Hong Kong launches public consultation into Fire Safety Ordinance

by Featured NewsSafety

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has announced the launch of a 10-week public consultation on the proposal to amend the Fire Safety (Buildings) Ordinance (Cap. 572) to empower the enforcement authorities (EAs) to carry out fire safety improvement works for owners of old composite and domestic buildings which have failed to comply with the requirements of the Ordinance, and to recover the relevant fees from them afterwards.

A Government spokesman said: “Fire safety hazards in old buildings are a matter of great concern to both the Government and the public. It has been the common goal of the Government, the Legislative Council and members of the public to provide residents and the community at large with better protection by enhancing fire safety in buildings, especially the old ones. This also led to the enactment of the Ordinance in the first place.

“The Government has been proactively providing various kinds of support to owners of old buildings with a view to assisting them in carrying out fire safety improvement works. Nevertheless, some owners may still have difficulties in complying with the requirements of the Ordinance due to the lack of co-ordination capability.

“Therefore, the Government agrees to take into account the Buildings Department’s experience in the work of building safety and the similar mechanism under the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123), improve the existing legal framework and amend the Ordinance in order to empower the EAs (namely, the Fire Services Department and the Buildings Department) to carry out fire safety improvement works for owners of target buildings who have failed to comply with the requirements of the Ordinance for enhancing fire protection of old buildings, and to recover the relevant fees from such owners upon completion of the default works.”

The spokesman added: “The Government would also like to take this opportunity to put forward other proposed initiatives for incentivising owners to shoulder their responsibilities and comply with the requirements of the Ordinance as soon as possible, with a view to further facilitating the implementation of the Ordinance.”

In Hong Kong it is the responsibility of owners to repair and properly maintain private buildings, including carrying out the required fire safety improvement works. It is the Government’s objective to assist owners to comply with the requirements of the Ordinance through the provision of different measures and support.

The consultation paper has been uploaded to the website of the Security Bureau. Members of the public can submit their views by mail (Security Bureau, 9/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong), fax (2868 9159) or email (fsbab_consultation@sb.gov.hk) on or before September 13.

C-TEC sheds light on the new evacuation systems in high rise buildings

by Breaking NewsBuilding ManagementIndustry Sectors

In June 2017, a fire broke out in a fourth floor flat in the 24 storey Grenfell Tower block of flats that spread quickly and claimed the lives of 72 people, injuring 70 others. Following this, the Scottish government formed an expert review panel to consider whether the Scottish Building Regulations or the Technical Handbooks supporting the building regulations required change.

The expert review panel recommended that for all new blocks of flats of more than 18 metres above ground, facilities should be provided for the use of the fire and rescue service to initiate an evacuate alert signal within flats. It was considered necessary that a standard be produced to allow the technical handbooks to refer to a specific document and this led to the publication of BS 8629 in 2019.

Andy Scott, Projects Director at C-TEC, a leading UK manufacturer of life-safety systems, discusses the recent changes to legislation and what it means for fire safety professionals.

In November 2019, BS 8629, a new British Standard, was published for evacuation alert systems in the UK. Can you explain how it came about?

After the Grenfell Tower fire, the Scottish government quickly brought in a law requiring manual evacuation systems to be installed in new residential buildings taller than 18 metres. This meant a standard was needed to ensure these systems would be effective, so BS 8629 was written quickly so it would be available when the law came into effect.

Following this, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry phase 1 report was published, and it recommended that evacuation systems should be installed in all new and existing high-rise residential buildings, which has led to much more interest than was originally expected.

What is an evacuation alert system?

An evacuation alert system is a manually controlled alarm that allows the fire service to set off evacuation alert sounders in groups of flats, usually a floor at a time.

Currently, the only way the fire service can evacuate a building that does not have a communal fire alarm is to knock on the door of each flat, which puts firefighters at risk and, in a serious fire, may not even be possible, leaving residents unsure of whether it is safer to stay put or leave.

