X-twitter Linkedin-in Youtube
Fire fighter in the outfit, with fire protection mask - Fire Buyer

Ballyclare helps a wish come true for junior fireman

News Desk /

A young boy from Northern Ireland was granted his wish to be a firefighter, with help from the UK’s leading manufacturer of protective workwear. Nine-year old Samuel Hawthorne spent a day with the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, and Stockport-based Ballyclare Limited provided him with a tailor-made firefighter’s uniform to wear on his big day. Ballyclare was approached to help Samuel by Make-A-Wish® UK, the charity that grants magical wishes to enrich the lives of children and young people fighting life-threatening conditions. Samuel was diagnosed with Coffin–Lowry Syndrome shortly after birth. There is no treatment and there is a chance Samuel will deteriorate as he gets older, but he has speech and language therapy and physiotherapy to help with his development. “Make-A-Wish arranged for Samuel to spend a day at a Belfast fire station,” explains Ballyclare Managing Director, Carlton Greener. “It was important that Samuel looked the part and felt like a real member of the firefighting team so we were delighted to help out.” Ballyclare made Samuel a bespoke version of the Structural Firefighter tunic and trousers which it supplies to fire brigades throughout the UK. “These garments offer real firefighters a high level of protection in the dangerous tasks they face, and so Samuel was ready to face whatever his big day threw at him,” adds Carlton. Samuel spent the day with the firefighters, carrying out equipment checks, taking part in drills and displays and he even got to sit in a Fire Appliance! Joanne Micklewright, Director of Wishgranting at Make-A-Wish, said: “We’re very grateful to Ballyclare who helped us make this wish come true. Samuel’s uniform was perfect and helped make the whole experience even more special.” Samuel’s Dad, Mark, said: “Samuel had so much freedom on the day – it was great as parents to see him have free run being a Firefighter and it meant we could just relax and enjoy it too. “It brought tears to my eyes seeing the pictures afterwards and thinking back on how great everyone was. We all have lovely memories to look back on.”   

Ballyclare helps a wish come true for junior fireman Read More »

Modern British Fire alarm on wall - Fire Buyer

EarthClean Corporation announces TetraKO XL-L, a new liquid formula of its patented water enhancer

News Desk /

EarthClean Corporation of St. Paul, Minnesota, today announced it has finalized development of TetraKO® XL-L, an all-new liquid version of its patented firefighting water enhancer technology. TetraKO XL-L is designed to be directly injected into a water stream to produce an on-demand fire suppressant for direct and indirect attacks, as well as wetlines and structure protection. It can also be batch mixed where direct injection equipment is not available. “Developing the new TetraKO XL-L water enhancer is a major step forward in our drive to offer the industry game-changing performance in an easy-to-use liquid formula,” said James R. Grabek, EarthClean Corporation President. “We are currently testing the new product with ground-based and aircraft-based firefighting systems to verify its efficacy, and will report to the industry as soon as results are available.” TetraKO XL-L is a patent pending, biodegradable cornstarch-based liquid product designed to be injected into a water stream, mix quickly with water, and shear-thin when pumped through a hose. TetraKO XL-L enhances performance and firefighter safety. It delivers faster and more effective knockdown and suppression of Class-A fires compared to plain water and traditional foams, while eliminating exposure to chemicals found in long- term retardants and foams that can damage fish, wildlife and sensitive watersheds. TetraKO XL-L reduces smoke and water damage, conserves water, and greatly reduces run-off. “The introduction of TetraKO XL-L is the result of extensive in-house R&D efforts, and we’re very encouraged by its potential,” Grabek explained. “Our team continues to make progress with the development of other new products – in addition to the new granulate and liquid formulas – that will continue to build our firefighting product line portfolio.”

EarthClean Corporation announces TetraKO XL-L, a new liquid formula of its patented water enhancer Read More »

