Consistency saves lives

Maximize safety and reduce costs with prefabricated fire-safety solutions – designed to perform when you need them most.

Undoubtedly, fire-safety systems play an essential role in protecting human health and well-being. And yet, according to the UAE Civil Defence Authority, an alarming number of sprinkler systems in residential and commercial buildings have not been commissioned correctly or are not maintained to internationally recognised standards.

Without having experienced a real fire emergency themselves, some building owners struggle to justify the cost and upkeep of these systems. However, there is a way to ensure the safety of building occupants without investing large amounts of time and money – through containerized fire pump systems.

These systems are responsible for supplying water to automatic sprinklers and standpipe systems, and play a profound role in the protection of lives and property in emergency situations. Aside from enhancing safety and reliability, prefabricated fire solutions offer a multitude of cost-saving benefits along the entire supply chain – from logistics to construction to operation.

Assembled in a factory and built into a standard 20ft or 40ft shipping container as a single finished unit, the systems are ideal for international delivery. Their modular, fully contained design makes them easily portable but also easy to maintain, lowering costs along the entire supply chain. If needed, they can even be easily removed, transported to a new location and reinstalled, ultimately providing increased flexibility to serve future requirements.

These units reduce installation time by up to 95% by eliminating the need for on-site assembly. All that’s required on site is for the pump house to be moved into position and connected to the rest of the sprinkler system. In fact, installation can be so simple as to only involve two pipes and two power connections.

Traditional ‘stick-built’ fire-pump systems, on the other hand, are typically composed of many different elements, all of which require sourcing from various suppliers and assembling on site.

It can take weeks to assemble the loose components, requiring at least three certified tradespeople with specialist tools. So, it’s easy to see how containerized fire solutions have the potential to provide substantial savings in terms of labour costs.

It should also be noted that there are a lot of complex elements that come into play in the construction of traditional sprinkler systems. For installing contractors, purchasing, handling and coordinating all the required materials to build a complete fire-pump system on-site is inefficient and includes many challenges. Often components go missing, leading to construction delays. Code requirements demand that the specified components work both individually and holistically. This is by no means an easy task – one which designers and architects are often ill-equipped to handle, lacking the technical knowledge that helps to determine the best solution for the project. The expertise of mechanical engineering consultants is therefore often called upon, working in collaboration with specialist sprinkler contractors to meet the required standard for safety, sustainability, performance and quality. These specialists are tasked with ensuring all loose components required are sized correctly and that all equipment supplied meets their specification.

To guarantee proper on-site assembly of traditional fire systems, there is the need for highly skilled labour. Unfortunately, in my experience with Armstrong Fluid Technology, this requirement is often overlooked in the Middle East region due to cost-saving efforts and a shortage of skilled labour. But for something as crucial as fire safety, quality and performance are, of course, of the highest priority, with no room for compromise. That’s why a factory-built, containerised alternative is the perfect solution. The prefabricated units are manufactured using detailed drawings that show the exact dimensions and connection locations, significantly lowering the margin of human error.

The advantages of prefabricated fire systems discussed thus far all centre around cutting costs in a safe way, without compromising on quality. This helps to maintain the same level of occupant safety, while improving the return on investment for building owners.

But in operation containerized fire-pump systems do more than simply retain levels of quality. They even go as far as improving performance and durability in comparison with alternative systems. Armstrong Fluid Technology uses smart software to enhance the operation of its products and allow for predictive maintenance to ensure performance levels remain high. Our containerized systems offer peace of mind for building owners and occupants by adhering to relevant industry standards. The latest 3D modelling tools are used to ensure design integrity prior to construction – enhancing efficiency. What’s more, our Design Envelope pump units are establishing a new era of performance management technology, providing real-time diagnostics on the system’s condition to alert when maintenance or service is required. The smart technology incorporated into the product also offers a level of transparency not seen before, through flow data, diagnostics and suction pressure analysis, among other things which can be beneficial for both owners and contractors.

Maintenance of fire equipment is just as essential as choosing the right systems to begin with. All fire equipment requires scheduled maintenance and inspection to reaffirm that it remains in fully working condition. Without this regular maintenance, failures or malfunctions may only become apparent once the systems are put to the test in an emergency situation. Active performance management software makes monitoring and updating the system much easier, as does the ability to control this from a remote location. Where manual testing, maintenance and service is required, technicians can benefit from easy access through a service door. What’s more, the fans and ventilation system fitted within the container even make for a comfortable working environment.

At Armstrong Fluid Technology, we deliver a high degree of customization through choice of components and materials. Consequently, our engineered-to-order systems can be aligned with the needs of each building. Their performance can be tailored to comply with the exact specification of the building, creating more opportunities for improved tenant safety and system optimization.

We’ve also considered every detail. Our containerized fire-pump systems are designed with easy access in mind to encourage regular servicing and performance checks, further enhancing the safety and well-being of the building’s occupants. Should issues arise, containerized solutions offer the added advantage of all system components having been manufactured and assembled by the one company. This gives building operators a single point of contact in order to solve such problems following installation.

When compared with the traditional stick-built alternatives, containerized, pre-engineered systems offer an all-in-one solution that provides cost savings without compromising on quality or putting the safety of building occupants at risk. Ultimately, their easy installation, effective functionality and compliance mean they are well positioned to transform the fire-protection industry in the Middle East and Africa.