Houston concert tragedy casts crowd management into the spotlight

by Americas - Featured NewsIndustry SectorsPublic Events

Over the weekend, tragedy unfolded at NRG Park in Houston, Texas when eight young concert goers, between the ages of 14 and 27, were killed when reported crowd surges occurred during the Astroworld festival which attracted an estimated 50,000 attendees.

In addition to the loss of young lives, more than 300 attendees sought assistance at an onsite medical tent. News reports indicate that 25 were transported to the hospital and 13 remain hospitalized. The mass casualty event, considered to be one of the deadliest concerts in US history, is now being criminally investigated to determine what prompted pandemonium as eight-time Grammy nominated rapper Travis Scott, a Houston native, took to the stage.

The level of chaos that ensued on Friday night may seem rare, but we need only look back to April 30of this year when a celebration turned into tragedy as 45 people were killed and more than 150 were injured at a religious festival in Israel that attracted nearly 100,000 people. On the heels of that event, NFPA Building and Life Safety Tech Lead Kristin Bigda wrote a blog about crowd management safety. That piece serves as a great resource today as people search for answers in Houston and around the world. Bigda summarizes some of the code requirements from NFPA 101, Life Safety Code which are unique to assembly occupancies with large crowds. In part, Bigda explains:

  • Occupant Load is determined by utilizing factors that are based on how the space is used or is determined by using the maximum probable population of the space under consideration, whichever is greater. In areas of assembly occupancies more than 10,000 ft2 (930 m2), the occupant load cannot exceed a density of one person in every 7ft2 (0.65 m2).This occupant load limit exists to avoid overcrowding.
  • Life Safety Evaluations (LSEs) are required where the occupant load of an assembly occupancy exceeds 6,000. The LSE recognizes that fixed protection and suppression systems alone do not ensure safe egress where large numbers of people are present. Expected crowd behavior and techniques to manage any behavioral problems are also considered. The evaluation must include an assessment of all the following conditions and related appropriate safety measures:
    • Nature of the events and the participants and attendees
    • Access and egress movement, including crowd density problems
    • Medical emergencies
    • Fire hazards
    • Permanent and temporary structural systems
    • Severe weather conditions
    • Earthquakes
    • Civil or other disturbances
    • Hazardous materials incidents within and near the facility
    • Relationships among facility management, event participants, emergency response agencies, and others having a role in the events accommodated in the facility

  • Main Entrances/Exits are required in every assembly occupancy, new or existing, to accommodate for occupants that are likely to egress the facility via the same door(s)/opening they used to enter. In some types of new assembly occupancies, the main entrance/exit must accommodate up to two-thirds of the total egress capacity, while in other assembly occupancies it can account for 50 percent. In assembly occupancies where there is no well-defined main entrance/exit, exits are permitted to be distributed around the perimeter of the building, provided that the total exit width is not less than 100 percent of the width needed to accommodate the permitted occupant load.
  • Auditorium and Arena Floors need to be considered in new assembly occupancies where the floor area of auditoriums and arenas is used for assembly occupancy activities/events. Not less than 50 percent of the occupant load can have means of egress provided without passing through adjacent fixed seating areas.
  • Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) must be provided in assembly occupancies and are a critical component of assuring life safety in buildings. Plans must include a minimum of 18 different considerations including:
    • Building details
    • Designated building staff responsible for emergency duties
    • Identification of events that are considered life safety hazards and the specific procedures for each type of emergency
    • Staff training
    • Documentations
    • Inspection, testing, and maintenance of building facilities that provide for the safety of occupants
    • Conducting drills
    • Evacuation procedures
  • Crowd Managers are required for assembly occupancies. Where the occupant load exceeds 250, additional trained crowd managers or crowd manager supervisors are to be provided at a ratio of one crowd manager or crowd manager supervisor for every 250 occupants in most facilities.

Bigda also penned an In Compliance column for NFPA Journal this fall, reinforcing the fact that when safety protocols and crowd management features are neglected, it can have a drastic impact on the efficiency of egress response during large events like the one in Houston.

In that same issue, NFPA Journal also ran an Op-ed called In My Tribe by Steve Adelman, principal author of the authoritative crowd-management standard in the United States (ANSI ES1.9-2020) and vice president of the Event Safety Alliance, an industry group that was established after seven people were killed at the Indiana State Fair in 2011. Adelman writes, “In the context of events where participants are passionately engaged, a risk identity of situational invulnerability causes them to either downplay of not even perceive otherwise apparent hazards.”

