Kentec Electronics Ltd - Experts & Thought Leaders

Kentec Electronics, the manufacturer of innovative life safety solutions, has introduced a range of new features to its cutting-edge Taktis analog addressable fire alarm control panel. Packed with innovative new functionality to protect even the most complex buildings, Taktis is now the perfect solution for a wide range of applications including schools, hospitals, multi-site retail, and critical national infrastructure, as well as commercial and industrial facilities. Fire alarm control panel The critical signal paths of a control panel are the lifeline of an entire fire detection system and issues with power supplies, communication modules and control circuits can have catastrophic consequences. The critical signal paths of a control panel are the lifeline of an entire fire detection system  To counter any disruption, the highest levels of redundancy have been incorporated into Taktis, which has multiple back-up microprocessors to eliminate the possibility of a single point of failure with the main microprocessor. Even if its touchscreen display fails, Taktis will continue to operate in reduced functionality mode, the loops will continue to operate and, if a detection device is activated, the panel and other panels on the network will be notified of the alarm condition.  Enhancing fault tolerance Taktis enables large installations to be fully standards compliant. EN 54-2 states that a system fault should not result in the loss of more than 512 detectors and while this is fine for installations with a single control panel with less than 512 connected devices, large installations can have many thousands of fire detection devices with multiple fire alarm control panels. Thanks to Kentec’s research and development, Taktis can now network up to 127 control panels and incorporates a fully redundant signal path using INS to mitigate risk, enhance fault tolerance and ensure that alarms are received across the network and importantly to the Alarm Receiving Centre. Activating release mechanism The latest version of Taktis also complies with the highest provisions of BS 7273-4 The latest version of Taktis also complies with the highest provisions of BS 7273-4, which applies to electrical control arrangements for actuation of mechanisms that unlock, release or open doors in the event of fire. Adhering to BS 7273-4 is increasingly important, as Annex A is now normative.  There are three categories of actuation outlined in BS 7273-4, with Category A requiring failsafe operation under the most severe fault conditions. Through advanced cause and effects, the latest version of Taktis meets all the requirements of Category A. This means that door release mechanisms will continue to operate in the event of a fire, or during any event that leads to a fault on the critical signal path that could prevent a fire signal activating a release mechanism. Full-scale evacuation The fire and rescue service in England attended 229,844 incidents in the year ending March 2022 that turned out to be false alarms. They can be particularly disruptive in hotels and similar accommodation-based businesses such as student accommodation and sheltered housing, so Taktis now boasts a ‘hotel mode’ feature.  In the case of a false alarm, this stops other alarms initiating a full-scale evacuation When Taktis is in this setting and a detection device activates, only the sounder in the room concerned will initially operate, while Taktis notifies where the event has taken place. A predetermined time period gives a competent person an opportunity to investigate and, if the activity causing the detector activation stops within that timeframe, the sounder will return to standby and Taktis will clear. In the case of a false alarm, this stops other alarms initiating a full-scale evacuation. Reducing false alarms Alongside levels of panel & network redundancy, BS 7273-4 Category A compliance and its ability to reduce false alarms, Kentec hasn’t forgotten the importance of ease of use. As such, the Taktis full-color seven-inch color touchscreen has several additional customizable features particularly useful for smoke control operation and can be programmed in a wide variety of languages. This intuitive interface renders the system easy to use even for those with minimal or no training.  "The latest version of Taktis rubberstamps our commitment to providing the most advanced fire alarm control panel technology possible," commented Derrick Hall, director of sales and marketing at Kentec Electronics. "Taktis has become increasingly popular with members of the Kentec Installation Partner (KIP) Programme because its features make their lives easier and deliver significant benefits for end users. I would therefore encourage other fire detection and alarm installation professionals to take another look at Taktis."

