Industry News

Lithium-Ion Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are required to obtain approval from the New York City Department of Buildings (NYCDOB) Office of Technical Certification and Research (OTCR) and the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). This BESS is located on a Rooftop in close proximity to three buildings and was determined to be an exposure hazard due to deflagration vents on the top of the BESS container. Sparc prepared a performance-based design analysis and utilized computational fluid d...

With temperatures across Harris County expected to fall below freezing this weekend, the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office encourages everyone to practice heating safety. Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths but can be prevented by following a few fire safety precautions. “Harris County is expected to experience a very cold air mass in the next few days, with temperatures below freezing for extended periods of time,” said Harris County Fire Mars...

While many manufacturers are currently working on understanding the requirements of UKCA, the new marking for placing relevant regulated products on the market in England, Scotland, and Wales, it should not be forgotten that there is another deadline coming up for the certification of point type heat and smoke detectors. The Technical Committee CEN/TC 72 released in 2018 the two common standards EN 54-5: 2017 + A1:2018, Heat detectors – Point heat detectors, and 54-7: 2018, Smoke detector...

With all residents of the US state of California worried about ‘wildfires’, fire protection is primarily on everyone’s mind right now. No home is totally fireproof. However, with the right precautions, one can help safeguard their home, belongings and family, in the event of a wildfire. Making homes wildfire-resistant Listed below are just a few ways to quickly increase a property’s resistance to fire damage: Install tempered glass, multi-pane windows and screens If...

Recently the Columbia-Richland Fire Department became one of only 250 fire-service agencies in the U.S. that will take part in a new nationwide pilot program to map areas of risk in the communities. Tracking fires and emergencies In the coming weeks, the new software will be coming online at the department that will help keep track of and chart areas in Richland County that have experienced fires and other types of emergencies. Using this information, the department can then take actions that...

With distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine accelerating around the globe, hopes are high that society can reclaim a sense of pre-pandemic normalcy in the coming months. Organizations may look to call many of their remote workers back to physical buildings as the vaccine rollout continues. However, there are unique new challenges to in-person work in a post-pandemic world, as organizations who have maintained in-person workforces can attest. Managing an in-person workforce in 2021 Marc Bognar,...

Firefighting kit has a number of functions. It protects crew members in a wide range of situations and makes them instantly recognizable in an emergency. Replacing the firefighting kit at the right time keeps fire firefighters and rescue personnel safe and comfortable, no matter what the emergency. Call outs for firefighters  According to the UK Home Office, in the last year, 28 per cent of call-outs for firefighters and rescue staff involved responding to fires, 42 per cent of call outs...

Fire and rescue service employers have unilaterally scrapped a ground-breaking agreement with the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) which had enabled firefighters to assist the NHS and care sector response to COVID-19. Negotiations over health and safety measures for firefighters delivering high-risk COVID-19 duties were ongoing when the National Employers issued a communication ending the agreement on the evening of Wednesday 13 January. The decision appears to be supported by the National Fire Chiefs...

Groveland Fire Chief Robert Valentine would like to announce that burning permits for the State Open Burning Season can now be applied for online. Burning permits from previous seasons do not carry over from year-to-year. All residents need to re-apply for a permit and can do so online by visiting the Groveland Fire Department’s website. The State Open Burning Season began on Wednesday, Jan. 15. The season will end on Friday, May 1. If one has a permit and are planning a burn, call 978-36...

The crash of a small aircraft in the Rosewood neighborhood of Columbia on January 13, 2021, caused one home there to catch fire. Plane crash CRFD crews were dispatched to the scene on the 2900 block of Kennedy Street near S. Maple. While en route to the scene responders called for a 2nd Alarm. The small plane itself crashed in the backyard of a home and the wreckage caught fire. The pilot onboard the plane was killed and has since been identified by the Richland County Coroner as 62-year-old...