While it is too early to know definitively what transpired in Houston, the incident reminds us just how important it is for citizens to have a keen level of situational awareness and for venue security and safety personnel to understand and apply the guidance found within NFPA 101.

This article originally appeared as an NFPA Today blog

New fire safety system from Hochiki installed at Corte Regia Relais and Spa

by HospitalityIndustry SectorsPassive

Located in the picturesque village of Borghetto di Valeggio sul Mincio, Italy, the Corte Regia Relais and Spa overlooks the river Mincio, with views across to the imposing Scaliger Castle and the Visconteo Bridge and a short journey to Lake Garda. For its guests this hotel is an escape from the outside world and is famed for providing a relaxing experience.

In 2020 the hotel underwent a massive transformation with the renovation of historical barns originally built in circa 800.  The aim of the renovation project was to conserve the building and to improve the functional use of the building while maintaining the original integrity and structure. As part of the renovation project a fully compliant fire detection and life safety system was to be designed and installed throughout the hotel’s luxury rooms and spa.  The installer, Cressoni Impianti Tecnolgici, chose Hochiki Italia as the manufacturer who designed the successful solution for the hotel.

The biggest challenge with the project was the fact that the hotel was a listed historical building. The original stone walls date from the 800s and the ceilings with wooden beams had to be kept. This made the wiring for the project quite complex, hence the need for a wireless solution. To keep with the aesthetics of the building and to minimise additional building changes the Hochiki Italia team worked closely to collaborate with the installer and the architect to satisfy the client’s request to be sympathetic and respect the historical building.

The ideal solution was to install both Hochiki’s ESP range and Ekho wireless systems. Products from the ESP range included multi-heat sensors, intelligent photoelectric smoke sensors with short circuit isolators and high performing chamber technology. This allowed for sensor threshold levels to be increased, thereby improving the signal to noise ratio which reduced the susceptibility to costly false alarms happening within the hotel.

Hochiki’s Ekho system raises wireless fire detection and alarm system gave the hotel new levels of reliability and flexibility. The hybrid system utilises the latest MESH net technology to provide the client with absolute and an economic wireless fire system installation with the minimum of disturbance to the surroundings – particularly important in keeping to the aesthetics of the Corte Regia Relais and Spa where installation of fire cabling would have been difficult, overly expensive or even prohibited in some parts. The wireless solution installed could be easily expanded around the entire site and worked particularly well with the original solid walls of the building.

Ezio Danese, Project manager at Hochiki Italia, commented: “The project had to comply with both architectural and standards requirements. The standards state that inside each room, in addition to a smoke detector, an alarm must be installed with a sound level of 75dB (A) in addition to an optical system capable of reaching even hearing-impaired people. For this reason, the EKWL8-OV detectors were chosen as they are equipped with an EN54-23 certified VAD and an EN54-3 certified voice sounder. The translators, connected to Hochiki’s ESP loop, were installed in the false ceilings in the corridors; their considerable range (1,200m in free area) made it possible to reach all the different wireless devices installed in the rooms. The Ekho system proved to be a perfect solution for the Corte Regia Relais and Spa project.”

The Corte Regia Hotel said: “We are really happy to have found such a technologically advanced solution which is able to guarantee the best fire protection for our guests and hotel staff whilst also fully respecting the particular architectural and aesthetic requirements of our hotel.”

Nittan detection system utilised by shopping centre

by Industry SectorsPassiveRetail

A Nittan Evolution fire detection system has been installed into the Bloomfield Shopping Centre in Bangor by Nittan Elite Partner Solutions for Systems, based in Northern Ireland.

Built in 1992, the Bloomfield Shopping Centre has for many years been North Down’s premier shopping destination, featuring a covered mall with 45 retailers, eight retail park units and three stand-alone restaurants. 

A new fire detection system was required at the site and, following detailed proposals by Solutions for Systems, a Nittan Evolution system was installed.  William McBride of Solutions for Systems stated “Nittan were specified because the client required that the system selected be compliant, cost effective, user friendly and have functionality to permit integration with existing or future building management systems”.

The new fire detection systems feature eight Nittan Evolution 1 fire alarm control panels installed in a network at strategic locations throughout the site, enabling site personnel to quickly and effectively access and assess any alerts on the fire alarm system without needing to return to the control room or to have dedicated staff located at a single panel in a control room. 

Evolution 1 are user-friendly touch screen panels that are both reliable and cost effective.  Fully compliant with BS EN54 part 2 and 4, the Evolution 1 panels have been designed with separate dedicated menus for the user and installer. They have the capability of running up to 254 devices on the loop, while the flexible architecture means everything from a single standalone panel, to a 16 panel network can be achieved without any additional hardware.

