LION partners with Decontex for fire service PPE cleaning

by Featured NewsPPE

LION adds CO2 PPE cleaning to fire service support

LION Safety Solutions has partnered with Decontex Holding to deliver SuperCritical CO2 PPE Cleaning technology through LION TotalCare for fire departments.

LION said it will deploy the technology across its facilities nationwide over the next year.

The rollout will expand access to the system through LION TotalCare, with installation, servicing and support managed locally in partnership with Decontex.

The company said the technology was invented by NASA and developed by Decontex.

It added that the system exceeds NFPA 1850 cleaning standards, based on verification by an independent U.S. laboratory.

The technology has been used to clean more than one million pieces of PPE across 16 countries.

LION and Decontex outline partnership

Mark Smith, CEO of LION Safety Solutions, said: “We are always seeking ways to improve how we serve our customers.

“That means developing and delivering the best technologies available and deploying them in ways that make our solutions safer, more sustainable, and more effective.

“This partnership allows us to do exactly that — combining advanced innovation with the trusted expertise and support our fire service customers rely on.”

The company said Decontex developed the process over the past decade with academic partners.

Tommy Verminck, CEO of Decontex Holding, said: “LION’s operational excellence, deep experience and expertise and commitment to the fire service, makes this partnership truly values-aligned.

“We couldn’t think of a better partner with who to deliver our technology at scale.”

LION said the agreement forms part of its ongoing investment in PPE care and maintenance services.

UK Vaping Industry Association urges retail safety checks following Glasgow fire

by Featured NewsIndustry Comment

Glasgow incident prompts letters to fire services

The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has written to fire authorities across the UK following the recent fire in Glasgow to support safety checks in vape retail premises.

UKVIA said the fire has been confirmed as starting in a retail outlet selling vapes among other products, with the investigation still ongoing.

The letter, issued on 11 March 2026, was sent to the National Fire Chiefs Council, Fire Standards Board and several fire and rescue services.

It said the association wants to work with fire services and authorities to help prevent a similar incident.

Some retail members have already sent updates to stores to reinforce fire and battery safety measures.

Glasgow response includes licensing proposal

UKVIA said it is working with the British government on a mandatory retail licensing scheme proposed in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

It said the scheme could support compliance with fire safety requirements in vape retail stores across the UK.

John Dunne, Director General UK Vaping Industry Association, said: “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the fire in Glasgow and we commend the emergency services for their response.

“This is an isolated incident and, while the exact cause of the fire has not yet been established, even one case like this is one too many.

“While we await the findings of the full investigation, we will be proactively engaging with the fire service and relevant authorities to understand what lessons can be learned to help ensure the highest possible safety standards across vape retailers.

“We are also advising all our members to check their fire risk assessments and to get in touch with their local fire authorities to seek any further guidance.”

Glasgow site handed to council as response ends

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has handed control of the Union Street site to Glasgow City Council, marking the end of firefighting operations and the start of recovery work.

Public safety remains the priority, with work beginning to assess the structure and establish a safe zone, while SFRS maintains a presence to support partner agencies.

The fire was first reported at 3.46pm on Sunday 8 March and at its height involved 18 appliances and specialist resources.

Close to 300 firefighters were involved over four days.

Assistant Chief Officer Jon Henderson, SFRS Director of Prevention, said: “This was an incredibly challenging and complex incident which called upon resources and expertise from across the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

“We are extremely proud of our staff and incredibly thankful to our partners for helping to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.

“Despite the scale and intensity of this fire, no firefighters or members of the public were hurt, and some of Glasgow’s most iconic buildings were saved from further damage.

“The impact of this incident on the Glasgow community is enormous, and we are extremely grateful for the patience and generosity shown to our partners and us at the scene throughout.”

A multi-agency investigation will take place once the site is secured and safe.

BTS concert prompts Seoul lodging inspections after capsule hotel fire

by Featured NewsSafety

BTS concert drives Seoul lodging inspections

A fire at a capsule hotel in central Seoul that injured 10 foreign tourists has led authorities to launch emergency safety inspections at 5,481 lodging facilities ahead of a major BTS concert on Saturday.

Korea JoonAng Daily reported that the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Fire Agency said Monday they will carry out inspections for four days from Monday to Thursday.

Authorities will focus on lodging facilities in the Jongno and Jung districts, where large numbers of visitors are expected for BTS’s open-air performance at Gwanghwamun Square.

Officials will also conduct sample inspections at accommodations considered to have higher fire risks, including capsule hotels.

Interior and Safety Minister Yun Ho-jung said: “We expect a sharp increase in domestic and foreign visitors coming to Seoul ahead of a large K-pop concert.

“We will swiftly carry out emergency safety inspections to create an environment where people can stay with peace of mind.”

