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MSA Safety Acquires Bristol Uniforms

News Desk /

Global safety equipment manufacturer MSA Safety Incorporated announced it has acquired U.K.-based Bristol Uniforms (“Bristol”) in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $60 million. The acquisition strengthens MSA’s position as a global leader in fire service PPE products while providing an avenue to expand its business in the U.K. and key European markets. Headquartered in Bristol, U.K., Bristol Uniforms is a leading innovator and provider of protective apparel to the fire and rescue services sector, with annual revenue of approximately $40 million. The company has earned a reputation for providing high quality turnout gear that combines innovative designs with advanced materials. Bristol Uniforms employs nearly 200 people across four U.K. locations. “Helping to keep firefighters safe has been a longstanding element of the MSA mission,” said Nish Vartanian, MSA Chairman, President and CEO. “The acquisition of Bristol advances that mission as well as our growth strategy to protect firefighters from head to toe with the very best in safety technology,” he said. Mr. Vartanian said the transaction builds on the success MSA has had in improving the overall performance of its International business segment. “Our entire International team, and particularly our associates in Europe, have done a terrific job over the past three years building a more agile, efficient and growth-focused organization. Today’s acquisition reflects the confidence we have in our team’s ability to quickly integrate Bristol into the MSA portfolio. It also recognizes the progress our team in Europe has made in executing MSA’s overall vision for growth,” he said. MSA Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Ken Krause, who leads the company’s corporate development activities, commented that the acquisition comes at an exciting time for MSA and its fire service business. “The fire service is a strategic market for us that has performed well through a broad range of economic cycles, including the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. “Bringing Bristol under the MSA umbrella builds on our 2017 acquisition of U.S. turnout gear leader Globe, while adding another defensive element to our portfolio and providing us with an opportunity to expand MSA’s addressable market in the International segment. With MSA’s global reach and Bristol’s strong brand equity, we’re confident in our ability to reach key geographic markets and make the Bristol brand even more successful.” Mr. Krause added that the acquisition aligns with the company’s disciplined approach for capital deployment. He also noted that Bristol is expected to hurdle MSA’s cost of capital by year three. Excluding acquisition-related amortization, the company is planning for adjusted earnings accretion of $0.03-$0.05 per share in the first twelve months of ownership. Bristol Uniforms is also a leading manufacturer of flame-retardant, waterproof and other protective workwear for the utility industry. Marketed under the Bell Apparel brand, this line complements MSA’s existing and broad range of offerings for the global utilities market. Bristol Deputy Chairman Ian Mitchell commented, “We see today’s acquisition as a great fit for both our organizations. From a product synergy perspective, Bristol Uniforms aligns with MSA’s existing portfolio, enhances our reach into the global turnout gear market, and it gives us new opportunities to serve our customer base with a broader range of head-to-toe firefighter protection.” Mr. Mitchell added, “Culturally, MSA and Bristol are very well-aligned, and we are excited about today’s news as we see this acquisition as a great match for both Bristol and for MSA.” The fire service equipment brands of MSA, which include Gallet Firefighter Helmets, the M1 and G1 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus range, Cairns Helmets, Globe Manufacturing, and now Bristol Uniforms, represent more than 460 combined years of innovation in the fire service industry, with one common mission: protecting the health and safety of firefighters.   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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Advanced Provides An Intelligent Fire Detection System For Revlon’s Headquarters

