Building Fire Safety - News

Avon Protection (Avon Protection Systems) is pleased to announce the award of a contract to supply the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency with the second-generation Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH). The Advanced Combat Helmet complements Avon Protection’s market renowned ballistic helmet product portfolio, with a polyethylene solution that is comfortable and lightweight, while still providing exceptional performance. Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) ACH and its commercial derivatives leverage Avon P...

Since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic introduced the world to the concept of ‘the new normal’, nothing is normal anymore. A simple incident can be disastrous for something as vital as the supply chain, as we have seen with the blockage of the Suez Canal. The essence of that chain is to give companies the certainty that raw materials and components are available, in order to produce the finished goods. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in lockdowns, and a high demand because of digit...

The ideal equipment for interventions on class A fires, the LEADER MIX A 1000 proportioner is calibrated for class A additives (foam concentrates and wetting-foaming agents). Designed and patented by the LEADER company’s R&D team, its unique operation is based upon a powerful venturi system that allows it to precisely aspirate the quantity of additive requested (0.3%, 0.5%, or 1%) and to mix it with water. Just turn the selector to instantly change the concentration rate. The LEADER M...

Investing in a portable fire extinguisher to help protect staff and premises is very important. But like a smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector, there is no point in having valuable and effective firefighting equipment on the premises, if it’s not in good working order. And the only way to tell if a fire extinguisher is functioning as it should is by having a regular maintenance check carried out. Doing so will ensure that the establishment is fully fire-safety compliant with regards t...

More than 200 emergency service staff at Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) came together on Wednesday 2 February for a virtual session to learn and share emotional personal experiences around inclusivity and diversity. Hosted via Microsoft Teams, the conference included informative and inspirational guest speakers, who each highlighted how everyone can embrace difference and drive positive change in the workplace, as well as in everyday life. Equal and inclusive world The virtual event, run...

From 2nd February 2022, the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) will be increasing the number of GoodSAM volunteers notified of patients in cardiac arrest. GoodSAM application The GoodSAM application has been used at EEAST to notify appropriately trained staff, volunteers and registered health care professionals of patients in cardiac arrest, within 800 meters of their location. EEAST commenced a trial to deploy staff trained in basic life support (CPR) to these patients. This...

Chubb’s global business and CriticalArc have joined forces to enable SafeZone, CriticalArc’s award-winning cloud-based safety, security, and emergency management solution to be offered to Chubb customers through its connected services offering, Chubb VisiON+. Chubb is a part of APi Group, a global business services provider of safety and specialty services. The investment by both companies in the development of a streamlined, cohesive offering delivers far-reaching be...

Registration is now open for the National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) 2022 Health & Safety Training Summit. The Summit will take place from Friday, June 24 to Saturday, June 25, 2022, in Orlando, Florida, USA. The conference is open to all volunteer firefighters, EMS providers, department leadership, and other fire department personnel from across the United States. 2022 Health & Safety Training Summit This two-day classroom-based training is an opportunity to learn from lea...

The search for power solutions to decarbonize commercial vehicles and off-highway equipment took an exciting turn in the summer of 2021, with an announcement from Cummins, Inc. Cummins’s hydrogen-fueled engine development program is one of the company’s latest steps to advance zero-carbon technology. Customers are taking notice and so are governments. Indeed, judging by some reactions, it's almost as if Cummins has just reinvented the internal combustion engine (ICE). Of course, pro...

Regulations limiting greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from motor vehicles are tightening around the world. With this, both hydrogen engines and hydrogen fuel cells are receiving an increasing interest. Net zero CO2 emissions goals Given medium and heavy-duty trucks are major sources of CO2 emissions, the transportation sector’s journey to destination net zero CO2 emission features both technologies. As more truck makers join the ranks of auto companies developing CO2-free or CO2-neutral...

The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support celebrated the retirement of three civilian employees, during a ceremony held on Jan. 26, 2022, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Lauren Marie Lohr of the Medical supply chain, retired after 41 years of service, Robert DiPentima of the Clothing and Textiles supply chain, retired after 40 years of service and Linda Farrell, also from the Clothing and Textiles supply chain, retired after eight years of service. DLA Troop Support retirees honored Thei...

Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, Special Commodities Branch has won the DLA’s Team Performance of the Year Award, in the medium team category. Within this dedicated group of 42 employees, over 530 years of practical floor experience and high levels of technical expertise combine to drive and shape the day-to-day operation of cold chain management for DDSP.  The Special Commodities Branch The Special Commodities Branch is responsible for...

Passed in January 2022, New York's new Family and Firefighter Protection Act regulates the use of flame retardant chemicals. New York joins 4 other US states (Delaware, Georgia, Iowa and West Virginia) in passing this type of regulation according to Safer States, a network of diverse environmental health coalitions and organizations. New York's legislation regulates specific chemicals in upholstered furniture, mattresses and electronic enclosures. Reasons behind the legislation These che...

Paul Wilkinson, the Chairman of Independent Fire Engineering & Distributors Association (IFEDA), has commented on behalf of the trade association, in support of the BAFE (British Approvals for Fire Equipment) campaign – ‘Don’t Just Specify, Verify’. Paul Wilkinson stated, “IFEDA has witnessed that there are companies operating across the industry claiming to have, for example, fire alarm expertise with over 20 years of experience. When checked, however, you fin...

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in partnership with the Washington State Military Department’s Emergency Management Division, will open a Disaster Recovery Center on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, in Ferndale, Whatcom County, Washington, USA, in order to help survivors of the November flooding and mudslides. New Disaster Recovery Center The new recovery center’s location will be Ferndale Chamber of Commerce, 2007 Cherry Street, in Ferndale, Washington The new recovery cente...

