According to the statistics, fires are developing at a much higher rate than in the 1950s (almost 5-10 times more). What many do not realize is that smoke is the real danger in a fire. In the UK, smoke accounts for more than half of the building fire casualties. These are systems designed to let the smoke escape as easily and quickly as possible. While some conventional exhausts and window openers use strategical placing to ensure proper smoke removal, other systems actively remove the smoke from the building. In the case of a fire, this reduces the chances of fatalities and protects the building from further damage. Some systems rely on natural buoyancy of the gases while others rely on mechanical extraction to ensure complete safety. Smaller buildings tend to employ natural ventilation while larger ones like malls, high-rise buildings, etc. make use of mechanical ventilation systems. There are numerous benefits to employing such a system in every building that might be prone to fires. Given that this is an issue, here is why smoke ventilation systems are the need of the hour: 1.Protects trapped people The worst place to be in a fire is in the middle, with no place to escape. Such a scenario is dangerous, not just because of the fire, but mainly due to the excess amount of toxic fumes and smoke. Smoke ventilation systems are a saving grace in such situations since it allows for hot air, aka smoke to get sucked out, while letting fresh air inside. 2.Eases Evacuation Evacuating from a building under fire is hard as it is, without smoke causing a whole other commotion. Visibility plays a vital role in deciding how many people can evacuate and how long it takes. Given that this is so crucial in determining the after-effects of a fire, it only makes sense to have smoke ventilation systems or window openers that help people get out harm’s way as soon as possible. 3.Helps out the Emergency Services By allowing the smoke to escape the building, emergency services like fire-fighters and first-responders have an easier time dealing with the situation. Removing smoke from the equation helps responders assess the situation better and also helps decide the next step of action quickly. There is no doubt that such systems if employed in every household, will drastically reduce building fire casualties. 4.Prevents the extent of damage to the building Smoke is capable of doing a lot of damage in a fire. While it poses a threat to the safety of living creatures, it is equally dangerous for everything else. Smoke caused because of a fire can damage electronic equipment, damage walls, ceilings, food, etc. (to name a few). Since there is much to lose when it comes to letting smoke reside inside a building, such smoke ventilation systems are a vital part of damage control. 5.Does a better job than a window/door Purely based on thermodynamics, it is clear that ventilation systems and window openers work better than windows and doors. Windows and doors tend to sit at lower levels. Smoke rises and thus resides in the topper half. Since companies that deal in such systems place these vents and window openers in a much higher location, they work better at removing smoke and letting clean air inside. Now that the importance of smoke ventilation systems is crystal clear, the wise decision to do would be to get these systems employed in your buildings ASAP. Together, let’s make the UK safer again.

Lutron Electronics, the global leader in lighting and shading control technology, has announced a first-ever product integration with Ring, whose mission is to make neighbourhoods safer. Now, lights controlled by a Lutron system can be set to turn on when a linked Ring device detects motion, or a Ring Video Doorbell is pressed. Adding lighting to these events adds another layer of security and furthers the impression that someone is home. The new integration is supported by Lutron’s RA2 Select smart lighting control system and compatible Ring devices. The Lutron and Ring alliance combines the best of both brands, offering users peace of mind, added convenience, and a welcoming environment for family and friends. Homeowners can set Lutron-controlled lights to turn on when motion is detected outside, have their front door and entry lights turn on when someone rings their Ring Video Doorbell, or utilise advanced motion settings to welcome guests to their family home with just the right light as they approach the front door. “Lutron is thrilled to launch this integration with Ring, which brings together two leaders in their industries – Lutron as a leader in smart lighting control and Ring as a leader in smart video doorbells and security cameras. At Lutron, we are committed to bringing our European customers seamless integrations with market-leading products to make life simpler and more comfortable,” said Nate Hagemeier, Lutron’s Senior Director of Sales – Europe and Africa. “A homeowner who has Lutron and Ring devices in their home can now have Lutron-controlled indoor and outdoor lights respond to a doorbell press or motion detected by a compatible Ring device, giving families personalised control and added peace of mind.” The Lutron and Ring integration is easily customised, allowing homeowners to decide which lights are connected to their Ring devices and which ones will turn on during a Ring event. For example, when the Ring Video doorbell rings, the porch light and living room light can be set to turn on, but when the driveway Ring Security Camera detects motion, users can set the lights in the backyard and patio to turn on.  Homeowners can also customise their settings based on the time of day, so lights only go on during an activity between sunset and sunrise. Customisation is easily done through the Lutron app, available for iOS and Android devices and the Amazon Fire tablet.

