home and UltraGuard was considered the best option for personal protection in this instance.


The unit is self-sufficient, always ready and portable - ideal for temporary or permanent fire protection where the cost of a sprinkler system is prohibitive. The units can be installed in a very short time and removed equally quickly with no in-depth technical knowledge required. The integrated fire alarm control panel can be programmed to send warning messages to management, residents and the Fire & Rescue Services via SMS, telephone or local area networks.  

UltraGuard rapidly reduces temperatures and isolates the source of the fire while maintaining levels of carbon monoxide and lethal gas at survivable levels. The system is a vital fire protection component, ensuring that the fire remains under control until the emergency services arrive on the scene.


For further information on the system, please contact the Ultra Fire Group on 0845 6008330, or visit: http://www.ultrafiregroup.co.uk/FireSuppressionRange/WaterMist/UltraGuard.aspx

Ultra Fire Group on European Standards Working Group

Nick Ketteridge, Technical Director of the Ultra Fire Group, has joined the European Standard CEN/TC191 working group as a UK expert in design, installation and testing of fire suppression systems (water mist).

This is a highly significant appointment for Nick and for the Ultra Fire Group - underlining our position at the top table of fire suppression technology and leadership. We congratulate Nick on his achievement and look forward to assisting the Working Group on their work into formulating new standards in fire suppression design and installation.

The working group are currently working on the development of workable protocols for a number of specific applications including office scenarios, transformer protection and car park safety. Water mist systems designed by Ultra Fire Group are robustly tested and can be installed in a huge variety of applications across domestic, industrial and business premises to offer the highest standards in fire protection.

Our website has numerous videos of water mist systems in action under test conditions as well as a wealth of technical and application information and contact details to speak to the industry leaders at the forefront of water mist fire suppression system design.

Surefire Services Grow in Data & Banking

Surefire Systems and Services, recently taken over by the Ultra Fire Group, have continued to grow in the Data and Banking sectors, offering fire protection and suppression systems for data halls and computer rooms across these two crucial sectors.

The upward growth curve of Surefire has increased since the Ultra Fire Group added its leading edge technological knowledge to the experience of Surefire and with the addition of Andy Guilder to the Technical Sales role the future of Surefire is in excellent hands.

Andy Guilder is vastly experienced in both gas suppression and fire detection systems within the banking and Data Centre sectors. His role with Surefire incorporates the Prestigious Projects arm of Surefire Systems and Services but he is also available for advice on all technical issues to do with fire control management.

Boat Race to feature water mist protection

This year's Boat Race is to feature spectator protection from the Ultra Fire Group's portable UltraGuard unit. The innovative UltraGuard unit will be delivered and positioned on site for the weekend, providing temporary fire suppression for vulnerable spectators in the crowds expected along the route of the 157th University Boat Race to be held on the 26th of March 2011, starting at 17:00 from Putney.

Features Of UltraGuard include:
Uses only 10% of water required by conventional sprinkler systems
230 volt trickle charge, with 7 day battery stand-by power to pump
Gentle water mist action minimises water damage and reduces traumatic impact on people in the vicinity
Creates a survivable atmosphere for human life as tested at BRE England
Provides a viable lower cost solution to a permanent sprinkler system
Available to purchase lease or rent from Ultra Fire Group

Formula One test water mist equipment

A water mist trolley unit and back pack were successfully tested at Silverstone Race Track under extreme conditions recently, paving the way for further negotiations with the FIA to supply water mist fire suppression equipment to the world's Formula One race tracks.

A combination of a highly sophisticated nozzle and comprehensive propulsion system makes the trolley unit an ideal solution when handling medium size fires. Fast, mobile and transportable it is an ideal solution for quick response scenarios over a large Fire Safety footprint.

Features include:
50 Litre Cylinder
5, 10 or 15 metre hose lengths available
60 degree spray mode
Optional nozzles for jet and spray discharge 

Water Mist Test Day at BRE

The Ultra Fire Group water mist test day at the Building Research Establishment in Watford in February was a great success. Demonstrations of the water mist system were watched by an informed group of Fire professionals from Brigades across the country and government departments with over 80 people attending.

The Ultra Fire Group is the leading developer of water mist technology in the UK and beyond; testing, installing and designing systems for many different installations. Projects range from large-scale Heritage sites to domestic applications, through a huge variety of commercial and industrial settings where unique systems are built for specific sites.

More information is available at www.ultrafiregroup.co.uk or by calling 0845 6008330

BRITISH STANDARD FOR WATERMIST

BRITISH STANDARD FOR WATERMIST

A new draft British standard (DD 8458) for watermist fire protection systems has just been published, nearing completion, covering industrial/commercial and domestic/residential applications.

The new document for fire protection in domestic and residential premises has now been completed by the technical committee with very few issues needing to be addressed and only one of these being of a technical nature.  It has now has been submitted to the committee chairman for the final sign-off before publication.

The document has been written as a complement to the current BS9251 standard covering the use of sprinklers. The main factor that prevented misting systems from being compliant with BS9251 has been the standard’s restrictions on nozzle spacing and minimum flow rates of water.

