COVID-19 adds disruptions as California prepares for intense fire season

California and states in the US south-west are bracing for an intense fire season complicated by the coronavirus pandemic. With 2020 on track to be one of the hottest and driest years on record, the National Interagency Fire Centre is warning of a higher potential for fires across much of America’s west and south-west.

A historically dry winter – not a single drop of rain fell on San Francisco and Sacramento in February – followed by a hot spring has dried out fire-fueling vegetation, priming the region for an unusually early start to the fire season.

California saw fires popping up early in springtime, with bigger, faster wildfires picking up in recent weeks amid hot and dry conditions that could persist for months. Hundreds of firefighters have been deployed to multiple blazes across Arizona, with the fifth-largest fire in the state’s history burning northeast of Phoenix. A number of smaller fires in California over the past two weeks also prompted evacuations.

“Unfortunately we’re already seeing a bit of a preview of what’s to come,” said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at the University of California, Los Angeles.

“That doesn’t necessarily mean that some sort of historical, catastrophic blaze is assured,” Swain said. “It just means that the risk is a lot higher this year than it would normally be, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we get lucky and there are relatively few ignitions.”

The response to these blazes has been understandably complicated due to the coronavirus pandemic. Officials are asking the public to leave their homes to seek safety – the opposite of what public health guidelines have dictated in the past four months.

To mitigate the risk of coronavirus spreading, the Red Cross has arranged for more, smaller evacuation shelters, with staff on site to check temperatures and screen for Covid-19. But eradicating the risk entirely is impossible, since the virus spreads most efficiently in crowded, indoor spaces, and can be stealthily passed by people who show no symptoms.

The coronavirus also threatens to sideline wildland firefighters. They’re exposed to large amounts of smoke that could aggravate their lungs and cause complications if they were to contract the disease. And they normally station at crowded camps for days near major blazes, where they may have few opportunities to wash their hands.

California’s fire agency CalFire is going to recommend that crews space out sleeping areas, and arrange for firefighters to eat and receive instructions in smaller groups, said Robert Foxworthy, a spokesman for CalFire.

“We have a lot of ideas about what we can do to mitigate risks,” he said. “But this is still kind of uncharted territory. Everybody is learning as we go.”

Johnson Controls expands GRINNELL one-bolt coupling portfolio

Johnson Controls is expanding its GRINNELL G-Fire One-Bolt coupling product line by adding two new sizes: 1.25 and 1.5 inches. The new, smaller couplings will reportedly allow contractors to perform quicker installations on smaller diameter piping and in tight spaces. As part of the One-Bolt family, both couplings feature the unique, single-bolt design that eliminates alternate tightening while resulting in more consistent installations and dependable product performance.

“First launched in 2018, our GRINNELL One-Bolt coupling product line now offers more choices for contractors working on a wide variety of projects, from storage facilities to standard commercial projects,” said Dave Nelligan, global product manager at Johnson Controls. “By adding these two new sizes, our customers can now have a complete range of One-Bolt couplings where speed matters most.”

The One-Bolt couplings allow fast and easy push-on installation thanks to a pre-lubricated gasket and pre-assembled design. The couplings can be used in both vertical and horizontal applications across wet, dry and freezer systems. They feature 360-degree contact for an exceptionally rigid joint and a grooved, rigid coupling design to make joining pipe faster and easier.

A low-profile spine allows for installation in tighter spaces and a centre-stop gasket ensures proper positioning on pipe. The couplings are UL/ULC Listed and FM Approved, with a pressure rating of up to 365 psi.

www.johnsoncontrols.com/

Euralarm releases guide on periodic testing in fixed firefighting systems

Euralarm has published a guidance document on the important aspects relating to the periodic inspection of cylinders used in fixed gaseous fire extinguishing systems and especially in respect to hydrostatic testing. The guidance note is intended to identify some critical areas that are often not fully understood and does not prescribe the full processes involved in the testing or the physical handling of the cylinders.