News Desk /

An intelligent fire detection system from UK manufacturer, Advanced, has been installed at the South African head office of cosmetics manufacturer, Revlon. Situated in South Africa’s Gauteng province, Revlon’s headquarters comprises of an administration building, warehousing facility, and manufacturing plant. With area usage varying across this large-scale site, the end-user required that there be immediate identification of the location of any alarm activations An intelligent fire detection system that uses each device’s unique address to automatically identify the location of the alarm condition was therefore specified. Fire Detection System Advanced’s long-term partner, Technoswitch, supplied the equipment to Brakpan-based fire detection and suppression installers, JMN Projects, who were appointed to design and install the fire detection system. Advanced products are our first choice whenever we need to specify a fire detection system” Brett Birch, General Manager at Technoswitch, said: “Advanced products are our first choice whenever we need to specify a fire detection system, so obviously we did so again when asked to propose a system for Revlon’s head office. Advanced panels are exceptionally well made, and they offer an unrivaled reliability record. They’re also simple to program and configure, plus the aftersales support is excellent.” Cost-Effective Solution The 1-loop MxPro 5 fire panel from Advanced was installed alongside eight Fire Beam reflective optical beam detectors, 32 Apollo optical detectors, eight Discovery manual call points, and 10 Apollo sounder beacons. Technoswitch’s 27.5V DC boxed power supplies were customized for the specific site requirements, providing battery backup for the optical beam detectors. With the communication of any emergency notifications on the fire detection network needing to be relayed to the responsible staff on-site, the end-user also required a GS-22 SMS Communicator to be integrated with the fire system. The Communicator provides a cost-effective solution to transmitting emergency signals from the fire panel’s fire and fault relays to a mobile device – with instant notification of any issues being sent in seconds across this large-scale site. Multiprotocol Fire System Steve Carroll, General Manager for the Middle East at Advanced, said: “Where production and commercial activity run side-by-side, Advanced’s ease of installation and configuration make tailoring specific protection to individual buildings, areas or floors, effortless. The robust and proven technology of Advanced fire systems give our customers peace of mind that their staff and property are well protected, so they can concentrate on running their business.” MxPro 5 panels are backward compatible with existing MxPro 4 networks The MxPro 5 is the unbeatable multiprotocol fire system. Approved to EN54-2, 4, and 13, it offers four protocols, Apollo, Argus, Hochiki, and Nittan, and a completely open installer network that benefits from free training and technical support. Panels can be used in single-loop, single-panel format or easily configured into high-speed networks of up to 200-panels covering huge areas. MxPro 5 panels are backward compatible with existing MxPro 4 networks and include a host of features including AlarmCalm for complete false alarm management and reduction. Intelligent Fire Systems Advanced, owned by FTSE 100 Company Halma PLC, protects a wide range of prestigious and high-profile sites across the globe – from London’s Shard to Abu Dhabi International Airport and Egypt’s Cairo Tower. Halma is a global group of life-saving technology companies with a clear purpose to grow a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day. Advanced is a pioneer in the development and manufacture of intelligent fire systems. Advanced’s reputation for performance, quality, and ease of use see its products specified in locations around the world, from single-panel installations to large, multi-site networks. Advanced’s products include complete fire detection systems, multi-protocol fire panels, extinguishing control, fire paging, false alarm management, and reduction solutions as well as emergency lighting.     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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Insights On The Lifespan Of Fire/turn Out Kits

News Desk /

Firefighting kit has a number of functions. It protects crew members in a wide range of situations and makes them instantly recognizable in an emergency. Replacing the firefighting kit at the right time keeps fire firefighters and rescue personnel safe and comfortable, no matter what the emergency. Call Outs For Firefighters According to the UK Home Office, in the last year, 28 per cent of call-outs for firefighters and rescue staff involved responding to fires, 42 per cent of call outs were fire safety personnel responding to false alarms and 31 per cent call outs were for non-fire related incidents. Non-fire incidents have increased from 23 per cent of call outs, nearly ten years ago. This demonstrates the breadth of tasks a firefighter might be expected to complete when wearing their kit The five largest categories of non-fire incidents in the last year were road traffic collisions, effecting entry/exit, assisting other agencies, medical incidents, and flooding incidents. This demonstrates the breadth of tasks a firefighter might be expected to complete when wearing their kit. In a nutshell, they need to be ready for any scenario. Longevity Of Firefighting Kits Let’s not get ahead of ourselves by focusing only on replacement, there are other ways of making a firefighting kit last. Inspecting it after every shout and regular cleaning and maintenance will ensure that the kit last as long as possible. There are many blogs on how to inspect a firefighting kit and how to maintain the kit to help fire and rescue services to get the most out of their most important PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) investment. When Does Turnout Kit Expire? Technically, there’s not a blanket expiry date for firefighting/turn out kit, though manufacturers might specify the lifespan of individual garments. The new British Standard for the inspection, testing, cleaning, decontamination, drying, repairs, replacement and retirement/disposal of firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) is BS8617 standard. Published in 2019, it recommends that firefighting kit should be replaced at least every 10 years. So the answer to the question: How often should one replace their firefighting kit? It is at least every 10 years, according to the British Standard, but there are reasons for not waiting that long. Can Firefighting Kit Be Replaced Sooner? State operated fire and rescue services in England responded to 557,299 incidents in the last year itself While private fire and rescue services might not face too many call outs, State operated fire and rescue services in England responded to 557,299 incidents in the last year itself. Of these, 153,957 cases were that of live fires. With so much opportunity for wear and tear of the firefighting/turn out kit, it may be inevitable that the kit will reach the point of expiry and will be required to be replaced soon. In some instances, it might simply make economic sense. For example, If a new jacket costs upwards of £200 and has already had an investment of £150 in repairs, it might be more cost effective to replace the jacket the next time it is damaged, instead of paying for another repair. Care And Maintenance Of Turn Out Gear Professional care and maintenance companies will inspect kit every time it goes for cleaning and should provide advice about when kit should be condemned as ‘unsafe to wear’, or when it makes more economic sense to replace it rather than repairing it. Fit is essential. When the London Fire Brigade replaced its firefighting kit in 2018, Deputy Commissioner Tom George acknowledged that they needed a kit that could support and protect crews in a range of incidents, be it whether fighting fires, freeing people trapped in crashed cars or complex rescues from collapsed buildings. Firefighting kit must also be retired if it has been contaminated by chemical, biological, radioactive or nuclear agents.   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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Geofire, Fire safety compliance and COVID-19

