Training & Education

Elite Interactive Solutions, a remote video guarding pioneer using proprietary intelligence and integration to achieve proven crime prevention, announces the company and its many California customers safely made it through the wildfire disaster. With its headquarters and Security Operations Command Center (SOCC) located in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, Elite remained on high alert for its operations, personnel and their families, and its many local clients during the unprecedented fire tragedy. Emergency action plan “Fortunately, our operations were not affected in any way,” says Elite Security Director Noel Delgado. “Our remote location was secure, and our team was able to remote monitor all properties with no interruption. Our EAP [emergency action plan] protocol was on standby if anything should arise but ultimately it was not implemented.” Preparedness, experience, expertise, execution Leadership never wavered ensuring all the logistical, technological, and psychological attention and support While some members of Elite’s executive team suffered devastating property losses in the blazes, leadership never wavered ensuring all the logistical, technological, and psychological attention and support that staff and customers needed under the extraordinary circumstances was provided. Preparedness, experience, expertise, execution, and ongoing communications paid off to help Elite’s clients emerge relatively unscathed. Remote guarding “Elite reached out personally to clients in the designated fire zones and nearby areas by email distribution. We advised them that we would support any additional monitoring that they may need,” says Delgado. “No monitored sites were affected, although one client’s property came close. Our team immediately contacted her as SOCC operators were tracking the fire zones. Our client immediately contacted her staff and had her cars and belongings moved from the property. At the same time, our remote guarding remained online to prevent any looting on client properties.” UL central station requirements Exceeding UL central station requirements, Elite’s subterranean SOCC and infrastructure have been designed to withstand practically any calamity or unexpected situation. Located in a building that can withstand an 8.9 earthquake, the facility’s power supply is backed up by five diesel generators that can allow operations to be maintained for three months. The building is also home to the largest vault in the West and is fortified with advanced security. Along with these building redundancies we also have an EAP (Emergency Action Protocol) if the building should ever shut down due to unforeseen circumstances. Client safety and property security SOCC keeps a close watch on news, social media, and emergency applications that alert to situations While the fires took place in their backyard, Elite is a national provider. This entails constantly tracking all major emergencies across the nation to ensure client safety and property security. Thus, the SOCC keeps a close watch on news, social media, and emergency applications that alert to situations like active shooters or other mass notifications as well as natural threats. Training Curriculum SOCC personnel undergo a rigorous training curriculum that includes emergency protocols for incidents such as earthquakes, fire, bomb threats, active shooter, medical emergencies, short-/long-term power loss, explosions, or civil disturbance. Should the need arise, Elite’s team is equipped with laptops to remotely monitor from anywhere. Implementing emergency actions  “Unexpected circumstances can arise at any given moment. Being ready and always staying ready to implement emergency actions is key,” says Delgado. “Training is crucial and tracking rapidly evolving events will make sure our clients and their assets are secured.”

The only objective of any Fire Suppression System is to extinguish a fire as quickly as possible. Firstly, the system should alert occupants of the site to the presence of a fire, then the system will begin to emit a concentrated substance to suppress the flames. The exact nature of this substance can vary, based on the environment the system is designed to protect. Common examples include inert gas, as well as a range of liquid agents. defining features One of the defining features of fire suppression systems is that they don’t use water. There are exceptions such as water mist suppression systems, or the Pirahna Systems for Commercial Kitchens which use a combination of Mains Water & Wet Chemicals.  It is this “usual” lack of water that makes the suppression systems ideal for use in spaces that are particularly susceptible to water damage, such as rooms with large amounts of electrical equipment, as well as sites such as galleries and museums, as they usually contain highly valuable and fragile materials. review and assess Fire suppression is the final measure put in place to fight the spread of fire Fire suppression is the final measure put in place to fight the spread of fire. In this context, KSS can understand Fire Prevention, Protection, and Suppression as a three-stage process, with each stage containing specific measures to prevent and fight fires.  Therefore, KSS all have a responsibility to regularly review and assess each part of the system, so it can quickly identify risks and rectify any damage or neglect.  fire protection v/s prevention v/s suppression To briefly summarise, here are the main differences between fire protection, prevention and suppression: Fire Prevention Systems: Fire prevention systems aim to minimize potential fire hazards. Fire Protection Systems: Fire protection reduces damage and helps to safely evacuate a building. Fire Suppression Systems: Fire suppression systems are intended to extinguish the flames. kSS is Ireland’s expert in Fire Suppression KSS is on hand to provide specialist installation and PMP services. All KSS Technicians & Representatives are fully compliant with the latest industry regulations & product training so the clients can feel confident that KSS will always focus on Compliance.  To speak to one of the KSS Team about a New Install, or a PMP for an existing system, or just to get some advice contact them.

Fire safety is a critical concern in urban areas like Kolkata, where high population density and rapid urbanization increase the risk of fire-related incidents. Implementing effective fire safety measures not only protects lives but also safeguards property and ensures compliance with legal regulations.This article delves into the comprehensive range of fire safety services available in Kolkata, their importance, and how to choose the right service provider. Types of Fire Safety Services Offered: Fire Extinguishers: Supply of various types of fire extinguishers, such as water, foam, CO2, and dry chemical powder. Installation and periodic maintenance to ensure readiness during emergencies. Fire Alarm Systems: Installation of advanced fire alarm systems for early detection of fires. Regular testing and maintenance to keep systems functional and reliable. Fire Sprinkler Systems: Design and installation of fire sprinkler systems for automatic fire suppression. Repair and maintenance services to ensure optimal performance. Fire Safety Audits and Risk Assessments: Comprehensive assessments to identify fire hazards and vulnerabilities. Customized recommendations to mitigate risks and enhance safety. Emergency Evacuation Planning and Training: Development of detailed evacuation plans for residential, commercial, and industrial spaces. Conducting fire drills and training programs to prepare occupants for emergencies. fire safety measures Implementing effective fire safety measures not only protects lives but also safeguards property Fire safety is a critical concern in urban areas like Kolkata, where high population density and rapid urbanization increase the risk of fire-related incidents. Implementing effective fire safety measures not only protects lives but also safeguards property and ensures compliance with legal regulations. This article delves into the comprehensive range of fire safety services available in Kolkata, their importance, and how to choose the right service provider. Why Fire Safety is Crucial for Kolkata: Kolkata, with its dense population and a mix of old and modern infrastructure, faces unique fire safety challenges. Here are key reasons why fire safety services are essential. Urban Infrastructure: Older buildings with outdated wiring and lack of fire safety measures pose significant risks. High Population Density: Rapid evacuation during emergencies is challenging without proper planning and safety measures. Industrial and Commercial Activities: The city’s thriving industrial and commercial sectors necessitate stringent fire safety protocols to prevent incidents. Features of Professional Fire Safety Services: Compliance with Regulations: Adherence to fire safety standards and local regulations to avoid legal issues. Advanced Equipment and Expertise: Use of certified, high-quality equipment and skilled technicians for installation and maintenance. 24/7 Emergency Support: Quick response teams to handle fire emergencies and minimize damage. Benefits of Investing in Fire Safety Services Protection of Life and Property: Minimizes the risk of injury and damage during a fire. Reduced Fire Risks: Prevents incidents through proactive measures like audits and maintenance. Enhanced Business Credibility: Compliance with fire safety regulations boosts trust among customers and stakeholders. How to Choose the Best Fire Safety Service Provider in Kolkata: Selecting the right fire safety service provider is crucial for ensuring effective solutions. Consider the following factors: Experience: Look for providers with a proven track record in fire safety services. Certifications: Ensure the company and its technicians are certified and trained in fire safety standards. Customer Reviews: Check reviews and testimonials to gauge the quality of services. Tailored Solutions: Opt for providers who offer customized plans based on specific requirements. Conclusion: Fire safety is a fundamental aspect of creating a secure environment in a bustling city like Kolkata. By investing in professional fire safety services, users can protect lives, property, and the business's reputation. Don’t wait for an emergency to take action, reach out to a trusted fire safety service provider in Kolkata today and ensure a safer tomorrow.

