The MetCam optical gas detection camera by Draeger: Visualising invisible gas hazards

by Breaking NewsIndustry SectorsUtilities

The MetCam optical gas detection camera, now offered by Drӓger, automatically identifies and quantifies methane leaks even under challenging conditions. Potential hazards from escaping gases can thus be assessed more quickly and more precisely. Methane gas leaks are invisible, but even the smallest leaks can endanger the safety of an industrial plant and damage the environment.

In the oil and gas industry, there are often dense plant areas that are difficult to access with many potential leak sources. For such areas MetCam complements conventional point gas detection systems with area monitoring. “The MetCam automatically monitors the plant around the clock and detects gas leaks at an early stage,” explains John Wilson, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Safety Solutions, Dräger.

Colored visualisation of the gas cloud

In contrast to point detectors, the gas source does not have to be in the immediate vicinity of the gas camera. Its field of view is already sufficient to detect the escaping gas. This means that detection is independent of wind or other influences. The gas cloud is visualised as a colored overlay on a black and white video image. In addition, the MetCam automatically quantifies the concentration of the escaping gas.

It can also be used to measure emissions, or as a surveillance camera with a color image. Self-calibration and automatic storage of measurement data The MetCam automatically detects when the optics are dirty or obscured and sends an appropriate warning to avoid false alarms. In addition, the MetCam carries out self-calibration at regular intervals in order to adapt to changing weather conditions. All events and measurement data are saved automatically.

Public consultation open for PAS 8671

by ConstructionIndustry SectorsUncategorized

The public consultation for PAS 8671, a new framework for competence of individual Principal Designers and designated individuals working under the Organisation Principal Designer, is now open until 24 January 2022.

BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, is seeking comments from residents and people in the housing, construction, fire, and safety industries. Comments can be registered online.

The standard is a part of the Built Environment Competence Programme, which supports the Building Safety Bill to raise competence requirements for three newly regulated roles which are those of Principal Designer, Principal Contractor and Building Safety Manager. It is sponsored by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

PAS 8671: Built environment – Framework for competence of individual Principal Designers and designated individuals working under the Organisation Principal Designer – Specification, sets out the competence requirements of individuals carrying out or managing the function of Principal Designer as set out in relevant building regulations. This PAS is aligned to BSI Flex 8670.

This PAS specifies the Principal Designer’s areas of competence as:

  • legal framework and compliance;
  • design coordination and integration;
  • design risk management;
  • design project management;
  • design team facilitation and orchestration;
  • information creation and maintenance, including the golden thread of information;
  • communication and cooperation; and
  • appropriate behaviour.

Following consultation, the standard is due to publish summer 2022.

FIA and Tall Building Fire Safety to deliver specialised fire safety courses

by Building ManagementIndustry SectorsUncategorized

The FIA are delighted to announce our collaboration with Tall Building Fire Safety, bringing you two new specialised courses on fire safety in tall and high-risk buildings. These two courses are: 

Tall Building Fire Safety Management (Mixed and Business use)

This course is designed for anyone tasked with the fire safety management of a tall building with mixed use (residential/office/retail).

Developed in 2004, over 500 delegates have undertaken the course and it has become a de-facto competency requirement for many Tall Buildings in the UK.

Tall Building Fire Safety Network is a fully approved training centre for Skills for Justice, and the course is recognised by the institution of fire engineers.

Course outline:

The 5-day intensive programme covers all aspects of the management process. Each day is themed starting with prevention, going onto detection and alarm, means of escape, fire containment and finishing with firefighting and BCP. Building fire case studies, along with the most common ignition hazards are reviewed and analysed.

Who it’s for:

This course is ideal for Tall Building Managers, supervisors, security managers, facility managers, health and safety managers, insurance surveyors, fire risk assessors, firefighters, fire and life safety system maintainers and anyone who needs to understand the building ‘fire strategy’.

