Staging Site!

X-twitter Linkedin-in Youtube
International Fire Buyer placeholder image

Who’s Who – IWMA

Who's Who /

Iwma.net  Linkedin: IWMA International Water Mist Association  Address: Hamburg, Germany  Tel: +49 40 35085215  Email: info@iwma.ne    International Water Mist Association explains the benefits of membership and the importance of water mist as a suppression system  The International Water Mist Association (IWMA) was founded on 15th April 1998. In those days the organisation had no office and did not initiate any events. However, there was a target and that was to bundle what was happening on an international level, to collect and spread knowledge and to communicate matters of common interest.    After some time of casual exchange of thoughts and ideas, IWMA held its first International Water Mist Conference. This event was held in Vienna in 2001. Its aim was to introduce the technology as well as the organisation to the world of firefighting.   The International Water Mist Conference is an annual event which has been held in cities like London, Paris, Prague, Copenhagen and Istanbul – to name but just a few. “In 2022, the only event solely dedicated to the water mist technology will be held in Madrid, Spain, on 9th and 10th November “, says Bettina McDowell, IWMA General Manager.   The technology itself was invented more than a hundred years ago by F.E. Myers. But it was only after the adoption of the Montreal Protocol in the late 1980s and a devastating fire on a passenger ferry in 1990 that water mist as a means of fire protection took off. The two events paved the way and made clear that there was a need for alternatives in firefighting. And thus, water mist as a fire extinguishing agent was re-discovered (which called for the establishment of an organisation).   IWMA was the first and still is the only association dedicated exclusively to water mist firefighting. The association is based in Hamburg, Germany. From its office it supports the continued development, research and applications engineering of generic water mist systems.   Members of IWMA are amongst other manufacturers, distributors, insurance companies, scientific institutes etc. They come from the USA, Egypt and China but also from European countries like the UK, Denmark and Italy.   Since 1998 IWMA and its members are committed to the technology and its further development. They have seized opportunities. Amongst those was a research project sponsored and organised by the IWMA on the “Scaling of Fire Suppression Characteristics in Machinery Spaces” carried out on behalf of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) where IWMA holds consultative status.   Members of the three IWMA committees (Board of Directors, Scientific Council and Marketing Group) act as representatives for the organisation in a number of expert and working groups as well as technical committees such as the CEN TC 191 / WG 10, NFPA 750 and 25, VdS 3188, IMO and EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency of the European Commission).   The next two projects in the pipeline are all about data. One will be started shortly, will be ongoing and is to collect data on fire incidents. The other is a twelve-month project in co-operation with Fire Research and Innovation Centre (FRIC) and the aim is to gather information on the performance of sprinklers to quantify the consistency of the extinguishing performance.   For more news updates, check out our July/August issue here. Media contact Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

Who’s Who – IWMA Read More »

International Fire Buyer placeholder image

Who’s Who – EVAC+CHAIR

Who's Who /

+44 (0) 121 706 6744  info@evacchair.co.uk  Evacchair.co.uk/  linkedin.com/company/evacchair/  facebook.com/Evacchair/  twitter.com/Evac_Chair  Unit 4,   Central Boulevard,   Blythe Valley Park,   Solihull, West Midlands   B90 8AW    Evac+Chair are essential manufacturers of high-quality emergency evacuation chairs for the mobility impaired   Evac+Chair is the original manufacturer and global leader in emergency evacuation chairs for the mobility impaired. With 40 years of experience in the design and UK manufacture of evacuation chairs, Evac+Chair is trusted and relied upon in emergency situations to assist in saving people’s lives.   With 14.1 million disabled people living in the UK, it is imperative that all commercial buildings provide a safe means of evacuation for these individuals. In addition, temporary mobility impairments, such as a sporting injury, pregnancy or even a panic attack brought about by an emergency evacuation, will impede an individual’s ability to self-evacuate. Therefore, having an evacuation chair in a commercial building is vital to ensure everyone can be safely evacuated in the event of a fire, or other emergency.   An Evac+Chair will provide a safe means of escape for the mobility impaired individual and protect everyone.  In the event of an emergency should a mobility impaired person attempt to evacuate without assistance, they could impede the entire evacuation, putting their lives and the lives of others at risk.    Independent research carried out by the University of Greenwich concluded that an Evac+Chair provides the safest, quickest means of escape for the mobility impaired, compared with other types of evacuation products. Whilst the design of the Evac+Chair has been unaltered over the last 40 years, it has been enhanced, in terms of passenger safety and comfort. In addition, the range has expanded to provide products that suit different types of staircases and accommodate heavier payload passengers.   Whilst Evac+Chair products are suitable for all environments including offices, hotels, schools, sports stadia, retail outlets, healthcare and factories, each chair has a unique set of features that make it more suitable for certain environments.   For more news updates, check out our July/August issue here. Media contact Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

