Pye-Barker Fire & Safety acquires ComTronix

by Featured NewsSafety

Pye-Barker Fire & Safety has announced the acquisition of ComTronix, a commercial and residential security and fire alarm monitoring company in Wyoming.

This addition sees Pye-Barker expand its footprint in the state of Wyoming, strengthening its burgeoning alarm division and enhancing its communication and mass notification service offerings. Pye-Barker continues its acquisition strategy and has become a dominant provider in the fire, safety and security services industry in the United States.

ComTronix is an integrated security and life safety systems provider including fire and intrusion alarms, 24/7 fire and security alarm monitoring, access control, intrusion detection, CCTV, business telephone systems, overhead paging and structured cabling.

Founded in 1989 by Richard Fisher, Bruce Kopperud and Rob Dobler, ComTronix now operates two locations in Casper and Sheridan, Wyoming. Kopperud, who took the helm as company President in 2011, is a proud US military veteran and works with active and veteran military families.

Kopperud commented: “We are proud every day to serve the communities we live in and provide life-saving security solutions for our neighbors and friends. We know that Pye-Barker holds the same values as the ComTronix team – commitment to customer care, hard work and community. This partnership will enable us to do more for our customers and our employees.”

Bart Proctor, CEO of Pye-Barker, said: “ComTronix is a great fit for the Pye-Barker family as we continue to expand our security offerings. We’re honored to work with the ComTronix team and learn from their 30+ years of industry experience.”

Scott Taylor, ComTronix General Manager, will oversee the business post acquisition and the company’s experienced alarm professionals will continue to service customers.

UL Solutions launches safety service for battery-powered airport equipment

by Featured NewsSafety

UL Solutions has launched a new service to evaluate the compliance of lithium-ion battery-powered aviation ground support equipment (GSE) with UL 5840, the Standard for Electrical Systems of Battery Powered Aviation Ground Support Equipment.

This standard provides requirements that address the risk of fire, electric shock and explosion for the electrical systems of battery-powered airport GSE. The safety service is helping airlines and airport operations to lower environmental impacts and meet the requirements of carbon emissions reduction programs.

The Standard also addresses retrofitting lithium-ion batteries into more traditional diesel-powered equipment when used to upgrade existing fleets. Airports worldwide have announced policy commitments to remove all diesel-powered vehicles from the apron and all airside over the next three decades. 

Lithium-ion battery-powered vehicles offer many benefits but also pose new risks. Recognising the current and increasing need for safety requirements, UL Standards & Engagement published ANSI/CAN/UL 5840, the Standard for Electrical Systems of Battery Powered Aviation Ground Support Equipment, in May 2022.

In addition to covering new GSE,  the Standard also provides requirements for electrical systems when they are used to convert fueled GSE to battery-powered GSE.

Maurice Johnson, product manager at UL Solutions, said: “UL Solutions is tackling a major challenge for the aviation industry by addressing safer installation, usage and maintenance of lithium-ion batteries in aviation ground support equipment.

“Our new service is a key enabler for the aviation industry to speed the adoption of electric ground support equipment, which can significantly contribute to meeting carbon emission reduction goals.”

UL Solutions opens major new fire resistance testing lab in Gloucestershire

by Featured NewsSafety

A major new fire resistance testing laboratory at Blockley, Gloucestershire, has opened in response to the urgent demand for more fire testing facilities in the UK. The lab features two of the largest furnaces of their kind.

UL Solutions, a global leader in applied safety science, in partnership with the FPA, opened the new fire resistance testing laboratory for building products and systems, doors and windows, fire stopping, joint systems, and related fire resistance products.

The facility, which was funded by UL Solutions and features fire resistance test furnaces that will benefit manufacturers from the UK, Europe and worldwide who require independent fire testing and certification, is located at the FPA’s testing laboratory in Blockley, Gloucestershire.

The testing capabilities at the laboratory, which will be performed by the FPA, will be beneficial to manufacturers seeking UKCA and CE marking services (UK Conformity Assessment and Conformité Européenne markings).

The two new furnaces complement the FPA’s existing UKAS-accredited BS 8414 test rigs. The large 4-metre-by-3-metre wall furnace can accommodate larger test samples, and more systems can be tested simultaneously, allowing UL Solutions to provide customers with expedited results.

Karine Johnfroe, vice president and general manager of the Built Environment group at UL Solutions, commented on the opening: “This new laboratory offers much-needed extra capacity for fire resistance testing, and we’re delighted to have worked with the FPA on this project.

