Frequently Asked Questions

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Combined ultraviolet infrared UV / IR
UV / IR flame detectors are widely used in industry for their high levels of false alarm immunity. This is because the combined technologies have almost no false alarms sources in common. The IR UV detectors detect flames, feeding an alarm back to the fire control box. An added advantage of the camera detectors is the clear range of view, which is up to 30 meters. However, in this application, the camera's view will be set at no more than 20 meters.

Each system will run independently from another system. Every two floors will have an independent system. There will be an IKU fire control box positioned every two floors, to control that area only. Once the alarm is triggered or activated, then a signal will be sent to the main building maintenance control box to alert authorities of the fire.

The system will need to be installed separately to the internal sprinkler system. The idea of this is to concentrate the flow of water to the area where a fire has been detected. For instance, if a fire starts inside the building in a room then the internal sprinkler system would start automatically. If the IKU system started at the same time, there could possibly be a drop in water pressure depending on how many systems were running. If the fire in the room was out of control and burst the windows, then the IKU system would pick up the heat / flames and the system would start to stop the spread of fire to other floors.

The system could be wireless or WIFI based, and can be developed as part of an instal if required.

For internal works, it is envisaged that no more than a matter of days will be spent on installation. Pipe work and electrics only need to be installed, which is very light work with two-inch pipes hung from the ceiling. The only place that the pipes go through the facade is in the location of the cladding, so no glass units need removal / replacement. Outside on the building, access will be by existing building maintenance unit or specialist cradles, where no disruption will be seen by residents.

No, the internal installations are small-bore pipework and electrical works. Only pipework needs to be done in corridors for a day or so on each floor, so it won’t stop the normal operations of the building. The installation on the outside of the building will be installed from the building maintenance unit or from cradles. Both are positioned from the roof, therefore no scaffolding will be required.

Maintenance of the system should be carried out every six months to ensure the system is fully functional for its purpose. Access is required to the valves and fittings to ensure that there is no leakage and a pressure test of all individual systems should be done. Limited access will be required to the internal workings of the system on the facade of the building. Each UV IR detector needs to be checked. A laser is to be pointed into the camera lens to ensure that the relay back to the fire control box is operational. If, for any reason, the system needs to be removed, then this is easily carried out and can be done in half the time of installation. All parts of the system are reusable for other projects.

There is no water stored at the exterior of the building. The pipes are dry until such times as the system is activated.   

Water is held inside the building under pressure at the building temperature. The automatic valves inside the building will operate under instruction from the detection system and allow room temperature water and additive to flow to the water bar and onto the facade.

Prototype testing was carried out in Scotland in 2017 on a two floor rig. Weather conditions were extremely windy with rain / snow throughout the two weeks of testing, which provided vital information for the final system configaration.

Warranties on the system will be provided for 20 years. The minimum conditions for the warranties are that regular maintenance must be carried out on the system.

Water feed for any tower will be one of two cases. The first is that water storage tanks are already in place on maintenance floors and rooms existing within the building, the second is that there are pumps positioned at certain maintenance floors to ensure the pressures are maintained throughout the building. Either of the aforementioned scenarios are enough for the pressures required for the IKU fire suppression system.

IKU have a consultant who has been with us from the first conception of the fire suppression system, Robert Bain. Robert Bain is the owner and CEO of Xeluxe. He was the Deputy Fire Chief of Scotland and is well versed with UK regulations.

http://www.xeluxefiresafety.com/

No, each building is different, so a standard cost cannot be applicable, as there are too many variables.

The system needs to be monitored and maintained every six months. It is the same as an internal sprinkler system for fire and life safety. The system is checked both internally and externally.

No, the pipes are housed within a low profile extrusion that will be painted the same colour as the building cladding.

The fire detection system would pick up the temperature change immediately on the outside of the panels and the system would start dispersing water and encapsulator over the panels cooling the panels on the front considerably, therefore, removing the heat and removing one of the elements needed for a fire to continue.

There are two systems that IKU has combined to make the fire suppression system. Firstly, the water system, the water mix delivery system has been tried and tested and is in operation in several buildings in the Middle East and four in Europe as part of a different façade solution produced by IKU. The fire detection system UV IR cameras are in installations at oil and gas sites throughout the world.

NFPA (National Fire Prevention Association) publishes more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimise the possibility and effects of fire and other risks. NFPA codes and standards, administered by more than 250 Technical Committees comprising approximately 8,000 volunteers, are adopted and used throughout the world. The Codes and Standards are recognised by UK's Health and Safety Executive.  

IKU Technologies is a system supplier and will only provide the materials for the system to be used at the project site. A subcontractor from our approved lists will carry out the installation. Once the system is installed, then IKU Technologies will ensure the system has been installed to our standards and is in good operable condition. Final sign off will be by a qualified fire engineering consultants.