IFSJ Exclusive: PPE to suit the modern firefighter with MSA Safety

by Featured NewsIFSJ ExclusivesPPE

Jason Traynor, General Manager of Global Fire Service Products at MSA Safety, explains how PPE has adapted to meet the changing role of today’s firefighters

The role of the firefighter has evolved in recent years, and the kinds of incidents attended by fire and rescue services (FRSs) across the globe are now more varied and complex.  Today, firefighters tend to spend a smaller percentage of their time fighting structural fires. This is partly thanks to considerable improvements in regulation and fire prevention initiatives over the last few decades, but can also be attributed to an increase in other incidents, including road and traffic collisions, and climate-related disasters, such as wildfires and flooding.

Instead, today’s fire responses tend to vary in type and complexity.  The types of events fire and rescue services are responding to range from road traffic accidents to chemical spills, medical incidents, storm damage and water rescues, and fire-related incidents ranging from structural or industrial fires to wildfires.

As a result, just as firefighters need a wide range of skills and training to operate effectively in these diverse situations, their PPE must also be adaptable and versatile so that it provides optimal protection. The challenge for PPE and fire safety equipment providers such as MSA, is to create ensembles that are lightweight, ergonomic, heat and flame resistant, and breathable, all while providing protection against pathogens, hazardous chemicals and the various elements firefighters face.

Structural Firefighting 

Full structural firefighting PPE, such as MSA’s XFlex and new Bristol X4 ranges, is a must when firefighters are called to tackle fires. These designs have a three-layer construction, with outer fabric to protect from heat and flame, while inner moisture barrier systems from WL Gore help to keep the body cool and dry. This type of PPE helps to protect firefighters from a dangerous rise in body temperature, known as heat stress.

Both ranges have been designed to be ergonomic and comfortable, providing both movement and flexibility.  Curved seams follow the shape of the body, while shoulder shaping, under arm gussets and back pleats make it easier for firefighters to move around.  Both XFlex and the Bristol X4 meet the requirements of CEN standard EN469:2020 Level 2 for firefighter protective clothing.

Urban Search & Rescue

Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) PPE on the other hand, is ideal when firefighters have to work in confined spaces or attend road traffic accidents. These garments often have a two-layer construction incorporating a flame retardant outer layer with a waterproof membrane to provide flexibility and physical protection against injury when deployed in collapsed buildings or damaged vehicles, for example. MSA Bristol’s RescueFlex range consists of a rescue jacket and trouser based on our XFlex design. It is tear and puncture resistant, lightweight to minimize heat stress and provides protection against blood borne pathogens.  It also has reinforcements on the knee and elbow for protection when kneeling or crawling and offers a high level of flexibility for increased manoeuvrability.   RescueFlex meets the CEN standard EN:16689:2017 which specifies requirements for technical rescue clothing.

Increasingly, fire and rescue services are now moving towards a layered, mix-and-match approach to PPE, choosing to combine lightweight, high visibility rescue jackets with structural trousers when attending incidents like road traffic collisions.  In the UK, for example, 21 fire and rescue services across the country have procured MSA Bristol’s RescueFlex jackets in addition to full structural jackets and trousers through the Collaborative PPE Framework. 

Wildland firefighting

Specialist wildland firefighters require PPE that reflects the unique conditions faced in fighting fires on open ground, which are often highly unpredictable in nature and particularly susceptible to prevailing weather conditions and changes in wind direction.  In many areas of the world, wildland firefighting teams are largely made up of part-time volunteers, only called upon in the event of an emergency. As such, low cost, one-size-fits-all PPE designs have proven to be popular in the past, frequently featuring heavy fabrics coated with flame protection which would be washed out over time.

However, today’s fire services have a much greater understanding and acknowledgement of the dangers of wildfires, and are aware that to operate in the most safe and effective manner, firefighters require garments that are particularly light in weight and ergonomic, but also with high performance protection against flame. 

MSA Bristol’s Wildland Firefighting range has been specifically designed to offer maximum protection against fire while increasing comfort and ergonomics, therefore reducing the risk of heat-stress. The outer fabric of the garments is inherently flame retardant, meaning that its protective properties won’t be compromised when washed. The range meets the standard EN ISO: 15384:2020 for wildland firefighting clothing.

Helmets

In addition to selecting the right protective garments for the job, sourcing the right helmet to suit a variety of incidents is also crucial.  MSA’s iconic GALLET F1XF jet-style firefighting helmet continues to be a popular choice among fire services across the UK and beyond, and is suitable for structural firefighting. It offers superior, unimpeded vision in all directions, 360-degree head protection against heat and impact, and has lighting and communications integrated into the design for excellent quality radio communication.  Functional and versatile, the GALLET F1XF fits particularly well with MSA Bristol’s protective hoods and structural firefighting jackets.  

However, in response to the need for a more versatile helmet suitable for rescue operations, MSA has created the new GALLET F2XR – the first and only firefighters’ helmet on the market that can be used in a wide range of applications, including wildland firefighting and technical rescue operations, rescue at height and water rescue operations. 

Owing to its modular and versatile design, the GALLET F2XR suits a wide variety of working environments and meets the latest standards for Helmets for Wildland Firefighting (EN16471), Helmets for Technical Rescue (EN16473), Helmets for Mountaineers (EN12492), and Helmets for Water Rescue, and is compliant on both non-motorised and motorised rescue crafts (EN1385 +PAS028).

The new design features substantial upgrades in technology integration, comfort, weight and balance – all without compromising the quality, durability and safety performance expected from the MSA Gallet brand.  Innovative features include a retractable ocular visor which can be adjusted to fit the face, and fully integrated LED lamps including both a dual-beam headlamp providing spot lighting and a tail-light to help quickly identify teams on an incident scene. 

To ensure optimal airflow and keep wearers cool in hot weather, the helmet also incorporates dual ventilation on the side and at the top of the helmet.  Additional click-in accessories such as a face shield to guard against arc flash injuries and earmuffs for hearing protection with integrated communications, makes the F2XR helmet suitable for a wider range of operations. 

At MSA Safety, we are constantly adapting and updating our range of products so that they best serve the needs of the modern firefighter.   The success of the GALLET F2XR rescue helmet, along with the RescueFlex and Wildland Firefighting PPE ranges, demonstrates that it is possible to design and engineer integrated, adaptable and versatile PPE, suitable for a variety of applications, allowing fire and rescue services to better adapt to new scenarios and situations. 

While the role of a firefighter has diversified in recent years, I am proud that the PPE industry has risen to the challenge, creating new designs and styles that offer the very best protection for the job in hand.

This article was originally published in the January edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

IFSJ Exclusive: Purpose driven innovation in emergency lighting with Nightstick

by IFSJ ExclusivesLighting

Derek Box, Marketing Manager Industrial at Nightstick, looks at emergency lighting in firefighting

Regardless of geographic location, basic firefighting principles are shared in the name of safety; locate the source of the fire and extinguish it. As a company grows to serve a global market, you learn that these fundamental principles are applied differently. This creates both challenges, but also opportunities for innovation.

Developing and customising lighting solutions for use worldwide requires a global mindset, strategic planning, extensive market research, and professional development. Portable LED lighting certified for use in Mexico might not be acceptable in Poland, or a disposable battery type favoured by firefighters in the City of New York may not be desirable for use in Paris, France.

To be competitive in a global market, you must hire experienced team members from around the world to understand the granular level region[1]specific knowledge and work that into your product development process. Designing only the best products coupled with the desire to expand globally to serve the fire service applications where they are at requires a massive expenditure of capital as well as research, testing, and country specific certification that pushes the limit on what needs to be done regardless of borders.

Primed for global demand

In 2007, that is precisely what Nightstick set into motion. With a strong presence already established in the US firefighting industry with cutting-edge products like the INTRANT®, DICATA®, and INTEGRITAS® series of angle lights, helmet lights, and lanterns respectively, Nightstick sought out to aggressively expand their tried-and[1]true brand of globally certified products.

The company expanded by adding local staff in Central and South America, Europe, Middle East, and Asia to create firefighting LED lighting products where the need was prime for innovation. Its solid foundation of firefighting light development in the United States served as a springboard for their engineers to develop products for this wider audience focused on one goal – Life Depends on Light no matter where you call home.

There are several key differences between North American firefighting equipment and vehicles compared to most other markets, and these differences must be considered when designing as a global manufacturer of portable firefighting lights. A great example of this is one of the primary pieces of firefighting equipment, the fire apparatus. Most firefighting vehicles in the United States are purpose-built from the ground up specifically to fight fires, whereas other countries have a history of modifying existing heavy trucks to serve as their primary firefighting vehicles. This means space is at a premium for non-US fire engines, and compact designs with multiple functions and the highest safety levels are required in these underserved markets.

