The survivability of fire detection and alarm systems

by Breaking NewsFire DetectionProducts
Paul Pope, Group Business Development Director at Global Fire Equipment (GFE), speaks exclusively with IFSJ about the survivability of fire detection and alarm systems

Earlier this year, Global Fire Equipment (GFE) hosted an industry roundtable on the subject of survivability of fire detection and alarm systems. IFSJ sat down with Paul Pope, Group Business Development Director at GFE to understand the importance of system survivability and get an overview of the key points raised during the discussion which saw representatives from across the fire industry come together to discuss this important topic.

Can you define survivability?

When used in relation to fire and life safety systems, the term ‘survivability’ relates to capability of the entire fire alarm system to perform properly and remain fully operational, while under attack by fire.

Some fire detection and alarm system (FDAS) just need to initiate an alarm if a suspected fire is found, but for other systems that require a phased or complex evacuation, the FDAS needs to be able to continue working while the fire is occurring so that the fire management authorities can establish the location of the fire and monitor its spread. This information is essential to ensure a safe and controlled evacuation. If the FDAS is badly designed, it could fail relatively quickly. Premature failure of a FDAS could be catastrophic as vital information will not be provided to the fire and rescue services.

Failure in one area due to poor survivability could result in the system being unable to activate audible and visual alarms to warn people of the imminent danger. In the case of a phased evacuation, the system might be incapable of further evacuating another alarm zone area where the fire is spreading to. If all the detection control panels are located in one area and there is a fire in that area, for example, the entire FDAS would be wiped out in a matter of seconds.

What was the key focus for the roundtable?

GFE hosted the industry roundtable to better understand the differing views on survivability across the sector. I was joined by Chris Taylor, Associate Director at engineering professional services consultancy WSP, Simon Hopkins, Marketing Manager from cable systems manufacturer Prysmian Group, Steven Daws, Senior Consultant & Quality Manager from independent fire consulting practice CS Todd & Associates.

The debate was very thought-provoking and highlighted that although a number of industry standards relating to survivability already exist, they each have a specific focus and there is no one piece of regulation which stipulates the need for the overall survivability of a FDAS.

Although there were differing views on this topic, there was a consensus that FDAS survivability should be a shared responsibility and that achieving survivability – and greater awareness of its importance – will require an industry-wide collaborative approach. We discussed the fact that there is no clear industry performance specification for FDAS survivability. How the standards are achieved comes down to the design, installation and system commissioning process. This is where the problem lies.

There are many different factors that determine the survivability of a FDAS and unless it has been designed with survivability in mind from the outset – and each individual element of the system is capable of surviving for the length of time required by the building and its evacuation strategy – the risk of system failure is high. Engineers have to understand the fire risks associated with the whole system to ensure continued fire and evacuation strategy and system design compliance.

The foundations for improving the survivability of fire detection and alarm systems are already there thanks to the existing regulations, however, rather than introducing more regulation, we all agreed that the emphasis now needs to shift onto education and raising awareness across the sector about why survivability is such an essential consideration when designing FDASs.

How long should a fire alarm system be able to survive while under attack?

It is often assumed that the different elements of the FDAS only need to survive for 30 minutes before they can fail, but this is not long enough in complex buildings such as large residential buildings, offices, shopping malls, airports and hospitals. Complex buildings must be actively assessed as a single, coherent system of interdependent components. In these types of buildings, the design and the connectivity of a FDAS and the building’s evacuation system have to last much longer than 30 minutes.

BS 8519 takes into account the need for different survival times of fire-resistant cables and recognises three fire survival times according to the specific life safety or fire-fighting application: Category 1 – 30-minute fire survival time; Category 2 – 60-minute fire survival time; Category 3 – 120-minute fire survival time. If these category times are specified for cables on a project, for example, then the design of the whole FDAS must follow the same survival time criteria to ensure the entire system is capable of lasting that long. This requires careful consideration of which fire detection and alarm equipment to use, where to locate the equipment and where the equipment is controlled from so that it does not fail early and therefore negatively impact on the required fire survival time of the cables.

Specifiers need to fully understand the intended use of the building and its detailed fire/evacuation strategy, engineers must understand the fire risk experienced by the whole system to ensure continued fire/ evacuation strategy and system design compliance, and those responsible for procurement need to manage expectations of survivability performance.

In our discussions, we agreed that an intrinsic approach is required to having an overall survivability time that those responsible for each element of the system should adhere to. Survivability should be a prerequisite of all complex systems and each building needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. As an industry we have a shared responsibility to better understand how to deliver survivability of fire and life protecting systems during an emergency.

What design considerations should be made when choosing a survivable fire alarm system?

One way in which GFE is leading the way in system survivability is our inbuilt mesh network. We have developed our Chameleon multi-master, multi-path peer-to-peer network which is a fundamental departure from previous fire alarm control panels’ (FACP) networking arrangements in that it creates an extremely resilient infrastructure for the management and interaction between multiple FACPs in a single system. A fully closed loop and multi-path solution, it addresses and overcomes the limitations associated with traditional RS485 multi-drop topology.

When RS485 multi-drop topology is used, there is no redundancy in the network which means that in the event of a short circuit in the cables, for whatever reason, all interaction and communication between the different FACPs would cease because the information can only travel from node to node in a linear manner, to the left or to the right. In comparison, however, the Chameleon multi-master, multi-path peer-to-peer network has point-to-point communication across the entire network.

