When comparing materials for fire suppression, you are essentially asking two questions. One: ‘is this material better to work with?’ Two: ‘Is this material better at protecting buildings?’ Alternatives to traditional steel have to be able to answer these challenges. They must provide safer, more efficient...
Sometimes knowledge and understanding of industry specific terms, applications and purpose are presumed, so here Harrison Spencer goes back to basics with regards to fire protection methods, explaining the differences between active and passive fire protection, and the importance of balance for the safety of...
It may be a European Standard, but it could well have a worldwide impact: EN 14972, the European standard for fixed land-based water mist systems. Based on the Vienna Agreement – which stipulates the exchange of information and increased transparency – standardisation bodies can adopt...
Under the NFPA's Response and Responder Safety Document Consolidation Plan, it intends to create a single source where NFPA 1960 will specify minimum requirements. The consolidation plan aims to improve the overall experience of the ERRS standards development process. The current NFPA standard – NFPA 1964...
There are many scenarios where working at height is simply unavoidable and some of the most hazardous work sees operatives working on top of an elevated surface or structure. It’s here where selecting the correct fall arrest solution is critical. Jon Rowan, Product Line Manager...
The task of meeting a wide range of global regulations also continues far beyond the final product design and the factory floor procedures. Products that have been tested and qualified for certification by various agencies and Notified Bodies for many years can be met with...
The response to the COVID-19 pandemic by the healthcare profession rightly deserves the global accolades and thanks given by the media and public alike says Peter Stephenson, Business Development Manager, Warringtonfire. Hospitals provide a cornerstone of support to the community for emergency and general medical...
It is hard to over-emphasise the importance of a passive fire protection (PFP) strategy and its subsequent governance in building design reflects Peter Stephenson, Business Development Manager at Warringtonfire. The perfect fire-resistant construction would be made of non-combustible, heat-insulating materials and have no doors, windows,...
Adlington, United Kingdom: Carrington Textiles, a global leader in workwear fabric manufacturing, has survived the ups and downs of the textile industry in the UK in the last 130 years by constantly adapting to market changes and responding to the needs of customers, wherever they...
In the event of a fire in a building, active fire suppression systems can have a major impact in fire development and spread, and they can be one of the crucial factors in affecting occupant safety. Here Mina Abdo, Senior Fire Safety Engineer at Warringtonfire...
For manufacturers of fire safety products and systems, reflects Len Swantek, FP Auditor with Victaulic, the initial design qualification and agency certifications are only the beginning of a long-term commitment to compliance, quality and consistency. Managing Change Throughout the product life-cycle, manufacturers may need to implement changes...
Passive fire protection measures are a key consideration in every building’s design and ensuring there is adequate protection in place for structural steelwork is an important part of the fire strategy. Among a variety of steelwork protection options, writes Dr Jifeng Yuan, General Manager -...
Alexander Emery, Associate, BuroHappold Engineering explains that before undertaking a fire strategy for a scientific building, or simply diving into following prescriptive design codes, the fire engineer needs to engage proactively with the end users and client team to appropriately respond to their needs. At no...
The long awaited arrival of winter, as the first two snow producing cold fronts filled the skies of California with thick grey clouds, would have been almost unanimously welcomed by the state’s residents. It will have raised their hopes that an end might finally be in...
Most people, when they think of blockchain, see it as some mysterious technology that is hard to understand and implement. Or they confuse it with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, and its well publicised bull and bear runs, remarks Szymon Fiedorowicz, CEO and co-founder, Smartkey. However, smartkey has...
Driver’s cab, passenger monitors, train-land communication interfaces or automatic door control: these are just a few examples of on-board systems in trains that need to communicate with each other to ensure smooth train operations. As a result, modern trains are becoming more and more high-performance...
Some people find that the monotonous noise produced by train wheels on the tracks makes them sleepy; others struggle to cut out external influences of this kind in order to sleep or work in a concentrated manner. Sound insulation and the reduction of structure-borne noise...
Within 10 years of the first recognised manned flight in 1902, the Wrights’ Vin Fiz hd crossed the United States in 84 days, with 70 stops including innumerable crash landings. Inventors continued to improve airplanes and within 8 years the Atlantic was conquered by flight...
Globally, there are several noteworthy development projects in various stages of evolution within the commercial environment for larger vessels, both remotely controlled and fully autonomous. Here captain Don Cockrill MBE CMMaR explores the fire protection implications. Currently there are over 1000 non-military autonomous maritime craft in...
As the size and capacity of major distribution warehouses continue to increase, the inherent fire risks associated with these facilities has also become more pronounced. In addition to the devastation of loss of life reflects Tracey Bellamy, Chief Engineering Officer at Telgian Engineering & Consulting,...
From the very first electric fire panels introduced in 1920 to the next generation of digital panels connected to the Internet of Things (IoT), fire safety has come a long way. In the process, technology continues to follow the safety needs of building operators and...
A cable’s fire performance can make the difference between a small accident and a dangerous fire outbreak. BASEC certifies thousands of kilometres of cables every year, ensuring the quality safety and fire performance meets the standards and here invites FME readers to learn more about...
With the rapid advancement in technology in constructional techniques and the development of new materials, architects have identified an opportunity to harness those techniques and materials to design innovative high-rise constructions, with eye-catching façades, which have created striking new landmarks. However with these new advancements...
Despite the pandemic, firefighter Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standards continue to be developed. Richard Ballheimer, Compliance Manager at Bristol Uniforms tells us more. Civil defences, and oil, gas and petrochemical companies, use PPE that conforms to standards set by the International Standards Organisation (ISO), the European...
For anyone working within the petrochemical and oil and gas industries, the need for flame and heat protection for workers is firmly established – especially against the devastating and ever-present risk of flash fire – thus it is essential to understand how effectively a garment...
