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ZF and ZIEGLER agree on strategic partnership

News Desk /

Technology company ZF has received a major order for its digital connectivity solution ZF Rescue Connect from Albert Ziegler, one of the manufacturers of firefighting vehicles. The deal is one of the largest framework contracts for digital services ever awarded to ZF. Digital services From the beginning of 2022, ZIEGLER will equip new vehicles with ZF Rescue Connect as an option and offer digital services to its end customers. In addition, ZF and ZIEGLER have agreed on a strategic partnership for the digitalisation and networking of ZIEGLER firefighting vehicles. With more than 130 years of experience in the industry, ZIEGLER possesses a vast wealth of professional knowledge and expertise, making it a perfect partner. Both companies are committed to developing the best possible solutions for customers worldwide to make the world a safer place. ZIEGLER’s product knowledge and fire know-how mean it is ideally placed to create the firefighting vehicles of the future. Networking rescue services “This major order from ZIEGLER affirms that with ZF Rescue Connect we have created a convincing solution for networking rescue services,” said Florian Freund, responsible for ZF Rescue Connect. “At the same time, ZF Rescue Connect is an example of ZF’s innovative strength as a developer of new digital services.” “The strategic partnership with ZF is an important building block for us in the ongoing digitalisation of our firefighting vehicles, and enables us to offer our customers cloud-based services with high added value,” said Bernd Geiselmann, CFO at ZIEGLER. “In addition, we can make over-the-air software updates to firefighting appliances throughout their entire service life, regardless of location.”   Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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New foam proportioner: LEADER MIX A 1000

News Desk /

In the family of autonomous foam proportioners from the firefighting equipment manufacturer LEADER, here is the latest: the LEADER MIX A 1000. With its patented automatic dosing principle, the new LEADER MIX A 1000 meets the expectations of firefighters faced with class A fires, and more specifically forest fires wildland fires. It completes the range of autonomous foam proportioners. The ideal equipment for interventions on class A fires, the LEADER MIX A 1000 proportioner is calibrated for class A additives (foam concentrates and wetting-foaming agents). Designed and patented by the LEADER company’s R&D team, its unique operation is based upon a powerful venturi system that allows it to precisely aspirate the quantity of additive requested (0.3%, 0.5% or 1%) and to mix it with water. Just turn the selector to instantly change the concentration rate. The LEADER MIX A 1000 adapts in real time the amount of foam concentrate to be aspirated according to flow variations. It operates over a wide flow range, from 200 to 1000 l/min, for a pressure between 5 bar and 16 bar. Successful fire extinction is closely linked to the proper functioning of the equipment and the quality of the additive used. With LEADER MIX A 1000, get precise foam dosing to avoid wasting precious foam concentrate stock and to extinguish fires efficiently. Unlike electronic foam proportioners which require a power supply and regular maintenance, the LEADER MIX A 1000 operates without electronics and without power supply: it is a 100% mechanical system that is reliable and autonomous. The absence of a metering pump increases the reliability of the system and allows dry operation if the end of the tank is reached. No periodic maintenance is required. Its robust construction, as well as its extremely compact and light format (16 kg), allow it to be easily installed in fire fighting vehicles (fire truck, skid, pick-up, trailer). The remote-control panel allows you to view the inlet pressure and select the intervention position: water only, foam or flush. The “water” position (bypass) reduces pressure drops when injection is not necessary. The “flush” position allows the dosing system to be rinsed in anticipation of the next intervention. The simple interface is easily understandable allowing fast and flawless action. Many fire departments have already tested and approved the performance of LEADER MIX automatic dosing systems. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Vimpex’s ClamBell protects remote data centres

