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Ask the expert – Pete Davies

Fire Buyer talks to fire safety expert Pete Davies, Business Development Manager from Fireco to discover more about their IoT platform Insite  What sets Fireco out from other market leaders?  For almost 30 years, Fireco has been at the forefront of wireless technology for hold-open devices. From our humble beginnings manufacturing the acoustically actuated Dorgard device, we have helped thousands of customers to tame unruly fire doors and have manufactured and sold over 1 million units. And we continue to innovate our products by incorporating radio frequency actuation for the highest levels of compliance. Our ProHub  can be integrated with any fire and detection system as well as things like sprinkler systems or automatic operating vents should traditional fire alarm and detection not be present.  And it’s this new radio system, our Pro Range, which we think will be the future for what we do. Why? Because by using our ProHub transmitter, we can offer an invaluable link in customers’ ‘Golden Thread’ of fire safety information.   From a compliance perspective alone, the Golden Thread of building information, as was identified in Dame Judith Hackett’s Grenfell Report, really is vital for ensuring that buildings are safe and that the people in them are protected. That information needs to be accessible by anyone that needs to see it – building managers, fire safety and maintenance teams, risk assessors, enforcement authorities. Even being able to present evidence of good maintenance practice should legal proceedings be undertaken. The Internet of Things and cloud-based technology are the perfect way of being able to store and present this kind of data and make it available at the tap of a screen.  What brought you to improve on Dorgard?  As the manufacturer of wireless products, we’re not ignorant to the fact that, for some customers, maintaining wireless systems, if not properly considered, can be cumbersome. How can you be sure that batteries are performing? Are you certain that devices are releasing? Why is that thing beeping like that? These simple questions led us to a place we wanted to improve upon. So we started looking at how a network of devices could talk to each other and, more importantly, how we could extrapolate that data and present it to customers. And that’s when we thought ‘what if we can connect this radio transmitter, the ProHub, to the internet?’ By incorporating Internet of Things technology into our products, we are now able to offer our customers a full overview of their system via our InSite cloud platform, something that even our hardwired counterparts are, thus far, unable to do.  By connecting our ProHub system controller to the internet via an ethernet connection, we can monitor the whole network with a full suite of maintenance tools to not only help customers manage their system proactively, but also to keep vital records for building maintenance. So as well as the status of your Dorgard Pro units, you can see when they were fitted, by whom, and when a door is due for an inspection. You could even remotely close all your doors to help with a building’s lockdown procedures, or locate a device at the push of a button.      To read the full article see our latest issue: December/ January 2022 Single Issue – Fire Buyer International Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Refined levels of detection

How can smart control panels impact fire safety in connected fire detection systems in both commercial, multi-occupancy and residential buildings? It’s now possible to detect a range of fire-related indicators, which include smoke, heat, flame and carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide. While this increased sophistication represents a huge leap forward, the additional complexity means fire safety engineers have lots more to consider when designing or engineering solutions.  Minimising false alarms  Advances in detection technology mean alarms can now only be triggered when smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) are detected together. Previously, alarms would sometimes react to steam, which was problematic in food factories and hotel bathrooms where continual false alarms would place emergency fire services under unnecessary pressure.  Software in addressable fire systems now enable the optical chamber of specific sensors to be deactivated if work is underway in a room where smoke could be generated – smoke that would otherwise trigger a false alarm.  For example, Eaton has introduced a solution that has a five-in-one detector, incorporating optical and thermal elements, including three levels of heat detection. Industrial kitchens that experience fluctuating temperatures when oven doors open for example, will appreciate the choice of three levels of heat detection.  Addressable fire detection  Addressable fire detection means the location of a fire can now be pinpointed, which is essential in larger buildings like hospitals and hotels. Fire crews can immediately access the source of the fire, rather than spend time searching for the problem. An addressable fire alarm system is made up of a series of fire detectors and devices that are connected back to a central control panel.  With addressable systems, each device has an address or location, enabling the exact detector that was triggered to be quickly identified. This makes addressable alarm systems ideal for large buildings, particularly commercial premises spread over a wide area.  One of the biggest advantages of addressable fire alarm systems is that they can be configured so that a specific action triggers a specific response. For example, cause and effect programming can be used to say that a particular ‘cause’ such as activation of a fire detector, has the effect of alarms sounding in a specified area and the system being put on alert mode in another. This means that phased evacuation can take place, with priority areas evacuated first. Each area of a building can then be evacuated one at a time, which allows safer fire evacuation procedures in large buildings.  False alarms cause disruption and can be costly, so it’s in any business’s interests to minimise their impact and reduce the likeliness of them occurring in the first place. One of the advantages of addressable fire alarms is that they can allow air to be monitored through the detectors, so if air is contaminated for example with dust (which can activate some fire alarm systems) then a ‘pre-fire’ warning is triggered. This allows investigation to take place, so any issues can be rectified before a full scale false activation of the system takes place.    To read the full article see our latest issue: December/ January 2022 Single Issue – Fire Buyer International Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Fire alarms – Alarming technology

