In this month’s Face to Face we catch up with Johann Keen, National Sales Manager (UK Trade) at FireAngel, to hear about the technologies to look out for and what wholesalers and customers can expect from FireAngel.
Q. What sets FireAngel apart in terms of the support it offers to wholesalers and their customers?
A: At FireAngel, we believe that delivering life-saving technology is only part of the picture – providing expert, ongoing support is just as critical. That’s why we have a dedicated team of regional sales executives who work closely with our wholesaler partners across the UK. Our approach is based on long-term partnership, not one-off transactions, meaning we’re on hand to support our customers throughout the full lifecycle of the relationship, from initial product advice through to post-sale support.
Our team is undergoing training in the latest British Standards, including BS 5839-6, ensuring we can provide informed guidance on the specification and installation of fire detection systems. This level of expertise is especially important when dealing with life-critical systems, and it allows our partners to have complete confidence in the advice they receive when specifying FireAngel solutions.
Q. Quality and reliability are key when it comes to fire safety products. How does FireAngel ensure its alarms meet the high standards expected by both installers and end users?
A: Reliability is at the heart of everything we do at FireAngel. Unlike some manufacturers who batch-test their alarms, we individually test every single unit across our smoke, heat and carbon monoxide ranges. This rigorous process ensures that each alarm meets our exacting standards before it leaves the production line, giving both installers and end users complete peace of mind.
On top of this, we also carry out additional random testing on more than 300 alarms each month, checking sound output, critical functionality and circuit integrity. This ongoing quality control helps us maintain consistent performance and ensures that our alarms continue to operate at the highest level long after installation.
Q. What FireAngel products and solutions are currently proving popular with wholesalers/customers and why?
A: Our ST-622T smoke alarm has proven particularly popular with wholesalers and installers alike. It features advanced Thermoptek technology, our multi-sensor optical sensing system, which delivers a faster response to all types of fires, including fast flaming and slow smouldering, while significantly reducing the risk of nuisance alarms. This makes it an ideal “fit-and-forget” solution for installers.
The ST-622T offers a high level of protection in a compact, easy-to-install standalone unit, and the reduced likelihood of false alarms leads to fewer call-backs, saving time and money for both installers and residents. A great example of how FireAngel combines intelligent design with real-world practicality.
Q. Why should electrical wholesalers consider stocking hybrid alarm systems?
A: Hybrid alarm systems offer a huge amount of flexibility for installers, which is why they’re an increasingly popular choice in the market. FireAngel’s hybrid solutions are compatible with a wide range of domestic building types, from new builds, retrofits and extensions to older and even Grade I listed properties. This adaptability makes them especially valuable for retrofit projects, where adding hardwired connections may not be practical.
The ability to wirelessly interlink alarms also enhances safety by ensuring that all devices across a property communicate effectively in the event of a fire or CO incident. FireAngel’s hybrid systems are fully compliant with British standards and allow installers to mix and match different alarm types within a connected system, making them a smart, future-proof option for wholesalers to recommend.
Q. With more and more connected technologies appearing in homes, how are modern fire safety solutions able to integrate with smart home systems?
A: Most life-critical fire safety systems, including ours, operate using closed protocols to maintain security and reliability. However, FireAngel has developed a number of innovative solutions to help residents stay connected and in control. One example is our unique FireAngel Predict, an intelligent patented algorithm that analyses data from installed alarms to anticipate potential fire risks. Through the connected FireAngel app, users can receive alerts on their phone, access alarm activation history, and even view carbon monoxide levels in real-time.
Looking ahead, we see huge potential in expanding integration with other smart home systems. We’re constantly exploring how technology can be used to not only detect danger, but also to communicate it more effectively, especially to those most at risk.
Q. What are FireAngel’s key objectives over the coming months and years?
A: We’re focused on delivering even greater levels of service and support to our partners across the supply chain. With an expert team of specification managers and regional managers covering wholesaler and UK housing channels and a dedicated technical support team, we have a strong foundation in place. However, we’re not standing still – we’re actively looking to expand our team further to meet growing demand and deliver even more value to wholesalers, installers, UK housing professionals and their end customers.
Our goal is to make specifying and installing compliant, reliable fire and CO safety systems as straightforward and efficient as possible. By continuing to invest in our people and innovation, we’re helping to drive standards forward in the industry, ensuring that safety solutions are not only technically excellent, but also accessible and easy to work with at every stage.
Find out more about FireAngel here
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