Learning outcomes (what do they get including CPD hrs):

  • Skills for Justice approved qualification
  • Recognised qualification with the Institution of fire engineers
  • 30 hours of CPD

Managing Fire Safety in Higher Risk Buildings and the Role of the Building Safety Manager

This course is designed for anyone tasked with fire safety management in Higher Risk Buildings (HRB’s) or as a Building Safety Manager under the Building Safety Bill.

Developed in early 2021, the course is a response to the learning needs and competency requirements of the Building Safety Bill (BSB).

Several Social Housing Providers have attended the training to date.

Tall Building Fire Safety Network (the training provider) is a fully approved training centre for Skills for Justice, and the course is recognised by the institution of fire engineers.

Course outline:

The 5-day intensive programme covers all aspects of the Building Safety Bill Fire Safety Management process. Each day is themed starting with prevention, going onto detection and alarm,

means of escape, fire containment and finishing with firefighting and BCP. Building fire case studies, along with the most common ignition hazards are reviewed and analysed.

Particular focus is given to the format and delivery of, safety case, tenant engagement strategies, golden thread and fire safety data management.

Who it’s for:

This course is ideal for anyone tasked with being a building safety manager including supervisors, security managers, facility managers, health and safety managers, insurance surveyors, fire risk assessors, firefighters, fire and life safety system maintainers and anyone who needs to understand the building ‘safety case’.

Learning outcomes (what do they get including CPD hrs):

  • Skills for Justice approved qualification
  • Recognised qualification with the Institution of fire engineers
  • 30 hours of CPD

For both courses’, delegates receive a comprehensive set of notes and documents that represent a significant learning resource for future use. The qualification available with the course requires completion of a short test and delegate assignments to complete after the training. Upon successful completion, delegates are issued with a skills for justice certificate.

Zeroignition showcases the future of fire protection in historic Dublin building

by Building ManagementIndustry SectorsProjects

For too long, the idea of creating buildings with the apparently mutually exclusive objectives of being both aesthetically beautiful and fire safe, seemed impossible. The conflict is especially strong in period properties where any additions must remain in keeping with the overall character of the build. This case study demonstrates how Zi technology creates design freedom to achieve passive fire safety without negatively impacting the aesthetics.

A new lease of life

Stoneybatter is a district located on the north side of Dublin and is one of the oldest parts of the city. Centuries ago, it was known as Bothar-na-gCloch and acted as a thoroughfare into Dublin, long before the city extended as widely as it does today. In more recent times the area has undergone significant development, leading to Time Out naming it Ireland’s coolest neighbourhood in 2019. It was described by the magazine as a village-in-a-city, and the area is now brimming with exciting new eateries and bars, as well as residential housing and offices.

Within Stoneybatter, a part-listed set of interconnected buildings (which once housed a fish mongers), was converted into a solicitor’s office and apartments. For the ceilings, flame retardant OSB panels – SMARTPLY MAX FR B powered by Zi – were specified and installed in the Stoneybatter building to provide both enhanced fire protection and a unique, textured aesthetic.

The project made use of the popular ‘industrial chic’ trend which helped to really set it apart both in terms of design and safety, thanks to the use of SMARTPLY MAX FR B powered by Zeroignition, which ensures passive protection against fire.

“We created an office for a solicitor on the first floor with a two-bedroom apartment on the second floor,” says Caomhán Murphy, Architect at The Ground is Singing. “The layout and finishes of the office and apartment are almost identical, making it feel like a unique, funky place to work and live.”

Ian King, COO at Zi says: “Having worked closely with MEDITE SMARTPLY over a number of years to create the Euroclass B OSB product, it is very rewarding to see it used in such a brilliant project, not only giving a new and beautiful life to an historic building in the centre of Dublin, but also knowing that our technology is helping ensure the safety of those who work and occupy it.”

How does it work?

The SMARTPLY MAX FR B Flame Retardant panel is a structural, moisture resistant OSB/3 engineered wood panel with outstanding and reliable reaction to fire properties. It’s ideal for use where strength, moisture resistance and improved flame retardance are paramount.