Who’s Who – EVAC+CHAIR Read More »

International Fire Buyer placeholder image

RTC to Open Training Centre in Texas

News Desk /

The RTC (formally the Los Angeles County Regional Training Center), American UAS innovator and California’s largest certified UAS trainer, is pleased to announce a partnership with the Reveille Peak Ranch and UAS proving grounds in Burnet, Texas, to create the premier robotics and governmental training venue in the United States. “This may be the perfect marriage. To aggregate the infinite training possibilities of Reveille Peak Ranch with the curriculum and instruction of the RTC into one is an absolute game-changer in government training. This will make us all even better,” said Kris Allshouse, Executive Director, the RTC. “Reveille ranch gives us the ability to integrate every aspect of tactical operations into our specialized training programs. Having a beautiful new classroom and offices near Austin allows us to reach more clients with our entire training catalog. I’m just thrilled,” said Chris Bouse, Chairman of the Board. Reveille Peak Ranch enjoys the designation by NIST, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, as the only facility in North America to support unmanned aerial, small ground tactical, and underwater NIST robotic test methods, including embedded NIST storable scenario test methods. “Now with the relocation of RTC’s corporate headquarters to Reveille Peak, we are honored to support their endeavors to offer world-class robotics training to public safety, DoD, and the private sector here at Reveille Peak,” said Vol Montgomery, CEO of Reveille Peak Ranch. To read the full interview, please see our latest issue here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

RTC to Open Training Centre in Texas Read More »

International Fire Buyer placeholder image

Life-saving inventor salutes firefighting heroes

News Desk /

Roger Carr, managing director of British patent-holding manufacturer, Britannia Fire – and the inventor of the world-leading P50 fire extinguisher – presented a £10,000 cheque to Group Manager Emyr Gough of Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, on behalf of The Fire Fighter’s Charity on 16 August 2022. “Every day, firefighters put their lives at risk to save others,” says Roger Carr. “We wanted to salute their heroics and – due to the success of Britannia Fire and the P50 – we’re able to do that with a sizeable donation.” The Fire Fighters Charity provides specialist lifetime support for the members of the UK fire services community, including former fire personnel with five years’ service, the Fire Services Youth Scheme and volunteers. The charity empowers its members and their spouses/dependants to maintain their mental, physical and social wellbeing throughout their lives. This support is delivered at their centres, remotely, online, as well as within UK communities. Emyr Gough said, “I can assure you, these funds will be well spent. The Fire Fighters Charity doesn’t get any government money, but it does much of the work you would associate with being publicly funded. It’s gratifying that this comes from the company that invented the P50, which is a game-changer of a fire extinguisher.” Britannia Fire’s P50 is a very low maintenance fire extinguisher – it’s greener, lighter, safer and stronger than traditional metal fire extinguishers. The P50 can be used on different types of fires ie solids (eg wood, paper, etc), flammable liquids and electrical. This removes the need for multiple fire extinguishers on-site, eliminating the risk of the wrong type of extinguisher being used for any given application. Each fire extinguisher carries a ten-year guarantee. At the end of its 20-year life, every part of a P50 can be reused or recycled, apart from its foam contents. However, the P50 is also greener – it doesn’t require a fire engineer to check it every year, thereby saving all the carbon footprint involved in that routine. Since 1970, Britannia Fire has continuously used invention and innovation to deliver safer and more sustainable products for its customers, helping to save lives and the environment. The cheque was presented on 16 August at Diamond Jubilee Fire & Rescue Station, Carrow, Norfolk where Britannia is based. For more news updates, check out our July/August issue here. Media contact Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

Life-saving inventor salutes firefighting heroes Read More »

