New NFPA certification launched for suppression technicians

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The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has launched a new Water Based Inspection Testing and Maintenance (WBITM) Online Learning Path to help sprinkler technicians, contractors, and others grasp the content in a new Water-Based Fire Protection Systems Inspection Testing and Maintenance (ITM) Certification Program.

Properly maintained water-based fire protection systems are critical for building and life safety and ensure that suppression technology will adequately contain a fire in case of an emergency and allow occupants the precious time needed to escape, if necessary. 

The online learning and credentialing opportunities have been developed to help those who are charged with independently managing the full spectrum of inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) duties.

The fully digital Water Based Inspection Testing and Maintenance Online Learning Path provides certification candidates with flexible, self-paced studying options so they can better understand the current edition of NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems against the blueprint of the certification exam.

NFPA offers a complete range of NFPA 25 and WBITM certification-related content with the flexibility for practitioners to choose a single training module or put together a variety of modules to suit their skill set or aspirational goals. 

Learning Paths feature interactive exercises, case studies, knowledge checks with ITM benchmarks, as well as instructional videos on when and how to test water-based systems. Learners receive one year of access to exclusive online content and lessons developed by NFPA experts who have an intimate understanding of codes and standards and how they work together to support professional credentialing.

Each NFPA Learning Path program has its own set of strategies for helping students understand the subject matter and includes a practice exam component as well as a final Capstone activity to test knowledge and core responsibilities.

“We spoke with a variety of stakeholders, including international facilities management personnel and authorities having jurisdiction, about the difficulty of identifying qualified contractors who can competently perform necessary ITM tasks for water-based fire suppression systems,” said Dan Pickel, NFPA director of certification and accreditation.

“We then worked with a group of subject matter experts to identify the tasks, knowledge, and skills needed for this role so that we could create effective content and context for this new certification offering. The result is a certification program that helps professionals demonstrate their knowledge and skills so that facility managers and code enforcers can feel confident in their capabilities and so that certification achievers can stand out among their peers in the industry.”

RECOM to open new fire training academy

by Featured NewsPeople

RECOM Solutions is set to open a new training academy, as part of a significant investment from the Trafford Park fire protection services firm.

The move is in response to huge growth in demand for its fire protection services, which has seen the firm increase its specialist operatives from five to 30 in the past 18 months, the BusinessDesk.com reproted.

This is in addition to its team of surveyors, contract supervisors and project managers in its fire protection arm. The academy will offer a live environment for training staff in the latest fire protection measures, legislation and products which are new to the market, such as new laws concerning cladding on structures of multiple occupancy, including high rise apartment blocks.

RECOM, a UK-based firm, works with a range of clients, ranging from the residential, to care home, healthcare, commercial, leisure, education, heritage buildings and industrial sectors.

The business is an approved contractor under the UK’s Fire Accreditation Scheme (FIRAS), and director, Jason McKnight, said the academy is due to be launched in the spring ahead of the implementation of the Fire Safety Act in England, which seeks to improve fire safety in multi-occupancy buildings.

McKnight said: “We have positioned ourselves ahead of the field by being able to provide a holistic approach to projects, linked to the new legislation.

“We act in both client side and contractor roles, utilising innovative cloud-based software to ensure clients have up to date relevant information on fire safety. This is the ‘golden thread’ of information that will become a legal requirement for building owners, developers and the like.”

He added: “The new academy will further demonstrate our commitment to retaining our leading market position in the provision of fire safety services.”

RECOM acts as a construction project manager and main contractor in addition to its role as a fire protection and cladding replacement specialist.

“The need for robust fire protection measures in buildings has been brought into sharp focus in recent years, and we are proud to be playing our part in helping to improve building safety and create smart, safe and sustainable places where people thrive, across the North West and beyond,” McKnight added.

The academy will enable RECOM to train and develop new employees and to educate its clients on the importance of fire protection measures within buildings. “We fully expect that the Fire Safety Act will lead to further expansion of our fire protection operations.”

