ASFP names Passive Fire Protection Award Winners

by EventsFeatured News

The winners of the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) 2022 Passive Fire Protection Awards were announced at the Association’s Awards Dinner at the Park Regis Hotel in Birminghamon 25 November.

Chosen by an independent panel of judges, the winners were presented with their awards by special guest speaker Mandy Hickson, a former Royal Air Force pilot. Hickson later regaled guests with tales from her time as a fast jet pilot in Iraq, sharing insights of successful leadership and highlighting the importance of encouraging diversity in all industry sectors.

The 2022 Award winners

  • ASFP Installation: Coopers Fire, Battersea Power Station. An installation of 86 fire and smoke curtains. This involved re-design and bespoke engineering of seven FireMaster Concertina curtains of 25m width and 12m height in straight sections to meet the project requirements.
  • Passive Fire Protection Innovation: Fire Protection Ltd, FPLHV. This fire-resisting high voltage cable enclosure offers unparalleled insulation performance at high temperatures. Prefabricated in modular section to ease installation, the cables are fitted to the lid section and connected via internal channels, before the closing underside is fitted to fully enclose the cables.
  • Marketing Campaign: Minster. The ‘Spread the Word’ campaign focused on heightening awareness of Minster’s passive fire protection (PFP) range. The drive successfully stimulated interest and delivered unprecedented levels of sales of Minster PFP products.
  • Best Customer Service: Quelfire for its commitment to raising awareness of PFP through technical support, social media outreach and training initiatives, including the development of the Quelfire Knowledge Hub.
  • Training and Development of the Year: Alec Purdie, Quelfire. Having joined Quelfire in early 2020 with no prior fire industry knowledge, Alec quickly completed the IFE level 3 training, passing the IFE exam in 2022. He was accepted into membership of the IFE at Technician level and continues to maintain his CPD learning .He also conducts training for Quelfire customers.
  • Highest Engagement of the Year: Siderise for its steadfast support and participation in many of the ASFP activities such as events, marketing campaigns and training.
  • Individual Rising Star: Molly Callaway, TBL Fire Protection. Molly’s professionalism, eagerness to learn and enthusiasm for the industry was quickly apparent resulting in TBL identifying her for their Management Training Programme.
  • Lifetime Contribution: Carl Atkinson. Carl was the founder of FSi and served a six year term as vice Chair, Chair and Past Chair of the ASFP. The award recognises his commitment to the ASFP and his lifelong dedication to developing the passive fire sector, raising standards and improving the quality of PFP products and systems.
  • Advocate of the Year: Will Pitt of Laing O’Rourke for his dedication to the industry and commitment to the improvement of standards through work, such as the Passive Fire Knowledge Group of which he is one of the founding members.
  • Academic Accomplishment Awards for achieving the highest marks in the 2022 IFE PFP exams went to Rhea Akiens of Saint Gobain for Level 2 and Malcolm Williams of Quelfire for Level 3.

ASFP CEO Steve Davies congratulated all the award winners: “We were delighted to welcome so many members to this year’s prestigious ASFP Awards Dinner. The event has grown significantly since its launch in 2017 and, in 2022, we recognised a hugely diverse range of company and individual accomplishments.

“All the nominations were of the very highest standard and I would like to congratulate all the deserving winners and everyone who took the time to enter. The entries clearly demonstrated the excellent work, expertise, professionalism and commitment of our members. We were truly impressed by the growing role of ASFP members in inspiring innovation, improving fire safety standards and raising awareness.

“We also thank our many sponsors including FireFly, Etex, Siderise, Consort and Encon. Without their continued support, an event of this scale would not be possible.”

Women in Fire Engineering launch first conference

by EventsFeatured News

In 2021, the Institution of Fire Engineers launched the women’s networking group. One year on, and the group continues to go from strength to strength and has announced it is holding its first in-person conference on 9th February 2022 at Norton Park Hotel, near Winchester.

The organisers said the event will be an opportunity for delegates to discuss, collaborate and network with a focus on empowerment: “Women often suffer with a lack of confidence which can lead to a lack of self-promotion, leaving them unseen and undervalued.  The conference aims to address this issue.”

The conference will see Dr Barbara Lane, Arup Fellow, Director of the Arup University and officer to the Arup Group Board, give the keynote speech. This will be followed by a roundtable discussion on the challenges that women face working in the fire industry.

There will be three expert presentations on empowerment topics by leading executive coaches:

  • Mel Stanley will be covering how to make an Impact
  • Sara Pardoe-Flay will speak on assertiveness & confidence
  • Sarah Farmer will provide insight on influencing skills

The conference will conclude with a Panel Q & A session.

