Launch will take place at Intersec  NEBOSH will soon be offering an Arabic language version of its most popular examination, the International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety. The first International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety exams in Arabic will be available from 1 December 2012, with an official launch taking place at Intersec from 15th-17th January 2013 in Dubai, UAE. The Middle East is currently NEBOSH’s largest international market, with registrations up by 56% on 2010/11. “We’re taking our most popular international qualification and making it available in the language which is most commonly spoken in our largest overseas market,” said NEBOSH Chief Executive, Teresa Budworth. “We anticipate this will result in further growth in NEBOSH exam entries from overseas, which overall now surpass those from our UK home territory.” Arabic, in its various forms, is spoken by around 280 million people, making it one of the top six most commonly used languages in the world. An Arabic language version of NEBOSH’s introductory level Health and Safety at Work qualification was launched in 2011 and has been well received. Courses leading to NEBOSH qualifications are offered by around 500 course providers in more than 100 countries around the world. Further information about NEBOSH courses can be found at www.nebosh.org.uk/Qualifications NEBOSH will be exhibiting at stand 4-824S, please come and visit us. For further information about Intersec, visit http://www.intersecexpo.com

Collates in Chicago  A new exposition in Chicago next summer will feature information and products specifically designed to improve safety for people with disabilities. The inaugural “Accessibility Expo: Beyond the ADA” will collocate with the annual National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Conference & Expo at Chicago’s McCormick Place, from June 10-12, 2013. The three-day event will inform building designers, builders, managers and safety executives, and promote the idea of moving beyond the minimum requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). “With each passing day I marvel at new innovations and advancements, particularly those that improve access to information, communications and the ability of people with disabilities to be more empowered with respect to their own safety,” said Allan Fraser, NFPA’s senior building code specialist. “It’s time to shine a light on innovations so that building designers, suppliers, facility and safety managers, and first responders can connect and interact.” Conference sessions will address life safety in five categories of disability, including mobility, vision, hearing, speech and cognitive, as well as creative and common sense best-practices and solutions. The exhibition will feature enhanced alarm systems, directional sound devices, voice-to-text/text-to -voice devices, video phones for American Sign Language users, power wheelchairs, accessibility training and employer preparedness programs. The NFPA Conference & Expo is the premier industry event for fire protection and life safety and attracts more than 5,000 professionals whose work involves code compliance, fire, building and life safety. The event is co-produced by NFPA and ROC Exhibitions, Inc., Lisle, Ill. NFPA is a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building and life safety to the public, since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training and education. ROC Exhibitions, celebrating 18 years in business in 2012, produces seven trade events annually in the United States and Mexico. Suppliers interested in exhibiting at Accessibility Expo or presenting a conference session should contact ROC-NFPA, LLC at 630-271-8210. To learn more, visit www.nfpa.org/conference

In fire tests  · Flame and smoke development less than with diesel or petrol cars · Burning liquids do not flow away · Extinguishing battery fires requires more water or special additives In the event of a fire, electric and hybrid cars containing lithium-ion traction batteries are at least as safe as combustion engine vehicles. This is the conclusion of a current series of fire tests conducted by the experts from DEKRA in collaboration with a car manufacturer. DEKRA Automobil GmbH has spent a long time focusing on the safety of electric vehicles. “Safety issues are key to increased popularity of electromobility – and that includes fire protection,” says Andreas Richter, who works in the DEKRA Electromobility Competence Center and coordinates all the company’s activities in this area. “Are drivers of electric vehicles literally sitting in the hot seat? Are fire brigades capable of extinguishing fires from electric vehicles? This is debated extensively in places such as internet forums. Our fire tests will now make a qualified and constructive contribution to this discussion.” In this series of tests, three traction batteries from an electric vehicle currently on the market were set alight and then extinguished using different extinguishing agents. “We wanted to find out how batteries really behave in a fire and when the fire is being extinguished and how much extinguishing agent is needed,” says Markus Egelhaaf from DEKRA Accident Research. The batteries were set alight with petrol. After a few minutes exposed to flames at temperatures exceeding 800°C, the batteries began to burn by themselves. Here, flame and smoke development was much less than with burning petrol. The excess pressure generated inside the batteries as a result of the fire was dissipated outwards through the in-built pressure relief valves. This caused smaller flash fires, although these were less intense than those seen in petrol fires. And Egelhaaf adds: “The risk of the fire rapidly spreading is lower in battery fires because unlike in vehicles that use conventional fuels such as petrol or diesel, burning liquid cannot flow away and set neighbouring objects alight.” The experts used a variety of means to test how burning traction batteries can be extinguished. In the first test of the series, they fought the fire with water. Although this was successful, it did take time. Several times the fire went out only to flare up again. This shows that the vehicle or battery housing need to be cooled down once the fire itself has been extinguished. Overall, considerably more water was consumed in this test than would be required for extinguishing fires in conventional vehicles. In the two follow-up tests, different additives were used for enhancing the extinguishing and cooling effect of the water. One of the two agents creates a gel when mixed with water, which then does not flow away as easily, but remains on the burning object and thus cools much more effectively. The other additive reduces the water’s surface tension and increases its evaporation rate. This also enhances the cooling effect. “Both substances proved highly effective at extinguishing the fire in our tests too,” reports the DEKRA expert. “The fire was put out with much less water and in much less time.” All in all, the accident researchers concluded that, in the event of a fire, electric and hybrid vehicles equipped with lithium-ion traction batteries are at least as safe as petrol or diesel cars. The water that was flowing away from the scene was also analysed. The analysis conducted in the DEKRA laboratory for environmental and product analysis showed that the level of contamination is comparable to that seen in the water used to extinguish fires in conventional cars.