MoviTHERM’s IoT tech enables early fire detection applications

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MoviTHERM has launched iEFD Cloud – a secure cloud-based software application to support its iEFD Early Fire Detection series of solutions. The iEFD solution leverages the industrial internet of things (IIoT) to connect thermal imaging cameras, heat and smoke sensors to detect early fire formation at various stages and conditions.

The new cloud application provides real-time situational awareness to facility operators, employees, and first responders. The IoT solution alerts users of potential fire formation, helping prevent disasters.

The iEFD Cloud software has many built-in features that provide situational awareness to anyone who works in a high fire risk environment.

Markus Tarin, President and CEO, MoviTHERM said: “The days of expensive and overly complicated fire detection systems are over. Our iEFD solution provides optimal situational awareness that benefits both operators and first responders.”

Profab Access’ Prima panel meets latest building regualtions

by Featured NewsFire DetectionProducts

Profab Access, a UK-based provider of access solutions and riser doors for ceilings, walls and partitions, is supporting architects, specifiers and contractors in achieving the highest standards of efficiency with its Prima 1000 Fire Rated SeriesAccess Panels.

Providing secure and unobtrusive access to ceiling and wall services for both residential and commercial projects, the fire rated panels are not only aesthetically pleasing and easy to install but ensure compliance with latest building regulations.

The access panels are independently bi-directionally tested and fire-rated up to 120 minutes to BS EN 1634-1:2000 for single and double door configurations up to 600mm x 1200mm. Sizes up to 750mm x 1500mm are also available and are fire-rated for up to 90 minutes.

The Prima 1000 FR Series Access Panels are available in standard and customisable specifications. The panels are also smoked sealed with an intumescent and smoke seal gasket.

The lightweight metal doors can be easily into jointless plaster, plasterboard and partitions to provide concealed access to electrical and mechanical services and are etch primed to support onsite decoration.

Marcus Parnham, commercial director at Profab Access, said: “As one of the industry’s leading manufacturers and the first to bi-directionally test its access panels and riser doors, we are committed to ensuring we provide construction professionals with the highest standards of compliance and performance. Our Prima 1000 FR Series Access Panels have been expertly designed to provide unrivaled certification, without compromising on visual appeal or functionality to meet the most demanding site requirements.”

Global fire extinguishers market to reach $7.1bn by 2026

by Americas - Featured NewsAmericas - ProductsAviationBreaking NewsBuilding ManagementConstructionFire SuppressionFirefighting EquipmentIndustry SectorsProductsUtilities

The fire extinguisher market is set to reach US$7.1bn by 2026, according to a new study published by Global Industry Analysts Inc., (GIA). The report, titled “Fire Extinguishers – Global Market Trajectory & Analytics, presents fresh perspectives on opportunities and challenges in a significantly transformed post Covid-19 marketplace.

Improving global GDP, resurgence in remodeling and renovation activity in developed economies, steady rise in new constructions in emerging markets, and stricter law enforcements are driving growth in the market.

Along with their expiration date, the existence of international, national, or local building regulations, laws, and codes implies that some of the fire extinguishers must be replaced annually, which generates enough demand to ensure the industry’s stability.

Additional opportunities generated by the demand for fire suppression technologies and other proactive fire management systems, hold potential for the industry’s growth. Although the construction industry remains the primary end-use sector for fire extinguishers, growth is forecast to improve from expanding applications in automobiles, military vehicles, and aircrafts. Growing emphasis on safety is fueling demand for automotive fire extinguishers and poised to benefit against this backdrop are small, portable and lightweight fire protection systems. The growing base of military vehicles, especially army ground combat vehicles, is forecast to benefit demand for fast-opening hand-held fire extinguishers (HFE) to safeguard against combat-induced fires.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the global market for Fire Extinguishers is estimated at $5.2bn in 2022, is projected to reach a revised size of $7.1bn by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 7.5% over the analysis period.

