Hyfire announces Tom Crane as new Business Unit Director

Hyfire have appointed Tom Crane as Business Unit Director. In his new role, Tom will be responsible for overseeing future growth of the business and managing its nationwide sales team in the UK and Ireland.

Tom brings a wealth of experience after spending almost seven years at Apollo Fire Detectors. He joins the business at a challenging time for the sector, with stringent new regulations and the pandemic crisis presenting both challenges and opportunities to the Hyfire team.  

“Even before the events of 2020, wireless fire systems were already becoming mainstream and now we are seeing a significant acceleration of this process, especially in residential buildings,” said Tom, 28. “Wireless devices have always been simpler to programme and install, which means we can minimise time on site and contact with residents. This was always an advantage and a key selling point. Now it’s also a potential lifesaver.”

Hyfire offers the widest range of commercial standard wireless fire devices on the market, ranging from optical, multi-criteria and heat detectors to notification, arlarm, interface and control units, all fully certified to EN54. All products offer the highest performance and quality in the industry, and are also fully compliant with BS5839 Part 1. The company has also recently introduced EvacWireless, a rapid and scalable solution to meeting the BS8629 evacuation alert standards in residential buildings over 18 metres.

Tom added: “Wireless isn’t the afterthought or add-on anymore and demonstrating to our installer partners how they can use wireless within their projects is a key growth area for us. As a business, we need to build on the foundations of almost two decades of wireless innovation and ensure our partners and end users are supported from the very start of the design all the way through the install, commissioning and lifetime maintenance of the system.”

“The year ahead will be really important time for Hyfire. We are preparing to unveil a brand new range of devices that will represent a game-changing advance for the wireless fire sector, both in terms of flexibility and performance. We must follow that up with operational excellence across everything we do to ensure our customers are supported, so we can build a true partnership moving forwards, leading us to be the partner of choice within the wireless fire sector.” 

Tom, who studied Marketing at the University of Portsmouth before joining Apollo as a graduate trainee, is married with two young daughters aged two and four months. Outside the office, he is a keen football fan and an aspiring golfer, although the pandemic and the recent arrival of his second daughter mean he won’t be improving his handicap anytime soon.  

Hyfire was launched as Sterling Safety Systems in 2002, bringing to market some of the first commercial wireless detection and alarm devices fully certified to EN54. Since then, the Hyfire brand has become synonymous with quality, reliability and innovation in the commercial fire sector.

MSA’s Globe Products to sponsor NVFC course

MSA’s Globe Products is sponsoring the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) course Grant Writing for the Fire and Emergency Services through August 15. That means all members of the fire and emergency services can take the course free of charge to help them prepare their grant applications. The timing coincides with the application period for several key fire and emergency service grants.

NVFC course to be available on demand

The course, available on demand in the NVFC Virtual Classroom, educates fire and emergency services personnel on how to write a successful grant narrative in an effort to secure funding for their local fire/EMS department. Participants will also learn about available funding opportunities, including government and private grants.

The course will be beneficial to help fire and EMS personnel apply for any number of grants. Currently, there are several grant application periods open, including the following:

Safety Components introduces PF Zero to market

Safety Components have introduced the PF Zero finish to market, the first non-fluorinated durable water repellent finish developed specifically for PPE fabrics. With patented, high performance flame resistant outer shell fabrics like PBI Max and Armor AP, thermal liners like Glide Ice and Prism, and wildland/tech rescue fabrics like Sigma — more large metro cities specify and wear materials made by Safety Components than any other.

Guy Lucas, Business Development Director for Safety Components, stated, “We’d like to share with our first responder partners and customers a running change that is occurring with all of Safety Components’ flame-resistant materials, those requiring water resistance, sold under the NFPA 1971 and NFPA 1951 certifications. Our newest finish, called PF Zero, uses advanced technology that allows Safety Components the ability to employ a new water repellent chemistry that is sustainable and fluorine-free. This is a true game changer for the industry.”