3M Novec investigate  For end users attempting to determine the future availability of HFCs in fire suppression‚ the mixed messages to the market can be both confusing and frustrating. The near future (2012-13) will more clearly reveal the unsustainable path for HFCs in all sectors‚ including those sold into fire suppression. In July‚ 2012‚ for instance‚ Australia began driving down use of HFCs by implementing a carbon price (tax) that will dramatically impact the future of HFCs sold into fire suppression. Carbon is initially priced at $23 AUD per ton and will gradually increase until 2015‚ at which time the price will be determined by the market. HFCs‚ including those sold into fire suppression‚ will face an equivalent carbon price magnified by their global warming potential. The result is an unsustainable addition to HFC agent costs by more than $30/lb. The good news for the Australian fire suppression market is that substitutes‚ including Novec 1230 fluid‚ are readily and commercially available to replace HFC-based systems virtually wherever they may presently be used. This fall‚ the European Union will reveal the policy direction for the next revision of the F-gas regulation and that policy will solidify in 2013. Two prominent options include implementing marketing restrictions on HFCs in select sectors‚ and a phase-down in production or import of HFCs. These and other regional initiatives are unfolding under the backdrop of the United Nations continuing to find common ground for implementation of a global phase-down in production of HFCs. Again‚ the EU Commission has recognized that these policies are possible in sectors such as fire suppression where alternatives are readily available. The bottom line is that HFCs sold into fire suppression fall squarely in the middle of the crosshairs on HFCs‚ because no other sector as clean agent fire protection is as well-prepared to move to the next generation of sustainable alternatives.

From San Jose Fire Dept Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) company, received an order for four Pierce® Aerial Tiller vehicles from the San Jose Fire Department located in San Jose, Calif. Built on the Arrow XT™ chassis, these are the San Jose fire department’s first Pierce aerial tiller vehicles, and all four will be placed into service in spring 2013. “Because our fire department recently moved from a two-piece truck company to a single-piece truck company configuration, our apparatus have to be able to carry much more equipment,” said Joseph Crivello, battalion chief for the San Jose Fire Department. “That’s a significant positive aspect of these Pierce tiller trucks: they will meet our requirement for a large amount of equipment storage while keeping a shorter overall length. These four new Pierce tiller trucks will have a tremendous impact on our fire and emergency response capabilities.” “We are pleased and gratified to earn this four aerial tiller vehicle order from such a high profile and highly-respected fire department,” said Jim Johnson, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Fire & Emergency. “Fire departments are striving to be even more productive, and we’re delighted that San Jose chose Pierce to meet the growing challenges it faces.” The Aerial Tiller vehicles are built on the Pierce Arrow XT chassis with a raised roof cab, seating for five firefighters, and integrated frontal impact and side roll protection systems. Each vehicle features a 100-foot aerial ladder, TAK-4® independent suspension on both the front axle and the 5th wheel trailer, and an overall length of just 57-feet and five inches to meet fire stations’ apparatus bay requirements. “We have many highly congested areas with narrow streets, and the maneuverability of these Pierce tractor drawn apparatus will enable us to go places other trucks simply can’t go,” added Chief Crivello. “The bottom line is better service to the citizens and visitors within our protection area.” San Jose is the largest city within Silicon Valley, the third largest city in California, and the tenth largest in the U.S. The San Jose Fire Department’s protection district encompasses a little over 200 square miles, and includes the city of San Jose and many areas of unincorporated Santa Clara County. Pierce dealer, Golden State Fire Apparatus, and regional service provider, Burton’s Fire, Inc. of Modesto, Calif., provide local support. Photo Caption: Pierce Manufacturing received an order for four Arrow XT™ custom aerial tiller vehicles (similar to the one pictured here) from the San Jose Fire Department in San Jose, California. About Pierce Manufacturing Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] company, is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, minipumpers, elliptical tankers, and homeland security apparatus. In addition, Pierce designs its own foam systems and was the first company to introduce frontal airbags and the Side Roll Protection system to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit www.piercemfg.com About Oshkosh Corporation Oshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corporation manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®. Oshkosh products are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, visit www.oshkoshcorporation.com. ®, TM All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.  

