Firefighting UAV swarm study outlines AI inspection and cyber defence approach

by Aerial FirefightingFeatured NewsFire SuppressionMiddle East - Breaking NewsResearch

UAV swarm design for firefighting missions

A peer reviewed paper describes a six-drone UAV swarm framework for firefighting operations that aims to maintain mission continuity while reducing exposure to cyberattacks on inter-drone communications.

The study is titled “A Cyber-Resilient UAV Swarm Framework for Fire-Fighting with AI-Based In-Flight Defect Inspection”, authored by Ahad Alotaibi and Abdullah Alrasheedi of the Department of Advanced Technology, Canadian College of Kuwait, Al Jahra, Kuwait, and published in the Journal of Computer and Communications, Vol.14 No.1 (January 2026).

The proposed architecture uses five operational drones assigned mission roles such as thermal observation, environmental sensing, close-range visual assessment, payload support and communications extension.

It also adds one Inspector/Commander drone positioned to supervise, capture inspection imagery and act as a coordination node linking the swarm to the Ground Control Station (GCS).

The paper frames the approach around two risk areas in swarm missions, physical degradation in fire-ground environments and cyber threats exploiting wireless coordination traffic.

AI inspection and cyber-resilient communications approach

The framework includes a mobile application called Drone Inspector that manages pre-processing, cloud submission and alerting for in-flight defect inspection imagery.

The workflow described has the Inspector/Commander UAV capturing high-resolution images of neighbouring operational drones at defined intervals and sending them through the swarm communications layer to the Drone Inspector application.

The application then submits images to Amazon Rekognition Custom Labels via API and receives defect labels with confidence scores.

The paper describes defect categories including exposed wiring, landing gear damage, landing gear misalignment and deformation of landing components.

Inspection frequency is described as adaptive, with inspections every two minutes under nominal conditions and every 30 seconds in higher risk areas linked to gas sensor readings indicating proximity to an active fire zone.

In the implementation described, the application triggers a critical alert to the Ground Control Station when confidence exceeds a defined threshold, with the paper describing a threshold of 80%.

For communications security, the paper proposes subnet segmentation and Route Optimization for Autonomous Systems (ROAS) to reduce the feasibility of Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) and traffic manipulation attacks.

Subnet segmentation is described as dividing the swarm network into role-based subnetworks with routing policies controlling inter-subnet communication.

ROAS is described as a dynamic routing approach intended to adjust paths based on network conditions and topology changes to reduce persistent interception points.

Evaluation approach and reported results

The paper describes evaluation across physical deployment feasibility, AI inspection workflow performance and cybersecurity simulation.

It describes a six-UAV deployment consistent with the proposed architecture, with the Inspector/Commander UAV maintaining a supervisory position to capture imagery and support communication.

Example UAV platforms named include DJI Matrice series platforms and an Autel EVO Max model, with additional roles described for payload delivery and communications relay.

Live fire was not used for safety reasons.

The paper describes using manoeuvres, formation flight and environmental stressors such as wind variability to emulate operational challenges relevant to emergency response.

For AI defect detection, it describes Amazon Rekognition Custom Labels trained on a labelled dataset including normal conditions and representative defect scenarios, with reported classification metrics including precision, recall and F1-score.

For cybersecurity simulation, it describes a network emulation environment built in GNS3, using a Kali Linux attacker node and Ettercap for adversarial traffic injection, with a comparison between a baseline flat network and a secured configuration applying segmentation and ROAS.

The paper references EtherApe traffic visualisation and describes figures intended to show traffic concentration through the attacker node under baseline conditions, followed by more balanced traffic patterns after defences are applied.

Across these experiments, the authors report reduced attack success rates, early detection of defects and improved operational reliability within the combined inspection and network defence framework.

The paper presents the system as a hierarchical swarm design that links physical integrity monitoring and cybersecurity measures within a single operational framework.

Forest conditions and extreme weather are amplifying wildfire risk, says WMO

by Featured NewsResearchWildland Fire

Hotter weather and drier forests are driving bigger wildfires

Wildfires are increasingly affecting air quality and atmospheric composition across multiple regions as fire seasons lengthen.

The assessment was set out in a statement delivered to the World Economic Forum in Davos on 22 January 2026 by Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Observations coordinated by the WMO show that large fires release substantial amounts of fine particulate matter and trace gases detected by Global Atmosphere Watch stations operated by National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and partners.

These emissions include carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂).

Rising fire emissions are associated with record increases in atmospheric CO₂.