The fire and rescue service will only use the evacuation alert system if they do not have enough resources to fight a fire effectively or if a fire is getting out of control, so it is a last resort that may be used hours after a fire first starts. This is in contrast to a normal fire alarm system, which incorporates automatic fire detectors and operates shortly after a fire starts.

Are fire alarms currently installed in purpose-built blocks of flats?

Many people think that fire alarms are installed because they can see smoke detectors in corridors. However, these are not normally linked to a fire alarm; rather they control ventilation systems that are used to clear smoke from corridors.

When modern high-rise blocks were first built, the BSI’s CP3 guidance said that, provided fire-resistant construction was used, people would be safe in their flats, but they should be able to leave safely if they wished. Later, automatic fire detection and fire alarms were installed in common areas of some blocks of flats, but problems occurred such as false alarms and vandalism.

After this, domestic smoke alarms were introduced, which warn occupants and give them the opportunity to leave their flat and call the fire service, which will normally extinguish the fire before it breaches compartmentation, although these alarms do not help people who are unable to call for help or self-evacuate.

Domestic fire alarms definitely save lives, but they do not warn anyone outside a flat that is on fire, or which flat it is, which they could if they were connected to a communal fire alarm. However, there are still concerns that false alarms from automatic fire alarms will cause unnecessary evacuations, which may be more dangerous than staying put, hence the introduction of the evacuation alert system.

What are the main benefits of having an evacuation alert system installed for landlords and their tenants?

It gives peace of mind that there is a Plan B if everything else goes wrong, not just for occupants, but also for the fire service. We have all heard about the problems with cladding, but other problems are being identified, mainly to do with poor fire compartmentation, and it may not be possible to fix all of them so there will be a continuing risk, which an evacuation alert system can help mitigate.

How will this system tie in with other active fire precautions? For example, can it be integrated with domestic fire alarms or with communal fire alarms?

The fire service is concerned that the fire alarm industry will not understand how an evacuation alert system differs from a normal fire alarm and may install systems that don’t work properly when needed, so BS 8629 says the evacuation alert system should be standalone.

From C-TEC’s perspective, the type of integration that would improve safety is important. For instance, certain types of domestic fire alarms could be connected to the evacuation alert system and their status could be monitored offsite and analysed, so that any potential risks can be identified.

Also, heat detectors in flats, which only trigger in a real fire, could be connected to the system, which could then signal to an alarm receiving centre, resulting in the fire service being called out sooner.

Andy Scott is Projects Director at C-TEC and sits on several BSI, CEN and ETSI committees and is currently working on projects to improve safety in high-rise residential buildings.

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

Brazilian fire service welcomes Magirus FireBull to its fleet

by Americas - Featured NewsFeatured NewsProductsVehicles

The Brazilian state of Ceará has received its first FireBull from Magirus. A delegation with high-ranking representatives of the Governor, the fire brigades and partners were guests at the Magirus Experience Center in Ulm for the technical acceptance and handover of the world’s first tracked fire engine as well as a MultiStar combination vehicle and several portable fire pumps.

The FireBull tracked fire engine from Magirus combines the AirCore extinguishing technology, flexible set-up options and the extremely all-terrain PowerBully chassis from Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG to form a globally unique, versatile special fire-fighting vehicle. The AirCore water mist technology enables efficient fire-fighting with high penetration depths and throwing distances of up to 80 metres, but also an excellent cooling effect with minimal water consumption.

The FireBull can transport high volumes of extinguishing agent (9,000 litres of water, 2,000 litres of foam) with a minimum ground pressure of 0.300 kilograms per square centimetre at a permissible total weight of 30 tonnes, an central advantage in impassable and difficult-to-access terrain.

In the future, the FireBull will be used in the region around Porto do Pecém. In addition to being called out for use in vegetation fires or operations in the nearby reserve and protected area, the region has a large port, beaches and numerous large industrial operations ranging from recycling plants to steel production, some of which have difficult-to-access terrain.