Dual-light innovation

Originating out of the industrial safety lighting market in the United States and already growing in popularity around the world, Nightstick was already known for pushing the need for innovation in a stagnant market of product complacency when it comes to lighting. The most popular innovation was the introduction of Dual-Light by Nightstick out of Wylie, Texas, USA.

Dual-Light when first introduced by Nightstick as a means to keep those working in Hazardous Environments safe. Added to Intrinsically Safe Certified torches originally, and battle tested for the most extreme environments proved the concept that when it comes to life saving PPE lighting, the fire market was being ignored due to a lack of integration. So what is Dual-Light? What need does it answer for the global fire industry?

At its core, Dual-Light is combining a traditional spotlight for distance illumination with an unfocused floodlight for proximity illumination into one product. Until this point in time, two separate lighting products had to be used, but with Nightstick Dual-Light Technology, those two lights were merged into one useable product. When used in tandem, a smoke-cutting beam intended to shred the dark and a floodlight to see where your walking was now a reality. Don’t be confused. Dual-Light is not merely more light in one specific direction. Dual-Light is purpose placed light where you need it most.

With safety taking the lead, Dual[1]Light is all about seeing more when life depends on light. The Dual-Light phenomenon had already taken the US fire market and safety industry by storm. It was time that the rest of the world experienced how innovations can solve long-standing challenges and turn them into potentially life-saving PPE that you wouldn’t think twice about using in your department regardless of where you live.

Innovation is top priority

The research was clear. When a traditional torch (often called a flashlight in the US market) is activated, the sudden increase in available light causes the pupil to contract as it adjusts to the new level. This sudden constriction of the pupil reduces a user’s peripheral vision and decreases their situational awareness of objects around them, especially if they are wearing a helmet with a visor and a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

After a short period, the pupils will expand somewhat as the eye adjusts to the new light levels, but as they continue looking in the direction of the beam, the pupils will remain constricted. This reduced vision magnifies the odds of a slip or trip occurring in an active firefighting environment with jagged metal, holes, hoses, and other trip hazards in the area. To combat this, Nightstick added an auxiliary area flood light for two reasons.

First, it allows firefighters to regain the lost peripheral vision caused by pupil constriction, allowing them to see the immediate area below and to their sides, significantly reducing the chances of a slip or trip. Secondly, it enables them to switch off the focused spotlight light when not needed while having the ability to keep the non-glare floodlight without the bright hot spot. Anyone who has had to work with a high-lumen focused beam torch light and have the light bouncing back and blinding them knows how uncomfortable that can be.

As Nightstick Daul-Light torches quickly became the industry standard for most professional industrial users, the need to adapt Dual-Light technology to improve different firefighting light products just made sense. One of the first was the classic angle light used by every firefighter on their bunker gear jacket. The Nightstick XPR-5568GX and RX INTRANT® state-of-the-art angle light produces a powerful smoke-cutting beam via a large parabolic custom-tuned reflector without the need to stop and add smoke cutter plugs.

The addition of a downward-facing auxiliary light provides a clear view of the ground and surrounding area and can be used independently or combined with the spotlight for total coverage. Nightsticks engineers knew they could do more, and with another industry first, the entire torch head was designed to be rotated 90 degrees, quickly turning a traditional fixed beam angle light into a Dual-Light torch.

This combines three tools, a torch, floodlight, and angle light, into one compact package, freeing up space and reducing weight while lowering the number of items you need to carry when disembarking the fire engine reducing time in that first golden hour.

Expansion of purpose driven innovation

The safety advantages of Dual-Light were added to a host of other products, such as the XPP-5462GX and RX Dicata® helmet lights. A low-profile headlamp with a tight, focused primary beam for illuminating medium to distant objects and an area floodlight for viewing the ground below and surrounding areas. A green “follow me” light was added to the rear for even more visibility in smoky environments. Studies were done by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and found that green light is the most visible colour to the human eye. In fact, green is the colour the human eye has evolved into seeing the best and is up to four times as visible as other colours.

Another tool mired in outdated technology was the lantern. Nightstick knew modern LED technology and combined with industry-specific engineering goals, could produce the best lanterns available on the market. This was the impetus for creating the XPR-5584GMX and RMX INTEGRITAS® series. Utilising a unique four LED head to culminate an incredibly bright beam, and building on the popularity of the rotating head design of Nightstick’s popular angle light, this series has a 180-degree rotating head.

This allows the lantern to instantly convert into a powerful area light or be positioned to illuminate a specific area and stay there courtesy of the embedded rare-earth magnets on the tail.

For situations that demand the most flexibility and coverage, Nightstick created the XPR-5586GX lantern. This lantern incorporates the Dual-Light feature and, when combined with other Dual-Light products, such as the INTRANT angle light and DICATA helmet light, forms an unprecedented level of situational awareness previously unavailable to any firefighter. This lantern also features a rotating head design, quick-release strap, follow-me lights, and a strobe feature, making it part of a complete firefighters lighting solution.

In addition to limited space in non-US vehicles, there are other critical differences, like the electrical system. A US-spec 12-volt vehicle-mounted light charger will be destroyed in a 36-volt European apparatus. This requires electrical engineers to think globally, understand these differences, and create products that can adapt to multiple environments and specifications.

Market driven synergies

When it comes to personal protective equipment for firefighters, the significant difference between the US and other parts of the world is helmet styles. Steeped in tradition, the US firefighting helmets have a very flat, wide brim that extends over the back of the collar with a decorative crest up front, whereas their counterparts in other countries use a more modern design that fully encloses the entire head with a retractable full face shield.

This creates challenges when designing auxiliary lighting for both styles of helmets. In addition to model-specific mounts for popular helmets like the XF1 or XR2, Nightstick created a series of general-purpose mounting kits that accommodate almost any type of firefighting helmet.

As you move into the hazardous environment firefighting industry with formally certified products, the complexity and expense increases exponentially. In addition to the traditionally recognised certification standards for explosive atmospheres like UL-913 and IEC 60079, you must design or modify products to meet the many country-specific certifications, such as INMETRO for Brazil and KOSHA for South Korea.

Firefighting light applications differ in each region, and the methods in which they are bought and sold also vary widely. For many years, only a handful of companies created products for the firefighting market, and their dominance created a lack of innovation, leading to a “this is what we’ve always used” mindset with many large and small agencies.

The final thought to consider when purchasing firefighting equipment is the product’s manufacturer. A single-source manufacturer ensures consistent quality and safety across an entire product line when purchasing professional lighting products rather than mixing and matching products from several companies.

This is especially important when buying hazardous environment safety lighting. Nightstick, the original creator of the Dual-Light torch and a global manufacturer of over 50+ intrinsically safe professional, portable LED lighting products sold in 70+ countries, exceeds industry standards in performance, quality, value, and user safety. From penlights to floodlights, above ground or below ground, Nightstick has you covered. Focus on completing your job confidently, knowing your equipment was designed and rated for the highest safety levels.

This article was originally published in the January edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

IFSJ Exclusive: Adjusting the Approach to fire training with LION

by IFSJ ExclusivesTraining

Martin Joosen, Managing Director of LION speaks about creating an effective fire training proposal for the business sector

Did you know that you only have 3 minutes to decide what to do when a fire breaks? Are you ready to react? Do you know what to do? Where do you start? Do you first call the fire department or grab the extinguisher right away?

Martin Joosen, Managing Director of LION, says it is only adequate fire training will warrant a safe outcome to these fire emergency situations. Martin joined LION in 2018 as managing director and is responsible for Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific. He has more than 20 years of experience in International Business, 17 of which are in the Fire Rescue Market.

We sat down with Martin to talk through the company’s new market approach for business and industry sectors in EMEA, focusing on healthcare, the first sector where LION is implementing this new approach.

What kind of emergency scenarios require fire safety training?

Imagine: An electrical shortcut in a patient room, a fire in the kitchen, or a leaking oxygen hose within a medical centre. Those possible fire scenarios can easily create damages, reaching millions of euros and potentially mean human loss.

Fire safety training is not only a legal requirement but also saves lives and protects businesses. Setting up the right training environment is vital.

What does LION propose with product market combination?

All-in-one package to train staff directly on their work location. No team’s transfer to other buildings or premises with LION digital technology. Essential training can now be given where they work using the right combination of products. We have created four training packages to ensure that anyone on the scene knows how to react during the crucial first minutes, deal with fires if appropriate, and escape safely in the event of a fire. Those packages are based on different scenarios that could occur in the healthcare industry.

 Why did you created these packages?

Protecting life, property protection, and operation continuity are the most common fire safety objectives. Being able to recognise fire hazards can help prevent fires from happening. The number of fires in the healthcare sector is increasing yearly worldwide due to the growing number of mobile devices constantly charging. Due to the lack of regular training and healthcare personnel being overly busy, people’s behaviour can’t be predicted easily, and panic will take over.

All patients can’t be evacuated that easily. The best to do then is to contain the fire until the fire department arrives.

