Industry News

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...

Hochiki Europe, a renowned manufacturer of life safety solutions, has partnered with the FIA (Fire Industry Association) to host a roundtable discussing best practice when it comes to life safety in Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs). Panelists were made up of professionals involved throughout the life safety procurement chain, including representatives from the manufacturing, facilities management, consultancy/specification and installation sectors, as well as the FIA itself. selecting emerge...

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...

As the Coronavirus outbreak continues to spread across the globe, more companies are adopting stronger measures to protect employees from contracting and spreading the virus.  However, as the work practices, movements and behavior changes, businesses should also consider how their fire and security systems can help them mitigate risks in the wake of COVID-19.  Fire safety during COVID-19  During this extraordinary situation, it must be noted that fire safety cannot be put on ho...

​​​VIKING Safety Academy has addressed a fast-emerging seafarer training issue brought by coronavirus by delivering a unique e-learning tool that can keep seafarers STCW compliant until restrictions on movement and social interactions come to an end. With many countries in lockdown, face to face seafarer training is also being suspended and some flag administrations have responded by granting automatic three-month extensions to the STCW Certificates seafarers must update every five years. Howev...

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...

BAFE has announced releasing a fire safety advisory during the on-going coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic. The advisory stated, “During this extraordinary situation, it must be noted that fire safety cannot be put on hold. Fire does not discriminate, and it is important that your fire safety policy is well maintained appropriately”. Fire safety systems and provisions It further reads, ”BAFE have discussed this fact before, but fire safety systems and provisions are different to...

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer joined Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings and local officials to provide an update on efforts to ensure a coordinated response to suppress the spread of COVID-19 within the community. “The reality is that we don’t know how long this is going to last or how this will impact so many aspects of our lives and livelihoods,” said Mayor Dyer. “What we do know is that our actions at this pivotal moment, both individually and collectively, can make a hu...

The new fire safety bill, announced by the UK government post consultations with FIA (Fire Industry Association) and fire industry experts, aims to help people feel safe in their homes around the country, whilst ensuring that a fire related tragedy similar to that of Grenfell Tower fire never happens again. Fire Safety Bill The proposed Fire Safety Bill will amend the Fire Safety Order 2005 to clarify that the responsible person or duty-holder for multi-occupied, residential buildings must man...

The FIA Export Council and all of ‘FIA Exporters’ are aware that they work closely with the Department for International Trade [DIT] and its Defence and Security Organisation [DSO], in respect of promoting the fire sector’s export interests overseas. The FIA is writing to highlight the opportunities for industry sector specialists to work within DIT DSO on time-limited projects to support UK exports. As part of the new 2019 Security Export Strategy, DIT DSO are seeking support...

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer joined Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings and local officials to provide an update on efforts to ensure a coordinated response to suppress the spread of COVID-19 within the community. “Each day, and seemingly every hour, we’re making difficult decisions as a city government that we are not taking lightly,” said Mayor Dyer. “Every decision that impacts our residents and businesses is being made in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.”...

As BAFE Registered Companies will be aware, there are certain time period requirements when service and maintenance work should be performed for fire safety provisions and systems. At present, if a client is not permitting access on-site due to coronavirus precautions, the company should make sure that they explain that it is their decision to not allow the completion of the work. It is the role of the premises management (i.e. Responsible Person/Duty Holder) to ensure they fulfil their fire sa...

Congressional Fire Services Institute’s Board of Directors regrets to announce that the 32nd Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner have been postponed until further notice. CFSI is taking this action based on the recommendations from local, state, and federal health agencies and task forces The health and safety of the guests outweighed every other consideration in the decision to postpone the event. Even though the program takes place in six weeks, CFSI is tak...

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service announced that it has been putting plans in place to ensure residents across the county will get emergency response treatment when they need it during the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Emergency response treatment Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, Chief Fire Officer, Chris Strickland said, “We want to assure residents that we are taking the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic very seriously. We have been working closely with our...

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer declared the State of Emergency in the City of Orlando to further the efforts in fighting the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and ensure quicker access to needed supplies. The City of Orlando continues to work with lead agencies Orange County and the Florida Department of Health in Orange County, to ensure a coordinated response.  Below is the latest information on the City of Orlando's response to the threat of COVID-19, including information on cancellations an...

The City of Orlando continues to take serious actions and a number of measures to suppress the spread of COVID-19 within the community, working together with lead agencies Orange County and the Florida Department of Health in Orange County, to ensure a coordinated response. Some of these measures include:  Visiting continuity of operation plans to ensure essential city services can be managed and delivered remotely.  Working on plans to allow those employees who can work from home...

