Fire Safety Risk Assessment - News

Continuing on with the series of articles where they highlight each industry they accommodate and stock workwear for. This week they’re looking at the medical industry, specifically ambulance and paramedic workers. Headwear - In this industry, hard hats and safety helmets aren’t required. In fact, there isn’t any form of headwear that is required for these jobs. Optional caps, snoods, and safety glasses may be worn for various reasons such as to keep warm or to prevent any har...

The U.S. and Canada’s top swift water rescue experts, including many IAFF members, were in South Bend, Indiana, honing their rescue training during a three-day symposium. The 2021 Annual Water Rescue Symposium, held June 7-9, brought together about 140 firefighters from across the United States and Canada for one day of seminars and two days of field training on the East Race Waterway, the nation’s first artificial whitewater slew....

Envirograf has announced testing its latest solution, Envirowall, a fire-resistant eco panel that offers effective passive fire protection, thermal performance, as well as sound absorption. Envirowall eco panels Over 50 experimental tests have been carried out for Envirowall eco panels, achieving 133 minutes of fire integrity, insulation, and load-bearing. Acoustic performance has been tested, in accordance with BS EN ISO 10140-2:2010:45 (-2;-7) dB, achieving a thermal U-value of 0.40 W/sq. m...

The point detector is the most common of all fire detection devices. Sometimes taken for granted, it is the first line of defense for fire protection. Many elements are taken into consideration when it comes to fire protection. However, the most critical decision is not the chosen brand or its open or closed protocol, but the type of point detector selected. This verdict determines the safety of staff, customers, and the property. 6000PLUS addressable point sensors The 6000PLUS range is Prote...

FDSOA’s Annual Fire Apparatus Conference looked a little different in 2021 given it was held on Zoom rather than in person like the previous years, but that did not stop the organization from striving towards its mission to “educate and bring safety to the streets.” The Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA)’s Chairman of the Board - Eric Valliere – current Assistant Fire Chief in Scottsdale, Arizona who has been a part of the association for eight yea...

CIC has inaugurated Justin Sullivan as its new Chair at its Council Meeting. Justin succeeds Stephen Hodder MBE in this role for a two-year term of office starting with immediate effect. Stephen now becomes Deputy Chairman for a year, by CIC’s rules and by-laws. Justin Sullivan Justin Sullivan is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with more than 30 years of experience Justin Sullivan is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry and foun...

The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) is recognized as being one of the most comprehensive and ambitious greenhouse gas emissions monitoring, measurement and reporting programs in the world. All emissions reports submitted to the EU ETS must be verified by an organization that is accredited against the international ISO 14065 standard. In the UK, this scheme has been replaced by the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, based on the EU ETS requirements. Similar mandatory requirements for...

The Home Office on Monday (07/06/2021) has published an update regarding guidance covering fire safety in purpose-build blocks of flats. The Home Office states that “This document is a guide to ensuring adequate fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats, regardless of age. Practical advice is offered on how to assess the risk from fire and how to manage fire safety in such buildings. The document also includes case studies based on the commonly found issues in blocks of flats, with sug...

The UK Government has launched on 8 June 2021 a new consultation on Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (‘PEEPs’) in high-rise residential buildings, which seeks views on implementing the relevant Grenfell Inquiry’s recommendations. The consultation will be open for a period of six weeks, from 8th June to 19th July 2021. Raise awareness of the new consultation Alongside the consultation, the Home Office are also holding workshops They would like to encourage everyone to res...

Following the success of FireQual in gaining regulated status from both CCEA Regulation in Northern Ireland and SQA Accreditation in Scotland, are not standing still. Attention is now turning to the subject matter of Fire Detection and Alarms. FireQual is developing a series of qualifications that will look to provide the underpinning knowledge required by those who work within the area of fire detection and alarms. industry-led qualifications In addition, reflecting on the core messages of t...

The UK Home Office on Monday (07/06/2021) published an update regarding guidance covering fire safety in purpose-build blocks of flats. The UK Home Office states that ‘this document is a guide to ensuring adequate fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats, regardless of age’. how to assess fire risk Practical advice is offered on how to assess the risk from fire and how to manage fire safety in such buildings. The document also includes case studies based on the commonly found i...

Oshkosh Corporation Fire & Emergency segment, including Oshkosh Airport Products, Pierce Manufacturing, and Frontline Communications, have announced that it has introduced the revolutionary Volterra™ platform of electric vehicles for the fire and emergency market. In recent years, airports worldwide have made green initiatives an integral priority, compelling fire departments to seek environmentally-conscious fire apparatus that reduce emissions, minimize fuel consumption, and produce...

Former BPS Global Account Director, Tim Ward, has joined Zitko as Head of International. He’ll lead the company’s continued rapid growth, especially in the US and European markets. Wider business goals The company became Northland Controls’ sole US resourcing partner last year Tim’s known throughout the industry for his expertise in implementing and managing multi-region RPO services. During a 25-year career, he’s helped many international engineering, tech and p...

Entries are now open for the new Fire and Security Matters Awards organized by Fire Safety Matters and Security Matters magazines – both of which are published by Western Business Media – and are supported by BAFE.   The Fire and Security Matters Awards are free to enter and recognize excellence and innovation in the fire and security sectors. The winners of the Fire and Security Matters Awards will be revealed at a gala dinner and ceremony to be held at the Ricoh Arena in Cov...

A London Fire Brigade investigation into a residential high-rise fire in Poplar revealed that the building’s ventilation systems failed to clear toxic smoke from escape routes putting the lives of residents at risk. In a report published on 1 June, fire investigators found that smoke detectors on the floor of the fire failed to operate the Automatic Opening Vent (AOV) and the cross-corridor fire doors. This meant that the smoke collected in the hallways and prevented the safe escape...

