Calls for firework ban in Germany after attacks on rescue services

by Featured NewsSafety

Police and firefighter unions in Germany have called for a ban on personal fireworks on New Year’s Eve, supported by Olaf Scholz, Chancellor, who condemned incidents of rescue services being targeted by firecrackers and rockets.

Sale of personal use fireworks were banned for two years to avoid overburdening hospitals during the Covid-19 pandemic, but the ban has now been lifted and German cities saw the return of consumer fireworks – causing an unusually high number of injuries and some fatalities.

In Berlin, authorities reported 33 injured police officers and firefighters on more than 1,700 missions carried out on the evening of 31 December.

A teenager died on 1 January as a result of an incident a self-built catapult for firecrackers on the outskirts of the eastern German city of Leipzig. Elsewhere, a man from Saxony-Anhalt died after being hit by a car while setting off fireworks in the street.

Ralf Kusterer, the vice-president of the German Police Union, said: “What we are currently seeing in Berlin, but also in Baden-Württemberg, is that firefighters are being ambushed, that police officers are being attacked like on 1 May or at other big demonstrations.” He added: “This is a new level.”

The Police Union in Berlin called for a countrywide ban on the sale of customer fireworks. Spokesperson Benjamin Jendro told the press agency dpa: “We do not believe it is necessary for large parts of the population to light their own pyrotechnics on New Year’s Eve.”

Germany’s union of firefighters has also called for more of its vehicles to be fitted with dashcams to record attacks.

A spokesperson for Scholz on Monday condemned the assault on rescue services, while Berlin’s senator for culture backed calls for a general ban.

Fire Service teaming up with NHS in visits to the vulnerable

by Featured NewsSafety

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service teamed up with local hospitals in Staffordshire to make sure vulnerable members of the community are protected over the festive period.

From Friday (16 December), the safe and well teams undertook additional training to help them signpost residents on visits that may have underlying health conditions and get them the help they need.

Those between the ages of 55 and 74 who have smoked or still smoke will be signposted to the Targeted Lung Health Check (TLHC) service. It will help the NHS to identify problems such as lung cancer as early as possible and make sure the patient receives the appropriate support and advice through their programme – giving them a better chance of finding these issues early and treating them effectively.

The scheme also aims to reduce the number of accidental house fires in Staffordshire caused by smoking. Vulnerable people who are screened through the training will be given tailored support and guidance to help them quit.

Carmel Warren, Partnership and Intervention Manager at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We are continuing our work with colleagues in the NHS by introducing these additional training procedures to ensure the residents in our community are looked after as effectively as possible.

“Last July, we introduced additional training to help our emergency service colleagues spot risk factors around the homes of vulnerable people during visits – including nurses, councillors, police officers and more by moving our Olive Branch training to online delivery.”

“This new partnership will allow us to work more effectively with local hospitals to ensure people are aware of the risks of smoking – both from a health and fire safety perspective.

“We will brief all the teams on this partnership by producing a video explaining the project, we will also provide a guide on how to raise the referral and all teams will be given information leaflets to hand out to residents when they perform a Safe and Well Visit.”

A spokesperson from the TLHC programme said: “We are delighted to team up with our colleagues in the Fire Service to ensure our most vulnerable residents have access to our potentially lifesaving screening service which aims to diagnose lung cancer at an early stage when treatment can be simpler and more successful.”

NFCC calls for multiple fire escapes on high-rise residential buildings

by Breaking NewsSafety

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has released a statement calling on the Government to make it a requirement for all new high rise residential buildings over 18 metres or seven storeys to have more than one staircase. In England, there is currently no maximum height for residential buildings with only one staircase.

NFCC is urging the Government to adopt the following changes for high rise residential buildings over 18 metres or seven storeys: All new buildings must have more than one protected staircase, all existing buildings must be retrofitted with sprinklers, and lifts in existing buildings should be installed or replaced for use in an evacuation.