What technological innovations and different types of fire alarms are currently prevalent in the industry and how do they protect people, buildings and assets?  Fire alarms are essential to home safety, their primary purpose is to detect fires and alert those in a building so they can evacuate to safety. There are a range of different fire alarms, from smoke detectors to interlinked alarm products, each suited for a different area. They work in different ways, each with varying benefits – but all have the same purpose to ensure fire safety.  Fire alarms are devices that are proven to save lives and are one of the most major investments your business and company can make. A fire alarm also called as a smoke detector or a smoke alarm basically emits a signal, whether it is a horn, siren or buzzer, as an alert or warning that a fire has started in the premises. The earlier a fire is detected by the fire alarm, the quicker it will be for the firefighters to respond. This means that you can easily avoid major damage to the property as well as a casualty of people.  The choice of fire alarm system depends on the building structure, the purpose and use of the building and current legislation. In new or altered buildings the enforcement body is the local building control, and the relevant guidance is explained in section new or altered buildings. All existing buildings except domestic premises are subject to regulations. For example in the UK, The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Responsible Person, as defined in the order, has to conduct a fire risk assessment. This FRA will decided the appropriate British standard necessary to provide a suitable and sufficient solution for the premises. The enforcement body is the Fire and Rescue Service and the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLC) have published a number of guidance documents for premises subject to the RR(FS)O. This is particularly important since none of the legislation gives any detailed information on the type of system required but the guidance usually indicates appropriate British standards. The main standard for fire alarm systems is BS5839 pt1:2017.  Conventional fire alarms  In a conventional fire alarm system, a number of call points and detectors are wired to the fire alarm control panel in zones. A zone is a circuit and typically one would wire a circuit per floor or fire compartment. The fire alarm control panel has a number of zone lamps. The reason for having zones is to give a rough idea as to where a fire has occurred. This is important for the fire brigade and of course for the building management. The accuracy of knowing where a fire has started is controlled by the number of zones a control panel has and the number of circuits that have been wired within the building. The control panel is wired to a minimum of two sounder circuits which could contain bells, electronic sounders or other audible devices. Each circuit has an end of line device which is used for monitoring purposes.     To read the full article see our latest issue: December/ January 2022 Single Issue – Fire Buyer International Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Allegion on fire door safety

Fire safety doesn’t happen by accident, it requires universal attention. With that, Karen Trigg of Allegion UK explores why the importance of working fire doors is often overlooked and why now is an opportune time to bridge the gap between fire safety education and action. Improving fire safety within UK buildings is a challenge we are all continuously facing. Irrelevant of the sector, it’s of the highest importance for any building type – from schools and hospitals to high-rise residential and industrial facilities. Because when it comes to fire, there are no exemptions. Most of us are only made aware of the danger of fire from headline disasters and yet, in the year ending March 2021, fire response teams attended 151,086 fires in the UK, of which the average total response time to primary fires in England was 8 minutes and 35 seconds. Fire doors Fire doors play a fundamental role in these scenarios and are rigorously constructed and tested to British Standards BS 476: Part 22 or BS EN 1634-1 to ensure they remain fire-resistant for a minimum of 30 minutes (FD30) or 60 minutes (FD60) – holding out long enough to cover response times and evacuation. Fire door hardware is also meticulously designed to comply with UK Construction Products Regulations and is tested under BS EN 1154, BS EN 1155, and BS EN 1634 standards and CE marked. After all, without functioning hardware, a fire door is rendered useless. Fire door safety is an area that should never be neglected. Often, fire doors are the first line of defense in protecting people and property in the event of a fire – but only when installed and maintained appropriately. Yet, as incident reports repeatedly highlight, the significance of working fire doors remains habitually overlooked. The latest in reformed guidelines hope to address this, with the introduction of this year’s Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Building Safety Bill highlighting the diligent detail in which all responsible parties must approach the subject. Missing knowledge Fire doors fall under what’s described as a building’s passive fire protection system. At their most basic and when closed, they form a barrier and enable a building to compartmentalize the spread of fire and smoke. When open, they provide an essential means of escape. Yet there’s nothing rudimentary about fire door safety. However, danger commonly lies where fire door safety is misunderstood. Especially when you consider that last year alone, for local authorities, a staggering 65% of 26,318 planned fire door maintenance and replacement phases did not progress as scheduled – leaving doors neglected and buildings vulnerable. And while some may dispute that 2020 fell to extenuating circumstances, there’s no argument that fire door safety has become too easy to neglect.   Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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2021, a year of frustrations for the fire industry

