Flourine-free foam concentrate launched by Perimeter Solutions

by EventsFeatured NewsProducts

Perimeter Solutions, a leading global manufacturer of high-quality firefighting products and lubricant additives, has announced the launch of SOLBERG VERSAGARD 1×3 Multipurpose Fluorine-Free Foam Concentrate.

The launch marks Perimeter Solutions’ first 1×3 fluorine-free foam concentrate available on the market, and serves as the newest addition to the SOLBERG VERSAGARD line of fluorine-free firefighting foam concentrates.

SOLBERG VERSAGARD 1×3 is an alcohol resistant, fluorine-free pseudoplastic foam technology. It is non-persistent, siloxane-free, and contains no intentionally added per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The foam concentrate is designed for extinguishing and securing both Class B (hydrocarbon fuel and polar solvent fuel) and deep-seated Class A Fires. It is ideal for industrial emergency response and is expected to be used extensively at facilities that store crude oil on site.

Jeff Emery, President of Global Fire Safety at Perimeter Solutions, explained: “The fire safety industry has been seeking non-fluorinated firefighting foams capable of meeting the most demanding emergency response applications.  This is exactly what Perimeter Solutions has delivered, with our new SOLBERG VERSAGARD 1×3 Multipurpose Fluorine-Free Foam Concentrate. At Perimeter Solutions, we continually innovate to develop new products that are more environmentally responsible, and that help firefighters in their efforts to protect property and save lives.”

SOLBERG VERSAGARD biodegradable and non-persistent fluorine-free foam concentrate is a combination of hydrocarbon surfactants and additives that delivers excellent foaming, vapor sealing, drain time, extinguishment and burnback properties for attacking and securing both shallow and fuel in-depth fires, using fresh, sea or brackish water. It is designed to generate stable foams with high fluidity and slow drainage.

The foam is fully compatible with standard firefighting equipment, including in-line inductors, self-inducting nozzles, fire truck pumps, bladder tanks, pump skids, balanced pressure systems and more.

SOLBERG VERSAGARD enters the market having earned multiple international certifications, including EN-1568:2018, International Marine Organization and LASTFIRE batch testing.

SOLBERG VERSAGARD 1×3 maintains viscosity levels similar to the viscosity of traditional 1×3 alcohol-resistant aqueous film-forming foam (AR-AFFF) concentrates, improving its storage, handling and long-term stability.

“This is a game-changing product for the fire safety industry and demonstrates how Perimeter Solutions continues to innovate to develop new solutions that will help advance the fire safety industry,” commented Javier Castro, General Manager of the EMEA Region for Perimeter Solutions.

“Product testing has shown that our 1×3 foam concentrate performs similarly to AR-FFF products that are currently on the market, and several major multinationals oil companies have already signed on to consider SOLBERG VERSAGARD 1×3 in their transition programs to fluorine-free foam concentrates.”

For more information on SOLBERG VERSAGARD 1×3, go to www.perimeter-solutions.com. If you’re attending INTERSCHUTZ 2022, visit Perimeter Solutions in Stand G49, Hall 13.

West Yorkshire sees sharp drop in firefighter numbers

by Featured NewsPeople

West Yorkshire has experienced of the sharpest drops in firefighter numbers in England since the Grenfell Tower disaster five years ago according to government figures.

There was a combined total of 1,106 full-time firefighters, on-call firefighters and control staff at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service at the end of March 2021, the latest available Home Office figures show. That was down by 61 (5.2%) from 1,167 four years earlier, which was the last workforce count before the Grenfell fire on June 14 2017.

It is one of more than 20 areas across England to see the number of firefighters and control room staff dip since the tragic fire at the London tower block on June 14, 2017, which took the lives of 72 people.

It means West Yorkshire saw the joint ninth-biggest drop of any of the 44 fire and rescue services across the country over that time. In comparison, London Fire Brigade saw the figure rise by 45, from 4,799 to 4,844.

The fall was driven by the declining number of full-time firefighters, offset slightly by the rising number of on-call firefighters and control staff, who answer 999 calls.

ThoroughTec exhbits hi-fidelty ARFF at INTERSCHUTZ

by Featured NewsProducts

ThoroughTec Simulation, a leader in heavy equipment simulators and workforce performance optimisation solutions, is demonstrating its new, hi-fidelity CYBERDRIVE ARFF Operator Training Simulator at INTERSCHUTZ this week.

