Sunday, May 18, 2014

ProCab Multipoint Multi-Criteria Fire Detector



Combined use of multi-point detectors - gas and heat ones - that can significantly improve the timing and positioning accuracy is one of the most promising solutions for early warning fire detectors. In fact, at the stage of decay, carbon monoxide is released at a high rate; at the stage of rapid ignition and combustion - an instant rise in temperature occurs – thus, combination of heat and gas sensors is the optimal solution. Variety of sensors to detect different criteria of fire - multisensory -  greatly increases the likelihood of early detection of fire at different rates of its emergence and development. Therefore, our partner company - ETRA SPETSAVTOMATIKA LLC from Novosibirsk, as the result of close partnership with the best scientific minds from Novosibirsk Academgorodok - created a multi-sensory (combined) multipoint fire detector based on ProCab processing cable. With unparalleled rejection to nuisance-alarm sources (dust, steam, aerosols and other deceptive phenomena) ProCab provides enhanced detection to a wide range of products of combustion.




ProCab Multipoint Multi-Criteria Fire Detector incorporates heat and gas sensors that are combined into a single modular processor cable. It is designed to detect a local increase in temperature or growth rate of the ambient temperature and/or the appearance of products of thermal decomposition - than to transfer fire alarm signal to fire loop. Thus, ProCab is meeting the requirements of Very Early Warning Fire Detector (VEWFD).


ProCab fire detector consists of a cable with the length of up to 2,400 meters, comprising digital sensors, installed at regular intervals - the sensor element that is connected to the processing unit. The sensor element is segmented into separate areas - Cable Tails (24 m long) and into Extension Cables (up to 150 m). The Cable Tail hosts built-in sensors, while Extension Cable is designed for data transmission to the subsequent Cable Tails. Series connection of these segments, as a whole, creates a definite sensor - ProCable - whose length varies freely depending on the field applications of fire detection.


Processor Cable (ProCable) - is a distributed multi-point measurement system of parameters - based on these – Processor of the Cable Tail independently decides on triggering of event (fire).

We provide three types of ProCable:

• "ProCab" IP101 -1- R -MT fire alarm heat multipoint cable (ProCable-HEAT) .

"ProCab" IP435 6 -MT fire alarm gas detector multi-point cable (ProCable-GAS) .

"ProCab" IP101/435-2-R-MT fire alarm multipoint combined cable (ProCable-COMBINED) .

ProCable provides detection for the following response characteristics:

HEAT classes: A1, A2, A3, B, A1R, A2R, A3R, BR, R

CARBON MONOXIDE in concentrations ranging from 15 to 80 ppm. 

Intelligent Node Controller (INC) - an integral part of the Cable Tail that has the following functions:

  • Collecting data from sensors of the Cable Tail
  • Making a decision on the event (fire or failure), based on: signal threshold, rate of increase in temperature, or on combination of measured parameters
  • Transmission of the event’s occurrence and of its location (traced up to specific sensor) to Intelligent Terminal Controller
  • Broadcasting of the data to the next Cable Tail and to Intelligent Terminal Relay Control Unit
  • Nuisance-alarm protection
  • Provision of power supply to sensors.

Intelligent Node Controllers combine all Cable Tails into an information network of series-type connection

As opposed to the usual arrangement, Intelligent Node Controllers are processing data of the group of sensors placed in specific Cable Tail, not of a stand-alone one. This allows for:

  • Accurate determination of the spatial distribution of controlled parameters
  • Significant reduction of the volume of transmitted information to Intelligent Terminal Controller - as a consequence: provide for increase of the number of sensors and of multipoint detector length.

Intelligent Terminal Relay Control Unit (ITRCU) provides power supply for the ProCable, as well as management of Intelligent Node Controllers. ITRCU major function is to generate information as result of ProCable operations – it is done through 20 contact relay groups and USB output.


Technically, ProCab is a set of multi-point fire detectors  that are unified by a single data line with ITRCU. The triggering decision is made based on identification of the fire parameters by any of heat or gas sensor.


ProCab technical solution has two major advantages:

 1. Improved location accuracy of fire. Cable Tail’s Intelligent Node Controller triggers a response from a relatively small group of sensors: thus, the spatial distribution of the measured parameters is significantly higher than that of a one-point detector.

