Texas gas detection partnership announced by Teledyne and Andon Specialties

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Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection has announced a Texas gas detection partnership with Andon Specialties to expand distribution and technical support for fixed gas detection solutions across the state’s oil and gas sector

Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection (Teledyne GFD) has announced a Texas gas detection partnership with Andon Specialties to expand access to its Teledyne Detcon fixed gas detection solutions across the state’s oil and gas sector.

Effective immediately, Andon Specialties will provide local sales and technical support for Teledyne Detcon’s fixed gas detection portfolio, helping operators protect personnel, assets and critical infrastructure in demanding industrial environments. The partnership combines Teledyne Detcon’s manufacturing and engineering expertise with Andon Specialties’ established customer relationships and technical support network throughout Texas.

Shannon Sanders, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Americas at Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection, said: “We are delighted to partner with Andon Specialties to strengthen our support for customers across the Texas market. By blending Teledyne Detcon’s proven fixed gas detection technologies with Andon’s extensive local knowledge and technical expertise, we are making it easier for operators to access dependable safety solutions backed by responsive service and application support.”

Teledyne Detcon has designed and manufactured industrial-grade gas detection systems for more than 40 years from its ISO 9001-certified manufacturing facility in Cypress, Texas. The site produces more than 15,000 gas detectors annually, supplying customers worldwide with US-manufactured gas detection solutions.

Together, Teledyne Detcon and Andon Specialties bring more than 70 years of combined experience serving the oil and gas industry. Through the partnership, the companies aim to help operators meet stringent safety requirements with local technical expertise and proven gas detection technologies.

Among the products available through the agreement is the GD10P infrared point gas detector, designed for combustible gas detection applications. The detector offers rapid response times, long-term stability and low maintenance requirements.

Kent Kesler, Vice President of Business Development at Andon Specialties, said: “We are pleased to partner with Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection to expand access to the Teledyne Detcon fixed gas detection portfolio across Texas. Together, we can provide customers with dependable safety solutions backed by responsive technical support and a shared commitment to protecting people, facilities, and operations.”

Siderise safeguards new Manhattan skyscraper with CW-FS120 Firestop system

by Americas - ProjectsBreaking NewsPassiveProjects

High-rise development in Midtown Manhattan

Siderise CW-FS120 Firestop for Curtain Walls is now being installed at 989 6th Avenue—delivering robust passive fire protection for this dynamic new 73-storey development in the heart of Manhattan.

Situated between Bryant Park and the Empire State Building in the Garment District, 989 6th Avenue is a 240-metre mixed-use tower designed by C3D Architecture.

The concrete-frame structure features a sleek glass curtain wall, open terraces and a dramatic multi-cylinder podium that contrasts strikingly with the classical façade of the neighbouring Haier Building.

Collaborative façade design and installation

The intricate unitised curtain wall façade was designed, engineered and fabricated by Bisam Façade and installed by Marvel Contracting.

As part of their remit, Marvel worked closely with Siderise US distribution partner Facades X to procure a passive fire protection solution that exceeds the fire compartmentation requirements while facilitating a smooth installation process.

Advanced perimeter protection system

Siderise CW-FS120 Firestop was specified to provide floor-to-floor compartmentation, protecting the void space at the perimeter joint between the edge of the floor slab and the internal surface of the external wall assembly.

It offers a third-party certified FT rating of up to three hours (resistance to fire spread and temperature rise on the non-fire side) when tested to ASTM E2307 as part of the CW Perimeter Barrier System.

It has also been independently tested to ensure L-rating compliance with the International Building Code (IBC).

Additionally, its unique vertical-fibre stone wool Lamella core was specifically engineered to stand up to the demands of building and curtain wall movement on high rise towers, boasting a 60-year design life.

Technical detailing and onsite support

In collaboration with façade contractor Bisam Façade and consultants at Socotec, Siderise prepared a thoroughly detailed technical submittal for the perimeter fire barriers—tailored to the project’s complex slab-edge geometry.

Special attention was paid to the curved east elevation and its staggered floor edges to ensure continuous compression fit and long-term performance for design-life movements.

To ensure this bespoke onsite work met high standards and followed manufacturer recommendations, Siderise Site Services assisted the Marvel installation team with project specific training and benchmark installations.

This support continued throughout the project with regular inspections conducted via the Siderise Inspection App.

For more information, please contact Siderise USA:

Spartan Emergency Response expands Brandon facility to increase fire apparatus output

by Americas - Featured NewsAmericas - ProjectsFeatured NewsProjectsVehicles

Expansion aims to meet rising US fire apparatus demand

According to REV Group, Spartan Emergency Response has begun work on expanding its manufacturing facility in Brandon, South Dakota.

