“The only thing constant is change.” We have all heard this phrase, and it is increasingly true in the construction industry. In a world where technology, building materials, and preconstruction workflows are constantly evolving, here are some key drivers impacting the fire and life safety industry.
- BIM Technology is driving preconstruction
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is not a new concept within the industry, but Revit and BIM enabling technologies are beginning to make a larger impact in the fire and life safety sector. Electrical engineers are adopting 3D modeling software, and industry leading manufacturers like NOTIFIER are providing software content to enable stronger and more efficient preconstruction workflows. These models can then be used throughout the life of a facility for maintenance and upkeep, showcasing where each panel or device is located within a building, allowing for efficient test and inspect.
- Mobile Connectivity is paramount
In today’s digital age an office can exist almost anywhere. Whether on a jobsite, in an office environment or in an airport we expect to have visibility of our facilities from any location. Why should the fire and life safety system be any different? Systems, like the NOTIFIER’s System Manager platform allow facility managers, owners, and even AHJs the ability to see system activity, view inspection reports, and manage maintenance schedules from a computer or mobile device. Whether on site, or across the country, you can see the activity in your facility, and ensure that on site staff are properly monitoring and maintaining the fire and life safety system.
- Modern aesthetics matter
When you walk into a lobby of any facility you’re likely to see a display of the fire and life safety system. This view screen allows first responders to properly assess a fire and life safety event the moment they enter a building, and quickly determine a response plan. This viewer is a fixed piece of equipment and many building owners want this panel to match the modern aesthetics of their building. Contemporary displays, like the NOTIFIER Network Control Display (NCD) provide an intuitive touch screen display, with a customizable wallpaper to match the look and feel of any facility.
The modern aesthetics of these displays are not just for show. Having an easy to use touch screen, or a floor plan of a facility at your fingertips, with the FirstVision display, provides first responders with a system that enables a faster and more efficient response in an emergency event. They can pinpoint exactly where an event is occurring, and quickly communicate a plan to building occupants, owners and other first responders.
- Flexibility is required
If you visit any city or college campus around the country you are bound to see renovation and expansion. Companies are growing, facilities are expanding, and the fire and life safety systems within these buildings must grow and expand with them. This is driving manufacturers to create systems that are designed for growth. Companies like NOTIFIER have been doing this for years, manufacturing backwards compatible fire and life safety systems that integrate with existing NOTIFIER installations. This provides building owners with the peace of mind that they won’t have to replace their entire system when they grow their facility or expand their campus.