Gavin Tomlinson, NFCC Protection and Business Safety Scrutiny Committee Chair said: “We are calling on the Government to ensure that all new high rise residential buildings over 18 metres, or seven storeys, have more than one fire escape staircase. In the event of a fire, a correctly designed second staircase removes the risk of a single point of failure, buying critical time for firefighting activities, and providing residents with multiple escape routes.”

NFCC’s recommendations could be reinforced by amending building regulations or the key Government guidance, Approved Document B.

Mark Hardingham, NFCC Chair added: “The Government should be commended on the improvements it has made, such as banning combustible cladding and requiring sprinklers at 11 metres. However, we urge the Government to now publish an updated workplan for the review of Approved Document B to give regulators, the public, and the wider fire safety industry confidence that the Government is still committed to reform.”

Fire services issue frozen water warning

by Featured NewsSafety

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and London Fire Brigade are urging people to stay safe around frozen water as temperatures look set to remain below freezing.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Area Commander for Prevention and Protection, David Dourley, said: “We strongly urge everyone to please be aware of the dangers of frozen water. We know the ice can look inviting but do not be tempted to walk on ice. It can easily crack and cause a person to fall through.

“Don’t wander too near to the edge, icy conditions could cause you to slip and fall in and don’t be tempted to test how solid the water is.

“Adults should set a good example by staying off the ice and we also ask that parents, carers and guardians ensure children are aware of the dangers of frozen water.

“We don’t want your winter walk to end in tragedy so please avoid going near frozen water when you are out with loved ones and pets.”

London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Spencer Sutcliff said: “Walking out on to frozen ponds or lakes is extremely dangerous. Never assume that the ice is thick enough to support you. It may look sturdy enough to stand on, but it often isn’t and can be of variable thickness especially as you move away from the edge where the ice is often thinner.

“If you fall into icy water, the risk of hypothermia is very high and can prove fatal.

“We’re urging parents to take some time to talk to their children about the dangers of going on the ice and to supervise them carefully.

“We also see a number of people who put themselves in danger by attempting to rescue pets that have become stranded or trapped, and then they also need to be rescued by the brigade. Dog owners should keep them on a lead and keep a close eye on them.

“Firefighters are trained and have specialist equipment to rescue those who do get stuck on, or in, an icy lake or pond, so if you see a person or an animal in difficulty don’t put yourself at risk by going in after them. Call 999, keep your eye on them and stay off the ice.”

NFPA calls for added caution around holiday season

by Breaking NewsSafety

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has called for added caution this holiday season, as Christmas Day and Christmas Eve are among the leading days of the year for US home fires.

Lorraine Carli, NFPA vice president of Outreach and Advocacy, said: “December is a leading month for home fires, in large part because many of the activities we engage in during the holiday season reflect leading causes of home fires year-round. Plus, as colder temperatures impact much of the country, use of heating equipment increases significantly.”

The latest NFPA statistics underscore the increased risk of fire during the holiday season and beyond:

Christmas trees

  • An estimated average of 160 home fires involving Christmas trees caused two civilian deaths, 11  civilian injuries, and $12 million in direct property damage per year between 2016 and 2020.
  • Some type of electrical distribution or lighting equipment, including decorative lights, was involved in more than two of five (44 percent) of home Christmas tree fires. Nearly one in five Christmas tree fires (19 percent) were started by decorative lights.
  • The majority (74 percent) of Christmas tree fires occur in December and January.

Decorations

  • An estimated average of 790 home fires that began when decorations (other than Christmas trees) caught fire caused an average of one civilian death, 26 civilian injuries and $13 million in direct property damage per year between 2015 and 2019.
  • One in five home decoration fires occurred in December.
  • Year-round, 35 percent of home decoration fires began with candles; in December, the number jumped to 45 percent.
  • In more than two of every five fires (44 percent) involving decorations, the decoration was too close to a heat source such as a candle, cooking or heating equipment.