News Desk /

Central Engineering manufactures a range of Electrical, Mechanical, Process and Communications Modules, each uniquely designed to securely house equipment and plant for the Data Centre, Oil & Gas, Utility, Mining and Marine markets. Modules are installed Indoors, Outdoors, Onshore or Offshore often in remote locations, with deployments in Ireland, UK, Europe, Russia, Middle East, Africa and South America. Jack MacNelis of local installers JMN Fire Alarms said “As these modules are often sited in hostile, remote, mountainous areas, Central’s requirement was for an extremely reliable and weatherproof external fire bell for its modulars that, in case of a fire, would be loud enough to warn anyone in the vicinity. ClamBell’s ‘two minutes to fit’ and rugged durability has proved to be the perfect solution.” Vimpex’s ClamBell is an innovative, UK  manufactured, fire alarm bell with a unique hinged design that swings shut after installation, which means it’s quick to install, aesthetically pleasing and reassuringly reliable – setting it apart from other fire alarm bells on the market.Installed in under 2 minutesThe ClamBell’s permanently fitted gong and unique hinged design does away with the long, complicated installation process of other bells. With no central bolt, the ClamBell can be fitted in a matter of minutes. All installers need to do is fit the ClamBell to the wall, wire it to the circuit and then click it shut. It really is that easy. With three different base types, shallow, deep and waterproof, as well as multiple voltage variations, the ClamBell meets the needs of the international market and has every installation method covered.ClamBell is designed and manufactured in Britain by Vimpex, an independent manufacturer and distributor of fire alarm system components. Thanks to careful design and manufacturing, a single model has simultaneously been approved to EN54 Part 3 by LPCB and is pending UL 464 for the US market. The ClamBell has also been independently IP tested to IP56 by Intertek, meaning true weatherproof performance.   Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Why do wildland firefighters wear yellow?

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Since the early 1960s, the US Forest Service has gone through one colour change and several shirt iterations to improve firefighter safety. Did the users know the yellow shirts worn in wildland firefighting today were originally orange? These orange shirts were often mistaken for fire by aircrafts carrying fire retardants, and due to the confusion, they often sprayed down the fire crews holding the line. A “Single Engine Airtanker (SEAT) can deliver up to 800 gallons of fire retardant to support firefighters on the ground”. (US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service). Flame-resistant material The bright-yellow shirt worn is designed for use by wildland firefighters as a safety garment. The brush shirts are made of flame-resistant material designed for high visibility and protection from fire. When exposed to flames, the shirt is designed to burn rather than melt by forming a char that protects the skin. Firefighting efforts in the wildland require specialized training, techniques, and equipment. These trained crews suppress flames, extinguish areas of heat to protect wildlife and work in smoky areas. Visibility on the fireline is critical for firefighter safety, and the color yellow was proven in studies to be more visible in dark and smoky environments. True North Brush Shirt True North Brush Shirts meets industry standards, NFPA 1977 certifications, and definitions. The wildland shirts are made of Nomex and Tecasafe, which are inherently flame-resistant, lightweight, breathable fabric for optimal moisture management. True North offer both women’s and men’s brush shirts designed to fit the body while providing durability and superior product fit. The clothing is made to withstand extreme work environments while maintaining its durability lasting through multiple fire seasons   Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Coopers – The importance of fire safety training

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Fire safety training is vital in any environment, but fire safety training in the workplace is essential for any business or organisation working in a commercial building. Everyone working in the building needs to know how to recognise potential fire hazards, practice regular fire safety and prepare to deal with emergencies safely and sensibly. Investing in fire safety training is a non-negotiable benefit to a business that will, in return, potentially save lives and protect the building from damage. According to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) 2005, employers have a legal duty to equip employees with relevant fire safety training. Fire safety training Investing in fire safety training not only keeps the user in line with the law but also allows staff to feel confident in tackling issues that may occur during a fire. The benefits of providing such training are too critical to disregard if the user wishes to run a business that takes care of its employees and property. Perhaps a direct reason for fire safety training is to keep employees safe while in the workplace. If the user doesn’t look after employees, who are the main drive to success, they risk business growth plummeting. Those without knowledge of fire safety will feel hesitant or uneasy in the workplace, causing productivity levels to decrease. Safety is paramount in a working environment, and employees will work better where they know they are comfortable and secure. Observing potential hazards Fire safety doesn’t stop at knowing the evacuation points and extinguishing fires. Observing potential hazards and preventing fires from happening in the first place is the best practice when dealing with an emergency. Employees with fire safety training will feel confident enough to take charge and minimise the damage. Working within a team grows trust, brings collaboration to the workplace, and encourages more communication amongst team members. Fire safety training brings an element of communication between employees that can help to promote better working relationships and overall culture. Trust will grow as the team learns how to protect themselves and one another from the dangers of fire. Installing fire safety Fire safety is a skill that benefits employees throughout their entire life and not just in the workplace. It teaches people to have the ability to remain calm in stressful situations that prevent an emergency from getting out of hand. With the right mindset, team members will handle emergencies with confidence. Owning a commercial property requires building owners to protect everyone who works within or visits the property from fire by law. Fire risk assessments, noticing potential hazards, and installing fire safety measures such as fire extinguishers, fire alarms, and emergency lighting is only the beginning. Providing fire safety training for staff or designated senior employees is the next best step.   Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Sixth Form college site gets Hochiki fire system