Non-toxic Zeroignition Solution is impregnated into the cellular structure of the engineered wood components during production, ensuring fire protection at a nano scale in the material, with negligible impact on the wood itself, proven in both short and long-term strength and environmental testing.

This innovative panel is independently certified for the most demanding structural applications in permanent constructions such as wall sheathing, flooring and roofing. In addition, it is suitable for general free-standing applications where enhanced reaction to fire performance is required. Its versatility and flame retardant properties make it an outstanding panel for both residential and commercial applications.

Find more information about SMARTPLY MAX FR B here: https://mdfosb.com/en/products/smartply-max-fr-b

TfL bans e-scooters on transport network amid safety concerns

by Industry SectorsSafetyTransport

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that all privately-owned e-scooters and e-unicycles will be banned on London’s transport network from Monday 13 December as a result of safety concerns. Customers in possession of such devices will not be permitted to enter any premises on TfL’s network or travel on any of its services, including on the Tube, buses, Overground, TfL Rail, Trams and DLR.

Recently there have been incidents of privately-owned e-scooters and e-unicycles catching fire whilst on TfL services or infrastructure. In response to these incidents, TfL has undertaken further work to review the safety of the vehicles and their suitability for carriage on the TfL transport network.

This review has found that the incidents that occurred were caused by defective lithium-ion batteries which ruptured without warning. This led to fires that caused toxic smoke to be released. TfL consider that if this were to happen again and fires occurred in an enclosed area like a Tube train or a bus, there could be significant harm to both customers and staff, as well as secondary injuries from customers trying to escape the area.

Whilst privately owned e-scooters remain illegal to use in public spaces, they are widely available for purchase. Private e-scooters and e-unicycles are currently unregulated, meaning they are not currently required to meet any minimum vehicle standards. TfL will keep these changes under review pending any future changes to legislation by the Government regarding e-scooters and e-unicycles, specifically around safety standards. TfL is collecting data from the rental e-scooter trials to help shape future policy on safety standards in London and the rest of the UK.

TfL’s trial of rental e-scooters, which began in June 2021 as part of trials permitted nationally by the Department for Transport (DfT), offers the only e-scooters legally allowed on London’s roads. Rigorous safety measures are central to the trial, with vehicles that exceed the DfT’s regulatory requirements for trial vehicles and that are considerably more robust than the most common private e-scooters. The safety criteria for the trial were agreed by TfL, London Councils, the participating boroughs and the DfT, as well as with key stakeholder groups and other cities that have previously launched similar trials. These e-scooters are also not currently allowed on TfL services.

Lilli Matson, TfL’s Chief Safety, Health and Environment Officer, said: “Our primary concern is always for the safety of our customers and staff. We have been extremely worried by the recent incidents on our public transport services, which involved intense fires and considerable smoke and damage. We have worked with London Fire Brigade to determine how we should deal with these devices and, following that review, we have decided to ban them. Customers who try to bring them onto our network will be refused access to our stations and premises, and not be permitted to use any of our services.”

The ban will include all e-scooters and e-unicycles, but does not include mobility scooters that are permitted on the network or foldable e-bikes. E-bikes are generally subject to better manufacturing standards and the batteries are usually positioned in a place where they are less likely to be damaged, and so are less of a fire risk. Non-foldable e-bikes will continue to be allowed on some parts of the network at certain times of the day. More information can be found here: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/cycles-on-public-transport

London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner for Fire Safety, Paul Jennings, said: “We have growing concerns about the safety of e-scooters due to the amount of fires we are seeing involving them, so we fully support TfL’s ban of private e-scooters on public transport.

“Fires are dangerous and terrifying wherever they happen, but a fire on the transport network has the potential to become very serious very quickly and involve hundreds of people, particularly on trains where evacuation may be challenging, so anything that can be done to mitigate that risk is a positive step.”

TfL staff will engage with customers to remind them of the ban. TfL’s 500 uniformed enforcement officers and its police partners will be deployed across the transport network ensuring that customers comply. Anybody who does not comply may be refused entry, directed to leave the network or face a fine of up to £1,000. The Metropolitan Police has also appealed to retailers to be responsible in selling e-scooters, and has reminded Londoners that the use of privately-owned e-scooter and e-unicycles on public roads, cycleways and highways is illegal.

