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Global Fire Equipment to showcase its solutions at INTERSEC 2022

News Desk /

European manufacturer of complete fire safety systems, Global Fire Equipment (GFE), will showcase the latest additions to its product portfolio at INTERSEC 2022 at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 16 – 18 January. GFE’s specialists will be on Stand F-09 in Hall 3 to highlight its range of fire control panels, detectors, sounders, VADs and fire alarm monitoring, control and communications software. Visitors to the stand will also be able talk to the GFE team about the importance of understanding the EN54 certification and approval processes when specifying fire safety systems, as well as the benefits of working with a full system provider. In 2021, an international third-party Notified Body laboratory awarded GFE the prestigious EN 54- 13:2017+A1:2019 approval for its digital addressable fire alarm systems. This standard differs from other because it is a system performance standard, rather than a product standard, thereby confirming the compatibility and connectivity of all the individual components of GFE addressable fire safety systems. GFE will highlight the end-user benefits of its next generation addressable fire alarm control panels, including the G-ONE (single loop), GEKKO and the OCTO+, which are versatile, compact and expandable from 1 to 4 loops. Fully Construction Products Regulation (CPR) certified to EN 54-2 and EN 54-4, the control panels are suitable for a wide range of applications, from small to large buildings including those on complex sites, all with remote communications for management and maintenance of the system. GFE will also take the opportunity to introduce its brand-new OWL Software. OWL is a graphical display, alarm management and monitoring software which allows customers to import their cause and-effect configuration file from the panel to the monitoring software at the click of a button. With OWL, customers can not only monitor the status of their panels, but they can also receive real-time information with complete visibility of their entire fire detection and alarm system. João Paulo Ajami, Managing Director of GFE, commented, “INTERSEC is a key event in the fire industry’s calendar, and we are delighted to be getting back in front of customers to highlight our latest products. “The Middle East is a strategically important market for GFE, and this year’s show will see us have an even greater presence than in previous years, reflecting our continued commitment to this thriving region. We have invested heavily in developing products and solutions that are designed specifically for the Middle East and INTERSEC is the ideal platform for us to introduce them to the market.”   To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global fire market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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BSI joins FIA’s internet of things forum to support fire safety

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BSI, the business improvement and standards company, are to take a seat on the Fire Industry Association’s (FIA) Forum to facilitate knowledge sharing and improve fire safety in the UK. The FIA’s Internet of Things (IoT) Forum will facilitate the exchange of industry knowledge and remove barriers to the development and adoption of IoT products and services in the fire safety sector. Alongside FIA Forum members BSI experts will work to improve fire safety provisions across the UK by promoting new innovations and sharing best practice knowledge and experience. David Mudd, IoT Business Development Director at BSI said. “The FIA forum brings key industry personnel together to share knowledge and encourage innovation. By working with the Forum and its members we hope to fast-track safe and effective adoption of IoT products across the fire safety industry. “The Internet of Things Kitemark indicates a product or service which has gone beyond normal requirements to achieve the highest standards as appropriate for the intended use. Products with the IoT Kitemark have been independently assessed by BSI to ensure the highest standard of IoT security controls are in place and maintained. This quality mark can support the fire industry in ensuring fire safety products are in line with best practice technology.” IoT enabled fire systems improve detection, suppression and prevention, as well as maintenance and compliance.  Applying the IoT Kitemark to fire safety products and services will enable safe adoption of these systems to improve the management of fire risks in domestic and commercial properties.” Ian Moore, Chief Executive Officer at FIA said, “The FIA, Europe’s largest fire safety trade association, has a long-standing history of working collaboratively with key stakeholders in the fire safety industry. We welcome our recent partnership with BSI and are looking forward to empowering, encouraging and enabling businesses in the fire safety industry to start, or continue, their work with IoT products and services. “With over 70 FIA Members, the FIA IoT Forum has become the centre for collaboration on IoT in the fire safety industry. The Forum will help those involved to share and create best practice and help remove barriers to the development and use of IoT products and services in the UK fire safety sector. Our aim is that IoT products and services both maintain compliance to fire safety regulations and that the UK fire safety industry takes a leadership position in this domain.” BSI’s Internet of Things Kitemark was developed in 2018 in response to the growth of internet connected products, it was designed to help consumers confidently and easily identify the IoT devices they can trust to be safe, secure and functional.   To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global fire market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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UL achieves new fire safety body status

