The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) released an updated report on the total cost of fire in the U.S. which showed that the total cost of fire in 2011 was estimated at $329 billion, or roughly 2.1 percent of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP). Adjusted for inflation, the total cost represents a 34 percent increase over 1980, while its proportion of U.S. gross domestic product has declined by about one-third. However, both the total cost of fire and its associated percentage of GDP have been roughly steady for the past decade and a half. The core total cost of fire is defined as the sum of economic loss (e.g. property damage, business interruption) and the cost of provisions to prevent or mitigate the cost of fire (e.g. fire departments, insurance, and the fire protection part of construction). The complete total cost of fires adds costs that cannot be measured every year or do not involve direct payments. This includes costs of compliance with fire safety standards for equipment and other products, the value of the time donated by volunteer firefighters, human loss (e.g. lives lost, medical treatment, pain and suffering), and federal government costs for fighting wildfires. Following are other key findings from the report: Although the core total cost of fire has increased by 40 percent from 1980 to 2011 to a total of $108.4 billion, the economic loss due to fire decreased by 31 percent, totaling $14.9 billion, with all figures adjusted for inflation. Fires in 2011 caused $13.3 billion in direct property damage (reported or unreported), which represented 89 percent of economic loss that year. The other 11 percent was indirect loss, such as temporary housing and business interruption. New building construction for fire protection was estimated to cost $31 billion in 2011. For a fact sheet on the total cost of fire, please visit www.nfpa.org/TotalCost.  

with the LHD Group  Cologne, 23rd April 2014. The contract between the Zaanstreek-Waterland Fire Service (Za-Wa) and the LHD Group GmbH, a company of the LHD Group with headquarters in Cologne, was signed in Zaanstad, The Netherlands on 14th April. The contract encompasses the supply of 800 special LION V-Force® fire fighters’ protective suits over a period of four years. The official signing of the contract took place in the course of festive reception at the fire service headquarters. Present at the ceremony were, among others, Frank Kuntz, Deputy Regional Commander of the Zaanstreek-Waterland Fire Service, Markus Berghöfer, Director International Sales LHD Group, Sascha Müller, Project Manager LHD Group und Harald Stempher, Sales Director of the LHD sales partner, Applied Research Laboratory Europe BV (A.R.L.E.). "In the course of the tender we carried out intensive wearing trials with various manufacturers in regard to various criteria. The LION V-Force® protective suit proved very good in all of the tests. However, what finally convinced us was the exceptional wearing comfort of the suit.” said Frank Kuntz in explaining the decision to choose the LHD Group. The Zaanstreek-Waterland Fire Service is composed of the local fire services of the nine communities of the district of the same name. It is divided into four operative units with 27 fire stations located throughout the region and employs some 110 professional firemen and 660 voluntary firemen. As a regional fire service, it has to cope not only with fires but is also employed in the case of different emergencies and as rescue service. In order to be able to cope with the varying demands in services, the LHD Group developed a special suit especially for the Za-Wa Fire Service on the lines of the well proven model of the Amsterdam Fire Service. Exclusive use was made of innovative high-tech materials from Gore and TenCate in order to provide the highest level of protection while simultaneously designing the suit to be as light, breathable and comfortable as possible. Sascha Müller, Project Manager at the LHD Group, together with the Dutch sales partner, Applied Research Laboratory Europe (ARLE) BV, now has his hands full to ensure delivery of the first batch for the Zaanstreek-Waterland Fire Service within a short time. “First of all, the measurement of all of the firemen locally has to be organized. For this purpose, and as part of our service, we will work on site with tailors and measure all firemen individually so that every suit will fit exactly when subsequently delivered. This is the prerequisite for good wearing comfort and the beginning of our promise of service.” states Sascha Müller.

