As the global economy shifts in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, 3M is advancing its operating model, streamlining its business, and focusing on global trends where the company will apply science to life in new ways to drive sustainable growth.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has advanced the pace of change and disrupted end markets around the world, increasing the need for companies to adapt faster,” said Mike Roman, 3M chairman and chief executive officer.
“At the same time, we are seeing significant opportunities from our new operating model which we launched at the start of the year. As a result, we are taking further actions to streamline our operations, positioning us to deliver greater growth and productivity as global markets emerge from the pandemic.”
In January 2020, 3M launched a new global operating model – a significant step in the company’s transformation – which has evolved the way 3M works, enabling the company to be more customer focused and responsive, helping 3M to lead during the pandemic.
With the actions 3M is announcing, the company will further enhance its operations and marketing capabilities. In operations, they will eliminate redundancies and better use analytics to drive additional efficiencies. In marketing, they will also build on its success in utilising data insights, accelerating global marketing programs, and activating digital engagements with customers.
The company are expecting that they will be better positioned to take advantage of global market trends in e-commerce, personal safety, health care, automotive electrification, and home improvement. At the same time, the company plans to de-prioritise investments in end markets where growth is slower.
BSI, in its role as the UK National Standards Body, has published PAS 79, Fire Risk Assessment. Guidance and a recommended methodology. The newly revised standard aims to help reduce fire risk and improve the safety of non-domestic buildings and housing premises. It publishes in two parts:
PAS 79-1 gives recommendations and corresponding examples of documentation for undertaking, and recording the significant findings of, fire risk assessments in non‑domestic premises and parts of non-domestic premises for which fire risk assessments are required by legislation.
It is applicable to peer-to-peer rented accommodation to the extent that such accommodation falls within the scope of the relevant fire safety legislation and to premises used solely for short-term letting of flats (with letting periods ranging from one day to six months).
PAS 79-2 gives recommendations and corresponding examples of documentation for undertaking, and recording the significant findings of, fire risk assessments in housing premises and parts of housing premises for which fire risk assessments are required by legislation. Recommendations are also provided for fire risk assessments that are outside the scope of fire safety legislation but are designed to protect residents of blocks of flats, sheltered housing and extra care housing in the event of a fire in their own flat.
BSI brought together a wide range of experts in fire safety, fire risk assessment and the housing sector to reach consensus on the guidance and recommendations.
It is intended to be used by those who carry out fire risk assessments as a voluntary code of practice. It should not be quoted as if it were a specification.
The standard is available for download here: PAS 79-1 and PAS 79-2
A new Honeywell survey conducted by YouGov PLC has found travellers are placing an increased focus on cleanliness and hygiene when selecting which airlines to fly and which hotels to book. Although cost also remains a top motivator in travel decisions, the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted travelers’ focus toward safety as they make travel decisions.
The Honeywell survey, which was conducted online among adults in the United States and United Kingdom, sought to better understand these shifting motivations.
Enhanced Cleanliness and Safety Boosts Traveler Confidence
When U.S. survey participants were asked about their criteria for selecting a travel brand or company, cleanliness/hygiene was the top factor (57%) in determining their choice — outranking cost and every other factor.
Providing an experience focused on cleanliness and safety has the potential to increase travelers’ confidence, and among all survey participants who have traveled since March, roughly 6 in 10 of those who traveled by plane gave positive ratings to the cleanliness and safety procedures at the airport (61%) and in flight (58%).
Extra measures have been brought in to protect travellers
The majority of survey participants who traveled by any means also indicated a positive cleanliness and safety experience with lodging (68%). “Travel and hospitality companies that lead the way on safety and cleanliness protocols during the pandemic are likely to be better positioned when global travel rebounds,” said Bill Kircos, vice president, Global Marketing, Honeywell Aerospace.
“It’s evident that airlines, airports and lodging providers must address safety and cleanliness as part of their core brand offering now and in the future. Honeywell worked quickly to create new solutions and accelerate efforts that help increase passenger and guest safety while also improving cleanliness at the airport, in flight and at hotels.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly changed many perceptions, concerns and motivators around travel, impacting airports, airplanes and hotels. The Honeywell survey uncovered insights into the changing perceptions of all three.
Ninety-two percent of those surveyed who have traveled by air since March had either a positive (61%) or neutral (31%) experience at the airport regarding health and safety. Their airport experiences are making 40% of recent air travelers more likely to travel again before June 2021, as opposed to 15% saying their experience would make them less likely to travel.
When compared with other parts of the travel journey, lodging posed the least concern for travelers surveyed with only 9% highlighting it as the leg of the journey that most concerns them.
For those surveyed who have stayed in a hotel since March, 93% reported a positive experience regarding safety and cleanliness.
