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Drax Raises The Bar For Fire Alarm Maintenance Standards

Drax (UK) Ltd, one of the UK's leading independent developers of integrated alarm management solutions, has launched IRIS (Internet Recording Information System), a new web-based service management system. This powerful service control and information system will help Drax (UK) to deliver industry-leading levels of maintenance support for fire detection and alarm installations and ensure that users can meet their statutory duty of care, adhere to health and safety guidelines whilst helping to reduce the number of unwanted fire signals.

"Having a maintenance contract does not mean that your fire alarm is being maintained to manufacturer or industry standards and we estimate that over 80% of all fire alarm maintainers routinely fail to achieve the standards described in BS5839 or obligations under the BAFE scheme or LPS1014" commented Alex Cother of Drax. "We have developed IRIS in response to customer demands for proof of maintenance and FIA initiatives to raise safety standards across the industry. Enabling users to demonstrate that every possible step has been taken to protect both life and property has become much more important as a result of enforcement of The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 ."

Being web-enabled, IRIS will enable Drax (UK) to manage and monitor every stage of the maintenance process from any authorised location around the clock. It documents every part of the maintenance cycle from logging and allocating service calls, both scheduled and emergency, through to the capture of customer signatures on the mobile terminals used by every technician. IRIS also enables customers to access detailed information about every service call, current and completed jobs and all recorded site visit history including electronic dockets with signatures showing who signed on-site acceptances. A full range of service and call out reports can be viewed, printed or converted to PDF format for long term archiving.

IRIS uses an SQL server database to ensure the integrity of data. The database is partitioned to ensure that queries and transactions can only be executed against the relevant customer and a raft of high level security measures have been adopted to protect confidential customer information. To meet the business continuity requirements of clients, all system data is securely backed up to three separate locations globally.

"As well as improving the utilisation of engineering resources to deliver a faster, personalised level of support to users, IRIS will enable our customers to check that scheduled maintenance is being performed and that service levels are being achieved," continued Alex Cother. "Drax (UK) is committed to delivering the highest level of support to customers and this new system will help to consolidate our position as one of the UK's leading independent providers of end-to-end alarm management solutions."

AMX1 Online Demonstration

You can now view on online demonstration of Drax's Alarm Management system. Just go to the AMX1 page and click on the demonstation panel on the right.
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F-Gas Certification

Drax (UK) is pleased to confirm it is recognised by the FIA as being competent to carry out installation and maintenance & servicing of Fire Protection systems containing Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases with the issue of FIA Certificate # I - 0025.

This competency has been a legal requirement since July 2009 and requires our staff working on such systems to be formally trained to the requirements of the GB Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2009. These include topics such as Technical Standards, Environmental Issues, Valve & Actuators - Prevention of Discharge and Leakage, System Records and practical issues.

Our Technicians are either qualified, or in the process of obtaining qualification, via the FIA training courses FG103.
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The Cost of Hospital Visits - Survey Launch

Drax (UK) Limited and its partner Nulogic Software Limited are pleased to be associated with the Patient Association "The Cost of Hospital Visits" Survey.

Drax Managing director Philip Cunningham said "We are pleased to provide the Software survey Systems to enable this important work to be carried out".

This national survey was launched today 19th March 2009 by Claire Rayner, President of the Patients Association, at Hillingdon Hospital.

To read the offical press release, please visit www.patients-association.org.uk/News/266.
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Investors In People

Drax (UK) Ltd are proud to announce that we have been awarded Investors In People recognition. Drax QA Representative Chris Brown comments, "There has always been a strong and maintained drive to continually increase the value of personnel through structured training. This has prompted individuals to a better understanding of their KPI's. In turn personnel, have become better equipped to fulfill company objectives leading to improved overall performance for Drax (UK). It was a logical step to pursue the Key Strengths and Areas of Good Practice promoted by the Investors in People standard. Accordingly, all staff were justifiably pleased when we learnt that, following our successful assessment, Drax (UK) has been recognised as having achieved the Investors in People Standard."
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Drax Peatplus at Great Ormond Street Hospital

The Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH) has purchased PEATplus software from Drax (UK) Ltd. PEATplus, a unique software solution, is designed to help NHS Trusts to optimise their PEAT ratings. PEATplus software runs on PC tablets or PDAs and includes the current PEAT survey form. Read more ...
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One-stop Survey Solution

Designed to dramatically reduce the labour required to create, implement and analyse survey information, the Quono Drax Standard Survey System provides a complete one-stop solution.