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As hospitals battle through the second major wave of the virus, concerns have been raised around the NHS’on-going maintenance backlog and the impact on safety and infrastructure. In January 2021, figures suggested that the total backlog was the equivalent of the annual running cost of the entire NHS estate, which was around £9.7bn in 2019/20 [1]. Despite the added pressure of COVID-19, hospitals and healthcare buildings must ensure that fire safety standards are not only compliant, but adapted to facilitate the added challenge of the ongoing pandemic. Emergency hospital evacuations are inherently more complicated when compared to other public buildings. Alike most aspects of modern life, the pandemic has made this process more difficult, with the requirements of social distancing and the prevention of infection a vital consideration. Mobility issues and the vulnerable nature of patients, combined with expensive and often life dependent equipment requires substantial assistance from staff in the event of a fire, slowing the procedure down and risking lives in the process. A fire evacuation in the accident and emergency unit at the Royal Stoke University Hospital in 2017 saw patients on higher levels waiting for lifts for up to an hour while the fire alarm sounded. As many of the patients were unable to walk, staff attempted to transport them on beds and mattresses, causing a grid lock in the hospital corridors and the subsequent delays [2] [3]. Furthermore as smoke from the fire spread throughout the building, patients had to be redirected to neighbouring hospitals as the A&E unit and surrounding wards were closed and ventilated. The limited capacity in hospitals across the UK today would make an incident like this catastrophic, with patients left with nowhere to go. COVID-19 has seen a change to day-to-day behaviours which may directly intensify the risk of a fire in a hospital. The increased use of ventilators was raised as a heightened fire risk by the NHS England estates team in March last year, with higher oxygen levels within wards allowing a potential fire to spread at a faster rate [4]. The need to reduce touch points and prevent contact with door handles has resulted in many high traffic fire doors being held open. Fire doors are essential to provide protection to a building and its occupants, preventing smoke and flames spreading from room to room in the event of a fire. Geofire, manufacturer of the Salamander fire door system said, “As an official supplier to one the largest hospital trusts in the UK, we want to stress to Fire Safety Officers across the country the importance of not letting fire safety standards slip. Our approved radio controlled, Salamander devices are battery operated and connect wirelessly to a mains powered controller unit, which is easily wired into existing fire alarm systems, ensuring that fire doors will safely close in the event of a fault or fire. The Salamander system has all the benefits of hard-wired electromagnetic door holders and closers, but as 1/2 the devices are wire-free, they are quick and easy to install, saving time, installation costs and require no disruption to a building’s fabric or its occupants”. Holding open a fire door with a non-compliant device not only threatens prosecution, fines and closures following failed inspections, but puts patients, staff, equipment and the  building at risk. Salamander offers the only wire-free system of radio controlled fire door holders and closers which complies with Category A of BS 7273-4.   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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Mandatory introduction of effective filtration and warning systems

