How AVD Fire is setting the global safety standard in lithium-ion battery fire suppression

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As lithium-ion battery adoption accelerates, AVD Fire explains how certified lithium-ion battery fire suppression technologies are redefining fire safety, containment and thermal runaway mitigation

From electric vehicles and airport ground operations to logistics hubs and energy storage systems, lithium-ion batteries now underpin critical infrastructure. Yet with this growth comes a well-documented and escalating challenge: thermal runaway events that are difficult to suppress, highly volatile and prone to re-ignition.

For fire safety professionals, insurers and regulators, the question is no longer if lithium-ion battery incidents will occur – but how effectively they can be controlled, contained and mitigated.

This is where Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion (AVD) has emerged as a globally recognised, field-proven solution – redefining expectations for lithium-ion fire suppression.

AVD is not simply an incremental improvement on conventional extinguishing agents – it represents a fundamental shift in how lithium-ion fires are managed.Unlike traditional methods that focus solely on cooling or oxygen displacement, AVD introduces a dual-action mechanism:

  • Rapid cooling to reduce thermal escalation
  • Formation of a vermiculite barrier layer, preventing oxygen reintroduction and suppressing re-ignition

This unique approach directly addresses the core challenge of lithium-ion fires: sustained chemical reactions within the battery cells.The result is controlled suppression, reduced fire spread and significantly improved post-incident stability – a critical factor for emergency responders and site operators alike.

Certified lithium-ion fire suppression performance and proven credibility

As global scrutiny intensifies around lithium-ion fire risks, independent testing and certification are no longer optional – they are essential.AVD Fire’s product portfolio has been developed and validated to meet the highest international standards, assuring both regulatory bodies and commercial stakeholders.

AVD extinguishers are supported by a comprehensive framework of certifications and third-party validations, including:

  • UL witness testing conducted at AVD Fire’s UK test facility
  • Emirates Safety Laboratory testing, demonstrating performance under controlled conditions
  • NTA 8133 certification for lithium-ion fire extinguishing capability
  • British Kitemark accreditation, reinforcing product quality and manufacturing standards

These credentials are not merely technical milestones – they represent market trust, regulatory confidence and operational reliability.

DIN-certified EV fire blankets for lithium-ion battery fire containment

While fire extinguishers are critical for early-stage intervention, large-scale lithium-ion incidents – particularly involving electric vehicles – require a different strategy: containment.

AVD Fire’s EV Fire Blankets are engineered to meet the rigorous DIN SPEC 91489:2024-11 Standard for EV fire containment. Key performance attributes include:

  • Resistance to sustained temperatures exceeding 1000°C
  • Structural integrity in oxidising environments
  • Capability to contain flames, heat and hazardous off-gassing
  • Protection against debris and projectile risks during thermal runaway

For high-risk environments such as airports, tunnels, ports and logistics centres, these blankets provide a critical first-response containment solution, limiting damage and enabling safer incident management.

Fire Suppression Kits (FSKs) for lithium-ion battery incident response

Recognising that lithium-ion incidents often require multi-layered response strategies, AVD Fire has developed Fire Suppression Kits (FSKs) to complement its core product range.

These kits are designed to support assisted mitigation, equipping personnel with:

  • Specialist tools for safe handling and isolation
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Integrated AVD extinguishing solutions

In environments such as distribution centres, manufacturing facilities and transport hubs, FSKs provide a structured and repeatable response framework, reducing reliance on improvised or inconsistent procedures.

Global lithium-ion fire safety distribution with local expertise

AVD Fire’s international growth has been driven not only by product innovation, but also through the development of a trusted global distribution network.Today, AVD Fire solutions are supported by established distribution and service partners across:

  • Europe
  • Middle East
  • North America
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Caribbean

This network ensures customers benefit from local technical expertise, regulatory understanding, product availability and rapid response capability within their respective regions.

As lithium-ion battery adoption continues to accelerate globally, AVD Fire remains committed to supporting its existing distribution partners, while selectively expanding representation in strategic regions where opportunities and market coverage gaps exist.

The company is currently open to discussions with qualified partners in selected territories worldwide, including parts of:

  • Latin America
  • Africa
  • Southeast Asia
  • Selected regions within North America
  • EMEA

For distributors and fire safety specialists, this represents an opportunity to align with a globally recognised lithium-ion battery fire suppression specialist in a rapidly growing market.