Repeated burning is reducing a forest’s capacity to absorb carbon, linking warming, more fires and poorer air quality in a reinforcing cycle.

The statement expressed concern that the Amazon rainforest could be shifting from a major carbon sink towards a net source of emissions.

In 2024, wildfire smoke from the Amazon river basin combined with fires in Chile to affect many countries and densely populated urban areas across Latin America.

Mexico recorded its most active fire season on record in 2024.

Canada burned more than twice its long-term average in 2024 and experienced its second costliest wildfire in history.

US fire activity in 2024 ran around 20% above the 2001 to 2020 average.

Wildfire activity in 2024 coincided with above-average PM2.5 levels in Canada, Siberia and central Africa, with the largest anomaly recorded in the Amazon basin in the WMO Air Quality and Climate Bulletin.

Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service data indicate that Europe experienced its highest annual total fire emissions since records began in 2003 during 2025, with Canada registering its second-highest yearly emissions in the same period.

Weather, satellites and early warning

Saulo outlined how climate and weather extremes are changing fire behaviour and management needs.

Hotter temperatures, prolonged droughts and more frequent heatwaves are drying vegetation and extending fire seasons.

Stronger and more erratic winds are allowing fires to spread faster and cross natural barriers.

Risk varies by region, particularly where forests meet large populations, making practices such as thinning and prescribed burning central to risk reduction.

In remote areas where fires are often ignited by lightning and ground access is limited, satellite monitoring is central to response.

Real-time and long-term fire detection depends on the rapid exchange of satellite data, which the WMO has supported.

In northern Australia, land managers use a satellite-based fire information system developed with the Bureau of Meteorology to track burned areas across vast and inaccessible terrain and to plan fuel management and resource deployment.

After Cyclone Chido in Mayotte in 2024, meteorological analysis identified that dead vegetation would become highly flammable once dry, allowing fire agencies to adjust preparedness in advance.

Seasonal forecasts now provide probabilistic guidance in places such as Réunion and northern Australia, informing decisions on when to conduct prescribed burns, reduce fuel loads and prepare for more intense firefighting.

In France, Météo-France produces a daily meteorological danger map that is translated into a five-level wildfire risk map for each forest area to guide operational decisions.

Regional smoke forecasting centres operate under the WMO Vegetation Fire and Smoke Pollution Warning and Advisory System, including a North American hub hosted by Environment and Climate Change Canada and a Southeast Asian centre in Singapore, providing cross-border smoke forecasts during severe fire seasons.

Saulo said: “In the next five years, we must stop treating wildfires as surprises and start managing forests as critical infrastructure, using science, early warning, AI and strong partnerships to act early, protect people from smoke and heat, and ensure forests reduce risk rather than fuel the next crisis.”

FIA publishes Environmental Guidance Legislative Overview for fire protection sector

by Associations and OrganisationsFeatured NewsResearchSustainability

Environmental guidance legislative overview replaces earlier fact file

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) has published a new Environmental Guidance Legislative Overview, replacing the withdrawn Fact File 36 from 2009.

The FIA described the document as a high-level guide to current UK environmental legislation that may affect fire protection companies.

The FIA said the overview is intended to raise awareness rather than provide an exhaustive list of legal duties.

The document focuses on England and Wales, with the FIA noting that different regulatory regimes apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The FIA stated that responsibility for compliance rests with individual companies.

What the guidance covers for fire protection companies

The FIA explained that UK environmental law has changed substantially since 2009, particularly following Brexit.

The document outlines three elements of the current framework: retained EU regulations amended for UK use, new UK domestic regulations, and separate devolved regimes in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The guidance points to the Environment Act 2021 as a starting point for understanding the current framework.

The FIA organises the overview around climate change controls, sustainable design requirements, pollution permitting, waste management regimes, and chemical product restrictions.

The climate change section includes ozone-depleting substances rules, describing bans on halon in new systems and licensing for certain critical uses under DEFRA.

The overview also summarises duties under the Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2015 as amended in 2020, including leak checks for stationary fire suppression systems containing F-gases, record keeping for gases charged, recovered or destroyed, and certification requirements for individuals and companies.

The sustainable design section summarises the Eco-design for Energy-Related Products Regulations 2021 and references the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation 2024/1781, describing an expectation that manufacturers consider impacts across sourcing, manufacture, transport, use and end-of-life recovery.

For construction products, the overview describes the Construction Products Regulations 2022 and states that since 1 January 2023 either CE or UKCA marking is acceptable for new products placed on the UK market.

