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Risky Business report by Evac+Chair International

A new report lays bare how the safety and lives of the UK’s disabled workforce, and those dealing with access barriers, are at risk in an emergency. Risky Business, the study from Evac+Chair International, found that a quarter of UK business decision makers do not know how many disabled and mobility impaired people there are within their organisation. Almost a third have only “some” or “very little” understanding of their responsibilities, with one in 10 either not prepared, or unsure if they are adequately prepared, to safely evacuate employees needing assistance. 82% of organisations are calling on the Government to provide more clarity on their responsibilities surrounding fire safety, while more than two thirds (67%) think that evacuation equipment should be a legal requirement. Gerard Wallace, Managing Director of Evac+Chair International, commented: “There are more than 4.8m disabled people in UK workplaces and this figure is rising. Those responsible for their safety are falling short, with a clear lack of knowledge, understanding and investment amplifying risk in emergency situations. “Despite recent tragedies highlighting how important it is to be prepared to safely evacuate everyone from multistorey buildings, our findings show that safe evacuations for all clearly needs to move higher up the agenda. Our report makes the case to the Government for better education and a firmer legal landscape.” Last year, disabled campaigners launched a legal challenge against the Government for failing to implement the Grenfell Tower inquiry’s call for evacuation plans for disabled people in high-rise buildings. The decision is expected imminently. Staggeringly, more than two thirds of decision makers believe there is a culture of non-compliance or exploitation of loopholes in the business community, surrounding evacuation measures. More than one quarter of respondents do not have someone solely responsible for evacuations, while one in five do not take temporary mobility challenges – such as pregnancy or a broken leg – into consideration in their safety plans. On regulation, 68% think that fire safety legislation does not do enough to protect those with access needs, while the cost of equipment and a lack of information were cited as the biggest challenges for business leaders to develop suitable emergency evacuation procedures. Sarah Rennie, Accessibility Consultant and Fire Safety Campaigner of Claddag, which represents disabled and older people impacted by the #BuildingSafetyCrisis following the Grenfell Tower disaster, added: “The disabled community, making up one in five of the working age population, is placed in danger every day because of building design and management practices. The vast majority of us become disabled during our lives so it’s important to expect colleagues to need support next week which they might not need today. Any day of the week you should expect a disabled visitor, supplier or client to enter the building. Businesses must have practices in place to plan for known-unknown scenarios like this. “The disabled residents who died in Grenfell Tower had no effective plans to escape or aids to do so. If we do not change our practices then we have to take personal and organisational accountability for future preventable deaths and life-changing injuries. In workplaces, we need to ask ourselves what our practices say about how we value the lives of our disabled colleagues, visitors and friends.” Gerard Wallace added: “Current legislation is not fit for purpose, offering little clarity to businesses and those responsible for multistorey buildings. This ambiguity, and the fact that provision of appropriate equipment is not a legal requirement, is clearly enabling a ‘slippery shoulders’ culture within businesses. “Businesses are calling for more guidance and urging policymakers to make the law work harder for those facing access barriers. It’s time to close the legislative gap.” To read more news and exclusive features see our latest issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on:  International Fire Buyer  @Firebuyer  Fire Buyer Media Contact Louis Curtis Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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2023 winners of the National Wildfire Mitigation Awards

The Wildfire Mitigation Awards committee has named the winners of the 2023 Wildfire Mitigation Awards. This year’s recipients come from Eagle County, Colorado, where their coordinated efforts have earned them the highest commendation for innovation and leadership in wildfire mitigation. They are: Eagle Valley Wildland, Eagle County, Colorado Eagle Valley Wildland (EVW) represents an ambitious partnership between Greater Eagle Fire, Gypsum Fire, Eagle River Fire, and Eagle County to coordinate and collaborate on wildfire mitigation efforts. As a result of this partnership, EVW tripled the number of acres of fuel reduction treatments in the county. EVW worked with community members to reduce wildfire risk on private land through property assessments and home-hardening projects. Over the past two years, more than 100 individual property owners and 25 HOA’s have implemented risk reduction work. EVW also established a Neighborhood Ambassador Program to promote community wildfire adaptation at a local level. The program now has 15 Neighborhood Ambassadors working in a volunteer capacity with EVW staff to implement chipping days, fuel breaks and educational events within their respective communities. Eric Lovgren, Eagle County, Colorado As a Fire Mitigation Specialist, Eric Lovgren has expanded Eagle County’s wildfire mitigation efforts from