Evolution 1 panels are compatible with Nittan’s award winning Evolution range, which uses microprocessor technology in the sensors and sophisticated detection algorithms, combining extremely reliable fire detection together with a very high degree of protection against unwanted false alarms. Its advanced, highly flexible protocol is not only uniquely resistant to external interference, but also allows for substantial amounts of information to be transmitted at high speeds. 

At the shopping centre, Evolution EV-DPH-A2R Dual Optical Heat Detectors were selected, which feature Nittan’s award winning Dual Optical Technology to reduce false alarms, which retail environments are often prone to.  Furthermore, the detectors also incorporate an A2R class heat detector.  As such, the units are capable of monitoring two very different by-products of a fire –smoke and heat – so response to all fire types is significantly improved when compared with single sensor type units. 

The Evolution EV-DPH-A2R Detectors sit on Nittan EV-AV2-Sounder Beacon Bases which provide both sound and visual indication of alarm.

The new BS5839 Part 1 compliant Nittan Evolution system installed at Bloomfield Shopping Centre is now in operation and meeting the needs of its customer.  It provides the level of protection required at a competitive price, from the cost of the equipment through to the installation and ongoing maintenance.  Whilst the cause-and-effect requirements of the centre and retail park are relatively complex and detailed, it was easy to configure with the Nittan system and a substantial part of the work to do so was performed off site which reduced on site disruption and installation costs.

In addition, the system is open protocol and comes with an extended warranty which means the client has reassurance from an ongoing maintenance perspective that there should be minimal future costs after installation.  The open protocol also ensures the Nittan system can readily interface with the existing centre BMS and also the systems in individual shop/retail units.

Exclusive: Fire Safety on Temporary Sites: Minimising Risk

by ConstructionIndustry SectorsSafety

Ross Markham, Managing Director of Bull Products Limited discusses how fire safety on temporary sites can be improved 

Fire safety in permanent structures and buildings, like homes and offices has been high in the news agenda over recent years, but fires are all too common when the site is temporary in nature. The most common type of temporary site is a construction site, whether that is a new build or a refurbishment project.  The fire at the Notre-Dame cathedral renovation is a prime example of the potential risks within a construction site. 

However, there are other temporary sites where fire presents a risk to assets and human life. These could include shipbuilding sites, civil engineering and infrastructure projects and even Covid test centres and festivals. 

What are the risks? 

There are numerous causes of fires on temporary installations. These include ignition risks, electrical faults, flammable materials and unauthorised site access. Below are the dangers that each bring to temporary sites.     

Ignition Risk 

Historically, smoking on sites has been a major cause of fire on building sites, normally when cigarettes are not properly extinguished. Most sites now prohibit smoking on site; however this has to be constantly and consistently enforced. Having good signage across the sites acts as a good continuous reminder. Designated smoking areas should also be established well away from the main work areas and offices. 

Heat is used in many industrial applications, such as when welding and soldering metals. Naked flames are often used in the application of roofing materials. During these processes, sparks can also be a cause of fires. 

It is important that site workers are well trained to know the potential site of hazards, so they can minimise the risk by following the correct procedures in the workplace, such as storing materials in the correct place and keeping the workplace clean and tidy. 

Many larger sites will have a permit to work scheme (PTW) whereby employees are inducted and trained on health and safety issues, including fire prevention. If a fire breaks out, good training is paramount. Workers should also have access to the correct firefighting equipment and the site should be adequately alarmed, with clear and obvious alarm points and the correct type of detection (heat, smoke etc). 

Electrical Faults 

Old wiring systems are often the cause of fire in older buildings. For example, when refurbishment projects begin, old wiring circuits can be disturbed and create a heightened risk of fire. Tangled and damaged wires can also overheat and cause fires. 

Old halogen and halide light can get very hot and should be avoided on construction sites. One way to overcome this is through the use LEDs, which operate at a low temperature, presenting a fraction of the risk. They also keep energy usage and cost down. All lighting and heating should be kept away from combustible materials – that is to say, it is paramount to ensure that sites are kept clean, tidy and organised. 

To minimise the risk of fire caused by electrical appliances, machinery and equipment on temporary sites, PAT testing should be undertaken. All electrical installations must also comply with BS7671:2008. This standard includes a section specific to construction sites. 

Flammable Materials 

Many temporary sites contain flammable substances in the form of solids (explosives), liquids (i.e. petrol and diesel) and gases (propane, butane). Poorly stored or managed flammables can cause catastrophic fires and even explosions. Additionally, combustible materials like waste packaging and paper, stored incorrectly, can heighten the risk of fire. General waste should also be stored well away from ignition risks. 

