Firepro Systems Pvt Ltd

End-to-End Fire & Safety Solutions

Mr. N. S. Narendra .Managing Director

Incorporated in 1992 Firepro provides world-class Fire Safety, Security & Building Management Solutions. The company's Managing Director, Mr. N.S. Narendra speaks exclusively with Built Expressions on how it is catering to the current demands of fire safety solutions across diverse sectors of construction industry.

BE: Firepro provides solutions for a wide range of challenges in the areas of Fire safety, Home intelligence etc. Can you briefly describe the comprehensive services that are being offered to the industry?

NSN: Firepro Systems is India's largest full spectrum Safety, Security and Building Management Systems integrator. Our capabilities include Design, Engineering, Project Execution, Installation, Commissioning, Integration and Post Installation Services. Our projects have ranged from large industrial and infra projects including airports, townships, commercial & retail landmarks, tall buildings and data centres. Our offerings cover the gamut of services relevant to the Infrastructure Protection & Safety (IPS) industry.

Firepro's solutions has demonstrated expertise in the areas of Fire Protection, Detection & Alarm, Access Control & Perimeter Security, Video Surveillance and Analytics, Asset Tracking, Vehicle Authentication & Parking Management, Key Installation and City Surveillance solutions. We have also delivered numerous Building Management and Automation projects that involve integrating HVAC systems, Lighting solutions, Utility monitoring, Security systems, and Life Safety systems among others. We are delivering leading edge home intelligence projects through our Boltz brand.

BE: Firepro espouses the idea of 'Safe Futures' can you elaborate what this means to an end user?

NSN: For us, as a community or a society, personal protection and secure systems means a Safe Future.  Firepro is a provider of technology led safety and security solutions and we are proud to be protecting installations and work & play spaces. We bring to our customers powerful ideas, technologies and delivery capabilities relevant to the safety of their structures. For a safer society, we strive to be proactive, participative and responsible. Safe futures can be ensured by providing secure systems and technologies that are intelligent and responsive.

Safe Futures really means effective protection of life, property an assurance of minimal downtime and disruption of business.

BE: Firepro is at the forefront of integrated solutions for Fire protection, Security and Building Management systems. Please describe your journey through the vicissitudes of construction Industry.

NSN: Firepro's journey and its consistent growth can be directly correlated to the consistent growth of a few key sectors of our economy  the explosive growth of the IT, infrastructure and construction businesses in India over the years have provided us a vast opportunity canvas. Starting in Bangalore, a hub for the IT/ ITES growth over the last few decades enabled us to seize leadership with global clients demanding leading edge quality in the delivery of safety systems. Our journey from being a 5 member team to a 500 people engineering driven business, from a national player to being a part of the Panasonic global platform has involved working across diverse client and project types. We have evolved our delivery capability based on three macro factors driving industry growth - intense infra investments, random threat episodes/ risks and new technologies that enable communication and protection. We have learnt from the enabling and constraining factors based on the economic cycles over the last 20 years and emerged stronger.

Firepro has crossed multiple milestones and successfully implemented over 2000 projects covering various sectors including Technology Parks, Transport infra, R&D Environments, Banking, Hospitals, Corporate Offices, Retail, Hospitality, and Education Institutions, sporting arenas etc. since its inception. Over the years Firepro has found strong resonance across sectors and geographies developing strengths and skills that focus on power sector, oil & gas and transport sector, infrastructure safety besides realty sector applications.

Firepro Systems has successfully delivered the extensive Fire Solutions project for the prestigious Budh International F1 Race Circuit Noida, and earlier at the F1 Yas Marina Race Circuit and the Ferrari Experience zone at Abu Dhabi.

BE: What are the challenges in designing the most effective fire protection systems in tall structures? How well equipped are tall buildings in India in respect of Fire safety?

NSN: Tall structures are a global reality  they reflect the new advancements in engineering excellence and human capability. Pressures on urban land area ensure that tall buildings are here to stay. The entire population of a business district or a residential area can now live and work in a single tall building. The responsibility of safety and security are therefore amplified.

Emergency response systems have to be technologically sound but there are two other critical factors to ensure safety  the will of developers to equip their buildings with systems that adhere to local norms at the very minimum, and the administrative structure to enforce compliance.

Today, in India the Fire Safety standards are in place in all cities, and there are stringent policies to reduce the gaps in the terms of its implementation, and audit of the same. This has led to the growth of more proactive developers and in turn the compliance levels have enhanced. Almost all the new and upcoming buildings are very well equipped in terms of fire safety systems. Consultants are playing a strong role in terms of working with end customers and integrators to engineer safety systems to global standards.

BE: What are the innovations and emerging trends in the field of Fire Safety?

NSN: We are witnessing a time of significant change in terms of the Fire Solutions technologies. Global research and development initiatives are having an impact in every key area. The innovations are driven by the vision of safe habitats and safe environments. We now have access to highly advanced software for designing fire solutions systems making the process simpler and more accurate. As an example, improved sprinkler system technologies are having an impact on specific applications, speed of response, coverage density and cost. These types of innovations are emerging with regularity across constituent systems. We are definitely seeing a focus on energy efficient systems in terms of pumps. Every aspect of the technology is improving, in some cases by a level, in other cases by a generational leap.

BE: Can you throw some insight on your Building Management Systems? How do you think this system addresses the issue of 'sustainability'?

NSN: Our services in the area of Integrated Building Management systems include a spectrum of solutions. The growth of the intelligent building is creating a greater awareness among end-users of the value of integration generally, driven by operational benefits and cost savings in areas like energy efficiency.  The concept of Green buildings and ‘net contributors’ to the energy grid is definitely is the new mantra. Secondly, a variety of factors like health and safety, employment, data protection among others is driving integration and management of services into mainstream design in a way that beats any scenario planning effort.

BE: Firepro is an epitome of exceptional growth since its inception under the leadership of Mr. N S Narendra, setting new benchmarks in terms of serviceability and quality. Can you share the secret behind this phenomenal growth and what is your advice to the young entrepreneurs of India?

Ferrari Experience Zone, Abu Dhabi

NSN: I believe entrepreneurs must follow their dreams and heed their inner voice. Dreams are delivered by teams. My biggest focus has been to build a strong team and allow them to perform. Another point comes to mind leaders must determine the culture of the organization. I have always believed in openness, sharing and commitment to drive our goals. In my view, every successful organization is built on the platform of strong culture and determined teams. Sustained delivery, in good times and bad, is the only key to lasting success.