Full-scale lithium-ion battery fire testing and validation

While certifications and laboratory testing provide essential validation, real-world performance remains the ultimate benchmark.

To further demonstrate the effectiveness of its solutions, AVD Fire recently conducted two full-scale live fire tests in North America, involving electric vehicles undergoing thermal runaway.

In these controlled tests:

  • Two Tesla vehicles were intentionally ignited to simulate thermal runaway conditions
  • AVD Fire deployed both its DIN-certified EV blanket and Premium fire blanket
  • The fires were successfully contained and ultimately extinguished

The outcomes demonstrated:

  • Effective containment of flames and heat
  • Significant reduction in fire spread risk
  • Controlled suppression without escalation
  • Enhanced safety for operators and surrounding infrastructure

These tests provide compelling evidence that AVD solutions are not only compliant and certified but also operationally effective in the most demanding real-world scenarios.

Leading the future of lithium-ion battery fire safety

As lithium-ion battery technology continues to reshape industries, the fire safety sector must evolve in parallel.

The transition requires:

  • New suppression technologies designed specifically for lithium-ion risks
  • Certified, standards-driven solutions that meet global regulatory expectations
  • Integrated response systems that combine suppression, containment and operational safety

AVD Fire is at the forefront of this transition – delivering solutions that are scientifically advanced, independently validated, and globally deployed.

Why the fire safety industry must act on lithium-ion battery risks

The challenge of lithium-ion battery fires is not theoretical – it is immediate, growing and

increasingly complex. For fire safety professionals, infrastructure operators and distributors, the priority is clear: Adopt solutions that are proven, certified and designed specifically for the risks at hand.

AVD Fire invites industry stakeholders to:

  • Explore its full range of lithium-ion fire protection solutions
  • Engage in collaborative testing and validation programmes
  • Partner in expanding global distribution and implementation

The future of fire safety demands more than adaptation – it demands leadership. AVD is setting that standard.

Fluorine-free firefighting foam without compromise: The role of Enviro 3×3 NEO from Dafo Fomtec

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John Olav Ottesen explains how the company’s new fluorine-free firefighting foam combines evidence-led testing, fully hydrated polymer technology and operational reliability

In January 2026 Dafo Fomtec announced the launch of Enviro 3×3 NEO, the sixth-generation alcohol-resistant synthetic fluorine-free firefighting foam (AR SFFF) that represents the culmination of its Enviro Programme.

Following the launch, International Fire & Safety Journal sat down with Founder and CEO John Olav Ottesen to discuss what sets the new concentrate apart, why an evidence-led testing programme has underpinned Fomtec’s approach to the fluorine-free transition and why the Middle East remains central to its strategy as the GCC accelerates its own move away from PFAS-based foams.

Enviro 3×3 NEO is described as the sixth generation in the Enviro range. Where does it sit in Fomtec’s line-up and why now?

NEO is the product that the Enviro Programme has been driving towards from the beginning. It is an alcohol-resistant synthetic fluorine-free concentrate engineered specifically for petrochemical, oil and gas, marine and offshore operations.

The timing of the launch reflects both where the regulatory landscape is heading and where our evidence base has brought us.

NEO delivers the performance profile those high-hazard industries demand, while meeting the environmental expectations industry and regulators are rightly placing on us. It is, in every sense, a no-compromise product.

You describe the Enviro Programme as the foundation of everything Fomtec has done in SFFFs. Why has it mattered so much and what has it actually delivered?

When we began the Enviro Programme more than a decade ago, we recognised early that removing fluorine from firefighting foam could not be a marketing exercise and had to be science.

Fluorinated foams had decades of real-world data behind them; a credible fluorine-free

alternative needed a comparable evidence base and it did not yet exist. The Programme has been built on full-scale fire testing at a scale few have attempted: over 2,500 full-scale fires to date, on hydrocarbons from heptane to Jet A-1 to plant-based fuels and gasoline blends, alongside polar solvents, foam destroyers and fuels tested with fresh, brackish and sea water.

Out of it has come the entire Enviro family (Class A, ICAO, USP, ARK, 3×3 Plus, Ultra, eMax and now NEO). We have also developed an analytical modelling tool that allows us to predict performance on a client’s fuel without setting it on fire.

