“Interchar 1150 is the latest waterborne intumescent passive fire protection from International,” said Ian Fletcher, Senior Product Manager at AkzoNobel. “The formulation has been optimised to deliver very low loadings, particularly for 4-sided beams and columns.
“Combined with faster dry times, it means structural steel coatings can be delivered much more quickly and at a lower cost, as well as delivering high standards of fire protection.”
Interchar 1150 has been tested to EN13381-8:2013, and has a C-s1,d0 rating for fire reaction in accordance with EN13501-1:2018. It also has third-party certification from ITeC in Spain and holds both European Technical Assessment ETA 26/0098 and the CE Mark.
Interchar 1150 is fully compatible with a range of International primers and topcoats, enabling it to fit into existing specification frameworks without any additional complexity, per the company’s release.
Sunwoda has launched a next-generation energy storage system (ESS) platform based on its 588Ah lithium iron phosphate cell technology at ees Europe 2026 in Munich, Germany, alongside new fire safety and European compliance milestones.
The energy storage provider used the event to showcase products spanning battery cells from 72Ah to 684Ah, as well as utility-scale and commercial and industrial energy storage solutions. Its newly announced 588Ah-based portfolio includes a 20-foot 6.26MWh liquid-cooled battery energy storage system (BESS), a 10-foot 3.13MWh liquid-cooled BESS and a 10-foot 3.13MWh all-in-one liquid-cooled ESS.
According to the company, the flagship 6.26MWh BESS offers a 24.8% increase in volumetric energy density, a 17% reduction in station footprint and a 40% reduction in total system components compared with its previous generation.
Sunwoda said the platform uses a multi-layer safety architecture and hierarchical electrical protection design intended to improve fault isolation and system stability. The system also combines liquid cooling with coordinated airflow to support even thermal distribution, while a cluster-level battery management system provides active balancing.
The platform supports centralized and string power conversion system configurations and is compatible with two-hour and four-hour applications. Sunwoda said this is designed to allow flexible deployment across a range of utility-scale energy storage projects. The 10-foot 3.13MWh BESS is aimed at projects with more complex transportation, installation or site-layout needs, while the all-in-one ESS integrates factory-preconfigured AC/DC architectures to reduce on-site integration work and speed up installation and commissioning.
Fire safety and compliance
At the event, Sunwoda also received certificates from CSA Group confirming that its 5MWh BESS platform had completed large-scale fire testing in accordance with ANSI/CAN/UL 9540A:2026 and had been evaluated against CSA/ANSI C800:2025 requirements.
The testing is intended to validate system-level safety performance in high-capacity battery energy storage applications, a key concern for developers, insurers, authorities having jurisdiction and fire safety professionals as grid-scale storage projects grow in size and density.
EU battery regulation readiness
Sunwoda’s 261kWh ESS series has also received certification from TÜV Rheinland under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, confirming compliance with requirements covering battery lifecycle management, material traceability and digital battery passport readiness. The company said these regulatory validations are being extended across its wider portfolio as it strengthens its European localization framework and after-sales technical support capabilities.
Euralarm has launched the first European Fire Detection Forum, a conference dedicated to the future of fire detection and electronic fire safety in Europe. The event will take place on 2 December 2026 in Cologne, Germany, as part of the VdS-FireSafety Cologne.
Euralarm says the integration of the European Fire Detection Forum into the VdS-FireSafety Cologne will bring value by creating a European platform to examine both current developments and the future direction of electronic fire detection.
The inaugural edition will be held under the theme: “Fire safety in a changing world and the changing world of fire safety – From reaction to prediction: the next paradigm of electronic fire safety.” Looking at the pipeline of developments and technologies to support earlier detection and reduction of nuisance alarms.
“Fire safety is entering a period of profound transformation,” said Peter Mita, President of Euralarm. “New technologies are creating opportunities to detect fires earlier, reduce unwanted alarms and improve building safety. At the same time, society faces new risks and increasing expectations regarding sustainability and digitalisation.
“With the European Fire Detection Forum, Euralarm is creating a platform where industry experts, regulators and end users can discuss these developments and help shape the future of fire safety in Europe.”
As fire risks evolve and digital technologies transform the built environment, fire detection systems are facing new challenges and opportunities. Advances in connectivity, artificial intelligence, sensor fusion, sustainability and predictive maintenance are reshaping the role of fire detection within modern fire safety strategies. At the same time, changing regulations, new building technologies and emerging risks such as lithium-ion battery fires require fresh approaches and closer cooperation across the sector.