Kentec Electronics, a manufacturer of life-critical control systems, will showcase its world-pioneering range of extinguishant release panels and its depth of fire detection, alarm, and control portfolio at Intersec 2024; demonstrating how the future of the industry lies within open-protocol technology. The award-winning Taktis® Fire will take center stage, with the UL and EN variants exhibiting a new era of integration with fire safety systems being connected with building infrastructure and intelligence; and across several global regions and compliance regulations. Taktis® Fire Taktis® Fire is suitable for the most complex of sites; configurable for up to 40,000 inputs or outputs Enhanced by powerful cause and effect technology, and a system of failsafe redundancy features, Kentec’s premium panel, Taktis® Fire, is suitable for the most complex of sites; configurable for up to 40,000 inputs or outputs across an entire connected network; across up to 144 zone indications; and networking up to 127 panels. This power is further realized through its open-protocol makeup, providing installers and customers with flexibility in system design, site customization,n and the third-party devices that they use, with the added benefit of interchangeable parts. Sigma ZXT extinguishant release and control system Building upon the global success of the market-pioneering Sigma XT, Kentec will also be showcasing the Sigma ZXT extinguishant release and control system. The ZXT can be configured to release targeted extinguishant upon alarm across a single or combination of up to three conventional detection zones, limiting property damage and reducing costs in the event of a fire or false alarm. K-Mesh wireless detection system K-Mesh allows multiple avenues of wireless communication to be relayed between field devices Kentec’s K-Mesh wireless detection system will also be featured, showing how its patented self-healing and configuring MESH technology delivers optimum levels of reliability in wireless applications. Configurable from two to 2,000 devices across a communication range of up to 1,200m, and enhanced by a market-pioneering 10-year battery life, K-Mesh allows multiple avenues of wireless communication to be relayed between field devices, wireless translators, and their associated fire control panels. Elite RS analogue addressable fire control panel And rounding off its display, Kentec’s Elite RS analogue addressable fire control panel will also feature at Intersec. Suitable for small and medium sites that require advanced fire sensing and evacuation options, the Elite RS control panel can be expanded to become part of a much larger system, with microprocessor-based electronics providing a flexible system with a high degree of reliability and integrity. With its large graphical display and ergonomic button and indicator layout, and the added benefit of UL and FM approvals, the Elite RS is simple to understand for installers, commissioning engineers, and end-users alike. Integrated technologies Intersec provides an opportunity to highlight the broad scope of Kentec’s expertise Derrick Hall, Director of Sales at Kentec, says Intersec provides an opportunity to highlight the broad scope of Kentec’s expertise, “We look forward to showing Kentec’s life-critical technologies, and how integration is not just a buzzword, but a priority for a modern manufacturer like us,” he explains. “The ability to combine a host of life-saving technologies into building infrastructure, and network systems with one another, regardless of what is already installed, is exciting and means our products can be utilized in several different scenarios and projects." enhancing operation and lifecycle performance "The technology on show at Intersec reflects our commitment to making life easier for installers and enhancing operation and lifecycle performance for end users, specifiers, and decision-makers alike.” “Plus, we will be demonstrating some recent updates to our premium product – Taktis Fire, for powerful  cause and effect features making it suitable for smoke and fire damper controls and the most demanding and complex building applications, so be sure to come by and visit.” Intersec Dubai will take place between the 16th and 18th of January at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai. Kentec’s Stand Number is 3-E22.

Kentec Electronics, a manufacturer of life-critical control systems, has appointed Soumya Bhattcharya as an International Business Development Manager to further drive the company’s international growth in India and the Subcontinent. With a forecasted compound annual growth rate of 10.91% by 2031, the fire detection and protection industries in India are fast-growing, and Soumya’s appointment will support Kentec’s growth strategy in a highly competitive region. Soumya's work experience Soumya has a proven track record in the security and investigations industry, and was most recently with Johnson Controls, focusing on developing business associated with building technology and software. He will be supported internationally by Costas Constantinides, Head of International Sales, to support and strengthen local markets with a growing culture-centric approach to business as usual. Soumya's responsibilities In this new role, my expertise in building and developing partnerships will help the international team" “It’s an exciting time to join the Kentec team,” says Soumya. “In this new role, my expertise in building and developing partnerships will help the international team consolidate their existing success in a busy region." "We hope to build upon the success of analog addressable panels like Taktis and Syncro AS, a best seller in the region, and promote our wireless capabilities which are fast becoming globally renowned and which will play an increasingly important part in the future of fire and security.” Global expansion Kevin Swann, Managing Director at Kentec, says the appointment adds to the existing strength of Kentec’s international mission, “With Kentec’s presence in the Indian Subcontinent spanning 17+ years, and the international team reaching multiple growth regions across the globe, we’re delighted to expand our horizons with his appointment and add Soumya to our existing arsenal of talent." Soumya is based in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Fostering fire safety is a basic principle, but one that suggests many different approaches and technologies. Best practices and greater innovation can play a role to ensure various aspects of fire safety (and health), but the first step is awareness. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What is a fire safety trend that isn't widely adopted but should be?