For Fomtec, the Enviro Programme is a benchmark for how fluorine-free foam should be developed and not just a research project.

The launch material highlights the elimination of the “hidden gum” effect associated with partially hydrated polymer systems. Can you expand on this and explain where it sits within Fomtec’s broader formulation approach?

This goes to the heart of Fomtec’s formulation philosophy and it applies across the entire Enviro range. Alcohol-resistant foams need polymers to build the membrane that extinguishes polar solvent fires, but how those polymers are handled in the concentrate matters enormously.

There are broadly three possibilities. Un-hydrated polymers — essentially dry polymer added to the concentrate — will absorb water unpredictably over time, leading to viscosity drift, sediment formation and potential proportioning failure.

Partially hydrated polymers avoid the dry-powder problem but bring their own issue: the “hidden gum” effect, where viscosity increase, phase separation and polymer drop-out can develop when the foam encounters water ingress or suboptimal storage.

Either way, the operator ends up with a concentrate that no longer behaves like the product they originally approved. Fomtec’s commitment, across every AR product in the Enviro range, is to use only 100% fully hydrated polymers. That is a formulation decision, not a marketing one.

It means stable viscosity and known shear-thinning today and in the  future. For high-hazard sites where systems can sit dormant for long periods and must perform on first demand, that reliability is not optional.

NEO is a 3 × 3 product (3% for hydrocarbons and 3% for polar solvents). Why does that matter operationally?

For any facility holding both hydrocarbon and polar solvent inventories a single 3% concentrate simplifies almost everything. One product in the tank, one proportioning setting, one set of procedures.

The envelope includes MEK, ethyl and butyl acetate, IPA, methanol, ethanol and acetone, and it handles what we call “foam destroyers” such as MTBE. For a fire officer, that breadth under one SKU is a real operational advantage.

Performance with seawater and brackish water is repeatedly highlighted in the NEO documentation. Does that tie back to what we have just been discussing?

Directly. Many GCC and offshore installations draw firewater from the sea and the quality is simply not a controlled variable. We have validated NEO across fresh, brackish and sea water so the performance envelope is the same whichever source the deluge draws from.

The 100% hydrated polymer formulation holds its viscosity and shear-thinning profile and proportioning remains uniform.  For Gulf operators, marine and offshore facilities anywhere in the world, that consistency across water qualities is what separates a predictable fire performance margin from a guess.

ECHA’s restriction dossier is advancing, with SEAC and RAC opinions due by end-2026 and legislation anticipated in 2027. How should end users interpret the timeline?

I would urge end users not to confuse the regulatory timetable with their own planning timetable. Even with the derogations we expect — and Fomtec has

consistently supported the time-limited derogations approach — the direction of travel is settled globally, not just in Europe. The GCC is watching ECHA closely and procurement specifications in the region are already shifting toward fluorine-free.

A safe transition takes time, and Fomtec continues to supply fresh, approved C6 foam to customers while they plan and execute that work. That is not a contradiction; it is how we reduce risk. A responsible transition is holistic — the foam, the system, the procedures, the training.

What should the industry, and the Middle East region in particular, take from NEO and the next phase of the Enviro Programme?

First, demand evidence: ask your foam supplier for full-scale data on your fuels, your hardware and your water quality. Second, treat fluorine-free as an engineering project, not a procurement decision. Third, start now. Enviro 3×3 NEO is where the Enviro Programme was always heading, but the Programme continues — more fuels, more hardware combinations, more validation.

The Middle East will be central to that next phase, through Leaders in Fire 2026, through Intersec and through engagement with the region’s NOCs and the wider JOIFF community. We are ready for what comes next — and with NEO, our customers are too.

New leak patch from ECCOTARP at INTERSCHUTZ 2026

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At INTERSCHUTZ 2026, ECCOTARP will also introduce a completely unique SILICONE MAGNETIC LEAK PATCH designed for the rapid emergency sealing of hazardous substance leaks from punctured drums, tanks, cisterns, and similar containers.

The unmatched silicone material used allows the patch to be deployed in environments where high standards of health safety and cleanliness are required – such as the food and pharmaceutical industries, laboratories, aviation operations, and highly demanding paint shop applications.

The patches feature exceptionally strong magnetic holding force and wide chemical resistance, which can be further enhanced by using a special PTFE protective layer.