The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) released its third annual Industry Trends Survey, which reveals skilled worker sentiments around the current state of labor, training, and technology on the jobsite. The survey provides a look at what the skilled trades industry can expect in each of these areas in 2025.  Major Challenges in 2025  Exactly half of skilled tradespeople identified a shortage of qualified candidates as the top challenge for workers this year. This is a 3 percent decrease from the year prior, indicating that, despite the continued need to increase staffing in the industry, some workers are starting to feel relief from this challenge. Skilled labor shortage concerns primarily stem from worker retirement and workforce retention challenges, with 31 percent of workers citing each of these as major challenges when it comes to workforce staffing. Skilled labor shortage in 2025 As a result, the skilled labor shortage will continue to impact organizations’ budgets in 2025 As a result, the skilled labor shortage will continue to impact organizations’ budgets in 2025. For example, 37 percent of respondents anticipate their organization’s budget will be focused on increased hiring to add or replace jobs, down 3 percent from last year. Training will also become a heightened focus for organizations, with 18 percent of respondents planning to budget for increased training for employees.   “Addressing the skilled labor shortage is not just a challenge, but an opportunity to invest in the future of our workforce,” said Jim Pauley, NFPA President and CEO. “In 2025, we can expect to see more organizations focused on talent development, embracing innovation, and supporting education and training initiatives to help bridge the gap and ensure sustainable growth for the industry.”  Technology adoption vital for efficiency and communication  Looking towards 2025, almost half (46 percent) of respondents plan to adopt more digital tools within their day-to-day operations, an uptick of 9 percent from 2024. Currently, 38 percent of respondents feel a lack of job-enabling technology is one of their top challenges at work, followed by a lack of knowledge sharing and collaboration on the jobsite (31 percent), indicating that increased technology adoption will better support workers already stretched thin from labor shortages.  Despite an increase in willingness to use these technologies, there remain barriers to adoption and concerns around how to properly implement technological innovations:  44 percent of respondents cited the cost of implementation as the primary obstacle to adopting new technologies, followed by lack of training or knowledge (25 percent). 20 percent of skilled trade professionals believe there will be pushback within the industry to adopt new technologies, while only around 10 percent of respondents cited a lack of availability/access as a primary barrier. Training and certification programs are a top priority for 2025  Fifty-two percent of industry experts plan to make this same gain in certificates Training, both in new technologies and in specialized skills and knowledge, is top of mind for skilled workers in 2025. Industry professionals are doubling down on training and certifications, with over half (54 percent) of respondents planning to participate in more training sessions than in 2024. Fifty-two percent of industry professionals plan to make this same increase in certifications, a 10 percent increase from last year.  When asked about the career and professional development benefits from participating in professional organizations or trade association memberships, respondents noted the following:  51 percent cited networking opportunities with industry professionals and training programs, respectively, as the most valuable aspects of their membership. 47 percent cited access to industry resources and publications. 22 percent cited advocacy for industry-related issues and regulations. Fire, electrical, and life safety industries “To stay competitive in the fire, electrical, and life safety industries, organizations must not only embrace technology but invest deeply in training and certifying their workers,” continued Pauley. “The increased interest from skilled workers in networking through professional organizations is encouraging and shows the value our workforce places on investing in their professional growth.” Methodology NFPA collected responses from 358 U.S.-based workers, 18 years and older, in the electrical, manufacturing, construction, engineering, architect/design, facility maintenance, fire service, and insurance/risk management fields via a third-party provider to determine the findings of its 2025 Industry Trends Survey. The survey was conducted between November 5, 2024– November 12, 2024.

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation business, is pleased to announce its authorized dealer, Safety Source Fire, has launched a new fire apparatus service division, Safety Source Mechanical, to serve customers throughout Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Safety Source Fire, headquartered in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, will offer a range of maintenance and repair services for fire apparatus, further enhancing its support for the firefighting community across Atlantic Canada. Safety Source Mechanical The new service division, located at 78 Line Road, Notre Dame in New Brunswick, occupies an 8,000-square-foot facility and will provide a broad range of services, including parts supply, pump testing, water pump repair, vehicle outfitting, general maintenance, inspections, and both in-house and mobile service options. “Previously, we subcontracted a lot of our service work, which presented challenges for our customers, especially with warranty-level repairs,” said Geoff Strain, general manager of Safety Source Fire. maintenance and repair Safety Source Mechanical technicians will be sent to Pierce Manufacturing for specialized training “Now, with our service division, our customers are excited to have direct access to comprehensive service and factory-level expertise, including Pierce warranty repairs.” To further enhance its service offerings, Safety Source Mechanical technicians will be sent to Pierce Manufacturing for specialized training, ensuring they deliver high-quality maintenance and repair work for Pierce fire apparatus. Factory training “Factory training will allow us to offer brand-specific expertise essential for performing warranty work, especially for complex systems such as pumps,” added Strain. “Our goal is to provide our customers with the best service possible, and we’re committed to ensuring their apparatus is fully operational and ready when it’s needed most.” Safety Source Fire’s new service division adds to the dealer’s wide range of offerings, reflecting the company’s commitment to supporting firefighters and first responders by keeping their equipment in optimal condition.

Dräger, an international pioneer in medical and safety technology, has renewed its sponsorship of the National Breathing Apparatus Challenge (NBAC), as part of its commitment to supporting the firefighting community and promoting industry best practices. In its 16th year, The Challenge sees teams of five firefighters from across the UK competing where success depends on the expert use of breathing apparatus to manage an incident and the deployment of intelligent strategies such as tactical ventilation. Four areas of competition The competition, judged by over 30 highly experienced national assessors, is split into four areas designed to cover the full spectrum of how breathing apparatus is used across all firefighting roles: command and control; breathing apparatus procedures; fire ground procedures; and entry control. The event is held at the Fire Service College each year using three of their carbonaceous training venues where challenges replicate a wide range of real-life fire incident scenarios, including domestic, high-rise, and industrial. The competition takes place over a weekend and concludes with a Silver Service awards dinner. keeping entry costs low Dräger’s sponsorship helps to cover the costs of venue hire, accommodation, materials, and the awards dinner Dräger’s sponsorship helps to cover the costs of venue hire, accommodation, materials, and the awards dinner, so as to keep competition entry costs as low as possible. Mark Andrews from NBAC says there has been an increased need for realistic training over recent years, “We now have fewer fire emergency callouts, which is undoubtedly a success story for the industry. But it means realistic training is more important than ever to ensure fire crews can respond quickly, dynamically, and instinctively when emergencies happen.” realistic training in breathing apparatus “The national challenge provides an excellent opportunity to provide firefighters with realistic training in breathing apparatus use to further that goal, while also being an event to bring the industry together and celebrate achievements. We are thrilled Dräger continues to sponsor such an important event,” said Mark. Liz Millward, Marketing Manager for Emergency and Rescue Services, Dräger, says the NBAC demonstrates what physically demanding and complex roles our firefighters undertake, “The competition takes a firefighter from site investigation, entry control board use, and communication through to quickly and efficiently accessing water supply and unloading ladders and PPE equipment." respiratory protection "It showcases how breathing apparatus is not just used to provide respiratory protection to wearers but also to inform strategies, monitor firefighters’ health, and connect the whole team,” she says. “We have been a sponsor from the start of NBAC and are delighted to continue our sponsorship in support of the firefighting community.” The 2024 NBAC event took place on October 12th.

