Fire Industry News for January 2021

As the rising number of COVID admissions pushes patient capacity limits, ensuring compliant fire safety has never been more important. As hospitals battle through the second major wave of the virus, concerns have been raised around the NHS’ on-going maintenance backlog and the impact on safety and infrastructure. In January 2021, figures suggested that the total backlog was the equivalent of the annual running cost of the entire NHS estate, which was around £9.7bn in 2019/20. Despit...

The Open Security & Safety Alliance (OSSA®), an industry body comprised of stakeholders from all facets of the security, safety and building automation space, announces it has joined Euralarm, the association of European manufacturers, installers and service providers from the electronic fire safety and security industry. By joining the Security Section within Euralarm, OSSA will contribute valuable expertise in the domain of Internet of Things (IoT), while leveraging on Euralarm’...

The new center for Middle Eastern Studies at St Antony’s College was designed by the award-winning Iraqi-British Architect Dame Zaha Hadid. As one of her last projects before she passed away in March 2016, this project has been recognized by many for its architectural merit and nominated for numerous awards. It recently won the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) South Award 2016. Oxford University asked Chris Lewis Fire and Security to provide the best possible intruder alarm, C...

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) is a conservation charity that saves wetlands, which are essential for life itself. WWT Slimbridge is one of nine wetland centers across the United Kingdom, founded by Sir Peter Scott in 1946 and is now a world-renowned reserve for water birds. WWT Slimbridge’s new £6.2 million visitor center houses a wildlife art gallery, The Hanson Discovery Centre, the Waterside Restaurant, a cinema and the Sloane Observation Tower. Wild swans from Russia com...

AW Technology has worked for over 25 years to establish itself as a pioneer provider of technology to the fire detection and alarm industries. The worldwide significance and importance of AW Technology’s products can sometimes be forgotten during the day-to-day operations at its Leicestershire HQ. However, there’s no getting away from the fact that AW’s products continue to play a huge part in ensuring that fire and smoke detection safety standards are adhered to globally, and...

The AW Technology story started over 25 years ago when AW Technology supplied its first test tunnels to the market. Since then, the business has grown significantly to become a pioneer supplier of Fire Detection technology to the global market. However, this transformation isn’t something that was achieved overnight and it’s taken years of hard work, dedication, passion and technical expertise to develop AW Technology into the global operation. Fire detection technology David Haig...

MSA Safety Incorporated announced it has acquired U.K.-based Bristol Uniforms in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $60 million. The acquisition strengthens MSA's position as a front-runner in fire service PPE products while providing an avenue to expand its business in the U.K. and key European markets. Headquartered in Bristol, U.K., Bristol Uniforms is a foremost innovator and provider of protective apparel to the fire and rescue services sector, with annual revenue of approxima...

Businesses operating within the waste industry are susceptible to a wide range of fire risks. Storage of combustible materials, the ongoing use of industrial vehicles and waste’s natural ability to rise in temperature all add to these risks. The sector’s safety has improved over recent years, with the Environment Agency (EA) making Fire Prevention Plans (FPPs) mandatory for every waste and recycling site. However, there’s still a way to go to ensure maximum safety - and insurer...

The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the fire service will continue at least through 2021 and possibly for years to come. Specifically, several aspects of the pandemic have impacted the fire service long-term and have possibly changed it forever.  More awareness of Health Issues For one thing, the pandemic has heightened awareness about issues of health and wellness of firefighters. In this regard, COVID-19 has been just the latest in the series of health and wellness issues surroundin...

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) have been recognized nationally for its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, SFRS was praised for its positive contributions to the local community and commitment to the welfare of its staff. In August 2020, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) was commissioned by the UK Home Secretary to examine how fire and rescue services are responding to the pandemic. Effective command and control frameworks...

Following significant requests from customers, Apollo Fire Detectors have expanded their portfolio of free webinars and virtual CPD’s. In order to continue providing its training service throughout the national lockdown, Apollo released a selection of over 15 virtual courses in May 2020. The courses have been a huge success with thousands of attendees from over 30 countries taken advantage of the weekly sessions. Due to this success, and COVID-19 restrictions being in place once again in...

Vimpex has supplied Agrippa wireless acoustic fire door holders to hold open fire doors at the HQ of one of England’s largest housing associations to provide an easy and effective method of infection control, while not impacting on fire safety. A COVID-secure risk assessment identified the need to reduce the touching of fire door locks and door handles at the organization’s administration offices by staff and visitors. “Reducing the spread of germs and bacteria has never been...

Firefighting kit has a number of functions. It protects crew members in a wide range of situations and makes them instantly recognizable in an emergency. Replacing the firefighting kit at the right time keeps fire firefighters and rescue personnel safe and comfortable, no matter what the emergency. Call outs for firefighters  According to the UK Home Office, in the last year, 28 per cent of call-outs for firefighters and rescue staff involved responding to fires, 42 per cent of call outs...

It’s a New Year, and everyone is ready to start 2021 right. As a facility manager, director of operations and/or engineer, the overall fire safety of the building should be high on the to-do list. Two systems that should not be overlooks are the facilities barriers and HVAC. LSS Life Safety Services® and Hughes Environmental are both part of LSS Holdings, and are working together to create healthy, and safe work environments for employees. Therefore, for the month of January, with the...

The CPD will be hosted on Zoom and will be available to anyone who wishes to get a greater understanding of fire curtains and when and where a fire curtain can be specified within the build environment. The CPD seminars are designed for architects and other construction professionals across the specification chain. The seminars are FREE to attend and they usually require about one hour to present the Active Fire Curtain Barriers CPD seminar, which includes approximately 15 minutes for a Q&A...