announces new guidance document for NFPA 72  Fire Protection Research Foundation announces new guidance document for NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code April 21, 2014 — The Fire Protection Research Foundation (Foundation) today announced the release of “Guidance Document: Emergency Communication Strategies for Buildings”, which was derived from a full project report by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The guidance document was developed in response to information and messaging needs identified by the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) NFPA 72®, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code®, Technical Committee for Emergency Communication Systems. “While we know that effective communication strategies are critical in the event of a building emergency, there’s been little guidance on how to best communicate to occupants and ensure an effective, safe emergency response,” says Amanda Kimball, a research project manager for the Foundation. “This guidance document helps system designers, building managers, and/or building emergency personnel create and disseminate effective communications in the face of rapid-onset disasters.” Along with providing guidelines for the planning, design, installation and use of emergency communications systems, “Guidance Document: Emergency Communication Strategies for Buildings” addresses ways to test messaging from a comprehension and occupant-response perspective. It also offers sample messaging for five different emergency scenarios, along with identifying questions and issues that need to be addressed in the future. According to Kimball, the guidance report is based on a review of 162 literature sources from a variety of social science and engineering disciplines, with prioritization of the findings in each of the literature sources; the full project report was developed over a three-year period. The project was principally funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate, along with additional support from multiple industry sponsors. About the Fire Protection Research Foundation The Fire Protection Research Foundation plans, manages and communicates research on a broad range of fire safety issues in collaboration with scientists and laboratories around the world. The Foundation is an affiliate of NFPA. About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. NFPA develops more than 300 codes and standards to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other hazards. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed at no cost at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.

VIGIL3 Voice Alarm System VIGIL3 – Baldwin Boxall’s latest voice alarm development – will be previewing at this year’s Firex International. This impressive exhibition – part of the Protection & Management Series – will be held at The ExCeL London for the first time. The new VIGIL3 will have many extra features and advantages with the same well-known quality and reliability expected from a Baldwin Boxall VIGIL voice alarm system. Benefits include : Ethernet backbone, IP interfacing, no traditional style routers, configuration options, limitless messages, inputs and outputs … and more. The Ethernet backbone network for VIGIL3 has the ability to carry up to 48 simultaneous audio channels, either via a dedicated network or fibre. With VIGIL3 you will be able to add abundant messages, inputs and outputs with IP interfacing as standard. Traditional style routers will not be required on the system; instead there will be an Ethernet module that will sit alongside, and control, up to 16 amplifiers. The Ethernet module will provide system functionality, networking, messaging and EQ. Simply connecting more Ethernet modules will enable an increase the size of a system. It will be possible to configure the system in many ways: from any node on the network, remotely via the Ethernet port from the comfort an office or if, the site has Wi-Fi, from tablets and phones via apps – providing choice and of great benefit to engineers. Three different amplifiers will be available – dual 150 Watt, quad 150 Watt and dual 300 Watt – providing up to 12 x 150 Watt amplifiers per 2U rack space. Each amplifier has a built in power supply and floating transformer output so, compared with VIGIL2, these are far lighter with up to 66% less weight on a like for like basis. Amazingly, although amplifier power has increased, the units themselves are reduced in size; less rack space is needed which, in turn, means the rack footprint will reduce. Also battery size, on a Watt by Watt basis, will be reduced. These attributes all help with the cost of the installation of the system and saving on space – a valuable asset for many companies. VIGIL3 will have a sleep facility that operates when the system is on mains power – and not just when running on batteries. This, when combined with the considerable reduction of the materials used (including the lack of 100V line transformers), means that VIGIL3 will be more environmentally friendly than its predecessor. Visitors to Baldwin Boxall’s Plug & Socket stand (Q300) at Firex will be able to learn more about VIGIL3 and to see the system in action. VIGIL3 – not just a voice alarm system.  

Chubb has been maintaining the College’s equipment for the last four years Chubb Fire & Security will continue to protect staff and students at Barking & Dagenham College, having been awarded a renewed contract to service and maintain a range of fire and security systems across four sites in Barking, Romford and Dagenham. Chubb is a part of UTC Building & Industrial Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).   Chubb has been maintaining the College’s fire extinguishers, fire alarms, access control, CCTV and intruder alarms for the last four years. The College also takes advantage of Chubb’s remote monitoring capability to monitor fire alarms outside of its normal opening hours.   Robert North, Security Manager at the College says there are a number of factors in our decision to continuing to work with Chubb: “We are obliged to tender the contracts each year, and every time, we go back to Chubb because the service levels are excellent, and any problems that we have are dealt with immediately and resolved. I also have a single point of contact, which further improves communication and speed of response.”   Barking & Dagenham College, is a further education college with approximately 12,000 students, located in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham. The C­­­ollege offers hundreds of courses across a wide range of subject areas from beginners to post-graduate degree level.