“The partnership between the FPA and UL Solutions demonstrates our shared mission of working for a safer world. With the Blockley laboratory and by offering services to help meet regulatory and code requirements, we are able to provide trust and confidence to code authorities while supporting contractors and building owners that building products they use to meet regulatory and code requirements.”

Although the fire resistance laboratory has been developed primarily to support UK-based manufacturers, it will also serve as a resource for businesses outside the UK wishing to access the post-Brexit UK market, who can use it to confirm that their products meet UK requirements and standards.

Jonathan O’Neill OBE, the FPA’s managing director, commented: “The FPA is delighted to be part of this dynamic collaboration with UL Solutions that will further enhance capacity and capabilities at our Blockley site.

“A UL Solutions Certification is universally recognised as providing trust and confidence to code authorities that products meet code requirements. Now, as a result of our work together, manufacturers and system providers will not only have access to the tests and certifications required by UK regulations but will also be able to satisfy the requirements of regulators around the world.”

The Blockley facility complements the existing UL Solutions testing and certification services provided in the UK, covering facades, cladding building envelope systems, and door hardware testing, including testing to a wide range of North American and European standards.

Electrical Fire Safety Week: Welsh Fire and Rescue Services issue ‘lifesaving’ advice

by Featured NewsSafety

All three Fire and Rescue Services in Wales have urged households to remain vigilant and follow lifesaving safety advice after a growing concern for electrical fire safety at home. In the three years to 31st October 2022, Welsh Fire and Rescue Services attended almost 1,000 accidental electrical fires in the home.

The call for action falls in line with Electrical Fire Safety Week (14 – 20 November 2022), a consumer awareness campaign run by Electrical Safety First in partnership with the Home Office.  

Fire and Rescue Services often attend fires caused by malfunctioning white goods and appliances which are worse for wear. There are fears that those could increase while people try to limit their energy costs at home by trying to take advantage of any off-peak schemes available.  

Head of Community Safety and Partnerships for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Group Manager Bleddyn Jones, warned households who want to take advantage of the ‘Demand Flexibility Schemes’ from energy suppliers which encourages users to run appliances at off-peak hours to stay alert and never leave them running unattended, especially overnight. He said: “If a fire starts while you’re asleep, you’ll have less time to be alerted and escape, putting yourself, your loved ones and your home at risk. 

“Never leave electrical appliances running overnight or unattended and ensure you have working smoke alarms fitted and test them regularly. If you need any safety advice or would like a Home Safety Visit, please complete the online form, which all Fire and Rescue Services have. We should never take the safety of our homes for granted.” 

Head of Fire Safety and West Area at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Dave Hughes, said: “Electrical fires present a real risk to homeowners, often resulting in significant damage to property and sometimes with the most tragic consequences. 

“During Electrical Fire Safety Week, please take the opportunity to check your home and consider the safety of your family. 

“It’s so important to use electrical appliances and devices correctly – overloading sockets, using the wrong chargers, and not checking the wiring on items are all common causes of fires in the home, yet are all easily avoided. 

“If a fire were to break out, the effects can be devastating if they are not detected early enough, especially if this happens overnight.” 

Safety tips for householders

  • Operate appliances according to the manufacturers’ instructions. 
  • Keep electrical appliances clean, in good working order and have them serviced regularly in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. 
  • Do not buy fake or counterfeit electrical goods, these maybe untested and not meet the required safety standards. 
  • Don’t leave electrical appliances on standby, unless they are designed to be left switched on (fridges and freezers for example). All other appliances should be turned off at the plug, and ideally unplugged, before going out or going to bed. 
  • Avoid using washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers overnight or if you’re out of the home. Don’t charge phones or gadgets overnight and on soft furnishings like in or on your bed. 
  • If you do use a tumble dryer, please ensure it is well ventilated, make sure the vent pipe is kink free and not blocked or crushed in any way. Always clean out the filter after using your tumble dryer. 
  • Check your sockets regularly – if you see burn marks or they feel hot, stop using them and get a registered electrician to check if they need repairing or replacing. 
  • Make sure that any portable electric heaters are being used safely. They shouldn’t be used to dry or heat clothes and shouldn’t be left switched on when unattended. 
  • If you use an electric blanket, check that it is in good condition and that manufacturers’ instructions are followed. If a blanket is more than five years old, consider buying a new one from an approved retailer and ensure that they are stored correctly to avoid damage to the internal wiring. 
  • Use trailing gang extension leads, rather than a ‘block-type’ adaptor. To avoid overloading, don’t allow the total amps of all plugs in the adaptor to add up to more than 13 amps (or 3000 watts of power). Don’t plug adaptors into adaptors. 

