Barbados Fire Industry News

Toronto based Bladefence has taken the delivery of a 70-meter Bronto S70XR aerial work platform. This is the first S70XR aerial platform mounted on a Kenworth chassis. The Bronto S70XR features 70-meter working height, 38-meter outreach and with this configuration on Kenworth T800 chassis a total weight of 32.5 tons. Mounting As a long time customer, we are happy to receive this new unit and to continue our long-standing cooperation" Mounting on the chassis was done at Bronto Skylift’s...

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) has announced the resumption of all audit and assessment activity from 1st June 2020, in light of the current Government 'go to work if are unable to work from home' guidance. Government guidance allows all employers to resume activity in the workplace where appropriate, including professional services that cannot be delivered remotely, such as NSI on-site audits. NSI’s discretion NSI recognizes all Government guidance regarding social distancing...

Rave Mobile Safety (Rave), the trusted provider of safety communications solutions, announced its Coronavirus Recovery Solution to create a safe environment for returning workers and restoring business operations. Used by over 8,000 corporations, healthcare organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies, the Rave Coronavirus Recovery Solution allow leaders to streamline communication workflows, conduct daily health checks, support individual wellness and engage with their orga...

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) has announced the resumption of all audit and assessment activity from 1 June 2020, in light of current Government “go to work if you are unable to work from home” guidance. Government guidance allows all employers to resume activity in the workplace where appropriate, including professional services that cannot be delivered remotely, such as NSI on-site audits. NSI will utilize a combination of remote audit and on-site audit capability in ac...

New government legislation due to come into force in the United Kingdom on July 1st will require electrical installations in privately rented properties to be tested and inspected at least once every 5 years. The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector Regulations (2020) will require landlords to enlist qualified electricians to complete inspections and provide certification to tenants – or face fines of up to £30,000. While the risk of fire can never be entire...

There have been challenges with completing fire safety maintenance and installation projects during the current Covid-19 crisis, most notably as a result of the difficulties for installers in safely accessing sites. Many construction projects halted for lockdown and this resulted in approximately 50% of the British installers we work with having to furlough staff. The challenges, however, are not just restricted to the UK. With Kentec panels sold in more than 90 countries across the world, we ha...

The government announced the publication of its response to the consultation it undertook on ADB, publishing at the same time an amendment to ADB that ‘extends the provision of sprinklers in blocks of high-rise residential buildings to those buildings with a top floor height of 11 meters above ground level’. This announcement also contained ‘new guidance on consistent wayfinding signage’ for fire and rescue service (FRS) personnel in such buildings. mixed-use and reside...

In an open letter to the federal government, the state governments, and several members of the Bundestag, the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb) suggested a digitalization pact for hazard prevention. The Corona crisis, which Germany has managed well so far thanks to the efforts of everyone involved, still shows clearly that there are significant gaps, when it comes to digitalization. economic stimulus package “Too many processes are still carried out analogou...

Staff across Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service have been paying tribute to Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade (PVFB) firefighter - Will Baker who sadly died yesterday evening. A colleague, aged 40, discovered Will at the volunteer fire station in the city. His death is not being treated as suspicious. Will had been a volunteer firefighter for 12 years. Known for his commitment to the brigade and the people he served, he was always true to the brigade’s motto of &lsquo...

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) is funding research to find ways to significantly reduce the cost of retrofitting existing homes with lifesaving residential fire sprinkler systems. USFA hope to reduce both the amount of water needed and the complexity of installing sprinklers while providing time for occupants to escape a fire in their home. Obstacles to retrofitting homes More than 80% of fire deaths occur in homes. Residential fire sprinklers are a proven technology that reduces th...

The government announced the publication of its response to the consultation it undertook on ADB, publishing at the same time an amendment to ADB that ‘extends the provision of sprinklers in blocks of high-rise residential buildings to those buildings with a top floor height of 11 meters above ground level’. New guidance on consistent wayfinding signage This announcement also contained ‘new guidance on consistent wayfinding signage’ for fire and rescue service (FRS) per...

Ian Moore, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Fire Industry Association (FIA), would like to inform you that the long awaited update to The Building Regulations 2010, specifically Approved Document B (ADB): Fire safety, Volumes 1 and 2, is now available from the Government website. Building Regulations 2010 Update The changes highlighted in this amendment take effect on 26 November 2020 for use in England, until then the 2019 edition will continue to apply (within certain listed constrai...

At 01:47 hours, E811 responded as the working fire dispatch engine to a house fire in the 6000 block of 34th Ave, in Company 1’s area. Units on scene reported a two-story single-family home with smoke showing and began operations on division 1. E811 responded with 6 and upon arrival performed a brief 360, locating fire in the basement Charlie/Delta quadrant. At the direction of command, E811 advanced a line through the Bravo-side basement door. The crew was met with zero visibility and de...

Ian Moore, CEO of the FIA, would like to inform that the long awaited update to The Building Regulations 2010, specifically Approved Document. B (ADB): Fire safety, Volumes 1 and 2, is now available from the Government website. The changes highlighted in this amendment take effect on 26 November 2020 for use in England, until then the 2019 edition will continue to apply (within certain listed constraints). The changes focus on the fire safety provisions in blocks of flats for water-based extin...

Johnson Controls has announced that it is expanding its GRINNELL G-Fire One-Bolt coupling product line by adding two new sizes - 1.25 and 1.5 inches. The new, smaller couplings allow contractors to perform easy and quick installations on smaller diameter piping and in tight spaces. GRINNELL G-Fire One-Bolt As part of the One-Bolt family, both couplings feature the unique, single-bolt design that eliminates alternate tightening while resulting in more consistent installations and dependable pro...