Event News, News Desk /

The Global Cabin Air Quality Executive (GCAQE) has launched its ‘Clean Air Campaign’ calling on regulators and Governments globally, to mandate the introduction of effective ‘bleed air’ filters and contaminated air warning sensors on passenger aircraft. To support their campaign the GCAQE has released a brief educational film in over 40 languages. They have also released a short animated film explaining the basics of the air supply system on aircraft. The GCAQE campaign is supported by representatives of over 1 million aviation workers, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the European Cabin Crew Association (EurECCA). Both films are available at the GCAQE Clean Air Campaign page at: https://www.gcaqe.org/cleanair Over the last 20 years, there have been over 50 recommendations and findings made by 12 air accident departments globally, directly related to contaminated air exposures on passenger jet aircraft. However, commercial aircraft continue to fly, with no contaminated air warning systems to notify passengers and crews when the air they are breathing is contaminated. The design flaw relates to the way the breathing air supply on all passenger jet aircraft (except the Boeing 787) is supplied. The breathing air is provided to passengers and crews unfiltered directly from the compression section of the engines or from the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), a small engine in the tail of the aircraft. This is a process known as ‘bleed air’ because it is ‘bled’ from the hot compression section of the engine. The ‘bleed air’ is not filtered and is known to be contaminated with synthetic jet engine oils[1] and hydraulic fluids. The cans of the jet engine oils and hydraulic fluid products that are contaminating the breathing air supply and to which people have been exposed, clearly state: “Do not breathe mist or vapour from heated product”, “Risk of causing cancer”, “Risk of infertility”, “Risk of neurological effects” etc… The industry frequently states the air quality in a plane is better than in a house or office. Despite this statement, the industry filters the ‘bleed air’ used for the Fuel Tank Inerting System (FTIS). FTIS was introduced after the TWA 800 tragedy to prevent a fuel tank ignition. The FITS system works by providing a nitrogen rich environment in the fuel tank. The system also uses bleed air, but because of the presence of engine oil fumes in the ‘bleed air’ and their adverse effects on the system, this ‘bleed air’ is filtered. Why does the industry not also filter the ‘bleed air’ people are breathing? A short video explaining this key fact is on the campaign website page at: gcaqe.org/cleanair Both jet engine oils and hydraulic fluids contain organophosphates. These chemicals have been found in hundreds of swab samples carried out on the interior surfaces of aircraft and in many air monitoring studies. GCAQE Spokesperson Captain Tristan Loraine stated: “In the GCAQE’s view, despite knowing about this issue for decades, aviation regulators around the world such as the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have, on this specific problem, put the corporate interests of the aerospace industry ahead of flight safety and public health. They have failed to mandate the installation of effective contaminated air warning systems or ‘bleed air’ filtration systems. They have also failed to require airlines to inform crews or passengers about these exposures. Instead, they claim the air in aircraft is better than in your home and continue to call for more research. The sole result of calling for further research will be to delay having to take mitigating actions which are needed now, to finally resolve this public health and flight safety issue.” Flight safety has been often compromised due to crew being impaired or even totally incapacitated from exposure to contaminated air. Crews and passengers have suffered both short and long-term health effects as a consequence of these exposures.[2] Some crews have been ill health retired from these exposures. As documented by Howard et al (2017/2018), when addressing the aetiology of aerotoxic syndrome,[3] there is evidence that, in addition to the complex mixture of fugitive chemical emissions continually present in cabin air, there is also an aerosol of ultrafine particles (UFPs), bringing important health consequences of chronical exposure to an aerosol of UFPs.[4] From 15 to 18 March 2021, the GCAQE will host the ‘2021 Aircraft Cabin Air Conference’ (aircraftcabinair.com). This will be the largest conference ever held on these issues. It will take place over 4 days from 1500 to 2000 GMT daily and among the sponsors; there will be a number of companies displaying potential solutions and emerging technologies for aircraft operators. Technologies like new total cabin air filtration systems, warning sensors and catalytic converters. In addition to the ‘Clean Air Campaign’ and the ‘2021 Aircraft Cabin Air Conference’, the GCAQE has also recently created the first ever, global reporting system for contaminated air events, known as GCARS. The ‘Global Cabin Air Reporting System’, which anyone can use, is available at: https://gcars.app/ GCAQE Spokesperson Captain Tristan Loraine also stated: “The industry has achieved so many great things in the last 50 years. It has taken numerous steps to enhance flight safety but sadly on this issue, it has failed. The regulators say they need to know what chemicals are present during a contaminated air event before they can consider mandating new technologies to mitigate the problem. They knew over 20 years ago what chemicals were present, as they have data from the investigation into the total incapacitation of two pilots on a domestic Swedish flight known as the ‘Malmo’ incident. It is unbelievable that they continue to fail to fix this basic design flaw. ” Many crew unions and the GCAQE have been working with industry for over a decade to agree an acceptable air quality standard onboard aircraft. The ability to come to a consensus on this issue has recently been questioned following industry action to delay a proposed new CEN standard.   To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and

