Gregg’s deploys active fire prevention system at new facility

by ActiveFeatured NewsIndustrialIndustry Sectors

Greggs, a UK-founded fast food service chain, deployed an active fire prevention system at its new deep-freeze high-bay warehouse at its factory near Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.

The factory occupies 90,530 cubic metre, and the fire fire protection systems were provided by Wagner. Owing to the warehouse running several automated systems, there tends to be a higher risk of fire than traditional warehouses. This is due to the large amount of electrical equipment in the warehouse.

The high bay warehouse was difficult to protect by traditional methods due to the combination of its height, densely packed stored goods and deep-freeze operating temperature, Global Cold Chain News reported.

The automated high-bay warehouse stands at 23 metres tall and has a storage capacity with upwards of 14,000 pallet bays.

The warehouse is operated at -20°, where savoury baked goods will be stored frozen packaged in plastic trays or cardboard boxes, in both cases on wooden pallets. Something else, that had to be kept in mind: the warehouse is directly connected to the factory. If a fire occurs, it must not spread.

Gregg’s fire prevention system uses OxyReduct, that builds a protective atmosphere in the protected area with a permanently reduced oxygen level through the controlled introduction of nitrogen. This reduces the oxygen levels to prevent the spread of fires, taking the individual ignition thresholds of the most critical materials found in the warehouse into consideration. Sensors continuously measure the oxygen concentration in the protected area, working with the OxyControl system to maintain a constant oxygen operation concentration.

As a smouldering fire can still result despite oxygen reduction, the active fire prevention strategy also includes an early smoke detection system with air sampling smoke detectors.

West Yorkshire council homes to get £21million fire safety improvements

by Building ManagementFeatured NewsFire DoorsIndustry SectorsProducts

Councillors of Kirklees in England’s West Yorkshire district are being asked to approve works that will upgrade fire safety measures across all council-owned low-rise flats.

A £21million investment programme will be proposed at the council’s cabinet meeting, on April 5. This will see all 865 low-rise blocks across Kirklees benefit from improved fire protection measures over the next two years.  

The work will involve six-storey blocks, as well as retirement living schemes and low-rise buildings, and comes as work is already underway upgrading the council’s high-rise blocks including flats at Buxton House, Harold Wilson Court and Berry Brow.

Work will start in May 2022 when approved contractors Fortem Solutions Limited will start the process of independently surveying every low-rise block in Kirklees to identify and carry out the fire safety works needed.

These surveys will inform what works are necessary on a per building basis and are likely to include:

  • Replacing fire doors to homes and communal areas
  • Compartmentation
  • Upgrading smoke and heat alarms
  • Emergency lighting
  • New fire signage. 

Both tenants and leaseholders have been informed of the programme of works planned.

David Shepherd, Strategic Director of Growth and Regeneration, said: “Since transfer from KNH, the council has focused on and prioritised investment to ensure our tenants are safe in their homes. This is part of that on-going commitment to keeping our tenants in low rise buildings as safe as possible.

“The investment will see all 865 low-rise buildings individually surveyed and safety upgrades made to the highest standard to further ensure the safety of all our tenants and leaseholders in the event of a fire.”

These works are part of the £90 million improvements programme currently being rolled out across social housing in Kirklees. The early part of the programme focused on high rise flats and has already seen major fire safety improvements completed at Buxton House in Huddersfield town centre.

How is technology impacting fire risk management? 

by Featured NewsFire DetectionProducts

Fire safety technology expert, FireAngel, has developed a roundtable with delegates from the National Social Housing Fire Strategy Group, Ealing Council, and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, to discuss a digitally powered, fire safety evolution for housing associations.
Viewers can gain insights into the current fire safety landscape for housing associations, what’s driving change and innovation in the fire safety world and what the near future will look like.

Following the Grenfell fire tragedy, those responsible for fire safety were struck with a heart-rendering wake-up call; organisations did not have the golden thread of information about their buildings or know enough about their residents.

Today, advancements of the Internet of Things (IoT) and in artificial intelligence (AI) are driving technological innovation in housing associations and strengthening the golden thread of information for buildings. However, there is a general risk-aversion and need for greater understanding and collaboration among stakeholders to accelerate progress.

Fire and rescue services are still heavily reliant on upstream referrals from agencies, such as ambulance services and housing providers, but with more data and better collaboration, more fires can be prevented. To access the potential of innovative technology, key stakeholders need to buy-in to these solutions.

Ealing Council is one of the first social housing providers in the UK to adopt IoT technologies to improve the levels of protection it provides its tenants. Its roll-out of FireAngel devices in around 14,000 homes has enabled the organisation to gather data on trends and high-risk patterns of behaviour to prompt earlier intervention before an actual fire event.