The pollution permitting section summarises the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 and describes that certain activities require an environmental permit, with conditions based on Best Available Techniques and covering emission limits, monitoring, accident prevention and site restoration.

The waste section summarises WEEE rules, stating that many fire products such as smoke detectors and control panels fall under Category 9 and that obligated producers must label products, fund end-of-life collection and recycling, and report annual tonnages to the Environment Agency.

The overview also summarises hazardous waste rules, including that certain firefighting gases such as HFC 227ea and HFC 23 are classified under European Waste Catalogue code 14 06 01 and must be accompanied by consignment notes with records retained for three years.

The packaging section describes the UK Extended Producer Responsibility scheme and references the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40, outlining tighter targets around recycled content, material labelling and reuse.

The chemical restrictions section includes RoHS requirements for electrical and electronic equipment, UK REACH registration conditions for substances used in fire products, and PFAS controls including that certain PFAS are already banned under the UK POPs Regulation with deadlines for removing and disposing of legacy foams.

The guidance outlines Environmental Product Declarations as standardised independently verified documents, stating they are not currently mandatory in Great Britain for fire safety products while referencing EU requirements such as the EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542 digital battery passport and carbon footprint disclosure from 2026 or 2027 for certain batteries.

The overview briefly outlines the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism starting on 1 January 2027 and lists the product groups it will apply to, including aluminium, cement, fertiliser, hydrogen, and iron and steel.

The document also lists official sources of further information including GOV.UK, DEFRA, the Environment Agency, the Scottish Government, SEPA, and DAERA.

It also includes an Annex A diagram mapping how different environmental regulations intersect with stages of a product lifecycle from raw material extraction through to recycling and disposal.

The FIA’s overview frames environmental regulation as more complex than in 2009 and sets out how overlapping regimes can affect fire protection companies, with compliance remaining the responsibility of individual organisations.

PFAS plan outlines UK monitoring and regulatory steps through 2028

by Featured NewsFire SuppressionHealth and SafetyResearchSafety

PFAS plan sets three pillars for action

A UK government policy paper has been published setting out a framework for managing PFAS risks across society and the environment.

The UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) published the policy paper, titled PFAS Plan: building a safer future together, updated 3 February 2026.

The plan is structured around three pillars: understanding PFAS sources, tackling PFAS pathways, and reducing ongoing exposure to PFAS.

PFAS are described as a group of thousands of chemicals, with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) definition used to guide the actions in the plan.

The paper identifies widespread use across sectors including firefighting foams, medical devices, textiles, packaging, construction and electronics manufacture.

Emma Hardy MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Water and Flooding), said: “Together, we can take a coordinated approach to make sure that ‘forever chemicals’ are not a forever problem.”

Monitoring, mapping and research actions

PFAS have been found in remote parts of the globe such as Antarctica.

They are characterised as highly mobile, persistent, and able to accumulate in soils, plants and animals, particularly in aquatic environments.

Monitoring data shows PFAS present in approximately 80% of surface water samples, approximately 50% of groundwater samples, and all fish samples.

English water companies carried out more than 770,000 analyses for individual PFAS in 2024 to inform drinking water assessments.

The plan commits to continuing annual monitoring of 2,400 PFAS samples from the freshwater environment in England.

In Scotland, annual monitoring will continue with an expanded network from around 300 samples in 2025 to 500 samples in 2026.

By the end of 2026, the Environment Agency’s PFAS multicriteria Geographic Information System (GIS) prioritisation map is to be made available to all public sector bodies across England, with the option of a dedicated interactive website by the end of 2027.

Soil monitoring will be strengthened through a British Geological Survey feasibility study and pilot sampling at a minimum of five representative locations across England.

A multi-year assessment of PFAS contamination in estuarine and coastal environments in England is due by February 2028, based on targeted sampling and analysis of sediment, fish and benthic invertebrates.

The government will also consider adding further PFAS to the UK Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR), following an industrial emissions consultation published in August 2025.

Regulation, foams and exposure measures

The UK’s obligations under the UN Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) include prohibitions on PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS, including their salts and related compounds.

Following a May 2025 convention-level agreement to list additional PFAS for global elimination, particularly long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs), the government is determining how to implement this domestically.

A proposed UK REACH restriction on PFAS in firefighting foams is currently under consultation.

Once the Health and Safety Executive has published its final opinion, a ministerial decision will be taken on whether to implement the restriction, with devolved government consent.

