Fire Industry News for September 2023

A range of customers in the supply chain are often confused when it comes to the selection of the correct cabling for many critical applications, says AEI Cables. The company has been communicating the dangers of not following the technical guidance for the selection and installation of cables for Category 3 Control fire performance cables under the revised British Standard BS8519: 2020. Category 3 Control fire performance cables Category 3 Control fire performance cables reduce harmful smoke...

Global wireless solutions provider - Ramtech has launched its WES3 Wireless Evacuation and Nurse Call System in Australia, expanding the firm’s international reach within a new territory.  The emergency system is paving the way for worker safety in construction sites, having already had successful drills with some of the country's pioneering contractors. WES3 system Through its territory partners, Ramtech has recently deployed its WES3 system at a Built construction project in Pert...

Armstrong Priestley are the first company to have employees pass the BAFSA Inspection and Commissioning Course, which allows them to apply for the new Industry related CSCS SKILLS card. “The new Blue Skill Card for ‘Commercial Fire Sprinkler Engineers’ is a first and we are proud to have our engineers qualified and be amongst some of the very first people to carry the new trade related card,” says Steve Brailey, Joint Managing Director at Armstrong Priestley. Blue Skill...

BAFE Fire Safety Register has published Version 8.0 of their BAFE SP203-1 Competency Scheme Document for the Design, Installation, Commissioning, and Maintenance of Fire Detection and Fire Alarm Systems. BAFE has taken into strong consideration changes being introduced in respect of competency, including documents such as the BSI Flex 8670 (Core criteria for building safety in competence frameworks). For example with the recommendations of this document, the appropriate skills, knowledge, exper...

The BAFE Fire Safety Register is pleased to announce Howard Passey has joined the BAFE Board of Directors. Howard Passey, currently in the position of Deputy Managing Director of the Fire Protection Association (FPA), has accepted an invitation to join the BAFE Board.   Howard has been with the FPA since 1992, working in multiple roles during this tenure. This includes varying roles from Training/Information Officer to Principal Consultant, and more recently as Director of Operations...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is delighted to have won the Trade Association Forum’s (TAF’s) Skills Development Award for its training offering. The Award, which was presented at an Awards dinner at the Brewery in London on 23 February, recognizes the ASFP’s drive to improve its effectiveness and raise competency levels in passive fire protection. Competency Pathway The ASFP has developed a series of passive fire protection training courses, across mu...

The ASFP is saddened to hear of the passing of the Fire Protection Association (FPA) Managing Director (MD), Jon O’Neill.  Jon was and continues to be one of the original advocates of improving fire safety standards within design, construction, and occupation. ASFP team and members  Jon O’Neill was single-minded in creating an environment that endeavored to lower the frequency of major fire events and associated casualty numbers. He continued to lobby those in positions...

This month sees a change of leadership at the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP). Current ASFP CEO - Steve Davies is stepping down to take up a new challenge with Corrosion Resistant Products Ltd, a division of Indutrade. The ASFP’s Business Manager - Mike Ward will be taking over as its new Managing Director. Steve Davies is moving on having led the Association through a period of huge development and growth over the last two years, putting down strong foundations for the...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has been shortlisted for two awards in the Trade Association Forum’s (TAF’s) Best Practice Awards. The Awards, supported by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, recognize, reward and promote best practices among trade associations in the UK. Awards range across 17 categories under the three thematic areas of Engage, Improve, and Lead. Membership Engagement Award The ASFP is delighted to have made the sho...

Chris Sharman, the ASFP Training Manager, introduces ASFP’s newest training course. Training, education, and upskilling are the keys to achieving the desired objectives of increasing competency across the construction industry. The historic methods of teaching, both in theoretical and practical forms have typically utilized an in-person methodology. This may take the form of sitting in a classroom or working in a practical training center with direct interaction with the training lea...

