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False alarms are an unwelcome occurrence, causing disruption to businesses, a drain on government resources and ultimately a tangible cost to everyone involved.

Last year (2013/2014) the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service recorded 7835 false alarms due to fire alarm equipment. Given that 98% of those calls were mobilized and the estimated cost of a mobilization is £3000, there was in excess of £20 million spent by the Northern Ireland economy that year, and that doesn’t even factor in the costs incurred due to business downtime.

So why do we still have so many false alarms?

False alarms can be triggered due to a number of reasons including:

• Exposure to highly deceptive phenomena such as dust, steam, aerosols, insects or even burnt toast
• Failure to update older systems
• Inappropriate design specification
• Change of building use
• Lack of regular maintenance

But what if there was a solution to eliminating false alarms altogether….

Can we ever really eliminate false alarms?

Simply the answer is yes! In fact we’re so confident in the solution that we provide that we are offering a No False Alarm Guarantee to our customers with the Cerberus PRO fire protection system from Siemens.

In the coming months, we will be sharing with you a number of stories, case studies and interesting discussions/blogs around the issue of false alarms and how they can be prevented. We will be looking at current regulations/legislation, your responsibilities, common solutions, and the dangers associated with false alarms.

We will also be providing you with a better understanding of what you can be doing differently and how recent technological updates have enhanced our abilities to detect fires more accurately to ensure the optimum safety of people and property.

#NoFalseAlarms

The ultimate goal of our No False Alarm Campaign is to help eliminate false alarms entirely. Therefore throughout Sept, Oct and Nov we will be using #NoFalseAlarmsGuaranteed across LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to help you follow along with all our updates.

We invite you to get involved in our discussions and please tweet us @Diamond_Systems with any questions or thoughts!

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No False Alarm Guarantee

Diamond Systems are so confident in the Cerberus PRO fire protection system that we offer all our customers a straight forward genuine No False Alarm Guarantee. In the event that one of the system’s automatic detectors does respond to anything other than real fire phenomena or a fire condition and results in the attendance of the Fire & Rescue Services, Diamond Systems are willing to pay up to £500 to cover the cost of the disruption including downtime and emergency services call out charges.

Learn more about our No False Alarm Guarantee including full terms and conditions here.

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More about Cerberus PRO

Cerberus PRO is the most advanced fire protection system on the market featuring:

• ASAtechnology – fast, reliable fire detection
• BACnet True Open protocol – easy integration with BMS, security, plant & lighting control systems
• Degrade Mode – ensure optimum protection & alarm functionality even in the event of a panel or software failure
• Full Compliancy with all relevant standards and codes of practice

To learn more on Cerberus PRO click here.

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On July 29th, over 200 people passed through the course at Dunmurry Golf club as part of the Annual Open Week ( 26th July – 2nd Aug), which is in part sponsored by Diamond Systems.

Each year the Diamond Systems team attends along with a number of guests to try their luck on the 18-hole course followed by a celebration and prize-giving in the clubhouse. Despite a bit of wet and windy weather in the lead up to the event, we were lucky enough to have the sun shining down on the day as we were joined by over 15 guests, who tackled the course (and occasionally the trees).

We would like to say a big thank you once again to all who attended from The Odyssey Trust, Harvey Group,  JBE Mechanical and Electrical and Dowds Group! Hope to see you all again next year.

 

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We’re excited to share the finished product of the recent refurbishment to the downstairs offices at Diamond HQ. Working alongside Whitespace Design Consultancy, the space was re-designed to optimise functionality, while giving the area a fresh, modern look which unified it with the rest of the building.

Strategic placement of a new workstation along with fabric desk screens has enabled the creation of  three additional work spaces while maintaining the open-plan office layout. Everything in the refurbishment was chosen to unify the Diamond brand with the wallpaper and fabric chosen to match our company colours.

We are very pleased with the final outcome, which in addition to these aforementioned benefits also helps the space reflect our core values including quality, professionalism and innovation, throughout our interior office space. Thanks again to the whole team at Whitespace NI!

Click here to see more photos and read more about the refurbishment on the Whitespace website.

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Tall ship festival

At Diamond we are very lucky to have an extremely talented team of engineers but it is rare that we have the opportunity to say that one of them is crossing the North Sea in a spectacular tall ship as part of Europe’s largest free family festival.

The Lord Nelson ship is almost 55 metres long and will carry approx. 50 passengers at any one time (8 permanent crew and around 40 “voyage crew”). Diamond System engineer, Gary, will be accompanying his wife as part of the “voyage crew” for the first 10 days of the race, leaving from Belfast on 5^th July until they reach Alesund, Norway on 15^th July.

We caught up with him before he sailed off to find out a bit more about the experience.

Q. Is this your first time sailing a tall ship?
Although an avid sailor, yes this is my first time sailing a tall ship, although it will be my wife’s third time sailing one.

Q. What are you most excited about?
The challenge of sailing a tall ship and being part of a crew of people from different backgrounds and abilities.

Q.What will a typical day on board the ship look like?
Everyone joins in and gets involved with crewing the ship – setting sails, stowing sails, keeping watch and even steering the ship, with the support of the permanent crew, even down to happy hour (aka cleaning the ship) and taking turns in the galley to help feed fellow crew members. The voyage crew is also split into four teams called watches who take it in turns for responsibility of the ship even during the night.

Q. Was it difficult to arrange a spot on board?
Everyone thinks the application will be quite comprehensive but you can contact companies that operate tall ships and book onto them just like a holiday. However, the tall ships races are very popular and the places on board can sell very quickly.

