Passive Fire Protection (PFP) - News

The Environment Agency secured a restriction order against a recycling firm, after it failed to comply with fire regulations despite numerous warnings about storing hazardous waste at a site near local homes. Shee Recycling in the North East town of Birtley stored large oil drums containing hazardous waste, cutting equipment, batteries, and fuel canisters, all of which were major fire hazards. Environment Agency secures restriction order The site is close to other commercial properties, the e...

Kentec Electronics, a manufacturer of life-critical control systems, releases its Sigma ZXT single-area extinguishing control panel for general purchase following full BETA field testing in the UK, Europe, and South Africa demonstrating optimum installer and end-user satisfaction levels. New functionality, improved display, and multiple configuration options for a targeted response to a fire incident further Sigma XT’s reputation for user-friendly reliability. Building on hundreds of thou...

To mark World Mental Health Day, employees from Hardstaff Barriers are highlighting the importance of robust and proactive mental health policies in the workplace. The staff from Hardstaff Barriers, based in Kingston-on-Soar, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom, has spoken out to coincide with the global mental health awareness campaign, which took place on October 10, 2021. Hardstaff Barriers believes it is essential for businesses – whatever their size – to create a positive mental he...

In August 2021, Task Force Tips (TFT) introduced CrewProtect, to protect first responders while riding in their apparatus. It eliminates particulates, VOCs, and aerosols containing bacteria and viruses from the cab and body air. However, upon returning to the station, the crew can still be at risk of exposure to these threats and more. Improves air quality That’s why TFT has partnered with Purafil, part of the largest air filtration company in the world to integrate proven and patented...

Envirograf announced that it was great to finally return to exhibition events. Now that COVID-19 lockdown restrictions have been lifted, Envirograf was able to return to exhibiting products at numerous exhibitions taking place across the United Kingdom. UK Construction Week 2021 Envirograf was present at the UK Construction Week 2021 (UKCW 2021) exhibition Envirograf was present at the UK Construction Week 2021 (UKCW 2021) exhibition, which was held from October 5 - 7, 2021, in Birmingham, UK...

USFA highlights National Fire Academy (NFA) online learning opportunities for fire and building code officials.  Some of the courses offer International Association for Continuing Education and Training continuing education units (CEUs) for officials who need to maintain professional certification. Recommended online courses Alternative Water Supply Planning and Implementing Programs (Q0217) 0.6 CEUs: This course is designed to assist anyone with planning responsibility for alternative...

With just days to go before World Mental Health Day, EMCOR UK has become the first organization globally to prove it prioritizes its people and be certified against BSI’s new scheme which is based on the international standard ISO 45003:2021 Occupational health and safety management — Psychological health and safety at work — Guidelines for managing psychosocial risks. The new international standard, which was published earlier this year, provides guidelines on how to improve...

In response to a petition by the IAFF and other stakeholders, the U.S. Department of Education is overhauling its Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program in an effort to provide relief for those who fell through the cracks. The changes will greatly benefit firefighters and EMTs who have student loans. The IAFF has been working with the Department of Education, the Biden administration and other stakeholders to make changes to the PSLF program in order to provide its members with student...

This week they’re looking at the marine industry and with it being mostly ship/ocean work, due to the unpredictability of varying factors such as weather, the ocean, the ship itself, and more, having the correct uniform and workwear shouldn’t be something that the workers should worry about. The importance of flotation suits and buoyancy aids can help protect workers when(if) falling into the ocean and sinking or drifting away. Initial cold shock Furthermore, with thermal properti...

Verint Systems (Verint), the globally renowned customer engagement company, has announced that Quadrant Knowledge Solutions has named Verint’s Experience Management a top performer and technology leader, in the 2021 SPARK Matrix Analysis of the Global Voice of the Customer (VoC) Platforms Market. Quadrant Knowledge Solutions conducted an in-depth analysis and evaluated the products, market presence, and value proposition for the major VoC platform vendors. Verint’s comprehensive te...

