Fire detection system plays a critical role in fire fighting and, thus, reducing loss of life and money during any fire incidence. Indian fire detection equipment market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 10% till 2022. Companies across fire and security industry are investing heavily in R&D to introduce new and technologically advanced products, informs Rohit Harjani, Country Manager Indian Sub-continent, Hochiki - one of the world’s leading manufacturers of fire detection and emergency lighting solutions. In conversation with Shashank Chaurey, he discusses the dynamics of fire safety equipment and his company’s plans for India. 

 

With Hochiki entering the Indian market in 2012, what were the challenges faced in terms of setting up the business?

Setting up of business has always been a challenge for any company in the world. When a MNC comes to India, it comes with its own mindset and generally the ground reality is different because each country has its own style of doing business. Hochiki faced similar challenges. Since we were a liaison office, we had limited scope of work which was limited to certain activity. The major challenge was to comply with legal terms in opening of the office. Since then a lot of changes have happened and I would say that setting up of an office now is much easier as compared to 2012. This shows that the country is growing with responsibility and an aim to make things easier to make India an attractive destination for business.

 

What are the solutions offered by Hochiki’s to suit India’s demands?

All the solutions that are offered by Hochiki suit different sectors. We have marine approved devices for marine sector whether navy or non-navy. We have special solutions for pharma and other industries where the need for intrinsically safe devices arises. We have solutions for clean room applications, commercial building applications, hospitals and have ranges that cater to nearly any application. In terms of approvals, we have ranges from UL/FM to LPCB / Vds, ATEX, GL, BASEEFA etc. 

 

India fire detection equipment market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 10% till 2022. Does this present an opportunity for start-ups to flourish?

I believe the growth of more than 10% is very good for start ups to get into the industry. Analysis is that all the growth is still in big cities and remote industrial areas. I want to see the growth in tier 2 and tier 3 cities where the awareness is zilch and even the word ‘mandatory’ is non-existent. I want to see mandatory compliances happening and that way the start ups will grow and flourish.

 

What are the evolving landscape of fire safety globally and its impact on India?

As we are moving towards concentration in cities, the need for fire alarms is growing. The rural areas also getting busier in terms of business and warehousing therefore mandatory laws are being pushed even in those areas. This creates a need for fire detection 

and protection equipment and most areas now need advanced technologies due to complex structures being built. 

Fire detection is the base for any firefighting equipment to authenticate fire beside naked Eyes. Countries like Norway and UK base everything on fire detection due to which most fires are controlled at nascent stages. There was a massive fire due to the usage of flammable construction material but the government has taken stringent measures to eradicate the sources of fire in raw material used for construction. There has been a lot of R&D going on in the field of Escape Route Lighting System dedicated for evacuation in case of any emergency including fire emergency. Intelligence has now been added by Hochiki to make this system more effective.

 

What are the advancements in the area of fire technologies for the Indian market?

Companies across fire and security industry are investing substantial part of their incomes in R&D activities to introduce new and technologically advanced products. Some of the recent advancements are - intelligence, wire-free (wireless), embedded features across the entire system and introduction of intelligence in systems other than fire alarm systems - for example intelligent emergency lighting systems.

 

How would you list down the budgetary constraints that severely impact the maintenance of the fire security alarms/detection systems?

If you don’t have budget for maintenance of fire detection system, don’t construct a building. Maintenance budget should be set prior to the set-up cost of a system.

 

Any plans of manufacturing in India in future?

We will definitely have a set up at the right time. Currently our focus is to set things in place.

 

Healthy construction activities in the country would boost the demand for fire detection equipment. What are Hochiki's plans to tap this opportunity?

There is certainly a boost in fire detection system already because construction activity is becoming better. Every developing country has a scope of improvement. India also needs to improve by a lot in order to compete with various countries. Hochiki has its stocks available at lower lead times so that the waiting period gets over. The global R&D department at Hochiki is working hard to give the world better products. I would say that a more compliant and more ethical construction activity would boost 

the demand.