MARINE
- Enviro USP
- Enviro SEA: 1%, 3%, 6%
SPRINKLER FOAM
- Enviro ARK
- Enviro USP
- Enviro SPX 1%
- EnviroSenze
- Trainer E-lite
AIRPORTS
- Enviro 3% ICAO
- Enviro AIR
- Enviro USP
CIVIL DEFENCE
- Enviro 3x3 Plus
- Enviro 3x6 Plus
- Enviro 6x6 Plus
- Enviro 3x3 Ultra
HIGH EXPANSION
- Enviro eMax - LS xMax
WILDFIRES
- Enviro Class A
18 Fire protection of culturally significant properties
Mark Fessenden, President of the International Fire Sprinkler Association (IFSA) explores the importance of fire prevention, mitigation, and emergency preparedness measures to safeguard our cultural heritage for future generations.
Fire Codes
14 An intricate blend
Fire safety codes in the GCC are an intricate blend of international best practices and local adaptations, designed to address the unique challenges of the region’s diverse environments and architectural styles here Peter Stephenson BEng Hons., explores these aspects of fire safety in the Middle East.
28 Collaborative worldwide effort
MOUs and declarations of intent are signed by the UAE Ministry of Interior and national and international bodies dedicated to firefighting to establish the “World Fire Emission Reduction Alliance”
41 Putting the technology into testing…
Why do we test fire detectors? What role is technology playing in improving how this is done? In this article, these and other questions are considered and addressed by Stephen Beadle.
Giving Back – high hazard incidents
26 Poor preparation produces poor performance
Drawing together his thoughts for his sixth FME article, Bob Rea QFSM, MBA considered how emergency responders prepare to respond to “High “ Hazard” incidents.
Piping systems
30 Improving piping system longevity
In water-filled carbon steel sprinkler systems, the potential for long term corrosion is ever- present. Here Len Swantek examines some of the sources of this problem and methods for extending the life of fire sprinkler systems and their components.
Fire doors
56 We do not compromise on quality or standards
Sam Malins a founder director of Reacton Fire Suppression, key sponsor of the Fire Middle East Conference, took the time to speak to Editor Wendy Otway about the company’s short journey to success and global recognition with its portfolio of fire suppression systems capable of protecting basically anything that has an engine!
62 A comprehensive approach to technical development
Simon Santamaria and Peter Stephenson explore the need for a robust approach to technical development to raise standards in fire and building safety.
38 Using fire rated doors to limit fire spread
Kevin Abraham Zachariah, Brett Schinn and Sandy Dweik take a close look at the significance of using fire rated doors in limiting the spread of fires, and then dive into factors that determine replication of the same fire door that achieved a particular fire rating in a fire-resistance test.
IFSM – safety management
53 Unlocking the power
Dr Fiona Beddoes-Jones presents the findings of a groundbreaking study which delved into Authentic Leadership, psychological safety, safety climates safety outcomes within the safety industry and fire safety management in particular.
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THIS, THE 61ST ISSUE of FME resonates with messages and information which I hope will provide invaluable updates and stimulate new thinking.
Protecting firefighters as they save lives and property from fire should always be a priority and in this issue we consider how the right footwear can impact on efficiency especially where female firefighters are concerned. We also have an insightful article from the Firefighter Air Coalition regarding air management technologies and the impact on fireground operations.
Codes, compliance and testing are the backbone of any society which strives to make its commercial and residential communities resilient to the destruction of fire… This issue has several powerful articles on the subject which make compelling reading.
In May, the FME team will hold its most ambitious project to date when we host the maiden Fire Middle East Conference in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh on the 15th May. “Pioneers of today, shaping tomorrow” is the central theme for this conference and with this, our inaugural fire conference, Fire Middle East magazine and its multi media platform continues to evolve along with our readers, maintaining a record of being a publication of note as well as a conference organiser presenting an authoritative and informed programme.