Dry Chemical & Dry Powder, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 7.4% CAGR to reach $5.1bn by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Carbon Dioxide segment is readjusted to a revised 9% CAGR for the next seven-year period. This segment currently accounts for a 14% share of the global Fire Extinguishers market.

Currently, the extensively used fire extinguisher type is the multiple use dry chemical, which is most efficient on class A, class B and class C fires. CO2 fire extinguishers, which can be deployed on Class A fires, put out fire by removing oxygen component from the fire triangle as well as eliminating the heat through an extremely cold release. These black colored fire extinguishers are ideal for electrical fires

The U.S. Market is Estimated at $1.4bn in 2022, While China is Forecast to Reach $1.2bn by 2026
The Fire Extinguishers market in the U.S. is estimated at $1.4bn in the year 2022. The country currently accounts for a 27.9% share in the global market. China, the world’s second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of $1.2bn in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 9.2% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 5.3% and 7.5% respectively over the analysis period.

Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 5.5% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach $422m by the end of the analysis period. Market growth is primarily led by change in standard building codes and mandating necessary deployment of fire extinguishers coupled with strong construction sector in developing markets such as Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Eastern European markets. Both China and India have been investing significantly in expanding their infrastructure in order to gain competitive advantage and support burgeoning economy and population. The recovery in the construction industry in the US, coupled with steady gains in construction spending in developing countries including BRICs and CIVETs, is expected to drive the demand for fire extinguishers in the next few years.

Meanwhile, the foam-based segment is set to Reach $658.5m by 2026. Foam-Based and Water-Based Extinguishers put out fire by eliminating the heat component from the fire triangle, while foam agents remove oxygen component from additional components.

Foam extinguishers are expensive, and suitable for diverse use except for Class C fires due to shock risk. There are Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) based and Alcohol Resistant Aqueous Film Forming Foam (ARAFFF) based extinguishers, known as Class A and B fire extinguishers for fighting chemical fires, which involve alcohol. In the global Foam-based segment, USA, Canada, Japan, China and Europe will drive the 6.8% CAGR estimated for this segment.

These regional markets accounting for a combined market size of $355m will reach a projected size of $559.3m by the close of the analysis period. China will remain among the fastest growing in this cluster of regional markets. Led by countries such as Australia, India, and South Korea, the market in Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach $94.6m by the year 2026, while Latin America will expand at a 7.9% CAGR through the analysis period.

UK releases provisional ozone depleting substances common framework

by Featured NewsFire SuppressionFirefighting EquipmentProductsSafety

The Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS) and Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (F-gases) UK Common Framework has been published in a provisional form on GOV.UK. The framework is accessible here.

This command paper sets out how the UK government and devolved governments propose to work together on the regulation of substances that deplete the ozone layer and fluorinated greenhouse gases.

The provisional Common Framework has received ministerial approval from all four governments. It was laid in the UK Parliament to enable parliamentary scrutiny to begin.

Traditionally, fire extinguishers have utilised halogens (CFCs). They also harm aquatic systems and contaminate water supplies along with the ozone layer.

Experts have long professed the use of pyrocool, which is a nontoxic, biodegradable, fire-extinguishing, and cooling agent. It’s said to replace the traditional extinguishers, and is just as effective in putting out fires, does not deplete the ozone layer, or persist in the environment, unlike CFCs.

UK fire, construction, and energy consultancies to be brought under one roof

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Housing construction, fire safety and energy efficiency consultancies are encouraged to register interest for a new consultancy framework launching this summer.

Consultancy Services (CS1) from LHC offers public sector organisations a wider range of services across all stages of the design, construction and refurbishment process, all in one framework.

The framework will cover all five LHC Group regions including Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA), Welsh Procurement Alliance (WPA) and South West Procurement Alliance (SWPA), Consortium Procurement Construction (CPC) and London and South East (LSE). However, housing consultancy services will be only for SPA, WPA and SWPA, owing to pre-existing frameworks already available for CPC and LSE areas.

