United Kingdom (UK) Fire Industry News

For the 13th time in 2023, the most popular products in fire protection were awarded the "Product of the Year" award by FeuerTrutz Network. In the "System-based fire protection" category, WAGNER Group GmbH was able to convince the jury with its fire protection solution for the storage of lithium-ion batteries. Reiner Milski, Managing Director of WAGNER Deutschland GmbH, received the award on June 21 at the FeuerTrutz trade fair in Nuremberg. fire protection solution WAGNER implemented th...

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue (SYFR) has been recognized by the Ministry of Defence for its commitment to the armed forces community. SYFR has been named a Silver award-winning organization under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS), delivered locally by the Reserve Forces & Cadets Association for Yorkshire & Humber. three award levels The ERS consists of three award levels – bronze, silver, and gold. Each level indicates an organization’s commitment and invol...

Ambulance crews are using virtual reality (VR) headsets to immerse themselves in traumatic situations such as domestic violence to better prepare them for real-life situations where vulnerable people are in need of help. London Ambulance Service (LAS) has developed training using headsets that are loaded with true-to-life scenarios to help clinicians understand the impact of various types of abuse and trauma on the physical and mental well-being of vulnerable adults and...

Dräger, the pioneer in the fields of medical and safety technology, has launched the UCF FireCore, a hands-free thermal imaging camera that displays live-action imagery into the Dräger FPS 7000 full face mask. This launch further strengthens Dräger’s commitment to enhancing firefighter safety through robust technological innovation and development.  The UCF FireCore gives firefighters continuous vision in the low-visibility, high-risk, and unfamiliar environments where...

ALCHERA X’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Michael Plaksin, was recently interviewed by O.P. Almaraz for an episode of his All Things Wildfire podcast 'Safeguarding Lives and Communities: The Game-Changing AI Technology of ALCHERA X'. In the episode, Almaraz and Plaksin discuss how ALCHERA X, with its groundbreaking wildfire prevention AI technology FireScout, is participating in the prestigious Wildfire XPRIZE competition, ALCHERA X’s collaborative work with the Santa Clara...

ALCHERA X’s AI technology FireScout revolutionizes the fight against wildfires and curbs greenhouse gases. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a groundbreaking technology, promising tremendous advancements across various sectors. However, it can also spark concerns and fear. Artificial Intelligence While some are concerned with the possibility of job displacement or a fictional Skynet taking over the world, AI technology also offers many advantages. Big data analysis, video sur...

The WAGNER Group GmbH is expanding its business in Asia: The new subsidiary WAGNER Fire Safety India Private Limited has started operations with effect from June 1, 2023. The group is thus underlining its consistent path of internationalization and positioning on the global market for fire protection solutions. WAGNER.2026 strategy "With the move to India, we are continuing to implement our WAGNER.2026 strategy and, in addition to our solid market position within Europe and our North American...

Firefighter brothers completed an incredible feat at the weekend when they climbed 69,000 steps to raise more than £3,000 for The Grenfell Foundation and The Firefighters Charity.  Mike and Kev Sutcliffe took on the challenge of climbing Bridgewater Place Tower in Leeds 72 times to symbolize each life lost at the devastating Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. Kev, 43, is a firefighter with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) while Mike, 41, is a Watch Manager with North Yorkshir...

Honeywell Gent recently marked its 150th year, an anniversary that showcases the company’s legacy and highlights its bright future as an innovator in electrical equipment and fire alarm systems. Honeywell Gent John Thomas Gent started the company in Leicester in 1872. Known as one of the first producers of electric clocks, which it manufactured for more than a century, Gent shifted its focus in the late 20th century to become a major provider of fire and life safety systems to...

Chubb, one of the renowned providers of fire safety and security solutions, has announced the successful integration of ownership and operational responsibilities of Vipond Fire Protection Ltd to Chubb Fire and Security Ltd in the UK. Like Chubb, Vipond is part of the APi Group, and this merger enhances Chubb’s capabilities in fire protection, detection, and suppression and solidifies its commitment to providing comprehensive life safety and fire protection services across the UK. Author...

A firefighting water safety expert has issued an urgent plea to water sport enthusiasts to prioritize their safety over selfies in summer. Piotr Gudan is an on-call firefighter with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, responding to emergencies via a pager system in his hometown of Blairgowrie. water-based emergencies The dad-of-one splits his time between responding to emergencies and running his own water sports business. Piotr, who has been a qualified water sports instructor fo...

The official awards of publications Fire Safety Matters and Security Matters, the "FSM Awards," took place yesterday evening at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Established to promote innovation and the highest standards of excellence, NSI approved companies were well-represented among the finalists and winners. NSI congratulates all the winners and finalists among whom 10 NSI approved companies were shortlisted as finalists with 28 nominations between them, of whom six took home the top pr...

Throughout the development of Testifire XTR2 they have held regular meetings and focus groups with industry professionals, and now, as the product draws closer to launch, they are increasing efforts to gain feedback from a wide group of users around the world. This has involved testing with service managers, fire engineers, and detector manufacturers. As part of this process, FireSense one of the distribution partners in the Netherlands identified Hefas Brandbeveiliging as a company that would...

Chemicals broadly labeled as PFAs provide important properties to turnout gear used by firefighters, including better resistance to heat, water, and other hazards. Unfortunately, human exposure to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) has also been linked to heightened cancer risk. Research on the concentration of PFAs The U.S. National Defense Authorization Act of 2021 directed the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to identify the prevalence and concentration of PFAs...

Fire alarms play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of occupants in commercial buildings. Listed below are some key reasons why fire alarms are important in such settings: Early Detection: Fire alarms are designed to detect the presence of smoke, heat, or flames at the earliest possible stage. They provide an early warning signal to occupants and alert them to the potential danger, allowing them to evacuate the building promptly. Early detection is critical for preventing injuries and sav...