For which training scenario are these product combinations packages applicable?

Various procedures can be trained, such as handling fire extinguishers, tactical training for first intervention teams, incidents involving hazardous materials, and evacuation exercises.

The healthcare sector is a critical part of the economy, and emergency training is essential to ensuring that hospitals can function effectively at all times. However, the needs of healthcare facilities can vary significantly, and it can be challenging to create a training proposal that meets all the different requirements.

There are several ways to create a highly effective training proposal. One approach is to create a proposal tailored to the sector’s specific needs. Another method is to create a proposal tailored to the particular needs of businesses within the industry. The best approach will depend on the sector’s specific needs and the companies it targets. However, both techniques can be highly effective in meeting the needs of the business and industry sectors.

LION is an innovative technology company that delivers smart technology to develop life-saving products. Our mission is to use ground-breaking technology, to improve fire emergency situations training and understanding. For a few months, we collaborated and worked on feedback and requirements from fire safety professionals within healthcare structures. How have you developed your training solutions over the years?

LION’s Training Products are reliable, high-quality, and practical. We develop training tools to prepare any intervention team for emergencies.

We have worked closely with fire rescue services for more than 20 years and we can propose a training solution for almost all types of training. However, addressing the business and industry sector implied that we needed to adjust our approach and portfolio proposal. The requirements, thinking process and situation to consider can be very different, and each sector should have a training product proposal that matches their expectations.

When looking at those markets, we saw that our proposed products are compatible. Still, we should propose them in combination, answering a precise training scenario instead of loose from context.

How do you decide which training products to combine?

To create fire training product market combinations, we looked at several steps. The first step is to define the training objectives that our customers want to reach and their target audience. What is the goal of their training? Who will be attending their training? What is their budget? Once we had defined the training objectives and target audience, it was time to create a detailed training outline. This outline should include the topics that will be covered, the activities that will be conducted, and the training products that should be used.

We put together four product market combinations from the most standard (fire extinguisher training) to the more complex and sophisticated (complete fire training program). Each package answers a particular set of training requirements and provides the trainer with the opportunity to create the corresponding scenario. We privileged an escalating approach. As every healthcare facility can have its own unique guidelines, the trainer needs to be able to adapt as much as possible. So nothing is final; those are only suggestions based on facts and sales data.

With digital and evacuations fire simulators, smoke generators, and rescue manikins training products, we propose a solution for healthcare teams to perform versatile, realistic evacuation exercises and procedures within any space or room directly on the spot. No need to move rooms or locations. The practical training will have the most minor impact on the personal schedule.

What are the biggest challenges you see around training staff?

“Train them right here – right now, during their shift.” This is the motto we kept in mind when putting together our product-market combinations. One of the biggest obstacles our customers are facing and that we needed to help them with was to propose training scenarios within their own environment and a cost-efficient and time-saving solution. The goal is to train the people faster and often enough that fire safety becomes a reflex. The course can be planned efficiently: the employees are trained in their working environment while care can continue.

Training within your own work environment is crucial. This is even more true within the healthcare industry. So within our product combination, we propose our digital fire training extinguisher system, the BullsEye™. With it, it is possible to train in practice real-life situations based on the specific circumstances and tasks that apply in a hospital. It combines digital flames, sound, and smoke to create various fire scenarios.

With the extension of the R.A.C.E station, laser extinguishers, misty blind mask, rescue and fire manikins, our customers can combine all the products suggested and make the training complete and very challenging. The training products meet all the technical requirements in hospitals, so they can train safely in places that are not usually possible. Even in an operating room or a laboratory, the quality of our LION Training Products ensures that it is safe to use in the most sensitive conditions.

What is the best way to ensure fire safety training is effective?

We also concluded while conducting our market research that product combination suggestions make it easier for the trainer to set a training environment that teaches the facility’s safety standards to prevent fires and to learn how to best respond to this type of emergency. Immersing the trainees within a good training scenario starts with choosing the right product combinations.

Do you evacuate, or do you apply a stay-put policy? Quick and effective decisions and actions must be taken when a fire starts. Is it clear where the fire extinguisher is located in your department? Do you know the escape plan, and do you know where the closest emergency exit is? Do your staff know how to react in case of fire?

This new approach lets us see more opportunities than ever. Product combinations can be endless; with a portfolio of 80 products and most of those products able to communicate with each other, LION sees a bright future for those tailored training product scenario suggestions.

The key is understanding the sector, the customer and what they want to achieve. Only then can we put together the proper product-market combination.

This article was originally published in the January edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Interview with Alex Nicholl, Show Director for Intersec 2023

by Breaking NewsEventsIFSJ Exclusives

Alex Nicholl, Show Director, Messe Frankfurt Middle East tells what fire and safety professionals should look out for at Intersec 2023

Why should people attend Intersec Dubai 2023?

Intersec 2023 is the must attend event for anyone in the security, fire and protection industries in the Middle East and further afield. It is the leading event bringing together key players in Commercial & Perimeter Security, Homeland Security, Fire & Rescue, Safety & Health, and Cyber Security, creating a unique platform for buyers, sellers and decision makers to meet, network and do business. The exhibition brings the the latest technology and innovations from around the world to Dubai. What’s more, Intersec is truly global, expecting more than 850 exhibitors from around the world – and an incredible 80% of the companies exhibiting are travelling from as far afield as the USA, Europe and Asia, in addition to the wider Middle East region.

We are also thrilled to be bringing some fantastic new features to Intersec for 2023: the Fire Fighter Challenge in association with 911 Fighter Challenge and supported  Dubai Civil Defense; the Attack Zone hosted by the Loss Prevention Certification Board; the Safety Walk showcase where exhibitors can to showcase and demonstrate their latest safety clothing and products; the Tech Stage gathering tech disruptors, innovators and thought leaders and finally Start Smart Zone connecting start-ups directly with key decisions makers, buyers and investors.

In addition to that, Intersec will feature four conference streams, each dedicated to bringing together the best and brightest minds in their respective market sector: fire & rescue, safety & health, cybersecurity and the security leaders’ summit. Attendees to these events will benefit from knowledge and insights from key players from around the world.

What’s particularly exciting about Intersec is that every element is affiliated with the relevant government entities here in the UAE, which, along with the Patronage of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, demonstrates the commitment of the UAE Government to these important industries. Dubai Police and the Security Industry Regulatory Authority (SIRA) are affiliated with the security sector; Dubai Civil Defence with the Fire & Rescue element of Intersec; while Dubai Municipality supports the safety sector and the Cyber Security Council and Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) underscore the importance of the cyber sector. It is a testament to the value that the region places on these industries and how Intersec brings them together in Dubai, that we receive so much official patronage and affiliation.

So attendees to Intersec will benefit from networking and educational opportunities alongside discovery of the latest products and technologies – all in an incredible three-day program that has been designed to provide the greatest value to both exhibitors and visitors alike.

What is on the agenda for fire and safety professionals at Intersec this year?

Fire and Safety is one of the five pillars of Intersec and remains an essential part. Fire and safety professionals can, in addition to making connections with over 400 dedicated fire and safety exhibitors, as well as attend the dedicated conference stream hosted by Dubai Civil Defence and take part in – or simply watch – live activations such as the Fire Fighter Challenge or the Attack Zone.

The Fire Fighter Challenge in particular is taking place for the first time at Intersec, with teams of firefighters from across the GCC taking part. It’s a fantastic and fun way for exhibitors to demonstrate their equipment in action, to draw attention to the extraordinary levels of fitness required of our heroic firefighters and also introduces a level of friendly competition among the region’s firefighters.

The Attack Zone gives exhibitors a chance to really put their products to the ultimate test – where each will be tested to its limits by the LPCB in order to discover breaching time and breakthrough limits. Assessment will be based on LPCB standards and is another live action demonstration which will bring a new element to the exhibition.

And of course, both of these features are sure to be a magnificent spectacle for visitors too!

In terms of hosted visitors, we are expecting to receive delegations of Civil Defence representatives, including Director Generals, from around the region, including other Emirates such as Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, as well as Saudi Arabia and other locations within the GCC.

What key speakers and seminars should attendees from the fire industry look out for?

The Fire & Rescue conference at Intersec is hosted by Dubai Civil Defence and has been specifically designed to address the challenges and opportunities that are unique to the GCC region, as well as introduce the latest innovative technological advancements. The agenda for the conference focuses on several key themes: Standards & Policies, which will feature an update on the regional standards & policies and what we can learn from other countries outside the region; New Energy sources, assessing the risks associated with new and sustainable energy resources and taking measures to prevent fire breakouts; Innovation & Technology, dealing with changes in the fire environment due to innovative technologies and finding new solutions to existing and emerging challenges before an emergency response is required; Education, identifying the greatest hazards facing the communities and using that information to create education and prevention programs to reduce the effect of those hazards and finally Collaboration, which will examine how to adopt a collaborative plan for disaster management, working together with other nations.