Transportable cylinders under the TPED (Transportable Pressure Equipment Directive) and ADR (European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road) are required to go through periodic testing for re-certification. The new Euralarm document addresses the issues related to the importance of procedures for periodic testing and subsequent refilling the cylinders.

The document guides the reader to avoid serious safety issues of hydrostatic testing. The guidance note is meant for the testing of gas cylinders of seamless steel, seamless aluminium alloy and welded carbon steel according to respectively EN 1968:2002, EN 1802:2002 and EN 1803:2002.

Aspects that are covered in the guidance note are moisture control, the reuse of cylinder valves and the recertification of cylinders. A useful checklist is part of the document. The checklist covers important steps to ensure that the safety of cylinders is maintained during periodic inspection processes and during the filling afterwards.

www.euralarm.org/

Rosenbauer America donates 24,000 KN95 facemasks to first responders

Rosenbauer America has donated 24,000 KN95 facemasks to first responders as a thank you for their dedication through the COVID-19 pandemic – distributed to fire departments across the United States and Canada.

“Our communities rely on first responders answering calls for service; we need to protect their health and safety,” said John Slawson, Chairman and CEO of Rosenbauer America. “COVID-19 is personal; the virus literally follows responders home, subsequently, threatening the family members of our first responders with infection. Never before have our first responders been so concerned that they have chosen to self-isolate away from their families.”

Rosenbauer’s partner network has been surveying fire departments to determine where this donation can fill gaps in KN95 supplies. “In early March our network partners were going on product demo calls to fire departments; their focus has transitioned to that of ally against COVID-19,” said Slawson. “More than 40% of fire departments lack adequate PPE according to industry experts. We wanted to help in whatever way we could to keep our first responders safe. We are all in this together; we are an ecosystem, and we must continue to be vigilant and support our first responders.”

www.rosenbaueramerica.com/

Inim Electronics’ now compatible with CSL Alarm Signalling

Inim Electronics’ range of fire panels is now compatible with the Alarm Signalling of CSL. The Italian manufacturers range to work with the new DualCom Pro Range as well as WebWay products.

Graham Bolton, CSL’s International Director, commented: “We are delighted to announce CSL’s integration with Inim, ensuring that our market leading alarm signalling devices can now work with their extensive range of fire control panels.”

Baldovino Ruggieri, CEO of Inim Electronics, added: “With the integration of the Previdia MAX and Previdia Compact fire detection platforms, the fruitful alliance with CSL established several years ago with the integration of the SmartLoop control panel continues.

“Our alliance with CSL and the integration of our products and services offer the market groundbreaking fire detection solutions and a communication solution of excellence that is internationally recognised as such.”

www.inim.biz/

Abu Dhabi Civil Defence uses firefighting robot to control fire

Abu Dhabi Civil Defence General Authority recently deployed a remote control system, TAF35 Firefighting Robot to control fire.

The authority explained that the robot pumps large quantities of water from 1500 litres to 4,500 litres per minute in the regular system and water spray system. It can also be used to pull weights up to 3.8 tons and is characterised by the presence of a bulldozer at the front.

Reports have stated that the TAF35 has been used to put out various types of fires in industrial areas and tunnels, and closed parking spaces with remote control technology with a distance of no more than 500 metres, as it manoeuvres in fire accident sites and progress to the direct fire line, pumping large amounts of water and providing protection to firefighters at the sites.

The robot has played a leading role in the national disinfection programme to combat coronavirus in coordination with the relevant authorities and the first line of defence.

Last year, the General Directorate of Civil Defence Abu Dhabi has carried out a practical experiment to use the drone to douse a fire in a tower under construction by Hydra Real Estate Company in Al Reem Island.

Brigadier Mohammed Ibrahim Al Ameri, Deputy Director General of Civil Defence Abu Dhabi, stressed the importance of using modern and advanced methods in the fight against fires and when dealing with accidents and emergencies, which contributes to boost in security and safety.