Carlos Décimo de Souza from the Secretariat for Research, Technology and Education of the Governor of Ceará expressed his thanks for the very good, trusting and cooperative partnership: “We are thrilled to be able to take delivery of these state-of-the-art Magirus vehicles here in Ulm.

“With the consistent renewal and constant expansion with innovative, unique deployment technology such as extinguishing robots and powerful special vehicles such as the Magirus FireBull, we want to ensure that our emergency forces can make a sustainable contribution to the protection of people, material and companies in our region and are themselves always protected in the best possible way.”

Wireless fire detection installed at Tyneside apartment block

by Featured NewsFire DetectionProducts

A residential development close to the Tyne Bridge is now protected by over 600 cutting-edge wireless devices from Hyfire following a comprehensive overhaul of the fire system. The new fire system installed at Curzon Place by RayFire Services Ltd marks the first complete overhaul in the building’s industry, bringing it fully into line with the latest UK fire regulations and best practice.  

Ray Hope, Managing Director at RayFire Services, commented: “This was largest, smoothest install we have carried out to date, largely thanks to the simplicity of setting up and installing the Hyfire Taurus wireless devices, which made the whole process from survey through to commissioning completely seamless. For an apartment complex with residents in situ, you really couldn’t ask for more. 

“Working with the Hyfire team, we specified a full communal Level 1 system, incorporating heat detection and sounders within each apartment lobby and additional heat detection in sensitive areas. We were able to reduce wiring by up to 90%, with a radically reduced installation schedule and minimal disruption for residents.” 

Hyfire offers a range of commercial standard wireless fire devices on the market, ranging from optical, multi-criteria and heat detectors to notification, alarm, interface and control units, all fully certified to EN54. All products offer the highest performance and quality in the industry, and are also fully compliant with BS5839 Part 1. Fire panels are wired via a loop to translators, from which wireless devices can be used on their own to build fully wireless systems of virtually any size, or mixed with Hyfire wired products to provide seamless hybrid solutions, offering total flexibility to specifiers and installers.  

Robert Bruce, Hyfire National Sales Manager – North, said: “This is one of our first projects with RayFire Services, and it was great to work on such a landmark building. The Taurus range, combined with an Advanced MxPro panel, offers all of the capabilities of its wired equivalents, with the added benefits of simplicity and ease of installation, which is a major advantage for both building occupiers and the end client. With more and more fire system upgrades taking place outside of the usual maintenance schedule, the ability to limit the impact on the structure is also very welcome.”  

Developed in Trieste, Italy, the global centre for wireless fire design, Taurus features Pathfinder Technology, which allows the devices to communicate over up to a kilometre, point to point in open air, and further where expansion hops are used. Antenna technology has been optimised to allow communication across different frequencies and environments, which means that Taurus can do the job with less equipment and less batteries, thus saving on costs.  

Colin Wrightson, Director at Securetech Systems NE Ltd, lead contractor for the end client on the project, commented: “We had a clear brief to deliver this project as rapidly as possible, with minimal intrusion and inconvenience, so Hyfire wireless devices were the obvious choice. The installation was completed ahead of schedule, the system is working as specified and the residents are very happy with the outcome. You can’t really ask for more.”  

Have your say: NFCC launches Competence Frameworks Survey

by Featured News

Members of NFCC’s Enabling Development of Competence Project (formerly Review of NOS), which is led by CFO Ann Millington and forms part of the People programme, have launched a sector-wide survey to inform the national arrangements required for managing competencies across roles.  

The survey will inform the next stage of work within the project as it begins to develop draft competency frameworks, supported by the expected delivery of a functional analysis of fire and rescue service functions.  

The project team is looking for information and examples from services of competence frameworks that are currently in use, or in development. Gaining an understanding of the frameworks that have been or are being developed by services will play a key role in steering the development of future frameworks.  

The team hopes to receive as much information as possible. Responses are important to ensure a resulting fit for purpose product, reflective of and endorsed by fire and rescue services.

The survey will close on Friday 26 August 2022 and can be taken here. 

