Active Fire Protection (AFP) - News

For many years, Italy has been demanding the active use of fire fighting systems in trains in addition to the usual use of fire detection systems. Following this demand, a part of the TGV fleet to be used in the future on the high-speed line between Milan and Paris will therefore also be retrofitted with a fire fighting system from AQUASYS. The first retrofit sets of the high-pressure water mist system will already be delivered this year. Existing train structure As a result, the customer rec...

Emergency Reporting, the provider of Fire & EMS records management software headquartered in Bellingham, Washington, releases a new report to assist customers with their applications for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The application period for this grant opened on January 4. With fire department budgets being significantly challenged in today’s climate, the AFG program provides some much-needed relief. Submitting...

The National Fire Chiefs Council has released a range of updated risk assessments which will allow fire-fighters and other staff to continue work on COVID-related activities – while taking on more. To support this, 10,000 lateral flow tests a week will be provided by the government to fire services, meaning up to 5,000 fire-fighters could soon be supporting the UK-wide vaccination program underway. These tests will help keep firefighters who are undertaking vital COVID work safer –...

An ASIS International UK Chapter member for nearly 20 years, John A. Petruzzi, Jr., CPP, will serve as President of the association’s Global Board of Directors in 2021. John Petruzzi’s discussed his goals for the coming year in a Q&A session. The ASIS blog asked Petruzzi to discuss the impact of his ASIS volunteer roles on his career. Power of the ASIS family John A. Petruzzi said, “I’ve often said that I owe much of my success to the power of the ASIS family. From...

For anyone who is not aware and is responsible for fire extinguishers within their building, there has been a change for class D Powder extinguishers (which are used for metal fires). This change has been introduced with BS 5306-10:2019, published 31/10/2020, and supersedes BS 7863:2009 (which is withdrawn). clearer differentiation Guidance published in December 2020 by FIA (Fire Industry Association), states, “The major change is the color-code for class D Powder extinguishers (fo...

Granite Workwear products are always manufactured with the user in mind. They understand the importance of needing high-quality workwear that users can rely on. That’s why they make sure all their products are fully tried, tested and fit for purpose. Granite Workwear highlights 5 products that can help keep users warm this winter. Helmet Liners - JSP has a range of helmet liners to help keep the head warm when working in cold working conditions. Whether the user is on a construction site...

The new Detention Center in Crawford County, Arkansas has raised the bar when it comes to Life Safety measures. The new Crawford County Justice Center was built due to alarming overcrowding issues that endangered the safety of the inmates and staff. The new 307 bed facility is now a beacon of safety, especially when it comes to Life Safety & Fire Protection. Installing Life Safety system In February of 2018, The Association of Builders and Contractors of Arkansas awarded American Fire Prot...

Birmingham-based business successfully ramps up during the global pandemic and is set to go from strength to strength in 2021, rewarding its dedicated team with a generous wage increase and Christmas bonus. Amid coronavirus pandemic reports of companies making heavy redundancies there is one good news story to emerge from the West Midlands. Zicam Integrated Security Limited has not only managed to avoid redundancies and furloughing staff but has flourished in the last nine months to achieve a f...

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is on a mission to encourage the people of Kent and Medway to help keep hydrants healthy in their local area. Located all over the county, fire hydrants provide firefighters with access to a steady flow of water to fight fires. They are used by crews whenever they need more water than they’re able to carry on fire engines, and can be a vital asset for firefighters. However, if they’re ever damaged or obscured, it could waste valuable minutes for c...

CRFD personnel once again stood out during the annual leadership conference of the South Carolina State Association of Fire Chiefs. Yet the major highlight for the weekend was CRFD Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins being sworn in as the new president of the organization. Fire chiefs from across the Palmetto State gathered in Myrtle Beach for the conference during the weekend of January 9, 2021. Originally scheduled for last September the annual event had to be pushed back due to the ongoing threat o...

Innovative manufacturer of fire detection equipment, Global Fire Equipment (GFE), has added to its product portfolio with the launch of G-One, a versatile addressable single loop fire control panel with advanced connectivity. The G-One has been designed with affordability and flexibility in mind. Thanks to its sophisticated design, easy installation, and intuitive commissioning, it is an ideal solution for a wide range of single loop applications, from offices and restaurants, to shops, schools...

The Board of Directors of the Dallas-based American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has announced the unanimous selection of Robert G. (Bob) Caputo, CFPS, as the association's President. Established in 1981, AFSA and its federation of 31 chapters serve as North America's largest fire sprinkler industry organization. Caputo's tenure will begin on November 1, 2020. "The Board members and I are very excited and extremely pleased to welcome Bob to the AFSA team," says AFSA Chair of the Board Ted...

First responder radio signal and communications can be significantly impacted by building construction, building size, and other factors. Because of that, it is important that emergency personnel have the ability to communicate in the event of an emergency. The good news is that there is a solution! Bi-Directional Amplification (BDA) Bi-Directional Amplification (BDA) is an Emergency Radio Communication System that provides reliable communication radio transmissions between first responders in...

Choosing the right fire suppression system can make all the difference in the protection of vital establishments and entities, including building, assets, and people. Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid The Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid is a clean agent fire extinguishant that was created as an alternative to hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) and a halon replacement. Fire protection systems using the Novec 1230 fluid are assured that: Fluid is stored as a liquid but discharged as a gas. The system...

It is safe to say that water is vital to the existence on this planet. What was once in abundant supply is now being rationed due to the growth of the populous; therefore making it crucial to protect what resources one has as best they can. In the fire protection industry, one must do their part to protect the water supply. The most sensible way, at present, is through a Backflow Protection Program. An ever-growing number of cities and small towns are requiring approved backflow preventers to b...

