Press Releases: Xtralis

Xtralis Launches New ADPRO VideoCentral Platinum Multi-site Security Management Software

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST

Hemel Hempstead, U.K. – August 17, 2010 – Xtralis, a leading global provider of powerful solutions for the early detection of security threats, has launched ADPRO VideoCentral Platinum, the latest addition to its industry-leading ADPRO range of proactive security solutions.

ADPRO VideoCentral Platinum by Xtralis is a multi-site security management software application designed to monitor video and audio from remote sites using ADPRO video transmission systems, including the new ADPRO V3100 Hybrid Network Video and Audio Transmitter/Recorder and the ADPRO FastTrace Video and Audio Transmitter/Recorder.

Modelled on the existing ADPRO VideoCentral Gold interface for easy transition and supporting the latest Microsoft operating systems, ADPRO VideoCentral Platinum is a single- version product that supports multiple PCs and operators. It is ideal for either central monitoring station and/or command center applications or for a single operator or laptop user who requires only periodic site monitoring. Its compatibility with ADPRO’s newest transmission and recording technology – found in the ADPRO V3100 Hybrid – makes the new ADPRO VideoCentral Platinum the ultimate and most flexible multi-site security video management software application available.

“ADPRO VideoCentral is widely used for video alarm and event verification of remote-site alarms,” says Colin Rogers, global marketing solutions manager for Xtralis. “As we continue to make significant investments in new technologies to support the market, we are delighted to announce the launch of ADPRO VideoCentral Platinum with advanced features to provide interactive monitoring to central monitoring stations and single operators alike with one single-version product.”

ADPRO VideoCentral Platinum allows remote monitoring of staff, stock and general site activity with interactive, user-definable maps enabling an operator to call and control sites directly from a map or map layout. ADPRO VideoCentral Platinum features user friendly icons, pull-down menus and wizards for ease of control and administration.

Working in conjunction with ADPRO proactive remote video recording and transmission devices like ADPRO V3100, ADPRO VideoCentral Platinum enables users to view high-priority events such as panic, duress or armed hold-up in real time. Site owners can use the solution on a PC or laptop to remotely view video and stage an appropriate response, eliminating needless site visits or security patrols.

Integrated audio is an additional feature to assist with alarm verification, providing the capability to listen or talk to a remote site. ADPRO VideoCentral Platinum also allows an individual user access control and the ability to remotely control devices such as lights, gates or barriers alongside PTZ cameras for monitoring or surveillance.

About Xtralis
Xtralis™ is the leading global provider of powerful solutions for the early detection of fire, gas and security threats. Our technologies prevent disasters by giving users time to respond before life, critical infrastructure or business continuity is compromised. We protect high-value and irreplaceable assets belonging to the world’s top governments and businesses. Our solutions include VESDA® by Xtralis – high-sensitivity aspirating smoke detection, ICAM™ by Xtralis – flexible aspirating smoke detection, ADPRO® by Xtralis – perimeter, multi-site and enterprise security, and ASIM™ by Xtralis – traffic detection.

Xtralis Extends VESDA, the No. 1 Very Early Smoke Detection Line, with a Revolutionary Solution for Gas Detection and Environmental Monitoring

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST

NORWELL, Mass. – August 9, 2010 – Xtralis™, a leading global provider of powerful solutions for the early detection of fire, gas and security threats, has expanded VESDA, the market leader in very early warning smoke detection, to include aspirating smoke detection (ASD) plus gas detection and environmental monitoring.

This newly available solution, VESDA ECO™ by Xtralis, uses new or existing VESDA pipe networks to reliably detect smoke in addition to hazardous/combustible gases to ensure air quality. It also integrates easily with other building management systems for real-time situational awareness and intelligent emergency response, including the activation of demand-controlled ventilation to control costs and save energy.

“For more than 20 years, Xtralis has been on the forefront of innovation in the life safety space, delivering powerful solutions to protect people, property and business continuity,” explains Xtralis President and CEO Samir Samhouri. “Because we want to deliver more value to our customers and end users, Xtralis has extended the integrity and high performance of our ASD systems beyond smoke to also include gas detection and environmental monitoring. VESDA customers now can amortize the cost of their existing smoke detection infrastructures to reliably and accurately detect certain gases early enough to prevent damage to staff, assets and uptime.”

Customers across a wide array of industries, including data/telecom, manufacturing and transportation, can rely on VESDA ECO for very early warning fire detection, protection against hazardous gas leaks, air quality monitoring to ensure safe working environments, and help to reduce energy consumption and costs.

