SAFETY Solutions and Fire Prevention Systems (SSFPS) is an authorised dealer for the international agencies Commercial Wireless Systems International (CWSI) — innovators in wireless alarm instruments and SEVO Systems and leaders in clean agent fire suppression systems, utilising the 3M Novec 1230 fire protection fluid.

The Novec 1230 protection fluid, according to SSFPS boss Michael Boyd, is environmentally friendly, having almost no effect on the ozone layer or global warming.

Of significance also, he said, is that the product does no damage to office equipment, including computers, while being very effective in suppressing fire.

“With the discharge of Novec 1230, it will not destroy the equipment so the integrity of your office would be intact once it is discharged,” Boyd said.

The wireless fire detection system, he added, is also far less costly than the conventional systems normally used since it does not require the additional cost of wires and heavy installation processes, such as digging up walls. In fact, Boyd said the wireless system is less than 50 per cent cheaper.

According to Boyd, he discovered the systems while working as managing director at B-H Paints and subsequently contacted some companies who provide fire safety equipment. However, the quotations he received ranged between US$190,000 and US$260,000.

Boyd then opted to research these systems, certain there had to be something less costly. After finding the products offered by CWSI, he said what impressed him most was that the system was installed in places in the United States, such as parts of the Pentagon, the New York Fire Department, the Statue of Liberty, and Yale University.

“First order of fighting the fire is detecting the fire. We do not have the right systems in place to detect and to fight fire in Jamaica,” he said.

Speaking at the launch of his company last September, Boyd indicated that statistics from the Jamaica Fire Brigade shows that between April 2010 and March 2011, approximately 13,000 calls to quell fire were received from both private and commercial properties.

He noted that losses of some $4.6 billion have been estimated and the lives of children and adults have been lost.

“Here in Jamaica, SSFPS will be working closely with our local fire brigade to implement a system that will allow fire stations in major towns to connect directly to businesses and we are looking towards also connecting them to our systems,” Boyd said.