The European Fire Detection Forum will provide a dedicated platform for manufacturers, installers, system integrators, fire safety professionals, regulators, insurers and policymakers to discuss these developments and explore the future direction of the industry.
The programme will feature keynote presentations, expert panels and technical sessions covering topics such as:
Emerging and future fire detection technologies and solutions
Artificial intelligence and sensor fusion
Reducing false alarms and improving system reliability
Sustainability in fire detection
Early detection of lithium-ion battery incidents
Digitalisation and remote services
The future regulatory and standards framework for fire detection in Europe
Ingeborg Schlosser, Divisional Director of Vds, said: “The cooperation with the VdS-FireSafety Colognereflects a shared commitment to fostering knowledge exchange and supporting innovation throughout the fire safety community.
“By combining the European perspective of Euralarm with the strong market presence and reputation of VdS, the event aims to become a leading forum for discussing the future of fire detection technologies and their role in protecting people, property and the environment.”
The Building Engineering Services Association has launched a new training programme designed to improve competence in fire damper inspection and maintenance across UK buildings.
The BESA DW145 Fire Damper Inspection and Maintenance course is mapped to the industry’s primary guide to good practice, DW145, and the National Occupational Standard BSEFSD04. It is accredited by specialist awarding body EAL and delivered by the BESA Academy with training partners across the UK.
The hybrid programme combines online learning, an onsite portfolio build and three days of practical work and assessments at a BESA-approved training centre. Successful learners will qualify to apply for the appropriate SKILLcard, supporting access to project sites.
BESA said the launch follows its 2024 update of DW145, which came after annual maintenance inspections revealed a rise in incorrectly installed fire dampers. Issues identified included dampers that did not follow manufacturers’ instructions, were damaged, had never been tested or could not be accessed for inspection.
The new course focuses on the role of dampers within legal life safety requirements, including compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales, the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010. It also reflects BS 9999, which states that dampers should be tested at least annually, depending on system type.
Competence and record keeping central to training
Under DW145, testing must be carried out by a competent person, with inspection and maintenance activity supported by accurate, verifiable records. A full asset register should also be maintained, showing the location and condition of each damper.
The training covers the full inspection process, from checking and recording the physical condition of the damper, including damage to blades or frames, to assessing actuators and penetration seals.
It also includes functional testing and resetting of dampers, as well as their interface with fire alarms and building control systems, recognising that dampers often operate as part of a wider fire control strategy.
Kevin Morrissey, technical director at BESA, said: “When inspecting and testing fire dampers, you’re essentially verifying that they will operate correctly in a real fire scenario and maintain compartmentation. Will they contain the spread of smoke and/or fire at the critical moment so helping to keep people and property safe?”
Morrissey said the programme reflected the sector’s wider focus on competence and compliance, as well as BESA’s response to increased scrutiny of building safety following the Grenfell Tower disaster.
He added: “Unsurprisingly, UK fire authorities are taking an in-depth interest in this aspect of building safety and many clients, although not all, are now more aware of their legal and social obligations. This, in turn, places greater pressure on damper and ductwork contractors to provide evidence of their own competence and ability to comply with legislation – hence the need for this kind of specific, targeted training.”
Weber Rescue Systems has unveiled Smart-Force OS at Interschutz 2026, describing the platform as the first digital operating system for hydraulic rescue equipment.
The new system is said to bring together rescue tools, a control app, location services and device management software in one connected platform, designed to support emergency services during operations, training and maintenance.
According to the company, Smart-Force OS enables real-time monitoring of key equipment data, including tool status, pressure readings and battery levels. The platform can also automate the documentation of training exercises and rescue operations, reducing manual processes and helping to minimise potential sources of error.
A key feature of the system is ‘Anti-Theft’, which provides long-lasting protection for rescue equipment. If tampering or unusual behaviour is detected, the device can deactivate automatically. When theft mode is activated, the tool transmits its location at intervals for up to ten days using an internal backup battery and localisation via GPS, Wi-Fi and LTE.
Smart-Force OS also introduces new digital training functions. Exercises can be documented, analysed and reviewed digitally, with force curves, loads and equipment data visualised and supplemented with images, notes or voice recordings. Weber says this will support more transparent and structured learning for rescue teams.