Fire industry’s most popular medium duty custom chassis now more capable Pierce Manufacturing has introduced the all-new Pierce® Saber® custom fire chassis at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) exposition at booth #8930 in Lucas Oil Stadium. FDIC opens today and runs through April 12. The new Saber sets the leading edge in the industry standard custom chassis market. “The new Saber chassis is an exciting addition to the industry’s finest custom apparatus lineup, and – with its expanded cab room, increased visibility, and enhanced chassis performance –represents a major improvement in the industry standard category,” said Jim Johnson, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Fire & Emergency. “As one of Pierce’s most popular custom chassis, a tremendous amount of engineering time and customer input was devoted to this very important new product. We are thrilled to debut the new Saber custom chassis at FDIC 2014.” Developed with assistance and input from fire departments nationwide, the new Saber custom chassis retains the simple, straightforward, and durable features for which it’s long been known. Increased Cab Room The cab interior offers significantly more room for firefighters, and features a raised roof transition line moved forward to create a “cathedral ceiling” effect. Hip, shoulder, and legroom for the driver and officer are appreciably increased. The engine, transmission and radiator package is repositioned lower, allowing for a less obtrusive engine tunnel. The rear wall has been extended for added crew space, and its patent-pending design allows departments to easily reposition the seating configuration in minutes. Enhanced Security Features The new Pierce Saber features a flat floor in the crew cab area to provide surer footing. The stair steps are low, and offset to function like stairs for easier entry and exit. The roomy cab provides easier access to safety belts. A one-piece wraparound windshield delivers excellent outward visibility. More Capable Chassis The new Saber chassis offers a medium-block engine with up to 450 hp. A 50-degree cramp angle offers greater maneuverability along narrow roads, alleys and cul-de-sacs. A hardwired electrical system with organized wiring “raceways” speeds troubleshooting. “The Saber custom chassis remains a simple, straightforward, and dependable chassis, and delivers 100 percent Pierce quality and performance at a very competitive price point,” added Johnson. “That’s a winning combination that will resonate with fire departments large and small, from coast to coast.” If you missed the new Saber at FDIC, experience a 360-degree tour at piercemfg.com, or contact your local Pierce sales representative for more information.

New fibre-optic cabling system exceeds quality levels required by international standards German manufacturers Rosenberger OSI have launched PreCONNECT PURE®, a novel system for fiber-optic cabling in data centers. PreCONNECT PURE® is an end-to-end system comprising trunk cables, patch cords, SMAP-G2 panels, and racks. The cables are available in multimode and singlemode versions. The limit values Rosenberger OSI allow for insertion loss in the cables and for the quality of the end faces are more demanding than the relevant standards IEC 61300-3-34 und IEC 61755-5 Ed. 1.0 CD. Thus, in contrast to cables compliant with IEC 61755-5 Ed. 1.0 CD Grade Cm, PreCONNECT PURE® 50 µm Multimode in a 16G FibreChannel OM4 channel, for example, allows for twice as many connections and for channels that are up to 15 meters longer. Furthermore, the novel design of the interfaces prevents damage or contamination of the fiber end faces during customization and installation of the cables. This ensures that the high product quality guaranteed by manufacturers Rosenberger OSI is not compromised by faulty installation. Compared to conventional systems, this enables savings in terms of time and cost of up to 15 per cent as there is no need for any on-site acceptance tests or cleaning. Rosenberger OSI specify PreCONNECT PURE® using the application limit value, which quantifies the level of insertion loss which the connections created by installing or patching a channel will not exceed in any case. This is based on the assumption that connectors and couplers by one single manufacturer are used and that the connectors are free of damages, clean, and professionally installed. The application limit value is usually more suitable for calculating the actual transmission performance than the production limit value specified by many manufacturers. Additionally, the PreCONNECT PURE® quality standard applied by Rosenberger OSI is currently undergoing certification by an independent accredited testing laboratory. The measuring procedure for the application limit value is standardized according to IEC 61300-3-34. The highest grade of application limit values for 50 µm multimode connections specified by the IEC 61755-5 Ed. 1.0 CD standard is called Cm. In order to reach this grade, insertion loss (IL) may not exceed 0.6 dB for at least 97 per cent of the channels, with a permissible mean insertion loss of 0.35 dB. PreCONNECT PURE® is specified by Rosenberger OSI with a maximum insertion loss of 0.4 dB for 100 per cent of the channels and a mean insertion loss of 0.15 dB. IEC 61755-5 Ed. 1.0 CD also sets a standard for the return loss (RL), which must reach at least 20 dB. For PreCONNECT PURE®, Rosenberger OSI guarantee a return loss of at least 40 dB. Limit values for the optical quality of the polished end faces of connectors are defined in the IEC 61300-3-35 standard. According to this standard, the core of a multimode cable may have up to four defects, none of which may be bigger than 5 µm. In PreCONNECT PURE®, no defects are allowed at all. The permissible maximum size of scratches is defined by the official standard as 3 µm while the manufacturers’ own standard only allows scratches of up to 2 µm in size. For the other zones of the cable, the PreCONNECT PURE® standard is also less tolerant than the international standards.