Innovation in the fire protection industry can oftentimes be slow to move forward, particularly when compared to other similar industries. This is because legislation, regulation, and enforcement, while all necessary proponents within the sector, can often slow the tide of revolutionary ideas. However, the ability to innovate in this industry can quite literally be a matter of life and death. The developing intricacies of modern infrastructure and the demand for more sustainable solutions must...

With the UK continuing its battle against COVID-19, businesses everywhere are facing the unenviable task of ensuring virus-free workplaces for staff and customers alike. For this reason, HI-KLEEN from Hi-line Industries has been proving exceptionally popular since its introduction in the summer of 2020. To help even more companies benefit from this highly effective surface sanitizer for commercial premises, Hi-line has produced a short but highly informative video that demonstrates the product&...

SFP, the restructuring and turnaround group, publishes a new free Guide to Business Survival with easy to follow practical steps which includes a number of remedies to help fire and security businesses navigate through the current crisis. The Guide to Business Survival is set up in three clear stages of keeping or getting a business back on track. True financial position Part One explores the steps a business can take without having to resort to borrowing, and the importance of a cashflow for...

As the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations begins around the country, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) continues to offer support to the health sector during the pandemic. Having already seen staff from various parts of the Service helping with training new ambulance drivers, supporting the community hubs and working as ambulance drivers, CFRS is now offering its support with the vaccination program. Chief Fire Officer Chris Strickland said: "The pandemic has been such a challenging t...

Fire and rescue service employers have unilaterally scrapped a ground-breaking agreement with the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) which had enabled firefighters to assist the NHS and care sector response to COVID-19. Negotiations over health and safety measures for firefighters delivering high-risk COVID-19 duties were ongoing when the National Employers issued a communication ending the agreement on the evening of Wednesday 13 January. The decision appears to be supported by the National Fire Chiefs...

Packexe were awarded a Royal Warrant in 2016 for supplying Packexe protection film to the royal household and last year, the company added a Queens Award for Enterprise to their name. Recognized in the category of innovation for their time critical glass management tool, Packexe SMASH, Packexe have been supplying emergency teams across the globe with their innovative extrication tool for the last decade. Packexe SMASH Packexe SMASH is designed to hold glass securely in place, reducing the ris...

It’s a new year, which means one has a new budget. So, one should start 2021 right with LSS Life Safety Services, to help them keep their facility’s fire barriers maintained and up-to-date with fire and life safety codes and standards. As a reminder for the New Year, below is a list of core services LSS offers. fire and smoke barriers Fire & Smoke Damper Inspections Dampers prevent the spread of fire and smoke within the facility’s ductwork. Fire dampers are used in...

The new Detention Center in Crawford County, Arkansas has raised the bar when it comes to Life Safety measures. The new Crawford County Justice Center was built due to alarming overcrowding issues that endangered the safety of the inmates and staff. The new 307 bed facility is now a beacon of safety, especially when it comes to Life Safety & Fire Protection. Installing Life Safety system In February of 2018, The Association of Builders and Contractors of Arkansas awarded American Fire Prot...

Birmingham-based business successfully ramps up during the global pandemic and is set to go from strength to strength in 2021, rewarding its dedicated team with a generous wage increase and Christmas bonus. Amid coronavirus pandemic reports of companies making heavy redundancies there is one good news story to emerge from the West Midlands. Zicam Integrated Security Limited has not only managed to avoid redundancies and furloughing staff but has flourished in the last nine months to achieve a f...

The Board of Directors of the Dallas-based American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has announced the unanimous selection of Robert G. (Bob) Caputo, CFPS, as the association's President. Established in 1981, AFSA and its federation of 31 chapters serve as North America's largest fire sprinkler industry organization. Caputo's tenure will begin on November 1, 2020. "The Board members and I are very excited and extremely pleased to welcome Bob to the AFSA team," says AFSA Chair of the Board Ted...

First responder radio signal and communications can be significantly impacted by building construction, building size, and other factors. Because of that, it is important that emergency personnel have the ability to communicate in the event of an emergency. The good news is that there is a solution! Bi-Directional Amplification (BDA) Bi-Directional Amplification (BDA) is an Emergency Radio Communication System that provides reliable communication radio transmissions between first responders in...

Choosing the right fire suppression system can make all the difference in the protection of vital establishments and entities, including building, assets, and people. Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid The Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid is a clean agent fire extinguishant that was created as an alternative to hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) and a halon replacement. Fire protection systems using the Novec 1230 fluid are assured that: Fluid is stored as a liquid but discharged as a gas. The system...

It is safe to say that water is vital to the existence on this planet. What was once in abundant supply is now being rationed due to the growth of the populous; therefore making it crucial to protect what resources one has as best they can. In the fire protection industry, one must do their part to protect the water supply. The most sensible way, at present, is through a Backflow Protection Program. An ever-growing number of cities and small towns are requiring approved backflow preventers to b...

The US federal government passed a new legislation called the ‘Tax Cuts & Job Act’. This legislation includes incentives for businesses that install new fire sprinkler systems. As fire sprinklers are the quickest way to extinguish a fire, it’s important to incentivize businesses to install one. Money should never be seen as a deterrent to keeping your employees and patrons safe. ‘Tax Cuts & Job Act’ US Congress has added fire protection as an eligible expe...

The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is proud to announce a new online learning platform offering 24/7 access to CEUs and/or CPDs from AFSA educational events, including live webinars. AFSA On-Demand offers fire sprinkler contractors and other professionals the access to the best in specialty education anytime. AFSA On-Demand Featuring the most sought-after thought leaders in fire protection, AFSA On-Demand offers a superior learning experience in a unique and user-friendly format. M...