That’s why TFT has partnered with Purafil – part of the largest air filtration company in the world – to integrate proven and patented filtration technology into StationProtectTM. The device cleans the station air and protects crews from those same cancer-causing soots and VOCs, and also improves overall air quality by removing aerosols carrying viruses, bacteria and even mold. More info at https://vimeo.com/629187400/6dd3feab20.
StationProtect is designed for areas like gear rooms, sleeping quarters, and living spaces. It’s portable on casters for placement anywhere in the facility. It’s also low maintenance, easy to use with a single knob, and works on standard electrical outlets. The system includes a filtration kit that only needs to be changed annually. Systems with similar filtration technologies are used globally today in hospitals, industrial sites, schools, telecom, energy sites, agriculture, and food production.
Don’t select a system that only deals with one or two threats. StationProtect is proven technology that tackles cancer, viral, and even mold threats. For more information contact your local TFT dealer or go to https://crewprotect.net/
Natural disasters linked to climate change, such as wildland fires, earthquakes and floods all impact our communities and lead to both environmental and financial losses. These phenomena have increased in frequency and as a consequence, fire and rescue services are more frequently called to rescue missions that pose new and unfamiliar challenges. This has made their safety and comfort an increasing priority for fire and rescue brigades around the world.
Aurelie Favre, Senior Marketing Manager, First Responder and Government, EMEA at MSA Safety spotlights the GALLET F2XR, its integrated hearing protection accessories with communication system, and how it helps first responders feel safe on the job in this new environment.
Hearing protection with optional communication system
Equipment that’s optimised and adaptable for rescue challenges such as earthquakes or rescue at height is key to undertaking those missions safely. The GALLET F2XR, with its hearing protection and optional integrated communication system is ready to take on long-lasting rescue missions with optimal safety. Fully integrated electronic ear muffs enhance protection from hazardous noise without blocking out important background sounds or messages from the incident command. The hearing protection module also comes with an optional adjustable boom microphone, providing reliable team communications on any intervention scene.
Water rescue ear protection
As rising water levels are putting urban and rural areas all over the world at an increasingly high risk of flooding, fire and rescue services are the first to respond. To rescue victims during floods or other interventions on rivers, emergency responders require helmets that are suitable for water rescue and approved for wear on both non-motorised and small, fast motorboats. The GALLET F2XR, with its innovative accessories such as removable ear protection panels, has been tested and approved for water rescue missions like these according to EN1385:2012 standard and compliance with the British Standard PAS028 for use on small fast motorised boats.
Additionally, user experience has proven that the panels can provide extended ear coverage to protect against potential projection hazards during technical rescue missions as well.
The intuitive attachment points of the accessories allow for streamlined connecting and removal, to easily adapt to different missions whenever needed. This makes the GALLET F2XR a truly multifunctional and versatile helmet, eliminating the need for different helmets for every mission. In turn, this also offers fire and rescue services more efficient asset management with a lower cost of ownership.
Head protection for the future
Awareness and preparation are essential to rescue missions caused by climate-related dangers, and it’s now crucial for fire and rescue services to consider the type of equipment that will respond to their needs in the face of climate change and other new dangers on the horizon – concluded Favre.
To learn more about MSA’s F2XR rescue helmet, click here.
Romain Chabert, CEO of Airstar Light, discusses the benefits behind lighting balloons
One of the major challenges of scene lighting is to guarantee the safety of the emergency teams with equipment that is easy, quick to install and both powerful and reliable. In this niche market of emergency lighting, there has been a powerful lighting solution for over 25 years, the Sirocco lighting balloon.
What is a lighting balloon?
A lighting balloon is more than just a “ball on a stick”. It is an LED light engine, protected by an inflated envelope made of technical textile, mounted on a stand or truck. Resistant to intensive uses, rain, wind and dust, the envelope provides a homogeneous diffusion of light at 360°, glare free and without cast shadow. The lighting of the area is progressive, gradually diminishing as you move away from the light source.
This type of equipment provides better visibility of the immediate work area and its surroundings, as well as a very good perception of the relief on uneven ground.
An innovation that matches firefighters innovation
After three years of R&D efforts, Airstar has launched a new range of lighting balloons, the Sirocco Redtech. These products are a real game-changer in the emergency lighting market. They are the most cost-effective, have the highest light output, the lowest power consumption , and they are physically the lightest.