PFE Limited partners with Flir for fire protection of sites

by Featured NewsFire DetectionProducts

British inspection specialist PFE Limited has used FLIR Thermal Studio software to accelerate site inspections and reporting, and to deliver consistent reporting quality to its demanding customer base.

Based in Wallasey, North-West England, PFE Limited is a family-owned business, specialising in a wide range of inspection and reliability services for industrial customers. To provide trustworthy and repeatable reporting quality, PFE engineers make use of the latest technology on the market for vibration analysis, dynamic balancing and thermography, among other things.

The company has been using thermal imaging for more than 15 years for mechanical, electrical, and process-related inspections. One of the more specialized types of inspections that PFE Limited offers are furnace inspections, for which the company is using a FLIR Exx-Series pistol-grip camera.

The most tangible output that the company is offering to its customers are reports, so it speaks for itself these need to be of consistently high quality. PFE Limited therefore relies on FLIR Thermal Studio software with routing functionality from the FLIR Route Creator plugin.

Jake Ford, Reliability and Mechanical Engineer at PFE Limited said: “We used to go on site for our inspections, combining the use of a thermal imaging camera with some kind of clipboard or electronic tablet.

“For every asset and every image taken with our thermal camera, we used to jot down numbers and comments on a separate device. This was not only unpractical, but it also took twice the time we spend on inspections today. Thanks to the introduction of the FLIR Thermal Studio software, we were able to cut our inspection time in half.”

What’s the impact of technology on fire pumps?

by Featured NewsFirefighting EquipmentProducts

Chris Ferrara, CEO and President, US Fire Pump talks IoT in the world of fire pumps, with a major rise in uptick of services

In today’s world the increasing of new technologies seems never ending, and quite overwhelming at times. We start the process of adopting new technologies and seemingly it’s out of date before it’s even implemented. 

However, paraphrasing the 36th American President Lyndon B Johnson, ‘you can get crushed if you’re not prepared for the new technologies available or even for the acceptance of adopting new technologies.’ When it comes to technological adoption you must start somewhere, or risk falling behind.   

At US Fire Pump our team was often requested to provide a mobile temporary pump solution with the technology to mimic stationary or fixed firewater pumps. At the time this technology, packaged in a true mobile firewater pump, didn’t exist. Our engineering team didn’t scoff at the idea, even as they found the process of development to be no short order. In fact, hearing the repeated need from customers, only strengthened their resolve to create a solution. 

Professionals that have worked with mobile fire pumps as compared to fixed fire pumps know that their requirements differ greatly. Finding a suitable adaptation to these requirements, in a temporary mobile package, was the first task for our team. Fixed pumps have the luxury of control rooms, fire control panels and many other redundant safety systems in place, and usually all in a controlled environment.  

However, what we were being asked to achieve was a mobile system without the liberty of any of the above controls in place. Our team was able to engineer a smart system for mobile use, thanks to which these smart fire pumps can be used in your next turnaround, unplanned outage, or as a temporary replacement for fixed fire water pumps. 

Our smart systems have since been installed in petrochemical facilities, private health institutions and State facilities throughout the United States.  

To be a market leader and innovator you must have forward thought mindset. To do so, you must find or develop new technologies to make that road easier to navigate.  

US Fire Pump’s in-house engineers and experts can assist with pre planning for outages, or at a moment’s notice for emergency unplanned outages and events. Our rental fleet of fire and ancillary equipment is the largest on the globe and our smart technology is ready for dispatch 24/7. 

Tell us a bit more about smart technologies and how it has made its way into pumps.  
The ability for mobile pumps to mimic fixed pumps in temporary situations has been a big change. In what seems like never-ending supply chain issues and parts shortages, more and more fixed fire pumps are being taken out of service for extended periods of time. How do you replace these and keep facilities on-line? With temporary solutions like our mobile fire pumps. Adding smart pumping technology to these mitigates the need for firewatch personnel and acts in accordance with the fixed firewater pumps, albeit in a temporary solution.   

How does the Submersible Response Truck address market requirements?  
The idea behind Submersible Response Truck was to address areas with water shortage, and for a myriad of reasons there are many use case scenarios. For the industrial sector it can be that your fire water supply has been temporarily, or by accident, nullified. For the municipal sector, particularly rural settings with no hydrant systems but plenty of water in the surrounding area, it allows the SRT to have the submersible pumps deployed to any static water source for water supply. This, depending on the water source, can sustain water supply for much longer than your average tanker. 

Tell us about US Fire Pumps research and development efforts?  
US Fire Pump will always be at the forefront of cutting-edge technology. We welcome ideas from First Responders who work in the field daily. Not to forget our own Emergency Response Team members. In addition, we have a team of dedicated engineers who are tasked with developing innovation and technologies for the fire service sector. I’ve always felt that old problems need new technologies for solutions.  

