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One of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisations, with a global network active in over 100 countries, WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment. It aims to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity and ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable. Instantly recognisable thanks to its famous panda logo, WWF was originally set up in 1961 for the purpose of campaigning to save species endangered by human activity. With Prince Charles as the current president of WWF-UK, the organisation currently supports around 1,300 conservation and environmental projects around the world. Prior to October last year WWF’s base had been at Panda House in Godalming since 1987. However, as the end of the lease approached, some big decisions had to be made. Following a large donation form the Rufford Foundation, WWF determined to create its own exemplar building where it could work more effectively and spread its message. After carrying out an extensive search a brownfield site, on land that had previously been a car park owned and run by Woking Borough Council, was chosen for the new build. Completed and opened in November 2013 by WWF Ambassador, Sir David Attenborough, the £20 million Living Planet Centre is at the forefront of sustainable design and construction, incorporating a wide range of renewable energy technologies such as ground source heat pumps and solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. One of the greenest buildings in the UK, it is an impressive timber framed structure that as well as housing WWF’s administrative facilities is also home to the WWF Experience – an exciting interactive exhibition that brings to life the secrets of the natural world and the threats it faces. Ensuring the safety of the Living Planet Centre’s occupants was a key concern of WWF during the design process. Although the life safety system would obviously need to give the earliest possible warning in the event of a fire, it would also need to be sympathetic to the unique design features and minimise any disruption to the fabric of the building. With a reputation for excellence as a result of its work on high profile projects across the UK, Cheshire-based Fire Bright Solutions, a BAFE accredited Hochiki Systems Partner, was invited to tender for the project and present its recommendations. Its Sales Director, Haydn Greeves, says: "Formed in 2003, Fire Bright Solutions aims to demonstrate the highest levels of technical competency, professional working practices and ethical conduct, so that our clients can be convinced about our quality of service. To do this we need to be 100% confident in the reliability of the products we install and that’s why we suggested the use of a fire detection system from Hochiki Europe for the WWF." Specialising in system design, installation, commissioning and maintenance, Fire Bright Solutions has worked with all types of fire detection technology. Greeves considered all the options, and comments: "Given the design of the building, the aesthetic considerations and the spaces that had to be covered, I felt confident that Hochiki Europe’s FIRElink-400 aspirating fire detection solution would tick all the boxes." The FIRElink-400 aspirating unit consists of an enclosure that houses the electronics that are powered from a supply, and a fan inside it that draws air in via four pipes that are connected to the unit. The air that is drawn in then goes into an aspirating chamber after passing through a filter. The air then passes across a laser light source that is projected into the air itself and if enough smoke particles are detected an alarm condition will be activated. All detectors in the FIRElink range have been approved to EN 54-20:2006 Classes A, B & C by LPCB. Paul Adams, Hochiki Europe’s Deputy Marketing Manager, explains: "Most types of buildings can benefit from having an aspirating fire detection system but it tends to be particularly useful where an early warning is desirable. The system provides the very highest levels of sensitivity and is able to give warning at the very slightest trace of smoke. This is because aspirating detectors are around ten times more sensitive than general point detectors." Most of the system at the Living Planet Centre is hidden from view, as the majority of the pipework is located in ceiling voids and the roof fabrication. Greeves states: "This aesthetic advantage is achieved without compromising the effectiveness of the system, which is configured around Hochiki Europe’s Enhanced Systems Protocol (ESP) – a robust addressable communications solution for intelligent fire detection and fully integrated systems." The system comprises a three loop Advanced MX4403 control panel, which enables a programed phased evacuation alarm strategy to meet the specific client and local fire authorities requirements. This is complemented by a wide range of Hochiki Europe devices including four FIRElink-400 aspiration detection systems, 63 ALG-EN photoelectric smoke sensors, 16 HCP-E(SCI) call points with integral short-circuit isolators, 11 YBO-BSB base sounder beacons, 39 YBO-BS base sounders and nine ACB-E multi-heat sensors. The ACB-E’s incorporate a variable temperature heat element and a rate of rise heat element, allowing either thermal element or both elements simultaneously to be active in making the fire decision. Part of the original car park has also been incorporated into the new building and Hochiki Europe technology has been installed here too in the form of 55 IP67 rated ACB-EW waterproof multi-heat sensors. The Living Planet Centre has proved immensely popular with WWF staff and visitors alike and it its being held as an exemplar of modern construction practice. The last word goes to WWF spokesman Richard Eaton, who concludes: "It is essential that a state-of-the-art building like this has an equally innovative life safety infrastructure. I’m delighted with the sound advice and skilled craftsmanship that Fire Bright Solutions provided us with in the installation of a fire detection system from Hochiki Europe." For almost 100 years Hochiki has led the way in the design and manufacture