Register My Appliance Campaign

The start of the week also sees Fire and Rescue Services promoting the AMDEA Register My Appliance campaign. 

Home Fire Safety Manager for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Wayne Thomas, explained: “We want you to keep safe, and with winter approaching and the cost of heating our homes potentially increasing, we urge you to take a few simple steps that could even save you some money. 

“Registering your new, old or second hand appliances means that if there is a product recall or safety issue you will be notified, and this can prevent a possible fire or hazardous condition. It only takes a couple of minutes to do and they will only contact you about product safety.” 

You can register both new and old appliances here

All Welsh Fire and Rescue Services are supporting NFCC’s Stay Fire Safe campaign to provide advice and help reduce fire risks in the home. The campaign includes encouraging people to contact their local Fire and Rescue Service to request a Safe and Well / Home Safety Check for themselves or their loved ones.

These checks are prioritised for those most at risk of a fire in the home and can involve home safety practitioners getting in contact to run through a list of questions, followed by a visit which may involve the installation of free alarms. 

Crash Responder Safety Week launches

by Featured NewsSafety

Crash Responder Safety Week (CRSW) launches today (14 November) and runs through until Friday (18 November).

Sponsored by the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, this initiative is designed to raise public awareness and help keep roadway responders and the public safe around traffic incidents.

Nearly every week, a first responder is killed while helping clear a roadway crash, whilst many more sustain life-altering injuries. Members of The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) work to save lives at traffic incident scenes as safely and quickly as possible, but motorists to do their part to protect responders by slowing down, moving over, and staying alert when approaching traffic incidents.

The IAFF is encouraging the fire service to use Crash Responder Safety Week as an opportunity to promote the simple steps that everyone can take to keep first responders and the public safe around traffic incidents.

This toolkit includes a weekly social media calendar with social media graphics/posts and a sample press release that can be customised for local media.

London Fire Brigade issues advice on winter heating amid fire concerns

by Featured NewsSafety

London Fire Brigade has issued advice on how to safely stay warm through the winter nights over concerns heating-related fires could soar to levels not seen since the ‘Big Freeze’ of 2010

With the Met Office predicting it could be a colder winter than normal and with the rising cost of energy bills, the Brigade is concerned the next few months could see fires rise back up to 2010 levels as people turn to alternative methods to heat their homes.

December 2010 saw record-breaking temperatures which froze much of the UK, beating the 1982 record for coldest winter. During 2010, there were more than 290 fires caused by heating equipment. The Brigade has revealed they have not seen the same number of fires since, with crews attending around 40 per cent fewer heating fires in homes last year compared to the peak in 2010.

Popular choices for cost-effective methods to stay warm at night include portable heaters and electric blankets, but the Brigade is urging caution around using these appliances, particularly while sleeping. Last week a man was taken to hospital after a house fire in Wembley caused by materials placed too close to a halogen heater.

London firefighters are now encouraging people to carry out some simple safety measures before using electric blankets, including checking for any wear and tear by checking if any wires are visible or poking through the fabric, looking for any scorch marks and listening to see if the control makes a buzzing sound when switched on.

London Fire Brigade’s Assistant Commissioner for Fire Safety, Charlie Pugsley, said: “While we might not see the same freezing temperatures that we saw in 2010, the next few months are forecast to see temperatures drop. This, coupled with rising energy costs, means there’s a very real risk heating-related fires could even surpass numbers seen a decade ago. We know that people will turn to alternative ways to keep their families warm overnight without turning on the heating, we just want to make sure that people are staying safe at the same time.

“For example, we know that people may want to use portable heaters to heat just one room or use electric blankets in bed. It’s really important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure these items are safety registered and in good working order. If you’re using these items around children always supervise them carefully and place heaters somewhere where they won’t be accidentally knocked over and away from anything that could catch fire. “

TT Club urges vigilance to prevent container ship fires

by Featured NewsPorts & MaritimeSafety

The freight transport and logistics insurance specialist insurer, TT Club has urged supply chain professionals and enforcement agencies to recognise the responsibility for mitigating container ship fires is shared by numerous entities involved from end to end of the entire global supply chain. 

