New dates announced for Intersec Saudi Arabia

New dates have been announced for Intersec Saudi Arabia, with the Kingdom’s largest trade fair for security, safety, and fire protection, now scheduled to take place from 15-17 March 2021 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The three-day event is organised by Saudi-based ACE Group under licence from Dubai-headquartered Messe Frankfurt Middle East. The new dates come after extensive feedback and consultation with the venue, exhibitors, visitors, trade partners and associations, as the Saudi government continues to contain the spread of Covid-19.

In its 4th edition, Intersec Saudi Arabia was initially postponed to run in September 2020, however Show Director Alexandria Robinson said the move to 2021 was widely supported by stakeholders: “Plans are underway to deliver a sold-out event once again next year with more than 120 exhibitors from 20 countries participating. As is customary, we’ll deliver a wide range of value-added conferences and workshops covering pertinent security, safety, and fire protection topics.”

“Intersec Saudi Arabia is an important and growing show, designed to reflect Saudi’s security, safety, and fire protection industries, and one where international solution providers look to make inroads in a bustling market,” added Ms. Robinson.

Intersec Saudi Arabia is supported by the Ministry of Interior (MoI), the Saudi Civil Defense, and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO).  It covers the six key product sections of commercial security, information security, perimeter & physical security, homeland security & policing, fire & rescue, and safety & health. fire

Saudi is the Middle East’s largest commercial security, fire protection and safety market, and is estimated to be worth US$9.6 billion in 2020 according to analysts 6Wresearch.

Homeland security and policing will hold the lion’s share of spend this year, at US$5.4 billion.  This is followed by information security (US$2.8 billion), commercial security (US$892 million), fire safety (US$309 million), and physical and perimeter protection (US$227 million).

www.intersec-ksa.com.

 

Johnson Controls appoints Phil Clement as Chief Marketing Officer

Johnson Controls announced earlier this year the appointment of Phil Clement as the company’s Chief Marketing Officer. Clement is now responsible of all global activities related to conceptualising and implementing market strategy and demand generation, including achieving marketing targets through in-depth market development, research and planning.

Clement most recently served as global chief marketing and communications officer for Aon. As Aon’s first ever global CMO, Clement was responsible for developing the company’s global CRM systems, common sales processes and a single global brand. Prior to joining Aon, Clement was the founder of a management consulting firm specialising in growth strategies.

Clement will report to Mike Ellis, executive vice president, and chief digital & customer officer. “Phil brings a wealth of strategy, brand and marketing experience to Johnson Controls and he will play a critical role in making sure our teams can successfully support our growth goals and our customers,” said Ellis.

Clement attended the University of Southern California, and has a Master’s of Business Administration and Public Policy from the University of Chicago.

Nittan provides fire safety protection for Nottingham students

Nittan Europe has had its Evolution analogue addressable fire detection system installed into a new student accommodation development in Beeston, Nottingham. The system was installed by Nottinghamshire based integrated safety and security solutions provider, TIS.

Dagfa House is a unique development of townhouses, clusters and studios adjacent to The University of Nottingham campus. It provides accommodation to 229 students and a range of leisure and study amenities. At the heart of the development is a Grade two listed building that dates back to the 18th-century and was converted into a school in 1948. This latest development has been undertaken by the Cassidy Group, which has over 30 years of experience in construction and property.

One of the key fire safety challenges posed by the Dagfa House development was the mix of accommodation blocks, with some being relatively small. A cost-effective fire detection system was required that could potentially evacuate each site in the event of a fire and that would also be future proof, with spares readily available.

A Nittan Evolution analogue addressable fire alarm system, comprising two individually networked systems, each utilising eight Evolution1 panels and Nittan devices was chosen as the solution. Chris Mills, Head of Fire Division at TIS explains: “TIS carried out market research of a number of fire alarm manufacturers before finally settling on the Nittan Evolution panel with Nittan devices which provided a single source approach while providing a cost effective and reliable solution.”

Evolution is Nittan’s advanced, premium fire system. Evolution uses ASIC technology in the sensors and sophisticated detection algorithms, combining extremely reliable fire detection together with a very high degree of protection against unwanted false alarms.  Its advanced, highly flexible protocol allows for substantial amounts of information to be transmitted at high speed and is not affected by the number of devices on the loop.

