Industry News

BAFE, the independent register of quality fire safety service providers, have officially responded to the Government’s Building a safer future: proposals for reform of the building safety regulatory system consultation.  Stephen Adams, BAFE Chief Executive, discussed the following main points in the response submitted:  BAFE recognizes that the consultation concerns high-rise residential buildings (HRRBs) as a starting point, but strongly recommends that this is rapidly exten...

Firefighters have issued a summer heat safety plea following several incidents cornfields, grass and crop fires in Kent that have been linked to the hot and dry weather the county is currently experiencing. Countering wildfire incidents Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) deals frequently with rural fires, but during periods of hot and dry weather, incidents on grassland have the potential to become much bigger wildfires. Last year (2018), KFRS responded to almost 700 grassfires, and so far, t...

BAFE, the independent register of quality fire safety service providers, has officially responded to the Government’s Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 consultation.  BAFE agrees strongly with the scope of the current fire safety legislation, noting the only concern at present being the “degree/method for enforcement,” but it does enable a risk-based approach to fire safety.  Fire safety for business  BAFE does not believe that the Fire Safe...

According to a recent study, just over half (54%) of UK Fire and Rescue Services struggle to record their response times to inbound messages and enquiries across their social media channels. With inbound enquiries from residents and other stakeholders increasing overall and the number of social media accounts being managed by the services also on the rise, tracking KPIs such as response time is key to effectively serving stakeholder needs on social. Social media is a vital channel to communicat...

A kitchen fire in a flat in Coppice House, a tower block in Birmingham caused a sprinkler activation which restricted fire damage to the oven grill and the plastic control knobs for the hob. There was smoke damage to the whole of the kitchen but water damage was minimal due to quick response time from West Midlands Fire Service, assessment of situation and their isolation of the sprinkler system. Only one appliance from WMFS was required due to the sprinkler activation.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is working with Kent Police as part of their ongoing mission to increase the use and awareness of Public Access Defibrillators (PADs). Public Access Defibrillators Kent’s emergency services already work together on a daily basis to help save lives and keep communities safe, but KFRS has now also gifted thirty defibrillators to Kent Police to help increase public access to PADs around the county.  We have since teamed with Kent Police and gifted t...

When the structure of the Parisian cathedral burned, the Parisian fire brigade sent a tracked robot inside the burning nave, dragging a 70-liter hose and delivering between 1500 and 2000 liters of water per minute, which is too insufficient to extinguish the enormous burning structure. Parisian cathedral fire extinguishing task With current technologies, attacking the fire from elevating platforms would have been more appropriate Onlookers to the arduous fire extinguishing task taken up by th...

BAFE, the independent register of quality fire safety service providers, has officially responded to the Scottish Government’s Strengthening Fire Safety for High Rise Domestic Buildings consultation.  BAFE comments that the guidance created regarding fire safety in high rise domestic buildings appears “to have been sensibly composed.” BAFE also notes at this time there is “nothing wrong with the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.”  “It is rat...

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS), Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) have joined forces to launch FireStoppers – a new way for North East communities to provide anonymous information on deliberate fires. All three Services have been significantly affected by deliberate fires: CDDFRS – 2695 deliberate fires (figures for the year ending December 2018) NFRS – has seen a 21.5% increase to...

The first BOSEC certificates for carbon monoxide alarm devices have been granted to the following products manufactured by Everday: MD760CB1, MD760CB2, MD760CB3, MD760CSB1, MD760CSB2 and MD760CSB3 Since the standard for testing the CO alarm devices (EN 50291-1) is not harmonized, the CE label does not guarantee the performances of the products according to this standard. Only the CO alarm devices provided with a quality label such as BOSEC guarantee the reliability of this type of detector.

Gardner Denver Holdings, Inc., a renowned global provider of mission-critical flow control and compression equipment, announced that it has acquired international liquid and gas handling solutions provider, Oina VV AB, for a net purchase price of approximately US $10 million funded by cash on hand. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, Oina specializes in customized pump solutions for liquid handling processes for use in medical, process and industrial applications. Oina will be part of Gardner Denver&rsq...

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) staff and volunteers are visiting busy shopping areas this week as part of a kitchen safety campaign. Firefighters were called to nearly 300 kitchen fires last year, with at least 91 people being injured. Now, the Service hopes to tackle this by sharing its tongue-in-cheek ‘Recipe for Disaster’, which lists ingredients and instructions for a dangerous blaze. Its aim is to make people think twice about staying safe while cooking, by drawi...

At least 91 people were injured in kitchen fires in our region over the last year, with cooking appliances known to have caused 82 of the incidents. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) is urging people to cook safely with a new campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness of ‘the usual suspects’ for causing kitchen fires, including chip pans, distraction and carelessness. 300 kitchen fires recorded in 2018/19 Chip pans continue to be a problem and these types of fire c...

Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services recommends that one should attend one of the many professional public firework displays put on at various locations around the county each 4th of July. If one chooses to use fireworks, be sure to follow the recommendations below by the Consumer Product Safety Commission: Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. Only those 18 and older can legally use fireworks in Georgia Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper beca...

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate for Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has published its inspection report on Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS). TWFRS was graded as Good in all three areas inspected. HMICFRS looked at how effectively and efficiently the Service prevents and protects the public from, and responds to, fires and other emergencies. It also examined how well they look after the people. In its summary the HMICFRS stated: “Overall, we commend Tyne...

Byker firefighters have been commended by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer Chris Lowther for their lifesaving actions on the River Tyne. Crews were dispatched to the quayside at around 5am on Sunday May 5 after receiving reports of a woman threatening to jump from the Tyne Bridge. During their journey to the River Tyne, they received an update confirming that she had jumped into the water. Locating woman using thermal imaging camera When the crews arrived at the pontoo...