With its estimated sixty-day average occurrence of serious fires being maintained by the Zim Charleston fire in August and the TSS Pearl in the Red Sea in early October, TT is once more calling for a more comprehensive approach to arresting the trend.

TT’s Peregrine Storrs-Fox explained: “There were significant lessons coming from the sad incident on the MSC Flaminia, which cost the lives of three seafarers, particularly from the subsequent legal proceedings that adjudged the shipper and NVOC responsible for root cause errors.

“Despite the biennial updates to the IMDG Code, including multiple arising from this particular incident, the judge’s assessment that the regulations merely set the ‘baseline’ for good practice remains utterly true today.”

The insurance provider advised that ensuring compliance with the latest mandatorily applicable version of the IMDG Code is essential as a minimum standard for all those shipping dangerous goods by sea. But the liability judgment in the MSC Flaminia case made it clear that regulations merely set the baseline. 

“This is an important statement to which any entity inclined to rely solely on the letter of the law when consigning dangerous goods, would do very well to pay heed,” said Storrs-Fox.

The firm is advocating for a comprehensive approach, striving to bring an understanding of all the factors contributing to these fires to everyone involved in the movement of cargo in containers and therefore underlining their responsibilities for safety, pointing out that Errors, misunderstandings, mis-declarations and inadequate packing and securing lie at the heart of many significant incidents, both at sea and in storage facilities.

TT said that the movement of cargo is initiated in the trading of goods – sellers and buyers – who instruct packers and whoever becomes the shipper, and that they have a duty of care as much as the packers, warehouse operators, forwarders, logistics companies, carriers of all modal types, cargo handlers and terminal operators.

The firm’s efforts to disseminate such awareness and knowledge have been long-standing and remain prolific.  Along with its sister insurer, the UK P&I Club it has recently up-dated its guideline publication, ‘Book it Right, Pack it Tight’, which provides key insights for all involved in dangerous goods’ shipments, including a clear exposé of the more technical aspects of the IMDG Code. Its aim is to influence higher standards of compliance by assisting all involved to understand their own duties and the duties of their contractual partners.

In addition, closely related to the issues specific to dangerous goods are the broader aspects of packing cargo in general. While the IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code) remains non-mandatory international law, it is clearly referenced from the IMDG Code. Through its participation in the Cargo Integrity Group, TT has contributed to work on the ‘CTU Code – a quick guide’. Once more this has been recently updated and assists those responsible for packing containers, accurately declaring details of their contents in order to access the guidance contained in the voluminous CTU Code itself more easily.  There is also a useful Checklist of actions required, which along with the Quick Guide is available in multiple languages.

“The complexities of the global container trades increase rather than diminish,” added Storrs-Fox.  “No one entity can surmount the dangers of these horrific fires, as a consequence it is essential that the entirety of the risk faced should be embraced by all involved through the supply chain if they are to be successfully reduced.”

Read International Fire and Safety Journal’s recent article in partnership with Survitec on fire suppression systems on ships.

Grenfell disaster a ‘direct consequence of government policies’ – FBU

by Breaking NewsSafety

As the Grenfell Tower Inquiry drew to a close, the Fire Brigades Union’s lawyer told the Inquiry that the disaster was: “a direct consequence of a generation of government policies which combined to create a death trap for the residents of Grenfell Tower”.

The comments came in the closing submissions for Phase 2, which covers the run-up to the night of the fire. 

Martin Seaward, speaking to the Inquiry on behalf of the union, said that whilst: “The private sector companies involved in the refurbishment [of Grenfell] bear a heavy responsibility… it would be wholly wrong and provide no justice to victims to leave the blame there”.

He continued: “They were encouraged to act by 40 years of political decisions in the service of an ideology [deregulation] based on the prioritisation of commercial interests and profit above all else, including public safety”.

He asserted that the “real culprits” of the disaster were those in power at the top, such as ministers following their “deregulatory agenda” to the detriment of fire safety, and the directors of industry on which they depended for sponsorship and party funding.

Seaward added that deregulation: “Has become synonymous with central government abandoning responsibility for… building regulations, building control, testing and certification, fire and rescue services and fire safety”. He said deregulation policies “tragically came together on 14 June 2017 to create the worst residential fire since 2017” and these policies meant that Grenfell “was a disaster to waiting to happen”.

