11 Aug Fidelity SecureFire unveils SA’s first fire-risk ecosystem

Fidelity SecureFire has launched what it describes as South Africa’s first nationwide proactive fire-risk ecosystem, designed to identify potential fire risks before flames appear.

Developed in partnership with Sigfox South Africa, HEATWATCH combines intelligent heat monitoring, nationwide IoT connectivity, 24/7 command-centre oversight and access to Fidelity’s private fire response network to help customers move from traditional fire detection towards fire prevention.

The launch comes as the increased adoption of solar power systems, battery storage, inverters and backup energy solutions creates new considerations for fire safety. Temperature-related equipment failures and electrical fires are becoming a growing concern for residential, commercial and critical infrastructure environments.

Unlike conventional fire detection systems that typically respond once smoke or flames are present, HEATWATCH is designed to identify abnormal heat build-up at the equipment level, providing earlier warning of potential fire risks.

At the centre of the solution is an intelligent heat-monitoring sticker that can be applied directly to high-risk equipment. The device continuously measures temperature changes and is designed to operate with a guaranteed two-year battery life. The system is intended to protect a range of high-value and high-risk assets, including solar inverters, battery storage systems, generators, electrical distribution boards, server rooms and other mission-critical infrastructure.

When abnormal heat levels are detected, customers receive immediate notification, while Fidelity’s 24/7 National Command Centre monitors the incident, manages escalation procedures and coordinates an appropriate response. Where required, nationwide fire response teams can be deployed.

Fidelity Services Group CEO Wahl Bartmann said the solution reflects a shift in the fire industry from responding after an incident occurs to identifying risks before they develop into major events: “Technology is only valuable when it delivers action,” Bartmann said, adding that HEATWATCH combines predictive technology with fire response capability to help reduce damage, downtime and disruption.

The partnership with Sigfox South Africa, in which Fidelity holds a 25% ownership stake, provides the connectivity infrastructure behind the solution. Sigfox’s national 0G network enables the transmission of small but critical data signals over long distances while using very little power.

The launch reflects a wider industry trend towards more proactive approaches to fire safety, where early identification of risks, connected technologies and rapid intervention work together to reduce the potential impact of fire incidents.