The network’s FACPs and other devices are directly interconnected via a dedicated ring topology link and can communicate bi-directionally. This means that in the event of a part of the network being lost, the remaining nodes will not lose their sub-networking capability. As each segment of the Chameleon network is galvanically isolated from all the others, the network also has superior immunity to electrical interference, further enhancing the overall FDAS’ survivability.

Where does the industry go from here regarding survivability?

The roundtable highlighted that one reason for the low profile of survivability of FDASs is due, in part, to the siloed approach taken by the sector whereby those specialists responsible for developing the regulations are focused on their own individual priorities. Key to increasing awareness of the issue is helping people to understand the regulations that are already in place.

As Chris Taylor explained: “When it comes to matters such as survivability of fire systems, we need to move away from the silo mentality that often permeates many aspects of the fire safety sector. Pushing the survivability of fire safety systems higher up on everyone’s agenda will take a coordinated approach and there needs to be clear lines of responsibility as to how we move from debate to action.”

Our industry roundtable and the collective experiences of those participating have demonstrated that there is a clear need for greater transparency about survivability times in performance specifications to ensure that survivability is achieved. This would help to create a level playing field where everyone understands, expects and quotes to an agreed specification.

We need to take a proactive stance in pushing for FDASs to be designed for survivability from the outset rather than as an afterthought. But there is also a need for greater awareness about survivability among those responsible for specifying, procuring, installing and using fire and life safety systems. Everybody has a part to play in ensuring that the operation of a building’s fire protection measures are maintained, and everything has to come together: from the design and specification through to installation.

This article was originally published in the August edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

What does the Building Safety Act mean for you?

by Breaking NewsBuilding ManagementIndustry Sectors
Phil Bryant, Amthal Head of Strategic Accounts, explores the changes in fire safety, and new requirements for positive compliance across the supply chain and the sector as a whole.

The Building Safety Act was touted as “one of the most anticipated pieces of legislation in recent years” and with good reason following the tragic Grenfell Tower fire that kick started this legislation.

On resigning from Government, Lord Greenhalgh expressed pride at his work towards ensuring Grenfell “never happens again” and for the passing of the Building Safety Act 2022 into legislation.

Greenhalgh said: “[The Building Safety Act] has brought about the biggest changes to building safety legislation in our history.”

Setting the Scene

There is no doubt that the Building Safety Act will have a substantial impact on everyone from developers, building owners, architects and product manufacturers, through to landlords and tenants in respect of developments at least five storeys or 11 metres in height. 

It is also likely to impact on the whole supply chain as we come to terms with the new requirements for compliance, right from initial design and specification through the whole life cycle of a building, especially when it comes to fire safety. Also worth noting that the Act applies to all buildings, not just residential, although, it does contain more stringent measures that focus on “higher-risk buildings”.

This applies to those at least seven storeys or 18 metres in height, which have minimum two residential units (or bedrooms for student accommodation). It also includes care homes or hospitals.

However, the Act is not all it appears. To be effective, much of it requires secondary legislation which the government says will be put in place over the next six to 18 months.

An example of this is the Fire Safety Act 2022, which came into force on 16 May and demonstrates that there is a focus and drive in parliament to ‘get the job done’.

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 also now makes it a requirement in law for responsible persons of high-rise blocks of flats to provide information to Fire and Rescue Services to assist them to plan and, if needed, provide an effective operational response. This is in the form of up to date electronic building floor plans.

The regulations sit alongside the Building Safety Act amendments to the Fire Safety Order. They aim together to improve fire safety outcomes designed to protect the public from the risk of fire. And this is by better supporting compliance and effective enforcement in all regulated premises.

The Golden Thread

The aim of the Building Safety Act is to create “lasting generational change,” and this is especially when it comes to fire safety. It is designed to change behaviours, improve competencies and enhance communication at every stage of a works programme, whether new build or refurbishment.

At the core of this objective is the desire for the ‘golden thread’ of information, which disrupts the current norms of silo working and demands a more, structured and formalised collaborative approach to the delivery and maintenance of in-scope buildings. After construction and during the lifecycle of each building, this new regime will also require the maintenance of all information necessary for identifying, managing and mitigating building safety risks associated with fire and structural collapse.  

By working together in partnership from the beginning of the project, compliance with the required golden thread of information can be achieved. This is to store, manage, maintain and retain information. 

Documentation can be created that is “understandable,” “accountable,” “relevant” and “consistent,” as outlined in the conditions of the act, when it comes to building and fire safety. It can all work together to reduce risk and improve value and should be especially accessible if required by emergency services.

Here, fire safety should be considered in the broadest perspective. Whilst much of Grenfell has considered the façade cladding and insulation materials, many more technical aspects include the application of fire compartments within the building, fire-resistant materials and an escape and emergency plan, including review of all fire doors.

Next Steps

Building a safer future necessitates driving a right culture right from the outset, disrupting the current norms of silo working. It demands the creation of a structured and formalised working environment that encourages collaborative interfaces and relationships between team members. 

And yet, it is clear that there is still some work to be done in disseminating the detail and building an understanding of how compliance with the law can be met. A recent survey found that nearly a third of those responsible for fire door safety say they do not fully understand their responsibilities under the Building Safety Act.