The company said the $20 million investment was first announced during its second-quarter earnings call on 4 June.

Spartan Emergency Response is part of REV Group subsidiary Spartan Fire LLC.

The expansion will target a 40% increase in production capacity for both fully custom fire apparatus and semi-custom models that the company said can be built and delivered in under a year.

It added that the project will also expand painting and fabrication process capabilities on the Brandon campus.

Details of the planned site growth

According to REV Group, the expansion will add 56,000 square feet to the existing site.

The company said this will double its current manufacturing footprint.

It added that the improvements are intended to increase output and shorten delivery times for fire departments nationwide.

REV Group stated that the development will also improve process efficiency within its facility.

The firm added that the upgrades will support its custom and semi-custom fire truck production lines.

Employment and local economic impact

REV Group said the project is expected to create 50 new jobs.

It stated that this would bring an estimated $1.8 million increase in annual payroll.

The company also projected an $85,000 increase in annual property tax contributions for the local area.

REV Group said the investment reflects its long-term commitment to the Brandon and Sioux Falls region.

It added that the facility growth will have a lasting effect on the local economy.

Groundbreaking ceremony and leadership comments

Mike Virnig, President of the REV Specialty Vehicles Segment, said: “We are delighted to host our groundbreaking ceremony today to announce our plans for expansion.

“This investment will double our manufacturing footprint and help us meet the rising demand from fire departments across the nation by allowing us to build more fire apparatus and deliver it faster.”

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden attended the event and said: “Thank you to Spartan Emergency Response for your heart of service and for your heart to provide a quality product to protect people and to serve people which in most cases is on their worst day.”

“

Governor Rhoden also shared his own service as a volunteer firefighter during the ceremony.

Attendance from state and local officials

REV Group said other attendees included South Dakota Lieutenant Governor Tony Venhuizen.

City of Brandon Mayor Harry Buck was also present.

The company stated that Chad Krier, Constituent Services Representative at the Office of United States Senator Mike Rounds, attended.

It added that Benjamin Ready, Southeast Regional Director from the Office of United States Senator John Thune, was also there.

Landon Hanson, Military and Veteran Services Representative for Congressman Dusty Johnson, was present as well.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The company said the expanded production capacity will allow it to meet higher demand for both custom and semi-custom fire apparatus.

For fire and safety professionals, increased manufacturing output could shorten delivery times for new vehicles.

REV Group stated that the investment also reflects continued growth in the US fire apparatus market.

This development may be relevant for departments planning future procurement.

Spartan Emergency Response expands Brandon facility to increase fire apparatus output: Summary

According to REV Group, Spartan Emergency Response has started expanding its Brandon, South Dakota facility.

The company said the project involves a $20 million investment announced in June 2025.

It added that the goal is to increase production capacity for custom and semi-custom fire apparatus by 40%.

The expansion will add 56,000 square feet and improve painting and fabrication processes.

REV Group stated that the project will double the current manufacturing footprint.

The company said the plan will create 50 jobs and add $1.8 million to annual payroll.

It projected an $85,000 annual increase in property tax contributions.

Mike Virnig, President of the REV Specialty Vehicles Segment, spoke at the groundbreaking.

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden also attended and delivered remarks.

Other state and local officials were present at the event.

Passive fire protection from Siderise used in Manhattan high-rise

by Americas - ProjectsBreaking NewsPassiveProjects

Siderise CW-FS120 used in 73-storey New York development

Siderise has reported that its CW-FS120 Firestop system has been installed at 989 6th Avenue, a newly built 73-storey tower in Manhattan.

According to Siderise, the CW-FS120 system provides passive fire protection for the tower’s unitised curtain wall façade.

The manufacturer said the firestop was selected to deliver floor-to-floor compartmentation at the junction between floor slabs and the internal surface of the external wall.

Siderise stated that the installation was carried out by Marvel Contracting, who coordinated with US distribution partner Facades X.

The CW-FS120 product was tested to ASTM E2307 and has an FT rating of up to three hours, the company added.

Firestop tailored to complex slab-edge geometry

The building is located between Bryant Park and the Empire State Building in the Garment District.

It was designed by C3D Architecture and features a concrete frame with a glass curtain wall, open terraces and a multi-cylinder podium.

Siderise said the CW-FS120 firestop was selected for its ability to support continuous perimeter fire protection across a non-standard slab-edge design.

The company said the east elevation required custom detailing to address curved sections and staggered floor plates.