British Transport Police Superintendent, Lisa Garrett, said: “Our priority is the safety of passengers and the staff members working across Transport for London services. We’ll be working alongside frontline staff to engage with the public on this issue, and enforce where necessary.”

HSE calls on designers to prepare now for upcoming regulatory changes to building safety

by Breaking NewsBuilding ManagementConstructionIndustry Sectors

As part of work underway to establish a new Building Safety Regulator and reform the building safety system, HSE is urging those who design high-rise buildings to act now to prepare for the changes coming when the Building Safety Bill becomes law.

The Building Safety Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, aims to implement all of the recommendations set out in Dame Judith Hackitt’s “Building a Safer Future” report, and in places goes further. The reforms include a more stringent approach to the design and construction of high-rise buildings, clearer responsibilities on designers to ensure these buildings are safe, and new measures so that everyone doing design or building work is competent to carry out that work in line with building regulations.

People working on the design of a high-rise building, from the development of a planning application through to building regulations approval will need to understand the building’s intended use, correctly identify the risks, and own and manage those risks to determine the safety of a building.

There will be a requirement to record and provide evidence of decision-making during the design process, and a need to be engaged throughout a building project to handover to the end client. Prepare now for these changes.

Peter Baker, Chief Inspector of Buildings at the Health and Safety Executive, said: “Designers have a strong influence on safety and standards, particularly during the very early planning and design stages of a building project. Their decisions not only affect the safety of those carrying out the building work, but also those maintaining, using, or living in a building after it is built.

“I encourage designers to act now and prepare for the more stringent regulatory regime. HSE will continue to work with the building design industry and related businesses to support them to deliver safe and high-performing buildings and ensure that residents of high-rise buildings are safe, and feel safe, in their homes now and in the future.”

Colin Blatchford, Operational Policy Lead for Gateways and Building Control at HSE, said: “Everyone involved in the design of high-rise buildings must take a proactive approach to managing building safety from the earliest stages of the design process. These changes are coming. Those involved need to plan ahead through correctly identifying, taking ownership and managing the risks – ensuring key decisions are recorded throughout the process.

“Once the Building Safety Bill becomes law, there will be a requirement for a safety case report when a building is completed and occupied. It is important to consider this at the early design stage for your clients and future residents’ safety.

“Building safety changes are coming and will affect everyone involved in a high-rise building project beyond its design. We urge that you act now.”

Leading sector analyst house joins The Critical Communications Association

by Industry SectorsPublic Events

The Critical Communications Association (TCCA), the global representative for the critical communications ecosystem, is pleased to announce that respected industry research firm CritComm Insights (CCI) has become a member of the association.

Led by Ken Rehbehn, a well-known and highly respected expert in the telecommunications world, CCI is focused on the intersection of mobile broadband and critical communications technology. Supplying industry analysis for critical communications technology, CCI addresses markets that include public safety broadband networking (PSBN), TETRA, and Project 25.

The company’s research extends to broadband-enabled technologies for location tracking as well as emerging command and control applications. In addition to supplying insights on industry trends, CCI provides education and advocacy focused on end-user deployments and risk analysis. CCI is based in the United States near Washington, D.C.

“TCCA leads global efforts to enhance and expand mission-critical communications capabilities serving industry and society,” said Ken Rehbehn, Principal Analyst. “Joining TCCA as a member is an important step for CCI, one that bolsters our industry analysis offerings and opens opportunities to contribute to end-user education and advocacy.”
“Ken has long been a supporter of TCCA and our work in enhancing critical communications and advocating the benefits of open global standards,” said Tony Gray, TCCA Chief Executive. “He makes significant contributions throughout the sector and is also one of our valued independent judges for the annual International Critical Communications Awards.

