Industry News

Fires in tunnels present particular dangers  than many open air environments Major tunnel fires can be catastrophic with the scale of lives and property lost. The particular nature of fires in such confined spaces ensures special challenges to fire safety professionals and fire fighters. Ali Aleali is business development manager for FireVu, which has designed and installed fire detection solutions for Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah and Sydney Harbour tunnels. With 30...

Railway tunnel fires can be more dangerous to life than road tunnel blazes Fire prevention is the single most important issue for railway tunnel fires safety. The potential consequences of fire, both materially and in human life often exceed road tunnels accidents. While the technology and solutions are available to reduce incidences of serious situations, the issue and danger still remains. The question is how we can manage it effectively. Ali Aleali, of fire detection...

NYFRS has also asked people to follow the Fire Kills campaign’s top tips to ensure the outdoor adventure is a safe and enjoyable one As part of the Fire Kills campaign, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is asking people to stay safe this summer as they make the most of the weather and enjoy the great outdoors, whether camping, cooking or exploring. “A long hot summer is what we hope for,” said Group Manager Peter Hudson. “However like many change...

The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 assesses workplace dangers for fire and explosion hazard identification Manufacturing facilities are highly vulnerable to fire. Flammable materials, multiple sources of ignition and malfunctioning machinery parts can lead to disastrous fires for firms. Ali Aleali at fire detection solution provider FireVu, specialises in food, drinks, pharmaceuticals and chemicals manufacturing. Ali discusses the causes...

Manufacturing environments have high risk processes making the threat of major fires a constant possibility Manufacturing plants’ vulnerability to fire ensures that safety, detection and preventive measures should never be compromised. Yet, fires still occur with alarming regularity and often terrible outcomes. Process Industry Informer takes a closer look at manufacturing fire risk and what can be done to reduce it. Manufacturing environments possess inherently hig...

Louisiana is the latest state to approve the ESA's newest fire certification Louisiana is the latest state to approve the Electronic Security Association’s (ESA) newest fire certification, Certified Fire Alarm Designer – Level III (CFAD), as an acceptable form of education to meet the requirements for fire alarm contractors in the state. Louisiana joins Iowa and Tennessee as the third state to approve the designation as an education requirement since it launched in...

Sprue’s involvement was hugely valuable in helping ensure students stay safe from potential CO sources A recent survey carried out among Warwick University students searching for new rented accommodation has highlighted a lack of awareness of symptoms that could be a sign of potentially fatal carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. The survey was carried out by local home safety products specialist, Sprue Safety Products, at the University’s annual Housing Day, where...

Over 40 fire and rescue services are encouraging people to help raise more money for The Fire Fighters Charity The Fire Fighters Charity is thanking supporters who have helped raise an outstanding £1,000,000 by donating to its textile recycling scheme over the past four years. The life-changing charity has been operating a successful recycling campaign since the summer of 2009, which has seen over 7,000 tonnes of clothing diverted away from landfill sites and raised suc...

Software enables building engineers to perform realistic desk top simulations Scientists at the Fire Safety Engineering Group of the University of Greenwich have released the next generation of the world’s most advanced evacuation and crowd simulation software, buildingEXODUS. Version 6.0 incorporates capabilities to simulate human behavior associated with the use of lifts/elevators for both evacuation and circulation. This new capability is based on data collected fro...

The runner-up was Botosani Fire Department (Romania), while Mooskirchen Fire Department (Austria) celebrated third place Firefighting teams from many countries have been competing for the title of “Best Firefighting Team of the Year” in recent weeks. The winners have now been announced. Palermo Fire Department (Italy) was presented with the title at a gala ceremony in Ulm Conference Center by IVECO MAGIRUS Brandschutztechnik GmbH and was able to take the prestigi...

Firefighters and staff from across the county collected the cash in a variety of events including car washes A record £30,000 has been raised by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service over the past year in aid of the Fire Fighters Charity - most of it through washing cars. Firefighters and staff from across the county collected the cash in a variety of events including car washes, and through donations and legacies. They celebrated after receiving a Certificate of Apprecia...

Silver band has been making music since 1869 Musicians from the Shaftesbury Town Silver Band can trumpet news of their ensemble even further thanks to a donation of 50 musical scores from The Wessex Group. The company, based in the North Dorset town, is celebrating its half century this year and each month is giving “50 somethings” to a good cause or charity. It has provided sheet music for the musicians who play at community engagements and public events thr...

Starting early next year, teams from fire services nationwide will be challenged to increase their daily activity levels Comparatively, how healthy is the Fire Service? Not very, according to a Government-sponsored review published in 2012. The report states that of 24,272 firefighters tested for the rate of oxygen consumed during exercise, 2,890 failed to achieve healthy levels. No organisation depends on the health and wellbeing of its employees more than the Fire Service....

Gas Safe Register estimates that one in three Britons don't check carbon monoxide appliances annually Home safety products specialist, Sprue Safety Products, has welcomed this week’s announcement in the House of Lords that there will be a Government review of current regulations on carbon monoxide (CO), with particular focus on the safety of tenants in rented accommodation. Responding to a question from Barnoness Finlay of Llandraff, Communities and Local Government Min...

Representatives and delegations from the world’s leading security enterprises visited CPSE 2013 At CPSE, major Chinese and global security products manufacturers, including Panasonic, Huawei, Bosch, Honeywell, Samsung, Sanyo, Sony and Siemens presented their innovations, find reliable partners and achieve critical goals. The newest products from around the world will be on display, running the entire gauntlet from video surveillance, access control, anti-intrusion and...