2 . Significant increase in the protected area with one device. Intelligent Node Controller triggers a response from the group of sensors, subsequently, only this limited data is transmitted to ITRCU this allows for increase of number of sensors and of ProCab length.




ProCab  detector can simultaneously utilize gas and heat sensors for enhanced fire detection

(multi-criteria), as well as provide independent outputs for gas and heat detection. Any combination of the sensors is possible. ProCab is extremely versatile and has the following advantages and specifics:

  • The modular design allows for field-selectable application profiles - depending on the type of expected fire, its parameters, on the operating conditions, on allocated cost
  • High level of nuisance-alarm avoidance: the Node Controller for each of the sensor section transmits signal to common network only after filtering and update
  • High quality and greater reliability of operation: transmission of information from sensors to controllers is carried out within the Cable Tail (24 meters long); at such a short distance there is no noticeable loss and distortion of digital data: that allows using sensors with 1-wire industry standard protocol
  • Competitive cost-effective, viable solution that saves product, installation and maintenance costs
  • Advantages of modular design (with 24 m long sections):                    
                   - Adapting each sector of the sensing element to configuration of a specific site
                   - Quick and efficient repair work in the event of damage
                   - Provision of electrical protection of sensors against surge and noise, as well as 
                    their power feed



The issues of applications of liner heat and multipoint fire detectors are widely discussed in professional media. They are used in tunnels, cable tunnels and ducts, at the warehouses and production shops of different kinds. ProCab solution combines enhanced fire detection capabilities with relatively low cost, ease of installation and scalability required for different field applications. Therefore, this robust, reliable device is quite suitable for the most challenging applications, opens a new area of deployment- where its characteristics are in demand: concert halls, cinemas, healthcare installations, schools and kindergartens.




Monday, April 14, 2014

ERVIST at MIPS 2014



Today the MIPS 2014 show was opened in Moscow. This is by far the biggest and the most popular event in Russian security industry; according to official data, there are over 500 participants from 23 countries – 30% are foreign. I will write a few notes about it – the first day was not too crowded – probably due to the fact that this is Monday.
 While the audience was waiting for the official opening, the jazz band performed and we had a chance to listen to classic tunes and watch the waiters preparing champagne flutes for VIP visitors.


Just opposite the official  podium one of the companies installed games that were delightedly attended to by young patrons.
 These enigmatic creatures were also attracting attention - probably after such performance the sales would jump???
The opening ceremony was not very impressive and not too long
ERVIST has a very good attention-grabbing position in Hall B:
As it was already expected, ERVIST presented a number of products that we have showcased before: Yauza Line of Products and ELAN Liner Heat Fire Detector.
However, this time we have a brand new product:



ProCab Series Multipoint Heat Detector – the new Russian development that is characterized by very fast detection speed, simple planning and installation. This was designed and is being produced by our partner company - ETRA SPETSAVTOMATIKA LLC from Novosibirsk. In fact, our major product - ELAN is also ETRA's development. Dr. Eugine Saydulin, Director, explained to me that ProCab is the result of close partnership of his company with the best scientific minds from Novosibirsk Akademgorodok. This is a really hot item, since it has been just certified by relevant Russian authorities - it is not yet listed on the ETRA’s Web-site.

ProCab multipoint detector product line opens new horizons in the Russian fire detection and alarm technology. Using advanced Russian expertise and sophisticated electronic technology, this device delivers reliable gas and/or heat detection – that significantly reduces the risk of nuisance fire alarms.
ProCab utilizes flexible multipoint sensor cable with the total length up to 2,400 m; digital sensors are imbedded at regular intervals – they are in fact addressable point detectors. There are freely adjustable detection properties for each sensor: either gas mode, heat mode or combined mode.
ProCab can be used both in hazardous environment and in the clean ones – malls, offices and server rooms.
Here Dr. Saydulin explains the operations:
 We do hope that this new ProCab series detectors can be widely used not only in Russia, but outside the country, since the cost of them is extremely competitive, and installation, operations and maintenance are simple.
In the next post I will write about some other new products of our partners that are on display at MIPS.