Label: Apparatus Title: Fol-Da-Tank: A family-run company Label: DETECTION Label: Suppression Label: Cover Story Title: POK are recruiting

From Ramtech Electornics The European Central Bank (ECB) headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany has become the latest high profile customer to invest in the innovative new Wireless Emergency System (WES+) from Nottingham-based Ramtech Electronics. A major German construction company chose WES+ to protect staff and physical assets from fire during the refurbishment of 30 floors of the 40-storey building. Specifiers at the firm were impressed that WES+ is the only wireless fire alarm with European EN54 system approval, which has been independently certified by international testing house Intertek. Another important factor that won over the construction company and sent a clear message to the bank that WES+ is a proven technology ‘built for purpose’ was that the technology is used to protect thousands of personnel on site. This ranges from projects as diverse as the Leadenhall Building, Heathrow Airport and Crossrail, through to demolition of Earls Court. As a closed system, WES+ won’t interfere with the bank’s existing wireless technologies. This is an essential requirement for the ECB, which houses a number of business-critical technologies in the building. Fire safety was critical on the ECB project as only 30 floors of the 40-storey building are undergoing refurbishment. Staff will continue to occupy the remaining space alongside personnel involved in the refurbishment while the work is being carried out. WES+ sets a new fire safety benchmark for construction, refurbishment or demolition projects across Europe, most of which rely on very basic evacuation procedures. It is still relatively common in some countries for a manual fire alarm system to be used, for example, ringing a bell. The ECB was looking for a more efficient, technology-based solution that would automatically detect a fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which is exactly what WES+ does. Although a large and complex project, Ramtech Electronics’ wireless technology made it straightforward to specify and install the 500 WES+ automatic fire detection and manual call point units, which are divided into 30 zones. In the event of fire, the building can now be evacuated in phases as appropriate to the fire plan. WES+ allows an unlimited number of call points and active heat and smoke detectors to be installed on site. All 500 WES+ units were installed within a three-day schedule, immediately after staff had vacated the areas earmarked for refurbishment and work beginning on site. Being a wireless system means that the units can be easily repositioned as work progresses, without the need for specialist trades required with a wired fire alarm system. “We have had a huge amount of interest in WES+ from across Europe since verification that it achieves full European EN54 system approval – a first for the industry,” said Paul Henson, Sales & Marketing Director at Ramtech Electronics. “The ECB is a huge refurbishment project although WES+, because of its scalability and wireless operation, provided a very straightforward solution.” Ramtech Electronics’ WES+ meets the Construction Products Regulation’s highest standards for production and performance and carries the CE mark. It uses Category 1, Euro-harmonised radio in compliance with European standards covering the use of radio technology in emergency equipment (ETSI 300-220-1). To ensure your site has the best possible protection for workers and assets, whilst complying with the new EN54 standard, call the WES+ helpline on: 0115 822 3424, or visit: www.wesfire.co.uk

