Decontex joins NFCC National Firefighter PPE Framework for specialist decontamination

by Breaking NewsFirefighting EquipmentPPEProjects

Decontex’s appointment to the NFCC National Firefighter PPE Framework follows a comprehensive evaluation process, in which Decontex achieved an outstanding score of 98.5/100 in the National Fire Chiefs Council’s assessment

Decontex, the Global specialist in the decontamination and maintenance of firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE), has been awarded a place on Lot 9 (Specialist Decontamination) of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) National Firefighter PPE Framework, following a competitive procurement process conducted by Kent & Medway Towns Fire & Rescue Authority on behalf of the NFCC.

The appointment enables Decontex to provide decontamination services for Fire Structural Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Lightweight Firefighting PPE through the national framework.

The award followed an extensive assessment process in which suppliers’ decontamination capabilities were evaluated against technical and quality criteria set by the NFCC. The framework is designed to help fire and rescue services access approved suppliers that meet recognised standards for firefighter PPE maintenance and safety.

During the evaluation, Decontex achieved an outstanding score of 98.5% , earning a weighted result  of 192.50 out of 195.50 and a raw totalscore of 217 out of 220. This  provides independent validation of the quality and reliability of its decontamination service.

Contaminant removal

Decontex is a leading developer of proprietary supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) decontamination technologies for firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE), combining superior decontamination performance with preservation of protective functionality and environmental sustainability.

The process removes contaminants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals and other carcinogenic residues, from deep within fabric and membrane layers that may not be fully addressed through conventional water-based washing methods.

The technology is designed to preserve the protective performance of garments while operating in line with the decontamination tier of NFPA1850 and BS ISO 23616, the international standard covering the care and maintenance of firefighter PPE.

Decontex is currently preparing to introduce its proprietary supercritical CO₂ technology to UK fire and rescue services through a dedicated PPE decontamination service, with operations scheduled to commence latest in the fourth quarter of 2026.The rollout is expected to provide firefighters with access to specialist decontamination technology aimed at reducing long-term exposure to potentially harmful contaminants encountered during operational duties.

The company said it looks forward to working with fire and rescue services across the UK to support firefighter health and safety through enhanced PPE decontamination.

Fire safety: from a compliance obligation to a strategic enabler of autonomous buildings

by Americas - Breaking NewsBreaking NewsBuilding ManagementFire EngineeringHealth and SafetyProjects

Susanne Seitz, CEO of Buildings Smart Infrastructure at Siemens , explains why digital, IoT-enabled fire safety systems are transforming fire protection

For decades, fire safety systems have been viewed primarily through the lens of compliance. Essential, yes – but rarely seen as a contributor to performance, resilience or sustainability. As buildings become smarter and more autonomous, that perspective needs to change.

Across industries, aging fire safety infrastructure often hides significant inefficiencies: high false alarm rates, disconnected systems, rising maintenance effort and limited ability to use data effectively. Facility teams spend up to 60% of their time validating false alarms rather than focusing on value-adding tasks.

In a world of tight budgets and skilled labor shortages, this is no longer sustainable. As energy systems evolve – for example, with the increased use of lithium-ion batteries in data centers – modern fire detection and protection become even more critical.

Modern, IoT-enabled fire safety systems fundamentally shift this reality. By embedding intelligence and connectivity, fire safety moves beyond an isolated layer to become an integral part of the digital building ecosystem.

This deeper integration allows fire safety data and events to inform and interact with other critical building systems – from triggering HVAC adjustments to contain smoke, to coordinating with access control for safe evacuation, or even informing building automation for optimized emergency responses.

The impact is tangible. Reactive maintenance becomes predictive planning. Periodic testing evolves into continuous, silent monitoring.

And with solutions like Building X Fire Apps, single-building oversight expands to portfolio-wide visibility, enabling consolidated management and insights across multiple sites.

This digital transformation also helps reduce false alarms by approximately 80%, significantly improving operational efficiency and occupant experience.