The brand-new light engine has been totally re-designed and benefits from the latest and reliable LED technologies. It now offers the ability to drive the light with an application for smartphones. Users can dim the light, apply lighting effects such as beacon or pulse and switch on and off up to 250 balloons at the same time thanks to a Bluetooth connection.
For example, the powerful Sirocco 1300 Redtech from the M range puts out 132,000 lumens, lights up an area of 6,500m² (69,965ft²) for less than 10kg (22lbs). On its stand, that goes up to 5m (18ft), you turn night in to day in only 2 minutes.
Fully certified, the Redtech range currently consists of 4 M size lighting balloons, but we are already working on S, L and XL versions of the series. Until the next launches, our battery-operated (S range) and lighting tower (L range) products are still available.
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.”
Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) Fire & Emergency segment is displaying the new Oshkosh® Striker® ARFF vehicle at China Fire 2021. The new vehicle will be displayed at Oshkosh’s China Fire booth, located at site E1-04. In addition to the new Striker ARFF, the booth will feature the latest fire and emergency vehicles and technology. “Even amidst the global pandemic, China’s strong economic growth has resulted in a heightened need for advanced fire protection and resources, particularly in provinces with considerable urbanization growth,” said Jim Johnson, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Fire & Emergency.
“Oshkosh’s fire and emergency segment remains committed to focusing on the needs of global markets and developing fire apparatus innovations that align with the unique needs of communities and airports of all sizes.” In 2019, 60-percent of the world’s “super-tall” buildings were under construction in China, and currently, the country ranks number one for the most skyscrapers over 150 meters.
The same year, the Pierce® Ultra Highrise Pumper (UHRP) was introduced to support China’s development of buildings reaching extraordinary heights. China is also one of the largest aviation markets globally. At China Fire 2021, the next generation Striker ARFF vehicle will be unveiled on October 12 at 12:00 pm at Oshkosh’s China Fire booth. All attendees are invited to take part in the fire apparatus introduction and educational session.
Features of the new Oshkosh Striker ARFF vehicle include: • An optimized cockpit featuring modular cab design and ergonomic control placement • Spacious cab seating, increased visibility, diagnostic support, and Oshkosh C.A.R.E.™ clean cab options • Unparalleled performance and safety, including Oshkosh TAK-4 ® all-wheel independent suspension, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and side curtain airbags • Innovative Fire Suppression including Oshkosh power divider allowing for pump and roll in any condition, Snozzle® HRET, Oshkosh K-Factor system, and ECO EFP™ system for easy measurement of foam percentages from every discharge on the vehicle, without discharging foam
“The new Striker ARFF vehicle supports airports of all sizes with its newly optimized features and our trusted network of sales and service partners ready to provide support in locations around the New Oshkosh Striker to be Featured at China Fire 2021 globe, including China,” said Salim Hawi, vice president of international sales for Oshkosh Corporation. “We are confident the future of the aviation industry is bright and will continue to grow as the world becomes more connected in the years ahead. ARFF will continue to be essential in the protection of the traveling public, as airports remain the gateway for communities’ economic access and leisure travel.”
Oshkosh’s China Fire booth will also provide educational kiosks featuring other fire apparatus innovations including the Volterra™ Platform of Electric Vehicles. Pierce® Volterra™ Electric Pumper Introduced in June 2021, the Pierce Volterra zero-emissions electric pumper is the first electric fire truck in service in North America.
The fire truck offers the environmental benefits fire departments request without compromising the leading-edge operational performance, functionality, and safety attributes customers expect from Pierce fire apparatus. Striker Volterra Performance Hybrid ARFF Vehicle The Striker Volterra performance hybrid Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle also debuted at airports across North America. Based on Oshkosh proprietary technology and available in the 4×4 and 6×6 chassis platforms, the new Striker Volterra ARFF is a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) that has been developed to meet the growing emergency response and environmentally conscious needs of airports worldwide.
A Pierce® Volterra™ electric pumper is in production and will go into service with the City of Portland Fire and Rescue’s busiest station, Station No. 1 in Spring 2022.
Pierce Manufacturing Inc has announced it has entered into a joint development agreement with the City of Portland, Oregon Fire and Rescue to place a Pierce® Volterra™ zero-emissions pumper into service with the city’s busiest station, Station No. 1 in Spring 2022. This agreement follows the recent introduction of the revolutionary Pierce Volterra platform of electric vehicles for the fire and emergency market and the placement of the first electric fire truck in service in North America with the City of Madison, Wisconsin Fire Department in June 2021.