Façade contractor Bisam Façade and consultants at Socotec collaborated with Siderise to prepare the technical submittal for the firestop system.

Siderise explained that this included full documentation of installation methods to maintain compression fit and accommodate expected movement during the building’s lifespan.

Firestop tested to US building standards

Siderise reported that the CW-FS120 Firestop system has been tested for L-rating compliance with the International Building Code.

The system’s FT rating was validated through testing to ASTM E2307 as part of the CW Perimeter Barrier System.

Siderise said the core of the product is made from vertical-fibre stone wool Lamella.

This material was selected for its ability to accommodate movement within high-rise structures and retain its firestop properties over time.

The manufacturer stated that the design life of the CW-FS120 system is 60 years.

Installation supported by Siderise site services

According to Siderise, Marvel Contracting received project-specific training before installation began.

Training and oversight were provided by Siderise Site Services.

The company said this included benchmark installations and regular inspections.

Siderise explained that the Siderise Inspection App was used to document performance and compliance across the installation.

Support was maintained throughout the project to ensure the system was installed in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.

Partnership with Marvel Contracting and Facades X

Marvel Contracting carried out the firestop installation as part of its role on the curtain wall system.

According to Siderise, Marvel worked with Facades X to specify and procure the CW-FS120 product.

The product was fabricated by Bisam Façade and incorporated into the unitised curtain wall system.

Siderise said coordination with these partners ensured that installation could proceed efficiently despite the challenges of the curved and staggered façade.

The company said the project required a firestop solution that combined high performance, certified testing, and adaptability to the tower’s structural design.

Passive fire protection from Siderise used in Manhattan high-rise: Summary

Siderise has installed its CW-FS120 Firestop system at 989 6th Avenue in Manhattan.

The system provides passive fire protection between floors and curtain wall sections.

Marvel Contracting carried out the installation.

Facades X supplied the firestop system.

The system was tested to ASTM E2307 and has an FT rating of up to three hours.

It is also compliant with the L-rating in the International Building Code.

Siderise said the product uses a stone wool Lamella core.

The system was tailored for curved slab edges and non-standard geometry.

Bisam Façade and Socotec supported technical preparation.

Siderise Site Services provided onsite training and inspections.

Rhino completes door installation work on major rail tunnel project

by Americas - ProjectsFeatured NewsProjects

UK manufacturer of high-performance engineered doors has successfully completed an 18-month project to design test and manufacture 19 fire-rated doors for a major North American rail tunnel.

The sliding, single-leaf fire-rated doors were designed at Rhino’s production facility in South Wales and built to withstand both positive and negative pressures from passing trains, as well as to combat fatigue from over one million loading cycles per year.

Built from carbon steel and protected with high-performance paint, the doors were tested to North American fire-rating standards (NFPA 252), subjected to 1,000-degree temperatures for 90 minutes and followed by shock loading from high-pressure fire-fighting hoses.

Following these rigorous physical fire tests, the doors were also assessed to BS 476 Part 22 and granted a 60-minute integrity rating.

The success of these tests demonstrated the doors’ ability in retaining structural integrity under harsh and challenging conditions, namely rapid changes in temperature.

Rhino, which has two manufacturing bases in the UK, recently scaled up the work taking place at its Lancashire site in order to meet this major project’s upcoming deadlines for delivery and installation.

Dr Chris Norris, Group Engineering Director at Rhino Engineering Group, commented: “After nearly two years of work designing, testing and manufacturing the doors, it’s great to see the hard work of our team pay off as the contract draws to a close.

“The success of this North American rail tunnel project, alongside our recent work at London Underground’s Bank Station, is cementing our reputation in the global transport sector.

“We’re now looking forward to putting our team’s expertise to task in future rail projects, continuing to provide our critical infrastructure clients with the strength to protect.”

This door type (Rhino-FD90SLP) is now available for future projects where fire-rated cross passage escape doors are required. Learn about Rhino’s work on major rail projects here and find out more about Rhino’s range of products by visiting the website here. 

San Diego County installs ground-based wildfire protection measures

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The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has agreed a contract with Perimeter Solutions to provide PHOS-CHEK FORTIFY long-term fire retardant as part of the County’s newly approved Roadside Vegetation Management for Evacuation Preparedness Program.

PHOS-CHEK FORTIFY is a ground-based, highly durable fire retardant that is applied on flammable vegetation and cellulosic material one time early in the fire season before a wildfire approaches and provides ongoing protection from wildfire, remaining effective until a significant rain event occurs.

The USDA Forest Service has used PHOS-CHEK long-term fire retardant for nearly 60 years to suppress and prevent the spread of active wildfires.

