ROCKWOOL expands fire-stopping portfolio with in-house FirePro range

by Featured NewsPassiveProducts

ROCKWOOL launches new FirePro fire-stopping range

First products unveiled from Birmingham fire-stopping centre

ROCKWOOL has launched the first products from its new global centre of excellence for fire-stopping at Hams Hall, Birmingham.

The company confirmed that the FirePro range includes coated batt, sealants, collars and wraps developed at the new in-house manufacturing facility.

ROCKWOOL said the range builds on its Euroclass A1 non-combustible stone wool insulation expertise and reflects its commitment to leading standards in building fire protection.

Tested to latest fire resistance standards

The company stated that the FirePro range has been tested and classified to the most recent fire resistance standards, including BS EN 1366-4, BS EN 1366-3 and BS EN 13501-2.

These standards will not become mandatory until 2029, but ROCKWOOL said its early adoption will help customers future-proof their specifications.

All FirePro testing has been third-party audited and certified for safety, reliability and compliance by UL-Solutions.

Ben Peach, Product and Technical Solutions Director at ROCKWOOL, said: “At ROCKWOOL, we don’t just meet fire safety standards – we help drive best practice.

“We’re always looking ahead and helping our customers to navigate change, which is why we’ve tested and classified the new FirePro range to the latest fire resistance standards – so our customers can specify with confidence.”

The company added that developing the range entirely in-house enables continuous innovation and ongoing improvement in performance and sustainability.

Specialist teams supporting specifications

The first FirePro products became available to order on Thursday 2 October 2025.

ROCKWOOL confirmed that its specialist fire and specification teams are providing customers with bespoke project and technical support.

Matt Jones, Head of Fire Protection & HVAC at ROCKWOOL, said: “Customers need access to expert resources to specify with confidence.

“That’s why we’ve launched the FirePro range with our specialist teams on hand as well as a robust package of technical literature.

“This includes a new interactive Fire-stopping Standard Details Guide that provides easy access to safety-critical standard details to support specification and installation.”

Training academy to open this winter

ROCKWOOL plans to open a specialist training academy at Hams Hall later this year.

The company said the facility will host product demonstrations and practical training sessions covering fire-stopping, HVAC and fire protection installation techniques.

The new academy will be open to installation contractors, specifiers and fire service personnel involved in public safety assessment and building inspection.

ROCKWOOL confirmed that the academy will complement its existing e-Learning platform and support skills development across the built environment.

Further information will be released when bookings open for training sessions at the new Midlands facility.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The launch of ROCKWOOL’s FirePro range is relevant to fire engineers, building services designers, fire-protection contractors and compliance assessors who specify or install passive fire protection systems.

By testing to BS EN 1366-4, BS EN 1366-3 and BS EN 13501-2 ahead of the 2029 compliance deadline, ROCKWOOL’s early adoption may affect specification frameworks and approval processes.

The new interactive Fire-stopping Standard Details Guide provides accessible reference material for specifiers and installers, supporting consistent application and inspection standards.

The planned training academy at Hams Hall will provide practical instruction for contractors, technical consultants and fire service personnel, helping to improve competency and understanding of current and emerging installation methods.

This article was informed by information from the following source: ROCKWOOL

REACH Black range introduced by Apollo Fire Detectors

by Featured NewsFire DetectionProducts

REACH Black range expands hybrid wireless fire solutions

Apollo Fire Detectors Ltd has announced the release of the REACH Black range, expanding its established REACH Hybrid Wireless family.

As reported by Apollo Fire Detectors, the REACH Wireless system, launched in 2022, provides a flexible solution for various installations, including extensions, outbuildings, heritage buildings, and temporary structures.

The system allows for seamless extensions of existing fire loops without the need for new wiring, reducing costs and installation time.

Product Manager Craig Mole said: “REACH Black is the latest in our range of hybrid-wireless fire detection.

“REACH Wireless has been designed to make extending an Apollo wired loop effortless.

“With an easy-to-use survey kit, REACH Wireless is FLEXIBLE + RELIABLE + PRACTICAL.”