In fact, VESDA ECO has been deployed in a power plant in South America, car parks in Europe, and it protects a data center, national laboratory, wireless telecom facility and historical display in the United States.

Invisible hazards can originate from the release of toxic gases, oxygen deficiency, or the presence of combustible gases/vapors. With an ECO detector installed on a VESDA pipe network, air can be conditioned or filtered to remove moisture, dirt and other particulates that can cause traditional gas-detection systems to false alarm or become contaminated. As with fire detection, early warning of gas leaks or build-up enables countermeasures to be taken to protect personnel, property and business operations.

Each VESDA ECO detector can house up to two gas sensors, and additional detectors can be added easily to the pipe network to monitor more gases if required. In its initial release, the solution can be configured to detect ammonia (NH₃), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H₂), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), methane (CH₄), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), oxygen (O₂), propane (C₃H₈) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂).

VESDA ECO provides point, zone or total-area coverage to suit different applications in a wide array of environments, including battery-charging rooms, underground utility tunnels, boiler rooms, manufacturing facilities, parking garages and transportation centers.

The systems easily integrate with fire alarm control panels (FACP), programmable logic controllers (PLC), heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and building management systems (BMS) to provide real-time situational awareness for intelligent emergency response. No construction or electrical conduit is required.

ICAM ECO™ by Xtralis also is available for end users with ICAM ASD systems.

About Xtralis

Xtralis is the leading global provider of powerful solutions for the early detection of fire, gas and security threats. Our technologies prevent disasters by giving users time to respond before life, critical infrastructure or business continuity is compromised. We protect more than 40,000 customer sites in 100 countries, including billions in assets belonging to the world’s top governments and businesses. Our solutions include VESDA® by Xtralis – high-sensitivity aspirating smoke detection, ICAM™ by Xtralis – flexible aspirating smoke detection, ADPRO® by Xtralis – perimeter, multi-site and enterprise security, and ASIM™ by Xtralis – traffic detection. Visit us at www.xtralis.com to learn more.

Xtralis Solidifies Its Position as the Premier High-quality Early Detection Provider for the Fast-growing and Highly Demanding Chinese Marketplace

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST

BEIJING – July 27, 2010 – Xtralis™, a leading global provider of powerful solutions for the early detection of fire, gas and security threats, today announced that it owns a wholly foreign-owned enterprise that will operate in China as Foremost Early Detection Partners Limited (FED-P) to develop and market the leading, locally manufactured FMST® brand of aspirating smoke detection (ASD) systems.

“The fire detection sector in China is one of the fastest growing with a quickly maturing ASD segment due to the emerging new China National Fire Code and advancing industry standards,” explains Samir Samhouri, president and CEO of Xtralis, the leading supplier in the ASD sector globally and in China through its VESDA® and ICAM™ brands of ASDs. “The establishment of FED-P will help to further advance ASD in China for life safety and asset protection by applying Xtralis’ global expertise in early warning safety and security solutions across a wide set of infrastructures. This will ensure that FMST continues to grow as the top Chinese-made ASD brand.”

Like VESDA and ICAM by Xtralis, FMST has met the demanding requirements of the new China National Standard GB15631-2008 for Special Type Fire Detectors, which specifies the requirements, test methods and performance criteria for high-sensitivity ASDs for use as fire detection and fire alarm systems in all infrastructures.

“With three ASD brands available in China, the entire spectrum of ASD customers can be served – from those who are driven primarily by code compliance to those infrastructures with zero tolerance for fire and security threats,” Samhouri adds. “As a result, premium early detection ASD products will become more accessible to a broader set of market segments as well as to the general fire, safety and building industry in China.”

Xtralis and FED-P both will work to expand the awareness of early detection technology in China but will operate as two totally separate business entities within the country and will bid separately for ASD business. Xtralis will grow its leadership in the China ASD sector for highly specialized fire detection through its VESDA and ICAM brands in partnership with its local distributors and channels. FED-P will work with its own channel partners and through direct interaction with building engineering contractors in response to tenders and end-user needs to serve code-compliance-driven market segments and specialized industries that demand cost-effective, locally made products.

FED-P operates a 1,200-square-meter manufacturing and R&D facility as well as a national sales and support center in Beijing. Xtralis will continue to operate out of its existing facility in Shanghai.

For more information about FED-P, please visit www.fmst.com.cn. The FED-P Web site will be live in August at www.FED-P.com.cn.