The research, carried out by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) Fire Door Alliance, identified a lack of understanding of fire safety-related responsibilities under the new legislation. Almost one in ten (8%) were unaware of how new laws will affect how fire doors are specified. In line with Lord Greenhalgh’s suggestion that the industry “act quickly to update their practices in line with these new rules,” this must be an urgent priority for those responsible for fire safety.”

Amthal is aware of the extra pressures placed on Responsible Persons, who are already stretched when it comes to budget, resources and time constraints. Given that building owners have already got to comply with the Fire Safety Act requirements including PAS9980 appraisals, it may seem difficult to understand how all of these can be promptly achieved.

This is where working with dedicated partners can help, with the use of accredited engineers that can review a property and conduct a full risk assessment, ensuring every aspect of a fire safety plan is considered. 

This includes the fire doors and emergency escape routes, which all now must be tested regularly alongside weekly regimes.

In summary, there is no doubt the Building Safety Act 2022, coming so soon after the Fire Safety Act, introduces epic pieces of legislation in both scale and effect. Together with a raft of new measures, they really do represent a sea change for the construction sector and those involved with high rise and high risk buildings. 

What the Building Safety Act does is bring to the forefront all the elements that must be considered in building safety, including those to prevent fire and save lives. It also highlights the key importance of accountability during the life cycle of a building and the essential need for clear communication and the ‘golden thread’ of information being easily accessible by all parties.

This is still an evolving issue, and the Building Safety Act is only the beginning of an enormous challenge, where transformation is no longer an aspiration, but a requirement if we are to avoid at all costs a repeat of the Grenfell tragedy. There is much for the industry to understand and do with regard to new and emerging legislation, but the wave of requirements is getting bigger and it will only continue to grow over the next 12 to 18 months.

If we are to successfully ride this wave, then we must all continue to pay attention to the emerging legislation announcements and begin to prepare as soon as possible to meet the many requirements that are coming for new and existing buildings.

Independently owned, Amthal Fire & Security is dedicated to satisfying end user needs for security safety and convenience offering design, installation, service and remote monitoring of advanced electronic fire & security solutions, including intruder, Fire, Access and CCTV systems. 

Amthal Fire & Security is accredited by the Security Systems and Alarm Inspection Board (SSAIB) United Kingdom Accreditation Services (UKAS) and British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE.) For more information, please visit www.amthal.co.uk.

California wildfire: Thousands evacuate as Governor declares state of emergency

by ActiveAmericas - Breaking NewsBreaking News

Fuelled by extreme heat, dry forests and underbrush, the Oak Fire that began on Friday has spread rapidly in California forcing thousands of evacuations in the nearby area, with more than 400 firefighters battling the blaze

Governor of California Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for Mariposa County on Saturday due to the effects of the Oak Fire. He said the state has secured a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help ensure the availability of vital resources to suppress the fire.

Firefighters have deployed air tankers, bulldozers and hand crews to battle a fast-moving wildfire just west of Yosemite National Park on Sunday that suddenly and unpredictably grew into what has become one of the largest fires of the year.

The Oak Fire that closed within half a mile (0.8 km) from the town of Mariposa Pines, 10 miles (16 km) from Yosemite. By Sunday evening, the fire had consumed 15,603 acres (6,314 hectares) and was zero percent contained, according to the latest update from California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

Around 3,800 people were under evacuation orders, Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese told a public briefing at a crowded auditorium in the town of Mariposa, the county seat. Cal Fire officials said they had robust firefighting teams on scene early on, but the fire progressed atypically and overran their best efforts.

The fire was moving east up into the sierra, toward the town of Mariposa Pines and in the direction of Yosemite, Justin Macomb, a Cal Fire operations section chief, told the public meeting.

“The fire quickly outflanked us. We couldn’t even attack it with the resources that we had on hand,” Macomb said. “In my career, I haven’t seen fire behaviour like that.”

Daniel Patterson, a spokesman for the Sierra National Forest, said that climate change has made the region much warmer and drier over the past 30 years which has led to California experiencing increasingly large and deadly wildfires.

Patterson said: “The fire is moving quickly. This fire was throwing embers out in front of itself for up to two miles yesterday. These are exceptional fire conditions.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Slovenia calls in assistance as forest fires break out near Italian border

by ActiveBreaking News

Slovenia has requested assistance to tackle forest fires in the Karst of Gorica region of the Miren Kostanjevica municipality. The fires forced the evacuation of three villages.

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism is providing Slovenia with 3 firefighting helicopters, (one from Austria, one from Croatia, and one from Slovakia), and a Croatian forest fire fighting team, consisting of 4 trucks and 9 firefighters.

an amphibious firefighting plane from the rescEU reserve stationed in Croatia has been deployed.

Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said: “This is, no doubt, one of the biggest wildfires in the history of Slovenia. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Croatia, Austria, and Slovakia. Their help via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to Slovenia, my home country, is deeply appreciated. This is EU solidarity at its best.

“At the same time and in view of ever more devastating impacts of climate change, which we are currently witnessing across Europe, I reiterate the need for immediate action at every level across the sectors in every Member State, with support of the EU, as to strengthen our response capacities but foremost preparedness to prevent the worst.”

EU Civil Protection Mechanism

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism strengthens cooperation between and among Member States and Participating States in the field of civil protection, with a view to improving prevention, preparedness, and response to disasters.

