Fire Industry News for June 2023

Derby Crown Court sentenced Thirunavukkaradu Kuladaisamy to suspended prison time, as well as a large fine and court costs for fire safety breaches, after a fire in a converted house two years ago. Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service attended a fire at 1057 London Road, Derby on the night of 23 November 2019. According to local newspaper reports at the time, the police and fire service officers remained at the scene of the fire all night investigating the blaze. Fire safety regulations Respond...

The Fire Standards Board for England has published the Prevention Fire Standard setting out what fire and rescue services should be doing to keep communities safe from fire. This is the seventh Fire Standard to be published and sits alongside the operational response Fire Standards released earlier this year. The Protection Fire Standard will be published in September 2021. New Prevention Fire Standard published Fire and rescue services will look to use the Prevention Fire Standard to ensure...

Online supermarket - Ocado has suffered another robot fire at one of its fulfilment centers, impacting deliveries across south east England. The fire on 16 July was caused by three robots colliding on the grid that controls the fulfilment of shopping orders at the technology firm. Fifteen fire engines The fulfilment centre processes over 150,000 orders a week for the joint venture between Ocado and Marks and Spencer. More than 1,000 robots move around the grid, collecting food from crates and...

The Welsh Government announced it will fund fire safety surveys for residential buildings over 11 meters to identify fire safety defects and measures to make them safe. building remediation Minister for Climate Change, Julie James confirmed the costs would come from the Welsh Building Safety Fund. She said, “It is critically important that we are able to understand the true scale of the problem in order to properly address it.” Leaseholders have not borne the costs of remediating...

Ministers have approved a new apprenticeship scheme for fire engineers but without an end-point assessment body in place, universities won’t be able to offer it in the autumn. This new qualification route for fire engineers comes at a time when demand for this expertise is on the rise. Planning Gateway 1 requires a Fire Statement to be produced. When this first stage of the ‘golden thread’ for buildings comes into force on 1 August, fire engineers will be needed to help comple...

The Big Bear Professional Firefighters are hosting a blood drive on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Station 281, located at 41090 Big Bear Boulevard., Big Bear Lake, in the front parking lot. Blood donation The need for blood is constant and ongoing. Each donation of blood can save the lives of three people. Along with this blood drive, the Big Bear Fire Department (BBFD) Helicopter, H285, is in the final stages of preparing to carry blood and plasma products on the air...

A residential structure fire was reported on Wabash Lane in Sugarloaf at approximately 9:10 p.m., on Thursday, June 24, 2021. Upon arrival, fire crews observed a two-story gambrel build single-family home well involved. Due to the fire intensity, fire crews were unable to enter the home, which required a defensive fire attack. Crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire within 30 minutes. Well involved structure Despite quick efforts from fire personnel and close proximity of the structu...

A Cambridgeshire company was fined £26,800 for failing to manage the fire risk from storing vast quantities of waste wood well beyond its license, after a prosecution brought by the Environment Agency. East Anglian Resources Ltd had already pleaded guilty at a hearing of Peterborough Magistrate’s Court to breaching its environmental permit. East Anglian Resources Ltd fined by Environment Agency The company had a Fire Prevention Plan in place, but persistently failed to comply with...

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) and National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) have come together to produce a new Code of Practice to bring clarity to the use of premises information boxes for residential buildings. The Code of Practice for the Provision of Premises Information Boxes in Residential Buildings is in response to recommendations about fire safety information made by the Grenfell Inquiry. One of the recommendations focused on the provision of premises information boxes and this new Co...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is partnering with technology firm - NBS to help architects and designers specify passive fire protection products and systems when looking at building safety design. In a win-win approach, those using the NBS cloud-based platform can now have access to appropriate high-quality guidance and technical content, helping them to produce accurate and structured specifications.  Providing product information It will also assist ASFP member...

Working with industry experts, the FPA has published a concise guide for sprinkler owners and specialist sprinkler maintenance contractors to inspect, test and maintain sprinkler systems to meet the required standards. Sprinkler system service and maintenance: guidance, records and checklists is supported and funded by RISCAuthority and is endorsed by the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA). Maintaining sprinkler systems The guide is freely available to download here and cont...

The Home Office has re-published the LGA guide on fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats as part of its overhaul of fire safety guidance. Fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats was originally published by the Local Government Association in 2011. changes to government policy The MJ reported in April that the LGA had distanced itself from this guide. The Home Office said they had taken the decision to host the guide, “Following the Local Government Association’s a...

The Big Bear Fire Department has a new way to report illegal fireworks. The new Illegal Firework Reporting System offers an easy and anonymous way to report the use and sale of personal fireworks. Anyone can now go on to the Department’s website or simply scan a QR Code and anonymously report the use or sales of illegal fireworks by completing a simple online reporting form. Fire Department Investigators will respond promptly to the reported location where fireworks are currently in use,...

Hammersmith and Fulham Council have appointed Kier Places to carry out remedial fire safety works across its 17,000 housing stock over the next five years. The list of capital works includes upgrades to firefighting equipment in housing blocks as well as work on sprinklers. With continuing concerns across the country about the state of external walls on high-rise residential buildings, the contract includes external façade remediation along with new window installations. deliver a quali...

Notting Hill Genesis is looking for fire experts to help with fire safety and compliance across its 66,000 portfolios of homes across London and the southeast. fire safety services Launched on the government’s procurement portal Tenders Direct on 18 May, the Fire Consultants Framework 2021 is made up of five lots that cover a range of fire safety services related to the design, construction, refurbishment, maintenance, and management of housing stock. The housing association has allocat...