The patches are supplied together with ratchets and fixing straps in a practical carrying case designed to eliminate magnetic force during storage and transport.

The patch is available in two sizes and is also supplied in a POLYURETHANE version.

HAFEX reveals participation at INTERSCHUTZ 2026

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HAFEX (Hybrid Aerosol Fire Extinguishing Systems) has announced that they will be exhibiting at INTERSCHUTZ 2026.

Hafex stated that this marks its second participation at Hannover, one of the world’s leading international exhibitions for fire protection, rescue and safety technologies.

The exhibition

At the exhibition, HAFEX will showcase its latest advanced fire suppression technologies designed for high-risk and mission-critical applications across marine, renewable energy, defence, industrial and sensitive electronic sectors especially Strontium Based Aerosol Technology.

Among the solutions being presented will be:

  • HAFEX aerosol fire suppression systems
  • Lithium-ion battery fire protection technologies for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
  • Electrical cabinet suppression systems
  • Marine and offshore fire protection solutions
  • Specialised systems developed for defence and critical infrastructure applications
  • Sensitive Electronic Protection by Strontium Nitrate Based Clean Agent Equivelant Hafex Aerosol

The company said that as industries worldwide continue moving toward electrification, renewable energy and increasingly complex infrastructure, the demand for compact, efficient and reliable fire suppression technologies continues to grow rapidly.

HAFEX aims to address these evolving risks through engineering-focused solutions designed for challenging operational environments where reliability and rapid response are critical.

Worldwide deployment

The company’s systems are currently deployed across more than 40 countries in applications including offshore wind turbines, harbour cranes, vessels, electrical systems, industrial machinery, data-sensitive environments and defence platforms.

Focusing on the future

Speaking about the upcoming exhibition, HAFEX stated that INTERSCHUTZ 2026 represents an important opportunity to strengthen international partnerships, present next-generation suppression technologies and engage directly with global fire safety professionals and industry stakeholders.

The company also highlighted the growing importance of specialised fire protection solutions for lithium-ion batteries, renewable energy infrastructure and mission-critical systems as some of the key areas shaping the future of the global fire protection industry.

Stand

Visitors to INTERSCHUTZ 2026 will have the opportunity to explore HAFEX technologies firsthand and learn more about the company’s expanding international projects and advanced suppression capabilities in Hall 13/B02.

iMist achieves Which? Trusted Trader endorsement

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iMist has revealed that it is the first company in the fire suppression industry to be officially recognised as a Which? Trusted Trader.

According to the company, this is a significant milestone for the business, underlining its commitment to delivering trusted, high-quality service to its customers across the UK.

Fire and Rescue Services demand

iMist explained that Fire and Rescue Services attended over 40,000 building fires in England in the year ending December 2025 (a 5.5% increase on 2024) – the most recently published figures from the Home Office – and the majority of UK homes remaining unprotected by active fire suppression, the need for trusted, accessible specialists has never been greater.

The Which? Trusted Trader endorsement now offers homeowners a clear, independently verified way to appoint iMist with confidence.

Which? Trusted Traders

The Which? Trusted Traders scheme recognises businesses that meet strict criteria, including trading standards inspections, credit checks and verified customer references.

It is widely regarded as a mark of trust and reliability within the home services sector and is the first time it has been awarded to a fire suppression specialist.

iMist highlighted that its systems are installed in thousands of properties across the UK and have achieved a 100% success rate in real-world fire situations.

Water mist technology

The company explained that its water mist technology is specifically designed for domestic and residential environments, protects homeowners, families and properties across housing, care and multi-occupancy settings.

For those seeking an additional layer of reassurance, iMist also offers the iMist Monitoring System (IMS) — a 24/7 smart monitoring service that tracks system performance, alerts homeowners to any issues or activations and provides monthly health reports, ensuring peace of mind whether at home or away.

“Book with confidence”

Phil Amy, Which? Commercial Director said: “We are delighted to welcome iMist Ltd as a Which? Trusted Trader. Which? Trusted Traders is an endorsement scheme that recognises reputable local traders.

“Consumers who use the service to find skilled professionals can book with confidence, knowing those who receive our stamp of approval have passed a rigorous assessment process,” he added.

