PowerFlare® LED Safety Lights | Hillershop.com

PowerFlare® LED Safety Lights by: Mike Glover, Hiller Systems

Hillershop.com - Your premier equipment supplier for all of your fire protection and safety equipment needs, presents a brief explanation on the PowerFlare® LED Safety Light Series.

The PowerFlare® Electronic Beacon was invented by an officer from a municipal police department in Silicon Valley with the objective of eliminating the danger, difficulty in use, and needless cost of old-fashioned road flares. PowerFlare Corporation's experienced engineering team with expertise in mechanical design, electronics, and optics converted this concept into a rugged design incorporating cutting-edge technology.

Invented by a police officer, the amazing new PowerFlare® PF-200 Safety Light is an essential piece of equipment for police, firefighters, EMTs, rescue first responders, and members of emergency response teams.  This compact (4”) light emits 360° of ultra-bright light from an array of 16 LEDs, visible for up to 10 miles away. It is waterproof and so tough, you can run it over with a fire truck.  Unlike flashlights with alkaline batteries or chemical light sticks, PowerFlare units can handle extreme temperatures, can be used in HAZMAT situations (intrinsically safe), and feature an impressive 10 year storage/shelf life, using lithium batteries that won’t ever leak.  This same technology used by first responders and the military is now available for you and your family.

Ideal Uses Include:
• In your car in case of breakdown or accident
• Keep in disaster supply kit
• Power failure/blackouts
• Signal rescuers to your house (put in window or driveway)
• Sports and recreation (easy to clip on to belt, backpack, bicycle, etc.)
• SCUBA diving: waterproof to 80’

The PowerFlare® PF-200 Safety Light has 10 flash patterns, including U.S. Coast Guard approved "SOS” (Morse code) and solid-on (lantern). Runs up to 150 hours on the replaceable CR-123 nonchargeable batteries or up to 100 hours on the replaceable RCR-123 rechargeable batteries. 



At Hillershop.com we offer the full line of PowerFlare® LED Lights and accessories.  If you have more questions or need specific information, visit our PowerFlare® page and learn more.  If you still have questions, feel free to contact us and we will be glad to help you select the right product for your needs.

Understanding the ANSI requirements for Safety Vests & Garments

Understanding the ANSI requirements for Safety Vests & Garments:  By Mike Glover, Hiller Systems

Hillershop.com - Your premier equipment supplier for all of your fire protection and safety equipment needs, presents a brief explanation on the basics of: ANSI Requirements for Safety Vests and Garments.

If you are looking for high visibility, reflective clothing in numerous sizes and styles, then hillershop.com has what you need. All of our safety apparel meets or exceeds the ANSI/ISEA 207-2006 requirements. Safety vest standards are clearly labeled on each item that we sell. Designs include mesh, insulated, and fire retardant styles. Each item is designed for comfort and maximum visibility. Safety vest standards and requirements are not the same for each city or state, so be sure to check your local city and/or state requirements to determine which class of safety apparel you will be needing.


The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved the American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel (ANSI/ISEA 207-2006). This standard provides consistent, authoritative guidelines for the selection and use of high-visibility apparel in the United States.

ANSI/ISEA 207-2006 is a voluntary standard that offers performance specifications for reflective materials, including minimum amounts, placement, background material, test methods and care labeling. In simplest terms, the ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 standard provides for a high degree of reflective material incorporated into garments, which improves visibility and safety.

ANSI/ISEA 207-2006 specifies three classes of garments based on work environment:

Class 1 Garments are intended for use in activities that permit the wearer's full and undivided attention to approaching traffic. There should be ample separation of the worker from traffic, which should be traveling no faster than 25 miles per hour.  Class 1 Garments are required to have a minimum of reflective material and background which are as follows:

VISIBLE BACKGROUND 217 SQ INCHES
VISIBLE REFLECTIVE 155 SQ INCHES

Examples:

• Occupations requiring full and undivided attention to approaching traffic
• Non-complex work backgrounds
• Working separated from traffic
• Parking lot attendants, Roadside or sidewalk maintenance workers

Class 2 Garments are intended for use in activities where greater visibility is necessary during inclement weather conditions or in work environments with risks that exceed those of Class 1. Garments in this class also cover workers who perform tasks that divert attention from approaching traffic, or that put them in close proximity to passing vehicles traveling at 25 miles per hour or higher.  Class 2 Garments are required to have a minimum of reflective material and background which are as follows:

