Fire Safety Risk Assessment

As the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations begins around the country, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) continues to offer support to the health sector during the pandemic. Having already seen staff from various parts of the Service helping with training new ambulance drivers, supporting the community hubs and working as ambulance drivers, CFRS is now offering its support with the vaccination program. Chief Fire Officer Chris Strickland said: "The pandemic has been such a challenging time for everyone, across the country and the rest of the world. From the very start we have been seeing where we can provide help and ensure we are there for our communities, in particular those most vulnerable residents. With vaccination centers now being set up across the country, we want to ensure we are standing with the NHS to help protect as many people as possible, as quickly as possible." updated risk assessments "We have already asked our staff if they would be interested in supporting the rollout and are working with our partners to see how we can assist. This could range from our premises potentially being used as venues - we already do this successfully with NHS Blood and Transplant - to our staff assisting with giving the vaccinations. Another thing we are exploring is our staff helping to set up and run vaccination centers."  Our staff are at the heart of everything that we do and we wouldn’t put them at any unnecessary risk" This week the National Fire Chiefs Council released a range of updated risk assessments allowing fire service staff to continue work on COVID-19 related activities, while also taking on more and different responsibilities. To support this, 10,000 lateral flow tests a week will be provided by the government to fire services, meaning up to 5,000 firefighters could soon be supporting the UK-wide vaccination program now underway. facing significant challenges These tests will help keep firefighters who are undertaking vital COVID work safer - and is in line with other emergency services testing procedures. Newly updated risk assessments include support to the ambulance service including driving ambulances, community vaccination work, delivering PPE, transferring COVID patients, providing training on infection, protection and control, non-blue light driver training, and the movement of bodies. Chief Fire Officer Strickland added: "Having these risk assessments in place is very important to ensure that we are offering staff the right protection if we are carrying out these new duties. Our staff are at the heart of everything that we do and we wouldn’t put them at any unnecessary risk. This is a time of national crisis and we are there to help in the fight against COVID-19. We’ve already faced significant challenges over the last year, but we have continued to support our communities while also keeping our staff safe. We aim to carry this on and assist the government and the NHS with the vaccination program where that help would be welcome."

Packexe were awarded a Royal Warrant in 2016 for supplying Packexe protection film to the royal household and last year, the company added a Queens Award for Enterprise to their name. Recognized in the category of innovation for their time critical glass management tool, Packexe SMASH, Packexe have been supplying emergency teams across the globe with their innovative extrication tool for the last decade. Packexe SMASH Packexe SMASH is designed to hold glass securely in place, reducing the risk of injury from glass fragments and dust, protecting rescue teams and casualties during road accident rescues. Packexe SMASH makes vehicle extrication safer in 3 ways; Proven to strength glass - The strength of glass in increased by approximately 42%* with Packexe SMASH, greatly reducing the use of breakage under stress. Glass can stay in situ during extrication - With Packexe SMASH applied, glass is safe. Hydraulic cutting and spreading tools can be used to free casualties without the delay caused by prior glass removal. Safe glass removal - With Packexe SMASH applied, a window can be broken or removed without danger to the casualty. In many rescue situations access to the casualty can be achieved most quickly by the removal of a single window or windscreen. Originally developed as a road accident extrication aid, Packexe SMASH is increasingly used by emergency services worldwide for glass management in a variety of situations, especially forced entry to buildings. Packexe Sharpswrap Packexe Sharpswrap, extra-strong self-adhesive protection, is a high-visibility yellow and effectively covers hazardous projections, points and edges in rescue situations, so as to reduce the risk of injury to both casualties and rescuers. Packexe Sharpswrap covers both metal and glass and is quick and easy to apply. Identifying the limitations and dangers experienced during vehicle extrication following a road traffic accident, Packexe Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Orchard developed SMASH to provide teams with an effective solution. Time saving and reducing risk of injury Managing vehicle glass without a designed tool increased risk to an already challenging task" "Managing vehicle glass without a designed tool increased risk to an already challenging task,” explains Andrew Orchard, adding “with the addition of Packexe SMASH, time is saved and the risk of injury to all involved is reduced.” The product is comprised of a perforated film designed with a specially formulated adhesive that strengthens glass and a lightweight patented dispenser. Applying Packexe SMASH makes glass less likely to break and prevents shattered fragments that can cause further injury if the glass does break. Effective safety tool for rescue and fire teams The dispenser makes the tool easily operable by one team member and the efficiency at which the film can be applied saves valuable minutes in life saving scenarios, making Packexe SMASH an essential part of kit for fire teams in over 50 countries. When asked how it feels to be a 2020 recipient of the award Packexe CEO Andrew Orchard said, “To receive a Queens Award for innovation is an incredible honor, it feels great to be recognized as an innovative company and means we can share this good news throughout the company and the fire and rescue industry during these uncertain times, it’s given us a reason to celebrate!” Packexe has over 30 years’ experience creating protection films and as a result, continues to grow as a recognizable brand throughout a variety of industries, including the emergency services, healthcare and construction. The company is highly regarded as one of the most forward-thinking market renowned players with innovation at their core.

