INNCOM Teams with SAFLOK to Offer Emergency HVAC Shut-off Capability

November 14, 2004

Collaborative component integration allows hotel staff to instantly de-activate HVAC system with insertion of specially programmed keycard in any hotel door

NIANTIC, CT- INNCOM International, the global leader in integrated guestroom control systems, and SAFLOK, the originator of electronic and computer controlled lock systems, recently installed an integrated interface that automatically shuts down a property's HVAC system in an emergency with the insertion of a specially programmed magnetic-stripe keycard in any lock in the hotel.

The feature, developed by INNCOM R&D, can be integrated with any of the company's wide range of wired or wireless energy-management systems to allow a hotel to provide employees with the ability to protect the building and its inhabitants in case of a fire, biological or chemical condition by instantly shutting down the air circulation. (During a fire condition, for example, the distribution of smoke into the building is greatly decreased if the various air-moving devices are shut down.) The special, pre-programmed card is inserted into any door lock in the building, and the door lock transfers the information over the INNCOM backbone to the server. In turn, the server broadcasts a signal to all the guestrooms to shut-down the fan operation. The same server can also notify other systems, such as the building-management system (BMS) of this condition, and can also be programmed to activate the fire-alarm system.

"Now selected employees-general managers, maintenance personnel, housekeeping staff-have the capability of carrying with them a special key card they can insert in the nearest door lock if they see smoke or suspect a condition that may require the HVAC system to be shut down," said Philipp Roosli, INNCOM's Chief

Technology Officer. "I think of this capability as the computerized version of the old alarm box with a hammer that you use to break the glass to get to the fire extinguisher-except no matter where the person carrying the key-card is, it's instantly available for use in the event of an emergency."

Collaborative effort

According to SAFLOK Director of Marketing Glenn Peacock, the first SAFLOK/INNCOM emergency HVAC interface is being installed at the Sheraton Centre Toronto.

"We are collaborating with INNCOM on a project-by-project basis, and together we have two more installations coming up soon," Peacock said. "As we collaborate on these installations, we believe more hotels will see the value of adding this emergency HVAC emergency-shutdown component that can mitigate fire and smoke damage and potential liability risk. It truly is a peace-of-mind component that adds an extra level of safety and security in a lodging property."

According to Roosli, this type of unique EMS/locking-system component integration is an example of how industry technology vendors can join forces to develop systems that deliver added safety and security to hotel guests, employees and property-as well as generate bottom-line benefits through savings on energy costs.

"In collaborative component integration, the hotel's system becomes greater than the sum of its parts," Roosli said. "When you combine a state-of-the-art locking system with a state-of-the-art EMS system, it greatly enhances the entire system, much to the benefit of the hotel."

Roosli added that INNCOM is the only EMS vendor that fully embraces working relationships with other technology companies across the industry.

"In addition, we are the only guestroom-control-oriented company that is a participant in Hotel Technology Next Generation's In Room Technology Work Group," Roosli said. Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG) is an industry organization founded in 2002 to facilitate the development of next-generation, customer-centric technologies to better meet the needs of the global hotel community.

"INNCOM takes pride in this kind of proactive industry participation, and values it as a large part of the reason we're acknowledged as the global leader in providing integrated guestroom control systems."

About SAFLOK

For more than 25 years, Troy, Mich.-based SAFLOK has helped thousands of hotels increase their levels of security and control. SAFLOK offers tomorrow's security solutions today through worldwide leadership in state-of-the-art electronic locks, access management systems and customer support. SAFLOK's stated mission is to continually improve its existing systems and develop product innovations that allow customers to achieve increased security, efficiency, flexibility and service levels. For more information, call (248) 680-8484 or visit the SAFLOK Web site at www.saflok.com.

About INNCOM

Founded in 1986, INNCOM develops, manufactures, and markets advanced guestroom control systems for the global lodging industry. INNCOM systems are installed in more than 250,000 guestrooms in many of the most prestigious hotels in 18 countries.

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