Are people too passive when it comes to fire door safety? Research conducted by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) in 2022 would suggest so, with a third of the British public stating they would not report a problem with a fire door, despite three-quarters of respondents believing a propped open fire door would not perform its role in the event of a fire. From schools and shops to shared areas of employment and accommodation, people are habitually - and sometimes unknowingly - kept safe by passive fire protection systems such as fire doors and their hardware. Yet, in the same breath, occupants and visitors of busy public-facing buildings can be placed in danger by neglected or inappropriately used products. Highlighting these dangers, the Fire Door Inspection Scheme found 75% of inspected fire doors in the UK failed to meet required safety standards in 2021, for example. Importance of fire extinguishers Fast forward to the present day and perceptions are being challenged. Following a period of regulatory updates, greater focus is being placed on the responsibilities associated with both active and passive fire protection, and with a 79% rise in prosecutions related to fire safety violations between April 2023 and March 2024, it certainly pays to pay more attention. Where most recognize the importance of fire extinguishers and smoke detectors, what more can be done to ensure fire doors and their hardware are held in the same regard? Occupants and visitors of busy public-facing buildings can be placed in danger. Regulated and relied upon Passive fire protection is identified as the group of structural measures designed to inhibit the spread of smoke and fire. Frequently hidden in plain sight and sometimes taken for granted, fire doors are a key element of any building’s passive fire safety system and should never fall under neglect. In fact, fire doors are often the first line of defence against fire and smoke, and when closed, will compartmentalize spaces to protect property and provide occupants with an opportunity to escape. Fire doors are a key element of any building’s passive fire safety system. Such is their importance to public safety; fire doors are acknowledged by several professional bodies and are listed as a legal requirement in all non-domestic premises and houses in multiple occupations (HMOs). Under the recently updated Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, a building’s designated Responsible Person (RP) must perform regular duties to review the condition of fire door systems, while providing residents with access to comprehensive fire safety information in the process. Fire door hardware Functional fire doors and clear exit routes are critical in ensuring appropriate precautions and preventative measures are in place and as such, responsible persons must recognize that a building’s fire doors will not perform as intended unless essential hardware has been correctly specified, installed, and maintained. As correctly acknowledged by most of the British public, an open fire door is rendered useless in the event of a fire and to form an effective barrier against fire and smoke, fire doors must be capable of closing fully from an open position. When performing a closing action, a fire door will call upon its hinges, locks, latches and door-closing devices, and in the event of a fire, not one of these elements can fail. In view of this, fire door hardware is methodically designed and tested to support the integrity of fire doors. To meet necessary standards, a fire doorset must pass one or more of a series of standardized tests, confirming its UKCA and CE certifications and FD ratings. Users can identify a certified fire door by its label, usually found on the top edge of the door. Functional fire doors and clear exit routes are critical in ensuring appropriate precautions. Shared responsibilities and results As part of their research in 2022, the BWF found that almost half of those who neglect to report a problem with fire doors would not take action because they were unsure who to report it to, or cited it was simply not their place or role to report it. Seemingly then, in many cases, improved communication and education towards fire door safety can help mitigate risk and further raise standards across the built environment. In any circumstance, people must continue being urged to keep buildings safe by reporting damaged or propped open fire doors to designated responsible persons. In higher-risk buildings where many rely on the same fire safety systems for example, it’s imperative that people know who they can turn to when a fire door safety issue arises, and often, this will be the landlord, owner, manager, or occupier of the premises. Equally, responsible persons must also adopt a hands-on approach by ensuring fire doors and their hardware are ‘subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair’, as per the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Higher-risk buildings where many rely on the same fire safety systems. True purpose of fire doors Where a fire alarm will inform you when something is wrong, fire doors require more proactive methods. As part of their ongoing maintenance duties, responsible persons should perform quarterly checks on fire doors, assessing the certification, gaps, seals, hinges and closing elements. Even durable door hardware can become worn and tired in high-footfall environments and may need repairing or replacing over time. An incorrectly installed or damaged self-closing device, for example, can limit the closing action of a fire door and prevent it from fully closing into the frame. Upon inspection, if a fire door isn’t operating as intended, it’s imperative to seek out professional advice and ensure maintenance or replacement is carried out quickly and professionally. Whilst many of us use them day to day without thought, the true purpose of fire doors must remain clear at all times. Collectively, we must continue to change the perceptions associated with passive fire protection methods and fire door safety, and only when we improve collaboration and communication will we truly limit the devastation of fire. Simply put, there is a chain of responsible parties, and everyone must recognize what their role is - we all must do better. Fire doors require more proactive methods. How Allegion UK can help Allegion UK has a wealth of resources designed to help responsible persons, duty holders and professionals undertake product selection, installation and maintenance checks on fire doors and hardware. For accessible fire door hardware support, Allegion’s new ‘Fire Door Hardware Fundamentals’ guide is available for download and combines expert guidance with helpful terminology and useful fire door safety checklists.

The performance and reliability of fire doors can be undone by inaccurate hardware installation.  Karen Trigg of Allegion UK explains the significance of installer competence and how responsible persons should approach fire door hardware fittings to ensure lives aren’t put at risk.  fire doors For a building to be considered fire-safe, it must have functioning fire doors. A crucial element of passive fire protection, fire doors are recognized as a legal requirement in non-domestic properties and houses in multiple occupations (HMOs), and as such, careful attention is frequently placed on standardized testing, specification, and ongoing maintenance.  accurate door hardware installation Certified fire doors are tested with - and are reliant on - several components, including hinges, locks, latches Perhaps less understood is the importance of accurate door hardware installation. Certified fire doors are tested with - and are reliant on - several components, including hinges, locks, latches, and door closers for example. However, where ironmongery products must be CE or UKCA-marked, certified-accredited, and tested under separate standards, there is the less regulatory emphasis placed on fire door installation specifically.  fire-resistant capabilities Should hardware be improperly or inaccurately fitted to a fire door, its fire-resistant capabilities become compromised, leaving a building and its occupants at risk. Without functional hardware components, a fire door is rendered useless and with the onus being placed on responsible persons, decision-makers simply can’t afford to neglect any stage of fire door safety - including installation.  Competence and collaboration  Installation remains a pain point for the fire safety industry. Evidence suggests that incorrect installation is one of the leading causes of fire door failure, and despite a wave of regulatory framework updates in other areas, there remains a level of ambiguity regarding the proficiency required for fitting fire door hardware.  As per the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022: fire door guidance, it is assumed that responsible persons possess evidence that the design, specification, and installation of a fire door is adequate for its location. Section 6.7 of the legislation expands on installation further, stating that upon inspection, if there is any doubt that a fire-resistant flat entrance door has been replaced, the resident will need to confirm that the new fire door has been ‘installed by a competent person’.  Fire safety compliance There is currently no legal requirement for fire door installers to possess a specific qualification or accreditation It’s clear then that fire door installation is a critical aspect of our built environment, yet, there is currently no legal requirement for fire door installers to possess a specific qualification or accreditation. For some, this presents a misconception that fire doors and their hardware can be installed by anyone - after all, how is ‘competence’ defined? But in doing so, decision-makers are often risking fire safety compliance as a result, with unskilled individuals using incorrect fixing methods and stripping certified fire doors of their FD rating in the process.  Certified professionals Where Phase 3 of the Building Safety Act 2022 looks to make it easier for enforcement authorities to act against non-compliance, responsible persons are urged to seek trusted, professional help when unsure - in the same way they would rely on qualified persons to assess and install a gas boiler for example. Certified professionals can demonstrate the right skills, knowledge, and experience when installing fire door systems and will remove any questions surrounding competence and compliance.  Reducing the gaps  During installation, decision-makers must also look to follow manufacturer guidelines and fitting instructions. Door hardware products are often unique to the manufacturer, with distinctive components, fittings, and fixing points, and as a result, they should never be approached as like-for-like installation projects.  Fire door integrity A fire door may not be able to latch or close fully from its standing position, leaving gaps large enough for smoke and fire to pass Fire door integrity is frequently compromised by alignment issues and improper installation methods as a result of this knowledge gap. In many cases, an appropriately specified and perfectly operational door closer device can be found ineffective, solely as a result of poor installation. Consequently, a fire door may not be able to latch or close fully from its standing position, leaving gaps large enough for smoke and fire to pass through in an emergency. With this in mind, responsible persons need to plan, appreciating that door hardware installation is a specialized task.   Guidelines for Fire Door Installations To further raise fire safety standards and improve installation accuracy, there’s a wealth of information and detailed walkthroughs made available from conscious manufacturers in the form of installation templates, product datasheets, and video guides. Guidance can usually be found online, with product packaging, or can be requested directly from the manufacturer, and is designed to support installers throughout a project while also reducing installation time and enhancing the life of the installed hardware.  Compliance, competence, and education Product information and installation guidance can also be useful post-installation. Where a responsible person is required to perform ongoing checks and regular maintenance periods as part of their obligations, some fixing instructions may assist in scenarios when hardware adjustments are required.  Fire door hardware installation is neither the first nor final step of fire door safety, but in an evolving regulatory landscape, where we’re seeing a cultural shift in fire safety accountability, responsible persons would be remiss to undervalue the significance of accurate hardware installation. Ultimately, when it comes to fire safety compliance, competence and education go hand in hand.

