Fire Industry News for April 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting every aspect of our business lives. But buried among the disruption might be an opportunity. Newly idled workers could see this as an opportune time for training to expand their career options. Meanwhile, employees still on the job may find that a cancelled or postponed project means they have time on their hands. Training can enable them to make the most of that time. In-person training has come to a halt, of course, because of social distancing requirements...

A new report highlights FirstNet’s progress in its goal of enhancing public safety communications using a nationwide interoperable broadband network for first responders. The report provides an update after three years of a public-private partnership between AT&T and the First Responder Network Authority, which oversees the development of FirstNet. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for FirstNet is more critical than ever. The report comes from the First Responder Voice project, a s...

Why do gas engineers need to become Gas Safe Registered? Why do heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers need to have an advanced driving license? We all know the answers to these questions: To determine competency and reduce risk. Because they are mandatory, it is simply expected. Premises managers expect the same competency from their fire safety providers; however, there are no mandatory measures in place to ensure a particular level of competency is met. But there should be, says Stephen Adams, C...

A globally-renowned International Dairy Industry Group consulted IEP Technologies SAS located in France when an expansion project for one of their production sites in Western France led to the requirement for the upgraded process plant to be protected against the potentially dangerous and costly effects of industrial explosions. risk of explosion protection The company had decided to invest in the plant to increase its production capacity of dairy-based ingredients which are used in the food i...

A practical, economical and versatile solution was demanded when IEP Technologies was approached to design an Explosion Protection System for a new spray drying process in a major Food Ingredients Manufacturing Plant based in the US Mid-West. The manufacturer may produce any one of 14 different cooking ingredients for the food industry on any given day, depending upon their customer requirements. Given the wide range of materials used and their respective particle/dust properties, individual ex...

Through this pandemic, many technologies have leapt into our day-to-day lives of lockdown and working from home, becoming an absolute necessity, as opposed to an alternative reserved for the young and tech-savvy. Whether it’s conference call platforms, social media, multimedia mediums or internet shopping, we are now relying on these technologies for everything. They are keeping businesses moving, they’re putting food on our tables and they are helping us keep in touch with our love...

When the Czech branch of a globally recognized company in industrial weighing, feeding, measuring and process technologies encountered technical design challenges in providing an explosion protection concept for a client, they turned to IEP Technologies Europe for an innovative and low maintenance solution. The end user, a major building materials and solutions company with plants and operations worldwide, produce a range of construction materials including cement, aggregates and ready-mix conc...

A specialized manufacturer of Wood Products based in the North Eastern United States consulted IEP Technologies when installing a new process line which needed protection against the potentially dangerous and costly effects of industrial explosions. As part of the plant expansion, a new Dust Collector was to be installed in an outside location. Explosion venting panels The new equipment was already fitted with explosion venting panels from the dust collector manufacturer to protect against exp...

Firefighters in Suffolk are joining forces with blue light colleagues at the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) to help provide life-saving frontline care during the coronavirus pandemic. Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has volunteered and trained about 30 firefighters to work alongside paramedics to respond to 999 calls over the coming weeks. The firefighters are already blue light trained and will drive frontline emergency NHS ambulances, in turn freeing up paramedics to care for patie...

National Drowning Prevention Week has started, which will see Avon Fire and Rescue Service (AF&RS) focus on helping people stay safe around water in line with the Government’s guidance and restrictions that remain in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The dedicated week of action runs from April 20 to April 26 and is led by the National Fire Chiefs’ Council (NFCC) and supported by fire and rescue services all over the UK. During the week messages will be shared on AF&R...

Nine on-call firefighters from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service have been seconded to the ambulance service. The on-call firefighters will temporarily be seconded to East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) while they experience high demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. Having now received their training, they will be using their skill as blue light trained drivers to assist in driving frontline emergency NHS ambulances alongside EEAST paramedics. The move to the NHS frontline...

Following popular demand, Apollo Fire Detectors will be recommencing supply of their XP95 Three Channel Input / Output Module. The XP95 Three Channel Input / Output Module (55000-588APO) was removed from the product portfolio in 2018 after the introduction of the Intelligent Interface range. After receiving feedback from customers, Apollo has taken the decision to reintroduce the product to their sales portfolio with immediate effect. The product offers the benefit of using a single address for...

KIMTEK has added six new ultra high-pressure models to its brush truck series skid unit lineup. The new 400 Series FIRELITE® FCUHP-401, -402, -403 deluxe, -404, -405, and -406 basic model skid units are desired by departments needing affordable brush truck units with a CAT ultra-high-pressure pump. To additionally meet departments' specific needs, KIMTEK offers the new 400 Series in options that include a patient transport area which can hold a long board or stokes basket or accommodate oth...

The third stimulus package passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump on March 27 includes funding earmarked to help fire and EMS services deal with the burgeoning coronavirus emergency. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides $2.2 trillion in all to help the nation deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.  Among the provisions of the law is $400 million in grants that can be disbursed for firefighters, emergency managers and providers of emergency foo...

Comelit’s fire detection systems have been installed at the newly reopened St. Catherine’s Church and Pastoral Center, to ensure the safety of all who work and visit the site to enjoy its range of facilities. The popular church in Coventry, which was initially built to serve the local community prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, was forced to close in January 2011 as the maintenance of the building was no longer sustainable. The new building, opened by the Bishop of Cove...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is working to help volunteer firefighters, EMS providers, and rescue workers who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These volunteers are on the frontlines helping their communities every day. A donation to the NVFC’s Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund goes directly to help these responders in their time of need. Emergency responders answer the call whenever disaster strikes, yet often they are the victims of the same disaste...