It is at this juncture that I hand over the FME Editor’s desk to my long term colleague Cora Lydon who has been of the FME team and Editor of Security Middle East for a number of years now. Joining Cora as editorial assistant/news reporter will be Britt Jones… Exciting times ahead.
It has been a privilege to have worked alongside some of the world’s experts if fire protection and safety over the past 17 years and to play a role in making the region a safer place to work, rest and play in.
Wendy Otway editor@firemiddleeast.co.uk @firemiddleast firemiddleeastmag.com
Reacton® Fire Suppression and partners
Tabra Trading recently won one of the world’s largest retrofit bus fire protection projects in history. Winning the Emirates Transport tender to fit over 2,300 school buses was monumental not only for Reacton, but for the future of Bus fire protection in the Middle East.
Having now successfully fitted over 2000 Reacton Fire Suppression systems, we are both at the forefront when it comes to safer transportation for Children in the UAE, making us an industry leader in safeguarding school buses and taxis with our cutting-edge fire suppression systems.
The importance of this work was recognised at the Intersec 2024 Awards, where Reacton won the prestigious Fire Safety Excellence Project for protecting UAE school buses for Emirates Transport.
The deal came from the collaboration with Tabra and Emirates Transport, who recognised the increase in vehicle fires and the requirement to mitigate this risk. Various avenues and options for protection were explored but the Reacton system, with its internationally recognised approvals, proved to be best suited to meet the demands of Emirates Transport.
Not only was the system fully compliant with low maintenance costs, but Reacton’s manufacturing responsiveness, quick lead times, field support and excellent customer service, set them aside from the competition.
It is extremely important for Reacton to have its innovation, performance, and exceptional quality verified by thirdparty approval & certification, meeting or exceeding international standards, and performing at the highest level in a controlled environment.
Our global certifications include:
UAE.S. 5041:2021 (first to achieve ESL conformity in UAE)
SASO 2946: 2020 (first to achieve ESL conformity in KSA)
UL 2166 Direct (DLP) – the world’s first company to achieve listing to UL 2166 AS 5062:2016
P-MARK SPCR 183 (Reacton achieved the highest score possible)
P-MARK SPCR 199
UNECE Regulation 107
ISO 9001:2015 - CE Mark
LPCB LPS 1666
Reacton Fire Suppressions dedication and commitment to consistent product quality, independent testing and global approvals, gives you the peace of mind required to make Reacton your first choice when it comes to automatic fire suppression systems for vehicles.
UAE.S 5041: 2021
Fires in buses are well documented, often created through poor maintenance, electrical problems, fuel systems or engine problems, so when a fire does occur, often in a confined space, surrounded by combustible materials, the outcome can be disastrous. A common issue is insufficient time for passengers to exit the bus, so gaining valuable time is a top priority followed by protection of the asset.
Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA) and Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MOIAT) have considered and evaluated these real world events in creating UAE.S 5041, combining proven fire tests for buses & coaches, component testing, and detection, to bring them together under one comprehensive approval. Emirates Safety Laboratory (ESL) are perfectly set up and accredited to test this fantastic new standard.
The new standard evaluates fire suppression requirements for engine compartments of buses and coaches with the various tests requiring completion to achieve the high standard created, all of which Reacton passed.
A Reacton fire suppression system recently saved a school bus in Abu Dhabi from the devastating consequences of fire. Although in the maintenance area, the turbo outlet pipe clamp came apart and ignited oil residue on the engine, which caused the fire. Within seconds the Reacton system detected, activated, and suppressed the
fire, preventing it from spreading to the whole vehicle and destroying it. Our highperformance fire suppression system helps to mitigate the risk of vehicle fires and save lives.
We pride ourselves on the ease of use and quick installation of our systems, providing in-depth training to ensure our distributors have a comprehensive understanding of our systems. Our training includes various aspects such as:
Full risk assessment
Design and configuration of the system according to the risk assessment
Installation and compliance with the system parameters
Commissioning and maintenance
Training is critical in ensuring the engineers understand the functionality of our systems and ensure that the system performs at the highest possible standard to effectively protect the bus.