With new fire safety regulations around the corner and a renewed focus on responsible persons and coordination, Karen Trigg of Allegion UK discusses the significance of fire door hardware and why regular inspections and maintenance periods must remain high on the agenda. Fire doors and their hardware are often the first line of defense in the event of a fire. Working in tandem, they coexist as a core element of a building’s passive fire protection system, providing valuable protection and time for occupants to escape by compartmentalizing the spread of smoke and fire in an emergency. Fire door’s lifecycle In the UK alone, approximately three million fire doors are purchased and installed each year. Such is their significance to fire safety, each component requires detailed engineering, third-party testing and critically, periods of ongoing inspection and maintenance. While each stage of a fire door’s lifecycle is strictly regulated, fire door checks and maintenance falls under the remit of a building’s designated responsible person and is widely understood to be an area that has fallen under neglect. Fire Safety Regulations 2022 Fire doors and their hardware play an invaluable role in the safety of our built environment As such, in January 2023, The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, under Regulation 10, made it a legal requirement for all responsible persons of multi-occupied residential buildings to conduct regular fire door checks within their premises. And while it’s said that overall inspection levels are rising, with 68% of responsible persons now conducting fire door checks (or having them inspected by professionals) every month or every quarter, there’s still work to be done says Karen Trigg of Allegion UK: “In the 12-month period ending March 2023, fire and rescue services attended 178,737 fire incidents in England, a 17% increase compared with the previous 12 months. And when you consider the portion of fire door sets that remain overlooked, the numbers don’t make for good reading. Fire doors and their hardware play an invaluable role in the safety of our built environment, but there are considerable differences between a fire door that’s operating as intended and one that hasn’t been correctly specified, installed, and maintained." Regulatory Reform Order 2005 Even durable fire door hardware can become worn and tired in a high-footfall environment" Karen Trigg added: “When it comes to maintenance specifically, Article 17 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, states that responsible persons must ensure fire doors and their hardware are ‘subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair’." "Even durable fire door hardware can become worn and tired in a high-footfall environment and may need repairing or replacing over time. A damaged or ineffective self-closing device, for example, can limit the closing action of a fire door and prevent it from fully closing into the frame - rendering it useless in the event of a fire." risk assessment duties Karen Trigg added: “Although we’ve seen real development towards fire safety education in recent years, we must continue to drive forward the number of responsible persons conducting organized fire door checks and maintenance periods as part of their risk assessment duties." "The introduction of updated guidance on 1st October 2023 aims to do this further, by improving the cooperation and coordination between responsible persons and rising the requirements associated with recording and sharing fire safety information during fire risk assessments. The update will also make it easier for enforcement authorities to act against non-compliance.” A stitch in time saves lives As fire safety processes tighten, building owners and facility managers shouldn’t feel discouraged in their actions. In fact, responsible persons are reminded that there’s no need to overcomplicate fire door inspections. A simple visual assessment, conducted and recorded by a competent individual, could make the difference between compliance and a fire safety disaster. Responsible persons are reminded that there’s no need to overcomplicate fire door inspections Karen Trigg continues: “For responsible persons conducting checks, the first step of fire door safety is recognizing each component of a fire door and the potential faults to look for when evaluating its condition. The British Woodworking Federation Group - in support of Fire Door Safety Week - shares regular and reliable advice on fire door safety; including a practical five-step checklist that has been designed to support responsible persons during fire door assessments. The checklist works as a visual guide and covers the five key areas of a fire door - informing users on what to look out for, including: Certification: “A label or similar marking can often be found towards the top or side of the door and will confirm the fire door is genuine and certified. All ironmongery components, including locks, latches, closers and hinges must also be UKCA/CE marked and compatible with the door leaf’s certification.” Apertures: “More often than not, fire doors are tested as solid doors and without any glazing panels or air transfer grilles. It’s important to ensure there are no apertures, holes or breaks in the surface of the door or frame. Decision makers are also reminded that altering the door will make certification void.” Gaps and seals: “Gaps around the fire door should be no greater than 3 mm, and this must remain consistent around the whole frame. Intumescent strips must also be fitted at the top and sides of the door and show no signs of wear as this may negate the door’s ability to compartmentalize smoke and fire. Additionally, check for CE or BS EN 1935 marked hinges, which must be firmly fixed and without missing screws.” Door closers: “When it comes to door closers, it’s vital to check that your door hardware is fully functioning and will close the door onto the latch from any standing position. The door must fully engage with the frame from any opening angle, and it’s recommended that users check this by letting go of the door from 75 mm through to the closed position. It’s also important to review any hold-open devices to ensure they aren’t working against the door’s self-closing devices, as fire doors must not be wedged open in any scenario.” Operation: “Testing the operation of the full door assembly is essential - from handles and closers to hinges and seals. If the door is not operating effectively, is closing incorrectly on any of its sides, or there is any doubt about hardware certification and reliability, responsible persons must identify the problem before arranging and managing professional maintenance as soon as possible. Because when it comes to fire safety, there’s simply no time to stand still.” How Allegion UK can Help Allegion UK has a wealth of resources to help professionals undertake product selection, installation, and maintenance checks on fire doors and hardware. For post-installation and maintenance support, Allegion’s simple toolkit provides information and tips on detecting potential faulty doors and poor installation, a guide to the EN classification system and a safety checklist. There’s also an option to order a free door gap tester or download Allegion’s general guide to service and maintenance for free.

Wildfires swept through the Panhandle region of Texas earlier in 2024. The Smokehouse Creek Fire and the Windy Deuce Fire, both starting on Feb. 26, were the most significant outbreaks. The Smokehouse Creek Fire went on to become the second largest in U.S. history, burning over a million acres across Texas and Oklahoma before it was contained in mid-March. worst-ever wildfire As Texas battled its worst-ever wildfire, firefighters worked to mitigate fire and smoke damage. Among the challenges were staffing shortages. The United States is facing a serious firefighter shortage that makes fighting wildfires, including the Smokehouse Creek fire, even more difficult. Not unrelatedly, over half of all firefighters in the U.S. are volunteers.  training in structural fires Vector Solutions helps agencies train, prepare, and retain their employees to have a safer, better team “We just know how demanding the wildfire season is and how fast these fires can grow,” says Robbi King, Solutions Engineer at Vector Solutions. “We want our people to be current on the expectations of what we are training, preventing our chance of getting hurt,” he says. As fires increasingly occur at the wildland-urban interface (WUI), departments with training in structural fires should expand their training knowledge to prepare. Vector Solutions helps agencies train, prepare, and retain their employees to have a safer, better team. online firefighting training In addition to the availability of more than 450 hours of online firefighting training, the company also provides software platforms to ensure requisite knowledge and the ability to perform various skills.  Ensuring preparation for wildfire season, Vector Solutions has courses that meet the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) requirements to renew certification. shortage of volunteer firefighters The shortage of volunteer firefighters is in part a reflection of the need for volunteers to hold full-time jobs to support their families, which limits their time for volunteering. Coverage of wildfire events, for example, is difficult during the day when more volunteers are at their paid jobs and unavailable.  “It takes the sacrifice of vacation and other things you earn to be a volunteer,” says King. Firefighter staffing is short throughout the U.S., and agencies facing fire emergencies often call on the larger surrounding area for help. Lack of resources in emergencies Local volunteers can perform some of the duties, but outside aid generally comes in the form of paid firefighters Resources are needed to perform search-and-rescue duties after the fire. “The problem is, when you call on all your assets, are there enough people to take care of medical needs and other emergencies?” says King. Local volunteers can perform some of the duties, but outside aid generally comes in the form of paid firefighters. Volunteers cannot commit two weeks of unpaid time even in a fire emergency.  Artificial intelligence Artificial intelligence (AI) can help to identify areas to search, but it takes human intervention to perform rescues and to facilitate recovery. A decayed power pole sparking dry grass was determined as the cause of the Smokehouse Creek Fire in Texas, and several other fires were also traced back to faulty power equipment. The fires caused significant damage, including hundreds of homes destroyed, livestock deaths, and widespread destruction of crops and ranch infrastructure.  Wildfire impact and concerns  A huge concern during wildfire season is that individuals heed evacuation orders when they come in. “We don’t want people to be left behind,” says King. “There’s nothing there that is worth your life. Minding the evacuation orders gets you out of harm’s way.” Residents in areas impacted by wildfire should also do their part to protect their homes; sometimes it’s as simple as mowing the grass. role of the weather Additional moisture can contribute to the rapid thickening of undergrowth, which contributes eventually The weather plays a significant role in determining the course of the wildfire season. Additional moisture can contribute to the rapid thickening of undergrowth, which contributes eventually to a cycle of drying out and opening the door to wildfires.  The location of residences near areas prone to wildfires can contribute to risks, especially along the wildland-urban interface. “Communities want to live near nature, so they work with builders, who are trying to appease what they want,” says King. Vector Solutions Cloud “We need to look at where we are placing these homes to make sure we are pushing the vegetation back far enough to prevent the spread of fires.” Keeping firefighter skills current also makes a big difference. The Vector Solutions Cloud stores video of first responders performing skills and the video can be observed and critiqued later for better training.  Scheduling and Check It Vector also provides Vector Scheduling, a time-and-attendance tool. Vector Check It streamlines routine truck and equipment tracking and centralizes asset and inventory management. Vector’s Guardian Tracking is a performance management and early intervention solution that equips first responders with a process for consistent feedback and positive recognition while identifying those in need of intervention before an adverse event takes place.  Guardian Tracking Software The system can also identify when people are performing below expectations or fail to meet standards Vector Solutions can contribute to firefighter retention. The Guardian Tracking software can identify career milestone events and trace the negative impacts of a major fire event, including emotional stress. The system can also identify when people are performing below expectations or fail to meet standards. “Most agencies have de-brief sessions after milestone events, but sometimes we need additional care,” says King. impact due to COVID  “We want to take care of people, but sometimes we need a reminder.” If departments can retain people, it becomes less of a recruitment effort. Four years after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact on the fire service is still being felt. “We are still identifying the long-lasting COVID effects, and there are small segments of communities that have not fully recovered,” says King. ”When you expose them to wildland fire and smoke, it compounds the issues.”  risk assessment It will be some time before the full impact of COVID is understood, including the need for first responders to go inside residences at the height of the pandemic.  “My work with the fire service and the military prepared me to always think about possibilities,” says King. “We do a risk assessment, which has allowed me to understand what the fire service needs and how we can apply our solutions to streamline and improve agencies’ processes. Having that knowledge has helped me find the right solution for firefighter needs.” 

