Tall Building Fire Safety - News
East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) is encouraging the public to use NHS 111 online for medical advice, with demand for 999 calls increasing and ambulance staff helping more patients. NHS 111 online service The NHS 111 online service offers patients quick advice on the best option for them to get the care they need, including getting a call back from a trained clinician or nurse, booking them an appointment in A&E or providing advice on how to help them recover. The call c...
VIKING Life-Saving Equipment launches fully certified, three-in-one protective gear so first responders can be ready for wildland fires, technical rescue/extrication, or emergency medical operations. The VIKING Shield is a new generation of multi-purpose protective gear that allows crews answering emergency calls to get underway assured of having the gear that is fit-to-purpose, whatever lies ahead. The challenges are growing with more frequent and larger wildla...
In 2021, the Felixstowe Community First Responders (CFRs) embarked upon a variety of fundraising activities to replace aging lifesaving equipment. The funds will be used to purchase new equipment in line with improvements to their skillset, running costs, and keeping up with the rapidly increasing size of the team of volunteers. This is in addition to their primary goal of responding to local emergency medical calls to stabilize, treat and reassure patients until the arrival of an ambulance cre...
Recently, Apollo discussed the passing of the Fire Safety Act 2021 (FSA), its implications for the fire sector and for Responsible Persons (RP), as well as the fact that it will form the basis for further legislation, most likely based on the final recommendations of the Grenfell Inquiry. Apollo wanted to dig further into the revamped regulatory environment created by the FSA, the implications for existing legislation, and what the timescales are for implementing the new requirements....
Based in Birmingham at the NEC, the Fire Safety Event is dedicated to supporting industry practitioners, professionals, and organizations in achieving and maintaining the very highest standards of fire safety management. Showcasing the latest products, technology, and solutions in fire safety, this is the perfect opportunity for visitors to gain direct insight into improving business protection and continuity. Visit the Coopers Fire stand 4/L11, to find out more about the BS 8524 fully complia...
The difference is that any change in technology or attempt to innovate current solutions could result in a matter of life or death. With ever-adapting technology in 2021, some trends have the potential to shift the ways we keep safe during the event of a fire and how first responders work in the future. Not only that, they can improve overall awareness, reduce operational costs and – most importantly – save lives. Developing data The exciting developments around IoT could change t...
The Building Safety Alliance, an independent industry-led ‘not for profit’ organization, is launched to implement the certification of competent individuals wishing to deliver the role of building safety manager (BSM) and a publicly accessible register of those certified by the scheme. building safety The Grenfell Tower tragedy brought to the fore how the safety of all buildings needs to be ensured. Recognizing the role they play in delivering safe buildings, representatives of bo...
A global road safety barrier group, VRS Solutions Group, has made an ambitious commitment to fighting climate change and reducing its impact on the environment. VRS Solutions Group, which consists of Asset VRS, Varley & Gulliver Parapets, Hardstaff Barriers, and Hill & Smith Barrier, has signed up to the Carbon Footprint Standard and is now on an important journey to reduce its carbon emissions. Carbon Footprint Standard The Midlands-based companies, which manufacture and supply vehic...
The clean room industry is all about keeping clean! It sounds obvious, but it’s true. Clean rooms need to be free of any contaminants or pollutants. This is so that scientific experiments can take place without anything harming or affecting the results of any experiments that are being carried out. In some cases, full PPE must be worn such as coveralls, face masks, and hoods. However, this really depends on the environment they’re working in. They’ll be taking a look at the wo...
With recent regulations mandating more fire safety precautions be put in place around building services, REHAU, a globally renowned polymer specialist, has released a Class B fire-rated pre-insulated pipework solution for quick installation in high-rise buildings. Following previous developments, such as the 2018 Hackitt Review and the Government’s July announcement of legislation appointing a new regulator for safety in buildings, there is even more emphasis on building compliance from d...