The drone has two main characteristics of extinguishing, namely the use of chemical powder and extinguishing method using the projectile directly at the fire.

Banned cladding to be removed from high-rise buildings in Sharjah

The Sharjah Municipality has launched a crackdown on the buildings that continue to keep cladding facades, as part of its efforts to prevent fire accidents in residential units.

The inspection focuses on the review of safety requirements in these buildings to ensure that they maintain the specifications and protection requirements for fire safety.

Thabit Al Tarifi, Director-General of the Sharjah Municipality who heads the inspection campaign, said that it aims to check the buildings with aluminium and other flammable claddings and make the necessary changes according to a plan undertaken by the municipality’s engineering and buildings sector.

“This inspection comes within the framework of the municipality’s keenness to apply the best specifications and standards in all buildings to ensure the highest safety rates and fire prevention,” he added.

He urged managements and owners of the buildings to strengthen the safety standards and adhere to the requirements.

He said that the municipality facilitates procedures for the building owners to help them replace aluminium claddings with non-flammable materials.

Khalifa bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, assistant director-general of the Engineering and Buildings Sector, said according to the municipality regulations, buildings with a height of more than 23 metres or equivalent of seven floors should not have aluminium cladding.

In 2016, following a number of fire accidents in high-rise buildings, the municipality banned the use of aluminium cladding in the facades of the buildings.

The municipality had notified contractors, consultants and owners of buildings to implement a decision which calls for not using aluminium cladding for high-rise buildings.

The civic body has conducted a comprehensive survey of existing buildings with aluminium facades in all commercial, residential and industrial areas in the city.

He stressed that the municipality will continue to raise awareness of the dangers of using aluminium cladding through various means of media and direct communication with owners, contractors and consultants.

Kentec protects Holy Quran at National UAE University

The Sigma A-XT gas extinguishing panel from Kentec, has launched the ‘Luke 227’ fire extinguishing system integrated by the experts at GECO Mechanical and Electrical Ltd. Co. (GECO) to preserve the Holy Quran and other holy texts at the Holy Quran Academy within Al Qasimia University in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Al Qasimia University is a vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the Ruler of the Emirates of Sharjah and a member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates. In 2017, His Highness Dr. Sultan issued instructions for the creation of the Holy Quran Academy, a first of its kind in the UAE.

GECO, MEP contractor and turnkey fire protection solutions provider in the UAE, was chosen to undertake this special project to create and install a reliable and sustainable solution for the preservation of the Holy Quran, ancient manuscripts and other holy books at the Holy Quran Academy; GECO recommends the most adequate set of equipment suitable for this salient task – Luke Alexander’s ‘Luke 227’ fire extinguishing system, controlled by the Kentec’s Sigma A-XT gas extinguishing panel.

The Luke fire extinguishing system is available in 16 different size options and made with high-quality stainless steel directly sourced from Luke Alexander’s manufacturing location in Singapore. As the only company in the world that manufactures both the fire extinguishing agent and the fire extinguishing system, Luke Alexander provides an unparalleled sense of reliability and convenience to safeguard the most valuable and important assets.

Kentec’s Sigma A-XT releasing panel provides three initiation circuits as standard, which means the release of the extinguishant can be configured to activate from any combination of detection zone inputs to allow specific and controlled activations. It also features a large LED display, simplifying configuration and displaying the time remaining until release for added user safety.

Mr Sundararajan, Senior Sales Engineer of GECO, says it is an honour to be entrusted with such a culturally important project: “We take great pride in the systems we install being able to ensure the continuity and preservation of such significant artefacts.”

Kevin Swann, Managing Director of Kentec, says Sigma A-XT’s worldwide reputation (availability in over 90 countries) is built on its reliability and advanced configuration capabilities: “The extinguishing panels are both robust and easy to install, and allow the functionality of the system to be extensively modified to suit any type of installation, including this prestigious site. We are extremely proud that our trusted and reliable solutions are helping to ensure the continued preservation of such holy texts and important artefacts at the university complex.”