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In late 2017, Paston Sixth Form College merged with City College Norwich to become Paston College. This marked a significant milestone in the history of both colleges and saw the expansion of education and training opportunities for learners and employers in North Norfolk. Following a recommendation from Norwich Education Services, a completely new fire system was required which would need to meet BS5839 Part 1 2017 for an L2 category. The life safety system installation project required networking across multiple sites and buildings as well as ensuring the protection of the historic Nelson Museum. And with a main road acting as a physical divide through the middle of the campus this was a complex project to undertake. TP Fire & Security were commissioned to install the new system who selected Hochiki’s ESP intelligent range of addressable fire detection and alarm equipment. Kevin Harris from TP Fire & Security commented “This was an incredibly complex project. We were working with modern and historic buildings, we had to ensure the protection of the Nelson Museum, and of course the campus is split right down the middle by a main road. We chose Hochiki because it afforded us the flexibility with the systems and devices that were needed, with a project such as this. Despite the innovation that goes into the Hochiki products, they are possibly the simplest on the market when it comes to installation. This simplicity allowed us to implement a phased approach which enabled us to keep the existing conventional 2-wire systems running whilst the new Hochiki addressable system was installed. This meant the college remained safe and operational all the while.” As an educational facility, it was important to keep to strict budgets, especially when it came to the ongoing operational costs for the system, and with hundreds of pupils and staff in attendance each day a system which would be reliable and reduce false alarms was vital. Hochiki products are famed for their reliability resulting in the reduction of false alarms, and due to the simplicity of the products they are easy to operate and maintain. “As a result of City College Norwich’s merger with Paston college 2017/2018 the fire detection and life safety system needed to be updated, and we knew it would be a complex task given the fact that the Paston campus is split down the middle by a main road. Not only that, given our historical building status this project needed to be handled carefully and the products chosen needed to be the best on the market. Working with TP Fire was easy and efficient, and we were confident in the products from Hochiki that they recommended.” said Lionel Levinson, Estates and Facilities Surveyor.   Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Simpli Advanced – Apartment fire doors

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Apartment entrance fire doors can now be visually stunning as well as safe and secure, following the launch of the new Simpli Advanced range of high-performance fire doorsets from XL Joinery. The Simpli Advanced range combines the best in oak door manufacturing with hardware from the global provider in access solutions, ASSA ABLOY. This enables it to deliver formidable resistance to smoke and fire while visually enhancing any living environment. Mark Kilbride, Technical Manager at XL Joinery, commented “Fire doors are traditionally seen as more functional than attractive, but when it comes to living spaces, aesthetics are an important consideration – after all, no one wants an unsightly door in their home. That’s why we’ve launched the Simpli Advanced range. It combines our beautiful FSC certified doors with the highest specification safety and security components to create a solution that offers style and safety in equal measure.” The doorsets in the Simpli Advanced range are available in a stunning choice of styles for maximum elegance and integration into the home. They can be matched to XL Joinery’s wide range of internal door designs – including Suffolk, Palermo and Monza – and the oak, handle, viewer and intumescent seal are all available in an extensive choice of finishing options. Available with either FD30 or FD60 fire protection, the doors offer exceptional protection against fire. Batwing drop and perimeter seals from Lorient work together to prevent the passage of smoke and fire to other parts of the building, while the superior closing force of the ASSA ABLOY door closer ensures reliable closing every time. As a range of entrance doors, Simpli Advanced also provides optimal security. The PAS24 and Secured By Design-approved Yale Platinum 3 Star Cylinder delivers first-class protection against the common attack method of lock-snapping, and for added protection, the FD60 option features the Yale Lockmaster lock and deadbolt. Mark continued “The different components on the doors work hand in hand to maintain integrity during a fire and keep intruders out. As well as this, the fact that they all come pre-fitted means the doors can be installed in as little as 20 minutes – leading to considerable time and cost savings for installers, especially on quick-build construction projects. “Another benefit of this is that it serves to reassure everyone in the supply chain that the doorsets are fully compliant, since they have been pre-assembled by the experts and are third-party accredited. “As with all our products, the Simpli Advanced range comes with our 10-year manufacturing guarantee, which means it will always be backed up by our dedicated support team, who are also on hand to help with any technical and installation advice that may be required.”   Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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INTERSCHUTZ 2022 dates revealed