These new efforts are a result of a board letter introduced by Supervisors Anderson and Desmond in March of 2021.

“Keeping San Diego County residents safe from wildfires is one of my top priorities, and it is critical that we take advantage of new technologies that help us to be more proactive with our wildfire prevention efforts,” Supervisor Anderson commented.

“I’d like to thank County Fire staff, CAL-FIRE, and Perimeter Solutions for working together to apply this fire retardant alongside Wildcat Canyon Road—the connection between Lakeside and Barona that has a devastating history with wildfires.”

Wes Bolsen, Business Director of Wildfire Prevention and Protection at Perimeter Solutions, added: “We are proud that San Diego County has selected Perimeter Solutions to partner with them to help save lives and protect property. We applaud them for their initiative in developing a proactive strategy to prevent wildfires and believe they have developed a model that can be adopted by communities throughout the Western United States and other areas impacted by wildfire.”

San Diego County maintains nearly 2,000 miles of roadway, many of which serve as key corridors for area evacuation and response to wildfires. As wildfire season increases in length and intensity, the risk of wildfire impacting the area continues to rise. In fact, data show that 79% of unincorporated San Diego County falls in areas at high or very high risk of wildfire, and that wildfires have burned more than 40% of the unincorporated area since the year 2000.

Officials break ground on $3.5m fire station in Edinburgh, Indiana

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Edinburgh officials have broken ground on the new Edinburgh Fire Station 41 in Indiana on County Road 900 North. The town’s fire operations are set to be relocated to the new property from its current location at 203 S. Walnut Street when works are completed.

The project is expected to cost $3.5 million dollars and is being funded by the down with a Build Operate Transfer (BOT) agreement. The agreement will mean that a developer funds and arranges financing for the project and when it is complete it becomes the property of the town. The town will then pay back the financed amount over 10 years at a 2.5% interest rate, said Dan Cartwright, town manager.

Cartwright said that the new building will provide more space for equipment and personal space for each of the firefighters, following the decision in recent years to have firefighters on duty 24/7. The new site will give firefighters have a modern living space with separate sleeping rooms.

“Well, our firefighters have been living in really substandard conditions. It’s a really old fire station, with no separate sleeping rooms, and it’s just very jam packed so they were in desperate need of a new one,” said Cartwright.

Edinburgh Fire Chief John Henderson said: “I couldn’t be happier that the council has supported the idea of really giving these guys proper accommodations to consolidate our equipment and to make them feel more comfortable while working.”

He added: “We hope this is a recruitment opportunity, we’ve talked to other departments and they have invested like this as well and were able to recruit more. We hope that happens, we are going to start another fire training program in July to train some of our own.”

Construction on the station is expected start in July and the station is expected to be complete by May 2023, Cartwright added.

NFPA receives $225,000 from General Motors

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The NFPA has received a $225,000 grant from General Motors to deliver free electric vehicle training to 12,000 volunteer and underserved U.S. fire departments.

The funding comes at a critical time, as more EVs continue to enter the roadways but many fire departments remain untrained in effectively mitigating associated incidents.

“While firefighters have had more than 100 years to learn how to handle incidents with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, they’ve had very little time to understand and train for those involving EV and hybrid vehicles,” said Andrew Klock, emerging issues lead manager at NFPA. “As electric vehicles increasingly dominate our roads in the coming years, ensuring that fire departments are adequately trained and equipped to deal with them is critically important.”

A 2020 report published by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) states that the U.S. fire service is not prepared to fight electric vehicle fires. This issue is more prevalent among volunteer and underserved departments, which often don’t have the resources to receive the needed training; about two-thirds (67 percent) of U.S. fire departments are served by part-time or volunteer firefighters, according to NFPA data.

Through the General Motors grant, NFPA will work in coordination with U.S. fire service organizations and the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Clean Cities Coalitions to conduct outreach among targeted audiences to maximize participation in the NFPA Electric Vehicle Safety training program, which will be provided online at no cost for one year.

“Providing free access to our training plays a pivotal role in helping ensure that volunteer and underserved fire departments are adequately trained and prepared to handle EV incidents,” said Klock. “Thanks to General Motors’ generous support, we’ll be able to provide the needed training to thousands of fire departments that otherwise would not be able to access it.”

NFPA is an ANSI-accredited national codes and standards developer for emergency responder qualifications, equipment, and tactics. Over the past 12 years, the association has worked to develop and refine its EV safety program in collaboration with NTSB, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the National Highway and Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA), the National Institute of Standards Technology (NIST), and numerous national research laboratories. These and associated efforts have earned NFPA widespread recognition among the major fire service organizations in North America as the leading EV safety training program for first responders.

