Keld Valentin, Global Sales Manager, Fire at Viking Protective Clothing, explains how growing awareness of the cancer risks for fire-fighters is driving the PPE market Tell us a bit about Viking
 Viking is a family-owned company, founded in 1960. We originally come from the marine safety industry – life rafts, evacuation equipment and so on, but in the early 1980s we took over a smaller manufacturer that had worked with us in the past and stepped straight into the PPE business with fire suits and everything that makes Viking what they are today. Today we employ over 2000 people with an annual turnover of over 230 million Euros. We operate on a global scale, with over 70 branch offices around the world. Our fire suits are made in Europe and at our own factory in Thailand. The European market is served from our European factories. At Interschutz, you launched your new Guardian range. Tell us a bit more about that. Originally it was a development project initiated by the Gothenburg Fire Department in Sweden, which is one of the most innovative Departments in Europe. They had a need for new suits, but instead of going out in a traditional tender and stating their requirements, they invited manufacturers to help them develop a brand new type of suit. What they required was a suit where the fire-fighter, without any assistance, would be able to take off the outer shell and thereby reduce the immediate exposure to carcinogens and harmfull particles, put the outer shell into a dissolvable washing bag and deliver it directly into the washing machine at the station, thereby also reducing the contamination of his vehicle, the station and the people preparing his laundry. That was the concept. There has been a lot of discussion around the risks to fire-fighters of carcinogen-based cancers. The fire-fighters themselves have, of course, been following these discussions and have felt the need to take a stand and say ‘there are probably going to be many more discussions before final conclusions are made and new regulations implemented. We need to do something right now that is logical and achievable without compromising protection.’ The logical thing to do is to remove the contamination as early as possible and stop people being unnecessarily exposed to potentially harmful substances. How serious are the health risks from carcinogens to fire-fighters? It’s a global concern at the moment; there have been numerous studies into it, both in Europe and, especially, in the US. The international agency for cancer research has classified the fire-fighting profession as being at possible risk from carcinogens, but it is expected that will change to a probable risk. Everybody is aware that there is an escalating situation, and all the investigations to date have compared fire-fighters to the average population, not taking into account that fire-fighters are probably a lot fitter than the average population – something they feel they don’t get enough credit for. Also, the whole work environment for fire-fighters has changed in recent years. As an old fire-fighter once told me, 50 years ago the smoke wasn’t as dangerous as it is now because all that was being emitted in the smoke originated from wood and cotton materials. In a modern home, there are almost no natural materials any more. Are there certain types of fire that the Guardian suit is best designed for? Our suits are all designed to meet or exceed all the requirements for structural fire-fighting gear according to either the European EN469 or the American NFPA standards. Do the different standards prove a hindrance to the development of the suits? Do you think there needs to be more standardisation of the standards? There are two standards we have to adhere to, of course. In Europe we adhere to the EN:469 standard, and in the US they have the NFPA standard. We have to offer two completely different suits – the requirements are completely different between EN and NFPA. We know that there is some work into making an all-encompassing ISO standard. This has been talked about for a long time, but the trouble is that there is a lot of different tradition and needs for fire-fighters around the world. There are positives and negatives in each aspect. American suits require higher thermal protection and thus have a higher weight than European ones, but their suits are tested against a lot more things than in Europe. Moisture barriers, for example, are tested in the States for their resistance to viruses and blood-borne pathogens, which isn’t done in Europe. In the US they also have NFPA 1851, which mandates a fire-fighter to hand in their suit once a year for washing and a advanced inspection. In Europe, there is no requirement for periodical inspection or, indeed, washing: You can do what you like. Do you think that’s something that should be adopted in European standards? In America, they have a different view on the ageing process of the components of a suit. After ten years, a fire suit has to be condemned because the components it is built out of are not the same as they were when they were new. They have been used in a range of conditions for such a long time that there is no way of knowing what you are wearing unless you test it. The whole discussion about carcinogens and the risk of cancer has created more awareness amongst fire-fighters; however, before anything happens because of it you have to implement a change of attitude in terms of how you handle a suit, how you maintain and repair it. We are seeing that a lot of the organisations and Fire Departments concerned about occupational safety are very interested in these new concepts, as it offers a tangible solution and a best practice. Once you create best practices, the fastest way to implement them is through regulations. Would you say that the emphasis on suit care should be on the fire-fighters themselves? No, they

