Athanasios Eleftheroudis, Head of Technical Studies, Olympia Electronics sits down with International Security Buyer to discuss the important role of emergency lighting
Please introduce yourself and give a brief insight into Olympia Electronics?
My name is Athanasios Eleftheroudis. I have 16 years of experience as an electrical engineer and have been the head of the department of technical studies at Olympia Electronics for the last 6 years. Our company has a strong focus on safety, and accordingly, my department always strives to satisfy our clients’ requirements in all matters of legislation and compliance that govern emergency safety systems.
What are some of the most recent innovations Olympia Electronics has introduced in emergency lighting, and how do these innovations enhance safety and design compatibility?
Olympia Electronics is finalising the development of an innovative Dynamic adaptive emergency escape lighting system (AEELS), in close collaboration with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Olympia Electronics utilises its decades-long experience building emergency lighting and fire detection systems, in conjunction with the latest developments in algorithmic research performed by AUTH, to develop a system that bridges these vital safety systems into a coherent whole. In essence, the new AEELS uses real-time data provided by Olympia Electronics fire detection systems and its advanced algorithm calculates and provides the fastest and most secure escape route from a building, changing immediately the pictograms of the connected emergency escape luminaires to mirror the latest developments on site. The system follows the guidelines provided by the recently published CEN/TS 17951:2024 and the EU’s Risk Assessment methodology.
How does Olympia Electronics ensure its emergency lighting systems comply with international safety standards, and what role does the company play in assisting clients with regulatory adherence?
Olympia Electronics has a tradition of excellence in the quality of its emergency lighting product range. This fact becomes evident through two factors: a longstanding partnership with clients in the Middle East, a market known for its stringent adherence to safety rules and safeguards, and the certification of its emergency lighting products by the British Standards Institution (BSI).
Olympia Electronics can aid its clients in two main ways: One, Olympia Electronics products are certified by BSI, the leading world authority on emergency lighting, ensuring quality and avoiding time pitfalls due to deficient product certification, and two, Olympia Electronics has a dedicated department of engineers experienced in emergency lighting system design. The engineering department can aid in emergency lighting calculations, system consultation, and regulatory compliance. The team closely follows recent standards developments and changes in appropriate legislation in multiple countries and, in some cases, aids in developing relevant standards through participation in relevant committees as industry representatives.
How does your company balance modern architectural aesthetics with stringent safety requirements in the design of emergency lighting systems?
Olympia Electronics has recently introduced its Architectural product line, initiating a push to renew its product catalogue with new, aesthetically pleasing designs that also offer the company’s renowned reliability and efficiency. The company has invested in hiring qualified industrial design experts and creating a team that can fully utilise modern Computer Assisted Design software for designing and rapid prototyping of new emergency luminaires.
Furthermore, compliance experts guide the prototyping and testing teams during PCB development to reduce testing times in both self and third-party certification processes, as well as reduce non-compliance probability. This fast iteration process ensures that the new emergency luminaire offerings by Olympia Electronics will be more robust, efficient, pleasing, and easier to maintain than the previous ones, with the additional benefit of rapid third-party certification, which is required by a large percentage of Olympia Electronics’ clientele.
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