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Low-Cost Automated Drone-in-a-Box Solution

News Desk /

Ever since the realization of their disruptive potential, drones, especially the fully autonomous ones, are revolutionizing the way industrial operations are conducted. Though enterprises are adopting drones for industrial operations, complete automation remains far from reality. This situation is often ascribed to the lack of a low-cost and reliable solution that allows users to deploy and test drone technology without spending a fortune. It is commonly known that to achieve full autonomy in drone operations, there are three non-negotiable components. These are, a reliable drone hardware, a docking station to charge/swap batteries and an intelligent software application to automate the entire operations workflow. This automation includes, command & control of the drone fleet and the docking station, conducting remote operations, and collecting & processing the data for a given application. While the standard approach is to build and offer a complete vertically integrated system (consisting of a custom-built drone, docking station and the software stack), an alternative approach involves integration of these three components from three separate vendors. FlytBase has partnered with Heisha Tech to leverage the latter’s hardware expertise (along with off-the-shelf, low-cost, and reliable commercial grade drones) and bring to the market a turnkey solution at a fraction the cost of the existing drone-in-a-box solutions. This collaboration not only provides enterprises the freedom to validate the technology, but also achieve greater RoI, faster payback and ability to deploy these systems at scale. Compatible with off-the-shelf drones such as DJI, Parrot & PX4/Ardupilot drones, Heisha’s docking stations and FlytBase’s FlytNow software provide the flexibility that users need. FlytBase’s software offering, FlytNow, provides users the essential toolkit for automation of the complete workflow and enables easy integrations with various third-party applications, such as, VMS systems for incident response & UTMs for airspace awareness. The intuitive web dashboard, FlytNow Hub, allows users to remotely manage and control a fleet of drones, view ultra low latency, live HD video feed that can be easily shared, over the cloud, with remote stakeholders for faster decision making. Additionally, users can pre-schedule repeatable missions, integrate various payloads such as thermal cameras, loudspeakers, spotlights & beacons. The intelligent FlytNow Edge & Drone-in-a-Box modules provide the much-needed cloud & box connectivity allowing users to monitor their drone operations from anywhere in the world without the need to be on-site. Nitin Gupta, CEO of FlytBase, commented, “as a pioneer in cloud-based automated drone fleet management and operations systems, we have been working with enterprise customers on aerial security, delivery, public safety and remote monitoring applications. As our customers are beginning to scale their BVLOS deployments, our partnership with Heisha will help them get access to a low-cost and reliable DiaB (drone-in-a-box) solution that works seamlessly with FlytNow’s automated workflows.” With growing adoption of drones across commercial applications, automated BVLOS operations are gradually becoming mainstream. Low-cost, automated and reliable DiaB solutions are a key enabler for such deployments. FlytBase and Heisha are paving the way for rapid adoption of this technology. Ever since the realization of their disruptive potential, drones, especially the fully autonomous ones, are revolutionizing the way industrial operations are conducted. Though enterprises are adopting drones for industrial operations, complete automation remains far from reality. This situation is often ascribed to the lack of a low-cost and reliable solution that allows users to deploy and test drone technology without spending a fortune. It is commonly known that to achieve full autonomy in drone operations, there are three non-negotiable components. These are, a reliable drone hardware, a docking station to charge/swap batteries and an intelligent software application to automate the entire operations workflow. This automation includes, command & control of the drone fleet and the docking station, conducting remote operations, and collecting & processing the data for a given application. While the standard approach is to build and offer a complete vertically integrated system (consisting of a custom-built drone, docking station and the software stack), an alternative approach involves integration of these three components from three separate vendors. FlytBase has partnered with Heisha Tech to leverage the latter’s hardware expertise (along with off-the-shelf, low-cost, and reliable commercial grade drones) and bring to the market a turnkey solution at a fraction the cost of the existing drone-in-a-box solutions. This collaboration not only provides enterprises the freedom to validate the technology, but also achieve greater RoI, faster payback and ability to deploy these systems at scale. Compatible with off-the-shelf drones such as DJI, Parrot & PX4/Ardupilot drones, Heisha’s docking stations and FlytBase’s FlytNow software provide the flexibility that users need. FlytBase’s software offering, FlytNow, provides users the essential toolkit for automation of the complete workflow and enables easy integrations with various third-party applications, such as, VMS systems for incident response & UTMs for airspace awareness. The intuitive web dashboard, FlytNow Hub, allows users to remotely manage and control a fleet of drones, view ultra low latency, live HD video feed that can be easily shared, over the cloud, with remote stakeholders for faster decision making. Additionally, users can pre-schedule repeatable missions, integrate various payloads such as thermal cameras, loudspeakers, spotlights & beacons. The intelligent FlytNow Edge & Drone-in-a-Box modules provide the much-needed cloud & box connectivity allowing users to monitor their drone operations from anywhere in the world without the need to be on-site. Nitin Gupta, CEO of FlytBase, commented, “as a pioneer in cloud-based automated drone fleet management and operations systems, we have been working with enterprise customers on aerial security, delivery, public safety and remote monitoring applications. As our customers are beginning to scale their BVLOS deployments, our partnership with Heisha will help them get access to a low-cost and reliable DiaB (drone-in-a-box) solution that works seamlessly with FlytNow’s automated workflows.” With growing adoption of drones across commercial applications, automated BVLOS operations are gradually becoming mainstream. Low-cost, automated and reliable DiaB solutions are a key enabler for such deployments. FlytBase and Heisha are paving the way for rapid adoption of this technology.   To stay up to date on the latest, trends, innovations, people news and company