About Xtralis
Xtralis is the leading global provider of powerful solutions for the early detection of fire, gas and security threats. Our technologies prevent disasters by giving users time to respond before life, critical infrastructure or business continuity is compromised. We protect high-value and irreplaceable assets belonging to the world’s top governments and businesses. Our solutions include VESDA by Xtralis – high-sensitivity aspirating smoke detection, ICAM by Xtralis – flexible aspirating smoke detection, ADPRO® by Xtralis – perimeter, multi-site and enterprise security, and ASIM™ by Xtralis – traffic detection. To learn more, please visit us at www.xtralis.com.

Xtralis Launches New Generation of ADPRO Video Transmission, Recording and Analysis Technology

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST

Hemel Hempstead, U.K. – July 7, 2010 – Xtralis, a leading provider of powerful solutions for the early detection of security threats, has launched the ADPRO V3100 Hybrid – a new generation of highly reliable network video and audio transmission and recording technology with analytics for both IP and analog CCTV remote monitoring applications.

Building on the heritage of the ADPRO FastTrace, the new ADPRO 3100 Hybrid is a single- or multi-site system that monitors and transmits high-quality images using H.264 compression so operators within a central monitoring station can quickly assess an unfolding security situation and take appropriate action.

It also uses server-grade hard disks to locally store up to 8 terabytes of data "in the box," and when used in conjunction with the ADPRO VideoCentral Platinum management software, provides the most flexible multi-site video security system available.

“The ADPRO V3100 Hybrid is part of the ultimate video management system,” says Colin Rogers, global solutions marketing manager for Xtralis. “It provides the earliest possible warning of a security threat so impacts can be minimized and guard services deployed efficiently.”

The ADPRO V3100 Hybrid fully integrates with other ADPRO security systems, such as the ADPRO PRO Passive Infrared Detectors and the ADPRO Presidium Video Motion Detector, as Rogers says, “to provide complete security from the edge of a facility to its very core.”

A true “hybrid,” the ADPRO V3100 has been designed with reliability as a key imperative: hard disk SMART diagnostics provide early warning of potential hard disk failure, and the operating system uses flash memory so that the system continues to operate even during hard disk failure. Other features include automated system monitoring of all critical functions and a secondary communications path if the primary should fail.

Fully scalable and capable of supporting up to 16 cameras, the ADPRO V3100 Hybrid can manage both Dual codec and Dual stream technologies for totally independent recording and viewing quality settings per camera. It also features one audio input per video input for synchronized audio recording and an intuitive Web interface that gives authorized users remote access to live and recorded video.

The use of H.264 compression technology delivers the highest quality video with the lowest bandwidth. Recording is of evidential quality with video resolution for IP cameras up to High Definition (HD), and it records up to 25 images per second (PAL) and 30 ips (NTSC).

The ADPRO V3100 Hybrid also enables extremely fast searches through large amounts of recorded video with an innovative post-record metadata motion search capability. Results are presented on a timeline in seconds without large video data transfers across the network.

“With live and recorded video transmission, two-way audio, remote camera control and flexible integration capabilities, the ADPRO V3100 Hybrid provides a complete solution for multi-site security,” Rogers concludes.

An SDK interface is available to support direct integration with third-party receiving software.

Xtralis� ICAM Aspirating Smoke Detection System Selected for Gatwick Lifts

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST

Hemel Hempstead, U.K. – June 21, 2010 – Xtralis, a leading provider of powerful solutions for the early detection of fire, gas and security threats, today announced that its ICAM aspirating smoke detection (ASD) system is being used to provide early warning fire detection in the lift shafts throughout London Gatwick Airport.

Lifts are a critical component of building infrastructure, particularly in busy passenger terminals. However, installing fire detection systems traditionally has been very difficult and costly with maintenance also being problematic since the lifts have to be shut down for the equipment to be serviced.

It was for these reasons that Xtralis partner Eurofyre recommended the use of the ICAM by Xtralis early warning fire detection units. The sampling pipes are installed within the lift shaft, but the actual ASD technology remains outside.

As Eurofyre Director David Davies explains, “The installation works by actively drawing air through sampling holes in a network of pipes that is installed along the elevator shaft and in the elevator machine room. The air sample is then analysed by the ICAM unit that is placed within the machine room, ensuring ease of access for testing and maintenance.”

ICAM ASDs can be connected to an existing fire alarm control panel or operate independently to provide alarm information via a relay output for local actions – to open or close smoke vents or alert an alarm monitoring station, for example.

