NIOSH releases fact sheet on odorant fade
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) released a fact sheet on odorant fade in natural gas and propane. Odorant is a liquid added to natural gas and propane that…
IFI Group – Independent Fire Inspections introduces IFI Group Ltd
Independent Fire Inspections Ltd is undergoing a rebrand and expansion! After the success of each arm of the business, the decision was made to split the different business entities into their own…
Flame detector selection: Part 1 – detection technologies
This is the first of a two-part article where we provide pointers for flame detector selection, based on the detection technologies used and application. For decades, radiant energy-sensing flame detectors have been…
The fall and rise of the GRP composite fire door
It’s been a challenging time for the GRP composite fire-door industry. Issues with consistent fire-resistant performance have been a catalyst for change – robust testing, third-party certification and transparency in the supply…
Fines and fatalities: why buildings and emergency exit signage must adapt
The changing nature of risk in today’s buildings requires the adoption of new emergency lighting technologies. From airports and shopping centres to stadia and leisure centres, environments worldwide are becoming increasingly urbanised…
AFAC21 – Balancing impact and expectations
As recent emergency events have shown, there’s an evolving extreme that is producing new challenges in terms of impact on the community, environment and economies. The community expects the emergency management sector…
Fire in educational premises
A recent study from Zurich Municipal revealed 480 primary and secondary schools endured fires in 2019, a staggering 40 incidents every month. As a result, almost 20,000 school children have had their…
Why you should think about sprinkler freeze protection this summer
Planning for freezing temperatures during the sweltering summer might not be the first thing on anyone’s to-do list in the fire sector. But in the case of sprinkler-system freeze protection, this is…
Intumescent materials – the vital technology in passive fire protection systems
They remain inert in normal conditions but expand to many times their dormant size to seal critical gaps around doors, glass, ironmongery and service penetrations when the worst happens. This feature explains…
Kentec’s Taktis fire panels protect landmark Cypriot University student accommodation
Award-winning Taktis fire panels, manufactured by Kentec Electronics, a leading manufacturer of life-critical control systems, are protecting students and property at the University of Nicosia (UNIC)’s new state-of-the-art student residences in Cyprus. …
Emergency evacuations: are you prepared?
As our buildings and the way in which we put them to use become more complex, the challenges of safely evacuating occupants also increase. The latest analogue addressable fire panels give system…
How should we measure success in the Emergency Services sector?
Circumstances vary from country to country, but every member of GESA’s Global South Advisory Council agrees: a fundamental challenge facing the future of Emergency Services throughout the Global South lies in measurement.…
Fire protection for structural steel elements: the role of fire-protection insulation
As our cities grow taller and our buildings more ambitious, steel-frame construction is becoming an increasingly important construction method – and one that poses unique challenges when it comes to fire safety.…
Revisiting parking garage safety
It had been confidently hypothesized for years that modern vehicles burn differently, due to the vast array of material and fuel-source changes over the years. Although it was logical to suggest that…
Bus fire systems requirements: what’s been happening since the introduction of UNECE R107?
Fires in mass transportation, and buses specifically, have been a long-term concern. The very nature of these systems puts a large number of people in a small space for efficiency. However, most…
Automatic extinguishing solutions in recycling facilities and incineration plants utilizing heat detection
With a growing awareness towards the environment and resources, the amount of recycling and incineration facilities worldwide has increased significantly. The risk of fires in these industries is a rising concern. Solutions…
Best practice in social housing – disparity in standards, regulations and legislation
In recent years, there has been positive change to standards and legislation in fire and carbon monoxide (CO) safety within the housing sector across the UK. The current requirements for fire detection…
Introducing water mist technology – Part 2
Water mist technology is still a relatively new concept in terms of fire suppression, yet it is proving to be an exciting development in the industry. As the industry evolves, so do…
Is your life-safety equipment ‘fit for purpose’?
Life-safety, firefighting and critical emergency systems depend on the unfailing reliability of electric cables during a fire. Should these essential cable systems fail, the critical equipment they supply also fails, putting occupants,…
European standard for watermist systems finally published
The long-awaited European watermist standard EN 14972-1 was published on 23 December 2020. Fire consultants, designers and installers of watermist systems now have a standard they can use and base their work…
Protecting steel to protect people
Protection against fire is a key consideration in building design and construction, and much research and development effort has been focused in this direction. Floor layout, escape routes, fire-doors and sprinklers are…
The role of an expert witness
The consequences of fire can impact on a project or within the wider built environment at any time. In fact, the longest part of the lifecycle of a building (design, construction, in-use…
Hochiki’s L@titude system takes control at Firestone Entertainment Hub
Entertainment establishments, such as shopping malls and multiplexes, are popular attractions due to their ability to provide a full range of facilities all in one space. However, these multipurpose destinations do require…
The world’s smallest fire extinguisher helps mitigate fire risks
An innovative and device-integrated fire-protection concept allows reducing the inherent fire risks that come with any electric cabinet, device and appliance. Components so small they fit inside electric products detect and suppress…
Reaction to fire: the FireMark Project – an update
How do we harness the power of resident and consumer action when considering fire safety? As members of the fire-safety/engineering community we can often regard fire-safety issues through the lens of legislation,…