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

Chris Beck speaks to Chad Christiansen, VP & CEO of Fol-Da-Tank, about how his company’s products can be used in a wide range of situations Tell us a bit about Fol-Da-Tank Fol-Da Tank was founded in 1954 by my grandfather, who invented the first portable folding water tank for rural fire-fighting. He was actually a banker at the time, and he ran a department in the local bank. One of his customers had a business rebuilding fire trucks for the rural fire service. Water supply was a major issue at the time; there was no way of getting a reliable water service out there, and fire-fighters were having to lay out extension liners in a square then drape a tarpaulin over the top to form a tank or reservoir. My grandfather came up with the concept of the folding tank and soon after began developing the Fol-Da-Tank. It was introduced to the market in Illinois in 1954 and my grandfather then applied for his first patent. In 1979, my father bought out the company. I started out at about age 19 working in the shop, helping with all aspects of production, from assembly to fabrication to packaging and shipping, so I have really learnt the company from the ground up. My father retired last year, and I have become the third generation family owner. Family ownership is something that is very common in the fire industry. Do you think that keeping it in the family gives the company an important identity? Absolutely, yes. A lot of the bigger companies, such as W.S. Darley, are even older than us and they take a lot of pride in dealing with other family-owned organisations. What was your first product, and how has your product line developed from there? The folding tank was our first product, and not a lot has changed on the basic product aside from a few little bells and whistles. There are new, heavier duty fabrics for the liners, for example. Handles on the interior of the liner are a hot item at the moment, as they make it easy to empty the last few gallons of water out of the tank at the end. Other designs have evolved since then. We have our onion, or pumpkin-style tanks, for example. These are ideal for the wildfire-fighting community. We are also proud of our quick-assemble tanks, which can take varying forms – they can be taken apart and put into a duffel bag for easy storage and transportation. We have several patents on our tanks. We have a patented roller tank, as well as other patents on accessories for them, such as a guard that protects your hand from the pinch points created on the folding sides, which fold inwards as the tank opens out. We also have a patent-pending tank as part of our single-lane range. This range consists of elongated rectangular or, in this case, hexagonal tanks, which are a much narrower profile and are ideal for use on narrow rural roads that may only be 15 feet wide and poorly paved with a large drainage ditch on each side. The narrow profile of the tank prevents the Fire Department from having to do one of two things. Firstly, it prevents the Department taking up extra road space with a larger, square tank, or indeed having the frame overhanging the edge of the road and being damaged. Secondly, the greater risk is that if a tanker truck has to veer off onto the shoulder of the road, it is at a great risk of rollover, especially if the shoulder is quite soft. By utilising these longer, narrow tanks, we create a much safer and efficient method for rural water shuttling operations. Would you say that remote, hard to access areas are what your products are designed for? The folding tanks are typically used in rural environments – anywhere that doesn’t have readily accessible water at the scene of a fire, such as a fire hydrant or a pond – where water has to be shuttled in. Our frameless range – the onion or pumpkin tanks – are more popular with the forest service. They are very lightweight and can be easily transported to the scene, where water can be flown in, pumped in or trucked in. a very common use is with helicopter dead-bucket operations. The helicopter carries the Bambi bucket and can dip it in the portable tank to dump on the fire if there isn’t a natural body of water around. They can cut their travel time in half and get twice as much water on the fire. Would you say that, in the future, unmanned vehicles will take over from helicopters in forest fire-fighting, and will your products still be as useful? I don’t see why not. The tank itself will still require manual set-up, of course, but once that’s done I can’t see any reason why an unmanned aerial vehicle couldn’t utilise our tanks on the ground. UAVs are becoming more popular in fire-fighting nowadays, and there are occasionally very tragic incidents where helicopter pilots are injured or killed when fire-fighting. Buckets can snag on trees or other large objects, and there are always fluctuations in weather patterns and wind direction that can affect the aircraft. I can see how an unmanned aircraft would be an advantage. What are your major international markets, and are there any regions you’re looking to expand into? We have, through export management companies, been selling our products throughout Mexico and South America. We are also getting stronger in Europe and Russia, and have a decent market in the Middle East, although we will always have room to continue growing in those areas. This will be done through the effective use of importers and exporters. How do you think the company as a whole will grow in the future? We have been increasing our marketing for not just the fire industry but also the oil and gas, oil spill

