Fire Industry News for September 2020

After years of hard work Fomtec are now all C6. Fomtec has developed formulations from C8 to C6, to secure that they only produce firefighting foam that are completely C6. Many of their C6 products are now approved by agencies and will be manufactured from now on. “I'm talking for the entire Fomtec when I say that we are very proud to announce that we are all C6. It´s important for us to provide our customers with high-quality foam that responds to our environmental policy”, s...

Elkhart Brass introduces the new EXM2 series of monitors to the existing monitor lineup. With flow ranges from 300-5000 gpm (1200 — 20,000 lpm), the EXM2 series is built for performance and control. With the EXM2 solution, it all adds up. The new EXM2 solution features leading edge technology. The system includes an integrated Wi-Fi server within the monitor control module. This provides secure access to the EXM2 browser page for simple, intuitive configuration of the monitor and input co...

On 21st July, 2020, a call was received by BAFSA (British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association) member, Triangle Fire Systems advising the company of a fire break out in a flat, on the 4th floor at 1-133 Garnet Road, Thornton Heath, in London, United Kingdom. The call was a result of the sprinkler alarm signaling the call center. BS9251 sprinkler system This building is a sheltered housing and Triangle Fire Systems had, retrospectively, installed a BS9251 sprinkler system supplied by a tank an...

At the start of April this year, BAFE published information for SP101 Registered Companies regarding coronavirus and the multiple factors related to fire extinguisher technician requirements. BAFE earlier this month resumed technician assessments and BS 5306 Exam invigilation (where safe to do so). Now that COVID-19 restrictions are beginning to ease, BAFE would like to now announce that refresher, asbestos awareness and health and safety training will now resume under normal conditions as requ...

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, has secured an order from Hall County Fire Services in Georgia. Sold through Pierce dealer, Ten-8 Fire Equipment, the order includes eight Pierce® Enforcer™ Pumpers and one Ascendant® 107’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Ladder. The new fire apparatus will support the department’s efforts to standardize its fleet to allow personnel consistency in their response and service delivery. Excellent customer service “Our fi...

During the 1st half of 2020, Hannay Reels has phased out the semi-precision bearings they have used until now in favor of precision-grade bearings. The new bearings are ABEC1-rated, with a load capacity rating 250% higher (2,800 lbs vs. 800 lbs) than the bearings they replaced. greater load capacity The inner and outer bearing races are now machined and ground to size, and the material is through-hardened, rather than just case-hardened. The tightened tolerances between races result in virtua...

While many of the larger reel models have featured riveted construction for years, Hannay announces that they have now replaced bolted construction on a smaller (trapezoidal frame style) hose and cable reels with riveted construction as well. This change is universal for all hose reel and cable reel models using this style of frame. Specifically, the new small frame design uses 12 self-piercing (zero-clearance) rivets per assembly, resulting in an extraordinarily strong, durable reel that elimi...

A new split bronze bearing insert (part # 9902-1710) is now standard for all 1-½” series reels, which includes reel models across several industries and applications such as LP Gas, Petroleum, Aviation, Industrial and Fire. The advantage of a split bearing on a reel is that if the bearing ever needs to be replaced, one will no longer have to remove the swivel joint as part of the task. Total replacement time can typically be cut to under five minutes, a reduction of 75% or more. T...

The UK Government published the draft Building Safety Bill which “takes forward reforms to the [domestic] building and fire safety system.” They state the Bill will “improve building and fire safety, so that people will be, and will feel, safer in their homes.” The draft Building Safety Bill, alongside supplementary information can be found on the Government website. Government have also launched an important consultation to strengthen the current Regulatory Reform (Fir...

As part of the new agreement Holmatro will work with the IMSA Safety Team to provide vehicle extrication equipment along with training to support local crews and ensure the highest standards. “Holmatro has a long history in motorsports safety, and in fact over the years Holmatro tools have played a part in the rescue of several drivers,” said Tony Barboza, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Holmatro, Inc. Motorsports safety teams “As the biggest supplier of extrication e...

