The American Red Cross has chosen fire detection specialist Notifier to protect its impressive new headquarters in the capital of the US.

"The American Red Cross helps victims of disasters ranging from single-family house fires to major disasters such as hurricanes, floods and tornadoes," says a spokesman for the US firm.

He continues: "They know, first-hand, the devastation that smoke and fire can cause. The American Red Cross believes in community education and preparation when it comes to protecting homes and businesses from smoke and fire damage. So when it was time to specify a fire alarm system that would protect its impressive, 750,000 sq ft high-rise headquarters in Washington DC, it was natural that they would turn to Notifier, an organisation that is also dedicated to saving lives and protecting people and property from potential disaster.

The American Red Cross worked with two local vendors, Eastern Electric and Antronnix, both of Silver Spring, Maryland, to install and supply the complete Notifier system for the new facility.

Ed Graves, the president of Antronnix, comments: ''We specified Notifier because we knew that its new Onyx Series XPIQ transponders would meet the complex voice capabilities required by the American Red Cross in a more time-efficient and cost-effective manner."

The new Onyx Series XPIQ transponder system is an integrated, multi-channel audio amplification and distribution subsystem remotely controlled by a fire alarm control through a signalling circuit.

By using a software program and internal switching capabilities, the Onyx Series XPIQ eliminates the need for relays and complex wiring during installation, according to Graves.

"In the past, multi-channel voice applications required difficult integration of equipment and complex wiring and switching, increasing the amount of time and money spent on installation of fire alarm systems," he says. "In addition, less advanced systems take up more space, causing transponders to be mounted in hard-to-reach places making programming more difficult."

The state-of-the-art system from Notifier requires less equipment and installation time and, because of its proprietary software, is easier to programme, he explains.

"There is no doubt that with Onyx Series XPIQ transponder system, the cost of installing a single-or multi-channel voice application can be cut by as much as 35 per cent," says Graves.

"We were able to install a more advanced voice evacuation system thanks to Notifier and save the American Red Cross time and money. This made our customer very happy, which makes us very happy."

Notifier, one of the world's largest manufacturers of commercial fire alarm systems, is part of Honeywell Security & Fire Solutions Group.

The company is headquartered in Northford, Connecticut, where it operates in a 302,000 sq ft state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.

Honeywell is a $25-billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; power generation systems; specialty chemicals; fibres; plastics; and electronic and advanced materials.

Honeywell employs approximately 120,000 people in 95 countries and is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol HON, as well as on the London, Chicago and Pacific stock exchanges.

It is one of the 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also a component of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index.