a building enforcement role to an Emergency Management role. Lovgren helped design and launch REALFire, a voluntary home assessment program led by realtors and the Community Wildfire Planning Center. Lovgren not only conducted 423 private property assessments, but also trained other assessors to broaden the scope of the program. His dedication has motivated residents and property managers who may have previously known nothing about wildfire mitigation, to take, and even lead, wildfire mitigation projects. Lovgren’s work has had statewide influence through Fire Adapted Colorado, of which he is a founding board member and current chairperson, and he continues to innovate and inspire others to envision even better systems and programs for wildfire mitigation. The Wildfire Mitigation Awards program was established in 2014 by the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the USDA Forest Service to help demonstrate the tremendous societal value wildfire mitigation efforts provide. “NFPA is pleased to be part of this important annual initiative to recognize and reward the individuals and groups who are working to reduce wildfire risk around their homes and in their communities,” said NFPA Wildfire Division Director Michele Steinberg. “Their commitment to safety is an inspiration to all. NFPA congratulates this year’s winners and thanks them for their efforts.” “State forestry agencies know firsthand that wildfire mitigation is a year-round endeavor that requires collaboration across multiple partners,” said NASF President and Nevada State Forester Kacey KC. “This year’s winners have ensured the safety of thousands through their innovative wildfire mitigation efforts. We congratulate them for receiving this honor and thank them for their tireless dedication.” “Due to climate change, more fire departments are responding to an increasing number of wildland-urban interface and suburban conflagration fires,” said IAFC President and Board Chair Chief Donna Black. “I wish to send congratulations to both Eagle Valley Wildland and Fire Mitigation Specialist Eric Lovgren on their well-deserved recognition. As the fire service continues to evolve its approach to wildfire-related incidents, both EVW and Lovgren are leading the way by forging new partnerships in government and the community at-large to help mitigate future disasters.” “Congratulations to this year’s recipients,” said Jerry Perez, Fire and Aviation Director for the USDA Forest Service. “It’s an honor for us to help recognize such outstanding work in the field of wildfire mitigation, which is a critical part of our wildfire crisis strategy. The work of mitigation specialists often goes unnoticed but can make a substantial difference to communities at risk of wildfires.” To read more news and exclusive features see our latest issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on:  International Fire Buyer  @Firebuyer  Fire Buyer Media Contact Louis Curtis Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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2023 Fire Service Executive Development Institute Participants Selected

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) announced the names of the individuals who have been accepted into the Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI). This is the eleventh year that the Motorola Solutions Foundation has provided the IAFC with a grant to fund the program. The Fire Service Executive Development Institute is a year-long leadership-development program developed by the IAFC to provide new and aspiring chiefs with the tools they need to have successful and productive tenures. The members of the cohort will meet three times during the year. They also will be attending the Fire-Rescue International conference in Kansas City, Missouri, as part of the program. The group will communicate, share information between sessions, and continue their learning process using an on-line community on the IAFC website. Their on-site sessions are scheduled at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, Virginia, with the first meeting scheduled for the week of March 11 – 17, 2023. The FSEDI program is considered one of the premier training programs to prepare individuals to be successful chiefs and develop the next generation of national/international fire service leaders. Those accepted into the 2023 program are: Acting Asst. Chief Monty Armstrong, Dist. of North Vancouver F&RS (British Columbia) Chief Earl Borden, St. Bernard Parish FD (Louisiana) Interim Chief Todd Carson, Olympia FD (Washington) Deputy Chief Kristin Eckmann, South Metro Fire & Rescue (Colorado) Assistant Chief David Griffin, Charleston FD (South Carolina) Assistant Chief Amy Hanifan , McMinnville FD (Oregon) Deputy Chief Matthew Henss, Indianapolis FD (Indiana) Battalion Chief Adam Hopkins, Hagerstown FD (Maryland) Chief Michael Hussey, Jackson Co. FD #3 (Oregon) Chief Robert Jennison, Livonia FR (Michigan) Assistant Chief Carol Key, Greensboro FD (North Carolina) Deputy Chief Zachary Lardy, Bernalillo Co. FR (New Mexico) Chief Rich Llewellyn, Lawrence-Douglas Co. FR (Kansas) Deputy Chief Jermaine McFarlane, Miramar FR (Florida) Deputy Chief Doug McGlynn, Palm Beach FR (Florida) Deputy Chief T.J. McGovern, Orange Co. Fire Authority (California) Deputy Chief Jeremy Metz, West Metro FR (Colorado) Assistant Chief Felicity Morgan, Wayne Twp. FR (Indiana) Assistant Chief Holly Mulholland, Rochester FD (Minnesota) Assistant Chief Christopher Nash, Horry Co, FR (South Carolina) District Chief Cedric Patterson, U.S. Navy RM-A FES (Military) Deputy Chief Phillips, St. Louis FD (Missouri) Assistant Chief Travis Preau, Loudoun Co. FR (Virginia) Deputy Chief Tiffanye Wesley, Arlington Co. FD (Virginia) To read more news and exclusive features see our latest issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on:  International Fire Buyer  @Firebuyer  Fire Buyer Media Contact Louis Curtis Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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FPA code of practice for fire safety with solar panel installation