An ISO rating is a score between one and ten that indicates how well a fire department serves its local community. Determined by the Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO), a subsidiary of Verisk Analytics, the rating is based on a Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS). The lower the score, the better the rating, with a score of one being the best possible rating.   Evaluation criteria For communities, the ISO rating is a reference to an agency’s capabilities to extinguish a structure fire based on this national standard. ISO evaluates three main factors: the department itself (50% of the total score), the available water supply (40% of the total), and the communications center (10% of the total).   detailed and lengthy process However, there is much more that goes into a department's ability to protect a community In terms of the ability to protect the community, ISO only looks at a few critical details thus only reflecting how well departments are doing in those three categories. However, there is much more that goes into a department's ability to protect a community. Achieving an ISO score is a detailed and lengthy process that requires coordination among fire, water, and 911 center departments to work together to ensure the best possible result for the best resources available to a community.   Challenges to make fire, water, and 911 center work together “It can be a challenge to coordinate so many moving parts, but each of the three must work together and make improvements for the overall score to improve,” says Robbi King, Solutions Engineer at Vector Solutions, a provider of compliance-based software solutions. “With most departments being all-hazards departments, ensuring any budgeted dollars are maximized for the positive effect of the ISO ratings should remain top of mind. Matching those dollars to the rating is critical for the citizens of the community.”  training and workforce management Fire departments are deeply familiar with the ISO rating process as they are all held to this standard Vector Solutions is a pioneer in training and workforce management technology that enables Fire and Rescue Departments to meet their demanding training, compliance, and preparedness objectives including ISO.   Fire departments are deeply familiar with the ISO rating process as they are all held to this standard. When it comes to the general public, more education is needed. ISO rating process The average person often does not know that these ratings exist or how they affect the community, says King. Additionally, ISO rating is only one facet of today's fire department. It requires a single person or group of people to gain the necessary knowledge and time to create changes and improvements to make a lasting impact on their community.  community evaluations The evaluation is a large project that takes many staffing hours to prepare annually The general public tends to have an oversimplified view of ISO ratings: A fire hydrant in the front yard equates to cheaper insurance. However, the community evaluations actually look at many factors of the fire, water, and communications departments to set this rating from equipment and daily staffing levels to how long it takes for a 911 call to be answered. The evaluation is a large project that takes many staffing hours to prepare annually.   public safety suite of products Through Vector Solutions’ public safety suite of products, including software for training management, policy distribution, personnel scheduling, critical incident, and exposure tracking, agencies are better prepared with documentation that authenticates details required under ISO ratings, says King. With an online course library including more than 450 hours of fire department training with 250+ hours of CAPCE-approved EMS recertification courses, Vector Solutions prioritizes worker safety alongside robust documentation to achieve a positive score.  Vector Solutions’ Scheduling and Vector Check Vector Check, a mobile equipment repair and maintenance app, ensures agencies have better documentation Both Vector Solutions’ Scheduling work management software and Vector Check, a mobile equipment repair and maintenance app, ensure agencies have better documentation to support individual preparedness for success. These tools can be used to report daily staffing levels and pull reports from all necessary tests completed on the department's equipment.  TargetSolutions Additionally, tools like the TargetSolutions online training management system can aid in reporting required training hours upon completion. These examples of preparedness documentation are essential for ISO ratings as they look to ensure individuals and agencies as a whole are up to date on training and other preparedness initiatives.   Improvement in hydrant flow It can also note the best place to loop in another water main to improve the flow as well But how can technology identify places for improvement of elements like hydrant water flow? Hydrants are placed within a subdivision before roads are even made. If the water flow at the hydrants in a subdivision is not enough, the agency can use technology to find the best place to improve the water system and increase the water flow available. Technology can help by identifying the sizes of water mains to see if improving the volume or increasing the pressure would improve the flow in that area. It can also note the best place to loop in another water main to improve the flow as well.  an all-hazards agency The “fire department” title is likely an outdated name for most agencies today, says King. Today, they are an all-hazards agency, and structural firefighting is only one facet of what makes the agency special. ISO only looks at this one facet. Many agencies have a hard time achieving or maintaining a high ISO rating because structural firefighting isn’t the only work that they are required to do day in and day out.  Fire Suppression Rating Schedule Then work to identify what would be needed to gain those additional points to improve the rating" “Fire, water, and 911 center departments must coordinate to ensure the best possible ISO ratings,” says King. “This begins with reviewing the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule as a group and discussing each area to see where the community stands. Then work to identify what would be needed to gain those additional points to improve the rating.”  AgencyConnect Along with contacting and attending sessions with Verisk/ISO, gaining insight from a department’s individual questions and their training is essential to maximize a community’s effort. Recently, Vector Solutions announced a new tool called AgencyConnect, a data-sharing solution connecting local departments' training management systems to those used by state-certifying authorities and training academies.  simplifying training reporting Previously, training and certification records were distributed across agencies and academies, often locked away as a paper copy. By simplifying training reporting and reducing time-intensive, manual processes, more time can be spent ensuring first responders have the proper training that is essential when it comes time for ISO ratings.

