Fire Safety Standards - News

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has announced that Firehouse Expo has been rescheduled to take place from October 30th to November 1st, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. National Volunteer Fire Council members can take advantage of free exhibit hall admission and US$ 50 off the three-day conference package.

On June 17, Marc Warren will complete a one-day, 150-mile bicycle ride through the Great Allegheny Passage to raise awareness about the importance of firefighter/EMS behavioral health. Inspired by his daughter, Ali Rothrock’s work for first responder mental health, Warren is hoping to raise US$ 2,500 to support the NVFC’s Share the Load program. As a lifelong athlete, Marc Warren is no stranger to physically grueling endeavors. But this time he is using his skills to raise money for...

On May 15, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6800, the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, which would provide approximately US$ 3 trillion in assistance, to help the nation deal with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The bill includes a number of provisions to assist fire, EMS, and rescue departments, including: Provides US$ 500 million through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, for the purchase of personal protective equipm...

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) created a survey to better understand the experiences of volunteers and combination fire, EMS, and rescue departments in dealing with the outbreak of COVID-19 and related social distancing measures. Fire/EMS survey The NVFC asked individuals to take a few minutes to complete the COVID-19 Impact on Fire/EMS Survey and is also encouraging re-taking the survey periodically (no more than once per week), so that the company can track changes in the respons...

As of April 2020, there were 301,960 miles of natural gas transmission lines in the United States along with 17,414 miles of gathering and 1,328,271 miles of distribution lines. There is an additional 218,851 miles of liquid transport lines in service in the U.S. The footprint touches all 50 states and poses a response consideration for approximately 85 percent of the nation’s fire service. Natural gas incidents Most natural gas incidents involve either motor vehicle crashes where a serv...

Around 05:44 hours, E811 was alerted to respond to the 4400 block of Powder Mill Rd as the third due engine to a working house fire in Co. 31’s area with reported people trapped. Units on scene reported a two-story Cape Cod with a basement, with fire showing. E811 turned out with 5 and went line-over-ladder into Division 1 from side Charlie. E811 pulled the ceiling, knocked hotspots, and checked for extensions on Division 1. C811 responded with the working fire dispatch and operated as Di...

The Scottish Government has published its route map for moving out of lockdown. This is their Publication of key phases of changing restrictions. Scotland’s route map News published alongside this document states, "The COVID-19: Framework for Decision Making - Scotland’s route map through and out of the crisis–gives practical examples of what people, organizations and businesses can expect to see change over time.” It adds, “The route map gives an indication of t...

SSAIB has announced publishing its policy statement for COVID-19 Remote Auditing. The policy covers BAFE, British Approvals for Fire Equipment schemes with SSAIB remote auditing procedures in place. A BAFE statement added that they will endeavor to publish information from all BAFE Licensed Certification Bodies as this is made available. Information from SSAIB: The following strategy has been implemented to allow continuation of certification services by the SSAIB, during the exceptional circu...

Emergency Reporting® (ER), the pioneer in secure, cloud-based reporting and records management software (RMS) for fire and EMS agencies announces the launch of its services in Canada, with the unveiling of a locally-based data center and a new website for Canadian users. The Canadian ER site is hosted in the Microsoft Azure datacenters, using Azure Canada Central in Toronto as the main environment, with a backup located at Azure Canada East in Quebec City. ER currently serves hundreds of f...

Streamlight®, Inc., a provider of high-performance lighting, launched a new intrinsically safe version of its Enduro® Pro HAZ-LO® headlamp, the Enduro® Pro HAZ-LO® ATEX. The new safety-rated model of the high-performance headlamp is ATEX and IECEx-certified for use in Zone 0 locations faced by many first responders. Powered by easily sourced AAA batteries, the Enduro Pro HAZ-LO ATEX features two power LEDs and three output modes: spot, flood and a spot/flood combination for...

Instead of the Fire Safety Event, which was meant to take place in late April 2020 (postponed until September 2020), Nineteen Group hosted an online webinar event (15/05/2020) to discuss current fire topics. Several notable fire safety specialists discussed different topics, but the overarching topic was how the coronavirus pandemic will affect fire safety and any additional changes it will require. COVID-19 safety measures Niall Rowan, CEO - ASFP, noted Dame Judith Hackitt’s comments t...

With the support of the Scottish Government, the Supplier Development Program has launched a survey on the effects of Supplier Relief. short survey Suppliers in Scotland, especially small, medium, and micro-sized businesses, can fill in a short survey to share their experience of supplier relief with public sector buyers during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) crisis so far. Responses will be collated into a report which will be shared with the Scottish Government and local authorities throughout S...

Victaulic, the globally renowned manufacturer of mechanical pipe-joining systems, is now offering free virtual courses from its accredited and award-winning Victaulic University program, to construction professionals around the world. Growing demand for more versatile training options and shrinking access to traditional classes given the COVID-19 pandemic presented an opportune time for Victaulic to make its robust catalog of courses, many of which offer International Association for Continuing...

Streamlight® Inc., a provider of high-performance lighting, introduced a Class 1, Division 1 safety-rated lantern in its Vulcan® series for use in hazardous environments faced by many first responders. Lightweight, compact and waterproof, the Vulcan® 180 HAZ-LO® features a 24-hour run time on low, 180° articulating head, and two ultra-bright blue taillights for visibility in thick smoke. “The Vulcan 180 HAZ-LO is an extremely bright lantern with rear taillights, design...

In lieu of the Fire Safety Event which was meant to take place late April this year (now postponed until September), Nineteen Group hosted an online webinar event to discuss current fire topics. A number of notable fire safety specialists discussed different topics, but the overarching topic was how the coronavirus pandemic will affect fire safety and any additional changes it will require. Niall Rowan, CEO - ASFP, noted Dame Judith Hackitt’s comments that the previously thought difficult...

