To improve fire prevention A new way to keep our most vulnerable communities safe from fire is being developed by universities in Sheffield, in collaboration with frontline firefighters. The project, called PREMONITION, has just been launched at the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University, and is being carried out by experts in behavioural risk analysis, intelligent simulations and in the study of social processes. Sophisticated computer modelling techniques, such as large scale agent-based modelling, will enable firefighters to draw together, for the first time, many different strands of information, including geographical, demographical and behavioural data to build up a picture of an area and predict where fires and other emergencies might occur. The PREMONITION simulation will enable firefighters identify where the most vulnerable areas are – considering, for example, times of the year or the day when risks are greatest. Some of this information is already available to fire services through online sources, or from local authority records, but due to the vast amount of data it is difficult for humans to make sense of this information and combine it in real-time to support decision-making. Further layers of detail are also being added to the computational model about the routines and behaviours of people living within particular areas, taken from previous research of residents carried out by South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, to produce even more accurate results. The primary aim of the PREMONITION intelligent system is to enable fire services to make better decisions about where to allocate resources and improve planning and fire prevention initiatives. Dr Daniela Romano, in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Sheffield, is leading the project, along with Dr Dermot Breslin, from Sheffield University Management School, Dr Stephen Dobson, in Sheffield Hallam University’s Business Systems Department, and experts from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (SYFRS) “We live in increasingly complex social networks, with our behaviours being influenced by many interrelated factors,” explains Dr Romano. “Although fire services already have access to much of this information, there is no tool that can help them grasp all of the different strands and utilise the information in real-time to make decisions. This predictive model will unpack this complexity, and help manage resources and services targeted at the most vulnerable groups in our community”. The project is funded by SYFRS, through its Stronger Safer Communities Reserve, and is targeted, initially, at communities in Sheffield. If successful, the programme could be made available to fire services across the country. Dr Stephen Dobson in Sheffield Hallam University’s Business Systems Department, said: “The Stronger Safer Communities Reserve has provided an incredible opportunity for university collaboration in its funding of this project. It is great to see the University of Sheffield’s Department of Computer Science, its Management School, as well as Sheffield Hallam Business School, coming together to use research to support the safety and wellbeing of people in the region.” South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue’s Nicola Smith, said: “The research we are supporting with our academic partners is a cutting edge exploration of behaviours during our prevention and response activities. Partnerships with well respected organisations like the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University will place us at the forefront of modern approaches to delivering improved community safety.”

At Eisenhower Tunnel, Denver Gov. John Hickenlooper announced Wednesday that the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels will get a new fire suppression system next year. The $20 million project is being funded by a federal grant and state funds. According to a news release from the governor’s office, it will provide first responders with valuable time need to respond to a fire inside one of the tunnels. Some of the new defenses include : • A water-only deluge fire suppression system which is capable of suppressing a large fire (up to 35 megawatts) in the first two minutes of the event • A system capable of providing water for 60 minutes with two deluge sprinkler zones as well as 500 gallons per minute from the existing standpipe system • A new drainage system • A Fiber Optic Linear Heat Detection system “The fire suppression system will help protect the traveling public as well as this critical asset to our highway system,” said Hickenlooper. “Closure or long-term damage to one of these tunnels could cost Colorado billions of dollars and impact tourism along the I-70 mountain corridor.” Construction is planned for spring 2015 and should be done by December. Much of it will be “invisible” to the public, officials said. On average, 30,000 vehicles per day pass through the tunnels. Since it opened in the 1970s, the tunnels see two to three fires a year. The design-build team selected for the project includes Barnard Construction Company, Inc., Rondinelli Life Safety/BCER Engineering, ILF Consulting Engineers, Western States Fire Protection Company, and FAS Systems Group.