The detectors, call points and notification devices all share the same zone wiring  Power management company Eaton today announced the launch of its new BiWire Ultra fire alarm system, which is designed for fast and efficient installation. Unlike standard conventional systems, the detectors, call points and notification devices all share the same zone wiring, reducing cabling requirements by up to 50%. Simple to operate and quick to install, it’s ideally suited to small hotels, offices, primary schools, restaurants and retail stores as a means of protecting people, property and business continuity. Peter Regan, product marketing manager at Eaton, said: “Our new BiWire Ultra system has been designed with simplicity in mind. It is quick and easy to install, reducing cabling costs and the time spent programming and operating the system.” BiWire Ultra comprises a central panel alongside fully compatible detectors, sounders and EN54-23 approved beacons, all of which are designed to identify fire hazards and notify occupants as quickly as possible in order to ensure safe and controlled evacuations. The range is the latest addition to Eaton’s comprehensive suite of life safety solutions, which aim to help building owners and managers meet their safety obligations in the most effective and efficient manner. Available in two-, four- or eight-zone variants, the system can support up to 52 devices per zone, wiring faults are easily spotted and indicated by flashing the detector LED nearest the fault. Supplied with a back-up battery to ensure the correct ratings and to reduce complexity, the central panel has an attractive appearance and a simple user interface. Conforming to the requirements of BS5839-1, commissioning and maintenance is straightforward, making it easy for one person to carry out testing and ensure the healthy state of the system, as required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order of 2005. Additional functionality of the system includes a class change facility for schools which automates the class change bell via the fire alarm, expansion card support for fire alarm routing equipment (FRE) and fire protection equipment (FPE) and an Interlink relay for connecting two panels together. Peter Regan added: “The BiWire Ultra range is the first of its type to offer EN54-23 approved beacons, so whatever the risk assessment, premises fitted with a BiWire Ultra system comply with the latest standards for fire notification. However, the legal and moral obligations of fire safety are not only concerned with installation but also ongoing maintenance and testing, and the BiWire Ultra has been developed with the objective of making that process straightforward. With all of this in mind, we believe this range will appeal to a diverse cross-section of small and medium-sized premises where owners need protection without problems.” Augmenting the range are a number of complementary devices including call points, a five-in-one fire detector plus a range of EN54-23 approved sounder beacons and sounder beacon bases. For more details on fire systems from Eaton visit, e-mail www.cooperfire.com , e-mail techsupport@cooperfire.com or call +44 (0)1302 303200.

More than 70 firefighters tackle blaze  A fire has broken out at an industrial unit in north London. The fire at the East Duck Lees Lane in Enfield started at about 10:10 BST and is currently being tackled by more than 70 firefighters, London Fire Brigade (LFB) said. Thick black smoke can be seen from locations including Canary Wharf, 20 miles (32km) away. The cause of the fire is not yet known, but LFB have advised residents to "close their doors and windows".

Visual Smoke and Flame Detection System FireVu has announced that its Visual Smoke and Flame Detection System has obtained FM Approval, an internationally recognised testing standard. This latest achievement follows more than 10 years of success for FireVu, an award-winning solution which provides early fire detection for high-value assets and is used on more than 200 sites worldwide across various industries. FM Approval is issued by FM Global, a worldwide company which provides comprehensive global commercial and industrial property insurance. As a globally respected testing standard for certifying products that prevent property loss in industrial or commercial applications, FM Approval is stipulated by many international companies in their invitations to tender. FireVu’s attainment of this approval means that these applications will benefit from its diversity and sophistication. FM Approval, also recognised in Europe, ensures that products comply with its highest standards. Following extensive scientific research and examination at the FM test facility, FireVu’s solution was found to conform to the performance requirements of the Approval Standard for Video Image Fire Detectors for Automatic Fire Alarm Signalling. FireVu’s proven Video Smoke Detection technology detects, identifies and analyses smoke and flame at the start of a fire. It is used successfully across sectors such as power generation, manufacturing industries, tunnels and aircraft hangars, where time is of the essence when responding to fire. Pauline Norstrom, chief operating officer for FireVu, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for FireVu and reflects the hard work of our team in ensuring that our products meet the highest international standards. “Our goal at FireVu is to continue to bring our innovative fire detection solutions to market across a range of sectors. Having FM Approval can only help us achieve this.” Amongst FireVu’s latest innovations is the Multi Detector, which combines smoke, flame and thermal sensing in a single unique solution.