Profab riser doors and access panels installed at London office block

by Featured NewsProjects

As part of the construction process of Sixty London Wall, a Grade A office accommodation combined with retail within a contemporary development in central London, almost 500 Profab Access high quality riser doors and access panels have been installed throughout the entire building by specialist carpentry, joinery and fit-out contractors, JJ Sweeney.

Specified in a range of sizes and configurations for installation throughout the communal areas and washrooms on all floors, Profab Access’ INTEGRA 4000 Series and VISION 8000 Series fire-rated Riser Doors were installed to provide concealed access to mechanical and electrical services.

The steel riser doors offer seamless integration into masonry walls, shaft walls and drywall partitions, providing high standards in functionality and safety, whilst simultaneously enhancing the overall interior aesthetic.

Five standout walkable sky gardens that span 21,089 sq. ft also take pride of place across the building’s exterior, offering unobstructed views of the capital’s most iconic landmarks. The building also offers dedicated ground floor showering and changing facilities, combined with washrooms on every floor. Profab Access’ VISION 8000 Series Riser Doors were specified for installation throughout each of these areas due to their unique construction providing complete design freedom.

During the fit out process, the facade of each of the VISION 8000 Series Riser Doors were clad in the same ceramic tiles as those on the surrounding walls, successfully disguising each panel to create a flawless, concealed, high quality finish that supported, rather than impacted, on the chosen visual style.

Whilst aesthetics was a leading consideration throughout the specification process, the fire performance and functionality of the riser doors were also important factors. Regardless of the stone material installed onto the facade of the VISION 8000 Series, it will still retain its impressive fire safety standards, providing the highest standards in compliance and performance.

Third party tested by Warrington Fire, Profab Access’ VISION 8000 Series and INTEGRA 4000 Series Riser Doors are CERTIFIRE accredited up to two hours, whilst also being smoke sealed and Air tight to Part L. Both ranges also offer superior acoustic benefits, with the INTEGRA 4000 Series rated to 35dB and the VISION 8000 Series rated to 33dB.

In the event of a fire the riser doors will maintain their frame and integrity for up to two hours, limiting the spread of fire and transmission of radiant heat for this period of time. The doors are also equipped with an intumescent smoke seal, which enables occupants to safely exit, whilst also minimising potential damage to the rest of the building.

Paul Wines, Project Manager at JJ Sweeney, said: “We have been specifying Profab Access’ extensive portfolio of access solutions for over 10 years, so we had complete confidence they would be the ideal manufacturer for such a high profile project.

“Installation of the riser doors and access panels took over eight months to complete, with myself and the JJ Sweeney team overseeing every aspect of the process. The end result is a high quality, aesthetically discreet finish that will offer the highest standards in performance for the entire life cycle of the building.”

Profab Access’ PRIMA 1000 Series Ceiling Access Panels were also installed throughout the building to provide secure access to overhead services. Featuring a unique pivot device for easy door removal and a push lock mechanism for enhanced usability, the access panels are constructed to offer contractors first class functionality, without impacting on the chosen interior design scheme.

Marcus Parnham, Commercial Director at Profab Access, said: “Our partnership with JJ Sweeney throughout this redevelopment project perfectly demonstrates the versatility and durability of our extensive range of riser doors and access panels.

“Sixty London Wall offers the very highest standards in contemporary office accommodation for the capital’s professionals, with our portfolio of access solutions facilitating the continuous maintenance of the building in an unobtrusive and effective way.”

Hochiki fire detection system installed at Verona hospital

by Featured NewsFire DetectionProductsProjects

After extensive assessments and a rigorous qualifying stage by the Hospital technical team and Amperia srl, the installation company, Hochiki fire detection systems and equipment was selected to update the fire detection system at the IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital in Negrar, Verona.

Following consultation, 26 fire detection panels, including Syncro and Hochiki’s Latitude system, and two Vision remote panels were installed in the hospital, all of which were networked.

