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Rescue efforts in Turkiye continue

News Desk /

Global rescue efforts are ongoing as the death toll from the earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria continue to rise. International aid includes the deployment of fire and rescue personnel and equipment from some of the largest fire departments in the world to aid Turkish and Syrian forces amongst the destruction. Some of these staff have come from London Fire Brigade and Cheshire Fire and Rescue, among many others from the UK. Last week the centre of Turkiye and bordering Syria were throttled by a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake which reduced many population centres to rubble, many of them constructed within the last ten years. This was followed by another 7 magnitude earthquake – eliciting shock from many seismologists as an unprecedented occurrence – which aided in bringing near-total destruction across the entire country. The World Health Organisation has dubbed the natural disaster the “worst in the century”, as the current death toll exceeds 37,000 lives. The widespread devastation is in part due to the epicentre being in central Turkiye, and bordering Syria, in an area that already struggles with financial and infrastructural stability. To further add complication to the matter, Turkiye Prime Minister Erdogan has faced backlash from the general public after a statement he made in 2019, claiming that he allowed builders to evade codes and legislation put in place to protect these buildings from earthquakes. Many brave and selfless individuals continue to offer their aid from across the world, from all backgrounds, in a noble humanitarian effort to help those who need it most. If you or someone you know is on the front lines or involved in the rescue effort, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Fire Buyer would love to have your input. Stay 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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The future is online

Exclusives /

Returning for its second year, Fire Buyer Live promises to compound on its predecessor’s success and bring to the industry the future of online conferences  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.  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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In case you mist it

Exclusives /

Fire Buyer Editor Louis Curtis explores some of the suppression systems in place to help best protect important property   Even with all the advances made in fire safety technology and procedures in recent years, property still continues to be needlessly destroyed by fire. Of course, assuming that we will reach an age where fires are a thing of the past is a fool’s gambit, but currently it seems that too many buildings and properties fall victim to what inquests reveal to be easily preventable measures. The proper installation of even the most rudimentary suppression systems in a public building can be invaluable in preventing long-term damage to the property and can even aid in other more indirect ways, like helping to disperse harmful smoke from the area. When combined with other fire safety measures, like a smart alarm system and properly installed fire doors, any commercial or large-scale building becomes nigh-impregnable to fire.   The immediate and hidden benefits of fire suppression systems formed a central talking point at the International Water Mist Association Conference, held late last year in Madrid. Featuring a host of water suppression experts and scholars all under one roof, the event serves as the perfect forum to compare results from water-based suppression system tests, especially pertaining to water mist, and formulate plans for the future.   Water mist is an intriguing development within the suppression space, offering the same amount of extinguishing ability as conventional droplet suppression (some would argue with much better results), while using much less water than the previously mentioned systems. While this is not only a more environmentally-friendly option for businesses and probably works out to be cheaper in the long run, another huge boon for water mist suppression is that it is able to be deployed in areas where droplet sprinklers would damage equipment and infrastructure. Some ideal applications for water mist systems include in data rooms, where damage to the server computers caused by water can be absolutely catastrophic to businesses and critical infrastructure. Thankfully, the data itself is very easy to retrieve these days; it’s more the combined damage to rows upon rows of expensive, powerful machines that is the biggest casualty felt in the case of fires in these rooms. The companies to go to for protecting your data centres from both the elements of fire and water include Tyco Fire Protection Products, Aquasys and Danfoss Semco.  It’s not just modern buildings with the latest in cutting-edge technology that benefit from this protection though – heritage sites such as churches and historical buildings also benefit. Due to the delicate nature of their construction and the materials used in them, it would be prudent to reduce the chance of water damage to the structure, which in this case can be just as devastating as fire damage. Examples of companies that specialise in protecting heritage sites with their suppression technology include Marioff and Johnson Control.  There’s no better example of this than the tragic Notre Dame fire that occurred in 2019. Despite having plenty of renovations and innovations built upon the foundation of the cathedral since its initial construction in the 12th century; none of those included fire curtains or fire suppression technology. The result of this neglect speaks for itself. What’s perhaps the most tragic part of all, however, is that the timber used to construct Notre Dame is nigh-on impossible to find today, as the trees of which the timber came from no longer grows to the same sizes and strength as it did in the 12th century. Really, I could not have picked a better example of the exact kind of clientele that water mist suppression provides the greatest benefit for.  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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Mann McGowan appoints Tim Foster

