MSA to webcast Safety Technology Showcase

by Featured NewsSafety

MSA Safety Incorporated, the global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures, has announced it will webcast a portion of an upcoming “Safety Technology Showcase” highlighting the investments behind the MSA’s development of new technologies for global safety markets.

The company has scheduled the webcast for the afternoon of Monday,
May 23, 2022.

During the event, Nish Vartanian, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Ken Krause, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will provide an update on the new technologies and products that are enhancing MSA’s product portfolio. Mr Vartanian and Mr Krause will also provide a brief business update, focusing primarily on MSA’s business outlook and market position.

The webcast will begin at approximately 2:00 p.m. EDT. It can be accessed via MSA’s
website at http://investors.MSASafety.com. Following the presentation, a replay will be available for 90 days at the link listed above, under the “News and Events” menu.

Emergency One wins Hérault Fire Service contract

by Featured NewsProductsVehicles

Emergency One UK Ltd has secured a contract with Hérault Fire Service to supply its innovative electric fire appliances and further the net zero goals for the French fire service.

Scottish Government Minister for Business Ivan McKee met with Emergency One, representatives from Hérault Fire Service and French government officials to mark the key export contract as part of a visit to France on 16 May.

The company, based in Cumnock, Scotland, is the UK’s largest manufacturer of fire and rescue appliances and recently launched the E1 EV0 – the world’s first fully electric fire appliance in October 2020.

Scottish Government Minister for Business Ivan McKee said: “The Scottish Government’s drive towards Net Zero emissions is not just an environmental imperative, it opens new markets and creates economic opportunities.

“Businesses such as Emergency One are using their expertise and ingenuity to unlock this potential. The new relationship with Hérault Fire Services has been secured against international competition and positions the company as a global leader in the sector.

“We congratulate Emergency One, wish it well and are delighted to support its efforts through the team at Scottish Enterprise.”

Mike Madsen, Managing Director of Emergency One said: “The development of zero emission fire and rescue vehicles is business critical in a green thinking economy and we are proud to be working with a leading French Fire and Rescue Service to put the first electric fire appliance into service on the European mainland.

“Not only is the electric route safer for the environment but also the firefighters themselves and we are proud of the technology and progress to market of the E1 EV0 the world’s first fully electric fire appliance that highlights Scottish innovation.”

International Brands Group chooses distribution partner for 4YS footwear

by Featured NewsPPEProducts

International Brands Group (IBG) has announced a distribution partnership with Rampart International Corporation, Canada, to deliver a high specification public order boot designed to offer the wearer comfort and protection against violent attacks.

The boots are certified to EN ISO 20345:2011, BS7971-5:2016 IM and UKCA. They are waterproof and chemical resistant upper, flame retardant upper, have Nomex fire resistant laces, and feature a composite toecap an composite anti-penetration plate.

The boots also feature built-in metatarsal guard for ultimate protection, and are designed with an oil an lubricant resistant outsole with the highest level of slip resistance.

Glen Richards, Brands Director of IBG, commented on the new partnership: “We are proud to be working with specialist partners like RAMPART with a shared vision on delivering quality and protection. North America is an important market for International Brands Group and we will making further investment in the coming years to accelerate brand growth.”

Three quarters of UK fire doors fail inspections

by Featured NewsPassive

UK fire door inspection organisation, the Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) has revealed three quarters of the fire doors inspected in the UK by its approved inspectors did not meet the required standard.

The FDIS’s data, based on more than 100,000 fire door inspections carried out by its approved inspectors in 2021, found that 75% of fire doors failed to meet the required standards, putting lives at risk in the event of a fire.

Buildings that had the highest number of fire door inspection failures included healthcare buildings, local authorities and housing associations, and private housing.

As these buildings’ fire doors are subject to higher use and traffic than other building types, regular inspection and maintenance is key to ensuring they remain fit for purpose throughout their lifespan.

Louise Halton, FDIS Scheme Manager, said: “With the vast majority of fire doors in the UK failing inspections, it’s sad to say that a tragedy is simply waiting to happen, especially so in buildings that are home to vulnerable residents. But this situation is entirely preventable and, at this stage, still reversible.

“A fit for purpose fire door can save lives, so now is the time for all of those responsible for fire safety to urgently inspect fire doors in their buildings and act immediately if faults are identified.

“It’s crucial that reputable and trained fire door inspectors, such as those approved by the FDIS, carry out fire door inspections. However, the ongoing reporting of maintenance issues with fire doors is a role for us all — every building user should play a proactive role in reporting any faults to ensure they are quickly addressed so that the building’s safety is maintained.”