In the UK the incidence of fires involving PV systems is very low. However, the addition of a PV system to a building, which is not correctly designed, installed, or maintained could, like any electrical service, add to the overall risk of fire. As such, RISCAuthority, Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), and Solar Energy UK (SEUK) have worked together to update the RC62 document: Recommendations for fire safety with photovoltaic panel installations (first published in 2016) to develop a freely available Joint Code of Practice. This technical guide focuses on fire safety for commercial and industrial rooftop mounted PV installations, with the aim of providing an updated practical guide for insurers and their clients on the requirements for the procurement, ownership, operation, and maintenance of safe and efficient PV systems. Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS commented: “This new edition of RC62 will help solar contractors to safeguard against and mitigate fire risk at all stages of an installation. Working alongside the FPA and SEUK to realise these changes, we have been able to ensure that safety remains paramount when it comes to solar, that contractors are protected when installing and, ultimately, that consumers have confidence in home-grown energy.” Gemma Grimes, Director of Policy and Delivery at Solar Energy UK said: “The commercial rooftop solar industry is poised for significant growth in the UK, as businesses turn to onsite generation to provide financial stability and reduce their climate impact. This new edition of RC62 means they and their insurers can have confidence in their systems, knowing they have been installed based on the most up-to-date practices possible. As such, we endorse and recommend that the insurance industry uses this new edition of RC62 as a guide to fire risk prevention in UK solar systems.” Adrian Butler, Principal Consultant at the FPA added: “RISCAuthority have been pleased to work with solar industry professionals in the development of this new edition of RC62, providing a comprehensive Joint Code of Practice for solar PV specifiers, designers, suppliers, operators, and insurers. This guide will be further supported by a RISCAuthority Need to Know Guide: Roof Mounted PV Solar Systems, due to be published by the Fire Protection Association this spring.” To read more news and exclusive features see our latest issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on:  International Fire Buyer  @Firebuyer  Fire Buyer Media Contact Louis Curtis Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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FBU members win reversal of cuts in Nottinghamshire

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has won a reversal of £2m of cuts to the fire service in Nottingham. The cuts, announced in autumn 2022, would have seen West Bridgford fire station closed at night. London Road and Stockhill stations would also have lost firefighters and fire appliances. The U-turn will be confirmed at a meeting of the local fire authority on Friday 24 February. FBU spokespeople will be available for comment prior to the start of the meeting (see notes for details). The victory follows a sustained campaign of lobbying by the FBU. On 23 September 2022, members of the union attended a meeting of the Combined Fire Authority, which is chaired by Cllr Michael Payne. They called for the proposals to be shelved and called for the authority and the chief fire officer to join with members of the union in calling for greater investment. Disappointingly, the fire authority railroaded the proposals through with only a few notable objectors voting against. Immediately after the conclusion of the meeting, members of the FBU, alongside Cllr Steve Battlemuch, began to mobilise more widely, with firefighters and supporters having a presence on the streets of Nottinghamshire campaigning against the proposed cuts. The FBU also made the case for further investment in Westminster, demanding that the government increase funding to protect frontline services. The lobbying effort concluded with a meeting attended by MPs from across the county, alongside the FBU leadership, union members, the chief fire officer and the chair of the authority. It has now been confirmed that the cuts will not take place. Ben Selby, Assistant General Secretary elect of the Fire Brigades Union said: “This is a fantastic result for the people of Nottinghamshire. These cuts would have inevitably increased fire service response times, putting the lives of those that live and work in the affected areas at an increased risk. “Since 2010, budgets have been attacked by central governments, with fire authorities doing little to protect their communities from cuts that can cost lives. “This result is testament to the tireless work of members and officials of the FBU in Nottinghamshire. They knew what losing these services would mean for their communities, and fought to save them with everything they had. “When many policy-makers and onlookers doubted that our members could secure additional funding, they ignored them and cracked on with their campaign. They should be immensely proud of the result.” To read more news and exclusive features see our latest issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on:  International Fire Buyer  @Firebuyer  Fire Buyer Media Contact Louis Curtis Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Orpheus theatre upgrades to IP-based Bosch Praesensa