Candles

  • An estimated average of 7,400 home fires (2 percent) started by candles caused an average of 90 civilian deaths (three percent), 670 civilian injuries (6 percent), and $291 million (4 percent) in direct property damage per year between 2015 and 2019.
  • Candle fires peak in December and January with 11 percent of candle fires in each of these months.
  • In three of every five candle fires, the candle was too close to something that could catch fire.
  • Christmas is the peak day for candle fires with roughly 2.5 times the daily average; Christmas Eve ranked second.     
  • Falling asleep was a factor in 10 percent of the home candle fires and 12 percent of the associated deaths.

Cooking

  • Cooking is the leading cause of reported home fires (49 percent) and home fire injuries and the second-leading cause of home fire deaths.
  • Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires.
  • Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.

The NFPA Winter Holidays page offers a wide variety of tips and resources to reduce the risk of fires.

Agriculture Produce Market Committee ask traders to install fire safety system

by Featured NewsSafety

Following two fire incidents in Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) complex, one of Asia’s largest wholesale markets in Navi Mumbai, the authorities have decided to make it mandatory for all shop owners to install fire extinguishing system in their galas.

According to The Hindustan Times, the complex houses over 4,200 galas and offices in the five wholesale markets for onion-potato, vegetable, fruit, spices and grains. There is also an extended vegetable market, export house, central facility buildings and other structures.

The APMC administration has already begun sending out letters to all traders and their associations to install fire extinguishers and take other necessary precautionary steps. It will also be mandatory for canteens and stalls in the market.

The administration has appointed a committee to study and recommend security measures in the market. The report is in its final stages and further action will be taken based on the report.

APMC secretary Rajesh Bhusari said, “All traders’ associations and traders in the market have been asked to take necessary precautions. Once we get the final report of the special committee, we shall take further action.”

Responding to the letter, Kirti Rana, president of Navi Mumbai Merchants’ Chamber said, “We have informed the administration that we are taking all necessary precautions.”

He added: “We have also asked the administration to take security measures in the areas where there is a high risk of a fire. Simply securing the galas will not work.”

APMC chairman Ashok Dak said, “It is absolutely necessary that precautions be taken at the micro level and hence the gala owners have been asked to install the fire extinguishers.”

NVFC urges senate to pass Fire Grant and Safety Act

by Featured NewsSafety

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and other national fire service organisations have urged the Senate to pass S. 4882, the Fire Grant and Safety Act, before the end of this Congress.

The Fire Grant and Safety Act would reauthorise the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) and Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) programs as well as the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) through 2030.

The AFG and SAFER grant programs provide departments across the country with needed funding for training, staffing (including volunteer recruitment and retention), and equipment.

The USFA ensures the fire service is prepared to respond to all hazards and is the lead federal agency for fire data collection, public fire education, fire research, and fire service training.

The current authorization for these critical programs expires at the end of Fiscal Year 2023. The NVFC has asked members to reach out to Senators by December 9 to ensure their preservation and urge them to support and pass S. 4882.

Farm fire costs in the UK reach over £95 million

by Breaking NewsSafety

Leading rural insurer NFU Mutual has called on farmers to be prepared and have fire control plans in place as the cost of farm fires rose to £95.6m in 2021.

Electrical faults were the biggest known cause of blazes last year and large-scale farm arson attacks worryingly shot up from £4.7m in 2020 to £8.4m in 2021. Biomass boiler fires also continued to increase last year and as many installations begin to age, people are being urged to carry out regular maintenance checks.

Andy Manson, Head of Risk Management Services at NFU Mutual, said: “Farm fires put lives at risk, as well as cause disruptive and devastating damage to farm businesses.

“To help protect their businesses, farmers should put fire prevention and control plans in place, such as regularly reviewing their fire risk assessment and acting on the findings.

“Most fires are preventable by carrying out routine maintenance and inspection on heating systems, electrical installations and machinery, and controlling hot works within farm workshops.

“Implementing and maintaining good standards of housekeeping, particularly around the storage of combustibles and flammables such as hay, straw and fuels, will also reduce the risk of a fire spreading.”