The new Detention Center in Crawford County, Arkansas has raised the bar when it comes to Life Safety measures. The new Crawford County Justice Center was built due to alarming overcrowding issues that endangered the safety of the inmates and staff. The new 307 bed facility is now a beacon of safety, especially when it comes to Life Safety & Fire Protection. Installing Life Safety system In February of 2018, The Association of Builders and Contractors of Arkansas awarded American Fire Protection Group of Little Rock the Excellence in Construction Eagle Award for the implementation of an innovative and premier Life Safety system. The Eagle Award recognizes outstanding work on construction projects. A winning project is evaluated on the material submitted, the attractiveness of design, complexity, workmanship, innovation, unusual challenges and the problems that were overcome. Fire hydrants, wet and dry sprinkler systems installed Total of 673 sprinklers were installed to protect the entire facility, including institutional sprinkler heads in inmate areas The Life Safety work on the 64,000 square foot facility took 18 months to complete and totaled US$ 320,000. The project included the installation of 1,140 linear feet of underground piping, 3 fire hydrants, an enclosed backflow preventer, 2 wet sprinkler systems, 1 dry sprinkler system, and 2 remote fire department connections. A total of 673 sprinklers were installed to protect the entire facility, including institutional sprinkler heads in inmate areas. The duration of the project and scope of work presented several challenges. These challenges were answered with detailed scheduling, trade coordination, and effective internal and external communication between all parties. These efforts aided in ensuring that there were minimal scheduling issues. Project collaboration with Smith-Doyle Contractors In addition to the aesthetic and safety, the other goal of the project was to work with companies that could come in under budget and finish ahead of schedule. American Fire Protection Group came through big on both, coming in 2 months ahead of schedule and US$ 3 million under the project’s budget. American Fire Protection Group worked with Smith-Doyle Contractors who are located in Cordova, Tennessee. Don Abernathy, Vice President of Smith-Doyle Contractors said, “It was a pleasure working with American Fire Protection Group on their multi-prime project. Working together to deliver the project to Crawford County 60 days early and over US$ 3 million under budget took a team of dedicated professionals.” Don adds, “We applaud their efforts in staying dedicated to the project and to the team. We look forward to working with American Fire Protection Group on many additional projects in the future.” Institutional ceilings installed Another issue that was overcome came from the special ceiling requirements Another issue that was overcome came from the special ceiling requirements. Being a detention center, institutional ceilings were required in all areas where detainees could have access to the ceiling. Once installed, the institutional ceilings are locked in place. So early scheduling and collaborating with the ceiling contractors was completed to plan out the flow of trim out. The epoxy floors were another area where limitations were placed on installation and trim-out. All parties worked to establish a schedule that helped to alleviate confusion and to ensure safety and protection. Setting the standard for Southeast detention centers Additionally, the Crawford County Justice Center was featured in the January/February issue of Correctional News Magazine. The article was titled ‘Success in the Southeast’ and praised the new facility as setting the new standard for detention centers in the Southeast United States. American Fire Projection Group, along with all Eagle winners will be recognized at the EIC Banquet on April 7, 2018 in Hot Springs, Arizona. The ceremony will feature a multi-media presentation highlighting the Eagle award winners, printed programs, publications and releases through the regional construction-related news media.

The Board of Directors of the Dallas-based American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has announced the unanimous selection of Robert G. (Bob) Caputo, CFPS, as the association's President. Established in 1981, AFSA and its federation of 31 chapters serve as North America's largest fire sprinkler industry organization. Caputo's tenure will begin on November 1, 2020. "The Board members and I are very excited and extremely pleased to welcome Bob to the AFSA team," says AFSA Chair of the Board Ted Wills, president of Anchor Fire Protection Co. in Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania. "We felt it was important to have an industry veteran at the helm. The future of AFSA is bright, and this is just the beginning." Providing guidance and support This appointment follows an extensive search for an effective leader for the fire sprinkler industry's largest trade association. Caputo has been an important part of this industry for over 41 years and is a long-time member of AFSA and promoter of merit shop contracting. He is the former owner of Consolidated Fire Protection in the San Diego area and has held fire sprinkler contractor's licenses in 23 states. Most recently, he was the vice president for training and technical support for Fire & Life Safety America, based in Richmond, Virginia. As President, Caputo will be responsible for providing guidance and support to the Board while AFSA's experienced team of engineers and other professionals who are dedicated to serving the membership comprised of contractors, designers, manufacturers, suppliers, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs). Fire sprinkler industry He will also represent the association, interacting with key stakeholders, including regulatory and other public agencies, and increase the visibility of the value of the fire sprinkler industry and those companies that operate merit shops throughout North America and globally. Caputo also will oversee the association's efforts to provide educational advancement, promotion, and utilization of automatic fire sprinkler systems in the U.S. and around the world. Caputo expressed excitement for the opportunity to lead AFSA's excellent team in support of the fire sprinkler industry and noted the recent building of the association's engineering and technical services team, led by John August Denhardt, P.E., FSFPE. "I want to be in touch with our members and their needs and continue to expand AFSA's training and education opportunities. My focus will be on fulfilling the AFSA mission, team building, and 'knock-your-socks-off' services to the membership." Project management tools Caputo is a well-known industry expert, presenting on hydraulic calculations, fire pumps, plan review, and NFPA standards for AFSA and NFPA. He chairs and serves as a member on several NFPA committees, including chairing the NFPA 16 Technical Committee (Foam & Water Sprinkler Systems), NFPA 24, and NFPA 291. He has contributed to the NFPA 13 (2013 and 2016 editions) and NFPA 25 (2014 edition) Handbooks, and developed AFSA programs, including its Project Management Tools and ITM Inspector Development programs. Strong pool of candidates Additionally, Caputo has chaired two chapters of AFSA - Arizona and Southern California. "I am absolutely thrilled with the announcement of Bob Caputo as the new President of the American Fire Sprinkler Association," says AFSA At-Large Director and Search Committee Chair Wayne Weisz, president of Cen-Cal Fire Systems, Inc., Lodi, California. "Even though we had a very strong pool of candidates, Bob's in-depth knowledge of our association as well as the fire sprinkler industry made him the unanimous choice. I am very excited to see what the future holds for our association under Bob's leadership." Fire sprinkler professionals Caputo serves as a member of the Oklahoma State University School of Fire Protection Engineering Advisory Board. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including Fire Protection Contractor magazine's ‘Industry person of the Year,’ San Diego County Fire Chief's Association's ‘Fire Prevention Officer of the Year,’ and AFSA's highest honor, the Henry S. Parmelee Award. Caputo attended Chapman College, Orange, California, and the University of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is a U.S. Navy veteran and former volunteer fire fighter. "I am looking forward to being part of a team that services such an important industry," comments Caputo. "We are the biggest and best association in the fire sprinkler industry. What fire sprinkler professionals do is important - it matters - and AFSA will be there every step of the way to train and support its members."