Northwest Highland has been given a ‘very high’ warning, while all other areas of Scotland face an ‘extreme’ rating. An increased risk of wildfires begins today (Thursday, 15 June) and runs until Saturday, 17 June – however could be extended further as the warm weather continues. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) warns that many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by wildfires, which can cause significant environmental and economic damage. R...

As the moving season heats up across the United States, a recent study reveals an ongoing need to educate renters about fire safety in their homes. Resideo Technologies, Inc. with its First Alert products, the most trusted brand in fire safety, released the results of a nationwide online survey of adult renters and identified that a significant percentage claim not to have a smoke alarm in their home or test their alarms regularly. recommended safety best practices Results also revealed incon...

EN54-23 was published in the UK in 2010 and became mandatory on 1st January 2014, after which any Visual Alarm Device (VAD) newly installed and used as the primary means of warning as part of a fire alarm system must conform to it. Originally scheduled for 31st March 2013, a lack of product availability from manufacturers delayed its introduction. A key stimulus for its introduction is the Equalities Act 2010. High ambient noise Fire detection and alarm systems are intended to alert occupants...

The figure has been revealed as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) gets ready to change the way it responds to unwanted fire alarm signals. From 1 July, 2023, an alarm activation will require those with fire safety responsibility, known as dutyholders, to investigate the cause of an alarm and only call 999 once a fire has been confirmed. This approach is already embedded across several other UK fire and rescue services, who require a confirmed fire before they send fire appliances. Cu...

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service and its Fire Authority councilors have been left surprised and concerned after being given notice that Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service is withdrawing from its highly successful Combined Control collaboration at the end of 2024. The Combined Control operates from Cambridgeshire’s headquarters in Huntingdon and was the first merger of fire control centers in the country. With 12 years of successful joint working, it has saved the public purse £ 1...

Edwards, a pioneer in fire alarm, mass notification, and hazard warning systems, has announced the launch of Edwards ConnectedSafety+, a new SaaS life-cycle solution that optimizes the management of commercial fire installations. This next-generation system includes predictive maintenance insights, real-time event notifications, intelligent reporting, and a multi-site dashboard that enables managers to view all locations at once remotely or on-site. Edwards is a part of Carrier Global Corporat...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has published three new Advisory Notes and updated another. The documents cover a range of topics related to fire-stopping, penetration seals, and smoke seals. new Advisory Notes Advisory Note (AN) 13 covers the testing of partial penetrations, for example, socket boxes, which are installed into drywall systems. Firestopping products are made to help maintain the performance of a wall where such electrical boxes have been added. A CEN stan...

The figure has been revealed as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) gets ready to change the way it responds to unwanted fire alarm signals.  From 1 July, 2023 an alarm activation will require those with fire safety responsibility, known as dutyholders, to investigate the cause of an alarm and only call 999 once a fire has been confirmed. This approach is already embedded across several other UK fire and rescue services, which require a confirmed fire before they send fire applianc...

Firefighters across the North of Scotland responded to more than 6,600 unwanted fire alarm signals last year - the equivalent of around 18 a day. The figure has been revealed as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) gets ready to change the way it responds to unwanted fire alarm signals (UFAS).  fire safety responsibility From 1 July 2023, an alarm activation will require those with fire safety responsibility, known as duty holders, to investigate the cause of...

From 1 July, 2023 an alarm activation will require those with fire safety responsibility, known as duty holders, to investigate the cause of an alarm and only call 999 once a fire has been confirmed. This approach is already embedded across several other UK fire and rescue services, which require a confirmed fire before they send fire appliances.   The change in response will affect all premises and businesses that do not provide sleeping accommodation. Hospitals, care homes, hotels, stude...

Albert Ziegler GmbH has manufactured a total of six HLF 10 vehicles for the State Fire Brigade School in Bruchsal, Germany. On May 31st, 2023, the first 3 vehicles were accepted and handed over. The other three vehicles were taken over on June 13th, 2023. Together, with the recently delivered RW, the State Fire Brigade School in Baden-Württemberg now has 7 new ZIEGLER vehicles in use for basic and advanced training. New ZIEGLER vehicles for State Fire Brigade School The design and the op...

Strengthening its work in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), wireless solutions provider, Ramtech, has reported ongoing success in collaboration with Liberty Fire and Safety, its exclusive distribution partner in GCC countries. This follows the successful installing of its Wireless Fire and Evacuation System (WES), as part of a $2.5 billion mixed-use development in Dubai. EN54-25 compliant WES solution The EN54-25 compliant WES solution has been specified within several projects at the eig...

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, announced the Anderson County Fire Department in South Carolina has placed an order for 19 custom fire apparatus, including 18 Pierce Saber® pumpers and one Enforcer™ 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Platform. This significant order marks the largest fleet purchase in the county’s history and is the latest representation of the department’s commitment to providing quality resources to support its emergency personnel....

Safe Fleet: Fire, EMS, and Industrial (FRC, FoamPro, Elkhart Brass, ROM) is excited to announce the addition of David Hawkins as the Regional Sales Manager - Industrial. In his new role, David Hawkins will be responsible for business development in the United States of America (USA), except for the states of New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana & Mississippi. Extensive industry experience David Hawkins has a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Belhaven University and brings over 24 years o...

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released an update on its ongoing investigation of the chemical release and fire at the BP-Husky Refinery located in Oregon, Ohio that resulted in two fatalities and substantial property damage to the facility. The update gives details about the investigation including a summary of the process upset that led to the incident, background on the refinery, and an outline of the CSB’s activities moving forward.   factual...