Features and versatility of REACH Black

The REACH Black range includes three types of detectors: an Optical detector with a Dual-Optical chamber, a Heat detector with selectable A1R & BS modes, and a multi-sensor combining the Dual-Optical chamber with an A1R Heat sensor.

Each device measures 110mm in width and 70mm in depth.

The Audio Visual additions include a sounder or sounder VAD base, with the VAD base offering up to a C-3-15 coverage with a white flash and C-3-10 with a red flash.

These detectors are designed for use in industrial-themed commercial spaces with exposed or black ceilings, enhancing the versatility of the REACH system.

They can operate standalone or in conjunction with other detectors in the range, providing flexibility and reliability for users.

Benefits of the hybrid solution

The hybrid solution provided by REACH Wireless, including the new REACH Black range, offers numerous benefits.

It combines the flexibility of wireless systems with the reliability of Apollo’s wired systems, ensuring consistent performance throughout the life of the system.

The installation process is streamlined with a powerful survey tool, allowing for quick and efficient setup.

The new additions to the REACH family cater to the needs of specifiers, installers, and end users by offering a wide range of products that are easy to install and operate.

The exceptional speed of installation is particularly advantageous for time-sensitive projects where minimizing downtime is critical.

Audio Visual enhancements in the new range

The new VAD base introduced with the REACH Black range enhances the system’s capabilities.

It provides up to a C-3-15 coverage with a white flash and C-3-10 with a red flash.

The VAD base can operate independently or alongside any of the detectors in the REACH Black range, further increasing the system’s flexibility and usability.

The addition of these advanced features ensures that the REACH Black range can meet the diverse needs of different installation environments, from commercial spaces to heritage buildings, without compromising on performance or reliability.

Rosenbauer’s new RTE PX 14 power generator: Powering sustainable firefighting

by AmericasFeatured NewsProducts

A leap in power generator technology: The RTE PX 14 Basic and RTE PX 14 Super Silent

Rosenbauer has unveiled two new power generators: the RTE PX 14 Basic and the RTE PX 14 Super Silent. These next-generation power generators, as reported on the company’s official site, are significant enhancements of the successful RS 14 series, inheriting their predecessors’ functionalities and performance characteristics while notably taking a significant step towards sustainability, with much of the units now recyclable.

This commendable sustainability achievement was realised by substituting the previously used glass-fibre reinforced plastics (GFRP) with aluminium parts. These GFRP components, originally incorporated for weight and aesthetic considerations, are now successfully replaced without any compromise on performance.

RTE PX 14 Super Silent: A boon for environmental and public health

The newly launched power generator from Rosenbauer also stands out for its commitment to environmental sustainability. The RTE PX 14 Super Silent model is specifically designed with a sound-optimised stainless steel exhaust system and a noise-absorbing shell. These features curtail the sound output by nearly five decibels compared to the Basic version, making it the quietest power generator in its category.

“The reduced noise pollution not only brings relief to residents near the site of use but also shields the health of emergency personnel over the long term,” said the official press release.

Efficiency and user-friendliness of the RTE PX 14 power generators

The RTE PX 14 Super Silent also features an ECO mode that automatically scales down the engine speed when no loads are switched on, thus operating at a noticeably lower noise level. The engine speed automatically increases to its nominal level and delivers full power once the consumers are switched on.

The drive unit utilises a 2-cylinder 4-stroke engine with injection technology for optimal control and efficient operation, resulting in low fuel consumption, estimated at 6 litres per hour at full load.

The power generator is designed to be user-friendly and can be operated safely across its full range of functions. The display provides all the necessary operational information, including total load, load distribution, and fuel level.

Sustainable firefighting products: RTE PX 14

Developed and manufactured in-house by Rosenbauer, the RTE PX 14 power generators are made from high-quality and resistant materials to withstand the extreme stresses during operation.

The generators meet all DIN 14658-1 requirements, making them ideal for firefighting operations. They feature several connection options to cater to various consumer needs at the operation site.