The life safety system is one of the most important pieces of technology in any public building. As one of the five largest theaters in the Netherlands, Theater & Concert Orpheus takes the responsibility for the safety of its visitors very seriously in its three halls with a capacity between 242 and 1286 seats as well as the affiliated restaurant. When it became time to replace its aging evacuation system with one that would meet the latest safety standards, Bosch Praesensa was the obvious choice. The requirement was to upgrade the current solution to meet the necessary regulatory requirements for public buildings and ensure it received the required EN certification. It is in this kind of mid-to-large application that Praesensa sets a new industry benchmark. As an advanced and extremely cost-efficient fully IP-based system, featuring a smart-power concept and integrated redundancy, it is perfect for both centralized and decentralized network topologies. The main challenge for the theater was the integration of the house PA and background music system with the voice evacuation system. The aim was for a solution that would give the theater complete control over all of its Dante-based audio facilities from one interface. Achieving this aim relied on Praesensa’s built-in OMNEO networking architecture. OMNEO is an IP-based architectural approach to connecting devices to exchange information such as audio content and device control. OMNEO is able to seamlessly integrate with Dante networks ensuring the voice evacuation system and the communications operate together. One of the key parts to this project was ensuring the systems were integrated without infringing on the functions of the evacuation system. The evacuation system needed to be able to completely take over from the house PA and background music system in the event of an emergency, but also give sufficient flexibility on the background music channels when the system is in normal operation. With OMNEO facilitating Dante audio, the result delivered exactly what the theater wanted to achieve. It has given the user full flexibility on the various audio routings within the venue. A 32-channel Dante matrix sits at the heart of the solution, allowing the user to manage the entire house system without affecting the Praesensa public address and voice evacuation system. “The main deciding factor in this project was the requirement for IP-based linking,” says Henry Bax from Connect AV. “The evacuation alarm system also had to meet high audio quality standards, because the different zones and loudspeakers are also used for various activities in the venue.” To add an extra level of complexity to the project, the switchover needed to be done while the venue was operational. Again, this was an area where the functionality of Praesensa proved to be advantageous. Thanks to this choice, Connect AV BV – the systems integrator responsible for the project – was able install the new solution while also keeping the original solution working as a backup. The result is a complete success, with a combined solution that delivers exactly what the client required. “Due to the very good cooperation between all involved parties, the migration went very well, without hiccups,” concludes Bax. “The goal of upgrading the evacuation alarm system to the latest regulations have been achieved, so that an inspection certificate could be issued.” To read more news and exclusive features see our latest issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on:  International Fire Buyer  @Firebuyer  Fire Buyer Media Contact Louis Curtis Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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The future is online – Fire Buyer Live

The dead horse continues to be beaten: the Covid-19 pandemic changed the world forever. It’s a rare feat in this modern age for the world to be stricken by the same affliction and come out on the other side with a homogenised attitude towards it. The importance of personal space and hygiene, especially in public spaces, have moved to the forefront of the world’s attention – not only that, but attitudes towards remote work and networking have improved everywhere. Working from home, along with all of its quirks and irregularities, have become more accepted by many businesses, which has improved the moods of workers who have found themselves freed from the chains of a stressful commute or time away from family. In an increasingly digitised world accelerated by the pandemic, the team here at International Fire Buyer have glimpsed into our crystal ball and saw a future in online events. Returning for the second year in a row, we are delighted to reintroduce you to Fire Buyer Live.  An entirely online event that is completely free to attend, Fire Buyer Live will take place over the course of two days, from March 8-9 and will feature online sessions by some of the most important people in our industry, from all corners of both the active and passive sides of the market. Each day will be split in half, with alternating mornings and afternoons dedicated to each side of the market (so on day one, the morning will feature passive sessions and the afternoon active; on day two, the mornings will be for the active sessions and the afternoon for the passive). Fire Buyer Live is the perfect opportunity for industry professionals to meet, interact and network with potential connections for your area of expertise: it’s all the benefits of attending a live show without the expenses of travel and accommodation – hosted entirely on your phone or home computer.   