Reacton’s dedication to innovation and research and development ensures that school buses equipped with their fire suppression systems offer the highest level of protection giving parents, school authorities, and communities peace of mind. Reacton are proud to play a crucial role in providing our automatic fire suppression systems to school buses across the Emirates, addressing a huge issue and setting a precedent for the Middle East and fire protection.
For more information please contact us using one of the following:
Tel: +971 483 572 23
Email info@reactonfire.com
Web: www.reactonfire.com
A fire at a nightclub in Istanbul killed at least 29 people, At least one person was treated at a hospital following the fire at the Masquerade nightclub which was closed for renovation. The club is on the ground floor of a 16-storey residential building in the Besiktas district, which sits on the European side of the city. Firefighters, with 31 vehicles and 86 personnel, quickly extinguished the flames and brought the situation under control As part of ongoing investigations as to the cause, six people were detained for questioning, said Turkey’s justice minister.
As of 1st January this year the installation of the Hassantuk fire detection system became mandatory in villas in Dubai. Those who did not install the system would face an initial warning before receiving a fine of Dh1,000. The authority has also started installing the system in around 11,000 villas occupied by low-income families in the emirate.
Officials said the onus is on homeowners and landlords to install and subscribe to the safety system, which applies only to villas and town houses as apartment complexes are already equipped with mandatory fire detection systems. All new-build villas must also be equipped with the system.
Firefighters responded within four minutes to an alarm in a building in the Muwaileh area of Sharjah, saving many lives. Sami Khamis Al Naqbi, Director General of Sharjah Civil Defence, said an alert was received through the Aman electronic fire detection system at 0208hrs. While most tenants where able to evacuate unharmed thanks to the alarm systems, a man and his daughter both died of smoke inhalation in the apartment where the fire started.
The General Directorate of Civil Defence introduced a new e-service to report fire accidents via the Criminal Security System (Najem), with no personal attendance required. Citizens can take advantage of this user-friendly e-service by contacting
them via email using customercare.gdcd@ interior.gov.bh or contacting the call centre at 17641100.
The simplified reporting procedure aims to enhance accessibility and efficiency for individuals seeking to submit reports or
OMAN
Firefighters form Oman’s Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority spent 6 hours extinguishing a fire which broke out in the early hours of the morning in the Seeb Souq area of Muscat. At least 10 shops were totally destroyed, with thousands of Rials worth of goods lost per shop.
The National Art Gallery of Abkhazia in Sukhumi has lost over 4000 works of art in a fire, causing “an irreplaceable loss for the national culture of Abkhazia” according to the Acting Minister of Culture, Dinara Smyr. The National Art Gallery’s Central Exhibition Hall caught fire overnight but by 1100 the next day, the blaze was extinguished.
make inquiries regarding fire incidents. The directorate encourages citizens to utilise these channels for prompt reporting, contributing to a more rapid response to fire-related incidents.
In January this year five people aboard a Japan Coast Guard De Havilland Canada DHC-8-315Q MPA (a Dash-8 aircraft) died when their plane was struck by a Japan Airlines Airbus A350 at Haneda Airport, Japan. The investigation into the crash is still on going, but it is believed that while the Coastguard pilot said he had permission to be on runway, transcript of communication between the tower and both aircraft, show that he did not. There are also concerns that the red lights meant to stop planes from taxiing onto runway 34R were out of service at the time of the accident, and the aircraft was reported to be stationary on the runway for around 40 seconds before the collision. An older plane, the Dash-8 was not fitted with a modern location beacon, which could have led to it not being where it was supposed to be. The pilot survived with serious injuries, while the five remaining crew members were confirmed dead by the Tokyo Fire Department. The wreckage of the Coast Guard aircraft was left several hundred metres from the final stopping point of the JAL plane.
