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Our digital fire protection solutions: Smart and secure

Why is now the right time to invest in modern solutions for preventive fire protection? Alexander Schober, head of product management Fire Alarm at Schrack Seconet, gives specific pointers in this interview. We also provide information on the five steps to the next generation of digital fire alarm systems. And we show the product diversity of Schrack Seconet, which has the right application for every requirement.

On which topics does digitalisation offer new opportunities in preventive fire protection?

Alexander Schober: Digital solutions are an important step forward in the entire life cycle of a fire alarm system, from planning and installation to operation, maintenance and expansion. Applications are already helpful during assembly. For example, they help with the correct assignment of the detectors and reliably guide you through the installation process.

What do digital solutions then achieve in ongoing operations and maintenance?

Alexander Schober: During operation, digital applications perform the three tasks of informing, displaying and interacting. Remote monitoring enables convenient monitoring directly on the computer or mobile notifications in real time on smartphones and tablets. Applications also prove their worth in maintenance: Digital maintenance logs ensure high data quality and transparency. Permanent monitoring also means that up-to-date information on the status of a system is always available and measures can be better planned. This often prevents damage from occurring in the first place and ensures that the individual components work smoothly.

How is fire protection changing as a result of the trend towards smart buildings?

Alexander Schober: Digital solutions offer important opportunities to meet the demands of modern buildings and to utilise synergy effects. The networking of devices and sensors for fire protection increases the safety of the building and the people in it: Important information can be obtained from the analysis of the data, processes are automated and the availability of systems is optimised. Digital fire alarm systems also grow with the requirements and are easily scalable. However, it is important to keep an eye on the issue of cybersecurity. The misuse of software access and DDoS attacks are serious risks. We are therefore focussing on maintaining the highest security standards and are already working intensively on the new NIS2 cyber security directive and the forthcoming EU regulations.

Does digitalisation also bring advantages with regard to the shortage of skilled workers?

Alexander Schober: Fire protection is becoming increasingly complex, while at the same time there is a shortage of skilled labour, especially in the technical field. Digital tools ensure compliance with constant quality standards. This means that even less experienced personnel can perform routine tasks reliably. Specialists can also provide remote support if required. Valuable resources are thus utilised as efficiently as possible, and long journey times or unnecessary absences are avoided.

How can digital solutions contribute to sustainability?

Alexander Schober: Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the construction sector. Many buildings today are planned in a climate-friendly way, new building products and alternative construction methods are used. Preventive fire protection is facing up to these challenges and developing new concepts. Digital tools are an important step towards sustainability. You save a lot of paper and increase quality, as paper-based workflows and manuals are more time-consuming to update and prone to errors. It is important here to set up a secure digital infrastructure that is also compatible with older fire protection systems. Digitalisation can also help to reduce the unnecessary replacement of devices, avoid unnecessary journeys and much more.

5 steps to future-proof fire alarm systems
 

1. Bridging the gap between analogue and digital: Bringing your own system online

2. Optimise the processes: Remote display and operation

3. Digitalise the processes:  Supporting operations digitally

4. Simplify the processes: Rapid response, better planning 

5. Modernise the processes: Maximum availability, efficient use of resources

More details can be found under the following link: Digitalisation in fire protection