Fire Prevention Week: Fire Won’t Wait, Plan Your Escape

by Featured NewsSafety

Fire Prevention Week (FPW) kicked off yesterday (9 October) marking the 100th year of the fire safety awareness campaign has run across the US. This year’s FPW campaign, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape”, aims to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires.

Fire Prevention Week was started by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in 1922 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The Fire burned between October 8th to October 10th, with most of the damage done on October 9th. The fire caused roughly $200 million in damages, killing around 300 people, and destroying over 17,000 buildings and structures.

Fire Prevention Week is now celebrated every year during the week of October 9th and is the longest running public health observance in the US. 

This year, the focus for the awareness campaign is on home fire escape planning and practicing. The NFPA said that it is important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape as everyone needs to be prepared in advance, so that they know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds.

The Associations advises households to have a plan for everyone in the home, particularly fir children, older adults, and people with disabilities who may need assistance to wake up and get out.

It also advises that smoke alarms need to be in every bedroom, outside of the sleeping areas and on each level, including the basement, of a home. An alarm should also be listed with a testing laboratory, meaning it has met certain standards for protection.

ASFP makes resources available in additional languages to increase international reach

by Featured NewsSafety

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has launched several websites with a view to reach out to fire safety professionals across the world.

The new websites welcome visitors in their own language, signposting them to ASFP resources and information, including membership, training and technical guidance.

The sites will encourage greater interaction with the ASFP on a global scale and help to improve understanding of passive fire protection throughout the world. New ASFP websites are planned for Qatar, Singapore, Australia, India and South Korea.

Sites for Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, France and Spain are already live.

The ASFP is also making its popular online training courses available in a new range of languages. The Level 2 and Level 3 Foundation Courses in Passive Fire Protection, delivered via the e-Learning platform, are now available for purchase in French and Spanish.

Delegates will be prompted to select the English, French or Spanish version when they register and purchase the course online. The selected version will be available as soon as they login to the online platform. All ASFP courses can be booked via https://asfp.org.uk/page/OnlineTrainingASFP.

ASFP CEO Steve Davies welcomed the move, commenting: “The ASFP has seen growing demand for passive fire protection information, guidance and training from across the world. By developing new websites and making training available to international audiences in their own languages we hope to make our expert knowledge and experience more widely accessible.

“Such a move can only lead to a greater understanding of the vital role of passive fire protection products and systems and improve the quality if fire safety within the global built environment.”   

Fire service appeals for care ahead of controlled burn season

by Featured NewsSafety

With the UK’s heather and grass burning season due to begin on 1 October, firefighters are urging farmers, landowners and residents across the region to remember to take extra care and to ensure they notify the fire and rescue service if they are undertaking any burning on their land.

The Code dictates that burning is allowed only between 1 October 31 March in upland areas and between 1 November and 15 March elsewhere.

Dave Hughes, Head of Fire Safety for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Many farmers will be taking the opportunity to undertake controlled burning of heather, grass, bracken and gorse on their land now the controlled burning season has started – we understand the need for this but we want to highlight the importance of following the Heather and Grass Burning Code and of notifying us before conducting any controlled burn.

“As well as farmers, we are aware that householders sometimes burn rubbish or unwanted items on their land, often in their back garden. We advise against this practice and I would issue a word of caution – fires can spread quickly and they can be extremely unpredictable. We would appeal to residents to dispose of their waste responsibly and use local authority waste sites where possible.  If you must burn, then please do so responsibly, ensuring that suitable control measures are in place, and consider the potential effect on neighbouring properties.

“Every year during controlled burning season we are called to countless false alarms and controlled burns which have spread, resulting in land and property being destroyed and damage to the ecology of our landscapes – as well as tying up our resources which could be put to better use elsewhere.

“We therefore urge anyone undertaking controlled burning to notify us first by calling our control room to help avoid false alarms and fire crews being sent out unnecessarily.