More than half (52%) of those surveyed with upcoming air travel plans plan to stay in hotels versus less than a quarter (22%) planning to use vacation rentals.
Forty-eight percent of adults surveyed said enhanced cleanliness or health and safety procedures would most motivate them to stay in a hotel.
“Although lodging is not currently the top concern for many when it comes to their travel journey, consumers are giving additional thought to where they stay,” Kircos said. “And although vacation rentals have gained in popularity in recent years, we’re seeing consumers put their trust in hotels because they feel more confident in their cleanliness and hygiene standards.”
U.S. Versus U.K. Travelers’ Preferences
The Honeywell survey considered insights garnered collectively from respondents in the U.S. and U.K., and although responses from each country mirrored each other in many ways, there were country distinctions in terms of motivators, barriers and attitudes toward travel.
Among those who haven’t flown since March, a COVID-19 vaccine was the top motivator to return to air travel (48%). However, more U.K. respondents (52%) were motivated by a vaccine than U.S. respondents (42%).
U.K. respondents with air travel plans in the next eight months are most likely to be planning on staying in hotels (57%, versus 43% of Americans) while those in the U.S are more likely to say they’ll be staying at a relative’s or friend’s home (50%, versus 31% of Britons).
Technology Plays Key Role in Increased Safety Protocols
With solutions like the Honeywell UV Treatment System, passenger and crew personal protective equipment, on-site thermal screening technology, and comprehensive building management solutions, Honeywell can help airlines, airports and lodging providers increase overall cleanliness and safety, giving passengers, crews and guests greater peace of mind in their travel journeys.
Honeywell’s Healthy Buildings solutions help building owners improve the health of building environments, operate more cleanly and safely, comply with social distancing policies, and help reassure occupants that a space is safer.
By integrating air quality, safety and security technologies along with advanced analytics, Honeywell’s Healthy Buildings solutions are designed to help reduce potential risks of contamination and improve business continuity by monitoring both the building environment and building occupants’ behaviors and include specific solutions for the airport and hospitality sectors.
Methodology
The Honeywell survey was carried out by YouGov PLC using an online interview administered to members of the YouGov panel of individuals who have agreed to take part in surveys. Emails are sent to panelists selected at random from the base sample. The survey was composed of 3,336 adults and was undertaken Nov. 6-10, 2020. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all U.S. and U.K. adults (aged 18+).
UL, the global safety science leader, has joined the World Economic Forum (WEF) as a Platform Partner and will work to develop systemic solutions to key global challenges and serve as a driving force behind WEF’s programs.
UL’s participation within WEF includes membership of the organisation’s Advanced Manufacturing and Production Platform, a group dedicated to accelerating inclusive technology while stimulating innovation, sustainability and innovation in advanced manufacturing and production. UL will harness its safety, scientific and sustainability expertise to address carbon reduction in manufacturing, digital traceability, and enhancing resilience in supply systems and manufacturing.
“Anticipating how advanced manufacturing technologies, innovative business models and new ecosystems are transforming business’s ability to drive economic and societal impact is a challenge globally,” said Jennifer Scanlon, president and CEO of UL, Inc. “UL is honored to have an active role in helping businesses boldly reimagine manufacturing in the digital era and drive the change needed to fully realise the potential of advanced manufacturing technologies.”
As the only testing, inspection and certification organisation member of WEF, UL joins other global companies to provide strategic insights, scientific evidence and multidisciplinary understanding of major issues that will shape the post-COVID world.
“The World Economic Forum welcomes UL and is delighted that it will join top global companies, NGOs and governments to address significant advanced manufacturing and production challenges and opportunities brought on by the pandemic,” said Francisco Betti, head of advanced manufacturing and production, World Economic Forum. “Including innovative voices, steeped in science, is essential to the work we do at the Forum. We look forward to what UL’s advanced manufacturing expertise will add to our projects, dialogues and platforms.”
FIA has just published Fact File 14. It addresses the topic of Ionisation Chamber Smoke Detectors & The Carriage of Dangerous Goods & Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009.
Statutory Instrument 2009 No. 1348, The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009 (CDG09) came into force on 1st July 2009.
The introduction of the 2009 Regulations revokes the 2007 Regulations which revoked the 2004 Regulations and The Radioactive Material (Road Transport) Regulations 2002.
The regulations covered by CDG09 affect many FIA members who either manufacture or use ionisation chamber smoke detectors (ICSDs).
In order to raise awareness of the changes and the implications that the new regulations have on the way that companies operate their businesses, this document summarises the key requirements that apply to the Fire Detection and Alarm Industry and what companies have to do to comply with the requirements for packaging ICSDs and transporting them.
For full access to the report, visit the FIA website.
Sentry Doors have announced their membership to the prestigious Made in Britain membership scheme. As a proud UK manufacturer of fully certified safety and security fire doors, quality and service are the cornerstones of the brand’s philosophy and the Made in Britain collective mark is a celebration of this.