When the scale of an emergency overwhelms the response capabilities of a country, it can request assistance via the Mechanism. 

To date, all EU Member States participate in the Mechanism, as well as Iceland, Norway, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Turkey. 

Heatwave sees London Fire Brigade’s busiest day since World War II

by ActiveBreaking News

London Fire Brigade has reported its busiest day since World War II as record temperatures led to hundreds of fires across the city on Tuesday, with more than 1,146 incidents throughout the capital.

More than 40 houses and shops were destroyed after a number of significant grass fires spread to nearby buildings, including in Wennington, Dagenham and Kenton. Crews tackled fires at garages, farm buildings, vehicles, outbuildings, a car wash and a church hall. A total of 16 firefighters suffered heat-related injuries, and two of them were taken to hospital.

Control Officers also worked relentlessly throughout the day, taking 2,670 calls between 8am on Tuesday and around 0630 on Wednesday morning. The Fire Investigation team was also busy mobilising to fires around London.

In the aftermath of the fires, Borough Commanders and their stations are engaging with people in communities affected by the fires to offer our ongoing support.

The Brigade’s Assistant Commissioner, Jonathan Smith, said on Wednesday: “Firefighters across London worked in very difficult conditions to protect Londoners and their heroic actions mean no lives were lost. I am immensely proud of them and their dedication in such unprecedented heat.

“We declared a major incident and worked with emergency service partners who have also been working hard to continue to run services in these difficult and challenging conditions. By taking action, we were able to focus and prioritise our resources, recall staff from training, call on support from other local fire and rescue services and attend every incident as needed.

“Yesterday’s fires are another example of how we are increasingly being challenged by new extremes of weather as our climate changes and we’re developing long-term strategies to deal with more incidents like this in the future.”

Firefighters remain ready to respond to incidents and the Brigade is continuing to monitor the weather conditions and the forecast for the coming days, with additional resource in place.

Assistant Commissioner Smith added: “Despite some rain in parts of London overnight, the ground is still likely to be dry, so as well as fires there is also a risk of surface water flooding.

“If you are at risk of flooding, you can take action now to prepare. Please continue to pay attention to weather alerts and prepare a flood kit or grab bag.”

Wildfire fuelled by gale-force winds forces evacuations in Greece

by ActiveBreaking News

 A wildfire fuelled by gale-force winds took hold in the mountainous region of Penteli near Athens on Wednesday morning, burning homes and causing authorities to order the evacuation of at least nine areas and a hospital.

The fire initially broke out at around 2.30pm on Tuesday afternoon in the region 27km north of central Athens.

Around 485 firefighters and 120 fire engines were sent out to tackle the blaze which was burning on several fronts. More than seven helicopters and planes were dumping water on the flames.

“It was a difficult night,” said Fire Department spokesperson Yiannis Artopios in a televised statement, noting that the wind speed exceeded 80 kilometres per hour. Strong winds are expected to persist until Wednesday afternoon.

“Due to the intensity and speed of the winds, the fire constantly changed direction throughout the night, which made fighting it, in the middle of the night, even more difficult,”

One hospital and the National Observatory of Athens had been evacuated as a precaution. Traffic was halted on roads leading to Penteli and police helped at least 600 residents to find their way out of the fire-stricken areas.

The breakout follows the news of Greece’s new initiative to help prevent a reoccurrence of last year´s disastrous fire season with the introduction of the rescEU firefighting fleet. 

The EU pre-positioned some heavy duty fire fighting forces to Greece from six member countries: Bulgaria, Finland, France, Germany, Norway and Romania. These countries are a part of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) and are deploying more than 200 firefighters to Greece in total.

Last year, wildfires hit around 300,000 acres (121,000 hectares) of forest and bushland in different parts of Greece as the country experienced its worst heat wave in 30 years.

Sprinkler systems: How watertight are they?

by Breaking NewsFire SuppressionProducts

This year, the UK government reduced the height threshold for new residential buildings requiring sprinkler systems, in a bid to make housing safer. But how effective are sprinklers really? Ian King, COO, Zeroignition explains in this exclusive article.

With the anniversary of Grenfell back in media headlines, the construction industry is once again thinking about fire safety. Sadly, since the tragedy, not enough has been done to safeguard high-rise buildings, yet the introduction of the Building Safety Act, offers hope of change. It’s an important time for the sector – making the right changes now could create safer structures for generations. Get it wrong, and we could have another disaster on our hands. 

Yet as it stands fire safety in construction is still falling short of the mark. Protocols around safety checks are lacking and knowledge about products and systems is far from satisfactory.

An obvious example are sprinkler systems – well known for their effectiveness in suppressing fire when deployed correctly, yet evidence suggests that inspection processes lack a robust enough framework to ensure their reliability.

According to the FPA, by law, in the UK only 20 sprinkler heads out of every 5,000 are required to be examined yet an estimated 40 million sprinklers are fitted worldwide each year. By comparison, in the U.S., all sprinkler heads have to be checked annually with additional monthly inspections.

In short, we have no idea exactly how many will work in the event of an emergency, presenting an unacceptable threat to life.