Technology increasingly makes it possible to identify wildfires early and before they get out of control.  Networks of video cameras watch wildlands for the first hint of fire, and now artificial intelligence (AI) is being deployed to interpret data from those cameras and alert personnel about an imminent wildfire sooner than ever. FireScout AI FireScout is an AI program seeking to address the issue of wildfires. Using AI, the program can create awareness and “understand” smoke from 10 to 25 miles away, based on the video from a digital camera set up in the field. In a test conducted with utility Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) in California, the technology was able to detect 200 out of 300 fires, each in less than a minute.  Golden moments In the case of FireScout working with a network of video cameras, that period has been reduced “Golden moments” are the time that lapses between when a fire starts and when it is reported, a critical time when a potentially catastrophic fire can be averted. In the case of FireScout working with a network of video cameras, that period has been reduced. In some documented cases, notification preceded the 911 call by minutes or even a couple of hours. The program also can detect fires at night when everyone is asleep. In remote areas where cameras are located, there may be no one around to call 911 anyway. As for the Coyote Fire near San Diego in 2022, FireScout AI provided notification more than 2 hours in advance of a 911 call. AI-enabled smoke detection A fire-spotting camera sends a digital image to the AI cloud, where advanced AI systems detect smoke and then send an alert for confirmation. The "human-in-the-loop" monitors the system to observe false alarms and to confirm a positive alert. Human-confirmed fires populate a FireScout dashboard and trigger an alert by SMS and email.  A 3D map view allows users to have better topographical information, and users can share the response status with their colleagues and stakeholders.  early detection of wildfires FireScout has worked with public utility companies, individual businesses, and high-net-worth properties to increase early detection of wildfires. The technology is based on AI analytics software developed by Alchera, a 10-year-old public company in Korea. The company operating outside Korea is called Alchera X and includes the FireScout AI program to detect wildfires.  Video cameras for wildfire detection In addition, there are several hundred cameras installed outside the U.S. in Korea, Australia, and (soon) Canada Currently, there are about 1,000 video cameras installed to watch out for wildfires in California, with more cameras to be added. There are also 300 to 400 cameras watching for wildfires in other states, including Washington, Oregon, and New York. In addition, there are several hundred cameras installed outside the U.S. in Korea, Australia, and (soon) Canada.  Beyond California, FireScout is working to minimize wildfires in Australia, and beginning now in Canada, the early steps in an expected global rollout.  Over a billion training images In February 2023, the head of the Korean Ministry of Interior and Safety visited the United States to discuss installing Alchera X FireScout AI software to resolve the wildfire issue plaguing their country.  FireScout has the most accumulated user data among AI systems with over 10 million exclusive and independent images of smoke, clouds, and dust storms. They have more than a billion total training images accumulated for AI education. The system detects smoke or fire as soon as it is visible in the camera frame. 99.9% accuracy FireScout’s “human-in-the-loop” process ensures 99.9% accuracy. Given the high rate of false positives, humans are deployed to verify a fire before sending first responders. If a camera detects smoke suggesting a nascent wildfire, the FireScout system sends a short snippet of video to allow a certified human monitor to see where and how much smoke there is. Monitors are carefully trained and have familiarity with the geography and various types of smoke.  Visual information The video snippet provides our human experts with visual information they can analyze" “When we can save property and lives, that’s our objective,” says Michael Plaksin, Alchera X’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing.  “We can detect smoke when it is almost invisible to the human eye. The video snippet provides our human experts with visual information they can analyze.”  fire suppressant chemical FireScout works with Mighty Fire Breaker, a company that provides a fire suppressant chemical that can be applied to brush or to property and/or houses. High insurance costs are driving companies out of California, and such a fire-suppressant strategy can lower insurance costs.  Helicopters for fire response In addition, the use of helicopters, alerted by text message or email can respond to fires. Helicopters located throughout the state of California can drop water on a fire within about 10 minutes. Helicopters include “personal size” smaller helicopters, operated by remote control, and even Blackhawk military-size helicopters. FireScout works with RAIN (Rapid Aviation Integrated Needs) Fire to deploy services faster than other firefighting organizations in response to fire reports.  Challenges with AI AI struggles to differentiate between actual smoke and a business smoke stack or even snowmaking equipment “When you are looking at smoke, we don’t like having a margin of error,” says Plaksin. Over time, as AI becomes smarter, it might one day be possible to approach 100% accuracy using only AI. Currently, AI struggles to differentiate between actual smoke and a business smoke stack or even snowmaking equipment in a ski area, for example. Including humans in making the final determination is a critical element.  Successful fire mitigation “The good news is that we are having an impact,” says Plaksin. “I can’t tell you how excited I am about that. We are helping to mitigate the fires, although you can’t prevent them. If we can minimize the acres that burn, it can be a huge help.” “We relieve in the accuracy of our detection, and we have been extremely successful detecting and protecting,” says Plaksin.

When the George and Abbotsford Hotel in Melrose urgently required an upgrade to its existing fire alarm system, Safe Services installed a new Advanced MxPro 5 analog addressable fire panel to provide industry-pioneering protection. George and Abbotsford Hotel The George and Abbotsford Hotel is located a 5-minute walk from the historic St Cuthbert's Way and Melrose Abbey in the Scottish Borders. A popular, busy hotel it attracts guests who are keen to walk in the footsteps of St Cuthbert across the unspoiled countryside, as well as visit ancient market towns, and local historic sites, such as Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott. With guest and staff safety of paramount importance, the hotel needed an upgrade to its existing fire alarm system to bring it up to Category L2 coverage standards as the current system was obsolete and was starting to fail.  upgrade the fire system The Advanced panel was also seamlessly integrated with EMS Firecell wireless devices Fire and security service providers, Safe Services, were contacted to upgrade the fire system and installed an Advanced MxPro 5 four-loop analog addressable fire panel, with all four loops used to meet the requirements of this large hotel. The Advanced panel was also seamlessly integrated with EMS Firecell wireless devices. Due to the size of the hotel, it would have been impossible to install cabling because of the extensive downtime that would be needed to fit the cables. The fire system was also interfaced with a kitchen suppression system to provide extra protection. MxPro 5 four-loop analog panel “We are very happy with the Advanced system and the installation by Safe Services. It was quite a complex project as the hotel is a big building,” said Graham Barrett, Owner of the George and Abbotsford Hotel. "The previous fire safety system was obsolete, it was a cabled system and the cables were obsolete too. It would have been very costly to install a cabled system as it was so complex. We decided on a radio system and that took a week to install." design and installation Graeme Millar, Fire Technical Sales Engineer at Safe Systems, said, “The George and Abbotsford Hotel required a new fire alarm system to meet Category L2. Housed in a large building, both the fire alarm system and cabling were obsolete." "However, installing new cabling would have meant major disruption to this busy hotel due to the building’s size. We therefore integrated the Advanced panel with the wireless EMS Firecell. The Advanced MxPro 5 is our panel of choice as it’s a trusted and reliable panel with our design and installation teams. Combining the Advanced MxPro 5 with the EMS equipment works very well and we have used this combination in a number of our projects.” robust protection and compliance Neil Parkin, Sales Manager at Advanced, said, “In hotels, it is vital to ensure fire alarm systems meet the latest standards and so protect guests and staff." "Our MxPro 5 panels are designed to make life as easy as possible, delivering robust protection and compliance that offers real peace of mind, all backed up by our highly rated technical support. Selecting wireless equipment when installing a fire system offers minimal disruption for hotels providing both time and cost benefits.” multiprotocol fire panel MxPro 5 can be used in single-loop, single-panel format, or easily configured into high-speed networks MxPro 5 is the fire industry’s pioneering multiprotocol fire panel and is certified by FM Approvals to the EN 54 standard. It offers customers a choice of four detector protocols and a completely open installer network, backed up by free training and support. MxPro 5 can be used in single-loop, single-panel format, or easily configured into high-speed networks of up to 200 panels covering huge areas. Ease of installation and configuration, as well as its wide range of peripheral options, make MxPro 5 customizable to almost any application. versatile wireless capabilities As well as compatibility with wired detector brands, MxPro 5’s versatile wireless capabilities make it easy to install robust fire alarm systems whilst saving crucial time, cost, and disruption.  Harnessing the power of proven technology, MxPro 5’s wireless solutions are scalable, adaptable, and reliable – for complete fire safety and peace of mind. two-way communication Wireless solutions not only mean lower visual and physical impact, but they are also faster and cheaper to install, making them an increasingly popular alternative for sites where downtime is not an option, or re-wiring would prove disruptive. Due to two-way communication with the panel, battery replacement, and fault reporting can also be worked into the ongoing maintenance schedule via the panel service tools. false alarm management capabilities AlarmCalm delivers unprecedented control of verification and investigation delays The MxPro 5’s stand-out false alarm management capabilities are available as standard and are ideal in hotel applications. AlarmCalm delivers unprecedented control of verification and investigation delays. By dividing sites up into virtual false alarm ‘building areas’ independent of fire zones, much more precise control of false alarm management and reduction strategies can be achieved that exactly fit the needs of each part of a building.  intelligent fire systems An optional AlarmCalm button allows trained occupants to verify if they believe a local fire signal is a false alarm too – a highly effective way of eliminating unwanted alarms. As a world pioneer in the development and manufacture of intelligent fire systems, Advanced products are specified in locations around the world, from single-panel installations to large, multi-site networks.  Advanced portfolio The Advanced portfolio includes complete fire detection systems, multiprotocol fire panels, extinguishing control, false alarm management, and reduction systems. Advanced is owned by FTSE 100 company Halma PLC – a global group of life-saving technology companies with a clear purpose to grow a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day.

