Smart Home - News

In the latest episode of Assembly Point, FPA Director of Operations - Howard Passey talks to Lewis Ramsey, Caretaker Manager at BAFE to examine the key issues and areas to consider when looking at fire risk management in buildings that are occupied by vulnerable persons. Howard and Lewis also explore the criticality of active and passive fire systems being suitable for the purpose, installed correctly, and that their subsequent maintenance and testing is undertaken by an accredited third party....

The Brigade currently has just 24 fire safety advisers and nearly 200 Inspecting Officers, but with the pressure to inspect high-rise buildings, it must increase its workforce. The Brigade will use part of the £9.4 million it received from the Home Office to improve its fire protection activities. It has already used some of this funding to create a Building Risk Review team to review the 8,000 high-rise residential blocks in London. This work is due to be completed by December this year....

The event organizers for A+A Congress 2021 (A+A Dusseldorf 2021) have announced that this year’s trade fair, scheduled to take place in Dusseldorf, Germany (from October 26-29, 2021), will take place in-person. A+A Congress 2021 In typical circumstances, MSA Safety Incorporated is a regular attendee and exhibitor at the event, as A + A has proven to be one of the world’s foremost safety events. After careful consideration, however, MSA Safety Incorporated has decided not to exhibit...

In front of hun­dreds of indus­try lead­ers, the win­ners of the Con­struc­tion News Spe­cial­ists Awards were revealed at The Brew­ery, in Lon­don, United Kingdom, in Octo­ber 2021. Site secu­ri­ty spe­cial­ist, VPS Site Security Ltd. (VPS) tri­umphed dur­ing a rig­or­ous judg­ing process in front of an expert pan­el of judges, to win ‘Equip­ment Spe­cial­ist of the Ye...

Ceasefire UK (Ceasefire Industries UK), a renowned manufacturer of fire safety solutions believes that many businesses are wise to be seeking ‘green and clean’ products for firefighting and educating all potential users of them, ahead of an incident. Official findings from the UK Home Office’s online Incident Recording System (IRS) shows that the public used fire extinguishers in just seven per cent (4,828) of the 68,757 primary fires attended by the fire and rescue services,...

The goal of Crash Responder Safety Week (CRSW) is to reach out to every emergency responder, every driver, and every passenger to educate them on how to play their part in ensuring safe responses at roadway incidents. Why is CRSW important? Emergency responders (police, fire, medical, etc.) risk being killed or injured by passing vehicles when on the scene of a roadside emergency. 50 responders so far this year have been killed when struck by a vehicle while responding to a road...

XCMG is exhibiting emergency and rescue solutions of four major categories, geological disasters, high-rise rescue, petrochemical fires, and flood disasters, at the China Fire 2021 fire safety event, which opened on October 12, 2021, in Beijing, China. China Fire 2021 Ranked in the world's top three exhibitions for fire protection and emergency rescue, the four-day trade show, China Fire 2021 is an international platform for industry-renowned products and advanced technologies. XCMG’s l...

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...

With the many complexities in implementing a state-of-the-art safety program, combined with the millions of workplace injuries that continue to occur every year, the value of technology that simplifies safety procedures and connects safety managers to their employees, who are working in hazardous environments, has never been more important. MSA Connected Work Platform That’s why MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA), a globally renowned company in worker safety technology and solutions, has intr...

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...

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 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...

Go is the new-generation, single-loop fire alarm control panel from Advanced. Versatile and packed with premium features, Go provides cost-effective access to MxPro 5 range performance, quality and ease of use, in a simpler, non-networkable format, for complete fire protection peace of mind. Available to order from October 2021, Go is the ideal solution for a wide range of single-panel sites, including restaurants, bars and guesthouses to small offices, shops, salons and surgeries. Go fire ala...

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...

With the New Year underway, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is supporting this month’s Fire Kills smoke alarm purchasing campaign, urging households across the County to make sure they fit smoke alarms on every level of their home. Many people see January as an opportunity for a fresh start, making it the perfect time to ensure prioritizing fire safety in 2021.  The latest fire statistics reveal that one smoke alarm may not be enough to provide the best chance of esca...

Inflexion is pleased to announce it has made a majority investment in Detectortesters (No Climb Products Ltd.), the foremost global manufacturer of fire detector testing equipment. The investment is being made by Inflexion Buyout Fund V. Founded in 1965, Detectortesters designs and produces solutions that enable testing of smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide fire detectors. With a worldwide customer base, consisting mainly of field service engineers, the business exports its products to over 130 c...

Johnson Controls, the globally renowned company in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings solutions, has introduced Tyco Kantech KT-2, adaptable two-door controllers, which is cost-effective, easy-to-install and operate, for small-to-medium sized businesses. Tyco Kantech KT-2 door controller This new door controller expands Johnson Controls line of multi-door control solutions, purposely designed for retailers, medical offices, warehouses and businesses, with needs ranging from one door to t...

Johnson Controls, the globally renowned company in smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings solutions, has announced the release of the Zettler Profile Lite range of addressable fire alarm control panels, to the Asia Pacific markets. The two new addressable panel models, Pro215 Lite and Pro415 Lite have color LCD screens with 32 zonal LEDs integrated into a simple interface, which helps reduce operator errors. Both Profile Lite panel models feature red housing options, ideal for facilities tha...

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...

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...

Fully compliant with IEC TR 63079:2017 and the field strength requirements stipulated in BS 5839-9, the PDA103i is a self-contained hearing loop system specifically designed to integrate with disabled refuge, door entry, and intercom help points. Brian Foster, C-TEC’s UK Sales Manager, said: “We’ve created the new PDA103i to comply with the accessibility and integrated loop requirements in the Equality Act and the latest version of BS 8300. The system connects easily to outsta...

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...

A necessity in most places, fire extinguishers are designed to be recognizable and practical. In case of an emergency, people need to be able to spot fire extinguishers quickly and know what extinguisher to use and how to use it. That being said, Anglia Fire Protection understands that fire extinguishers are not the prettiest of things and people often want them to be discrete, or even worse, completely out of sight. This is a complete health and safety no no! extinguisher engineers offer expe...

Module 5 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry focuses on firefighting, with opening statements setting out a detailed analysis of operational, cultural, and leadership shortcomings of the London Fire Brigade. The Inquiry is interested in how the London Fire Brigade trained and prepared its staff for responding to fires in all buildings as construction methods have changed over the decades. Different legal firms Module 5 began with opening statements from three different legal firms, representing the...

To help support the Fire Door Safety Week 2021 campaign, ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland has announced the launch of a new best practice guide - ‘Fire Doorsets’ guide, on how to specify, install, maintain and inspect fire-certified doorsets in residential and commercial buildings. ‘Fire Doorsets’ guide The ‘Fire Doorsets’ best practice guide has been compiled, based on the knowledge and expertise of ASSA ABLOY’s FDIS-trained inspectors, a...

FireQual is developing a qualification that will look to provide the underpinning knowledge and the skills required by those who work within the area of fire door installation. In addition, reflecting on the core messages of the reports, Building a Safer Future – Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety (May 2018) and Setting the Bar (2020), FireQual will be looking at how core practical competencies of individuals can be accurately and consistently assessed. FireQual t...