VISIBLE BACKGROUND 755 SQ INCHES
VISIBLE REFLECTIVE 201 SQ INCHES

Examples:

• Inclement weather requiring higher visibility
• Complex work background
• Diversions of vehicular traffic attention
• Forestry, ship cargo, roadway construction, airport baggage/ground crew, emergency response/law enforcement

Class 3 Garments provide the highest level of visibility, and are intended for workers who face serious hazards and often have high tasks loads that require attention away from their work. Garments for these workers who provide enhanced visibility to more of the body, such as the arms and legs.  Class 3 Garments are required to have a minimum of reflective material and background which are as follows:


VISIBLE BACKGROUND 1240 SQ INCHES
VISIBLE REFLECTIVE 310 SQ INCHES

Examples:

• Workers are at high risk and limited sight distances
• Must be identifiable as a person
• Exposure to extreme weather conditions
• Emergency response, Utility workers, roadway personnel, survey crews

At hillershop.com we offer a full line of ANSI Class I, II and III Safety Vests and apparel. Our most popular items are shown on the hillershop.com website, however, if you don't see what you are looking for, be sure to contact our on-line sales team who can help you find exactly what you are looking for! Exceptional performance, unparalleled value and unbeatable pricing means you get more for your money at hillershop.com.

Fire Extinguisher Basics - Hiller Systems

Fire Extinguisher Basics - by Mike Glover, Hiller Systems.

Hiller Systems. - Your premier fire protection safety equipment supplier in Virginia (and on the Internet) for all of your fire protection and safety equipment needs, presents a brief explanation of the basics of: Fire Extinguishers.

A portable fire extinguisher is certainly one of the best and most cost-effective tools against fire.  When used properly, portable fire extinguishers save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing a larger one until help (the fire department) arrives. At Hillershop.com we offer a full range of portable fire extinguishers, fire extinguisher repair parts and fire extinguisher accessories. 

Our most popular line is our Hiller 2.5lb ABC, 5lb ABC, 10lb ABC and 20lb ABC fire extinguisher models.  Exceptional performance, unparalleled value and unbeatable pricing means you get more for your money at Hillershop.com. 

With so many fire extinguishers to choose from, selecting the proper one for your home and business can be an overwhelming experience.  Everyone should have at least one fire extinguisher at home, but it's just as important to ensure you have the proper type of fire extinguisher. Fire protection experts recommend one for the kitchen, one for each floor of a house and one for the garage/workshop area.  Places of business have an even bigger task of understanding the local and national Code requirements for fire extinguisher requirements, placement, labeling and inspections.  The NFPA 10: Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers is the guide you should start with in understanding these requirements.  Please keep in mind the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) also known as the Fire Marshall, may have additional requirements that you are required to adhere to. 

If you have never had to use one or have never been lucky enough to experience live, hands-on training for using a fire extinguisher, you will probably want to watch this video.

Disclaimer:  Nothing replaces hands-on training and experience when it comes to Life Safety equipment training and use.  This video is not intended as a certification course and is not intended to be used as a certification in the operation, maintenance or upkeep of any fire protection equipment.  If you would like formal training and certification in the use of portable fire extinguishers, please contact us and we will be glad to help you.

About Fire Extinguishers:  Ratings and Class Types

Portable Fire Extinguishers differ by the extinguishing agent they expel onto a fire. There are a wide variety of choices available based on the type of fire they will be fighting. Portable extinguishers are also rated for the size of fire they can handle. This rating is expressed as a number.  For example:

1 to 40 for Class A fires (Class A fire)

1 to 640 for Class B (Class B fire) fires

The "C" on the label indicates only that the unit can has been tested for use on electrical fires (Class C fires).

Extinguishers for Class D (Class D fires) must match the type of metal that is burning.

This rating will appear on all fire extinguisher the labels and will look like this: 2A10B:C.  The larger the numbers, the larger the fire (of the specified class) the extinguisher can handle.   No number accompanies and extinguisher's "C" rating.  These extinguishers do not use numerical ratings. Extinguishers for Class D fires are labeled with a list detailing the metals that match the unit's extinguishing agent.

Class Ratings

Class A extinguishers are for ordinary combustible materials such as paper, wood, cardboard, and most plastics. 

Class B fires involve flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, grease and oil. 