REV Fire California, popular fire department equipment supplier and subsidiary of REV Group, is proud to announce a partnership with Southern California Fleet Services, Inc. (So Cal Fleet) to provide service and warranty work for its Southern California customers with E-One, KME, and Ferrara apparatus. So Cal Fleet is based in Corona, CA and has multiple locations and road crews that are available 24 hours a day for all repair and maintenance needs. enhanced service and warranty experience Whe...

According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are over 354,000 residential fires a year, causing, on average, around 2,600 deaths and over 11,000 injuries. The majority of fire-related deaths occur at night while people sleep. The important role of well-placed, quality smoke alarms is easy to see. There are two main types of smoke alarms – ionization and photoelectric. Understanding the difference between the two can help users make the best decision, regarding installing t...

Sprinklers were activated as a result of a fire caused by a portable heater in close proximity to a blanket where the resident was asleep and under the influence of alcohol. Sprinkler system also raised the alarm to warn the resident (flow switch activating the alarm system). LD2 Alarms The room of origin was the living room where no detection was present – LD2 system installed within flats (LD2 – Alarms in all circulation spaces that form part of escape routes and rooms or areas...

Around 200 delegates from the building and design industries in the region and beyond attended a one-day business seminar on ‘Providing a fire resilient environment for all’. Organised by the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association Ltd (BAFSA) in collaboration with, and hosted by, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, the event focused on raising awareness of the life-saving benefits sprinkler and suppression systems can provide to communities. It was held at The Burgess Hall...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the non-profit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services, has announced a partnership with DRONERESPONDERS – the world’s fastest growing program supporting public safety – to help coordinate, cooperate, and co-promote efforts to enhance the use of drones in the pursuit of public safety. Drone Operations The memorandum of understanding outlines the key initiatives under which th...

Chief Robert Valentine would like to remind Groveland residents to practice safe grilling habits while cooking outdoors this season. Between 2014 and 2018, Massachusetts fire departments responded to 474 fires involving grills, hibachis, or barbecues, according to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services. These fires caused 19 civilian injuries, seven firefighter injuries, and $3.8 million in property damages. “With warmer weather around the corner, we know many are looking forward...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will invest more than $41 million this fiscal year through the Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership for projects that mitigate wildfire risk, improve water quality and restore healthy forest ecosystems on public and private lands. Funding for 36 projects includes $10.6 million for 16 new projects and $30.5 million to complete work on 20 projects previously selected in 2018 and 2019. Through the projects, USDA’s Forest Service (FS) and Na...

On January 28, Senators Jacky Rosen and Deb Fischer introduced the HERO Act, S. 3244, companion legislation to H.R. 1646, which was introduced last year by Representatives Ami Bera and Brian Fitzpatrick. The HERO Act establishes a series of programs to address public safety behavioral health issues, including: Creates a grant program for peer-support behavioral health and wellness programs at fire departments and EMS agencies Directs the U.S. Fire Administration in coordination with the Depa...

A primary school in the Highlands was evacuated after a fire broke out inside the building. All children and staff at Park Primary in Invergordon were safe, Highland Council said. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said the blaze was well developed and large when seven SFRS appliances and a high reach appliance were at the scene and firefighters were working to extinguish the flames.  Responders At its height, there were more than 50 firefighters, nine appliances, a high-reach...

The Government consultation ‘Fire safety: risk prioritization in existing buildings’, closed recently. In January Stephen Adams, Chief Executive, BAFE, encouraged everyone to review the document provided on the MHCLG website and to respond accordingly. The call for evidence noted it was “in line with the Secretary of State’s commitment to conducting a full-scale technical review of the Fire Safety guidance to the Building Regulations (Approved Document B) and to provide...

The application period is now open for MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway program! Sponsored by MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), the 2020 Global Giveaway Program will equip 13 volunteer fire departments with four new sets of state-of-the-art turnout gear and four new helmets to enhance their firefighters’ safety. Since the program began in 2012, 507 sets of turnout gear have been awarded to 108 departments, for a total of over $1 million worth of life-saving perso...

The Homes for Heroes Foundation has donated $5,000 to the National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund in order to assist volunteer firefighters and EMS providers impacted by a disaster. This is the second donation the Foundation has made to the Support Fund; in December, they contributed $7,500 to help volunteer responders in need. Joanne Hilliard presented NVFC staff with a $7,500 donation from Homes for Heroes for the NVFC Volunteer Firefighter Support Fu...