The management and control of building materials and waste on site is regulated by the Environment Agency through the Site Waste Management Plans Regulations, 2008. 

Having adequate spill control facilities and training is useful if flammable accelerants like petroleum, diesel or paraffin are spilt on-site.   

Unauthorised Site Access 

Thankfully arson is rare on temporary sites, but when it happens it can be catastrophic. Controlling access through adequate physical perimeter security along with gated access points with full identification checks should be a high priority. CCTV systems and security guards may also be an option for larger sites. Again, keeping flammable substances and accelerants locked away will reduce the temptation and opportunity for intruders. 

Access management software, like the SmartGate system, can also pre-register visitors, induct them on health and safety, issue permits to work and ensure contractors have adequate certifications and accreditations. 

How can temporary site operators and contractors minimise risk? 

At Bull, we have developed the Fire360 process which is a sequence of robust events to ensure a low-risk environment.  

Some of the key features of the Fire360 process include: 

  • Initial site survey to establish the fire safety requirements of the site, both to maximise protection but also to comply with fire safety regulation. 
  • Carry out an initial formal Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) by a qualified fire risk assessor followed by subsequent FRA’s at regular intervals, normally every 3 or 6 months. 
  • Installation of a fire protection systems, such as the Cygnus 1 system, by BAFE and CSCS certified engineers 
  • Ensure your on-site team receives professional fire safety training, with specialist training for fire marshals and first-aiders. 
  • When a site is completed, fire safety equipment should be professionally de-commissioned. Bull offers a service to collect and store equipment, so it can be tested, cleaned and delivered to the site where it is required next. 

Even if all the preventive measures are undertaken, fire can still break out. If that happens, it is important to have a robust alarm system developed specifically for temporary sites, such as the Cygnus 1 system. This system is completely wireless, making installation simple and quick. Cygnus 1 has an extremely strong radio signal, which means it has a greater range and can reach shielded areas of the building that other detection systems cannot. Once installed, Cygnus 1 creates a wireless mesh, or network, with each detector and the control panel. Should a detector be damaged or be obstructed, the Cygnus 1 mesh will self-heal, ensuring coverage throughout the site. 

To sum up, by being proactive, systematic and organised, the risk of damaging fires on temporary sites can be dramatically reduced. Whether a site is temporary or permanent, there is no need to compromise on fire safety. 

CASE STUDY 

PREMIER MODULAR – COVID-19 test sites across the UK protected with Bull Products 

Earlier this year, Bull Products was selected to supply its Cygnus Wireless Alarm System to around 50 Covid-19 standalone test sites across the UK.  

Premier Modular is the modular building specialist responsible for installing 50 self-contained Covid test sites across the UK, from Inverness to Portsmouth as part of the national effort to support the NHS in increasing testing capacity.  

Within six hours of the initial order, Bull installed its Fire Call Point Alarms and Smoke Detectors to the first test site delivered by Premier which was located in Bolton. 

Matthew Trigwell, Sales Director at Bull Products, says: “It’s a privilege to work alongside Premier Modular to provide fire safety equipment to these vital test sites. The Cygnus alarm system provides an ideal solution to projects that require a quick turnaround thanks to the speed of installation and ease of use of this temporary fire detection and alarm system. 

“It’s another example of how the Cygnus wireless system is ideal for all temporary sites to protect both people and property.” 

Elgan Roberts, Contracts Manager at Premier Modular, adds: “We have worked with Bull for many years, and so we were confident they were the perfect partner to supply the Cygnus alarm system. The wireless alarm system is reliable and flexible, and we have no doubt it will provide enhanced fire safety across all of the Covid-19 test sites that we are installing around the UK.” 

Ross Markham, Managing Director of Bull Products Limited

Building safety a ‘ticking time bomb’ if fire cable testing isn’t strengthened

by Building ManagementIndustry SectorsSafety

A leading manufacturer of fire resistance cables believes building safety could remain a ‘ticking time bomb’ if product testing for fire cables is not strengthened.

For many years, Wrexham Mineral Cables has been calling for more stringent testing standards as it believes too many cables are classified as fire resistant yet are not fit for purpose in real-life fire scenarios.

Under current standards, only ‘fire-resistant’ cables greater than 20mm in diameter undergo testing for direct impacts to reflect falling debris and water jet testing on a single test sample. For ‘ENHANCED fire resistant’ cables under 20mm, no direct impact test takes place, and the water test is just a spray test, whilst different stages of each test are carried out on different samples of cable.