Lighter and more ergonomic than ever  Lighter and more ergonomic than ever, without any concessions on performance: Holmatro introduces the first two models of its new 5000 series cutters. The most important factors in the development of these cutters were weight reduction and improved ergonomics, while maintaining an optimal cutting performance on modern cars. This has been achieved through a combination of new materials, component integration and innovative design. Being much lighter than the previous generation, the new 5000 series cutters significantly reduce the physical burden on the operator. This burden is even further reduced by one special model, the Inclined Cutter. Both models are also available with Greenline battery technology for increased freedom of movement. Inclined Cutter CU 5050 i Designed for more ergonomic cutting high and low on the car, this cutter with its inclined jaw eliminates the need to lift the tool high up for a roof cut or to bend over deeply to cut the rocker panel. Working with the Inclined Cutter also means there’s more space for the tool to move towards the car when you cut a pillar from the side. And with the carrying handle going all-around, you can always use this cutter in its most favorable position, at all sides of the vehicle. The CU 5050 i too has been tested extensively on the latest prototypes. Optimal performance on modern cars The models currently introduced (CU 5050 and CU 5050 i) are New Car Technology cutters, offering an optimal cutting performance on modern vehicles. Contributing features are: • New Car Technology (NCT) blades. These U-shaped blades can surround wide pillars and automatically pull the material into the cutting recess, close to the central bolt, where it is cut at the strongest point of the tool. • Optimized cutting edge. We’ve further optimized the cutting edge of our NCT blades for a longer blade life and the best possible performance on modern cars. • The i-Bolt. This flat central bolt construction squeezes the blades together directly (no blade holder in between!) and more tightly. This results in a better cutting performance. It also gives you the advantage of better access into narrow spaces. Other features & benefits: • Ergonomic carrying handle increasing operator comfort in various working positions • Six LED lights with a high light output integrated in the carrying handle • Patented CORE Technology combining oil feed and return in one hose to make rescue operations safer, quicker and easier • On battery powered models: Greenline battery technology combining a long battery life with high capacity for maximum operational use More information on holmatro.com/en/cutters

BS 7273-4:2015 Code of Practice for the operation of fire protection measures BSI, the business standards company has revised BS 7273-4:2015 Code of Practice for the operation of fire protection measures – Part 4: Actuation of release mechanisms for doors. It was developed using collaborative input from the fire and safety industry with such organizations as The Fire Industry Association (FIA), Fire Protection Association and National Landlords Association offering guidance. Fire doors are typically designed to be kept closed at all times so that fire and heat are contained and their spread minimized. This is achieved through use of well-engineered fire doors. However, on occasion they may be held open to facilitate convenience and/or accessibility around a building and in this situation mechanisms to hold them open, should follow BS 7273-4. This standard relates to the engineering of fire alarm systems and in particular mechanisms to interface with fire doors and secured fire exits. It addresses safety critical arrangements that enforcing authorities rely on to ensure a building can be evacuated safely – where fire doors are held open or exits secured which need to be released by the fire alarm system. It is vital that there is a common approach to fire alarm design with regard to these interfaces. Especially as there is a responsibility for key stakeholders to meet relevant fire safety legislation. Previously, a device local to the doors effectively switched the doors to fail safe mode and released electrically secured fire exits and closed fire doors held open on magnetic door retainers. However, this is not always the case and a truly fail safe mode is not achieved. Therefore in some circumstances fire doors fail to satisfy enforcers that recommendations of BS 7273-4 are being met. As such BS 7273-4:2015 will help to clarify the expectations of users and match it to the technology available to the fire alarm industry. Anthony Burd, Head of the Construction Sector at BSI said: “Until the development of BS 7273-4 in 2007, there was no code of practice with recommendations