Fire Industry News for March 2020

When it comes to the public fire brigades’ services, the equipment used is generally governed by a set of national regulatory and operational requirements that vary slightly between countries. However, it’s also important that the private fire crews within airports, ports, oil and gas and petrochemical installations also conform to fire safety guidelines within their specific industries. Among these essential safety measures that must be adhered, is ensuring that the communication t...

Popular with fire-fighters around the world, XFlex is Bristol Uniforms’ flagship range in structural fire fighting (Personal Protective Equipment) PPE. Its name came from the ‘X’ shape formed by the curved seams on the garment’s elbow and its flexibility. It enables excellent range of movement which helps fire-fighters carry out their physical roles more effectively. The creation and introduction of XFlex into the market marks a new direction in fire fighting PPE design a...

Nittan Europe, globally renowned manufacturer of conventional and addressable fire detection products, has announced that it is a proud sponsor of South Eastern Regional College’s (SERC) ‘Outstanding Apprentice Fire Alarm Engineer of the Year’. Nittan has supplied a prize and trophy, plus free of charge fire alarm products for students to train on. SERC, based in Northern Ireland, provides a wide range of courses, apprenticeships, professional development training, online lear...

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue is advising businesses to review fire risk assessments following the Prime Minister’s announcement to restrict movement and close businesses.  "The fire safety measures within buildings are designed for their specific use and often do not include people sleeping. It may therefore not have the necessary fire safety measures installed to make this a safe practice," said Fire Safety Lead Matt White.  Isolating electric items  The advice comes af...

The Institute of Fire Safety Managers Incorporating Life Safety Managers (IFSM) has received a few queries asking if fire risk assessors and those linked with the fire industry are classed as ‘key workers.’  The Institute’s clear position is in supporting the Government and the main information and guidance for employees and employers is set out on the Governments website, including definitions of ‘key workers.’  Future of fire risk assessment  The...

During the national emergency, many in the Fire Sector will be concerned regarding what work should or shouldn’t go ahead.  The government advice is most importantly to all “Stay Home-Stay Safe-Protect the NHS”. This is for an initial three-week period as all play their part by limiting contact with others to reduce the virus’s opportunity to spread. There are exceptions which have raised multiple questions within the wider sector.  Key worker status  Th...

The intelligent Sigma A-XT gas extinguishing panel from Kentec, is at the heart of Luke Alexander’s 'Luke 227' fire extinguishing system integrated by the experts at GECO Mechanical and Electrical Ltd. Co. (GECO) to preserve the Holy Quran and other holy texts at the Holy Quran Academy within Al Qasimia University in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Al Qasimia University is a vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the Ruler of the Emirates of Sharjah and a...

With more of the people spending extra time at home over the next few weeks, either through home working, self-isolating or social distancing and with the added distractions that can bring North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service would like to give its users some safety advice and tips to help them stay home and stay safe. Smoke alarms are essential items! They can help give the user and their family a few minutes warning if a fire breaks out in their home. They should fit smoke alarms on every...

Norfolk’s Chief Fire Officer and his team are working with colleagues at The East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) to identify ways fire service staff can support them during the COVID-19 pandemic. This morning, the National Fire Chiefs Council published a national agreement following discussions with Fire and Rescue Services and the Fire Brigades Union. It paves for the way for the local discussions to identify areas where Norfolk’s firefighters and other staff can best s...

Whilst the situation regarding the Coronavirus outbreak in Europe and the UK is developing and changing quickly, Hochiki Europe would like to assure all their partners that the business has been continually reviewing and monitoring the UK Government’s advice. To date, the company has implemented the following actions to reduce the virus spread: Encouraging staff to work from home, where practicable Travel ban in place for overseas business travel Staff rotation in place to promote soc...

Prevent stackable scene lights from tilting, shifting, and falling during transport with the all-new Stackable Scene Light Bracket from Zico. A single bracket can safely secure multiple lights. Model QM-SLB-2 features a flexible, rubber draw strap that gently but firmly holds the light(s) against the baseplate and a durable steel guard to minimize bouncing on rough terrain, curbs, and railroad tracks. Efficient And Effective Storage Solution The sleek, compact design requires minimal addition...

Infographics has announced that Humberside Fire and Rescue Service is the latest fire service to move to the company’s FireWatch Cloud, a fully-managed service based on the Microsoft Azure platform. FireWatch Cloud solution The new FireWatch Cloud solution will provide a resilient architecture, flexible access to the FireWatch integrated fire service management platform from remote locations, and includes software upgrade services and other benefits. Richard Jacques, ICT Data & Appl...

The Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) is a certification body for organizations providing security systems and services, fire detection and alarm systems, telecare systems and services, manned security services and monitoring services. In this challenging time, with the closure of many business and the Prime Minister’s statement to further restrict movement, it is important to ensure the vital national work that the private security industry firms carry out is recognize...

Telguard, globally renowned company in the field of security and life safety communications, has announced that its cellular fire alarm communicators have been issued a Certificate of Approval, #6316. This means Fire & Life Safety dealers in New York City are now able to use Telguard’s premier cellular fire communicator, the TG-7FS LTE. Fire communicators New York City has strict regulations on fire communicators that can be used, and manufacturers must obtain a Certificate of Approv...