At Dagfa House, the Nittan Evolution1 Panel was selected because of its built-in network connectivity, making it extremely cost effective, plus its ease of installation and cause & effect configuration.

For the primary detection in the majority of locations, Nittan’s EV-PYS Optical Detector with built-in sounder was selected for convenience, due to the reduced cost and time required compared to installing separate detectors and sounders, as well as the combined detector/sounder providing a more aesthetically pleasing solution.

In the open areas, such as the cinema room, games room, common room and the communal garden terrace, Nittan EV-HIOP-SB High Output Sounder Beacon VADs were installed.  These devices provide high volume sound, EN 54-23 compliant visual alarm and are waterproofed to IP65, making them suitable for the outdoor areas.

One of the most important devices in any fire alarm system is Manual Call Points, which are strategically located in the Dagfa House development at points of evacuation. Nittan EV-MCP2-SCI Call Point with built in short circuit isolators were chosen to ensure the loops were adequately protected, so the system remains compliant even under short circuit fault conditions.  Each Call Point was also fitted with a hinged front cover for compliance with BS-5839-1: 2017, the code of practice for designing, installing, commissioning, and maintaining fire detection and alarm systems.

nittan.co.uk/

North Wales fire chief issues safety warning after laptop battery sparks house fire in Rhuddlan

A senior fire safety officer has issued a safety warning following a fire involving a replacement laptop battery in Rhuddlan last night (6th July).

Crews from Rhyl and St Asaph attended the fire at Tan yr Eglwys, Rhuddlan at shortly before 10.40pm.

The fire caused damage to the laptop, the kitchen table where the laptop was charging and blackening to the wall. Firefighters used one hose reel to extinguish the fire.

Simon Bromley, Community Safety Manager for Conwy and Denbighshire, said: “With more and more people working from home, we’re using laptops and other electrical items more often.

“Everyday electrical items pose fire risks – but there are things we can do to reduce these risks and help keep safe.

“Batteries can present a fire risk when over-charged, short-circuited, submerged in water or if they are damaged. If replacing a battery, always buy branded items from reputable suppliers.

“It is really important to charge them safely too, and avoid charging overnight or covering chargers or electrical items.

“The occupant was in the room when the fire broke out – thankfully they also had working smoke alarms fitted which sounded and would have raised the alarm.

“Electrical fires can strike anytime, anywhere so having working smoke alarms fitted in your home will help protect you and your family.”

The fire service has provided the following tips on staying safe when using batteries and chargers:

  • Always use the charger that came with your phone, tablet, e-cigarette or mobile device.
  • If you need to buy a replacement battery or charger, always choose a branded, genuine product from a supplier you can trust. There are lots of fakes out there, and it can be difficult to spot the difference. Counterfeit electrical chargers can be deadly – many fail to meet UK safety regulations leading to fires and injury.
  • Avoid storing, using or charging batteries at very high or low temperatures.
  • Protect batteries against being damaged – that’s crushed, punctured or immersed in water.
  • Don’t leave items continuously on charge after the charge cycle is complete – don’t leave chargers plugged in overnight.
  • Never cover chargers or charging devices – that includes using your laptop power lead in bed.
  • When you travel, avoid keeping all your items containing lithium ion batteries together, especially on a plane. Check with your flight carrier for additional information or advice.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Services help drivers return to the road after lockdown

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Services say they have had to change their road safety education all the way through. They have now issued some hints, tips, videos and advice for people who are looking to return to driving after a couple of months off.

As lockdown eases, they want people to remember the importance of road safety and how behave while driving.

Road Safety Manager Christine Sharma said: “Since lockdown, we have had to completely rethink how we deliver road safety education. There has been a dramatic decrease in the number of road traffic collisions during the pandemic. Our worry is that we will see more and more incidents now we’re moving to the ‘new normal’. We’re encouraging all drivers to take a bit of time online – going through the advice and making sure that they’re mentally prepared to be back on the roads.”

This includes knowing the ‘fatal four’ main reasons for loss of life in road traffic collisions:

  • Use of mobile phones
  • Non-use of seatbelts
  • Excessive speed
  • Drink or drug driving

Advice also includes knowing how to use the FLOWER acronym to keep your car maintained.