As this conference is dedicated to Fire & Rescue, I do think that all of the sessions will be invaluable for attendees from the fire industry. However, if I had to select a few in particular, some of the key sessions I would advise to look out for include ‘High Rise Firefighting – Practical to tactical’, during which Captain Brent Brooks of Toronto Fire, Canada will examine the unique firefighting challenges posed by tall buildings and review tactical response options to address challenges in operational deployment; as well as ‘100 Years – 100 Cities – The Evaluation of Urban Fire Risks’ by Dr Peter Wagner, Head of Leadership Department, Berlin Fire and Rescue Academy, Member of CTIF, who will discuss the specifics of urban fire risks and distinct types of fire risks in cities.

In addition, Vinay Deshpande, Technical Director – Fire & Life Safety, WSP; Steven Reilly, Principal Engineer – Fire & Life Safety Lead MENA, Cundall and Susan Lamont, Director of Fire Safety, Arup will take part in panel discussion focused on ‘Fire safety & sustainability – approaching the net zero challenge’, which I am really looking forward to.

It is also worth attendees making the effort to discover the Tech Zone activation, which allows exhibitors at Intersec, including those in the fire and safety sector, to showcase their products and solutions in 20 minute bitesize sessions. The schedule for these presentations will be announced closer to the time, so attendees should keep an eye out to make sure that they don’t miss any exciting announcements.

Can you tell us about the range of exhibitors from the fire industry at the show this year?

There are over 400 fire sector exhibitors taking part at Intersec 2023 from all corners of the globe. We are particularly excited to welcome NAFFCO – one of the world’s the world’s leading producers and suppliers of top-tier firefighting equipment, fire protection systems, fire alarms, security and safety engineering systems worldwide – as strategic sponsor for Intersec 2023.

The fire industry exhibitors at Intersec 2023 span the entire spectrum of products and services in the industry, including alarm panels, smoke detection systems, extinguishers and firefighting foams, pumps and equipment, rescue equipment and hoses and nozzles, to name a few. Intersec really brings the global fire industry to Dubai, exhibitors come from around the world, such as Reliable and Potter from the USA, HD Fire and KV Fire from India, Detnov from Spain, Luke Alexander from Singapore and Coopers Fire and Reaction Fire from the UK. Of course, this is in addition to the many UAE based companies represented, including NAFFCO, Bristol Fire Engineering and Waterfall Pumps. In fact, around 70% of the industry’s global market leaders will be at Intersec 2023 – it really is the place to be to interact with the worldwide fire industry.

What networking opportunities will be available at this year’s event?

Networking is such an important part of any industry, and is particularly important in the Middle East region, where face-to-face business transactions are extremely important. Intersec 2023 provides a large number of networking opportunities, from the conference streams and meeting opportunities with more than 850 exhibitors present. Another key opportunity to interact with the whole industry will be at the Intersec Awards – a glittering gala dinner dedicated to celebrating success and innovation. Taking place during the evening on the second day of Intersec, Wednesday 18th January at the Ritz Carlton Dubai, the ceremony will recognise and reward the products and people in the industry for innovation, sustainability, commitment and achievement. With around 350 attendees expected for the celebration, it provides a collegiate yet professional platform for networking with industry peers. Tickets for the gala will go on sale soon – so I really recommend people don’t miss out

What are you most excited for as the event draws closer?

Oh, there is so much to be excited about at Intersec 2023. Personally, I am excited about many things but have to say that in particular, I am excited to see the growth of the show since the last edition. Intersec 2023 will be almost one and half times bigger than Intersec 2022 – I am thrilled to see that the industry’s appetite for large events is returning, now that it is possible safely. So I’m excited to welcome the global industry back to Dubai for sure.

I’m also excited about all the impressive demonstrations that will be at Intersec Dubai, like the Fire Fighter challenge and the Attack Zone, as well as the opportunities to hear from incredible key players at the conferences. The agendas for this year in all sectors are insightful, though provoking and focused on the challenges and opportunities of the GCC in particular.

This article was originally published in the January edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

IFSJ Exclusive: No cause for alarm

by Breaking NewsFire DetectionIFSJ Exclusives

Shahab Anjum, Head of Sales, Hochiki Middle East talks Intersec 2023

For over 100 years Hochiki Corporation has led the way in the design and manufacture of innovative life safety solutions. IFSJ sat down with Shahab Anjum, Head of Sales, Hochiki Middle East, to find out more about the Middle East branch’s 10th anniversary, Hochiki’s plans for Intersec 2023, and its latest products.

What is your role at Hochiki and what is your background in the industry?

I have worked in the fire industry for over 20 years, with almost half of that time at Hochiki as head of sales for the Middle East operation. In that time, I have seen Hochiki lead the world in life safety technology, helping our customers around the world to ensure they have the best on the market when it comes to fire detection.

Can you give me a brief overview of who Hochiki is and what they do?

Hochiki was launched in Japan in 1918 as a fire alarm design and manufacturer. Since then, with its HQ still in Japan, Hochiki has grown to become a multinational, publicly listed group of companies with over 2000 employees working across six manufacturing plants, 38 sales offices and 14 subsidiaries including the Middle East, India, Europe, the USA, Australia, Asia Pacific, Taiwan and Mexico.

For over 100 years Hochiki Corporation has led the way in the design and manufacturing of innovative life safety solutions. I am immensely proud to be a part of a global team whose fire detection innovation has acquired global acceptance as the benchmark for high-integrity and long-term reliability.

The Middle East Hochiki operation is a team made up of fire industry experts and we are proud that Hochiki Fire Detection and Emergency Lighting Solutions are approved in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras al-Khaimah, Ajman and Sharjah.

Congratulations on Hochiki Middle East’s ten-year anniversary – are you doing anything to mark the occasion?

Thank you. Ten years is quite the landmark for the Middle East team, and I am proud of the work we do – the feedback from our customers is testament to my team’s hard work in building trusted customer relationships. We will be celebrating with our valued customers and partners at a seminar for our business partners during the Intersec 2023 show followed by dinner that evening.

We are also going to be previewing our new emergency lighting system at the Intersec event ahead of the official launch in 2023, so it’s a great opportunity for visitors to see a demo on our stand.

Can you tell me about Hochiki Middle East’s history in the region and how it has grown and developed?

 Many countries in the region are now expanding into new economic activities, such as banking, tourism and manufacturing. This diversification has led to a substantial increase in infrastructure, and therefore, an increased requirement for the installation of fire detection and emergency lighting systems.

Hochiki products were already selling in the Middle East region directly via our American and European offices. However, as the demand grew, we felt it was important to establish an office in the Middle East to be near our customers and provide them with the support and products, they needed. So, in November 2012 the Hochiki Middle East office was established and here we are ten years later celebrating with our customers.

Are there any lessons you have learned since entering the Middle East market?

Fire safety awareness has increased substantially over the past decade, which is partly due to western influence. However, as regulations and standards in the Middle East are developed, installers are looking to Europe and America for best practice. As such we are now seeing an increased demand for EN, UL and FM approved fire detection and alarm systems.

We are working in a fast growing and competitive market, and as such we have always offered a high level of service to our customers, in order to build confidence. I’d say this is the most important aspect, to really listen and understand the customer in order to achieve their goals. You are always learning as the market evolves so we keep our eyes and ears open as there might be learnings from one sector that could be applied to another. By understanding the marketplace, and how modern technology might evolve you can provide better options to your customer.

Have you noticed any recent trends in the Middle East region in terms of detection?

Yes, there is a greater awareness of the importance of life safety – protecting people, assets and buildings. The customers we work with understand this is an essential part of their business, they also want to know if the technology can be more efficient, so in the case of our emergency lighting range it has been proven to save money on running costs. Or perhaps they are looking to reduce false alarms which can lead to less interruptions to productivity levels, especially in manufacturing businesses. These are important questions for businesses in the Middle East, all of which we can help with.

Do you have any examples of customer projects you would like to talk about?

Hochiki offer a wide range of robust and reliable solutions, all approved to the highest standards. In addition to point detectors, beam detectors, wireless devices etc. we also offer devices for specialist application. For example, our Intrinsically Safe (I.S.) and SIL approved products are ideal for use in hazardous environments – particularly useful when you consider most of the revenue in the region comes from the oil and gas sector.

As a global business, at Hochiki we are always striving to be the first to provide the latest and most reliable technology to our customers. We have worked on some of the most prestigious projects in the Middle East – Hochiki has been installed to protect lives and property. One such example would be an exciting and intricate project we completed with Dafoos Fire and Security, where we installed a new fire safety system for the Dubai Metro.

With tens of thousands of passengers using the network daily and the system itself operating in a hot and sandy environment, any false alarm could potentially cause mass disruption and cost the operator financially, especially during peak service times. Hochiki sensors were installed inside the metro and tram coaches and the feedback we had from the customer has been excellent.