Oshkosh Airport Products, an Oshkosh Corporation business, announced the delivery of two Oshkosh Airport Products Striker® 6x6 Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicles to the Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) of Chile. The new vehicles will enhance emergency response capabilities at the Chacalluta de Arica Airport and Araucanía de Temuco Airport, maintaining the customer’s full Oshkosh ARFF fleet at both locations. reliability, trust, and security “We identify with Oshkosh Airport Products because, like our department, their team provides reliability, trust, and security,” said Manuel E. Retamales Lolas, S.S.E.I Director, DGAC. “The excellence that identifies us as a team, we also find in the Oshkosh Striker ARFF vehicles.” DGAC Chile has a long-standing relationship with Oshkosh Airport Products, dating back to 1978. For decades, DGAC has relied on Oshkosh’s robust and reliable vehicles to support its firefighters, who consistently praise the fleet’s performance and longevity. ARFF vehicles “This delivery is a testament to the trust and confidence DGAC places in Oshkosh’s high-quality, innovative ARFF vehicles,” said Robert Colon, associate manager of international sales – Latin America for Oshkosh Airport Products. “DGAC is a forward-thinking team, and we are honored to continue supporting their modernization efforts with our latest technologies.” fleet upgrade New Striker will enhance response efficiency through its innovative TAK-4® Independent Suspension system DGAC’s acquisition of two Oshkosh Airport Products Striker 6x6 ARFF vehicles is part of an ongoing initiative to upgrade its fleet with state-of-the-art equipment that meets the complex demands of unique operating environments. The Chacalluta de Arica Airport, located in one of the driest cities in South America, benefits greatly from the Striker’s high water capacity and advanced fire suppression systems, which are designed to meet these unique challenges. Similarly, Araucanía de Temuco Airport’s new Striker will enhance response efficiency through its innovative TAK-4® Independent Suspension system and firefighter-friendly cab design. Striker model "DGAC has chosen Oshkosh’s latest generation Striker model because of its unmatched performance, reliability, and operator ease-of-use," said Colon. “The vehicles are equipped with technology that will help streamline firefighting operations and deliver exceptional performance in the field. Our team looks forward to being a key partner in supporting Chile’s aviation emergency response teams for many years to come.” vehicle features The newly delivered Striker 6x6 vehicles feature: Scania DC16, 16.0 L V8 four-cycle turbocharged diesel Tier 4F engine. TAK-4 Independent Suspension. Rear steer capabilities for enhanced maneuverability. Primary roof turret with a high flow rate of 4,732 LPM (1,250 GPM) and a low flow rate of 2,365 LPM (625 GPM). Bumper turret with a flow rate of 1,135 LPM (300 GPM). Water capacity: 12,500 L. Foam capacity: 1,600 L. Dry chemical capacity: 227 kg. Training program A robust training program is being conducted for DGAC operators and technicians to ensure a smooth transition to their new Striker ARFF vehicles. Regional Oshkosh Airport Products dealer IMPOMAK S.A. has provided strong support in Chile since 2006. Based in Santiago, Chile, Impomak also provides extensive service support to all  Oshkosh ARFF trucks across the nation of Chile.

Boosting its safety credentials in the French market, global wireless solutions provider Ramtech has successfully helped safeguard La Tour Pleyel – a 129m skyscraper undergoing major restructuring ahead of the Paris Olympic Games. The iconic venue, which is due to complete in spring 2024, is being turned into a multi-purpose complex in the Plaine Saint-Denis and Greater Paris area – requiring a comprehensive fire safety solution to protect workers and site assets during the construction phase. WES3 Wireless Fire Safety and Evacuation System WES3 Wireless Fire Safety and Evacuation System is being used throughout the 39 floors of the site The WES3 Wireless Fire Safety and Evacuation System is being used throughout the 39 floors of the site, providing an automatic 24/7 smoke and heat detection system that helps coordinate emergency response in the event of a fire incident. Stephane Stoesser, Business Development Manager – France at Ramtech, said: "Fire safety should be the top priority at any construction site in order to keep workers safe, as well as project timelines and finances in check, and the WES3 system is the perfect choice for protection against potential hazards." Stephane Stoesser adds, "This was a significant project, across a huge number of floors, so traditional methods of incident response, such as air horns or walking patrols, would only pose long delays between detection and emergency response. A forward-thinking, digital solution was needed, and we were delighted that our system was chosen to help keep people safe ahead of the Olympic Games.” WES3 wireless fire system deployed The extensive renovation process at La Tour Pleyel has seen the construction of a hotel, conference center, and additional towers. The adaptability and ease of installation of the WES3 system were crucial in providing effective fire detection to an ever-evolving construction site. Ramtech’s role in safeguarding La Tour Pleyel comes off the back of further success in Paris, including protecting The Arboretum – a 125,000 sq ft tertiary campus on the banks of the river Seine. Solid wood structure of the building put it at risk The solid wood structure of the building put it at particular risk of fire damage, and the WES3 wireless fire system proved the ideal choice for the large-scale project, as chosen by contractor GCC Groupe thanks to the system’s scalability and efficiency. Adam Kovics, Sales Manager at Ramtech, said: “Right now we’re experiencing an accelerated growth period in the French market, which shows contractors are putting safety first and investing in technology to help futureproof construction sites." Ramtech helps increase fire safety education Adam Kovics adds, “Our aim at Ramtech is to help increase fire safety education across Europe and beyond, and these recent projects show we’re well on our way to achieving that. We’re pleased with the presence we’re building in the French region and look forward to working with even more contractors and fire safety professionals in 2024.”

Cintas Corporation, a nationwide fire protection company that specializes in the inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire protection equipment and systems, has long understood the value of continuous training to help ensure the highest level of fire and life safety for its customers. Through training, Cintas continuously works to increase professional certifications for its employees (who are called partners in Cintas’ terminology). Cintas has found that these efforts foster better employee partner engagement, reduce risk, and improve the quality of its services to customers.  Create Long-Term Value Across Business By offering best-in-class training, Cintas meaningfully invests in employee partners’ long-term success Amid skills gaps and labor shortages in the larger fire and life safety ecosystem, investing in company culture and professional development is crucial. A LinkedIn Learning report found that 94 percent of employees would stay at their company longer if it invested in their career development. By offering best-in-class training, Cintas meaningfully invests in employee partners’ long-term success. Cintas’ employee partner engagement goals This investment has contributed to Cintas’ employee partner engagement goals. When trainings occur, Cintas is able to fill classes quickly due to the value they provide. These engagement initiatives are often cited as a top reason employee partners stay with Cintas and have helped with retention - an important metric of success in a challenging hiring landscape.  Benefits of Employee Partner Education By prioritizing professional certifications, Cintas has seen an uptick in the number of its employee partners who have achieved these certifications. This increased level of employee partner credentials has resulted in higher accuracy and fewer technician mistakes, therefore mitigating risk and reducing liability. The benefits of employee partner education have directly benefited Cintas’ customers as well The benefits of employee partner education have directly benefited Cintas’ customers as well. Not only does training increase the quality of Cintas’ services, but when customers come to technicians with questions or concerns, Cintas’ trained and knowledgeable employee-partners are able to reference code and explain their decision-making more quickly. NFPA training aligns with Cintas' mission “At Cintas, our mission is to exceed customer expectations and provide long-term value to both our shareholders and our working employee-partners,” said Jason Dupuis, National Fire Alarm Training Manager at Cintas. He adds, “NFPA training aligns with that mission. By investing in training today, we’re able to set the foundation for sustained growth in the future, helping us continue to make the world a safer place.”