The winners of the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) 2022 Passive Fire Protection Awards were announced at the Association’s Awards Dinner at the Park Regis Hotel in Birmingham on 25 November. Members gathered at this sell-out event to recognize and celebrate the sector’s achievements and hear all the latest news from the ASFP. Chosen by an independent panel of judges, the winners were presented with their awards by special guest speaker Mandy Hickson, a former Royal...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has updated its general Online Introduction to Passive Fire Protection, which provides a basic overview of passive fire protection (PFP) and its role in the overall fire strategy of a building. Also, in addition a new version of the course, Online Introduction to Passive Fire Protection (Installation) has been developed with new content specifically designed to cover the particular needs of passive fire installers. Online Introduction to Pa...

Fire-Dex is excited to announce the promotion of three associates and welcome one member to the Fire-Dex and Gear Wash Family. Michelle Guthrie has been with Fire-Dex for 15 years and has been promoted several times, most recently from Warehouse Supervisor to Production Planner.   New Promotions Gear Wash has also recently promoted two associates – Debbie Roberts and Karina Suquilema. Debbie will serve as Operations Supervisor at the Atlanta location and Karina will serve as O...

Planning has already been underway since the summer: For the fourth time, the Fraunhofer Institute for Communication, Information Processing, and Ergonomics FKIE is organizing the European Robotics Hackathon (EnRicH) together with the Austrian Armaments and Defence Technology Agency (ARWT). EnRicH 2023 EnRicH will take place in June 2023. For about a week, teams from all over the world will come together near Vienna to check the current development status of their robotic systems in vario...

Fire-Dex is officially an exclusive gear partner for the Fire Dept. Coffee. Protecting people is mission-critical for the two companies.  Fire-Dex is now the exclusive gear partner (including helmets, gloves, jackets, pants, and hoods) for the Fire Dept. Coffee, a pairing that brings industry-renowned PPE together with freshly roasted gourmet coffee and entertaining, educational online content for firefighters. Fire Dept. Coffee's successful years Fire Dept. Coffee is run by active and r...

A team of Firefighters from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service is raising money for a child who has a rare and aggressive form of Cancer. 7-year-old Oliver, who is from Sunderland, has Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. He is currently undergoing treatment; however, Neuroblastoma has a high relapse rate. A vaccine is available which is designed to reduce the chances of Oliver’s cancer returning, however, this will cost in the region of £260,000. High relapse rate To raise money towards th...

Fire hoods are an essential piece of a firefighter's PPE ensemble. They were originally built solely for heat and flame protection, but they have evolved to do much more. With so many options on the market, it's hard to be able to choose the best one. Which features are most important to you and your department? How does one hood differ from the other? Here we'll cover the 4 things to consider when shopping for fire hoods. Providing thermal protection Thermal Protection - If the main conce...

Fire-Dex is thrilled to welcome two new associates and announce the promotion of Agnes Baker. Fire-Dex is excited to welcome Destiny Brooks and Guy Crawford to the team. Destiny will serve as Office & Accounting Assistant at their headquarters in Medina, Ohio. Guy will be based out of the Pelham, Georgia location as HR Business Partner.   Agnes Baker, who has been with Fire-Dex since February 2021, has been promoted from Office and Accounting Assistant to Accounting Clerk, suppor...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has launched several new websites to reach out to fire safety professionals across the world. The new websites welcome visitors in their own language, signposting them to ASFP resources and information, including membership, training and technical guidance. New websites Offer greater interaction with ASFP The sites will encourage greater interaction with the ASFP on a global scale and help to improve understanding of passive fire protectio...

The NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO) has honored Dr. Michael Wunder, Head of the Research Department 'Information Technology for Command and Control Systems' (ITF) at Fraunhofer FKIE, with the NATO STO Excellence Award 2022. The organization recognizes his outstanding contributions to the Information Systems Technology (IST) Panel, which the engineer and scientist most recently led for eight years as Vice-Chair and Chair. Emerging technologies "Dr. Michael Wunder's dedicated con...

