United Kingdom (UK) Fire Industry News

RESCUE Intellitech AB, the innovative Swedish manufacturer of decon washers for SCBAs, face masks and other PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), such as boots, gloves, and helmets, has announced that their recently launched DeconWasher Pro S will be available for orders on the global market as of now. After a successful introduction on the North American market earlier in 2022 spring season, RESCUE Intellitech AB will now showcase the new machine at INTERSCHUTZ 2022, which is taking place in Ha...

BAFE and FireQual joint statement on the fifth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower Fire (14/06/2017). Both BAFE and FireQual remember the Grenfell Tower fire and on this day would like to pay respects to all affected individuals of this disastrous event. BAFE’s remit to define the competency of organizations working within the sector has a primary focus on life safety. While damage limitation to the building is also desired, mitigating risk to life is the key factor here. Building Saf...

With temperatures heating up in Cambridgeshire this week, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) would like to remind residents of important outdoor fire safety and water safety advice. Head of Fire Prevention for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, Group Commander Ed Miller said, “We tend to see an increase in calls to fires during spells of hot weather. This does result in our crews spending significant time at incidents that could be avoided.” He adds, “We know...

Both BAFE and FireQual remember the Grenfell Tower fire and on this day would like to pay respects to all affected individuals of this disastrous event. In BAFE’s remit to define the competency of organizations working within the sector, this has a primary focus on life safety. Whilst damage limitation to the building is also desired, mitigating risk to life is the key factor here. Employing competent people Recent developments following the fire have been steps in the right direction....

The Great Resignation has particular consequences in the sphere of fire and rescue services. When it comes to public safety departments, the trend toward employees quitting their jobs could become a matter of life and death. One factor driving the Great Resignation is the wide availability of new opportunities in a tight labor market. Another factor is baby boomers nearing retirement age who decide to call it quits. Burnout A third is a burnout as employees rethink their priorities and work-l...

Dräger, a pioneer in the fields of medical and safety technology, has been awarded two iF Design Awards for its PSS AirBoss self-contained breathing apparatus and HPS SafeGuard helmet for excellence in their respective idea, form, function, differentiation, and impact. iF Design Awards The iF Design Awards are recognized as a symbol of design excellence around the world, with this year’s entries coming from a total of 49 countries. Each entry is scored during a three-day process wh...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) regional administrator has authorized the use of federal funds, in order to assist the US state of Arizona, in combatting the Pipeline Fire burning, in the Coconino County, United States of America (USA). On June 12, the state of Arizona submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire threatened approximately 2,100 homes in and around Doney Park, Timberline and Black Bill Park. The fir...

In May 2022, the Environment Agency’s Waste Industry Regulatory Services and Chemical Compliance Team (EA) advised the Fire Industry Association (FIA) that they are applying a restriction on persistent organic pollutants entering sewerage systems and the water environment. This group of chemicals is known to have adverse long-term effects on the environment and human health, and can be found in some fire extinguishers. Chemicals in fire extinguishers The chemicals, often known as POPs,...

The first severe forest fires of this summer in some southern countries, but also in Germany, are a clear indication of the explosive development in vegetation fires, according to the vegetation fire expert in the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb), Dr. Ulrich Cimolino. Just recently - as several times in previous years - the Spanish tourist stronghold Costa del Sol was affected. There, more than 3000 people, including many tourists, had to be brought to safety. the...

For a business owner, chances are that they have been told that the restaurant needs to comply with fire safety regulations. But what does that mean? And what are the specific fire safety regulations need to be aware of as a restaurant owner or manager?  This piece takes through the most important fire safety regulations for restaurants, so owners can ensure the business complies. Stay safe and informed! The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Restaurant owners are responsible for...

Over 100 firefighters from West Midlands Fire Service were called to the Smurfit Kappa recycling plant in Nechells, Birmingham on Sunday 12 June 2022. major blaze West Midlands Fire Service sent over 30 appliances to the scene of a major blaze where “there was around 8,000 tons of compressed cardboard on fire," according to Area Commander, Sam Burton. Firefighters are expected to be at the site for the next two days. The fire was declared a major incident and saw the A47 Heartlands...

The Optimum Group (Optimum Drywall Systems Ltd) is delighted to share the changes that have been underway, as part of their fire-stopping team restructure. They have recently secured some great projects with clients, both old and new, and are excited to deliver them with a fresh and talented Fire Stopping Team. They have a new leadership structure, promoted from an established and experienced management team, and added some exceptional new talent to create a department that can provide a reliab...

Oshkosh Corporation, an innovator of mission-critical vehicles and essential equipment, announced that it has completed the acquisition of Maxi-Métal Inc. (MAXIMETAL) of Saint-Georges de Beauce, Quebec, Canada. MAXIMETAL is a pioneer in the design and manufacture of custom fire apparatus and utility vehicles in the Canadian market and will be part of Oshkosh’s Fire & Emergency segment. Quality and reliability “MAXIMETAL is an organization known for quality, reliabilit...

Kidde, the No. 1 most installed fire safety brand in North America, is expanding its Healthy Homes offerings with the launch of Kidde HomeSafe™ enabled devices. This comprehensive suite of home health and safety devices comprises fully integrated solutions that enable whole-home detection of smoke, carbon monoxide, indoor air quality issues, water leaks, and frozen pipes. HomeSafe technology Kidde’s HomeSafe technology connects these Wi-Fi-enabled advanced smart home devices and t...

The Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Fire Standard focuses on ensuring fire and rescue services are prepared to respond to major incidents and large-scale emergencies or disruptive challenges (emergencies). One of the desired outcomes of the Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Fire Standard is that services will contribute effectively to national resilience requirements and have suitable and sufficient access to resources and assets to support response to local, regio...

Frontline firefighters in Tyne and Wear are benefitting from a ground-breaking new scheme, which sees them being trained in first aid and trauma support by a leading North East paramedic educator. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) have teamed up with the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS), in a scheme believed to be the first of its kind in England. TWFRS – NEAS partnership It has seen Paramedic Educator, Phil Barlow, who has 15-years frontline experience being seconded to...

Angus Fire is pleased to announce that the company has donated a wide range of much needed firefighting hose, branch pipes and other firefighting equipment to firefighters in Ukraine, in order to help them protect buildings, critical assets and help them to save lives.

Fire safety checks will need to be redone on more than 1,600 council homes, because of concerns previous inspections may have been conducted by unqualified officials. The revelation is the latest twist in a long-running saga, which emerged last year when Norwich City Council admitted hundreds of people in its properties were potentially put in danger because crucial safety inspections of fire, water, and electrics had not been done. Overdue gas checks Since then, £1.2 million has been s...

Fire safety checks will need to be redone on more than 1,600 council homes, because of concerns previous inspections may have been conducted by unqualified officials. The revelation is the latest twist in a long-running saga, which emerged last year when Norwich City Council admitted hundreds of people in its properties were potentially put in danger because crucial safety inspections of fire, water, and electrics had not been done. Overdue gas checks Since then, £1.2 million has been s...

Recent research from Duke University involved firefighters wearing silicon wristbands on and off the job. The silicon absorbs any semi-volatile organic compounds the firefighters may have been exposed to. The wristbands worn by firefighters were analyzed for 134 different chemical compounds, including phthalates, brominated flame retardants, organophosphate esters, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), all of which have been linked to increased...

Recent research from Duke University involved firefighters wearing silicon wristbands on and off the job. The silicon absorbs any semi-volatile organic compounds the firefighters may have been exposed to. The wristbands worn by firefighters were analyzed for 134 different chemical compounds, including phthalates, brominated flame retardants, organophosphate esters, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), all of which have been linked to increased...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) welcomes the publication of the new Building Safety Bill but remains concerned about the length of time it may take to pass through Parliament, the continued lack of funding and support for leaseholders, and the delay in defining product safety criteria, with much of the detailed regulation expected to be contained within secondary legislation. Establishment of a new Building Safety Regulator The ASFP welcomes the establishment of a new Bu...

As the cost of living soars across the UK, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is urging people to take fire safety precautions in the home to stay safe. The advice comes ahead of NFCC’s national Home Fire Safety Week taking place between June 13th and 19th which aims to keep people safer from fire in their homes. Cause of fires NFCC is concerned that people may put themselves at additional risk as to the cost of living increases and remind people to buy, charge and run electrical p...

Howe & Howe is collaborating with Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) to add new and emerging technologies to the training services TEEX offers. Since 1929, TEEX has offered on-site and online training resources for more than 200,000 people per year in areas such as fire and rescue, infrastructure and safety, law enforcement, economic and workforce development, and homeland security. state-of-the-art firefighting robot Howe & Howe are loaning TEEX a Thermite® RS1,...

Briggs & Stratton has announced that Kristina Cerniglia has joined the Company as Senior Vice President (SVP) & Chief Financial Officer (CFO). She joins Briggs & Stratton after serving eight years at Hillenbrand, Inc., as Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer. Prior to Hillenbrand, Inc., she spent 23 years in the financial organizations at Stanley Black & Decker and United Technologies Corporation. Kristina Cerniglia currently serves on the Board of Directors for L...

The classic car parade and the motorcycle meeting on INTERSCHUTZ Saturday - this demonstration is likely to have rarity value not only in Hanover. On 25 June 2022, around 50 fire engines will drive through Hanover in a long procession. The special feature: Together they should have around 2,000 years or more under their belt. This is because the convoy, which will make its way from INTERSCHUTZ to downtown Hannover in the morning and, after a breather in front of the New Town Hall, back to the e...

Under guidance from the Architects Registration Board, architectural students are set for a change in curriculum. Karen Trigg of Allegion UK explores this decision and why industry collaboration is central to improving fire safety education and paving the way to a safer future. In evolving construction industry, the approach to building design is ever-shifting. Yet, as the complexity of projects intensifies, safety and sustainability remain fundamental areas of focus, and according to architect...

Warringtonfire, a pioneer in fire testing, inspection and certification services, has completed the second in a series of three studies at the request of the Flemish Government, that focus on fire safety in residential care buildings. When asked about the goals of the second study, also called the VIPA2 study, Pieter Poppe - project manager, stated, "We wanted to identify the effectiveness of smoke control measures using five large-scale fire tests and additional CFD-simulations (CFD: Computati...

When an organization’s job is to respond to fires, explosions, or any other disaster that may come along, ensuring its first responders are protected is paramount. That’s why Blackline Safety Corp., a pioneer in connected safety technology, is unveiling an equipment trade-in program designed to make it easier than ever for fire departments and emergency response teams to acquire cutting-edge gas detection equipment and the monitoring software that comes with it t...

Leading Britain’s Conversation (LBC) has reportedly seen an email from representatives at Arsenal which says that the vital works can start "after the football season." To date, the permissions to start work and put up scaffolding still has yet to be signed off by the football club. Arsenal received funding from the government for remediation works on 1 and 3 Queensland Road in December 2021, two years after a survey found the blocks have missing fire breaks, and unsafe insulation th...