The system consists of three integrated elements that facilitate the easy generation of surveys, the collection of survey response data via kiosk or portable computer, and the rapid creation of reports analysing the collected data.

Designed for ease of use with minimal training, the Drax Standard Survey system brings automated surveys within the capability of any organisation.
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Drax (UK) Launches Internet Patient Survey System At HEFMA 2007

Drax (UK) Ltd will be launching a remote, web based surveying system as part of its new Healthcare Division at this year's HEFMA Conference & Exhibition, 23-24 th May at Hilton Blackpool.

The Drax Survey System has been developed specifically for the health sector and is structured so it can be used by all healthcare disciplines. It is very simple to set it up and activate on line and involves minimal work on the customer's part. Read more ...
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Drax (UK) Installs Fire Alarm System For The Newly Refurbished Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel

Drax (UK) Ltd., one of Europe's leading independent providers of life safety systems and management solutions, has completed the installation of a comprehensive fire alarm system as part of a $14.2 million refurbishment programme at the 87 room Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London - part of the Dubai-based luxury hospitality group Jumeirahat.

The refurbishment and extension of this luxurious hotel has necessitated a new fire alarm system, which has been installed by Drax (UK). The new system covers the ground floor, including reception, bar, restaurant, conference room and staff rooms; floor one to five of guest rooms; and the new sixth floor containing the suites. The basement area has retained the existing fire alarm system, albeit with modifications; for maximum cost efficiency.

Drax installed a combination of Apollo fire detectors to an L1 specification (Life Protection Cover Level 1) and voice alarm speakers to cover all communal areas, staff areas, guest rooms and en suite bathrooms. An Advanced Electronics 4 Loop addressable Control Panel has been installed for all detection circuits and a Baldwin Boxall Voice Alarm Rack, consisting of 18 amplifiers, 301 CD disc interchanger and public address facilities.
Furthermore, a WEAC Disabled person Refuge System has been installed by Drax after specification by the consultant as this is one of the few systems that comes in a Mirror Chrome finish to match the other electrical accessories installed.

The equipment was chosen by Drax as it was considered to be the most reliable on the market, as well as competitively priced.
Drax (UK) won the contract for the new fire alarm system installation at the Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel through tender, but had already built a good working relationship with the hotel over the eight years it maintained the previous fire system in situ.
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Drax Joins The Fire Industry Association

Drax (UK) Ltd., one of Europe's leading independent providers of integrated alarm systems and management solutions, is pleased to announce that it has become a member of the Fire Industry Association (FIA).

The FIA is the new trade association, formed in 2007, that brings together the BFPSA (British Fire Protection Systems Association formed in 1966) and FETA (Fire Extinguishing Trades Association formed in 1916) and represents 95% of UK manufacturers and installers of Fire Alarm, Fixed Gaseous Extinguishing systems and portable fire extinguishers. It is recognised as the coordinating body for the UK fire systems industry and is the leading trade association in its field in Europe.

Alex Cother of Drax (UK) comments on this latest development for the company: "This significant step forward in Drax's history recognises the growth experienced by the company and the professionalism required amidst increased industry regulation."
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Integrating Access Control with Fire and Security

Flexible and programmable Integration of access control and alarms from different manufacturers is easily achieved with a new interface to the Plan Access Control system recently added to the Connect AMX1 Alarm Management system.

Initially installed as part of a security modernisation at a major London hospital, this now allows the people on site to decide and quickly program which doors are to be unlocked (or locked) in response to any fire or security alarm recorded in AMX1. Unlike conventional, limited, wired connections between the different systems, the flexibility of the AMX1 approach is such that integration can be programmed down to individual alarm point or door level. This allows fire zoning and security compartmentalisation to be fully retained, with ease of change in the future as the site develops.
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PEATplus at West Suffolk District General Hospital

Drax (UK) Ltd. has installed a PEATplus unit into West Suffolk District General Hospital, which is being used as part of an evaluation of public surveys conducted within NHS premises.

A single, stand alone PEATplus unit was installed in the main reception area at West Suffolk District General Hospital, with an overwhelming response. In just 42 days, the Trust received a staggering 1259 completed surveys, 715 completed by visitors and the remainder by patients - and all with virtually no promotion of the unit! Read more...
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Enhanced Service and Maintenance Software

Drax has further enhanced the Service reporting module in its flagship Connect AMX1 Alarm Management system. The improvements enable greater integration with the Connect AMS alarm network system.

The AMX1 service reporting module allows facilities and maintenance personnel to track and record service operations, either to enhance record keeping or as part of a BAFE SP203 system. Read more about AMX1 here.
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