Suzanne has struck gold yet again at an international competition to recognise the best in the Police and Fire Service Vimpex Ltd are proud to have sponsored the World’s Toughest Female Firefighter, Suzanne Enghed, as she struck gold yet again - taking the top prize at an international competition to recognise the best of the best in the Police and Fire Service. The 34-year-old, who works as a full-time firefighter at Cheltenham West fire station, took two gold medals a...

The first arriving unit reported a wood frame, single family dwelling under construction involved with fire Just after 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2013, the Anne Arundel County 911 Center began receiving multiple calls reporting a house under construction on fire in the 500 block of Saint Martins Lane, Severna Park. The first arriving unit reported a wood frame, single family dwelling under construction which was 100% involved with fire. The fire was brought under cont...

Setcom’s newly released system uses Setcom's sophisticated patent-pending Phase Contouring technology Setcom® Corporation, a leading manufacturer of intercom systems and headsets for fire service vehicles, recently released its latest innovation for fire apparatus communications. CommandComTM. CommandCom is an advanced Setcom microphone and speaker system that is fully integrated into an H.O. Bostrom headrest. The newly released system uses Setcom’s sophistic...

The Yarnell Hill Fire is the deadliest incident for firefighters since 9/11 according to the NFPA An investigative report on the Yarnell Hill Fire that killed 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots crew was released on Saturday at a morning news conference in Prescott, Arizona led by the Arizona State Forestry Division. Florida State Forester Jim Karels led the Serious Accident Investigation Team, an interagency task force of experts, commissioned by the Forestry Divisio...

HIAL’s programme will involve basic firefighting theory and practice under the tutorship of Orkney College UHI A new training partnership has been formed between regional airport operator HIAL and Orkney College UHI in a move designed to provide lifesaving fire fighting training to maritime personnel across Orkney. HIAL has teamed up with the College’s Maritime Studies department to create a training programme tailored for people working in fishing, marine renewab...

The NFPA has issued a few fire safety tips for college students In a new NFPA report, September and October were identified as peak months for fires in college housing. According to the report "Structure Fires in Dormitories, Fraternities, Sororities, and Barracks," in 2007-2011, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 3,810 structure fires in dormitories, fraternities, sororities, and barracks. As college students settle into housing at school or o...

NYFRS has also asked people to follow the Fire Kills campaign’s top tips to ensure barbecue is a safe, enjoyable event Now that the warm, light evenings are finally with us in the UK and the summer holidays are fast approaching, barbecues are beginning to sizzle. But behind the bangers and burgers summer fun has a serious side. North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, as part of the Fire Kills campaign, is asking everyone to take extra care when cooking al fresco, espec...

As part of his Fellowship, Andy qualified as a swiftwater powerboat and jet-ski operator Andy Reynolds, a firefighter with Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, has just returned from a Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship (www.wcmt.org.uk) in North America. During six weeks, he attended flood and swiftwater rescue training, and visited Fire and Sheriffs’ Departments and volunteer rescue teams from California, Texas, North and South Carolina, New York and British Columbi...

The group will train on breathing apparatus, petrochemical fires and water rescue to over 50 firefighters Two Dundee Airport firefighters are to make a 3,000 mile round trek across Europe in a bid to share their lifesaving skills with firefighters in Bosnia. Watch Manager Gary Johnstone and airport fire fighter Lucas Belina will join two other fire fighters from International Fire and Rescue Association (IFRA), a Scottish based charity which equips and trains emergency servi...

The Fire Sector Federation will conduct a panel discussion aimed at assessing the outcomes of the inquest The recently published inquest into the Lakanal House fire in London 2009 has highlighted some key areas of non compliance, oversight and operational confusion directly attributed to the incident. It has also argued the tragic loss of life could have been averted if the correct procedures and legal recommendations under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order had been fo...

The Understanding and Implementing Standards guide examines three major NFPA standards The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have teamed up to develop a guide to assist fire departments in understanding and implementing NFPA standards. Understanding and Implementing Standards examines three major NFPA standards relating to safety and health and offers clarification, identifies manageable steps, and highlights available...

The film aims to make young people aware of the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide Gas safety campaigners and students from Huddersfield were in London last week to present a unique project to the top brass of the gas industry. They presented their film, “The Silent Killer” to the Gas Industry Safety Group, which brings together the principal organisations in the UK energy industry to promote gas safety. “The Silent Killer” has been developed by st...

The company's animated film, "Hot Date" features the heroic efforts of the fire safety Fire safety specialist, Sprue Safety Products, is urging romantics to take extra care this Valentine’s Day to make sure the temperature does not rise too high during their ‘Hot Date’! Backing warnings from fire brigades across the country to prioritise fire safety, the company’s animated film, ‘Hot Date’ features the heroic efforts of the fire safety con...

Stephen McPartland MP supports the BFC's campaign  to maintain British Flammability standards Stephen McPartland MP, the Member of Parliament for Stevenage and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Furniture Industry Group, has affirmed his support for the British Furniture Confederation’s (BFC) campaign to maintain British Flammability Standards. The Standards have demonstrated that they save lives and are more rigorous than other European regulations. The Governme...

The Scholarship includes a flight to Indianapolis, a 5-night hotel stay and attendance to FDIC The most enduring gift any person can give is knowledge - the tool you never lose and never wear out. Since 2010, True North has provided training scholarships for firefighters to attend the 2013 Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) so they continue to get the training they need to stay safe and protect the safety of others. This year True North had renamed its FDIC Training...