Firefighters that visit hall 12, stand B35 will be able to test drive the simulator, under a wide range of conditions, fighting fires on various aircraft types, from helicopters to multi-engine passenger jets.

Visitors will be able to and experience how, at the click of a button, instructors enjoy complete control over simulated incidents, controlling everything from the weather and time of day to location and difficulty of the scenario.

The simulators exercises are designed to be real and challenging that even the most experienced firefighters will be challenged.

ThoroughTec’s product provides the ability to train in the application of various extinguishing agents, many of which are now prohibited for use in training. In the simulator, ARFF crews face no restrictions perfecting application techniques without safety or environmental concerns and critically, without any of the associated wear-and-tear costs on your prime mission equipment.

CYBERDRIVE hi-fidelity full-mission simulators incorporate a 6 Degree-of-Freedom, military-grade motion platform; panoramic, 270° high-definition projected displays; a full replicated vehicle cabin including all OEM instruments and controls.

A dual-screen instructor station and intuitive software training tools allow instructors to create highly customisable exercises, monitor operator performance in real time and automatically record the sessions for post-mission debriefing.

Being able to review the vehicle’s sub-systems, situation parameters and view a ‘live’ 3D After-Action Review (AAR) of events can be crucial to help operators understand where mistakes were made and how they might be remedied.

Rosenbauer Brandschutz Deutschland wins huge incineration plant contract

by Featured NewsIndustry SectorsWaste & Recycling

Rosenbauer has been commissioned to plan and build stationary fire protection systems for the Wiesbaden waste incineration plant, which is currently under construction, marking its largest order in history

The order covers all extinguishing equipment in the reception area with a large waste bunker in which up to 7,500 m3 of waste can be temporarily stored. Eleven deluge and four turret extinguishing systems will be installed, among others. Rosenbauer said that the latter was also decisive in winning the contract because Rosenbauer is the technological leader in this field.

The new waste incineration plant, which will go into operation in 2024, is being built to efficiently incinerate waste collected in the Wiesbaden region – while maintaining the best possible environmental and energy balance.

Around 200,000 tons of municipal and commercial waste per year can be utilized thermally with the plant, and around 100,000 MWh of district heating and around 150,000 MWh of electricity can be generated from this via a combined heat and power system to supply Wiesbaden’s households and to operate the power plant.

As a sustainable alternative to burning fossil fuels, it is hoped that the waste incineration plant will make an important contribution to CO2 savings and also supply the city’s commercial vehicles and buses with green hydrogen in the future if, as is currently being reviewed, the plant is expanded to include electrolysis.

 There are currently over 60 waste incineration plants in Germany with a total annual capacity of around 20 million tons. Waste is used as a cheap energy source in refuse-derived fuel power plants and in cement works, coal-fired and industrial power plants after prior processing, but few of them are equipped with the best possible fire protection technology like the future waste incineration plant in Wiesbaden.

A number of new, replacement, and expansion plants are planned, for example to absorb the residual waste volumes that are currently still being incinerated in coal-fired power plants, which will no longer be possible after the planned coal phase-out in 2038.

Rosenbauer added that it sees good sales opportunities for its stationary fire protection solutions in the future as well, above all the highly efficient turret extinguishing systems.

Investigation into Overland Airways plane fire launched

by AviationFeatured NewsIndustry Sectors

The Accident Investigation Bureau – Nigeria (AIB-N) has launched an investigation into the Overland Airways flight that caught fire on its descent on Wednesday evening.

The Lagos-bound aircraft experienced an engine issue on approach to Lagos airport and was forced to make an emergency landing on the international runway.

The aircraft’s 33 passengers and four crew all disembarked unscathed by the incident.

Spokesperson for AIB-N, Tunji Oketumbi, yesterday, said the bureau AIB was notified of the serious incident, adding that investigators had been dispatched to conduct an investigation into the occurrence.

According to the Overland Airways management, at around 7.50pm on the day of the incident the plan experienced high-turbine temperatures on one of its engines.

The airline’s statement said: “This occurred in the approach phase of flight and the aircraft landed very safely as the Crew skilfully implemented their standard procedures for such abnormal situations.