Seeing the bigger picture

This isn’t to say that sprinkler systems aren’t an effective method of fire protection – we know that when deployed correctly, they’re one of the best forms of defence. In fact, Fire Safety Advice Centre statistics show that not a single person has died in the UK where a working sprinkler system has been present in a building. What’s more, research by The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) shows that sprinklers are effective almost 100% of the time when helping to extinguish or control fires as well as prevent further damage. So long as they work.

However, we’d be wise to avoid using them as a one-size-fits-all protection strategy. Instead, we should view and include them a part of a diverse mix of passive and active fire protection options – think fire-resistant walls and floors (passive) and fire blankets and extinguishers (active). Especially given the UK’s track record for safety checks and evaluation. The NFCC for example, reported over 1,000 ‘failures to operate’ in a corporate context from 2011 to 2016 and a recent U.S. study by the NFPA reported that 10% of sprinkler failures result from a lack of maintenance.

Understanding the bottom line

The hard truth is that we know construction industry thinking is strongly driven by profit margins, and sprinkler systems initially come with a hefty price tag. Taking into account the cost of setup, supplying and maintaining high water pressures and energy for a functional system, prices can quickly escalate. That’s not accounting for the costs to maintain and check systems in-person. Of course, money shouldn’t be a factor when risk to life is involved but there’s no denying that cost implications can sway the level of safety within a build.

Relying on sprinkler systems can also side line other fire safety options, allowing housebuilders to treat fire safety as a ‘tick this box exercise’ rather than treat it with the holistic approach it needs. For example, we know that good passive protection reduces or removes the need for active fire suppression – with broader considerations, we can ensure multiple safeguards.

We’ve also seen uncertainty around fire safety terminology, which needs to improve if we’re to make future structures safe and highlights the need for legislation that benchmarks industry best practice.

For example, in one of our research studies, we found that just over half of all architects couldn’t give an accurate definition of passive fire protection – ‘built-in’ fire protection. What’s more, 58% of architects were unable to explain what ‘reaction to fire’ is – a measure of flammability. Almost three-quarters (71%) were unable to define fire resistance – the ability of products and technologies to resist and prevent the spread of fire.

Encouraging innovation

Relying on a one-system approach to fire safety also stifles innovation. Without room to introduce new strategies, the industry could be missing out on more effective, less expensive options. It isn’t about abandoning sprinkler systems entirely – we know that they work and, when properly maintained, have been proven to save lives. However, in order to move forward, we need to see them considered as part of a more well-rounded approach to fire safety – one that brings both passive and active solutions into the mix.

By doing so, occupants will receive improved levels of safety in the properties they purchase. Beyond this, for contractors and developers, it shows that they are doing all they can to invest properly in fire safety – which is exactly where the industry needs to be.

Streamlight talks lighting innovation in the fire market

by Breaking NewsFirefighting EquipmentProducts

Whether for fighting fires, investigating scenes, signalling others in emergencies, or conducting rescues, lighting appliances are an essential piece of equipment for fire and rescue teams in order to navigate hazard-filled environments. Stream light, Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting devices, offer a range of high-quality products built with precision and performance works to meet the needs of the fire market.

The company has developed its insights over decades of open communications and has a user-centric approach in developing new ideas and innovation for the fire market which, combined with their knowledge, experience and technical capabilities has seen them become a market leader in the industry.

Streamlight’s product development and compliance teams have been making a continuous effort to develop and evolve its ATEX product lines – the European certification given to equipment tested and approved to be intrinsically safe for use in or around explosive atmospheres – with the assurance that its flashlights are all safe, reliable, and a good fit for the job. International Fire and Safety Journal looks at a selection of Streamlights solutions for the fire market. 

Advanced Lighting

A clip-on flashlight is depended on by firefighters and so needs to be tough, compact in size, and reliable. Streamlight has developed specialised products for the fire market, including its clip-on flashlight Survivor Right Angle ATEX Light which possesses the latest in high-lumen LED technology for extreme brightness. The Survivor has four lighting modes that include high and low intensity, emergency flash, and a moonlight mode for low-level lighting that runs for 15 days.

The Survivor’s custom optic produces a narrow beam which is designed to cut through smoke, fog, and mist whilst also providing optimum peripheral illumination to aid in navigation. To ensure reliability, it operates on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery than can be recharged up to 1,500 times and permits firefighters to insert a spare pack of four AA alkaline or four AA lithium batteries to reduce the likelihood of being caught in the dark with a dead battery.

Avoiding hazards

Another key feature of any lighting device used by firefighters is that it needs to be safe for use in hazardous location. Streamlight’s high-performance Enduro Pro HAZ-LO ATEX headlamp is IECEx-certified for use in Zone 0 locations – places in which ignitable concentrations of flammable gases or vapours are present continuously – which are regularly faced by many fire fighters in their role as first repsonders.

The headlamp features a 45 degree tilting head and has three lighting modes to cover a variety of tasks: spot for a focused beam, flood for soft area illumination that will prevent eyes becoming tired and spot/flood combo for even more light output. The light also includes an adjustable elastic head strap and comes with two additional options: a rubber head strap and 3M Dual Lock re-closable fasteners for mounting on hard hats.

Streamlight’s Dualiefamily of lights are designed to be fundamentally safe and feature multi-directional lighting. Also ATEX and IECEx-certified is the Dualie 3AA flashlight which features a bright light that shines both ahead and downwards, helping firefighters avoid slips, trips, and falls. Powered by AA batteries, the Dualie 3AA features two powerful LEDS and three output modes: spot, flood, and spot/flood simultaneously for maximum brightness.