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UL can now provide the full suite of conformity assessment services to manufacturers for a wide range of fire safety products for the UK and Europe, following official confirmation of UL International (Netherlands) BV’s new EU technical assessment body status. UL’s latest designation as a technical assessment body allows it to help manufacturers of new and innovative fire safety products to achieve CE marking. Its product scope includes, among others, firefighting equipment, fire and smoke control, firestopping, fire sealing and fire protection and retardant products. This new designation means that customers with relevant products can now achieve global market acceptance and compliance, opening up new markets across the world. The designation is in addition to UL’s existing roles as a notified body for CE marking, its approved body status for UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marking and all its existing third-party certification services for the internationally recognised UL Mark. Since Britain’s exit from the EU, conformity assessment and required conformity markings have become considerably more complex for many product manufacturers in the construction and fire safety sectors. The UKCA mark is being introduced for products intended for the market in England, Scotland and Wales and will replace the European CE marking regime first introduced in 1985. UKCA marking will likely be mandatory for certain regulated products from 1 January 2023, following the UK Government’s recent agreement to extend this deadline for one year. However, for manufacturers looking to place products in both British and European markets, assessments must be completed by both an EU-notified or technical assessment body for the CE marking and a UK-approved body for the UKCA marking. UL can now provide all options through a combined safety testing and certification assessment process, saving time and cost. “UL is now a comprehensive service provider for conformity marking needs through our third-party testing, assessment and certification activities on a wide range of fire safety products in the U.K. and Europe,” said Chris Miles, EMEA Regional Business Director for UL’s Built Environment group. “This will deliver significant efficiencies and economies of scale for our customers, and vital safety reassurances to their customers, too. We would urge manufacturers looking to place fire safety products on the British market to start their UKCA marking applications soon – don’t wait until just before the revised deadline of 1 January 2023. And for products that already enjoy full market acceptance in the UK and Europe, we can help guide customers about additional market opportunities provided by the UL Mark in all other parts of the world.” Further information on UL’s approval as an EU technical assessment body is available here. It specifically covers: Fixed firefighting equipment (fire alarm/detection, fixed firefighting, fire and smoke control and explosion suppression products) Fire stopping, fire sealing and fire protective products, fire retardant products   To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global fire market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Update and webinar on Euralarm False Alarm study

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In 2013, the Technical Group False Alarms (TG FAS) of the Fire Section began its work to better understand the causes and the data behind false alarms in fire detection and fire alarm systems. Since then, the Technical Group published reports and in 2018 published Euralarm ’s first book; a study on the data analysis and collection methodology in selected European countries. The TG FAS is in its final stages to publish an update of the study. On December 16th, the Technical Group will conduct a Webinar. False alarms from fire detection and fire alarm systems is a topic that Euralarm’s Technical Group False Alarm is working on since 2013 and that resulted in publishing a book covering a 3-year study of the risk-based understanding of the topic in various European countries. Based on the carefully examined facts and statistics the study also contains recommendations and strategies for false alarm reduction. One of the recommendations was to integrate the topic of false alarms into fire protection and fire alarm strategies as well as how to handle false alarms as an active part of the management of a site. However, the false alarm topic continues to accompany the fire safety industry. Although much has been achieved the statistics show that there is a sizable potential for continuing improvement. Therefore, the Fire Section of Euralarm agreed to continue its study. The TG FAS is in its final stages to publish an update of the study. Prior to the update of the book, the TG FAS also released the Fact Sheet ‘Increase fire safety by understanding false alarms’ with practical measures to avoid false alarms. On December 16th the TG FAS will conduct a free webinar on the topic of False Alarms. Both the study and the Fact sheet will be on the webinar program. The preliminary program is as follows: 15.00 Opening and welcome 15.05 Introduction on the topic of false alarms and the relevance of false alarms Martin Harvey, President Euralarm 15.10 Fire safety related activities in DG GROW Heikki Väänänen, Policy Officer DG GROW, EC 15.20 Impact of false alarms on the alarm responders Michaël Bertels, Ph.D., European Fire Safety Alliance 15.30 Overview of the activities and the study Dr Sebastian Festag, Euralarm, chair TG FAS 16.00 Strategies to reduce false alarms and lessons learned, Fact Sheet Lance Rütimann, Chair Euralarm Section Fire 16.20 Discussion and conclusion Paul van der Zanden, General Director Euralarm 16.45 Closing of webinar You can register for the webinar on the False Alarm Study via the Euralarm website.   To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global fire market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Tio Fire Safety delivers UK first with digital logbook