Fire injures 10 foreign nationals

The inspections follow a fire that broke out last Saturday at a capsule hotel in Sogong-dong in Jung District, according to Korea JoonAng Daily.

The fire injured 10 foreign nationals, with three seriously hurt.

A Japanese woman in her 50s remained unconscious as of Sunday.

Authorities said she is the family member of another Japanese woman in her 20s who was taken to hospital while conscious.

Seven others sustained minor injuries and were moved to temporary accommodations after receiving treatment.

Sprinkler rules and capsule hotel layout

Korea JoonAng Daily reported that a joint investigation by police and fire authorities found the building did not have sprinkler systems installed.

Korea has required sprinkler systems on every floor of any building with six or more stories since 2018.

The capsule hotel was built before the regulation took effect and its total floor area did not meet the 600-square meter (6,500-square foot ) threshold for the requirement.

The building also did not fall under the Special Act on the Safety Control of Publicly Used Establishments, which requires simple sprinkler systems in lodging-type multiuse facilities such as gosiwon that were built before 2009 and permitted as general lodging facilities.

The hotel is located near Myeongdong and charges between 30,000 and 50,000 won ($20 to $33) per night, with about 82 percent of reviews on online travel platforms written in foreign languages.

Capsule hotels place small sleeping compartments about the size of a single bed in a honeycomb-like structure across two levels instead of traditional rooms.

One reviewer noted that the narrow rooms left little space for luggage and corridors often became crowded.

Officials identified five more capsule hotels within a 2-kilometer (1.2-mile) radius of the fire site.

Institution of Fire Engineers outlines EEDI actions taken over the past year

by Featured NewsFire Engineering

EEDI progress across the IFE

The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) has outlined progress on its Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EEDI) work over the past year, including changes to communications, feedback processes, branch support and progression routes.

The IFE said inclusive language and accessibility checks are now part of its communications and policy sign-off processes.

The institution said teams now use a checklist to support consistent decisions in these areas.

Feedback routes are also being included where possible so members can say what is working and what needs improvement.

A more structured feedback system is being used to measure engagement and satisfaction.

The IFE said this is intended to give it a stronger evidence base for decision-making and to keep member views part of its priorities.

Branch leaders have also been given guidance, presentations and tools to help apply EEDI principles in local activity.

The institution said support for members returning to the profession has also been identified as an area for future work.

EEDI work on standards and progression

The IFE also said work is underway to reinforce a zero tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviour through stronger policies and clearer reporting routes, including anonymous reporting.

Guidance and educational content for employers has also been developed to explain what zero tolerance looks like in practice and how it can be applied within organisations.

Exam-based progression routes are being reviewed and modernised with sector partners.

The institution said this work is intended to align progression more closely with real roles and responsibilities across fire and rescue services.

The IFE is also using the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Diversity and Inclusion Progression Framework internally to review progress, identify areas for improvement and benchmark its approach over time.

It said this will sit alongside periodic member feedback and regular updates through its communications.

The update sets out how the IFE plans to keep member feedback central as this work continues.

RECOM secures fire and safety role on £428m public framework

by Featured NewsPassiveProjects

Fire and safety work included in Rise framework awards

RECOM Solutions has secured places on five lots within the latest £428m Rise Construction Framework, including fire and safety compliance, project management and work linked to passive fire protection.

The framework will run until March 2030 following a competitive tendering process and will be used to procure services across the north west, North Wales, Yorkshire, Humber and Lincolnshire.

The sectors named include healthcare, social care, education and housing, along with emergency services, local authorities, government departments, museums and arts organisations, charities, third-sector groups and public bodies.

RECOM gained places on the general construction, refurbishment and multi-disciplinary consultancy lots as well as fire and safety compliance and project management.

The company said those lots cover contracts worth up to £6m.

Fire and safety division and wider group activity

The RECOM group undertakes project management consultancy, main contracting and passive fire protection work nationwide across healthcare, education, retail, leisure, commercial and residential, facilities management and defence.

RECOM Fire Solutions delivers works in live environments to limit the spread of fire, smoke and heat in buildings and structures.

Its services include compartmentation and fire door condition surveys, along with installation and remediation of fire stopping and fire doors.

The division also carries out intumescent paint application, overboarding and fire curtain installations.

The business recently opened a base at Fort Dunlop in Birmingham to support projects across the Midlands, the M6 corridor and the south west.

RECOM Director Jason McKnight said: “Rise is one of the more active frameworks in the public sector. Securing multiple lots, including for new disciplines and broader project types, supports our long-term growth strategy in this area by creating opportunities to further expand our client base and our commercial footprint, especially in fire compliance and project management.

