Fire Safety Testing - News

Congratulations are in order for Luther Pringle of the American Fire Protection Group’s (AFPG) Los Angeles Division, who placed 15th out of 150 total contestants in the Design Technician Competition held at the National Fire Sprinkler Association conference in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. Design Technician Competition NFSA’s Design Technician Competition pits engineers from around the country against one another in a competition of skill, accuracy and precision pertaining to the desi...

American Fire Protection Group, Inc. (AFPG) is the expert when it comes to detecting and identifying Microbiologic Corrosion in fire sprinkler systems. There are several types of corrosion that can form in sprinkler pipe. Microbiologic Corrosion (MIC) When a pipe is leaking, it cannot be automatically assumed that the cause is Microbiologic Corrosion (commonly referred to as ‘MIC’). The following is a list of common corrosions: Galvanic Corrosion MIC Corrosion Localized Corros...

‘Simple and worry-free Life Safety compliance’, this is what American Fire Protection Group, Inc. (AFPG) delivers every single day, even during a global pandemic such as the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The current uncertain environment has required everyone to change the way they do business. One thing that has not changed, however, is the requirement to have a licensed Life Safety company conduct annual, quarterly, and other code-compliant inspections of Life Safety systems and equipm...

When a fire broke out on site, more than 400 staff were evacuated in less than three minutes from the Hull factory of offsite specialist Walker Modular. Five fire engines were called to the scene after the alarm was raised at the bathroom pod manufacturer. Company owner Shane Walker told the Enquirer: “I’m so proud of my staff and the fire service for dealing so well with a difficult situation. We liaised with the fire service when we designed the factory and all the fire suppressio...

The BSI has made available a number of standards to help guide businesses through these difficult times. They have also a number of free to watch seminars. One can see the details of the standards available and the webinars on the company’s official website. “Following the outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), BSI has examined how we can support the collective efforts to mitigate the risks to organizations, caused by this global health issue. After careful consideration, we have...

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, businesses are looking for more and more ways to demonstrate excellence to their clients and stakeholders. One way of showcasing this, is through an externally verified quality management system, which illustrates that an organization has the processes in place to adhere to internationally recognized best practice standards. ISO 9001 is such a quality management systems certification. Followed and used widely across the world by government bodies and...

Apsana Begum, Labor MP for Poplar and Limehouse, has asked the UK Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government that “Whether he plans to provide funding for remedial work to buildings which do not comply with fire safety regulations but do not have problems relating to cladding.” Fire safety legislation The Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government) Christopher Pincher, Conservative MP for Tamworth, reminded building owners and premises manage...

VIKING Life-Saving Equipment is driving more investment into its marine fire service business. The inauguration of VIKING’s Foam Lab Odense, which specializes in the testing of a vessel’s reserves of firefighting foam, intensifies the company’s focus on marine fire service, a segment earmarked for significant growth in the coming years. Marine Firefighting Equipment “Our ambition is to cover all aspects of marine firefighting equipment, and our new state-of-the-art lab...

Bristol Uniforms, a globally renowned designer and manufacturer of protective clothing for emergency services across the globe, has launched a brand new, state-of-the-art PPE design for structural firefighting, offering advanced protection to combat the new and emerging risks faced by modern day firefighters. EOS, PPE for structural fighting EOS, named after the Greek goddess of the dawn, builds on the success of Bristol’s XFlex and UK Collaborative Framework ranges, retaining the popula...

The FIA has unveiled its participation as a founding member in a new, industry-wide initiative designed to attract and develop a new generation of fire protection engineers.  Zitko Talent Zitko Talent is an alliance of major manufacturers, installation companies and educators Zitko Talent is an alliance of major manufacturers, installation companies and educators, who will be providing an intensive 12-month program of salaried work experience, training, and development. The program is s...

In the recently published Fire and rescue incident statistics (England) it is documented that in the year ending June 2020 “FRSs attended 231,510 fire false alarms, a one percent increase with the previous year (229,961), a seven percent increase compared with five years ago (215,857) and a 19 percent decrease compared with ten years ago (285,368).” While the information published does note that “the number of fire false alarms attended by fire and rescue servic...

A father of three is urging Kent residents to test their smoke alarms once a week, after a fire that left him and his daughter fearing for their lives, destroyed the family home. David Sercombe and his 22-year-old daughter Bronte, were the only ones home on the morning of 18 November, when a fire broke out in the stairwell leading to the basement of the property off Sandling Lane, in Saltwood, Hythe.  Their smoke alarms didn’t sound, and instead, a builder made David aware of smoke...

Have user ever considered how the facilities’ commercial cleaner works to not only clean but prevent cross-contamination in the workplace? In a post-COVID world many commercial buildings, offices, facilities healthcare and medical businesses are asking for greater certainty for, not only their own workplace health and safety, but that of their employees and clients. So how does color coding for cleaning work to provide greater certainty in commercial cleaning? Australian Cleaning Standar...

The Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb) has warned against the improper handling of candles given the upcoming Advent season.  “Unfortunately, the number of fires increases significantly every year around Christmas,” said vfdb President, Dirk Aschenbrenner in Dortmund, citing figures from the General Association of the German Insurance Industry. In 2019 alone there were 29,000 fires, around 9,000 more than in a comparable month in spring or autumn....

Rapidrop is pleased to announce that they have successfully attained accreditation to the Made in Britain (MiB) organization. Made in Britain (MiB) Made in Britain brings together the British manufacturing community, united with the use of the registered collective mark. The mark is protected and can only be used by members of the Made in Britain organization. The Made in Britain membership organization aims to prove, wherever possible, that products made in Britain by MiB members are of the...