Digital fire safety also unlocks a new generation of services. Cloud connectivity, remote diagnostics, and advanced analytics allow technicians to arrive prepared, resolve issues faster, and reduce repeat visits – helping organizations cope with ongoing talent shortages.

At the same time, predictive insights enable smarter investment and data-driven lifecycle decisions.

Sustainability is another critical dimension. Targeted upgrades instead of full system replacements reduce electronic waste. Remote management lowers emissions by minimising the number of site visits. And advanced detection algorithms help avoid unnecessary emergency responses triggered by false alarms.

New technology is already beginning to deliver value across sectors. In healthcare, digital fire safety supports uptime and patient safety through data-driven operations. In higher education, it simplifies the management of complex campuses with diverse building types.

And in commercial real estate, it forms a foundation for more autonomous, scalable building operations.

The conclusion is clear: the question is no longer whether fire safety systems should be modernised, but how strategically can organisations approach it.

As we move toward autonomous buildings, fire safety must be digital-native, cybersecure and seamlessly integrated into the building’s intelligence layer. Those who rethink fire safety beyond compliance will unlock meaningful gains in operational performance, sustainability and long-term resilience.

This article was originally published on LinkedIn. The original article can be found here.

5 of the biggest fire safety news stories of 2026 so far

by ActiveAmericas - Breaking NewsAmericas - ProductsBreaking NewsBuilding ManagementConstructionFire DetectionFire EngineeringFire SuppressionFire SuppressionHealth and SafetyMENA - Breaking NewsMENA - ProductsMENA - ProjectsMiddle East - Breaking NewsMiddle East - EventsPassivePeopleProductsProjectsProjectsPublic EventsPublic EventsSafety

2026 has already delivered no shortage of headlines in terms of fire safety news. As fire risks continue to evolve, so too does the industry’s response, with innovation, regulation and investment shaping the future of fire protection and life safety.

In this roundup, we look back at five of the biggest fire safety news stories of 2026 so far. These developments have captured the attention of fire safety professionals worldwide, influencing policy, operations and the technologies protecting people, property and critical infrastructure.

KiddeFenwal expands NATURA line with Micro fire protection for small assets

In January, KiddeFenwal launched NATURA Micro, a compact inert gas fire suppression system offered through its Kidde Fire Systems brand.

The system was introduced at Intersec in Dubai, which took place from 12 to 14 January. NATURA Micro forms part of the company’s inert gas systems portfolio and is intended to protect enclosed, small-sized assets.

Swiss ski resort fire at Le Constellation

January also saw a devastating fire break out at Le Constellation, Crans-Montana, Switzerland, during New Year celebrations in the early hours of 01/01/2026.

Police said the fire started at around 1:30am local time, when the basement bar was busy with revellers marking the turn of the year.

Click here for our coverage on timeline, casualties and investigation.

New Class L created specifically for lithium-ion battery fires

February kicked off with the launch of a new classification for lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery fires. BSI confirmed the update reflects the growing use of Li-ion batteries across the built environment, from large energy storage systems to electric vehicles and personal mobility devices.

Fire safety news

The standard classifies fires according to the nature of the material undergoing combustion.

Battery storage standard UL 9540A updated with large-scale fire testing

Standards and regulations were also on the mind in terms of fire safety news in March, with UL Standards & Solutions publishing the sixth edition of UL 9540A, adding large-scale fire testing requirements to the standard for evaluating thermal runaway fire propagation in battery energy storage systems.

The new edition was published on 13 March and is described it as a key standard for battery energy storage systems (BESS), including lithium-ion systems.

Philippines launches Fire Prevention Month

Meanwhile, March saw the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) officially launch Fire Prevention Month in the Philippines with an assembly of more than 3,000 people and over 300 vehicles on March 1.

The Manila Bulletin reported that the event was led by BFP chief Director Jesus Fernandez.

