Fire Industry News for October 2025

SOCOTEC Nederland provides technical advisory, testing and inspection services and risks analysis on buildings and infrastructures. With the acquisition of Vermeer Groep, SOCOTEC consolidates its Risk Management and Claims business line previously called Hanselman. Vermeer is a recognized leader in the field of land surveying, pre-construction risks studies and works monitoring in the Netherlands. Expanding its service portfolio SOCOTEC expands its service portfolio to offer a comprehensive...

WAGNER Group GmbH has been awarded the GIT SECURITY AWARD 2026 in the "Fire protection" category. The award was given for the innovative OxyReduct F-Line oxygen reduction system, which actively prevents the outbreak of open fires under defined conditions. The system expands on the proven method of oxygen reduction with hydrogen-based fuel cell technology, which also enables an emission-free energy supply. The key advancement lies in the combination of a protective atmosphere and a self-suf...

Firefighters throughout France face different challenges on the job daily and may need a variety of equipment to help keep them protected and safe. From fire helmets to the latest connected technology, MSA Safety, Inc. has the expertise in fire safety solutions to help firefighters and fire brigades enhance efficiency and safety. This MSA Safety expertise will be on display this week at the National Congress of French Firefighters in Le Mans, France. Latest generation of the F1 design At the...

SOCOTEC Netherlands is a recognized partner for Geotechnical Expertise, Building Performance, Risk Management & Claims for the construction and infrastructure sectors. By acquiring MOS Grondmechanica, SOCOTEC is following its strategy to become a major company in all aspects of ensuring sustainability in the built environment. MOS Grondmechanica is an independent research and consultancy company and has been one of the major firms in the field of geotechnics, geohydrology, and geotechnical...

SOCOTEC UK, the market pioneer in testing, inspection and certification (TIC) in the construction and infrastructure sectors, has acquired Impulse Geophysics Ltd, a major provider of 4K Digital Video and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) services based in Bedford. Using cutting edge technology and AI, Impulse specializes in Asset Management and Condition Inspection in the Infrastructure industry, allowing clients to visualize and plan their networks/schemes effectively and safely. The company, wh...

SOCOTEC, a major group in risk management and technical advisory for the construction, real estate and infrastructure sectors, is committed to supporting companies throughout the life cycle of their built assets. SOCOTEC Germany now has a 4th line of business and a total workforce of 1,400 people. The company is thus achieving a total turnover of €180 million. With more than 300 geomonitoring specialists, Trigis brings complementary expertise to SOCOTEC Germany's existing activities in th...

Global industrial imaging pioneer, HIKMICRO, is pioneering an all-encompassing range of reliable and durable infrared thermal cameras, proven to perform on a consistent basis in even mission critical industries and applications. Their technologically advanced range of firefighting thermal imagers is the most recent to benefit – ‘born from fire, built for more’ and designed for any professional operator where clarity is crucial and failure is not an option. The new, uncompromi...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is adding four high-tech, state-of-the-art aerial platform appliances to its fleet, further bolstering its emergency response capability across Sydney and the Central Coast. The ladder pumper appliances, each valued at $2.5m, feature an advanced, environmentally-friendly Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) that uses a special mix of foam and water to fight fires, promoting water conservation in the process. The first of four new CAFS Aerial Platforms (CAPs) coming on-...

A Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighter has been surprised with a visit from a road crash victim whose life he helped save late last year. The last time Riverstone Fire Captain David Richards saw Lee Knight, in October, the motorcyclist was moments from death on the side of the road outside the fire station in Sydney's west. Mr Knight was riding home after a friend’s funeral when his motorcycle struck the side of a car. Bike accident Captain Richards heard the impact from the station...

Details have emerged about the extraordinary use of drone technology to rescue a seriously injured rock fisherman, reported missing after falling off a cliff at Eden, on the state’s far south coast, earlier this month. At 7.51 am on Sunday, 2 April, the Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crew from Eden was involved in the search for the angler at The Lookout. The man was fishing with three friends when he fell and landed on a ledge, 50 meters down the rocky, tapered cliff, badly breaking a leg....

