Industry News

For facilities management, anticipating any large-scale evacuation is at the very forefront of the fire safety measures they must consider to underpin emergency planning. As one recent example where hundreds of people had to be evacuated from a building shows, planning for public address announcements is a safety-critical concern that demands attention to the best practice offered by the latest audible warning systems. Why Voice Alarm Systems? In modern buildings, there may be literally dozens...

On 14th November, Notifier by Honeywell were invited to showcase Notifier products at the Marlowe Fire & Security Innovation day. This gave Business Managers, Mike Hobbs and Mick Bull the opportunity to demonstrate to customers and end users Notifier products. The Pearl Panel was the main product on display and received great feedback. They were also joined by James Mitchel from CST, who showcased the Honeywell Paging system while being connected to the Pearl Panel. The whole system connect...

Leading lights in fire safety have been appointed by the International Fire Safety Standards Coalition [IFSS] to help improve building safety worldwide. A core group of twenty-two leading fire safety experts was appointed to the coalition’s standards setting committee that will work to develop landmark industry standards for fire safety in buildings. Overcoming Risk To Public Safety Past-president of the Association for Project Safety (APS) Bobby Chakravarthy – who is a founder mem...

There are more than three times as many home cooking fires on Thanksgiving as a typical day of the year, making it by far the leading day for US home cooking fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®). This sharp spike (a nearly 250 percent increase over the daily average) is a powerful reminder to use caution when cooking on Thanksgiving feast. “Thanksgiving is a festive but hectic holiday, where people are often preparing several dishes at once. They&r...

A Dover resident was lucky to escape with her life after being overcome by smoke from a bedroom fire at a flat in Christchurch Way in the early hours of Saturday morning (10th November 2018). Fire crews praised the efforts of police officers, who were initially called to the scene after a neighbor reported hearing cries for help from a ground floor flat. Kent Police officers discovered the fire and realized someone was trapped inside. Unfortunately, there were no working smoke alarms in the fl...

Fire and emergency service volunteers donate countless hours to serve and protect their communities. One's selfless contributions are critical to making their community a safer, stronger place. With this in mind, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to partner with Cabot Creamery Co-operative to promote volunteerism and reward those who serve. In conjunction with Points of Light, National Cooperative Bank, and Create the Good, Cabot created Reward Volunteers, a free, easy way t...

Rave Mobile Safety (Rave), a trusted partner for safety software protecting millions of individuals, has released key findings from its 2018 survey, Emergency Preparedness and Security Trends in Healthcare, after polling hundreds of healthcare safety leaders across the United States. Healthcare safety survey The Emergency Preparedness and Security Trends in Healthcare survey results, which will be revealed in a webinar to be aired on Thursday, October 25, examined the current and most pressing...

KME Fire Apparatus, a subsidiary of REV Group and globally renowned manufacturer of fire apparatus, has announced the launch of the Hendrickson STEERTEK NXT Front Axle and Suspension System on KME Custom Chassis pumper, tankers, rescue and aerials. STEERTEK NXT Front Axle The Hendrickson STEERTEK NXT Front Axle and Suspension System utilize an innovative spring clamp group and a fabricated box shaped axle. The combination of those two features allows for a reduction in weight, increase in perf...

ADT Inc., the provider of monitored security and interactive home and business automation solutions in the United States and Canada, announced a $100,000 contribution to the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to help raise awareness for recruitment of volunteer firefighters. “Emergency calls have more than tripled over the past few decades and volunteer firefighters are needed to meet the increasing call volume and demand,” said Heather Schafer, CEO, NVFC. “We are grateful...

Just in time for National Fire Prevention Week, the UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FSRI) is reminding people across the U.S. to take one simple action in their homes that could potentially save lives: Close Before You Doze. This vital public safety campaign encourages everyone to close all the doors in their homes each night before bed, following a study conducted by UL FSRI, showing that in a home fire, a closed door can be an effective barrier against deadly levels of carbon monoxid...

Open burning is allowed October 1 - April 30 of each year. During this time, one may burn limited yard debris such as leaves, pine straw, and small limbs from growth on ones property. The following restrictions for burning also apply: Burning is allowed between the hours of 10 a.m. and one hour before sunset (no smoldering or hot coals remaining). Yard waste fires must be completely extinguished one hour prior to sunset. No burning is allowed on windy days (10 mph or higher) or on days when...

For the 11th consecutive year, Domino's Pizza, the largest pizza company in the world based on global retail sales, and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) are teaming up to deliver fire safety messages to homes across the country. During Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 7-13), participating Domino's stores throughout the U.S. will reinforce this year's campaign theme, ‘Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere’, with flyers on top of pizza boxes. The flyers will...

The non-profit Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation continues its commitment to properly equip and protect first responders with its annual fundraiser, First Responders Month, this October at all Firehouse Subs restaurants. To reach the goal of raising $1 million for lifesaving equipment within the month, guests are encouraged to visit any local Firehouse Subs restaurant and support the initiative through the purchase of a Gear Medallion in the amount of $1, $5, $10, $25 or $100. Previously...

The UK market for passive fire protection products is estimated to be worth around £650m at manufacturers selling prices - excluding installation. The market has grown by around 2% in 2017, with forecasts for 2018 at a similar level. This follows good growth between 2013 and 2015, which represented a period of recovery for the overall construction industry, especially in the education, offices, retail and leisure sectors. The forecasts indicate a more subdued performance, with lower levels...

Fire detection is reaching new, advanced levels, designed to help save more lives. Edwards, continuing in its legacy as the inventor of the alarm bell, is the first multi-criteria smoke detector manufacturer to receive certification to the UL standard for Fire Alarm Systems UL 268, 7th edition, set to take effect May 2020. The new Signature Optica smoke detectors utilise a next-generation sensor that better distinguishes the type of fire and the danger it creates, as well as reducing nuisance al...