governing the interface of fire doors and the fire detection /fire alarm system, although there was guidance for the devices themselves. Imagine not having the security of knowing that a fire was contained because the doors had not gone into fail safe mode. Crucially, this revision gives fire safety enforcers the criteria for fail safe operation, and the standard goes even further by defining three different categories of actuation – ‘Critical, ‘Standard, and ‘Indirect’, each of which has a set of criteria for fail safe operation under defined conditions.” Key changes to BS 7273-4: • Text has been shortened and simplified to make the standard more straightforward to use. Some of the commentary has been moved to new informative annexes and some of the previous text has been tabulated • The diagrams relating to the location of smoke detectors in relation to electrically held-open fire doors have been revised. This is intended to make the recommendations clearer and to remove possible confusion where a single diagram has been used to convey several principles applying to detector siting and spacing • There have been changes in terminology to assist users of the standard. The designations, A, B and C for categories of actuation are now referred to as ‘Critical’, ‘Standard’ and ‘Indirect’ • The guidance in BS 7273-4:2007, Annex A of the previous standard is now normative and, therefore, the standard includes recommendations (in tables in Annex B of this version) as to which category of actuation is appropriate for a particular application BS 7273-4:2015 is of interest to fire alarm manufacturers and installers, enforcing authorities including building control bodies and fire and rescue authorities, fire consultants fire risk assessors. Some of the others organizations involved in the development of BS 7273 include : British Cables Association , Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, Chief Fire Officers Association , Electrical Contractors’ Association, Fire Safety Association, Institute of Fire Prevention Officers, Loss Prevention Certification Board, National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation, National Security Inspectorate, Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

For its “Wi-Fyre” wireless detectors and sounders Saft, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of advanced technology batteries for industry, is supplying primary lithium batteries to Eurofyre, a UK specialist manufacturer of fire detection and alarm equipment. The Saft lithium-thionyl chloride (Li-SOCl2) batteries will provide up to three years of reliable autonomous power for the company’s ‘Wi-Fyre’ range of wireless detectors and sounders. The project with Eurofyre is an important development in Saft’s strategy to establish a major presence in the fast growing global wireless sensor network market. Eurofyre’s Wi-Fyre range enables wireless devices to co-exist seamlessly with hard-wired fire alarm systems, regardless of the type, age or technology of the existing system, creating a hybrid system topology. This enables inaccessible or difficult to cable areas to be protected with minimal disruption and quick installation. The products comply with European Standard EN-54 part 25. The hybrid wireless and hard-wired approach is especially useful for companies that are refurbishing or expanding their premises, and in architecturally significant or sensitive buildings that need to be treated sympathetically. Batteries are a critical component of the technology. After a thorough technical review, Eurofyre chose Saft as its sole supplier of primary lithium batteries, because of their long life and high reliability combined with Saft’s high quality service. "We are especially pleased to have been chosen by Eurofyre for its innovative wireless fire detection and alarm systems," said Thomas Alcide, General Manager of Saft’s Specialty Battery Group. "We see these kinds of applications for wireless sensor networks as a growth area, with huge potential." Technical specifications Saft is supplying Eurofyre with LS14500 (AA format) and LS26500 (C format) Li-SOCl2 primary lithium batteries. They are designed specifically for long-term (3- to 20-year) applications, optimized for base currents of a few µA with periodic pulses in the 5–150 mA range. Saft primary lithium batteries feature a high operating voltage, stable over the specified application lifetime, along with the some of the highest nominal capacities on the market. They offer an operating temperature range of -60°C to +85°C, and provide exceptional shelf and standby life thanks to a low self discharge rate of less than one per cent per year (at +20°C). They also provide excellent resistance to humid environments, and a low magnetic signature.   