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Patol signs agreement to add AP Sensing fibre optic fire detection products to its existing range

Patol has announced a new partnership, adding the fibre optic technology of AP Sensing to its range of Linear Heat Detection Cable (LHDC) solutions.

Patol has been manufacturing its own analogue and digital cables for almost 50 years, providing effective protection for applications throughout the world. For areas requiring longer cable runs and for hazardous environments, fibre optic LHDC can offer significant benefits. A single AP Sensing cable can cover up to 16km and is recognised as a ‘simple apparatus’, using an optical laser pulse rather than a copper cable and connected to an intrinsically safe (IS) barrier to ensure safe operation in potentially explosive atmospheres. It can withstand temperatures of up to 750°C (1400°F) without losing monitoring capabilities, with a sampling interval of less than one metre to accurately track the size and direction of a spreading fire, regardless of air currents.

Iain Cumner is Managing Director of Patol. Commenting on the announcement, he said – “we are delighted to be working with AP Sensing to complement our own product range. It is the market leading option for fibre optic applications, perhaps best illustrated by the fact that it is protecting the Eurotunnel. Recognising this reputation we are retaining the AP Sensing branding, adding a Patol logo to the product to show that it is backed by our own engineering and design expertise.”

Clemens Pohl, CEO of AP Sensing, expressed his delight in collaborating with Patol in the special hazard fire detection market. “Patol’s renowned expertise and exceptional service, especially in the UK and Ireland, makes them an ideal partner for us” he stated. Conventional sensing technology can fail and is also potentially prone to false alarms. The AP Sensing fibre optic LHD N45-Series offers fast detection and low false alarm rates, combining optimum reliability with reduced operational costs. This reliability is maintained even in applications characterised by

challenging conditions including dirty, dusty and corrosive atmospheres; those subject to high humidity and extreme variations in temperature or where solvent vapours are present; if electromagnetic interference is an issue; or in potentially explosive environments. For the latter, the solution is ATEX and IECEx compliant, as well as being tested and certified to EN54-22 (VdS), FM, SIL 2, UL, ULC, and KFI standards.

The multiple system configurations, range of fibre optic cable types, plus a choice of mounting hardware, ensures the ultimate flexibility to cater for all fire detection applications where Linear Temperature Sensing is the preferred solution, from tunnels, conveyor systems and escalators to power generation, photovoltaic panels, warehouses and infrastructure projects.

Iain Cumner concludes – “as a business Patol has built its reputation on providing effective and reliable fire safety solutions, with LHDC at the heart of so many of our projects, either as a stand-alone technology or integrated with other fire safety systems. We look forward to working with AP Sensing, backing the reputation the brand has in fibre optic solutions with the knowledge and experience we have developed over many years of working in this important area of fire safety development.”