Delivered to the Minneapolis Fire Department Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) company, has delivered a Pierce® Arrow XT™ 100-foot aerial tiller apparatus to the Minneapolis Fire Department in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Purchased through an HGAC procurement services contract, the apparatus will be placed into service in early June. “We are thrilled to be chosen by the Minneapolis Fire Department to engineer and manufacture this aerial tiller apparatus,” said Jim Johnson, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Fire & Emergency. “Pierce takes great pride in the performance, quality and value of its custom apparatus, and we are excited to have this aerial tiller serve Minnesota’s largest fire department.” Minneapolis Fire Department is familiar with the quality and performance of Pierce apparatus. “This is our third Pierce aerial tiller and they’ve been a great rig for us – very capable maneuvering through the tight streets of Minneapolis,” said Raymond V. Cruz, Minneapolis Fire Department Deputy Chief of Logistics & Engineering. “The new Pierce tiller will carry ladders, saws, fans, lights pumps and extrication tools. It will be stationed on the south side of the city and also respond to the University of Minnesota campus.” The Pierce Arrow XT tiller apparatus for Minneapolis features Pierce’s exclusive Detroit Diesel DD13 500 hp engine as well as TAK-4® independent suspension on both the front axle and rear tiller cab axle for enhanced maneuverability on the city’s narrow streets. Other notable components include side roll and frontal impact airbag protection systems, a Command Zone® advanced electronics system, and 10 equipment storage compartments with roll-up doors. The 100-foot medium-duty ladder features a new “clean tip” design to reduce potential obstructions for firefighters working at the ladder’s tip. The Minneapolis Fire Department is a career department that provides fire protection and first responder emergency medical services to the city of Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Fire Department operates out of 19 fire stations located throughout the city, and responds to approximately 40,000 emergency calls each year. Pierce dealer, North Star Fire Apparatus of Apple Valley, Minnesota, in conjunction with Red Power Diesel Service provides local service and support. “It’s an honor to serve and support the Minneapolis Fire Department with what will be the third Pierce tiller in their fleet,” said Brad White, general manager of North Star Fire Apparatus. “Our mission is to provide unmatched assistance to Pierce customers across Minnesota. This newest aerial tiller represents a vote of confidence in us, and in Pierce, by Minnesota’s largest fire department.”

Ahead of the Government’s 2016 Level 2 targets Ahead of the Government’s 2016 Level 2 targets, leading fire safety system manufacturer, Hochiki Europe has become the first company of its kind to provide Building Information Modelling (BIM) components for the NBS National BIM Library.   To aid designers, architects and specifiers already working within the BIM framework, the company has invested in the creation of a new range of BIM content based on a selection of its core fire detection and emergency lighting products.   BIM is designed to improve consistency and collaboration in design across the construction sector as well as improve efficiency, reduce wastage and cut costs across the whole lifetime of the building, from design to demolition. The modelling software allows architects, system designers and end-users to examine the location and qualities of all elements appearing in building designs.   London’s University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH), one of the largest in the UK, is now operating its refurbishment program within a BIM framework which has been supported using the design and supply of Hochiki Europe’s new technology.   Paul Adams, deputy marketing manager at Hochiki Europe, commented: “BIM marks an industry-wide shift in the approach to design in architecture, engineering and construction so it’s not surprising that we’re already seeing significant demand for BIM modelled fire safety products in these sectors.   “Efficiency has always been a key focus of ours, and by supporting early-adopting customers we can reduce inefficiency in the supply chain and help the Government reach its 2016 targets.”   Hochiki Europe’s new BIM range has been designed to meet all BIM content standards and is available to download from the NBS National BIM Library (http://www.nationalbimlibrary.com/hochiki_europe_uk_ltd) and Hochiki Europe’s own website. For more information visit: http://www.hochikieurope.com/bim