In advance of The Emergency Services Show at the NEC (19th-20th September) Armadillo Merino, who supply pure merino base layers to firefighters, the police, special forces and even NASA is campaigning to promote the benefits of wearing natural fabrics as part of a Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) layering system and to dispel the marketing myths regarding ‘wicking' fabrics in emergency situations. Armadillo Merino is exhibiting at the Emergency Services Show - Stand D-78. Protective Pe...

Metropolitan Fire Chiefs from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom participated in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Urban Fire Forum (UFF) at NFPA headquarters in Quincy, Mass. NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley welcomed the chiefs and provided an overview of the association’s Fire and Life Safety Ecosystem, reinforcing the critical role urban fire chiefs play in ensuring safe communities. Special guests at the Forum included the President of the Canadian Associ...

Firefighters have praised the actions of a Folkestone schoolboy after a fire broke out at his home on Wednesday morning (19 September). At around 8.15am, 11-year-old Reilly Fleming was at home in Cornwallis Close getting ready to go to school when he noticed that a greenhouse adjoining the property looked a bit strange, and realized a fire had broken out inside. His mum and dad had already left the house to go to work, so Reilly quickly dialed 999 and went next door to alert the neighbors. He t...

Hundreds of firefighters have been tackling a blaze at an industrial unit in Westwood near Margate since Saturday morning (15 September). When the fire initially broke out, 14 fire engines and more than 50 fire personnel were deployed to the scene. They were faced with thousands of bales of plastic wrapped waste alight inside a unit in Enterprise Way. And while resources on the scene have been scaled down since the original response, there has been a significant fire service presence throughout...

“For some time now, our customers have hoped for the trusted Bronto on a smaller scale, this is the very answer to this demand. We are bringing the same quality equipment to lower level access that we provide to the higher worksites.”, says Antti Suoniemi, Access Sales Director from Bronto Skylift. S35EM truck mounting platform The S35EM is all about the ease of use and the increased effortlessness it brings to the worksites. It has all the elements of a true work machine, yet it&r...

As per a new law aimed at better safeguarding fire rescue and emergency services personal, offenders who assault or attack emergency workers are to face longer jail terms. The maximum jail term for assaulting an emergency worker, including fire service personnel, will double from six to 12 months, once the new law goes into effect. An episode of the West Midlands Fire Service’s (WMFS) TV series, ‘Into the Fire’, shows one of the WMFS crew members being intimidated by a gang....

First Alert, the most trusted brand in home safety, Campus Firewatch and the Michael H. Minger Foundation have selected 25 organisations to participate in the second annual Town/Gown Fire Safety Community Service Project to raise awareness about fire safety. The initiative pairs firefighters with local colleges and universities to raise awareness among students and community members across the country about the importance of working smoke alarms and help to improve fire safety in homes. The cho...

The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, issued the following statement on Firefighters' National Memorial Day. "While most people do their best to get out of harm's way when there's a fire, firefighters run directly into it. They do that with the full knowledge of what could happen. And when tragedy strikes, the grief felt by a firefighter's family, friends and colleagues is shared by the whole country.  Firefighters' National Memorial Day is a...

A recent decision by the U. S. Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit clearly demonstrates the importance of issues raised by unauthorized publishing of codes and standards. The Court issued its decision in a copyright and trademark infringement case brought by three standard development organizations (SDOs), namely - the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), along with ASTM International (ASTM) and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)...

Fire doors are always important, but it can be even more crucial for those who manage buildings with a sleeping risk such as hotels and hospitals. The condition of each door can dramatically impact the performance of the door to hold back, smoke, gasses and fire. Here are some simple things to keep in mind to ensure that the resident’s premises and their occupants remain protected. A fire door is only effective barrier to fire (and possibly smoke) when its shut. prop open fire doors So,...

Over three million fire doors are installed every year in the UK, yet incorrect specification, poor installation and a lack of maintenance is still a common occurrence. In light of this, and to coincide with Fire Door Safety Week, ASSA ABLOY UK is holding a dedicated event at West Midlands Fire Service’s headquarters in Birmingham to help raise the bar on standards of quality for fire door safety. The event will take place on Thursday 27th September and is aimed towards building owners, f...

ShotSpotter-Verizon collaboration expands with ShotSpotter Flex inclusion ShotSpotter, Inc., global company in gunshot detection solutions that help law enforcement officials identify, locate and deter gun violence, announced that Verizon Communications Inc. has expanded its partnership to include reselling ShotSpotter Flex, the company’s flagship gunshot detection solution, as a stand-alone offering to its customers. ShotSpotter, used by more than 90 cities to help figh...

September is Campus Fire Safety Month, and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and The Center for Campus Fire Safety (The Center) are working together to promote their national Campus Fire Safety for Students campaign. The campaign, which raises awareness about the dangers of fires among college-aged students who live in on- and off-campus college housing, serves as an important reminder for students, parents, fire safety professionals, and safety educat...

FirstNet is bringing public safety a much-needed technology upgrade to help them connect to the critical information they need More than 2,500 public safety agencies across the country have joined FirstNet. This is nearly double the number of agencies since the last update in July. FirstNet is the nationwide public safety communications platform dedicated to America's first responders. Being built with AT&T, in public-private partnership with the First Responder Network A...

The extent of the passive fire protection remediation work required in England’s social housing stock has been revealed by a new investigation, the findings of which suggest that thousands of families are being exposed to unnecessary risk. A study by Inside Housing magazine analyzed the fire risk assessments for 1,584 residential tower blocks (approximately 40% of the stock of social housing tall buildings) and discovered that major problems with fire doors and compartmentation were widesp...