The 3AA model also has a case constructed from a durable, non-conductive, corrosion-proof polymer resin and unbreakable polycarbonate lenses with scratch-resistant coating and includes an integrated, snag-free clip for use on shirts, pockets and mounting on to gear for hands-free use.

Power and precision

Many situations faced by firefighters will need precision, task-oriented lighting. Streamlight’s Vulcan 180 HAZ-LO ATEX is a multifunction and rechargeable high-performance lantern featuring a 24-hour run time on low, and features a 180-degree articulating head and two ultra-bright blue taillights for visibility in difficult environments – whether from smoke, inclement weather, or other hazards. Firefighters and first responders can aim the light beam precisely where it is needed for task lighting purposes.

Portability and durability in poor conditions are another important design consideration, which is why Streamlight developed The Portable Scene Light II: a 10,000-lumen rechargeable, waterproof scene light. Featuring a versatile steel frame and 360-degree rotating head for precise aiming, this scene light is particularly beneficial for marking exits, post investigation, ground clean-up and mobile triage centre lighting.

Also from Streamlight is the recently introduced BearTrap: is a multi-function, rechargeable, 2,000-lumen work light, featuring both spot and flood beams. The BearTrap can rotate 270 degrees in its frame and it clamps to most surfaces without scratching or stands alone for hands-free task illuminations. It also features a magnetic base and a hanging hook and has an IPX4 rated design for water-resistant operation and is impact resistant tested to one meter.

Informing On Innovations

As lighting technology continues to evolve, the range of options for firefighting professionals worldwide continues to grow thanks to advances in portable lighting technology from innovators like Streamlight.

Streamlight is working with fire departments and training facilities to educate them on the latest technology innovations in lighting, spreading the word about the importance of light at a fire scene, and detailing the use of actual products in the training sessions. The company also offers an extensive video showcase on its website, which provides product and training information for fire personnel.

Streamlight President and CEO, Ray Sharrah comments: “Streamlight is a pioneer in rechargeable lighting with one of the largest range of safety-rated lights. We are revolutionising LED lights, making them brighter, safer, and incredibly durable.” He adds, “After we’ve met the challenges involved in designing and engineering a light, we put it through the most demanding industry testing to ensure the highest levels of performance and dependability”.

This article was originally published in the June edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Rebel with a cause: Angus Fire talks attack hoses

by Breaking NewsProductsPumps

Angus Fire discusses how the role of attack fire hoses in enhancing firefighter safety

Firefighter’s personal protective equipment comes in various forms: turnout gear including flash hood, helmet, gloves, boots – and yet we all know that should be the very last line of defence. For firefighters in front-line rescue scenarios, scene size-up and risk assessment is vital but so is a battle-ready attack hose.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, fires involving modern materials burn much faster than those of several decades ago, and while thermal protection for firefighter turnout gear and breathing apparatus have improved, thermal protection for fire hoses has remained largely unchanged.

The current performance standards are NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 1961 for US markets, EN14540 for Europe and BS 6391 for the UK. NFPA is currently reviewing and will consolidate NFPA 1961 along with 1931, 1936, 1961, 1963 and 1964 into a combined hose and fittings standard NFPA 1960.

In May 2016, the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Explosives presented its findings to the NFPA Technical Committee on Fire Hoses and proposed new standards for thermal performance.

The NFA Technical Committee has been working to help ensure that firefighters are using attack fire hoses that are compliant with NFPA standards to enhance their safety and effectiveness. In doing so, the Committee has been looking to deliver on firefighter expectations for attack fire hose capabilities and characteristics, to understand any research gaps and priorities, and to provide recommendations for the future, including advising on advanced materials for attack fire hose construction.

Crucially, current and future standard reviews will differentiate between ‘attack’ hose and ‘distribution’ hose. Angus Fire has now produced its new Angus Rebel hose which looks to address the ‘attack’ phase with renewed levels of fire resistance.

High performance hose

In recent years, there have been several notable incidents where firefighters have entered high rise buildings, buildings incorporating new materials and buildings where internal firefighting is demanded by circumstance and driven by the need to rescue those trapped and to tackle fires at source. The problem here is that the risk of hose lines being damaged by fire itself increases exponentially as modern construction materials present ever increasing fire challenges.

Open pathways for fire spread are inherent dangers. For example, a fire lieutenant and a firefighter sadly died in one recorded incident in 2014 at a Massachusetts brownstone. The lieutenant and firefighter who attended the fire entered the building through the front door with a hose without water and moved downstairs to the basement, searching for the source of the fire and a potential victim.

High winds acted as a catalyst for the intensity of the fire, allowing it to spread quickly. The lieutenant had given the order to charge the hose line with water, but the extreme heat had burned it through preventing water flow and the back-up hose line was also burned through. The lieutenant and fire fighter became trapped.

Despite step-change improvements in firefighting techniques such as forced ventilation, CAFS and Coolfire through-the-wall extinguishing techniques, the fire hose has enjoyed only marginal gains on the last 20 years and it is not difficult to see why. It has to combine challenging and conflicting features: to be heat resistant yet flexible; lightweight yet be robust against cuts and abrasion; and to withstand high pressure yet be flexible enough to be coiled. Not forgetting it provides assistance in line-marking for retreat.