The launch brought together BFP personnel, national government agencies, local and barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices, fire volunteers, fire brigades, private partners and non-government organisations.

Ramtech deploys wireless fire detection system at 2026 Le Mans race

by Breaking NewsFire DetectionFire DetectionFire EngineeringProjectsPublic Events

Ramtech has successfully deployed its wireless fire detection technology at the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans, providing temporary fire protection across key event infrastructure and demonstrating the increasing adoption of automated fire safety systems at major motorsport events.

Working alongside event infrastructure specialist iEvent and integration partner Prodomo, Ramtech France installed a temporary network of more than 300 wireless devices, including smoke and heat detectors and manual call points. The system protected 14 team paddocks and the Genesis Hospitality Building throughout the event.

Installed on a one-month rental basis, the system delivered continuous 24/7 fire monitoring during both the event build-up and race period, with the core live system operating for one week.

The deployment follows a similar installation at the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix, reflecting a broader trend among major motorsport organisers towards wireless fire protection systems that can be rapidly installed and adapted.

Bruna Esposito, Business Unit Director at Ramtech, said: “The environment at a modern Grand Prix or endurance race closely mirrors the extreme complexities of major commercial construction or industrial sites; massive temporary structures, constantly evolving site layouts, tight installation windows and millions of dollars in critical team assets. Managing these risks via manual human patrols is increasingly seen as an outdated and reactive liability.

“We are seeing a fundamental shift in how the world’s largest public events manage fire safety. Rather than relying on traditional, human-led fire watch personnel to manually patrol grounds, tier-one event organisers are embracing automated wireless safety technology to protect people and temporary infrastructure. This project represents an important milestone for Ramtech, demonstrating the trust that global event organisers place in our technology.”

Because the wireless mesh system requires no cabling or conduit, additional devices could be installed or relocated as site layouts evolved during the build-up to race day, allowing organisers to respond quickly to changing operational requirements.

Wireless system chosen for flexibility

Antoine Galicher, Project Manager at iEvent, said: “Flexibility was one of the key reasons we chose Ramtech’s WES system. For an event of this scale, we needed a solution that could deliver both reliability and ease of deployment, allowing us to adapt quickly as requirements changed. The wireless technology simplified installation while helping us maintain the high safety standards expected at Le Mans.”

Sylvain Castaignau, Business Development Manager for Ramtech France, added: “The customer was initially looking for a solution to improve fire safety but was not aware that an automated system like WES existed. From the first demonstration, it became clear that the flexibility and functionality of the system were perfectly suited to an event environment where requirements change daily. This project proves how temporary fire protection can evolve beyond traditional fire watch approaches.”

Ramtech highlights wider event safety trends

Ramtech believes the Le Mans project reflects a wider shift in temporary fire protection for large-scale events, where organisers are increasingly seeking alternatives to manual fire watch patrols.

Esposito said: “With the additional risk posed by increasing summer temperatures and prolonged heatwaves, relying on manual human labour for continuous fire watch patrols introduces major occupational health risks and soaring overtime costs. In addition, there is a heightened concern around the potential for outbreaks of fire, particularly in conditions of dry outdoor spaces, where events may be held.”

The company says the project demonstrates how wireless fire detection technology can provide flexible protection for temporary venues, particularly where layouts change frequently during construction and event preparation.

IFE celebrates female fire engineers for International Women in Engineering Day 2026

by Breaking NewsFire EngineeringIFSJ LeadersProjects

IFE International Women in Engineering Day 2026 campaign highlights the achievements of female fire engineers from across its global membership

The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) is marking International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) 2026 with a week-long campaign celebrating the achievements and contributions of female fire engineers from across its global membership.

Running from 21–28 June, the campaign recognises the expertise, leadership and innovation women bring to the fire engineering profession while highlighting their role in creating a safer built environment.

Throughout the week, the IFE will share stories from female members representing a range of countries, career stages and professional specialisms. The member spotlights will showcase how women are advancing fire safety, driving professional standards and inspiring the next generation of fire engineers.