International Fire Buyer placeholder image

Kent Fire selects FireWatch as management platform

News Desk /

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has selected FireWatch as its new platform for integrated workforce management following a competitive tender award worth circa £1m Infographics is excited to announce Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) as its latest FireWatch client in a deal that includes the delivery of the FireWatch platform via Microsoft Azure Cloud – with SaaS (Software as a Service) – and Mobile App access for FRS users. The ‘win’ was secured following a competitive tender award worth around £1m over the term of the contract.  The project covers the replacement of Kent’s existing rostering and availability systems and includes:  Resource availability planning and real-time monitoring  Resource and skills-based crewing  Flexible/self-rostering planning, workflow and fulfilment  Overtime resource request and fulfilment workflows  General time management, leave and absence workflows and recording  Payments and integration with payroll  Integration of absence data  Mobile App and Web UX access for end-users and managers  Mobilisation system integration  The FireWatch deployment will provide ‘anytime, anywhere’ access for KFRS staff, including wholetime and on-call firefighters, managers, officers and corporate support staff – increasing realtime visibility of availability and resources, and integrating live data with the control room.  Karen Irvine, Assistant Director of People and Learning at KFRS, said: “At KFRS, we’re always looking for ways we can evolve to continuously deliver a high standard to the people we serve, but we’re also really committed to being an innovative place to work, so we’re really looking forward to working with FireWatch and introducing its benefits.  “Overall, FireWatch will enable us to manage our resources and availability more effectively, including better time management options and a live picture of our service resources and personnel, which will help to match crews, skills and equipment to operational need.” FireWatch Mobile will allow users to directly manage data and tasks for time/availability, leave and other areas via smart devices. Supervisors and team members will also be empowered to clearly understand the impact of resource changes and to manage and act on any issues or deadlines highlighted within their personalised Key Performance Indicators displayed ‘on-screen’. This includes workflow-driven resource requests and fulfilment processes to address gaps in cover.  Russell Wood, Commercial Manager at Infographics, said: “We are extremely pleased to have been selected by Kent Fire and Rescue as a part of a competitive tendering process. We are looking forward to working with the team to modernise their user experience around the management of resources and availability, deliver flexible self-service capabilities and provide live integrated resource information to their control room.” For more news updates, check out our July/August issue here. Media contact Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

Kent Fire selects FireWatch as management platform Read More »

International Fire Buyer placeholder image

NFCC to launch a Direct Entry Scheme

News Desk /

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is set to launch a Direct Entry Scheme next month which will enable those with proven leadership skills, from a variety of sectors, to apply for Station Manager and Area Manager roles without needing to have fire service experience or without needing to have taken the traditional firefighter promotional route. A recruitment campaign will begin in September through appointed recruitment experts at Reed Specialist Recruitment Ltd. Those recruited to the roles will be expected to acquire, develop and demonstrate skills and expertise in management and command functions, as set out for their role in the nationally agreed applicable role maps. This development will be enhanced through a nationally designed, co-ordinated, and quality assured process. The campaign marks the first time here has been a national, robust and quality assured direct entry programme. The main aim of the scheme is to create a different route to entry into the roles of station manager and area manager alongside the more traditional firefighter route, playing a part in diversifying senior management in fire and rescue services. Ten fire and rescue services from across the UK have signed up to join the pioneering pilot to self-fund a direct entrant. Those services intending to adopt the scheme are Oxfordshire FRS, Staffordshire FRS, Shropshire FRS, East Sussex FRS, Avon FRS, Leicestershire FRS, Greater Manchester FRS, Royal Berkshire FRS, Hertfordshire FRS and North Wales FRS. Direct Entry Project Executive Rod Hammerton said: “We hope that the scheme will draw new perspectives and experiences from the brightest and best who might not ordinarily have seen a career in the fire and rescue service as being open or attractive to them. “Being a Fire Officer is a tough job at times, but it is a hugely rewarding one. I am excited to see who puts themselves forward for this fantastic opportunity. “Direct entry isn’t new to fire and rescue services but launching the scheme in a way that creates a supportive cohort right across the country is. The response from services wishing to be “early adopters” has been overwhelming and I am confident we will be able to offer a compelling proposition to candidates from across the whole of the UK.” Dawn Whittaker, Direct Entry Project Executive said: “Many of the leadership skills required to run a modern FRS are not dissimilar to those required in other sectors, with people, financial, partnership and commercial skills at the fore. “By diversifying those in our more senior roles we can invest in the future of our sector, and those already involved in the scheme are doing just that.” The project was launched to address some of the recommendations made in the HMICFRS State of Fire Report, which stated: “To provide the best possible response to the public, services need to be able to choose from the widest talent pool possible. That pool is currently restricted, with many people feeling excluded.” The recent Government White Paper endorsed the work of the project, stating: “The NFCC Leadership hub is leading a project on direct entry schemes at Station and Area Manager level, as well as developing a coaching and talent-focused culture. This is a welcome development and should be supported by all services.” For more news updates, check out our July/August issue here. Media contact Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

NFCC to launch a Direct Entry Scheme Read More »

International Fire Buyer placeholder image

Register for the Security and Fire Excellence Awards!

