Pierce sells 300th Ascendant 100′ aerial tower

by Featured NewsProducts

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, has announced the sale of the 300th Ascendant 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower with mid-mount configuration, purchased by the Austin Fire Department in Texas through authorised dealer Siddons-Martin Emergency Group.

Since its introduction in 2018 the Ascendant aerial tower has seen sales growth in cities across the US and the impact on infrastructure, as well as the increased safety benefits of pedestrian-friendly roadways.

According to the State Smart Transportation Initiative, fire departments have historically pushed back on the narrowing of roadways because it impedes on the maneuverability of large fire trucks. However, trends show the narrowing of roadways to accommodate pedestrian walkways and bikeways, as well as growth in urban and suburban infrastructure, will continue in the years ahead.

“Public interest in more pedestrian-friendly access to business and residential areas has been on the rise, and in recent years, the City of Austin has added bike lanes to downtown streets,” said Greg Tatsch, director of sales for Siddons-Martin Emergency Group.

“As driving lanes narrow, this presents a challenge for maneuvering fire trucks. The option to have a mid-mount tower with a low overall height and length and without a large tail swing was extremely important for the Austin Fire Department, and we were proud to offer a game-changing fire apparatus with those attributes.”

The Austin Fire Department responds to 130,000 calls for service annually with 1,200 personnel among 51 fire stations throughout the city. As Austin’s urban and suburban roadways became narrower to accommodate its residential and business growth, the fire department recognised the benefits of the Ascendant 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower.

“We’ve seen remarkable interest in the Ascendant 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower because its size and maneuverability solve a problem for many fire departments without compromising on performance,” said Jim Johnson, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Fire & Emergency. “The 300th sale proves the significant demand for this best-in-class fire apparatus, and we are grateful for our customers’ confidence in Pierce’s quality and service support.”  

Evac-Alert system installed in London residential block

by Featured NewsPassiveProducts

C-TEC’s evacuation alert system, EVAC-ALERT, has been specified for a new purpose-built residential building in London located in the Elephant and Castle area of the London Borough of Southwark

Joyce Newman House is an 8-storey block of 40 living spaces commissioned by Leathermarket JMB, Southwark’s largest resident-managed housing organisation. The affordable-housing development also features landscaped gardens, an interactive playground and a communal kitchen garden for residents to grow their own vegetables.

Specified and supplied by Churches Fire & Security working alongside Blu Electrical Installations Ltd, EVAC-ALERT has been specifically designed to comply with the new BS 8629, which recommends evacuation alert systems be installed in all new blocks of flats over 18 metres to assist the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) in evacuating part or all of a building in an emergency.

The system consists of a 2-loop control panel connected to a host of single and multi-way interface units, self-testing sounders and visual indicators. The system features manual controls to allow firefighters to easily operate the evacuation alert devices located inside flats on a zone by zone or floor by floor basis, the panel is stored in a secure vandal resistant cabinet which can only be accessed by the FRS using a special copy-protected key.

David Collins, Project Manager at Churches Fire & Security, said: “Evacuation alert systems ensure firefighters can alert occupants in a building of the need to evacuate if a fire gets out of control. The EVAC-ALERT system we’ve specified provides peace of mind for residents and, crucially, also demonstrates that building management have taken every precaution possible to protect the people residing in the property. Our client is delighted with the system.”

Perimeter Solutions appoints President of Global Fire Safety

by Featured NewsPeople

Global manufacturer of high-quality firefighting products and lubricant additives, Perimeter Solutions, has announced Jeff Emery as its President of Global Fire Safety. This newly created role will see Emery responsible for the Fire Suppressant and Wildfire businesses at Perimeter Solutions.

Emery joins Perimeter Solutions after serving as the Vice President and General Manager of Industrial Automation for the Americas at Norgren. Prior to that, he spent 10 years with Scott Safety, leader in high performance safety equipment for firefighters, military personnel and industrial workers.

Following 3M’s acquisition of Scott Safety, Emery led the global business unit within 3M through a period of significant growth and business integration.

In addition to his professional roles in fire safety, Emery has also served on the advisory board of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), as well as the Board of Directors for Nevada Nano and Fire 20/20, a non-profit organization promoting diversity in fire services.

