Fire Industry News for November 2021

As a response to the Grenfell tragedy, Envirograf has manufactured fire-resistant panels for the purpose of constructing eco-homes and flats. As part of a large-scale fire test, Envirograf constructed an eco-house made of these prefabricated panels to demonstrate its fire resistance and integrity. The panels are manufactured with MDF board, insulation slabs, and mastic adhesive to create a fireproof panel, suitable for use in walls or ceilings. The panels have been fire-tested, as well as airbo...

Homes and buildings require the installation of ventilation systems to improve air quality, reduce smoke levels, and moderate internal temperatures. Stale air is removed to allow fresh air to enter, while also removing excessive moisture to reduce condensation dampness. Passive fire products offer effective protection against ventilation systems at high risk of causing fires. Values of ventilation protection Multi-storey buildings are at particular risk of fire damage due to complex ventilati...

Envirograf offers a free CPD training course to tradesmen and other construction professionals, who are looking to widen their knowledge of installation and purposes of passive fire products.  CPD training course Each training session provides an educational insight into fire products by a spokesperson, with videography of products in action. In the training session, a visual fire demonstration of how intumescent works are performed in a controlled environment. Envirograf also provides f...

All Royal Berkshire Fire Authority and Committee meetings will resume physical meetings from June 30. 2021, with the annual Royal Berkshire Fire Authority meeting, which will be held from 6:30 pm, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, at Winnersh Triangle, in Reading, United Kingdom. RBFRS' meetings The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) meetings are open for the press and public to attend, however, please be aware that the numbers will be limited due to UK Government and Public Health Engla...

Spartan Emergency Response®, a subsidiary of REV Group® and manufacturer of fire apparatus, introduces Smart Reach™ Multi-Stance™, the patented new Smeal® ladder and outrigger control system that offers increased versatility and functionality for firefighters. The Smart Reach Multi-Stance system offers a 360-degree, no dead-zone functionality on Smeal aerials that can be adapted to the scene while maintaining full reach. This system delivers full-reach access and provide...

The U.S. Marine Corps Program Manager for Training Systems has awarded Saab the Force on Force Training Systems - Next (FoFTS-Next) Single Award Task Order Contract (SATOC). The contract has a potential value of USD 127.9 million. The FoFTS-Next SATOC will include U.S. Marine Corps Training Instrumentation Systems (MCTIS) equipment, logistics, and training exercise support. Live training sessions Through this framework agreement with future task orders exercised, Saab will provide a full turn...

Royal Berkshire Fire Authority has donated a vehicle and a range of firefighting equipment to a charity partnership that works to assist the emergency response of The Gambia Fire and Ambulance Service. The Gambia and Avon Fire Services in Partnership (GAFSIP) is a charitable trust between Avon Fire and Rescue Service and The Gambia Fire and Ambulance Service, which has been in existence since 1991. The GAFSIP partnership aims to preserve and protect health in The Gambia by enabling a life-savin...

Envirograf has announced testing its latest solution, Envirowall, a fire-resistant eco panel that offers effective passive fire protection, thermal performance, as well as sound absorption. Envirowall eco panels Over 50 experimental tests have been carried out for Envirowall eco panels, achieving 133 minutes of fire integrity, insulation, and load-bearing. Acoustic performance has been tested, in accordance with BS EN ISO 10140-2:2010:45 (-2;-7) dB, achieving a thermal U-value of 0.40 W/sq. m...

As part of a month-long Fire Kills campaign, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding residents to stay safe during summer as they make the most of the weather and enjoy the outdoors. James Hunt, Watch Based Station Manager, said: “Many of us are well aware of the need for fire safety in the home, but it is important to be just as careful to avoid the risk of fire when you are outside. If you’re intending to take out your tent, get your caravan back on the road or simply...

Envirograf has been routinely testing a Fireproof Prefab EcoHouse, built using Envirowall – a unique new eco-panel system suited for building bungalows, houses, and blocks of flats. This unique unit has taken 2 years to develop, design and test. The panels are completely fire-resistant tested for over 3 hours which will not burn inside or outside Tested at BTC for impact and airborne sound: BTC 21570A and BTC 21609A Air pressure tested and air permeability achieved: 1.15 m3 .h-1 .m2 @...

Saab’s fourth aerial firefighting aircraft has touched down at Skavsta Airport, its home base, near Nyköping in Sweden. Saab operated two aircraft in the summer of 2020 and participated in five firefighting missions. In January 2021, the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) customer exercised a contractual option to extend the fleet to four AT-802F Fire Boss aerial firefighting aircraft. “For the last few months we have been busy procuring aircraft and extending the organiz...

Envirograf® proudly sponsors the St Margaret’s Cricket Club and Dover Cosmopolitan’s Cricket Club, a clubhouse whose sports members compete in the Kent Regional League as well as holding friendly sides. Its ample playing fields host many bat-and-ball games, creating a sense of fun and entertainment for the St Margaret’s community. St Margaret’s Cosmopolitan CC welcomes new team players and encourages the local community to enhance their sports skills and boost social...

Saab invites media to a live-streamed media briefing about Saab’s best and final offer for Finland’s HX fighter program.   Saab will take the opportunity to present and elaborate on its Gripen and GlobalEye offer to Finland. The briefing will also provide insights on key elements in Saab’s Industrial Participation offer, its growth in Finland, and the cooperation with Finnish companies, as well as more detail on Sweden’s commitment to the HX program and the systems...

SPIE UK has been awarded a new contract for the supply and installation of replacement high voltage switchgear by Merseytravel. SPIE UK will be supplying, installing, and replacing high voltage switchgear, low loss transformers, and high voltage, low voltage, and control cabling at the Promenade Ventilation Station, which provides ventilation and power to the Kingsway Road tunnel, which runs under the River Mersey between Liverpool and Wallasey. Not costing the earth Four 1500kVA Wilson e3 Lo...