There have been challenges with completing fire safety maintenance and installation projects during the current Covid-19 crisis, most notably as a result of the difficulties for installers in safely accessing sites. Many construction projects halted for lockdown and this resulted in approximately 50% of the British installers we work with having to furlough staff. The challenges, however, are not just restricted to the UK. With Kentec panels sold in more than 90 countries across the world, we have seen varying challenges on a global scale. Throughout this crisis, fire safety continues to be paramount and as such key players, such as Kentec, are rightly considered essential businesses. We have continued manufacturing life safety systems throughout the current difficulties and it has been our mission to ensure that where new installations can take place, our panels are readily available to installers, as well as the expertise and technical support that goes with it for ongoing maintenance. Orders for spare parts have also, in fact, been consistently high during this period, as installers have been able to complete minor upgrades safely and end users have taken advantage of the period to do so. Adapting manufacturing processes to align with government guidelines so that customers have not experienced any supply issues with any life safety systems or parts has been a major success. Critical Infrastructure We’ve personally seen an increase in sales for our industry-leading Sigma XT extinguishant panels during this crisis as it is widely used within critical infrastructure, in sectors such as telecommunications, data centres and healthcare. Adapting manufacturing processes to align with government guidelines has been a major success During lockdown, with a vast proportion of the population working from home and relying on the internet to conduct their business and virtual meetings, it has been more important than ever that there is no loss in service in broadband and telephone services. This means that highly reliable and robust fire extinguishing systems are essential to protect essential workers and vital equipment – not only from the risk of fire, but also from the catastrophic damage that false alarms and the release of extinguishant could have, for example, on server room equipment. Understandably, this has resulted in considerable investment in fire systems in these sectors. Glasgow’s Louisa Jordan NHS Facility The recent fire safety installation at the Louisa Jordan NHS Facility Glasgow – located at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) which provides more than 500 COVID-19 beds – is just one example of essential fire safety work being completed during lockdown. Vipond Fire Protection Ltd installed a total of seven Sigma XT gas suppression panels, and 32 detectors located within the electrical room that serves the 10,000m2 facility. The project was completed in what was an extremely tight seven-day turnaround, delivering proven reliability within a crucial healthcare facility. Kentec's Experience Operating Through Covid-19 We have learned that operating through this crisis and supporting installations that are going ahead is best achieved through detailed planning, communication and collaboration. For example, we’re supporting our distributors by shipping directly to their customers, when it is not safe or feasible to open their warehouses. Operating through this crisis is best achieved through detailed planning, communication and collaboration Our own workforce is also adapting to changing work patterns and demands. In the factory, at a practical level, this has meant implementing new shifts schedules starting from six o’clock in the morning to ten o’clock at night to ensure there are never too many people on site at one time. We have staggered arrival, leaving and break times to mitigate any risks involved at entrances, and we were lucky that space allowed us to make the canteen area bigger and increase the number of toilets from three to ten. We have moved work benches to ensure a safe distance between each employee, and where workflows make two-metre distancing impossible we have installed six- and eight-foot screens. Face masks have been provided to all staff and we are also trialling face shields for further comfort and protection. Our office staff have worked from home, and where going to the office has been necessary, they have similarly adhered to staggered arrival times. Internal communication has been essential and I’m immensely proud and extremely thankful for the positivity, proactivity and support that employees have shown through this process.     We have also adapted our Kentec Installation Partner (KIP) scheme to be fully remote to ensure training and support is there when it is needed for our installers. We are hosting webinars as another forum to solve installer queries remotely, and our new range of Taktis panels have highly advanced networking capabilities and a vast suite of communication tools that support remote monitoring. It is therefore critical that our installers fully understand how to help end users realise the benefits such panels can deliver and to ensure their installations are completed successfully. Looking Ahead To The New Normal Remote monitoring will become increasingly important beyond this crisis We feel that remote monitoring will become increasingly important beyond this crisis and the advanced communication capabilities of panels will be essential for both installers and end users alike. For installers it reduces the amount of time required on site, because they can access the system remotely to find out what equipment or parts they need to take with them. Similarly, for end users they can access systems remotely to check any alerts or queries off site if necessary. It remains to be seen how the rest of 2020 will pan out, but where projects have been necessarily put on hold, because of the essential nature of our industry we are confident that installers will be able to quickly and easily return to these projects when it is safe and feasible to do so. Communication, collaboration and support will continue to be essential in mitigating the challenges in our future ‘new normal.’