On exposure, the plan identifies multiple pathways including diet, drinking water, indoor dust and skin contact.

The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment is undertaking an independent review of PFAS, including whether different PFAS can be assessed together and whether health-based guidance values can be set.

The Food Standards Agency is working with the National Reference Laboratory to develop and validate PFAS tests for food, alongside ongoing monitoring of PFAS in food contact materials.

In Scotland, a statutory drinking water standard of 0.1 µg per litre for the sum of 20 named PFAS compounds has been in place since 1 January 2023.

In England and Wales, updated Drinking Water Inspectorate guidance requires monitoring of 48 named PFAS, with concentrations at or above 0.1 µg per litre reported as a water quality event requiring action.

The government will consult on introducing a statutory PFAS limit for England’s public water supply.

Further actions cover industrial emissions, including new cross-sector guidance for regulators and operators on PFAS handling, monitoring and disposal, and the development of environmental thresholds for emissions to air, land and water.

On waste and legacy contamination, the plan commits to further work on PFAS in landfill and waste routes, and a national framework to prioritise sites affected by historic PFAS pollution.

The plan is described as a first step, with implementation to be reviewed through the statutory Environment Improvement Plan reporting cycle.

BSI report sets out UK fire safety standards work for 2024–2027

by Breaking NewsFire SuppressionPassiveResearchSafety

Fire safety standards programme report details revisions, plans and committee role

The British Standards Institution has published its first annual overview of how the UK’s fire safety standards programme is being run, what changed in 2024–2025 and what is coming next in 2026–2027.

The document was launched at BSI’s Annual Fire Safety Conference on 29 January 2026. It comes from the Fire and Built Environment Sector Policy and Strategy Committee, known as FSH/0, which sits at the top of BSI’s fire safety standards structure for the built environment.

Rather than being a technical standard itself, the report functions as a map of the standards system. It explains who is involved, how priorities are set, which standards have recently been updated and which major projects are in the pipeline.

BSI frames this annual publication as part of a push for greater transparency, making standards work easier to understand and follow beyond the relatively small circle of people directly involved in committees.

Who FSH/0 is and why it matters

FSH/0 operates at the highest tier of the national standards framework for fire safety. Its remit covers the full life of a building, from design and construction through occupation, management, maintenance and eventual end of life.

In practical terms, this means it looks across everything that touches fire safety in buildings, including fire precautions, fire protection systems and the infrastructure that supports safe evacuation and firefighting.

The committee performs four main roles.

First, it sets strategic priorities for developing new standards and revising existing ones, deciding where effort should be focused.

Second, it carries out horizon scanning, looking ahead at emerging risks that could shape future standards. The report gives examples such as lithium-ion battery fires, new energy systems, increased automation, digital building systems, new construction materials and modern methods of construction.

Third, it coordinates specialist technical committees to reduce duplication and keep different strands of standards work aligned.

Fourth, it provides a national forum where regulators, fire and rescue services, manufacturers, installers, consultants, building owners, academics and professional bodies can contribute to standards development.

In effect, FSH/0 sits between government policy, industry practice and the detailed technical work of standards committees.

Leadership, structure and how the system is organised

FSH/0 is chaired by Aman Sharma MBE. Under his leadership, the report highlights a focus on strengthening the overall standards infrastructure and widening participation, including bringing in early-career professionals and people with expertise in digital and emerging technologies.

The committee oversees around two dozen specialist technical committees. The report names several key examples, including committees covering fire detection and alarms, fire precautions in buildings, hazards to life from fire and fixed firefighting systems.

It also maintains formal links with committees working on related areas such as construction design, digital modelling, accessibility, lifts, furniture flammability, personal protective equipment and explosion safety. FSH/0 works closely with CB/0, BSI’s broader built environment committee.

Day-to-day coordination is supported by a dedicated BSI Standards Committee Manager, and FSH/0 typically meets several times a year to review progress, approve new projects and respond to emerging issues.

Who was around the table in 2024–2025

The report sets out who was represented on FSH/0 during 2024–2025, giving a sense of how broad the committee’s membership is.

Members included the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP), Euralarm, the Fire Industry Association (FIA), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), Northern Ireland Building Regulations, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Government.

BSI notes that this mix covers fire engineering, manufacturing, installation, maintenance, building design, risk assessment, construction, enforcement and regulatory policy, rather than being dominated by any single perspective.