City Technology is an expert in the design and manufacture of innovative and reliable gas sensors Honeywell Company City Technology, the world’s largest gas sensing provider, has unveiled its new brand identity this month with a global advertising campaign across Europe, the US and Asia Pacific and a key trade show in China. City Technology is an expert in the design and manufacture of innovative and reliable gas sensors for use in personal and fixed life safety systems. The new logo is designed to reflect City’s global position in the industry whilst highlighting the central role the business plays in gas detection R&D across its 35 plus years in the field. Commenting on the strapline, City Technology Marketing Leader John Warburton, said: “Engineering Safety combines two of City Technology’s core strengths. Whilst ‘Engineering’ draws upon City’s heritage and market reputation as a company known for pioneering gas sensing technology; ‘Safety’ refers to the fact that every day 50 million people rely upon City Technology sensors to protect them. The brand reflects a level of trust that is so critical given the role our sensors play in protecting lives.” City has always valued reliability and quality in the manufacture of its sensors and these two qualities were highlighted as hallmarks of City’s reputation amongst key customers and stakeholders involved in the brand research and insights process. Warburton added, “City may have modernised its image, but what it stands for remains the same. As the leading provider of life saving gas sensing solutions, City Technology is – and always will be – committed to improving the quality of gas detection through innovative technology.” The launch precedes key product developments for City including long life oxygen sensors for safety and emissions, a new high performance ammonia sensor, and innovative new sensing technologies. ABOUT CITY TECHNOLOGY City Technology leads the global market in the manufacture and sale of innovative and reliable gas sensors for use in personal and fixed life safety systems. Every day, 50 million people around the world trust City Technology sensors to keep them safe and protect them from harmful gases. Each of our 400 staff at our facilities in the UK, Germany, China, Taiwan and the USA shares the same single-minded commitment to applying innovative technology to improve life safety. With the customer at the heart of everything, we apply our sensing technology to wherever safety is paramount: from harsh, hazardous environments to transit situations, at home, at work and even in hospitals. With a range of more than 300 products detecting 28 different gases, City Technology is the number one choice for sensing technology. The company is owned by Honeywell, a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader. For more information, visit City Technology’s new website at www.citytech.com

To benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation company, together with W. S. Darley & Co., are sponsoring the “Give-Back Giveaway” sweepstakes at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis for the chance to win more than $60,000 in firefighting equipment. A $10 suggested donation in the NFFF or Pierce booths is all it takes to enter the sweepstakes*, and 100% of proceeds raised will benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). The winning six tickets will be drawn and announced throughout the day on Friday and Saturday, April 11 and 12. The equipment on display – which is available through the W. S. Darley & Co. e-catalog – represents a wide range of quality products including pumps, nozzles, hose, various tools, safety equipment and more. The winning names of the six compartments’ contents will be announced on Friday at 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30 pm, and on Saturday at 10 am, 11 am, and noon. View a full list of each compartment’s equipment here. "Together with our friends at Darley, Pierce is very excited to support the Give-Back Giveaway sweepstakes to raise money to support the NFFF’s mission,” said Jim Johnson, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Fire & Emergency. “More than $60,000 in donated equipment will be installed on Pierce apparatus at FDIC, and attendees are invited to purchase tickets for the chance to win the contents of one or more of the compartments.” “At W. S. Darley & Co., we’ve been a corporate supporter of the NFFF since its inception, and we’re proud to team with Pierce to develop the Give-Back Giveaway sweepstakes,” said Paul Darley, the company’s president and CEO. “This is a unique opportunity for us, together with our industry partners, to assist the NFFF and its important mission.” “We are extremely grateful for the efforts of Pierce Manufacturing and Darley Company in support of the NFFF mission,” said Ron Siarnicki, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation executive director. “Because of several tragic line of duty deaths over the past few years our resources are stretched thin. To rise to this challenge, and to be there for the families of these fallen heroes, we need the industry’s help like never before.” The NFFF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the memory of America’s fallen firefighters as it allocates resources to aid their surviving spouses and children with scholarship assistance for educational and job training costs, and for peer networks that offer families and coworkers essential emotional support. *All rules, including instructions for entry and eligibility requirements, will be at the Pierce booth provided by NFFF staff. No donation required for entry.