No weapons on board A nuclear submarine caught fire in a shipyard in Russia’s northern province of Arkhangelsk on Tuesday but there were no weapons on board, Russian news agencies reported. The Emergencies Ministry declined comment on the reports of the fire at the Zvyozdochka shipyard, where the agencies said the 500 metre-long 949 Antei submarine was being repaired. There was no word of any casualties. "There is a fire on the submarine. We are fighting the fire now," a shipyard source told Interfax news agency. RIA quoted a spokesperson at the shipyard as saying there were no weapons on board the submarine. A source told TASS news agency the submarine’s nuclear reactor had been shut down prior to the blaze. "The active zone of the reactor was unloaded at the start of repairs a few years ago," the source said. The news agency reports said the fire had started during welding, causing insulation materials to catch fire. A similar blaze in 2011 nearly led to a nuclear disaster as a blaze engulfed a nuclear-powered submarine carrying atomic weapons, a leading Russian magazine reported months after the blaze, contradicting official assurances that it was not armed.

100 fire-fighters on the scene Fire crews have been battling a serious blaze which broke out overnight in a warehouse in north-west London. More than 100 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze at an industrial unit on Western Road in Park Royal. London Fire Brigade said the ground floor and first floor were alight and a large section of the roof was also on fire. The brigade was called at 00:29 BST on Thursday. The cause of the fire is not yet known. Station Manager Bill Dunn, who is at the scene, said: "The fire is causing a lot of smoke in the Park Royal area and locals should shut windows and doors." An eyewitness who lives near the scene of the blaze said visibility was down to zero. "I was woken up by the smoke. My windows were open. I could hear sirens," he said. "It looked completely foggy outside." He said the area, close to a petrol station, had been cordoned off. Mr Dunn said the fire was likely to be a "protracted incident" and would probably cause rush-hour disruption. The public has been warned to avoid the area. Fifteen fire engines went to the scene from Willesden, Acton, Park Royal, Wembley, Chiswick, Hammersmith, Paddington, and Northholt.

Maintenance-free gas detection Honeywell, which pioneered the maintenance-free single-gas detector for the oil and gas industry, today announced the launch in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) of the BW Clip, a new portable gas detector that makes gas detection easier, safer, more cost-effective and reliable. The BW Clip features a hibernation mode that extends service life for up to a year, an automated self-test to improve safety, and Honeywell’s exclusive SureCell™ and Reflex™ technology to ensure the gas sensor’s responsiveness and longevity, even in the harshest temperatures. The BW Clip comes in two-year versions for hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide, oxygen or sulphur dioxide and three-year versions for hydrogen sulphide or carbon monoxide. The maintenance-free single-gas detector runs continuously, with no need for calibration, sensor replacement, battery replacement or battery charging. “With the BW Clip, we’ve included everything that customers love about the user-friendly GasAlertClip Extreme and added new features that make gas detection easier, safer, more cost-effective and more reliable,” said Andrew Thompson, Vice President and General Manager for Honeywell Analytics EMEA. “The new user-friendly hibernation mode for the BW Clip can extend its service life when workers are away for extended periods of time and not using the detector,” he said. “And thanks to the BW Clip’s automated self-test and Honeywell’s proprietary sensor technologies, companies can be confident that the detector is always monitoring for toxic gases and alerting workers to danger.” The BW Clip is compatible with the BW Technologies MicroDock II for automated bump testing and events download. However, companies can get even more value from the BW Clip by using it with Honeywell’s all-new IntelliDoX instrument management system, available starting today. IntelliDoX combines smart docking modules with Honeywell’s Fleet Manager II software to provide automated testing and record-keeping for the BW Clip. The system enables companies to configure the BW Clip to fit the needs of their operation — with a level of customisation not usually available in the maintenance-free detectors. To improve safety and compliance, companies can use IntelliDoX to: · Change the high- and low-alarm set points and other factory settings on the BW Clip, prior to or even after activating the detector; · Set a non-compliance indicator, which flashes red when a bump test is due or after a gas exposure; · Set other options such as a clock on the BW Clip, enabling safety managers to determine the precise time of a gas event; · Track bump tests throughout a facility and send email notices to workers and their supervisors;   In addition to enabling configuration of the BW Clip, the unique design of IntelliDoX significantly accelerates functional tests, enabling companies to perform various activities for multiple BW Clip detectors — all at the same time. For example, a group of five IntelliDoX modules can bump 50 BW Clip detectors in fewer than three minutes — with no wasted calibration gas. “With the IntelliDoX, we have engineered a unique form of bump test, called the FastBump, which optimises the functional tests, gas application and transfer of event logs from the BW Clip,” Thompson said. “Thanks to this innovation, the IntelliDoX performs the quickest bump test in the industry: five BW Clip detectors on one module in less than a minute. “With that speed, managers don’t have to set aside hours at the end of the day to bump their fleets, one detector at a time, and workers don’t have to stand in a long queue to bump their detectors,” Thompson added. “Instead, IntelliDoX prevents congestion to improve productivity, enabling plants to get more done in less time.” For more information on this product please visit: www.honeywellanalytics.com