NFU Mutual Rural Affairs Specialist, Hannah Binns, added: “We are very concerned about the risig cost of arson attacks, which is a frightening prospect considering farms are not only farmers’ place of work but often their family home.

“We are urging everyone to be on their guard and improve their security to help prevent their business going up in smoke.”

Five fire safety tips from NFU Mutual Risk Management Services

Have a plan in place – Put people at the heart of your fire plan and ensure everyone on site knows what to do in the event of a fire. The biggest priority in the event of a fire is to evacuate everyone safely, including people working in or living around the premises, taking special care to assist any vulnerable persons. 

Don’t mess with electrics – Electrical faults are a major cause of fire whilst electric shock can cause death or severe injury. Don’t try and attempt electrical work yourself and always use a qualified and competent electrician for work and inspections. DIY modifications, poor environmental conditions (such as wet, damp or acidic atmospheres), rodents, overloaded sockets and simple wear and tear are common causes of electrical fires on farms.

Suppress the risk – suppression systems are a major game changer for the industry and play a critical role in detecting, containing and extinguishing fire. Whether you have a biomass boiler or a combine harvester, working in hot, dry conditions, fire suppression systems can save lives and property. 

Keep on top of your housekeeping – Good housekeeping is absolutely essential to ensure materials and machinery are stored correctly and to eliminate dust and debris. The build-up of waste and materials not only adds to the fuel that can burn in a fire, but can block escape routes and cause trip hazards in an emergency.

Control hot work – Welding, cutting or grinding equipment, along with blow lamps and blow torches can produce sparks which can turn into fires if they hit a combustible material. If work can’t be done outside, ensure you are in a clear, open area and far away from combustible materials (including combustible building structures). Anyone carrying out hot works on your farm should be subject to a strict ‘Permit to Work’ system.

HSE calls Building Safety Act ‘old measures in a new package’

by Featured NewsSafety

Neil Hope-Collins has called for the industry to embrace the new building safety laws that came into force in April and take advantage of the legal powers they give to specialist contractors.  

Hope Collins, a senior spokesperson for the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) said it was: “absolutely shocking and hugely disappointing” that many firms had made no attempt to prepare for the new safety regime.

“It is old measures in a new package but the emphasis is on being able to properly demonstrate what you should already be doing,” said Hope-Collins, who has been an HM Inspector of Health & Safety for 22 years. 

“The duty holder roles are the same as in CDM, and the Golden Thread is not new information – it is what is ‘golden’ to you and what is needed to keep both the building and the people in it safe now and in the future”. 

He called the implications “massive” because the office of the new Building Safety Regulator created by the Act and managed by the HSE would impose a new safety culture on the whole of the built environment, but he did not envisage “a cliff edge” where the requirements would be enforced uniformly on every project.

He noted that whilst there are some new things in the competence frameworks, much of that is about being able to prove that people understand their role: “It also reflects the fact that in most cases responsibility lies with organisations…corporate bodies, so it is not just about training for skills. You must be able to demonstrate organisational competence.” 

He added that whilst there is a legal obligation on clients to ensure all works covered by the Building Regulations are properly planned, managed, and monitored, and that contractors are required to refuse to start work until “they are satisfied the client is aware of its own duties”. 

Graeme Fox, technical director of the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), said these measures “can’t come fast enough” and would be welcomed by most building services contractors who had grown frustrated by the failure of people to act on their concerns. 

“At Grenfell people working on the refurbishment chose not to flag up problems they saw, and which led to the disaster. That came out clearly during the public inquiry,” said Fox at the CIBSE’s Build2Perform conference and exhibition where Hope-Collins made his comments.

“We have come across this scenario repeatedly. It is particularly glaring around fire damper inspections where failures have been discovered but the information not passed on to avoid upsetting the client or incurring extra costs.

“The Act means contractors are legally bound to report problems and the client must be able to demonstrate how they acted on that information. This is long overdue.” 