How the work connects to Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2

A significant strand of recent standards activity is explicitly framed as aligning with recommendations from Phase 2 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

One of the clearest examples is BS 8674:2025, which sets out a framework for the competence of individual fire risk assessors. The report links this to recommendations around clearer competence standards and potential future mandatory accreditation.

The report also highlights work on an amendment to BS 750, the standard for underground fire hydrants. This is described as a direct response to Inquiry Recommendation 40, and aims to clarify when and how flow coefficients should be measured.

More broadly, BSI describes ongoing engagement with government and industry to keep standards aligned with evolving policy in the post-Grenfell landscape.

Relationship with the Building Safety Act and Fire Safety Act

BSI states that its standards work in 2024–2025 has been closely aligned with both the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Fire Safety Act 2021.

The report groups several key documents within this framework: BS 8674:2025 on fire risk assessor competence, BS 9792:2025 on fire risk assessment for housing, PAS 79-1 on non-housing fire risk assessment and PAS 9980 on fire risk appraisal of external walls.

These are presented as tools that support accountable persons, responsible persons and dutyholders in meeting their legal responsibilities.

How BSI has supported understanding and implementation

Beyond writing standards, the report describes a range of activity aimed at helping the sector understand and use them.

BSI Knowledge has published explanatory articles on standards such as BS 9991, BS 8674, BS 5839-1 and BS 5266-1.

The organisation has also run sector briefings and events on topics including construction product regulation, competence and legislative change.

There has been collaboration with bodies such as the Institution of Fire Engineers and the Fire Sector Confederation, particularly around BS 8674.

On PAS 9980, BSI continues to support its use within government remediation frameworks and Building Safety Fund guidance. A structured revision programme began in 2024, with main consultation taking place in 2025.

BSI also runs an Education Hub aimed at educators, researchers and practitioners who want to engage more closely with standardisation.

What actually changed in 2024–2025

Several major standards were revised or published during this period.

BS 9991:2024, the main residential fire safety standard, underwent a substantial update. Its scope was expanded to cover residential care homes. Provisions on sprinklers were updated, including for single-stair buildings and height thresholds. The standard adopted European fire-resistance classifications for doors and strengthened guidance on smoke control and evacuation lifts in taller buildings.

BS 9792:2025 set out a clearer framework for fire risk assessment in housing, including a nine-step methodology and guidance for assisted living and supported housing. It is designed to sit alongside PAS 79-1 and PAS 9980 as part of a national approach to risk assessment across different building types.

BS 8674:2025 introduced three competence levels for fire risk assessors: Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced. It covers not only technical knowledge but also skills, behaviours, ethics, supervision and continuing professional development, and is linked to future plans for mandatory accreditation under the Building Safety Act.

BS 5839-1:2025, covering fire detection and alarm systems in non-domestic buildings, added a new section on system modifications, tightened controls on acceptable variations, updated guidance on manual call points and clarified expectations for automatic detection in sleeping-risk areas.

BS 5266-1:2025, the emergency lighting standard, expanded its scope to cover emergency escape lighting, standby lighting and local-area emergency lighting, placed greater emphasis on lighting uniformity and aligned more closely with European standards EN 1838 and EN 50172.

PAS 9980 was under revision during this period, with consultation completed in 2025 and publication expected in Q2 2026. Together with PAS 79-1 and BS 9792, it forms a cross-building-type framework for fire risk assessment and appraisal.

What is coming in 2026–2027

The report sets out a substantial forward programme of work.

BS 9994 is planned as a new specification for creating, documenting and managing fire strategies throughout a building’s lifecycle. It is intended to standardise structure, terminology and review processes, replacing and expanding on PAS 911. Public consultation is expected in Q1–Q2 2026, with publication likely in late 2026 or early 2027.

BS 9996 will cover the commissioning and maintenance of integrated fire safety systems, including alarms, suppression, smoke control, evacuation lifts and cause-and-effect logic. The aim is to ensure that changes to systems do not undermine the original fire strategy. A Draft for Public Comment is expected in Q2–Q3 2026, with publication in 2027.

The revised PAS 9980 is due for publication in Q2 2026, with clearer decision pathways, terminology and alignment with the wider BS 999X family of standards.

PAS 9970-1 and PAS 9970-2 will address fire safety during construction. The first covers organisational and site fire safety, while the second deals with temporary fire detection and alarm systems on construction sites. Consultation is expected in Q1 2026 and publication in Q4 2026.

A revision of BS 9990, covering non-automatic firefighting systems such as wet and dry risers and firefighting mains, is expected to go to consultation in Q3–Q4 2026, with publication in 2027.