CS1 brings together LHC’s existing Housing Construction Consultancy (H1 WS1), Energy Efficiency (N8C) and Fire Safety (FS1-C) frameworks under one umbrella to make it easier for contracting authorities to procure specialist consultants.

Dean Fazackerley, head of technical procurement at LHC said: “We recognise the importance of making frameworks more accessible to regional suppliers and SMEs to give them more opportunity to work with public sector organisations – CS1 looks to achieve that.

“Bringing housing construction consultancy, fire safety and energy efficiency under one roof allows us to meet client needs for projects of all sizes, reflecting the current market. It also means we can streamline the procurement process while offering a wider variety of high-quality, pre-approved expertise across a wide range of public sector buildings”

Consultancies are encouraged to register interest for the framework, which will be opening for applications in early summer 2022.

LHC intends to hold further engagement webinars with interested parties in due course to discuss initial proposals and gain feedback, before finalising the framework and issuing the tender.

Evolution installs fire system at Edinburgh’s JWPS

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Evolution has installed a customised fire and security solution the at Johnnie Walker Princes Street (JWPS) in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland.

The Princess Street is frequented by several hundred thousand visitors annually on an immersive journey through the 200-year history. The street is known for its food and beverage, pubs, and bars. The JWPS experience is hosted across eight floors of the transformed landmark building in the Scottish capital. It features the 1820 rooftop bar, with views across the city and The Label Studio, which hosts a number of live events and performances throughout the year.

JWPS is owned by Diageo a global firm in beverage alcohol with more than 200 brands. Diageo appointed FES Group to tender for the fire and security system, and FES in turn recommended and appointed Evolution to manage the bespoke system’s design and installation.

Evolution’s solution comprises a complete fire detection and alarm system, including disabled refuge systems for emergency evacuation. The security system includes access control, CCTV, intrusion detection and an intelligent International Communications (InterComms) system which enables live communications with an infinite number of doors/master stations with no distance limitations, and can be fully integrated with other IP-based systems.

The fire and security systems are fully networked and integrated into a front-end graphics system that enables Diageo’s on-site security staff to monitor and manage all system components in a single platform. The platform has been specifically designed to protect against cyber-threats. This solution has archiving and failover technologies that provide business continuity across a variety of outages.

John Baillie, head of UK sales, Evolution, said: “JWPS is one of Edinburgh’s most popular attractions, located in a prestigious location and its status as a listed building meant we had to be mindful of a number of potential risks and structural restrictions. From the initial drawings and design phase, through to the commissioning of the new systems, we are proud to have been involved in this project, delivering a complete fire and security system tailored to meet the specific needs of the client.”

Lack of domestic smoke alarms in UK causing fatalities

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In research presented by BAFE and NAPIT, data collated over the last decade (2010-11 to 2020-21) in England, Wales, and Scotland record an unsettling 424,464 dwelling fires.

These fires resulted in almost 82,000 non-fatal casualties and close to 3,000 deaths. In more recent statistics made available by Fire and Rescue Services nationwide, there is an ongoing issue with high failure rates or a complete absence of domestic smoke alarms.

In England alone, during 2020 / 2021, there was a 28% failure rate of smoke alarms (i.e. that failed to operate or were not present). This failure rate rises to 39% in Scotland and increasing even further to half of all fires (50%) in Wales.

The ‘Fire Kills’ campaign from the UK government states: “You are around 8 times more likely to die from a fire if you don’t have a working smoke alarm in your home”. Both BAFE and NAPIT have stressed the paramount importance of having suitable life safety systems in place.

Provisional data from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities reports close to 176,000 new build dwellings were started in England alone during the previous 12 months from year ending 2021 (July-September). It is of key importance that the housing development sector complies with Building Regulations and relevant Approved Documents when providing appropriate domestic fire detection and alarm systems. These must be installed by competent contractors.

In August last year, BAFE launched its latest competency scheme with NAPIT, called DS301. This provides a route for contractors to demonstrate their competence to design, install, commission, and maintain Grade D fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises. This supports appropriate British Standards and working best practice, most notably the latest iteration of BS 5839-6 (Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises).