While the three JAL pilots felt a sudden shock immediately after landing, and lost control of the aircraft, they were unaware a fire had broken out until a member of the cabin crew informed them that the left engine was on fire.
The Japan Airlines plane was fully evacuated of all 367 passengers, with only fourteen people suffering minor injuries, a fact that is being hailed as a miracle by many – but is more likely to be a testament to the crews rigorous training and professionalism under pressure. Cabin crew had to use megaphones to communicate the evacuation plan as the onboard PA had failed, but otherwise their evacuation is being described as textbook – with the factor that passengers were compliant with the evacuation plan, and nobody stopped to collect their hand luggage, cited as another major reason for the success. By the time firefighters arrived, the crew members had already deployed the chutes and the nearly 400 passengers were being evacuated. All were evacuated within 18 minutes, with the captain being the last to disembark down the emergency slides. Firefighters arrived at the scene withing 3 minutes of the explosion, with around 70 fire trucks responding in total.
The collision is being called the first major test of modern aircraft design, as this is the first Airbus A350 to have been tested in such an incident in a real world situation. Unlike older planes, the Airbus A350 airframe is made of carbon fibre composites. These fibres make up the fuselage, wings and other critical interior and exterior components. While these
Chile has held two days of national mourning for at least 122 victims of a terrible wildfire. The coastal region of Valparaiso is reeling from the inferno which has become the world’s thirddeadliest wildfire this century. Crowded hilltop neighbourhoods that overlook the tourist hotspot found themselves without electricity, with limited water and the streets strewn with charred cars, debris and ash. Authorities investigating the cause of the fire suspect it was started deliberately, and spread quickly due to high winds and soaring temperatures in the region.
components reduce weight and increase fuel efficiency, they also have a higher fire resistance than more traditional aluminium airframes. Aluminium begins to degrade (lose strength and disorient) at 300°C to 400°C and can melt beyond 600°C.
It took more than six hours to extinguish the flames, and while the wings of the aircraft have mostly survived the fire, the intensity of the flames has almost completely destroyed the fuselage.
The investigation into the crash is still on going, but findings will no doubt influence runway safety protocols, and fire safety in aircraft design in the future.
Four fire engines and about 25 firefighters responded to an incident involving a fire in an electrical substation on Warwick Lane, near the back of the Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court in London which was evacuated and closed for several days after a fire broke out near the courthouse. Around 1,500 people were evacuated and no injuries were reported.
Three days of mourning were declared in Valencia after the death toll from a huge tower block fire claimed the lives of more than 10 people. Emergency services have said that the fire started on the fourth floor. The building, comprising two towers, was completed in 2008, officials said, and it had 138 apartments. A lack of firewalls and the use of polyurethane on the facade of the building would have contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze.
SIL1 and SIL2 compliant, globally approved explosion proof warning signals and manual call points for the harshest of environments
The D1x range of audible and visual signals and pull stations feature robust enclosures employing corrosion proof marine grade aluminum and borosilicate glass, ensuring suitability for the harshest of environments requiring explosion or flameproof equipment
Certified for ambient temperatures from -67F to +185F and approved to UL, cUL, ULC for Class I Division 1, Zone 1, 20 and IECEx, ATEX for Zone 1, 21, the D1x range can be specified irrespective of the installation location. The D1xS alarm horn sounders employ D class amplifier technology to create sound level outputs of up to 127db(A). Select models can be combined with Xenon strobe lights to create the D1xC audio-visual signal.
The D1xB2 Xenon strobe beacon signals provide a range of light outputs up to 1,250 Candela and are available for both private and public mode fire applications. Lens color is generated via a UV stable PC filter that is field changeable, a 316 grade stainless steel lens guard is supplied as standard. All D1x signals feature low current consumption and E2S auto-synchronization technology.