The RTE PX 14 power generators will be available for ordering from the Rosenbauer Online shop from July and deliveries will commence in autumn 2023.

IFSJ Comment

This development represents a significant leap in power generator technology. Rosenbauer’s commitment to sustainability, user-friendly design, and innovative technology solutions like the RTE PX 14 are shaping the future of firefighting.

OroraTech advances wildfire management with space-based thermal monitoring

by AmericasFeatured NewsWildland Fire

Satellite-enabled fire monitoring unveiled

Space-age thermal intelligence company, OroraTech, has effectively established the latest thermal sensor in a commercial orbit network. By persistently tracking the temperature of the Earth, clients – including fire departments, forest services, and utility companies – can now receive real-time wildfire detection, ongoing situation updates and predictive data to better manage wildfires.

Early access programme provides real-time fire detection

OroraTech’s Early Access Programme offers immediate fire detection, capable of identifying bush-scale blazes and providing accurate fire perimeter locations within minutes. The programme also encompasses an on-demand tasking service during essential afternoon periods, thus enabling clients to keep a close eye on crisis zones. The company’s ultimate aim is to deliver uninterrupted fire monitoring and instant predictions on a global level, all in real time.

Thomas Grübler, CEO and co-founder of OroraTech, spoke on the potential impact of this technology, stating that “wildfires pose an existential threat” to our societies and economies. “We want to give our customers back control during catastrophic events,” Grübler emphasised.

A precursor sensor exceeds expectations

Having operated a preliminary sensor in orbit for over a year, OroraTech has found its technology to be exceeding expectations. Originally intended as a proof of concept, the sensor now actively serves as a wildfire monitoring tool for clients worldwide. A case in point is SOPFEU, Quebec’s provincial fire agency, which is currently using the sensor to manage over 150 active fires. Looking forward, the agency is eagerly awaiting the transition to satellite monitoring, set to improve operational efficiency, lower pilot risks, and provide enhanced situational awareness.

Complete thermal intelligence suite and diverse applications

OroraTech offers a comprehensive suite of Thermal Intelligence services, ranging from proprietary real-time data via its sensor network to AI-powered analytics and actionable insights. Clients can access these services through the existing Wildfire Solution platform, already in use on six continents, or via specific APIs.

Beyond assisting in wildfire management, the data provided by OroraTech is also applicable in a variety of sectors. The thermal data offers valuable insight for applications such as food security, drought mitigation, and insurance. This information is also available on geospatial data platforms.

Editor’s Product: GFE’s FALCON and FALCON EX

by Featured NewsProducts

European manufacturer of fire detection equipment, Global Fire Equipment (GFE), has added to its product portfolio with the launch of two new fully certified control panels – the FALCON 2-wire conventional panel and the FALCON EX conventional extinguishing control panel. Both panels are designed and manufactured to comply with the standards EN54-4, as well as EN54-2 for the FALCON, and EN12094 for the Falcon EX.

The new FALCON conventional fire control panel is GFE’s first conventional control panel with 2-wire and 2-wire dwelling mode compatibility. Expandable from 8 to 16 zones, the FALCON is ideally suited for smaller premises such as shops, office spaces, schools and residential accommodation.

The 2-wire dwelling mode acts as a fire alarm confirmation enabler so that when a detector is activated within a dwelling zone, such as an apartment or room, the detector will warn of a fire on the first activation but then process the alarm before reconfirming the alarm condition, at which time it will sound the alarm. This significantly reduces the likelihood of false fire alarms. 

One of the key differentiating features of the new FALCON conventional panel is its ability to identify whether an alarm is activated by a detector or a manual call point and thus determine the appropriate action in response to either input.

GFE’s FALCON fire control panel also boasts fully customisable inputs and outputs, including a failsafe output so that in the event of any faults, passive fire safety equipment such as fire door holders and fire protection measures still activate. Remote inputs can be individually programmed with the following commands: restart, evac/silence, disable selected inputs, disable selected output, disable selected input and output, and class change).