“We are asking everyone to be responsible when it comes to controlled burning. Please work with us to help keep our communities safe.”

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service issued the following guideline for anyone planning to undertake controlled burns:

  • Call NWFRS’s control room on 01931 522006 to notify them of the time and location of the burn
  • Ensure you have sufficient people and equipment to control the fire
  • Check wind direction and ensure there is no risk to property, roads and wildlife
  • If a fire gets out of control contact the fire and rescue service immediately giving details of location and access
  • Always ensure a fire is completely out before you leave it and check the next day to ensure it has not reignited
  • Remember – It is illegal to leave a fire unattended or to have too few people to control it.

Reactec teams up with Levitt-Safety for international expansion

by Featured NewsSafety

Workplace health risk prevention experts Reactec has announced that it has teamed up with Levitt-Safety, a leading equipment and service supplier, to offer safety products throughout Canada.

Levitt-Safety operates from 18 locations across Canada with a vision to make the country a safer place to live and work by offering a complete range of products, services, training and equipment rental to businesses.

This partnership will ensure that Reactec’s newly launched third-generation smart watch, R-Link, will be available to workplaces nationwide to help solve their Hand-Arm Vibration, Proximity, Lone Worker, and Environmental Monitoring challenges.

Jacqui McLaughlin, Chief Executive Officer of Reactec said: “We are excited about our trade agreement with Levitt-Safety in Canada. The company is a strong strategic fit with Reactec due to their impressive range of safety product lines which are supported by their highly trained sales and technical support staff.

“There are at least two of Canada’s provinces that recognise HAVS as an issue and this is an area where we see an even greater opportunity for the advanced capability of our newly launched R-Link device. Our team travelled to Canada earlier this month to meet the country’s regulators and host business development meetings.”

“Our customers rely on us to provide innovative solutions to complex health and safety problems. This partnership with Reactec will allow Levitt-Safety to introduce a leading solution for HAVS prevention with an intuitive analytics platform to Canadian workplaces.”

Domino’s partners with fire departments for Fire Prevention Week

by Featured NewsSafety

Domino’s stores in Michigan City, La Porte, Chesterton and Valparaiso are teaming up with Michigan City Fire Department, La Porte Fire Department, Chesterton Fire Department, and Valparaiso Fire Department, respectively, to promote fire safety during Fire Prevention Week which takes place from 9-15 of October.

On specific days and times, anyone who orders a Domino’s pizza may be randomly selected and surprised at the door when their pizza arrives accompanied by a fire engine.

If the smoke alarms in the home are working, the pizza is free. If the smoke alarms are not working, the firefighters will install fully functioning alarms or replace the batteries.

Jim Gronemann, owner of Domino’s in Michigan City, La Porte, Chesterton and Valparaiso: “Fire safety is extremely important. We’re very excited to partner with NFPA and our local fire departments for a program that not only promotes the safety of our friends and neighbors, but rewards those who make fire safety a priority.”

Eric Camel, fire chief with Chesterton Fire Department, said: “In a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds.

“Escape planning and practice can help you make the most of the time you have, giving everyone enough time to get out. These steps can make all the difference and we hope to raise awareness about them through our partnership with Domino’s.”

Ramtech raises the standards of fire and life safety

by ConstructionFeatured NewsIndustry SectorsSafety
Ramtech’s new white paper raises awareness of fire risk and the life safety solutions available for the US construction industry

Global wireless solutions firm Ramtech recently released an in-depth white paper addressing the US construction fire and life safety challenges that can have devastating consequences including loss of civilian life and millions of dollars in direct property damage annually.

Titled ‘No Site Left Behind: The Modern Fire and Life Safety Solutions for Construction’, the new white paper raises awareness of fire risk and the life safety solutions, including wireless fire evacuation system technology, available across America. It also highlights how more awareness and understanding of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidance, specifically the NFPA 241 (Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations), must be prioritised in order to save lives and protect construction sites.