News Desk, People News /

Mann McGowan, one of the pioneers in the passive fire protection industry for over forty years, is delighted to welcome Tim Foster to the position of Sales and Marketing Manager. Tim brings UK and Export success in the fire stopping, plastic and rubber extrusion industries, and will work alongside Managing Director Jamie Scott, Technical Director Russell Smith and Commercial Manager Dave Boulton to further expand the company’s worldwide commercial and strategic partnerships. Jamie Scott, Managing Director of Mann McGowan commented: “I’m extremely pleased that Tim has joined our team and add further credibility to the organisation.” “Mann McGowan is growing in strength year on year and this is another commitment to the industry and our customers that we are here to offer our skills, knowledge and expertise to them and Tim enhances the company’s ability to deliver.” “I would like to take this opportunity to officially welcome Tim to the team and I wish him all the luck for the future.” “It is an exciting time to be joining the team at Mann McGowan” said Tim. “I feel their experience and product range is second to none, and I have been very impressed with their response to the challenges and opportunities the construction industry faces during these unprecedented times. I look forward to contributing to its future success.” Since 1977 Mann McGowan has been one of the principal pioneers in intumescent technology, designing, manufacturing, supplying and installing a comprehensive range of ground-breaking products including fire, smoke and acoustic door seals, glazing seals, ironmongery fire seals and the range of Pyrogrille Air Transfer Grills. Mann McGowan are UK distributors of the BASF Palusol and BASF Wolman  range of intumescent products. 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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Going with the airflow

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Fire Buyer Editor Louis Curtis investigates how ventilation technology ensures healthy and safe airflow in large buildings, especially those in the Middle East   Healthy airflow is both a blessing and a curse for fire safety engineers, especially in larger buildings. Maintaining a good circulation of air is integral for inhabitants, as breathing in recycled air has plenty of immediate health complications. Additionally, higher concentrations of CO2 in the air as a result of human exhalation increases the temperature in rooms, which is one of the conditions required for fires to take shape. No airflow in the building can also produce a snowballing “greenhouse effect” which can fuel any potential or ongoing fires, which in turn makes the immediate more inhospitable to any denizens.   The double-edged sword component comes when too much healthy airflow has complications of its own. In areas with hazardous materials, such as in power plants or chemical processing facilities, a leak could contaminate not only the immediate area, but with strong enough airflow, could spread of its own volition through to uncompromised areas of the facility. Even in buildings that don’t handle sensitive material are at risk – in residential areas and critical infrastructure facilities, the fire itself is often not the leading cause of lost lives. Damaged property, sure, but this can always be replaced; lives cannot. Smoke is often the leading cause of fatalities – offering smoke a medium in which to freely travel through the building can take a containable outbreak into an uncontrollable one very fast. So it is imperative for facility managers to be able to control airflow through a building and shut it off where needs must; the systems themselves must also be resistant to fire damage – and in an ideal scenario, able to shut themselves off at the first detection of smoke.   These risks are especially pertinent when it comes to Middle Eastern facilities, as hot and arid climates can wreak havoc should a fire occur. These regional factors have led to ventilation and airflow systems to make up a large part of a building’s structure. This is further exacerbated by climate change: World Bank estimates for 2050 have hypothesised that the demand for air conditioning units will rise to five billion; that’s a threefold increase to current numbers. Not only that, but current statistics show that air conditioning and ventilation units in the United Arab Emirates comprise a staggering 70% of power consumption. With numbers this high, we can assume that ventilation units across the Middle East are perpetually running. If this is to be the case, then safety measures are an imperative.   Monjur Mourshed, Professor of Sustainable Engineering at Cardiff University, had this to say about the unfolding situation: “The demand for cooling will go up, not just because of increasing temperature, but because we haven’t built to house all the projected population growth and economic activities in the developing world. And the way we have been building in the developing world, I don’t necessarily think they are very sustainable.”  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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Product Spotlight – Ziamatic