“All 33 passengers remained calm through the process and safely disembarked row by row in accordance with post COVID-19 procedures after the Aircraft came to a halt on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos runway 18 Right. No passenger was hurt in any way.

“Overland Airways salutes the professional interventions of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria (AIB-N) which were very prompt and reassuring.

“Overland Airways regrets any inconvenience to its passengers and assures the travelling public of its full commitment to safety of its services and passengers.”

Merseyside Fire & Rescue launches Home Fire Safety Check tool

by Featured NewsPassive

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) has announced plans to launch the NFCC’s online Home Fire Safety Check tool for use by residents across the region.

By using the online tool, people are able to explore whether they could be at greater risk from fire. The tool offers help and advice and will automatically trigger a visit from MFRS if a person is noted as being at higher risk.

Fire prevention group manager Mark Thomas said: “As the cost of living increases across the UK, we continue to offer help and advice to keep people safe.

“While we understand the pressures people are currently facing and affordability is a major factor for many, our firefighters and prevention teams will be giving practical help and advice, to help raise awareness and assistance.

“Every day of the year we put prevention work at the heart of what we do here at Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.

“We are here to help keep people safe and happy in their homes.”

People are being encouraged to make sure they have at least one working smoke alarm on each level of their home – these should be checked weekly.

Suggestions also include installing additional alarms in rooms with electrical appliances or sleeping areas, and that if you hear a smoke alarm sounding you should safely check it out. If you believe that there is a fire, get out, stay out and call 999 straight away

The tool is available via the MFRS website: https://www.safelincs.co.uk/hfsc/?ref=MRSFRS

UL receives accreditation to certify pressure equipment in EU and UK

by Featured NewsProducts

UL (Underwriters Laboratories) has been accredited to certify pressure equipment used in the EU and UK market.

The UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marking is a new UK product marking used for goods placed on the market in Great Britain. It covers most goods that previously required the CE marking.

After an initial transition phase, most products introduced to Great Britain’s market previously required CE marking must: Have the UKCA marking, be accompanied by compliance documentation and be in compliance with the relevant regulation for Great Britain.

As of January 2021, the UKCA marking applies also to pressure equipment and will require a certificate from an UK Approved Body.

UL International (UK) Ltd received accreditation from UKAS and expanded its UK Approved Body scope to cover Pressure Equipment Regulations in the UK (Approved Body Number: 0843) – the equivalent of the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) in the EU.

UL said the accreditation has enhanced its portfolio and enables its experts to evaluate and certify products to UK-specific requirements that help ensure safer use of pressure equipment.

UL can now also help customers to have continuity of third-party services for access to any market in Europe, Great Britain and Northern Ireland through its accredited Notified and Approved Bodies.

The company commented: “We have the global reach and expertise to support market access needs during every step of the Brexit transition by combining testing and certification, global scope and localized knowledge with real-time market expertise.”

Teledyne FLIR Defense launches drone for remote bio-hazard detection

by Featured NewsProducts

Teledyne FLIR Defense has announced the launch of its new MUVE B330 drone payload that can be used to detect deadly biological agents and other airborne biohazards.

The MUVE B330 is a continuous biological detector and collector, purpose-designed for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and unmanned platforms to provide real-time monitoring of biological threats while on the move.

The payload lets operators assess a potentially hazardous scene from a safe distance. When dangerous conditions exist or are expected, the MUVE B330 can be flown into suspect areas for an initial assessment of what biological agents may be present.

The new sensor payload deploys in minutes, reducing time to action. The Teledyne FLIR SkyRanger R70 and R80D SkyRaider UAS aircraft will serve as initial deployment platforms for the B330.

The MUVE B330 allows operators to: Make quick assessments of the threat perimeter, trigger automated sample collection for follow-on identification, enable informed decision-making before human operators approach a hazardous scene, locate the threat source and track progression as the scene unfolds and cover difficult terrain from the air.

“MUVE B330 is a strategic addition to our line of intelligent sensing solutions integrated for unmanned platforms that are critical to protecting our military, public safety personnel, and general public when deadly threats or accidents occur,” said Dr. David Cullin, vice president and general manager of Unmanned and Integrated Solutions at Teledyne FLIR Defense.