Wrexham Mineral Cables believes this is putting lives at risk.

It comes at a time when London’s Fire Commissioner Andy Roe has called for urgent change in the building industry as the number of blocks of flats in London with fire safety failings is now more than 1,000. Whilst a majority of the issues are due to cladding, the remainder have other fire safety defects, and in all of these buildings, LFB has suspended its ‘stay put strategy’.

Wrexham Mineral Cables Commercial Manager Steve Williams says testing needs to be strengthened for all fire-resistant cables as part of the construction industry’s wider drive to improve building safety.

He commented: “ENHANCED fire-resistant’ cables play a fundamental role in ensuring that emergency and building critical systems are supported in the event of a fire. Not only do they provide early indication of a fire, they keep them safe whilst providing extended time for rescue services to evacuate occupants and ensure critical circuits remain functional for longer periods. This is particularly critical in high rise buildings where evacuation times can be extensive or hindered due to the sheer size of the building.

“The tests which construction products are subjected to need to be relevant and relied upon. It is extremely concerning that ‘ENHANCED fire-resistant’ cables most commonly being used in fire alarms, emergency lighting, extraction systems, monitoring systems or even backup generators may not survive fire, water, and direct impact. If this remains the case, building safety will remain a ticking time bomb.”

Mr Williams says Mineral Insulated Copper Cable (MICC) is the only fire performance cable that, in historical testing, has survived over 1000˚C, whilst being subjected to direct hammer blows and a full water pressure test using a fire hose. Samples tested have been measured at just 5.7mm in diameter and maintained circuit integrity for over 3 hours.

He added: “We remain committed to raising industry standards. And the only way to achieve this is by introducing a higher classification for such products. The Government’s review of current systems for testing construction products was a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to ensure the safety of buildings.

Regardless of size or construction, if a cable is required to function in the event of a fire, each single cable sample must have to pass a true fire scenario test, helping identify those which can survive, rather than simply resist fire.  Ensuring that the tests which construction products are subjected to are relevant and can be relied upon is the only way we can make buildings truly safe.”

Fire Protection for Aircraft Hangars Adopted in NFPA 409 2022 Edition

by AviationFire SuppressionIndustry SectorsProducts

Safespill, a leader in environmentally safe fire protection systems, has announced that the company’s core technology — the Safespill flooring system, also known as an ignitable liquid drainage floor assembly — will be added to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 409, the industry’s Standard on Aircraft Hangars, 2022 Edition as an equivalent to traditional foam-based systems in hangars.

For the first time in more than 30 years, military and airport operators now have a new, environmentally friendly option for hangars at risk of liquid fuel fires. Until now, the industry has relied on two fire suppression systems — aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) and high expansion foam (HEF).

AFFF, while providing effective fire suppression, contains PFAS chemicals proven to be dangerous to the environment and human health, and a source of drinking water contamination at military bases and in communities nationwide. Additionally, HEF poses significant risks, damaging aircraft and creating unsafe situations for personnel during accidental discharges, which engulf hangars with large quantities of foam.

The NFPA 409 Technical Committee voted in July 2021 to add Ignitable Liquid Drainage Floor Assemblies (ILDFAs) to the standard following years of fire tests, including performance demonstrations at Safespill’s test facility in Houston, TX.

In the ILDFA’s basics, it is a hollow aluminum extruded floor with a perforated top surface and underlying channels, connected to a trench system to remove any spilled liquid to an acceptable location (i.e., oil/water separator, containment system, or as directed by the local authority). If a spill is ignited, the ILDFA will rapidly control and extinguish the flammable or combustible liquid fire.

“It’s our mission to transition the world to environmentally safe fire protection,” notes Safespill founder and CEO Tristan Mackintosh. “We have been on a journey to introduce our new approach to aircraft hangar fire protection to the NFPA 409 committee and the public as well. Now that Safespill’s system will be included as an option in the NFPA standard, airport and hangar operators now have an environmentally safe alternative to the chemical-based systems they have been required to use for the past 60 years.”  

In a recent article by John Frank, leader of AXA XL Insurance’s Loss Prevention Center of Excellence and a member of the NFPA 409 Technical Committee, he describes the new ILDFA system. Compared to foam-based fire suppression systems, Frank notes, “The ILDFA technology eliminates all concerns about engulfment while delivering equal or better fire suppression performance. This is a multi-win technology that meets the needs of hangar operators, aircraft owners, insurers of all types, and local authorities.”

