Latest News

South Africa is undergoing a solar revolution. With unreliable power supply and increasing electricity costs, over 4,400 MW of rooftop solar capacity has now been installed across the country – and that number is growing rapidly. For homes, businesses, and estates, solar energy offers a vital lifeline. But there’s an often-overlooked danger lurking in many of these installations: lithium-ion battery fires.

🔋 Why Lithium-Ion Batteries Are a Fire Hazard

While efficient and compact, lithium-ion batteries are highly flammable. If damaged, overcharged, or exposed to heat, these batteries can enter a state called thermal runaway – a self-heating reaction that leads to explosions and intense fires that are extremely difficult to extinguish with traditional methods.

In many cases, by the time someone notices the smoke, the fire has already become uncontrollable which might end up destroying property, putting lives at risk, and undermining the very purpose of investing in solar.

🚒 Fire Detection and Suppression Is Non-Negotiable

Most solar installations in South Africa are retrofitted into existing structures that weren’t designed with high-energy battery storage in mind. Without specialist fire detection and suppression systems, these setups are accidents waiting to happen.

It’s a dangerous misconception that a standard fire extinguisher will do the job. Most households and even commercial buildings are equipped with water or CO₂ extinguishers – neither of which is effective against lithium-ion battery fires. In fact, using the wrong extinguisher can worsen the situation or place the operator at risk. Specialist suppression agents, such as clean agents or dedicated Class D solutions, are essential and must be installed alongside detection systems that trigger early intervention.

🔍 A Growing Risk That Demands Expertise

Insurers are already starting to take a harder look at solar-related fire risk. In many commercial contexts, you may not even be covered if your fire protection is non-compliant or insufficient.

At Quantum Fire and Access, we’ve seen the risks firsthand and we know how to mitigate them. We offer:

• Early warning fire detection systems tailored to battery enclosures and inverter rooms.
• Specialist extinguishing systems designed for lithium-ion battery fires (not water or CO₂-based).
• Customised fire risk assessments for existing solar installations.
• 24/7 monitoring and servicing to ensure systems are always operational.

Whether you’re a homeowner, estate manager, or facilities operator, investing in the right fire safety solution is just as important as investing in your solar setup.

Many businesses install fire detection and suppression systems and assume they’re covered. But without regular servicing, even the best systems can fail when they’re needed most.

In South Africa, the SANS 10139 standard requires that fire alarm systems are tested every six months, and gas suppression systems every three months. Failure to comply can void insurance or lead to legal consequences in the event of a fire.

At Quantum Fire & Access, we offer scheduled maintenance plans to keep your system compliant and functional – providing full documentation and rapid response support when needed.

• Stay compliant
• Extend system life
• Reduce risk of system failure

Talk to us about a service plan.

🔒 Crime Is on the Rise

In South Africa, crime isn’t niche anymore, it’s broad. With approximately 1.1 million households (5.7%) experiencing a housebreak in 2022–23, and only around 51% of incidents ever reported, it’s clear everyday security is no longer a luxury.

Today, access control isn’t just for embassies or data centres but it’s essential for offices, retail spaces, gated communities, and more.

🏠 Why Access Control Systems Matter – Everywhere

⚠️ A Wave of Misconfigurations—and What It Means

Alarmingly, a global cybersecurity audit uncovered over 49,000 misconfigured Access Management Systems (AMS), many of which exposed employee and biometric data. Even everyday systems can be open doors if not properly configured.

🚀 Why You Should Act Now

1. 🔐 Broader Safety, Not Just High-Security Zones
   Whether it’s staff areas, residential complexes, or server rooms, access control deters opportunistic crime and helps monitor suspicious activity.
2. 📊 Operational Efficiency + Record-Keeping
   Entrances, time entries, and visitor logs become transparent—automating admin and supporting compliance.
3. 🛡️ Privacy Protection & Cyber Hygiene
   With data breaches costing South African organisations an average of R53 million per incident, secure systems are critical—even in physical access control operations.
4. 📲 Flexibility & Control
   Today’s systems integrate biometrics, mobile apps, and centralised monitoring—tailored to your needs, easily scalable as your business grows.

✅ Bottom Line:
Access control isn’t just for high-risk facilities. Access control is today’s smart baseline for any site that values safety, oversight, or reputational integrity.

At Quantum, we’re experts in designing these systems that are secure, compliant, and tailored to real world challenges.

Let us help you secure your space.

For critical environments like server rooms, labs, and archives, traditional sprinkler systems can do more damage than fire itself. That’s why clean agent gas suppression systems – like Inergen or FM-200 – are becoming the gold standard.

These systems extinguish fires without water, releasing inert gas that suffocates flames while preserving sensitive equipment and data.

Quantum Fire & Access has extensive experience in installing and maintaining gas systems across high-risk environments, including hospitals, banks, and telecoms.

• Fast-acting fire suppression
• Leaves no residue
• Safe for electronics and personnel

Contact us for a free gas suppression assessment