“Remote detection of biological agents using a drone means faster time on scene and safer measures for troops and first responders, all of which saves lives.”

Global Village strengthens five-star health and safety credentials

by Featured NewsMiddle East - Featured News ArchivesSafety

Global Village, the UAE and wider region’s leading multicultural family destination for culture, shopping, and entertainment, has retained its best practice Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit conducted by the British Safety Council for the fourth consecutive year.

The park achieved an overall score of 97.72% compared to 96.62% last year – retaining its position in the highly respected five-star “Excellent” category and setting benchmarks for the industry across the region.

Global Village is the only entertainment destination in the world to have been awarded the British Safety Council’s Sword of Honour – celebrating organisations that have reached the pinnacle of health, safety and environmental management.

Sutharson Sathaiah, Senior Manager of HSE and Risk at Global Village said: “Global Village is an immense outdoor destination with the complexity of thousands of partners and millions of guests each season. Retaining this coveted award is a great achievement and illustrates our determination to lead the way in terms of Health and Safety for our industry.

“The score we have achieved is testament to the commitment from top management, which flows through the entire organization. We take our Health and safety record and practices very seriously and we are honoured that this has been recognised by this prestigious organization.”

Global Village underwent a comprehensive, quantified and robust evaluation of its occupational health and safety policies, processes and practices. The audit measured performance against key health and safety management best practice indicators and a detailed review of multiple elements – including risk assessments to fire routes, first aid provisions to emergency planning within eight core areas from safety organisation to continuous improvement and crosschecks systems in place – evaluating their effectiveness and providing feedback.

Mike Robinson, CEO of British Safety Council, said: “The award of a five star grading following our occupational best practice Health and Safety Audit is an outstanding achievement and is reflective of a proactive organisation which is committed to continual improvement in its health and safety arrangements and managing risks to workers’ health, safety and wellbeing. Global Village should be very proud of this achievement.”

The audit process included documentation review, interviews with senior management, employees and other key stakeholders, together with sampling of operational activities. The high scores celebrate the excellence of Global Village and its employees in managing health, safety and environmental risks, deploying best practice techniques as well as maintaining consistently high standards of guest satisfaction. 

European firefighters meet to discuss reducing risk of cancer

by Featured News

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU)’s focus on tackling cancer in firefighters with its pioneering DECON project, which includes research and detailed training, has played a major role in a meeting of the Europe-wide European Public Service Union (EPSU) Firefighters’ Network, which took place yesterday. DECON was a central focus of the day, Riccardo la Torre, Fire Brigades Union national officer, addressed the meeting with a presentation on the latest news and next steps from the campaign.

The DECON project includes research that shows that cancer rates in firefighters can be four times higher than the general population, and training to help mitigate this risk. Toxic fire contaminants found in fires are thought to be responsible for the increasing rate. The training focuses on mitigating the risk to firefighters from fire contaminants.

The EPSU is a collection of over 260 trade unions spanning across Europe, representing eight million public service workers, and its firefighters’ network brings together the firefighter sections of it from across Europe, including the FBU.

Two discussion sessions took place, both focused on “Cancer as a professional disease for firefighters, impact of fire effluents and decontamination”. Other speakers in the discussions included Professor Anna Stec of University of Central Lancashire, who has worked with the FBU on DECON, and representatives of firefighters from countries including Poland Sweden, and Italy.

The FBU is also calling for preventative health screening for firefighters and presumptive legislation recognising cancer as an occupational disease to help protect firefighters and their families further from this occupational hazard.

Commenting, Riccardo la Torre, Fire Brigades Union national officer, said: “DECON is here to stay in the UK fire and rescue service. It’s got the entire sector speaking about the risk posed, and now firefighters from across Europe are keen to learn from each other. At the Fire Brigades Union we know the value of international solidarity, and as part of that we are enthusiastic about sharing our work with our European brothers and sisters.

“This meeting was also a huge opportunity for us to listen and discuss these issues, and we look forward to getting back to the UK and working with fire and rescue services to make progress on DECON and saving firefighters from early, needless deaths. Neither the bosses or the government have done this domestically, it’s been down to FBU members and the Firefighters 100 Lottery to carry out this life-saving work.”