“CCI becoming a member of TCCA will enable us to further benefit from CCI’s analysis and market knowledge and will enable their analysts

Oil company fined following liquid petroleum gas leak

by Industry SectorsPorts & MaritimeSafety

The operator of the UK’s largest oil refinery has been fined for health and safety breaches after a leak of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) was discovered by a worker cycling home at the end of their shift.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 15 November 2015, there was an uncontrolled release of around 15 tonnes of LPG through a valve near to the main roadway used by LPG road tankers visiting Esso Petroleum Company’s refinery in Fawley, Hampshire.

The leak went undetected for around four hours before being discovered by an employee on his way home. It took a further hour to establish the source of the leak with on-site emergency personnel having to enter the area to reset the valve.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the leak occurred because LPG was put through the pipe work at too a high a pressure for the valve, there was no process in place to detect the discrepancy in the flow in the pipe and that the company had failed to take all measures necessary to prevent a major accident.

Esso Petroleum Company Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 5(1) of The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH) 2015 and was fined £500,000.

After the hearing, HSE inspector, Jonathan Halewood commented: “The measures required to prevent accidents should be proportionate to the risks. Where companies handle large quantities of substances that can cause major accidents, such as LPG, they are required to have layers of protection in place to prevent accidents.

“In this incident a number of those layers either failed or were not in place resulting in a significant leak. Even though there was no fire or injury on this occasion, there was potential for a major accident. The prosecution has been brought to highlight the importance of maintaining the layers of protection and preventing this kind of major leak.”

MSA advocates for health and well-being of firefighters and communities

by Industry SectorsPublic EventsSafety

At MSA, it is our mission to help protect the first responders and ensure that they, their families, and communities live in health and safety. While on duty, fire and rescue services face high variability of working environment conditions. The safety and wellbeing of first responders are crucial. Over a period of time, their job has become even more challenging. Firefighters can find themselves working in harmful and rapidly changing conditions under various risk factors. When they are well-trained, physically fit, and safely equipped it can make all the difference.

As a safety equipment manufacturer, we support a variety of both communities and organizations and continuously engage in initiatives where the impact on the importance and awareness of health, safety, and well-being is critical.

We were proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the 2021 British Firefighter Challenge that marks a symbol of health, well-being of firefighters, and the communities while raising funds for the Fire Fighters Charity. During the two-day challenge competitors from U.K. and other European countries, including Germany, Portugal, France, and the Czech Republic, undertook various tasks at speed in full fire protection equipment and while wearing MSA’s M1 SCBA. In a fair-play atmosphere, they showed the audience how much physical fitness is required from the emergency services on a daily basis, thus encouraging support for the Fire Fighters Charity which helps firefighters in financial, physical, and mental crises.

John Gregory, Director at the British Firefighter Challenge and Crew Manager at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said: “The British Firefighter Challenge is all about social responsibility. Fundraising for operational and retired colleagues requiring physical and mental health rehabilitation, we inspire health and fitness in the British Fire and Rescue Service plus equality and diversity, as this is a unique fire service sporting event that boasts ages 18 to 60+ entering, with over 10% female entries. In addition, we open a social platform that brings firefighters and their families together and we engage with the younger generation providing activities for the whole family, including community safety and fitness challenges.”

Apart from the M1 SCBA, MSA’s Bristol EOS fire kit, GALLET F1XF, and GALLET F2XR were used by some firefighters during the whole race. Of particular interest was the pink GALLET F1XF helmet, which was part of a special race to increase visibility for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Speaking about the latter, in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) estimations, 12 percent of women worldwide are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. MSA actively supports European Pink Firefighter Brigade formed voluntarily by firefighters from many European countries under the lead of Vendelin Clicques, a French professional firefighter and CEO of an International Emergency Drone Association (IEDO). With open hearts, dressed in pink, and donning the pink GALLET F1XF fire helmet, the Pink Firefighters take part in many European firefighter challenges competing with each other. But this competition has a purpose: carry a supportive message, educate and raise awareness on breast cancer prevention.