A proven, highly competent solution for fire and blast protection Promat UK has launched a new video showcasing the many benefits offered by its unique Promat DURASTEEL® fire and blast protection panel. The video shows Promat DURASTEEL® being subjected to a series of tests at the internationally recognised Exova Warrington fire testing centre based in Warrington, and demonstrates the outstanding performance which it provides over the 240 minute test period. “Promat DURASTEEL® is a proven, highly competent solution for fire and blast protection,” says Nigel Morrey, Technical Director of Promat. “Over the past 80 years this product has been subjected to over 220 test regimes and 450 assessments, and this has helped it build a world-wide reputation for outstanding passive fire protection performance. We felt it was high time that we put that performance on record and showed the world the many benefits which Promat DURASTEEL® offers. The video also demonstrates the ease with which a fire protection barrier can be built, using a single Promat DURASTEEL® skin on each face, with mineral wool insulation in between. Designed to satisfy the requirements of EN 1364: Part 1, the fire test demonstrates Promat DURASTEEL®’s ability to maintain compartmentation, limit the spread of fire, and retain its structural integrity. The video shows how, towards the end of the 4 hours of exposure to extreme temperatures, the Promat DURASTEEL® is able to withstand three separate impact forces of up to 3,000 newton-meters. Promat is the only British manufacturer to perform this test and demonstrate product performance which exceeds British Standard requirements. The video concludes by showing how Promat DURASTEEL® then exceeds the requirements of the test by withstanding sustained pressure from firefighters’ hoses and still retaining a high degree of structural integrity. Promat DURASTEEL® composite panels consist of fibre-reinforced cement with punched steel sheets mechanically bonded to both outer surfaces. They combine strength, lightness, durability, and exceptional fire resistance and can be used for a number of applications such as in walls, door, stairwells, ducting and ceiling applications, with a wide range of specifications available. The panels are classed as ‘non-combustible’ to BS 476: Part 4: 1970 and A1 to Clause 10 of BS EN 13501-1:2007 and can provide 4 hours fire protection. They are manufactured in the UK in line with independently accredited ISO 9001 quality, ISO 14001 environmental and OHSAS 18001 health and safety management systems. The video can be found at https://www.youtube.com/user/PromatUK

BFG is dedicated to safeguarding buildings  Amthal Fire & Security has become a member of Building Futures Group (BFG), as part of a strategic growth plan to enhance its planned preventative maintenance support. BFG is dedicated to safeguarding buildings across five sectors – housing, property, planning, cleaning, parking and facilities management – and serves those who maintain them with best practice solutions, ensuring compliance with latest standards of service and value. Amthal Fire & Security, who is already the safety partner of choice for leading property management companies including Trinity Estates, has joined the organisation to raise its profile and offer further support and guidance on safety and security across all identified sectors. Says Sarah Bentley, CEO of Building Futures Group: “We are delighted to welcome Amthal Fire & Security as a member. Safety and security is a natural complement to property maintenance to bring cost-effective, quality services together and ensure safe working and living environments. We look forward to their input to help raise our profile as a total solution provider.” Phil Bryant, Service Accounts Manager at Amthal Fire & Security added: “We did our homework in choosing to join an industry organisation, and decided upon Building Futures Group because of the extensive networking opportunities to learn and grow within the building management and facilities sector. “We are looking forward to attending the events and meeting like minded individuals to explore the vital role played by security and fire safety in facilities management. Together, we can continue to ensure all who occupy and operate in buildings remain protected, in line with latest regulations and highest industry standards.” Independently owned, Amthal Fire & Security is dedicated to satisfying end user needs for security safety and convenience offering design, installation, service and remote monitoring of advanced electronic fire & security solutions, including intruder, Fire, Access and CCTV systems. Amthal Fire & Security is accredited by the Security Systems and Alarm Inspection Board (SSAIB) United Kingdom Accreditation Services (UKAS) and British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE.) For more information, please visit www.amthalsecurity.co.uk.