The campaign will also examine how IFE membership has supported the professional development of female fire engineers by providing opportunities to connect with peers, access learning and development resources, gain professional recognition and contribute to the wider fire safety community.

Representing more than 15,000 members worldwide, the IFE said it remains committed to supporting greater diversity across the fire sector. The campaign features women from the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States and South Africa, reflecting the breadth of expertise within the global fire engineering community.

The IFE said that by celebrating female fire engineers across its membership, it aims to recognise the expertise strengthening fire safety today while inspiring the women who will help shape the profession in the future.

Professionals are also encouraged to join the IFE Women’s Networking Group, which provides a community for women across the fire sector to connect, share experiences, support professional development and inspire future fire engineers.

UK firefighters continue Venezuela earthquake response mission

by Breaking NewsProjectsSearch and Rescue

Venezuela earthquake response continues as UK International Search and Rescue teams work alongside international partners

UK firefighters are continuing life-saving search and rescue operations as part of the Venezuela earthquake response, where specialist teams are supporting international efforts following last week’s devastating earthquake.

The 68-strong UK International Search and Rescue (UK ISAR) team is now two days into its deployment in the Caraballeda coastal region, around 15km north of Caracas. Working alongside local and international partners, the team is carrying out systematic searches of collapsed structures using specialist equipment and trained search dogs in difficult and hazardous conditions.

The deployment includes firefighters and specialist personnel from 14 UK fire and rescue services, supported by six search dogs, medics, a structural engineer and a veterinary surgeon.

Images released show UK ISAR personnel searching collapsed buildings, coordinating with local emergency responders and deploying canine teams as rescue efforts continue.

National Fire Chiefs Council Chair Phil Garrigan said: “Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by these devastating earthquakes and the families still waiting for news of their loved ones.

“Since arriving in Venezuela the UK ISAR team has been working round the clock in incredibly challenging conditions, working side by side with local and international colleagues as part of a coordinated global response. Their dedication and professionalism is a source of great pride for the UK’s fire and rescue services.

“The commitment of our firefighters and specialists to do everything they can to help brings hope at a time of immense difficulty.”

The UK ISAR team deployed through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office remains self-sufficient and is expected to support operations for up to 10 days.

The earthquakes, which struck on 24 June, have killed at least 1,450 people, with tens of thousands still reported missing.

Aero-X installs fire protection systems installed for Schilthorn cable car redevelopment

by Breaking NewsFire DetectionFire EngineeringFire SuppressionProjectsTransport

Fire protection specialist Aero-X has installed systems across the redeveloped Stechelberg–Mürren–Birg-Schilthorn cable car line in Switzerland, a route known both for its engineering complexity and its connection to the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

Swiss company Aero-X was commissioned to provide fire protection for the recently redeveloped line, including systems for the dual-track Funifor cable car infrastructure and electrical control cabinets at all four stations.

The company selected Kentec Sigma XT extinguishant control panels for the project, with 14 panels installed across the station cabinets and connected to the site management system for supervision from the control room.

The Schilthorn route is internationally recognised as the location of Piz Gloria, Blofeld’s mountaintop lair in the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The cable car line has undergone a major redevelopment as part of the Schilthornbahn 20XX project.

Originally built in the 1960s, the multi-stage aerial cableway system in the Bernese Oberland region had reached the end of its technical lifespan and required a comprehensive modernisation programme.

The redevelopment has increased passenger capacity from 400 to 800 people per hour and reduced the travel time from Stechelberg, on the valley floor, to the Schilthorn summit by around 10 minutes. The first section, from Stechelberg to Mürren, now operates as a direct line with a gradient of 159.4%, making it the steepest aerial cable car in the world.

Paul van Trigt, CEO of Aero-X, said: “It is so steep the cable car has to exit through the roof of the station.”

Aero-X was asked to protect the cable car system and electrical control cabinets at each station. The gondolas, which feature solar panels and battery storage, are protected using Aero-X extinguishant units.