John Gregory added: “We are happy to create space for charitable causes and any firefighter, volunteer, or spectator who is fundraising at our events, a very selfless thing to do. Like this year, when two of our colleagues Vendelin and Pete – the Pink Firefighters as they are better known, raced for Breast Cancer awareness and helped raise much-needed funds after a particularly challenging year.”

Every year, in October, the Cancer Leage (Ligue Contre le Cancer) organizes an awareness campaign against breast cancer across France. This year, MSA joined forces with the League’s Chatillon, and MSA’s pink fire and rescue helmets, as well as pink hard hats, were installed in public places across the city to raise awareness of breast cancer prevention throughout October.

These efforts show just a little of what MSA has been doing. To stay up to date on MSA socially responsible initiatives follow us on Linkedin.

Hyfire wireless fire devices selected to protect leading online fashion retailer

by Industry SectorsProductsRetail

One of the UK’s fastest growing and most quirky fashion retailers, Sock Snob, has selected cutting edge Taurus wireless fire devices from Hyfire to protect its flagship warehouse in Leicestershire. 

Launched in 2011 by founder Lindsay Doughty, specialist sock store Sock Snob has grown rapidly to become the UK’s leading specialist sock retailer, selling from its own website, Amazon, eBay and other locations. The company moved to its new warehouse in Meridian, Leicester in 2021 and, when insurers specified an urgent upgrade of the fire system, Hyfire wireless devices were the obvious choice, linked to an Advanced MxPro5 fire panel.  

Tom Warrilow, Sales Consultant at Nottingham-based APS Security & Fire, which installed the new system, commented: “Not only were we required to install this system as rapidly as possible in order to fulfil the conditions of Sock Snob’s new insurance policy, it also had to be done while the busy warehouse continued to operate at full capacity. We also wanted to minimise time on site due to the pandemic, so the latest wireless Taurus range from Hyfire was the obvious choice. 

“It’s not just that the wireless devices are simpler to install in a large industrial or logistics unit, such as this one, they can also be pre-programmed offsite, and wiring is reduced by up to 90%, so less need for scaffolding and internal disruption. We have worked with Hyfire for many years, but I have to say that Taurus has really taken wireless to the next level, and there are no compromises involved in going for the wireless option.” 

Hyfire offers the widest range of commercial standard wireless fire devices on the market, ranging from optical, multi-criteria and heat detectors to notification, alarm, interface and control units, all fully certified to EN54. All products offer the highest performance and quality in the industry, and are also fully compliant with BS5839 Part 1. Fire panels are wired via a loop to translators, from which wireless devices can be used on their own to build fully wireless systems of virtually any size, or mixed with Hyfire wired products to provide seamless hybrid solutions, offering total flexibility to specifiers and installers.  

Chris McGregor, Hyfire Regional Sales Manager, said: “Although this was a relatively simple wireless fire system covering the warehouse, mezzanine floor and office areas, the client needed everything to be installed and commissioned as rapidly and efficiently as possible. Working closely with the APS team, we were able to make it happen in super-quick time. 

“Thanks to our management team anticipating high demand for the new Taurus range, mainly due to its industry-leading capabilities and the global rise in demand for wireless devices due to the pandemic, we were able to provide all devices from our UK warehouse stock. In fact, Hyfire is currently guaranteeing a two-day turnaround on all items in the Taurus range.” 

Developed in Trieste, Italy, the global centre for wireless fire design, Taurus features Pathfinder Technology, which allows the devices to communicate over 1km, point to point in open air, and further where expansion hops are used. Antenna technology has been optimised to allow communication across different frequencies and environments, which means that Taurus can do the job with less equipment and less batteries, thus saving on costs.  

Hyfire was launched as Sterling Safety Systems in 2007, bringing to market some of the first commercial wireless detection and alarm devices fully certified to EN54. Since then, the Hyfire brand has become synonymous with quality, reliability and innovation in the commercial fire sector. Hyfire devices come with a five-year warranty, backed up by a dedicated partner programme to ensure the best survey, installation, commissioning, after sales service and exceptional technical support.