Vimpex is open for business. Vimpex remains fully dedicated to their customers, and as a key manufacturer and supplier to the evacuation, rescue and industrial industries they are able to offer support by keeping people safe in critical situations. Vimpex is a private family-owned business, so they can guarantee that the phone will always be answered, emails will be responded to and orders fulfilled as much as possible. Fire safety equipment They are a manufacturer of fire safety equipment so...

Kentec Electronics, a renowned manufacturer of life-critical control systems, has achieved EN 54-2 and 4 VdS approval for Taktis, its most powerful and sophisticated analog addressable fire panel. The approval will enable the business to expand its global operations into the central European market. As one of central Europe’s leading independent testing institutions, VdS certification is required for manufacturers to sell and install fire safety systems in Germany and other central Europe...

Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) warns against deliberate fires after several callouts since lockdown began.    Despite the current government guidance on staying at home to help alleviate the Coronavirus pandemic, AF&RS continues to be called to mindless cases of arson that put both crews and the community in danger.  Since the start of the government’s stay at home directive on Monday 23rd March, crews have attended 58 deliberate fires across...

SSAIB were overcome with pride upon discovering that registered firm PLP Fire Protection have been providing invaluable assistance in the building of the Government’s first emergency field hospital at the ExCel in London. The temporary NHS Nightingale hospital has been set up to treat up to 4,000 coronavirus patients, with Dorset-based PLP Fire Protection helping to transform the ExCel exhibition space – which was due to host IFSEC International and FIREX International next month, be...

In recognition of National Volunteer Week in April, First Alert, the most trusted brand in fire safety, is teaming up with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to show their gratitude and appreciation for volunteer fire departments across the country. With first responders facing unprecedented conditions nationwide, the donation of 1,000 First Alert rechargeable fire extinguishers will go to departments registered with the NVFC’s Fire Corps program to help fire service volunteers ma...

Around 200 delegates from the building and design industries in the United Kingdom region and beyond attended a one-day business seminar themed - “Sprinklers Save Lives” on providing a fire resilient environment for everyone. It was held at The Burgess Hall in St Ives, United Kingdom.  “Sprinklers Save Lives” seminar Organized by BAFSA (British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association Ltd.) in collaboration with, and hosted by, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, t...

The BAFSA Executive have now written to its members and outlined immediate action as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak. BAFSA (British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association Ltd.) announced in a statement that they will continue to work within the current Government guidelines (both national and devolved) throughout this COVID19 pandemic outbreak. They have provided links below to HM Government advice, Scottish Government advice, Welsh Government advice and Northern Ireland Government advice we...

Carrier Global Corporation debuts as an independent, publicly traded company after successfully completing its separation from United Technologies. Shares of Carrier, a pioneer in creating building and refrigeration solutions that matter for people and the planet, will begin ‘regular-way’ trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at market open under the symbol ‘CARR.’ A provider of innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, and fire...

The AFFF foam concentrates FILMOPOL and BIOFILM are now UL 162-certified. FILMOPOL, an AFFF fluorosynthetic AR versatile foam concentrate, is especially effective at: Putting out hydrocarbon fires fast owing to its AFFF properties (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam) Forming a protective film gel over the surface of all types of flammable liquid (class B polar solvents) due to its AR property (Alcohol-Resistant) offering remarkable resistance to re-ignition of the exposed combustible materials. BI...

An appeal has been launched by Suffolk County Council for businesses in the county to donate any unused Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to ensure our critical front-line staff working in care homes, children's homes and people’s own homes can continue to give care and support to Suffolk's most vulnerable residents. The council specifically needs: Fluid repellent face masks Nitrile non powdered disposable gloves Disposable aprons Disposable eye protection/splash goggles Sanitize...

The national picture for the Coronavirus outbreak is evolving and changing rapidly. As a supplier of PPE and Managed Services to the Fire and Rescue Service, Bristol Uniforms qualifies as an essential service that needs to remain operating if possible. In light of this the company wants to reassure their customers of the following steps they have taken at Bristol, both to ensure that their colleagues are able to work safely and to make sure they help keep their organization running as smoothly a...

KIMTEK has announced expanding its FIRELITE UTV Transport Skid Unit line with new models designed for fire departments needing the capability of an ultra-high pressure pump on a compact skid unit specifically suited for UTV side-by-side chassis. The FCAT-209 and FCAT-209-85 models feature premium CAT UHP pumps powered by electric start Honda 9HP motors. These triplex pumps deliver 6.7 GPM at 1200 psi. FIRELITE UTV Skid units KIMTEK'S new FIRELITE slip-on/skid units also include a CAT dual-stri...

Telguard, a provider of security and life safety communications, announces its cellular alarm communicator for commercial fire, the TG-7FS LTE-A, is now available for sale in Canada. The TG-7FS has long been the go-to communicator in the U.S., and the Canadian market will now be able to take advantage of its performance and reliability. “Telguard devices have been trusted universal alarm communicators across Canada for decades, primarily in the residential and commercial intrusion space,&...

Klaxon is adjusting manufacturing operations in the UK to a four-day week, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. They will be condensing production operations into Monday to Thursday, with effect from 1 April 2020. orders in chronological order As a result, Klaxon will not be despatching goods on Fridays, or receiving deliveries from suppliers on Fridays, from Friday 3rd April until further notice. In addition, Klaxon will not be despatching goods, or receiving deliveries on Wednesday 1st Apri...