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 inside a building, and emergency personnel outside the building. What does Bi-Directional Amplification service include? Site Surveys Design Installation Inspections Maintenance & Service Project Management Post-Installation Analysis Testing and Certification Code References If a building does not meet the required minimal signal strength of -95db for both incoming and outgoing signals, the only effective solution is the installation of a signal booster (Bi-Directional Amplification). Standard codes for building to have radio coverage American Fire Protection Group is an elite partner of Honeywell, for their Gamewell-FCI and NOTIFIER product lines Modern day codes, like the IBC 2015 Section 916, IFC 2015 & 2018 Section 510, NC Fire Code 2018 Section 510, NFPA 72 2010 & 2013 Editions, NFPA 1221 and UL2524, require all buildings to have approved radio coverage for emergency responders within the building based on the existing coverage levels of the public safety communication systems of the jurisdiction at the exterior of the building.  American Fire Protection Group (AFPG) is an elite partner of Honeywell, for their Gamewell-FCI and NOTIFIER product lines. AFPG partners with Honeywell on BDA equipment because Honeywell currently offers the only UL2524 listed BDA equipment in the industry. Honeywell lists the following features and benefits for addressable Class B BDAs: Single portfolio to meet any application across US supporting all public safety frequency bands. UL2524 In-building 2-Way Emergency Radio Communication Enhancement Systems listing. CSFM listing. NFPA 72 2010 Edition, NFPA 1221 2016 Edition and IFC 2018 compliant. Built-In NOTIFIER Addressable Monitor Module. Various models available for UHF, VHF, 700MHz, 800 MHz and multi-band. Integrated dual power supply and battery charger with intelligent battery monitoring. NEMA 4 Type (UL Type-4) Approved Equipment Enclosure. NEMA 3R Type (UL Type-3R) Approved Battery Enclosure. Supports higher system gains for efficient link budgeting.

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 will recognize a fire before it starts and will extinguish the fire in just seconds by rapidly removing heat. This works significantly faster than most water-based systems discharge. As a waterless fire suppression solution, the Novec 1230 fluid leaves no residue behind, helping to protect important documents and electronics. Novec 1230 offers the highest margin of safety for human occupancy of any clean agent solution. The Novec 1230 is not governed by any regulatory body, including the Montreal Protocol. Also, the use of Novec 1230 fluids is not required to comply with Halon 1302 phase-outs or HFC phase-downs. Appropriate for Class A, B and C fire hazards. Environmental manufacturers’ warranties are available. Faster fluid evaporation than water Novec 1230 fluid evaporates much faster than water. How much faster? Try 50 times faster! According to American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) research, Novec 1230 fluid evaporates much faster than water. How much faster? Try 50 times faster! For example, on soaking a phonebook in Novec 1230, it would be dry within 1 minute. Benefits of Novec 1230 fluid include: It is environmentally sustainable. It is close in cost to FM-200 & ECARO-25. It can replace halon fire protection systems. It has a high margin of safety. Novec 1230 is an ideal fire suppression solution for these industries: Data Centers Oil & Gas Facilities Museums Art Galleries Aviation Facilities Medical Centers Industrial Facilities Power Plants

Since the Grenfell tower tragedy in 2017, residential high-rise fire safety has become a top priority for tower block building managers. If a high-rise building is found to contain combustible cladding, then the standard ‘stay put’ policy is no longer considered safe, and instead a temporary ‘simultaneous evacuation’ strategy must be put in place until the cladding issue is resolved. Currently a Waking Watch protocol is the preferred option for ensuring resident’s safety, in order to coordinate a simultaneous evacuation in the event of a fire. But, due to the extremely high cost of Waking Watch, Fire Detection & Alarm systems are being used to help reduce and, in some cases, remove these costs, which can amount to upwards of £100,000 per year. After the Grenfell fire, official figures showed that there are 300 towers with ‘Grenfell-style’ Aluminum Composite Material (ACM) cladding. However, there are many different types of high-risk flammable cladding used on purpose-built blocks of flats, such as timber, high-pressure laminate (HPL) and polystyrene cladding. With more and more unsafe buildings being assessed, the scale of this issue continues to grow. Currently a Waking Watch protocol is the preferred option for ensuring resident’s safety The UK Government announced in 2018 that it would pay for the removal and replacement of unsafe cladding in councils and housing associations. However, there is no legal position stating that private landlords should not pass the cost of this work onto tenants, and with the high costs of replacement, along with mounting Waking Watch costs, private landlords are known to pass this cost to tenants in service charges. Along with the cost of cladding replacement, landlords are also charging tenants for the cost of expensive Waking Watch services. Approved fire alarm systems are fast becoming the preferred safety system, due to the reduced overall costs, as well as the NFCC (National Fire Chiefs Council) recommending these over Waking Watch services. Fire safety regulations in high-rise buildings Following the Grenfell tragedy, the Government issued notice that all buildings over 18m had to be assessed for combustible material in their external walls. Following this, in January 2020, the government also issued Advice for Building Owners of Multi-story, Multi-occupied residential buildings stating that “building owners are to consider the risks of any external wall system and fire doors in their fire risk assessments, irrespective of the height of the building” immediately, until a Fire Safety Bill is put in place. Approved fire alarm systems are fast becoming the preferred safety system In order to assess the fire risk of external wall systems of residential apartment buildings an EWS1 assessment (External Wall Fire Review) must be completed. This risk assessment form provides a ‘safe’ or ‘unsafe’ certificate for the building, and must be completed by a competent fire expert. Not only does an ‘unsafe’ certificate affect the owner of the building, with the need for new fire safety solutions, it also directly affects tenants, with mortgage lenders refusing to lend on a apartment until they are satisfied that the facade is safe. Until the building has completed the assessment and been deemed safe, all dwellings within the building are valued at £0, and cannot be sold. 'Unsafe' certificates Buildings that have been awarded an ‘unsafe’ certificate through the EWS1 assessment will need to implement temporary fire safety measures while the cladding is being removed. The key purposes of this guidance, outlined by National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) in May 2018 and then reviewed in October 2020, are: early detection of a fire, warning of building occupants, and management of the evacuation. The measures state: In order to prevent tenants from being removed from their homes, ‘Stay Put’ must be temporarily replaced by a ‘Simultaneous Evacuation’ strategy until the building has been remediated. Temporary protection measures must be introduced to ensure the safety of residents; either a 24/7 Waking Watch or a common Fire Detection & Alarm system designed to BS5839 Part 1 category L5 specification. Fire safety solutions Waking Watch is the quickest and easiest way to fulfill the requirements from the NFCC guidance. This solution requires a trained fire marshal or warden to patrol the building 24/7 and alert residents in the case of a fire. They will also be responsible for carrying out the Simultaneous Evacuation strategy and assisting residents’ evacuation. While the Waking Watch solution works well as an immediate solution to fire safety, the mounting costs of this fix means that it is unsustainable in most situations, with tenants facing unaffordable increases to their monthly rent in order to cover the costs. For example, reports into Raphael House, near Essex, show how a five-person 24-hour patrol costs £50,000 per month. This cost is split between the 154 flats, resulting in average costs of more than £300 a month for each resident. Issues with Waking Watch In addition to the cost, there are other issues associated with Waking Watch, including: Patrols cannot cover all areas of the building at all times No fire detection system within the flats themselves Not a long term solution The alternative solution to fire safety in high-rise buildings, as per the NFCC guidance, is to install a Fire Detection & Alarm system designed to BS5839 Part 1 category L5 specification. Although the upfront cost of these systems tend to be higher than a Waking Watch initiative, the overall expenditure, given the cost and time it takes to replace the cladding, far exceeds the cost of a fire alarm system. NFCC compliant fire alarm systems An NFCC compliant fire alarm system ensures early detection of fire and alert to residents. The BS5839 Part 1 category L5 systems do not replace the mains wired smoke alarms required in each apartment, but instead are installed in the common areas of the building in order to provide additional cover for these communal areas. These fire systems should be: Designed in accordance with BS5839, Part 1, category L5 Heat detectors should be installed throughout the building next to the windows that overlook an area of the external wall, including within the dwellings. An immediate evacuation signal should be triggered by the operation of any single heat detector. Installation of a new common area fire alarm system should not cause any further damage to the compartmentation or have an adverse effect on other provisions in the building. Comparison (Waking Watch vs Fire Alarm Systems) Cost: The government has outlined the average cost of Waking Watch in England as £17,897 per building per month, with the hourly rate per person undertaking Waking Watch duties ranging from £12.00 to £30.00 per hour. A total of £644,292 over 3 years. Additional charges for equipment, facilities, accommodation and services can also be applied. A suitable fire alarm system is likely to cost around £65,000 over the course of 3 years, for installation and yearly recurring costs. This means, over this period, installing a fire alarm system will save a total of £579,292. Long term solution: While both Waking Watch and a Fire Alarm System are considered short term solutions, many fire alarm systems can be adapted for future use once the cladding issue has been resolved, providing suitable infrastructure is created at the design and installation stage. Alerting the whole building at once: A Fire Alarm System is a more time efficient solution to detecting a fire than Waking Watch. The system is able to alert the whole building at the same time, allowing for the simultaneous evacuation protocol to be followed in a more time efficient manner. The NFCC states in their Simultaneous Evacuation Guidance... “NFCC strongly recommends that where a change to a simultaneous evacuation is deemed appropriate and will be required for medium to long periods of time that a temporary common fire alarm system is installed. This is because a temporary common fire alarm, when designed, installed and maintained appropriately is a more reliable and cost-effective way to maintain a sufficient level of early detection. An appropriate communal fire alarm and detection system will generally provide more certainty that a fire will be detected and warned at the earliest opportunity rather than rely on using trained staff.” With many residential high-rise buildings needing additional protection due to flammable cladding, and the excessive cost of Waking Watch, now is the time to consider a Fire Alarm System to keep residents in high-rise buildings safe.