The challenge

While some factors may appear an obvious hazard, they can often be exacerbated by the way they are currently observed or dealt with but due to the breadth of the US and various conditions and landscapes, there is no one-size-fits-all solution and there are various challenges and threats to fire and life safety on construction sites.

These threats range from extreme weather or temperatures which can have an adverse effect on fires spreading or being put out to highly combustible materials and hot works causing fire by heat, sparks, embers or flame from operating equipment.

Other risks are appliances breakout areas where construction workers go to prepare hot meals and drinks can present a hazard if equipment is overused or left unattended, arson linked to a general lack of site security, electrical distribution, lighting and heating equipment used on site can start a fire and the type of building in particular, a rise in timber frame structures that can catch fire more easily. Essentially, fire risks can be found everywhere on a working or even a vacant construction site.

Following the guidance of the NFPA, specifically the NFPA 241 (Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations) and having the designated Fire Prevention Program Manager (FPPM), is vital to the fire safety of a construction site and having the designated FPPM, is vital to the fire safety of a construction site.

NFPA 241

The NFPA 241 is one of many codes and standards produced by the NFPA to help eliminate death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. Through regular revisions and amendments, participants in the NFPA standards development process consider the then-current and available information on incidents, materials, technologies, innovations and methods as these develop over time and that NFPA Standards reflect this consideration.

Over the years, the NFPA has continued to improve the clarity of the guidance provided. Within this latest iteration of the NFPA 241, several revisions have been made. Chapter 4 of the code, General Requirements, contains the main elements of what is being discussed in this whitepaper. It includes who is responsible for fire protection and then introduces The Fire Prevention Program.

The NFPA advises that: “The owner shall designate a person who shall be responsible for the fire prevention program and who shall ensure that it is carried out to completion… the fire prevention program manager shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this and other applicable fire protection standards.”

In short, every construction site needs an FPPM and an alternate to ensure that site safety is maintained and processes are enforced in line with NFPA 241. This includes: Creating the NFPA 241 Plan for the site by identifying all site hazards at all times and providing solutions to overcome safety issues; Ensuring that appropriate fire evacuation and life safety systems are in place and are always working; Serving as the point of contact for any first responders; Conduct fire drills and make evacuation plans.

While every site may have an FPPM, the challenge is to ensure that the FPPM fully understands the gravity of their responsibility and is competent. This ultimately comes down to experience, training and good documentation. A well trained FPPM will know the construction site layout and how efficiently the site can be covered or evacuated, but they will also grasp the finer points of detail that could be the difference between life and death in the event of a fire, such as the turning space and road access available for firefighters, their vehicles and other first responders.

The Solutions

Ultimately, advancing the state of the solutions in the U.S. could play a significant role in adherence to NFPA 241 and therefore reaching a higher standard of fire protection and safety. By leveraging technology, building owners, site managers and fire prevention officers can get a much higher level of protection than with these conventional processes.

In most cases, this can be done cost effectively too, with forward-thinking technology that combines all the necessary elements. Detection, communication, documentation, connectivity alongside your NFPA 241 plan provides a robust life safety system fit for the industry’s current and future challenges.

Talking about the impact of Ramtech’s white paper exploring modern fire and life safety solutions for construction in North America, global marketing and business development manager James Pecz says that Since the release of the white paper, they have been overwhelmed with the positive responses and comments from the industry: “The white paper seems to have hit the spot and encouraged conversations on the current state of the construction industry’s view of fire and evacuation safety.

“The NFPA241 code is designed to encourage the industry to take the best possible steps to protect construction properties, people, and assets – but instead of contractors seeing this as an opportunity to excel and lead with best practices, the code has historically been used as way to do the bare minimum to satisfy requirements.

“We are hoping that the white paper will educate contractors in what solutions are available and encourage them to utilise new technology to enhance safety.  One thing I have learnt during my time in the construction industry is that technology moves much quicker than the regulations change, so this paper helps highlight that there are modern solutions available to help solve age-old issues.”