NFPA also serves on the SAE J2990 Committee for EV Safety and continues to engage with the U.S. DOE, DOT, and NHTSA to conduct testing and determine new methods to combat EV incidents.

Clifton firefighters launch statewide gear collection for counterparts in Ukraine

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Firefighters in Clifton, North Jersey have started a statewide gear collection drive to help their counterparts in Ukraine. 

Pat Trentacost, fire chief, Passaic said: “What I’m seeing is nothing less than miraculous as they’re working to remove victims with limited resources, regardless of the potential of being killed by Russian attack.”

Clifton’s fire chief Frank Prezioso reached out to enlist his help to collect surplus fire equipment for Ukraine’s fire service. Trentacost had seen photos of firetrucks and apparatus buried in rubble after Russian attacks.

Prezioso said the idea came from third-year Clifton firefighter Oleg Skachko, who emigrated from Ukraine when he was 14.

Skachko’s first thought was to gather personal protection equipment, also known as turnout gear, for Ukraine’s firefighters. He had been contacted by friends in Ukraine who knew he was a firefighter, and their requests resonated, first with him and later with his peers. 

In Ukraine, Skachko lived next to a fire station and when he moved to the US in 2022, he lived just down street from a Paterson fire station. He wanted to be a firefighter for as long as he could remember, he told NorthJersey.com. 

Clifton is taking the lead in organising the effort to collect equipment and has reached out to fire departments across the region. The aim is to get departments from around New Jersey to contribute equipment to help their firefighters in Ukraine. 

The worry is that as the war continues and resources are destroyed, firefighters would be forced to work in their street clothes.  

Passaic discovered that neck collars, backboards, bandages and other supplies would soon be in high demand. In terms of shipping, the heavy, bulky equipment is being shipped to nearby areas which will then be transported to Ukraine. This is because several airports in Ukraine were targeted by Russians forces early on in the invasion.  

University of New Haven’s Fire Science programme featured in crucial fire safety video

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Left to right: Matthew Brown, Patrick Ethier, Bruce Varga, Sierra Hawkins, Robert Healey, Mckenzee Juratovic.

Several students from the University of New Haven’s Fire Science Program were featured in a new video on importance of fire safety and fire codes. The video highlights a lesser-known fire that claimed the lives of more than 200 people in the 1940s. They hope it fosters education and interest in fire safety and its history, while highlighting how the University is training the fire safety professionals of tomorrow.

Patrick Ethier ’22 has been an active member of his local fire department since he was 16 years old. Passionate about giving back to his community and keeping others safe, he was recently featured as part of a new fire safety video, filmed, in part, at the University, that he hopes will promote public safety.

A fire protection engineering major at the University, Ethier is looking forward to designing fire protection systems that, he hopes, will “help provide a safer tomorrow.” He also hopes the video, titled “Safety INsight,” will do that as well. The title is a play on words, of sorts, since the film offers important insight into one’s surroundings – including what is hiding in plain sight.

“Being part of the shoot was an amazing experience,” said Ethier. “I am very grateful I had the opportunity to be a part of it. I really enjoyed spending most of that day with my classmates and some of the fire science faculty talking about what we do in our field. We were also able to show off the equipment that students are working with at the University of New Haven.”

Ethier was one of several students and faculty members who are part of the video, which was filmed at the University shortly after the Spring 2021 semester ended. It focused on the importance of fire safety, fire science education, and fire codes through the lens of a lesser-known fire: the Rhythm Club Fire in Natchez, Mississippi. More than 200 people were killed in the fire, which occurred in 1940 in a predominantly Black community, and the tragedy did not gain national attention.

The hope is that by educating the public about that tragedy, the film will honour those who were killed while educating the public. That’s something that Sierra Hawkins ’22, whose father is a career firefighter and whose mother is a volunteer EMT, is passionate about.

The video highlights important fire-safety protocols, including ensuring that building exits are not blocked and are easily accessible. It discusses what has been learned from tragedies such as the Natchez Rhythm Club Fire and how these lessons are being applied to keeping the public safe today, since today’s fire codes are influenced by yesterday’s tragedies.

Jing Li, Ph.D., an associate professor in the University’s Fire Science and Emergency Management Department, said: “The student and faculty participation in this video not only highlights the strengths of the University’s Fire Science and Emergency Management Department, it also brought to the public attention that fire safety can be studied fundamentally in the lab to limit the possibility of fire risk,” he said.