The FALCON panel also features individual zone programming so each zone can be programmed as standard (no output) or as a 2-wire (output approx. nominal system voltage). This makes it easier for the fire control panels to adapt to different wiring configurations. In addition, there is NFC connectivity (for user access) and web connectivity which allows access and monitoring from a web browser. Finally, the FALCON’s maintenance menu can be pre-programed so a pop-up will appear when maintenance is required.

The FALCON EX is GFE’s first conventional extinguishing fire control panel and has been introduced by GFE to meet the increasing global demand for dependable fire detection and suppression systems. It can be integrated with addressable fire control systems and boasts extensive configuration options.

New firefighting solution for hard-to-reach fires launches

by Featured NewsProducts

The drill extinguisher for hard-to-reach fires is now available internationally

Rosenbauer and SYNEX TECH have announced their partnership for the international market launch of DRILL-X, an innovative drill extinguisher designed for fighting fires that are hard to reach, such as those in roof trusses. DRILL-X combines the work steps of drilling, penetration, and extinguishing in one easy-to-use extinguisher, making it highly compatible with the usual equipment used by fire services.

DRILL-X has been field-tested by selected fire services for a year and is now available for purchase through the sales offices of the global market leader in firefighting technology.

Andreas Zeller, Chief Sales Officer of Rosenbauer International AG said: “As a leading system provider in preventive and defensive fire protection, we are always interested in innovative solutions for the emergency services. Even more so if they have been developed by a local start-up. DRILL-X from SYNEX TECH is highly compatible with the usual equipment used by fire services and is a perfect addition to our product portfolio.”

Quick, safe, and efficient

DRILL-X is an extinguisher that was specifically developed for the direct fighting of hard-to-reach sources of fire in enclosed spaces. The unique drive unit is integrated directly into the extinguisher and is powered by the energy of the water from the attack hose. This enables flexible, vehicle-independent use and makes the extinguisher fail-safe and mostly maintenance-free.

DRILL-X’s innovative drilling technology penetrates the most common materials in less than 20 seconds and thus quickly reaches the source of the fire via alternative attack routes such as roofs, walls, or ceilings. With DRILL-X, there is no need to enter the fire zone during the first phase of firefighting. This saves the emergency crews complex and time-consuming approach routes, reduces their exposure to soot particles, and prevents flue gas explosions due to the introduction of oxygen.

DRILL-X’s extinguishing nozzles enter the fire zone directly, and the jet angle and flow rate can subsequently be adapted to the fire zone. Different extinguishing media such as water, low expansion foam, or compressed air foam can be applied with pinpoint accuracy. Thanks to a high application rate of up to 800 liters per minute, DRILL-X delivers a high cooling capacity and rapid extinguishing results in a very short time, which reduces extinguishing water consumption and thus fire and water damage to the structure.

Test phase for volunteer fire fighters

For the past year, the volunteer fire departments of Roith, Vöcklabruck, Wels, and Freistadt, as well as the Linz Fire Department, have been testing DRILL-X in real-life operations in cooperation with the Upper Austrian Fire Brigade Command as research and development bases and have been providing continuous feedback to the manufacturer. The innovative drill extinguisher has attracted a lot of attention.

Stefan Putz, Managing Director of SYNEX TECH GmbH said: “The positive feedback from the five fire departments shows that DRILL-X is a flexible and efficient extinguishing system. It takes fighting hard-to-reach fires to a new level and makes the daily work of emergency crews safer in the long term.”

Rosenbauer revolutionises roadside assistance with new generator

by Featured NewsProducts

The new RS 14 power generator will fast-charge broken down electric vehicles

Leading manufacturer of firefighting equipment, Rosenbauer, has announced the launch of a new solution for stranded electric vehicles: the RS 14 power generator and matching quick charger. The combination enables mobile charging with an output power of 10.88 kW, equivalent to that of modern wallboxes.

The RS 14 power generator is capable of providing continuous energy for hours and can be used as an emergency power supply during disasters and for charging several batteries in succession during roadside assistance.