The station cabinet protection includes integrated detection and suppression systems. The cabinets are “doubled up” at each station to support continuity of service in the event of a failure, according to van Trigt.

“The reason we used Kentec panels is that we needed to fulfil certain standards, in particular EN12094, EN15276-1 and EN15276-2,” he said. “I love the XT panel because it is plug and play. Connected properly, it simply works: there is no complicated programming to be done.”

Most of the cabinets are fitted with smoke sensors, while others use heat sensors. Van Trigt explained that some cabinets contain relatively high voltage, which can create electromagnetic fields that affect smoke detection.

Each cabinet includes fire-resistant cable connections, a sounder beacon and both automatic and manual aerosol extinguishant release capabilities.

Two or three extinguishant units are installed in each cabinet and connected to the Sigma XT panel via Aero-X’s sequential activator.

“This allows us to supervise the whole line and make sure all units are triggered in the event of a fire,” van Trigt said. “Two units are triggered, then we wait two seconds, then the next two are triggered, etc.”

The sequential activator is designed to ensure multiple extinguishant units can activate when required, rather than being limited by the current supplied by the panel. Van Trigt said the approach provides a higher level of fire security in line with regulatory requirements.

Van Trigt said the main challenge was logistical rather than technical. “Taking the materials up the mountain to each respective station and installing them during the construction phase was difficult, because there was really nothing to use. We had to find other ways!”

The upgraded cable car line is now carrying passengers on the route to Schilthorn, with fire protection systems from Aero-X and Kentec supporting safety across the redeveloped mountain transport infrastructure.

FlamePro to provide life-saving kit to fire services

by Breaking NewsHealth and SafetyPPEProductsProjects

East Yorkshire-based firefighter PPE manufacturer FlamePro has been awarded a place on the UK’s National Firefighter PPE Framework, overseen by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), to supply life-saving kit to fire services.

FlamePro has been named on six lots within the framework, covering both its structural firefighter and lightweight firefighting PPE.

Tony Arnett, FlamePro’s Managing Director, said: “Our selection for this framework will widen our customer base in the UK significantly, and enable us to help more fire and rescue services protect their crews when called out on life-saving operations.”

The company’s structural firefighter kit is strong, but lightweight, and provides crews with maximum protection, while also ensuring comfort and fit, and is suitable for fire crews engaging in complex, lengthy search and rescue missions, as well as responding to road traffic accidents.

Through the framework, fire services can either purchase PPE or have a fully managed service for the term of the contract, with the latter seeing FlamePro also manage the cleaning and maintenance of clothing.

FlamePro has teamed up with workwear laundry service provider CLEAN to offer fire services a hassle-free, swift and efficient kit maintenance experience.

One of the reasons FlamePro was named on the framework was the company’s development of its comprehensive asset management app, FlamePro Central, which is said to enable fire services and other customers to track each individual piece of clothing and kit.

Kit will be provided with a built-in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip, which ensures fire services have real-time visibility of the location of items of clothing and kit. For example, if kit is sent for cleaning, the fire service will receive notifications when individual garments are in transit, at the cleaning facility, and being returned.

Fire services will be able to use the app to check kit returns at the station after a callout, reducing the risk of items being lost or misplaced. It also means fire services have a complete record of how many times each piece of kit has been cleaned, so they know accurately when a garment has reached the end of its life.

The National Firefighter PPE Framework will run for eight years, with FlamePro selected for all six lots the business tendered for.

Comelit-PAC deploys fire alarm system to Genting Casino

by Fire DetectionProjects

Comelit-PAC has revealed that in partnership with installation specialist VTF&S has upgraded the fire alarm system technology at Genting Casino in Westfield Stratford City. 

Genting Casino – Stratford

As the UK’s largest casino floor, including the biggest poker room in the country, Genting Stratford operates around the clock, welcoming visitors day and night. Any upgrade to critical infrastructure needed to be carried out without interrupting the flow of customers and staff, while maintaining strict safety standards throughout.