PF Zero fabrics have been certified by UL as an approved replacement finish for fabrics sold by Safety Components under NFPA 1971/1951. Important performance characteristics such as flame resistance, TPP, and THL remain the same for Safety Components fabrics regardless of the finish. While Safety Components has already started producing materials finished with PF Zero, it could take several months for garments made with Safety Components PF Zero treated fabrics to filter through the supply chain and into the hands of first responders.

Safety Components operates as part of Elevate Textiles. Elevate and its premium brands are committed to improving sustainability for a lower carbon footprint as a cornerstone of every new product initiative. Safety Components’ newest PF Zero finish is a testament to that direction, requiring 15% less energy to produce while enhancing sustainability to PPE.

Mr. Lucas went on to say, “For more than 100 years, Safety Component fabrics have represented high performance and innovation, and our commitment to first responders and the environment will always be at the forefront of our existence. PF Zero finish supports our longstanding core values with a renewed focus on a cleaner environment. As a global leader in technology-driven fabric solutions for first responders and military professionals, Safety Components won’t settle for anything less.”

FBU appoints new Vice President

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) have appointed Ben Selby, FBU executive council member for the East Midlands as Vice President.

The decision to appoint a new Vice President came after Andy Noble, who has announced his decision to retire in June, chose not to stand in the election.

On being appointed, Ben Selby said: “It’s a great honour to be elected as the next Vice president of our great union. Branches across every one of our 12 regions nominated me, something I won’t forget. Thank you so much.

IMG-20210212-WA0015-1
Ben Selby (Credit: Fire Brigades Union)

“It appears that our national employers have given up the defence of the National Joint Council. Attacks on our terms and conditions are coming very soon, pushed by a number of Chief Officers and by central government. The FBU has a proud history of fighting to protect and improve our conditions. We will need to do that again.

“I’m privileged to have been elected as the next Vice President but I’m clear that our job now is unite and build a campaign to ensure the fire service and our conditions are protected and improved upon, and to ensure there is a professional fire service for future generations.”

Ben brings a wealth of experience to his new role at the FBU, having served as a firefighter for 18 years. He has also held several positions within the FBU, including brigade chair, brigade secretary, regional vice chair and regional secretary.

Workplace safety a concern in the Middle East according to survey

A survey commissioned by Honeywell and conducted by Wakefield Research has revealed the measures workers in the Middle East want to help increase workplace safety, including enhanced cleaning procedures and new building management technology investment.

The survey of 500 workers across the Middle East is part of Honeywell’s global study of more than 2,000 employees located in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and the Middle East. It revealed that, as per their counterparts in other areas of the world, Middle East workers are seeking safety reassurances in the form of long-term, safety-focused investments in their workplaces by building operators, rather than only temporary changes in response to COVID-19.

Key findings from the Middle East include:

  • Nearly 3 in 5 respondents (59%) believe that building operators are more likely to make short-term changes in response to COVID-19, rather than long-term investments in building systems that could help maximise workplace safety in the future and provide greater returns;
  • Approximately one third (31%) want to see their building operators invest in updated air quality systems and touchless door entry technologies;
  • Almost half (46%) would welcome health screening technology, such as temperature checks, while 41% believe their workplaces should have enhanced cleaning procedures;
  • 18% would like to see new contact tracing technology installed in their place of work.

“Workers are keenly attuned to what’s happening to make their workspaces safer and healthier, especially aspects like air quality and adherence to safety guidelines, issues that previously were likely to have been less of a concern for many,” said George Bou Mitri, vice president and general manager, Honeywell Building Technologies, Middle East, Turkey and Africa.