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) investigators, examining the scene of Sydney’s latest Lithium-Ion battery fire, are urging the public to safely store and charge the cells outside the home if possible. Just after 9 am on Friday, 14 April, an e-bike battery, on charge in the lounge room of a duplex in Sydney Road, Balgowlah, began to suddenly overheat in a process known as “Thermal Runaway.” A family of four inside the home heard a ‘popping’ noise as the battery began d...

The sparks will fly next Tuesday when Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) takes on a combined Australian Defence Force side in a curtain raiser to the NRL ANZAC Day match at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium. FRNSW has welcomed the opportunity of playing before the traditional Sydney Roosters – St George Illawarra game, in honour of the nation’s past and present servicemen and women. FRNSW has a long association with the ADF, through the military service of hundreds of firefighters in conflic...

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have battled for more than an hour to extinguish a blaze that destroyed a home in Sydney's south-west. Twenty FRNSW firefighters were called in to attack the blaze, which engulfed the two-story property on Riverside Drive, Airds, just before 5 am. The intensity of the fire and radiant heat made conditions too dangerous for crews to enter the building to conduct a search for potential occupants. Extinguishing the fire They stopped the inferno from spreading t...

While it’s never nice hearing that a client has had to deal with a real life fire situation, it’s always good news for them when they learn that their work has made a difference and helped protect a local business. That’s how they felt when one of the clients recently got in touch to report the successful activation of a PAFSS system that they’d previously installed for them. The fire in question started in the electrical control cabinet of a CNC brick setting machine be...

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has reported nine attacks during an eight-hour period. The attacks happened in Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Blantyre in South Lanarkshire and Blackburn in West Lothian. There were no injuries reported to the crews involved however a fire appliance in West Lothian had a windscreen smashed by a brick and had to be removed from operational service. These attacks have followed four previously reported attacks on crews in Ayrshire and Edinburgh in the week...

If someone is a business owner, chances are they have been told that their restaurant needs to comply with fire safety regulations. But what does that mean? And what are the specific fire safety regulations users need to be aware of as a restaurant owner or manager? This post will take users through the most important fire safety regulations for restaurants, so they can ensure the business complies. Stay safe and informed! Restaurant fire safety regulations Restaurant owners are responsible...

The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with OroraTech USA, the global pioneer in space-based wildfire intelligence, marking a significant step in enhancing wildfire preparedness and emergency response across one of Colorado’s most fire-prone counties. Under a 2025 pilot program, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Division has integrated OroraTech’s Wildfire Solution platform into its operational workflow. The service delivers near-inst...

Whether one runs a small shop in the city center or a large commercial warehouse on the outskirts, fire safety should be a top priority to protect the staff, customers and property. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 lays out the fire safety guidelines and is the rule book that applies to all Birmingham businesses. To start with, the business needs an up-to-date fire risk assessment and a suitable fire detection and fire alarm system which is correctly maintained. Depending on the...

In good alignment with the dynamism of construction and infrastructure projects in Morocco, as well as renovation projects on existing buildings or equipment, SOCOTEC wants to accelerate in Morocco. After the retirement of the previous manager, the SOCOTEC group has just appointed Karim Tounounti as General Manager of SOCOTEC MOROCCO and Operational Director of the SOCOTEC Group activities in Morocco from September 2022. He succeeds Taoufiq Daoudi, who has established SOCOTEC as a key player i...

Established in 2007, Quadrant Building Control is a market-pioneering Approved Inspector that doubled in size from 2018 to 2021.  It employs 140 surveyors and administrators and is licensed to undertake Building Control work in accordance with Part II of the Building Act 1984 and the Building Regulations 2010.  Operating from its network of 16 offices nationwide, it has approved over 50,000 Building Regulations applications across England and Wales, utilising bespoke software to mo...