At least five dead BBC: A quake of 8.2 magnitude has struck off northern Chile, triggering a tsunami alert and killing at least five people. The US Geological Survey said the quake struck at 20:46 local time (23:46 GMT) about 86km (52 miles) north-west of the mining area of Iquique. Waves of up to 2.1m (6ft) have hit some areas in Chile, and there have been power cuts, fires and landslides. Tens of thousands of people were evacuated in affected areas, where a state of emergency has been declared. Chilean TV broadcast pictures of traffic jams as people tried to leave. Officials said the dead included people who were crushed by collapsing walls or died of heart attacks. Iquique Governor Gonzalo Prieto told local media that in addition to those killed, several people had been seriously injured. While the government said it had no reports of significant damage to coastal areas, a number of adobe homes were reported destroyed in Arica. Further damage may not be known until dawn. The tsunami warning in Chile will last at least until 08:00 GMT. The quake shook modern buildings in Peru and in Bolivia’s high altitude capital of La Paz – more than 470km (290 miles) from Iquique. At least eight strong aftershocks followed in the few hours after the quake, including a 6.2 tremor. The Chilean interior ministry told the BBC that one of the main roads outside Iquique was cut off because of hillside debris. The ministry says that partial landslides have also taken place between the towns of Putre and General Lagos. The interior minister also told Chilean TV that some 300 women inmates had escaped from a prison in Iquique. The authorities are reported to have deployed a planeload of special forces to guard against looting. Chilean Interior Minister Rodrigo Penailillo said President Michelle Bachelet was being kept informed. She is to travel to the affected area. "We have taken action to ensure public order in the case of Iquique, where we’ve had a massive escape of more than 300 female prisoners, so that the armed forces and police can coordinate and provide security to the residents," he said. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (TWC) issued an initial warning for Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Panama. However, all warnings, watches and alerts were later lifted except for Chile and Peru. Tsunami watches – in which the danger of tidal waves is deemed to be less serious – had been in place for Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Honduras. "Everyone along our coast should be alert and ready," Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa said on Twitter. Ecuador later reduced its alert but maintained a high level of vigilance for the Galapagos Islands. High waves hit parts of the Chilean coast within 45 minutes of the quake. Pisagua, Patache and Iquique all saw big waves. "We have asked citizens to evacuate the entire coast," Chilean home office minister Mahmud Aleuy said. Evacuations were also ordered in Peru, where waves 2m (6.5ft) above normal forced about 200 people to leave the seaside town of Boca del Rio near the Chilean border, police said. People take refuge in the Chilean coastal city of Antofagasta, 1 April People take refuge in the Chilean coastal city of Antofagasta A British expatriate near the northern Chilean city of Antofagasta told the BBC that there had been several tremors since the last quarter of last year. "But this earthquake, even with the increased distance, seemed to last a lot longer," Patrick Moore said. "I was just sitting on my bed and normally these tremors using last at the very longest about 40 seconds – this one felt like it lasted about two minutes. "I knew it was bad so I immediately went online to see what had happened and saw a tsunami warning that’s been put in place which confirmed my fears that it was a big one." Kurt Hertrampf, a hostel owner in Arica, told the BBC there was a big blackout in the town after the quake and he was surprised the telephone line was still working. He added: "Downtown looks like a ghost town." The area close to the epicentre is mineral rich, but none of the major copper companies reported any break in production. Chile is one of the most seismically active countries in the world. Central and southern areas of the country were hit by a powerful earthquake of 8.8 magnitude quake followed by a tsunami that devastated scores of towns in February 2010. In 1960 an area of Chile south of Concepcion was hit by a 9.5 magnitude which caused about 1,655 deaths and a tsunami in Hawaii and Japan. The 9.0 magnitude quake that struck Japan on 11 March 2011 caused a devastating tsunami and left more than 15,000 people dead, with more than 3,200 missing.