Qatar is set to become the first Middle Eastern country to host the Men’s FIFA World Cup, as hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of football supporters from across the globe are set to descend upon the country in November and December 2022. Much has...
In this article for Fire Middle East, Len Swantek, Director of Global Compliance, Victaulic explains how, as a global leader in the design and manufacture of fire safety products and systems, the company is sharing its knowledge and experience with today’s engineering and technology students,...
Whether it affects a business or a residence, a group of people or a single individual, in the event of a fire, the consequences can be highly damaging. Protecting human life is, of course, the highest priority above all else. However, writes Lewis Boyland, Middle...
Contributors: William E. Koffel, P.E., FSFPE; Kerry Bell, P.E., FSFPE; and Phil Friday, P.E., FSFPE Presentations The Society of Fire Protection Engineers conducted the SFPE Forum on Fire Protection Engineering Challenges in Storage in September 2022. The Forum consisted of interactive presentations discussing some of the challenges...
Those who work in the order fulfilment, materials handling, warehousing, distribution or manufacturing industries, are familiar with automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS). These robotic tools are being utilised as they can increase productivity and efficiency. However, as a local fire code official, or authority...
There is no doubt that the trend towards the use of synthetic fluorine free foams (SFFF) in fixed fire protection systems is gathering pace. The conversation is no longer if, or even when, it is simply that the market needs a solution now. Unfortunately, these...
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is the concept of crime prevention and neighbourhood safety accomplished through natural elements and structural design. CPTED utilises four strategies that contribute to “the proper design and effective use of the built environment that can lead to a reduction...
Kamal A. Hadi, Regional Director Middle East & North Africa (MENA) at Global Fire Equipment (GFE), outlines the considerations associated with gas detection and the latest innovations in this evolving field. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is a compressed fuel gas that consists of flammable hydrocarbon gases,...
Drone aircraft have seen a boom in popularity over the past few years, both for recreation and for more serious applications. The ability of a drone to get to hard to reach, dangerous, or simply high, areas has become invaluable, but just how are they...
Producers who maintain a diverse product portfolio are often challenged to meet a wide range of regulations and standards in support of their global market initiatives. Here Len Swantek, Director – Global Regulatory Compliance, Victaulic puts global certifications under the microscope and examines those challenges...
We hear fire alarms activate every day. It’s vital for the early detection of fire and the evacuation process. The sound of the fire alarm can reach deafening levels. Not such a problem for me and you. But what if you have autism asks IFSM...
Firefighting foam is seen as a complicated firefighting method even though flammable liquid fires make up approximately one in five fires when they occur, they are particularly hazardous, so using foam correctly for extinguishing is critical and foam is the most critical component of a...
Outsourcing is nothing new, particularly in the Middle East, a market saturated with a variety of companies that deliver a whole host of piecemeal service elements to a granular level. Firms across the region outsource anything from procurement to business process optimisation, cleaning, security, IT,...
For the emergency services operating firefighting tenders, rescue vehicles, ambulances and other utility vehicles, minimising and eliminating risks from incidents on the road and at emergency scenes is a vitally important concern. Here, Corey Heniser, CEO of Brigade Electronics INC, discusses how technology can help...
Fire safety is achieved by a combination of complementary management, active and passive fire safety measures that together make a building safe from fire and resilient to its threat. In recent years sprinklers have become a more commonly applied measure yet they are still not...
As my career in the UK Fire and Rescue Service (UKFRS) drew to a close, reflects internationally recognised and respected expert in training Bob Rea QFSM. I felt too young to hang up my fire boots and helmet and settle into the easy chair ...
Dr Jifeng Yuan, General Manager - Fire & Building Products NE/SE Asia at Element Materials Technology, discusses testing processes and their importance to intumescent coatings for structural steelwork. Passive fire protection measures are a key consideration in every building’s design and ensuring there is adequate protection...
Mechanical pipe connections stand up to direct fire to ensure the water supply they carry to critical fire protection systems is never compromised. For the daily users of mechanical piping systems, what may not be so evident is the ability of these compact pipe connections...
We are all aware that fire cannot be bound by regulations and a mismatch in international regulations can make planning and building a fire safe society challenging. It is the opinion of the International Fire Safety Standards (IFSS) Coalition, explains Gary Strong, Chair - IFSS...
The paper fire logbook is a fixture of millions of buildings across the world and plays a crucial role as a central record of fire safety actions and information. Despite their vital importance, paper-based logbooks are often inaccurate and incomplete, can only be easily accessed...
The concept of holistic fire engineering has always resonated with Dr Bob Docherty, MD of Flamerisk Safety Solutions Ltd. and President of the Institute of Fire Safety Managers. Three years ago I was reading an article and then listening to an old fire engineering friend and...
In the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire - the UK’s greatest loss of life in a building fire in 100 years - the UK Government requested Dame Judith Hackitt to review the UK Building Regulations and Fire Safety. From her damning report, one of...
The world is ever-changing, as are ships and cargoes, thus regulations are frequently reviewed and updated and the industry is constantly looking for innovations to improve safety aboard ship, as well as firefighting techniques and equipment. Seafarers, whether on passenger or cargo ships, all have a...
July 2021 had unenviably been labelled Earth’s hottest month on record, thanks to data from NOAA’s National Centres for Environmental Information. The land surface temperature in the northern hemisphere was an unprecedented 1.54C (2.77F) above average. It is no wonder then, that 2021 has seen...
Currently, there are no specific provisions in standards for the fire design of bridges, neither in terms of protection, nor from developing fire mitigation strategies in bridges. Peter Stephenson, Business Development Manager, and Doctor Mostafa Jafarian PhD MSc, Technical Manager – Structures & Façades, Warringtonfire...
December 2021 marked the 75th anniversary of the deadliest hotel fire in U.S. history – the Winecoff Hotel in Atlanta. The hotel was full that night, with 280 guests and the fire killed 119 people. In the same year 61 people lost their lives in the...
Cooking equipment, careless smoking and electrical malfunctions are three of the leading causes of fire in hotels. Aside from the serious threat to life and property posed by genuine fires, failure to provide and maintain high-quality fire protection measures has other dire consequences too as...
Every market and industry segment has faced enormous struggles throughout 2020 and 2021, and in the fire safety certification business, the pandemic has added another layer of difficulties to an already complex process. Fortunately, reflects Len Swantek, Director – Global Regulatory Compliance, Victaulic today’s technology...
... how the Gulf is adopting and implementing change As jurisdictions, developers, specialist consultants, contractors and suppliers work towards designing and / or implementing new regimes to minimise potential future damages due to façade fires, Abhishek Chhabra, Market Development Manager, Thomas Bell Wright provides an overview...
It is imperative that all businesses prepare themselves for unseen disasters, particularly the risks associated with fire. In the case of data centres writes Peter Stephenson, Business Development Manager, Warringtonfire, reliable fire protection systems and a robust fire protection strategy should provide continuous availability of...
The aviation sector has been seeking change in the fire protection requirements for hangars and the newest edition, 2022, of NFPA 409, Standard on Aircraft Hangars, takes a more holistic approach to a hangar’s fire risk and the protection that should be required. Now Aaron...
Fire is something that ignores boundaries, does not care about money, and has destructive and potentially life-threatening impacts. We have seen building fires and disasters in recent years sending shockwaves across the world writes gary strong, Global Building Standards Director Fire Safety Lead, RICS and...
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...