Following the prime ministers recent address to the nation, Envirograf has taken the decision to temporarily close business from 5pm on the 25th March 2020.  They have temporarily closed as the health of the customers and colleagues is the top priority and they are committed to playing a part in preventing the spread of COVID-19.  current guidelines  All enquiries and online orders that Envirograf will receive during this time will be processed as soon as th...

Coronavirus COVID-19 is developing rapidly across the UK and the impact on customers and workforces is likely to be significant, and in some cases unavoidable, but as of currently, Coopers Fire is continuing to operate as business as usual.  Coopers Fire are continuing to manufacture at full capacity and their main telephone number is working as usual with the majority of the Coopers Fire team still available to receive emails, talk on the phone or via Microsoft Teams and/or Skype for Busi...

DuPont announced close monitoring of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as it continues to spread across the world, and taking key steps to ensure the safety of their employees, customers and communities in which they operate to keep them informed as the health crisis unfolds. Effective COVID-19 response The company said that the health and safety of their employees is of the highest priority. They have corporate, regional and local crisis management teams in place that are actively monitorin...

AEI Cables highlights the need for the highest quality of cabling for use in sprinkler systems being fitted as part of new fire safety initiatives for high-rise buildings.  New blocks of flats of six storeys or higher could require sprinkler systems under new Government plans being considered in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire.  Meeting relevant stands  Graham Turner, of AEI Cables said, “While the approach to sprinkler systems is positive news, the need for reliable...

Bodies within the Security and Fire sector, namely the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), Fire and Security Association (FSA), National Security Inspectorate (NSI), and the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) are re-iterating calls for employees of all security and fire safety companies approved by UKAS-accredited specialist certification bodies to be designated as ‘Key Workers’, to ensure environments not currently designated as ‘critical’ con...

Recently, James Brokenshire, Minister of State for Security at the Home Office stated, “Security and fire safety personnel can play a vital role at this time of national challenge. People working in these sectors who are essential to national infrastructure are ‘key workers’ for the purposes of the Government’s guidance on COVID-19.”  While the Fire Industry Association is continually seeking further clarification from the Government on the issue, Ian Moore, C...

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) is continuously seeking further clarification from the Government's position on this issue after Boris Johnson's speech on Monday 23rd at 20:30. FIA CEO Ian Moore has been in discussions with the Home Office on this subject over the last few days. FIA CEO Ian Moore says, “We have received hundreds of calls requesting clarification on what is meant by the Home Office statements. My first response is to be pragmatic about what you deem to be important und...

With its new generation of wireless detectors, Bosch Building Technologies offers a flexible fire protection solution that works almost entirely without cabling. It is therefore ideally suited for historical buildings, for retrofitting and expansion of existing buildings, and for temporary installations. Thanks to the combination of two frequency bands and highly reliable mesh technology, the new wireless fire alarm system offers high system availability and maximum protection. The solution con...

Given the unprecedented situation of COVID-19 and uncertainty faced by everyone around the world, FFE Ltd. Managing Director, Oliver Burstall said, “I would like to take this opportunity to reach out and update you on the steps we are taking to ensure operations continue in the safest way possible.” Availability of product He said, “Our primary concern as a business is the health and safety of our colleagues, customers, suppliers and their families. At FFE Ltd., we have been...

Some insurance carriers delay or deny a patient’s medically necessary care, despite recommendations by doctors or other health professionals, in order to reduce costs and increase profits. A delay or denial can happen to anyone with a health care plan. However, firefighters are particularly vulnerable because, as government employees, their plans are not protected by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) in the United States. Protections for firefighters Without th...

The T-band radio spectrum provides critical communications for firefighters and other first responders in large metropolitan areas. However, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently required by law to auction off the spectrum for other uses in February 2021. Congress will need to pass legislation in the next several months to stop the auction, which is a provision of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012.   In the last several years, various bills ha...

Refrigerants used in cooling systems for homes and businesses are being replaced with alternatives that have less potential for global warming. But the transition comes at a risk: Some of the new refrigerants are flammable.  Although less flammable than gases such as propane, for example, new refrigerants can still ignite and burn with a high intensity under ideal circumstances. The new materials have low-flame velocity and are less easily ignited; however, one byproduct of combustion is t...

As one comes to terms with the latest restrictions announced by the Prime Minister, one shares the uncertainties of the ‘lockdown’ requirements.  BAFE had the news recently that fire alarm technicians are considered key workers, when they are responding to alarms or system failures. However, to date there is no other clarification regarding other services.  BAFE has set out to remind property managers of their obligations under legislation to maintain fire protection syst...

The BAFE office is temporarily closed due to coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns. Staff safety is a priority and they will be working from home.  BAFE will be monitoring emails and accessing voicemail left to the BAFE office number. The response times may be longer than normal. 

First responders are on the front lines of the latest health crisis that involves spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. Around the country – and around the world – EMS departments are facing the uncertainties of a rapidly-spreading virus. One problem is a shortage of face masks. As cases surge, it will also be harder for ambulance companies to get other needed supplies. In King County, Wash., an epicenter of COVID-19 cases in the United States, Kirkland, Wash., firefighters and...

Snido is pleased to announce that João Palhinha joined its team of engineers. Graduating from the University of Algarve in 2010 with a degree in computer engineering, João joined an Algarvian digital company in 2009 and became director of their R&D department in 2015. During his time there he worked on developing websites and web applications, along with Android, iOS and desktop applications. “I am delighted to bring my knowledge and experience of working with the most v...