“It positions us as a preferred supplier for a wide range of construction projects to play a key role in delivering safe, compliant and high-quality built environment projects, and opens immediate access to call-offs without the need for separate procurement processes.

RECOM Group has its headquarters at Waters Edge Business Park in Salford Quays and already holds places on other frameworks including those with the University of Manchester, NHS Shared Business Services, Fusion21, the North West Construction Hub and the Constellia managed framework for the public sector.

Advanced gains Environmental Product Declaration for MxPro 5 4-loop panels

by Featured NewsFire DetectionProducts

Advanced panels receive verified lifecycle declaration

MxPro 5 4 -oop fire alarm control panels from Advanced now hold an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), with independently verified data covering environmental impact across the full product lifecycle.

Advanced announced the declaration on 16 March 2026, stating that it was issued in accordance with EN 15804:2012+A2:2019 and ISO 14044/14025, and verified by BRE Global.

The EPD provides standardised environmental performance data for use in sustainability-focused specification and whole building assessment.

It was developed using a life cycle assessment (LCA) and presents cradle to grave data for the MxPro 5 4 loop panels, including carbon footprint and other impact indicators.

The declaration is intended to help consultants, designers and building owners assess how fire safety systems contribute to the environmental performance of a building or infrastructure project.

Advanced EPD covers full panel range

According to Advanced, the declaration applies across the full range of MxPro 5 4-loop panel configurations, including standard and deep enclosure formats, cross listed variants and Axis EN software variants.

The company said this means consistent environmental data is available across different configurations and compliance requirements.

The assessment is also being used to identify where environmental impacts occur across the product lifecycle.

That information is being used to inform product development, material selection and manufacturing efficiency, as well as energy use during operation.

Advanced said the EPD is valid for five years and will remain in force until March 2031, subject to the terms of the BRE Global verification scheme.

The company also said the MxPro 5 range was developed for longevity, flexibility and upgradeability to help extend system life and reduce waste over time.

NAFFCO forms UAE shelter joint venture with Verona Shelters

by Featured NewsMiddle East - Breaking News

NAFFCO joint venture targets shelter production

NAFFCO Group has signed a Joint Venture Agreement with Verona Shelters to develop and manufacture civil defense and military shelter solutions in the United Arab Emirates.

NAFFCO Group announced the agreement with Verona Shelters as a strategic partnership focused on expanding production capacity for protective shelter infrastructure.

The partnership combines NAFFCO’s safety engineering and large-scale manufacturing capacity with Verona Shelters’ work in protective shelter systems.

It is intended to supply shelter systems for civilians and critical facilities, with a stated focus on the Middle East, Europe and North Africa.

Executive comments on the agreement

Marko Nokka, CEO of Verona Shelters Group, said: “Civil protection infrastructure is becoming a strategic priority for governments around the world.

“This partnership allows us to scale our shelter technology globally and bring proven protection solutions to regions where preparedness and resilience are becoming increasingly important.”

Mikko Lähtönen, Executive Director of Verona Shelters Middle-East, said: “In light of recent events in the region, we expect a major growth in the GCC region and beyond.”

Khalid Al Khatib, CEO of NAFFCO Group, said: “NAFFCO has long been committed to advancing safety and emergency preparedness.

“Partnering with Verona Shelters enables us to expand our capabilities in advanced civil defense shelter solutions and deliver these systems at an industrial scale across the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond.

“We expect this partnership to become one of the most significant industrial collaborations in the civil protection shelter sector.”

Shelter systems aimed at regional preparedness

The companies said the joint venture is intended to support regional preparedness through shelter systems engineered to international standards for emergency and crisis situations.

They described the agreement as a shared commitment to innovation, resilience and public safety through high-performance shelter solutions.

The partnership sets out a manufacturing base in the UAE for shelter systems aimed at civil defence and military use.

FSRI study expands search and rescue guidance for residential firefighting operations

by Featured NewsResearchSearch and Rescue
Image Credit: FSRI

Search and rescue report adds three tactics

UL Research Institutes’ Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) has announced a new technical report in its Study of Fire Service Residential Home Size-up and Search & Rescue Operations project, adding three tactical considerations to previous findings.

FSRI said the report is based on new full-scale residential fire experiments examining how crews should coordinate search, suppression and ventilation.

The new material adds Tactical Considerations 10, 11 and 12 to the original nine tactical considerations from earlier reports.

The report states that, where resources are sufficient, crews arriving at a fully developed fire with extension to the exterior should consider simultaneous exterior and interior suppression operations.

It states that a well-applied exterior stream can produce rapid interior improvement and that coordination with interior suppression can improve conditions for occupants and firefighters.

The report also says compartments remote from the fire area should be locally ventilated as soon as possible, with pre-suppression isolation of the compartment before ventilation.