Ms. Yvonne Mun, Director of Luke Alexander, expresses gratitude and appreciation for this opportunity: “My team and I are humbled to be selected as the chosen brand to undertake a project of paramount importance in preserving the heritage of UAE. We consider this as another Milestone Project for Luke Alexander. This reminds us that what we do is more than just a business, rather it is ensuring safety and security with our best quality products. This vision is what continues to motivate us to elevate and improve our craft to better provide innovative and excellent solutions to the public.”

Luke 227 fire extinguishing agent has been approved under UL 2166 and FM 5600 standards and is a recognised trade name listed on the U.S EPA SNAP Program. Luke fire extinguishing system components are individually listed in the UL component recognition program and are collectively approved under UL 2166 standard as a UL approved system.

The Sigma A-XT has been approved to UL864 and is FM listed. EN approved versions are also available.

https://kentec.co.uk/

Balmoral fire water tanks approved by DEWA

Balmoral Tanks has received approval from the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) to provide fire water storage tanks for the emirate’s transmission power projects.

Working in conjunction with regional partner, Align Electromechanical Works LLC, the award is the result of a detailed audit and engineering exercise based on financial, facility and product assessments.

The certification allows Balmoral to bid for fire water storage tanks related to substations, power plants and other DEWA projects. Simon Scott, export sales director with Balmoral, said: “As a company with a long and proud association with Dubai we were delighted to receive this award from DEWA.

“Our local partners at Align played a pivotal role in the achievement helping us achieve an 89% rating which, I understand, is considered ‘passing with flying colours.’”

Having been in the tank manufacturing business for 40 years, Balmoral has built a trusted reputation for providing not only the highest quality of product but also unrivalled levels of customer service on a global basis.

The company operates two manufacturing facilities in the UK and has a global network of partners and distributors.

Kutub Kapadia, managing director and Tapan Desai, general manager of Align Electromechanical Work LLC in Dubai, said: “Everyone in the fire protection business appreciates that Balmoral provides the very best quality of tank and this certification underlines the company’s commitment to its customers in the emirates market.

“It is a significant achievement for both Align and Balmoral and we look forward to providing top quality products and service on future government projects.”

Part of UK-based Balmoral Group, Balmoral Tanks manufactures a broad portfolio of storage solutions for the fire, water, wastewater, anaerobic digestion and processing markets.

Inim Electronics launches new range of ultra-low power consumption alarm sounders

Inim Electronics, designer and manufacturer of electronic equipment for fire detection and alarm systems, has  been producing a range of audible/visual alarm signalling devices that are widely appreciated by the market, certified in accordance with EN54-3 and EN54-23 standards and capable of warning building occupants via predefined tones, pre-recorded voice messages (each signalling device includes a library of different messages in 10 different languages) and a high-performance flasher.

The reference legislation for the Fire Detection and Alarm Systems sector steers designers ever more towards alarm signalling systems that are capable of warning building occupants in a targeted and detailed way. More attention is paid to the correct distribution of alarm sounders, the appropriate choice of sounder and the correct use of warning tones for the type of building and the predominant characteristics of its occupants.

The addressable loop-powered version of Inim’s alarm sounders allows the signal to be automatically modulated in accordance with the alarm level in such a way as to allow the effective management of orderly and safe evacuation.

In order to satisfy the ever increasing number of signalling devices that a control panel is required to manage, the range of audible/visual sounders manufactured by Inim Electronics has been enhanced, counting among its items a new series that offers exceedingly low power consumption and high sound output.

This new series, characterised by a power consumption of around 2 mA for the sound only version, is available in wall and ceiling mount versions as well as in the Detector base version, making life easy for the professional installer in all situations.