The Fire Buyer Live conference programme will be delivered in collaboration with the editorial team and regular contributors to International Fire Buyer Magazine. Consisting of best practice, technological innovations, case studies and success stories, tailored to the needs of today’s users, developers and suppliers.  There are a variety of insightful sessions being held at Fire Buyer Live by some of the most important people in the industry from leading companies and institutions. Anthony Taylor, whom some of you may remember from our November issue’s Big Interview last year will return once again to deliver a session on competency in the fire industry and the changes in regulation and legislation that has led up to today. For the active side of the industry, Perimeter Solutions’ VP of Research, Melissa Kim, delivers a session on the evolution of foams technology and its real-world applications. We also have a session from friend of the magazine, IFE CEO, Steve Hamm, to talk more about the accreditation landscape and how the IFE can help those who are looking to further their mastery over the fire safety landscape. Daniel May, Director of Consort Architectural Hardware will deliver his session on construction regulations in the UK and the technologies and innovations that change the way we think about building commercial facilities to create environments that are safer from fire.   Join 1000+ people from over 50 different countries in the return of Fire Buyer Live in 2023, the leading and must-attend online event for both the passive and active sectors. With the rapid evolution of technologies, and the constant shift of policy and challenging requirements of users, it is now more important than ever to stay abreast of the issues that affect you.  Thanks to the position of International Fire Buyer Magazine, suppliers choose us as a key marketing partner to launch new products and solutions, making Fire Buyer Live the go-to place to immerse yourself in the latest technology and innovation.  We would love to see all of our readers attending Fire Buyer Live – with it being free of charge, all you need is an email address and you have unlimited access to all of the show’s exclusive content, sessions, videos and speaker profiles. Because Fire Buyer Live is an international event, we understand that everyone’s operating on different timezones, so attendees will have unlimited access to all our event’s content on demand. Fire Buyer Live has been a labour of love by all of us here to bring you what we believe is the way forward to enhancing your experiencing in networking. Be sure to sign up at our website and we hope to see you there very soon!  To read the rest of this feature, see our latest issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on:  International Fire Buyer  @Firebuyer  Fire Buyer Media Contact Louis Curtis Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Amthal captures fire safety for Gravity Media

Amthal is working with the global media production company, Gravity Media to secure all of its sites across the UK, ensuring dedicated security, fire safety and ultimate site protection for its team and high-profile visitors. Gravity Media is a provider of live creative and media services. Home to state-of-the-art equipment and world-class production facilities, with a 30-year pedigree, it leads the way in global sports and entertainment content creation. Servicing international clients from five Production Centres in White City (London), Soho (London), Chiswick, Farnborough, and Watford, Amthal was sourced to review on-site fire safety and security. The security specialist made recommendations to create an integrated system where monitoring of each site could be carried out remotely. Warren Symonds, Director, Gravity Media Operations says: “Editing space to our capability needs to be practical, flexible and efficient, but also it needs to feel like a home. Within this, we have a duty of care to ensure our team as well as our prestigious clients, feel safe and secure, using our Gravity Media Production Centres at any time of day or night, to capture live coverage from across the globe.” “Amthal was quick to understand our requirements and carried out detailed site surveys at each Gravity Media location. The team worked closely with us and offered professional advice throughout, from initial design to the organisation of a smooth installation of the bespoke CCTV, intruder, door entry and access control. They also now ensure we achieve the necessary requirements for fire safety and continue to maintain security on our behalf.” Amthal worked with Gravity Media, completing a full risk assessment of all sites, to establish system requirements, taking in details including the need for 24/7 access by authorised personnel. The expensive equipment housed at each production centre location also needed controlled access alongside visual verification to optimise security. Utilising a specialist Paxton solution, Amthal designed and installed a layered security system, integrating CCTV, door entry and intruder alarms to maintain an active presence for the safety of all staff and visitors.   From a fire safety perspective, Amthal now actively services its fire extinguishers for each site, including all necessary inspections to remain compliant with the latest standards. David Williamson, Sales Manager, Amthal added: “Gravity Media required a unique innovative security set up, which had to be replicated between each site and also have the mechanism to integrate and communicate. It is for this reason, we work in true partnership style, right from being assigned to a dedicated risk assessment of each premises.” “Our aim is always to fully meet expectations, and here, to install discreet security to work with everyday activity and blend with its surroundings.  This includes ensuring there is the sufficient capability to monitor the traffic across each site, at all times. We continue to work closely with the operations team and quickly respond to any issues, with the capability to scale security and fire safety arrangements as required for the benefit of staff and clients.” To read more news and exclusive features see our latest issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on:  International Fire Buyer  @Firebuyer  Fire Buyer Media Contact Louis Curtis Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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BSIF finds 85% of PPE fails to meet regulations