At Charles Wells brewery  Fire industry expert Gent by Honeywell has supplied its innovative fire alarm and detection system to Charles Wells brewery in Bedford. The installation is part of an upgrade programme planned as part of ongoing improvement works. The brewery produces some of the nation’s most renowned brands including Bombardier, McEwan’s and Young’s beers. The beers are supplied to the company’s own pubs as well as a range of other bars and venues and some of the UK’s major supermarket chains. Bedfordshire-based Fire Safety Services, provides national and local coverage to clients from a diverse range of business sectors and has service centres across the UK. As one of Gent 24’s network of approved system integrators, the company were selected by the brewing giant to design, commission, supply and install the brand new fire solution. The system was part of a major refurbishment of the site’s administration block, which also contained all of the main cabling for the original fire detection and alarm (FD&A) system. Adam Gillespie, Fire Safety Services, says: “One of the biggest challenges on this project was keeping the system up and running during the installation, as any interruptions could have disrupted the brewery’s production process. The main cables for the FD&A system run through the administration block and out to the other units on the site. Fortunately, the incumbent system was a Gent solution and we were able to keep that up and running while we installed the new devices on the site.” Fire Safety Services designed an efficient, cost effective solution for the Brewery using a fully addressable Gent system, including the S-Quad range. More than 150 devices were installed in the admin block, with the S-Quad multi sensors selected to combine the most advanced sensing technologies with alarm functionality. These devices enable fires to be detected using a range of sensing elements including heat, smoke and CO. The technology uses patented dual angle optical scatter, and the programmable sensitivity states means the S-Quad devices can be configured to address specific known risks such as steam and dust, allowing it to significantly reduce potential false alarms. Gillespie continues: “Keeping false alarms to a minimum is critical on a site like this, as any false alerts would have an impact on the brewing, canning and bottling processes. We selected the Gent solution as it was essential that we had a reliable system to prevent the incidences of false alarms. The cabling also had to be discreet as the refurbished building was redesigned in an industrial style with a lot of surface steel work, and we wanted to ensure the cables didn’t affect the aesthetics.” Roger Bell, Head of Property Development at Charles Wells said: “We have been pleased with the standard of work carried out by Fire Safety Services, and the performance of the new upgraded Gent system. The operation was kept up and running throughout, even when the building works were ongoing. The system has performed seamlessly since it was installed, and there have been no incidences of false alarms.”

RAVEN Studio sprinklers Tyco Fire Protection Products, a global leader in fire suppression technologies, announces the launch of the RAVEN Studio sprinklers. The new solution offers an industry-first option to paint escutcheons in the field, even after installation. Custom colour sprinklers are also available for a high level of aesthetic appeal. Designed mainly for commercial applications such as hotels, casinos, offices, educational facilities and museums, the 5.6K pendent and horizontal sidewall RAVEN Studio sprinklers provide quick response, thanks to their heat sensitive solder type release element. The sprinklers are available in Standard Coverage for the protection of Light and Ordinary Hazard occupancies and Extended Coverage for Light Hazard applications, as defined by NFPA 13. The revolutionary paint-in-place escutcheon feature provides design-focused customers with a wide variety of custom colours to match the palette of nearly any project. Aesthetic appeal of the flush design is enhanced by concealing the deflector and other operating parts behind the link assembly. Engineered for precision fit, the sprinklers’ protected design minimises accidental activations for greater safety and efficiency. “By incorporating an unobtrusive, low-profile design with a paint-in-place escutcheon, Tyco’s new RAVEN Studio sprinklers are uniquely discreet in the industry today,” said Luke Connery, global product manager, Tyco Fire Protection Products. “This enables architects and interior designers to benefit from an enhanced level of creative freedom not available with more traditional sprinkler options.” For additional information regarding the RAVEN Studio sprinklers, visit www.tfppemea.com

€3.35 million investment into the CHEQUERS project A new project to develop technology to detect the presence of explosive and hazardous materials has been launched with €3.35million of European funding. A group of European companies and researchers, including laser experts and law enforcement agencies, will collaborate on the CHEQUERS project to create novel technology that will detect the presence of explosive and hazardous materials. The outcomes of the project will provide new anti-terrorism tools for law enforcement agencies, and help health and safety professionals improve industrial safety on things like oilrigs and chemical plants. CHEQUERS project partners include M Squared Lasers, research organisation Fraunhofer IAF and IPMS (Germany), Fraunhofer UK Research, Vigo System S.A. (Poland), Bundeskriminalamt (the German Federal Criminal Police Office) and Kite Innovation. Each partner will play a crucial part in the development and rollout of the final applications. Nils Hempler, Head of the Innovation Business Unit at M Squared Lasers, said: “As a group of truly specialist organisations, all experts in our respective fields, we can pool the knowledge and resources required to develop truly transformational technologies that address real-world challenges. “The potential application for this technology is huge; the ability for us to detect explosives and chemical warfare agents for the security sector and even potentially catastrophic leaks in the oil and gas industry could save many lives in the future. We’re really excited about this project and are looking forward to seeing it out in the real world. We aim to make this technology widely accessible to a range of emerging markets.” Dr. Rasmus Schulte-Ladbeck, Forensic Expert at Bundeskriminalamt said: “The Bundeskriminalamt as partner in an international consortium of the CHEQUERS project will be leading a group of potential end-users from across Europe. Collaboration with these research partners will provide useful and relevant input to support the development of practicable and user-friendly devices, which CHEQUERS seeks to create. The BKA is looking forward to a successful collaboration with its research partners.” Starting this month, the CHEQUERS project will take a total of 42 months and is funded by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 ‘Information and Communications Technologies’ call, whose objective is to sustain Europe’s industrial competitiveness and leadership in photonic market sectors and to exploit new and emerging market opportunities.