We are a customer insight driven company, and feedback like this from the Dubai Metro project is encouraging. Our customers are vital to the research and development arm of our business and often that feedback leads to improvements to many of our products. It also shapes the training we provide to our customers.

What is Hochiki’s focus for Intersec this coming year?

Firstly, Intersec is a great opportunity to meet with customers, new and old, as well as colleagues from across the fire sector. We’re looking forward to many conversations on innovation and the latest news from the wider industry, as well as running demos on a range of high-quality products including our fire detection system, Latitude and FIREscape Nepto, the latest generation of our intelligent emergency lighting system.

What is the Latitude range?

The Latitude range of fire alarm control equipment combines the very latest hardware and software to produce an approved control and indication system, which is powerful and sophisticated, yet simple to use and understand. The flexibility of the Latitude platform is such that it can be re-configured to realise many other control and indication applications, with direct integration into intelligent buildings.

The modular nature of the Latitude system allows all field wiring to be connected to a passive mother board enabling addition, re-configuration or replacement of all electronic hardware without the need to disconnect any field wiring.

This modularity also allows each panel to be customised with addressable loop detection circuits, conventional detection circuits, relay cards, sounder outputs or programmable I/O modules as required.

What is FIREscape Nepto?

Brand new to the market and demonstrated for the first time exclusively at Intersec 2023, FIREscape Nepto is the latest generation of our environmentally friendly, cost effective, compliant emergency lighting system.

Moving away from bulk heads and central battery systems, Hochiki offers a unique, cost effective and fully compliant emergency lighting system. FIREscape Nepto is based around an addressable, emergency lighting control panel with addressable, intelligent self-contained LED luminaires and exit signage connected via screened, extra-low voltage (40V) cabling.

The whole system is networkable, fully self-monitored and self-testing with a central point of control, with the added benefit of cloud-based interrogation and reporting. These features, along with integral batteries with a 10-year lifespan, make installation and maintenance of the FIREscape Nepto system quick and easy.

Hochiki will showcase Latitude, FIREscape and more at Intersec 2023 In Hall 4, Stand 4 B22.

This article was originally published in the January edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

IFSJ Exclusive: Smart rescue equipment from Weber

by Breaking NewsFirefighting EquipmentIFSJ Exclusives

Reda Nouzhani, Area Sales Manager at Weber Hydraulik for the brand WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS talks about the smart rescue equipment and digital applications on show at Intersec 2023

Weber Hydraulik, a family-owned group, is a serious player in the field of firefighting extraction and rescue operations and has become a leading manufacturer in the field. With colleagues having worked for the brand for over 30 years and firefighter partners working on solutions behind the scenes, the company is consistently driving innovation in the market.

At Intersec 2023, WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS is set to present its smart rescue equipment and digital applications to the Middle East market following the launch of several new products at the return of INTERSCHUTZ in 2022. Among these innovations on show are the SMART-FORCE line up and RESCUE DIGITAL SYSTEMS.

SMART-FORCE

With the introduction of the WEBER’s new SMART-FORCE device series, smart functions have been integrated into rescues for the first time. The SMART-FORCE devices enable communication via WLAN/UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service) connection and offer numerous additional functions for device control and management within their own app, including a pressure display, a training and theft mode, and the ability to analyse the current device status.

Reda Nouzhani, Area Sales Manager at Weber Hydraulik for the brand WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS, says that the SMART-FORCE series has enabled the company to be innovative: “We are fully equipped, we are fully smart”. At the core of SMART-FORCE is duty: being able to effectively cut, spread and do whatever is needed during the extrication process. These tools are among the fastest and most powerful battery-operated solutions on the market.

SMART-FORCE features include: large power reserves for future vehicle technologies and materials; a patented, compact and maintenance-free motor; new generation of cutters including F7 rescue cutter for extreme conditions with high-strength materials; SMART FEATURE Device theft protection which includes device deactivation in case of theft; digital and SMART functions for tool operations and control including training mode, a live service dashboard and self-diagnosis; LED lights for improved visibility; and a central control panel  that is easily reachable with thumb and index finger. The tools use Milwaukee M18 High-Output batteries are capable of being used under water up to a depth of three metres – whether its fresh, salty or dirty.

The battery used by the SMART-FORCE series offers boundless flexibility as the same battery can be used across 17 rescue tools and more than 200 Milwaukee other tools. “At the end of the day, money is going to factor in when choosing firefighting tools. Having a range of equipment that uses one battery saves both time and money,” says Nouzhani.

“It is our duty to provide firefighters with the most efficient equipment so they can do their job quickly and effectively in high pressure situations. This means being able to select extrication tools and equipment faster. Firefighters should not have to spend time determining what battery is needed for a piece of equipment – this is why we have adopted a one-size-fits-all compatibility model for the SMART-FORCE series.”

Tool electrification

Nouzhani says that WEBER recognises its duty to consider governmental advice surrounding sustainability and the environment. One part of this has been the move towards electrification being able to provide a single battery that can be used across the entire range. The transition from fuel and oil powered tools to battery powered tools is something that WEBER is focusing on in the Middle East as many customers are looking to make the switch.

WEBER’s tools are certified to ISO 14001, which sets out the criteria for an environmental management system and can be certified to: “We are showing to our customer that we are respecting the environment across the manufacturing, production and sales process. It is important that we are providing efficient tools that are environmentally conscious.”

Smart reporting

Nouhzani tells that there was an increasing number of requests for remote control systems and as a result WEBER recognised this and have incorporated numerous smart features that elevate them beyond being simple rescue tools. He says that we should also think about people working in the back office, which is why SMART-FORCE offers the capability to remotely monitor equipment.

In terms of connectivity features, the SMART-FORCE range has features including anti-theft mode and being able to locate a tool remotely. Batteries all come with a connectivity sim card, giving the option to connect remotely to the equipment via UMTS or wireless. Nouzhani explains: “The teams in the control centre are able to monitor tools from their location, and so if there is a specific incident which requires a specific tool they are able to locate the equipment, have it sent where it is needed and communicate how long it will take to arrive.”

RESCUE DIGITAL SYSTEMS

Digitalisation has long been a core topic for WEBER RESCUE SYSTEMS. To drive development in this area, a separate subsidiary was founded – RESCUE DIGITAL SYSTEMS GmbH. The company has developed individual and easy-to-use apps and software applications in the areas of: Alerting, Administration, Training, Accident Prevention, Rescue and more.

One solution is the RETTERAlarm – the individual alerting system for emergency organisations. RETTERAlarm makes it possible to alert emergency forces individually, in groups or also subsequently and specifically. It features fast alerting even without a control centre via push, SMS, call or e-mail directly to the smartphone. It also has eser and vehicle management, calendar functions and alarm monitor create a complete overview, DSGVO-compliant encryption and redundant server systems in Germany ensure 100% data security, and optimised deployment planning and readiness queries with direct feedback from the comrades via the app.

Another digital solution is the Crash Recovery System. This system continuously updated mobile database with all vehicle information for accident rescue and includes all production vehicles with airbags or alternative drive systems (cars, vans, trucks and buses). It features: simple updating system, uniform, easily interpretable vehicle graphics; Information on all components relevant to the rescue (airbags, gas generators, belt-tensioners, automatic roll-bars, reinforcements);

There is also RETTERSeismo, the seismographic measurement tool on the app. The tool supports teams in training and in the deployment of relief organisations as well as in the recording of movements and vibrations during the lifting of loads, building collapse as well as during the rescue of persons or in the context of traffic accidents with cars and trucks.

Intersec 2023

Nouzhani says that Intersec will be a great opportunity to access partners from around the world to present the SMART-FORCE series to the Asian, African and European markets.  He notes that, as a trendsetter in the market, it is important to note that WEBER RESCUE has firefighters working behind the scenes on all their new solutions.

“All the experience we have in the field we apply and implement for our tools,” he tells. “Whenever we speak about our partners around the world we are referring to the feedback from our firefighting colleagues.” He says that in the firefighting world, there has previously not been equipment that is ‘digital enough’ on the field. This, he says, is what WEBER is changing: “This is my target during Intersec: to present these tools and services in terms of training and added value software and IT solutions.

“For the next year we will keep moving and keep working on our Digital solutions and SMART-FORCE. For our partners around the world: this is the starting point for a digital world. We started this two years ago and now its getting serious with our Smart Force. This is just the beginning.”

This article was originally published in the January edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

IFSJ Exclusive: Versatile Fire Safety Solutions from Advanced

by Breaking NewsFire DetectionIFSJ Exclusives

Sasi Kumar, Commercial Manager Middle East and Africa at Advanced, speaks about Intersec and current trends in the GCC

Are you looking forward to Intersec 2023? We’re delighted to be exhibiting at Intersec again and demonstrating why we are a ‘one-stop shop’ for a variety of fire-safety needs across a wide range of different sites and sectors – from high-rise and infrastructure to hospitality and commercial. As well as showcasing some innovative new and updated products we will also be demonstrating the benefits of each and the problems they can solve.