Commenting on his new role, Emery said: “Fire safety has been an important part of my professional and personal life for years, and I am very happy to be working for an organization where I can support Perimeter’s mission of saving lives and protecting communities. Perimeter Solutions is highly respected throughout the industry as a trusted and innovative company. Their experience in fire safety is unmatched, and I am anxious to start contributing to the company’s future growth.”

Edward Goldberg, CEO of Perimeter Solutions, added: “As we face an increasingly challenging fire landscape, it is critically important that we continue to provide the exceptional, reliable products and services our customers count on from Perimeter Solutions.

“We must also continue to innovate to deliver new solutions that help save lives and protect property. Jeff brings years of experience and industry knowledge along with a passion for serving the firefighting community. He’ll be a great addition for Perimeter as we move forward, and I am excited to welcome him to our Management Team.”

SIKA updates Fire Protection Solutions handbook

by Featured NewsPassive

Building chemicals manufacturer Sika has updated its Fire Protection Solutions handbook for the UK market as part of its commitment to helping specifiers and building managers develop a passive firestopping strategy.

The handbook contains detailed information on Sika’s extensive range of passive fire protection products which have been specifically developed to help restore the fire resistance of walls and floors when disrupted by linear seals, cavity barriers or penetration services.

The handbook has been updated to better meet the specific needs of specifiers working in the UK, with the guide providing technical advice and detail on the relevant testing and safety standards that need to be met.

Sika’s passive fire protection handbook is part of a range of resources that have been developed to help specifiers control and contain the spread of fire across a wide range of sectors. Most recently, Sika has launched a new online Fire Stopping Solution Finder tool has been created to support the specification process by helping to identify the most appropriate and effective fire stopping products to use.

Additionally, Sika’s experienced technical team is on hand to provide detailed technical evaluations for more complicated joint specifications. These technical evaluations are offered free of charge, and can usually be completed within a working week, providing all the necessary information is supplied. These are legal documents which can then provide building owners with the reassurance of knowing that they adhere to the relevant building regulations.

To discover more about Sika’s passive fire protection range and to download a copy of the Sika Fire Protection Solutions handbook, visit www.sika.co.uk/passivefire

Jersey Fire and Rescue Service expand home fire safety checks

by Featured NewsPassive

​Jersey Fire and Rescue Service (JFRS) has expanded its current home fire safety checks to offer further safety advice to islanders in their homes.

Called Safe & Well, the initiative will see that when Fire Safety officers visit Islanders to conduct a home fire safety check, they will also assess other safety concerns such as slips, trips, and falls, winter warmth (when relevant) and areas such as potential loneliness and isolation.

The idea behind the initiative is to help reduce the number of accidents and injuries in the home and subsequent visits to the hospital, as well as reducing the number of emergency calls to the Ambulance Service, Police and Fire & Rescue Service.

JFRS have partnered with agencies such as the British Red Cross, Eye Can and the cardiology department, to develop the guidance and signs to look out for. If Fire officers see anything of concern, they can either provide some advice immediately, or refer them to one of the partner agencies for help.

Fire Officer Mark Bailey-Walker said “We’re delighted to be expanding our current home fire safety check service to include a wider safety assessment, particularly for the more vulnerable members of our community, such as the elderly and sight impaired. The aim is to provide a person-centred safety visit that focuses on the individuals’ needs”.

Marketing Manager from Island Insurance, Gary Kelly said: “Islands have been supporting Jersey Fire and Rescue to deliver their prevention initiatives for several years now, so we are delighted to be involved with the Safe and Well initiative.

“This service is not only designed to help islanders stay safe in their homes, but also to help them recognise potential health concerns that could severely impact their lives, such as sight loss, mental wellbeing, and cardiac concerns linked to stroke”.

Seven die after Philippine ferry catches fire

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A fire on a high-speed Philippine ferry carrying 134 people has seen the death of at least seven people, Sky News has reported. An official statement confirmed that five women and to men have died, and a further seven remain missing.

The fire occurred just before the  boat reached the port of Real in Quezon province, about 37 miles (60km) east of the capital Manila, having left Polillo Island at 5am local time and sending out a distress call at 6.30am.

According to a statement from the coast guard, many of the 134 passengers and crew were forced to jump into the water, with others rescue by vessels in the area.