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Extending capabilities in public address, voice alarm

Exclusives /

Siemens Smart Infrastructure has launched a new compact version of its Cerberus PACE Modular system, further extending the range of applications in which the public address voice alarm (PA/VA) solution can be employed. Together, Cerberus PACE Modular and Compact offer a comprehensive PA/VA solution, which can be integrated with fire protection and danger management systems. This enables even greater customization to protect lives, assets and business continuity. “Thanks to the Cerberus PACE systems, the user can cover all public and voice alarm needs with a single solution. By sharing the same state of the art technology as the modular system, but addressing small and simple applications, the Cerberus PACE Compact enables extensive customization and is a cost-efficient solution for customers,” said Mario Kahlert, Head of Fire Safety at Siemens Smart Infrastructure. The range of potential applications covers any situation which requires high performing and reliable PA/VA, including offices, hotels, airports, commercial facilities and educational buildings. As with the Modular system, Cerberus PACE Compact incorporates multiple redundancy levels and is also suitable for step-by-step modernization of outdated systems. The system’s professional sound quality and low latency enable clear communication, both in emergency situations and for day-to-day announcements or music. Maximized performance for maximized safety PA/VA systems are crucial for addressing people in the event of an emergency, requiring clear communication to trigger and then manage a prompt evacuation. Cerberus PACE Compact is available in two versions: Compact 400 and Compact 1000. Wall mounted, despite its comparatively small size, Cerberus PACE Compact offers power of up to 2000 watts and an additional backup amplifier and pilot tone amplifier – the sort of performance that is conventionally only available from much larger, rack-mounted systems. Cerberus PACE systems are fully compliant with the EN 54-16 standard and local codes of practice in European countries. The systems can cover all redundancy, ensuring there is adequate back-up. To support the safety-first approach, both high performing and reliable systems stand for no single point of failure, thanks to distributed intelligence, where each network participant has a CPU (a chip that allows the device to be made independent). Ensured business continuity For convenient setup and management of all components, Cerberus PACE comes with dedicated configuration software and real-time engineering. The system can be configured live, while it is running, without causing any interruption to day-to-day activities. No shut down is necessary for maintenance or to change the configuration, with remote access ensuring business continuity, whatever the environment. This is a crucial consideration for many applications where 24/7 operation is required. Flexibility and compatibility The state-of-the-art modular and scalable system architecture ensures that Cerberus PACE can be customized for buildings of all types and requirements. Cerberus PACE Compact can be combined with the Modular system using the same network and configuration tools to offer a wider choice of ancillary products (for example, amplifiers or audio matrix), while also enabling cost optimization. In addition, both systems can be used for stepwise modernizations of older voice alarm systems (often using existing cabling), making it possible to futureproof the system to meet changing demands. Different connection options (loop, stub line, double stub lines, and even compatibility with star structures or T-taps) offer greater flexibility during the installation process. For further information on Cerberus PACE, please see www.siemens.com/cerberus-pace   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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FDIC International postponed

