Electrical Fire Safety - News
Apollo spoke to those in the field about emergency call-outs, and the most common causes of them. The research, supported by over 130 engineers, led to similar conclusions as BRE. What are False Alarms, and how do they occur? The term false alarm is used widely throughout the industry to describe an unwanted activation of a fire alarm system. False alarms can be caused by: The build-up of dust on the detector Steam and other fumes activating the detector Burnt food e.g. burning toast In...
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has announced hosting a webinar titled ‘Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Preservation and N95 Respirator Decontamination and Reuse’, with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U. S. Fire Administration and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. PPE Preservation webinar The webinar will focus on the current research and best practices for preserving and decontaminating personal protective equipment and use of the Battelle Decon...
The NVFC recently hosted a Facebook Live discussion on creative fundraising ideas fire and EMS departments can consider to help bridge funding shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent social distancing measures. If one has missed the live event, the recording can be watched on NVFC’s social media page.
Because of the ongoing drought, the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb) has once again warned of the increasing risk of forest fires. There are severe precipitation deficits, especially in the west, in the middle, and parts of northern and eastern Germany, said the vfdb Forest Fire Expert, Fire Director - Dr. Ulrich Cimolino. Meteorological findings “The previous forecasts do not give any reason to give the all-clear,” said Dr. Ulrich Cimolin...
Kentec Electronics, a globally renowned manufacturer of life-critical control systems, has added BACnet (Building Automation and Control Network) protocol support to its Vizulinx alarm management solution, to facilitate smart, coordinated and efficient responses to fire incidents. Smart Building functionality Supporting Smart Building functionality, the protocol provides integration between Kentec fire systems and other BACnet protocol systems. Kentec fire alarm systems send real time status m...
Xtralis has announced the release of its Li-ion Tamer Lithium Ion Battery Rack Monitoring system for efficient gas leak detection in the market. Li-ion Tamer Rack Monitor system The Li-ion Tamer Rack Monitor system can provide an alert to ‘off- gas’ events that occur early in the failure mode of li-ion batteries, well in advance of smoke detection and traditional LFL gas detection. Early warning of off-gas events enable proper mitigation steps to be taken to avoid progression to a...
A fire caused by a charging electrical appliance has sparked a safety reminder from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service. On Monday afternoon crews from Dogsthorpe, Whittlesey and Yaxley attended a fire in Fletton, Peterborough. They arrived to find a fire in a first-floor bedroom of a two-story house, which they were able to extinguish wearing breathing apparatus and using a hose reel. The property was evacuated before the crews arrived, but a casualty did require treatment for smoke inhalat...
Hotel fires are among the most poignant disasters. Maybe it’s the intimate link between hotels and travel, the connection with places around the world or maybe it’s the sheer scale of loss and the innocence of those affected. When hotel fire safety is poorly controlled and people lose their lives, the sense of tragedy is palpable and it is felt around the world. But tragedy is a teacher. Out of the worst fire events in history, some of the greatest truths have been learned. Hotels b...
The latest FLAIM Trainer June 2020 R1 release brings a range of exciting new scenarios and enhancements to the learning platform. Their growing Development team has meant the expertise has grown, meaning they can deliver more realistic training environments that facilitate training in a wide range of incidents for all levels of firefighter competence to the customers. Realistic training environments Trainee firefighters can now experience 35 diverse training environments in aviation, reside...
TFT is offering a new nozzle to the North American fire service - The Working Fire nozzle. A 150 gpm @75 psi fixed GPM nozzle with TFT’s pressure relief. The new TFT Working Fire nozzle delivers performance when one needs maximum flows for a “working fire.” For everyday use, it is a 150 gpm @75 psi Fixed GPM Nozzle, but when one need even more GPM, the nozzle’s exclusive pressure relief system dramatically limits nozzle reaction. At low flows, just like every other fixe...
When a company invests time, money, and energy into creating a company’s working-alone policy and procedures, it'll want to leverage them to successfully achieve its safety-related aims. Following are several tips and strategies for optimal creation and implementation of this policy. Create the Right Policy Templates can be quite helpful when creating policies and procedures, but the company will need to ensure that the result is laser-targeted to its specific situations.&nb...
WYFRS recommends reviewing the fire assessment as soon as possible after returning 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 measures...
The LVR-1 monitors analog phone lines for a drop in voltage and activates relay contacts that signal a non-working phone line. “It’s nice to think analog phone lines work all the time, and critical to know when they are down. The LVR-1 integrates with alert systems to minimize response times to a disconnected phone line.” – Bill Heideman, President, Viking Electronics. Alert of a non-working or disconnected phone line When the voltage on an analog phone line monitored...
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) summarizes the document as 'a strategy to drive the recovery of the construction and built environment sectors, and through them, the wider UK economy, following the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn.' BAFE is optimistic the construction sector will, as the document states, 'ensure the sector is reformed to create a legacy of safe building.' importance of fire safety Stephen Adams, Chief Executive of BAFE, comments, “The importance of this...
Johnson Controls has announced the release of the new TYCO Model ESFR-34 Pendent Sprinkler (TY9286). The latest TYCO ESFR-34 sprinkler is an early suppression and fast response sprinkler that provides the tallest ceiling-only fire protection and narrowest aisle width currently available. TYCO ESFR-34 sprinkler The ESFR-34 sprinkler helps protect storage arrangements of 50 feet (15, 2 m) with a ceiling height up to 55 feet (16, 8 m) and aisle widths as narrow as six feet (1, 8 m). These sprink...