An amendment to BS 750 on underground fire hydrants is planned for consultation in 2026, again responding to Grenfell Inquiry Recommendation 40.

Finally, BS 9999, the main non-domestic fire safety standard, is scheduled for a major update with consultation in Q2–Q3 2027 and publication in 2028. The revision is intended to align with post-Grenfell reforms and with BS 9991, BS 9994 and BS 9996, covering issues such as fire strategies, evacuation planning, dutyholder responsibilities and digital records.

How people can get involved

The report emphasises that standards development depends on broad participation rather than being driven solely by BSI.

Individuals and organisations can apply or be nominated to join technical committees, serve on drafting panels for specific standards and respond to Drafts for Public Comment via the Standards Development Portal.

Contributions can also be made through professional bodies such as the Institution of Fire Engineers, the Fire Industry Association, the Association for Specialist Fire Protection and BAFSA.

BSI also invites evidence or case studies to support FSH/0’s horizon-scanning work, alongside engagement through consultations, calls for evidence, conferences and roundtables.

What the report presents FSH/0 as doing

Overall, the report positions FSH/0 as the central coordinating body for UK fire safety standards, increasingly transparent through the publication of this annual overview, closely aligned with post-Grenfell reforms and actively managing a wide programme of revisions, new standards and PAS projects across 2026–2027.

It presents this work as part of maintaining a coherent, nationally consistent fire safety standards framework for the built environment.

Euralarm issues Battery Regulation guidance on classifying safety system standby batteries

by Featured NewsResearchSafety

Battery Regulation guidance for safety systems

An updated position paper has set out how standby batteries used in fire, life safety and security systems should be classified under the EU Battery Regulation.

Euralarm published the document on Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 for Market Surveillance Authorities and industry stakeholders.

The paper says the Regulation categorises batteries by intended design and use, rather than by chemistry.

It states that batteries used as secondary or standby power sources in fire and security control panels, power supply units and alarm transmitters should be considered industrial batteries by design and intended use, including batteries that weigh less than 5 kg.

Industrial classification and regulatory scope

In its position paper, Euralarm sets out its interpretation of industrial use for standby and secondary power batteries in fire, life safety and security panels.

It links this interpretation to recital 15, which it reads as covering batteries used for emergency power, energy distribution and communication infrastructure.

It describes standby or secondary batteries in fire alarm panels as functioning as emergency power sources that distribute stored electrical energy during power failures.

It says this use aligns with the Regulation’s understanding of industrial batteries.

It also points to guidance from the European WEEE Registers Network, which classifies batteries for alarm systems in business-to-business contexts as industrial.

It cites the harmonised standard EN 54-4 for fire detection and alarm system power supply units as relevant to how these batteries are specified and used.

It adds that the German Federal Ministry for the Environment supports this interpretation of industrial use.

On this basis, it states these standby batteries are not subject to the substance restrictions in Article 6(1) and Annex I number 3 that apply to portable batteries.

Installed base, replacement cycles and availability

The position paper discusses the impact on existing fire and security systems across Europe.

It notes that systems can remain in service for several decades, with backup batteries typically replaced every four to seven years.

It states that continued availability of the specified battery types is needed to maintain certified performance, reliability and safety for existing installations.

It also acknowledges that demand for smaller batteries could decline, with potential impacts on price and supply.

The document frames its guidance around maintaining market availability and consistent interpretation for safety-critical applications.

Plastic pipes study details gas risks from burning MLCP plumbing materials

by Featured NewsPassiveResearch

Plastic pipes findings from CuSP research

Independent testing commissioned by The Copper Sustainability Partnership (CuSP) found that a type of plastic plumbing pipe burned quickly and released toxic gases during fire simulations.

The work was carried out in partnership with Warringtonfire, with tests designed to simulate real-life fire scenarios and measure how quickly different plumbing pipe materials react when exposed to flames.

The programme included Multi-Layer Composite Pipe (MLCP), described as a common type of plastic pipe used in plumbing with an aluminium layer pressed between two layers of polyethylene (PEX) pipe.

CuSP said MLCP burned in just over five minutes during testing.

Toxic gas release and detection limits described

The report states that MLCP produced carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide when burned.

It says these gases can go unseen and undetected by household smoke detectors, meaning an alarm may only sound after the fire and gases have already spread.

Andrew Surtees, Co-Founder of The Copper Sustainability Partnership, said: “We are beginning to see more instances of smoke alarms not being able to detect fires because they are happening more suddenly due to undetectable flammable gases igniting.