A further 23 were injured and taken to a hospital, including the skipper, after the the fire started in the engine room of the M/V Mercraft 2. The cause of the fire is yet to be confirmed.

 Captain Brunette Azagra, whose passenger vessel was 500m from the ferry when the fire broke out, told a local radio station that they were able to rescue 40 passengers, adding: “They were lucky because we also came from Polillo. They overtook us, but we were just nearby.”

Cost to alleviate life-safety fire risks from external walls revealed

by ConstructionFeatured NewsIndustry SectorsPassive

Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the UK government has established a new Building Safety Programme to ensure that residents of high-rise and mid-rise residential buildings are safe, and feel safe from the risk of fire, now and in the future.

From the findings outlined in the report, the costs to alleviate external wall system life-safety fire risks for leasehold dwellings in mid-rise residential buildings is estimated to be between £3.1 billion and £5.3 billion.

This Data Release provides estimates on: the total number of mid-rise (between 11 metres and 18 metres in height) residential buildings in England; the proportion of mid-rise residential buildings that require remediation, partial remediation and mitigation to alleviate life-safety fire risks from external wall systems; the costs of funding the alleviation of life-safety fire risks of leasehold dwellings in mid-rise residential buildings, in England.

The estimates in this Data Release have been calculated using a sample survey of 2,856 mid-rise (11 – 18 metre) residential buildings in England. Ordnance Survey Address Base data was used to produce the sample, and in estimating the population of mid-rise residential buildings in England.

DLUHC hired an expert contractor to complete desk-based surveys on the sample, to assess the probable life-safety fire risk of the external wall system on each building.

DLUHC’s pilot study estimates 7-9% of residential midrise buildings containing dwellings in England require external wall system remediation to alleviate life-safety fire risks. A further 1% are estimated to require partial remediation and 0.5-1% are estimated to require mitigation measures to alleviate life-safety fire risks.

It is estimated that between 6,220 and 8,890 mid-rise residential buildings, containing dwellings, require remediation, partial remediation or mitigation to alleviate life-safety fire risk, of a building population of 71,000 – 79,000 in England.

Of the 2,000 – 3,000 non-dwelling residential mid-rise buildings (hotels, student accommodation, sheltered accommodation), 8-12% (190 – 330 buildings) are estimated to require work to alleviate external wall system life-safety fire risks.

The full report can be found here.

Six-month National Fire Service 999 call redistribution pilot scheme launches

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The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) is has announced that new arrangements are in place in the UK to assist with the national redistribution of emergency 999 calls into fire and rescue service control rooms during times of significant demand.

The Home Office and the National Fire Chiefs Council worked together, in conjunction with British Telecom, to develop the new procedure, Operation Willow Beck, with the majority of fire and rescue services in England, Scotland and Wales signing up to be part of it. 

Fire and Rescue Services will continue to have their own arrangements in place for their calls to be redirected to other fire services during increased demand but sometimes the number of calls are too high for those partner services to deal with, putting pressure on the emergency 999 network.

The new procedure, Operation Willow Beck, will provide a pre-determined call distribution plan, meaning that during times of extreme call demand the calls can be spread to a wider number of control rooms, limiting the number of calls taken by one single control room to prevent becoming overwhelmed.

It is hoped that this will allow for quicker call answering, and improved resilience across all control rooms at no extra costs to individual fire and rescue services.

NFCC have also produced guidance for fire service control rooms on the call handling process if Operation Willow Beck is instigated by a Service due to a high volume of 999 calls.

The launch on the 4 April began a 6-month pilot of the scheme. Some testing of the redistribution plan and processes were carried out in the lead up to the pilot launch, with another one taking place in early May following the launch.

Fire Minister, Lord Greenhalgh, said: “I am delighted that Operation Willow Beck has now gone live.

“This scheme will allow BT operators to divert 999 calls from busy fire services to several other services who can provide assistance. This will not only provide extra resilience to our Fire Control rooms during times of high demand, but also help reduce pressure and help save lives.

“This is a huge achievement due to the collaborative hard work and effort of the Home Office, NFCC and BT.”