The Angus Rebel has therefore been designed to overcome these challenges. It is capable of withstanding flames and heat in excess of 850°C for hours. It is available in high visibility yellow and red as standard. The Rebel’s flame-resistant qualities and high visibility help provide a clear route out of a building with the potential to save lives

It has been designed for firefighter safety and is compatible for use with all major international coupling systems including Storz, British Instantaneous, Symetrique and US Expansion Ring NH, as well as being manufactured to perform generally in accordance with NFPA 1961, BS6391 (Type 2) and DIN EN 1947 standards.

Firefighters know that any loss of water supply on the fire-ground is life threatening but mobilityis also key. An attack hose is designed to combine appropriate water flow levels with a hose that is a flexible, kink resistant and as light as possible.

New hose technology

Angus Rebel is constructed from a mix of high performing natural and synthetic fibres, with a synthetic rubber lining and coated in protective acrylic. The team at Angus research and development have drawn on those attributes and combined them with rubber and textile to produce an innovative solution to solve a known operational concern. The result – Angus Rebel attack hose.

Whereas the conventional covered hose is designed to ensure reliability and long life, Angus Rebel attack hose has been designed to offer a different suite of benefits. Used in non-threatening combat it performs as a regular hose, but any firefighter will understand that maintaining integrity at over 850°C is no mean feat.

With the Angus Rebel model, the hose becomes part of an expendable defence whilst simultaneously enhancing firefighter safety. Think of a helmet or bunker jacket: it is designed to be used repeatedly, but only if the integrity is guaranteed. If a helmet suffers a heavy blow or bunker gear is contaminated, both will protect you but at the cost of replacements.

This is the crux of the Angus Rebel concept. It is a tool in the fire armoury, to be used selectively in high challenge, personnel rescue situations. The hose is designed to survive temperatures that destroy conventional hose in seconds. In that situation it becomes an expendable ally, but not before it ensures continuity of water supply and your safety.

Wildfires and aviation

The recent spate of massive wildfires in the United States and Australia exposed firefighters to heat stress, fatigue, smoke and dust. As if that was not enough, the loss of vital hose lines from fire was very real. Ignition typically starts from low vegetation such as underbrush and leaf litter, from there to higher vegetation such as tree branches.

As the fire increases in intensity and size, fuel is involved at all levels. A complex mix of terrain, vegetation and wind changes can expose firefighters to a rear-guard action; this is when you want continuity of water supply. A hose as durable as the Angus Rebel is ideal for such front-line attacks on fire spread.

Similar to wildfires, aviation spill fires can lead to hoses being trailed through fuel that carries a risk of ignition in vapour suppression procedures and significant temperatures in fire. Angus Rebel is designed to allow airport crash tenders to be equipped with a first line attack hose that can withstand burning hydrocarbon in personnel rescue scenarios.

The development of the original Angus Duraline covered fire hose provides firefighters with a jacketed hose that continues to provide the benefits of minimal maintenance, low pressure loss, high abrasion resistance, high chemical resistance, low kinking and easy drying lay flat hose. The introduction of the Rebel fire hose sets a new standard in structural firefighting safety, achieved with the highest known resistance to heat and flame of any fire hose available today.

This article was originally published in the June edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Exclusive: Super Vac examines battery platform compatibility for rescue tools

by Breaking NewsFirefighting EquipmentProducts

With so many fire tools now powered by name brands, Super Vac looks at the offering from key players in the battery power industry: DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, IDEX and Holmatro.

Hand Tools

DeWalt’s 18V/56V MAX FLEXVOLT battery switches voltage when crews change tools, allowing these batteries to power more than 250+ products across the 18V MAX and 56V MAX systems. AMKUS Rescue Systems, a trusted name in the rescue equipment industry has partnered with DeWalt to distribute select MAX products to the fire industry.

Makita’s XGT 40V battery powers roughly 80 different Makita XGT MAX tools, including cordless drills, demo hammers, impact drivers and more. The XGT battery is designed for high-demand applications that typically would use corded, gas or air power sources. Makita batteries also feature a triple-layer structure for water and dust resistance.

Milwaukee is developing to its M18 REDLITHIUM series, providing up to 2.5 times more runtime and 20% more power than other lithium-ion batteries. This one battery system powers more than 200 Milwaukee M18 hand tools.

IDEX Fire & Safety is favoured in the industry for its patented 1P68-rated EWXT/E3 batteries (capable of operating underwater), IDEX and its LUKAS rescue tool brand have yet to introduce small hand tools to the market – departments may want to keep an eye on IDEX’s future innovations.

While Holmatro doesn’t offer battery-powered “hand tools,” the manufacturer has one of the most well-rounded lists of assist tools and rescue accessories to complement its EV0 3 rescue tools, including jacks, struts, wedges, lifting bags and more. You’ll have to put in a little elbow grease, that’s all.

Rescue Saws

DeWalt offers a variety of battery-powered saws that can be utilised in the fire service, including cutoff saws, chainsaws and reciprocating saws. To further retrofit the DeWalt chainsaw for the rigors of the fire ground, Super Vac offers a battery chainsaw conversion kit that turns this ordinary 16″ wood-cutting saw into a RIT or overhaul saw.