“The news commonly reports these fires when caused by lithium-ion batteries being used in new technologies, but not many people realise the risk of commonly used materials within their walls.

“Plastic pipes like MLCP are dangerous.

“Many underestimate the risks of these pipes because they believe that the water they store will extinguish a fire, but the gases these pipes produce can cause a fire to spread quickly, outpacing what small water reserves a pipe holds.”

Copper comparison included in test summary

The study compared MLCP with other plumbing pipe materials, including copper.

It reported that MLCP produced 248 times more carbon monoxide in the five-minute period it burned, while copper withstood heat of over 1000ºC without setting alight or releasing toxic fumes.

CuSP said more information about the report is available at www.cuspuk.com.

London tops England for vehicle fire incidents per registered vehicles

by Featured NewsResearch

Vehicle fire figures by area

London recorded 453 vehicle incidents per 10,000 registered vehicles in the latest Direct365 report.

Direct365 said it analysed Fire and Rescue Services callout data from 31 services in England over the past year.

The London Fire Brigade attended 7,572 vehicle incidents in the recorded period.

Tyne and Wear recorded 343 incidents per 10,000 registered vehicles.

East Sussex recorded 268 incidents per 10,000 registered vehicles.

Merseyside recorded 263 incidents per 10,000 registered vehicles.

Lancashire recorded 255 incidents per 10,000 registered vehicles.

Nottinghamshire recorded 219 incidents per 10,000 registered vehicles.

Greater Manchester recorded 206 incidents per 10,000 registered vehicles.

Leicestershire recorded 194 incidents per 10,000 registered vehicles.

South Yorkshire recorded 194 incidents per 10,000 registered vehicles.

West Yorkshire recorded 193 incidents per 10,000 registered vehicles.

Kent recorded 29 incidents per 10,000 registered vehicles, the lowest figure listed.

Durham and Darlington recorded 46 incidents per 10,000 registered vehicles.

Derbyshire recorded 114 incidents per 10,000 registered vehicles.

Cornwall recorded 117 incidents per 10,000 registered vehicles.

Lincolnshire recorded 128 incidents per 10,000 registered vehicles.

West Midlands recorded 130 incidents per 10,000 registered vehicles.

Oxfordshire recorded 135 incidents per 10,000 registered vehicles.

Hereford and Worcester recorded 140 incidents per 10,000 registered vehicles.

Buckinghamshire recorded 143 incidents per 10,000 registered vehicles.

Gloucestershire recorded 145 incidents per 10,000 registered vehicles.

Road incidents as share of service workload

Buckinghamshire recorded road vehicle incidents as 20.4% of all callouts in the recorded period, the highest share listed.

Lincolnshire recorded road incidents as 17.5% of all callouts.

Shropshire recorded road incidents as 16.6% of all callouts.

West Midlands recorded road incidents as 16.4% of all callouts.

Hereford and Worcester recorded road incidents as 16.0% of all callouts.

Derbyshire recorded road incidents as 16.0% of all callouts.

Durham and Darlington recorded road incidents as 14.4% of all callouts.

Cornwall recorded road incidents as 14.3% of all callouts.

Oxfordshire recorded road incidents as 13.9% of all callouts.

Cumbria recorded road incidents as 13.1% of all callouts.

London’s vehicle incidents accounted for 5.5% of all London Fire Brigade callouts in the same period.

Direct365 comment on regional differences

Karl Bantleman at Direct365 commented: “Data from Fire and Rescue Services across England clearly illustrates the tireless, around-the-clock work of this sector, ensuring our nation’s safety.

“The disparity between vehicle safety of counties like Kent and the high incident rates in areas like London and Tyne and Wear shows that road risk is heavily influenced by local infrastructure and traffic density.

“We’ve seen road incidents account for over 20% of Fire and Rescue callouts in areas like Buckinghamshire which demonstrates the fluctuating pressure placed on different regional services.

“Regardless of location, vehicle owners must take proactive steps to reduce risk.

“Routine maintenance is vital to preventing incidents and ensuring our essential emergency services can focus their resources where they are most needed.”

The report separates incident rates per registered vehicles from the share of overall callouts linked to road incidents.

New RoSPA report links accidental deaths burden to infrastructure and enforcement gaps

by Featured NewsHealth and SafetyResearchSafety

Accidental deaths report outlines global scale of the problem

Accidents were the sixth leading cause of death worldwide, with 3.1 million people killed in 2021.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has published Accidental deaths and life-changing injuries: A global tragedy, produced in partnership with L’Oréal and Xylem.

