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Siemens Smart Infrastructure introduces its new natural agent extinguishing portfolio, Sinorix NXN. Focusing on the protection of lives, assets and business continuity, the new fire extinguishing portfolio combines simplicity with advanced technology to modernize traditional fire safety.

The agents consist of the natural gases argon, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. They are ideal for specific application areas such as storage rooms for chemicals (argon), critical electrical infrastructure (nitrogen) or unmanned areas (carbon dioxide). The new Sinorix NXN portfolio uses only agents and compounds that are naturally found in our atmosphere and do not harm the environment. It also has a reduced ecological footprint, thanks to its compact and versatile product design.

Environmentally-friendly and sustainable portfolio

The new Sinorix NXN extinguishing agents are chemically inert and do not create harmful reactions or byproducts on contact with fire. Even in case of an incident, the activated extinguishing agents do not leave any residue behind for clean up or disposal and therefore ensure a rapid resumption of business operations.

Inert agents have poor electrical conductivity properties making them ideal in any application where protection of mission critical infrastructure is important. Argon, nitrogen or carbon dioxide offer excellent extinguishing properties for fire Classes A (solids), B (flammable liquids) and C (flammable gases), whereas argon is optimally   suited for fire Class D (metal fires) and nitrogen for Class E (electrical fires). 

The new Sinorix NXN natural extinguishing agents feature zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and they are not subject to regulatory restrictions or phaseout. In addition, the extinguishing products follow EN standards and guidelines, and are backed by appropriate certifications, including VdS and CNPP to ensure sustainability of the extinguishing solution.

New design concept

The new ADVtechnology (Advanced Double Actuation Valve) by Siemens saves costs and increases efficiency through all lifecycle phases of a fire extinguishing system. The product portfolio has been simplified by introducing multi-use components that are the same for all agent types.

Furthermore, only one type of pneumatic actuator is now used for all pressure ranges (8-360 bar) and only one type of cylinder valve is used for both electrical and pneumatic actuation. This makes the design process more flexible and efficient (for example, calculations for new configurations or new agents are made more quickly). With the help of the ADVtechnology, cylinder exchange as well as time needed for installation has been drastically improved. Now users can install and maintain an extinguishing system more easily and much faster.

Building lifecycle support 

In addition to local representation, Siemens operates a Competence Center in Vienna and a testing facility in Switzerland, where new and special extinguishing solutions are tested and improved. These facilities provide specialized expertise for new and highly challenging applications. Additionally, Siemens supports the full building lifecycle with the latest digital tools including specification texts, BIM data, as well as online product selection, configuration, ordering and online calculation tools.

Access to Siemens expertise, design know-how and experience avoids over-engineering and minimizes project costs while increasing fire safety.The new Sinorix NXN extinguishing systems are developed for easy integration in complete fire safety solutions, including fire detection and evacuation to increase safety and reduce risks. This integration also optimizes facility management by enabling cloud-based, digital services that substantially reduce operational and maintenance costs.

Global survival and safety solutions leader Survitec have announced that it has completed a £15 million Bank Guarantee Facility with Barclays Corporate Banking.  This bank guarantee complements the company’s recently announced £270 million refinancing as well as a new £27.5 million Super Senior Revolving Capital Facility.  All three of the agreements are part of Survitec’s growth plans for its survival technology products and services.

Ray Leclercq, Survitec’s Chief Financial Officer, said: “The bank guarantee from Barclays is another key component of our strategic plan. This deal aligns with our customer growth plans and our unique ability to serve our customers globally with a one-stop shop for their survival and safety needs. Partnering with a global and well recognised financial services leader such as Barclays helps us strengthen our global customer offerings.”

Commenting on the Survitec transaction, Graeme MacLaughlin, Relationship Director at Barclays Corporate Banking, said: “Barclays is pleased to be working with Global Survival Technology leader, Survitec and to support them in their continued growth in technology products and services for customers around the world.”

Survitec recently announced the acquisition of Hansen Protection, a leading European provider of protective wear for the energy, defence and agriculture sectors. Hansen Protection joined forces with Survitec in May 2021, adding its highly regarded product portfolio and loyal customer base to Survitec’s leadership position. 

A fire has broken out underneath Elephant and castle station in London, resulting in a number of explosions.