Class C fires involve electrical equipment, such as appliances, wiring, circuit breakers and outlets. Never use water to extinguish class C fires - the risk of electrical shock is far too great! Class C extinguishers do not have a numerical rating. The C classification means the extinguishing agent is non-conductive.

Class D fire extinguishers are commonly found in a chemical laboratory. They are for fires that involve combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium. These types of extinguishers also have no numerical rating, nor are they given a multi-purpose rating - they are designed for class D fires only.

A portable fire extinguisher is certainly one of the best and most cost-effective tools against fire.  When used properly, portable fire extinguishers save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing a larger one until help (the fire department) arrives.

At Hillershop.com we offer a full range of portable fire extinguishers, fire extinguisher repair parts and fire extinguisher accessories. 

Our most popular line is our Hiller 2.5lb ABC, 5lb ABC, 10lb ABC and 20lb ABC fire extinguisher models.  Exceptional performance, unparalleled value and unbeatable pricing means you get more for your money at Hillershop.com. 

What is the difference between a Photoelectric and Ionization Smoke Detector?

This article written by: Mike Glover, Hiller Systems Virginia.

Hiller Systems - Your premier fire protection safety equipment supplier in Virginia (and on the interent) for all of your fire protection and safety equipment needs, presents a brief explanation of the difference between photoelectric and ionization smoke detectors and smoke alarms.

At Hiller Systems, we actually get this question a lot.  The short answer is that they detect different types of particles that are released during different times of a fire's life cycle.  Which smoke detector or smoke alarm is best for you?  Well, that depends on the application you intend to use the detector for.  Before you can decide which type of detector you should use, you should first probably know a little more about the way each one works.  Here is a brief outline designed to give you the knowledge you need to properly identify the correct type of detector for your particular application.

Ionization Detectors - This type of detector uses an ionization chamber and an additional source of "ionizing radiation" also known as "alpha radiation" to detect smoke.  Inside an ionization detector is a small amount (usaully about 1/5000th of a gram) of americium-241 radioactive material.  During normal operation and without the presence of smoke or fire particulate matter, the ionization chamber sends a very small electrical current through the ionization chamber.  The detector goes into an "alarm" condition when particulate matter from a fire enters this chamber and disrupts the normal electrical current flow through the chamber.  Once this is detected, an "alarm condition" is generated by the unit. 

Photoelectric Detectors - This type of detector operates on a different principal.  They also have a smoke sensing chamber, however instead of sending electricity across the chamber, the photoelectric detector sends photoelectric beams of light across the sensing chamber.  Any smoke particles that are present in the chamber will instantly begin to reflect the light and change the pattern by sending the light 90 degrees from the direction it was intended.  The redirected/reflected light is then picked up and sensed by the photoelectric sensor in the detector and that condition then triggers an alarm condition on the unit. 

For smoke "alarms" (units made and sold for residential and consumer use) the unit activates an internal sounder that alerts people of the fire/smoke condition present. In an industrial or commercial application where the detector is part of a larger fire alarm and detection system, the detector creates an alarm condition and notifies the Fire Alarm Control Panel, which in turns activates and evacuation signal via the notification circuits which can be either chimes, horns or in some cases voice notification of the alarm condition.

Because of these different detection technologies, ionization sensors are more likely to detect smaller, less visible fire particles, like those produced by flaming fires, sooner than photoelectric sensors. However, photoelectric sensors are more likely to detect larger, more visible fire particles, such as those produced by smoldering fires, sooner than ionization sensors.  Remember, these detectors look very similar in body type and color.  Determining which principal a detector operates on is not always easy to tell...

Can you tell which detector is an Ionization detector and which one is a Photoelectric Detector?

So which unit is best for you?  Well again, that depends on the application you intend to use the detector for.  Hiller Systems strongly recommends contacting a factory authorized representative of these type of units and consulting with a professional to help you select the correct detector for your application.  Remember, whether you are selecting a smoke alarm for your house or a smoke detector as part of a larger fire alarm and detection system, the best choice is always to let the professionals help you!  Learn more about Hiller Systems at our website or by clicking the about us page of this blog.  If you are still determined to go it alone...here is an informative video produced and published by NFPA (the National Fire Protection Association), that may help you!

Hiller Systems Virginia can help you no matter how large or complicated your fire protection problem is!  Be sure to contact us for more information or to schedule a hazard analysis. See our line card for more information on the manufacturers we represent and the systems and services we provide.