The report found that 1 in 20 deaths globally were caused by accidents.

It calculated this as more than 8,000 deaths every day.

The analysis draws on data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international sources.

Accidental deaths concentrated in lower and middle income countries

The report shows that people in lower and middle income countries face far higher risks of dying in accidents than those in wealthier nations.

Road traffic collisions account for 1.2 million deaths each year.

Low and middle income countries represent 92% of road deaths despite having 60% of the world’s vehicles.

Workplace accidents kill an estimated 315,000 people annually.

Lower and middle income countries account for 94% of these workplace deaths, with the highest rates recorded in Africa and Asia.

Workers are almost three times more likely to die in a workplace accident in Asia than in Europe and nearly four times more likely in Africa.

Agriculture records the highest number of deaths of any sector.

The report also found that 80% of deaths among working age adults occur outside the workplace, with road traffic collisions, falls, drownings and fires identified as leading causes.

Poor infrastructure, weaker regulation and inconsistent enforcement were identified as key factors behind these inequalities.

Economic impact and calls for prevention investment

Beyond the human toll, the report links accidents to reduced productivity and increased healthcare costs, particularly in developing economies.

It describes how this can contribute to a cycle of lower economic growth, reduced incomes and limited investment in accident prevention.

Rebecca Hickman, Chief Executive at RoSPA, said: “Every day, thousands of people around the world are killed or seriously injured in preventable accidents.

“Each death or injury devastates families and communities.

“At RoSPA, we believe safety is a fundamental human right – one that should not depend on where you live.

“These findings are stark: accidental deaths remain a major public health challenge, with lower- and middle- income countries facing the heaviest burdens.

“RoSPA’s vision is an accident-free world.

“This report provides a foundation for global action by governments, businesses, NGOs, and international institutions to act, because a safer world is not only possible, it is essential.”

Malcolm Staves, Global Vice President of Health and Safety at L’Oréal, said: “Each year, millions of individuals tragically lose their lives, sustain permanent injuries, or develop long-term diseases due to unsafe and unhealthy environments, both within and outside the workplace.

“These perilous conditions often stem from a complex interplay of underlying causes, including governance gaps, deficient legislative frameworks, a pervasive lack of awareness or knowledge, insufficient resources, and a weak culture of prevention, both within workplaces and across society at large.

“Our partnership with RoSPA provides health, safety and wellbeing information and support to a wider community.”

Autumn Crum, Director of Environment, Health and Safety at Xylem, said: “True safety leadership is caring for people and proactively addressing risk wherever it exists.

“With RoSPA’s Global Accident Data Initiative, we’re helping turn data into action to better protect people, families and communities around the world.”

RoSPA said the findings support its call for increased global investment in accident prevention.

Needs Assessment survey deadline extended for US fire departments

by Americas - Featured NewsFeatured NewsResearch

Needs Assessment survey deadline extension

The deadline for U.S. fire departments to complete the 2025 U.S. Needs Assessment survey has been extended to February 15, 2026.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announced the extension and said it is intended to increase participation and strengthen the response rate.

Shelby Hall, fire analysis research manager with NFPA’s Fire Analysis and Research Division, said: “The U.S. Needs Assessment survey provides one of the single most effective opportunities for fire departments to make their needs and challenges known amongst the very groups and policymakers that determine where fire department funding and resources are allocated.

“That’s why participation from every fire department across the country is critical to its success and impact.”

Survey scope, changes and how it is completed

The survey is conducted every five years to capture current resources and staffing levels among U.S. fire departments, and to identify where they can meet community needs and where gaps exist.

Hall said: “The response rate for the 2020 survey was the lowest to date across all U.S. Needs Assessment surveys, which was not unexpected given the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Increasing the response rate for the new survey will help ensure that the final 2025 U.S. Needs Assessment report continues to be the impactful resource it has been since its launch in 2001.”

NFPA said it worked with representatives from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) to identify current issues and challenges.

The release said more than 40 changes were made to the 2025 survey, including new questions about responses to lithium-ion battery fires and specialised rescue operations, plus updated questions on physical and behavioral health, medical programmes and community risk reduction.

The overall number of questions was reduced to make completion less time-consuming.

The survey can be completed online, and a print version was also mailed out.

The survey must be completed by a fire department chief or an assigned designee and returned to NFPA by February 15, 2026.