CRFD personnel once again stood out during the annual leadership conference of the South Carolina State Association of Fire Chiefs. Yet the major highlight for the weekend was CRFD Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins being sworn in as the new president of the organization. Fire chiefs from across the Palmetto State gathered in Myrtle Beach for the conference during the weekend of January 9, 2021. Originally scheduled for last September the annual event had to be pushed back due to the ongoing threat o...

First responder radio signal and communications can be significantly impacted by building construction, building size, and other factors. Because of that, it is important that emergency personnel have the ability to communicate in the event of an emergency. The good news is that there is a solution! Bi-Directional Amplification (BDA) Bi-Directional Amplification (BDA) is an Emergency Radio Communication System that provides reliable communication radio transmissions between first responders in...

Choosing the right fire suppression system can make all the difference in the protection of vital establishments and entities, including building, assets, and people. Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid The Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid is a clean agent fire extinguishant that was created as an alternative to hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) and a halon replacement. Fire protection systems using the Novec 1230 fluid are assured that: Fluid is stored as a liquid but discharged as a gas. The system...

The US federal government passed a new legislation called the ‘Tax Cuts & Job Act’. This legislation includes incentives for businesses that install new fire sprinkler systems. As fire sprinklers are the quickest way to extinguish a fire, it’s important to incentivize businesses to install one. Money should never be seen as a deterrent to keeping your employees and patrons safe. ‘Tax Cuts & Job Act’ US Congress has added fire protection as an eligible expe...

The Columbia-Richland Fire Department once again helped promote the spirit of the Christmas season by giving Santa Claus a ride through neighborhoods across Richland County. On Saturday, December 19, Santa rode in two community parades. One began at Station 9 and proceeded into Five Points and parts of the Shandon neighborhood. Santa was joined onboard Engine 9 by Columbia City Councilman Will Brennan and South Carolina State Representative Seth Rose. Then later in the day, Santa joined the Ri...

Fireworks are beautiful but are very dangerous if not used properly. The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office encourages anyone who chooses to use consumer fireworks to practice fireworks safety or find alternative ways to celebrate. “Fireworks safety is paramount as we continue to battle COVID-19,” said Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie L. Christensen. “If you choose to use consumer fireworks, please read the cautionary labels and dispose of your fireworks...

As Dame Judith Hackett reiterated the need for companies to make changes ahead of the Building Safety reform at last week’s BESA conference, ventilation specifiers are being urged to consider more holistic solutions compliant with rigorous regulations. As industry debates the nuances of the proposed Building Safety Bill, ventilation expert Elta Group is accelerating collaborations between its specialist brands, Elta Fans Applied Technology and Acoustica, to balance the competing design de...

The Harris County Fire Marshal's Office wants everyone to practice fire safety when decorating this holiday season. Candles, holiday decorations, and Christmas trees are not only beautiful, fun, and part of the holiday season, but they also increase fire risk. "As you and your family prepare for this joyous time of year, we ask that you also think about fire safety," said Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie L. Christensen. "By following a few fire safety precautions, like ensuring decorations are...

Avon Protection has received an order to supply two NATO Nations and one Partner, Belgium, Finland, and Norway with their foremost CBRN respiratory protection including FM50 mask systems, filters, spares, and accessories.  FM50 Air Purifying Respirator The FM50 provides operational flexibility required by NATO Allies and Partners forces; designed to protect troops in the most demanding of environments. Developed in conjunction with the United States Department of Défense to counte...

The video-based fire detection Aviotec IP starlight 8000 from Bosch can now be used in environments without visible light. With the help of newly developed AI algorithms for video analytics, Aviotec's firmware version 7.72 is now able to reliably detect smoke and flames even with pure infrared lighting. Up to now, it was already possible with Aviotec to reliably detect flames and smoke in difficult lighting conditions down to a minimum of 2 Lux. Expanded field of application There are many a...