A free to attend educational programme With just over two months to go before FIREX International opens its doors at London’s ExCeL, organisers have today revealed further details of what to expect at the show this year. Not to be missed is the Expertise & Guidance Theatre, offering a free to attend educational programme across the three days covering key topics including Fire Doors, Smart Hotel Solutions, IP Systems and Fire Risk Management, amongst others. Highlights include Nick Coombe, Fire Safety Regulation Manager at London Fire Brigade who will run a session on ‘Enforcement and the Fire Safety Order – is it working?’ exploring the lessons learned from 10 years on and also asking if there needs to be any changes made to this going forward. Lance Ruetimann, Senior Manager Industry Affairs within the Building Technologies Division at Siemens Switzerland will look at ‘Evolving Fire Safety towards Holistic Safety’, discussing fire safety and the convergence of other safety measures along with the importance of evolving fire detection and alarm systems into danger detection and management systems. The Fire Industry Association’s (FIA) Graham Simons will also give an update on Construction Products Regulation (CPR). For full details of the educational programme running across the three days and for the latest updates please visit the FIREX International website. With over 100 exhibitors currently confirmed across the show floor, FIREX International will showcase all the latest technology, solutions and knowledge to ensure life safety from across the industry. A highlight this year will be the BM TRADA stand, a leading provider of independent testing and approvals services, who will highlight the benefits of effective passive fire protection through a range of interactive exhibits, live demonstrations and free seminars at this year’s Firex International. On the first day of FIREX International BM TRADA will conduct a live fire door test from their fire testing facility in High Wycombe that will be streamed directly to the FIREX Expertise & Guidance Theatre, this powerful demonstration will show two identical doors subjected to a prolonged period of fire, one of the doors will have been correctly specified and installed, while the other will demonstrate many of the common mistakes made. Additionally, the BM TRADA stand will host a passive fire protection demonstration zone featuring a full-size corridor and suspended ceiling simulation. Gerry Dunphy, Event Director- FIREX International states: “This year at FIREX International we wanted to make sure there was a real mixture of thought-leadership, case-studies and debate from the experts within the industry sitting alongside the practical hands-on experiences that we know our audience love. There will be plenty for visitors to get involved with this year and we look forward to hosting the entire fire safety industry this June at London ExCeL.” Other exciting features at this year’s FIREX International include the LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board) Red Book Pavilion; visitors to the show can access information free of charge about products and services that have certification from this highly reputable certification provider. The Fire Protection Association (FPA) info zone will provide a place for visitors to relax and network with free refreshments in addition to a wide range of presentations and seminars delivered by leading experts. This year FIREX International is co-located alongside IFSEC International which re-unites the fire and security industries in one location. There are increasing opportunities and convergences within both sectors so this seamless blend will create three days of focused attention on life safety and property protection. Both FIREX and IFSEC welcome a formidable range of world leading manufacturers and service providers, which makes the breadth of expertise and solutions on offer unmissable for fire and security professionals. With a major focus on innovation and products, the events provide complete snapshots of what’s currently available and an intriguing view to future product developments. FIREX International 2015 takes place from 16th – 18th June at ExCeL London. FIREX International will be presented as part of UBM EMEA’s Protection & Management Series. The Protection & Management Series encompasses five major shows in related marketplaces covering safety, service management, facilities, security and fire, the overall ethos of the series is about protecting and managing buildings and places of work, along with the people and information within those places of work. If you would like more information or would like to register for your free visitor pass please visit http://bit.ly/1D75z2S.

With a patriotic-themed Ferrara fire truck  To help celebrate 150 years of service, FDNY selected Ferrara Fire Apparatus to decorate one of their Ferrara aerial ladders to use as a show piece throughout 2015. The truck was taken out of service in New York City and brought to the Ferrara factory where it was refurbished, including getting a new paint job and an elegant graphics package. Deviating from the normal red and white cab and standard FDNY graphics, this special edition truck features a beautiful metallic silver cab top, silver leaf stripping and lettering, and a blue silhouette with white stars of the New York City skyline representing the five boroughs. “It is an honor and a privilege to present one of our aerial ladders as the center piece to commemorate FDNY’s 150th anniversary,” said President/CEO Chris Ferrara. FDNY has recently placed an order for twelve more aerial ladders which will bring the total to 71 Ferrara ladders in service in New York City. The FDNY 100’ aerial ladders are built on the Ferrara Ultra custom chassis with a 3CR12 stainless steel split cab and feature a heavy duty stainless steel body, a quick 4-section 100’ rear mount ladder, and an 8kW hydraulic generator.