Event News /

INTERSCHUTZ will take place from 20-25 June 2022 as a live physical event and, for the first time, will be supplemented by an online component, thus considerably extending its outreach. The core of the event will remain the face-to-face interaction between exhibitors and visitors from every sector, including opportunities to meet in the exhibition halls, on the open-air site, and in the city centre of Hannover. The event offers attendees the chance to personally experience a diverse range of products and equipment.Unavoidable decision “We are really looking forward to this INTERSCHUTZ reunion with exhibitors, business friends, and visitors in Hannover. The keen anticipation and palpable interest in this long-awaited event across the entire sector are overwhelming. Due to the pandemic, it was necessary to postpone the trade fair twice.” “As a result of this difficult but nonetheless unavoidable decision, the anticipation of the event in June is now all the greater. Hannover will once again offer a central platform for countless innovations and innovations for the rescue and fire-fighting services, civil protection, security, and safety,” explained Dr. Jochen Köckler, Chairman of Deutsche Messe. Promotion Of Networking “INTERSCHUTZ is a very special trade show as it generates a wide range of different emotions, images and narratives. Compassion and commitment play a quite decisive role in this sector and it is heartening to see such across-the-board enthusiasm and commitment to INTERSCHUTZ and to the sharing of know-how and the promotion of networking.” “INTERSCHUTZ is the ultimate platform for the international community and we are confident that the next event will build on the success of the previous trade fair in 2015,” says Bernd Heinold, Project Manager of INTERSCHUTZ at Deutsche Messe. Return of INTERSCHUTZ INTERSCHUTZ 2022 can already boast an encouraging number of bookings. Market leaders have long since booked their company’s trade fair stands, while the event’s long-standing partners, in particular, professional bodies such as the German Fire Protection Association (vfdb), the VDMA Fire Protection Technology Association, the Hannover fire-brigade service, and other representatives from the community of professional fire-fighters, rescue services, technical assistance sector, and civil protection services are enthusiastic about the return of INTERSCHUTZ. Authority comments The President of the German Fire Protection Technology Association, Dirk Aschenbrenner, declared “The crises and disasters of the recent period have underlined the importance of both voluntary services and reliable, innovative technical support. INTERSCHUTZ provides the worldwide community of emergency, protection, rescue and security services with a central platform for the further development of organisations, systems, and technical solutions. After seven years, we are finally able to welcome this opportunity for users and industry to get together again and promote the solutions of the future.” The Managing Director of the VDMA, Dr. Bernd Scherer, is also looking forward to INTERSCHUTZ and emphasised the significance of the event for this sector of the industry, “INTERSCHUTZ has always played a role in encouraging innovation in the field of fire-fighting and fire-prevention technology. It has, for example, helped promote smart networked solutions for various operations, as well as reliable real-time communication using 5G networks, digital assistant devices, and electronic drives. Hannover has always been, and still is, the perfect international showcase for exciting user-oriented technological solutions for fire detection and control.”   Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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True North Gear designs clothes for action