With Grenfell inquiries continuing to uncover a number of fire safety issues, it’s clear that decision makers must learn from critical mistakes in a bid for better fire safety standards. Karen Trigg of Allegion UK highlights the key lessons that must be taken from Grenfell to help ensure a disaster of this magnitude never happens again. On the 14th June 2017, UK witnessed a tragedy. A myriad of critical issues, whether the result of mistakes, oversights or neglect, led to the largest fire disaster in modern memory - Grenfell Tower. Since then, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry has taken steps to uncover what went wrong that morning. But equally important is identifying and learning from the fire safety issues that were in play that day, so as to help ensure an incident like this never happens again. Taking Responsibility With that in mind, decision makers, construction companies, installers and manufacturers are amongst those that, in reviewing the reports, can make clear, steadfast plans to help improve fire safety for everyone. For that, a change in education towards fire safety - and the various solutions that make it possible - must be at the forefront of one’s activity. Because in reality, one is not just talking about ancillary products here, but lifesaving solutions. In November 2020, it emerged that Grenfell Tower suppliers were aware their cladding was dangerous In November 2020, it emerged that Grenfell Tower suppliers were aware their cladding was dangerous, with an inquiry citing, “These companies knew their materials would burn with lethal speed”. Despite the inquiries still bringing issues to light years later, it’s important to move forward on the critical topics that have already been identified. safety hardware manufacturers Aside from cladding, from the viewpoint of fire safety hardware manufacturers, two other key issues stood out from the reports; the failure of compartmentation and flat entrance doors failing to close. Combined, these themes proved fatal. Compartmentation in particular is crucial to containing the spread of fire from one area (in this case, apartments) to another, giving building occupants a safe space and protection from the fire. Commonly, over a building’s lifespan, compartmentation can become compromised with a number of different retro-fitted products. With this, installers (who may not be fully aware of the importance of fire protection) can potentially leave holes where there were none before, thus giving fire and smoke a place to breach the defenses the building once had. On this occasion, learning from the fire doors - which also play a critical part in compartmentalization - is key. ineffective fire doors As stated in Phase I of the Grenfell Inquiry, “The performance of fire doors in the tower, in particular, whether they complied with relevant regulations, their maintenance and the reasons why some of the self-closing devices do not appear to have worked.” In the same section of Phase I, it was made clear that ineffective fire doors allowed smoke and toxic gases to spread throughout the building at a quicker rate than they should have. The market has developed to offer solutions designed to meet the many needs of a building and their users The absence of effective self-closing devices in part led to the failure of compartmentation and was therefore a reason why the doors failed to perform their essential function. With this in mind, it’s important to remember that fire doors (when operating with fully functional hardware) play an essential role in preventing or inhibiting the spread of smoke and toxic gases and are a key factor in preserving effective compartmentation in buildings. delayed closing mechanisms With this information, questions must be asked as to why there was an absence of effective self-closing devices? There could be many reasons as to why there was a lack of self-closing devices, for example, the doors being too difficult to open, or perhaps closing too quickly and were thus removed. Yet the removal of those devices is never the true answer and instead it puts residents at risk. Today, the market has developed to offer solutions designed to meet the many needs of a building and their users, including those with delayed closing mechanisms that can ease access and egress. Yet it’s key to remember that fire doors and their accompanying hardware are there to save lives and property in the event of a fire and can only do so if the correct solutions are present and correctly installed. fire safety education The lessons taken from Grenfell must further prompt an area which is still not as good as it needs to be - fire safety education. It’s fundamental to ensure facility managers, installers and residents all understand the importance of fire safety solutions - from why they’re there to how they operate. The installation process is paramount, too. There are common issues with installation that simply must be ironed out. Aside from this, stricter guidelines need to be implemented as a way of preventing fire incidents such as Grenfell Commonly, the speed to which installers are required to work isn’t leaving enough time for door closers to be fully adjusted and therefore suit the environment in which it’s being fitted. To combat this, suppliers must do what is necessary to support installation - from supplying self-adhesive templates to improve efficiency, to offering spring adjustable door closers which are perfect for time-impaired installers. preventing fire incidents Aside from this, stricter guidelines need to be implemented as a way of preventing fire incidents such as Grenfell. Fire safety solutions such as door hardware are accompanied with certifications but should stricter guidelines be in place for those installing them? Furthermore, when it comes to testing, should higher risk buildings not be treated in the same vein as the everyday vehicles where regular servicing and MOTs are required to ensure they continue to perform? These, amongst others, are the questions that must continue being asked. Finally, a push for improved competence across the board is key. From the product design stage right through to constructing, inspecting, assessing and managing and maintaining all public buildings, including higher risk residential buildings as Grenfell once was. Only when key mistakes are learnt from, and competent bodies placed in the overseeing of refurbishments or new builds of high-risk residential buildings, can everyone truly feel that they are one step closer to complete fire safety