Tell us why equipment rental is gaining popularity?  
We have seen many our rental customers use this programme to fill ‘stop gap’ methods for repairs and unplanned outages. Quite often there isn’t sufficient capital to support purchase of new equipment, especially during fluctuating economic scenarios. The benefit of renting means unallocated funds can go towards temporary replacement of other critical equipment. We also offer long term lease that gives customers a chance to test new gear on site.  

Do you have market expansion on your mind? 
Absolutely, the company’s pumps and fire equipment have been used by customers all around the world. We have also advised customers on emergency responses across the globe and have a large international presence. As for further expansion geographically, we are assessing different markets. US Fire Pumps is ready to go places.   

EU to ban products made by forced labour

by Featured NewsProducts

New legislation to ban products made by forced or child labour from entering the European Union (EU) market is “a big step towards promoting safe and secure working environments for all workers”, IOSH says.

The European Commission recently presented its Communication on Decent Work Worldwide, which has the eradication of forced and child labour at its heart. The ban on products made by forced labour is part of its comprehensive approach, with the ‘legislative instrument’ covering goods made inside and outside of the EU.

In announcing this development, the commission said that ‘decent work’ is still not a reality for many people around the world, with 160 million children in child labour and 25 million people facing forced labour.

The development is aligned with the International Labour Organisation’s Global Call to Action for a Human-centred Recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and takes place when the EU is supporting renewed efforts to integrate the right to safe and healthy working conditions into the ILO framework on fundamental principles and rights at work.

Dr Ivan Williams Jimenez, Occupational Safety and Health Policy Specialist for IOSH, said: “This represents an excellent opportunity not only to leverage the UN Sustainable Development Goals–related aim for a world of work where businesses frame their sustainability policies towards decent work principles, but to promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious jobs.

“As forced labour is publicly recognised as the most common form of modern slavery and, in many cases, it affects the most vulnerable and excluded groups in society, IOSH has long demanded that companies tackle and remove forced labour and modern slavery risks from their value chains.”

Jimenez added: “Progress has been slow so far; we know that some countries have passed national and state laws asking the private and public sector to report on modern slavery risks in their supply chains. However, this is a field where there is certainly room for further improvement.”

The European Commission has now invited the European Parliament and the Council to endorse the approach set out in the Communication and to work together on its implementation. More details can be found here.

Plans for Fire Safety Support Hub in Cardiff turned down

by Building ManagementFeatured NewsFire SuppressionIndustry SectorsProducts

Plans for a new fire safety support hub in Cardiff have been turned down. The hub was proposed to help victims of the cladding scandal. Currently, thousands in the city are still living in apartments at serious risk of fire, five years after the Grenfell Tower disaster, with many facing gigantic bills for work to make their homes safe.

A fire safety support hub could help those affected with financial and legal advice, as well as signposting and counselling for those suffering from mental health issues, councillors said. Liberal Democrats in Cardiff put forward a motion on Thursday, March 17 to set up a hub, with backing from other opposition councillors.

But this was voted down by the ruling Labour group. Councillor Rhys Taylor, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: “Five years on and people are still trapped in potentially unsafe homes, and are paying the price both financially and mentally for the mistakes of developers.

“Leaseholders in some instances have faced bills of thousands of pounds due to be paid with less than 28 days’ notice. That’s because kettles have more consumer protection than the leaseholders who are trapped in this scandal. People are looking to pay their whole life savings to meet these bills, and war veterans are even considering selling their medals, Wales Online reported.

“In June, management companies will be issuing the second half of annual services charges. For the Celestia buildings in Cardiff Bay, that’s half of the £2.4m needed to repair defects. If leaseholders can’t pay, of which there will be many, they’ll be pursued by debtors. A support hub would provide help and advice for people in these situations.”

Extra costs heaped onto affected residents include skyrocketing insurance premiums, service charges, patrolling fire wardens, and remediation work like replacing cladding. Many of the issues faced by affected residents in Cardiff are complex and technical, including fraudulent fire safety certificates and inadequate wall inspections.

Lots of residents also suffer from poor mental health as a result of the issues, according to recent surveys. Labour said the fire safety issues were difficult to address and had previously explored council tax residents for affected residents, but later ruled this out as too expensive.

Cllr Lynda Thorne, cabinet member for housing, dismissed the motion as a pre-election stunt. She said: “This administration is committed to doing all we can to help and support all those residents affected by the plethora of faults and design failures built into these developments. It’s a whole gambit of failures that makes this issue so difficult to address. These issues aren’t straightforward.

