Of the 232 fires so far (at time of writing) in Dubai this year, which have caused the death of four people, cigarette butts and faulty electrical outlets have been the main causes, according to officials. Statistics also state that 66 people have been injured solely from inhalation of smoke, while of the 232 fires this year in Dubai, 215 were classified as minor, nine were deemed moderate, and eight were classed as serious. One of the reasons why the number of casualties is so low is that whenever fires have broken out in towers, the alarm systems have worked immediately, which has massively helped in regards to residents being evacuated. Currently, fire officials are trying to devise a plan which will prevent fires occurrent in villas, which include nanotechnology and adding safety systems. The Dubai Civil Defence statistics showed that most of these fires took place in the Al Karama area this year, and that the average response time to fires from officials was nine minutes.

World-leading independent fire detection manufacturer, Apollo Fire Detectors, is pleased to announce the appointment of Charles Lombard as its new Managing Director with regional responsibility for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). With a career working in many European countries, Charles has led global businesses of increasing size and complexity based in Italy, Australia, Denmark and France. Charles was Vice President of a group of businesses in his last position with ITW. Born and raised in France, Charles holds a degree from the Grenoble School of Business, and a Master’s degree in Social Sciences from the University of Birmingham. He is fluent in French, English and Italian. Speaking about his new role, Charles, says: “I am looking forward to joining the Apollo team and to working for a truly global company and leader in its field. “Apollo can look back on a rich heritage and tradition, and I am planning to work with the team to continue building on these foundations and develop the next generations of innovative fire detection technology.” Charles’ appointment is effective from 21st August 2017.

The latest fire statistics from the Home Office reveal 261 people died and there were more than 10,000 non-fatal casualties from fire incidents across England from April 2016 to March 2017. As part of the nationwide Fire Door Safety Week campaign, a special event has been organised at West Midlands Fire headquarters in Birmingham on Thursday 28th September, offering fire safety advice to architects, building managers and specifiers. Organised by ASSA ABLOY UK, the global leader in door opening solutions, attendees will be offered practical advice, support and recommendations on how to save lives by delivering assured fire safety at all times. Fire Door Safety Week, arranged by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), raises awareness about how third-party certificated fire doors prevent life changing injuries. It also focuses on the legal responsibilities of building professionals when it comes to fire door safety. ASSA ABLOY UK hopes this informative event can give BWF a bigger platform for such a vital message. Now in its fifth year, 2017’s campaign will highlight the critical role of fire doors in high rise buildings, houses of multiple occupancy and other types of shared accommodation. Simon Gibbs, Door Closer Technical Manager at ASSA ABLOY UK, said: “Fire Door Safety Week has been utterly crucial in emphasising how important fire doors are, and how they save lives. “Though three million fire doors are installed every year in the UK, incorrect specification, poor installation and a lack of maintenance is still common. We hope that by raising awareness among professionals involved in building design and safety, we can make this a thing of the past. “We would like to thank the BWF for its tireless work over the years combatting unsafe fire doors. We’re also extremely grateful to West Midlands Fire Service for getting involved to draw attention to just how important fire door safety is.” Beginning at 9am, the half-day event will conclude at approximately 1pm, with light refreshments available for attendees. To register your interest and reserve a place at the event, please visit marketing.assaabloy.co.uk/fdsw-event For more information on ASSA ABLOY UK, please visit www.assaabloy.co.uk.

A new life safety system based around Kentec’s market leading control panel technology is protecting a major Barclays Bank installation in Johannesburg, South Africa. The new fire safety system, supplied and installed by SFP Security & Fire (Pty) Ltd., in an L1 system configuration includes a new network of four Kentec Syncro AS analogue addressable fire control panels. The open protocol system has Apollo analogue Series 65 devices and call points installed. In areas such as Server/Data Rooms, MV and LV rooms, Generator and Diesel Tank rooms, existing extinguishant protection has been extended with the addition of five Sigma XT+ Extinguishing Control Panels to the existing network of fifteen Sigma XT Panels. The extinguishing control panels are being monitored by the four Kentec Syncro AS analogue addressable fire control panels through multiple three channel interface units, which form part of the addressable building detection loops. Kentec’s Sigma XT Extinguishing Control Panel range is designed to comply with the requirements of EN12094-1, EN54-2 & EN54-4. It features 3 detection zones as standard, where any zone or any combination of zones can be configured to release the extinguishant gas and allows delay in first stage sounder and detection to be configured, with an instant release facility by using the manual release option. The Kentec Sigma XT is compatible with Intrinsically Safe barriers, which makes it ideal for use in hazardous areas. Kentec, leaders in extinguishant technology since 1985, were the first company to introduce an EN12094-1:2003 compliant extinguishing panel and were able to apply the CE mark showing compliance with the Construction Products Directive to any type of fire control panel.

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) company, has delivered 18 Pierce fire and emergency apparatus to Lancaster County Fire Rescue Service located in Lancaster County, SC. The purchase includes 10 Pierce® Saber® custom pumpers, two Pierce Saber pumper/tankers, five Pierce rescues, and one Pierce dry side tanker. This is the second time Lancaster County has taken delivery of 18 Pierce apparatus. “Lancaster County’s network of volunteer fire departments are trained to the highest standards, and we’re proud to supply these motivated and top-notch first responders with the apparatus to allow them to perform at the highest level,” said Matt McLeish, senior vice president of sales and marketing of the Fire & Emergency segment and Pierce Manufacturing. “To be chosen for this second major round of purchases is an honor, and demonstrates our ability to meet the wide ranging needs of this very large and diverse county.” The 10 Pierce Saber custom pumpers each feature a 400 hp engine, a 22-inch extended front bumper, a 1500-gpm single-stage pump, and lowered crosslays. The pumpers are equipped with the Pierce Husky™ foam and Hercules™ compressed air foam systems (CAFS). “Compressed air foam has proven to be a very effective firefighting tool,” explained Player. “Our experience is that the fire goes out faster, overhaul is easier, and rekindles are almost nonexistent.” The two Pierce Saber pumper/tankers feature a 450 hp engine, a 1700-gallon water tank, and carry 1100 feet of 5-inch hose and 400-feet of 3-inch hose. The pumper/tankers are also equipped with the Pierce Husky foam system. Other vehicles delivered include five Pierce 16-foot non-walk-in rescue apparatus with full-depth compartments, slide-out toolboards, adjustable shelves, and air bottle storage in the fenders. The eighteenth vehicle delivered is a Pierce dry side tanker with seating for two firefighters, a 2,000-gallon water tank capacity, and a 500-gpm single stage pump.

Dubai based hotel apartment Al Bustan Centre and Residence have taken the decision to deploy Pragma Risk International for an audit of the hotel’s safety programmes. Recently, the Torch Tower in Dubai caught ablaze for the second time in two years, raising fire and safety concerns across the city for residential tower blocks and hotels. Conducted under the property’s ‘Stay Safe’ programme specifically devised to address safety and risk issues within the property, a four-day session was put on in order to highlight and communicate the vitality of prioritising safety and risk control amongst the employees. Pragma Risk International conducted the sessions and then reviewed both the safety and risk practices implemented by each department, before taking their findings to senior management. The audit is designed to provide the Al Bustan Centre and Residence with a full 360-degree of the current safety management system in the future, which will cover security, fire safety, food safety, health and safety, leisure safety and crisis and business continuity management.