UAE reveals firefighting ‘shark’ to tackle boat blazes

by Middle East - Products

A remote-controlled, fire-fighting speedboat is the latest high-tech addition to Dubai Civil Defence’s fleet of life-saving technology. Named ‘The Shark,’ the bright yellow 10-metre speedboat can be remotely controlled from a ground station, using an online map, to quickly reach a vessel on fire and keeps firefighters from potential harm.

Equipped with thermal imaging and night vision cameras, the boat also automatically records any information it picks up about the fire for use in investigations.

Cameras affixed to the boat provide the officer in the control room a direct and live broadcast of the situation.

The boat’s fire extinguishing system shoots out 1900 litres of water per minute. The amount of water, pressure and its direction are all adjustable from the control room.

With a maximum speed of 74kph, the Shark is expected to reduce response times to fires at sea.

It is not the first fire-fighting vessel to be unveiled by Civil Defence. In 2017, ‘The Dolphin’ – a jet ski equipped with a jetpack attachment – was revealed in a promotional video.

Phenix Technology creates custom firefighting helmet

by Americas - Products

Firefighting equipment manufacturer, Phenix Technology, Inc., has created an exclusive custom TL-2 leather firefighting memorial helmet in honour of the Charleston 9. This helmet was created exclusively for the Charleston Fire Department.

The exclusive helmet features a unique Charleston 9 logo on the rear brim that was created in memory the 9 Charleston firefighters that were lost on June 18, 2007, in the Sofa Super Store Fire. Each helmet created will feature a 3-digit serial number with the very first helmet starting at serial number 010. The first 9 helmets will be dedicated to the Charleston 9 and will be placed inside of a new Charleston fire station that will be built in the near future. These helmets will be exclusively manufactured for Charleston firefighters.

“Phenix Technology, Inc. was honoured to have been asked to create this helmet. It will serve as a constant vigil for those who were lost and as a symbol of remembrance for the amazing men and women of the City of Charleston Fire Department. May we never forget our brothers, and may their families find peace knowing how deeply each of them were loved and how much they are missed today,” said Angel Sanchez, Jr, Director of Global Operations for Phenix Technology, Inc. This helmet is now available exclusively to City of Charleston firefighters.

phenixfirehelmets.com/

Euralarm releases guide on periodic testing in fixed firefighting systems

by PassiveProducts

Euralarm has published a guidance document on the important aspects relating to the periodic inspection of cylinders used in fixed gaseous fire extinguishing systems and especially in respect to hydrostatic testing. The guidance note is intended to identify some critical areas that are often not fully understood and does not prescribe the full processes involved in the testing or the physical handling of the cylinders.

Transportable cylinders under the TPED (Transportable Pressure Equipment Directive) and ADR (European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road) are required to go through periodic testing for re-certification. The new Euralarm document addresses the issues related to the importance of procedures for periodic testing and subsequent refilling the cylinders.

The document guides the reader to avoid serious safety issues of hydrostatic testing. The guidance note is meant for the testing of gas cylinders of seamless steel, seamless aluminium alloy and welded carbon steel according to respectively EN 1968:2002, EN 1802:2002 and EN 1803:2002.

Aspects that are covered in the guidance note are moisture control, the reuse of cylinder valves and the recertification of cylinders. A useful checklist is part of the document. The checklist covers important steps to ensure that the safety of cylinders is maintained during periodic inspection processes and during the filling afterwards.

www.euralarm.org/

Abu Dhabi Civil Defence uses firefighting robot to control fire

by Middle East - Products

Abu Dhabi Civil Defence General Authority recently deployed a remote control system, TAF35 Firefighting Robot to control fire.

The authority explained that the robot pumps large quantities of water from 1500 litres to 4,500 litres per minute in the regular system and water spray system. It can also be used to pull weights up to 3.8 tons and is characterised by the presence of a bulldozer at the front.

Reports have stated that the TAF35 has been used to put out various types of fires in industrial areas and tunnels, and closed parking spaces with remote control technology with a distance of no more than 500 metres, as it manoeuvres in fire accident sites and progress to the direct fire line, pumping large amounts of water and providing protection to firefighters at the sites.

The robot has played a leading role in the national disinfection programme to combat coronavirus in coordination with the relevant authorities and the first line of defence.

Last year, the General Directorate of Civil Defence Abu Dhabi has carried out a practical experiment to use the drone to douse a fire in a tower under construction by Hydra Real Estate Company in Al Reem Island.

Brigadier Mohammed Ibrahim Al Ameri, Deputy Director General of Civil Defence Abu Dhabi, stressed the importance of using modern and advanced methods in the fight against fires and when dealing with accidents and emergencies, which contributes to boost in security and safety.

The drone has two main characteristics of extinguishing, namely the use of chemical powder and extinguishing method using the projectile directly at the fire.

US army soldiers and Bavaria firefighters participate in firefighting training

by Americas - Projects

US Army soldiers assigned to the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade have recently participated in fire prevention training with the US Army Garrison (USAG) Bavaria firefighters in Germany.

Chief Warrant Officer Thomas McNamara said: “We’re going to be picking up the Bambi Buckets over here to practice aerial firefighting. We’ve got the Grafenwöhr firefighters with us. We are going to be co-ordinating with them and practising fighting fires with them on a range in areas that may be inaccessible or too dangerous to get (from) the ground.”

The goal was to time the water drop effectively so the firefighters could easily handle the fire from the ground. McNamara commented: “The bucket is far below the helicopter. It’s just a visual judgment error to be able to bring that bucket and place it over the fire.”

Josef Rodler, Fire Chief at USAG Bavaria, added: “All my firefighters are host nation firefighters. This is the first time (we’ve done) real training with the pilots. Invite them to the next exercise so they can see how we do it and share the experience.”

The exercise will continue to help with fire prevention on USAG Bavaria and the experience gained for the participants of this exercise will continue to pay off.