Upcoming webinar seeks to illuminate smoke detector placement in high ceiling structures

by AmericasEventsFeatured NewsTraining

The smoke detector spacing challenge on high ceilings

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is hosting an upcoming webinar addressing an often overlooked issue in fire safety: smoke detector placement on high ceilings. For those keen to join, you can sign up for the webinar here.

While the NFPA 72, a prominent fire alarm and signalling code, does not address smoke detection spacing considerations based on ceiling heights, it does provide a table for the reduction of spacing for heat detection.

This leaves some ambiguity in design and code enforcement when installing smoke detectors on ceilings higher than 10 feet.

The 2017 smoke detector spacing study and its findings

A literature review and gap analysis on smoke detectors in high-ceiling spaces were published by the Fire Protection Research Foundation in 2017.

The study showed that there were limited context and significant knowledge gaps, which precluded the formulation of scientifically justified prescriptive requirements regarding smoke detector spacing relative to ceiling height.

Working towards better understanding smoke detector performance on high ceilings

This study proposed a way forward to improve the characterisation of smoke detector spacing in high ceilings.

For example, it recommended establishing a performance metric for smoke detectors that could be applied to high ceilings.

The fire protection industry is in need of additional information about the impact of ceiling height and detector spacing on smoke detection performance.

Mishuk Datta, Lead Engineer at Jensen Hughes, will discuss these considerations for smoke detection based on ceiling heights and the necessary areas where further knowledge is needed.

Who’s behind this educational initiative?

This webinar is part of the Fire Protection Research Foundation‘s 2023 Webinar Series.

Sponsors of the series include AXA XL Risk Consulting, Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc., Telgian Engineering and Consulting, The Zurich Services Corporation, and the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Fire Protection Engineering Programme.

IFSJ Comment

As the International Fire & Safety Journal, we find this news to be of significant importance. Clear guidelines for smoke detector placement, especially in structures with high ceilings, is a crucial aspect of fire safety. This webinar is a step in the right direction, addressing the knowledge gaps that currently exist in the industry. We urge our readers to take the opportunity to learn and contribute to this vital discussion.

About NFPA

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global self-funded nonprofit organisation, established in 1896, dedicated to eliminating death, injury, property, and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The NFPA delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering their mission.

Fire Fighters Charity to host health and wellbeing webinars

by EventsFeatured News

The Fire Fighters Charity has lined up a series of webinars to help those in the industry boost their overall wellbeing in the next two months – with topics covering everything from cost of living to stress management.

The charity’s Wellness and Behaviour Change Coaches will be hosting a series of short webinars, covering a range of topics to promote wellbeing, sharing practical tips and advice on everything from finances to stress management, nutrition, sleep, menopause and more.

For those unable to attend, anyone can register and will receive a link to all of the recordings after the series has gone live, to watch them in their own time.

The webinars on offer are as follows

Resourcing your resilience:

  • 13th Jan (12:00): Managing Stress: Understanding how to recognise stress and strategies to help: Register now
  • 7th Feb (18:00): Developing personal resilience: Tools and strategies to build strength and resilience in day-to-day life: Register now
  • 13th Feb (19:00): Sleep and Health: Practical tips to get a better night’s sleep: Register now
  • 15th Feb (15:00): Relaxation and Mindfulness: Introductive techniques to help you relax and be present in the moment: Register now
  • 21st Feb (12:00): Cost of Living: Advice and support on managing your finances: Register now

Health, wellbeing and lifestyle:

  • 17th Jan (12:00): Nutrition and health: Practical strategies to improve your diet: Register now
  • 25th Jan (11:00): Musculoskeletal health: Discover how managing your health and wellbeing can prevent injuries: Register now
  • 30th Jan (10:00): Menopause awareness: Signs and symptoms of menopause and ways of coping: Register now
  • 24th Feb (10:00): Exercise and Mental Health: Understand the link between our physical and mental health, with strategies to become more active: Register now

Flourishing – living your best life:

  • 20th Jan (11:00): Stronger connections: Using strengths to deepen personal relationships: Register now
  • 23rd Jan (13:00): Wellbeing and nature: Exploring the health benefits of the outdoors: Register now
  • 3rd Feb (15:00): ‘What’s Strong With You’? Identifying your personal strengths and how they could boost your wellbeing: Register now
  • 10th Feb (12:00): Positive Pathways to Wellbeing: Introducing the concept of flourishing to improve wellness: Register now