Every year, 500,000 pets suffer from smoke inhalation and 40,000 die due to home fires. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association estimates that nearly 1,000 home fires each year are started by family pets. With pet fostering and adoption up 48% in the wake of COVID-19, it's more important than ever to teach pet owners simple ways to keep their pets safe in the event of an emergency. Awareness campaign As a committed advocate of fire safety and prevention in communities across the coun...

In the BSI hosted webinar, recent Schemes launched by BAFE will be discussed, being BAFE SP206 (covering the Design, Installation, Commissioning, Recharge and Maintenance of kitchen fire protection/suppression systems) and BAFE’s latest Scheme made available, BAFE SP105 (covering the Service and Maintenance of Dry and Wet Riser/Falling Installations). Chris Auger, Head of Schemes of BAFE, will also provide an update on work continuing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and provide an explan...

Streamlight®, Inc., a provider of high-performance lighting, launched the rechargeable Stinger® 2020, the next evolution in duty-ready flashlights designed for search, detection and defensive uses. The new light delivers 2,000 lumens and up to a 24-hour run time. The Stinger 2020 features an anti-roll body design, non-slip side panels and an ergonomic shape for perfect grip. Dual power switches and an intuitive mode selector slide switch allow for flexibility in lighting intensity and r...

BAFE are focused on protecting assessors and fire extinguisher technicians from the threat of COVID-19. After reviewing the risk threat posed by COVID-19, BAFE have established new safety procedures to recommence fire extinguisher technician assessments for the BAFE SP101 Scheme. BAFE are now in a position to accept bookings for assessments with immediate effect from June 7, 2020. To book an assessment, one may contact the BAFE office via email. BAFE have also considered COVID-19 risk for BS 5...

The cancellation of Independence Day professional fireworks programs in 2020 could raise the risk of wildfires as more amateurs undertake their own pyrotechnic shows, according to four organizations who focus on risk mitigation. "Leave fireworks to the professionals. Sparklers alone generally cause about one-fourth of all injuries during each year's Fourth of July celebrations," said Michele Steinberg, Wildfire Division Director, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), who noted amateurs w...

A Shurgard self-storage warehouse in Croydon has almost been completely rebuilt after it was burned down in a huge fire on New Year's Eve in 2018. The devastating blaze ripped through the entire warehouse, located on Purley Way, destroying all 1,198 units on its site. It sadly saw families lose valuable and sentimental items that were locked inside the units. At the worst point of the fire, 20 fire engines and around 125 firefighters were on the scene trying to tackle the flames. But in the end...

M-Fire Holdings, LLC announces additions to the proven Mighty Fire Breaker® product line designed to defend property and roadway right-of-way from devastating wildfire events. Applying Mighty Fire Breaker® Fire Treated Retention Mulch eliminates the threat of wildfire along exit corridors, ensuring a new level of safety for both fire professionals and evacuating residents. Tools for wildfire management Mighty Fire Breaker® wildfire protective mulch technology was created to assis...

On 24th June, BAFSA member RSP Sprinklers Wales received a call out to small block of flats in Cardiff where their sprinkler system successfully extinguished a fire. The call was received at 15.42 hours; their engineer arrived on site at 16.26 hours and had the block fully protected again at 16.54 hours. The fire had started on an external balcony, igniting a gas canister which exploded and set off the sprinkler inside the flat. The sprinkler successfully extinguished the fire both inside the...

BAFE shared the announcement made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Most notably, the one meter plus rule (in England) will help in the continuation of the fire safety industry gaining access to buildings to perform essential fire safety work and maintenance as required by legislation. We await further guidance to be released by Government in the near future which will assist the industry to determinedly continue with extreme care and diligence. Fire safety provisions Stephen Adams, Chief Exec...

Concentrations of hazardous substances in the ambient air at the workplace should not exceed specified limit values. Monitoring these sometimes very low values is a demanding task. The focus of the Dräger X-act 7000, in combination with the Dräger MicroTubes for different gases and vapors, is to measure carcinogenic and toxic substances in the lower ppb range. Dräger X-act 7000 analysis system The range of gases to be measured is being constantly expanded. The measurement-sensit...

