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In 1999, a small factory was built in the Walkerville suburb, south of Johannesburg with an ambitious goal to manufacture and supply cutting-edge fire detection and protection equipment. This modest facility marked the beginnings of Alien System Technologies (AST), a company that would go on to revolutionise the fire safety industry in South Africa and across the continent.

The early 2000s were pivotal years that set AST on its trailblasing path. In July 2000, the company’s flagship Pyroshield IG55 Gaseous Fire Extinguishing System received a tremendous boost by earning the coveted independent 3rd party full system approval from Bureau Veritas. Just months later in December, the system also gained marine approval from the South African Maritime Safety Authority.

AST continued pushing boundaries in 2001, becoming the first African company to perform rigorous room integrity tests that adhered to strict ISO 14520 and NFPA 2001 standards for clean agent fire suppression systems. This pioneering commitment to upholding the highest global standards was cemented when AST gained its ISO 9001 Quality Management Certification the same year.

The accolades poured in as AST’s engineering prowess and innovation were recognised industry wide. In September 2003, the prestigious SABS Design Institute honoured Pyroshield with an award for engineering excellence – a remarkable achievement for the young but ambitious company.

Over the next decade, AST continued its impressive growth trajectory, launching a succession of groundbreaking products. The Cirrus Pro range of aspirating air sampling fire detectors in 2010 was an immediate success. In 2015, the company unveiled its innovative Whisp-Air Silencers, followed by cutting-edge Linear Heat Detection Systems and the revolutionary Cirrus Hybrid Fire & Smoke Multi sensor Detector in 2016 – the only one of its kind in the world at the time.

AST’s commitment to sustainability was acknowledged in 2012 when it received the Green Supply Chain Award. The company achieved another major milestone in 2013 by opening Africa’s first 400 bar production filling plant for compressed gas fire suppression cylinders.

As it entered its third decade, AST focused on enhancing customer offerings and strengthening its quality assurance. In 2018, it earned the esteemed SANAS accreditation for Hydrostatic Pressure Testing. Two years later in 2021, the company’s design, development, manufacturing, and installation processes were certified against the ISO 9001:2015 standard by Bureau Veritas.

Continual innovation remains a driving force, with AST launching the high-value ProPointPlus Air Sampling Smoke Detector in 2016, the new Cirrus CCD detector range in 2021 to widespread acclaim, and the cutting-edge Pyroshield Universal Gas Actuator in 2022.

Now in 2024, as AST commemorates its 25th anniversary, the company celebrates the landmark launch of its Trademarked Cylinders while upholding its stringent quality processes, as evidenced by its latest ISO 9001:2015 certification from Bureau Veritas.

From its humble beginnings, Alien System Technologies has emerged as an industry captain – pioneering exceptional fire detection and protection solutions through unwavering commitment to engineering excellence, quality assurance, and trailblazing innovation.

We would like to take a moment to thank our loyal clients as well as all the staff at AST over a quarter century. Without your loyalty, hard work and innovation, we would not be  where we are today.

As AST looks ahead, the company remains steadfastly committed to its mission of providing innovative fire safety solutions that protect what matters most – human lives and valued assets.