There are many daily risks faced by buildings and their managers, with electrical fires being one of the most common and dangerous. Commercial fires impact occupant health, property and the business itself – with 25% of businesses who suffer a fire never reopening.  Given the often-unpredictable nature of electrical fires, businesses must invest in the latest technologies to prevent irreparable damage. It is the responsibility of the consultant engineer to show leadership and initiative in improving safety to protect the business, its employees and its most valuable assets. Engineers must look beyond simply tackling overloads and short circuits and examine a range of connected solutions that can stop a fire before it even has a chance to begin. This drastically reduces the cost of damages and repairs, while giving building operators unrivalled visibility. Connected protection is crucial at every level of the circuit, from the switchboard to distribution. A centralized system for equipment monitoring and detection provides building managers with all the information they need to keep fire risk under control, and therefore protect staff, property and business. Electrical fire risk awareness During the design and implementation phase, the consultant engineer’s role is traditionally to respect and master the local standards. They should ensure all components and parts of the circuit comply with the latest wiring rules, electrical and building codes. Yet for enhanced safety they should also be willing to look beyond the standards of the day. Given the often-unpredictable nature of electrical fires, businesses must invest in the latest technologies to prevent irreparable damage Today’s regulations do a good job of protecting buildings from the dangers of short circuits and overloads, mostly by mandating the use of circuit breakers. However, consultant engineers should also be aware of the risks posed by circuit deterioration and mistakes made during the installation. Loose cabling and faulty insulation or connections – even something as small as an untightened screw – can significantly increase a circuit’s fire risk. It’s up to consultant engineers to know their market and provide solutions that go beyond the minimum to detect and prevent electrical fires. Why electrical engineers must go the extra mile A stitch in time saves nine. While tackling overloads and short circuits is crucial, engineers must go further, examining a range of connected solutions that can stop a fire before it even has a chance to begin. Acting pre-emptively can drastically reduce the cost of damages and repairs and provide building operators with unrivalled visibility of their facility. Connected protection is crucial at every level of the circuit, from the switchboard to distribution. A centralized system for equipment monitoring and detection will provide the building manager with all the information they need to keep fire risk under control. Connected protection is crucial at every level of the circuit For optimal protection, organisations should employ smart, connected solutions that detect fire and the risk of fire at every level. This means additional protection for the switchboard and the circuit at all levels of the electrical installation, underpinned by a centralised system for monitoring and pro-active action. Using Residual Current Devices (RCDs) against insulation faults triggered by earth leakage currents exceeding 300mA, is a familiar solution. Engineers now have access to more effective earth leakage protection solutions with the same footprint as a classical overload and short-circuit protection. Products can now also offer permanent earth leakage current measurement which, when connected to a monitoring system, allows pre-alarming and monitoring during the time of any drift in the insulation. Identify switchboard vulnerabilities Unprotected electrical switchboards are especially vulnerable to fire risk. The equipment is susceptible to rodent infestation and internal overheating, issues that can often go unnoticed until it is too late. The IEC 61439-2 Low-voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies – Part 2: Power switchgear and control gear assembly’s standard addresses these risks, making compliance a must. However, fulfilling these design and manufacturing rules for switchboards does not eliminate the risk of connection failure. A critical sequence of events can occur. First, increasing electrical contact resistance accelerates further deterioration. This increased resistance induces a rise in temperature – high temperatures deteriorate the connection surface even more. The more deteriorated surface leads to a further increase in contact resistance, and the resulting thermal runaway will cause complete connection failure. Fire, flash-over and explosions become a real risk. Enhanced electrical fire prevention Moreover, final circuits should be protected by an arc fault detection device (AFDD) for enhanced fire prevention. Final circuits should be protected by an arc fault detection device (AFDD) Circuits age unevenly and unpredictably, so persistent monitoring and predictive maintenance are key to limiting fire risk. Cloud analytics can help provide asset health analytics to interpret the status and history of your most critical assets, with preventive notifications and 24/7 support. Fire prevention must be a top priority when assessing all the safety and risk-management of a building. In the case of electrical fires, prevention is better than cure. Therefore, establishing the right approach before crisis strikes will be invaluable. Connected solutions across the entire circuit are an effective solution for consultant engineers to defend buildings from the often-underestimated dangers of faulty installation and ageing components. In short, smart electrical fire prevention provides peace of mind for engineers, facility owners and occupants alike.