Event News /

The organisers of this year’s Security and Fire Excellence Awards, held at the illustrious Hilton hotel in London’s Park Lane on Wednesday 23 November, are encouraging attendees to register for entry in the final weeks leading up to applications closing. Visitors can secure their place for free here. The deadline for entrants closes on Tuesday 30 August 2022 at 11pm BST. There are a variety of exciting categories to nominate yourself for; multiple entries by an individual into several categories increases your chance of success or perhaps even multiple successes. You can see the variety of categories they have to offer here. For those booking tables for the awards ceremony itself can do so here. Booking tables in advance is an excellent opportunity to network with other like-minded and brilliant professionals in the industry and could make for an unforgettable night. For parties of 10 guests the organisers offer a discount that is 5% cheaper than the previous year. To make full use of this discount before it’s gone at the end of August and avoid disappointment, however, be sure to book now. For more news updates, check out our July/August issue here. Media contact Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

Register for the Security and Fire Excellence Awards! Read More »

International Fire Buyer placeholder image

UK and UAE team up for Redco Project Senegal

News Desk /

Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), the UAE Federal export credit company, and UK Export Finance (UKEF) have announced joint support for a major project in the Republic of Senegal to strengthen its national emergency response infrastructure. This national emergency response project, called the Redco Project Senegal, will see the supply and building up of emergency services from fire fighting vehicles, airport firefighting and rescue vehicles, ambulances and medical vehicles, rescue boats, water trailers, cranes with cargo trucks and other safety equipment in Senegal. The project, which is reported to worth AED540 million, is being funded by Standard Chartered Bank along with partial direct lending by the UKEF. It is backed by the ECI and UKEF under a reinsurance arrangement with the ECI’s participation worth AED334 million. The emergency services equipment will be provided by NAFFCO, a UAE-based manufacturer and exporter of firefighting products and fire protection engineering. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Deputy Chairman of ECI’s Board of Directors, commented: “The long-standing bilateral relationship between the UAE and the United Kingdom (UK) is built on the shared vision of both countries to promote sustainable development and economic prosperity across the globe. The UAE has been keen on engaging in such remarkable projects that can transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. This new agreement between our export credit agencies is part of the UAE’s relentless commitment to advance key segments such as emergency services, healthcare, environment, and technology. This collaboration is based on an effective public-private partnership framework that will also bring about substantial investment opportunities for the UAE companies around sustainability, which is becoming the norm for the next generation developmental strategies.” Mike Freer, UK Minister for Exports, also commented: “The UK can provide a leading role when it comes to exporting fire safety equipment. This deal demonstrates how British ingenuity coupled with the UAE’s proactiveness can better protect communities abroad and shows how joint government initiatives can help businesses export their best-in-class equipment and services.” Sir Massimo Falcioni, CEO of Etihad Credit Insurance, said: “Our collaboration with the British export credit agency, UKEF, to support the emergency service sector in Senegal signifies the UAE’s strategic vision and leadership mission for sustainable development in the world. “This kind of partnership opens up numerous opportunities for the UAE, the UK, and Senegal to explore joint projects that will help domestic entrepreneurs and exporters secure access to international markets while safely securing their receivables. It will further solidify UAE companies’ presence in the global arena and reinforce its position as one of the most conducive global hubs for trade and business.” Louis Taylor, CEO of UK Export Finance, said: “Senegal is a unique market for UK exporters to tap into. I have seen how the UK and Senegal can work together to unlock projects in the country with our financing and open new trade routes for UK companies. “We are grateful to the UAE federal export credit company for their support for this project that will pave the way for similar collaborations benefitting the exporters of both countries.” For more news updates, check out our July/August issue here. Media contact Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

UK and UAE team up for Redco Project Senegal Read More »