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The everyday clothes are made of traditional materials such as cotton, wool, linen, and leather. While some are plant-based or animal-based; many other garments are composed of synthetic fibers. The company is sure fabrics hardly cross the mind. Suppose a user is a firefighter, utility worker, electrician, electric utility lineman, military aviator, or a race car driver. In that case, the user will be familiar with synthetic fibers such as Aramid blends for FR protection, a treated fabric created to withstand extreme heat with a significant ability to reduce burn injuries. What’s the difference between treated vs inherent? One of the biggest misconceptions is that all flame-resistant clothing contains Nomex®. Flame-resistant clothing (FRC) refers to any clothing designed to protect wearers from flash fires and thermal exposure. FRC is required to have labels that clearly announce the level of protection they provide. FR clothing can also contain 100% cotton, in different weights, and different blends of other fibers. Untreated cotton is not flame-resistant and will ignite and continue to burn against the skin in an arc flash event. Flame resistant properties Inherent fabrics indicated that at least one of the fibers used in the fabric has its FR properties. FR fibers used in protective clothing are modacrylics and aramids, which provided excellent protection against flames and heat. FR treated fabrics are cotton-based, blend with polyester, para-aramid, or polyamide, with a chemical treatment applied to the fabric. The chemical treatment results in the fabric becoming flame retardant during the lifetime of the garment. Ready for work The Dragonwear line uses an Aramid blend to provide excellent protection while delivering superior heat, flame, and arc-flash protection. These garments are designed to provide lightweight, comfortable solutions while offering uncompromising flame-resistant (FR) protection for a range of specialised occupations. True North Gear knows that fire is unpredictable, dangerous, and even deadly. That is why it designs clothing with safety in mind. True North Gear’s Wildland Pro collection features NFPA 1977 certified shirts and pants constructed from Aramid blend with many appealing design features uniquely suited for wildland firefighters. True North is a family-owned and operated company founded in 1992 by Alyx Fier. True North has grown from a one-man operation to an ISO 9001 registered company whose products are distributed worldwide. In addition to packs and bags for firefighters and SAR under the True North label, their products include a broad range of fire resistant clothing under the DragonWear label. Their headquarters are still in Seattle, Washington just up the street from the garage where we started.   Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Act now to ensure holiday park and campsite safety

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A wireless fire safety solutions specialist is encouraging holiday park and campsite owners to use the quieter winter downtime period effectively, by reviewing fire safety ahead of peak seasons. Fire constitutes one of the biggest risks to the total loss of a park home, with the dangers increasing significantly for sites set within natural woodland. To help stop and prevent a fire from destroying a holiday park site, investing in appropriate fire detection and alert system is important and could help save lives according to Tom Ambler, Sales Manager for leisure at Ramtech. Preparing the site with fire safety Tom, said, “Right now is the ideal time to review a site and prepare it for the busier spring and summer period. This should vitally include fire safety standards – as once peak season is here and the warmer weather attracts more visitors, the heat, coupled with popular campsite activities such as fires and barbecues, can be a real melting pot in terms of park accidents.” “Preparing a site in advance of opening, by checking that the current fire safety system is working, is also advisable so that any problems can be unearthed in good time. Any faulty wiring or machinery, particularly relating to power generators for homes or common buildings, as well as arson, vandalism – these are all year round problems that site managers may have to contend with.” Fire safety management Currently, site owners have a legal obligation to manage fire safety under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (“the FSO”). The act applies to all non-domestic premises including certain types of parks, such as those with common areas in leisure complexes, restaurants, and guest houses. And with park residents often mingling in these types of campsite community buildings, the threat to human life is very real, Tom added, “There have been many instances where park fires have caused huge devastation to livelihoods, with many being lucky to escape with their lives.” Examples of lack of fire safety “Just a few years ago, there was an incident at a leisure facility on a campsite near Newquay, which resulted in extensive damage to several communal buildings including a swimming pool, sauna, and gym.” “More recently, over 60 homes were destroyed at a park near Malaga. Thankfully, there were no casualties on either occasion, but the financial cost here is huge – it forces site owners into a massive rebuild operation, potentially putting them out of action for a season for more.” Innovative wireless and connected technology To protect holiday sites, advances in innovative wireless and connected technology are making it easier for holiday park sites to meet their obligations under the FSO. Tom said, “Technology is transforming the holiday industry in terms of fire safety. A system, like Ramtech’s WES3, places the power in site owners’ hands. It’s an EN54-25 compliant connected device, that can be deployed at various points across holiday parks on stands.” Off-site notifications and IP55 rated “It acts as an emergency response system, with automatic smoke and heat detectors responding to site incidents and maintaining 24/7 coverage through the CONNECT unit, otherwise known as the brains of the system.” Discussing their use across leisure sites, Tom continued, “They are IP55 rated, which means they are suitable for outdoor areas and won’t be affected by varying weather conditions, such as excess heat. What’s more, the CONNECT system ensures off-site notifications can also be enabled, informing site owners and even alerting emergency authorities should the worse happen.”   Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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