The Home Office has re-published the LGA guide on fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats as part of its overhaul of fire safety guidance. Fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats was originally published by the Local Government Association in 2011. changes to government policy The MJ reported in April that the LGA had distanced itself from this guide. The Home Office said they had taken the decision to host the guide, “Following the Local Government Association’s a...

Local community fire departments have an important role in wildfire prevention and prevention messaging. Did people know that almost 90% of wildfires in the United States are human-caused according to the Insurance Information Institute's statistics? The importance of reducing human-caused wildfires Wildfires do not stay within artificial boundaries, and a wildfire burning in a natural area can quickly spread to areas where people live. According to Verisk's Wildfire Risk Analy...

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) have been successful in extending their Gold Status in the Healthy Working Wales Awards. The Healthy Working Wales (HWW) Programme is delivered by Public Health Wales, on behalf of the Welsh Government, and works with employers to develop and sustain environments, policies, and cultures that promote good health and support the appropriate and timely return to work of those who are absent due to sickness or who have fallen out of employment du...

BAFE is sad to hear of the passing of Paul Fuller CBE, former Fire Sector Federation Chairman. Paul Fuller died on Monday 7th June 2021. Paul’s contribution Dennis Davis, Executive Officer of the Fire Sector Federation, states “Paul, who was serving as Chief Fire Officer Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Chief Executive Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority, died early this morning in hospital whilst receiving treatment for a recently diagnosed illness.” BAF...

Glob­al research com­pa­ny, JCMR con­firmed that the VPS Site Security Ltd. (VPS) was one of a select group of companies that leads the mar­ket world­wide in pro­vid­ing con­struc­tion site secu­ri­ty systems.  VPS is the only UK site secu­ri­ty com­pa­ny to have been short­list­ed every year since 2014 for the peer reviewed IFSEC Secu­ri­ty and Fire Excel­lence Awards, win­ning a ra...

Four C-130 aircraft from the California and Nevada Air National Guard, worked alongside the U.S. Forest Service, during annual refresher and certification training with the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS), from May 4 – May 7, 2021. During the training, these aircraft, equipped with MAFFS units, practiced dispersing water in rugged, mountainous terrain, as they are guided by lead planes flown by members of the U.S. Forest Service. Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System MAFFS...

The new edition of the biannual BAFSA member publication, Focus provides a round-up of work taking place in the sprinkler industry. John McCann, BAFSA Chairman welcomed members to the June 2021 edition of Focus magazine, the voice of the automatic water-based fire suppression industry. He reflected on the pressures faced by the construction industry resulting from pent-up demand from COVID-19, as well as the ensuing scarcity and rising costs of building materials.  He is delighted that mo...

During the Governmental Affairs Committee meeting, June 2, General President Ed Kelly and General Secretary-Treasurer Frank Líma received a call from Vice President Kamala Harris expressing her gratitude for the IAFF’s dedication to the labor movement and to reaffirm the Biden administration’s pledge to support issues important to all unions, including the IAFF. “History will show we probably are one of the most pro-union administrations in a very long time,” sa...

“One step in the green, one step in the burned,” says Operating Commander Marco Marques. Such a statement is not just lip service. His wildfire fighters are elite troops who belong to the Portuguese National Republican Guard (GNR) and fight daily on the borderline. The GNR can only successfully fight forest fires from the very front line. They complete over 4,000 deployments a year, setting out in helicopters or emergency vehicles to tackle smoldering fires before they have a chance...

Waste fires – in other words, fires that occur in waste or recycling plants - is a very serious global issue. Countries all over the world are suffering from more than one fire per day in the waste and recycling industry. This causes a risk of injury to employees, damage to sites and machinery, and damage to reputation. And that’s even before one considers the potential environmental impact. There’s more irony here too – one of the biggest risks for fire in a waste facil...

A court has quashed an appeal brought by a restaurant owner against a hefty fine after a fire revealed major fire safety breaches in the premises. Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service originally brought a prosecution against Beta UK Ltd who owns Malik’s Restaurant in Cookham, Berkshire. The case was heard by Reading Magistrate’s Court in October 2020. Fire at Malik’s Restaurant in Cookham, Berkshire Police have said they think the attack was an attempt to endanger lives"...

The Big Bear Fire Department has a new way to report illegal fireworks. The new Illegal Firework Reporting System offers an easy and anonymous way to report the use and sale of personal fireworks. Anyone can now go on to the Department’s website or simply scan a QR Code and anonymously report the use or sales of illegal fireworks by completing a simple online reporting form. Fire Department Investigators will respond promptly to the reported location where fireworks are currently in use,...

Detroit has added new features to the Detroit Assurance suite of safety systems including enhanced and industry-first capabilities designed to improve the overall driver experience and keep drivers and the general public safer.   “We are focused on manufacturing the best trucks in the industry, and our customers tell us that there is nothing more critical than the safety features included in our Freightliner and Western Star trucks,” said David Carson, senior vice president of...

Johnson Controls, a global pioneer for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings and architect of OpenBlue connected solutions, announces the immediate release of the new SprinkCAD for Revit® Fabrication Tool. In addition to providing 3D layout and calculation capabilities, the newly expanded suite of tools enables users to deliver a fabrication-ready design and stock list. Easy mapping of Revit® With this new fabrication tool, fire protection professionals can take a valid, comp...

VdS (VdS Schadenverhütung GmbH) has announced the release of Compact Guidelines VdS 2100 for dependable pipe connection elements and fittings renewed, comprehensively supplemented with findings for reliable production, with regard to leak tightness and stress crack resistance, as well as other aspects. Automatic sprinkler systems The decisive instant protection in case of fire (more often than every 5 minutes in a company in Germany) is automatic sprinkler systems. An important part of th...