London Fire Brigade have sent 10 fire engines and 70 firefighters to the scene to tackle the initial blaze, which has spread to three commercial units underneath the railway arches, four cars and a telephone box.

So far it is unknown what caused the fire or whether there have been any injuries. Road closures have been put in place and people are being advised to avoid the area.

More to follow

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has declared a major incident after an oil tank fire injured a first responder and a pensioner on Sunday.

Firefighters were called to the scene of the incident just after 13:00pm following reports that two oil tanks in the Bessbrook area of the county had exploded.

Shortly after the incident, plumes of smoke could be seen billowing out from the scene of the fire.

According to the local fire service, the resulting fire quickly spread to four nearby homes, however, no fatalities have been reported.

A comprehensive programme of activity designed to support fire and rescue services in improving service delivery in their local areas has been launched by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).

The NFCC Plan 2021-24 sets out how the ambitions and commitments outlined in the NFCC Strategy will be delivered over the next three years. It ensures that the appropriate tools, resources and skills are in place to deliver the objectives outlined, in a way that remains relevant to, and has the greatest impact on, UK fire and rescue services.

Commenting on the launch of the NFCC Plan 2021-24, NFCC Chair Mark Hardingham said: “The NFCC’s strategic commitments provide the cornerstones of NFCC activity; the Strategy recognises that the fire and rescue service landscape is complex and we must carefully plan how we review and apply learning to our guidance and work.

“In recent times this has included events such as the Grenfell Tower fire, Manchester Arena bombing, large scale flooding, fire safety issues in the built environment, extensive wildfires and, of course, the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The NFCC’s Strategic Improvement Model brings together the learning and recommendations from internal and external events and allows us to prioritise our work accordingly.

“Alongside the Plan, it ensures we consider the implications across the breadth of our work, as well as looking at how we can influence change in a consistent and cost-effective way – not only for the next three years, but to drive and deliver long-term improvements for the benefit of fire and rescue services and the public.

“The launch of the NFCC Plan is a significant milestone for NFCC and one that will pave the way for our future activity and the support we give to the UK fire and rescue sector.”

The rolling programme of projects, initiatives and campaigns are developed with and provide support to the Home Office, devolved Governments, and other external stakeholders with whom the NFCC works closely to achieve shared objectives.

The Strategy and Plan will be reviewed at the same time each year to ensure they remain consistent, and that progress continues against NFCC’s strategic objectives.

Unregistered gas fitter Dean Mulholland Blues has been sentenced after putting lives at risk by carrying out illegal gas work at several properties in the north east.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that, from September 2016 to December 2017, the defendant advertised his ‘services’ on various social media sites using false names, several telephone numbers and at least three bank accounts to evade detection.  His illegal gas work put lives at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning, asphyxiation, fire and explosion due to his poor workmanship.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the defendant has never been registered with Gas Safe Register, nor was he competent to carry out gas work.

Dean Mulholland Blues of Annand Way, Newton Aycliffe pleaded guilty to 24 breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. He was sentenced to a 3 year custodial sentence and was disqualified from being the director of a company for 12 years.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Jonathan Wills said: “Anyone employed to work on gas appliances in domestic premises must be a Gas Safe registered engineer and competent in that area of gas work. The gas engineer’s competencies are clearly marked on the back of the engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card. If in any doubt you can contact the Gas Safe Register or check their website to see if the engineer is registered.”

He added: “If anyone has had any gas work carried out by Mr Blues, I urge them to ensure that the work is now checked by a registered Gas Safe Register engineer as soon as possible.”

A fire at an Egyptian juvenile detention centre in Egypt has killed at least six teenagers, and left 20 others with injuries, Egyptian officials have confirmed. The cause of the fire, which broke out last Thursday, is yet to be found.

Early reports have suggested that an electric short-circuit may have caused a fire to break out on a wing in the facility.

The facility, which is based in Al-Marg district on Cairo’s northeastern outskirts, houses around 200 girls aged between 14 and 17.

Local news outlet Masrawy confirmed that fire trucks and ambulances were dispatched to the scene, where the blaze was brought under control by civil-defence workers.

As investigations continue to find the cause of the fire, the head of the detention centre has been detained by Egyptian officials. Building fires are common within Egypt, with many buildings in poor condition and lack of adequate fire protection increasing deadly fires in the country.