In 2019, Portland General Electric announced the launch of its Smart Grid Test Bed, a first-of-its- kind project that integrates smart grid technology on a scale never before attempted in the U.S. The project will accelerate the community’s vision for clean energy with new ways to decarbonize the grid. Oregon is one of seven U.S. states to put energy storage procurement targets into place.
Portland Fire and Rescue is led by Fire Chief Sara Boone and is made up of 31 fire stations which serve an area of 151 square miles and a population of over 650,000. Chief Boone considers the addition of Pierce’s Volterra electric pumper a significant contribution to the city’s sustainability efforts.
“In 2016, the city achieved its 2030 Environmental Performance Objective for Fleet when 35- percent of fuel use came from renewable sources,” stated Chief Boone. “Fleet electrification is expected to be a primary driver of carbon emissions reduction from city vehicles, and exploring the role of the Pierce Volterra electric pumper within our fire apparatus fleet is a big step toward reaching our future goals.”
In collaboration with the City of Portland Fire and Rescue, Pierce will continue the development and evaluation process for the Pierce Volterra electric vehicle. As part of this development process, the City of Portland’s terrain, weather, and geographic location will provide valuable exposure and insight to additional operational environments the electric vehicle must withstand.
Portland Fire and Rescue’s Volterra Electric Vehicle Configuration:
Enforcer™ custom chassis
Expanded occupant space and visibility
Seating capacity: 6
GVWR: 42,000 lb
TAK-4® Independent Front Suspension
1500 GPM single stage pump
500 Gallon water tank
Compartmentation: 150 cu ft plus ladder storage
Hose capacity: 1000’ of 5” / 850’ of 2.5”
155 kW hour battery pack to meet Portland Fire and Rescue’s daily duty cycle
Volterra Electric Vehicle Operation:
An Oshkosh patented parallel-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
Exceptional operational range tailored to the fire department’s needs and duty cycle for full- shift operation
Fire station-based, all-encompassing vehicle charging infrastructure provided by an established nationwide energy supplier offers a thorough, simple, and fast charging solution
“Over the years, we’ve listened to the needs of our customers in communities like the City of Portland who continue to lead the way with their forward-looking environmental and sustainability goals,” said Jim Johnson, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president of Fire & Emergency. “As we review all the positive data from our Pierce Volterra electric pumper currently in service in Madison, Wisconsin, we’re confident customers like Portland Fire and Rescue will also obtain the environmental benefits requested without compromising on the operational, safety, and standardization attributes they love about their existing fleet.”
Rosenbauer America has announced a five-year extension with Ventura County, California. In addition to the contract extension, Ventura County has also placed an order for two new Tractor Drawn Aerials (TDA’s).
“The county originally formed their long-term partnership with Rosenbauer in 2014,” said John Slawson, CEO and president of Rosenbauer America. “We are honored to continue our relationship with Ventura County for another five years.”
TDA’s are iconic to the North American fire service. Rosenbauer’s TDA’s offers multiple body construction choices, tillerman cab styles, and corrosion resistant coatings for the aerial device.
TDA available features include SMART controls, hot dip galvanized steel to protect against corrosion, multiple fire truck body styles, CleanLockers, and CleanAir Recirculation Air Scrubber, among other features.
The company’s fire trucks have been leading firefighting innovation for more than 150 years. The fire truck manufacturer is dedicated to developing partnerships with progressive departments that are looking for more than a vendor relationship.
“At Rosenbauer, our goal is to support firefighters and communities with state-of-the-art, reliable, and well-made fire equipment,” concluded Slawson.
Profab Access has launched a revolutionary certified frame system that sets a new standard for innovation, fire performance and functionality, making installation on site safer, faster and simpler.
The only product of its kind currently available, the expertly engineered PRECISION adjustable frame completely transforms the installation process for construction professionals and streamlines the specification process for architects and specifiers.
This is achieved through the product’s unique construction, which enables the frame to be fully adjusted to meet the specific dimensions of each structural opening, not only ensuring the installation is fit for purpose by providing the highest standards in accuracy, but subsequently removing the requirement for plastic packers for a safer, faster and simpler installation process.
The patent pending PRECISION adjustable frame is now supplied as standard with Profab Access’ high quality steel INTEGRA 4000 Series Fire Rated Riser Door.
The PRECISION frame dramatically reduces fitting times and eliminates the risk of using non-compliant components throughout installation, which may not have been tested in conjunction with the riser door itself.