One of the most fascinating aspects of bank construction is the bank vault - the sight of a bank vault being the epitome of security. Most bank vaults are custom built by specialist vault manufacturers. Because different banks store different items, ranging from money to...
Because secure prisons are designed to keep people inside, by their very nature they pose different challenges for fire safety when compared to museums and other similar types of secure but accessible buildings. There are many different functional areas/buildings, or sections of buildings, in a prison...
One of the most exciting aspects of working within the fire sector and fire engineering is providing bespoke solutions and building assurance to a diverse range of building types and occupancies - all requiring protection from the effects of fire writes Peter Stephenson, Business Development...
Water mist is eco-friendly and sustainable argues Bettina McDowell, General Manager of the International Water Mist Association, the organisation that is dedicated to the continuous development and extension of water mist technology. Here Bettina explains why water mist fits into a world facing many challenges...
On the 11th March the World Health Organisation declared the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a pandemic as it quickly spread around the world and workers not only in healthcare or emergency response but throughout society, needed protection against viruses and bacteria. Here Anles Cabrera, Carrington...
Ensuring the right level of performance of doors within a structure is an essential part of creating a building that is fit for purpose and can protect its occupants. Robust testing, explains Peter Barker, Technical Manager with Warringtonfire, supported by third party product certification, delivers...
With the current furlough of 1000s of commercial cockpit crews due to COVID-19, you can be forgiven for thinking there may be an overcapacity of pilots lining up for alternatives such as aerial firefighting jobs. The short answer to that is, unfortunately: no, writes Eric...
Analysis of decades of accidents has helped us objectively quantify fire risks and the construction industry has been engineering solutions to address these. Iterative revisions of fire and life safety strategies have helped save countless lives and millions of dollars. But as the complexity of...
Across the world there have been many examples of fires in public assembly buildings which have resulted in the tragic loss of life. Fortunately, lessons learned from past events have led to the creation and updating of life safety codes to address these deadly types...
The Middle East is no stranger to natural disasters, even if the types of emergency change over time. For example, writes James Trevelyan, SVP Global Sales, Speedcast, increasing climate variability and a fast-growing population crowded into a tiny portion of the region’s surface area, have...
The Thomas Bell-Wright fire testing lab in Dubai occupies almost 8,800 m2 on a corner in the Jebel Ali Industrial Area (which is not part of the free zone), and employs approximately 110 people, of which about half are engineers. In this issue Chairman, Tom...
Doors and windows provide more than just access, air and light. Here Paul Duggan, Certification Manager, Warringtonfire and Fawaz Hashim, Senior Engineer, Al Futtaim Element Façade Testing and Advisory Services stress the importance of testing and certification. Robust testing systems supported by third party product certification,...
Despite many fire engineers being highly trained, skilled and experienced, without the right tools at their disposal the process of undertaking routine tasks can be challenging and time-consuming writes Advanced’s general manager for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Steve Carroll, who goes onto...
Firefighting foam has become the only viable means to effectively extinguish a large atmospheric storage tank or spillage fires involving flammable liquids, such as hydrocarbon products. Now Kevan Whitehead, Managing Director of Unity Fire & Safety Services in Oman offers a brief history of this...
Roger Startin, Joint Managing Director of Bristol Uniforms, explores the new and emerging dangers faced by today’s firefighters, and the importance of continuously refining PPE to keep firefighters safe. The role of firefighters and the hazards they are likely to face are ever-evolving and are becoming...
James Daniels, Fire Safety Manager at Warringtonfire, looks at incorporating fire safety in the design phase of mixed-use buildings and goes on to discuss the fire safety considerations required during the construction stage then deliberates the ongoing fire protection measures required during the occupied life...
This article was created from A Guide to Best Practice in the Specification and Use of Fire-Resistant Glazed Systems, a well-respected guide produced by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) which represents companies that manufacture, supply or install glass and glazing products throughout the world....
Don Gilbreath, Vice President of Systems with Rajant explains how the company is working on containing wildfires in California. Whether firefighters are responding to a fire in an urban city or remote local village, it’s critical that they can access vital voice, data, and video communications...
Lithium-ion batteries offer high energy density in a small space that makes them highly suitable for stationary electrical energy storage systems, which, in the wake of the energy transition, are being installed in more and more buildings and infrastructures. However, these positive characteristics have unique...
Emerging evidence continues to show links between exposure to smoke and higher rates of cancer diagnoses amongst the world’s firefighters. Roger Startin, Joint Managing Director of Bristol Uniforms, discusses how PPE designers and suppliers are working to minimise this threat. In recent years, specialist firefighter PPE...
Firstly, I wish to pass on my personal thanks to all front-line responders during this period. It is often forgotten by the wider populace but you are literally on the front-line and literally run into the burning buildings whilst we evacuate. Your continued efforts and...
Concentrating all or many occupants of many floors of a tall building onto refuge floors during an emergency has become a concept that has gained increased use. However, the refuge floor concept can pose challenges to efficiency, sustainability and life safety goals. In 2011 the...
One of the greatest challenges for the fire engineer is to ensure a well-rounded fire strategy is developed and implemented by the design team that fully considers all potential users and occupants of a building. Protecting vulnerable members within our society, including persons with reduced...
2020 will see the realisation of the UAE’s ambition to hold and deliver a world class event showcasing it’s culture, history and future aspirations – Expo 2020. With multiple infrastructure projects improving the connectivity across the region and future projects coming on-line, it re-affirms the...
It is important that the fire service, engineers and designers along with aviation professionals collaborate to achieve creative solutions to allow for innovation and expansion within the aviation industry writes Aaron Johnson, Fire & Building Code Strategist. In 2018, a report released by Aerospace Property Consultants1...