The Patol Non-Resettable Digital Linear Heat Detection Cable (LHDC) is designed to provide early detection of fire conditions and overheating in circumstances where other forms of detection would not be viable, either due to an inability to sustain the environment requirements or through prohibitive costs.
Thousands of kilometres are in use in projects throughout the world, with cable cut to length to meet the exact requirements of a given project.
The Digital (Non-Resettable) option is now approved to EN54-28 which, along with the associated functional units and junction boxes, means there is a system with complete EN approval.
Reacton Fire Suppression have received a world’s first in fire suppression innovation, with UL Listing to UL 2166 for Direct (DLP) Technology on both CE & DOT variants in our Clean Agent Automatic Fire Suppression Systems. This certification is the latest step in an on-going initiative of global product certification.
It’s been commonplace for indirect and total flood systems to have UL 2166 listing for some time but Reacton Fire Suppression are now the first company
The SFPE Foundation, a charitable organisation dedicated to enhancing the scientific understanding of fire and its interaction with the social, natural, and built environments, has provided funding of research into several projects in alignment with its commitment to the Grand Challenges Initiative research agenda.
Environmental and Health Impacts of Thermal Runaway Events in Outdoor Lithium-Ion Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Installations
Project team: Jamie McAllister (PhD, PE) of FireTox LLC is the principal investigator, with Brendan McCarrick (PE), and Zelda Zhao also on the project team.
Fire Testing of Resilient and Sustainable Building Materials
Project team: Principal investigator Prof. Richard Walls (PhD, MSc, BScEng, GDE, BTh, PrEng), Dr. Natalia Flores-Quiroz (PhD, MSc, BScEng), and Yohannes Shewalul (MS, BS) of Stellenbosch University, with Carlo Kuhn of Ignis Testing
The Interface Between Digital Buildings and Fire Service Operations
Project team: Dr. Nils Johansson of Lund University will serve as project leader. He is accompanied by Dr. Enrico Ronchi of Lund University and Dr. Katelynn Kapalo of the Western Fire Chiefs Association’s Applied Sciences Center for Resilience Studies.
who have successfully developed this for Direct technology. This has been as a result of huge innovation and demanding testing required to prove the technology to the rigorous UL 2166 standard.
UL 2166 not only allows the Direct systems to be applied to larger volumes than current systems, but it also satisfies the requirements of NFPA 2001 and
has performance, construction and operational tests that much larger systems have to endure. This is a massive step forward in showcasing that Detection Tube systems from Reacton not only ensure the safety and reliability of your high value assets but now offer an accessible and approved alternative technology.
Serco Middle East has signed a partnership with the internationally renowned aircraft rescue and fire-fighting (ARFF) training providers QualeFire™ to bring their cloud-based training and assessment platform to the Middle East in a multi-year agreement.
Built by experienced firefighters for firefighters, the Qual-eFire training and assessment framework, which Serco will initially launch into the UAE and KSA, has been designed specifically for the region and is fully aligned with regulatory requirements.
Hochiki Europe has created the Hochiki Training Academy, a cutting-edge facility designed to provide comprehensive training delivered by experienced instructors for industry professionals operating in the field of fire safety. This initiative reflects Hochiki’s commitment to advancing knowledge and expertise in the industry, ensuring that professionals are well-equipped to handle the latest advancements in life safety technology.
The Hochiki Training Academy will offer a unique blend of online and in-class learning experiences, providing flexibility for professionals to enhance their skills in a way that best suits their schedules. This dynamic approach to education sets the Hochiki Training Academy apart as a leader in the field, acknowledging the diverse needs of fire safety professionals.
The Academy’s offer includes a comprehensive curriculum covering an extensive range of topics related to fire
safety, with a focus on Hochiki’s innovative life safety products. Professionals will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Latitude Fire Safety System, Ekho Hybrid Wireless products and Hochiki’s world-renowned ESP range, with training for the feature rich FIREscape Nepto Emergency Lighting range available this spring.