The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) is urging businesses to only use a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier when procuring PPE and safety equipment after new findings have revealed that 85% of products from non-members failed to meet regulatory criteria. Registered Safety Supplier’s products are tested annually as part of the scheme’s audit process, and if products fail to meet the test’s strict criteria, any issues must be addressed and rectified immediately for members to remain part of the scheme. Of 387 tests completed on Registered Safety Supplier’s products last year, 86% passed immediately and all issues have now been resolved for the 14% that initially did not meet the test criteria. By contrast, only 15% of the 127 non-member products tested by the BSIF were fully compliant with standards and performed as advertised. This means 85% of products failed to meet the regulatory criteria, many of which are still on the market. Commenting on how employers can protect themselves from non-compliant PPE, safety footwear specialist, Simon Ash from BSIF Registered Safety Supplier, HAIX, says: “Without doubt, the most important factors in choosing PPE have to be quality and compliance. So, the first questions that employers should ask are – what are the risks the workforce are facing at work, does the PPE fully comply with the standards to meet those risks and is it going to keep employees safe?” “The Registered Safety Supplier Scheme is designed to help rid the market of non-compliant PPE, giving health and safety managers, PPE buyers and employers generally, the reassurance that they are sourcing from a reputable supplier and have confidence that their workforce is properly protected.” “Beyond buying from a trusted source, employers can ask for an overview of the supplier’s quality assurance process and how they test their samples to ensure safety compliance. For example, our safety boots and shoes undergo a series of over 100 material and quality assurance tests, replicating the day-to-day wear challenges of our customers, who spend most of their time on their feet.” “It’s also vital to check for CE marking. The CE mark provides a measure of confidence that the supplier’s products have been assessed against recognised standards or other appropriate specifications by an independent third party, which has also been assessed for competence.” “HAIX is committed to educating individuals on the importance of quality PPE and the latest findings from BSIF demonstrate the criticalness of choosing a reputable supplier to ensure we better the future of the UK safety market and keep more workers safe.” To read more news and exclusive features see our latest issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on:  International Fire Buyer  @Firebuyer  Fire Buyer Media Contact Louis Curtis Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Euralarm formed Executive Advisory Council

Euralarm has formed an Executive Advisory Council that is open for all members’ Senior Managers. They should bring forward a broad view of the fire safety and security industry and how it is evolving. Ever since its founding, Euralarm has been heavily involved in the standardisation of products and systems for the fire and security industry to guarantee continuous improvement of product quality and system reliability. This important contribution has led to a Europe where citizens can live, work and travel securely and safely is made possible by the valuable work of Euralarm delegates. Among the topics that will be covered in the Council are strategic issues tied to technological or regulatory changes. While this helps Euralarm to reach its current objectives, the association wants to ensure that there is a platform to discuss strategic subjects as well. This platform will be delivered by Euralarm’s newly created Executive Advisory Council. Among the topics that will be covered in the Council are strategic issues tied to technological or regulatory changes or even the broadening of the Euralarm scope. Examples of this could be actual themes such as supply chain challenges, sustainability issues, or export of CE-labelled products and services. Members of the Euralarm Executive Advisory Council should bring a broad view of the fire and security industry and how it is evolving. This includes the European policies on the Green Deal, digitization, and international trade. The plan is also to involve the Council in connecting future trends in the industry and policy developments. The Euralarm Executive Advisory Council will meet twice per year, face-to-face. All meetings will strictly conform to the Euralarm Code of Conduct and antitrust laws. To read more news and exclusive features see our latest issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on:  International Fire Buyer  @Firebuyer  Fire Buyer Media Contact Louis Curtis Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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