Fire Industry News for May 2024

Leveraging a history of innovation and the connectivity of WiFi, HURST Jaws of Life® is launching E3 CONNECT, an evolution of its eDRAULIC® 3.0 line that adds automated performance alerts and centralized reports to help departments manage and optimize rescue tool readiness. E3 CONNECT "E3 CONNECT brings firefighters the speed, power, and performance they’ve come to expect from HURST Jaws of Life extrication tools, plus helps fire departments avoid tool downtime," said B...

Having a robust supply chain is an essential element of modern business. Verifying that potential suppliers hold essential accredited certifications (such as ISO 9001 for quality management or ISO 14001 for environmental management) is a key part of building a reliable network. Many organizations in both the public and private sectors specify that prospective suppliers must hold UKAS-accredited certification. procurement best practice Independently checking the authenticity of each applicant&...

The government has published its response to the consultation on the use of cladding in buildings over 11 m in England. Combustible materials have been banned for use in external facades of buildings higher than 18m since 2018, following extensive lobbying in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire.  In early 2020, the government suggested also banning the use of such materials for buildings above 11 m in height, and ran a consultation on this in May 2020, the response to which has just b...

HURST Jaws of Life® has expanded its recently launched eDRAULIC® 3.0 (E3) line, adding the R 320 E3 Mini Ram to a product lineup that once again upped the game in extrication. eDRAULIC® 3.0 (E3) Launched in 2021, E3 takes HURST Jaws of Life’s battery-powered extrication tools and makes them operational in both fresh and saltwater and smart through a smart dashboard display that provides operators with real-time feedback on tool status. The new R 320 Mini Ram, which...

Congratulations to the Audiology team at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, who are the first physiology service in the UK to transition to the new Improving Quality in Physiological Services (IQIPS) 2020 standard. The IQIPS standard is managed and delivered by UKAS and covers eight Physiological Science disciplines. IQIPS standard v2 2020 Laura Booth, Senior Assessment Manager for IQIPS had the following to say on this achievement, "Following the recent commencement of the transition of ac...

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) has awarded the first accreditations under Renewable Energy Assurance Ltd (REAL)’s Compost Certification Scheme (CCS). Following the successful conclusion of a 12-month pilot assessment program, three certification bodies have been granted UKAS accreditation against both REAL’s CCS and the internationally recognized ISO/IEC 17065 product certification standard: Aardvark Certification Ltd NSF Certification Ltd Organic Farmers &...

UKAS is proud to be a gold event partner for the International Quality Awards, hosted by the Chartered Quality Institute. Quality Future Summit Taking place on Thursday, 23rd June, in London, this prestigious event is a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of exceptional quality professionals from across the globe. The event has been enhanced through the addition of the Quality Future Summit, which will feature thought-provoking panel discussions with leading quality professionals....

On March 16th, Matt Gantley (UKAS CEO) and Dr. Adel Alkeaid (SAAC Executive Director) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize the relationship between the two national Accreditation Bodies. This agreement fully acknowledges the expertise of each organization, enabling the sharing of knowledge and experience that will contribute to the quality of infrastructure in both nations. technical consultation and support UKAS and SAAC will work together to provide technical consultation...

On 10th March the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) published guidance information for UK Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) intending to subcontract tasks, such as testing, certification, or inspection. This information is appropriate for: UK Approved Bodies UK Notified Bodies (for the Northern Ireland market) GB Appointed Bodies (for transportable pressure equipment) User Inspectorates Recognized Third...

As stakeholders in food safety may already be aware, an ISO Joint Working Group (JWG36) has been working on the revision of ISO/TS 22003 to become ISO 22003-1 (Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of food safety management systems) and ISO 22003-2 (Requirements for bodies providing evaluation and certification of products, processes, and services, including an audit of the food safety system). ISO has recently announced that both standards shall proceed directly from the Dr...

The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), has published a document on GOV.UK, which lists product categories currently covered by UK-registered Approved Bodies. Some product categories currently lack sufficient coverage by UK-registered Approved Bodies, so it is intended this list will help Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) consider expanding to fill these gaps in the UK market. UK CABs interested in registering to become an Approved Body can find guidance on the...

In the last couple of years, a number of new ISO management system standards have been published. To date, UKAS has received a few enquiries for accreditation to underpin the related certification activities.  As they are new standards UKAS would need to undertake a development project to confirm the applicability of the standard and also to establish a robust and proportionate assessment approach. UKAS is reviewing its current development projects and wants to gauge the level of inte...

All UKAS certificates of accreditation for ISO 15189 Medical Laboratories are being updated following the November 2021 issue of a revised Joint IAF-ILAC-ISO Communiqué on the Management system requirements of ISO 15189, as the current certificates refer to the January 2015 issue of the communiqué. Requirements of ISO 15189 Statements for use on test, study, calibration, and check reports/certificates have also been revised The communiqué states: "A medical laborator...

UKAS and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) would like to invite certification bodies to express an interest in joining a pilot program to become accredited to certify against the UK Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework. The trust framework is a set of rules for providers of digital identity and attribute services to meet in order to demonstrate they meet requirements for secure, trustworthy services. This program presents an excellent opportunity for certifi...

'Challenge Your Potential' and apply for a Regional (Retained) Firefighter role with the MFS. The South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) is dedicated to providing an efficient and effective emergency service to the South Australian community. Being a MFS Firefighter is one of the most highly respected careers in South Australia. The MFS is looking for community-minded individuals who are fit, healthy, and possess personal and professional values that align with themselves....

UKAS is the National Accreditation Body for the United Kingdom. UKAS is appointed by the Government, to assess and accredit organizations that provide a variety of services including certification, testing, inspection, and calibration based on compliance with international standards and demonstration through objective evidence of competency and impartiality in the performance of defined activities. At the beginning of the pandemic reliable testing was quickly identified as a key component in th...