Unparalleled speed, ultimate control and battery management made easy: Holmatro launches a new series of high-tech cordless rescue tools, designed to outperform all other tools on the market, regardless of whether these are battery-powered or connected to an external pump by means of a hose. The Pentheon Series offers a much higher speed than other rescue equipment. This is thanks to a new and patented mechatronic system inside these tools. Maximized oil flow This system optimizes the motor a...

Motorola Solutions announced the addition of three cloud-based offerings to its CommandCentral software suite: CommandCentral 9-1-1 Smart Transcription, CommandCentral 9-1-1 Citizen Input and PremierOne®️ Cloud CAD. These offerings provide emergency call handlers and the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) operators who dispatch 9-1-1 calls to police, fire and emergency medical services with the ability to streamline workflows and improve the monitoring and integrity of information in a secure go...

The Site Operating Procedures have been updated to incorporate a number of technical changes as a result of the recently published Government guidance on Working Safely during Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Construction and other Outdoor Work. Version 4 inclusions The changes in Site Operating Procedures – Version 4 are minimal and include: Removal of the requirement for face-to-face contact to be kept to 15 minutes or less. The section on PPE links to the latest Government guidance...

On 18 May 2020, global coatings manufacturer Hempel began construction of a new factory in Yantai Chemical Industrial Park, China. The new factory will help meet the increasing demand for more sustainable and innovative coating solutions in the region. Strategically located in the Yantai Chemical Industrial Park, Hempel’s new Chinese factory will replace its existing production facility in Yantai. It will have a production capacity of more than 100,000 tons per year and w...

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is calling on Kent residents at home to tune into the first-ever online fire station open day on Thursday 28 May. Aimed at families of all ages, the virtual event has been organized in place of a number of the service’s annual ‘Family Open Days’, which were canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. online open day The online open day will take place from 11 am on Thursday 28 May on the Kent Fire and Rescue Service Facebook page, start...

DuPont Personal Protection announced that face coverings made with DuPont Nomex may be used along with (FR) garments, such as those made of Nomex, in response to the protection needs of COVID-19. When used as face, nose and mouth coverings, properly designed masks, balaclavas, gaiters and hoods made with Nomex may help meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) social distancing guidance on wearing masks in worker environments that also require FR protection. Nomex is a trusted F...

InventHelp, a renowned technology inventor and fire protection systems provider, wanted to fulfill the need for a proposed multi-function smoke/fire/temperate alarm with an automated communication system for residential or commercial buildings. For this purpose, InventHelp has released the latest Smart Smoke Detector (AAT-4370). Smart Smoke Detector (AAT-4370) The Smart Smoke Detector (AAT-4370) quickly provides the premises owner and first responders with the critical information they request...

The Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb) is celebrating its 70th anniversary. It was founded on May 22, 1950 in Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt to further develop German fire protection scientifically and technically.  “Over the past seven decades, we have succeeded in creating an internationally renowned network of experts for protection, rescue, and security,” says vfdb President Dirk Aschenbrenner. “Whether in fire protection or technical assista...

South Yorkshire’s fire service is seeking to remind people that sprinklers save lives, as part of a national ‘Think Sprinkler’ awareness campaign. The message comes after a retrofitted system stopped a chip pan fire, which could otherwise have seriously hurt two sleeping occupants and destroyed their Doncaster flat, in its tracks earlier in 2020. £1million sprinkler fund It also comes only months after the service revealed that a £1million sprinkler fund, pu...

On episode 3 of the Fire Safety Matters (FSM) Podcast recurring guest Warren Spencer, Managing Director - Blackhurst Budd Solicitors, answered questions from BAFE regarding his thoughts on Third-Party Certification and Government fire safety guidance. Mark Sennett, Chief Executive Officer - of Western Business Media, asked, “The question we've had come in from BAFE is they would like to hear your thoughts on Third-Party Certification as a statutory defense. Can you give us an insight...

Now that businesses are starting to operate again, there are some key fire safety matters for organizations to consider, in order ensure employees can return safety back to work. The Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service (RBFRS), Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service (BFRS) and Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service (OFRS) are helping businesses return to work safely, in these extraordinary times. Adapting to new ways of working Businesses have had to adapt to new ways of working, over...

At approximately 05:30, E811 was alerted to respond to the 5900 block of Riggs Road as the working fire engine on a house fire in Company 44’s area. Units on scene reported a two-story single-family dwelling with fire showing from both levels. Crews removed one trapped victim from the home. The victim was transported in critical condition and pronounced deceased at the hospital. Upon arrival, E811 assisted units on the scene with extinguishing hotspots and overhaul the structure before r...

As health and well-being play an increasingly important role in the sustainability of buildings, Knauf Insulation is proud to announce that its SUPAFIL solution is the first blowing wool solution certified in Europe by the DECLARE label. DECLARE demands high levels of transparency and rewards products that do not contain any chemical ingredients featured on a Red List. This is a list of substances that have been designated harmful to health by international health organizations and centralized...

Messe Frankfurt UK has this month grown to incorporate the sales and marketing of the full international portfolio of the organizer’s 160 events into their team, based near Guildford, Surrey. Under the leadership of Simon Albert, the Messe Frankfurt UK subsidiary has been responsible for the organization of Automechanika Birmingham since its acquisition in 2018, and now adds the sales of Messe Frankfurt’s entire portfolio of shows as a string to its bow. UK exhibition industry In...

FIA are committed to listening to the members and the wider fire industry and through offering online examinations hope this enables fire professionals from around the country, and the world, to take advantage of their time at home to complete the industry-recognized qualifications as there is no other way to raise the knowledge and gain qualifications right now. From June 1st the FIA will provide online examinations where required for their training Full requirements to take the exams will...