“A significant achievement”

Alex Pollard, Operations Director at iMist commented: “We’re incredibly proud to receive the Which? Trusted Trader accreditation. It’s a significant achievement for the whole team and echoes our ongoing commitment to trust, reliability and doing things the right way.

“This recognition reinforces the message we share with our customers every day: that they can rely on iMist to deliver high-quality, compliant fire suppression systems backed by excellent service and honest communication,” Pollard concluded.

Directory

According to iMist, the endorsement means that homeowners can now find the company through the Which? Trusted Traders directory alongside other vetted tradespeople, making it easier to choose a fire suppression specialist they can trust.

Safe Space Fire Solutions joins Britannia Fire distributors network across the UK

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Safe Space Fire Solutions joins Britannia Fire distributors network across the UK

Britannia Fire has announced a new distribution partnership with Safe Space Fire Solutions, expanding its network of UK distributors and increasing access to its flagship P50 composite fire extinguisher range.

Safe Space Fire Solutions will operate as a distributor for the full Britannia Fire product portfolio, including the P50 range, which is designed as a long-life alternative to traditional steel extinguishers. The partnership strengthens Britannia Fire’s UK presence as demand grows for fire safety products with stronger environmental credentials.

Operating across the UK, Safe Space Fire Solutions is a newly launched venture led by directors based in Glasgow, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. The company was founded by a team of fire industry specialists with experience spanning frontline emergency response, consultancy and fire safety leadership.

The business is chaired by Dave Etheridge, who spent 30 years in the fire service, including serving as Chief Fire Officer of Oxford Fire and Rescue Service and President of the Chief Fire Officers Association. He is joined by directors Graeme Binning, former Chief Fire Officer; Ruth Gill, former Junior Officer and member of the UK National Executive Committee of Women in the Fire Service; and Martin Thomas, former CEO of the Fire Service College.

Safe Space Fire Solutions will supply a range of fire suppression products selected for their operational performance, affordability and sustainability credentials. Alongside Britannia Fire’s P50 extinguishers, the company will also distribute Plumis Automist sprinklers and Firepro condensed aerosol generators.

Dave Etheridge said: “Each of us in the Safe Space team has spent years evaluating which equipment performs reliably in real-world, high-pressure situations, meaning we understand exactly what works, what fails and why. This gives customers confidence that any product we recommend has been assessed through a lens of expertise rather than salesmanship.

“Britannia Fire’s fire extinguishers have been designed to make fire safety simple, affordable and sustainable. The innovative P50 composite range is multi-purpose, corrosion free, PFAS free, fully recyclable and has a 20-year life span. It’s a win-win for customers as they save on servicing time and costs, and it helps them meet sustainability targets.”

Safe Space Fire Solutions joins Britannia Fire’s established UK distributor network, which includes Safelincs and Freedom Fire in Lincolnshire, Eastern Extinguishers in Norfolk, Eco Fire Safety in Nottinghamshire and Tower Fire in Wales.

Andy Spence, Managing Director of Britannia Fire comments:
“This partnership marks an important step in further expanding access to our P50 range across the UK. Safe Space brings exceptional operational experience and credibility, and that gives customers real confidence they’re getting solutions that are both practical and proven. We’re excited to be welcoming another distributor to the Britannia Fire family that shares our focus on innovation, sustainability and raising standards in fire safety.”

For more information, visit Safe Space Fire Solutions or Britannia Fire.

Built to move: The difference behind Lamella in curtain wall fire protection

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In facade design, passive fire protection must perform over time in real building conditions, not just in testing.

This is especially important in curtain wall construction, where facades accommodate movement from wind loads, thermal expansion, and structural deflection. In these cases, a firestop or perimeter seal must do more than fit at installation. It must maintain the seal over time as the building moves.

This is where a Lamella material offers something distinctly different.

Fire protection must do more than achieve fire resistance

Passive fire protection performance depends on more than fire rating alone. It must also maintain the right form, fit, and compressibility over the life of the system.

Some standard stone wool solutions use a horizontal fiber structure. While stable, this can reduce their ability to accommodate repeated lateral compression over time. As movement and compression continue, internal fiber bonds can break down, reducing the product’s ability to recover and potentially allowing gaps to form between the fire protection and the facade or slab edge.