This article was originally published in the September edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

British Safety Council launches International Safety Awards 2023

by Featured NewsSafety

The British Safety Council has launched the International Safety Awards 2023, which are now open for applications.

The Awards are an internationally recognised accolade for health, safety and wellbeing excellence. This year will be the 65th year the awards, which recognise an organisation’s commitment to excellent standards of health, safety and wellbeing management, have taken place.

In 2022, 549 organisations of all sizes, types and sectors won an International Safety Award. The winners included businesses from the UK, Africa, Asia, India, mainland Europe and the Middle East.

Businesses of all sizes, types and sectors around the world can apply. There are 12 award categories for 2023, including seven that are free to enter and three additional categories that are new and free for Indian businesses to enter this year.

Launching the International Safety Awards for 2023, Chief Executive of the British Safety Council, Mike Robinson said: “As we continue to emerge from the Covid pandemic, the importance of everyone’s health, safety and wellbeing at work has never been more at the forefront of people’s minds. So, it is only right that we pause to celebrate the massive contribution people who work every day to prevent accidents, injuries and ill health in their workplaces have made this year.

“The British Safety Council’s prestigious International Safety Awards offer companies, teams and individuals the chance to be recognised for their hard work and achievements in protecting and enhancing the health, safety and wellbeing of their organisations’ workers. I urge all organisations and leaders around the world who are proud of their track record to put themselves forward for an award in 2023.”

Businesses applying can be recognised as ‘best in class’ across four categories:

  • The Sector Awards will recognise overall ‘best in class’ submissions by organisations to the International Safety Awards, by industry sector category
  • The Best in Country Awards will recognise the highest scoring and best overall application from individual countries where there are more than four applications from the given country
  • Best in Company Award is for organisations with 50 or more participating sites and recognises the site(s) with the most outstanding applications
  • Chief Adjudicator’s Award will recognise the most outstanding applications from this year’s entrants. Previous winners have been exemplars in their respective areas and evidenced this through their application responses.

Seven of the awards are free-to-enter with three new additional categories that are free for Indian businesses to enter this year whether or not they have applied for an International Safety Award. These are:

  • Best contractor Safety Initiative: This recognises organisations based in India, that have implemented a significant initiative to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of the contractual workforce, which was started and concluded between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022
  • Best Fire Safety Initiative: This recognises organisations based in India that have developed and implemented innovative policies and processes, which were started and concluded between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022, to enhance fire safety in the workplace
  • Outstanding Road Safety Initiative Outside Work Premises: This is aimed at organisations based in India and rewards them for pioneering initiatives they have undertaken to enhance road safety outside work premises in the supply chain between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022.

Applications and nominations for the wider free-to-enter awards are invited regardless of whether an organisation is applying for an International Safety Award. These are: Seize the Opportunity Award, CEO Award, Health and Safety Transformation Award, Health, Safety and Wellbeing Ambassador of the Year Award, Team of the Year Award, The James Tye Award, and the Wellbeing Initiative Award .

The closing date for applications is Friday, 10 February 2023 and the results will be announced on Friday, 11 March 2023.

AFSP signs members discount agreement with British Standards Institution

by Featured NewsSafety

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has signed a series of agreements with the British Standards Institution (BSI), the national standards body of the UK which will enable the ASFP to offer British standards for sale at discounted rates to members, free standards to small to medium size enterprise (SME) members and free onboarding to the BSI’s new Identify Scheme.

ASFP will now offer BS, BS EN and ISO standards to members at discounted rates of up to 30% off, providing them with access to all the standards they need at an affordable price. The standards can be purchased via the Association’s online shop as either hard copies or as pdf downloads.

As part of a Government scheme to support SMEs, the Association will offer a range of up to 100 passive fire-related standards free of charge to qualifying ASFP members. The range available reflects those of most interest to the passive fire protection community, as well as helping member companies with their company quality assurance by offering BS EN ISO 17025 and BS EN ISO 9001 quality management standards.

