Fire Industry News for July 2023

The construction sector has faced heightened scrutiny regarding its handling of fire safety in recent years. 2017’s devastating Grenfell Tower fire, served as a catalyst for reform on the testing of construction materials, building design, and construction practices, putting the focus back on occupant safety.  In April this year, prominent fire service providers echoed this sentiment. They emphasized the importance of comprehensive system testing over solely examining individual comp...

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and the British Retail Consortium (BRC) have launched voluntary guidelines for retailers on the sale of disposable barbecues (DBBQs). The guidelines provide retailers with principles to support wildfire risk reduction at both a local and national level. Voluntary guidelines for retailers The guidelines support responsible retailing and outline the steps that retailers can take The guidelines support responsible retailing and outline the steps that reta...

Johnson Controls, a provider of smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, announced the launch of the FireClass FC-EAS Evacuation Alert System. The system is designed to provide fire and rescue service personnel with a simple and intuitive way to initiate an evacuation alert signal within high-rise structures.  This helps residential high-rise buildings in the UK comply with the recently mandated BS8629:2019 code of practice requiring the use of sounders or similar devices to alert reside...

In response to increased reports of fires caused by batteries and electricals containing batteries in the waste and recycling system. Material Focus is strengthening its work to help address this issue. A new public safety film ‘Stop Battery Fires’ created in partnership with the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), has been launched and is available for local authorities to share. Material Focus is also calling on local authorities to participate in the 2023 ‘Stop Battery Fi...

The number of hazmat incidents occurring annually continues to increase based on 10-year incident summary data from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. This data underscores the need for firefighters to be trained and ready before an incident or emergency occurs. CHEMTREC® HELP Award Volunteer fire departments can now apply to receive US$ 10,000 in funds through the CHEMTREC® HELP Award to enhance their hazardous materials response capabilities and improve resp...

‘Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat’ takes audiences behind the lines of America’s volunteer fire service with upcoming theatrical & TVOD/digital release this summer. Sub-Genre Media began the release of the engaging documentary – ‘Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat’, a Vignette Production and Hold Fast Features Project from filmmaking, co-directing team - Gary Matoso & Cameron Zohoori, in theaters beginning on July 7, 2023, in New York and Los Angeles, as well as...

Congratulations to Gerard Thorry, the Treasurer at the Mountain Lake Fire Company in Belvidere, New Jersey, USA, for winning a personalized MSA Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet! Gerard Thorry is the second recipient of the 2023 MSA Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet Giveaway, a program in partnership with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC). 2023 MSA Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet Giveaway The Cairns® XF1 Fire Helmet reduces snag hazards, provides a personalized fit The giveaway provides an oppo...

The Rosenbauer Austria team looks forward to welcome everyone from September 21 to September 23, 2023 at Retter Wels 2023 fair, at the Retter Messe in Wels, Austria’s renowned trade fair for emergency response organizations. Rosenbauer At Retter Wels 2023 Get immersed in the Rosenbauer world and discover the news and innovations from the areas of personal protection equipment, technical equipment, extinguishing systems and Rosenbauer Digital Solutions at Retter Wels 2023 trade fair. The...

Kitchens are the seat of more fires than any other location in purpose-built blocks of flats, according to statistics from BAFSA’s Incident Data Report No 3. And the image, shared by Triangle Fire Systems, from an incident on June 25, at a residential block of flats in Birmingham shows the benefits of having sprinklers installed in these types of premises. Not only was the fire contained and controlled, smoke damage was limited to one area, reducing the impact on the resident’s abil...

As the world rapidly embraces remote work, the concept of traditional office space is gradually fading away. With the flexibility and convenience that remote work offers, employees can now work from the comfort of their homes or any location of their choice. However, in this transition to a virtual workspace, it is crucial not to overlook the importance of fire safety. Coopers Fire, a globally renowned company specializing in fire and smoke curtains, recognizes the need to raise awareness about...

Amid considerable interest from international and domestic companies in the security and fire safety fields, Secutech Thailand has outlined the market’s key drivers and innovations. Bringing some 13 years of experience in the country, the fair organizers continue to hold a positive outlook on the local market. Main features and key supporters At a joint press conference with the Thailand Building Fair in Bangkok on 11 July, the organizers will discuss the main features of the upcoming f...

Anheuser-Busch and its wholesaler partners are teaming up with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) for the fifth consecutive year to donate emergency drinking water to local fire departments nationwide. This summer, more than 350,000 cans will be donated to 34 fire departments across Texas to help them prepare for and respond in times of crisis and long incidents at home.  Firefighters and first responders in communities rely on clean drinking water to stay hydrated i...

Research has revealed that the cost of avoidable fire alarms, such as false alarms, is costing SMEs in the UK £696 million every single year. The figure comes from research conducted by Red Fox, a pioneering and independent expert in technology and B2B research, commissioned by Hochiki Europe to understand the impact of false fire alarms on UK businesses. Over 300 SME businesses were asked how much they estimate an evacuation caused by an alarm not caused by an actual fire, cost their org...

Transporting heavy equipment in impassable terrain is just as much a part of its job as exploring and fighting fires in dangerous areas: The RTE Robot of the Wildenau Volunteer Fire Department is a multifunctional assistant that can play to its strengths in many operational scenarios. One device for many roles: This is the remote-controlled, multifunctional, and modular crawler type RTE Robot vehicle from Rosenbauer. The Wildenau Volunteer Fire Department in the Innviertel region of Upper Austr...