In addition, they have created three new digital resources to help as many people as possible:

  • The first leaflet is for all drivers, and includes the importance of checking your vehicle’s roadworthiness, especially if affected by the current MOT exemption.
  • Leaflet two is aimed at older drivers, showing how they can prepare physically and mentally to return to the road.
  • Leaflet three addresses newly qualified drivers who won’t have been able to build up their skills and confidence since lockdown, and also looks at peer pressure.

Fire at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility reportedly causes significant damage

A fire that broke out at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility last week caused significant damage that could slow the development of advanced centrifuges, an Iranian nuclear official said on Sunday 5th July.

No one was hurt in the mysterious blaze last Thursday at the site, said Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation.

Iran’s top security body said on Friday the cause of the fire at the facility had been determined and would be announced later, however, specific details have yet to be released.

Some Iranian officials reportedly said it may have been caused by cyber-sabotage and one warned Tehran would retaliate against any country carrying out such attacks.

“The incident could slow down the development and production of advanced centrifuges in the medium term,” Kamalvandi was quoted as saying by Iran’s state news agency IRNA.

“Iran will replace the damaged building with a bigger one that has more advanced equipment. The incident has caused significant damage, but there were no casualties.”

An article by IRNA last week addressed what it called the possibility of sabotage by enemies such as Israel and the United States, although it stopped short of accusing either directly.

In 2010, the Stuxnet computer virus, widely believed to have been developed by the US and Israel, was discovered after it was used to attack Natanz.

Israel’s defence minister said on Sunday it was not “necessarily” behind every mysterious incident in Iran.

The Natanz uranium-enrichment site, much of which is underground, is one of several Iranian facilities monitored by inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations nuclear watchdog.

The IAEA said on Friday the location of the fire did not contain nuclear materials and none of its inspectors was present at the time.

Crews stop nearly 50-acre wildfire in Oregon

A new wildfire broke out and quickly put up a billowing smoke column on Sunday 5th July near Paulina Lake Road in the La Pine area in the state of Oregon, burning nearly 50 acres before crews in an intense air and ground attack got a line around it.

The Paulina Lake Fire was reported just after 1 p.m., burning on Bureau of Land Management land east of U.S. Highway 97 and north of Paulina Lake Road (Forest Road 21).

The fast-moving fire burned in timber and brush 1-2 miles northwest of Ogden Group Camp, off Forest Road 9735, and was estimated at 15-20 acres around 3:30 p.m. in tweets from Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch.

Six engines, a bulldozer and a water tender were among initial resources called in to attack the fire, which burned near the Deschutes National Forest boundary, Forest Service spokeswoman Kassidy Kern said. One heavy air tanker, a Type 2 tanker and a single-engine air tanker were called in to support firefighters on the ground.

Firefighters stopped forward progress of the blaze before 6:30 p.m. and had containment lines around its perimeter, officials said. The fire was estimated at 48.5 acres. Crews will work through the night to secure the perimeter and patrol for spot fires, Kern said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation as the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said there had been no evacuations. Several other brush fires were tackled around the region on Sunday, including a small brushfire off Southwest Brookswood Boulevard in Bend that residents went after with extinguishers and rakes, and one off Ten Bar Ranch Road and Highway 20 east of Bend that reportedly burned about two acres late Sunday afternoon.

“Central Oregon is currently in high fire danger, meaning fuels are very receptive to ignitions,” Kern said in a news release. “If you are recreating on public lands, remember to remain diligent about ensuring all campfires are ‘dead out’ and cold to the touch when you leave them, all spark arrestors are properly installed, and trailer chains are secured.”

ASFP prepares for resumption of face-to-face classroom training

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) is preparing to resume face-to-face classroom training with several Autumn dates for the Level 2 and Level 3 Foundation Course in Passive Fire Protection in Dublin and a Level 2 Course in Passive Fire Protection commencing in Coventry on Wednesday 8 July.

With numbers restricted in order to comply with social distancing requirements, the July course is now fully booked, but the Association will shortly be announcing new Autumn dates in the UK.