For equipment managers, the platform includes ‘Service’ functions intended to simplify fleet management. These include Auto-Check-In for battery status updates, as well as maintenance checklists and notifications relating to service intervals.
Weber said the launch reflects its aim of making rescue operations faster, safer and more efficient, while easing the workload on emergency services personnel through practical digital innovation.
Alongside the launch, the company has expanded its service offer with new warranty extensions for rescue equipment. The extension can be taken out at the point of purchase or after a service and is available for up to six years. Warranty periods and maintenance statuses are managed centrally through the Weber Rescue Hub.
The funding will support what the Government describes as the largest upgrade of national resilience fire assets in almost 20 years, including new specialist equipment and vehicles for Fire and Rescue Services.
Dedicated off-road appliances will also be introduced to improve access and operational effectiveness in challenging terrain, supporting crews responding to wildfires and other complex incidents.
The new wildfire response teams will be hosted by Fire and Rescue Services in Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Northumberland, London and South Wales.
The teams will be able to deploy to incidents across England from the end of June, providing additional specialist capability during the peak wildfire season.
According to the Government, crews have undergone intensive training in wildfire response techniques, including tactical burning, with firefighters also learning from international colleagues experienced in large-scale wildfire incidents.
Building Safety Minister Samantha Dixon said: “This country benefits from a dedicated Fire and Rescue Service operation and, as incidents continue to evolve in complexity, it’s critical that we back those on the front line with the latest equipment.”
Dixon added: “Last year witnessed some of the most devastating wildfires in our recent history and, as we head into peak season, we’re delivering the resource, training and assets needed to minimise the escalating risk.”
The Fire National Resilience Programme was established following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 to provide specialist capabilities, personnel and resources for Fire and Rescue Services responding to major national emergencies.
The latest investment will support the modernisation of existing resilience assets and improve the national response to incidents including wildfires, flooding and structural collapse.
National resilience capabilities were deployed more than 1,000 times during 2025, highlighting the increasing demand placed on Fire and Rescue Services and the need to maintain specialist response resources.
FireQual, the awarding organisation for the UK fire safety sector and part of the BAFE Group, has partnered with Surpass Assessment as its digital assessment provider to deliver its regulated qualifications. Following implementation in June 2026, FireQual is now delivering live examinations across the country through Surpass.
As part of BAFE Holdings, FireQual provides nationally recognised qualifications regulated by Ofqual and accredited by Qualifications Scotland, to support the professional development of individuals and organisations working across fire safety and compliance. Through its partnership with Surpass, FireQual has modernised its assessment delivery to enhance efficiency, flexibility and scalability for both learners and Approved Training Centres (ATCs).
“Confidence in the fire safety sector starts with competence, and recognised qualifications are the cornerstone of that competence,” said Dr Justin Maltby-Smith, CEO of BAFE Holdings. “We are delighted to partner with Surpass as the system gives us the flexibility and control we need to deliver high-quality, regulated qualifications across the fire sector, while enhancing the experience for our ATCs and learners.”
Surpass is currently being used to deliver both in-centre examinations and online assessments through its record-and-review functionality. The platform provides FireQual with a streamlined and robust way to assess practical skills while maintaining the rigor expected of regulated qualifications. Full integration with FireQual’s Salesforce CRM also helps ensure that information moves smoothly between systems, providing greater visibility throughout the assessment process.
Sonya Whitworth, Co-CEO at Surpass Assessment, added: “We’re proud to support FireQual as they modernise their assessment delivery. Their commitment to quality and innovation aligns perfectly with our own, and we’re delighted to help enable a more efficient, scalable and future-ready assessment experience for their ATCs and candidates.”
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to delivering secure, high-quality digital assessments and supporting continued growth across the fire sector.
WAGNER has unveiled its new TITANUS REX aspirating smoke detector, introducing the latest generation of its TITANUS product family at the NFPA trade show in Las Vegas.
The VdS-certified detector has been redesigned with a focus on sensitivity, modularity and digitalisation. WAGNER says the system is designed to deliver early fire detection while reducing nuisance alarms and supporting energy-efficient operation.
According to the company, TITANUS REX combines high-level detection performance with resource-efficient operation for modern fire protection applications. Further certifications, including UL and AFNOR, are expected shortly.
