In short - preventive fire protection is of central importance at the Craftsmen Innovation Centre Monschau (HIMO). The HIMO office and administration building is protected by a FlexES control system with eight ring circuits and almost 700 IQ8Quad detectors. False-alarm-proof O²T detectors with integrated voice alarm support a targeted evacuation in the event of fire by means of multilingual announcements. Furthermore, 71 manual call points and six laser smoke aspiration systems provide additional protection.
A trade in hand finds gold in every land! This well-known proverb, whose first documentary mention dates back to the 12th century, is unfortunately no longer fully valid today. Many of the old professions have changed fundamentally as a result of modern production methods. New professions must gain a foothold. Basically, the fact that young entrepreneurs often have to take care of additional logistical requirements when founding a company makes things more difficult. The aspect of safety technology also plays a not insignificant Roll. A fire could destroy all efforts.
Significant economic factor in the region
Within the framework of economic development, the city of Monschau in the Eifel (Germany) supports the following with a well thought-out concept Young entrepreneurs with pioneering spirit. In the Craftsmen Innovation Centre Monschau (HIMO for short), they have the opportunity to rent factory and warehouse buildings as well as offices and seminar rooms in an architecturally appealing ambience. As one of 13 existing institutions of this kind in the Aachen region, HIMO supports entrepreneurs with regular public seminars and events, inviting premises and dense infrastructure. The HIMO - El Dorado for company founders in the trade ideal start for young companies with a future and a basic requirement for every entrepreneur or service provider who is looking for the optimal location for setting up a business or relocating. And it must be affordable. Especially in the first years of a company's foundation, low fixed costs are crucial for its success. There are 19 production halls on a floor space of 7,000 sqm, 19 offices, external storage areas and rental units between 30 and 340 sqm ready for occupancy (seminar and training rooms for 50 persons, modern presentation technology, truck access and parking spaces, solar, photovoltaic and solar energy systems), wind power and rainwater utilization plant). With the active support for business start-ups and existing companies through the city of Monschau, the HIMO together with partners; these include the Aachen Chamber of Crafts, the business development agency of StädteRegion Aachen, the district craftsmen's association and further partners in Belgium.
HIMO Managing Director and Mayor of the City of Monschau, Margareta Ritter, and HIMO Centre Manager Silke Marczincik agree on the assessment: "The well thought out concept will ensure more company start-ups in the region and create jobs. It is to be hoped that the HIMO concept will set a precedent and thus act as an economic engine in the region".
Competence and experience
A fire in this facility would probably mean the end for the companies located there. In this respect, preventive fire protection is of central importance. When implementing an appropriate fire protection concept, competence and experience have been relied upon - both in the choice of products and in determining which company will install the technology. The company TFA, based in Kreuzau (Germany), used the latest central technology of the traditional brand ESSER. The innovative System FlexES is used by specially certified ESSER partner companies, which form a nationwide network. These partners include also the company TFA - for more than 40 years competent Service company in the field of low current technology. Continuous training of the employees guarantees the customers optimal service. TFA installed in the office and administration building a FlexES control with eight loops and almost 700 IQ8Quad detectors. The type O²T alone, which guarantees optimal false alarm security, more than 500 times installed, some with integrated voice alarm, to support any evacuation efforts. Especially against the background of the location in the border triangle a multilingual announcement can have life-saving benefits. 71 manual call points and six laser smoke aspiration systems provide additional protection.
FlexES - the innovative fire detection system
Thanks to a modular hardware and software platform, FlexES control adapts to changing conditions at any time and allows almost unlimited system expansion. The performance can be extended as required by additional hardware modules or software upgrades.
Up to 18 loops can be implemented in this way with a single control centre. This well-known proverb, whose first documentary mention dates back to the 12th century, is unfortunately no longer fully valid today. Many of the old professions have changed fundamentally as a result of modern production methods. New professions must gain a foothold. Basically, the fact that young entrepreneurs often have to take care of additional logistical requirements when founding a company makes things more difficult. The aspect of safety technology also plays a not insignificant roll. A fire could destroy all efforts.
Advantages for installers, planners and operators
The new system creates a platform that enables planners and operators as well as specialist installers to benefit from the system. The system flexibility enables planners to react quickly to customer requirements and simplifies planning in the event of changes in use. In this way, a tailor-made system can be implemented that is precisely tailored to the respective application. Finally, for the operator, FlexES offers long-term investment protection due to its modern hardware and software architecture and cost transparency. Furthermore, the certified FlexES partners guarantee consistently high professional competence and Quality of service.
Due to the small number of modules, which nevertheless cover the entire range of possible functionalities, the service technician is thus always in the best position to equipped, since it is the few modules that are needed to provide the full range of functions, always available in service vehicle. The case that he arrives before If the customer discovers that he has the wrong component in his suitcase, this is a thing of the past. Due to the small number of modules storage costs are also reduced and the Maintenance is accelerated.
Jürgen Clemens (Sales Manager TFA) and Dietmar Claßen (project manager fire alarm technology TFA) supervised the smooth work in the object up to the successful acceptance by the fire brigade and are already looking forward to the next project.
The article was published in the ESSER Newsletter Life & Safety issue 2/2010.