Smart Home - News

In March 2021, the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is asking residents to test their smoke alarms regularly and make it a part of their weekly routine, in support of the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) month-long campaign. Smoke alarms are important for everyone’s safety and they can give those few extra seconds for people in distress to escape, in the event of a fire. Importance of smoke alarms in homes Statistics show that smoke alarms alerted households to...

The ISEE & CEFE Powered by INTERSCHUTZ, co-hosted by Beijing Safever Science & Technology Innovation Center, China National Machinery Industry International Co., Ltd. (SINOMACHINT), and Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai Ltd. will be held at Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center on December 8 – 10, 2021. The exhibition area is expected to be 30,000 square meters, with an estimated 400 exhibitors and 20,000 trade visits. ISEE & CEFE Powered by INTERSCHUTZ This exp...

At 11:04 pm on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) received reports of a house fire on Amity Road, in Reading, United Kingdom. Crews and officers from the Wokingham Road, Dee Road and Caversham Road Fire Stations, which come under the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, were sent to the scene. Fire survival guidance Thames Valley Fire Control Service gave the occupants crucial fire survival guidance over the phone Thames Valley Fire Control...

A common question that people have, when it comes to fire safety and fire protection systems, is ‘what’s the difference between fire alarms and smoke detectors?’ This guide highlights both types of equipment, explaining the differences, why fire alarm systems are required for commercial premises, and how smoke detectors play their part in fire protection. For any person or establishment needing a new fire alarm system for the premises, contact the TVF (UK) Limited team to get...

The report puts forward an argument against 'the threat of industrial action', referencing the two strikes that have occurred in the past twenty years over disputes for better working conditions and pay, before a plea to all policymakers to consider removing firefighters’ right to strike entirely.  Tensions are already high in the sector, with one in every five firefighters having been cut from the fire and rescue service since 2010. The report also criticizes the pace of change with...

Devastation from Winter Storm Uri continues in Texas. In Harris County, the state’s most populous county and home to Houston, hundreds of cases of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning have been reported and thousands remain without power. In response, Kidde, in partnership with KTRK ABC-13 Houston, is donating 750 CO alarms and 250 smoke alarms to the Houston Fire Department as part of the Operation Save A Life program, a public service initiative designed to educate consumers on the d...

Marioff announced Germany’s tallest residential building, located in Frankfurt am Main’s Europaviertel district, is now protected by its HI-FOG® water mist fire protection system.  Soaring at a height of 180 meters, the Grand Tower boasts more than 400 apartments, including several penthouses, and is an impressive part of the Frankfurt am Main skyline. Marioff, a leading developer of water mist fire protection technology, is a part of Carrier Global Corpor...

CLC launches 'industry mega-poll to track the impact of PI insurance crisis'. Companies from across the industry are being asked to take part in the biggest-ever review of construction’s growing professional indemnity insurance crisis. In recent years, firms from across the industry have reported sharp increases in premiums for PI insurance, while also seeing stricter curbs on the levels of cover. Some firms have reported four-fold increases in policy costs, while others have said that th...

Kistler O’Brien Fire Protection is excited to welcome a new offering to its robust Fire Safety Training program, its first-ever Live Virtual Fire Training, a convenient and productive way for business owners to achieve peace of mind! As many know, in the last year, working remotely has become a necessity for businesses everywhere. Whether it is a portion of an organization or the entire staff, having the ability to continue operations remotely has made a significant change for many busine...

Upon BAFE’s acquisition of the Fire Industry Association (FIA) Awarding Organization last year, FireQual was established and has been diligently working on developing this platform to offer qualifications for individuals working in the fire safety industry. FireQual’s development FireQual is pleased to announce that approval has now been achieved from both Northern Ireland’s (CCEAR) and Scotland’s (SQAA) regulatory bodies to offer qualifications covering fire safety w...

The pioneer of the UK’s largest fire protection trade association has chosen the ‘Best of British’ manufacturing for new fire extinguishers throughout his fire equipment factory.  Derek Gotts, the Chair of the Fire Industry Association, has fitted Britannia Fire’s game-changing composite P50 across his Cambridgeshire factory that makes and supplies equipment for fire and rescue services. Seamless The Supply Plus Managing Director, who also sits on several British...

Marion Body Works, a manufacturer of fire & emergency apparatus, has announced the addition of Neville Fleet Service to its dealer network. As of January 1, 2021, Neville Fleet Service is the official Marion Body Works dealer for Long Island, NY. Neville Fleet Service’s commitment to high-quality custom products was a huge driving factor in the partnership with Marion Body Works. best products available "The Neville Team is excited for the opportunity to bring Marion Fire Apparatus...

Globally renowned highway and security barrier specialists company, Hardstaff Barriers is proud to hold Constructionline Platinum membership for another year, highlighting the company’s continually high standards in performance, safety and efficiency. Constructionline provides a platform for buyers to identify quality construction suppliers which are validated and assessed in line with their membership standard. Platinum membership is the highest level that can be reached. Constructionli...

With all residents of the US state of California worried about ‘wildfires’, fire protection is primarily on everyone’s mind right now. No home is totally fireproof. However, with the right precautions, one can help safeguard their home, belongings and family, in the event of a wildfire. Making homes wildfire-resistant Listed below are just a few ways to quickly increase a property’s resistance to fire damage: Install tempered glass, multi-pane windows and screens If...

Alexander Enström joins coatings manufacturer, Hempel, to lead its marine organization, as Hempel looks to build on its leadership position in the marine industry. With a strategic ambition to double revenue by 2025, Hempel is keen to build on its leadership position in the marine segment. Hempel is already the pioneer in fuel-saving hull coatings and fuel-efficiency monitoring services, which help marine customers reduce fuel costs and radically lower their carbon footprint. The company...