The ICAM solution is deployed around the world in a variety of environments including data centers, manufacturing facilities, historic buildings and critical-infrastructure sites.

“Our ICAM solution provides reliable detection in a wide array of challenging environments,” says Mick Goodfellow, Xtralis vice president for sales in Europe. “Its unique ability to identify the location of the earliest presence of smoke makes it a compelling choice for today’s fire safety professionals.”

Gatwick Airport is the U.K.’s second-largest airport and the busiest single-runway airport in the world. It serves more than 200 destinations in 90 countries for around around 33 million passengers a year on short- and long-haul, point-to-point services.

London Gatwick Airport is owned by Global Infrastructure Partners, a $5.6 billion independent investment firm that invests worldwide in infrastructure assets.

About Xtralis

Xtralis™ is the leading global provider of powerful solutions for the early detection of fire, gas and security threats. Our technologies prevent disasters by giving users time to respond before life, critical infrastructure or business continuity is compromised. We protect high-value and irreplaceable assets belonging to the world’s top governments and businesses. Our solutions include VESDA® by Xtralis – high-sensitivity aspirating smoke detection, ICAM™ by Xtralis – flexible aspirating smoke detection, ADPRO® by Xtralis – perimeter protection and enterprise IP security, and ASIM™ by Xtralis – traffic detection.

Xtralis' ADPRO Presidium Mini Intrusion Detection Solution Receives Highest Level of Classification From U.K. Government

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST

Hemel Hempstead, U.K. -- June 14, 2010 -- Xtralis, a leading global provider of powerful solutions for the early detection of fire, gas and security threats, today announced that its ADPRO Presidium Mini Intelligent Intrusion Detection System has been certified as a primary detection system by the U.K. Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB).

This certification means that government and other mission-critical security users can confidently implement the Presidium Mini for an array of sterile zone monitoring applications, assured that the solution provides the highest level of accuracy in the most challenging environments.

The ADPRO Presidium Mini is successfully deployed in a number of high-profile facilities around the world including government embassies, high-security military and law- enforcement installations, and key utility sites including water, power and telecommunications plants.

The HOSDB Imagery Library for Intelligent Detection Systems (i-LIDS®) Project evaluates products for use in government installations and awarded the ADPRO Presidium Mini this prestigious classification as a result of its recent comprehensive Sterile Zone Monitoring Evaluations.

Xtralis President and CEO Samir Samhouri is delighted that the Presidium Mini has acheived this prestigious primary status. “As a market leader in the perimeter detection space, we seek every opportunity for independent certification of the power of our solutions and their value in mission-critical environments,” he says. “The U.K. government is committed to promoting the development of powerful security systems, and HOSDB is the recognized authority in this area with i-LIDS as its benchmark. Our ADPRO Presidium Mini underwent some of the most challenging testing that it has ever been subjected to, and it is extremely gratifying that it performed so well.”

Incorporating more than 20 years of research and development, the ADPRO Presidium Mini by Xtralis uses flexible lighting compensation, multiple-scene models, and practical object filters to give the highest likelihood of detecting intruders under a wide range of environmental conditions. Detection can be tailored for specific applications based on the perceived threat level, with performance not being compromised during periods of scene change such as those caused by cloud shadows or moving vegetation.

The ADPRO Presidium Mini also features automatic scene learning and intelligent algorithms to dramatically reduce false-alarm rates caused by small animals, trees and their shadows, car headlights and adverse weather conditions such as heavy wind or rain.

The system’s reliability and performance is complemented by its ease of installation and commissioning and an intuitive PC-based graphical user interface (GUI) with intelligent, pre-configured settings that enable quick set-up either onsite or remotely over IP. Comprehensive facilities also are provided that enable easy integration with Xtralis' ADPRO FastTrace (AFT) and FastTX as well as the PRO series range of PIR detectors to offer a complete remote site security solution. Easy integration with third-party CCTV control systems is also possible.

“The Xtralis ADPRO Presidium Mini can be flexibly configured for specific applications based on the level of perceived threat to a site,” explains Colin Rogers, global solutions marketing manager for Xtralis. “Specifically, it can work in combination with the ADPRO PRO series of external PIR detectors, delivering a solid yet cost-effective solution for high-security applications.”