ARFF Vehicle image - Fire Buyer

Bosch introduces rack build service for EN 54-16 compliant voice alarm systems

News Desk /

To meet the increasing demand for EN 54-16 compliant voice alarm systems in the UK and Eire markets, Bosch has introduced a new service to deliver complete, certified equipment racks built to client specifications. The service is ideal for companies who have an occasional need to supply EN 54-16 compliant systems, and it can also be used to increase overall capacity for companies more regularly involved in providing systems. The new service is available across the full portfolio of voice alarm systems available from Bosch. The fully digital Praesideo Public Address and Emergency Sound system is the number-one choice for enterprise-class public address and voice alarm applications. The new PAVIRO Public Address and Voice Evacuation system features a highly adaptable system architecture that makes it ideal for small- to mid-sized systems, while the Plena Voice Alarm System (VAS) is ideal for small-sized projects. The service is available via Audomation Software Limited, based near Cannock. David Howe, Managing Director and founder of Audomation, is a former employee of the Bosch Security Systems professional audio division. Howe has over 30 years’ industry experience, including work on venues for the 2012 Olympic Games. He is also an active council member of the Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers (ISCE). “I am delighted that we can work with Bosch to offer this great new service,” Howe comments. “Audomation’s attention to detail will ensure that those using the service get a first-class rack built, accompanied by all the necessary manuals and certificates. We also have the capabilities to add any bespoke components that may be required, such as specialist microphones and other accessories. Additional services such as onsite commissioning, training and checking of sound pressure levels once the system is installed are available on request.”

Bosch introduces rack build service for EN 54-16 compliant voice alarm systems Read More »

Fire fighters in training - Fire Buyer

Chubb protects new £450 million university campus

News Desk /

 Chubb Fire & Security Limited has won a competitive tender to protect students, staff and property from fire by supplying thousands of portable fire extinguishers to Swansea University’s new £450 million Bay Campus. Chubb, a leading provider of security and fire-safety solutions, is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX). The new campus, a 65-acre site on the seafront at Neath Port Talbot, includes the Great Hall, which contains a £32 million 700-seater auditorium and arts centre, halls of residence, academic faculties and a library. It was opened in September 2015 and accommodates more than 1,500 students. In winning the tender, Chubb is providing more than 4,000 portable fire extinguishers, supported by a four-year maintenance contract. Chubb also retained the existing contract for maintaining the extinguishers at the University’s Singleton Campus. Philip Moremon, compliance officer at Swansea University, said, “Because of the size of the new campus, it made sense to review our existing relationships and put the entire University’s fire extinguisher contract up for tender. “At both campuses, delivering quality products, providing value for money and reliability were three important factors when we selected a new supplier, and Chubb met all of these requirements.” Chubb will install the Good DesignTM award-winning range of Chubb FX extinguishers and then provide an annual inspection of each building, equipping new university sites as development continues to 2020. “Chubb is responsive and easy to work with, its engineers specified and installed the equipment quickly and efficiently with no problems, despite the strict time constraints due to the deadline opening of the campus to students,” Moremon concluded. For more information, visit www.chubb.co.uk.

Chubb protects new £450 million university campus Read More »

ARFF Vehicle image - Fire Buyer

Bangor University ensures optimum safety for its students by installing Gent fire system