With 73% of consumers who believe brands must act now for the good of society and reduce their impact on the planet, and 54% of consumers say they filter their choice of hotels according to the presence or absence of certification, having hotels commit to certify their management system on sustainability has become even more critical.  SOCOTEC Certification International has developed standards for the Hospitality sector in order to accompany this sector towards more social, business ethic...

SOCOTEC Certification France is a specialist in the certification of companies, the certification of persons, and the certification of services. As an independent trustworthy third party, the certification body offers certifications based on international ISO standards (9001, 14001, 45001, 50001, BIM, etc.), as well as on specific reference systems for any sector of activity. SOCOTEC Certification International in the Indian Ocean offers a range of certifications covering many areas, including...

SOCOTEC Group, a global pioneer in testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) in the construction and infrastructure sectors, has been providing services in Germany for 15 years. The first acquisition was Canzler in 2008, a specialist in consulting, engineering, and management of complex real estate projects, followed in 2017 by ZPP Ingenieure, technical experts in Infrastructure and energy projects, and by Schollenberger Kampfmittelbergung in 2018, a pioneer in EOD (Explosive Ordnance Detect...

SOCOTEC UK, the market pioneer in testing, inspection and certification (TIC) in the construction and infrastructure sectors, has acquired Hutton + Rostron (H+R), renowned specialists in Building Pathology. This strategic move establishes SOCOTEC as the sole UK company offering end-to-end solutions for all building types, including commercial, residential, industrial, and listed buildings alongside the whole asset lifecycle. The challenges faced by today’s complex construction and built...

SOCOTEC UK, a market pioneer in testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) services for the construction and infrastructure sectors, is pleased to announce the acquisition of IETG, specialists in flow level, temperature, and water quality monitoring, and 40SEVEN, renowned for their industry-pioneering expertise in land and utility surveying services. This strategic acquisition, with a combined workforce of 160 professionals and a revenue of £13m, significantly enhances SOCOTEC UK's serv...

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) develops various codes and standards to safeguard life and property from fire hazards. One such critical standard is NFPA 3, which provides guidelines for the commissioning and integrated testing of fire protection and life safety systems. Exploring its significance, guidelines, and how it impacts fire protection systems’ commissioning, maintenance, and performance. Introduction to NFPA 3 Fire protection systems are essential for...

People can’t see it, smell it, or taste it. Carbon monoxide is a silent, deadly gas that could be lurking in the home without them even knowing. Produced when fuel burns incompletely, this invisible killer is released by everyday household items like gas stoves, fireplaces, or even cars. The scary part? It can cause serious harm, or worse, death, before they even realize something’s wrong. The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Inhaling this gas prevents the body from getti...

Ranger Fire and Security has announced its acquisition of fire safety experts and training providers, Cork-based B-Safe Group. B-Safe Group is an industry specialist, established in 2019, building on a legacy of fire safety expertise that dates back to 1983, offering its customers fire extinguisher service and supply, as well as a broader range of fire services, including health and safety training and fire consultancy. In particular, the company offers expert insight, serving a range of corpo...

A waking watch is a temporary fire safety measure used when a building has significant fire risks, such as unsafe cladding, inadequate compartmentation, or no building-wide alarm system. It replaces the standard “Stay Put” approach with a “Simultaneous Evacuation” policy, ensuring occupants can be alerted and evacuated quickly in the event of a fire. Waking watch duties typically include: Constant Patrolling: Trained personnel continuously patrol all floors and the b...

It’s true that one of the main reasons one would get an intruder alarm system fitted for their business is to prevent break-ins. But these days, professionally installed intruder alarms offer much more than just that. From employee safety to satisfying the insurance and having eyes on the business at all times, the benefits of a modern commercial intruder alarm system make them a crucial security investment for businesses of all sizes. This article goes over what intruder alarms are, why...