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The paper fire logbook, a critical link in the safety of millions of UK buildings has been updated and made fit for modern safety, facilities and compliance professionals with the launch of the revolutionary digital fire logbook from Tio Fire Systems. Cloud-based and permitted under BS5839-1, Tio’s true Digital Fire Logbook is priced and designed to replace a range of paper logbooks, and is pre-configured to bring together a huge number of fire, safety and security topics in one place. It is quick to set up and as easy to use as paper, solves a multitude of issues and radically improves safety, relationships and compliance for all parties, including the building occupier, service provider, risk assessor, installer, commissioning engineers and emergency services. Full of unique features, Tio’s logbook includes a compliance task manager that automatically schedules and tracks tasks for service providers, building occupiers and risk assessors; a customisable guidance module that helps staff complete jobs, linked asset registers and maintenance, variances, false alarm and activation tracker, custom tasks creator; fire visitor logbook; and digital documents storage. All users get a performance and compliance dashboard, permitting oversight and management from a single site to vast portfolios of properties. Instead of a paper document in a cabinet at the building entrance, a QR code is displayed, giving either open access to the cloud-based records or, where security is a concern, access to all permitted individuals and organisations. “Today, there is rightly much more focus on correct compliance, from a building occupier, and FM perspective right through to service providers and the logbook is central to this.” said Jason Hill, Sales Manager for Tio Fire Safety. “Paper logbooks are too often, inaccurate, incomplete, duplicated, misplaced or lost, all serious issues that are removed in a click with Tio. We call our product the only true digital fire logbook because, while other products do call themselves logbooks, they are in reality limited, one-way customer portals or engineer tools, not genuine improvements on the paper logbook that permit contributions from all stakeholders. Our Digital Fire Logbook delivers all of the required information, which can be accessed and entered on any web-connected device, ensuring 100% compliance and safeguarding the integrity of the information in any fire incident. “At Tio, we believe that fire safety, compliance and maintenance are better achieved through clear communication and efficient management of tasks, assets and responsibilities across many teams and parties. A digital record is becoming essential for accountability and best practice. The logbook can be used independently, combined with our own asset management suite, or integrated with a growing number of fire and safety software providers.” Tio is a fire and safety software provider, created and staffed by UK fire and safety industry experts from estates managers and OEMs to service and maintenance engineers, ensuring its products are fast, efficient and solve customer problems while improving building safety.   To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global fire market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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First F-gas-free NXPLUS C 24 circuit-breaker panel from Siemens

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In cooperation with Siemens Smart Infrastructure, E.ON subsidiary Westnetz, one of Germany’s largest distribution grid operators, has expanded its Bekond substation in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate with a fluorine gas-free NXPLUS C 24 circuit-breaker panel. It is the first panel of its type in the world to go into operation using Clean Air, the climate-neutral insulation gas. This installation demonstrates the functionality of fluorine gas-free solutions in grid operations and shows an easy way to extend existing technology with the latest environmentally friendly technology. Trial phases by grid operators are crucial prior to large-scale deployments of fluorine gas-free medium-voltage switchgear. “Until now, sulfur hexafluoride, or SF6 for short, has been used in many medium-voltage switchgear. This gas has excellent insulating and extinguishing properties, but it can be harmful to the environment if it leaks from the switchgear,” said Stefan Küppers, Chief Technology Officer of Westenergie and formerly Managing Director for Special Technology and Digitalization at the wholly owned subsidiary Westnetz. “For this reason, we’re intensively looking for new technical solutions that combine high level of security of energy supply with climate-neutral technology. Together with Siemens, we want to test the new Clean Air technology and gather operational experience. This is an important step towards a climate-neutral future.” “What particularly excites us as a company about the new Siemens NXPLUS C 24 product is its compatibility with the existing SF6 switchgear and its proven design and operating concept,” said Bastian Wölke, Technical Product Manager for medium-voltage switchgear and systems at Westnetz. “Our fluorine-gas-free switchgear enables our customers to achieve sustainable, safe and cost-efficient operation,” said Stephan May, CEO of the Distribution Systems Business Unit at Siemens Smart Infrastructure. “Our installed base of more than 130,000 NXPLUS C units can be expanded with the latest climate-neutral technology. The dimensions and operability of the unit remain unchanged. This creates security of investment for our customers and facilitates the transition to sustainable fluorine gas-free technologies.” Westnetz supports the energy transition in Germany with numerous innovation projects and is a committed partner in the development and testing of new climate-neutral technologies for switchgear. With the environmentally friendly extension of its substation in Bekond, Westnetz now aims to combine high security of supply with climate-neutral technology. The Bekond substation supplies approximately 25,000 residents in the Trier-Saarburg district and the Trier Region Industrial Park (IRT) with electricity and is the feed-in point for renewable energy from photovoltaics and wind power into the distribution grid. Increased demand for connections from industrial customers and producers of renewable energy necessitated the extension of the existing gas-insulated 24-kV switchgear.   To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global fire market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Former IWMA President Ragnar Wighus has passed away