Hope-Collins added that secondary legislation was being prepared that would create the framework for Mandatory Occurrence Reports (MORs) that contractors can use to highlight issues that could lead to a serious incident in the future. Clients will have to demonstrate how they acted on the information in these reports. 

MSA Safety to introduce new firefighter protective clothing at Intersec

by Breaking NewsSafety

Global leader in firefighter safety equipment and technology, MSA Safety Incorporated, is set to introduce a new line of firefighter protective clothing for the Middle East fire market at Intersec 2023.  

The MSA® Bristol X4 uses the very latest fabric and fibre technology alongside modern streamlined styling to provide enhanced comfort, ergonomics and protection.

The Bristol X4 design, originally launched at Interschutz for firefighters on the continent, has been adapted to suit the various needs and preferences of fire services in the Middle East. It features premium materials such as Hainsworth Titan outer fabric with a Gore Parallon moisture barrier for ultimate comfort and breathability, along with reflective taping in specific figurations favoured by Civil Service firefighters.

The new line meets European CEN standard EN469:2020 Level 2 for firefighter protective clothing, as well as EN1149:2018 for anti-static properties.  It is available in a wide range of colour combinations to suit regional preferences and can be customized with a selection of optional pockets and loops to accommodate specific equipment. 

The Bristol X4 also offers full compatibility with MSA’s suite of state-of-the art firefighter equipment, from helmets and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), to the very latest in monitoring accountability and communication devices.

Dave Howells, Vice President Business Leader EMEA, said: “We’re excited to be showcasing the latest version of the MSA Bristol X4 line, which has been strategically adapted to suit fire services in the Middle East.  Visitors to Intersec will be able to see first-hand how the design integrates with other MSA products to provide superior comfort and protection.” 

Connected Firefighter Platform

MSA Safety will also be showcasing its Connected Firefighter Platform – a suite of advanced safety technologies, which includes the LUNAR® Connected Device and FireGrid® software services, that work in collaboration to improve firefighter monitoring, accountability and communication. 

LUNAR is a multifunctional handheld device, combining personal thermal imaging capabilities with Firefighting Assisting Search Technology (F.A.S.T.), for alerting and guiding firefighters to teammates in difficulty. 

In addition, cloud connectivity provides incident command with an overview of on-scene operations by aggregating data from other MSA devices, such as the M1 breathing apparatus, transmitting key SCBA information such as cylinder air pressure, battery status and various alarm indicators. In turn, FireGrid gives incident commanders the ability to evaluate and manage multiple situations in real time and from any location.

Visitors to Intersec invited to experience this innovative technology for themselves with demonstrations on the MSA stand at Intersec (stand number 2-F12).

Alongside these latest innovations, a host of MSA PPE and equipment for the fire industry will be on display, suitable for a wide range of first responder roles and applications, including:

  • Structural firefighting:
    • High quality, ergonomic protective clothing lines including XFlex and the new Bristol X4.
    • Industry-leading fire helmets such as the iconic Gallet F1XF.
    • The modular and versatile M1 SCBA which can be upgraded to accommodate advancing technologies.
  • Technical Rescue
    • RescueFlex protective clothing, designed for Urban Search and Rescue operations, confined space operations and road traffic accidents.
    • The recently launched, modular rescue helmet, Gallet F2XR which is particularly versatile with accessories to suit a variety of operations.
  • Wildland Firefighting
    • MSA’s Wildland Firefighting protective clothingrange is constructed from a single layer of flame retardant fabric, meaning that it’s lightweight, cool and effective when fighting wildfires.

MSA’s Middle East Sales Manager, Yassin Afroukh, commented: “With such an extensive portfolio of safety solutions, MSA is uniquely placed to provide the Middle East’s industrial and Civil Defence fire services with a full suite of protection for their firefighters, from helmets, clothing, and advanced SCBA, to gas detection and innovative safety monitoring.  We have identified significant opportunities to further serve these markets and are demonstrating our commitment to the region by expanding our sales team to help meet demand.”

To stay up to date with the latest news from MSA at Intersec, visit the company’s stand at 2-F12.