The safety of one in four businesses in jeopardy
April 2015
IT in Manufacturing
According to research from Hochiki Europe, a leading fire safety solutions manufacturer, one quarter (25%) of businesses are risking employee safety due to poor maintenance of their building’s fire or emergency lighting systems.
In a survey of fire equipment installers, one third (34%) also state that emergency lighting performance is not accurately monitored using a logbook in accordance with the law.
Similar levels of apathy to accurate logbook recordings were found in relation to fire safety efficiency with one third (33%) of installers’ customers not possessing up-to-date fire detection records on site.
Legislation such as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 dictates that all businesses adhere to prescriptive standards which comprise the quality of products adopted, maintenance of all safety systems and shared responsibility to protect the workforce.
Low adoption of technology
Despite the environmental and total cost of ownership benefits, only 15% of installers’ customers use LED technology and just 9% have self-testing emergency lighting systems which can reduce valuable resource spent by businesses on maintenance.
To support businesses in accurate self-assessment of existing security equipment, Hochiki Europe has developed an online tool which quizzes the user on the performance status of a building’s current solution as well as providing guidance on methods of improving it.
David Brown, product manager at Hochiki Europe, said: “It is crucial that businesses do not fall short when it comes to the assessment and maintenance of safety provision which is designed to protect employees and prevent accidents that may not be legislated for.
“We’ve partnered with skilled installers to determine where businesses and their building owners can be better supported, and developed a simple online tool which directs them to solutions that promote efficiency and optimum safety in accordance with the very latest regulations.”
For more information contact Hochiki Europe, +44 (0)163 426 0132, [email protected], www.hochikieurope.com
Further reading:
Buildings in Africa’s urban evolution
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Africa is now an urban continent. How does the continent mobilise to accommodate urban dwellers and maintain and implement critical infrastructure that allows for this expansion? Building management systems provide a tangible solution to optimise resource use, lower operations costs and ultimately contribute to a growing continent that also employs green practices.
Read more...
Black Rock Mining centralises mining operations with AVEVA
IT in Manufacturing
Black Rock Mine Operations replaced and upgraded its existing infrastructure, and installed additional capacity to expand production from 3 to 4,6 million tons in three years. The new system is powered by a suite of AVEVA solutions.
Read more...
The strategic role of technology in today’s economy
IT in Manufacturing
In an era of economic uncertainty and persistent market volatility, businesses are under immense pressure to manage costs while maintaining operational effectiveness. The role of chief information officers and chief technology officers has never been more critical, as they are tasked with leveraging technology not just as a tool for efficiency but as a strategic asset in navigating these turbulent times.
Read more...
Minutes to meltdown: surviving a cyber attack
IT in Manufacturing
Commvault recently hosted its Minutes to Meltdown event. Led by the company’s security experts, this was an interactive and detailed ransomware attack simulation designed to help companies understand how to respond in the event of a cyber attack.
Read more...
Siemens elevates automotive and aerospace simulation
Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Siemens Digital Industries Software has announced the latest update to its Simcenter portfolio, delivering advancements in aerostructure analysis, electric motor design, gear optimisation and smart virtual sensing. These enhancements are designed to streamline workflows, accelerate certification and provide deeper insights into system performance.
Read more...
Automation in 2025: Navigating manufacturing innovation without the risk
IT in Manufacturing
During 2025, a wave of innovative technologies is expected to disrupt and change the way IT is applied to automation systems. The challenge lies in balancing the reliability of proven techniques with the potential of new technologies, all while minimising and controlling risk. This article explores ways to approach the latest information technologies effectively in a manufacturing context.
Read more...
South Africa’s AI revolution is here – but are we secure?
IT in Manufacturing
South African businesses are sprinting to embrace generative AI, lured by its potential to drive efficiency, productivity and innovation. But here’s the stark reality: without a rock-solid cybersecurity foundation, AI will become a Trojan horse, opening the floodgates to sophisticated cyber threats.
Read more...
Shaping data resilience strategies with AI and hybrid cloud solutions
IT in Manufacturing
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, organisations are under growing pressure to secure their operations against increasingly sophisticated cyberthreats, including those that leverage AI to enhance the success rate of attacks. In this landscape, it has become essential to ‘fight fire with fire’ – harnessing AI as a means to counter these threats.
Read more...
Cloud or on-prem? Decoding the choices for South African enterprises
IT in Manufacturing
The debate between on-premise and cloud computing architectures remains a prominent topic among businesses, particularly in South Africa.
Read more...
Advancements in wire rope testing
IT in Manufacturing
Being able to get instant, real-time and portable detection of wire rope flaws can make a significant difference for operational teams. There have been a number of significant technological advancements and tools entering the market that help wire rope operators detect and resolve problems faster.
Read more...
printer friendly version