New Orleans, LA Local 632 has spearheaded a successful effort to secure a $15 per hour minimum wage for firefighters and paramedics, as well as all other city employees. The New Orleans Civil Service Commission, which is responsible for city personnel, approved the raise pushed by Local 632 and other labor advocacy groups and approved by the city council, for a living wage for all city employees. Next municipal budget The plan, which will cost the city approximately $11 million, will raise ba...

The Nomination Committee for Saab AB for the Annual General Meeting 2022 has now been appointed, based on the shareholder structure on August 31, 2021. Members of the Saab Nomination Committee are: Marcus Wallenberg, Chairman of the Board of Saab AB Petra Hedengran, Investor AB Peter Wallenberg Jr, Wallenberg Investments AB Ossian Ekdahl, Första AP-fonden Anders Algotsson, AFA Försäkring Nomination Committee for Saab AB The Nomination Committee represents approximately...

REV Group, Inc. announces the appointment of Eric Sandstrom as Senior Vice President, Engineering & Technology, a newly-created executive leadership position. The new role will play a critical part in evolving the product portfolio, optimizing engineering excellence, and product and powertrain design, innovation, and technological advancements. Prior to joining REV Group, Sandstrom was Global Chief Engineer - Electric Propulsion Systems at General Motors and led the team responsible for dev...

The London Fire Brigade successfully prosecuted a West London building owner, after major breaches of fire safety law were discovered, following a major blaze three years ago. On 9 August 2018, firefighters were called to a fire at a flat above a shop on Queensway in Bayswater, West London. It took 70 firefighters and ten fire engines to control the blaze that ravaged half of the four-story building. Two women were rescued from the building and treated for smoke inhalation at the scene. Absenc...

The new station has two bays adjoining the welfare accommodation which include a kitchen/dining space, office spaces and a gym area. The steel framed, brickwork constructed station also has some panelling and pre-finished, low maintenance windows, roof edging and other finishes. It offers a brilliant community facility, crewed by wholetime firefighters, providing emergency cover 24/7. The development program for the station began in May 2019, and culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony att...

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has been awarded ServiceMark accreditation by the Institute of Customer Service (ICS), following record feedback from customers and colleagues. It’s the first time a fire and rescue service has achieved this recognition, and it’s a national standard, independently recognizing an organization’s customer service excellence. ServiceMark assessment report The ServiceMark assessment report noted that, KFRS has "turned customer culture completel...

HSE is becoming the new regulator for high-risk residential buildings, as per the provisions in the draft Building Safety Bill. This is a major component of the government’s actions towards meeting Dame Judith Hackitts 53 recommendations from “Building a Safer Future”. HSE recently published the attached document introducing the principles of what they want to see in a safety case, TCOM N328. The document suggests a number of things that building owners and building safety man...

Over the last few weeks, Global is thrilled to have been partnering up with the team at Winkhaus to develop the skills and knowledge of composite fire doors. Winkhaus’ extensive expertise in their BM Trada Q Marked fire doors has been incredibly valuable, setting out the first steps in the journey with them. Global set its sights on the manufacturing and fabrication of its composite fire doors, looking to supply higher quality and safer doors to projects from their warehouse. With the hel...

With Britain in lockdown and government officials asking non-essential employees to work remotely, once fully occupied buildings and popular businesses are near vacant. To some, this may seem like an acceptable time to let fire protection take a back seat. Construction Industry There is confusion as to whether the government values construction as essential work and therefore if sites should remain open. In England, the government has recommended that construction should continue, as long as t...

The NFCC Academic Collaboration, Evaluation and Research Group (ACER) will get to work this autumn, led by Nottingham Trent University academic Dr. Rowena Hill. ACER will review research from both the UK and across the world, keeping a watching brief on lessons learned that could apply to UK fire and rescue services. The NFCC is keen for ACER to encourage approaches from academics who share areas for potential research. NFCC set up The NFCC set up NOL that analyzed incidents to then share lea...