In recent years, there has been a high record of fire incidents occurring within bathrooms and wetrooms. Without adequate fire protection, fires become out of control and quickly ravage entire structures, risking terraced and neighboring properties. Water pumping systems rely on durable, reinforced pipeworks that are protected from all forms of damage. Dependent on the material used, PVC pipes easily become damaged due to fire or heat. Passive fire protection Where services, outlets and pipes...

Royal Berkshire Fire Authority has successfully concluded its search for the next leader of Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service. Wayne Bowcock will be joining the Service following the retirement of its current Chief Fire Officer, Trevor Ferguson, in July 2021. Wayne will join the Service in June to ensure a smooth transition, before Trevor’s departure. Wayne joins the Service from his current role as Chief Fire Officer and Director at Gloucestershire County Council. Wayne was selecte...

Royal Berkshire Fire Authority welcomes and supports the ongoing work of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), which aims to lead improvement across the fire and rescue sector at a national level. As part of this work, the Authority is pleased that Sir Tom Winsor, in the State of Fire and Rescue Annual Assessment in England 2020, has highlighted the outstanding work, which many fire and rescue services, including Royal Berkshire staff, have underta...

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 is an essential document that sets out the regulations to be followed when in contact with electrical equipment. Where required, the document is updated to improve the safety of installation operations and living standards. In more recent news, the 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations was updated on 1st January 2019, requiring electricians to be up to date with new guidelines. Within BS 7671:2018, which is also known a...

SPIE UK announces a contract with Calor Gas for the long-term maintenance of the company’s Port Clarence facility and the design and build of upgrades to the filling hall safety systems. The safe operation of the filling site at Port Clarence is of paramount importance to Calor Gas. The facility is one of the main filling plants for Calor and is key to the nationwide operation of the UK’s leading LPG provider. Managing the safety of the site relies on monitoring all aspects of the c...

Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and are running a joint campaign aimed at promoting motorcycle safety across the Thames Valley. The ‘Ride Safe’ campaign will engage with local riders to promote key safety messages, including the importance of bike maintenance and wearing the correct riding kit. Riders will also be encouraged to revisit their riding skills as many may be returning to...

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is pleased to announce that it is now a Stonewall Diversity Champion. Stonewall is Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ charity, founded in 1989 in response to the Section 28 legislation. The Diversity Champions program is an employers’ program for ensuring that all LGBTQ+ staff are accepted without exception in the workplace. Through the program, Stonewall work with over 850 organizations to help creative inclusive and accepting work environments....

A milestone has been reached in the project to build a new community fire station in Theale, United Kingdom. At the beginning of February 2021, construction work on Theale Community Fire Station was completed, at the highest point of the building, when the last beam was placed on the roof. This milestone is usually marked with a ‘Topping Out’ ceremony, which is a long-standing tradition that signifies the successful completion of the structural phase of a project. Theale Community...

In March 2021, the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is asking residents to test their smoke alarms regularly and make it a part of their weekly routine, in support of the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) month-long campaign. Smoke alarms are important for everyone’s safety and they can give those few extra seconds for people in distress to escape, in the event of a fire. Importance of smoke alarms in homes Statistics show that smoke alarms alerted households to...

At 11:04 pm on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) received reports of a house fire on Amity Road, in Reading, United Kingdom. Crews and officers from the Wokingham Road, Dee Road and Caversham Road Fire Stations, which come under the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, were sent to the scene. Fire survival guidance Thames Valley Fire Control Service gave the occupants crucial fire survival guidance over the phone Thames Valley Fire Control...

Envirograf continues to manufacture new products to provide effective passive fire protection for electrical equipment. Overheated electricals cause serious fires within homes and buildings, however installing intumescent products provides protection against these fires. Fire protection for electrical services is essential for ensuring homes are safe from overheated equipment.

Envirograf is continuing business as normal throughout the lockdown period. The safety of the staff and clients are the highest priority, and they have swiftly adapted to creating safer office operations ensuring safe distances are adhered to. Any orders placed online or by telephone are being handled as quickly as possible. For any business enquiries, please contact Envirograf online or call.

The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) is exercising an option in their contract with Saab regarding aerial firefighting capability in Sweden. Saab will provide two additional aircraft with an associated crew. The order from March 2020 concerns the capability to fight fires with two bucketing aircraft yearly, from 1 April to 30 September, through 2023. MSB is exercising the option in the contract for two more aircraft, beginning with the 2021 fire season. This is a resource that will be a...

An inspection by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) confirmed that Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service (RBFRS) has adapted and responded to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic effectively, thereby highlighting the additional support that the fire service has been offering its communities, throughout this public health crisis. RBFRS response to COVID-19 In August 2020, the UK Home Secretary commissioned HMICFRS to examine how fire and rescue...

The global smart PPE technology market size is projected to reach USD 7.70 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 15.9% during the forecast period. Growing utilization of Industry 4.0 technologies in developing personal protective equipment (PPE) will be a game-changer for this market, finds Fortune Business Insights™ in its report, titled “Smart PPE Technology Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product Type (Smart Safety Gloves, Smart Shoes, Smart Eyewea...

As part of the Fire Kills Candle Safety Week campaign, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is raising awareness of the fire hazards that come with candles, particularly in the lead-up to Halloween and Diwali. With celebrations looking slightly different this year in light of the COVID-19 control measures in place and with many organized events being canceled, RBFRS is asking residents to take extra care while celebrating in their homes and gardens. Lighting candles with care Gail...