With the end of the year approaching, it’s time to start planning for next year and preparing for a building’s fire and life safety inspections. As a professional in the fire and life safety industry, LSS Life Safety Services are constantly urging that a building’s fire and life safety protection systems be properly maintained. This means both passive fire (fire/smoke dampers, fire doors, fire barriers), as well as active fire (sprinklers, fire extinguishers) protection system...

Firefighters are ready to assist the UK’s rollout of COVID-19 vaccines after an agreement was reached between the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and the fire and rescue service National Employers. The agreement allows firefighters to assist other public sector organizations with the track, trace, and isolate measures, and to check that potential higher risk premises are COVID-secure. Firefighters will inspect workplaces where relevant authorities have raised concerns about COVID-security, not...

Parents and teachers are being warned not to give their children real candles for nativities, carol concerts, and other festive activities. Events will look slightly different this year with Government restrictions in place, but some services are still due to go ahead while others could take place virtually and London Fire Brigade is concerned about the potential for injury. The warning follows a serious accident in December last year when a child was badly burnt after his costume came into co...

Dame Judith Hackitt has provided an update to the Construction/Health and Safety/Fire Safety industry via HSE’s Building Safety eBulletin. “BAFE fully support Dame Judith’s comments, stressing the interest in UKAS Accredited Third Party Certification has increased over the last three years with the addition of more tender specifications stipulating this requirement." "BAFE continue to monitor the portfolio of Schemes available to ensure they remain the highest levels of determ...

A clear indication of both, the company’s improved relationship with Government, and the incredible effort of individuals, is the secondment of two specialists from FIA members to the Department of International Trade - UK Defence and Security Exports. Here is what the key people involved in this great partnership have to say. Ian Moore, CEO, FIA: "Working with Government for our members and the wider industry is, and has always been, a key priority. We are proud our relationship with Gov...

Rosenbauer presents a new forest firefighting vehicle. It meets both category 3 of EN 1846-2 for all-terrain firefighting vehicles and specific requirements for the protection of the vehicle crew, as defined for example in the French standard NFS 61-517 or NFS 61-518. This includes a thermal self-protection system and a driver's cab equipped with a rollover cell. With its compact dimensions, low center of gravity, and single tires, the all-wheel-drive vehicle is ideally suited for use in rough...

It’s tougher to beat the heat on job sites than at backyard barbecues. Teammates need to be informed and equipped to take preventative measures against heat stress, such as finding shade, drinking plenty of water, wearing loose and light clothing, and/or taking regular breaks. Heat-related occupational Risks Safety professionals know that exposure to hot conditions presents a real threat to teammates. According to the most recent U.S. Heat Fatalities Map from the Occupational Safety and...

American Fire Protection Group (AFPG) is sharing a daily fire protection guideline designed to educate on different aspects of the fire protection system that one may not be aware of. Day 1: Fire Alarm Monitoring Uses Analog Technology A lot of facilities utilize telephone lines for alarm monitoring. Plain Old Telephone Systems lines (POTS) are being sunset very soon, leaving the fire alarm monitoring at risk. This technology will leave thousands of facilities without monitoring capabiliti...

The first step to learning about fire sprinkler systems is to understand the different types of sprinkler systems, and what type of facilities each is most efficient for. The type of sprinkler system needed for a facility changes based on several factors: What type of equipment/inventory is stored in the facility? How is the equipment/inventory being stored? Would a sprinkler discharge cause expensive damage to any inventory or equipment? How fast does the sprinkler system need to be activ...

AES-IntelliNet is a private wireless mesh radio network used for fire alarm and burglar system monitoring. The radio network is made up of subscriber units, each acting as a receiver, transmitter, and repeater of signals. Each protected premise outfitted with an AES subscriber unit is linked to the AES-IntelliNet network. AES-IntelliNet network The AES-IntelliNet network allows subscriber units to use one of many other units in the same network to relay the alarm message to the IP links, which...