Science shows clearly that the way to reduce the damaging impacts of wildfires and threats to life and property is to proactively manage ecosystems that evolved with fire. This means reintroducing fire in the right ways and places combined with mimicking the effects of fire on forest structure through mechanical treatments. “Rocky Mountain Research Station's Fire, Fuel, and Smoke Science Program (RMRS) focuses on the science of risk management from ways that they can treat fuels and mitigate risks to helping communities assess and mitigate risk and be more resilient,” says Thomas C. Dzomba, Deputy Program Manager and Director of the Fire Modeling Institute. Missoula Fire Lab During the current fire season, the Missoula fire sciences lab has made two major contributions: Risk Management Assessment Team Support The Risk Management Assessment Team has directly supported incidents across the west providing maps, real-time weather, terrain, control feature, and fire behavior data and information to help fire managers determine the best courses of action and probabilities of success for various suppression tactics and strategies. Modeled Risk Of Spread Of COVID-19 Early in the season they modeled the risk of spread of COVID-19 in fire camp and evaluated key mitigation strategies. This information supported agency actions such as social distancing, module-as-one, masks, and testing, which have contributed greatly to the success in minimizing the spread of the disease under very difficult circumstances. The 5-10 year Program Plan Looking ahead to the next 5 to 10 years, the program plans to focus on: Profoundly improving the Forest Service’s ability to manage fire for the benefit of communities and natural resources by improving the understanding of fundamental processes of wildfire behavior and spread. Developing fuel-related tools, products, treatment alternatives, restoration strategies, and accurate forecasting of future conditions to help change the trajectory of increased wildfire and altered fire regimes. Improving the understanding of smoke impacts and how wildfire emissions respond to climate variability and changing landscapes, and developing mitigations. Building on and improving decision support systems, the effectiveness and efficiency of fire and forest management activities, and increasing the safety of planning and operations. Includes developing tools and models to help fire managers weigh trade-offs of decisions in real-time regarding suppression tactics, management strategies, and safety. System Development The Missoula fire sciences laboratory has a long history of producing and supporting systems for management use and will continue to engage in technology transfer in the form of system development. “We live in ecosystems that are historically fire-dependent and have been altered over time by expansion of the wildland-urban interface, external factors such as climate change and the invasion of non-native species, and decades of active fire suppression,” says Dzomba. “Our fire research must align with a more proactive approach to fire management that includes more managed fire on the landscape and a greater focus on restoring landscapes to historical fire regimes as opposed to the reactive approach of addressing wildland fire management after fire is already on the ground.”   Balanced Ecosystems Wildfire Risk To Communities website provides interactive information to help communities understand and mitigate wildfire risk. Greg Dillon, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory Western landscapes evolved with fire; it is a necessary component to keep ecosystems functioning and in balance. Science and research clearly point towards solutions for reducing the risk of damaging wildfires, but knowing the answer doesn’t necessarily make it easy to get there. That will take collaboration with local communities, state and federal partners, and science to help managers determine the best places and ways to more safely reintroduce fire to landscapes. Building Resilience There is no one-size-fits-all or magic bullet to make this happen. “Building resilience in our landscapes and communities will take all of us working together,” says Dzomba. “Everyone has a part to play including preventing human-caused wildfires, reducing risks through vegetation management, managing fires in some landscapes when conditions are appropriate, and building in locations and ways that make communities and homes more resistant to fire.”

Public and firefighter safety is the number one priority at the Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) in Missoula, Mont. The Fire, Fuel, and Smoke Science Program there seeks to develop tools and technology that can help protect people and communities before, during, and after wildfires. RMRS develops and delivers innovative science and technology to improve the health and use of the nation’s forests and grasslands. Their scientists put tools and knowledge into the hands of managers who can apply them to shared stewardship projects designed to reduce fuels and improve habitat and forest health. enhanced firefighter safety The fire research program has enhanced firefighter safety by improving metrics for determining firefighter safety zones and escape routes, improving and modernizing determination of fire danger, and developing systems and applications such as the Wildfire Safety Evaluator (WiSE) and WildfireSAFE to facilitate use of these metrics by wildland firefighters. The program has also pioneered the development of metrics for scenario planning and assessing wildfire risk to communities. RMRS scientists are leaders in the science of risk management, fire behavior, fire suppression and management, and treating fuels to mitigate risks, as well as post-fire impacts to watersheds and methods to help protect people and communities before, during, and after wildfires. proactive fire management USDA Forest Service is a science-based organization, and research has been part of its mission since its inception “We need to work with our interagency firefighters and industry partners to move us to a more proactive fire management posture,” says Thomas C. Dzomba, Deputy Program Manager and Director of the Fire Modeling Institute at the Rocky Mountain Research Station's Fire, Fuel, and Smoke Science Program. “We are all in this together.” USDA Forest Service is a science-based organization, and research has been part of its mission since its inception in 1905. In 1908, forester Raphael Zon, declared “Here we will plant the first tree of research,” near Flagstaff, Ariz., at the Fort Valley Experiment Station. It later became the Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, and eventually combined in 1953 with the Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. providing economic opportunities The combination created the modern footprint of the Rocky Mountain Research Station, which covers 12 states in the intermountain west and includes 14 experimental forests and 14 labs, including the fire sciences lab in Missoula, Mont. The team in Missoula collaborates with researchers globally to advance forest inventory and analysis techniques, to promote science that enhances the wildland fire system, and to provide economic opportunities by improving utilization of wood products. RMRS also conducts extensive research on watersheds, wildlife and fish, rangeland and forest health, insects and diseases, wilderness, human interactions with natural resources, and much more. The Human Performance and Innovation and Organizational Learning (HP&IOL) team is a part of RMRS and serves the entire agency in order to promote a culture of learning and foster a resilient workforce and advance innovations. fire management efforts There are many examples of how fire research can help in adapting to fire on the landscapes that evolved with it HP&IOL seeks input from employees through verbal and written interviews, focus groups, and other means. Additionally, many of the research staff work directly in support of fire management efforts, enabling them to quickly see what could make fire management or prescribed fire more efficient or safer. To promote better understanding of the importance of fire research, the fire industry should talk to partners, community leaders, and the public and show them how science helped improve decision-making before and during fire suppression efforts. There are many examples of how fire research can help in adapting to fire on the landscapes that evolved with it. For example, where have fuel treatments helped buffer communities or important resources? helping protect communities “We should tell our success stories,” says Dzomba. “Ultimately the best safety measure is to not have to fight the fire, because we’ve learned to adapt, developed mitigations and treated fuels before fire occurs to help protect communities and create more resilient landscapes.”