New Jersey earmarks Covid fund for fire departments

by Americas - Featured NewsFeatured News

New Jersey is set to use $10 million in federal coronavirus relief funds to help provide fire departments with more safety and sanitary equipment, officials announced Monday.

The state’s Firefighter Grant Program will allow local and regional fire departments to apply for the taxpayer money from the American Rescue Plan, which Congress passed to provide stimulus funds in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We know how hard the pandemic was on our firefighting community,” said Governor Phil Murphy during an event championing the program at the Hackensack Fire Department. “We know the stress that all of you are under each and every day, not knowing what you may up against while on call … while simultaneously worried about the health of your families.”

Murphy said the money would be used not just for helmets, gloves, and boots but for chemical-free protective clothing and cleaning equipment and products to help prevent the spread of illness, noting that firefighters faced many health and safety risks during the pandemic.

“Firefighters have been working on the front lines with our health care and law enforcement professionals throughout this pandemic, and Governor Murphy and I are grateful for the heroic work they do every day to save lives,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs.

“The Firefighter Grant Program is going to help provide them with the essential resources they need to ensure their safety and well-being so they can continue to do their jobs.” 

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a member of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus said “We’re now clawing back even more federal dollars to support our local fire departments and first responders, particularly for our smaller ones where resources are even more stretched. This critical investment will not only keep our communities, families, and brave first responders safe, but it will also help lower our property taxes and make life more affordable for Jersey families.

“The new American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grant program claws critical federal resources back from Washington for Jersey fire departments – to protect our communities, our families, firefighters, and EMTs. We must always get the backs of our first responders.”

Kyle Hughes, a Paterson firefighter and president of the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association Local 2 union, welcomed the funds as firefighters across the state deal have dealt with the pandemic in addition to fires, floods, chemical spills, and downed wires the last two years.

“Despite this even greater risk, our members never wavered to their duties,” Hughes said. “They put others before themselves time and time again. … Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Walker fire expands into detection market with double acquisition

by Featured NewsFire DetectionProducts

Fire safety firm Walker Fire has made two acquisitions to drive its expansion in the fire detection and security sector.

The Preston-based firm has acquired Leicestershire-based Detector Alarms and Hampshire-based Southern Fire Protection, for an undisclosed sum.

Detector Alarms, which trades as Detector Fire and Security, operates across Leicestershire and the Midlands, specialising in the installation and servicing of security and fire safety systems.

Southern Fire Protection operates across Hampshire and specialises in fire safety equipment installation and servicing.

David Cosgrove, Walker Fire managing director, said: “Our goal is to become one of the UK’s foremost providers of fire safety and building security services.

“The two businesses we have acquired have operational capabilities and values that are very aligned with our own and further strengthen our service offering and national footprint.”

Walker Fire is part of Ireland’s Moyne Roberts Group. Based at Roman Way Industrial Estate in Preston, the business has 238 staff and offers services in the installation and servicing of fire alarms, fire suppression systems and other fire safety equipment, as well as fire risk assessment and fire safety training services.

Walker Fire was advised on the transactions by the corporate finance, property and employment teams at law firm Harrison Drury solicitors. Stuart Hinnigan, partner at Scott & Wilkinson accountants, advised on the financial aspects of the deal.

Jack Stephenson, associate solicitor in the corporate team at Harrison Drury, said: “We’re proud to have supported Walker Fire’s growth strategy by advising them on a significant number of transactions over the last few years.

“These latest strategic acquisitions help Walker Fire grow its capabilities and geographical coverage and we’re pleased to have played our role in making this possible.”

Sarah Astley, associate solicitor in the employment team, added: “We’re pleased to be working alongside the team at Walker Fire, supporting them with the employment aspects of these acquisitions and ensuring a smooth transition for all staff, clients and stakeholders.”

Brady advises manufacturers on increasing workplace safety

by Featured NewsSafety

American developer and manufacturer of specialty products, Brady Corporation, has released advice on choosing a supplier to increase workplace safety for lockout/target projects to help prevent accidents in the workplace.

Lockout/Tagout can help prevent workplace accidents by completely isolating machinery from its energy sources, preventing the machine moving and connecting to energy sources while interventions are ongoing.