Fire-Dex is excited to announce the promotions of three members of the Fire-Dex Family and the addition of two new associates!  Elizabeth Martinez, Amber McCloud, and Misty Rackley have all received recent promotions. Elizabeth has been promoted to HR Business Partner at Gear Wash, Amber has been appointed to IT Systems Manager, and Misty has been promoted to Production Supervisor at their Pelham, Georgia location. New hires Fire-Dex is currently hiring multiple positions across several...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has announced offering three new member benefits in conjunction with the British Standards Institution (BSI). The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has signed a series of agreements with the British Standards Institution (BSI), the national standards body of the UK. Under the agreements, the ASFP is able to offer British standards for sale at discounted rates to members, free standards to SME members and free onboarding to th...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is an award-winning company that offers rewarding technical work in which people can make a real difference. Passive Fire Protection is a fundamental part of all building structures and although invisible to the average person saves countless lives. Enjoy a diverse work life at the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP), with ever changing tasks, from traveling the UK doing events and trade shows, to going out and interacting with...

First place in the Femtec Award 2022 for Macarena Varela, a Scientist at the Fraunhofer Institute for Communication, Information Processing, and Ergonomics FKIE. In the category 'Innovation' she prevailed in public voting and accepted the award from Femtec Managing Director Marion Zeßner at the Femtec summer party in Berlin. In the category 'Leadership', Prof. Dr. Angela Ittel, President of the TU Braunschweig, was awarded, and the prize in the category 'Social Impact' went to the DokFo...

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service will be recruiting for Wholetime Firefighters this autumn. Ahead of the portal opening for applications, the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging members of the public to consider a career in the Fire and Rescue Service, by joining them for a Firefighter ‘Have a Go’ day. ‘Have a Go’ events give an insight into the life as a firefighter, the opportunity to speak to current firefighters to find out more, and the chanc...

NFPA 1851 is the standard on PPE selection, care and maintenance. The purpose of this standard is to reduce health and safety risks associated with improper maintenance, contamination, or damage like exposure to harmful carcinogens that are often present in structural fires. Sometimes it's hard to get to an ISP to get the cleanings done. That's why they've created a guide to walk users through the proper cleaning for the turnout gear. Necessary universal precautions Step 1: Preparation - To...

Fire-Dex is growing again with the significant expansion of the Pelham, Georgia manufacturing facility and production team. With planned investments totaling over $1 million, they aim to build on their strong success in the southwest Georgia region, where the facility has operated since 2018.“New spending for floor space, equipment and personnel are all part of revitalizing the local textile industry and giving back to our community,” said Eric Walden, Production Manager at the Pelha...

Fire-Dex is hosting a one-of-a-kind Christmas in July giveaway, taking place from July 22 to July 29, 2022.   The giveaway will award three fire departments with a bundle of firefighter accessories and products. The bundle includes three Captain Jim Fire Hoods, three pairs of Dex-Pro Gloves, and three pairs of the FDXL200 Structural Fire Boots.   Giveaway kit Fire-Dex also partnered with SOOTSOAP, an all-natural line of personal care products made to ke...

Fire-Dex continues to seek new talent as they experience tremendous growth, while strengthening corporate culture among their team members.  Kelsey McKinley, Contract Administrator, Holly Banos, Territory Sales Representative, and Dan Maynard, Supply Chain Coordinator, have all been onboarded in recent weeks.   "We’re very excited to welcome Kelsey, Holly, and Dan to the Fire-Dex Family,” states Jamie Marks, Human Resources Manager at Fire-Dex, Inc., adding “Becomin...

On the morning of 6th July 2022, units were dispatched to a two-alarm high-rise fire at the Kenwood Condominium in Glen Echo Fire Department’s first due. PE711 was first on the scene, and crews quickly knocked out the fire on the 12th floor.  resident rescue During their primary search, firefighters rescued one resident in the fire apartment. A711B transported patient priority two to Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore for smoke inhalation.  Around 85 firefighters were dispatched...