Factory applied intumescent strips to the outer frame also eliminate the need for additional intumescent mastic when installing the frame into a flexible or solid wall construction.
Profab Access is the UK’s first manufacturer to have its concealed Riser Doors bi-directionally fire tested and certified by an accredited third party. The PRECISION adjustable frame has also been bi-directionally fire tested as an entire doorset with the INTEGRA 4000 Series Riser Door for up to 120 minutes, receiving the CERTIFIRE accreditation for installation in unlined shaft walls and solid wall construction.
This provides architects, specifiers and contractors with a completely certified solution, as both the frame and the riser door have been bi-directionally tested as a single doorset and are supplied with comprehensive documentation to evidence their performance credentials and adherence to all relevant regulations, including BS EN 1634-1:2014 +A1:2018.
Marcus Parnham, Commercial Director at Profab Access, said: “As one of the industry’s leading manufacturers, we have a responsibility to push the boundaries of this product category and ensure every access solution we supply delivers the highest standards in performance and compliance.
“Our new patent pending PRECISION adjustable frame represents a real step change for the industry, supporting professionals in fulfilling their duty of care by going above and beyond current legislation in delivering the highest standards of due diligence and achieving constant compliance for the entire doorset, including the materials used throughout the installation process. The frame is the result of our unwavering commitment to innovation and providing the built environment with the very highest standards in access solutions.”
The PRECISION adjustable frame is constructed with an all-in-one smoke, intumescent and acoustic FS1000 seal, eliminating the need for additional intumescent mastic when installing the frame into a flexible or solid wall construction. This cost efficient and sustainable material contains no halogen compounds and will not emit toxic gas when heated, ensuring the safety of building occupants in the event of a fire.
As an official Made in Britain member, Profab Access’ comprehensive portfolio of Riser Doors and Access Solutions are manufactured at its headquarters in Atherstone by its experienced team of design and engineering experts.
For further information on Profab Access and its range of riser doors, access panels, and steel doors, call +44(0)1827 718222 or visit www.profabaccess.com.
Euralarm, representing the fire safety and security industry, has launched a new logo and website. The new website reflects Euralarm’s core values where the new logo signifies the industry that Euralarm represents – multi-faceted, diverse, challenging, connected, transparent and proactive.
The new website is designed to present Euralarm’s expertise and leadership for industry, market, policy makers and standards bodies. It features a clean and responsive modern design, enhanced functionality, alongside easy access to our expertise. As platform for news, insights and policy on the fire safety and security industry it gives the visitor essential information about our services.
The enhanced design also creates a clear journey for companies and associations interested in becoming a member. Euralarm members make society safer and secure through systems and services for fire detection and extinguishing, intrusion detection, access control, video monitoring, alarm transmission and alarm receiving centres.
The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) have launched a new Online Home Fire Safety Check (OHFSC) tool, available free of charge to all fire and rescue services (FRSs) in England.
The user-friendly resource has been developed following a successful pilot study in collaboration with Fire Kills and Safelincs under NFCC’s Prevention Programme. It was officially launched at NFCC’s recent Prevention and Protection Conference which was attended by more than 150 protection and prevention leads from FRSs across the country.
OHFSC has been developed to complement the Person-Centred Framework, which underpins the work of virtual and face to face Home Fire Safety Visits, and deliver a product available to households who may not reach the threshold for a physical visit, or to be used when and where physical visits are restricted or not possible. It has been designed to provide a person-centred self-assessment of fire risk for individuals that may have low or medium fire risk.
To ensure the vulnerable are not overlooked, the tool has a mechanism to flag a user to their local FRS where a physical visit would be recommended as a consequence of completing the self-assessment.It has been designed to be used by either the home occupant directly, a third party (police, social worker, paramedic etc) who may have concerns to an occupant’s welfare/safety, or simply aid the FRS directly with home visits.
Neil Odin, Chair of NFCC’s Prevention Committee and NFCC’s Prevention Programme Executive, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback from FRSs who attended the Conference, with many having already signed up to the on-boarding process.
“In the long-term NFCC would like to see all FRSs adopt the new Online Home Fire Safety Check and use it as an integral part of their prevention activities. This, we hope, will provide a consistent approach to identifying and logging issues related to home safety prevention activities, and assist with centrally capturing valuable data which will be made available for all FRSs to use and plan future prevention strategies.”