With COVID-19 - coronavirus lockdown measures in place slowly beginning to ease, BAFE strongly advises that fire safety measures are not overlooked or deferred further. There is a bombardment of information coming out regarding the coronavirus pandemic and the changes to the ‘new normal’, that users are becoming accustomed to.    BAFE has been keeping abreast of this information and hopes users have found the news provided on the BAFE website useful. fire safety measur...

Marion Body Works is committed to providing an environment for students to explore their career paths and develop their professional skill set well before entering the workforce.  It is part of the initiative to provide a place of learning, and ultimately an exceptional place of employment, to the next generation.  MBW is pleased to welcome a talented group of high school and college students to the 2020 Internship Program where they will work side-by-side with full-time employees to...

The new Coopers Fire HQ, named Ignis House, is one of the first units to be built in the new industrial estate in Waterlooville called Proxima Park. Coopers Fire looks forward to growing further and becoming a more efficient and productive business in the company’s new home. Employees at Coopers Fire are really pleased with the modern facilities and improved working environment in the new factory and office. Proxima Park is located in Waterlooville, just 2 miles from the A3(M) Junction 3,...

Well-insulated buildings can maintain a comfortable interior temperature for about four days on just a single day of heating enabling them to decarbonize urban environments by optimizing renewable energy sources, says a new study. The research commissioned by Knauf Insulation Italy and supervised by Lorenzo Pagliano, Professor of Building Physics at the Department of Energy of the Polytechnic, University of Milan, found that this long-term temperature storage created flexible physically smart b...

There is a bombardment of information coming out regarding the coronavirus pandemic and the changes to the ‘new normal’ all are becoming accustomed to. BAFE has been keeping abreast of this information and hopes one finds news provided on the BAFE website useful. With coronavirus lockdown measures in place slowly beginning to ease BAFE strongly advises that fire safety measures are not overlooked or deferred further. Stephen Adams, Chief Executive – BAFE, has been discussing t...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has announced that its members will receive a discount on entry passes for Interschutz USA 2020 event, which is slated to take place from October 13th to October 17th, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. NVFC stated that this would include free exhibit hall passes and savings on both three-day and one-day conference passes, as well as pre-conference workshops and hands-on training. In addition, early bird tickets’ discount rates have been ex...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has announced that Firehouse Expo has been rescheduled to take place from October 30th to November 1st, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. National Volunteer Fire Council members can take advantage of free exhibit hall admission and US$ 50 off the three-day conference package.

On June 17, Marc Warren will complete a one-day, 150-mile bicycle ride through the Great Allegheny Passage to raise awareness about the importance of firefighter/EMS behavioral health. Inspired by his daughter, Ali Rothrock’s work for first responder mental health, Warren is hoping to raise US$ 2,500 to support the NVFC’s Share the Load program. As a lifelong athlete, Marc Warren is no stranger to physically grueling endeavors. But this time he is using his skills to raise money for...

On May 15, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, which would provide approximately US$ 3 trillion in assistance, to help the nation deal with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The bill includes a number of provisions to assist fire, EMS, and rescue departments, including: Provides US$ 500 million through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, for the purchase of personal protective equipm...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) created a survey to better understand the experiences of volunteers and combination fire, EMS, and rescue departments in dealing with the outbreak of COVID-19 and related social distancing measures. Fire/EMS survey The NVFC asked individuals to take a few minutes to complete the COVID-19 Impact on Fire/EMS Survey and is also encouraging re-taking the survey periodically (no more than once per week), so that the company can track changes in the respons...

As of April 2020, there were 301,960 miles of natural gas transmission lines in the United States along with 17,414 miles of gathering and 1,328,271 miles of distribution lines. There is an additional 218,851 miles of liquid transport lines in service in the U.S. The footprint touches all 50 states and poses a response consideration for approximately 85 percent of the nation’s fire service. Natural gas incidents Most natural gas incidents involve either motor vehicle crashes where a serv...

Around 05:44 hours, E811 was alerted to respond to the 4400 block of Powder Mill Rd as the third due engine to a working house fire in Co. 31’s area with reported people trapped. Units on scene reported a two-story Cape Cod with a basement, with fire showing. E811 turned out with 5 and went line-over-ladder into Division 1 from side Charlie. E811 pulled the ceiling, knocked hotspots, and checked for extensions on Division 1. C811 responded with the working fire dispatch and operated as Di...

The Scottish Government has published its route map for moving out of lockdown. This is their Publication of key phases of changing restrictions. Scotland’s route map News published alongside this document states, "The COVID-19: Framework for Decision Making - Scotland’s route map through and out of the crisis–gives practical examples of what people, organizations and businesses can expect to see change over time.” It adds, “The route map gives an indication of t...

SSAIB has announced publishing its policy statement for COVID-19 Remote Auditing. The policy covers BAFE, British Approvals for Fire Equipment schemes with SSAIB remote auditing procedures in place. A BAFE statement added that they will endeavor to publish information from all BAFE Licensed Certification Bodies as this is made available. Information from SSAIB: The following strategy has been implemented to allow continuation of certification services by the SSAIB, during the exceptional circu...

Among volunteer fire departments, spring is a prime season for fundraising. But not in 2020. Concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus have ruled out the possibility of large public gatherings. A consequence of the coronavirus shutdown is cancellation of hundreds of volunteer fire department fundraisers across the United States – from fish fries to bingo to hog roasts to chicken barbecues. No more carnivals or spaghetti suppers or gun raffles. And departments are losing thousand...