For fire suppression users and providers 3M, the diversified technology company, has announced that it has become a member of the Construction CPD (Continuing Professional Development) Certification Service. 3M now offers a one hour CPD certified training course covering the topic of Sustainable Fire Suppression options. The aim is to support buyers, designers and providers of fire suppression systems, by presenting up to date information about clean agent fire suppression options, taking into account the changing regulatory landscape.     3M is offering the CPD training session as a Lunch and Learn meeting, where 3M will provide lunch and present the content to organisations and individuals. Attendees will earn one CPD credit as part of their on-going professional development. http://solutions.3m.co.uk/wps/portal/3M/en_GB/fire-protection/-/CPD-events/   Said Simon Mitchell, Key Account Manager for the Electronics Materials Solution Division: “Fire suppression is a necessity for organisations of all kinds, to protect human life and to protect valuable equipment and other assets. However, recent environmental legislative changes, and the need to ensure that the right system is installed for the right application, means that fire suppression can quickly become a confusing and complex topic. Our aim is to simplify and improve understanding, both for users and providers.”   In the fire suppression market, 3M is known for Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid. Exempt from recent environmental legislation, Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid is a next-generation HFC and halon replacement, designed to balance concerns for human safety, performance and the environment. It has zero ozone-depletion potential, an atmospheric lifetime of just five days and a global warming potential of less than one. It is non-conductive, non-corrosive and fast-evaporating – designed to protect sensitive components and other critical assets. Applications include data centres, data processing and control rooms, telecommunications, marine applications, oil and gas applications, and museums and historical archives. Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid leaves no residue and does not damage equipment or disrupt the working environment.

By creating world’s thinnest fire protection product Leading manufacturer, AIS is launching a revolutionary new product which could shave hundreds of thousands of pounds off safety costs for the oil and gas industry. Responding directly to industry feedback, AIS has re-engineered its award-winning Jet Fire Pro fire protection jacketing system to create the thinnest and lightest version on the market today – ultimately reducing overall project costs for operators. At just 35mm thick, the Jet Fire Pro’s unique engineered system insulates pipe work, valves, actuators and associated equipment against possible hydrocarbon and jet fires by withstanding temperature extremes of up to 1,250°C for 90 minutes. These life-saving minutes delay the type of devastating pipe ruptures that occurred in the Piper Alpha disaster, giving people plenty of time to escape should the worst happen offshore. This is the latest product innovation by AIS, which also offers a number of other award-winning systems that provide between 15-120 minutes of protection against the deadly spread of a hydrocarbon or jet fire. Passive fire protection is compulsory offshore due to regulations introduced following Piper Alpha. AIS’s Jet Fire Pro is six times thinner than alternative fire protection systems making it considerably easier to fit, transport and maintain and therefore substantially reducing overall costs for oil and gas operators. Months of research and development have gone into the system, which is manufactured at AIS’s state-of-the-art, fully automated fabrication facility in North Shields. It uses highly technological materials such as those developed by NASA, to vastly reduce overall weight and size whilst maintaining technical performance. As well as boasting an operating capacity of between -60°C and 1,250°C, the Jet Fire Pro has a special weather layer which has super hydrophobic values to repel water. By preventing moisture from infiltrating pipe work, the system eliminates corrosion under insulation (CUI) and extends the life of the structure. Head of AIS Technical, Chris Evans, said: “The oil and gas industry is undergoing vast changes and the feedback from our clients suggests that innovation, efficiency and cost savings are key. “We’re known for our forward-thinking and rapid response to industry challenges and this latest product innovation has been developed with these key factors in mind. Many operators were finding that existing PFP systems were over-engineered for their needs and they simply didn’t need 120 minutes of protection to maintain safety levels. “In response, we’ve stripped back our existing Jet Fire Pro product to make it the thinnest and lightest on the market, at the same time as retaining its technical excellence. “As well as making it easier and up to 75% quicker to manufacture and install, the product’s reduced weight and thickness means we save on reduced material, shipping and storage costs. We are then able to pass these cost savings directly onto our clients. “We’re continuing to respond to customer feedback and will soon be launching a new innovation hub in Aberdeen where we’ll work closely with customers to continue to find more innovative solutions to meet tomorrow’s challenges.” AIS’s Jet Fire Pro product has been extensively tested at the world’s leading fire test facilities and is type approved by global certification organisations, Lloyds Register and DNV-GL. AIS also designs, manufactures and installs a comprehensive range of award-winning technical insulation products to combat issues such as noise, corrosion, weather and temperature extremes in order to protect assets, create safer work spaces and reduce operational costs. To find out more please contact 0844 800 1810 or visit www.aisgroup.com