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On 4th November, Ragnar Wighus, Ex-President of the International Water Mist Association (IWMA) and former Chief Scientist at RISE Sweden, passed away. Ragnar’s job was also his calling. Amongst his many competences were: the off-shore oil rig safety technology, gas and smoke flow dispersion, fire modelling and of course water mist fire suppression systems. And indeed, one of the last news that delighted him was the publication of the European Standard for fixed Water Mist Systems EN 14972. Ragnar Wighus became IWMA president in 2002 after the first president, Karl J. Sprakel, had stepped down from this position. Ragnar was famous for singing the water mist hymn at the beginning and at the end of each water mist conference, at the IWMA member meetings and all other IWMA events he attended. He did so until in 2018 he passed the baton on to the current IWMA president Are Wendelborg Brandt (RISE) who said: “Ragnar was a good colleague, mentor and a great friend.” The Chairman of the IWMA scientific council Hong-Zeng (Bert) Yu (FM Global) stated: “Besides the water mist anthem, Ragnar has left many fond memories and legacies in the association and fire protection community. He will be deeply missed.” Bettina McDowell, IWMA General Manager, added: “When some people go, you think that they should have stayed a little longer. Ragnar was such a person.”   To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global fire market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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21st International Water Mist Conference (IWMC) to take place in Madrid

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The members of the International Water Mist Association (IWMA) have discussed and decided: The 21st International Water Mist Conference will once again – after 2003 – take place in Madrid, Spain. The conference dates will be 9th and 10th November 2022. The conference venue will be the Elba Madrid Alcalá Hotel. The call for papers will be published on 17th January 2022. Sponsors can start booking their table tops for the exhibition – which will run alongside the conference – from that day onwards. IWMA General Manager Bettina McDowell explained: “There will be three different packages available. Further details will be available from the IWMA headquarter in Hamburg.” Another important date will be 16th May which is the final date to submit abstracts and thus apply for a speaker slot. Furthermore, the conference webpage will be activated on this day. On 1st July, IWMA will publish the conference programme and 15th August marks the end of the early bird period. Deadline for submissions to apply for the IWMA Young Talent Award is 29th April. In 2022, this award will go to the author of the best master thesis dealing with water mist.   To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global fire market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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What to expect at INTERSCHUTZ 2022