Find out more about their latest cylinder advancements Luxfer Gas Cylinders is the world’s largest manufacturer and provider of all-aluminum and full-wrap carbon composite SCBA and medical oxygen cylinders for global industrial, escape, EMS and firefighting markets. Luxfer cylinders are used more by firefighters and first-responders around the world than any other cylinder brand. Luxfer introduced LCX®-HP (high pressure), the world’s first 5,500-psi SCBA cylinders, at the 2014 FDIC show. Luxfer’s HP cylinders are on average more than 10 percent lighter than standard SCBA cylinders and nearly 20 percent smaller in overall profile—and they provide the same high levels of toughness and durability as all Luxfer composite SCBA cylinders. HP cylinders help reduce the weight burden of a firefighter’s personal protective equipment (PPE) and SCBA ensemble and allow more freedom of movement. Featuring Luxfer’s proprietary SL (super light) liner technology, optimized composite material engineering and state-of-the-art manufacturing, our LCX-HP product line is a significant advancement in SCBA composite cylinder technology. Manufactured in USA, all Luxfer LCX-HP cylinders meet NFPA, NIOSH and SCBA OEM requirements and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) standards. Find out more about our extensive product range in Europe and North America by visiting us at the FDIC show in Indianapolis, Indiana USA, from April 20-25 and at INTERSCHUTZ in Hannover, Germany from June 8-13. Established in 1897, Luxfer Gas Cylinders operates eight manufacturing sites and numerous sales offices across the globe, serving customers in all major gas markets, including medical gases, SCBA and life-support, fire suppression, alternative fuel and specialty gases. Luxfer Gas Cylinders is an operating company of Luxfer Group (NYSE:LXFR). To learn more, please visit www.luxfercylinders.com.

A unique sprinkler drop assembly Tyco Fire Protection Products announces the launch of the new FASTFLEX Model FB. This flexible braided hose is a unique sprinkler drop assembly for installation on wet pipe pendent sprinkler systems in tight or false ceiling spaces. The VdS approved hose allows for testing and charging of the system with water before the ceiling grid is installed. The hose can then be repositioned to fit the final sprinkler location without draining the system of water, saving installation time and costs. The FASTFLEX model’s flexible design provides easier manoeuvrability around ducts and trays in congested spaces, offering additional positions to install the sprinkler. Its versatility also makes the hose ideal for tight and unusual ceiling types and curved plasterboard ceilings. In addition, the product eliminates the need for measuring, cutting and threading pipes, as well as the use of elbows and fittings, contributing towards further reduced costs and project timeline. Comprising a stainless steel flexible hose, a swivel inlet nipple, a sprinkler reducer, and lightweight ceiling bracket components, the unit easily connects from the branch line to the sprinkler. Offering flexibility and simplicity benefits, the Tyco FASTFLEX Model FB is suited to a variety of applications, such as offices, schools, libraries, hospitals and retail complexes. “At Tyco Fire Protection Products, we strive to create innovative, workable products to meet our customers’ needs,” says Wouter Bossink, director of marketing – global valves and devices, Tyco Fire Protection Products. “Investing in approvals and focusing on overcoming user challenges enables us to develop effective solutions that offer customers design freedom, reliability and cost-effectiveness in challenging installation environments.”

Logo: Street1: P.O. Box 8155 City: Stockholm Firemiks AB is a Swedish manufacturer of water motor driven dosing systems for firefighting. Our lead word is SIMPLICITY. The FIREMIKS® dosing system is cost-effective; easy to install, use, maintain and test. Driven by the water flow only, no need of fuel or electricity. Wide flow range from 300 lpm up to 12.000 lpm, dosing rates 0,5%, 1%, 2% or 3%, other options on request. Suitable also for Marine application. Postcode: SE-104 20