A team of fire safety inspectors is embarking on an ambitious project to inspect all high-rise residential buildings across South Yorkshire, over 18 meters or with six or more storeys, by the end of next year. This comes as part of a Government-driven ‘Building Risk Review’ program that seeks to ‘significantly increase’ the pace of high-rise residential inspection activity across the country. Made up of staff from South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s (SYFR) bus...

It will all be over by Christmas, at least that’s what everyone thought (and hoped) when COVID-19 first hit back in the spring season. However, adapting to life and work in a COVID-19 world has proved a longer and harder road than many ever anticipated. For many unlucky COVID-19 sufferers too, the effects of the virus have been long-term. Whether symptoms are very mild, or more problematic, for most people, COVID-19 infection is a brief, acute illness. However, it is now medically recogni...

Global safety equipment manufacturer, MSA Safety Incorporated has announced that its next-generation Advantage 290 LS Air-Purifying Respirator (APR) is the first of its kind, designed without an exhalation valve, to receive approval from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Advantage 290 LS APR An elastomeric half-mask device, the Advantage 290 LS Respirator covers a wearer’s nose and mouth and utilizes twin filters to provide respiratory protection. The U....

The Government must improve on the details if it is to demonstrate that its new building safety proposals will drive much-needed reform in the sector. The findings come in a report published by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee following pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Building Safety Bill. The proposed legislation sets out the framework the Government intends to adopt to implement a new building safety regime and to remedy the flaws in the existing system ident...

The FIA has unveiled its participation as a founding member in a new, industry-wide initiative designed to attract and develop a new generation of fire protection engineers. Zitko Talent is an alliance of leading manufacturers, installation companies and educators who will be providing an intensive 12-month program of salaried work experience, training and development. The program is suitable for a wide audience, from college leavers and career changers to engineers wishing to cross-train from...

The fire service’s recovery from flooding which hit South Yorkshire last autumn has been recognized with a major international award. South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue was awarded ‘Most Effective Recovery’ at the Business Continuity Institute’s Global Awards. The award-presented to the service’s Resilience, Planning, and Contingencies team at a virtual ceremony- recognizes organizations that have effectively managed major incidents. The fire service rescued more th...

The Harris County Fire Marshal's Office partnered with Harris County Precinct 4 Office of Commissioner R. Jack Cagle, H-E-B, and H-E-B Tomball Market #574 to encourage turkey frying safety. "HCFMO encourages everyone to keep an eye on what you fry," said Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie L. Christensen. "Frying a turkey might be a family tradition, but it can be very dangerous. One misstep can cause a dangerous fire to occur." “Thanksgiving is a day for counting our blessings and apprecia...

The Lafayette City Police Department and an interagency task force joined a survey firm to deal with extensive damage caused by California wildfires that were raging in August and September. One of these, "the CZU lightning complex fire" caused a massive evacuation before destroying 86,509 acres (35,009 ha) and nearly 1500 structures across four communities and two state parks. To assess the worst-hit areas of this particular fire, a WingtraOne drone was used to collect aerial data used to gene...

A firefighter needs to evaporate about 1 liter of sweat per hour to be able to regulate the body temperature when exposed to extreme heat. The human body is designed to function within a very specific temperature range between 36.5 and 37.5 Celsius. However, fighting fires test these limits and can increase a firefighter’s body temperature to over 38 degrees. Selection Of PPE While there are many factors to consider to reduce the impact of heat stress on firefighters – such...

A Sheffield building owner has been fined after obstructing the work of fire safety inspectors. Mr. Gunes Ata, trading as Noble Design & Build, was found guilty by Sheffield Magistrates Court of failing, without reasonable excuse, to comply with requirements imposed by an inspector from South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue. Mr. Ata did not attend the hearing on Wednesday (18 November) and did not enter a plea, but the court heard the case in his absence. Fire safety laws Court ordered M...

What is considered one of any fire department's greatest challenges, when it comes to equipment carried on its apparatus? If anyone answers - how to get the most out of the available storage space, then theirs is the case with most fire departments. Fire departments have to make sure that all their fire apparatus is stored safely and is easily accessible at the same time. Ziamatic Corporation (Zico) has the right storage device for any equipment needed to carry aboard the fire apparatus. The na...

CU First Responders Finance (CUFR) is excited to welcome Firefighters First Credit Union as a lead lender to their business lending network. Firefighters First Credit Union will be originating commercial and business loans generated by the CUFR network of first responder credit unions. CUFR’s business lending solutions CUFR’s business lending solutions provide an online platform for member credit unions to refer their members’ business loan requests to a trusted lender. They...

The mission is to develop the Twiceme concept into a global standard and the vision is to create safer adventures and working environments for people exposed to a greater risk of accidents. An essential part of this is building trust and recognition of the Twiceme symbol among rescue professionals and end-users. With increased support from the global rescue community, Twiceme Technology is on the right track to becoming a worldwide pioneer of accessible vital info. A Future Tool for Rescue Pro...

Global Fire Equipment is delighted to announce that its Global Business Development Director, Paul Pope Eng.Tech AIFireE, has been re-elected to the main board of the Fire Industry Association (FIA). This is Paul’s third consecutive term on the board. Paul was also elected as Vice Chair of the FIA’s Fire Detection and Alarm Council which represents manufacturers and suppliers of fire detection and alarm equipment. In addition, Paul remains the Vice Chair of the Service Council and h...

Having the ability to effectively inspect, diagnose, and document trouble spots are crucial for property managers, facilities maintenance staff, building inspectors, contractors, electricians, service technicians, plumbers, and even homeowners. It requires the aid of effective tools, including thermal imaging, to quickly recognize and resolve those trouble spots. That’s why FLIR has introduced its latest entry-level Cx-Series camera, the FLIR C3-X™, a compact thermal camera packed w...