Torsten Wagner, Managing Director and Partner of WAGNER Group GmbH, said: “Our new detector module detects even very small smoke particles much earlier and with greater precision. This gives users valuable time to take targeted action in the event of a fire and reliably safeguards their processes.”
At the centre of the system is WAGNER’s new W1 technology, which combines sensitive smoke particle detection with intelligent signal processing. Its LOGIC·SENS PLUS fire pattern recognition system evaluates data against ambient conditions to support early detection and reduce false alarms.
The company says the detector’s specialised sensor technology and energy-efficient components reduce power consumption and allow the power supply to be sized according to operational requirements.
Planning, commissioning and maintenance are supported by connected software tools including TITANUS PipeXpress PLUS and TITANUS ServiceXpress. Wizard-guided workflows are designed to help ensure project planning complies with relevant standards.
TITANUS REX is available in three variants — TITANUS REX 30, TITANUS REX 50 and TITANUS REX 70 — to suit applications ranging from elevator shafts and deep-freeze areas down to -32°C to highly sensitive environments and large hyperscale data centres. Its compact design and quiet operation are intended to support discreet installation across a range of settings.
Following its NFPA debut, WAGNER is also presenting TITANUS REX to European fire safety professionals at FeuerTrutz in Nuremberg this week.
The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) has launched a week-long campaign to celebrate women working across the fire engineering profession as part of International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) 2026.
Running from 21-28 June, the campaign highlights female fire engineers from across the IFE’s global membership community, recognising their expertise, leadership and innovation in helping to create a safer built environment.
International Women in Engineering Day, held annually on 23 June, celebrates the achievements of women engineers around the world. The 2026 theme, Engineering Intelligence, focuses on the expertise, judgement and leadership women bring to engineering across every sector.
Throughout the week, the IFE will share member stories from women working in different countries, career stages and professional specialisms. The spotlights will explore how females are advancing fire safety, supporting professional standards and inspiring future generations of fire engineers.
The campaign will also examine how IFE membership has supported the development of female fire engineers by providing access to peer networks, learning resources, professional recognition and wider opportunities to contribute to the fire safety community.
The IFE, which represents more than 15,000 members globally, said the campaign reflects its commitment to supporting greater diversity across the fire sector. Women from the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States and South Africa will feature during the campaign.
Professionals are also being encouraged to join the IFE Women’s Networking Group, which provides a supportive community for females across the fire sector to connect, share experiences, develop professionally and help inspire the next generation.
The IFE said the campaign aims to highlight the expertise strengthening fire safety today while encouraging the females who will help shape the sector in the future.
LiNova Energy has launched PolyPower, a metal-free polymer cathode battery cell with zero fire risk designed for data centre backup power applications, with the company stating that the technology removes thermal runaway risk at cell level.
The company said the product has been developed to address growing demand for high-power, low-risk energy storage as global data centre power requirements are projected to increase significantly by 2030.
Battery cell designed to reduce fire risk
High power density for high-rack-density data centre environments.
Intrinsic safety through a polymer cathode that evolves CO₂ rather than oxygen, according to LiNova.
Metal-free chemistry that avoids nickel, cobalt and other critical minerals.
Lower cathode costs, with the company claiming reductions of up to 90% compared with conventional materials.
PolyPower is based on LiNova’s proprietary polymer cathode, a metal-free active material made from mass-produced precursors. The company said the cathode can be sourced domestically in multiple regions and manufactured using existing lithium-ion production lines.
Mike Nagus, CEO of LiNova Energy, said: “The battery cathode is the most expensive and dangerous component in the stack, and has historically been the least reinvented. With its superior performance and zero fire risk, PolyPower represents a fundamental breakthrough in battery technology for mission-critical applications.”
LiNova said PolyPower was developed with a hyperscale data centre operator to meet requirements for next-generation battery backup units. Independent third-party testing at the University of California San Diego showed high-rate performance, with capacity retention exceeding hyperscaler benchmarks, according to the company.
Mike Ferry, Director of Energy Storage and Systems at the University of California San Diego, said: “Our testing results successfully demonstrate LiNova’s ability to instantly deliver high power and stable performance under stressful conditions without the degradation mechanisms seen in other battery cells.”
The high-power cell is currently available for testing in a pouch-format design. LiNova said a cylindrical format is expected in Q3 2026, with integration into hyperscaler-spec battery backup units planned for performance testing in Q4 2026.