Originally dreamt up by Denver Hewlett, CEO of Stoves to help consumers and specifiers identify products made in this country, the Made in Britain the marque supports and promotes British manufacturing and is viewed as a mark of quality.
Covering every branch of manufacturing from clothing to transport, the ‘Made in Britain’ marque offers the coveted confirmation that goods being sold by a business have actually been produced here.
Made in Britain (MiB) adheres to advice on country-of-origin labelling included in the Trade Descriptions Act 1968, while going further to explain this means: “the country of origin is therefore the country in which a product last underwent a final treatment or process resulting in a substantial change.” It is, presently, the only official mark for British manufacturers and is registered with UKIPO across 30 product classes.
Trading since 1989, Sentry doors are extremely passionate about manufacturing high performance timber fire door sets and proud that this skilled process happens right here in the heart of South Yorkshire. Manufacturing products in the UK offers complete control and greater flexibility.
Centralising the manufacturing process ensures that designers and manufacturers can work closely together which allows for continuous development and improvement of the already extensive range of fire door set, allowing the creation of bespoke designs to a consistent quality.
To be part of this fast-growing community of like-minded manufacturers, provides many benefits. Aside from helping customers identify British-made products, the platform brings together a whole host of UK manufacturers and encourages members to share ideas and insight.
“Customer confidence is absolutely essential when procuring fire doors and that’s why we see investment in accolades such as Made in Britain as imperative in order to provide buyer peace of mind that the products they are purchasing are made to the highest standards of quality and performance. We will continue to expand our already extensive certification and accreditation portfolio in order to offer ensure complete buyer confidence.” Ty Aziz
Following the Government Spending Review, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) will be studying the announcements as more detail emerges – and considering how it will impact on the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS).
The Chancellor’s announcement included a one-year settlement for the FRS – rather than three years – and a pause on public sector pay.
NFCC will be discussing the spending review with FRS and partners – including the National Employers who are responsible for setting pay in the fire and rescue service. However, and accepting the very difficult economic outlook, NFCC Chair Roy Wilsher made it clear that the NFCC believes public sector staff, including those who work in the FRS, deserve decent pay.
In their recent Spending Review submission to the government, NFCC highlighted a number of important areas which must be considered and properly resourced in the future.
These included: Resourcing the FRS to meet local and national risks; maintaining the right number of firefighters and staff; maintaining and improving the resilience of FRS; investing in people, and vital protection and building safety work which emerged from the Grenfell fire.
Research by NFCC shows since 2010, spending power in FRS has seen a real term cut of 28.55%, based on figures from standalone Fire and Rescue Authorities. In 2010 it was estimated at £1,523m, which fell to £1,373m in 2020/21.
NFCC Chair Roy Wilsher, commented: “The one-year settlement, which although less severe than the years of austerity, will still put FRSs under additional pressure and will impact on their ability to plan over a more sustained period of time, particularly when coupled with an expected reduction in council tax receipt. It is disappointing that the sector has not been afforded the flexibility to raise additional council tax.
“The announcement of a pay pause across much of the public sector is disappointing. This is particularly so given the exceptional work the FRS is undertaking across the country through the pandemic. Firefighters and staff have maintained the operational effectiveness of fire services whilst at the same time carrying out a wide range of additional activities from driving ambulances to supporting staff in care settings – all this as part of the collective public sector response to the crisis.
John Buckley, NFCC’s Finance Committee Chair said: “The emergency services must be prepared for any eventuality and this can only be achieved through planning, data and the right funding, both in this settlement and future spending reviews.
“Our submission to this year’s spending review set out a very clear and compelling case for the resources required to provide for Protection, Prevention and 999 Emergency response services. Our emergency response capability must be resilient enough to deal with large scale national emergencies and a range of smaller incidents occurring simultaneously, and potentially for a protracted period of time.”
“The NFCC will continue to work with individual services and Government to fully understand both the short and long-term implications of this settlement to ensure that the sector can continue to provide the best level of service possible to communities.”
FLIR Systems, Inc. announced today that it has acquired Altavian, Inc., a privately-held manufacturer of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) for defense and public safety customers.
Altavian’s airframes integrate multiple sensors, including FLIR thermal technology, to provide users with decision support and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability.
Based in Gainesville, Florida and founded in 2011, the company designs and manufacturers Group 1 UAS solutions for long or short range operations.
With both quadcopter and fixed-wing UAS designs, Altavian’s expertise includes aeronautics, avionics, and software, and its solutions are engineered around an open system architecture aligned to the needs of government and defense customers.
Altavian is one of five drone manufacturers approved by the U.S. Department of Defense under the Blue sUAS program to sell to the U.S. military and federal agencies.