Event News /

FDIC International postpones its event until August 2021, however, it opens up virtual opportunities to the industry to help showcase innovation throughout the Coronavirus As a result of both the State of Indiana’s government direction, general public health advisories and many industry travel restrictions in response to the ongoing impact of the COVID 19 pandemic the upcoming FDIC International, scheduled to take place on April 19-24, 2021 at the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium will now take place August 19-24, 2021. “This was a difficult decision but the safety and wellbeing of our attendees, exhibitors, partners and staff remain the most important priority for us. We have put thoughtful consideration into our next steps, including open and honest discussions with our partners, exhibitors and the firefighter community. With the rollout of the new vaccines there is more confidence that it will be safer to come together in August.” said Eric Schlett, Senior Vice President, Clarion Fire & Rescue. FDIC International’s 2021 schedule will include: Hands-on Training (H.O.T.) Evolutions & Pre-Conference Workshops: Thursday, August 19 and Friday, August 20. Conference Classroom Sessions: Saturday, August 21 – Monday, August 23 Exhibition Halls and Outdoor Demonstration Areas: Sunday, August 22 – Tuesday, August 24. In response to rising demand from the fire community to continue to learn and source solutions for ongoing needs FDIC International has launched two year-round virtual platforms. FDIC Product Network a year round virtual product showcase & innovation hub. Dedicated to delivering innovative products and services and meaningful connections through live demos and categorised product listings. FDIC Product Network, beginning December 8th, was developed for the fire community based on industry demand to provide decision makers with a single year round resource for sourcing and building connections within the FDIC community virtually.   FDIC Product Network will use its entire cadre of marketing vehicles, coupled with exhibitor product content to provide buyers an interactive look at what’s new, next and innovative to fulfill their departments sourcing requirements. Access is complimentary for attendees and will include: Live monthly video product demos where you can view and interact with exhibitor’s products & services and ask real-time questions to presenters Access to on-demand video product demons following live events Easy-to-use searches and personalised recommendations based on user profiles and search behavior Exhibitor showrooms featuring information about the brand and latest products & services complete with a company chat feature to ask question or receive more information Personal calendars to request and accept one-on-one meeting requests with exhibitors “While the FDIC Product Network does not replace the experience of connecting face-to-face at our live events, it allows the FDIC community to still see each other and continue to connect to drive business forward year round in a safe, virtual environment.  We believe the platform will be a powerful sourcing and lead generation tool, providing critical connections between exhibitors and attendees that ultimately keep our communities safe,” says Eric Schlett, Senior Vice President, Clarion Events Inc., Fire & Rescue Group. While the FDIC Product Network will be open year-round, each month will feature two or three days of live events organised around a specific product category theme. The schedule kicks off on December 8 with SCBA & Breathing Air. Additional themes throughout 2021 will include: PPE, Apparatus &Specialty Vehicles, Apparatus Accessories & Components, Innovations, Wildland & Urban Interface, FDIC in Review, Education & Training Services and Systems, EMS, Stations, Training Buildings and Station Equipment & Supplies, Extraction, Special Ops & Rescue, Communications, Software, Accountability & Compliance Systems. “As we continue to navigate through not being able to see everyone face-to-face, we are excited for this new opportunity to launch a platform that can change how our industry does business moving forward,” Schlett continued, “our team is committed to continuing to provide solutions that bring the industry together.” In addition, The Fire Academy is an all new interactive training platform, allowing firefighters and industry professionals to expand their knowledge and learn from top instructors year-round.  Access includes 250+ on-demand courses in additional to 50 NEW courses releases throughout the year. The Fire Academy will launch on January 14, 2021, learn more at www.fdic.com/the-fire-academy. The FDIC International team will continue to be in touch with all exhibitors, sponsors and attendees to answer any questions. There will be further communication to these groups over the coming days and weeks as we aim to facilitate a smooth transition and prepare for the next edition of FDIC International, August 19-24,2021 at the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Additional information and frequently asked questions can be found on the FDIC website. Despite the postponement of such an anticipated event, International Fire Buyer are excited to not only hopefully attend the event in August, and catch up with the industry face-to-face, but also publicise and attend the virtual events. In a time where innovation is still needed in the industry, aside from the difficulties, it is virtual events which can keep us all together, keep us informed and continue to keep innovation at the forefront of the industry.