The US federal government passed a new legislation called the ‘Tax Cuts & Job Act’. This legislation includes incentives for businesses that install new fire sprinkler systems. As fire sprinklers are the quickest way to extinguish a fire, it’s important to incentivize businesses to install one. Money should never be seen as a deterrent to keeping your employees and patrons safe. ‘Tax Cuts & Job Act’ US Congress has added fire protection as an eligible expe...

The Bundeswehr plans to equip its infantry with unmanned ground vehicles for the transport of material and weapons. It has tested various off-the-shelf systems in a variety of operational scenarios as part of two troop exercises. The Fraunhofer FKIE provided technical and scientific support for the tests. The results demonstrate the high potential of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and the level of maturity they have already attained. The conclusion among soldiers and experts was unanimous: the...

USFA highlights reasons why builders and fire departments should advocate for residential fire sprinklers in local fire and building codes. Residential fire sprinklers date back to the early 1970s. Sprinklers can save lives and money when properly installed and maintained. residential sprinklers The International Residential Code (IRC) requires residential fire sprinklers to be installed in 1- and 2-family homes. The National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Fire Code (NFPA 1) a...

Despite 2020 bringing unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service has continued to deliver vital services to the residents of Cambridgeshire. While maintaining an effective emergency response, staff have been delivering safety advice and supporting the health sector in the battle against COVID-19. Challenges  Even before the COVID-19 pandemic fully began in March, Storms Ciara and Dennis hit the county with high winds reaching between 50...

Firefighting boots need to protect from the inherent hazards that firefighting and rescue personnel encounter on the job. There are minimum NFPA standards that all firefighting boots have to meet, so as to ensure that happens. But, so much more can go into a fire boot that can take it beyond just the minimum. A firefighter has to do their job to the best of their ability and not be hampered by their gear. Not only do firefighters have to protect themselves from the heat and fire, and punctures...

2020 is officially over, and what a tough year it has been for many people, especially those who may have lost someone special. But even just trying to prevent the spread of this nasty virus by socially distancing has been a challenge this year. However, the virus isn’t the only toxin that one wants to keep from spreading. As fire and life safety professionals, LSS Life Safety Services are constantly talking about the importance of maintaining a facility’s fire and life safety syste...

With the ever expanding construction of refrigerated food distribution warehouses, owners are maximizing building heights in order to increase storage rack heights and the amount of product that can be retained. This sets the stage for large high-challenge fires to develop. Traditional fire protection of these refrigerated and freezer type facilities was limited to double interlock pre-action systems with rows of fire sprinklers also being included in the storage racks. In-rack type sprinklers...

Congratulations to Cory Fry from the AFPG Jackson office for achieving his NICET IV Fire Alarm System Certification. The NICET Level IV Fire Alarm certification is a robust credential, based on inter-related elements of fire alarm system designs, installation, maintenance, and inspections. Most AHJ’s have accepted it as evidence of qualification to perform maintenance and periodic inspections of fire alarm systems. Recognized certification programs Each of NICET’s nationally recog...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has announced that they recognize achievement in the volunteer fire and emergency services through its annual awards program. Nominations for the Lifetime Achievement Award, Chief James P. Seavey Sr., Health and Wellness Leadership Award, Junior Firefighter of the Year Award, and Junior Firefighter Program of the Year Award are due by January 29, 2021. The NVFC annual awards program features: NVFC Lifetime Achievement Award: Sponsored by ADT, this a...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), in partnership with the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, launched the Psychologically Healthy Fire Departments (PHFD) toolkit to support firefighters and EMS providers and create healthy, successful departments. A new implementation toolkit is now available to help fire department leaders promote and foster health and wellbeing among their members. Maintaining a psychologically healthy fire depar...

The final three recipients have been announced in the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), MSA Security Incorporated and DuPont’s 2020 Globe Gear Giveaway. The White River (ON, Canada) Fire Department, New Baltimore Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company (Warrenton, VA), and the Central Hardin Fire Department (Elizabethtown, KY) will each receive four sets of state-of-the-art turnout gear and four helmets to increase the safety of their members. MSA Safety Incorporated, DuPont, and NVFC tea...

Australian bushfires have stunned the world. Nature is at its full fury and humans are to be blamed for it. The flashes have been burning across Australia for months. Nearly 18 million acres of land mostly bushland, forests, and national parks that are home to the country's native wildlife have been turned into ashes.  The two crucial factors behind these disastrous fires are the prolonged dry spell that dried up the forest cover and converted the green reserve into ample fuel for the fire...

Australian bush fire has stunned the world. Nature is at its full fury and we humans are to be blamed for it. The flashes have been burning across Australia for months. Nearly 18 million acres of land mostly bush-land, forests, and national parks that are home to the country's native wildlife have been turned into ashes. The two crucial factors behind these disastrous fires are the prolonged dry spell that dried up the forest cover and converted the green reserve into ample fuel for fire to gro...

The United Kingdom is one of the most economically developed and technologically advanced nations in the world. The world has seen some state-of-the-art technologies emerging from the UK. Customer satisfaction Being a consumer in a mature market such as the UK has its own privileges; customers here have some of the best choices of products and services at their disposal. The same is true for the fire trade. However, there are some areas that, if addressed can take customer satisfaction levels...

Fire has been the consistent enemy for a long time. History has proved time and again how fires can cause massive destruction. Ironically, the biggest of fires have struck in the most developed and technologically advanced nations. Automatic fire sprinkler system Let’s look at some of the world’s most historic fires: Firecrackers are a dangerous source of fire, more so because they are uncontrollable. Even in an advanced city like Rhode Islands in the United States of America, the...