Makita offers a battery-powered reciprocating saw in the 40V XGT line, and in its 18V LXT line, Makita sells both chainsaws and recipro saws. The Makita chainsaw can be equipped with a Super Vac conversion kit that modifies the saw with carbine chain, modified bar and depth gauge, all designed for RIT or overhaul operations on the fireground.

Milwaukee offers the popular SAWZALL, as well as a chainsaw, which both deliver up to 150 cuts per charge. The Milwaukee chainsaw can be further modified for the fireground with the Super Vac chainsaw conversion kit to allow the saw to cut through asphalt shingles, hurricane glass, roofing materials and more.

When it comes to cutting, IDEX doesn’t dabble too much in the small saw game – but some might say the brand’s StrongArm tool can fit in this portable cutting category. The StrongArm cuts through 3/8-inch rebar, Grade 43 Chain and two-by-four wood, and it can also spread and breach doors.

PPVS

Super Vac introduced the first-ever DeWalt battery-powered positive pressure fan to the industry in 2018. The fan operates off of dual 9.0Ah or 12.0Ah FLEXVOLT batteries. Available in a 16″, 18″ or 20″ model, the DeWalt-powered fan provides 40 minutes of run time (depending on battery selection) and 16,700-22,000 cmh (depending on model).

New for 2022, Super Vac introduced a lineup of Makita battery fans, powered by dual XGT 40V batteries (XC 4.0Ah or XC 5.0Ah). Like its DeWalt counterpart, Super Vac offers 16″, 18″ and 20″ Makita models. Output and run times vary based on Super Vac model, but range from 15,000-19,800 cmh in airflow and 40-50 minute in run time.

Super Vac offers two lines of Milwaukee fans, M18 and M28 battery-powered fans. Although Milwaukee is phasing out new M28 products, many fire departments still utilize these tools, so Super Vac developed an M28 lineup for compatibility with these tools. M28 batteries must be sourced through TNT, Genesis and Weber dealers that offer M28 rescue tools.

Last year, Super Vac introduced its 5.0Ah and 9.0Ah EWXT/E3 battery-powered 20″ fan to the market. Since that introduction, the fan manufacturer has added a 16 and 18″ variation. Per Super Vac’s special proprietary battery licensing agreement with IDEX, these fans and batteries are only available through authorized LUKAS dealers.

Finally, wait for it. Can we expect a EV0 3 battery-powered fan in the future? Maybe.

Lights

DeWalt offers a battery tripod that telescopes to 1.4m and offers variable brightness settings, up to 3,000 lumens. The light will operate for more than 11 hours on the lowest setting. Meanwhile, Command Light offers a 1.25mDeWalt-powered tripod with 2.27m telescoping reach. This tripod pairs with 10 different firefighter-favorite LEDs, featuring up to 28,000 lumens.

Makita offers a 1,100-lumen light and can provide up to 10 hours of light on this max setting. The light can be mounted on optional tripod. For higher lumens, Command Light offers 10 different Makita battery-powered tripod models, featuring the same fixture options, as well as tripod dimension as the earlier DeWalt model mentioned above.

Milwaukee offers a tripod series, featuring 1.1-1.4m extension and 1,400-6,000 lumens, depending on model. Milwaukee also sells portable flood lights and radius site lights in the M18 platform. For even more lumens, look to Command Light for Milwaukee battery-powered tripods, featuring Akron Revels, FRC Spectras, FireTech Helios and Whelen fixtures.

IDEX recently introduced the Scout, a 14,000-lumen scene light that can be used to provide lighting when crews are extricating patients. Like Super Vac, Command Light also arranged a special agreement to power three of its tripods with EWXT/E3 batteries, including the T50-AX-BW, which features two Akron Revels for 28,000 lumens.

Holmatro has engineered LED lighting into its cutters, spreaders and combo tools. Six bright lights provide illumination at night. These LEDs operate standard AA batteries and deliver six hours of continuous light.

Rescue Tools

AMKUS Rescue Systems powers its ion-battery 2.0 rescue tools with DeWalt FLEXVOLT batteries. AMKUS offers three different cutters, two combis, four spreaders and two rams. Made of solid aluminium, AMKUS tools are between 13-30 cm shorter than competitor models, allowing first responders to work in cramped rescue quarters.

Makita pairs with Ogura, a 50-year-old Japanese manufacturer of rescue tools. The Ogura lineup includes 18V battery-powered combis, cutters, spreaders and rams and a battery-powered rebar cutter. The head or power unit of the Ogura’s RP Series can be changed at any time without disengaging from the work.

TNT, Genesis and Weber, power their rescue tools with Milwaukee. TNT offers both M18 and M28 cutters, spreaders, combis and rams, while Genesis and Weber build on the M28 platform.

Powerhouse in hydraulic rescue tools, LUKAS, offers cutters, spreaders, combis and rams are powered by IDEX EWXT/E3 batteries. LUKAS is renowned for its eDRAULIC watertight line of rescue tools that can operate in heavy rain, high water or even under water. And with new E3 technology, LUKAS prides itself on performance diagnostics.

Finally, Holmatro offers proprietary EVO 3 battery technology in its “world-leading rescue tools” line of cutters, combis, spreaders and rams. The IP54-rated EVO 3 battery features a brushless motor, a direct-drive pump and electronic speed control that work together in tandem to deliver continuous, optimally high tool speed.