United Kingdom (UK) Fire Industry News

Efficient response to dangerous situations is paramount to any Fire and HazMat incident. This makes connected safety technology a valuable asset for every First Responder team. Having suitable and easy-to-use equipment and technology will enhance the speed, efficiency, and safety of an incident response. There are relatively recent developments in technology that can be game changers in an effective response including real-time visibility of the safety of every team member, integrated plume mode...

Home fires are the most common disaster in this country and sadly, these fires claim seven U.S. lives every day. This year is proving no different. Tragically, since the beginning of 2022, 431 people have lost their lives in home fires. Since January 1, 2022, the American Red Cross has already responded to more than 10,000 home fires, providing help to more than 37,000 people. Home fire safety The American Red Cross highlights the key steps that residents can follow to help them stay safe, sh...

MSA, DuPont Personal Protection, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are teaming up again in 2022 to provide volunteer fire departments with four sets of new, state-of-the-art Globe turnout gear through MSA and DuPont’s annual Globe Gear Giveaway program. A total of 52 jackets, 52 pants, and 52 helmets will be awarded to 13 volunteer fire departments in need in 2022 to increase firefighter safety. Eligibility criteria To be eligible to apply, departments must: Be over 50%...

The National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Mechanical Fire Protection have recently been reviewed by professionals across the fire industry. These standards relate to any non-electrical device used for fire protection such as, sprinklers; gas systems; water mist and powder; foam and chemical systems; dry and wet risers; fire mains. Industry best practice A consultation on the content of the National Occupational Standards to determine whether they reflect industry best practice and what so...

A team of female firefighters is preparing for a record-breaking trek to ski Antarctica coast-to-coast with global Survival Technology pioneer Survitec as one of its sponsors. The six-strong Antarctic Fire Angels are undertaking the grueling expedition to showcase women's empowerment and tackle the stigma of talking about mental health. Gender equality awareness Martin Whittaker, Survitec CEO – Aerospace and Defence, said, “Protecting lives is at the forefront of everything we do...

With constant footfall, regular cooking and many employees switching up on irregular shifts, hotels require a dedicated focus on fire safety, in order to keep everyone and the building safe at all times. If a fire breaks out in a hotel, many people will find themselves in danger. Hotel owners, managers and employees must recognize the importance of hotel fire safety, so as to prevent hundreds of people from an emergency. To keep a hotel, its staff and visitors safe, regulations need to be in pl...

The fire, which happened just before Christmas, was recently highlighted by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) to demonstrate the benefits of investing in sprinklers.   TWFRS said that a propane gas-powered forklift truck caught fire next to some wooden pallets, causing a large-scale fire in a large commercial warehouse. Firefighters from Gateshead and Swalwell Community Fire Stations were on the scene in a matter of minutes to assess the situation and extinguish the fire b...

The Mayor of London has launched a public consultation on draft guidance that puts fire safety at the heart of the planning process for new developments. Sadiq Khan has a strategic planning role for London and his London Plan sets out guidance for development and building across the city. He said that existing national building regulations are not fit for purpose and the progress of reform is too slow. National building regulations The Mayor is consulting on London Plan Guidance relating to f...

The Fire Protection Association and RISCAuthority has submitted its response to BSI regarding the major change planned to sprinkler standards in the UK following a 2 month window for comments. Jonathan O'Neill OBE, Managing Director of the FPA, responded to the proposed changes to BS EN 12845-1 and said: “There is major change planned to sprinkler standards in the UK, which is being driven by the European standards making body CEN. The window for commenting on BS EN 12845-1 Fixed firefig...

3M has announced the following investor events: Citi 2022 Global Industrial Tech and Mobility Conference will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. Mike Roman, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Monish Patolawala, the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Transformation Officer, will speak at 11:20 a.m. EST, at the conference. Barclays Industrial Select Conference will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. Mike Roman, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO),...

