MIJA, Inc., AMEREX and the University of Utah Install World's First Electronically Monitored...

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SALT LAKE CITY & ROCKLAND, Mass. & BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 16, 2003--

First-ever installation of new EN-Gauge(TM) technology provides

peace of mind and sense of safety for students and their families

MIJA, Inc., the makers of EN-Gauge(TM), the first multi-patented electronic monitoring capability for fire extinguishers and extinguishing systems, along with AMEREX, a leading manufacturer of fire extinguishers, and the University of Utah today announced the first-ever installation of EN-Gauge-enabled fire extinguishers. Installed in two student residence halls at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, students and their families can now rest assured that for the first time ever, all of the residence hall's fire extinguishers will be available and functioning in the event of an emergency, and are less likely to be targets of vandalism.

By electronically monitoring fire extinguishers for pressure, presence, and obstruction to access, the technology can help prevent property damage and danger to lives by helping to ensure that every time an extinguisher is needed, it is where it is supposed to be and fully operable.

"Electronically monitored fire extinguishers help us greatly improve our fire safety program," said Michael Halligan, assistant director of Environmental Health and Safety at the University of Utah. "Although we presently visually inspect all campus extinguishers once a month, it is not as foolproof a system as electronic monitoring."

The University has a total of nine million square feet on campus to inspect. Replacing monthly physical inspections with electronic monitoring represents a potentially substantial savings in labor costs for the University, and also frees up their staff for other fire prevention activities.

"We admire Mr. Halligan and his staff for their innovative thinking in becoming the first installation site for EN-Gauge," said John McSheffrey, vice president of business development for MIJA. "We truly appreciate the opportunity to work with them in increasing fire safety for the students," he added.

Electronically monitored extinguishers were installed this week in two residence halls occupied by first-year students, where fire extinguishers have historically been a frequent target of vandalism. Often taking the form of either discharging the extinguishers as part of a prank or removing them from their correct location to prop open a door, vandalism poses a real danger to the students, as fire extinguishers are the first line of defense against small fires. Ninety-four percent of the time an extinguisher is used in the first two minutes, the fire is extinguished and loss of life and property damage is greatly decreased.

"Fire extinguisher-related vandalism is a real problem at the University, particularly in the freshman residence halls," said Halligan. "When word gets out that a member of the University staff will be electronically notified of all extinguisher removals and sent to investigate, I believe vandalism will decrease."

Amerex Corporation, the manufacturer of the ten-pound ABC fire extinguishers used in the installation, joined with MIJA to cosponsor the launch site at the University of Utah at no cost to the University. "Although often taken for granted, fire extinguishers are an essential component of any fire safety system," said Bill Beyer, president of Amerex Corporation. "We are proud to join with MIJA in the installation of the first "intelligent" fire extinguishers in the world."

"If the electronic monitoring of the extinguishers is as successful as I expect it will be, the University will make a decision regarding outfitting additional buildings on campus within six months to a year." added Mr. Halligan.

EN-Gauge utilizes a unique, modified Hall-effect switch to exceed National Fire Protection Association's NFPA-10 inspection requirements for commercial facilities by enabling constant monitoring for pressure and presence, while using sonar to determine whether there is an obstruction to access, providing a daily assurance that can enhance or replace standard monthly physical inspections. In addition, the technology signals an alert the moment a fire extinguisher is removed from its proper location, notifying the facility's central control station of a potential life-safety situation.

About MIJA

MIJA Inc., with facilities in Massachusetts and Mexico, commands a major share of the fire extinguisher pressure gauge market in the United States and is considered a visionary for growth in the fire protection industry. MIJA's commitment to quality and vigorous approach to helping customers develop products and markets has made the company the established leader in design, engineering, and manufacturing of over two thousand styles of high quality, low cost pressure gauges, with six hundred Underwriters Laboratories listings. This same commitment makes MIJA a trusted supplier to the compressed gas, medical instrumentation, pneumatics, personal recreation, and home health care industries.