Mike Fox, Founder and MD of MAF Associates, looks back on what he argues was a frustratingly uneventful year for the fire industry, as we anticipate the enforcement of the Fire Safety Act 2021, the official unveiling of PAS9980, and the passage of the Building Safety Bill. But, are we ready for 2022? The recent outcry over the sponsorship deal between Kingspan and the Mercedes F1 team shows us that memories of Grenfell remain raw in the public psyche, and with so much still to be resolved, that’s hardly a surprise. As we enter 2022, the crisis caused by the Grenfell fire is far from over and, while the imposition of the Fire Safety Act 2021 (FSA) and Building Safety Bill (BSB) will provide some much-needed clarity on what is required, the challenge now is how we fulfil those obligations. Let me be very clear, right from the outset, that I support both the FSA and BSB. What is less welcome is actions such as that taken by the Welsh government on October 1, when they announced that they would start to enforce the FSA, when in reality they had nothing to enforce. If you will permit me a seasonal analogy, the FSA is a Christmas tree awaiting its decorations. PAS is the ornaments that will go on the tree. One without the other is not only ineffectual, but ultimately pointless. Back in April, everyone breathed a sigh of relief when the FSA was finally signed into law, but with delays to PAS, 2021 has been a largely wasted year for a fire industry craving a sense of direction from HM Government. Even once we do have this clarification, we will need to know what the Government plans to do in terms of enforcement, especially as it’s going to take several years to make every building compliant, given the number of sites involved and the worrying lack of qualified external Fire Risk Assessors (FRAs). It’s not all doom and gloom, but it is challenging, which is why I will use this article to explain why we need pragmatism over intransigence, and why nothing is black and white. What it means To summarise, the FSA provides clarity on the duty of the Responsible Person (RP) to ensure a compliant fire risk assessment of their building is undertaken. Previously, there was some doubt over the requirement to include the external walls of the building in even the basic Type 1 fire risk assessment and, in the majority of cases, this was not included. The FSA provides clarity that the external wall assessment does need to be undertaken, along with a standard methodology as to how it should be assessed. PAS9980 outlines how the fire risk appraisal of external wall construction should be conducted and how the cladding of existing blocks of flats should be appraised. The expectation is that the FSA and PAS9980 will be with us in January 2022 and, once PAS9980 is published, the RP will be required to update their fire risk assessment accordingly, although a precise date for enforcement to begin has yet to be confirmed. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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FLIR thermal cameras offer turnkey solutions

When decision makers seek to integrate new hardware into their automation process, they are often looking at a few key areas: the ease of use, price point, features, and the ability to utilise the hardware at multiple points throughout their system. The new A50 and A70 thermal cameras come in three options—Smart, Streaming, and Research & Development to fit the needs of professionals across a variety of industries—from manufacturing to utilities to science. The new cameras offer improved accuracy of ±2°C or ±2% temperature measurement, compared to the previous accuracy of ±5°C, or ±5% temperature measurement. The cameras all include an IP66 rating, along with a small, compact size with higher resolution options compared to previous versions. Featuring a thermal resolution of 464 × 348 (A50) or 640 × 480 (A70), professionals can deploy the A50 or A70 cameras in a variety of capacities. These include condition monitoring programs to maximise uptime and minimise cost through planned maintenance, or when used in early fire detection applications to safeguard the lives of workers and secure the profitability of the business by protecting materials and assets. With improved temperature measurement accuracy of ±2°C, professionals can rely on consistent readings over a period of time, or through varying environmental factors, eliminating any guesswork from data analysis. The IP66 rating for both the A50 and A70 provides protection from dust, oil, and water, making the cameras ideal for tough, industrial environments. This ruggedness is especially helpful when the camera is being moved from one application to the next. Whether the camera is fix-mounted inspecting a production line or when required for bench testing, professionals benefit from its versatility. A50/70 Smart Designed for condition monitoring programs to reduce inspection times, improve production efficiency, and increase product reliability, the A50 and A70 Smart cameras introduce “on camera / on edge” smart functionality. This means temperature measurement and analysis can be done on the camera, easily and effectively without the need for a PC. These cameras allow automation system solution providers to hit the ground running with a camera that is easy to add, configure, and operate in HMI/SCADA systems (with REST API, MQTT and Modbus master functionality). A50/70 Image Streaming Built for process and quality control, the A50/A70 Image Streaming cameras improve through-put time and the quality of what is being produced, all while reducing operating costs. With its GigE Vision and GenICam compatibility, professionals can simply plug the camera into their PC and choose their preferred software. In most cases, the addition of A50 or A70 Image Streaming cameras complement machine vision systems that looks at defects such as size, with the A50 or A70 providing temperature variance in these products. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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The importance of a fire evacuation checklist