The National Fire Chiefs Council is delighted to welcome the publication of the Safeguarding Fire Standard by the Fire Standards Board. The Safeguarding Fire Standard aims to ensure that fire and rescue services are doing all that they can to support and promote the safeguarding of those within their communities, employees, and volunteers. The standard accompanies the NFCC Safeguarding Guidance for Children, Young People and Adults, and the NFCC Self-Assessment Toolkit.   ass...

VIKING Life-Saving Equipment has launched the first aircrew lifejacket to secure approvals under the latest European Aviation Safety Agency ETSO for an emergency breathing system. The VIKING YouSafe™ Crew Pro (PV9366) lifejacket’s innovative Emergency Breathing System (EBS) is the first complete system to merit the European Technical Standard Order stamp. The approval verifies that the new lifejacket’s compact and lightweight system surpasses the technical standards from the C...

The 2021 edition of NFPA 11 Standard for Low-, Medium-, and High-Expansion Foam is now available. There are many changes from the 2016 edition. Synthetic Fluorine-Free Foam (SFFF) One is the inclusion of Synthetic Fluorine-Free Foam (SFFF), a new class of fire-fighting foam defined as 'Foam concentrate based on a mixture of hydrocarbon surface active agents that is not formulated to contain per- or poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)'. An additional change is the inclusion of NFPA 16 The Stand...

BIOEX is exhibiting at SICUR 2022. Date: February 22-25, 2022. Location: Madrid, Spain SICUR brings together companies, associations, professionals, and users of global security, fire, and emergency safety in the public and private spheres.

Three Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs) will be trialled by  East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) as part of the NHS’s move towards zero emissions vehicles. EEAST has successfully bid for £250,000 from NHS England which will fund two electric Skoda all-wheel drive cars, an electric Vauxhall van, their conversion to medically equipped response vehicles and the necessary charging infrastructure for each of the vehicles. The funding is part of a new NHS England pilot...

On the 8th & 9th of February 2022, in collaboration with the distributors in Belgium - Vandeputte, MFC hosted local fire brigades and dive teams on the Meuse river in the city of Liège.  Over the two days, hands-on demonstrations were conducted with the range of water rescue equipment. This included a new RSW Series Rescue Sled, specially designed for weirs and swift water. RS and RSW Series Sleds are lightweight and quick to deploy, whilst remaining rugged and easy to maneuver....

After a successful return last year, Detector Testers is pleased to again be part of the Fire Safety Event taking place in April 2022 at Birmingham’s NEC. The show, which runs from 5th – 7th April, will feature hundreds of exhibitors promoting the latest innovation in Fire Safety and will be supported by a comprehensive conference program featuring leading figures within the industry. Electronic solutions Detector Testers' marketing and sales team will be on hand throughout the sh...

The Delta Township (MI) Fire Department is running two Sutphen front-line pumpers out of two stations and is so pleased with the rigs that it recently took delivery of a Sutphen custom side-mount rescue-pumper to replace its oldest rigs. After receiving the new rescue pumper, the department liked the rig’s layout and performance, so it placed another order with Sutphen for an identical rescue pumper, as well as an SPH100 aerial platform. Compartment space Gregg Ginebaugh, chief of Delta...

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service hosted a Virtual Reality (VR) workshop series at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service HQ. Staff from around the service took part in the demonstrations, to explore the potential for using the technology in training. VR applications The final session of the day was attended by other fire and rescue services from around the country including Tyne and Wear, South Yorkshire, and Shropshire, as well as members of the National Fire Chiefs Council. The t...

A residential structure fire was reported in the early morning hours on Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake, at approximately 3:17 a.m., on Monday, February 7, 2022. Upon arrival, fire crews observed a well-involved residential structure with smoke and flames showing. Crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire within approximately 20 minutes. There were no occupants home at the time of the structure. Assistance The structure fire required all units from the Big Bear Fire Department to respond wi...