There are many ways that portable gas detectors for personal use can deliver individual protection for key staff, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kevin O'Donnell, EMEA Business Development Manager at Teledyne (Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection), has answered some pertinent queries regarding the same. COVID-19 and gas detection link The packaging, transportation and storage of COVID-19 vaccines at low temperatures necessitate the use of dry ice, which is a form of carbon dioxide (CO2). If CO2 esca...

GFE is delighted to introduce a new module, the ZONE-MIMIC. Assembled in a Dual Gang (DG) Box, the ZONE-MIMIC is designed to be used with GFE's Chameleon addressable control panels. Features  The GFE team has developed a module for ‘Mimic Boards LEDs’, to signal fire conditions or system status for each individual zone. It also features a ‘lamp test’ input, a buzzer driver output, and a ‘local’ buzzer silence input. These are just some of the many feat...

An inspection by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) confirmed that Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service (RBFRS) has adapted and responded to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic effectively, thereby highlighting the additional support that the fire service has been offering its communities, throughout this public health crisis. RBFRS response to COVID-19 In August 2020, the UK Home Secretary commissioned HMICFRS to examine how fire and rescue...

Volunteers are special people, willing to share their time and passion to help others, simply because they care and want to make a difference. Those inspirational individuals form an important part of Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), working alongside operational crews and office-based teams to help keep communities across Kent and Medway safe. Trying new challenges KFRS is fortunate to have 34 volunteers supporting a range of roles, and now the service is looking to welcome more people...

The Agility team is excited to announce the addition of Solid Responder LLC as their first exclusive authorized dealer for the US State of Florida. Solid Responder Solid Responder is the brainchild of Joe Hernandez from Disaster Medical Solutions, who has served as the DHS/FEMA National Coordinator and Lead Instructor for the US&R Medical Team Training Program and Lead SME for current curriculum development at FEMA. Solid Responder provides equipment designed, developed, tested, and prove...

Warwickshire residents are warned to check their chimneys as Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service has attended a series of chimney fires across the county in recent times. The Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service have been called out for multiple chimney fire incidents in Leamington Spa, Rugby and Northend, in the United Kingdom, just in the last seven days. Chimneys need to be swept regularly Residents are reminded that chimneys must be swept regularly by approved chimney sweeps, as consiste...

AVK International (AVK) is pleased to announce a new range of universal and dedicated encapsulation collars for repair of pipe sockets and pipe walls. Hydro Stop, Hydro Fast and Hydro Smart are ideal for performing safe and permanent repair under pressure. Hydro-Cos. S.r.l., the new member of the AVK Group, has developed a wide range of universal and dedicated encapsulation collars, and can also offer completely customized solutions for any leak. Standard encapsulation collars The standard en...

For anyone who is not aware and is responsible for fire extinguishers within their building, there has been a change for class D Powder extinguishers (which are used for metal fires). This change has been introduced with BS 5306-10:2019, published 31/10/2020, and supersedes BS 7863:2009 (which is withdrawn). clearer differentiation Guidance published in December 2020 by FIA (Fire Industry Association), states, “The major change is the color-code for class D Powder extinguishers (fo...

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is on a mission to encourage the people of Kent and Medway to help keep hydrants healthy in their local area. Located all over the county, fire hydrants provide firefighters with access to a steady flow of water to fight fires. They are used by crews whenever they need more water than they’re able to carry on fire engines, and can be a vital asset for firefighters. However, if they’re ever damaged or obscured, it could waste valuable minutes for c...

Innovative manufacturer of fire detection equipment, Global Fire Equipment (GFE), has added to its product portfolio with the launch of G-One, a versatile addressable single loop fire control panel with advanced connectivity. The G-One has been designed with affordability and flexibility in mind. Thanks to its sophisticated design, easy installation, and intuitive commissioning, it is an ideal solution for a wide range of single loop applications, from offices and restaurants, to shops, schools...

The Bundeswehr plans to equip its infantry with unmanned ground vehicles for the transport of material and weapons. It has tested various off-the-shelf systems in a variety of operational scenarios as part of two troop exercises. The Fraunhofer FKIE provided technical and scientific support for the tests. The results demonstrate the high potential of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and the level of maturity they have already attained. The conclusion among soldiers and experts was unanimous: the...

Despite 2020 bringing unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service has continued to deliver vital services to the residents of Cambridgeshire. While maintaining an effective emergency response, staff have been delivering safety advice and supporting the health sector in the battle against COVID-19. Challenges  Even before the COVID-19 pandemic fully began in March, Storms Ciara and Dennis hit the county with high winds reaching between 50...

The United Kingdom is one of the most economically developed and technologically advanced nations in the world. The world has seen some state-of-the-art technologies emerging from the UK. Customer satisfaction Being a consumer in a mature market such as the UK has its own privileges; customers here have some of the best choices of products and services at their disposal. The same is true for the fire trade. However, there are some areas that, if addressed can take customer satisfaction levels...

Smoke is a by-product of fire. It is a dangerous mix of unburnt gases and solid particles. Smoke is formed due to the incomplete combustion of the material. During complete combustion, everything is burned, producing just water and carbon dioxide as the by-products. During incomplete combustion the fuel is not burnt completely leaving behind a lot of residue; smoke being one of them. Smoke is a collection of these tiny unburned particles. Each particle is too small to be seen with the naked eye...

The FY2021 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) opened on Monday, January 4, 2021 and closes on Friday, February 12th, 2021, at 5 pm ET, so if users haven’t already begun preparing, hurry and head over to FEMA’s Guidance Materials ASAP to take advantage of this tremendous opportunity to fund the department’s health, wellness and safety.