While CCTV systems are primarily used for security purposes, the latest technology has made these them even more useful in construction site management. Being a hive of activity, site managers undeniably need an extra set of eyes to monitor all the activities taking place on the construction site. The latest technology for CCTV makes these systems more efficient and accurate, making them indispensable tools for site managers. In fact, CCTV systems are arguably the best form of construction site management. Here’s why: Surveillance and Security A CCTV system will offer 24 hours, 365 days surveillance and is, therefore, a no-brainer for construction site managers who want to have eyes on all the activities on the construction site. With the latest CCTV cameras equipped with technology like night vision and motion detection, they provide the best security solution for construction sites. Particularly, modern CCTV systems can identify people who are activity within 20 meters and have clear visibility of up to 50 meters. Where advance night vision is needed, CCTV cameras with thermal imaging can be used on construction sites as they produce visible images through temperature detection of objects Modern CCTV cameras like automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras can read vehicle number plates. When connected to access control barriers, these cameras ensure that only pre-approved vehicles gain access into the construction site. Such top-level surveillance and management help prevent on-site crime, maintain internal safety, and observe security procedures.  Recording Activity An important aspect of CCTV systems is recording and storing video surveillance feed. Modern systems allow for the recording of the high-quality video feed and frame-by-frame playback of this feed. This helps review any suspicious activity or accident that could have been missed by the construction site manager.Technology like video compression for CCTV systems helps relay video feed, especially within an IP CCTV system, as well as storing video files. Video compression codec’s filter unnecessary frames per second without compromising the image quality of the videos. This way, construction site managers don’t have to worry about missing video feed or poor image quality when reviewing activities on the construction site.    Health and Safety  One of the legal duties of construction site managers is to ensure that everyone on the site is safe and secure, especially in the event of an emergency. With all the activities that go on in construction sites, workers and visitors may be at risk of injuries since they are generally hazardous places.  CCTV cameras provide a great way of monitoring the whole construction sites. CCTV cameras equipped with PTZ (pan, tilt, and zoom) and wide dynamic range technology make it easier for construction site managers to have a clear view of the entire site and act quickly in the event of emergencies. Real-Time Feedback Modern CCTV systems come with analytical software which realizes the environment and can, therefore, provide better surveillance even with disruptions that come with weather changes. Such intelligent systems can measure and compare various construction site parameters and can send an audio, SMS to the construction site manager whenever variations are detected.  Installing CCTV camera systems equipped with the latest technology helps provide better surveillance and security, access control, and helps keep occupants safe.

The welfare, health, and safety of workers should be the main concern for business owners. Apart from offering labor, employees can also save you a lot of money. The cash lost because of sickness, or other health problems costs businesses in the US billions of dollars. However, operating your machines properly or being secure on the catwalk can be a good way to enhance your workers’ safety.  By getting rid of contaminants, bringing in lots of fresh air, and removing dust fumes, an industrial ventilation system from a provider like Canarm might be the first line of defense against illnesses. Whether you need to ventilate your workspace or keep off pollutants, going for an effective system will ascertain that you breathe fresh air.  Parts of the System Depending on a particular situation, you may require a combination of some parts of the industrial ventilation system. For instance, when you want to ventilate your workspace, it may not be enough to buy a big fan. You’ll also have to do the necessary calculations so you can figure out the amount of airflow you require in the workspace to solve your air or heat quality requirements.  Beyond that, you may need to consider whether your application needs a negative, balanced, or positive pressure; otherwise, the consequences may be disastrous. To be on a safe side, consider various configurations of the propeller, including size, pitch, and shape. Other parts that a ventilation system may come with include the following: Dampers Air filters Silencers Dehumidifiers Dust collectors Louvers Different Types of the System The industrial ventilation system is divided into two main categories; local exhaust ventilation and dilution ventilation. Local exhaust ventilation aims at stopping pollutants before spreading. Unlike dilution ventilation, local exhaust system doesn’t depend on fans to disperse air. Instead, it works the same way vacuum does and usually results in a low amount of contaminants. For that matter, it can be convenient to get rid of the high amount of dust and toxic chemicals.  On the other hand, dilution ventilation may encompass a few techniques that range from allowing fresh air by opening windows and doors to using big fans. The main purpose of this system is to take air away from employees to ensure they don’t breathe in contaminated air while handling business projects. Safety of the Unit Rotating blades have a significant risk of injury, and should be handled with care and vigilance. If you are not careful, this may be hazardous to your respiratory system and eyes. For you to avoid such risks, it would be best to tag out and lock out the system when working on your equipment. You may also test it by operating the starter to make sure the whole unit is not energized.  Guards may keep employees safe from all sorts of dangers when operating a ventilation system. However, they can also become a commercial safety hazard, so it would be important to ensure guards are in a good state. Apart from guards and rotating blades, it may also be important to be careful with: Debris or any material entering the system Hot surfaces Blade failures Pinch points in sheaves Final Touches! Air quality is one of the powerful requirements that you need to provide for your workers. When you have a go with a commercial ventilation system, you will be in a better position to make your employees healthy, safe, and happy. Beyond that, you may also keep materials and products free from problems, which may come with impurities and pollution.