Exclusives /

Ziamatic, experts in firefighting equipment, present their EZ-LOC mechanical bracket to help make first responders’ lives easier when out in the field  Ziamatic’s EZ-LOC Mechanical Bracket is easy to use. Simply press down on the top clamp to lock. There are no straps, levers, or the need to repeatedly slam a cylinder against a back plate. It’s economical. It is more cost effective than inertia-based brackets with a smooth, plastisol-coated top clamp that won’t pinch or damage air hoses or expensive HUD module wiring. It can save its users money over time.   “The EZ-LOC (model QM-EZL-FE) is cost effect, user friendly, and meets the intent of NFPA and UL standards,” said Keith Creely, VP of Ziamatic Corp. “It can be easily mounted to many different seat configurations with a release that is ambidextrous. The release can be mounted virtually anywhere top to bottom on the side seat framing, allowing for perfect positioning.”  The EZ-LOC Mechanical Bracket is safe. The patented ratcheting design keeps the top clamp locked even when partially closed. There is no struggling to achieve a lock. It is also flexible and fully adjustable to a user’s specific air cylinder. The EZ-LOC Mechanical Bracket fits most SCBA models with virtually no rattling. It is easy to retrofit and works with most seats and center pull releases, allowing its users to upgrade to a strapless bracket without having to buy all new seats.  “Our EZ-LOC product line is made from hot rolled steel and coated with durable black powder coating,” said Creely. “Our aluminum, casted, top clamp is coated with a high cycle coating to withstand the abuse of frequent storing and retrieving of the SCBAs.”   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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Rubble rousers

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Fire Buyer editor Louis Curtis explores the techniques, training and technology available to rescue services in urban environments  Human evolution’s inexorable advance continues. There was once a time I recall that the global population continued to grow exponentially with each passing year. Government fears of overpopulation were rife across the globe, with scientists working diligently to verify the overpopulation scares and, if their worst fears were made manifest, seek solutions to rectify it. I remember very vividly the mild panic the world felt, staring in the face of this apparent inevitability.    Of course, as we all know, this future did not come to pass – at least, not in the way we envisioned. The human population curve has shallowed in the last decade, with birth rates in some countries like Japan and South Korea recording all-time lows since records began. As an additional side piece of trivia: China, a country that staunchly enforced a “one child policy” in many households for many years, has recorded no increase to birth rates – even with this restriction lifted in 2016. Instead of seeing our society advance far beyond what our infrastructure can keep up with, we are starting to see in recent years advancements in societal engineering finally catch up with population rates. Public buildings are becoming smarter: integrated security and safety systems are now communicating wirelessly with each other in ways that we had once thought only possible in science fiction; urban planning is now integrating biodiversity and residential socialising into their designs, while not skimping on the safety of its residents; global warming’s ticking doomsday clock has pushed companies and institutions to put sustainability at the forefront of their interests, with more environmentally-friendly products and practices being put into place.   ‘Where is he going with this?’, I’m sure you’re asking yourself – the point is, with bigger and more intelligent buildings and infrastructure, more people inside them, as well as increasingly complicated international relations, especially in recent years – it’s absolutely crucial to have contingencies in place for when these systems go wrong. We are no longer dealing with small communities anymore; disasters in more densely-packed population centres exponentially increase the potential casualties, and the emergency services must rise to the call. Today, we will be taking a closer look at the current technologies and solutions available to rescue crews operating in the belly of the concrete jungle, with some real-world scenarios where rescue has succeeded… and where it has failed.  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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Opening the door to the new year 

Exclusives /

Fire Buyer Editor Louis Curtis explores what’s in store for the new year in the fire door space, in terms of regulation and trends   In terms of products and trends in the passive fire market, fire doors are (in more ways than one) some of the most static. There’s only so much one can do with innovating in this space: the construction of something as simple and arbitrary as a door is hardly something we can improve upon in the modern age, Sure, we can improve the sustainability of the materials in its construction or its aesthetics as a final hurdle, but fire doors themselves are at their apotheosis. The installation – and the regulations and certification that supports it – is something that still needs plenty of work. Horror stories of incomplete and inconsistent installation of these doors leads to many violations of health and safety that often get overlooked by underqualified inspectors are all too commonplace in the modern age – especially in public housing and buildings.    A lot of domestic and commercial fires in the UK in recent years could have had their damages reduced or outright prevented altogether if the fire doors within the building served their actual purpose. As of the writing of this feature, UK fire door legislation was changed only this week, which has caused quite a stir within the industry. It seems that the failings of other fire doors in the past continue to go unnoticed, with the government’s increasingly lax attitude to inspections threatening the needless destruction of more property. Alongside this, large public buildings, such as schools and high-rise apartment complexes, have become the prime target for fires that spread wildly out of control; a multitude of factors and failings play their own part in this, but in buildings with so many passageways, corridors and wings, fire doors can play a pivotal role in forming a proverbial tourniquet and halting the flames’ advance.    Additionally, with the five-year anniversary of the Grenfell tower tragedy just passing us by, as we all take a moment to reflect on one of the worst – and most preventable – tragedies that has occurred in the last 20 years we not only mourn those that were lost in the accident, but we also rue the chances the government had to eliminate this risk entirely. Especially regarding fire doors, the Grenfell Tower Enquiry unearthed conclusions that the fire doors installed throughout the tower block were inadequate and insufficient inspection and maintenance lead to one of these integral systems failing. In particular, an abundant lack of door closers, especially in residential doorways of some flats, were inadequate or outright not installed at all. Door closers are an integral component to a functioning fire door, helping to forcibly create a seal in the door where oftentimes they are left ajar (we all do it, it’s nothing to feel guilty about; this only becomes a problem in larger buildings, where every doorway cannot be monitored and inspected regularly). Managing Director of Fire Doors Complete, Neil Ashdown, put it most succinctly: “Of all the fire-stopping measures within a building, the fire door is the biggest one, and if it’s open, it can’t perform.”  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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Product Spotlight – TenCate

