Valves news

Fire and Rescue NSW crews responded to a fire involving a car carrier on the Hume Highway at Denham Court, in Sydney's south west. The prime mover, carrying several new hybrid vehicles, was successfully detached from the trailer; however, five of the vehicles were destroyed by fire. Lithium Battery Risk The hybrid vehicles containing lithium-ion batteries, added to the complexity to the operation. Lithium-ion batteries can ignite with significant force when exposed to fire. Crews removed the...

Three Fire and Rescue NSW officers have been awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal in Australia Day Honours. The recipients of the top emergency service recognition include Superintendent Gregory Houston, Station Officer Samuel Parkhouse and Grafton Captain Garry Reardon. Exceptional Bravery The Australian Fire Service Medal is one of the highest honours an Australian firefighter can receive. Established in 1988, the Australian Fire Service Medal is one of the highest honours an Australi...

The large and dangerous industrial fire and hazardous materials emergency at St Marys in Sydney's west has now been upgraded to a 14th alarm - the highest available level. Crews continue to battle the blaze however large stocks of chemicals and gas cylinders involved in the fire are making conditions highly volatile. Extreme Fire Conditions Firefighters are operating in extremely hot conditions, with temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Firefighters are constantly repositioning due to the explo...

Fire and Rescue NSW Hazardous Materials crews remain at the scene of yesterday's major fire and chemical emergency in Sydney's west. More than 100 firefighters and 20 fire trucks were confronted by 60-metre-high fireballs at the waste recycling plant in Christies Street, St Marys. Industrial Fire Fallout FRNSW is working with site management, the NSW Environment Protection Agency and Comcare Burning gas bottles and chemicals caused numerous explosions at the height of the blaze, forcing auth...

Fire and Rescue NSW has embraced the latest Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems technology to assist with firefighting operations at a significant blaze and chemical emergency at a waste facility in Sydney's west over the past 24 hours. Massive Fire Erupts The huge fire broke out at the recycling plant in Christie Street, St Marys. At the height of the intense blaze, more than 100 firefighters and 20 fire trucks were deployed around the site. To assist with operations, FRNSW utilised a fleet of...

A man has died in a serious truck crash on the Hume Highway near Campbelltown, with Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) working to extinguish an intense blaze at the scene. At approximately 6:30am, FRNSW crews responded to calls of a truck crash and fire on the Hume Highway. Firefighters Tackle Truck Hazmat firefighters monitored water run-off to ensure it did not enter waterways On arrival, firefighters found a truck and trailer well alight and immediately set about extinguishing the blaze. Motoris...

Dry risers are a vital element in fire protection, delivering vast volumes of water directly to each floor enabling instant access for the fire brigade. The person responsible for a building or site is required to maintain all firefighting equipment, including Dry Risers.  Annual pressure test & visual check Current Irish standards require a full annual pressure test and a six-monthly visual check for dry risers. Standards state that inlets, landing valves, drain valve...

The water system used to fight the Palisades fire in Los Angeles buckled under the demands of what turned out to be the most destructive fire in city history, with some hydrants running dry as they were overstressed without assistance from firefighting aircraft for hours early Wednesday. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power was pumping from aqueducts and groundwater into the system, but demand was so high that it wasn’t enough to refill three 1-million gallon tanks in hilly Pacif...

Industrial fires and explosions can have devastating consequences, affecting both people and property. While safety measures have improved over the years, understanding the root causes of these incidents remains critical for preventing them. They will highlight the primary causes of industrial fires and explosions and how proper fire safety measures can mitigate risks. Flammable Liquids and Gases One of the causes of industrial fires is the improper handling or storage of flammable liquids a...

Dry risers are a vital element in fire protection, delivering vast volumes of water directly to each floor enabling instant access for the fire brigade. The person responsible for a building or site is required to maintain all firefighting equipment, including Dry Risers.  Current Irish standards require a full annual pressure test and a six-monthly visual check for dry risers. maintenance and repairs Standards state that inlets, landing valves, drain valves, and landing valve...