On that note, the following courses are scheduled to take place at the Carlton Hotel (Dublin Airport) in the Autumn: Level 2 course (15, 22 and 29 September and 6 October), Level 3 course: 17 September, 1, 8, 20 and 27 October, 3 November and 25 February 2021).

The training courses are the first in the UK and Ireland to enable candidates to study to obtain a recognised qualification in passive fire protection. Individuals who undertake the training will have the opportunity to progress to Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications in Passive Fire Protection provided by the Institution of Fire Engineers, itself a nationally and internationally recognised awarding organisation regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual).

The ASFP also offers an online Introduction to Passive Fire Protection course designed to equip new entrants to the sector with a basic knowledge of passive fire protection and its role in the overall fire strategy of a building.

Consisting of 13 short online videos, each of them around ten-to-15 minutes in length, the course is designed to provide a broad understanding of the subject of passive fire protection. Learners will gain knowledge of all types of passive fire protection systems. There are also modules on fire safety in buildings, human behaviour in fire, fire testing, contractor responsibilities and the role of active fire protection.

Successful completion of the e-Learning course will enable delegates to better understand the role of the various fire safety measures in the built environment, and particularly so passive fire protection. On completion of an online multiple-choice test, learners receive confirmation of completion and are awarded three hours of Continuing Professional Development.

London Fire Brigade warns of potential spike in fires as pubs re-open to public

The London Fire Brigade is warning of a possible spike in fires due to concerns that people may drink to excess as pubs, bars and restaurants open their doors to the public for the first time in three months.

Since the lockdown, the amount of fires where alcohol was cited as an impairment has dropped by a quarter. While cooking remains a leading cause of alcohol-related fires, there has been a 37% reduction in the number of fires caused by cooking under the influence, which the Brigade believes could be attributed to the closure of London’s pubs.

With around one-in-three people who died in a fire last year having alcohol in their system, there’s a concern that the long-awaited re-opening of pubs could result in a sudden surge in devastating fires.

Even at the best of times, cooking can be hard to manage and when someone has been drinking alcohol, the risk of having an accident increases as a person’s co-ordination decreases.

Paul Jennings, the London Fire Brigade’s assistant commissioner for fire safety, said: “As the lockdown eases, we understand that people are excited for the re-opening of pubs, bars and restaurants after months of closure, but we urge them to drink responsibly. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can seriously impair someone’s judgements and can put them at a very real risk of having an accident. With more fires likely to start in the kitchen than any other room in the home, it’s best for people to stay away from cooking if they’ve had a few drinks.”

The NHS has stated that, after drinking just four-to-six units of alcohol (ie the equivalent of around just two standard glasses of wine), the part of a person’s brain associated with judgement and decision-making is affected, resulting in more reckless behaviour and affecting their reaction time.

SoundOff Signal enters fire apparatus market

SoundOff Signal, a Hudsonville-based manufacturer of vehicle lighting, control systems and electronic warning solutions for the law enforcement, amber, and government markets, has created its first products for the fire apparatus market with additions to its mpower silicone lights and Lightbar product lines.

“This is truly exciting for SoundOff to offer the fire market our full line of products that improve first responder’s safety. We’ve become known as an innovation and safety advocate leader in the police market, and now, we intend to help protect our fire first responders with that same level of care,” said Mark Litke, president and CEO of SoundOff Signal.

The mpower line of products features an optical-grade silicone lens. In this line expansion, mpower perimeter lights are available in 7×3 and 6×4 configurations. As with the entire mpower light platform, they are designed to be durable, versatile and have brighter light output, as well as a 10-year warranty on the lens material. These lights, along with the 9×7 perimeter light, also will be available in polycarbonate lens for those looking for a more traditional style.

In addition to the perimeter lights, the new nFUSE lightbar is being introduced to the market and offers high light output, numerous configurations and cost-effective options. It will be available in single and dual-stack forms and lengths to fit a small truck up to a full-size apparatus.

“We are inspired by this market — one that so closely echoes our own corporate values of hard work and innovation,” said Drew Radtke, vice president of sales for SoundOff Signal. “We believe SoundOff is really going to strike a chord with these distributors and first responders. We know the fire community is looking for products that push their industry forward in safety, efficiencies and durability, and we are proud of our team for answering this call.”

soundoffsignal.com/