Apollo Fire Detectors Ltd (Apollo) is proud to announce a partnership with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). This alliance will provide Apollo’s engineering team with a wide range of support and benefits. The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) also recognizes the team for the professionalism and expertise they bring to Apollo and the wider industry. IET Enterprise Partnership The IET Enterprise Partnership is a platform for the representation of engineeri...

Starting a new job is always a daunting experience. It’s a brand new environment, with new colleagues and a new boss. The good news is, that they already like used as a person, hence why the user got the job! But on the first day of a new job, deciding on what to wear can always be tricky. Granite discusses what users should wear on the first day to make a good first impression. Men Depending on the type of job taken on, the user has to dress for the occasion. If they are an office work...

Nothing beats a conference, when it comes to making new contacts or re-establishing old ones. The British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association Ltd (BAFSA) has announced that the internationally renowned Fire Sprinkler International 2022 (FSI 2022) exhibition, taking place in London, from May 31 to June 1, 2022, will bring the international fire protection community together once again. Fire Sprinkler International 2022 At Fire Sprinkler International 2022 event, attendees will hear from renown...

Firefighters currently based in Papworth Everard will soon be relocating to the fire station in Cambourne. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service believe that moving the fire engine will improve its fire cover in the area as there are more people in Cambourne to become on-call firefighters, who live or work within five minutes of the fire station. Delayed fire emergency response On-call firefighters are not based at a fire station, they go about their normal lives and wear an alerter which goe...

Tim Edwards has been appointed as Norfolk’s new interim chief fire officer. The appointment follows existing Chief Fire Officer Stuart Ruff’s announcement of his intention to retire from the service, which he has been at the helm of since the Spring of 2019. Chief Fire Officer Edwards joined Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service at the age of 16 in 1988 and served on various watches as an operational firefighter before rising up the ranks. Most recently he was appointed Assistant Chief Fi...

Warringtonfire, the pioneer in fire testing, inspection and certification services, has significantly invested in its High Wycombe testing facility to meet the anticipated growth in demand ahead of the UKCA Mark deadline. The transformation of the facility includes the refurbishment of its onsite fire resistance and smoke laboratories. This comprises new smoke testing equipment, a complete re-lining of two test furnaces as well as installation of a new cold abatement system to extract test fume...

When it comes to fire protection, healthcare facilities pose numerous risks. These include the presence of countless fire hazards, difficulties in effectively maintaining fire protection across large and complex sites, as well as a high density of people, many of whom are vulnerable. As ever, the standard of fire safety is determined by the quality and effective implementation of physical fire protection. The fire alarm control panel is central to achieving high standards of protection. Choosin...

It is now approaching five years since the Grenfell Tower disaster but the fallout continues. One reaction has been to see residential sprinklers systems much more widely applied in the UK. Users will hear how the London policy on sprinklers restricts funding for social housing to apartment buildings protected with sprinklers. Grenfell was partly made of combustible materials and Daniel Joyeux of Efectis will present French guidance on how to protect wooden residential buildings, sprinklers bei...

The UK Minister for Building Safety and Fire, Lord Stephen Greenhalgh, has hosted a virtual meeting with apprentices from across UK fire and rescue services to mark National Apprenticeship Week. Eight fire service employees, who are currently undertaking or have recently completed apprenticeships in a variety of disciplines, were invited to join a virtual meeting with the Minister on Thursday, February 10, 2022. Virtual meeting They spoke about their fire service journey so far and how the ap...

In line with an ongoing commitment towards continuous improvement of the company’s state-of-the-art product lines, Nittan is delighted to announce the availability of the new EV-PYSVAD Visual Alarm Base for use with EV-PYS detector. EV-PYSVAD Visual Alarm Base The new EV-PYSVAD is a Type A Indoor Beacon Base VAD, which is specially designed for use with detector type - EV-PYS only, as part of an Evolution analog addressable system. The Beacon Base VAD does not require an individual loop...