From an installation perspective, the new ADPRO Presidium Mini has a small hardware footprint suitable for desktop installation or wall mounting. A purpose-built hardware platform and dedicated, embedded software combines with real-time system monitoring to maintain uninterrupted and reliable operation. In addition, the new product is designed for low-voltage operation, suitable for mounting either where mains voltage is not available or not practical, and easily supported during mains failure.

To assist installers directly, Xtralis provides manuals, full documentation and information on the Web as well as help from the outset with system design, including site visits. The company also provides a commissioning service to help installers fine tune the technology to meet the design specification.

About Xtralis

VESDA Named as One of the Top 10 Brands in the Fire Category in the First HC360 Industry Awards in China

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST

Shanghai – June 2, 2010 – VESDA by Xtralis has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Brands in the Fire Category in the first HC360 Industry Awards. HC360 is a leading business-to-business electronic platform and media channel in China. The VESDA brand was chosen from among hundreds of fire products for its superior quality and customer service.

The contest lasted approximately seven months and involved 14 national departments, including the China Business Trade Department, China Central Promotional Board, National Development Committee and China International Trade Development. It was jointly organized by the China Electronic Business Association and popular media channel HC360.com with 2,600 organizations and enterprises from 24 industry categories as voting judges, and supported by more than 300 other media and television stations.

Ken Cheuk, Xtralis sales director in China, and David Zhou, Xtralis national sales manager in China, represented Xtralis at the awards ceremony held in the China Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

“VESDA by Xtralis as an exported brand is very privileged to receive this prestigious award,” explains Ken Cheuk. “It shows that our efforts in the past years have received recognition from the China market, and it will motivate Xtralis to continue to provide excellent product and customer service to contribute to the fire industry in China.”

VESDA aspirating smoke detection (ASD) technology was invented and is manufactured by Xtralis. As market expectations for fire products rise in China, VESDA ASD has been successfully deployed in a wide array of applications, including airports, rail transport, metros, tobacco factories, sports arenas, warehouses and power generation plants.

VESDA actively detects smoke at the incipient stage of a fire to provide very early warning, which conventional point-type detectors struggle to do. Even in special applications, including large, open spaces such as a 12-meter high atrium where conventional point detectors do not perform reliably, VESDA ASD is the ideal solution.

About Xtralis

VESDA VFT-15 by Xtralis Wins 2010 New Product Showcase for Best Fire/Life Safety Solution

Sat, 27 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

LAS VEGAS – March 26, 2010 – Xtralis was honored on Wednesday at ISC West with the 2010 New Product Showcase for the Best Fire and Life Safety Solution for its VESDA VFT-15 aspirating smoke detection (ASD) system.

“This is an exciting honor for Xtralis, which has always been a pioneer in the life safety industry,” explains Ian Ehrenberg, senior vice president and general manager for Xtralis in the Americas. “It underscores out commitment to innovation in early fire detection, which continues to be adopted over traditional fire detection because organizations want to minimize risk and maximize business continuity.”

The VESDA VFT-15 by Xtralis is the only early warning fire detection system that provides pinpoint addressability for up to 15 protected areas. As a multi-channel system, it divides a protected space into sampling sectors, enabling the reliable detection and location of a fire at a very early stage, which is key to fast and intelligent emergency response.

The VESDA VFT-15 can be configured to protect a number of environments, including cabinets, electronic data processing rooms, prisons, historic homes, museums and art galleries. Current listings and approvals include: UL, FM, VdS, CE – EMC, LVD and CPD, and EN54-20.

The New Product Showcase (NPS), which is sponsored by the Security Industry Association (SIA), is held annually in conjunction with ISC West at the Sands Expo and Convention Center to recognize the best security product innovations.

The judging process for the SIA New Product Showcase consists of a pre-show online product review and a day-long series of face-to-face presentations including a product presentation and question-and-answer period. NPS judges represent a carefully selected cross-section of the security industry and are primarily drawn from dealers, specifiers, end-users, distributors and practitioners.

The Security Industry Association (www.siaonline.org) is the leading trade group for businesses in the electronic and physical security market. SIA protects and advances its members' interests by advocating pro-industry policies and legislation on Capitol Hill and throughout the 50 states; producing cutting-edge global market research; creating open industry standards that enable integration; advancing industry professionalism through education and training; opening global market opportunities; and providing sole sponsorship of the ISC Expos, the world's largest security trade shows and conferences.