In curtain wall systems, where movement is expected, that loss of recovery can become a critical performance issue. Passive fire protection must remain closely fitted between the facade and the floor slab or inner construction, maintaining integrity as those elements move relative to one another. If the material cannot flex, recover, and sustain contact, the long-term effectiveness of the seal may be at risk.

A material engineered differently

Siderise® developed its own unique Lamella to address these real-world demands. Rather than using a conventional horizontal fiber structure, Siderise Lamella is manufactured from a specially formulated stone wool with vertically oriented fibers. This vertical arrangement allows the product to better withstand lateral compression and to recover more reliably from movement. Accelerated age testing in accordance with EOTA Technical Report 024 has demonstrated that Siderise’s Lamella structure can be repeatedly laterally compressed without loss of recovery or flex.

A smarter experience on site

Lamella also brings practical advantages. The integrated foil facing is clearly marked on top/bottom, and with the fibers already oriented vertically, it significantly reduces the risk of installer error.

Traditional solutions can also require application of spray, with insulation cut and compressed onsite before being sealed with an elastomeric compound. Because Siderise’s product is pre-compressed in the factory, Lamella and the applied foil scrim provide such a high level of fire resistance that an additional wet seal is unnecessary. As that compression is applied, the facing visibly wrinkles, providing a visual indicator that the product has been installed correctly.

Built for the reality of modern facades

Siderise Lamella is engineered to maintain form, fit, and integrity in building envelope applications where movement is inevitable. In curtain wall systems, where small gaps can have significant consequences, that ability to move with the building is a critical performance requirement.

Learn more about the innovation behind Lamella at www.siderise-us.com/lamella

Reacton Fire Suppression wins King’s Award for Enterprise 2026 for innovation

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Reacton Fire Suppression Ltd has been awarded a King’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category, placing the company among 52 organisations across the United Kingdom recognised in the 2026 honours list.

As part of the award, Chief Executive Officer Sam Malins is due to meet His Majesty King Charles III at a ceremony at St James’s Palace. The King’s Awards for Enterprise are regarded as the most prestigious business awards in the UK, with 2026 marking 60 years of recognising achievement in British industry and innovation.

The award recognises Reacton’s fire suppression systems, which are manufactured in the UK and are used to protect assets valued at billions of pounds globally. The company’s technology is designed to automatically detect and extinguish fires at their source, using integrated detection and suppression systems.

At the core of Reacton’s system is a proprietary pneumatic detection tube filled with nitrogen. When exposed to heat or flame, the tube ruptures and triggers the immediate release of an extinguishing agent, operating without the need for an external power source.

The company’s power-independent design has been highlighted as particularly significant in high-risk environments where electrical systems may fail. Reacton systems can also use electronic linear detection as an alternative option, allowing deployment across a wide range of sectors including heavy machinery, bus engines, electrical control panels and CNC equipment.

Award recognises dual-agent fire suppression approach

The King’s Awards for Enterprise also noted Reacton’s dual-agent suppression approach. This system combines dry powder, which rapidly suppresses flames, with wet chemical agents that cool surfaces and help prevent re-ignition. The company also offers clean agent options using fluorinated ketones, which are discharged as gas and leave no residue, making them suitable for environments containing sensitive equipment or where people may be present.

Another key feature of the technology is its modular design. Reacton uses what it describes as a “one valve fits all” system, allowing the same core valve to be used across a wide range of applications, from small electrical cabinets to large-scale industrial machinery weighing up to 400 tonnes. Only cylinder size and agent volume vary, which the company says reduces complexity and installation time while improving reliability.

Reacton Fire Suppression Ltd traces its origins to 2010, when Sam Malins acquired a small start-up focused on addressing gaps in fire protection for high-value mobile equipment. Following the acquisition of Reacton Fire Suppression Ltd in 2016, the business expanded into an Essex-based manufacturing, research and development, and international sales operation.

Today, the company supplies fire suppression systems across multiple sectors, including public transport, mining, information technology infrastructure, manufacturing and defence. Its international markets include the United States, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Africa and Central Asia. Clients include JCB and DP World.

Reacton says its systems are designed not only to protect equipment but also to reduce risk to human life by preventing fire escalation in industrial and operational environments.

Commenting on the award, Sam Malins said: “This recognition reflects the dedication and expertise of our entire team. We’ve always believed that even in the face of challenges, there is a solution—you just have to go and find it. This award is proof of that mindset in action.”