International Fire Buyer placeholder image

FPRF announces free online webinar series

News Desk /

The Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF), the research affiliate of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), has announced a free ‘Fire Protection Research Foundation 40th Anniversary Webinar Series’ in support of its four decades of facilitating research in support of the fire and life safety community. The two-day series will be held August 24 – 25, 2022. The webinar will focus on current Foundation research priorities and other topics related to fire and life safety. The first day will see webinars on reducing residential fire losses, strategies or community resilience and data collection and data analytics to inform policy. The second day will cover hazards of new materials and systems, increasing effectiveness and reliability of safety systems and firefighting and safety effectiveness. The full agenda  and registration for the free to attend event can be accessed from their website. Since 1982, the Fire Protection Research Foundation has collaborated with organizations around the world to investigate emerging fire, electrical, and related safety hazards, and solutions. Its work includes aiding in the development of major domestic and international research programs that address an ever-changing world and the increasing challenges to fire safety in the built environment; industry challenges such as data collection and data analytics to inform policy, hazards of new materials and systems, strategies for community resilience, firefighter safety, and more. For more news updates, check out our July/August issue here. Media contact Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

FPRF announces free online webinar series Read More »

International Fire Buyer placeholder image

Early fire detection with FLIR saves lives

News Desk /

Fire spreads quickly, destroying buildings, assets and lives. However, thermal imaging cameras from Teledyne FLIR can help prevent fires by detecting hot spots before they ignite. These automated, noncontact temperature measuring devices are prolific in potential fire detection, ensuring their increasing popularity in a host of industrial safety applications.  Fuel storage applications are a case in point. With this flammable commodity, corrosion, leaks and human error can lead to explosive, sometimes catastrophic consequences. Automatically monitoring temperature changes in fuel storage depots with FLIR thermal imaging cameras can avert disaster, satisfy insurer oversight and improve safety for workers and the public. Solutions such as FLIR A50 and A70 smart sensor cameras are ideal for fuel depots requiring built-in, on-camera analytics and alarm capabilities for early fire detection – regardless of light conditions.  Warehouses present another well-established fire risk, despite most being equipped with fire alarms and firefighting systems. FLIR thermal imaging cameras can identify hot spots and provide an early warning response to avoid full-on conflagration before fire ignites. Solutions such as the compact and cost-effective FLIR AX8 thermal imaging camera, with its streaming video output, can provide broadcasts to a control room monitor that directs personnel to the exact location of a hot spot. Users can adjust preconfigured temperature alarms to compensate for temporary changes such as the presence of a forklift or worker.  In a further application example, the storage of certain material, such as coal, wood chips and fertilisers, invites the risk of spontaneous combustion. Here, a thermal imaging camera can provide continuous, remote, 24-7 temperature monitoring of these materials when stored in piles or travelling on conveyor belts. A rugged solution such as the FLIR FH-Series R multispectral fixed camera is ideal. The 4K visible imaging of this product provides rapid verification hot spots, sending images to an operator through a connected video management system (VMS) for instantaneous assessment and deployment of response tactics. The VMS can be part of a Teledyne FLIR end-to-end solution or combine with preferred third-party solutions.  Similar to combustible pile applications, bunker waste is potentially flammable when stored. Self-combustion, heat development due to pressure, spontaneous chemical reactions between disposals and the accumulation of methane gas are all potential fire hazards. Glassworks, foundries, cement plants and municipal waste incinerators can all therefore safeguard their assets and personnel using FLIR technology. Here, it is possible to network solutions such as FLIR A50 and A70 thermal image cameras, providing a scalable system with high spatial resolution and thermal sensitivity.  Remote firefighting provides yet another application where thermal imaging cameras can prove highly beneficial. After all, identifying a hot spot is only part one of a fire prevention solution. Part two is remediation, which can be challenging in remote monitoring scenarios. FLIR thermal imaging cameras and software not only pinpoint hot spots, they can initiate an automated firefighting response, such as turning on a sprinkler system, shutting down a system, or targeting the hot spot to be soaked in firefighting foam – all controlled remotely over the Internet. Here, FLIR offers its A310 ex ATEX-compliant thermal imaging camera mounted in a flame-proof enclosure and featuring an integrated controller with several digital I/O channels and sensors for temperature, humidity and pressure.  Fire can destroy multiple buildings or installations within an extremely short timeframe. The value of the goods that perish during a fire can be tremendous, while the cost of a lost life is impossible to calculate. FLIR thermal imaging cameras help prevent fires by detecting hot spots before they ignite, ensuring there is no longer any need to take that risk. For more news updates, check out our July/August issue here. Media contact Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

Early fire detection with FLIR saves lives Read More »

Scroll to Top