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) have been chosen as a finalist at the OPSS Regulatory Excellence Awards in the Primary Authority category.

The awards recognise outstanding achievements in supporting businesses and protected consumers, contributing towards fighting coronavirus, rebuilding the economy, and unleashing innovation. 

This year 35 finalists have been chosen from a record number of entries in five categories of Better Business for All, Product Safety, Primary Authority, Innovation and Technical and Coronavirus.

NFCC has worked collaboratively with OPSS to drive forward the importance of fire safety with business. Since the inclusion of Fire Safety within the Primary Authority Scheme, we have worked with OPSS to onboard as many fire and rescue services as possible in order to support best practice with existing providers and enhance business support in fire safety.

More recently, NFCC has increased the knowledge and awareness of the scheme and also the number of active partnerships by developing more tools and focussed communications, these really push the benefits of Primary Authority ensuring better fire safety in business and safer communities.

NFCC Business Engagement Lead, Mark Andrews said: “We are proud to have been shortlisted as a finalist for our work in this important area. Engaging with businesses on fire safety issues can be challenging and the partnerships enable businesses to have one point of contact to ensure assured, consistent regulatory advice that makes it simpler and easier for them to comply with fire safety legislation.”

Winners will be announced on 10 June at an online event to an audience of regulatory professionals from business organisations and the public sector.

Paul Scully MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Minister for London, will provide the opening address before videos are shown highlighting the work of the finalists. The external judging panel, chosen for their breadth of knowledge and expertise from across the regulatory field, will share how they came to their decision about the winners.

An unregistered gas fitter has been sentenced after putting lives at risk by carrying out illegal gas work at several properties in the north east.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that, from September 2016 to December 2017, Dean Mulholland Blues advertised his ‘services’ on various social media sites using false names, several telephone numbers and at least three bank accounts to evade detection.  His illegal gas work put lives at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning, asphyxiation, fire and explosion due to his poor workmanship.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the defendant has never been registered with Gas Safe Register, nor was he competent to carry out gas work.

Dean Mulholland Blues of Annand Way, Newton Aycliffe pleaded guilty to 24 breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. He was sentenced to a 3 year custodial sentence and was disqualified from being the director of a company for 12 years.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Jonathan Wills said: “Anyone employed to work on gas appliances in domestic premises must be a Gas Safe registered engineer and competent in that area of gas work. The gas engineer’s competencies are clearly marked on the back of the engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card. If in any doubt you can contact the Gas Safe Register or check their website to see if the engineer is registered.”

He added: “If anyone has had any gas work carried out by Mr Blues, I urge them to ensure that the work is now checked by a registered Gas Safe Register engineer as soon as possible.”

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has recorded zero fire deaths from home fires (fire in people’s houses and dwellings) across the Service area for the period between 2020/2021 (April to April).

Despite communities spend more time at home due to national restrictions, over the past 12-months Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service staff and firefighters have dealt with 501* accidental dwelling fires across Tyne and Wear, and out of those incidents zero fatalities have been recorded (* these figures are up until April 2021).

Peter Heath, Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: “I am extremely happy that there has been zero fire related deaths in homes across our service area in the past year however, we are never complacent about the need for safety in the home and education and advice are key to supporting that.

“Every single member of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service works hard in preventing fires, educating and raising awareness of safety in the home, as well as a first class response to emergencies when unfortunately a fire does occur.

“Our free safe and well visits to people’s homes provide a valuable opportunity for home occupiers to have Fire and Rescue Service staff attend their home and give advice regarding safety and wellbeing around the home, which of course has a focus on fire safety.”

DCFO Heath added: “We live in a part of the world with a population of well over one-million people and to have zero fire fatalities in people’s homes over a one-year period is incredible.  This was achieved during the grips of a pandemic when most people’s homes were also their office and workplace. The impact of any death on a local community can be devastating and striving for zero fire deaths will continue as a key objective for all TWFRS staff.

“The Service would like to thank everybody for being extra careful and to continue to increase their fire prevention methods, whether it’s doing regular smoke alarm checks, having an escape plan ready to set in motion or being careful when cooking in your kitchen.  Please continue to stay safe.”