Purchasing decisions in the public sector are understandably founded on rational processes in order to deliver best value for the public purse. Choice, performance, innovation, reliability, warranty and support are invariably key factors in the decision-making process.
Formed more than 20 years ago, British manufacturer of emergency vehicle warning systems Haztec International has built its reputation on meeting these highest decision-making criteria.
With its vast range of visual and audible warning equipment – from lightbars in a wide choice of profiles, lengths and configuration possibilities – to beacons, directional warning and work lighting and siren/PA systems, Haztec’s range evolves at a surprisingly rapid pace.
Behind this extensive range lies a commitment to continued investment in research, development, testing and certification in order to offer the optimum combination of warning power and long life.
Core to its business strategy, Haztec dedicates a significant budget to in-house and third-party testing. According to founder and CEO, Bryn Tennant: ‘Over our many years in the industry, we’ve prioritised testing and certification. It’s important for our customers to know their warning systems meet – and often exceed – all relevant industry standards and will stand up to the rigours of use over a long service life.’
The manufacturer’s in-house facilities include a range of test apparatus designed to replicate operation under the toughest of road and environmental conditions.
Facilities include a salt fog chamber to test corrosion resistance and an environmental chamber able to test equipment over a wide range of constant and varying conditions – including temperature and humidity – ensuring reliable, trouble-free operation in a variety of climates. A vibration test bed simulates the long-term effects of vehicle-mounted vibration under varying road conditions such as turbulence, inclines/declines and turning. There are a range of programmable cycles within six frequencies, with a varied cycle time for different frequencies. The test unit is designed to simulate the effect of extended use over the roughest of terrains, ensuring components are more than able to withstand the vibration encountered over many years of normal use.
With a capacity to pump up to 100 litres of water per minute at 100kPa (15psi) at 3m, the IPX5/IPX6 water ingress chamber also replicates the water ingress test requirements of UN ECE R65, the major international standard to which the manufacturer’s lighting products are also independently certified for light intensity, colour and flash frequency. In addition to third-party testing and certification for R65 product approval, in-house photometric test facilities allow the manufacturer to conduct production batch testing in order to ensure that light output and colour coordinates remain consistent and in accordance with design specifications during production. Haztec products are also submitted for independent testing to UN ECE Regulation 10 for electromagnetic compatibility.
For priority vehicles needing to travel at high speeds, the manufacturer also tests magnetic mount versions of its most popular beacons and mini-lightbars to wind speeds of up to 250km/h (155mph).
On the audible warning equipment front, all Haztec sirens and speakers are endurance tested. The test involves siren operation at full power for 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off for a continuous cycle of 200 hours without pause. At the end of the 200-hour cycle, the speaker is immediately operated (still at full power) for a further five continuous hours without on/off cycling. The test is carried out in a soundproofed, sealed chamber with restricted airflow in order to ensure that both the siren and speaker remain within acceptable thermal limits. Similarly, many Haztec sirens and speakers are homologated to meet the output and frequency requirements of numerous country-specific tones.
With its vast range and in-depth knowledge of the often unique requirements of individual customers, supported through its network of international distributors, Haztec is able to deliver a best-value solution to emergency service decision-makers around the globe.
To find out more, Haztec can be contacted on +44 (0)113 202 9115 or email sales@haztec.uk or visit them on stand S3-E50 at Intersec Dubai (16-18 January 2022).
For more information, go to www.haztec.uk