The coatings company - Hempel welcomed over 200 guests to the inauguration of its new Campus, which features a newly constructed office building and a state-of-the art R&D facility. Hempel Campus is unique in its architectural approach and is the international headquarters for the Hempel Group. The coatings company, Hempel A/S, opened its doors to over 200 guests for the inauguration of its new Campus. Brighter future together Hempel A/S, opened its doors to over 200 guests for the inaugu...

Christmas markets and festive light switch-ons are among the most popular annual events in the United Kingdom (UK), bringing together communities and attracting tourists from far and wide. In 2020, many Christmas markets that had been a tradition for decades could not take place, due to the COVID-19 global pandemic and the subsequent restrictions, thereby causing disappointment to many visitors. Importance of security at public events However, in 2021, a number of UK Christmas markets are bac...

Passive fire protection (PFP) refers to products installed in a building to improve its fire safety rating. The products may be part of the initial makeup of the building, or they can be added post-construction to enhance the structure’s fire performance. The point of this type of protection is to keep people safe and to limit fire damage to the building’s structure and its contents. This is done by restricting the spread of fire and smoke, and shielding escape routes long enough fo...

A new qualification is now available for delivery by FireQual Approved Training Centers. This new qualification provides individuals with knowledge of the hazards and risks associated with fire in the workplace, how fire risk is controlled in the workplace, the principles and practice of fire safety management at work and the role of the nominated fire marshal. Basic fire fighting equipment This new qualification also requires individuals to demonstrate their ability to safely use portable fi...

A new qualification is available for delivery by FireQual Approved Training Centers. This new qualification provides individuals with knowledge of the hazards and risks associated with fire in the workplace, how fire risk is controlled in the workplace, the principles and practice of fire safety management at work, and the role of the nominated fire marshal. New qualification available This new qualification also requires individuals to demonstrate their ability to safely use portable fire fi...

Brother Mobile Solutions, a globally renowned provider of mobile, desktop, and industrial printing and labeling solutions, has announced the release of an agile, on-demand printing solution for the quick creation of safety signage and labels, which are required in modern workplaces and public spaces. Safety Labeling Solution The new on-demand Safety Labeling Solution pairs a Brother thermal transfer 4-inch printer with highly-intuitive safety signage design software, as well as a wide variety...

The installation of fire-stopping products provides effective passive fire protection for buildings of all types. Installing the correct products ensures that buildings meet the criteria of Document B – UK Building Regulations. In the event that the requirements of Document B and UK Building Regulations are not met, you may be served with an enforcement notice, as well as putting lives and property at risk. However, meeting these regulations prevents serious damage to property and moreove...

Firefighters in Canada’s Yukon Territory are welcoming news that their government is adding a number of cancers to those deemed occupational in firefighters, including two cancers that will be the first included in presumptive legislation anywhere in Canada. On September 17, Yukon Territory announced it will introduce legislation adding thyroid and pancreatic cancer to its list of presumptive coverage, which would make it the first jurisdiction in Canada to cover those illnesses. They are...

Fire Door Safety Week research reveals more than one in ten renters fear that raising fire safety concerns will affect their tenancy. There is cause to complain: a third of all renters have experienced fire doors being damaged or propped open and a quarter noticed a broken fire alarm in the last 12 months alone. With renters also concerned about whether reporting issues will even lead to them being fixed, the Fire Door Safety Week campaign is calling for fire safety to be urgently prioritized a...

Ardent is proud to announce that they have now obtained the latest version of P-Mark SPCR 199 certification for the Ardent Dual Agent Fire Suppression Systems. The P-Mark SPCR 199:2021 certification assesses the performance of fire suppression systems against realistic fire conditions and vehicle environmental aspects in engine compartments with combustion engines. The 2021 certification standard presents a new rating classification system over the previous 2017 version. SPCR 199:2021 certific...