Adapting workspaces to operate safely during a pandemic presents complications, not least of which is making sure that the measures taken to protect employees from infection do not undermine fire safety. In the course of altering a building to prevent infection spread, there are risks of introducing new life safety hazards and compromising emergency preparedness. As buildings adapt to new occupancy standards and requirements, it is critical that any protective measures do not interfere with operation of life safety systems. Might temporary partitions or barriers block escape routes during a fire emergency? Social distancing measures might entail blocking emergency exists and disrupting the flow of occupants looking to vacate a building. It is also important to avoid blocking firefighter access and facilities. Fire Safety Partitions Temporary partitions could block smoke exhausts, sprinkler systems or other elements of a life safety system Temporary partitions could block smoke exhausts, sprinkler systems or other elements of a life safety system. Call points and detectors should remain unobstructed. Partitions should not be installed too closes to any smoke detector. If installed more than 12 inches from the ceiling, partitions serve as walls that can obstruct the flow of smoke and heat, thus causing sprinklers to malfunction, for example. Another consideration is the need to ensure fire safety systems are operating as intended when buildings reopen after being unoccupied for an extended period. Appropriate inspection, testing and maintenance procedures should be followed, including sprinklers, alarm systems and portable fire extinguishers. During the various lockdowns, routine system maintenance might have been postponed or cancelled. Adapting emergency and evacuation procedures Building occupants should be educated on how they need to adapt their emergency and evacuation procedures in light of any COVID-19 related changes. Building owners and managers should also consider any new fire dangers, for example, might storage of large quantities of combustible items such as hand sanitizer constitute a fire hazard? Maintaining social distancing can undermine the ability to vacate a building rapidly during a fire emergency. Obviously, if there is a real fire, the imminent threat of injury or death takes precedence over the goal of preventing infection by a (less likely) disease. In general, because rules have changed, the uncertainty might slow down evacuation. What is the impact of lower occupancy on a building’s emergency procedures? Despite fewer occupants, there should be efforts to ensure enough trained people are on site to carry out evacuation. Fewer employees and staggered work schedules could require additional fire wardens or fire marshals. More training may be needed. frequent fire drills Larger outside assembly areas may be needed to avoid crowding and/or close proximity during a fire drill What about fire drills? How do you weigh the benefits of being prepared to evacuate versus the risk of infection if social distancing requirements are ignored? Do distancing requirements apply as people move through a fire escape? How much more complicated do these questions become in a high-rise building? What about the use of elevators? Larger outside assembly areas may be needed to avoid crowding and/or close proximity during a fire drill. In the event that social distancing rules are breached during a fire drill, should additional quarantine or contact tracing procedures be implemented? fire safety arrangements At the end of the day, most of these hurdles can be overcome. However, they should not be ignored. Careful consideration of the broad impacts of COVID-19 safety measures on life safety ensures that building occupants remain safe from either calamity. As businesses reopen, adequate fire safety arrangements must be a part of the new normal.

Vimpex has supplied Agrippa wireless acoustic fire door holders to hold open fire doors at the HQ of one of England’s largest housing associations to provide an easy and effective method of infection control, while not impacting on fire safety. A COVID-secure risk assessment identified the need to reduce the touching of fire door locks and door handles at the organization’s administration offices by staff and visitors. “Reducing the spread of germs and bacteria has never been more critical. We identified self closing fire doors that need constant handling to open them as having the potential to spread the virus. The Agrippa door holder provides an excellent, hygienic and legally compliant solution to holding open internal fire doors, supporting infection control without compromising fire safety." ensure social distancing While preventing door handle contact, the Agrippa door holder also increases room ventilation Vimpex’s Agrippa wireless acoustic fire door holders offer the perfect wire-free solution to legally hold fire doors open, using digital wire-free technology to uniquely ‘listen and learn’ the sound of a specific fire alarm. This ensures the holder’s releasing trigger reacts only to the precise sound of the fire alarm rather than extraneous loud noises, so false activations are virtually eliminated. While preventing door handle contact, the Agrippa door holder also increases room and building ventilation while improving visibility and accessibility to ensure social distancing is maintained. fire door holders The Agrippa fire door holder is the perfect solution to legally hold open fire doors in schools, care homes, hotels and office buildings, as well as many others. It is recognized by UK Fire and Rescue Services and the London Fire Brigade, suitable for installation to BS 7273-4 Standard Actuation (Category B) and conforms to EN1155, and is CE marked.

Ampac Queensland, the Queensland State branch of Ampac, has been successful in obtaining the order for the Grafton Prison for a total of 64 networked Firefinder Plus Panel, computer graphics, and 366 Wagner Aspirated Systems. This is the largest prison to be built in Australia. Ampac Queensland is proud to be working with their customer, Triple M and fire systems installer, Interfire Systems. Firefinder Plus Panels delivered It’s a slice of countryside nestled in the Clarence Valley, in the Australian state of New South Wales that will soon be home to 1,700 criminals. The newly renovated Grafton prison will have a ‘campus-style’ layout and tablet computers for inmates The newly developed Clarence Correctional Center, located 12km south of Grafton, in Australia, will be a state-of-the-art development and correctional facility for men and women that will also mark a significant shift away from the traditional prison model. With no bars on the windows, the newly renovated Grafton prison will have a ‘campus-style’ layout and tablet computers for inmates to use for financial and technical tasks, such as checking their finances and undertaking training programs. The Clarence Correctional Center The new Clarence Correctional Center at Grafton prison will house up to 1000 maximum-security male prisoners and 300 maximum-security female prisoners, alongside another 400 minimum-security male offenders. Along with rehabilitation, high-tech security and surveillance are also a focus of the US$ 700 million prison development budget plan. The correctional facility project is due to be completed by mid-2020. The prison is being developed by the New South Wales State Government, in partnership with a consortium that includes John Holland, Serco, John Laing, and Macquarie Capital.