The project brief stated that it was important the systems and any devices used must be installed with minimum impact on the day to day running of the hospital. Hochiki ESP range was recommended because these devices have been specifically designed to be quick and easy to install, ensuring minimal disruption was achieved by the team at Amperia srl.

Another priority for the project was that any fire detection system needed to be able to alert every person in the building to an emergency, including visually and hearing-impaired visitors. Hochiki’s range of VADs (visual alarm devices) were used to provide a visual indication of an alarm condition to those people who would not normally be alerted to a fire by standard audible-only devices such as sounders and bells.

The final key priority was the ability for the entire system to be continuously monitoring 24 hours a day. During the consultation period between the installers and Hochiki, the fire detection system was designed to provide 24/7 monitoring. This was thanks to the I/O modules and technological fault alarm signals which were also implemented and connected to the fire control panel loop. These were then monitored by the personnel 24 hours a day thanks to two supervision systems, one for the fire detection system and one for the technological alarms.

This project at the IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital was one of the largest and most complex projects that Hochiki have ever been involved in Italy involving the installation of multiple detectors, Detectors, 10 fire extinguishing systems, 14 gas detection panels and 10 aspirating panels.

Davide Montoli, Product Manager at Hochiki Italia, explained: “An interesting aspect of our systems is the “Bridge” communication between different generations of fire alarm control panels. In the case of this Hospital, the possibility of connecting the new L@titude control panels to the existing network of Syncro control panels made it possible to expand the system even though many years had passed since the installation of the original control panel. In fact, Hochiki’s L@titude platform can adapt its communication protocol to ensure backward compatibility with previous generation control panels”

Loris Fornaser, Technical Manager at the installer company Amperia srl, commented: “As you can imagine the fire safety standards of this project were extremely high due to the complex environment in which a hospital operates. This led us to choose a technologically advanced life safety product that would guarantee the client excellent performance and long-term reliability. The manufacturer’s technical support was always precise and Hochiki proved to be the ideal solution”

Bosch updates fire safety system at Hospital Centro Medio Campinas

by Featured NewsFire DetectionProductsProjects

Bosch has successfully completed the installation of networked fire alarm control panels and detection devices to provide optimised safety coverage for Hospital Centro Medio Campinas in Brazil.

Thanks to smarter new fire panels and retrofitting of existing fire prevention equipment, the medical complex is now much safer, featuring a comprehensive, networked and fully compatible fire control system which monitors for every sign of fire across the entire hospital complex.

Hospital Centro Médico Campinas is located in Campinas in the state of São Paulo, 100km from São Paulo, Brazil. As the building ages and requires updates, the fire protection provisions were reviewed to ensure efficient, fast responses to fire outbreaks.

Eduardo Riguetti, responsible for fire safety at the hospital complex, got in touch with Bosch project expert in Campinas, Renato Lima to find a feasible solution. The main objective was to review and redevelop the entire complex fire alarm setup at the hospital to provide safety and reassurance for all personnel on site, including staff and patients.

The major challenge for the project team to overcome was the integration and consolidation of all data and configurations of the 11 separate fire control panels into one single panel.

The fire control network features one Modular Fire Panel 5000 Series, which consolidates the details of all other detection devices, improved user operation and maintenance, making system updates and incident reaction times faster and optimising fire safety across the entire hospital.

Five loop modules were integrated to cover all areas of Hospital Centro Médico Campinas, ensuring reliability with detection. The loops include sensitive environments such as ICU, operating theater, patient wards and the hospital laboratory. Smart connectivity of the new network allows maintenance to be conducted by technicians with minimal disturbance in these areas.

Three remote keypads connected via ethernet to the fire control panel were configured for the hospital’s three desked areas which are all manned 24/7, namely the main entrance reception, the on-site fire department and the operation and control centre. This interconnectivity and remote technology decentralize control of the entire fire alarm network and make it fully addressable.

The fire department can now quickly identify the exact location of a fire outbreak or another emergency incident. Lima explained: “This system is integrated with gas detection, sprinklers, and access control, so in the case of an event occurring, all doors and gates would be unlocked, and now with only one fire control panel in place, evacuation times are much faster and safer.”