Frank adds, “If you are considering building a new hangar — and the NFPA agrees to adopt this new technology [now adopted] — the ILDFA should be your first consideration. It solves everyone’s concerns.”

New extinguishing system for burning traction batteries in electric vehicles

by IndustrialIndustry Sectors

Rosenbauer has launched a new extinguishing system for burning traction batteries in electric vehicles. The system can be used to safely and efficiently extinguish lithium-ion based high-voltage batteries. It enables direct cooling of the battery modules, or the cells within the modules, and thus a quick stop to the propagation of the thermal runaway of the cells.

The safety of the firefighter was the top priority during the development and is achieved by the fact that the firefighter only being in the vicinity of the burning vehicle for a very short time and the system is activated from a safe distance. The extinguishing system applies the water exactly where it is needed: to cool the cells and modules in the battery housing. Extinguishing thus takes place in a very resource-efficient way and reduces the spread of flue gases to a minimum. 

Functional description

The system consists of two main components, an extinguishing unit and a control unit, which are connected to each other with hoses. The extinguishing unit is positioned on the battery and, if necessary, supported on the car body or other points. The preferred position is between the road and the vehicle when the vehicle is on all four wheels. It is also possible to use the system via the interior and luggage compartment, or from the top in the case of vehicles lying on their sides or on the roof.

The system is activated via the control unit at a sufficient distance from the vehicle (approx. 8 meters). The piercing nozzle is driven into the battery with a force of several tons and the water is discharged directly into the battery through the perforated nozzle. The water fills the battery housing completely and thus ensures efficient cooling. The water supply of a normal tank firefighting vehicle/ firefighting and rescue vehicle iis sufficient to ensure successful extinguishing. A normal pressure pump is sufficient for the supply of water.

After the battery has been cooled to the point where the cell temperature is in a safe range, the vehicle is ready for transport. The extinguishing unit can remain in the battery during transport (and at the quarantine site). This allows water to be quickly pumped into the battery housing at any time, regardless of whether the vehicle is being transported with a roll-off container dumper or on a tow truck with a fire blanket.

Technology confirmed

The system has been tested in numerous fire tests by Rosenbauer with a wide variety of battery designs (pouch, prismatic and round cells) in different vehicle platforms. In addition, industrial, professional, and volunteer fire departments across Europe have been testing the system for months with their operational tactics, operational technology and crews, demonstrating that it is compatible with existing resources and tactics. 

Patrick Looß, Head of the Securitas Fire & Safety site fire department c/o Porsche Leipzig commented: “We were very pleased to be able to develop and test the extinguishing system together with Rosenbauer and to be involved in its improvement and further development. The extinguishing system is currently one of the best and most innovative of its kind to contain the spread of battery fires. Operation is very user-friendly and effective. From my point of view, the system is a must-have for every fire department. We are proud to have such a close working relationship with Rosenbauer and look forward to tackling new projects together in the future.”

Jürgen Peitz, Head of the VDA & VDIK Working Group “Rescuing people from vehicles involved in an accident: “The extinguishing of batteries is an important contribution to the safe use of electromobility, also in terms of society. This is why VDA/VDIK supports the topic and Opel, Volkswagen, BMW, Volvo, Tesla and Audi for instance, have provided battery packs of the latest generation and complete vehicles for the important and necessary fire tests over the past two years. The best way to avoid pollutants in the air and firefighting water is to extinguish quickly and efficiently. And that is what the Rosenbauer extinguishing system ensures in conjunction with an application that is as safe as possible for firefighters.”

The new Rosenbauer battery extinguishing system can be ordered now and will be delivered at the beginning of next year.

ARFF: Airports transition to environmentally friendly fire fighting

by AviationIndustry SectorsProjects

In case of fire emergency at airport, every second counts. Aircraft Rescue Fire Firefighters (ARFF) have to be effective in a short time to save people lives in a burning aircraft. The firefighting foam must be quickly efficient.

The move from AFFF to FFF at airports

The world of firefighting is quickly moving toward fluorine-free foam products, getting away from PFAS-containing products (AFFF and AR-AFFF foams). The industry challenge was to provide efficient fluorine-free foams with same performance that fluorinated products.

Performing fluorine-free foams (FFF) that meet ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) specification are available in the aviation market. Some international airports are changing or have already changed for fluorine-free foam onboard fire trucks or in aircraft hangar fire safety systems.

New fluorine-free foam dedicated to aircraft fires ECOPOL A+

Thanks to its long experience in environmentally friendly foams and aircraft fire safety, BIOEX launched ECOPOL A+ fluorine-free foam: an high-performance FFF dedicated to aircraft fire extinguishment.