“Building owners have a responsibility now more than ever to provide safer and healthier working environments. In addition to implementing short-term measures such as social distancing and the wearing of masks, smart investments in building solutions deliver a cost effective way of improving a building’s overall health and performance, and achieving long-term ROI.”

workplace safety
George Bou Mitri

“Our advanced solutions integrate building technologies to support greater wellbeing, confidence and productivity for building occupants and support the region’s governments in their efforts to combat the pandemic. These solutions empower building owners with greater control in improving workspace environments and provide tenants with a sense of comfort and assurance on returning to work,” he concluded.

By integrating air quality, safety and security technologies along with advanced analytics, Honeywell’s Healthy Buildings solutions are designed to help reduce potential risks of contamination and improve business continuity by monitoring both the building environment and building occupants’ behaviors. Honeywell’s Healthy Buildings solutions help building owners improve their building environments, operate more cleanly, comply with social distancing policies, and help reassure occupants by increasing workplace safety.

New dates announced for IWMC 2021

The  International Water Mist Association (IWMA), has announced that IWMC 2021 (the 20th International Water Mist Conference 2021) will take place on 27th and 28th October 2021. The event will take place in Warsaw, Poland, Regent Warsaw Hotel.

“Reluctantly, we have decided to once again postpone the event, because we do not know what conditions we would have faced in April. We prefer to meet face to face and hope that this will be possible in October” explains IWMA general manager Bettina McDowell.  

The call for papers was issued on 15th February. The deadline for the submission of abstracts is 31st May. That is also the day when the conference webpage will go live. On 15th July, the programme will be published and the early bird period, during which IWMA will offer reduced tickets, will end on 30th July. For this event IWMA will offer special prices for locals.

Day one will as always be “Applications Day” and can be booked separately. Day two will mostly be dedicated to sciences and research.

The water mist conference is an annual event and the only event solely dedicated to the water mist technology.

TFT releases new RADIUS monitor

The new TFT RADIUS monitor is an easy to install, deck mounted monitor that elevates above the top mounted equipment to get the stream where it counts. The above deck mounting is ideal for apparatus where below deck extension tubes do not fit. The RADIUS elevates by simply pulling the quick release knob and lifting until it’s in the locked position. The monitor also includes the ability to flow while in the stowed position.

The RADIUS monitor raises the bar in this category of monitors by offering:

  • The highest reaching deck mounted monitor in its class at 23” (584 mm)
  • The highest flowing deck mounted monitor in its class at 1500gpm (6000 l/min)
  • 360-degree continuous horizontal rotation with a smaller swing radius than competitive models
  • A vertical range of 90 degrees up and 45 degrees down
  • A standard stowed sensor kit
  • Easy installation on 3” or 4” (76 or 102 mm) apparatus connections on new or in-service apparatus

Pair the RADIUS monitor with a wide range of TFT smooth bore or combination nozzles.

Contact your TFT Territory Sales Manager or local TFT dealer for a demonstration to see how you can raise the bar in deck mounted monitors.

Sentry Doors invests in new website and branding

Sentry Doors, the fast-growing provider of fire safety doors to the social housing sector, is reflecting significant investment with a fresh new brand and website, showcasing its bespoke and fully compliant FD30 and FD60 fire safety door sets.

Established in 1989 by Gordon and Carolyn Yates to offer a reliable solution to fire door safety the company has recently celebrated its 30-year anniversary and is going from strength to strength. With an established team, a catalogue of certification, and a product and service offering built on quality, the brand is well positioned as the supplier of choice for timber fire door sets.

In celebration of this rich heritage and signifying strategic growth plans, the company is pleased and excited to announce a resigned and refreshed brand identity.

The company is constantly developing their door sets to meet the very latest design and safety standards, so felt it only necessary to update the brand image too. This refreshed identity is being launched alongside a dynamic, redeveloped website which is designed to make it as easy as possible for customers to navigate through the extensive product range to find the fully certified timber fire door set they are looking for.

Sales & Marketing Strategist Catherine Hadwick explains the creative process behind this refreshed identity:

“Sentry Doors have built a strong reputation for being the supplier of choice for fire and security door sets. The brand refresh is designed to retain the strong elements that has defined the brand over the past thirty years and translate this into a modern, simple visual identity that reflects the innovation and growth of the brand which has put it at the forefront of fire safety.