Exclusives /

Innovative Clothing manufacturer TenCate bring to the table the latest in firefighter protection that doesn’t skimp on comfort Your New Favourite Outer Shell As the firefighter’s first line of defense, outer shells play a crucial role in protecting them from the dangers they face while responding to a call. They provide a barrier against flames, abrasion, chemicals, and other hazards, and are designed to be tough and protective. However, the protection that outer shells offer can come at the expense of comfort. Traditional outer shells tend to be stiff, crunchy, and bulky, making it difficult for firefighters to move and perform their duties comfortably. To address this issue, TenCate Protective Fabrics created Flex, an outer shell that provides both protection and comfort in a single solution. Powered by PBI and Kevlar fibers, Flex delivers the thermal stability and abrasion resistance firefighters need to stay safe and confident on the job. Strengthened with Enforc Technology, Flex is woven using a revolutionary flex twill technique, which provides an incredibly comfortable feel the very first wear. Made to Move As firefighters know, the problem with traditional outer shells is that they often require a long and uncomfortable break-in period. Traditional outer shells must be worn and laundered repeatedly over time to soften them up and make them flexible enough to move in. However, with Flex7, firefighters don’t have to suffer through this break-in period. Instead, Flex7 provides a perfectly broken-in feel from the very first wear, delivering a flexible and smooth feel that is supremely comfortable yet extremely durable. Flex7 is designed to deliver the feel of a well-worn turnout jacket, but with the added benefits of modern fire protection technology. The material is not only soft and comfortable, but it is also packed with advanced features that help keep firefighters safe. The PBI fibres used in Flex7 provide superior thermal stability, ensuring that the material remains flexible in the extreme heat environments firefighters face. Enforce Technology also ensures that the material is abrasion-resistant, which helps prevent tears and punctures that could compromise your turnout’s protective capabilities. 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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The Innovator – Dräger UK

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International Fire Buyer Editor exclusively speaks to Matthew Bedford, Managing Director at Dräger UK, to explore why Dräger have been a trusted ally to fire services for almost 150 years  Dräger Safety has been around a long time; almost 150 years now. What demands did early emergency rescue teams have that helped form the company?  The first major challenge emergency rescue teams had was working in hazardous conditions without any real breathing protection, which is why the development of breathing apparatus (BA) technology was the original driving force for Dräger.    Dräger’s early BA was first used in the early 20th century by mines rescue teams across Germany, England and Mexico, as well by English mountain rescue teams. A reputation for reliability and performance resulted in the adoption of its BA systems, as well as a vast range of Dräger’s medical and safety technology, being used across numerous hazardous industries and global fire services.   Dräger produces equipment and products for many sectors in the fire market. What are some of the challenges with maintaining a high level of quality across all its products?  Every sector has its own diverse needs, for example, emergency rescue teams in petrochemical plants will require systems to perform in varying ways to those in the fire services. This can create challenges in ensuring systems are fit for purpose in each of their applications, but the solution is in listening to the market and where appropriate, creating different product subcategories.   Especially in the public sector, extolling the benefits of quality systems when there are cheaper alternatives on the market can be difficult. Understandably, with increasingly tight public sector budgets, it’s understandable that many fire services are looking to get more for less – and retaining quality in this environment is a real challenge. Dräger overcomes such challenges by working with fire services and in training and operational environments to demonstrate where qualities and features are important, and where integrated systems can offer overall and long-term cost efficiencies.    Standards are an important part of how Dräger ensures quality, and we pride ourselves on not only meeting the required standards, but by exceeding them. We use this as evidence of our commitment to ensuring Dräger technology is built to provide the very highest levels of safety. 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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