Following an accident in Singapore  The International Association of Oil & Gas Producers issues a safety alert following a fatality in May in a construction/rig repair yard in Singapore. Safety alert number 259 Two cylindrical foam sponge pads had been inserted in a riser guide tube to form a plug. Argon gas had been pumped into the 60 cm space between the two sponges as shielding gas for welding on the exterior of the riser guide tube. After completion of the welding, a worker descended into the riser guide tube by rope access to remove the upper sponge. While inside, communication with the worker ceased. A confined space attendant entered the riser guide tube to investigate. Finding his colleague unconscious, he called for rescue and then he too lost consciousness. On being brought to the surface, the first worker received CPR; was taken to hospital; but died of suspected cardio-respiratory failure after 2 hours of descent into the space. The co-worker recovered. What went wrong? Exposure to an oxygen-deficient atmosphere: The rope access team members (victim and co-worker) were unaware of the asphyxiation risk from the argon gas shielding. Gas test: There was no gas test done immediately prior to the confined space entry. The act of removing the upper foam sponge itself could have released (additional) argon, so any prior test would not be meaningful. Gas detectors: Portable gas detectors were carried, but inside a canvas bag. The co-worker did not hear any audible alarm from the gas detector when he descended into the space. Evacuation time: It took 20 minutes to bring the victim to the deck after communication failed. Corrective actions and recommendations Lessons – As a first step: assess whether the nature of the work absolutely justifies personnel entering the confined space. – Before confined space entry: identify and communicate the risks to personnel carrying out the work define requirements, roles and responsibilities to control, monitor and supervise the work check gas presence; understand how the work itself may change the atmospheric conditions ensure adequate ventilation, lighting, means of communication and escape – Ensure step by step work permits are issued and displayed for each work phase, together with specific job safety analyses – During confined space entry: station a trained confined space attendant at the entrance to the space at all times ensure that communication and rescue equipment and resources are readily available carry and use portable/personal gas detectors throughout the activity Action Review your yard confined space entry practice, keeping in mind the lessons learned from this incident.

To International Fire and Rescue Association Clothing donated by Ballyclare will be transported to Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay, Albania and Bosnia to support under-funded fire brigades. Protective clothing manufacturers Ballyclare Limited gifted 180 pallets of specialist clothing worth £2.5m to the International Fire and Rescue Association (IFRA) this week — with the company pledging to hand over a further donation worth the same amount in the near future. IFRA Charity founder and chairman David Kay, who is a serving firefighter at Lochgelly Fire Station (Fife, Scotland), travelled to England with three IFRA members to accept the donation and made immediate arrangements for it to be transported via four 40ft containers and one 20ft container to Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay, Albania and Bosnia, where fire services are extremely under-developed. IFRA has been transporting unwanted emergency vehicles, equipment and clothing to poorer countries since it was set up in 2002. IFRA also sends instructors to developing countries to train firefighters. Mr Kay, who runs the charity from his home in Dunfermline, described the Ballyclare donation as “invaluable” and said it was sure to help save many lives. “We are talking about a £5m donation in total — an unprecedented amount which will make such an incredible difference to the countries we help support,” he said. Ballyclare’s National Distribution Centre Manager Katie Watson and Commercial Director Dawn Scott with representatives from IFRA and the Mexican, Argentinian, Paraguayan and Albanian embassies. Photo courtesy of Dave Wardle. “The pallets which are now on their way to these countries contain specialist clothing such as tunics, boots, helmets, gloves, trousers which will help kit out around 4,500 firefighters and help keep them safe while they carry out their duties.” Mr Kay said the materials handed over were no longer of any use in Scotland or the UK because of stringent health and safety regulations but are still “perfectly usable” and would help keep firefighters safe in less fortunate countries. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with them — they have simply reached their expiry dates so are considered redundant in the UK — but less fortunate countries use out-dated, unsafe and, ultimately useless materials so they will definitely make a massive difference to their fire services,” he said. “Not only that but, because they are out of date, these materials need to be destroyed, which costs a lot, so we actually save companies money by taking them off their hands. “On behalf of everyone involved with IFRA I would like to say a big thank you to Ballyclare for their generous donation.”