Coopers Fire shares the importance of a fire evacuation checklist It comes as a surprise that many people would not know what to do in the event of a fire or emergency. Less than 50% of building occupants feel confident of knowing what action to take and where to evacuate to during an emergency. So, ensuring that one has a clear and simple evacuation plan in place will make all the difference if a fire were to occur – giving one and others a grasp of control should the situation arise. Creating a fire evacuation plan is also necessary in order to comply with UK Fire Safety Legislation. Many benefits express the importance of a fire evacuation plan, here are just a few: Establish a clear team of leaders When an emergency occurs, most people in the workplace will likely be in a panic to leave the building as quickly as possible. However, being in a rush risks the possibility that people could injure themselves or cause damage to the property in the process. An identifiable team of responsible leaders, who can coordinate everyone into a routine and ensure the evacuation is orderly and safe, need to be at the forefront of an evacuation. Four main roles Generally, four main roles will be required: The main point of contact: This is a role that includes communicating with emergency services and is the person who decides when an evacuation should take place. First aid assistants: Any injuries that can be treated with a first aid kit should be treated on-site by a first-aid assistant. This helps keep people safe before emergency services arrive, and there should be several appointed first-aid assistants at hand to help. Dedicated coordinator: When an evacuation takes place, the coordinator is responsible for completing the list of tasks, which include double-checking bathrooms and rooms for stragglers, and securing the site overall. Head counter: Head counters are responsible for making sure everyone is accounted for. If the workplace is large, it is recommended that one have several head counters, one for each department, that can report to a higher authority. All workplaces will require each position, but one person can account for multiple roles within smaller buildings. A designated location for evacuation Every evacuation plan needs to clarify an outside meeting place where everyone in the building can go in the event of a fire. This detail will ensure everyone knows exactly where they need to be (and when) after an evacuation. Staying in a group during the evacuation is crucial because it allows head counters to gain an accurate account of everyone who has left the building, also helping emergency services know whether there is anyone left in the building to rescue. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Advances in false alarm management techniques

The grinding monotony of regular disturbances from false fire alarms is undermining people’s trust in fire alarm systems, altering their behavior towards the signals that are designed to protect them, and putting lives at unnecessary risk. So, what can be done to reduce false alarms? As ever with complex problems, the solution lies in many areas. It’s a question of carefully assessing all the risks of false alarms in a specific setting, then putting the most appropriate measures in place to address them. Education A vital piece in the false alarm management jigsaw – whether in domestic, public, commercial, or industrial settings – is education. Ensuring that those who use and maintain buildings understand the central role they play in preventing false alarms can go a long way to reducing their occurrence. Indeed, spreading ‘fire safety and preventive awareness across society’ is a key objective of the new Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice. Although some can’t be prevented completely, such as malicious activations, call point misuse, or activations with good intent (i.e. when someone genuinely thinks a fire is breaking out), many are easy to avoid with some simple, preventative steps. If people are clearly told about the kinds of activity that will lead to false alarms when they first come to use a building (e.g. smoking near or under detectors, keeping bathroom doors open when there are high levels of steam in the room, or leaving food grilling until it smokes), many incidents can be avoided altogether. Allied to this is the need for building owners to make clear who building occupants can/should contact in cases where false alarms persist. All too often this fundamental step is left out – especially when building ownership or management changes. Careful design and planning of the fire system A thorough and detailed fire risk assessment is essential for specifying a fire system that can cope with all the demands that will be placed upon it. To achieve effective false alarm management, a system needs to offer high levels of control and configurability. There are two fundamental aspects to the technology facilitating false alarm management. The detectors, which help screen false signals in the detector heads, and then the fire panel, which analyses the signals received from sensors and interprets this information to determine if the fire signal is real or not. Detector technologies Detectors are becoming increasingly sophisticated and can detect and analyze a higher number of signals from more onboard sensors than ever before. The latest models use smart algorithms to distinguish real fires from false signals caused by steam or cooking smoke for example. Some also have operating modes designed for particular areas or likely fire types. Many detectors now also offer improved physical protection from environmental pollutants and dust/insect ingress. The best manufacturers invest considerable time and money in designing chamber shapes and filters that reduce these causes of false alarms, so there’s an ever-increasing range of options available to suit the needs of specific sites. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Hochiki to demo safety technologies, Intersec 2022