What new products is Advanced showcasing this year?

Our AxisGo will be on our stand, it is the new-generation single-loop non-networkable fire panel that is versatile and packed with premium features, offering a powerful option for protecting smaller sites. AxisGo gives access to Advanced’s Axis EN range performance, quality, and ease of use but in a simpler, non[1]networkable format for complete fire protection peace of mind. We’ll be demonstrating AxisGo and outlining the typical settings where it can be used, such as villa projects and smaller commercial sites. Visitors to Intersec will also be able to see the benefits of AxisGo being available as a wired, wireless or hybrid system.

What requirements does the GCC have compared with other regions?

The Middle East is a unique market with both EN and UL solutions being used. GCC customers can be disappointed if a fire system doesn’t meet the standard they require on a project, but we offer solutions for both standards in our Axis EN and Axis AX product ranges respectively. Few competitors are able to match us from that respect and this flexibility is valued by our GCC customers.

We will have our Axis ranges, with solutions for both EN and UL standards on show. The Axis ranges are not only robust and versatile, but also easy to use – from installation and commissioning to servicing, maintenance and day-to-day operation.

Providing powerful networking capacity, the Axis EN system supports robust networks of up to 200 panels per network. Networks can also be combined to create very large fire systems making the Axis EN ideal for complex, large-scale installations. Whether networking high-risk sites with complicated cause and effect, remotely monitoring networked sites, or integrating with building management systems, intuitive software and panel navigation make setup straightforward.

Meanwhile, the UL 864-approved Axis AX fire system makes light work of integrating the smoke control and audio or voice options which are frequently required for fire systems in the Middle East. The flexible Axis AX offers integrated audio for automatic (and manual) fire alarm signalling and live voice paging during an emergency. The system also provides access to DynamixSmoke, a revolutionary approach to smoke control that radically reduces the time and associated costs of configuring fans and dampers.

What trends are you seeing in wireless technology?

 Versatility is becoming key in wireless technology. We are therefore seeing heightened interest in both our Axis EN wireless system and our MxPro 5 and Go open protocol solutions. Open protocol fire panels offer great versatility by allowing customers to choose from a range of different leading detector protocols to suit individual sites and needs.

We are also seeing a growth in hybrid wireless solutions. While many companies offer wired or wireless systems, we can offer both as well as combining wired and wireless elements in one system. This versatility is ideal for existing systems requiring expansions or upgrades in settings where fire system work needs to have minimum disturbance.

What is the most common question installers ask when they come to your stand at Intersec?

They ask about false alarms – these can cause financial, operational and reputational damage, as well as costly downtime. Where they occur frequently, they can even put lives at risk through fire alarm complacency.

Our solution is AlarmCalm which allows easy, flexible configuration of false alarm strategies. It provides unprecedented control of verification and investigation delays thanks to its unique use of ‘building areas’, independent of fire zones, for programming. This feature allows precise application of different false alarm strategies across various parts of a building. Kitchens, bathrooms and conference rooms in a hotel for example require very different approaches and AlarmCalm provides plenty of freedom to choose exactly the right one.

What will visitors be looking for at Intersec when it comes to fire systems?

Reliability and quality of product – customers want complete peace of mind. We’re proud our UK-made products are proven to be robust, reliable, resilient and efficient. Some of our systems which were installed way back in 1999 are still working in 2022.

Innovation – specialist fire system manufacturers like Advanced have the innovation expertise to be able to build what the customer wants and turn things around quickly. We offer our AdSpecials service for more complex sites requiring customised fire safety equipment and we can provide both EN and UL systems as well as extinguishing systems, 100% redundant backup – and more.

Will you have any products on show for critical and high-risk sites?

Yes, we will have our ExGo gas extinguishing panels on display. It is vital to be able to protect critical infrastructure, data centres and sensitive sites where water extinguishing could destroy irreplaceable assets, so gas extinguishing is required. ExGo provides the control for the extinguishing system and is certified to extinguishing system standards.

We will also have on show our specialist redundant panel that kicks in if the main fire panel stops working and so maintains fire protection. It’s ideal for big oil and gas power plants, manufacturing, datacentres and places requiring uninterrupted fire protection. We provide a 100% hot redundant panel so users have the assurance the fire system will continue to work should a fire panel fail as the redundant panel takes over completely. This also allows repairs and maintenance to take place without any operational downtime.

What are the current trends in the Middle East when it comes to fire systems?

Most high-rise buildings require an option of voice activation but issues can arise if the audio doesn’t sync and people are able to hear multiple messages at once. To solve this our Axis AX range features PerfectSync which ensures audio synchronisation across the entire network to avoid confusion by a mixed message. This includes large networks where we are able to deliver the message from the first panel to the 200th with highly synchronised fast messaging to help people evacuate faster in case of fire.

Is building management system (BMS) connectivity important?

As buildings become increasingly complex and we see the rise in smart buildings, the use of BMS continues to grow. There has been a rise in open communication protocols such as BACnet and Modbus which allow third-party devices, such as fire panels, to be easily integrated with the BMS.

What support does Advanced provide to back up its products?

We have a highly experienced technical support team. They offer support from presale, through design and installation to maintenance. We also provide training and want users to be confident they are specifying and installing the right solution for their customers every time. Plus, this is all backed up with a good warranty for extra peace of mind.

How does Advanced see the GCC market?

We’re committed to the GCC market and are expanding our presence for the long term and we’re recruiting in the region to expand our sales and support teams. Advanced has distribution partners in UAE, Oman and South Africa and we are actively looking for partners in the rest of the GCC and beyond, as well as OEM partnerships across the world.

Visit Advanced at Intersec on 17-19 January at stand F24, Hall 4. For further information about Advanced and its products tel: +971-504854165 email: skumar@advancedco.com or visit: https://uk.advancedco.com

This article was originally published in the January edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

IFSJ Exclusive: The right fit for London

by Breaking NewsBreathing ApparatusIFSJ Exclusives

Patrick Tawney, Group Commander at London Fire Brigade, explains why they selected MSA Safety’s M1 SCBA

London Fire Brigade recently selected MSA Safety to supply its firefighters with new M1 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and telemetry technology. IFSJ sat down with Patrick Tawney, Group Commander at London Fire Brigade and Project Manager for the replacement of respiratory protective equipment (RPE), to discuss the procurement process and the benefits the new equipment will bring.

How often do you procure new SCBA?

In line with most fire services in the UK, we refresh and upgrade our SCBA every ten years.  It’s important for us to have up-to-date equipment that takes advantage of new technologies to maximise safety for our firefighters.  In the years since our existing SCBA was purchased, there have been significant innovations and developments in the industry which have improved and enhanced not only SCBA itself but also associated communication and monitoring capabilities. 

What in particular were you looking for in the new equipment?

We had lots of specific requirements, but most importantly, the SCBA had to be comfortable to wear, straightforward to operate, easy to clean, and it had to fit well with our other existing PPE.   We were also looking for equipment that would enhance safety monitoring and improve communication between firefighters and incident commanders during operations.

Tell us about the procurement process, what did it involve?

We began the procurement process in March 2022.  This involved outlining our requirements and undertaking an exhaustive evaluation process to explore the options on the market.  Once a shortlist of suppliers was established, we organised practical trials at the Fire Services College in Moreton-in Marsh, where a diverse volunteer group of our firefighters were tasked with putting the equipment through its paces. We devised a number of complex and challenging operational scenarios at the College incident training ground, and our firefighters provided feedback on their experiences wearing and operating the various SCBA equipment.

The MSA M1 SCBA emerged as the clear frontrunner, performing extremely well without a single failure, and consistently scoring highly across the board. The firefighters’ positive experiences with the M1 SCBA during the training for these trials and at the trials themselves led directly to the decision to select it.  The true test of a product is in the experience of the end-users, and our firefighters were almost unanimous in their preference.

What are the advantages of the M1 SCBA?  Why did it perform so well in the trials?

Most notably, we found the M1 SCBA intuitive and easy to use, facilitating the job in hand rather than proving a distraction or hindrance. It is also light in weight and particularly comfortable to wear, with an advanced hip belt that evenly distributes the weight of the BA set, and a padded harness. The ergonomic backplate has a one-handed adjustment which means it is easily customised to ensure a good fit for any size and frame.  In an industry where we are actively working to attract and retain a diverse workforce to reflect and engage the communities that we serve, this is particularly important.  

We also trialled and subsequently ordered the MSA C1 headset which attaches easily to the outside of the SCBA facepiece and provides enhanced voice communications.  There was a notable improvement in clarity – essential for relaying and receiving instructions under pressure during emergency situations.