The quick charger, which charges all current electric vehicles, has a standardised type 2 plug on the vehicle side and a 400V/16A CEE plug on the other side for fast transmission of three-phase alternating current at 400 V, resulting in 11 kW of power for charging an electric car using all three phases. Residual current monitoring is also integrated to guarantee safe charging of a wide range of electric vehicles.

Roadside assistance

With this new solution, electric vehicles no longer need to be transported away on the loading platform of a roadside assistance vehicle or towed, which can damage the control electronics if the on-board system is not activated. Instead, the RS 14 power generator and quick charger combination provides a faster, less complicated, and more efficient alternative.

The RS 14 is the lightest and most compact unit in its power class (14 kVA), making it suitable for mounting in emergency or roadside assistance vehicles, or permanently installed, transported on trailers with a custom-fit weather protection tarp and equipped with a wheel set to ensure easier handling and quick manual transport to the site of operation.

This elegant retrofit solution is recommended for towing companies, motorist clubs, and fire departments that already have vehicles with a power generator on board. The combination of power generator and quick charger provides a mobile emergency charger for broken-down electric vehicles.

An increasing necessity?

The quick-charging service is expected to become increasingly necessary in the future, as seen in the US, where it is already possible to call mobile chargers to recharge the battery for the journey to the next charging station if the electric vehicle has come to a standstill.

New compact smoke control panels from WindowMaster

by Featured News

The compact smoke panel is designed to improve comfort

Danish CleanTech company, WindowMaster, has announced the launch of its new compact smoke control panel, WSC 104, as a latest addition to its range of innovative smoke and heat ventilation solutions. The new panel combines smoke extraction with comfort ventilation, providing fresh air to enter the interior while evacuating toxic smoke and gases in case of a potential fire.

WSC 104 is an upgrade to WindowMaster’s current model, WSC 204, and will be officially launched at BAU 2023 in Munich. The control panel can connect to either ±24V DC standard motors or motors with WindowMaster’s MotorLink® technology, delivering optimal smoke ventilation that preserves and protects. It is designed to help support compliance and automate the process of evacuating occupants in the event of an emergency.

According to Erik Boyter, CEO of WindowMaster, the launch of WSC 104 is the result of combining several relevant and requested functions with new modern technology, and leaves out the need for additional modules.

“Our clients are constantly having to adapt to evolving building safety regulations, so it’s vital we are adapting and improving our product base to dovetail and align our offering with their needs,” said Boyter

“The design process of any product provides challenges, but we’ve been able to combine several relevant and requested functions with new, modern technology. The result is one product that leaves out the need for additional modules. BAU 2023 presents a fantastic opportunity to introduce WSC 104 to our Europe-wide audience, demonstrating how it’s possible to achieve safety and sustainability simultaneously.”

The compact and user-friendly control panel is suitable for smaller interiors and other parts of a building, and has 3-wire multifunction technology that can be easily integrated into any existing cable network when retrofitting former systems.

WindowMaster’s WSC 104 will be available in the second quarter of 2023, offering an innovative solution for commercial interiors to meet evolving building safety regulations and achieve safety and sustainability simultaneously.

Vallfirest extends range of portable fire pumps

by Featured NewsProducts

Vallfirest has extended its range of portable fire pumps with the new Black Hawk 2, equipped with the 2-stage vft centrifugal pump, that offers an excellent medium pressure range with high flow capacity.

The BH2-13 has a 13hp Honda GX390 engine and reaches a performance of up to 15.5 bar and 392 l/min. The BH2-21 is equipped with a 21hp Honda GXH630 engine and has a performance of up to 16.8 bar and 432 l/min.

The new pumps features:

  • Motor pump unit compatible with 4-stage vft centrifugal pumps, easily interchangeable thanks to a quick release clamp
  • Speed increaser made of cast aluminium and high-quality components. Maintenance-free
  • Choice of transport base: tubular frame (for greater manoeuvrability), or base for assembly on vehicles
  • Hand priming pump and pressure gauge included
  • Non-return valve for impulsion included
  • Pump compatible with foam-forming agent