Justin Maltby-Smith, managing director BAFE, said: “This information clearly outlines that it is extremely important that any work on Grade D fire detection and fire alarm systems is performed in compliance with the appropriate current regulatory and competency documents available. Having suitable systems in place will aid in alerting residents as quickly as possible, allowing for a safer evacuation and providing emergency services more time to mitigate any damage. The housing sector has a great responsibility to use competent contractors, which is why the BAFE DS301 Scheme was developed, and it will clearly help in evidencing this competency. We must not lose focus that these are people’s homes, and they should feel safe and be confident in the systems installed.”

Frank Bertie, chief technical officer, NAPIT added: “These statistics show the risk to life posed by fire is a real threat. NAPIT are proud to be leading the way with the introduction of the new DS301 Scheme with BAFE to provide homeowners, house builders, management companies and specifiers with confidence that the contractor they use is appropriately qualified, competent, and assessed.  Registered members on the NAPIT DS301 Scheme have demonstrated their competency to deliver design, installation, commissioning and/or maintenance works for Grade D fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises. Correctly installed fire detection systems help save lives and must be considered a priority in all homes.”

London development installs 2,000 Hyfire wireless devices

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More than 2,000 Hyfire wireless devices have been installed across four towers in a London development. The project was completed with installers Gemini AMPM and property management firm FirstPort.

With up to 25 floors, the Elektron Tower, Proton Tower, Neutron Tower and Switch Tower are located on the banks of the Thames in Tower Hamlets, comprising 497 apartments in total. With fire system upgrades required outside the normal schedule of improvements to the buildings, wireless was an obvious choice, helping to limit time on site and reducing impact on the fabric of the building.

Jamie Dawson, director, Gemini AMPM, said: “With the requirement to install the upgraded system in an occupied buildings, wireless was the obvious choice, and Hyfire wireless devices are the best in the business. The original schedule to install the 2,000 individual detectors, call points, sounders and other wireless devices was six weeks, but we managed it in four thanks to the ability to pre-programme devices offsite and install them in minutes, with around 90% less cabling required.

“Our installers worked with the Hyfire team, who helped us to pinpoint the exact number of devices required and where they should be located. The onsite property managers from FirstPort helped facilitated us working across the four buildings and liaised with residents, ensuring we could gain access to 99% of apartments within the four-week schedule.”

Taurus is a completely new range of high-performance wireless detection, control and alarm devices, based on a new protocol that offers unprecedented capabilities, quality and reliability. The range is fully certified to EN54 and fully compliant with BS5839 Part 1.

Standard addressable or conventional 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.

Ollie Murray, regional sales manager at Hyfire said: “Since the launch of Taurus earlier in 2021, more and more installers have been discovering the benefits that wireless fire devices can offer. This is just one example of a project where fire system installations are made simpler and quicker, which is particularly beneficial in situations where buildings remain occupied. Whereas the upfront cost of the unit may be a little higher, the savings on running wiring loops and making good after are also considerable, so the cost/benefit analysis in favour of using wireless is highly favourable, and that’s before you even consider the other benefits.

The Taurus range includes all devices required to build a fully wireless commercial fire system, including optical, multi-criteria and heat detectors, manual call points, wall sounders, sounder bases, and output/input modules. The Taurus translator can process up to 128 devices, with expanders that can extend the range of the system by up to 1km in open air. This effectively means that the scale of the system is limited only by the number of devices that the fire panel can handle. Tony Ulasi, development manager at FirstPort, said: “Installing a new fire system across these four landmark towers is a huge operation. We needed to work closely with a trusted supplier that could provide a cost-effective solution, whilst going above and beyond to minimise disruption to our tenants during the pandemic. From the beginning of the project Gemini AMPM ticked all the boxes – from product selection, to design, to installation. As a result, we have been able to prioritise safety, whilst achieving considerable cost savings.”