Teaser: Birmingham, UK Website: http://www.emergencyuk.com/

Teaser: Chicago, IL Website: http://www.nfpa.org/training/conference

Alexandra Grandpierre, Director of POK SAS, tells International Fire Buyer about her time at the company, and how they are looking to expand their workforce How long have you worked at POK? I joined the family business in 2012 as Managing Director. I brought my manufacturing experience from the USA, Germany, and the UK, which has proven to be very useful today. The reason I came to POK is that I’ve always wanted to do something of my own. So after working for several employers, I decided to look for a product to manufacture and to sell. I wrote down the ground rules for a product I could stand behind. The last question I asked was, “Would Richard Branson invest in it?” It needed to have all the elements of the perfect industry. It needed to be a product that people would recommend, something relevant and useful. It needed to be customisable, capable of handling special requests, and, ideally, something very technical, requiring constant innovation. Finally, it should be ethical. It had to be something that I would be very proud of. My partner pointed out: “Alexandra, you just described the products of POK! Why not move back to France?” So I joined the family business in Nogent-Sur-Seine. What I found there was better than I could have imagined. We have fantastic manufacturing facilities: A machine workshop filled with Mazak tools, a mounting shop, a hose reel factory, and a welding shop. POK manufactures fire-fighting products developed for the entire planet: hand nozzles, monitors, wyes, fittings of every size and kind. Best of all, all profits are always re-invested in the technology and research and development, which is the recipe for a long lasting business! What is your background? I studied electrical engineering at Rouen University in France. I spent my last year as an exchange student in the USA at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. I should have stayed one year but remained five to complete my Masters’ and my PhD thanks to a grant from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. After that, I found an excellent job at Infineon, an electronic chip manufacturer in Germany. I am half German so the language is not an issue for me. Working in Germany in a six sigma, improvement-driven environment was essential in order to experience the ‘quality’ culture. This experience applied to POK means that I will ensure that the quality manager has high-level input in production processes — that quality has priority. I also learned a great deal about communication, being involved in technology transfer. So when I want to make sure someone understands what I’ve said, I ask questions! It’s a good way to check for understanding. Projects often fail because of a poor communication. I spent a lot of time in clean rooms improving processes with operators. I was impressed by the high level of expertise at our ground shop. I’m sure this is because we used an assessment centre for recruiting. And the fact that Germans tend to be very well educated. At POK, we give multiple tests before we hire anyone because we only want to work with the best! I also went back to school for an MSc degree in management. I chose the London School of Economics because of the history of the English with the workforce which is very fascinating. My scientific background made it challenging to be forced to consider shades of grey. Most of all, I learned the importance of being consistent. A good organisation has consistent processes. After that, I worked for two other UK-based companies. What is your biggest challenge at POK? In my first few months, adjusting to the French mentality was difficult. I accepted many things when I first started that I no longer tolerate today. I’ve definitely gotten more demanding. For example, we are slowly changing to better suppliers. Initially, I proposed changes, I listened, I even warned, but I when I saw no improvement, I began to implement positive changes. The result is, we’ve all seen that it is possible to get what we want! This, of course, is a never-ending process. So, now, when I hear that I’m too tough, I just take it as a compliment! Probably, if I were a man, nobody would care. My biggest challenge today is finding planning time for staying ahead of the game because I must still spend time in production and shake hands with hundreds of staff members. I’ve acquired a consultant to help me with this every Thursday morning. It’s a bit like getting slapped in the face because it’s a constant reminder to do things now – in this lifetime and not wait for the next. Fortunately, we are a ‘flat’ organisation – a family business. So we can make decisions very quickly. However as with any project, they only move forward if you place the right people on them. For example, to increase our market share abroad, we need more English speaking people. I recently offered a marketing position to an excellent lady from California who will move to Nogent-Sur-Seine in May. One of her goals will be to speak English each day to all of us. I would like for our official language to become English. Last year in 2014, we did more sales abroad than in France and this trend will only increase. What types of people are you hiring? You can see several profiles are listed in the career section of our website, though that’s only part of what we need. We need sales staff members in our Nogent-Sur-Seine factory which are technical and speak French, English, German, Spanish, and/or Portuguese. We also need French and English speaking trainers to demonstrate equipment on the field and teach our staff and distributors abroad. They will also need to promote our new products. It’s not an easy task as we launch two new products per week, and there’s a constant need to keep people trained and current. We are