A big number of buildings are built in a manner that fire and security systems operate as standalone systems and that hence affect efficiency in firefighting when a fire incident happens, putting the companies into huge losses of properties and data.

However, DSPA, a company specialized in dealing with security and fire consultancy and protection in Rwanda, is currently implementing building automation towards advanced fire and security solutions in buildings and workplaces where private and public institutions operate.

The new building automation solutions ensure interconnectivity of systems in the buildings where the CCTV camera, access control, fire alarm, fire suppression, air conditioning system are all linked together toward a more efficient fire and security service.

To ensure the efficiency, DSPA on Friday held a one-day workshop on ‘building automation and integrated security solutions’ during which engineers and architects from public and private companies were trained on advanced firefighting solutions in buildings.

The workshop saw experts from UAE-based Company AHI Carrier Group train local architects and engineers on how best and efficient they can use advanced security systems towards creating a fire incident-free environment.

The experts trained architects and engineers on fire alarm, building automation, integrated security solutions, hospitality management solutions and air condition solutions.

John Gatebera, the CEO of DSPA Rwanda, said the training will serve to ensure advanced fire and security solutions in workplaces and other public facilities such as hotels, banks, hospitals, supermarkets, and schools.

"In most buildings, security systems are not linked and that most of the times trigger firefighting efficiency. What we do, with our new DSPA technologies, we interconnect them to ensure that they signal each other whenever a fire incident is going to happen in the building. That is why we are training architects and engineers so they can start linking all systems in the buildings where their institutions operate and even start installing automated systems in new buildings,” Gatebera said.

Gatebera emphasized that building automation helps in early firefighting operations to stop it from spreading in the building and that makes it more difficult for companies to stop fire outbreak.

He believes, if players in the construction sector embrace the automated security systems, the costs will reduce while the efficiency in firefighting will be assured as well.

"When the system is automatic, it instantly solves the fire outbreak. That is why we call players in the construction sector to embrace these new solutions for the safety of their properties,” Gatebera added.

Amit Patni, the Senior Manager Sales and Operations in Automation, Fire and Security at AHI said their technologies are a good example for them to illustrate how efficient building automation is in a country that is quickly embracing technology towards its economic transformations.

"We are not only here to promote our products but to also build the capacity of engineers and architects towards an advanced customer experience on our technologies. We are aware that Rwanda is a country that is growing fast in ICT and we are training its technicians on how best they can embrace latest security technologies that deliver services that meet customer aspirations,” he said.

The company, which operates in more than 130 countries worldwide, is also looking shift its investment operations in Rwanda, bringing its intelligent building technologies on ground.

John Ruvugwaho, a mechanical engineer at Real Contractors, said it’s high time the construction sector to automate buildings with integrated fire and security systems for the safety of the companies’ staffs and data.

"The automated firefighting system in Rwanda is improving thanks to DSPA’s new systems which I think are more efficient given that their solutions do not require one’s interventions. Water was commonly used in fighting fire incidents but DSPA’s alternatives mean the safety of building is better assured,” he said.

DSPA provides high technology security equipment and offers installation for its customers including government institutions, factories, commercial buildings, banks telecom companies and residential houses.

Some of the equipment include surveillance cameras, fire alarms, control alarms, CCTV cameras, access control and the DSPA fire suppression system which comes in different forms, automatic and manual operated DSPA.