Brady has advised manufacturers worldwide looking to optimise existing systems to implement complete Lockout/Tagout programmes to maximise workplace safety and protect employees, to consider the following when selecting a supplier:

  • Choose a systems with optimal procedure management:
    • The process of managing, creating, updating, reviewing, scaling and communicating visually instructive lockout procedures.
  • Make sure it blocks access to any energy control point:
    • Temporarily blocking access to valves, buttons, fuses and any energy isolation point with Lockout/Tagout devices.
  • Choose the right safety padlocks:
    • Select an effective and secure padlock with multiple lock and key options for elaborate, futureproof lockout programmes.
  • Identify every lockout:
    • Communicate about ongoing maintenance interventions with reliable Lockout/Tagout tags.
  • Practical lockouts:
    • Make Lockout/Tagout even more practical and efficient with accessories.
  • Easily distribute lockout tools:
    • Highlight the right solutions for specific lockouts, and encourage tool returns to the right location

NFCC Think Sprinkler campaign backed by victims’ families

by Featured NewsPassive

The families of two women who lost their lives at a care home fire in Hertfordshire in 2017 have backed the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) campaign urging the government to improve sprinkler regulations in England.

Claire Miles and Carole Murray, daughters of Daphne Holloway and Ivy sprigs who lost their lives at a fire at Newgrange Care Home, have added their support as part of NFCC’s ‘Think Sprinkler’ week of action which runs from 16-22 May.

NFCC are campaigning for all care homes in the UK to be retrofitted with sprinkler systems, as well as requiring new build care homes to have sprinklers to help protect residents in these buildings today and for future generations.

According to research by NFCC and the National Fire Sprinkler Network, Sprinklers reduce fire damage by around 75% and people are 50% less likely to be injured. On 99% of occasions sprinklers can control or extinguish a fire.

There is currently no building regulation requirement in England for care homes to be fitted with sprinklers.

Claire Miles, daughter of Daphne said of the campaign: “Yes, there is a cost to fitting sprinklers, but there’s a greater human cost to those who risk life and limb for others – and those firefighters called to Newgrange certainly did that. There’s a cost to losing those we love before their time and in such terrible circumstances.”

Mark Andrews NFCC lead for higher risk accommodation, said the NFFC applauds homes that have opted to install sprinkler systems.

“More widespread installation of sprinklers in all care homes will prevent future deaths and could have prevented the loss of life at Newgrange and in other care home fires across the UK,” he said.

“We urge families to ask questions of care home managers and owners to ensure your loved ones are adequately protected from fire.”  

FIA releases fire alarm guidance for people with sensory sensitivities

by Featured NewsPassive

The Fire Industry Association has developed a guidance document to cover situation situations where fire alarm warnings are intended for people with sensory sensitivities.

The FIA was contacted in last year about the issue of suitability of fire alarm warnings in special schools, a topic which has not previously been fully addressed in the Code of Practice for fire detection and fire alarm systems.

A group consisting of people with a personal interest and experience in the matter, and experts in the fields of disability and fire safety, came together to formulate the document, highlighting the need for more, and better conversation surrounding the needs of individuals with disabilities.

The new guidance said: “It is anticipated that this guidance document will encourage designers to collaborate with clients to gain a full understanding of building occupants, and thus provide for fire alarm systems that assist evacuation in preference to inappropriate application of the recommendations of a national code which are likely to cause distress and hamper the evacuation of those with sensory sensitivities.

“This guidance document will assist fire risk assessors in asking appropriate questions as part of their work, particularly when assessing special schools, mainstream schools with resource provisions or units, day centres or residential accommodation.”

The guidance from the document, which can be found here, will be presented by James Jones (Vimpex, and FIA Board member), and Sonny White, the 16-year old FD&A expert who instigated the document, at Firex on Wednesday 18 May.

Bengal Fire Department launches fire safety awareness drive

by Featured NewsPassive

The Bengal Fire and Emergency department has launched an awareness drive on fire safety through drills and to inform people about the precautions to take if a fire breaks out.

The campaign, which kicked off on 5 May in Calcutta will run for a month until 5 June. Teams from the department will travel to various locations carrying equipment and will demonstrate how one should respond to a fire.

The demonstrations are touring shopping malls, hospitals, hotels, office buildings, industrial units, petroleum outlets and in crowded locations in and around the city of Siliguri.

Bhaskar Nag, the officer-in-charge of the Siliguri fire station, said during the campaign, they will also conduct fire audits at these sites to determine whether the places have adequate fire-fighting equipment and arrangements to evacuate people.

“We are carrying out mock fire drills, which include evacuation exercises. Also, during our visit, we are training people, for example, employees of industrial units and security men of shopping malls, as to how they should douse a fire,” he said.

The department is also promoting the need to keep adequate fire extinguishers in hotels, hospitals, schools, colleges, offices, markets and factories, and will for employees of petrol pumps it will conduct a separate training “as we cannot have on-site demonstrations at a pump.”