News Desk /

St Mary’s is a brand new student village at Bangor University, comprising nearly 900 rooms alongside a range of cutting edge facilities. HESIS Fire & Security used technology from Gent by Honeywell across the site to ensure that it has the very best fire detection solution in place. Situated next to the Menai Straits at the foot of the Snowdonia National Park in north Wales, Bangor University has a long tradition of academic excellence. With over 12,000 students and 2,000 members of staff, Bangor University is made up of five colleges housing 22 academic schools, as well as over 50 specialist research centres. As part of its ongoing development programme, it aims to provide students with the very best places to live and work and the St Mary’s student village is the latest addition to its accommodation portfolio. With 10 individual buildings including en-suite studio apartments and townhouses with nearly 900 rooms, St. Mary’s also has a café bar, shop, laundrette, common rooms, and sports and fitness facilities on-site. With a strict deadline for completion, the mechanical and electrical contractor on the St Mary’s project needed to work with a life safety specialist that could deliver a quality installation on time using state-of-the-art technology. Liverpool based HESIS Fire & Security was selected to carry out the fire detection system based work and the company’s Account Manager, Rob Beck, says, ‘We were delighted to be awarded this prestigious project and knew that we could exceed Bangor University’s stated requirements. We have worked closely with Gent for the last five years and we were recently awarded Gent Technology Centre status, demonstrating our resource and capability to design, supply, commission and service the company’s fire detection and alarm systems to the very highest standards.’ The solution specified by HESIS Fire & Security is based around Gent’s industry leading Vigilon system. Vigilon combines powerful software in the control panel and intelligent loop powered devices to deliver a flexible, easy to use system. Its modular concept makes systems simple to design for any building and algorithms are used to match the pattern of activity in the sensor with data from test results stored in the panel memory. St Mary’s utilises nine networked Vigilon control panels with 10 repeater panels across the site. In addition, over 1,800 devices, including sounders and beacons (VADs) are installed, which signal back to the main security office at Bangor University. Uniquely, the detector heads have been programmed so that instructions are given in Welsh first and then English. HESIS Fire & Security decided that the Gent S-Quad S4-711 Dual Optical Heat Detector would offer the best level of reliability and prevention of unwanted alarms. Martyn Keenan, Business Manager (North West) at Gent, explains, ‘S-Quad was the first intelligent loop powered multifunctional device to include a sensor, sounder, speech and visual alarm, and its extensively patented technology has an unrivalled ability to prevent unwanted alarms. Incorporating four separate sensing elements – heat, carbon monoxide, and dual angle optical forward and backward scatter, the fully EN 54-23 and EN 54-3 compliant S-Quad combines local processing in the sensor and the panel to achieve an immediate response to genuine fires.’ Asked why these were considered the most suitable option for the accommodation areas, Rob Beck replies, ‘Students are renowned for having very sociable and busy lifestyles, and it’s not uncommon for fire alarms to be activated by mistake as a result of bread being left too long in a toaster, or pans burning on the cooker hob or even steam from the integrated shower rooms.  Therefore, in the event of something like this happening the S-Quad dual angle optical multi-sensors allow identification of the particle source, filtering potential unwanted alarms due to steam and dust etc.’ The Equality Act makes it the responsibility of all organisations to ensure that access to buildings and services is available to everyone, regardless of any physical disabilities. Therefore, in order to meet this obligation and to provide an additional level of safety, visual alarm devices (VADs) were also installed to offer an appropriate signal by emitting a bright red or white light. Due to a number of delays caused elsewhere during the project, HESIS Fire & Security had to complete the installation and commissioning programme in a considerably reduced time scale. Beck comments, ‘It was tough and there was a lot of pressure on us to meet the handover. However, as well as a lot of long days, our mission was successful thanks to the ease of use, flexibility and versatility of the Gent equipment. This ensured that the commissioning process in particular was very smooth.’ For Ken Griffith, Head of Residences and Head Warden at Bangor University, the installation of the new fire detection system has been a resounding success. He concludes, ‘St Mary’s represents the very best in student accommodation and will enhance the reputation for excellence that we have developed over the years. Student safety is a vital part of our day-to-day activities and I’m convinced that we now have the very best technology in place to prevent the potentially devastating consequences of fire and smoke.’ For further information please call 0116 246 2000; E: [email protected] or visit www.gent.co.uk

Bangor University ensures optimum safety for its students by installing Gent fire system Read More »

Firefighting foam being sprayed from fire hose - Fire Buyer

Fort McMurray wildfire: 80,000 evacuated over out-of-control blaze

News Desk /

The entire population of the Canadian oil city of Fort McMurray was being evacuated overnight as authorities battled an out-of-control wildfire that was likely to worsen Wednesday. There were long lines on highways as 80,000 residents fled the blaze, and oil sands work camps were pressed into service as emergency shelters. “Apocalyptic” and “harrowing” scenes on social media showed vehicles facing thick smoke and raging roadside flames amid the largest evacuation in the province of Alberta’s history. “The city is under a complete mandatory evacuation order,” Wood Buffalo municipality spokesman Robin Smith told NBC News early Wednesday, adding that an estimated 80,000 people had left the city. He added that “20,000 have gone north to the oil sands camps that have opened their doors to house evacuees” while “35,000 residents have traveled south … stopping for shelter in the communities of Anzac, Lac La Biche and Edmonton.” Smith said those people were being housed in “other industrial camp areas, as well as recreation centers and gymnasiums.” Firefighters from across Canada were being mobilized to aid in the fight. The dangerous conditions that fueled the fire — high temperatures, low humidity and high winds — are expected to continue Wednesday. “The worst of the fire is not over,” warned Bernie Schmitte, wildfire manager at Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. Burning debris fell into the paths of cars on roads out of the city as motorists to find their way through the thick haze. “It became chaotic with vehicles trying to swerve and pull out into the ditch,” said resident Jordan Stuffco, who described his drive out of the city as “harrowing.” Air tankers and helicopters buzzed overhead. “[With] the heat from the oncoming smoke and the flames, you could see mini-tornadoes forming near the road.” Stuffco added. “It was something out of an apocalyptic movie.” Reid Fiest, a reporter for Global National News, was live on air when the flames quickly escalated. The Municipality of Wood Buffalo ordered evacuations of the entire city at 6:20 p.m. (8:20 p.m. ET). Northern Lights Regional Health Centre, the region’s main hospital, said Tuesday night that all 105 patients, 73 of them in acute care units, were safely evacuated and were being transported to other facilities. Twitter users reported that residents alongside one highway held up signs welcoming displaced citizens into their homes. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said officials were setting up evacuation centers but were seeking more space. Fort McMurray isn’t actually a fort; instead, it’s a city along the Athabasca River. It was renamed from simply McMurray decades ago to honor its earlier history as a military installation. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted that he was paying close attention to the situation. (Courtesy of NBC News)