Event News /

INTERSCHUTZ will take place between June 20-25 2022 in Hannover, Germany.  INTERSCHUTZ is one of the world leading trade fairs for the fire and rescue services, civil protection, safety and security. It is a magnet for companies from all around the world seeking to develop new markets for their solutions. It’s also the go-to show for pros wanting to learn about the latest innovations and share expertise with their international peers. INTERSCHUTZ is in a class of its own internationally when it comes to the quality and number of visitors and exhibitors it attracts.  INTERSCHUTZ covers the full range of products and services for the fire and rescue services, civil protection, safety and security industries.  At the same time, INTERSCHUTZ is very much a business show. It’s an event for the world’s providers of fire and rescue services, civil protection, and safety and security solutions and shapes their business cycles. That’s why anyone who wants to learn about the latest emergency management innovations and developments heads for Hannover when the gates open on INTERSCHUTZ.  INTERSCHUTZ is a team effort between Deutsche Messe, the German associations vfdb, DFV and VDMA, the show’s commercial exhibitors, non-commercial exhibitors such as fire and rescue service organisations and disaster relief organisations, and the show’s many visitors from the professional and volunteer fire services, plant fire services, rescue services and the disaster relief sector.  The event was meant to take place in December 2020 but was unfortunately postponed due to the pandemic.   “INTERSCHUTZ takes place every five years. The community of people involved in fire and rescue services as well as civil protection has been eagerly awaiting the next edition of the event. Against this background, the decision to reschedule was a difficult one. But a series of intensive discussions with our partners and exhibitors as well as representatives of key visitor target groups made clear to us that this move was unavoidable. A staging of the event in the summer of 2022 has been welcomed by all stakeholders. This is the only way we can offer everyone the necessary planning security for their trade fair appearance. A flagship fair like this one thrives on a large number of international visitors and, in particular, face-to-face encounters. Based on the current international travel restrictions, our clients would not be able to adequately prepare for such a major, globally significant trade fair,” comments Dr. Andreas Gruchow, Member of the Deutsche Messe Managing Board.  Exhibition topics  Civil Protection: Disaster management mobilizations pose major logistical as well as technical challenges. Solutions for meeting those challenges – everything from Tents for stay, accommodation or sanitation purposes, mobile power supply or flood protection – will be on show in the civil protection display area at INTERSCHUTZ 2022. (Hall 17)  Fire Fighting: Fire brigades from around the globe are faced with an ever-changing set of catastrophic scenarios. Major emergencies caused by natural disasters and climate change require closer interaction among the various players. INTERSCHUTZ showcases vehicles and equipment, hardware and software as well as research and development – up close and first-hand. Digital technologies and connected operations in the face of an emergency will be displayed at exhibition stands and discussed in related conferences. (Halls 11, 12, 13, 27, Pavilions 32-35)  Communications & Control Center Solutions: Increasing urban densification and continuously changing operational scenarios demand innovative digital solutions and seamless cooperation between all players involved. Within the new Digitization & Transformation display sector, current and future requirements for networked solutions will be put forward and discussed. (Hall 16)  Rescue Services: The rescue services are faced with a number of new challenges and developments, not least demographic change, telemedicine, a skills shortage, and large-scale catastrophic incidents. They are under constant pressure to scrutinize their strategic direction and to keep up to date with the latest technologies. That is why INTERSCHUTZ is so important. It provides a comprehensive survey of the latest emergency-sector products. (Halls 17, 26)  Protective Equipment: The requirements for personal protective equipment are becoming more and more individual. From smart textiles to integrated communication solutions for fire protection, rescue services and civil protection, at INTERSCHUTZ you’ll find the entire range of PPE for all areas of application. (Halls 11, 14, 15)  Fire Prevention: Modern building designs, bigger dimensions and densely built-up areas are leading to new requirements for preventive fire protection. INTERSCHUTZ covers all the relevant areas, from planning to implementation. Here you can swap ideas with specialists from around the world within the framework of this, the industry’s networking hub for preventive fire protection. (Halls 12, 13)    To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global fire market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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Quick fire – Bettina McDowell

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Bettina McDowell, General Manager, International Water Mist Association What does ‘Fire protection’ mean to you?   To me it means saving lives, properties and jobs and to be able to do that we need to think about which are the best kinds of fire protection systems for the single applications. And we need to involve and educate the public. What use is the perfect system if people do not know how to leave a burning building.   What’s your all time favourite movie?   That’s easy! “Much ado about nothing” directed by Kenneth Branagh!   If you weren’t in the fire industry – what would you be doing and why?   I would be a gardener. Lots of hard work but endless joy at the sight of the result.   What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?   Keep calm and carry on!   Describe yourself in three words?   Well, calm (of course), positive and witty!   What makes you excited about the future of the fire industry?   I can see – at least in Europe – that more people within the industry have been thinking about involving the public and there are initiatives all over the place to make people aware of risks and behaviour. That will save many lives, I hope.   Where do you see yourself in 5 years?   Still in the same position within a then much bigger International Water Mist Association which had to grow due to the growing demand for more and more water mist systems.   Describe a funny thing that happened to you recently?   I have a new neighbour and when she came round for a coffee we realised that we come from the same village and went to the same school (which is approximately 250 kilometres away from where I live now!).   What’s the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your CV?   I can hypnotise people!   What is one thing you would make compulsory in the office and one thing you would ban?   I would make a bowl of fruits compulsory and ban sweets!     To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company updates within the global fire market please register to receive our newsletter here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, International Fire Buyer Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@firebuyer.com

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