However, there is one very notable feature about the Lord Nelson which differentiates it from many others as it was the first ship in the world to be designed and built to enable people of all physical abilities to sail side by side on equal terms featuring wide decks, which are fully wheelchair accessible; signs in braille; lifts for between decks; an induction loop; and even a speaking compass to enable blind or visually impaired members of the voyage crew to steer the ship.

Today, the Lord Nelson and sister ship, Tenacious are the only two tall ships in the world that have been purpose built to enable people of all physical and sensory abilities to take an active role in sailing. Both are owned by the Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST). Since the JST was established in 1978 over 40,000 people have sailed with us. Of these approximately 15,000 people were disabled and 5,000 wheelchair users.

We wish Gary and his wife a most enjoyable trip!

As our favourite home-town hockey team gets ready for the 2015/2016 Season, Diamond Systems are delighted to announce we will once again be sponsoring The Stena Line Belfast Giants for the third consecutive year.

However, this year we have some additional exciting news to share as Diamond Systems will be the title sponsors for the Belfast Giant’s brand new cheerleading team – the Diamond Systems Cheerleaders.

There will be three squads in total: the adults as well as the Junior Elite (11-16yrs) and the Mini Elite (6-11yrs).

“We’re happy to be back on board with the Giants for the third year running and are excited for all that this season will hold with the launch of the Diamond Systems Cheerleaders,” says Angela (Financial Director). 

2014/2015 was a very busy season for the Giants who made it all the way to the Elite League Semi-Finals and 2015/2016 is looking good following a number of recent new player signings to the team.

Keep a close watch to our Twitter and Facebook feeds throughout this season for some fun contests and GIANT prizes! Until then we wish our ‘Men in Teal’  and the all-new Cheerleading squads the best of luck as they begin their summer training sessions.

 

 

Diamond Systems are very excited to be sponsors of the brand new football kit for The Preparatory Department of The Wallace High School, Lisburn.

New kits were also issued for the netball, rugby, hockey and cross-country teams with a number of other local sponsors involved. Diamond Systems have close ties to Wallace High School as Financial Director, Angela and Engineering Manager, Ian are both past pupils. Last week we had the opportunity to visit the school for a sneak preview of the kits and they look wonderful. The kits will be officially launched in Sept 2015 and we wish all teams the best of luck in the future!

 

Each year, IFSEC & FIREX bring together crowds of fire and security experts from across the globe. These established trade shows have gained reputation as two of the most prestigious of the industry in the world seeing an increasing number of exhibitors and visitors each year.

The 3-day event was held in London at ExCeL London Exhibition and Convention Centre from June 16-18. Each year the event attracts a range of local and international visitors with an interest in fire and security technologies and education, from installers and integrators to consultants and facilities managers.

Diamond Sales Manager, Philip, attended the event and was very pleased to see the whole range of new technologies including those from a number of Diamond’s global partners including Siemens, Axis Communications, Milestone, UTC and Commend.

 

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When it comes to fire safety the law is crucial and failure to comply could have fatal consequences.

However, changes to rules and regulations can often leave people confused or unsure of their responsibilities.

• Where does the legislation apply?
• Who is responsible?
• What do I have to do to be compliant?

The new fire safety law guidance leaflet from the FIA (Fire Industry Association) aims to address just that.

Published on June 16, 2015, the leaflet provides crucial information about where the law applies, the roles of responsible people, fire risk assessments, and how the laws are enforced.

It is designed as an introduction to the legislation and provides a general overview of these changes. As there are slight variations to legislation in each of the three separate jurisdictions throughout the UK (England & Wales; Scotland; and Northern Ireland), detailed guidance from local governments is also included in the links at the bottom of the document.

Fire safety law applies to virtually all premises and covers nearly every type of building, structure and open space with the exception of private dwellings or individual flats. To increase safety we believe there must first be increased awareness of changes in fire safety regulations and this is a great starting point for all those to whom it applies. If you are the owner, managing agent, occupier or employer of any above listed premises this leaflet is a great place to further your knowledge on you what needs to be done to ensure your employees, customers and yourself remain safe at all times.

If you have any queries or would like to find out more about making your commercial property compliant please contact our sales team on 02890 207 207 or via info@www.diamondsystems.co.uk.

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In 2004 Diamond Systems were the 1st Independent Company in Northern Ireland to receive NSI Gold accreditation for both fire and security.

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) is recognized as the leading certification body for the fire and security industry throughout the UK. Working closely with UK Government bodies, the Security Industry Authority and the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), NSI undertakes an intensive auditing process of hopeful companies before awarding certification.

NSI (NACOSS) Gold accreditation is the highest level of certification offered incorporating Product Certification as well as Quality Management System Certification. This level holds the greatest perceived value across the industry and by police, fire and rescue services and insurers. Therefore, businesses and homeowners who choose NSI approved companies have the reassurance that their contractors will work to the highest industry standards.

As Diamond Systems hold NSI (NACOSS) Gold for both fire and security we undergo a number of site and system audits as well as audits of our policies and procedures throughout the year to maintain accreditation.

Since the beginning we have always been at the forefront of the industry not just when it comes to new technologies and service but also for accreditations and sustainability and you can trust we will remain here for years to come.

This video, which was recently released by NSI, gives a practical insight into the importance of third party certification for fire and security companies.

Learn more about the benefits of using an NSI approved company for your business.

Learn more about the benefits of using an NSI approved company for your home.