ASFP members can also receive free on-boarding to the BSI Identify Scheme, which aims to bring transparency and product traceability throughout the built environment supply chain. This new BSI service harnesses Digital Object Identifier (DOI) technology to deliver a unique, constant, and interoperable identifier, called a BSI UPIN, which can be assigned to products. It helps UK manufacturers to directly manage information about their products in the supply chain, providing a persistent record of each product throughout its life cycle, from manufacture, specification, procurement and installation to de-commissioning or reuse. 

The new services form part of the ASFP Hub, which offers a wide range of discounts, free support and advice to all ASFP members. There is a huge range of benefits to be found, catering to member companies and their employees. These benefits range from free affiliate membership of Make UK, to membership discounts from CHAS and Barbour ABI.

ASFP CEO Steve Davies commented: “The ASFP offers a wide range of training, technical and support services for members which form our core membership offering. These additional benefits aim to provide an enhancement to our services, making ASFP membership yet more rewarding and resulting in significant savings for members.

“Our new agreements with BSI ensure that ASFP member companies of all sizes can access all BS, BS EN and ISO standards at an affordable price, while ASFP SME member companies can obtain access to essential fire safety standards free of charge. This initiative, along with the BSI Identify Scheme offering, aims to help educate our members and further improve the quality of the passive fire protection products and services they can offer. This will further enhance recognition of the professionalism and competence of ASFP members throughout the construction industry.”

New research into assessment of sustainable and fire-resilient buildings announced 

by Featured NewsSafety

The SFPE (Society of Fire Protection Engineers) Foundation, a charitable organization focused on enhancing the scientific understanding of fire and its interaction with the natural and built environment, has announced the funding of a research award to prepare for future development of risk-informed performance-based tools for the assessment of sustainable and fire-resilient buildings.

The research will be led by Brian J. Meacham, PhD, PE, CEng, FIFireE, FSFPE, Managing Principal at Meacham Associates, with support from Håkan Frantzich, PhD, FSFPE, Associate Professor, and Margaret McNamee, PhD, Professor, both with the Division of Fire Safety Engineering at Lund University.

It will involve characterizing the problem, researching and identifying appropriate assessment methods, identifying necessary attributes and requirements for input data, and developing a framework to underpin a risk-informed performance-based assessment methodology.

An additional review will focus on consideration of how green attributes and risk factors impact risk assessment, uncertainty treatment, and decision-support methodologies in sustainable and fire resilient buildings.

The findings of the study are expected to be published and presented through SFPE and the SFPE Foundation in 2023.

Leslie Marshall, Ph.D., Director, SFPE Foundation, commented: “To aid in the assessment of sustainable and fire-resilient buildings, the SFPE Foundation’s Board of Governors is pleased to provide funding for another major new research investment in 2022.

“This project aligns with SFPE Research Roadmap priorities and is a foundational step to ultimately provide designers and practitioners with performance-based tools to identify and mitigate fire risk in green buildings.”

Financing for SFPE Foundation-funded research is provided through the support of donors, including SFPE, SFPE chapters, SFPE members, governmental agencies, leading companies and organizations, and others. 

SFRS warns of increased fire risks amid cost of living crisis

by Featured NewsSafety

Scottish Fire and Rescue Group Commander David Girrity has said that the emergency service is preparing for an increase on demand for its help in the coming months as a result of the cost of living crisis.

He told a meeting of Midlothian Police, Fire and Rescue Board, that as well as an increase in crime and fire-raising incidents, fires in homes will also be on the up.

He said: “The poverty of fuel, I can see that exacerbating the issues in relation to people who are vulnerable to fire.

“I can see that being more prevalent over the next few months and that is something that we are working as an organisation to reduce, to advise people and we will be reacting to it as well.

“I think it is something that we all know is going to be falling out of fuel poverty and other poverty, that potential incidences of crime and fire setting and fires in the home could increase so we need to keep a close eye on that one”