Fire protection solutions manufacturer, Advanced, has supplied intelligent fire panels to 5 Aldermanbury Square, London, as part of a major refurbishment. Advanced’s high-performance, fault-tolerant MxPro 5 analog addressable fire panels provide industry-renowned protection to all areas of the 22-story building. Updating fire panel network 5 Aldermanbury Square is located in the City of London with the Eric Parry-designed landmark delivering exceptional views across the London skyline. Fire safety and security specialists, Pacific Security Systems Ltd, was contracted to undertake the upgrade of the building’s current Advanced fire panel network.  Existing Advanced MX4000 Pacific Security Systems was involved in the design, installation, and commissioning of the fire system The existing system was an Advanced MX4000 so migrating the system over to new MxPro 5 panels was the obvious solution due to the useful backward compatibility. Since all work had to be completed overnight to ensure the system was fully operational during the day, this compatibility proved essential. Pacific Security Systems was involved in the design, installation, and commissioning of the fire system. New MxPro 5 panels 12 MxPro 5 panels were installed along with an Advanced graphics system and a two-stage staff alarm for false alarm management. Advanced’s special build service was also able to design and build a bespoke floor-standing double annunciator that sits on the network via the PEN network device and provides: zonal indication; sounder control; damper status and control; fire phone control; sprinkler and wet riser indication.  optical smoke detectors The Advanced system is linked to over 3,000 devices including access control systems, dampers, BMS, and plant shutdowns. The system uses Apollo protocol and Discovery optical smoke detectors are installed throughout. Kirk Short, Director of Pacific Security Systems Ltd, said “Advanced’s ability to provide a full package of panels, graphics, and special-build service is why we have been specifying and installing their equipment for over 10 years." Fast network and user-friendly controls MxPro 5 panels provide a powerful platform and comprehensive cause and effect functions" Kirk Short adds, "The MxPro 5 panels provide a powerful platform, comprehensive cause and effect functions, a fast network, and user-friendly controls and were the ideal solution for 5 Aldermanbury Square."  He continues, "Their backward compatibility enabled us to upgrade the system overnight while maintaining essential fire protection throughout the refurbishment – no easy feat!” Essential and robust fire protection Matthew Jones, Head of Sales for UK and Ireland at Advanced, said, “We are delighted that Advanced’s fire panels are providing essential fire protection to the RIBA-award winning 5 Aldermanbury Square." He adds, "Our MxPro 5 panels are designed to make life as easy as possible, delivering robust protection that offers real peace of mind, all backed up by our highly rated technical support.” Multiprotocol fire panel MxPro 5 is the fire industry’s major multiprotocol fire panel and is certified by FM Approvals to EN 54 Parts 2 and 4. It offers customers a choice of four detector protocols and a completely open installer network, backed up by free training and support. MxPro 5 can be used in single-loop, single-panel format, or easily configured into high-speed networks of up to 200 panels covering huge areas. Ease of installation and configuration, as well as its wide range of peripheral options, make MxPro 5 customizable to almost any application.  False alarm management capabilities An optional AlarmCalm button allows trained occupants to verify if they believe a local fire signal is a false alarm too The MxPro 5’s stand-out false alarm management capabilities are available as standard. AlarmCalm delivers unprecedented control of verification and investigation delays. By dividing sites up into virtual false alarm ‘building areas’ independent of fire zones, much more precise control of false alarm management and reduction strategies can be achieved, that exactly fit the needs of each part of a building. An optional AlarmCalm button allows trained occupants to verify if they believe a local fire signal is a false alarm too, a highly effective way of eliminating unwanted alarms. RS232 connection The MxPro 5 BMS/graphics interface allows BMS systems and graphical control PCs to be easily integrated with the MxPro 5 series of fire control panels and remote terminals using a simple RS232 connection.  Multiple interfaces can be connected to the network catering to sites requiring control from several graphical PCs. Advanced portfolio As a world pioneer in the development and manufacture of intelligent fire systems, Advanced products are specified in locations around the world, from single-panel installations to large, multi-site networks. The Advanced portfolio includes complete fire detection systems, multiprotocol fire panels, extinguishing control, false alarm management, and reduction systems as well as emergency lighting. Advanced is owned by FTSE 100 company Halma PLC, a global group of life-saving technology companies with a clear purpose to grow a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day.

Blackline GPS is a Calgary-based wireless technology company that provides products for worker safety monitoring, covert surveillance, and business applications such as vehicle and logistics tracking. Blackline’s proprietary location-aware hardware, coupled with easy-to-use web and mobile interfaces, allows organizations to keep workers safe and track important assets. Blackline’s main product is the Loner® safety monitoring device, worn by employees working out of sight and sound of others or in dangerous environments. Loner automatically detects if an employee has fallen or is motionless for a period of time, indicating they may have suffered an injury, health incident, or physical threat. Loner devices pinpoint the person’s exact location on an interactive, clickable map so emergency personnel can respond quickly.  Challenges The Lone Safety device allows employees to call for help by pulling an emergency latch during emergency situations Blackline’s main goal is 100% employee safety. The company’s Loner safety monitoring device is worn by thousands of workers across diverse industries, including oil & gas, utilities, manufacturing, construction, and natural resources. Loner automatically detects if a person has fallen, is motionless, or has not responded to a regular ‘check-in’, but it also allows employees to call for help by pulling an emergency latch during emergency situations.  For example, if a field service technician is accidentally blasted by pressurized gas and becomes unconscious, the employee’s Loner device would detect the fall and lack of movement, and notify safety monitoring personnel automatically, in seconds. Real-time application All alerts are automatically communicated in real time via a cellular or satellite connection to Blackline’s main safety monitoring infrastructure. Monitoring personnel, either in-house at an employer or through Blackline’s Loner 24/7 central monitoring service, see the safety alerts on an interactive, clickable Google Maps and then attempt to reach the employee to validate the situation.  Because monitoring personnel can visualize exactly where an alert has originated, they can direct nearby coworkers or emergency responders to the employee’s precise location when required. Because every minute counts in emergency situations, interactive, highly visual maps are a core component of Blackline’s Loner platform. Blackline not only wanted to pinpoint each employee’s location on a map but also to provide rich visual details about the location, such as zoomable street and satellite views. Solution  Blackline chose to work with Google Maps Engine to integrate the most accurate, real-time maps for into its platform. Google Maps Engine interfaces directly with BlackLine’s web and mobile app, allowing customers to interact with the maps via any device. Blackline's location beacons on installation provide precise positioning of employees where GPS does not reach “Since all the data is stored in the cloud with Google Maps, our customers can click on and zoom in on maps in real-time from desktop or mobile devices,” said Brendon Cook, CTO of Blackline. "With Google Street View and Satellite View, Blackline customers get a clear view of the terrain where each worker is located, spotting buildings, roads, and other landmarks that might help responders find an employee more quickly in an emergency,” said Cook. Blackline app Full integration of Google Maps Engine with the Blackline app allows customers to easily layer their own data on top of the maps, adding employee names, locations, roles, territories, and tasks. That way, when customers monitor employees on the map, they get a quick visual snapshot of what each employee is doing, where, and why. Blackline also layers other critical data onto the maps, including information on the battery power and signal strength of each device, as well as the location of nearby employees. Inside buildings, Blackline provides ‘location beacons’ that can be installed to provide precise positioning of employees where GPS does not reach. Soon, customers will be able to upload their interior building floorplans into the Loner safety monitoring app so they appear on the Google Maps interface, achieving full situational awareness to keep employees safe even when working indoors. Results As part of the Loner safety monitoring platform, Google Maps can quite literally help save lives. AltaGas Utilities Inc. issues Blackline Loner devices to field operations workers. Every worker who works ‘alone’, from meter readers to technicians, carries a Loner device. AltaGas Utilities Inc. deployedthe devices three years ago, and currently has 146 in use. Dave Koopman, Manager, Environment, Occupational Health and Safety at AltaGas Utilities Inc., says the visibility provided by Google Maps within the Loner safety monitoring application is critical when it comes to keeping workers safe. Authority comments One can even visualize where the closest fire and police departments are located for the worker in potential distress “If the Loner device sends out an alert for any reason, our team is immediately notified via text message and email, and those messages contain a clickable Google Map and URL,” says Koopman. “Wherever I am, whatever device I’m using, I can just click the link to see a map with a green dot on the exact longitude and latitude of the individual’s location.” Though AltaGas Utilities has, thankfully, yet to receive an alert for a life-threatening emergency, Koopman says they are fully prepared to respond if they do. “With Blackline and Google Maps, we can not only see with precision where a person is located but can zoom in on Google Maps street view to get visibility into surrounding landmarks and buildings, so we can tell emergency responders where to go and what they might encounter when they arrive,” says Koopman. “We can even visualize where the closest fire and police departments are located in relation to the worker in potential distress.”

Thermal imaging is an advantageous tool for firefighters on the frontline. As thermal cameras have become more compact and affordable, their availability has expanded, along with their usefulness. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How does thermal imaging serve the needs of firefighters and how is it changing?  

New tools and technologies are emerging that augment the efforts of the fire market to prevent and fight fires. Modern firefighting is benefiting from an ongoing sea change in technological capabilities, spanning equipment, electronic components, greater connectivity and firefighter monitoring, to name just a few. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What technologies will have the greatest impact on the fire industry in 2021? 

Equipment is an important element in fighting fires, and in keeping firefighters safe. But what new needs are driving the development of equipment? How can equipment expand its role in fighting fires, or in managing building occupancy and traffic flow for that matter? We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the new trends and opportunities in firefighting equipment?