A sprinkler system is the single most effective fire protection method for people and property in the event of a fire. Many people may not feel the need to know the intricate details of what makes sprinkler systems so effective, but for those of you who do, here’s a brief overview. sprinkler system operation Each sprinkler head in the system is held closed independently by heat-sensitive seals. The seals work to prevent water flow until a design temperature is exceeded at the individu...

The intent of fire and life safety inspections in K-12 school systems is to make schools safer for everyone. Minnesota's Legislature enacted an inspection program in 1990. This program entailed inspecting all public and charter schools in the state every three years. Inspections ensure fire and life safety systems will operate appropriately in the event of an incident to minimize the risk of life and property loss. They have created a fire safety checklist for K-12 school systems. This list sho...

A fire hydrant is an essential element of urban and rural firefighting infrastructure. It is a connection point where firefighters can quickly access a local water supply to combat fires. Fire hydrants are typically installed on streets, pavements, and occasionally within buildings. They provide immediate access to water, helping firefighters control and extinguish fires efficiently. The presence of a fire hydrant can significantly impact the effectiveness of firefighting efforts. Therefore, ma...

Fires are frequent when cooking - and, due to increased fire loads, are particularly destructive in commercial kitchens. So very special requirements are placed on protective equipment for the catering industry.  With new Guidelines, VdS now offers decision-makers, as well as insurers and authorities, precise technical assistance for reliable protection.  precise test specifications Hendrik Rudolph, Head of the VdS laboratory for gas and special extinguishing systems, emphasizes, &l...

Johnson Controls, the global pioneer for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, announces the launch of the new Tyco NG-2 Nitrogen Generator. Available in stand-alone or wall-mounted models, the NG-2 Nitrogen Generator is engineered to replace the oxygen inside a sprinkler system with nitrogen, helping stop pipe corrosion and extend the life of dry pipe and pre-action fire sprinkler systems. It leverages a combination of enhanced data management and simplified controls to allow for faster,...

AGF, a global provider of innovative fire protection solutions, proudly announces the integration of its renowned, domestically-made Model 8511 Sprinkler Floor Control manifold with the Zurn Model ZW5004 adjustable pressure-reducing valve, offering unmatched efficiency and reliability for the fire sprinkler industry. AGF Commercial RiserPACK Model 8511Z  The AGF Commercial RiserPACK Model 8511Z is meticulously crafted in the USA using high-quality schedule 10 pipe, ensuring superior durab...

The Cessnock Wastewater Treatment Works was originally built in 1932 and was typical of facilities of the time, with a nominal capacity of 23,000 Equivalent Persons (EP) as a trickling filter plant. The plant has had several minor upgrades between 1978 and 1995 to include other infrastructure, such as sludge lagoons, maturation ponds, wetlands, and chemical phosphorus removal to achieve the ultimate capacity of the existing plant to service approximately 32,000 people in the areas of Cessnock,...

In the modern medical and industrial sectors, liquid oxygen tanks play a crucial role. These tanks are used to store liquid oxygen for essential purposes such as supplying oxygen for hospital respiratory needs. However, for first-time users of liquid oxygen tanks, there may be some confusion and safety hazards during usage. This article will explore the uses, structural characteristics, and safety precautions of liquid oxygen tanks. Uses of Liquid Oxygen Tanks Liquid oxygen tanks are spe...

Johnson Controls, the global pioneer for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, announces the new Tyco QRS-2 Quick Release Switch, an electronic accelerator that improves the response time of Tyco dry pipe and preaction valves within fire sprinkler systems.  The QRS-2 switch uses proven electric release technology to initiate the operation of valves within four seconds after sprinkler activation. An increased valve response time means water is released more quickly through the pipes an...

BERKLEY - Chief Scott Fournier is pleased to report that Berkley Fire Rescue received a US$ 15,500 grant from the Department of Fire Services Fiscal Year 2024 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program. Fire departments across Massachusetts were invited to apply to the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant program, which provides reimbursement on purchases of 135 different types of eligible equipment. Berkley Fire Secures grant for Firefighter Safety Equipment Eligible items include hoses and no...