FPA’s Jonathan O’Neill to address The Fire Safety Event 2022

by EventsFeatured News

Fire Protection Association’s managing director Jonathan O’Neill OBE will be addressing the audience in the Fire Safety Theatre with the Fire Protection Association’s concerns about the forthcoming Building Safety Bill. O’Neill will address audiences on Wednesday, April 6, from 10:15 to 11:00am

On Thursday 7 April, 14:00 – 15:00, the FPA’s Senior Fire Safety Trainer Alan Emms will be co-presenting a CPD session in the Training and Competency workshop taking place in the Fire Safety Theatre which will provide practical guidance and an insight into all aspects of fire safety training whilst focusing on the role of the Responsible Person.

Launched in 2016, The Fire Safety Event is one of the UK’s important industry events which has been on the radar of several professionals and manufacturers over the last six years. During its time, it has become the UK’s largest fire and safety show, with more than 100 leading manufacturers and service providers showcasing the most cutting-edge fire safety products and solutions in active and passive fire protection.

The Fire Safety Event is run alongside The Security Event, The Workplace Event, and The Health & Safety Event. Collectively known as ‘The Safety & Security Series’ that is set to welcome more than 700 exhibiting businesses and visitor numbers surpassing 28,000 attendees.  

O’Neill began his career in the insurance industry and was appointed Managing Director of the FPA in 1999. During his time as MD, he has overseen two relocations and has managed the organisation to financial independence from insurers. 

O’Neill has served on numerous government, ministerial, and sector advisory bodies and was part of the strategic advisory group on the Fire Futures Review. He represents UK insurers on the Prevention Forum of Insurance Europe, is the UK’s representative at the General Assemblies of CFPA Europe and CFPA International, and sits on the Executive of the Fire Sector Federation. 

In 2017, he was awarded in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to fire safety and received his OBE from Prince William, Duke of Cambridge on Tuesday 31 October at Buckingham Palace. 

Sherwin-Williams protects London’s Brunel Building

by Featured NewsFire SuppressionProducts

Sherwin-Williams has supplied FIRETEX intumescent fire protective coatings to the Brunel Building, a 22,500 sqm workspace in London. The 16-floor construction features a 3.5m high column-free space throughout, due to its unique structural design.

Passive fire protection experts from Sherwin-Williams worked with the contractor Laing O’Rourke, structural engineers Arup and in collaboration with specialist structural steel supplier Severfield to ensure the interior and exterior steelwork was fire-protected for up to 60 minutes.

For the interior steelwork, FIRETEX C69 primer, FIRETEX FX2003 intumescent coating and FIRETEX M71V2 decorative topcoat was chosen. For the exterior steelwork, the solution was Macropoxy 400 primer, FIRETEX FX6000 intumescent coating and Acrolon C237 topcoat. The epoxy zinc phosphate primer and Certifire-approved intumescent coat were applied in shop, allowing the contractor to benefit from its fast-drying properties. The fire-tested and fully-approved acrylic urethane topcoat also offered strong colour retention to help maintain the Brunel Building’s striking aesthetic appearance.

Andy Luter, Senior Project Manager, Severfield said: “The architectural features and design required a fabricated steel which could be protected off-site and installed with minimum damage. The team at Sherwin-Williams offered a technical solution which allowed the exposed interior steel and exoskeleton to meet the desired fire protection levels without compromising on design or delivery.”

Rick Perkins, Global Technical Manager, at Sherwin-Williams, said: “The FIRETEX range of products allows us to coat steelwork off-site where relevant with fast drying times, resulting in minimal damage, as well as cost and time savings to help steel fabricators to meet their requirements for fire protection.”

Warringtonfire marks 50 years of fire testing

by Featured NewsSafety

This year marks 50 years of fire testing for Warringtonfire. It was in 1972 that the first commercial fire test was undertaken at a newly completed fire testing laboratory in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. 50 years later, what is believed to be the UK’s oldest existing fire resistance testing laboratory, continues to operate. Today, it is one of Warringtonfire’s main sites and is a centre of excellence for the testing of timber fire doors.

In addition to being an early pioneer in fire testing, Warringtonfire has remained at the forefront of the industry. Through its collaboration with trade associations and standards committees, including ASFP, BSI, CEN and FTSG, Warringtonfire’s team of technical experts continue to play a pivotal role in raising standards in the fire protection industry.

Recognising how much customers rely on specialist technical knowledge to support them through the testing process, Warringtonfire has continued to invest in building a world class team of technical experts and has one of the largest global teams in the industry.

Leigh Hill, Division Director for Warringtonfire said: “I’m immensely proud in reaching this key milestone and of the contribution we have made to raising standards in the fire protection industry over the past 50 years. Many of our customers and even some of our colleagues have been with us on our incredible journey and I’d like to thank them for their continued support. Looking ahead, we remain committed to carrying on the important work we do, helping to ensure we are making tomorrow safer than today.”