Fire swept through a nursing home An early morning fire at a hospital in southern Taiwan has killed 12 patients and injured at least 60 more. The fire swept through a nursing home inside the hospital in Tainan City that housed elderly and mostly bed-ridden patients. A hospital official said the victims died of smoke inhalation. Injured residents were being treated at several different hospitals. Police say they have arrested a man on suspicion of starting the fire. Local reports say the man is a patient at the nursing home. The nursing home housed more than 100 people, many of whom were on respirators and unable to move on their own. "It was pitch black and the heavy smoke was unbearable, it’s really horrifying," a person who escaped the fire told Taiwan’s Central News Agency. One 94-year-old woman had to use her wheelchair to escape the blaze, hiding on the second floor until rescuers found her, local media reported. Thirty fire engines were sent to the blaze, which was extinguished by 04:16 local time (20:16 GMT), just over 45 minutes after it was reported, officials said. Tainan Mayor Lai Ching-te said the hospital’s remote location and the fact that most of the patients were unable to move on their own made the situation worse. Firefighters arrived at the scene 10 minutes after the fire broke out, but because of the large number of patients nearby residents had to pitch in to help transport some of them to other hospitals. The fire is believed to be one of deadliest at a Taiwanese hospital and one of the most serious on the island in recent years, says our correspondent. Premier Sean Chen said in a statement that he had sent condolences to the victims’ families.

JD Hughes Group wins again  The JD Hughes Group of Bredbury, Stockport has received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2012 – Continuous Achievement. It is the second time the Company has received a Queen’s Award and recognises an increase in exports of more than 200% over the previous six years. The Grant of Appointment was presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Mr. Warren J. Smith KStJ JP DLitt LLD at a ceremony in the company’s new Operations Centre in Bredbury, Stockport. Also present were the Mayor of Stockport, Councillor Wendy Meikle, Hazel Grove MP the Rt. Hon. Andrew Stunell and local Councillors. The presentation in front of staff and guests followed a tour of the new facilities where visitors saw the organization and production planning that has helped Hughes achieve record exports. Thanking the Lord Lieutenant on behalf of the entire workforce, Tony Hughes, the Group’s Managing Director, emphasized the important contribution being made by small and medium size businesses to the economic recovery. He also considered some of the challenges companies face. “Two years ago, we made ambitious forecasts for our business and we subsequently met all our targets. Promises of financial support for our export lead growth plans failed to materialize, leaving us in a difficult situation. Clearly like everyone else, we were feeling the impact of the global financial crisis. With such ambitious plans and a strong track record of always meeting it was particularly frustrating and, at times, made us feel we were trying to run with a ball and chain round our leg.” “Thankfully however with help from contacts made in Government and the continued support of our Relationship manager within the bank, once again we have the full support we need for the future and the vital backing to meet our targets for 2013 and beyond. Manufacturing and exporting businesses like ours need the continuing support of Government and financial institutions so that we can play our part in getting the country back on its feet.”

Go from strength to strength  When national cinema chain, Empire Cinemas, need specialist electrical projects completing, they call on the life-safety experts, Solid State. Already responsible for servicing and maintaining the critical life-safety systems at 16 Empire Cinemas across the UK, the company also adapts existing fire and voice alarm systems at cinemas undergoing structural alterations. Most recently, its expert engineers extended the alarm systems at the spectacular new Gate Complex in Newcastle to allow for a £5.5M expansion programme including the provision of eight new ‘studio screens’ equipped with the latest digital projection and sound systems. Said Mike Seary, Service and Maintenance Manager at the company: “We have built up an excellent relationship with Empire Cinemas over the years due to our ability to successfully complete specialist electrical projects on time and within budget. Our relationship is built on mutual trust and we are proud to be associated with such a prestigious national chain.” Empire Cinemas operate 162 screens across 16 cinemas in the United Kingdom. The chain’s flagship site is the magnificent Empire Cinema in London’s Leicester Square. Said Neil Goulding, Empire Cinema’s Facilities and Construction Director: “Solid State are dependable, honest, informative, knowledgeable and totally committed to providing a quality service that is cost-effective, timely and in the best interests of the customer. I cannot recommend them highly enough”. Solid State’s service and maintenance department currently manages an impressive portfolio of over 300 national, regional and single site contracts. The company offers a full 24-hour call out service across the UK mainland and will service any electrical system to the relevant British standards. For more information, please contact Solid State on 01257 463018 or visit www.solidstatesecurity.co.uk.

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