Security Systems News

June 2011

Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/31791

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 1 of 43

2 SECURITY STATS www.securitysystemsnews.com JUNE 2011 SECURITY SYSTEMS NEWS SECURITY STATS What will spark smoke detection market growth? A By Daniel Gelinas n April report from Frost & Sullivan focuses on the open-area smoke detection market and forecasts a rebound of the recently depressed mar- ket in the coming years. The report, “Open-Area Smoke Image Detection—Smoke Detection Innovation and Advancements for Large, Open Spaces,” forecasts the market could grow by 3.5 percent over the next six years. “Right now we’re estimating the total detection market in North America to be in the $500-$550 million range,” Alejandra Lozano, Frost & Sullivan building technol- ogy research analyst, told Security Systems News. “We’re anticipating the market to rebound this year and follow an upward trend to 2017.” Lozano said that Frost & Sullivan expected the growth rate for fire detection to be in the 2.5-3.5 per- cent range. Lozano said the growth, while seemingly small, was significant in a mature segment dictated by code compliance and the stumbling block of trepidation on the part of integra- tors and building owners to adopt new technologies. Millions of dollars “If it takes four or five years for you to get your code approval that could be a restraint on growth. Also, when you’re talking about advanced products, you’re talking about higher price and that could limit adoption,” Lozano said. “In many cases, build- ing owners are simply looking to comply with codes and so they’ll install the minimum protection. This mind-set could also limit adoption of higher priced, more feature-rich detection systems.” Lozano said there were new advancements in open area detection systems, including new technologies and improved standbys. “There are advance- ments where solutions that used to only function well in clean environ- ments now have been updated to function well in dirty environments,” Lozano said, noting clean environments include data centers, while dirty environments include manufacturing facilities. “Aspirating smoke detectors, visual flame detectors … these systems are highly sensitive and incorpo- rate a sensor process that reduces unwanted alarms. That can save money not only in terms of fines, but in terms of productivity loss as well. That’s driven manufacturers to create more sensitive solutions.” Alejandra Lozano Lozano said the best thing inte- grators can do to be ready to reap financial benefit from the growth of this segment is to get educated on new technologies and advocate for more than adequate protection. “Integrators need to be able to convey the value of the systems and not just meeting the requirement. For example, they need to be able to convey the real financial impact involved in loss of productivity when a false alarm goes off,” Lozano said. “They have to be able to paint a picture for the end user of why they should go beyond the minimum requirements of the codes. They need to be able to show system owners they could save a lot of money by having a more technologically advanced, more efficient, lower-maintenance system.” SSN Frost & Sullivan 2011

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Security Systems News - June 2011