According to Comelit-PAC, the casino’s previous fire alarm system operated on a closed protocol, which had become increasingly restrictive. Even minor adjustments required specialist call-outs, increasing costs and slowing response times.

Comelit-PAC upgrade

By contrast, Comelit-PAC said its four-loop fire system offers a more flexible, open protocol approach, enabling easier maintenance and reducing long-term operational expense.

The upgrade also ensures improved system reliability and faster fault identification, better suited to the demands of a busy, high-traffic venue.

Beyond the technical and visual improvements, the inclusion of Comelit-PAC’s free cloud connection allows the system to be monitored and supported remotely.

Secure cloud access enables engineers to diagnose and often resolve issues without waiting for a site visit.

VTF&S installation – The installation was carried out by VTF&S while the casino remained fully operational. Working in a live environment required careful planning and coordination, supported by Comelit-PAC’s technical team. The company said that this collaborative approach enabled the upgrade to be delivered with minimal disruption, while also setting the foundation for faster, more cost-effective ongoing support through remote connectivity.

According to the company, the project’s success relied on close collaboration between Genting Casino, VTF&S and Comelit-PAC.

Clear communication and planning ensured the system could be upgraded safely and efficiently while the venue continued to operate as normal, added Comelit-PAC. 

 “Safely and efficiently”

Ben Howley of Comelit-PAC commented: “This project demonstrates with the right teamwork and planning, even complex upgrades can be delivered seamlessly in a live venue.

“Genting Casino now has a system that was implemented safely and efficiently and simple to maintain even remotely, thanks to the strong partnership between all parties involved.”

PlanRadar to support ESS across fire remediation projects

by ConstructionFeatured NewsProjects

PlanRadar selected for fire remediation compliance

PlanRadar has been appointed by Errigal Sustainable Solutions (ESS) as its long-term digital partner for fire remediation projects, with the platform set to support building safety and compliance across ESS’s portfolio.

PlanRadar announced that ESS selected the platform after a six-month evaluation process.

ESS, a specialist residential contractor working for housing associations, local authorities and private developers, chose the system to simplify compliance with the Building Safety Act, especially at Gateway 2 and 3 stages.

The platform will be implemented from the ground up and will bring fire-stopping records and quality checks into one central digital hub.

ESS said this will give it visibility across its project portfolio and maintain a consistent Golden Thread of data through the building lifecycle.

PlanRadar to support quality monitoring

A key part of the appointment is the use of PlanRadar to digitise site inspections and strengthen quality monitoring on fire remediation work.

Ray Toft, Managing Director at Errigal Sustainable Solutions, said: “We are a quality-led, relationship-driven business that views itself as a service provider first.

“Partnering with PlanRadar allows us to embed Tier 1-level digital systems from the start, rather than retrofitting legacy technology.

“PlanRadar is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution.

“Its adaptability means we can evolve the platform alongside our team.

“We were particularly impressed by its AI capabilities, having a system that learns from our data to validate compliance documentation could be a game-changer for fire remediation.”

ESS said the digitised inspection process is intended to reduce rework and help high-stakes fire safety tasks be completed correctly the first time.

PlanRadar partnership to cover project visibility

PlanRadar’s UK team said the partnership is intended to standardise quality monitoring and improve real-time visibility across projects.

Rob Norton, UK Director at PlanRadar, added: “We are pleased to partner with Errigal Sustainable Solutions.

“Their vision and experience demonstrate how technology can tackle the industry’s most pressing regulatory challenges.

“By using PlanRadar to standardise quality monitoring and gain real-time visibility across all projects, ESS is ideally positioned to minimise rework and drive operational efficiency.

“Together, we aim to not just meet compliance requirements but deliver superior transparency and service to their clients.”

The collaboration will also provide social landlords and developers with visibility over project progress and data to support building safety cases.