Have you been shopping around for the best medium voltage switchgear and circuit breakers? Are you frustrated because you have been paying heavy electric bills? The first step is to grab an efficient electric control system. Go for the best brand so that you can get hold of gadgets and electric equipment at a reasonable price. Secondly, there are many simple steps that you can follow to reduce your electricity bill. Your bill will reduce by cutting down on the electricity consumption and we will guide you. Reducing your energy consumption Choose LED bulbs Go for an energy-efficient light bulb. For example, you can consider opting for LED bulbs.  They cost about 75% less than incandescent bulbs. The good news is that the LED bulbs do not have any mercury. They last 25 times longer than the traditional bulbs. Try to use power strips You should think along the lines to use power strips. The benefit of the power strips is that you can easily turn off all the devices in one go. When you flip the switch on the power strip, then it is equivalent to unplugging the socket from the wall. Consider eliminating the use of vampire power Are you familiar with the term vampire power? It refers to standby power. Devices like scanners and television even use power when turned off. The best approach is that you should unplug all the devices and appliances not in use. As a result, you will be able to eliminate the vampire power. You will need to make it a rule to turn on only one switch at once. Gradually, you will get into this habit and can reduce your power use. What you must keep in mind is that even your computer uses a lot of electricity. Make it a habit to turn your monitor off in the night. It is also vital to use refrigerator the wise way. For example, you need to set the temperature as recommended by the manufacturer. Ideally, you should not even leave your mobile for overnight charging. It tends to take up power too. Get into the habit of turning off the oven before the cooking time runs out. Your food will continue to cook for a few minutes even when you turn off power. However, you can save up on the power by turning off your oven early. Some people have a habit of peeping into the oven while baking. Well, you should avoid it by all means for sure. When you open the oven during baking, then the temperature drops at 25F. As a result, it tends to take up more electric power. There are times when your appliances use more electricity because you miss out on the maintenance. For example, you should make sure that you defrost your freezer or fridge. If there will be less ice buildup, the appliances will work more efficiency. Try to use natural light when possible. All these efforts will pay off eventually.

If you are planning to invest in something useful, then you should not miss out on a pixel controller. The pixel controller takes data from computer and converts it into a format that can get used by pixels. The format comprises of different protocols that uses three or four wires for communicating with the pixels. Now, choosing the best pixel controller can be difficult. The reason is most of us lack technical insight in this regard. We will make your struggle easy and guide you how to choose the best controller. Picking the best pixel controller You need to match your controller with your pixel type. When we talk about popular pixels then WS813, WS812 and WS811 tops the list. Most controllers tend to function with these pixels without a problem. If you plan to go for a small display, then a 4-port pixel controller will offer you value. However, when you plan to do a big display with different receivers, then you need to choose long-range controllers. Using Pixel controllers  The good news is that you can set the maximum intensity level for each string of pixels. You can easily go for a fancy configuration and assign the data to the exact lights. However, keep one thing in mind. Most of the Pixel Controllers have multiple ports. The best part is that you will be able to drive multiple pixel strings from the specific pixel controller. Every pixel string tends to have a maximum pixel count. When you buy the pixel controller, then remember that it will govern your lights. Now, handling the capability of a pixel controller can be a tricky part. The truth is that when you use the full capability of your pixel controller, then it can help you save up on your money. Types of Pixel Controllers There are different varieties of pixel controllers available in the market so you need to understand what you require. For example, you may come across an led pixel controller.  Talking about the Standard Pixel Controllers The simplest type of Pixel Controllers that exist today are the Standard Pixel Controllers. They tend to take the data from your computer. The data gets acquired through a network cable. The controller converts the data to the pixel outputs. The Standard Pixel Controllers tend to have 1 to 16 ports. Each port is capable of controlling 170 to 1000 pixels. Opting in for Long-Range Pixel Controllers When we talk about easy to work controllers, then you will prefer the Long-Range Pixel Controllers. The Long-Range Controllers are capable of splitting a conventional controller into half. The processing gets done on a centralized board. Well, the receivers can get placed next to the props. The benefit of this practice is that the pixels can plug-in without a problem. There are times when the receivers get placed hundreds of feet away from the central board.  Remember these essentials when choosing your pixel controller. You will be happy with your pick at the end of the day.