The tragic Grenfell Tower fire incident occurred three years ago, on the 14th of June 2017. BAFE, the British Approvals for Fire Equipment has offered thoughts to the families and friends, at this time, who have lost loved ones and who have been affected in other ways by the saddening Grenfell Tower fire event. safeguarding lives in fire incidents BAFE have been working diligently to assist in making positive change to safeguard from any future loss of life and to dramatically improve building...

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, announced that the Eighth Annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb set to take place on the steps of Lambeau Field in September, will now be hosted as a virtual fundraising event in support of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). Co-sponsored by the Green Bay Metro Fire Department, the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Lambeau Field has been recognized as the largest event of its kind in the United States. Due to the unprecedented cir...

The campaign, Don’t Just Specify, Verify!, launched by the BAFE Fire Safety Register earlier in the year 2020 was established to create greater awareness of Third Party Certification in the fire safety sector. It is important that all premises management (i.e. the Responsible Person/Duty Holder) understand quality regulation is present in the fire safety industry through UKAS Accredited Third Party Certification and specify these appropriate providers. This should always be followed up wi...

WYFRS recommends to review the fire assessment as soon as possible after everyone returns from lockdown and systems and provisions are maintained to check they are working correctly. Stephen Adams, Chief Executive – BAFE, commented: “We are pleased to see Fire and Rescue Service information mirrors what BAFE has been advising as we begin the process of returning to a ‘new normal’. Many business premises will have changed the way they operate due to new coronavirus safety...

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, in collaboration with Canada-based Pierce dealer L’Arsenal based out of Drummondville, Quebec, announced that L’Arsenal has secured a four-year contract with Quebec City to provide fire apparatus. The contract will include up to 11 new pumpers and aerial apparatus. The initial order will include: A Pierce® Ascendant® 107’ Heavy-Duty Ladder - Single Rear Axle and a Pierce 100’ Heavy-Duty Steel Ladder. B...

Toronto based Bladefence has taken the delivery of a 70-meter Bronto S70XR aerial work platform. This is the first S70XR aerial platform mounted on a Kenworth chassis. The Bronto S70XR features 70-meter working height, 38-meter outreach and with this configuration on Kenworth T800 chassis a total weight of 32.5 tons. Mounting As a long time customer, we are happy to receive this new unit and to continue our long-standing cooperation" Mounting on the chassis was done at Bronto Skylift’s...

Streamlight® Inc., a provider of high-performance lighting, launched the PolyTac® 90X USB, a multi-fuel, right-angle personal light that delivers 500 lumens and uses a Streamlight SL B-26™ protected USB rechargeable Li-Ion battery pack. A PolyTac® 90X with two CR123A batteries is also available. The PolyTac 90X USB is a complete rechargeable system that includes a Streamlight SL-B26 rechargeable battery with integrated micro-USB port. The light also can accept two 3-Volt CR123...

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) has announced the resumption of all audit and assessment activity from 1 June 2020, in light of current Government “go to work if you are unable to work from home” guidance. Government guidance allows all employers to resume activity in the workplace where appropriate, including professional services that cannot be delivered remotely, such as NSI on-site audits. NSI will utilize a combination of remote audit and on-site audit capability in ac...

Streamlight®, Inc., a provider of high-performance lighting for first responders, announces that they donated $18,500 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), which included $8,500 in proceeds from sales of the company's specially marked NFFF Red Nano Light®, Red Vantage® helmet light, and Red Siege® AA lantern. Streamlight earmarks $1.00, $3.00, and $2.00, respectively, from the sale of each light for the NFFF. The donation also included a $10,000 contribution for...

There is a bombardment of information coming out regarding the coronavirus pandemic and the changes to the ‘new normal’ all are becoming accustomed to. BAFE has been keeping abreast of this information and hopes one finds news provided on the BAFE website useful. With coronavirus lockdown measures in place slowly beginning to ease BAFE strongly advises that fire safety measures are not overlooked or deferred further. Stephen Adams, Chief Executive – BAFE, has been discussing t...