Winter is here, and the icy, freezing temperatures in Maryland can harm the pipes, especially the fire sprinkler system. Maintaining sprinkler systems in the winter protects property and people. As the temperature may drop very low during the winter season in many parts of the region, the fire sprinkler system’s pipes might freeze. Here are some pointers for maintaining sprinkler systems in the winter. Maintaining Wet Sprinklers A wet sprinkler system includes a network of pipes an...

The importance of acoustics in our home and work environments has become an ever-present challenge. Whether it's the noise from traffic, machinery, or people, excessive noise can have a negative impact on our well-being, productivity, and overall quality of life.  Acoustic doors are specifically engineered to limit the transmission of sound between different areas of a building and therefore play an important role in building design. What makes a good acoustic door assembly? A solid core...

In everyday use, intumescent grilles allow air to circulate freely throughout a building; but in a fire, the intumescent expands to form a solid block that stops the fire from spreading.  However, these grilles will not prevent the passage of cold smoke which can be equally dangerous. Advanced Fire Safety Solutions Fire containment is becoming an increasingly critical area for intumescent products The capability to maintain a smoke barrier prior to the need for fire containment is becom...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) attended the second U.S. Fire Administrator’s Summit on Fire Prevention and Control on October 10 at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, MD. The event was hosted by U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and was attended by key leaders in the fire service and federal government, including Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Federal Emergency Management Agen...

Lorient plain fire seals are comprised of a sodium silicate intumescent encapsulated within a rigid PVC case, which protects the intumescent material in normal use. In situations where seals within frames or door leaves require painting, the over painting of Lorient fire seals should not compromise the performance of the product in a fire situation.  This assumes that the depth of paint is no greater than the guidance set out in BS 8214:2016. Fire Seal Coating Limits Guidance on the pai...

NewAge Oblique Pattern Threaded Hydrant Valve is used to form a complete Wet Riser System to ensure fire fighting arrangements for more intense and dangerous fires. It is specifically designed as per BS 5041 (1987). These valves have a hand wheel for opening or shutting off the water supply. These valves are highly durable and corrosion-resistant as they are made from gunmetal. Key Features Conforming to BS: 5041. Water tightness test (Seat test) at 16 Bar. Hydrostatic Pressure test (...

Every door assembly will have a gap at the bottom of the door, so it can operate. However, this same gap will allow fire, smoke, sound and draughts to pass through. Therefore, the correct gap size at the bottom is crucial for the overall performance and effectiveness of the door. Preventing Fire and Smoke Fire doors are engineered to prevent the spread of fire and smoke within a building Fire doors are engineered to prevent the spread of fire and smoke within a building. To ensure their prop...

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released its final investigation report on the 2019 tank farm fire at the Intercontinental Terminals Company, LLC (ITC) bulk liquid storage terminal in Deer Park, Texas. The massive fire caused substantial property damage, significantly impacted the environment, and led to the issuance of several shelter-in-place orders that seriously disrupted the local community. Disruptive fire event CSB Chairperson Steve Owens said, &ldquo...

AGF Manufacturing, a global provider of fire protection solutions, is proud to introduce the updated 3011A InspectorsTest Valve, a revolutionary product that sets a new standard for efficiency and innovation in the fire protection industry. This cutting-edge design features an integrated sight glass and relief valve drain access port to combine the best features from the 3011A and 3011ASG valves, plus the new 7000L Pressure Relief Valve. performance and reliability The 3011A InspectorsTe...

The Extinguishing Section of Euralarm has published an updated version of the guidance document on the important aspects relating to the periodic inspection of containers used in fixed gaseous fire extinguishing systems. The guidance note is intended to identify some critical areas that are often not fully understood and does not prescribe the full processes involved in the testing or the physical handling of the containers. Euralarm guidance Euralarm document guides the reader to avoid serio...