Link to Eventbrite booking page for February Conference:  Women in Fire Engineering Conference Tickets, Thu 9 Feb 2023 at 09:00 | Eventbrite

Membership of the IFE Women’s Networking Group is free and open to all, including women and male allies who support what we do and what we stand for.  Members do not have to be affiliated to a particular institution or professional body.  For more information on how to participate in our events, see our LinkedIn Group page at:  The Institution of Fire Engineers – Women’s Networking Group | Groups | LinkedIn

Global fire protection industry to gather at Intersec

by Breaking NewsEvents

More than 1,000 exhibitors from 120+ countries will unite at the 24th edition of Intersec, the world’s leading trade fair for safety, security, and fire protection. Fire, safety and security industry professionals from around the world are expected in Dubai in January to explore the strategies and advanced technologies that will future-proof global safety.

The show will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from January 17-19, 2023, with exhibitors providing access to more than 10,000 products across the complete security value chain.

Advanced technological innovation will dominate the exhibition’s five key segments, followed by Commercial & Perimeter Security, the second largest sector represented. Homeland security is supported by Dubai Police and Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA) and is dedicated to products and solutions for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Airport, and Aviation Security.

Fire and rescue will showcase the latest firefighting technologies, the best international standards, and practices, and is supported by the Dubai Civil Defense. Safety and health will be divided into environmental, industrial, and public health and safety, and lastly, Cyber security will host cyber solutions, experts, from national leaders to public and private sector professionals, from cyber connoisseurs to advisors, hackers to responders, and cyber economists to corporate buyers.

“We anticipate up to 30,000 security, emergency response, safety and cybersecurity professionals attending Intersec 2023, where technological breakthroughs will take centre stage and attract an influential participant profile,” said Alex Nicholl, Show Director, Messe Frankfurt Middle East. “Industry experts, influencers, decision and policymakers, and distributors are uniting to explore the strategies and technologies that will govern the safety and wellbeing of future generations.”

The event takes place against a backdrop of anticipated sector growth. Research firm 6W Research forecast the Middle East’s commercial security market will grow 16 per cent a year until 2025 to reach US$8.4 billion, while the region’s fire and safety sector will advance 7.5 per cent annually to reach US$16.76bn by 2026.

“This huge potential has attracted a line-up of leading industry heavyweights, including Honeywell, Bosh, Hochiki, Drager and AXIS Communications,” added Nicholl.

The conference think tank

The Intersec 2023 Conference will be a think tank for future industry strategies, with four focused segments. The conference streams will feature the Intersec Security Leaders’ Summit, and dedicated seminar streams focusing on safety and health, fire and rescue, and tackling ever-growing sophisticated cyber security threats.

The 2023 Intersec Security Leaders’ Summit is a high-level strategic summit for the leaders and stakeholders of the security industry to collaborate, innovate and actively seek new technologies to meet the rapidly changing needs of the industry.

Tackling cybercrime

The Middle East and Africa’s cybersecurity market size was valued at USD 5.92 Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 19.79 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 14.35% from 2022 to 2030. The Intersec Cybersecurity Seminars will feature the latest trends, drivers, challenges and successful case studies across industries that are playing a substantial role in shaping the cybersecurity industry growth.

“The Cybersecurity Seminars will provide a platform of expertise, best practices, and solutions that cater to those working in and managing cyber defence. With key themes including resilience, risk and future-tech among others, the presents a rare opportunity for industry players to network with global CTOs, CISOs, heads of cybersecurity, and system integrators with real purchasing power,” said Nicholl.

Intersec 2023 has the support of Dubai Police, the Directorate General of Dubai Civil Defence, The Security Industry Regulatory Agency and Dubai Municipality.

Fire Protection Research Foundation to host webinar on the fire perspective on long COVID

by EventsFeatured News

The Fire Protection Research Foundation is to host its final webinar of its 2022 Annual Webinar Series on Thursday, December 8 on the topic: “Long COVID: A Unique Fire Service Perspective”.

The webinar will look at the a significant number of individuals who continue to be plagued with unresolved symptoms of Long COVID —including shortness of breath, brain fog, fatigue, and cardiovascular complications.

It will discuss the fire service occupational specific concerns about the long-term effects of COVID, or ‘long COVID’, and how the fire service can better recognize, understand, and manage these challenges to protect firefighter health and safety.

The webinar will provide an update on what is known from the scientific literature about long COVID, and the initial findings from data collected from members of the fire service about their experiences with long COVID.

Dr. Denise Smith, Skidmore College, Dr. Sara Jahnke, Center for Fire, Rescue and EMS Health Research, and Katie Rusk, San Diego Firefighter’s Regional Wellness Program will lead this webinar discussion.

Registration for the webinar is free and required to attend live. Register by visiting www.nfpa.org/webinars and watch on-demand archived FPRF webinars.