Launching the new 379 bar high pressure cylinder  For over eight decades, Scott Safety’s approach to product development has positioned the company as the preferred provider of high specification safety solutions to major global organisations, such as first responders; the military and civil defence; the petroleum, oil and gas sector and chemical, construction and industrial environments. “The relationships we have with our customers start and end with their safety first and foremost. As a company, we have always focused on the customer and their needs as the first step in every product development initiative,” says Tony Pickett, Scott Safety’s Global Product Manager, Air Supplied. “We continuously ask ourselves ‘what can we produce to make their jobs easier and above all, safer’?” With more than 34 products developed in the last five years, Scott Safety has been at the forefront in the drive to improve product design and reduce user burden. Recent changes to the design of its Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and high pressure air cylinders include efforts to improve user comfort by reducing weight and incorporating ergonomic improvements. Tony Picket continues “At Scott Safety, we understand the physiological and psychological burden Respiratory Protective Equipment can place on users. SCBA sets are often seen as restrictive and tiresome when worn for long periods in challenging environments. In fact, working in difficult conditions or carrying out arduous tasks often results in distressed breathing, that in turn increases the volume of air breathed per minute. Our research identified a need for a breathing apparatus that offered extended breathing duration, whilst also remaining compact and lightweight for maximum movability.   “In developing our latest SCBA offering, we started with these requirements from the end user. Then we assessed every element of the design and applied the latest technologies to provide comfortable, low burden equipment so the wearer can focus on the important task in hand.” A first within the industry, Scott Safety has increased the air pressure within its new 379 bar cylinder to provide users with additional air capacity – without increasing the weight or size of the cylinder. The 379 bar cylinders offer 25% higher pressures than the standard 300 bar SCBA providing wearers with an extended breathing duration of up to 75 minutes. There will be three different capacities of the 379 bar cylinder available: 5.7 litre, 7.6 litre and 9.5 litre. These have the equivalent durations of 45 minutes, 60 minutes and a new duration of 75 minutes based on a breathing rate of 40 litres per minute. Constructed of an aluminium alloy inner shell and overwrapped entirely with lightweight carbon-fibre, the new cylinders are up to 5% lighter than others on the market. The increased pressure has also allowed for a significant reduction in cylinder size. The reduced size helps users shift their centre of gravity, which increases the comfort of the complete SCBA set. Additionally, the reduced length of the cylinder helps to avoid interference with helmets and head protection. Tony Pickett concludes: “Reliability, quality and performance cannot be compromised when it comes to the needs of our customers, who are working on the frontline. Whilst we are extremely excited about the development of our 379 bar cylinder, we promise to continue in our mission to create quality, high performance solutions that will help keep our customers safe day after day.” For more information on the new 379 bar cylinder and to view Scott Safety’s full product offering, please visit www.scottsafety.com/en/emea.