Another element which particularly impressed us, was the telemetry provided alongside the M1 SCBA system and its modernised Entry Control Board (ECB), which has been developed specifically for UK fire services.  Essentially, an ECB is a means of keeping a tally of each firefighter wearing SCBA, noting details such as cylinder pressure and time spent fighting a fire. Working with an ECB has long been embedded in the operations of the London Fire Brigade, as it provides a safe system of working where everyone is accounted for.

The new MSA ECB enhances this traditional system by using integrated cloud-based technology to provide instant live monitoring and the capture of reliable data. Incident commanders can now connect remotely from wherever they are and download information quickly and easily either in real time, or retrospectively. This will significantly improve firefighter safety at incidents, as the air and alarm status of every firefighter can be closely monitored automatically and in real time, freeing up radio contact for other essential communications. Additionally, the post-incident reporting and automated documentation it provides will be invaluable in assisting with accident investigation, operational debriefs and for monitoring the long-term health of our firefighters.  For example, a graphic display of data on air consumption rates can show exactly where and when a firefighter is breathing more heavily during an incident, which could be due to physical exertion or extreme heat. This will enable us to identify not only possible areas of health concern for individuals, but also trends and patterns which could be useful for general research into firefighters’ physical response to certain scenarios.

Does the M1 SCBA work well with your existing equipment?

Yes, during the procurement process we undertook a series of tests to ensure the new SCBA would be compatible with all our existing kit and equipment.  Our firefighters wear protective clothing supplied by MSA Bristol via the Collaborative Framework, so it was unsurprising to find that the M1 SCBA fits perfectly with our fire tunics.

How easy is the M1 SCBA to clean, and why is this important?

The efficient decontamination of PPE following a fire-related incident is absolutely essential, since toxic smoke particles can be particularly harmful to health, whether inhaled or absorbed through the skin.  The M1 SCBA has been specifically designed to minimise trapping of particles and is easy to clean without disassembling: the padded harness is fully water repellent, making the entire BA system machine-washable.  As such, it complies with our strict policies on how to manage and minimise contamination. Currently, we clean our own SCBA by hand but are looking to introduce cleaning machines in the near future.

How would you rate MSA’s customer service?

It must be noted that over and above the superiority of their product, MSA have demonstrated an outstanding level of customer care throughout the procurement process.  Everything we’ve asked of them as a manufacturer, they have carefully considered and provided solutions.  As an example, we highlighted a precarious situation whereby a firefighter running low on air may need a teammate to top up their air supply. Previously, the firefighter would be required to hold their breath while the old supply was disconnected and the new supply reconnected. This can be a tricky and stressful procedure, particularly under challenging conditions.  MSA considered this and devised an innovative system whereby the new supply can be plugged straight in without airlines being broken, allowing continuous breathing. 

We’re looking forward to this relationship and collaboration continuing well into the future so that MSA’s technical and design expertise can continue to feed directly into solutions for firefighters on the ground.  The fact that the M1 SCBA is a modular system, means that we should be able to easily supplement and upgrade the equipment in the years to come. 

When will you receive the new kit?

Our crews across the city are very much looking forward to receiving their new SCBA.  Roll out of deliveries is now underway, with a thorough multi-phased training programme for our 4,500 firefighters to follow, and an anticipated ‘go live’ date of January 2024. Training will be supplemented by MSA’s online support programmes, whereby firefighters can access online demonstration videos whenever they need a refresher or reminder.

I’m satisfied we’ve made an excellent selection with the M1 SCBA, in both quality and value for money. When purchasing protective equipment for our firefighters, safety is absolutely the primary focus, but thankfully the M1 SCBA provides a very high standard of safety and quality at a competitive price.  Replacing our current provision now will enable us to benefit from technological developments, which will in turn enhance firefighter safety and increase our capacity for rescue.  We’re certain that this investment and our new partnership with MSA will continue to serve us well into the future.

The M1 SCBA

The M1 Self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is an advanced, ergonomic, and modular system that meets a broad range of needs and budgets. It includes several innovative and customisable features to help enhance hygiene, improve comfort and provide capability for future upgrades.  

Modularity

The M1 SCBA is a modular design to suit different needs, preferences, budgets and expectations. Benefits include:

  • Easily customised and adapted to suit specific requirements and applications.    
  • Easily upgraded when budgets allow.
  • Easily enhanced so no need for full, costly upgrades.

Ergonomics

The M1 SCBA has been designed to be comfortable and lightweight in all scenarios:

  • Integrated height adjustment on the backplate ensures the apparatus fits the natural shape of the back.
  • The swivel hip belt follows body movement and ensures even weight distribution.
  • The M1 is the lightest SCBA with height adjustment on the market (less than 4kg/9lbs).

Integration of components

The M1 SCBA platform can be also configured with:

  • M1 Control Module – a personal alert safety system (PASS) with motion sensor. Its full-color, integrated digital display also helps firefighters better understand their situation by providing clear pressure and alarm indications. It comes with optional telemetry, which allows the transmission of firefighter information directly to Incident Command, or to those monitoring the incident remotely, helping them to better manage incidents and keep firefighters safe.
  • G1 Face Mask – produced in three sizes, also offers three further sizes of nose cup to give the perfect fit and help prevent infiltration of smoke particles. The G1 Mask is comfortable and adapts to all face shapes. The visor allows for a wide, distortion-free field of vision.
  • C1 Communication Module – for clear voice projection. The C1 headset easily attaches to the G1 mask and is integrated seamlessly to provide clear voice transmission and reception of incoming messages, whilst eliminating background noise.

Cleanability and enhanced hygiene

MSA’s M1 SCBA has innovative features to ensure the system is easy to clean to prevent exposure to harmful substances.

Future-ready

By offering an excellent foundation system with optional “add-ons”, the M1 SCBA equips firefighters with all the revolutionary capabilities of safety technology. Easy access to the cloud, effortless monitoring and reliable data ultimately make it an integrated platform for firefighter safety now and in the future.

This article was originally published in the January edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

IFSJ Exclusive: Investing in the future of detection

by Breaking NewsFire DetectionIFSJ Exclusives

IFSJ looks at Global Fire Equipment’s new fire safety system manufacturing plant, its recent work in Istanbul and its plans for Intersec 2023

Just ahead of Intersec 2023, leading European-based fire safety system manufacturer, Global Fire Equipment (GFE), announced the opening of its new manufacturing facility in the Algarve region of Portugal. The new facility represents an investment of €7.5 million by GSS Group, creating a new home for two of the group’s companies – GFE and CREATECH Emergency Lighting.

One of the largest fire safety system manufacturing plants in Europe

At 7,500-sq m, the facility is more than twice the size of GFE’s previous plant, and the land purchased spans 16,0000 sq m so there is plenty of scope for further expansion should this be required as the company works towards its ambitious future growth targets. GFE has sustained impressive growth over the last 10 years, including double digit growth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CREATECH Emergency Lighting has also achieved strong growth and will need the increased manufacturing capacity to help deliver its international sales ambitions. GSS Group sees a significant market advantage of integrating both its fire safety and emergency lighting divisions under one roof, with space to expand in the coming years.

Initially the new facility will operate a single 8-hour shift pattern, but GFE could triple production capacity as there is the option to add two further 8-hour shifts thus allowing the facility to operate 24/7.

A number of dedicated manufacturing zones are incorporated into the new facility, including on-site injection moulding and PCB SMD/THT assembly. The new assembly lines have been designed to maximise efficiency in the manufacturing process and, with the additional space, GFE has been able to increase stock storage and dispatch areas by 400% compared to its previous plant. Other areas include product testing, general assembly and management, sales and administration.

All manufacturing and office support are scheduled to be in place by the end of January 2023, with the remaining services moving in by the end of February. The new facility is located within 2km of the former site so all employees will retain their positions and GFE will continue to have good access to the labour market within the Algarve.

Building a sustainable and energy-efficient manufacturing facility was one of GFE’s key pre-requisites for the new plant. The Algarve is one of the sunniest places in Europe which allows GFE to maximise on[1]site solar energy generation. By installing a large number of solar carports, GFE’s on[1]site solar energy generation has jumped an 600% compared to the former plant which means that almost 90% of the facility’s energy needs can be supplied by solar power.

Paul Pope, GFE’s Global Business Development Manager, comments: “Our new manufacturing facility reflects the vast amount of work and investment every member of the GFE team has put into the company over the past few years. Our drive to deliver high quality and affordable fire safety systems is at the forefront of our operations and is clearly evident in the design of this facility. We are also delighted that we have been able to invest in energy efficiencies which will undoubtedly make our business more sustainable.”

Joao Paulo, GFE’s Founder and Managing Director, adds: “Building on our years of manufacturing experience and technical developments, this facility will ensure that we not only continue supporting our existing customers with industry-leading products and technical support, but also that we will be able to expand further into new markets around the world.

