Making Scaffolding Safer Than Ever
In 2019, the British Government issued a new fire safety standard: BS 8629. The guidance is a “code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of evacuation alert systems for use by fire and rescue services in buildings containing flats”.
Due to the new code, many high-rise buildings and flats have to get unsafe cladding removed. To do so workers must cover buildings with scaffolding. This precarious situation may put workers and residents at risk if a fire were to break out. In order to counter this risk, Ramtech and Thermocable, sister-companies under Halma, have developed a revolutionary new heat-detection cable.
Fire Detection System for scaffolding
Our Linear Heat Detection System for Scaffolding addresses these inherent risks, ensuring the safety of both workers and residents during facade replacement projects. Leveraging Thermocable linear heat detection technology combined with Ramtech’s WES3 and REACT technology, our system offers unparalleled fire detection capabilities, ensuring early identification and prompt response to potential fire incidents.
Harry Buck, commercial manager at Thermocable, said: «In open-air environments, typical fire detectors can be prone to false activations. This technology allows site managers to react more quickly and confidently to any activation. Integrating our skills with Ramtech’s experience, both in fire and water detection systems, has created a reliable solution to the cladding remediation operations taking place across the country. We’re already seeing such significant demand in the industry and look forward to protecting more sites».
New problems require new solutions
The landscape of cities across the UK, and most of the world, is quickly changing. High-rise buildings are becoming increasingly popular, since they are able to house a large number of people on a limited plot of land. However, as mankind has always attempted to bend nature to solve its problems, nature tends to bite back, requiring innovative methods to safely keep innovating.
The human spirit has always dared to innovate, whether it’s in the medical field, engineering or even architecture. When we set our mind to something we’ll find a way, and when there are problems we don’t give up but rather look for creative solutions.
As humanity continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, finding ways to keep these innovations safe and viable is paramount. Just like the Japanese art of Kitsugi, we must mend our cracks with gold. This Linear Heat Detection System designed for scaffolding is providing a safer environment in which workers can push the limits of innovation.