Kenyon International Emergency Services, part of the global aviation services group, Air Partner, has unveiled its new training academy initiative. The new Kenyon Academy programme will deliver industryleading crisis training to delegates from different companies around the world, empowering participants to professionally and effectively respond and operate in an emergency or crisis situation.
The management of Williams Fire & Hazard Control, together with support of BaiWin Management, LLC, has purchased select assets of the Williams business from Johnson Controls.
“This transaction signifies our dedication to investing in the future of Williams’ emergency response products and solutions, aligning with the demands of our customers,” said Stephen Greak, CEO. “We look forward to continuing to invest in operations and product development, and to an ongoing partnership with Johnson Controls to provide its high-performance, non-fluorinated foams to Williams customers.”
The Kenyon Academy is initially launching with four training courses: Crisis Leadership, Airline Station Manager, Emergency Response Plan Writing, and Special Assistance Team Management but will expand to include more courses including Humanitarian/Family Assistance, Crisis Communications and Aviation Crisis Management.
The 23rd International Water Mist Conference (IWMC) will take place in Antwerp, Belgium, on 18th and 19th September 2024 and the call for papers has now been published with an abstract deadline of 15th May.
IWMA general manager Bettina McDowell explains: “Day one will – as always – mainly deal with systems in practice, whereas day two will be dedicated to the scientific side of water mist. Regarding the topics, we are especially looking forward to abstracts dealing with timber buildings. But all other topics are of course also welcome.”
Mann McGowan, intumescent seal technology specialists, has been merged into the Technical Fire Safety Group (TFSG). The move integrates Mann McGowan perfectly with the Group’s existing subsidiaries, Pyroguard and Fire Glass UK. Additionally, the move also positions Mann McGowan as a formidable player aligned with the esteemed brands within the broader svt Group of Companies including; Rolf Khun GmbH, Odice SAS, Flamro, and Securo, providing further opportunities for collaborative development.
The Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), has made Chris Jelenewicz, PE, FSFPE, its Chief Executive Officer.
Mark Fessenden has been appointed Chief Executive of the International Fire Sprinkler Association (IFSA)
Newly appointed Fire Protection Association (FPA) Managing Director Dr Gavin Dunn has spoken about the challenges being posed to the built environment sector by the need to address climate change.
“As we drive towards net zero, the imperative to decarbonise is increasingly driving business decisions, and this holds true for the built environment sector. This focus on the environmental impact and energy performance of the buildings we live and work in are a step change from the past, and with this comes a changing risk profile that the fire safety sector simply must be aware of.
“The introduction of new practices and materials to meet net zero goals mean taking risks that have not been taken before. The go-to technologies for decarbonisation tend to burn well – new high-performance insulation materials, lightweight construction technologies including a wider use of timber, and high-performance building energy systems – such as solar panels, thermal or battery storage, and the much wider use heat pumps and refrigeration technology.
“Should there be a fire event, having this technology present in a building not only increases the risk of fire, but brings further issues around the release of potential toxic effluents. Any fire will release the embodied carbon of that building into the atmosphere, therefore fire safety is a critical part of sustainability as well as safety.
“The importance of enacting net zero plans within the built environment is now well known and we have the knowledge as to how this can be achieved. It is vital, however, that we now learn how to do this safely and efficiently.”
Fire safety codes in the GCC are an intricate blend of international best practices and local adaptations, designed to address the unique challenges of the region’s diverse environments and architectural styles. In his latest article, PETER STEPHENSON BEng Hons., Director- Fire Safety Division, Middle East, Hydrock explores these aspects of fire safety in the Middle East.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have experienced rapid architectural and infrastructural development over recent years. This growth necessitates robust fire safety regulations to protect the expanding built environment, urban landscapes and the local population. Fire safety codes cover various aspects of construction, including building design, fire safety, structural requirements, and sustainability. While the specifics may vary, each country typically has its own set of regulations and standards for fire safety which historically are likely to have been influenced by the following key international codes and standards:
1. NFPA Codes offer an extensive portfolio of codes that serve as the backbone for many fire safety regulations worldwide. These standards cover everything from basic fire safety and prevention to detailed specifications for fire detection and suppression systems. In the GCC, NFPA codes are well established for their comprehensive approach to fire safety, often serving as a reference point for national regulations.