“We have always been focused on ways to improve efficiencies in our manufacturing process and have been able to develop sophisticated automated production lines in our new facility to increase our manufacturing capacity. While these productions lines will carry forward GFE’s drive for automation, we will also be looking to expand our team to ensure we continue to meet the high quality standards our customers know they can rely on.”

Intersec 2023

The opening of GFE’s new manufacturing facility coincides with the company’s launch of a number of new products which will be showcased on GFE’s stand (F10 in Hall 3) at Intersec 2023 in Dubai. The new manufacturing facility will be vital in ensuring GFE can meet the anticipated high market demand for these new products which include a new ZEOS 2 range of detectors and new panels.

Commenting on the products on show at Intersec, Paul Pope, says: “Intersec is widely regarded as one of the most important industry exhibitions in the Middle East, and as it’s such a strategically important market for us, we’re delighted to have a strong presence again at this year’s show. We are also particularly pleased to have Intersec as a platform to showcase our new ZEOS 2 range of detectors which we believe will generate a lot of interest in the market.

“Innovation is at the heart of GFE, with further new products expected later this year. The combined impact of our new manufacturing facility, new products and the expansion of our international sales teams means that 2023 is set to be a very exciting year for GFE and the market as a whole.”

Equipping Istanbul

A strategically important region for Global Fire Equipment, the local team in Turkey has been operating since 2013, completing a vast range of projects. GFE Turkey, was chosen to design, supply and install the fire detection and alarm system for Eston Sehir Mahallem, a prestigious residential development located in the Bahcesehir district of Istanbul, Turkey.

The development comprises 315 flats and villas on 68,000-sq m area, 70% of which is dedicated to green spaces and social and leisure areas, such as pedestrian walkways, bike paths, a children’s park and sports fields.

The design, installation and commissioning of the fire detection system for the development was undertaken by GFE’s appointed distributor in Turkey, GFE Bina Kontrol Sistemleri. GFE’s fire alarm system was chosen because it is modern and innovative, and also because it meets the legislative requirements set by the Turkish Government for residential developments which have become increasingly stringent in recent years.

The system for Eston Sehir Mahallem comprises eighteen addressable control panels, 500 ZEOS addressable smoke detectors, as well as other addressable devices including manual call points, sounders and Gas detectors.

Feride Cilesun, Site Manager at Eston Sehir Mahallem, comments: “We have been very impressed with the support and expertise of GFE Turkey at every stage in this project. They were able to give us a working system in a very short space of time which offers extensive configuration options and a great range of value-added features. The quality of all the equipment installed throughout the development is very high, and the technical support and expertise of the GFE team has been invaluable.

“We have been particularly impressed with GFE’s remote monitoring and control software, Odyssey, which allows us to manage the development in a preventative failure manner. Odyssey has also enabled us to integrate the fire detection and alarm system with the development’s third-party public address system and voice alarm system so that in the event of a fire, we are able to quickly and easily notify residents in the affected areas to evacuate their properties. The finished system is very user friendly and reliable, and we now have an ongoing maintenance contract with GFE which we have also been very happy with.”

Murat Efir, Regional Director (Turkey and Balcans) at GFE, who operates out of GFE Turkey’s headquarters in Istanbul and has worked for GFE since 2013, adds: “There was strong competition during the tender process, GFE was chosen because of our bespoke approach to the project and our extensive expertise in large[1]scale projects in the region, including hospitals, hotels, schools and other residential developments. GFE’s reputation in Turkey is very strong and we have experienced significant sales growth over the past 8 years. We have stepped up our presence in the region and are continuing to strengthen our customer offering. We are also looking forward to launching a number of new products in the coming year, including products that have been designed specifically for the Turkish market such as a detector which is capable of detecting both LPG and PNG leaks.”

This article was originally published in the January edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

IFSJ Exclusive: Is the UAE still suffering from alarm fatigue?

by Breaking NewsFire DetectionIFSJ ExclusivesMENA

Liam Hunt, Marketing Manager at STI, looks at the response to false fire alarms in UAE

The UAE had set its sights on bringing false fire alarm numbers down to zero by 2021, aiming to pull the country in line with its goal of being one of the safest countries in the world, however, as we head into 2023 is the country still suffering from alarm fatigue?

With one in three GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) residents who ignore false fire alarms coming from the UAE, experts have warned of a ‘cry wolf’ attitude towards fire alarms in the country.

Alarm fatigue occurs when a person becomes desensitised to an alarm due to repeated false alarms and as a result, fails to react appropriately in an emergency – having potentially fatal effects.

From Dubai to Abu Dhabi, frequent false alarms have unfortunately made residents complacent causing them to delay evacuation and put lives at risk.

A common cause of false fire alarms is the accidental activation of manual call points and pull stations, often placed in high traffic areas it is easy for sensitive units to be knocked or mistaken for other electrical buttons.

After an incident at the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Police reported: “Dubai Police would like to clarify that a person mistakenly set off the fire alarm at the Mall after he had broken the emergency button fixed on a wall inside the Mall.”

It is not uncommon for public buildings across the UAE to be evacuated because of false alarms: affecting routine, costing businesses valuable time and money, and reducing the confidence the general public have in fire alarms.

Frequent false alarms at the Duja Towers in Dubai meant that when an actual fire broke out in the building in February 2020, many tenants ignored the warning bells.

Describing the incident, one tenant said he didn’t immediately evacuate the building upon hearing the fire alarm: “I ignored it as usual. When it kept ringing, I went down the stairs to check with the security who confirmed there is a fire in the building.”

Whilst another tenant added: “I myself have come down the stairs at least twice in the past because of the false fire alarm. So, it is natural that people do not take it seriously.”

Just two months later, as flames ripped through the 190-metre Abbco Tower in Sharjah, residents ignored multiple alarms before finally scrambling for safety.

Suffering from alarm fatigue, one resident said: “We ignored it thinking it was just another false alarm. But when it rang a second time and then a third, we got intrigued and looked out of the window.

“The sight that greeted us looked straight out of a disaster movie. Huge flames licked one side of our building as thick plumes of black smoke billowed the darkening sky.”

And as recently as November 2022, in the shadow of the Burj Khalifa, firefighters tackled a large blaze at 8 Boulevard Walk in Downtown Dubai as residents experienced alarm fatigue.

A housemaid who looks after families in the 35-floor building said: “My madam thought it was a false alarm at first as it goes off quite often.

“There are lots of children in the building but everyone got out.”

Alarm fatigue is addressed in Chapter 18 of the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice: “It is resident’s responsibility to take every fire alarm and fire sounders seriously. Though there are false alarms sometimes, it is resident’s responsibility to verify the fire alarm without neglecting and communicating with facility management.”

False fire alarms allow for a dangerous relaxed attitude towards evacuations, however, they can be prevented. As recommended in BS 5839-1:2017 manual call points can be fitted with a protective cover to prevent false fire alarms, and halt alarm fatigue.

The British Standard Institute recommends in section 20.2b, that: “All MCPs should be fitted with a protective cover, which is moved to gain access to the frangible element.

“It is now recommended that a protective cover is fitted to a Type A manual call point to help prevent false alarms.”

A British Standard with global reach, BS 5839-1, has been used on high profile construction projects across the Middle East, including Dubai – the Standard recognises that false alarms can seriously prejudice the safety of occupants by contributing to alarm fatigue.

The dangers of false alarms are too highlighted in Chapter 8 of the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice: “Fire Detection and Alarm Systems are many a times despised and ignored because of frequent experience of false alarms, which can be nuisance and waste of time when unwanted evacuations take place.”

Consequently, in Section 4.10. Manual Fire Alarm Initiating System (Manual Call Points), the Code of Practice advises protective covers: “Listed protective covers shall be permitted to be installed over single or double-action manually actuated alarm initiating devices.”

Safety Technology International manufacture a range of protective covers, from integral covers to outdoor, sounder, and UL listed models; there are variations to suit all applications. These covers are specifically designed to protect manual call points and pull stations from false fire alarms.

Manual Fire Alarm Initiating Systems

The design, installation and spacing of manual fire alarm initiating devices must be securely mounted onto a background of contrasting colour. The alarm-initiating devices can be single action or double action and listed protective covers shall be permitted to be installed over single-or double-action manually actuated alarm initiating devices.

Manual fire alarm boxes are only to be used for fire alarm initiating purposes and be installed so that they are conspicuous, unobstructed, and accessible. Unless installed in an environment that precludes the use of red paint or red plastic, manual fire alarm boxes shall be red in colour and should be located within 1.5 m of each exit doorway on each floor. The maximum travel distance to nearest Fire Alarm box should not exceed 61m, measured horizontally on the same floor and be mounted on both sides of grouped openings over 12.2 m in width, and within 1.5 m of each side of the grouped opening.

This article was originally published in the January edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.