Crews were called to Earle House in Winchester around 10pm to reports of a fire in a bin store area. Two crews from Winchester and one from Eastleigh attended the incident. Fire chiefs say the sprinkler system was set off, helping to keep the fire under control until their arrival. Crews then managed to extinguish the fire. They believe the fire may have been started from a discarded cigarette butt or another lit item, such as a candle, which had not been put out properly.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has released NFPA 1300, Standard on Community Risk Assessment and Community Risk Reduction Plan Development. This new standard helps a broad range of authorities determine what kind of emergencies are occurring in their community, where, and to whom. Community Risk Assessment Community Risk Reduction (CRR) is a process that helps identify and prioritize all types of risks, and emphasizes the integrated and strategic investment of resources to red...

Globally renowned defense, aerospace and security company, BAE Systems announced unveiling its 360 Multi-function Vehicle Protection (MVP) Sensor as part of the company’s integrated vehicle protection system (VPS) suite. The 360 MVP Sensor provides enhanced visibility even in dark and dull light settings, situational awareness, threat warning, and effective counter measures deployment to protect armored vehicles and crews. 360 Multi-function VPS The company, BAE Systems say that their 36...

Sealing plugs by Beele Engineering have been used for years to make pipe transits fire resistant, smoke proof and gas tight. The extended XL version means installation of the plug on one side is all that is required to achieve the desired fire resistance. Beele Engineering recently acquired the MED certificate for its SLIPSIL XL-120 plugs, which means they are CE certified in accordance with the Marine Equipment Directive 2014/90/EU. MED-Certified sealing plugs The Marine Equipment Directive (...

KME Fire Apparatus, globally renowned manufacturer of fire apparatus, is proud to introduce the new PRO Series 79’ Ladder to its AerialCat products line. The PRO Series was built as a multi-purpose response with ergonomically designed manual controls, increased pump operator safety features and ultimate equipment carrying capacity. PRO 79’ AerialCat Ladder benefits: Ergonomically engineered manual control panel –with vertical swing and push-pull handles to reduce complexity...

Anheuser-Busch will deliver approximately 300,000 cans of emergency drinking water to 26 of the country’s volunteer fire departments, in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), to provide critical hydration to first responders in advance of wildfire season. Anheuser-Busch announced the expansion of its 30-year-old emergency drinking water program in April, and has committed to donating one million cans of clean drinking water in support of volunteer fire departments i...

Firefighters have issued a safety plea to people with braziers, chimineas or fire pits when using them this summer; ‘never leave them unattended’. The warning comes as the warmer months are now here and with a growing trend of people spending the evenings outside in the garden sitting around a fire pit or brazier. Despite their atmospheric and social benefits, they also come with serious risks. One Kent family knows only too well after experiencing the consequences of leaving theirs...

To help meet the requirements of the updated BS 7671 IET Wiring Regulations, Marshall-Tufflex has extended its range of Firefly fire clips. In the event of a fire the clips are designed to prevent cables falling and creating a hazard – providing a safer evacuation and allowing easy access for fire service crews. Firefly fireclips The Firefly range now includes clips suitable for use on Marshall-Tufflex Maxi, Mono, Twin165, Twin Plus, Sterling Profile, Sterling Curve and Odyssey trunking...

Oliver Holmes, Sr. once said, “It is the province of knowledge to speak and the privilege of wisdom to listen.” Each year, the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) conducts the National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium and Dinner program to provide opportunities for fire service leaders across the nation to both speak and listen. And, it was for this reason that the theme selected is ‘Exchanging Knowledge to Advance Our Mission’. There is much to learn about...

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) is supporting the position of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) in urging the UK Government to change its stance on sprinklers. In particular it is asking for sprinklers: to become a requirement in all new high-rise residential structures to be retro-fitted in buildings more than 30 metres tall when they are refurbished should be retro-fitted in high-rise residential buildings over 30 metres with a single staircase, regardless of refurbish...

UNIFIRE AB proudly announces the ONE App for iOS and Android devices for the wireless remote control of its robotic nozzles (aka remote controlled monitors). With the ONE App, one can turn any phone or tablet into a full-featured, wireless remote control for Unifire’s monitor and robotic nozzle systems with InterAct technology. One can use as many devices as needed without the need for joysticks. Unifire is proud of the further advancement of robotic nozzle technologies with the introduc...

Firefighter Adrian Sargent has been presented with a Certificate of Commendation from Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Chris Lowther, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, for his meritorious conduct while under extremely challenging conditions. At around 9.30pm on 29 April 2019, South Shields crews were called to the Wearmouth Bridge after receiving reports of a person threatening to jump. When they arrived, they found the distressed 21-year-old female on the wrong side of the railings. Demonstratin...

Following a report by BBC’s Watchdog that highlights the hundreds of new build homes, which posed a fire risk, everybody is once again reminded of the dangerous gap between the expectation of safety, the reality of building regulations, and the performance of buildings. Lack of communication  People assume that the buildings are safe, but if a building is built to regulations, what does that mean? What do people hear? Is it that the building complies with the statutory minimums, so...

E-ONE, a subsidiary of REV Group and a manufacturer of fire apparatus, begins delivery of the first of 25 HazMat vehicles to the United States Air Force. The first HazMat vehicle will be transported to a destination in the Middle East and is painted in a matte finish, desert sand. The additional 24 vehicles will be going to U.S. Air Force bases around the world. All 25 of the U.S. Air Force HazMat vehicles are being built on an E-ONE Typhoon cab/chassis. Nineteen of the trucks will be 4×2...