Gary Ravenscroft, Managing Director

R&D at Seaham

 

Clean agent suppression systems

Alarmline linear heat detection cable

Walter Kidde
Founding Father
1877 - 1943 

Oil Mist Detectors

 

Seaham

Bentham

 

Quality Control

 

Kidde Fire Protection has a unique world position in the design and manufacture of advanced fire detection and suppression systems. Companies the world over trust our brands and depend on our expertise to protect what is most valuable to them.

Leadership

The Board of Directors is based at Thame, near Oxford, in the UK.

Managing Director - Gary Ravenscroft
Finance Director - David Ladd
Sales Director - Charles Boon
Operations Director - Peter Davies
Technical Director - Rod Cox

Innovation

Kidde Fire Protection has maintained its position at the forefront of fire protection technology through continuous investment in research and development. This is carried out by a team of Electronics Engineers at laboratories in Seaham and Bentham in co-operation with Research Scientists at the United Technologies Research Centre (UTRC) in Connecticut, USA, and the Kidde International Research (KIR) laboratory in Colnbrook, Berkshire.

Products

Kidde Fire Protection manufactures a comprehensive range of conventional and analogue addressable fire detection control panels, complemented by a wide choice of detectors, manual callpoints and warning devices.

Specialist detection systems include the HART High Sensitivity Smoke Detector, and the world renowned Alarmline range of linear heat detectors.

A full range of environmentally responsible clean agent fire suppression systems are engineered for use with 3M Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid, FM-200, FE-13, Argonite and Carbon Dioxide. Specialist suppression systems are also available for use in commercial cooking facilities and for off-road vehicle and plant.

The Kidde Explosion Protection system is the acknowledged industry standard fro protecting process plant and equipment in the chemical, food and pharmaceutical industries.

The Graviner Oil Mist Detector is installed on thousands of ships world wide, protecting diesel engines from hazardous crankcase explosions.

History

Kidde Fire Protection's traditions go back to 1917 with the founding of the Walter Kidde Company in the USA, which produced the world's first ever integrated smoke detection and carbon dioxide extinguishing system for use on board ships.

1917 - Walter Kidde Company founded in the USA.
1933 - Graviner Limited founded in Colnbrook, Berkshire, and became established in the design and manufacture of smoke detection systems.
1935 - Walter Kidde plc founded in Colnbrook and became established in the design and manufacture of fire detection and extinguishing systems.
1951 - Graviner Limited started to manufacture oil mist detection systems.
1974 - Dunford Hepburn founded in Newcastle, relocates to Cramlington and becomes established in the design and manufacture of fire control panels.
1980 - Walter Kidde plc started to manufacture Alarmline linear heat detection systems.
1988 - Hartnell Microelectronics founded in Cramlington and became established in the design and manufacture of High Sensitivity Smoke Detection systems.
1989 - Kidde Graviner formed by the merger of Walter Kidde plc and Graviner Limited by parent company Williams Holdings plc.
1991 - Hartnell Microelectronics acquired by Kidde and re-named Kidde Hartnell.
1993 - Kidde Graviner specialised in aerospace and military vehicle sectors by relinquishing its industrial, rail and marine businesses to newly-formed Kidde Fire Protection in Northolt, London.
1993 - Kidde Fire Protection acquired Dunford Hepburn and relocated it to Kidde Harnell site in Cramlington.
2000 - Williams plc de-merged into Kidde plc and Chubb plc. Kidde Fire Protection becomes part of Kidde plc.
2002 - Kidde Fire Protection becomes part of Kidde Products Division of Kidde Fire Protection Services Ltd. Kidde Fire Protection staff at Northolt re-locate to Thame.
2003 - Kidde Fire Protection electronics facility at Cramlington re-locates to Peterlee.
2005 - Kidde plc acquired by United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) and combined with Chubb to form UTC Fire & Security with headquarters in Connecticut, USA.
2006 - Kidde Fire Protection re-locates from Peterlee to new Electronics Technology Centre at Seaham, County Durham.

Global Structure

Kidde Fire Protection manufactures detection and alarm products at Seaham, County Durham, and fire suppression systems at Bentham, North Yorkshire. It provides product sales and customer support from Thame, near Oxford. It does business in over one hundred countries throughout Europe, Africa, the Arbabian Gulf, Asia, South America and the Caribbean through an extensive network of over two hundred distributors. It also has local representation at Kidde sales offices in Dubai, Moscow, Singapore and China.

Employees

Kidde Fire Protection employs around 150 people in the UK. Its Investor in People accreditation demonstrates that its high standards of quality are reflected not only in the excellence of its products, but also in the skills and motivation of people throughout the organisation. Many of the company's technical staff are acknowledged experts in their fields and are members of national and international standards committees such as NFPA, CEN and ISO.

Quality

Kidde Fire Protection has third party accreditation to BS EN ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System. All components and finished products are rigorously tested and inspected to ensure consistent reliability and fire performance.

Environmental Responsibililty

Kidde Fire Protetion's commitment to minimising the environmental impact of its products is integrated into managing and monitoring sound environmental practices at all its manufacturing plants. These practices include energy management, waste minimisation, raw materials management and minimising environmental emissions.

Social Responsibility

Kidde Fire Protection's Social Responsibility focuses on improving the quality of life of people in the regions where the company operates. In recent years the company has donated to cancer charities and the UK Fire Services National Benevolent Fund.

Memberships

Kidde Fire Protection is a proud and active member of the Fire Industry Association (FIA).

Company Information

Kidde Fire Protection is a trading name of Kidde Products Limited.
Registered Office: Mathisen Way, Colnbrook, Slough, Berkshire, SL3 OBH, UK.
Registered in England and Wales No: 4622271
VAT No: GB746274318
Kidde Products Limited is part of UTC Fire & Security, a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) business unit, which provides fire safety and security solutions to more than one million customers around the world. UTC Fire & Security is headquartered in Connecticut, USA.