About Xtralis
Xtralis™ is the leading global provider of powerful solutions for the early detection of fire and security threats. Our technologies prevent disasters by giving users time to respond before life, critical infrastructure or business continuity is compromised. We protect more than 40,000 customer sites in 100 countries, including billions in assets belonging to the world’s top governments and businesses. Our solutions include VESDA® by Xtralis – aspirating smoke detection, ICAM™ by Xtralis – flexible fire protection, ADPRO® by Xtralis – perimeter protection and enterprise IP security, and ASIM™ by Xtralis – traffic detection. To learn more, please visit us at www.xtralis.com.

Xtralis' VESDA and ICAM Products Receive Important China Approval

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST

Shanghai, China – January 11, 2009 – Xtralis, the leading global provider of intelligent fire detection and security solutions, today announced that both its VESDA and ICAM range of aspirating smoke detectors (ASDs) have met the demanding requirements of new China National Standard GB15631-2008 for Special Type Fire Detectors.

As of January 2010, both VESDA and ICAM products are compliant with GB15631-2008, which specifies the requirements, test methods and performance criteria for high-sensitivity ASDs for use in fire detection and fire alarm systems installed in buildings. This requirement has been mandatory since May 1, 2009, and for the first time introduces stringent performance requirements and classifications for special type fire detectors. Testing of the Xtralis VESDA and ICAM range was carried out by National Supervision and Test Center for Fire Electronic Product Quality in Shenyang.

Ken Cheuk, director of sales, China, for Xtralis said, "We are proud that our broad, market-leading ASD product offering meets the stringent requirements of GB15631 in China. Now consultants, partners and customers can specify the entire range of VESDA and ICAM products from Xtralis with the full confidence that they will be compliant upon installation and commissioning. Xtralis is the first company in China that has the entire range of its ASD products approved."

About Xtralis
Xtralis is a leading global provider of powerful, early warning fire detection and security solutions that prevent disasters by giving users time to respond before life, critical infrastructure or business continuity is compromised. We protect more than 40,000 customer sites in 100 countries, including billions in assets belonging to the world’s top governments and businesses. Our solutions include VESDA® by Xtralis – very early warning fire detection, ICAM® by Xtralis – flexible fire and environmental monitoring, ADPRO® by Xtralis – outdoor and enterprise security, and ASIM® by Xtralis – traffic detection. Visit us at www.xtralis.com to learn more.

Xtralis Visits Customer Madrid Metro to Mark Its 90th Anniversary

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST

Hemel Hempstead, UK – January 6, 2010 –Xtralis, a leading provider of intelligent fire detection and security solutions, today announced that CEO Samir Samhouri honored the metro for its 90th anniversary as well as for its forward-thinking deployment of VESDA aspirating smoke detectors (ASDs) across the Madrid Metro system to safeguard passengers, staff and rail infrastructure. Covering more than 283 kilometres of track running beneath the city, Madrid Metro serves more than 700 million passengers each year.

For years, thousands of VESDA detectors have ensured reliable, early warning smoke detection across more than 290 underground railway stations, retail shops and escalators in the Madrid Metro environment. Selected for its effectiveness in demanding critical-infrastructure environments, VESDA detects the earliest threat of fire across the entire metro system, eliminating costly and disruptive downtime and protecting against catastrophic losses due to fire.

As the fire detection solution of choice for Madrid Metro, VESDA is widely implemented across the system in:

Transformer substations
Escalators, elevators and concourses
Switching and signal rooms
Command centers and the Rail Museum

In addition, Madrid Metro operates the world’s largest fleet of on-board, fully automated ASD-protected trains, ensuring the utmost in safety for rolling stock and passengers. VESDA provides actionable intelligence at the earliest threat of fire, ensuring that command center personnel and train operators can take a proactive approach to avert disaster before it strikes.

“We are pleased to honor Madrid Metro for its 90th anniversary and are proud of their long-standing commitment to the broad adoption of ASD, which sets a best-practice example for major transit systems around the world,” said Samir Samhouri, president and CEO of Xtralis. “Our VESDA solution is the defacto standard for the most demanding critical-infrastructure environments, and Madrid Metro’s stringent early warning requirements demonstrate their leadership and dedication to preserving passenger safety and enhancing operational continuity and performance.”

VESDA is the only ASD solution designed for use in harsh and confined environments with a zero tolerance for fire, such as underneath railway station escalators and in service rooms and ventilation duct work. VESDA uses small tubes to collect air samples from underneath the moving stairways and above escalator motors. The samples pass through a multi-stage filter where advanced laser detection technology identifies the presence of fire before visible smoke can be detected, allowing fire safety personnel to address the threat before it escalates.