In December 2021, following an agreement at its November General Assembly, the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) published its revised Articles of Association and associated Rules of Procedure (EA-1/17). This is the culmination of months of discussions regarding the EA membership criteria, with revision allowing UKAS to retain its membership status. This status was previously at risk following the UK’s exit from the EU and hence UKAS no longer met the EA membership criteria tha...

UKAS is proud to announce that four of the UKAS Training Academy courses have been certified by the CPD Certification Service, as conforming to continual professional development principles. These courses are: Proficiency Testing ISO/IEC 17043:2010 Awareness Holistic Quality Management for the Healthcare Sector Internal Audit for Healthcare Point of Care Testing (PoCT) Awareness ISO 22870:2016 requirements of the assessment The UKAS Commercial Team and supporting trainers have worked...

Between July 2018 and June 2021, UKAS’ measurement uncertainty technical focus, Dr. John Greenwood has worked with a consortium of other experts from several European National Metrology Institutes, designated institutes, an industrial company (Rolls-Royce), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), an Asian NMI (AIST) and another accreditation body (Accredia), in order to produce a compendium of worked uncertainty examples. This project, 17NRM05 “Examples of Measurement Uncertainty Evalu...

UKAS is pleased to announce the accreditation of the following as Conformity Assessment Bodies under ISO/IEC 17065:2012: AARDVARK CERTIFICATION LTD NSF Certification UK Limited Organic Farmers & Growers CIC The accreditations follow the successful completion of the associated pilot program and of their assessment against ISO/IEC 17065:2012 and the REAL Compost Certification Scheme (v9) having demonstrated that all requirements for accreditation have been met.

UKAS is pleased to publish the Annual Report for the financial year of 2020/2021.  In line with the new logo, symbols of accreditation and website, that were unveiled at the start of 2021, the Annual Report has also been updated to reflect the refreshed branding. Importance of accreditation The content of the report has also been expanded, containing a range of articles that highlight the importance of accreditation in its role of delivering confidence in the products and services t...

HURST Jaws of Life has introduced eDRAULIC 3.0, taking its fastest and most powerful battery-powered extrication tools and making them faster, operational in both fresh and salt water, and now also the smartest through a smart dashboard display that provides operators with real-time feedback on tool status. “We’re continually evolving HURST Jaws of Life extrication tools to make first responders’ jobs safer, easier, and more efficient, and eDRAULIC 3.0 takes tool innovation to...

A new marketing campaign for HURST Jaws of Life® took home a Silver American Advertising Award in the annual Charlotte American Advertising Awards Gala, which each year recognizes the best of the best in marketing and advertising. The company’s new eDRAULIC Watertight Extrication Tool (EWXT) “Be Unstoppable” campaign received the recognition. HURST Jaws of Life’s excellence Charlotte-based marketing communications agency - Wray Ward developed the campaign &ldq...

First responders looking at upgrading their extrication tools are seeing a new letter among The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA®) standards for performance requirements. And they may be wondering, WTF: What’s the F-test? Tool’s performance ability The new test is a “High Strength Materials” test, otherwise known as the F bar cut test NFPA standards specify performance requirements for powered rescue tools and components that are used by emergency services per...

When The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA®) 1937 was ratified on October 25, 2020, it brought with it new recommendations for rescue tool care and maintenance, guiding service technicians and the first responders who use the tools in requirements and best practices that assure end users and the patients they treat are safe during extrications. The standards are already in effect and should be posted online soon; in the meantime, they sat down with HURST Jaws of Life® Engineering Ma...

Twiceme Technology enters a new product category by integrating the digital solution of easily accessible vital info into fall protection harnesses. Together with the industry frontrunner - Fall Safe®️, the partnership aims to develop the safest and most innovative fall protection equipment in the market. Digital Solution to Fall Protection Equipment After entering the construction segment, while adding Twiceme Technology into safety helmets, a lot of interest was shown by companies devel...

Nicki Vaca has been promoted to the position of Business Optimization Manager for HURST Jaws of Life, a unit of IDEX Fire & Safety, drawing on her two decades of experience and senior leadership with the industry’s renowned global manufacturer of rescue tools. Most recently served as Manager of Operations at HURST Jaws of Life’s Shelby, N.C. headquarters, Nicki Vaca has held roles in operations, IT, facilities and planning, and customer care during her 20-year tenure with HURST....

When a CO2 extinguisher is used in a confined space there is danger that the user may become overwhelmed by the sudden increase in carbon dioxide emissions. This occurs as CO2 is an asphyxiant, and the confined space means oxygen will be replaced by CO2 much faster. powder extinguishers Similarly, care must also be taken when using powder extinguishers. When the powder is discharged it can impair visibility and impact the breathing of the user, possibly jeopardizing their escape.  The p...

On the heels of expanding its eDRAULIC® watertight extrication tool (EWXT) line and garnering NFPA® 1936 2020 certification for it, HURST Jaws of Life® announces it has earned NFPA 1936 2020 compliant status for all of its current low-pressure and high-pressure tools, as well as its StrongArm® multitool, completing the company’s certification for all pressure rescue products available currently. performance test and design “HURST Jaws of Life remains dedicated to pr...

The government announced the publication of its response to the consultation it undertook on ADB, publishing at the same time an amendment to ADB that ‘extends the provision of sprinklers in blocks of high-rise residential buildings to those buildings with a top floor height of 11 meters above ground level’. This announcement also contained ‘new guidance on consistent wayfinding signage’ for fire and rescue service (FRS) personnel in such buildings. mixed-use and reside...