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Firexpo East Africa

News Desk /

Welcome to East Africa’s exhibition for fire professionals. Bringing together fire and safety consultants, managers, buyers suppliers, manufacturers and distributors from across East Africa under one roof. Dedicated to showcasing products & solutions for fire and safety, over three exciting days, we’ll welcome more than 3,000 attendees from over 35 countries as the largest dedicated industry event in the region. Co-located alongside Securexpo East Africa, the largest security-focused trade show and K-OSH, the regional health & safety expo, join over 150 leading brands on display to demonstrate first-hand the value of your solutions to an audience of engaged security buyers from sectors that include tourism, hospitality, finance, oil & gas, manufacturing and Government institutions. Taking place in October 2021, take advantage of this brand exposure as we celebrate our fifth edition in East Africa’s economic epicentre, Nairobi.

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Firexpo West Africa

News Desk /

Firexpo West Africa is Nigeria’s only dedicated fire and safety exhibition and conference. Its focus is to support West Africa’s fire and safety professionals to obtain the highest standard of fire safety management. With world leading brands demonstrating their products to senior buyers and government representative from the region it’s certainly one not to be missed. The exhibition is collocated with Securex West Africa, which is the largest security, fire and safety exhibition in West Africa. Firexpo focuses on the fire and safety sectors including fire protection systems, fire fighting equipment, passive fire protection and fire safety. Manufacturers and service providers from the regional and international market will come together over the three days of the exhibition to demonstrate their cutting edge technology. Together they will provide visitors with the complete set of tools and services to manage and protect their companies and buildings from the risk of fire, whether they manage commercial or residential buildings, large infrastructure sites, government buildings or work in the oil and gas sector. With the time out since the last event due to the pandemic two new sectors have been added to the overall exhibition offering so that it now includes Smart Cities and Facilities Management as co-located events within the overall brand which we feel support and bolster what Securex an Firexpo can provide its exhibitors and visitors alike by appealing to a broader array of security professionals.  Firexpo West Africa takes place in the commercial capital of Nigeria and indeed West Africa, at the purpose built exhibition venue, the Landmark Centre, on Victoria Island from the 10th – 12th May 2022. The exhibition will attract more than 3,000 visitors and over 150 brands from a cross section of the industry with numerous countries represented.  Running alongside the exhibition will be a number of high-level conference sessions that will focus on the sectors that are most pertinent to the fire protection and management audience. These will include technical classes, presentations and interactive panel discussions hosted by industry leading minds from across the region as well as international names. The conference is curated in close collaboration with leading industry associations, commercial partners and Ministries to ensure it targets the subject matters most relevant to the region. With sister events in East and South Africa, Firexpo West Africa is part of a bigger brand and guarantees to deliver an international trade platform for its visitors and exhibitors.

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