The newly designed website has everything you need to help choose a fully compliant, bespoke door set for your fire safety requirements. Whatever the project requirements, it is important to have confidence when procuring fire door sets and Sentry Doors constantly strive to provide this confidence with investment in strict testing and certification, highest quality standards and friendly and knowledgeable team. These core principles remain exactly the same yet this is strengthened with this fresh new brand appearance.

We hope this reflects clearly the direction and image of our business as we look to the future and continue to offer a secure choice for fire safety.”

This redeveloped website will include regular case studies, blogs, a virtual factory tour with many new features to be announced over the next few months.

Managing Director Ty Aziz sees this as an important step in celebrating the success of the business and preparing for future growth plans;

“Sentry doors has built a strong reputation and even stronger customer relationships, and this is a vital step in solidifying this. Despite the current climate, we have expanded our team, invested in manufacturing capabilities and with the support of recent investment from Cairngorm Capital we are well positioned to expand on this success.”

Draeger Safety UK opens manufacturing facility in Gateshead

Draeger Safety UK Ltd, part of The Dräger Group, an international leader in the fields of medical and safety technology, has today officially opened a new manufacturing facility in Gateshead, expanding its ongoing commitment to the North East of England.

The new manufacturing facility, which will produce FFP3 face masks to fulfil a Government contract to supply UK manufactured PPE for frontline workers, is Dräger’s second site in the region. The company’s other site, located at Blyth in Northumberland, manufacturers a wide range of safety equipment.

Malcolm Irving, Head of Global Supply Chain Safety Division at Dräger, commented on the new site, “We’re very proud to officially open this new manufacturing facility in Gateshead. The production lines are now operational and the first orders have been delivered to NHS hospitals.

“The new site has established a sustainable UK-production base to manufacture high volumes and to provide a long-term solution for the supply of high protection FFP masks for our NHS workforce and other front-line workers.”

Complying with lockdown regulations, the site was opened virtually by Councillor Michael Hood, the Mayor of Gateshead and attended online by
Rainer Klug, Dräger Executive Board member for safety division and other
members of the Dräger Safety UK team.

Dräger worked closely with local representatives, including, the Academic
Health Science Network for the North East and North Cumbria (AHSN NENC), to secure the order and with Gateshead Council to acquire the new site.

Health Minister Jo Churchill said, “I am delighted that Dräger’s new PPE facility is opening in Gateshead. The factory will create new jobs in the area, making and delivering millions of FFP3 facemasks to our frontline health and social care
workers.

“We have been working tirelessly to deliver PPE throughout the pandemic, with around 32 billion items ordered and over 7.3 billion items delivered to the frontline.

“This represents another significant milestone in establishing a UK PPE
manufacturing industry to help us continue this vital work and build a more resilient supply chain in the future.”

Dräger’s reputation has been built on 131 years of protecting lives. In addition to FFP masks, the company has a wide range of medical and safety equipment to protect, support and help save lives whilst securing the welfare of professionals on a daily basis. Dräger’s products ranges from hospital ventilators and breathing apparatus to monitors, right through to gas detectors.

Fire Services tackle huge blaze at Dartmoor National Park

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service are advising the public to stay away from Dartmoor National Park, after a fire engulfed the historical site overnight.

The fire, which started on Thursday evening, has spread across three miles, but firefighters are now confident that they have traced the source of the fire and have managed to contain it.

A statement on the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: “Crews from Tavistock, Plympton, Princetown, Okehampton, Crownhill, Totnes, Chagford, Holsworthy and Crediton attended this incident along with supporting officers. One of the first fire engines on arrival reported a large fire involving the moorland which was some considerable distance from the roadside.”

Due to extreme weather conditions, the fire services have focused on containing the fire until conditions improve.