Residential fire incidents in Singapore drop nearly 7 per cent

by Featured News

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has responded to 339 fire incidents in residential premises between in the first four month of 2022, a 6.9% decrease from the 364 in the same period in 2021, according a report in The Strait Times.

On Sunday, SCDF said that since last October it has embarked on a programme to increase public awareness and teach first aid skills such as administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use a fire extinguisher.

So far, about 1,200 people have participated in the programme, said SCDF.

 The SCDF said it will continue to educate the public about fire prevention measures. Its current effort includes after a fire takes place conducting a post-fire public education campaign, going door to door to share fire safety educational materials with residents.

Mr John Wu, Vice-Chairman of the National Fire and Emergency Preparedness Council (NFEC), said: “The NFEC is deeply concerned about the recent spate of residential fires. Fire safety is everyone’s collective responsibility. Everyone can play a part in contributing towards a fire-safe environment.

“The NFEC’s housing premises committee will continue to work closely with SCDF and town councils to raise awareness among more members of the public on fire safety at home.”

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service commissions electric fire engine

by Featured NewsProductsVehicles

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has commissioned its first electric powered fire engine after receiving around £500,000 of funding from Transport Scotland to roll the prototype into production.

The SFRS commissioned the E1 EVO from Emergency One in Ayreshire. The design and manufacturing of the appliance will fully comply with British Standards for firefighting and rescue service vehicles.

The prototype is due to be delivered to the SFRS later this year and is expected to go on the run with a crew early 2023.

It will have the same capability and equipment as a diesel model and it will be able to assist at emergencies with a range of approximately 220 miles from an 80% charge, and a range extender for pumping water at a prolonged incident as well as ensuring it can return to the fire station.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Stewart Nicholson said: “We are excited to commission our first electric powered appliance with support from Transport Scotland.

“This innovative project is the first step in a long journey to discover how we can potentially move away from fossil fuel powered appliances.

“The Service has set out its environmental goals and we are committed to reducing carbon emissions from our fleet.

“There are already more than 100 electric cars within our light fleet, however this is our first venture into low carbon heavy duty vehicles.”

Minister for Transport, Jenny Gilruth called the move ‘a really exciting, innovative development’: “I’m pleased to be funding it through our partnership with Scottish Enterprise which is supporting the decarbonisation of Heavy Duty Vehicles across Scotland.

“The public sector should be seen to lead the way on this type of work, which demonstrates that tough operational requirements for service vehicles, often working in challenging conditions, can indeed be met without the sole reliance of fossil fuels.

“I look forward to seeing the electric fire appliance deployed in communities as a beacon not only for the journey that the fire service is on – but for Scotland’s wider transition to a net zero society.”

The host station is still to be confirmed. Suitable locations for housing the charging infrastructure for the electric appliance are being scoped out.

Michael Madsen, Managing Director of Emergency One, said: “We are proud that the Emergency One E1 EV0™ (Electric Vehicle, Zero Emissions) is the world’s first all-electric pumping appliance fully certified to BS EN1846 standard.

“The EV0 exceeds the standard’s requirements for driving range and pumping performance at zero emissions, whilst the optional onboard smart charger provides resilience at protracted incidents.

“The EV0 as specified for SFRS carries the same inventory as a traditional pumping appliance, is one of the first of its kind in the UK, and the first to feature an innovative all-electric rear drive axle installation.

“Some of our staff who also work locally as retained firefighters have been able to work on this project and it’s great to get their practical operational insights throughout the design process.”

SFRS has pledged to reduce its carbon footprint by six percent each year until 2030. This project is part of the long-term goal to be carbon neutral by 2045. It is estimated that an electric appliance will reduce emissions by 66% compared with a diesel appliance.

Head of low carbon transition at Scottish Enterprise Andy McDonald added: “Scottish Enterprise has worked with Transport Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service over a number of years through our Can Do innovation approach supporting collaboration with industry through the procurement process. It is fantastic to see the project come to fruition and the fire service begin the journey towards the development and deployment of its first electric fire appliance.

“Emergency One is manufacturing this in Scotland and Scottish Enterprise has also supported this innovative company to develop its world leading technology. Our vision is to help more public sector fleet owners to develop similar approaches as the decarbonisation of heavy duty vehicles is a key area of focus for Scottish Enterprise as we work to deliver a net zero economy.”