A Sheppey homeowner is helping Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) share life-saving safety advice after a vanity mirror sparked a fire in the bedroom of his home. The blaze developed in the occupant’s bedroom in Belgrave Road on Sheppey, on a sunny afternoon on Friday 16 July, and is believed to have started after sunlight reflected from a vanity mirror onto some bedding. The heat from the mirror's reflection caught the bed alight, which then spread throughout the room within a matter o...
A Knowsley tower block played host to a major training exercise when the Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) led an exercise to test their response, in the case of a major high-rise fire incident. MFRS’ fire safety training exercise Around 80 emergency service staff, eight fire engines, two support vehicles, and an aerial platform ladder vehicle descended on the unoccupied Gaywood Green, on Broad Lane, in Kirkby, United Kingdom, on Thursday, July 22, 2021, as part of the fire saf...
The Building Safety Bill is the direct result of recommendations made in the Grenfell inquiry and the Hackitt Review. The framework set out in the draft Bill will impact the entire construction supply chain. safety regime with implications ‘Higher risk’ buildings include all multi-occupancy residential buildings over 18 meters high The provisions target ‘higher risk’ buildings, but the bill will introduce a stricter safety regime with implications for all buildings. &...
Verint Systems (Verint), the globally renowned customer engagement company, has that it has won an AI Breakthrough Award for excellence and innovation in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Verint Intelligent Virtual Assistant Professional (IVA Pro) Package is the winner of the ‘Best Virtual Agent Solution’ award. Earning its fourth consecutive AI Breakthrough Award, the company previously won ‘Best AI-based Solution for Customer Service’ award in 2020, ‘Best Chatbot Sol...
Arlington County, VA Local 2800 is formally requesting that Arlington County Manager, Mark Schwartz allow Local 2800 to be recognized as the exclusive bargaining unit for the county’s fire and EMS personnel. “This is an historic time for Arlington,” said Arlington County, VA Local 2800 President, Brian Lynch, adding “Until the new collective bargaining law was passed, Virginia firefighters were denied a seat at the table, on critical safety issues for firefighters and th...
As a response to the Grenfell tragedy, Envirograf has manufactured fire-resistant panels for the purpose of constructing eco-homes and flats. As part of a large-scale fire test, Envirograf constructed an eco-house made of these prefabricated panels to demonstrate its fire resistance and integrity. The panels are manufactured with MDF board, insulation slabs, and mastic adhesive to create a fireproof panel, suitable for use in walls or ceilings. The panels have been fire-tested, as well as airbo...
The demands on today’s fire systems have never been greater, but not all panels are created equal, which can make choosing the right solution a challenge. Many fire panels are relied upon to alert people to real and potential emergencies, control evacuation procedures, and reduce the number of false alarms. They are also required to control the release of suppressants, operate smoke control systems, manage the closure and release of fire doors, link to graphical control systems, and int...
Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is urging smokers to light up outside to reduce the risk of fire in homes across the county. Despite the number of people smoking in the UK falling, Kent is seeing a continuous trend in the number of property fires linked to smoking – with fire crews tackling the equivalent of one smoking-related fire every single week. 'Smoke Outside, Feel Safer Inside' campaign Most often these types of fires start when smokers light up and then fall asleep or get d...
When TFT introduced the Extend-A-Gun telescoping waterway series, it revolutionized the way monitors could be utilized on fire apparatus. Extend-A-Guns allow deck mounted monitors to easily raise from a stowed position to operate above apparatus obstructions like cab roofs, lighting, hose reels, or generators. The manual and RC version of Extend-A-Gun can be found on fire trucks around the globe. TFT is adding to the series with the new Extend-A-Gun VP. The VP’s deploy and stow operations...
Houston, TX Local 341 (Houston Fire Department) President, Marty Lancton is back on the job, after an independent arbitrator ruled the city had violated his rights and had no cause or authority to indefinitely suspend him in January. Houston Fire's President re-instated The independent arbitrator went even further and ordered the immediate reinstatement to his special assignment, working full time as the Local 341 President and ruled he must be welcomed back with full back pay and benefits. &...