Following a year off, Intersec is back and Hochiki Middle East FZE, part of the Hochiki Group, are excited to announce that they will be at the event in January. The expert Middle East team will be sharing a range of greener products, as well discussing what the future holds for fire system design and how customer insight is driving this innovation. Sophisticated design combined with powerful customer insight The Hochiki Middle East team of experts will be on hand to demo the new L@titude system. With huge investments made in the research and development of this product, led by customer insight, this latest model combines the very latest in hardware and software and is the company’s market leading control and indication system. Sophisticated enough to operate anywhere in the world, in multiple languages, across all manner of applications – from schools and hospitals, skyscrapers filled with thousands of office workers, apartment blocks and entertainment venues, cultural and commercial spaces as well as international travel ports, manufacturing warehouses and logistics hubs. The system has been designed to be simple to configure and easy to use by anyone, utilising touchscreen technology with a graphical user interface to help display vital information. It is EN approved and recently DBI certified for the Danish market following its EN54 Part 13 approval. Greener life safety products For visitors looking to improve their energy consumption, the Hochiki team will be providing live demonstrations of the power saving and environmentally friendly FIREscape emergency lighting system. Consuming only 0.1W once fully charged, the lower energy consumption directly correlates with lower CO2e emissions; providing building owners with a greener and more cost-effective solution. A new generation of Hybrid Wireless Fire Detection Other products available for demonstration at Intersec will be Hochiki’s next generation of hybrid wireless fire detection products, Ekho. At the core of the system is the wireless Translator module. It is hard-wired to the fire alarm control panel loop and communicates continuously with the wireless devices. Wireless Expander modules are then used to extend the self-healing radio mesh network, increasing the reach and capacity of the overall system. Commenting on attending the event, Hochiki’s Middle East Managing Director, Mr Shinsuke Kubo said, “We’re really excited to get back to live events and meet with our customers face to face. There is nothing quite like live demonstrations and we are attending with three of our most innovative pieces of life safety technology, so this year’s event really will be the best yet. If you want to learn more about how our world-leading solutions can protect your business, people, and assets, as well as drive a more efficient operation, then do visit our stand.” Intersec will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre 16-18 January 2022, head to stand 4-B22 to speak to the Hochiki team of experts.   Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Isle of Man Government received Oshkosh vehicles

Oshkosh Airport Products, an Oshkosh Corporation Company, announced that the Isle of Man Government has received three Oshkosh Striker 6×6 ARFF vehicles. Oshkosh Airport Products is a designer and builder of airport firefighting vehicles. Its flagship Striker Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles are known for their durability and superior performance and sold throughout the world. The Isle of Man is a British Crown Dependency in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The new Oshkosh Strikers were delivered in early December, 2021, and support operations at the Isle of Man Airport (IOM). Extensive training has commenced in preparation for the vehicles to enter front line service in the first quarter of 2022. “This delivery represents the first Oshkosh Strikers for the Isle of Man Government and the vehicles will provide essential advancements in acceleration, maneuverability, firefighting capabilities, and safety technology for the fleet,” said Jack Bermingham, business unit director for Oshkosh Airport Products. “Supported by Terberg DTS UK, IOM will have convenient access to critical service support for the aftermarket care of their Striker ARFF vehicles.” Features of Isle of Man Airport’s Striker 6×6 ARFF vehicles: • Scania DC16 V8 700 HP Engines • 50-foot (15 meters) Snozzle High Reach Extendable Turret (HRET) • Water capacity: 3,170 gallons (12,000 liters) • Foam capacity: 444 gallons (1,680 liters) • Dry chemical capacity: 550 Ibs (250 kg) • Eco-EFP Foam Measurement System Isle of Man Airport’s new Striker 6×6 ARFF vehicles are also equipped with a Snozzle HRET strobe light, dual LED tip spotlights, mounted thermal camera, piercing tip color camera, and an air aspirated bumper turret with a discharge rate of 1,585 gpm (6,000 L/m). Also known as Ronaldsway Airport, IOM Airport is located in the island’s southern region and southwest of Douglas, the island’s capital. Along with the Isle of Man Sea Terminal, it is one of two main gateways to the island and services over 800,000 passengers yearly. To learn more about Oshkosh Airport Products and Isle of Man’s new Striker 6×6 ARFF vehicles, visit the Oshkosh website.   Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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