About Saft Saft (Euronext: Saft) is a world leading designer and manufacturer of advanced technology batteries for industry. The Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of nickel batteries and primary lithium batteries for the industrial infrastructure and processes, transportation, civil and military electronics’ markets. Saft is the world leader in space and defence batteries with its Li-ion technologies which are also deployed in the energy storage, transportation and telecommunication network markets. More than 4000 employees in 18 countries, 14 manufacturing sites and an extensive sales network all contribute to accelerating the Group’s growth for the future. Saft batteries. Designed for industry. www.saftbatteries.com

At The Emergency Services Show Increasing the dialogue and co-operation between the emergency services and the voluntary sector will be a key focus of The Emergency Services Show which takes place at the NEC in Birmingham from 23 to 24 September 2015. Free to attend, The Emergency Services Show features a dedicated Emergency Response Zone where key organisations and charities from across the voluntary sector can showcase their expertise and support services at no cost. Bay Search and Rescue, British Red Cross, Maritime Volunteer Service, Mountain Rescue England & Wales, National Association of Community First Responders, National Search and Rescue Dog Association, Royal Life Saving Society, Royal National Lifeboat Institute and The Salvation Army are among the many names who will be exhibiting there this year. Visitors are urged to engage with exhibiting organisations to gain a deeper understanding of the capabilities of the voluntary sector and the breadth of work it undertakes. Many will be surprised to discover free support services, training opportunities and the potential for joint operations. Among the organisations with rescue capabilities is the RSPCA. HQ superintendent Timothy Minty, says: “Generally people are not aware we have capabilities in rope, boat and water rescue.” Another is urban search and rescue team, Search And Rescue Assistance in Disasters (SARAID). The NGO, which offers its services at no charge, is keen to meet with UK-based resilience organisations, emergency services and flood rescue teams. Meanwhile on the Leicestershire & Rutland 4 x 4 Response stand visitors can find out more about this group of volunteers who utilise their own vehicles and equipment to provide assistance to the emergency services and community in times of severe weather or disaster. Also exhibiting in the Emergency Response Zone are The Radio Amateurs’ Emergency Network (RAYNET) and UK Civil Air Patrol. Established for over 60 years, RAYNET provides voluntary emergency communications using amateur radio and PBR, and does not charge for its services. UK Civil Air Patrol encourages volunteers with the right qualifications to fly light aircraft, including helicopters and autogyros, to support the blue light emergency services and local government civil contingencies with affordable air observation and air to ground photography. Chairman Tony Cowan MBE explains: “The use of a light spotting aircraft is particularly useful when the emergency involves an industrial or chemical accident, wildfires and serious flooding.” St John’s Ambulance also hopes to raise awareness of this aspect of its work. Peter Huckle, national events and emergency operations manager, says: “Many are aware of the first aid our volunteers provide in their communities and at events, like football matches, marathons and music festivals, but they don’t always know about the work we do in schools training hundreds of thousands of young people or our campaigning work or the free direct education we provide.” In the light of austerity cuts it is not surprising that the voluntary sector is emerging as a key partner. David Brown, event director, The Emergency Services Show, explains why: “The emergency response voluntary sector has a substantial resource of trained and skilled people, vehicles, equipment and premises that provide practical and emotional support before, during and after an emergency. This allows the emergency services to concentrate on the immediate needs of a crisis, freeing up vital resource.” The Voluntary Sector Civil Protection Forum (VSCP) confirms that the voluntary sector employs over 15,000 and has around 260,000 volunteers it can call upon in the event of an emergency. It operates more than 2,000 vehicles including ambulances, 4x4s, lifeboats and aircraft. To register for free entry visit www.emergencyuk.com The NEC is physically linked to Birmingham International Station and Birmingham Airport and is directly accessible from the UK motorway network. Parking for visitors and exhibitors is free of charge.