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) is warning of the dangers of open water, following the tragic death of a young man in Crosby. Fire crews were called to Crosby beach, at around 7.24 pm, on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, following reports that five people were in difficulty in the water. Two fire engines, the search and rescue team and the rescue boat, Marine Fire One, were sent to the scene. Crosby beach rescue operation Crews assisted the RNLI and Coastguard with recovering the people fr...
UKAS is delighted to announce that Lorraine Turner, UKAS Accreditation Director, has been appointed as a Member of the newly formed Interim Industry Competence Committee (IICC). The formation of the IICC coincides with the recent announcement of the Building Safety Bill in Parliament by Robert Jenrick MP, Secretary of State for Housing. The Bill outlines a program of actions aimed at preventing a recurrence of the problems that contributed to the Grenfell Tower fire. Foremost amongst these meas...
Anglia Fire Protection is looking at electrical fires and how to reduce the risk of them occurring in homes. One of the most common causes of fire in the home is electrical goods. From white goods to faulty chargers, electrical items are the number 4 risk of fire in the home. Here are some top tips to help reduce that risk. Anglia Fire Protection offers key pointers on how to avoid electrical fires at homes: Residents should make sure that all electrical appliances have a British or Europea...
Online supermarket - Ocado has suffered another robot fire at one of its fulfilment centers, impacting deliveries across south east England. The fire on 16 July was caused by three robots colliding on the grid that controls the fulfilment of shopping orders at the technology firm. Fifteen fire engines The fulfilment centre processes over 150,000 orders a week for the joint venture between Ocado and Marks and Spencer. More than 1,000 robots move around the grid, collecting food from crates and...
As much as Hollywood makes out how dangerous working on an oil rig can be, it’s surprisingly true. Major Hollywood films, such as Deepwater Horizon, tell the events of the dangers that can happen while working on oil rigs, which are situated in the middle of the ocean. Furthermore, without the correct training provided or the workwear, many oil rig workers’ lives can be at risk, when carrying out their tasks. In this article, Granite Workwear looks at the type of workwear that is re...
Euralarm’s Services Section reports an important step forward for service providers and end-users of remote services: the very positive vote on the EN 50710, Requirements for the provision of secure remote services for fire safety systems and security systems. The successful vote is the icing on the cake of the section’s efforts to guarantee more certainty for a future in which remote services play an increasingly important role. Jon Könz, Chair of Euralarm’s Services Sec...
Fire and rescue services received money from the Housing Ministry to pay for work to review risks on residential buildings higher than 18 meters. The £6 million grant helped services like South Yorkshire to employ specialist staff to identify and review buildings in their area. South Yorkshire received £126,000 from the grant as part of the Building Risk Review program. Initially, fire and rescue services focused on identifying buildings with ACM cladding. The current phase of work...
Taking place at Birmingham’s NEC on 7-9 September, the eagerly-awaited show will feature free CPD-accredited educational seminars, 120+ exhibitors, and the fire industry’s latest products, technology, and solutions. CAST Detectors & ENVISION C-TEC be showcasing CAST, its revolutionary new own-protocol fire alarm, and detection system, ENVISION, its futuristic new IoT Cloud-based fire alarm remote access, service and site management software package, and Hush, its innovative new...
High-rise buildings on an inspection list are not inherently unsafe say fire officers, as they report good progress in their mission to visit every high-rise residential block in South Yorkshire. South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue (SYFR) has published the list of high-rise residential buildings forming part of its ‘Building Risk Review’ project. The list includes buildings identified by the central government plus extra buildings identified by the SYFR- which made the deci...
The Welsh Government announced it will fund fire safety surveys for residential buildings over 11 meters to identify fire safety defects and measures to make them safe. building remediation Minister for Climate Change, Julie James confirmed the costs would come from the Welsh Building Safety Fund. She said, “It is critically important that we are able to understand the true scale of the problem in order to properly address it.” Leaseholders have not borne the costs of remediating...