“Altavian’s proven engineering expertise and assets will allow us to offer customers the most comprehensive solution portfolio of any American sUAS provider,” said Roger Wells, General Manager of the Unmanned Systems and Integrated Solutions business of FLIR Systems’ Defense Technologies Segment, under which Altavian will be integrated.
“With the addition of both a low-cost, rapidly deployable quadcopter and a longer range fixed-wing UAS, FLIR is strengthening its already impressive drone lineup, including our Black Hornet® and SkyRaider™ platforms used extensively by militaries around the globe.
We’re excited about the multiple new franchise opportunities FLIR will be able to pursue for defense, public safety, and industrial markets worldwide.”
For more information about FLIR Systems’ existing sUAS solutions, visit: flir.com/defense-uas.
The Pullman Sharjah Hotel and Residential Unit, a luxury twin tower block located in the United Arab Emirates, is benefiting from a range of innovative life safety technologies from leading manufacturer, Hochiki.
The 43-storey property is home to a modern 5-star hotel in one tower and residential apartment block in the other, with a communal basement connecting the two.
With approximately 1,500 occupants, installation firm Dafoos Fire Protection knew the buildings needed to be equipped with the latest fire and safety technology, so turned to Hochiki Middle East to provide a hospitality solution that met the required standards and could be installed with minimal disruption.
Dafoos Fire Protection specified Hochiki’s renowned L@titude system, a powerful and sophisticated control and indication system that combines the very latest hardware and software, and FIREscape emergency lighting.
An innovative, reliable solution
The innovative life safety platform L@titude, has been installed by Dafoos Fire Protection across the numerous floors of the hotel and residential units, to ensure controlled and ultra-reliable protection for occupants and their possessions.
The L@titude control panel has been designed to maximise usability and ease of operation for end users, so facilities management and maintenance teams can instantly locate safety breaches in real-time from any location.
To allow clear and concise information to be displayed about each detection device within the hotel and apartment blocks, the product also uses a full-colour touchscreen display.
The modular nature of the system allows all field wiring to be connected to a passive mother board, enabling addition, re-configuration or replacement of electronic hardware without the need to disconnect older wiring. This, in turn, allowed for a quick and easy installation process, with minimal disruption.
The L@titude panel is available in either EN or UL system configurations, ideal for a region that regularly specifies projects involved in both types of system approvals. For this project, an EN (European) system was specified, with L@titude being complaint with the highest European global safety standards, including EN54-2, EN54-4 and EN54-13, while supporting up to 5,000 cause and effect entries. The platform has a 10,000-capacity event log and can run up to 144 zone indicators.
Subin Suhas, Territory Sales Manager at Hochiki Middle East, explained: “This project was quite challenging due to the infrastructure and the number of devices that would be needed throughout the buildings. As we were working within a hotel as well, the client wanted to ensure the products used were of a high quality and known for fewer false alarms, so we knew L@titude was the perfect solution. The fact we could offer a combination of fire alarms and emergency devices under the same umbrella was also an added advantage, with FIREscape ensuring an added layer of safety for occupiers.”
FIREscape is a unique, cost effective and fully compliant emergency lighting system. It is based around an addressable, emergency lighting control panel with a battery back-up and features self-contained LED luminaries and exit signage connected via screened, extra-low voltage cabling. FIREscape is also a fully self-monitored and self-testing system with a central point of control, making both installation and maintenance quick and easy.
Dafoos Fire Protection installed seven L@titude panels, each of which had eight circuit loops, and around 3,500 fire alarm devices throughout the towers. Eight emergency lighting panels and 1,200 devices were installed. Throughout the installation, Hochiki engineers visited the site on multiple occasions to provide extended help in design and commissioning, and to offer support with inspections from the civil defence.
Vijay Chandran, Marketing Manager at Dafoos Fire Protection Equipment, commented: “For this project, we needed to ensure we could provide reliable products with high compliance to standards. Hochiki clearly outlined how each of the products conformed to industry, European and global standards, and we were also very impressed with the quality of materials used. Due to the scale of the project, the approvals process involved different stages with multiple product submittal involving numerous brands, but Hochiki really stood out and the support we received from its team of engineers throughout the installation was extremely valuable in ensuring the work ran smoothly. The installation was quick and easy, and we’ve left the customer with the confidence that the building is protected to the highest standard.”
For more information about Hochiki’s L@titude and FIREscape products, please visit: www.hochikieurope.com.
Bullard, the leading manufacturer of high-quality personal protective equipment and systems, has shared its news of a corporate donation to Lebanese Civil Defense with a fast response to protect firefighters in the 2020 Beirut explosion at the Harbor fertilizer.
This massive blast decimated much of Beirut City. Bullard and its employees quickly decided to back up the Beirut Firefighters with protective gear, equipping firefighters and frontline workers to help them safely perform their jobs.