Fort McMurray wildfire: 80,000 evacuated over out-of-control blaze Read More »

Fire detection alarm on ceiling of modern building - Fire Buyer

Trustmark Drums Home The Importance Of Home Safety

News Desk /

As part of an ongoing drive to support the development of home safety in the UK, TrustMark, the Government-endorsed scheme for tradespeople, has partnered with CFOA Blue Watch, the Chief Fire Officers home safety scheme, to promote the assessment and registration of safety features found in both private and rented homes. Supported by UK Fire and Rescue services, Blue Watch provides help and support to households, including landlords, letting agents, tenants and homeowners, to make their properties safer from hazards posed by electricity and gas, fire and carbon monoxide poisoning, for example.  The Blue Watch logo is the sign of a safer home – it says a trusted fire safety professional has validated a property or safety product. TrustMark and Blue Watch aim to reduce the devastation and cost of fires and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in UK homes, by helping homeowners and landlords to provide safer places to live for their families and tenants.  Together the two schemes will raise awareness of these dangers and risks by advising and signposting households to use TrustMark-registered firms to carry out work in and around their properties. Simon Ayers, Chief Executive of TrustMark, said: “Home safety is a priority issue and should always be addressed before any home is occupied – people like to feel safe in their home, not only for themselves, but particularly for their families. Our partnership with Blue Watch will enable us to drive home the critically important message to only use skilled, reliable and competent tradespeople who have been assessed and qualified when it comes to carrying out any work on a property. TrustMark-registered firms can not only fix and fit approved safety products in the home, but they can also provide advice and support to raise awareness of the dangers and risks of fire and CO poisoning.  Together with Blue Watch we can make homes and properties in the UK safer.” CFOA Blue Watch Chief Executive, Brian Gregory, commented: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the UK Fire and Rescue Services to share their knowledge and experience in home safety with the private rented sector and beyond. The opportunity to spread the Home Safety message with TrustMark is too good to miss and I look forward to exploring the various ways we can combine our resources in the future to make UK homes safer.” All TrustMark firms’ work to Government-endorsed standards and are uniquely checked for three cornerstones of quality – their trading practices, customer service and their technical skills. TrustMark continues to expand its database of over 13,000 individual firms in the UK, providing national coverage with more than 21,000 licenced trades searchable on its database. For further information and to stay up-to-date with developments at TrustMark, visit www.trustmark.org.uk.  For further information about Blue Watch, visit www.bluewatch.co.uk.

Trustmark Drums Home The Importance Of Home Safety Read More »

Fire fighter in the outfit, with fire protection mask - Fire Buyer

Tyco FPP takes restaurant fire suppression systems to new heights

News Desk /

Tyco Fire Protection Products, a global leader in total fire suppression solutions, has introduced increased nozzle heights for its ANSUL PIRANHA Restaurant Fire Suppression Systems. Featuring a UL and LPCB performance tested design, this new enhancement enables agent discharge nozzles to be installed at increased heights of 54 to 84 inches (1.4 to 2.1 meters) from the top of the hazard zone, while providing the reliable protection commercial kitchens need in today’s environment. Installing the nozzles out of view eliminates the need for visible drop piping. Along with enhanced kitchen aesthetics, increased heights simplify hood cleaning and servicing, and minimise downtime and cost. Nozzle redirection can be potentially hazardous to staff and must therefore be taken into consideration in today’s kitchens. It is important to reduce the potential for intentional or inadvertent nozzle redirection and obstruction.  “It’s not as easy as just increasing the nozzle heights,” says Mark Neumann, director pre-engineered systems, Tyco Fire Protection Products. “They must also be tested. We have been diligent with performance testing nozzles to help ensure that spray patterns have been adjusted for the maximum effectiveness at increased heights.” “Customer and employee safety is always our number one goal,” adds Mark. “With that said, we constantly look for ways to improve aesthetics without sacrificing fire protection effectiveness. With restaurant owners looking to create a more unique dining experience, and the trend for exhibition kitchens on the rise, the appearance of these spaces is more important than ever. Keeping nozzles out of view helps restaurant management to create a better dining experience for customers.” PIRANHA systems are designed to cool up to 15 times faster than conventional single agent systems and use 60 per cent less agent. This superior system offers flexible overlapping nozzle coverage, maintaining rapid flame knockdown and securement. For more information about ANSUL Restaurant Fire Suppression Systems, visit: www.ansul.com/restaurants

Tyco FPP takes restaurant fire suppression systems to new heights Read More »

Scroll to Top