Seaward described deregulation as part of a set of ideas that drives for a “largely unfettered” free market and a role for the state that “limited to… supporting the free market”, and “prioritises… entrepreneurial freedoms and private business interests”. 

He highlighted how ministers pursing this agenda had “deliberately and irresponsibly undermined” a “culture of health and safety”. Regulations were “repeatedly depicted as pointless, time-wasting administrative bureaucracy”. He noted that already-deregulated legislation “has not been effectively enforced” with effective enforcement “instead progressively weakened by successive governments”.

Seaward also highlighted the role of the individual organisations involved in the refurbishment of Grenfell, including the refurbishment that covered Grenfell in cladding that had a flammability which some have compared to petrol.

He said that: “The key players [in the refurbishment] amply demonstrate the widespread disregard of fire safety”. He pointed to cladding manufacturer dishonesty and manipulation, and several agencies including the architects and the design and build contractor failing to complete the fire risk strategy.

Finally, Seaward highlighted the structure of the Inquiry, which first involved a close analysis of the emergency response and then returning to discuss the run-up to the disaster in phase two. He stated that the Inquiry: “Risks distracting from the real causes of the disaster and creating a scapegoat that would allow those truly responsible, including senior politicians and company directors, to evade responsibility”.

He added that “Firefighters risked their lives going into the blazing inferno to try and rescue residents and extinguish the fire. They and the control staff did their duty professionally, bravely and to the best of their abilities in the face of a rapidly developing fire that was beyond anything any of them had ever experienced or trained for. They followed their procedures and applied their training as much as the extreme conditions allowed”.

After this set of submissions there will be a pause whilst the Inquiry prepares its final report, which is likely to be published next year.  

BESA says industry must share responsibility for Grenfell

by Featured NewsSafety

One of the key messages to emerge from the recent Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) National Conference was that the building services industry cannot claim to have learned from the Grenfell Tragedy unless every member of every supply chain takes full responsibility for their safety role. 

Arup transformation director Gill Kernick told the conference she was “appalled” that commercial pressures were still driving poor design decisions and unsafe practices. She said: “Until we take a systemic approach to change, we cannot say that we have learned from Grenfell or honoured those who died. 

“The merry-go-round of buck-passing is our failure. Nobody across the [Grenfell] supply chain did the job the way they were meant to do it,” Kernick told conference delegates. “It’s not helpful to say construction hasn’t changed. We must ask why it hasn’t changed and what needs to be done.” 

Other conference speakers added that too many firms are still waiting to be told what to do rather than getting on with reforming their processes in line with the new Building Safety Act, which has been in force since April. 

CIBSE technical director Hywel Davies said that up to 70% of the industry were doing nothing to prepare for the provisions of the Act, which he described as “the most fundamental reform of building work since World War II”.  

He also said many people were still under the illusion that the Act only applied to high rise residential buildings whereas it covers: “any building work to which the Building Regulations apply”. 

BESA technical committee chair Will Pitt said responsibility for fire safety needed to be shared and the practice of passing risk down the supply chain was undermining efforts to make buildings safer. “This is not entirely on the consultant, but they shouldn’t be throwing it over the fence to the contractors either,” he said, before adding that the way safety critical products were tested also needed to change.  

He added: “We test products, but not how they work in systems. They are tested against a specification, but if that changes on-site, then you face problems of compatibility.” 

Firefighters under attack in Scotland as crews attend over 350 bonfires

by Featured NewsSafety

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service received 1,025 calls during an eight-hour period on bonfire night (5 November) with Operations Control staff mobilising crews to 356 bonfires.

During the call outs, five attacks on crews were recorded, however no injuries have been reported at this time.

Assistant Chief Officer David Farries is director of service delivery for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “It’s been another busy and challenging evening for our crews and Operations Control staff around Scotland and I thank them for their dedication.

“We are disappointed to report five attacks on our firefighters. In the run up to Bonfire Night, we had spoken out about this kind of unacceptable behaviour by a small minority which sadly happens year after year. Our staff should be able to carry out their role without being attacked and it is disappointing that people have tried to hurt firefighters and have damaged our appliances and equipment.

“Crews only attend bonfire related incidents when people contact us about concerns over public safety and we extinguish fires that are unsafe.

“We put a huge amount of planning and preparation into this evening with local partners and other emergency services as we work together to protect communities, which is always our top priority.”