Firefighters are calling for support from the public after responding to more than 2,000 deliberate fires in six months.  Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) have revealed, since the beginning of 2023, they have responded to incidents of grassland, wheelie bins, and even play parks being targeted by fire setters. Their figures show there have been a shockingly high 2,055 deliberate fires set across the region since the start of the year. Responsible for the Gateshead area...

Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection are unveiling its GD1 laser-based gas detector with full SIL2 3rd party approval.  This ground-breaking development means that the GD1 SIL2 is the market's first open-path gas detector for hydrogen sulfide (H2S) safety-related applications. SIL certification The global importance of SIL (Safety Integrity Level) has grown substantially in the oil, gas, petrochemical, and other process industries over the past 10 years. It makes sense, therefore, that devi...

U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released its final report on the December 8, 2020, fatal incident at Optima Belle LLC (Optima Bell) in Belle, WV. The incident occurred during Optima Belle’s production of a sanitizing compound for Clearon Corporation (Clearon). A dryer at the Optima Belle facility that was removing water from the compound exploded, resulting in the death of an employee and significant property damage, and a shelter-in-place order for the neighborin...

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released its final investigation report on the 2019 tank farm fire at the Intercontinental Terminals Company, LLC (ITC) bulk liquid storage terminal in Deer Park, Texas. The massive fire caused substantial property damage, significantly impacted the environment, and led to the issuance of several shelter-in-place orders that seriously disrupted the local community. Disruptive fire event CSB Chairperson Steve Owens said, &ldquo...

Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions has completed its integration of industry-renowned SimpliPhi Power. Briggs & Stratton acquired the California-based energy storage systems manufacturer in late 2021 and has fully incorporated the company into its business, market strategy and brand. As a result of the acquisition, Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions now markets a full line of standby generators along with scalable, intelligent energy storage products under the Briggs & Stratton&...

What comes once a year with presents for firefighters everywhere? “Christmas in July” from Fire-Dex, the fastest-growing manufacturer of PPE for first responders in the country, returns this month to award industry-pioneering products to lucky fire departments. Back for a second season, Christmas in July is a time for Fire-Dex to recognize first responders and thank them for their service by gifting the gear that keeps them protected on the front lines. This year...

With around 300 road traffic collisions each year involving vehicles used for commercial purposes, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Vision Zero Partnership is looking to educate businesses during National Commercial Vehicle Month. Throughout July, the partnership will be running a local campaign to highlight the importance of commercial vehicle road safety. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Vision Zero Partnership The aim is to help educate local businesses on why road safety is important, b...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the McEwan Fire burning in Mason County, in the US state of Washington. The state of Washington’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved by FEMA Region 10 Administrator - Willie G. Nunn on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at 11:28 p.m. PT. He determined that the McEwan Prairie Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major...

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Regional Administrator has authorized the use of federal funds on June 27, 2023, to assist the US state of Arizona to combat the Diamond Fire burning in Maricopa County, in Arizona, USA. On June 27, the US state of Arizona submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG). At the time of the request, the fire threatened 100 homes in and around Scottsdale and required the mandatory evacuation of more than 1,100 people. T...

Fires are, as users might expect, one of the most severe threats to any kind of building. Whether they own their own home or an office building, users should always take the risk of fire extremely seriously. As they’re sure users know, there are many different types of fire mitigation items, from extinguishers to fire blankets. Though there is no question that sprinklers are one of the most effective safety items, which is why they are so common. So, Thameside Fire will run through all th...

From 1 July 2023, the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service is adopting a new ‘Call Challenge’ policy, whereby it will stop attending automatic fire alarm (AFA) call-outs to commercial premises, such as factories, offices, shops, and leisure facilities unless a fire has been confirmed. This policy step-change is to reduce unwanted false fire alarms. False fire alarm systems  Fire alarm systems provide an early warning of fire and are one of the most effective ways to keep peopl...

Rosenbauer has redesigned its app for operations management (RDS Connected Command) and equipped it with additional features. The newly developed skills management provides a quick overview of the qualifications of the available emergency crews. An improved chat function or schedule and event management help simplify communication and coordination. RDS Connected Command app redesigned Operational events are becoming increasingly digital, and with the RDS Connected Command app Operational eve...

Hanoi is poised to become the focal point of the security and fire safety business as Secutech Vietnam returns to the city for the first time in seven years, from 19 July to 21 July 2023. The sold-out fair will welcome 350 exhibitors from across the globe, including Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia, New Zealand, Poland, Sweden, Taiwan, the UAE, the UK, and the US, while Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Vietnam will be...

WAGNER Group GmbH, one of the globally renowned solution and system providers for fire protection, is focusing on targeted internationalization. This is a central pillar of the current corporate strategy WAGNER.2026. In addition to the Asian region, the company is also focusing on the growth market of North America and is establishing new organizational structures here. New appointment The company has been able to recruit Dr. Kai Beckhaus as Managing Director for the US subsidiary - WAGNER Fi...

The G4S Fire and Security team is working in partnership with award-winning building services contractor, Briggs & Forrester, on three large, high-profile real estate projects across the United Kingdom (UK). The Cocoa Works in York, 135 Park Street in London, and Phoenix in Leeds will provide a mix of residential, office, and retail space, and are being undertaken with sustainability and urban regeneration at the core. G4S - the primary system provider Operating in full support of these o...

The investigation into the cause of Friday’s fatal flat fire in Kings Hedges, Cambridge, has now concluded. It is believed that the fire started accidentally and the most probable cause was an e-bike. Area Commander Stuart Smith, from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Fire service and specialist fire investigators, together with police forensic teams and a fire dog, have spent the weekend carrying out a thorough investigation of the maisonette. A fire investigation looks for...