The new Soteria range delivers a step change improvement in fire detection and notification technology Following the successful introduction last year, Apollo Fire Detectors has unveiled the new addressable detectors which form the initial line-up in the SOTERIA™ detection range, the next generation in fire recognition technology which is designed to improve detection, reduce false alarms and deliver improved reliability. SOTERIA is the start of an on-going technology innovation which will see the product range evolve over the next 2 years. Comprising a range which covers all detection areas such as heat, optical and CO individually or in innovative combinations, the exclusive technology incorporated into the range has been shown to reduce the incidence of false alarms whilst ensuring ease of installation and will reduce the risk of the wrong detector being installed. The range which has been extensively tested at the state of the art in-house testing facilities at Apollo, meets and indeed exceeds EN54 standards and has been developed using the most sophisticated manufacturing equipment to ensure consistent high quality products and fast response to customer requirements. The unique technology behind SOTERIA, known as PureLight incorporates both enhancements to the smoke entry process and the new design of the Cone sensing chamber, which together has been proven to lower the possibilities of false alarms and enhance the reliability of smoke detection. The ‘serpentine’ designed smoke entry path provides a wide degree of separation of smoke and dust, and enables smoke to pass to the cone chamber but acts as a barrier to dust and insect ingress. This is supported by the innovative Cone technology which allows light from the LED to be entirely absorbed reducing reflections in the chamber. Launching alongside SOTERIA is Apollo’s enhanced protocol aptly named CoreProtocol™, the next generation in fire loop communication from Apollo giving greater control and more loop power. The new protocol builds on the established capabilities of XP95 and Discovery; with forward and backwards compatibility and the ability to manage a significantly increased number of devices. Charles Smith, Head of Product Management, commented: “The new Soteria range delivers a step change improvement in fire detection and notification technology. Core advances will be achieved in detection capability, reliability and false alarm rejection. These developments will be underpinned by CoreProtocol, building on the established XP95 and Discovery technology.” This initial launch will include three key products namely an Optical Smoke detector, Heat detector and Multi (Optical/Heat) detector. Later this year, the range will be extended to include three further detectors encompassing CO/heat, Tri Sensor and an Optical 4. For more information on the new SOTERIA range of detectors visit www.apollo-fire.co.uk/soteria. Follow @apollofireEMEA for up-to-date information.  

Magirus Camiva has just opened its new site in Chambéry. With a surface of 12,200 sqm Magirus Camiva has just opened its new site in Chambéry. With a surface of 12,200 sqm, 4,465 of which are covered, Magirus Camiva’s new site is becoming the brand’s new centre of excellence in France. It will focus on turntable ladders but also on fire engines, forest fire vehicles, and special vehicles. Designed to equip over a hundred vehicles per year, the Chambéry site uses standardised methods to produce customised vehicles. It includes a maintenance facility for aerials and fire fighting vehicles, a customisation workshop to apply finishing to new vehicles, a tank pumper and fire hose testing station, a testing station featuring an 11-metre pit, a spare part and accessory department and an after-sales department for the global market, a showroom and a dedicated delivery area in which clients will receive their new Magirus Camiva vehicles, as well as offices for the company’s commercial and administrative services. Long-standing knowhow The forty-one employees working on the premises have acquired proven, recognised knowhow over the years. As fire fighting vehicle specialists, they equip and customise each vehicle according to its specifications. Indeed, Magirus Camiva has been established in the Chambéry area for over 60 years. Over 10,000 vehicles have been produced in Saint-Alban-Leysse’s workshops since they began operating. Thanks to Chambéry’s excellence centre, fire fighting departments will continue to benefit from the best possible services. A successful relocation The successful migration from Saint-Alban-Leysse to Chambéry took two years of intensive activity. As for Magirus Camiva’s new site, 41 of its employees are now based in its Excellence Centre. With the creation of the new center, the company will aspire to capture a leading in the market. Magirus Camiva in Chambéry Magirus Camiva customises all fire fighting vehicle equipment produced in Magirus’ plant in Ulm, Germany, and Brescia, Italy. Regardless of where the chassis was produced, Magirus Camiva equips vehicles weighing between 3.5 and 40 tons and above. Building on the combined experience of Magirus and Camiva, the new Chambéry-based Excellence Centre will provide Magirus Camiva’s customers with exclusive, customised vehicles produced in compliance with their highly specific technical recommendations. The 41 employees who now work for Magirus Camiva will strive to satisfy their demanding customers on this new site, showcasing Magirus Camiva’s knowhow in France. Magirus Camiva Magirus Camiva is part of the Magirus group, which is itself part of CNH Industrial N.V., a global capital goods leader listed in the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CNHI) and the Milan Mercato Telematico Azionario (MI: CNHI). About Magirus Passion and precision, high-tech and craftsmanship: since 1864, Magirus has stood for innovation and tradition – for firefighters around the world. Providing a comprehensive range of state-of-the-art fire trucks, ladders, rescue and equipment vehicles as well as special solutions, pumps and portable pumps, Magirus is one of the largest technology leaders for firefighting technology in the world