This fluorine-free foam quickly extinguishes a wide range of hydrocarbon fuels fires faced at airports, such as kerosene, jet A1, gasoline and heptane. ECOPOL A+ meets International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) certification and European Standard EN1568 Part 3 v2018 certification.

ECOPOL A+ forms a stable and thick foam blanket which flows rapidly above burning fuel to seals vapours and cut off oxygen supply, to quickly extinguish fire and prevent from reignition. ECOPOL A+ is a viable alternative to AFFF foams and offers equal or better performance than traditional AFFF foams.

The foam adheres to vertical surfaces to cool aircraft parts such as fuselage or body, providing long thermal insulation and allowing passenger evacuation. Formulated without PFAS-components, this fluorine-free foam is an environmentally friendly solution for airports fire protection. ECOPOL A+ meets environmental concerns balanced with high fire safety performances. ECOPOL A+ is fully biodegradable, fluorine-free and silicone-free.

ECOPOL A+ foam applications

ECOPOL A+ can be used in low or medium expansion depending on the fire scenario (landing gear, engine, fuel line fires…). Contained within ARFF vehicle, the foam concentrate can be applied on direct application by the airport fire truck monitor. For fires that cannot be reach by the aircraft fire vehicle, it can be put out with fixed or mobile foam proportioning and foam discharge devices. The foam concentrate is available in 3% and 6% version. Fire fighters can use it with fresh, brackish and sea water. BIOEX aviation foam concentrates are tested and approved by many international airports such as Paris airports, Geneve airport and Ottawa airport.

NFPA to host Keeping Hazardous Environments Safe conference

by EventsIndustrialIndustry Sectors

On Tuesday, October 5, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) will host Keeping Hazardous Environments Safe, a conference for those who work in industrial settings, the chemical and petrochemical sectors, emergency management, plant operations, occupational health and safety, code enforcement, the fire service, and the energy field. The one-day program will feature educational sessions, industry roundtable discussions, networking opportunities, live chat exchanges, sponsor demonstrations, and more. Attendees will learn about the safe handling, storage, and transportation of hazardous materials, as well as the precautions that need to be taken when working with energy storage systems (ESS), natural gases, flammable liquids, fuel gases, petroleum, combustible dust, hot work, and more.

The Keeping Hazardous Environments Safe conference is the 5th in the virtual NFPA 125th Anniversary Conference Series, which replaced the traditional in-person 2021 Conference & Expo with eleven online conferences over a year’s time. The event, which can be attended on the scheduled date or accessed later, will cover a wide range of topics, and feature an impressive lineup of well-known industry subject matter experts. Here is what is on tap:

  1. Hot Work in Industrial Facilities – Laura Moreno, NFPA Standards Lead, Industrial and Chemical Safety and Kevin Carr, NFPA Specialist
  2. NFPA 30: The Risk Management Paradigm of Ignitible (Flammable and Combustible) Liquids and Your Facility – Mike Marando, NFPA Senior Engineer, NFPA 30 Staff Liaison and Alwin Kelly, Senior Engineer, Jensen Hughes, NFPA 30 Technical Committee Member
  3. NFPA 30: Revisiting Fire Risks of Composite IBCs; A Global View – Mike Snyder, DEKRA Process Safety and Nicolas Lochet, Allianz Global Risk Consulting
  4. NFPA 54, Working Safely with Fuel Gas – Guy Colonna, Principal Engineer, FSL Consulting LLC
  5. NFPA 58: An Ongoing History of Taming the Flame – Bruce Sweicicki, P.E., Senior Technical Advisor, NPGA
  6. Emergency Preparedness for Industrial Facilities Near Communities – Bernard W. Leong, PE, Chief Fire Protection Engineer, Chevron and Eric LaVergne, Williams Fire & Hazard Control/JCI
  7. Panel Discussion Part 1: Energy Storage Systems and Surprise, AZ – Bob Sullivan, NFPA Regional Director Southwest (Moderator), Brian O’Connor, P.E., Engineer, and other industry experts
  8. NFPA 652: Dust Hazard Analysis 101 – Chris Cloney, PhD, Managing Director and Lead Researcher, DustEx Research
  9. Panel Discussion Part 2: Energy Storage Systems, Preventing Disaster – Bob Sullivan, NFPA Regional Director Southwest (Moderator), Brian O’Connor, P.E., Engineer, and other industry experts
  10. NFPA 715: Combustible Gas Dispersion Detector Location Analysis – Noah L. Ryder, PhD, PE, MBA, Managing Partner, Fire & Risk Alliance, LLC, and Scott Davis, President and Principal Engineer, Gexcon
  11. Live! Industry Round Table: Putting it All On the Table – Jon Hart, NFPA Technical Lead, Principal Fire Protection Engineer (Moderator), Kirk M. Sander, Chief of Staff and Vice President, Safety and Standards, National Waste & Recycling Association, Bernard W. Leong, PE, Chief Fire Protection Engineer, Chevron, and Alwin Kelly, Senior Engineer, Jensen Hughes