Teaser: Singapore Website: http://www.safetysecurityasia.com.sg/

Teaser: Dallas, Texas Website: http://www.iafc.org

Portable response units stock gear essential for nuclear site back-up power and cooling Kochek Company, Connecticut-based manufacturer of high quality water flow products and fire connections, has been exclusively selected by the U.S. nuclear industry to supply water movement products for the Strategic Alliance for FLEX Emergency Response (SAFER) program, a comprehensive response strategy that provides an added layer of safety developed for U.S. nuclear energy sites following the Fukushima Daiichi disaster. By means of staging and storing equipment at regional response centers located in Arizona and Tennessee, the FLEX safety strategy provides a multi-faceted network of portable back-up safety systems that can maintain power and cooling in the unlikely event of an emergency, regardless of cause. Equipment stored at the response centers includes portable back-up generators, pumps, standardized couplings, strainers and hoses. Each center maintains full sets of back-up equipment ready to be moved within 24 hours to any U.S. nuclear power plant using ground and air transport. Durable, high-quality water movement products are essential to the restoration of key safety functions in the unlikely event that other emergency systems are unavailable. David Matthews, Kochek’s Director of Marketing, said that his company is very proud to have earned the FLEX supply contract. "Our extensive water movement product line and its unsurpassed performance in the field made the difference,” he said. Products stored at the response centers will be routinely tested for operability.     About Kochek Company For over 27 years, Kochek Company has manufactured the highest quality specialty fire equipment for today’s fire industry. Based in Putnam, Connecticut, Kochek is the nation’s largest manufacturer of PVC lightweight suction hose and a wide variety of strainers, dry hydrants, elbows, adapters, caps, plugs, and valves. For more information, please contact Kochek at 800-420-4673 or visit the company website at www.kochek.com. More information about the Nuclear Energy Institute’s SAFER program and FLEX response guidelines may be found at www.nei.org.

Base sounder beacons, wall sounder beacons and ceiling beacons Hochiki Europe, the leading manufacturer of innovative life safety solutions, has announced the imminent release of a full range of EN54-23 compliant VADs (Visual Alarm Devices), including base sounder beacons, wall sounder beacons and ceiling beacons, all of which are loop-powered. The Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 made the inclusion of VADs mandatory in all public buildings, but they are also a requirement for those working in areas of high ambient noise, such as factories. The British Standards Institute (BSI) introduced EN54-23 in June 2010 in order to set stricter guidelines on the installation and performance requirements of VADs. Since the beginning of 2014 this standard has been mandatory and compliant products are only permitted to emit a red or white light and are classified into ceiling mounted devices, wall mounted devices and an open class category. The specified light output is 0.4 lumens per m2 or 0.4 Lux and Hochiki Europe’s VADs have been tested and assessed by an EU notified body to determine coverage volume, based on the distance at which the required illumination is met. Hochiki’s new wall and ceiling beacons are available with either red or white LEDs which provides the installer with additional flexibility when deciding on the requirements of each installation. The brightness of the LEDs can be adjusted on these models from the control panel (dependent on control panel compatibility), and this can reduce the number of devices an installer is required to stock, as each one can produce up to three different ratings. The circuitry in the new wall and ceiling beacons is also continually monitored to ensure that it is still functioning. When in operation, LED light output is monitored via a separate sensor to ensure that a flash occurs, saving time on scheduled walk tests during maintenance procedures. Finally, the new wall and ceiling beacons have the ability to be powered externally from a separate 24V power supply, which means that for projects requiring multiple VADs, the loop current will be less affected by the LEDs when they are activated – and therefore more devices can be placed on the loop. “EN 54-23 marks a seismic shift in the way fire detection products and systems are designed, manufactured, specified and used,” commented Graham Lowe, sales director at Hochiki Europe. ‘Its impact will be significant and anything that enhances the protection of people should be welcomed.” For further information please contact Hochiki Europe on +44 (0)1634 266566, email: e-marketing@hochikieurope.com or visit www.hochikieurope.com.

Effective August 25, 2014 Fire-Dex, a leading manufacturer of firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE), announced the appointment of Steve Allison as the Director of Sales, effective August 25, 2014. Allison brings with him over 25 years of experience in the fire industry, recently serving as Senior VP for a another PPE manufacturer. Over the last few years Steve served as President & CEO of a leading education and office supply company, but is happy to be rejoining the fire service. "Fire-Dex is on the cusp of achieving great things," said Allison, "their growth and success in positioning themselves as a global leader in PPE is impressive; with industry-leading manufacturing processing, a talented field sales organization and a strong leadership team – it was an easy decision to join Fire-Dex" As a member of the executive staff, Allison will manage all sales functions including management of the regional sales team. "We are extremely excited to have Steve join Fire-Dex," said Allen Rom, Senior Regional Sales Manager at Fire-Dex, "his experience and knowledge of the industry is incredible and his approach and enthusiasm is exactly what Fire-Dex needs to help us continue our momentum." In this role, Allison will report to Bill Burke, President of Fire-Dex. "Steve is exactly what Fire-Dex needs to continue our success and achieve our aggressive growth goals," said Burke, "we are extremely fortunate to have him on the team and look forward to great things."