Firefighters are urging people living in Kent and Medway, and those traveling into the county to enjoy its extensive coastline, to follow simple steps to stay safe this summer and help prevent fires and injuries. Following the sunniest Spring on record in the UK, and the driest May in 124 years, the Fire Severity Index is currently 'very high' meaning fires at this time could develop and spread rapidly and with greater severity. Hazards during summers There are a whole host of hazards that ar...
MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA Safety), the globally renowned company in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures, has announced that the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at MSA Safety, Nish Vartanian and the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer at MSA Safety, Kenneth Krause, will be present at the following virtual investor conferences: William Blair 40th Annual Growth Stock Conferen...
The ‘life-cycle’ for the Windows 7 operating system ended on 14 January 2020, AW Technology is undergoing a program of software upgrades with existing customers to ensure that full connectivity, usability, and performance for their test tunnels can be maintained. AW Technology is now supplying a high-quality National Instruments data acquisition card with all new systems since Windows 10 cannot be supported on the older Amplicon PCI230+ cards. V3.007 software AW Technology is also...
Drones are increasingly becoming valuable helpers in averting danger. “Whether for exploring confusing deployment sites, forest fires or searching for missing people – the range of possibilities is becoming ever larger,” emphasized the President of the Expert Network for Protection, Rescue and Security (vfdb), Dirk Aschenbrenner in Dortmund. rules for unmanned aircraft The German Rescue Robotics Center (DRZ) is currently working with the vfdb on a comprehensive s...
Chubb has been appointed the exclusive UK distributor, installer and service provider of SmartCell, a complete wireless fire detection platform by EMS. The platform provides customers with smaller commercial sites and properties complete control of their fire safety systems’ performance and strategy. Chubb and EMS are part of Carrier, a global provider of innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies. Fire...
The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) has announced the resumption of all audit and assessment activity from 1st June 2020, in light of the current Government 'go to work if 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’s discretion NSI recognizes all Government guidance regarding social distancing...
The government announced the publication of its response to the consultation it undertook on ADB, publishing at the same time an amendment to ADB that ‘extends the provision of sprinklers in blocks of high-rise residential buildings to those buildings with a top floor height of 11 meters above ground level’. This announcement also contained ‘new guidance on consistent wayfinding signage’ for fire and rescue service (FRS) personnel in such buildings. mixed-use and reside...
In an open letter to the federal government, the state governments, and several members of the Bundestag, the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb) suggested a digitalization pact for hazard prevention. The Corona crisis, which Germany has managed well so far thanks to the efforts of everyone involved, still shows clearly that there are significant gaps, when it comes to digitalization. economic stimulus package “Too many processes are still carried out analogou...
Staff across Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service have been paying tribute to Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade (PVFB) firefighter - Will Baker who sadly died yesterday evening. A colleague, aged 40, discovered Will at the volunteer fire station in the city. His death is not being treated as suspicious. Will had been a volunteer firefighter for 12 years. Known for his commitment to the brigade and the people he served, he was always true to the brigade’s motto of &lsquo...
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) is funding research to find ways to significantly reduce the cost of retrofitting existing homes with lifesaving residential fire sprinkler systems. USFA hope to reduce both the amount of water needed and the complexity of installing sprinklers while providing time for occupants to escape a fire in their home. Obstacles to retrofitting homes More than 80% of fire deaths occur in homes. Residential fire sprinklers are a proven technology that reduces th...
The government announced the publication of its response to the consultation it undertook on ADB, publishing at the same time an amendment to ADB that ‘extends the provision of sprinklers in blocks of high-rise residential buildings to those buildings with a top floor height of 11 meters above ground level’. New guidance on consistent wayfinding signage This announcement also contained ‘new guidance on consistent wayfinding signage’ for fire and rescue service (FRS) per...
Ian Moore, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Fire Industry Association (FIA), would like to inform you that the long awaited update to The Building Regulations 2010, specifically Approved Document B (ADB): Fire safety, Volumes 1 and 2, is now available from the Government website. Building Regulations 2010 Update The changes highlighted in this amendment take effect on 26 November 2020 for use in England, until then the 2019 edition will continue to apply (within certain listed constrai...
Ian Moore, CEO of the FIA, would like to inform that the long awaited update to The Building Regulations 2010, specifically Approved Document. B (ADB): Fire safety, Volumes 1 and 2, is now available from the Government website. The changes highlighted in this amendment take effect on 26 November 2020 for use in England, until then the 2019 edition will continue to apply (within certain listed constraints). The changes focus on the fire safety provisions in blocks of flats for water-based extin...
Johnson Controls has announced that it is expanding its GRINNELL G-Fire One-Bolt coupling product line by adding two new sizes - 1.25 and 1.5 inches. The new, smaller couplings allow contractors to perform easy and quick installations on smaller diameter piping and in tight spaces. GRINNELL G-Fire One-Bolt As part of the One-Bolt family, both couplings feature the unique, single-bolt design that eliminates alternate tightening while resulting in more consistent installations and dependable pro...
With COVID-19 - coronavirus lockdown measures in place slowly beginning to ease, BAFE strongly advises that fire safety measures are not overlooked or deferred further. There is a bombardment of information coming out regarding the coronavirus pandemic and the changes to the ‘new normal’, that users are becoming accustomed to. BAFE has been keeping abreast of this information and hopes users have found the news provided on the BAFE website useful. fire safety measur...