For more information on each webinar, visit the dedicated web page on The Fire Fighters Charity website: https://www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/latest/join-one-of-our-personal-wellness-webinars/

FIA Course: Carl Bryan speaks about advantages of hypoxic fire prevention systems online

by Events

Carl Bryan, Managing Director WAGNER UK, offers CPD accredited training as part of the Fire Industry Association (FIA) online training on 10 September 2020. For one hour, he will talk about the fire prevention solution with oxygen reduction. He will explain the technology behind and the advantages of using a hypoxic environment as a fire prevention solution. Participants will also be informed about the key considerations when specifying, designing and operating such systems.

Interested parties should book the training course online: https://www.fia.uk.com/event/a-guide-to-understanding-hypoxic-fire-prevention-environments.html

The FIA offers industry-recognised courses and qualifications for fire safety professionals. According to their own admission, more than 35,000 professionals have increased their skills through FIA trainings. The learning courses cover all aspects of fire protection and cover Fundamental Qualification, Advanced Qualifications as well as trainings and courses. If you need more information, go and visit https://www.fia.uk.com/training.html.

Armstrong to host webinar on the ‘Benefits of Remote Connectivity of HVAC Equipment’

by Events

With the advent of built-in intelligence and edge computing, remote connectivity to intelligent equipment adds value such as virtual asset management, objective data measurement for improved understanding, improved on site safety and improved long-term occupant comfort.

Join Armstrong’s webinar on the ‘Benefits of Remote Connectivity in HVAC Systems and Equipment’ on August 26th, for detailed explanations of how this advanced capability will make a difference to all installations.

Webinar Details: 

9:00AM (BST)  | August 26, 2020

Presenter: Andy Harrop
Director, Sales Enablement Centres

Register here – http://info.armstrongfluidtechnology.com/lp-benefits-of-remote-connectivity-of-hvac-equipment?utm_campaign=August%202020&utm_content=138031178&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lcp-129116

MSA launches Digital Week to bring new safety technology to firefighters

by Projects

MSA Safety Incorporated recently launched a week-long event – called MSA: Connected – that used digital technologies to offer firefighters and first responders the latest information on various product and technology-based safety solutions. “The timing of MSA: Connected is not a coincidence,” said Yohan Morel, MSA Senior Marketing Manager, First Responder, Europe. “Interschutz, the world’s largest trade fair focusing on fire service and security, was originally scheduled for this week in Hannover, Germany. Because we recognise the value and knowledge our customers gain by attending conferences like this in person, our vision was to create a unique experience for customers that helps them stay connected with the latest in firefighter safety technology.”

Among the many activities scheduled were a series of live webinars that offered participants the opportunity to connect directly with MSA safety technology experts. Topics for these sessions included voice communications, technology standards, best practices to help reduce contamination risk, among many others.

The new M1 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) was also showcased in the company’s portfolio. Designed to meet the European Norm 137 (EN137) safety, health and environmental protection standards, as well as ATEX intrinsic safety standards for usage in hazardous or explosive atmospheres, the M1 SCBA is fully customizable and can be configured to meet a broad range of firefighter needs and brigade budgets.  Among its innovative features are a padded harness that is fully water-repellent, the industry’s lightest-weight backplate, and an advanced hip belt that evenly distributes SCBA weight for much improved ergonomics.

“Fighting fires requires durable equipment built to perform in extreme conditions,” said Jason Traynor, MSA’s General Manager for Global Respiratory Protection and Fire Helmets.  “Based on our extensive voice-of-customer research while designing the M1 SCBA, it quickly became clear that fire brigades want a range of SCBA options at a cost and configuration that’s right for them. Positive customer feedback and recent key order wins provide confidence that we’ve really hit the mark with our new M1 SCBA.”

During the week MSA provided an exclusive outlook on their new technologies coming in 2020/2021 and presented a vision for the future. MSA is dedicated to innovating on behalf of firefighters around the world to help ensure their personal protective equipment keeps them safer than ever before possible.

gb.msasafety.com/msa-connected