“The last two years have been particularly unnerving when you consider industrial issues, chemical safety, and emerging technologies. There was the Beirut explosion, the ESS incident in Arizona, neighborhoods leveled by natural gas explosions, incidents at industrial facilities encroaching on communities, responders getting hurt, and other noteworthy challenges,” Monique Manning, NFPA portfolio manager for emergency response, industrial & chemical safety and emerging technologies said. “The experts we have assembled for the Keeping Hazardous Environments Safe conference are ideally suited to educate practitioners on the lessons learned, prescriptive processes, and holistic safety approach that can help to reduce risk.”

Attendees can tune in live to earn up to five credit hours (0.5 CEU) and earn an additional five credit hours on-demand for a total of 10 credit hours (1.0 CEU). Alternatively, the content can all be viewed on-demand for a total of 10 credit hours (1.0 CEU). All programs will be available on-demand for up to a year starting on October 5.

Registration for Keeping Hazardous Environments Safe is now open. Check out the full list of session descriptions and take advantage of EARLYBIRD125 incentives up until September 21 to attend the conference and invite a friend at no cost.

Oshkosh Airport Products ‘Road Rally’ sets off for next wave of events

by Americas - EventsIndustry SectorsPublic Events

Oshkosh Airport Products, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation Company, announced today the next stops in the 2021 Road Rally featuring the revolutionary new Striker® Volterra™ ARFF hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). After the completion of stops along the Western Coast of the U.S., the Road Rally now sets off for locations in the Central and Southeast regions of the country. The events offer aircraft rescue and fire fighting crews at airports a hands-on and immersive experience to learn about the new technology.

Additionally, fire department representatives have an opportunity to meet one-on-one with experts to learn about the Striker Volterra vehicle’s attributes and its ability to meet each location’s unique environmental and sustainability initiatives. The Road Rally events kicked off in early August 2021 at Portland International Airport (PDX) with live demonstrations, Q&A sessions, and more.

“We’re pleased that Portland International Airport was selected as the start of the tour,” said Fire Chief Rob Mathis. “We enjoyed hosting the Oshkosh team and it provided a chance for our partners and regional agencies to view the company’s new hybrid electric vehicle up-close-and-personal.”

Upcoming Road Rally Locations Include:

  • Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
  • Miami International Airport (MIA)
  • Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
  • Detroit Metro Airport (DTW)

In June 2021, Oshkosh Airport Products introduced the Striker Volterra ARFF hybrid electric vehicle, which is designed around Oshkosh proprietary and patented technology. Other key features include:

  • An Oshkosh patented hybrid-electric drivetrain featuring an electro-mechanical infinitely variable transmission allows zero-emissions operation when powered by the integrated onboard batteries, and can be coupled to the internal combustion engine to provide continuous and uninterrupted power to the pumping system or drive system
  • Faster acceleration: setting a new standard for performance, the Striker Volterra HEV is capable of achieving 28% faster acceleration than before when fully loaded, resulting in a quickened response time
  •  Idle reduction for up to one hour of zero-emissions standby using onboard energy storage
  •  Zero-emission driving during entry and exit of the fire station using onboard energy storage
  • Available Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) options for further electric vehicle driving capabilities

“We’ve enjoyed connecting with airport fire departments during the first wave of the Road Rally to share how the Striker Volterra hybrid electric vehicle can meet the growing environmental sustainability needs among airports of all sizes,” said Jack Bermingham, business unit director for Oshkosh Airport Products. “We’ve learned what surprises event attendees the most about the vehicle is there are no compromises on operational performance, functionality, safety, customization, or the configurations our customers love.”

The Striker Volterra performance HEV is custom-engineered and extensively tested to deliver rapid response while simultaneously managing its carbon footprint. Additionally, it is fully compliant with NFPA 414 and ICAO standards while being certified to off-highway EPA and EU regulations. 

Individuals and teams interested in attending Oshkosh Airport Products’ second wave of the 2021 Road Rally should contact their local Oshkosh Airport Products dealership or sales representative for more information.