Hurricane Preparedness for Virginia and the East Coast for 2010

Hurricane Preparedness for Virginia and the East Coast for 2010 - by Mike Glover, Hiller Systems

Hurricane Season is upon us!  It seems to sneak up on us every year without warning, yet it is the same period of time every year.  June 1st through November 30th constitutes the official Hurricane Season.  The Colorado State University hurricane forecast team has increased its predictions and is now calling for a very active 2010 season in the Atlantic basin with 18 named storms predicted.  That's a bit busier than usual folks.  Are you prepared?

There are any number of web sites that give advice on how to prepare for a natural disaster on the same scale as a Hurricane, but they all have one thing in common, that you should in fact BE PREPARED.  So what does it take to be prepared?  Good Question.  Here is a check list as published by NOAA's National Hurricane Center.  The Virginia Pilot also published a recent 2010 Hurricane Guide advising people to check and make sure your Hurricane Evacuation Kit is up to date.  Almost every item that is recommended in these kits is perishable and should be checked annually for expiration dates.

One of the easiest ways to procure these items is purchasing them in the form of an evacuation kit.  Generally most items on the above recommended lists will be covered and the KIT will usually come in some form of easy to use, easy to store container or pack.  At Hillershop.com we offer 2 unique and ready to go Evacuation Ready Kits.

 

The Ready 5 Kit provides food, water and protection from particulate contaminants for five people, and it meets the Department of Homeland Security recommendations for particulate contaminants and emergency preparedness.  Packaged in a hi-vis orange backpack, the Ready 5 Kit has a five-year shelf life and includes an emergency manual to keep you informed.  Included in every Ready 5 Kit is the following equipment:

5 N95 Masks, 5 Food Bars, 10 Water Pouches, 5 Lightsticks, 1 Pair Safety Gloves, 2 Pairs,  Sanitary Gloves, 5 Thermal Blankets, 5 Ponchos, 5 Whistles, 5 Tissue Packs (Pkg/10), 2 Biohazard bags, 1 Emergency Manual

The Ready Tube personal emergency kit provides water and protection from particulate contaminates in an economical, space-saving package and it meets Department of Homeland Security recommendations for emergency preparedness.  In addition, The Ready Tube includes a family communications plan and extra room for personal items and medication.  The water and lightstick have a five-year shelf life.  Included in every Ready Tube kit is the following equipment:

1 N95 Mask, 2 Water Pouches (4.3 oz ea), 1 AM/FM Radio w/ Earphones & 4-Pack AAA Alkaline Batteries, 1 Flashlight w/4- Pack AA Alkaline Batteries, 1 Lightstick, 1 First Aid Kit (30 Piece), 1 Pair Sanitary Gloves, 1 Thermal Blanket, 1 Poncho, 1 Whistle, 1 Tissue Pack, 1 Biohazard Bag, 1 Family Communication Plan

One or both of these kits can complete your plan and make sure you are prepared in the event of a hurricane, natural disaster, loss of power, snow storm or blizzard, tornado, civil disturbances or any manner of natural or man made disaster where you might require critical survival tools and supplies.  For over 90 years, Hiller Systems has been the one-stop shop for all of our customer’s fire protection, security solutions and safety products. At Hillershop.com we have a large selection parts, supplies and equipment and GREAT customer service.  We offer the best online shopping experience possible while maintaining the strictest product quality and reliability for all of your life safety, fire protection and security equipment needs. Our manufacturers of fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, safety vests, alarm systems, suppression systems and security equipment are the best in the world!  For your convenience, you may order online, by phone or by fax.  Feel free to contact us if you have any questions, one of our online sales representatives will be glad to assist you. 

 

Welcome to the Hillershop.com Blog !

Hello and welcome to the Hillershop.com Blog !

Hillershop.com is your one stop shop for all of your fire protection and security system parts needs.  We carry a wide variety of fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, smoke detectors, gas detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, safety vests, safety equipment, restaurant system parts, service and test equipment, sprinkler parts and accessories, exit signs, lights and batteries!  In fact, if you can't find it on our site, chances are we carry it anyway!  Just give us a call and ask to speak to one of our Internet sales representatives who will be glad to help you!

Be sure to check out our line card!  We represent some of the BEST manufacturers in the world in fire protection, safety and security equipment!

At Hiller Systems, we want what you want…Your complete satisfaction with EVERY order!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us here.

Don't forget to check back here often for specials, sales announcements and blog subscriber ONLY discounts.