Thanks to close collaboration between the Bosch experts, the Brazcamp Tecnologia installers in Campinas, and end customers at the hospital, the project planning and product installation all ran smoothly.

Eduardo Riguetti said, “Excellent specification and design work was carried out by the integrator and the Bosch engineering team.”

New York City considers e-bike ban for public housing amid fire safety concerns

by Featured NewsSafety

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is considering a new rule that would ban e-bikes and e-scooters from all its properties amid concerns over fire safety.

According to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), battery-powered electric bicycles and scooters have caused more than 75 fires in New York City so far this year, putting the city on estimate for nearly 190 e-bike or e-scooter fires in 2022. Last year, the department reported 104 fires, killing four people. 

“The numbers increase weekly. That’s how active this issue is,” said Joe Jardin, chief of fire prevention at FDNY. “It’s scary, frankly, how fast the environment in the fire area diminishes, how severe the fire becomes in a matter of a second or two.”

In an email to NFPA Journal, a NYCHA spokesperson wrote: “NYCHA is considering the adoption of a new rule that would prohibit e-bikes and related devices from its properties, including residents’ apartments and public and private spaces throughout all developments. This proposed new rule is open for public comment until July 10, 2022, at which time NYCHA will review stakeholder feedback and amend the rule accordingly.”

 In April, the city’s Fire Code was amended to include language on e-bikes and e-scooters. The code now requires e-bike and e-scooter charging equipment to comply with standards published by Underwriters Laboratories as well as enhanced fire protection measures for rooms where six or more e-bikes or e-scooters are being charged or stored. These measures include fire sprinklers, spacing between devices, dedicated electrical receptacles, and fire-rated walls and doors.

The new NYCHA proposal would take things even further with a total ban of e-bikes and e-scooters in the city’s public housing properties.

Global Fire Safety Equipment market to reach $60bn by 2026

by Breaking NewsProducts

The global fire safety equipment market size is expected to grow from $39.03 billion in 2021 to $43.55 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6%, according to a new report from The Business Research Company. The global fire safety market size is expected to grow to $60.13 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 8.4%. The main types of products in fire safety equipment include extinguishers, fire hydrants and respirators.

The rapid growth of the construction industry is expected to propel the growth of the fire safety equipment market going forward. Construction is the process of building, altering, repairing, remodeling, improving, or demolishing any structures. Fire safety equipment is widely used at the construction site to protect the user from fire.

According to Invest India, an India-based investment promotion and facilitation agency, the construction industry is expected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2025 and by 2030, India’s real estate business would be worth $1 trillion, contributing 13% of the country’s GDP. Therefore, the rapid growth of the construction industry is expected to drive the growth of the fire safety equipment market.

Strategic partnerships have emerged as a key trend gaining popularity in the fire safety equipment market. Major companies operating in the fire safety equipment sector are focused on new partnerships to strengthen their position. For instance, in July 2021, MSA Safety Incorporated, a US-based manufacturer of safety products partnered with Perspective Robotics AG, a Switzerland-based aerial robotics design and manufacturing firm. Through this partnership, the two companies will work together to increase fire scene situational awareness, both locally and remotely.

In November 2020, the American University of Sharjah, a UAE-based institution partnered with Emirates Fire Fighting Equipment Factory LLC, a UAE-based firefighting equipment factory. Through this partnership, these two companies have been working together in areas of research, student internships, fire protection engineering, and community awareness initiatives.

Major players in the fire safety equipment market are Bosch Security System Inc., Hamla PLC, Hochiki Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., Johnson Controls International Plc, Napco Security Technologies Inc, Siemens Building Technologies pvt. Ltd, Gentex Corporation, Eaton Corporation Inc, Nittan Company Ltd., Space Age Electronics, Lowa Fire Equipment Company, Hiren Industrial Corporation, Larsen Manufacturing, and NAFFCO.

North America was the largest region in the fire safety equipment market in 2021. The regions covered in the global fire safety market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.