LFB crews were called to a rapidly developing fire on the sixth floor external balcony of Tweed Walk Tower Hamlets – a twelve storey apartment block. The fire spread horizontally along the balcony from the seat of the fire affecting the balcony of the adjacent dwelling. Due to the intensity of the fire the patio doors/glazing located adjacent to the seat of the fire failed. The prompt activation of the Automatic Fire Suppression System (AFSS) restricted the fire damage to the glazing units/frames with smoke logging confined to the ceiling level of the apartment. The external fire was extinguished using a ground monitor and jets. Over recent years the LFB Fire Investigation Team have attended a large number of incidents where fires have occurred on balconies. full compartment fire The cause of those fires has often been due to unsafe disposal of cigarettes by the resident which is the case for the above mentioned incident. Without AFSS the outcome of this incident may well have been more serious with the potential for a full compartment fire which would have seriously compromised the safety of residents and firefighters. Personal contents in the apartments were virtually untouched by the fire, and no fire related injuries were reported.

Ampac was delighted to assist with the supply of a ZoneSense Plus Fire Control Panel for the Australian Nurses War Memorial Chapel. The Australian Nurses War Memorial Chapel is managed by the Prince Henry Hospital Trained Nurses Association (PHHTNA) and overlooks the stunning cliffs of Little Bay in NSW. The chapel first opened in 1967 and is a memorial to the women who paid the supreme sacrifice while serving during the wars. not for profit organization Carol Parker, Hon Secretary of the PHHTNA wrote - “On behalf of the PHHTNA who operate both the Medical Museum and the Non-Denominational Nurses War Memorial Chapel at Little Bay, I wish to extend our sincere thanks for the donation and installation of a new Fire Panel in the chapel." "We are a not for profit organization which receives no external or Government support and your donation has ensured the ongoing safety of prompt fire alert for the Chapel, enabling the Association to continue our community involvement as a heritage icon with the Little Bay and surrounding areas.”

Frequently visited by Prince Charles, Royal Pavilion in Poundbury, Dorchester is a rather prestigious project located on Queen Mother Square for the Duchess of Cornwall, consisting of 20 luxury apartments with a retail area set to become a luxury spa facility. The main build is complete and A.P.E are just about to start the separate contract for the spa facility located on the ground floor. This contract will cover exactly the same disciplines under the spa’s control. Project length from design to completion was two years in total, and A.P.E was involved from the very beginning with an initial consultation at the design stage. Industry awards recognition for A.P.E. and Royal Pavilion, Poundbury - Paul Hallaran of A.P.E. Fire and Security was recognized for his invaluable support to the site management team throughout the project, as housebuilder CG Fry & Son were announced as the winners of the first round of the prestigious NHBC Pride in the Job Awards. house building industry The Pride in the Job Awards has seen site managers selected from 16,000 across the UK Recognized within the house building industry as the highest accolade a site manager can receive; the Pride in the Job Awards has seen site managers selected from 16,000 across the UK. The award represents success for the site manager and their team. Judges assessed the project across a wide range of criteria, including consistently achieving high standards of workmanship from all trades on site, demonstrating attention to detail in every aspect of the site, having the technical expertise to resolve any issues during the building process and maintaining excellent levels of morale and motivation within the team. fire and security systems Paul Hallaran, Director for A.P.E. Fire and Security commented, “We are delighted that our efforts throughout this prestigious project have been highlighted, which is recognition to our track record of delivering quality fire and security systems as part of major construction projects.”

Tyntesfield is a hugely historic site located in North Somerset, England. The house is a Grade I listed gothic style Victorian house and estate which in 2002 got put in the care of the national trust. The name Tyntesfield is derived from the owners the Tynte baronets who had owned the estate in the 1500s. A mansion was added to the grounds in 1830 and bought by Williams Gibbs shortly after. Gibbs commissioned an architect to design the main rooms inside the house using gilded paneling, woodwork and fireplaces all in a gothic style. After this refurbishment in 1860 Gibbs had the house significantly expanded to create 23 main bedrooms, 47 including the servants’ accommodation came to an equivalent to £6.7 million in today’s money. Adding to this in 1870 a gothic chapel was added to the north side of the house. copper sheathed cabling The entire property was rewired with special copper sheathed cabling which is fire and rodent proof Money was raised through crowdfunding and donations for the national trust to be able to purchase the extensive grounds. Once acquired the trust sold some of the land which is now known as Charlton farm. Despite this, the Tyntesfield estate still has 160 acres of land and all its properties. After taking ownership in 2002, National trust staff secured the house and garden and went about preserving them. The initial conservation work was focused on the weatherproofing of the house, in particular the roof which is 20 times the size of the average British family’s home. This took around 18 months and included the restoration of the original bold red and black tiled geometric diaper pattern. The entire property was rewired with special copper sheathed cabling which is fire and rodent proof. still undergoing restoration Interior scaffolding was installed in the hallway to repair the lantern roof light which is at an astounding 13 meters high. Tyntesfield is still undergoing restoration work to this day and as more rooms are restored, they are added to the tour. Work completed: Full Fire Alarm Aspiration System

Ensuring the health and wellness of firefighters is a burden shared among equipment manufacturers as well as the fire departments and individual firefighters. Thoughtful design of equipment and other products used in the fire service can be a positive factor as firefighters and other first responders face dangerous situations every day. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What steps can we take to better ensure firefighter health and wellness?

When a fire or other emergency occurs in a building or facility, first responders depend on every available resource to ensure a safe and orderly evacuation and response. One element in any response plan is the facility’s physical security systems, including access control, video surveillance and intrusion detection. How can these systems contribute to an orderly response to a chaotic situation?  We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the role of security systems in the event of a fire or other emergency evacuation?

Welcome to our Expert Panel Roundtable, a new feature of TheBigRedGuide.com. We will be asking timely questions about the fire market and seeking out experts in the field to provide responses. Our goal is to promote a useful exchange of information on a variety of topics and to create a forum for discussion of important issues facing the fire service and market. For our first question, we look to the year ahead and ask our panelists: What trends are likely to change the fire market in 2020?