A court in Preston fined the former owner of the Plaza Beach Hotel in Blackpool £15,000 for multiple breaches of the Fire Safety Order that saw it treated as an unofficial HMO. Findings Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service first visited the hotel in September 2017 and prohibited its use after finding: Several members of staff sleeping in the basement with inadequate fire detection, Fire separation throughout the hotel was inadequate, Fire doors would not close, Combustible materials...

Essex Fire Chief pledges £70,000 to the local council to ensure most vulnerable benefit from sprinklers as part of match funding approach to dealing with fire risk across the county. sprinklers Seven housing estates in the Felmores area of Basildon will be retrofitted with sprinklers. Previously, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service provided £50,000 to Basildon Council to fit sprinklers in a high-rise residential block. This announcement coincides with the NFCC’s National Sp...

Portsmouth City Council is investing £9.5 million over the next five years in retrofitting sprinklers in high-rise blocks as part of a £22 million package of fire safety measures. The announcement comes at the start of the NFCC’s Sprinkler Safety Week and is supported by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service working in partnership with the city. retrofit program The retrofit program was due to start but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The council carr...

Manchester Fire Chief sets out priorities for the next four years with a pledge to improve and regulate the built environment, in order to protect people, property, and the economy. This is the first Fire Plan for Greater Manchester since responsibility for the fire and rescue service moved to the Mayor, Andy Burnham. The Plan addresses the impact of major incidents such as the Manchester Arena attack in 2017 and the 2019 Cube fire in Bolton. Fire Plan Commenting on the launch of the Plan, Ch...

A new guide provides assistance and recommendations on how to best specify cable containment systems to improve electrical safety in buildings in the event of a fire. Free to download, the new guide explains how to create a cable pathway through a building, while navigating the current standards landscape. electrical installation standards Creating Cable Pathways is published by Legrand UK & Ireland and takes on board changes to IET Wiring Regulations. It is in line with Dame Judith Hacki...

Court hears how a rail worker suffered severe burns as a result of a fire caused by health and safety breaches in an electrical substation in Kent. Recently, Network Rail pleaded guilty at Folkestone Magistrate’s Court to an offense under the Health and Safety at Work Act for failing to protect the safety of staff. failure to maintain dehumidifiers The incident took place on 20 December 2018 after Network Rail failed, over a significant period of time, to prevent water from leaking into...

The UK Government has published its second quarterly update on progress to meet the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations, highlighting the breadth of work taking place. In a useful development, the UK Government is providing thematic updates of the work taking place by the government, the London Fire Brigade, the National Fire Chiefs Council, and other bodies to respond to the 46 recommendations made by Sir Martin Moore-Bick in his Phase 1 report. update Key changes in this quarter include:...

BSI launches consultation on PAS 9980, new guidance to help fire risk assessors assess the risk of fire spread over external walls of multistorey residential buildings to aid remediation. PAS 9980 PAS 9980 is available in draft and BSI is inviting public comment on this Publicly Available Specification. It has been sponsored jointly by MHCLG and the Home Office and was drafted by C.S. Todd & Associates and a team of experts. Members of the drafting steering group include the BRE, National...

David Heal joins coatings manufacturer Hempel to head up its renewable energy segment, as Hempel looks to strengthen its leadership position as part of its commitment to sustainability. In line with Hempel’s new Double Impact strategy and its ambition to double the company by 2025, Hempel is determined to grow and secure leadership positions within the renewable energy segment to become the pioneering coating solutions provider, while expanding in scope to support our customers as the...

Coatings manufacturer - Hempel will increase sales prices of products and solutions as raw material prices continue to escalate. The cost of key raw materials used in the manufacturing of coatings is now significantly higher compared to the beginning of 2020, and the trend is continuing. For example, from January 2020 to January 2021, the cost of epoxy increased by 60 per cent in Europe, 40 per cent in North America and 20 per cent in North Asia (source: Technon Orbichem Epoxide Resins; Liquid...

Upon BAFE’s acquisition of the FIA (Fire Industry Association) Awarding Organization last year, FireQual has been established and has been diligently working on developing this platform to offer qualifications for individuals working in the fire safety industry. They are pleased to announce that approval has now been achieved from both Northern Ireland’s (CCEAR) and Scotland’s (SQA Accreditation) regulatory bodies to offer qualifications covering fire safety with the initial o...

Marion Body Works, a manufacturer of fire & emergency apparatus, has announced the addition of Neville Fleet Service to its dealer network. As of January 1, 2021, Neville Fleet Service is the official Marion Body Works dealer for Long Island, NY. Neville Fleet Service’s commitment to high-quality custom products was a huge driving factor in the partnership with Marion Body Works. best products available "The Neville Team is excited for the opportunity to bring Marion Fire Apparatus...

Alexander Enström joins coatings manufacturer, Hempel, to lead its marine organization, as Hempel looks to build on its leadership position in the marine industry. With a strategic ambition to double revenue by 2025, Hempel is keen to build on its leadership position in the marine segment. Hempel is already the pioneer in fuel-saving hull coatings and fuel-efficiency monitoring services, which help marine customers reduce fuel costs and radically lower their carbon footprint. The company...

An ambitious new strategy defines the timeframe of a doubling of Hempel by 2025. Doubling revenue allows Hempel to also double its positive impact. The path is defined by a focus on the entire business, leadership positions in chosen segments, industry leadership in sustainability within those, as well as a strong focus on innovation and digitalization. new strategy 2020 has been a year of transition for global coatings supplier, Hempel. While still securing paint and coatings supply g...

The Department for Education released its latest guide to support home learning encouraging education providers to identify their strengths and areas for improvement in the provision of remote learning opportunities to candidates during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is not a statutory framework and is meant to encourage discussion internally within an organization to meet basic requirements using the resources and tools currently available and ways to take remote learning opportunities further....