These regulations are currently based on long-standing tried and tested historical data, which cannot be applied to water mist systems for two reasons:

• Similar historical data does not exist for misting systems
• All manufacturers of water mist systems have flow rates and pressures that are unique to them

Based on this it was felt that to produce a robust document, test protocols should be included to prove the effectiveness of a system before it could claim compliance. These criteria have now been added as an annex to the main document.

Ultra SS Fire Group Ltd aims to be the first company in the UK to carry out full scale testing to comply with these protocols.

Watch this space.......

Ultra Guard Wales Fire & Rescue

To watch the Ultra Guard water mist system in action is a fantastic experience, especially if you haven’t seen it before. As well as being an incredibly fast and effective method of fire suppression, it is also extraordinary how little water damage is left behind once the fire is extinguished. It certainly impressed the Wales Fire & Rescue service when we organised a demonstration at their fire house in Dolgellau, so much so that they have now decided to purchase these units.

Working closely with their Community Team Safety Manager Paul Scott, we set up a very realistic fire scenario, constructing a 4 metres square room containing a crib. Immediately this was set alight, the system sprung into operation.

• Within 25 seconds the smoke detector linked to Ultra Guard had detected the smoke from the crib and set up a 10-minute discharge of water mist.
• While the system was discharging, we turned Ultra Guard off at the mains to show how the system could operate just as effectively under its 7-day emergency battery power supply.
• Within seconds, the flames were out.
• While extinguishing the flames, the mist had also dampened the air within the room, preventing the fire spreading to other combustible materials.
• Additionally, the mist demonstrated its invaluable property of cleansing the air. Normally, any occupants in the vicinity of the fire would have to crawl out beneath the smoke level, but with Ultra Guard they can evacuate normally and without breathing difficulties. This is a tremendous safety asset.
•  After the 10 minute discharge was over, there were only a few smouldering embers left, which were extinguished a few minutes later by the moisture left in the air.

Live demonstrations are always invaluable for showing a system in operation. No matter how many facts and statistics you present, there is nothing to beat seeing a water mist system cope with a real fire hazard.

As well as safeguarding life and preventing the spread of fire, water mist minimises the very serious problem of water damage. Ultra Guard only discharges 11 litres of water per minute as compared with 100 litres per minute emitted by a conventional water sprinkler. The figures speak for themselves.

The 10 minutes of effective fire fighting conducted by Ultra Guard gives Fire & Rescue personnel time to arrive at an incident. As any professional fire fighter knows, time is of the essence and can make all the difference in preventing serious loss or personal injury.

Stirling Castle installation

Stirling Castle is well worth a visit. Dating back to the 12th Century, it stands high on a volcanic rock close to the site of the Battle of Bannockburn, where Robert the Bruce defeated the English army in 1314. Within the compound is James V’s Royal Palace, acknowledged as the finest Renaissance building in Scotland.

Historic Scotland is today’s guardian of the building and its many priceless historic treasures and today’s enemy is not armoured English knights but fire. However, fire protection in historic buildings can be a challenge, because water sprinklers can cause major water damage problems, especially with artefacts such as tapestries and paintings.

Fortunately, the gentler action of water mist fire protection is providing a solution, because the fire is smothered by wetting surfaces rather than soaking them. The minute droplets of water mist also bind with smoke particles, washing them down to floor level to drastically reduce smoke damage, one of the great secondary hazards of fire.

Historic Scotland saw this new technology as the solution for Stirling and selected Ultra SS, which has installed water mist systems in a number of historic buildings, including Blenheim Palace, to design and install the water mist system. We rose to the challenge and, in fact, the fire protection system we created for Stirling is unique, being a Low Pressure water mist system that displays High Pressure characteristics. This was what the project demanded and, Low Pressure systems being less expensive, kept us well within budget.

The opportunity to create this highly effective hybrid system came about because of the particular demands of the Stirling Project. The water for the fire suppression had to travel up a riser pipe to the top of the building to avoid damage to the fabric of the building by penetrating the walls.  This in turn created the opportunity for a remarkable configuration exclusive to Stirling.

The water coming out of the riser pipe is split so as to travel through loops of smaller pipes between 15mm and 20mm in diameter. So while this is basically a low pressure system, it offers high pressure characteristics.

For a historic building like Stirling the system is ideal. To cover a room 15m by 9m, a conventional water sprinkler would require 12 nozzles, whereas a water mist system can spray up to 25 square metres via a single discreet nozzle. Sprinklers will use 5 litres of water per square metre per minute, while water mist can provide the same level of fire suppression with just 1.6 litres per minute.

At no point has the installation compromised the aesthetic and historic character of the Castle, which made the project challenging and absorbing for us and our partners in Historic Scotland’s Stirling Project:

• Morris & Spottiswood (main contractors)
• Arthur MacKay (electrical contractors)
• Stewart Kidd, consultant (Loss Prevention Consultancy).

Incidentally, Stewart is currently producing a fascinating case history about the Project for future publication.