Instalments

"Being fairly new to the security industry, I have been able to experience first hand the confusion that takes place in the minds of the general public when some form of alarm is activated. Next time you walk along your local high street on a Saturday night and hear some form of alarm signal, ask yourself, is it a car alarm, burglar alarm, fire alarm, someone being attacked, or some old lady requiring assistance? If you can tell, you are a better man than me. I am ashamed to admit, my reaction used to be like 99 per cent of other people, "I don't know what it is – anyway, it is probably a false alarm so just ignore it!

"What can we do to help overcome this common problem? We could standardise on certain sounds for specific applications and then undertake to train the population to recognise what each sound means – a formidable if not impossible task. Alternatively, we can use the highly effective, tried and tested communication medium called SPEECH!

"How? I hear you ask. Speech Synthesis. In general, the mere mention of the words 'Speech Synthesis' provokes scepticism and frivolity, conjuring up pictures of gimmicky robotic voices trying to emulate the sounds of human speech. This indeed used to be the case, but speech technology has progressed quite dramatically since the days of the old tape loop machines and early speech synthesisers... With the availability of larger memory devices and smaller electronic components at realistic prices, real speech synthesis can now be used as a serious alternative to bells, sirens and other alien noises, in a viable, stand-alone form... In short, real speech synthesis is friendly and human sounding, whereas synthesis by rule is robotic and dull."

All at sea
(We ran an installation story featuring a new car ferry...)

"Thorn Security's Marine department supplied fire detection and suppression systems for the revolutionary new car ferry, the Hoverspeed SeaCat, which last year halved the journey time of conventional ferries on the crossing between Portsmouth and Cherbourg. At the moment she's being refitted ready for a new role on the Dover Boulogne route.

"Thorn initially is supplying and commissioning the fire detection systems for five SeaCats. The first, Hoverspeed Great Britain, is protected by an early warning fire detection system covering the accommodation area, two engine rooms and a car deck. Several types of detection are employed on the ferry, including ionisation chamber and flame detection."

Testing time
(George Hodge advised apprentices to keep cool on exam day...)

"The day before the examination, check the place and time of the test and prepare a timetable to ensure your arrival on time for the fray. Prepare your equipment, calculator, pens, pencils, ruler and so on.

Make sure that your pens will last the examination and your calculator batteries are fresh.

"Have a relaxing day. If you can spare the time, have a swim or a favourite game – of squash perhaps. Whatever you do don't try and cram. Last-minute revision rarely helps, but if you wish, read through any notes you have made of key points you wish to remember.

"Do not drink any alcohol on this day, whatever the temptation. You will enjoy a clear head for the test and the pint after the exam when you celebrate will taste all the better.

"On the day, get to the examination centre early and relaxed. Once in the room listen carefully to everything the invigilator says. He is imparting vital information. If you don't understand, don't be afraid to ask."