Johnson Controls, the global pioneer for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings launches the Tyco Series LFII Residential 4.9 K-factor Lead-Free for 13D Sprinkler. The concealed pendent sprinkler is manufactured with a polymeric material that carries anti-heat and anti-corrosion properties, making it ideal for long-lasting dependable fire protection in residential occupancies. It is the first fire sprinkler to be certified to ANSI/UL 199, the Standard for Automatic Sprinklers for Fire-Protec...

Fires can be a dangerous risk for all types of buildings, but especially for apartments. These buildings house many families, which creates a risk for severe injuries and fatalities. Most people are not familiar with their apartment building plans, which can cause chaos in the event of an emergency. This is especially true for cases where property managers are negligent about maintenance and fire system installation, which leads emergencies to become unavoidable.  Fire safety education H...

The Latvian National Armed Forces has awarded a contract to Avon Protection (Avon Protection Systems) for the supply of their market renowned CBRN respiratory protection, including FM50 mask systems, filters, spares and accessories. Latvia joins other NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) nations and partners, including Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Norway and The Netherlands, in purchasing the FM50 to protect their armed forces. NSPA contract for CBRN personal respirator system S...

2022 is a fresh start - Lorient would like to thank the valued customers for their support through the challenges of the last 12 months. During 2021, their teams have been working on a number of projects to enhance productivity and service levels. Lorient have also strengthened the Customer Services and Operations teams to reflect the demand and support future growth. Therefore, they are delighted to announce that they have increased stock levels and reduced lead times on many key products ac...

A team from West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service joined together with partners to help train new National Ambulance Resilience Unit (NARU) technicians last week. The multi-agency training exercise, held at the Fire Service College in Gloucestershire, was part of a training course for new Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) technicians, to increase response resilience in the event of an emergency. Urban Search and Rescue Team A group of 11 staff from West Yorkshire’s Urban Search and...

A team from West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service joined together with partners to help train new National Ambulance Resilience Unit (NARU) technicians. The multi-agency training exercise, held at the Fire Service College in Gloucestershire, was part of a training course for new Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) technicians, to increase response resilience in the event of an emergency. Resilience training with USAR exercise A group of 11 staff from West Yorkshire’s Urban Search and...

Johnson Controls, the globally renowned company for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, has announced the launch of the Tyco Series LFII Residential 4.9 K-factor Lead-Free for 13D Sprinkler. Concealed pendent sprinkler The concealed pendent sprinkler is manufactured with a polymeric material that carries anti-heat and anti-corrosion properties, making it ideal for long-lasting dependable fire protection in residential occupancies. It is the first fire sprinkler to be certified to ANSI/...

A care home business run by private health and care provider - BUPA has been ordered to pay more than £1 million after a resident died in a fire, while smoking at one of its care homes. In what is thought to be the largest ever fine for fire safety breaches in the UK, BUPA Care Services (ANS) Ltd was fined £937,500 and ordered to pay £104,000 costs at Southwark Crown Court on 5 January. Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order London Fire Brigade brought the prosecution under t...

Cases of arson are still commonplace in the construction industry and are widely believed to be the number one cause of on-site fires. An ongoing problem requires a proactive defense mechanism, as John Tyrer, Sales Director at wireless solutions firm Ramtech North America, explains. Causes of arson Irreplaceable heritage buildings lost, costs that go through the roof, and progress that cannot be recovered, the effects of arson are vast and uniquely upsetting. But these are concerns consi...

In 2021, Optimum experienced another year of uncertainty within the construction industry. With both COVID and Brexit exacerbating material availability and putting unprecedented strain on the supply chain. However, Optimum is delighted to have navigated through the turbulence of 2021 and ended the year on a high, and are very proud to announce that the Optimum Fire Stopping team won Best Installation Project of the Year for their contribution to The Grange University Hospital (SCCC) project in...

This new range of high-performance wireless detection, control, and alarm devices is based on a new protocol that offers exceptional capabilities, quality, and reliability. Combined with the user-friendly survey, install, commissioning and maintenance software, the Sygno-fi range revolutionizes the wireless fire systems market. The Sygno-fi wireless platform is suitable for both small-medium or large sites, with the capability to handle up to 128 devices per wireless translator and 240 per hybr...

The fire that broke out at the Houses of Parliament in central Cape Town on 2 January 2022 has again raised the issue of protecting heritage structures and other buildings containing priceless artifacts or documents from fire risk. The fire is believed to have started on the third floor of the National Council of Provinces building before spreading to the office space and gymnasium and then the National Assembly building, which was completely gutted. Houses of Parliament The Houses of Parliam...

The cost of not using approved cabling in signal and control equipment for fire safety is being highlighted by cabling pioneer AEI Cables. The company is bringing an industry-wide campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of not using approved cabling as specified under the revised version of BS8519, the Code of Practice for Category 3 fire performance cables. Heat extraction systems The systems powered by these cables – including smoke and heat extraction systems – assist fire s...

The Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) technologies have taken machinery maintenance to new heights. These enhanced benefits have been especially important within the field service industry. FieldEquip is here to share the 3 key benefits these innovative technologies can have for equipment care.  IoT Independent Data Collection How do users collect data from machinery? Manual data collection requires extensive on-site presence, which makes t...

A new code of practice for the fire risk appraisal of external walls and cladding of multi-occupancy residential buildings has been published by BSI. The code has been developed to support the changes to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 brought about by the Fire Safety Act 2021, which provides for the fire performance of exterior walls and cladding to be a material consideration. PAS 9980:2022 Fire risk appraisal The code, PAS 9980:2022 Fire risk appraisal of external wall...