It adds that rooms farther from the fire are often where victims are found and that conditions in those spaces can keep deteriorating after the fire is controlled if they are left unattended.

Search and rescue experiments informed updated guidance

Keith Stakes, principal research engineer, said: “The release of this report is the result of our continued collaboration with the fire service to deliver real, actionable insights that the fire service can take back to the fireground.

“We take seriously our commitment to answering the urgent questions facing the fire service every shift, knowing that improved understanding and insights leads to safer operations and improved outcomes for victims.”

FSRI said the new tactical considerations came from 10 experiments in purpose-built, fully furnished, single-story, single-family structures designed to represent today’s residential environment.

The homes used in the experiments included four bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open kitchen and living area, as well as an HVAC system used to study smoke and heat movement.

Researchers collected measurements for gas temperatures and gas concentrations, along with gas velocities, pressure and heat fluxes in every room at multiple heights.

The structure, fuel loading and instrumentation remained consistent across burns, with tactical actions such as the timing and location of search, suppression and ventilation varied between experiments.

FSRI said the new tactical considerations will later this year be added to an updated version of the Search and Rescue Tactics in Single-Story, Single-Family Residential Structures online course on the Fire Safety Academy.

Victorian search and rescue dog teams join Motorola Solutions radio network

by Featured NewsSearch and Rescue

Search and rescue dogs join Victorian network

Two Victorian volunteer search and rescue dog organisations have been added to the Victorian Radio Network (VRN), giving them direct radio access to the state’s primary emergency services during missions in remote areas.

Motorola Solutions announced that Australian Search and Rescue K9 (ASAR-K9) and Search and Rescue Dogs Australia (SARDA) can now use APX 8000 portable two-way radios on shared channels with emergency services.

The change allows both groups to communicate directly with police and other agencies during rescue operations in isolated terrain.

Motorola Solutions said the addition is intended to improve the speed and safety of missions involving volunteer dog teams.

Suarez said: “Our dogs are trained to search through thick bushland to locate missing persons, often in highly challenging and time-critical situations.

“These new radios enable us to communicate securely with police and other emergency services, significantly improving safety for our members and our effectiveness in bringing loved ones home.”

Shared channels for remote operations

Representatives from Victorian emergency services and the company joined search and rescue dog teams at the ASAR-K9 headquarters to mark the donation of the radios.

Motorola Solutions said the equipment supports interagency communication in rugged and remote parts of the state.

Con Balaskas, managing director, Motorola Solutions Australia and New Zealand, said: “Providing these exceptional search and rescue dog teams and public safety agencies with resilient communications helps them to work safely and efficiently, coordinating their responses when it matters most.

“This collaboration has already proven its value; in one recent search, rescue dog teams located critical items belonging to a missing woman, leading police to find her safe and well at a remote location.”

Motorola Solutions said the addition of the dog teams to the VRN follows the Victorian government’s 10-year contract extension with the company to maintain and enhance emergency communications across the state.

RECOM Solutions expands passive fire team in Birmingham with new base

by Featured NewsPassive

RECOM Solutions expands passive fire operations in Birmingham

RECOM Solutions has opened a Birmingham office for its passive fire protection division to support projects across the Midlands, the M6 corridor and the south west.

The company said the new RECOM Fire Solutions base at Fort Dunlop will support an expanding pipeline of work in those regions.

The division is led by Sarah Leadbetter.

Its management team has grown from nine to 18 people in just over a year.

Around 60 operatives are currently working on projects across the country.

The division carries out work in live environments for clients in education, healthcare, residential, defence and facilities management.

Services include compartmentation surveys and fire door condition surveys along with fire stopping remediation and fire curtain installations.

Division outlines growth plans following expansion

Leadbetter said: “Our new office underpins our ambitious plans for the division and gives us a strong Midlands presence in line with our growth.

“It will support our work across the region, along the M6 corridor and in the south west.

“Passive fire protection plays a critical role in helping organisations safeguard their people, property and operations.

“Our mission is to create safer buildings and communities by helping clients develop and implement strategies that mitigate risk.

“By taking a project management approach, we get to understand their estates, tailor the solutions we provide and build long-term, trusted relationships.

“Our technical expertise, deep sector knowledge and experience of working in live environments allow us to deliver fully compliant solutions with minimal disruption.

“This approach has driven significant growth for RECOM Fire Solutions as we continue to invest in the team to support further expansion.”

RECOM Fire Solutions forms part of the RECOM Solutions group, which also delivers project management consultancy and main contracting construction work.

The group was founded in 2015 by Jason McKnight and Joseph Dillon, who met as construction management students at the University of Salford before later working together at Bovis Lend Lease.

RECOM has its headquarters in Salford Quays.