This webinar is supported by the Research Foundation 2022 Webinar Series Sponsors: American Wood Council, AXA XL Risk Consulting, Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc., Telgian Engineering and Consulting, The Zurich Services Corporation.

International Water Mist Conference is coming to Copenhagen

by EventsFeatured News

IWMA president Are Wendelborg Brandt has announced that 22nd International Water Mist Conference will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark. The conference will take place over 11-12 October at the Copenhagen Marriott Hotel.

The call for papers will be published on 1st February 2023. Sponsors can start booking their table tops for the exhibition – which will run alongside the conference – from that day onwards.

IWMA general manager Bettina McDowell explained: “We will again offer three different packages for companies that want to support the event. Further details will be available from the IWMA headquarter in Hamburg.”

Monday 15 May is the final date to submit abstracts and apply for a speaker slot. The conference webpage will also be activated on this day.

Deadline for submissions to apply for the IWMA Young Talent Award is 28th April. In 2023, this award will go to the author of the Ph.D. thesis dealing with water mist.

National Association of Healthcare Fire Officers announces Annual Conference and Exhibition

by EventsFeatured News

The National Association of Healthcare Fire Officers has announced that its Annual Conference and Exhibition 2023 will take place on 5-7th June 2023 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Stratford upon Avon.

The long-established Annual Conference and Exhibition was missed over the lockdown year before coming back with a bang in 2022 and now NAHFO is proud to bring the event to the Midlands for 2023.

This Annual Conference and Exhibition is aimed at Fire Professionals looking to network and exchange ideas and best practices with others at the forefront of the industry. Leading industry speakers will discuss current topics that will interest and engage. There will also be a wide range of exhibiting companies who will update attendees on the very latest equipment, services and supplies available.

In addition to the main conference agenda, there are accredited CPD sessions, a trade evening followed by a social networking BBQ and a Conference Dinner and Awards evening. The subject matter of the agenda is always designed to be fresh, completely relevant and up to the minute, so speaker details and the overall theme of the event will be announced early in 2023.

Recognising the possible challenges of funding for NHS and other Healthcare delegates, the costs for attendance are pegged by NAHFO at a very reasonable level. There’s a range of delegate and exhibitor packages on offer, the most popular of which include food, refreshments and accommodation, so organisations are able to send delegates or exhibit their products and services with the knowledge there won’t be multiple further expenses to cover.

Delegates can register here and Exhibitors can register here.

About NAHFO

The NAHFO organisation is the vital national voice for all those associated with healthcare fire safety. Established for over 30 years the Association has worked closely with other organisations to promote the highest standards of fire safety within healthcare environments, and during its history, members have helped to shape much of the guidance and legislation used in healthcare today.

With 13 Branches covering all areas of the UK and Ireland, the primary aim of the Association is to protect all relevant persons in healthcare premises from fire. Other objectives include:-

  • To promote the adoption of the highest standards of fire safety in healthcare premises.
  • To improve the wider understanding of the role of Healthcare Fire Officers / Advisors / Practitioners, by all persons working in healthcare.
  • To support and develop opportunities for educating and training people in healthcare fire safety.
  • To establish liaison with other bodies on matters of common interest where this is consistent with the aim and objectives of NAHFO.

NFPA to host webinar on Firefighter Exposure to Wildland Fire Smoke

by EventsFeatured News

The Fire Protection Research Foundation will host a webinar on Thursday, November 10 on “Firefighter Exposure to Wildland Fire Smoke.”

In the webinar, researchers will discuss their ongoing investigation into the health effects of long-term wildland fire smoke inhalation, in the context of wildland firefighter occupational exposure.

The topics covered in this webinar include (1) characterization of gaseous smoke constituents, (2) development of a preclinical model of occupational exposure to wildland fire smoke, (3) evidence of cardiopulmonary health effects of smoke inhalation, and (4) future considerations regarding protection of wildland firefighters to occupational exposure.

The research goal is to raise awareness of the potential short- and long-term health risks wildland firefighters face and to initiate a conversation between researchers and key stakeholders, including fire practitioners.

This US FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant funded research was led by Dr. Jessica Oakes and Dr. Chiara Bellini, Northeastern University, Dr. Michael Gollner, University of California Berkeley, and Dr. Luke Montrose, Colorado State University. W

ebinar registration is free and required to attend; register by clicking the direct link here or by visiting www.nfpa.org/webinars for more upcoming FPRF webinars and watch on-demand archived research webinars.

This webinar is supported by the Research Foundation 2022 Webinar Series Sponsors: American Wood Council, AXA XL Risk Consulting, FM Global, Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc., Telgian Engineering and Consulting, The Zurich Services Corporation.