The King’s Award for Enterprise continues to highlight UK businesses demonstrating innovation, international growth and sustainable development, with this year’s recipients representing a broad range of industries across the country.

Eccotarp introduces Foldable Drain Cover for spill response and environmental protection

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The Foldable Drain Cover (FDC) developed by Eccotarp is designed to help prevent hazardous liquids from entering drainage systems during spill incidents and environmental protection emergencies.

According to the manufacturer, the product is intended for rapid deployment on steel and horizontal plastic drain grates, including those with side inlets or gullies. It is used in spill response situations to help contain liquids at the source and reduce the risk of environmental contamination.

The drain cover is described as foldable, reusable and chemically resistant, and is designed to be applied directly onto a cleaned drain surface with a flexible sealing membrane that uses pressure differences to help improve contact with uneven surfaces.

Eccotarp states that the product is suitable for use across a range of applications, including emergency response operations and industrial environments, and can be deployed on different types of drainage systems.

The Foldable Drain Cover is made from a combination of flexible magnetic and chemical-resistant foil materials and is designed to be compact for transport and storage, allowing it to be carried and deployed when required in spill situations.

The company says the product is part of its wider range of spill containment solutions used to support emergency responders and industry in managing accidental releases of hazardous substances.

The company is showcasing the Foldable Drain Cover at Booth E13, Hall 17, where it will be available for demonstration to visitors and industry professionals.

Lithium-ion battery fires reported in UK every five hours, QBE data shows

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Fire and rescue services across the UK are now responding to lithium-ion battery fires approximately once every five hours, according to new research from insurer QBE, highlighting a sharp rise in incidents linked to everyday electronic devices and electric transport.

QBE’s analysis found that UK fire services attended the equivalent of 4.8 lithium-ion battery fires per day in 2025, up from around two per day in 2022. Overall incidents have increased by 147% over the three-year period.

The data, based on Freedom of Information responses from 42 of the UK’s 49 fire services, shows a continued upward trend in fires involving batteries used in devices such as mobile phones, laptops, e-bikes and electric scooters.

QBE said e-bikes accounted for 520 fires in 2025, more than triple the figure recorded in 2022. These incidents represented nearly a third of all lithium-ion battery fires recorded that year. Of the e-bike fires, 44% were attended by the London Fire Brigade, which reported 230 such incidents.

Electric vehicle-related fires also rose, increasing from 120 incidents in 2022 to 279 in 2025, a 133% rise. Over the same period, the number of electric vehicles on UK roads more than tripled, increasing by 206% from 664,148 to 1,971,764.

Key stats behind lithium-ion battery fires in the UK

QBE said almost half (46%) of lithium-ion battery fires occurred in homes, while 31% took place outdoors and 23% in commercial properties. Around 45% of incidents involved commonly used consumer devices such as phones, tablets and power banks.

The insurer attributes many of these incidents to “thermal runaway”, a chemical reaction in which batteries overheat and ignite, often due to damage, overcharging or exposure to heat.

Adrian Simmonds, Risk Manager at QBE Insurance, said:

“Lithium-ion battery fires continue to increase. It’s vital that people and businesses take action to better manage this growing risk. Thermal runaway caused by these types of batteries burns differently, takes much longer to tackle and can require up to 10 times more water to contain.

“Awareness of safe charging, storage and disposal is essential to keeping people and property safe. People should use only certified e-bikes and batteries, charge them away from escape routes and avoid charging items overnight.

“The statistics suggest retrofitted bikes are more prone to these incidents, so we would encourage people to stick to reputable companies when purchasing and avoid unregulated devices.”

Among UK fire services, the London Fire Brigade recorded the highest number of lithium-ion battery fires in 2025 with 522 incidents, followed by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service with 126 and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service with 117.

The data also shows variation across regions, with Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service reporting a year-on-year reduction in incidents following updated safety guidance issued in 2023.

The findings come as the UK prepares to implement reforms under the Product Regulation and Metrology Act, which received royal assent in July and aims to strengthen oversight of product safety, including uncertified e-bikes sold via online marketplaces.

QBE is urging both households and businesses to follow stricter safety measures, including using certified products, avoiding overnight charging, inspecting batteries for damage and ensuring proper storage and disposal of lithium-ion devices.