2. The International Building Code (IBC) follows a holistic approach to building safety, incorporating fire safety measures that dictate the use of fire-resistant materials, emergency egress designs, and the overall structural integrity of buildings. The adoption of IBC
principles in GCC countries ensures that new constructions meet rigorous safety standards that are recognised globally.
3. The International Fire Code (IFC) complements the IBC by focusing specifically on fire hazards, offering guidelines on fire prevention, the safe handling of hazardous materials, and the facilitation of emergency services access. Its adoption in the GCC helps standardise fire safety practices across different types of buildings and occupancies.
4. British Standards and European Norms provide additional layers of guidance in fire safety regulations. For example, BS 9999 and BS 7974 offer frameworks for the management of fire safety and the application of fire safety engineering principles, respectively. These standards are instrumental in shaping the fire safety landscape in the GCC, offering guidelines that cater to the nuanced needs of modern and traditional building designs.
The Saudi Building Code (SBC) exemplifies the integration of international codes, in particular the IBC, with local requirements. It provides detailed requirements for materials and construction techniques, ensuring that buildings can withstand and inhibit the spread of fire, thereby safeguarding occupants and emergency responders alike.
The UAE Fire & Life Safety Code of Practice 2018 (FLS Code 2018) is a testament to the collaborative effort between Civil Defense authorities and fire safety experts. It tailors international standards to the local context, addressing the unique challenges posed by the UAE’s ambitious architectural projects. This code is particularly noteworthy for its focus on façade fire risks, reflecting the prevalence of high-rise buildings in the UAE.
The GCC has seen a rapid growth and adoption of vertical city living and there has been a focus internationally on the risk posed by fires involving external wall systems in high rise buildings making façade fires a significant concern globally. Local regulations now
include comprehensive approaches to mitigate this risk. In the UAE, for example, the Fire & Life Safety Code 2018 outlines a comprehensive approach to mitigate the risk of façade fires, with a detailed approach that includes the testing of façade materials, system testing, cavity fire barriers, and the requirement for façade contractors to be approved by Civil Defense. This approach emphasises the importance of compliance at every stage of design and construction to ensure the safety of building façades.
Similarly detailed within the Saudi Building Code (SBC 201, 2018), the requirements for exterior walls and roofing assemblies are laid out identifying the performance targets in relation to fire resistance and fire propagation. The minimum requirements based on building height and construction type are detailed along with requirements for metal composite materials, external insulation & finish systems (EIFS) and high-pressure decorative exterior compact laminates (HPL).
It is essential for the whole design & project team to understand these requirements and it is important to ensure the involvement of a competent fire engineer to ensure fire/façade coordination during the design stage. SBC 201 provides detail on the requirements for specific materials typically utilised for external wall systems including aluminium, steel, wood, glass/glazing, gypsum boards, gypsum panel products and plaster and plastics.
As highlighted earlier, the SBC follows the guidance contained in the IBC as an international code reference and the required material’s fire performance classification is assessed based on fire resistance rating (ASTM E119 or UL 263), surface burning characteristics/flammability (ASTM E84 or UL 723), heat radiation and fire propagation of an exterior non-load bearing wall assembly (NFPA 285). By comparison the fire performance classifications in the UAE FLS Code 2018 are also based on combustibility and self-ignition temperatures, in addition to the ones adopted in SBC. Despite these differences, both codes align with the requirements for exterior wall fire resistance classification but adopt different approaches in relation to cavity barriers (fire-blocking as per SBC terminology).
FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
In addition to the building codes, the Saudi Civil Defense regulations for special fire and rescue brigades are designed to ensure preparedness, effectiveness, and safety in responding to fire incidents and emergencies. These regulations apply to certain developments, facilities and buildings detailing the requirement for the establishment of a private fire & emergency response service, based on their distance from the nearest Civil Defense fire station, the development/facility size and the occupant total. Key requirements for the private fire service include:
1. Training and Qualification (based on NFPA Standards):
a. Brigades must undergo rigorous training programmes approved by the Saudi Civil Defense.
b. Members should be trained in firefighting, rescue operations, first aid, and emergency response.
2. Equipment and Machinery:
a. Brigades must establish a headquarters and be equipped with appropriate firefighting and rescue equipment that meets local standards and international best practices.
b. Regular maintenance and inspection of equipment to ensure operational readiness.
c. Availability of specialised equipment for different types of emergencies, such as chemical spills or high-rise rescues.
3. Operational Readiness:
a. Brigades should be able to mobilise quickly in response to emergencies.
b. Maintenance of an up-to-date inventory of equipment and resources.
c. Implementation of a clear command and control structure for efficient operation during emergencies.
4. Health and Safety:
a. Adherence to health and safety regulations to protect brigade members and the public.
b. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by all brigade members.
c. Procedures for dealing with hazardous materials and environments.
5. Coordination and Communication:
a. Effective communication systems within the brigade and with other emergency services.
b. Coordination mechanisms with local, regional, and national emergency response organisations.
c. Participation in joint training exercises to improve interoperability and coordination.
6. Record Keeping and Reporting:
a. Accurate record-keeping of training, equipment, and response to incidents.
b. Regular reporting to the Saudi Civil Defense on the brigade’s activities, incidents responded to, and lessons learned.
7. Public Education and Awareness:
a. Initiatives to raise fire safety awareness among the community.
b. Engagement in fire prevention activities and campaigns.
These requirements are aimed at ensuring that special fire and rescue brigades are well-prepared, equipped, and able to respond effectively to emergencies, thereby protecting lives, property, and the environment.
CHALLENGES AND PROGRESS
Despite the advancements in fire safety regulations, the GCC faces challenges, including the need for consistency in code application as innovative building designs, materials and systems increase along with the retrofitting of older buildings which is becoming more common place. However, the commitment to improving enforcement and adopting comprehensive safety measures is evident across the region. The introduction of local codes, signifies a move towards recognising and addressing local needs within the framework of international best practices. Similarly, the development of the SBC and UAE FLS Code showcases the integration of global standards with specific requirements for the local context.
Looking forward, the GCC countries are poised to continue refining their fire safety regulations, drawing on both international standards and local experiences. The dynamic nature of the built environment, characterised by the adoption of new materials and construction technologies, necessitates ongoing review and adaptation of fire safety codes. Efforts to enhance public awareness about fire safety, alongside the development of professional expertise in fire safety engineering, are critical to the holistic approach to fire safety in the GCC. The engagement of all stakeholders, from architects and builders to residents and emergency responders, is essential in fostering a culture of safety and preparedness.
Fire safety in the GCC is a multifaceted endeavour that balances international best practices with local nuances. The adoption and adaptation of NFPA codes, the IBC, the IFC, and British and European Standards have laid a solid foundation for fire safety regulations across the region.
A high-performance Axis AX fire alarm system with automated voice alarm has been installed at a historic Indian high court building.
Located in the historic city of Allahabad (now known as Prayagraj), Allahabad High Court was established in 1866, making it one of the oldest high courts in India. Based in an impressive building constructed in a range of Indo-European architectural styles, the court has jurisdiction over several branches of law across the state of Uttar Pradesh, including supervision of 75 district and outlying courts.
Industry-leading Axis AX fire panels from Advanced have been installed in one of the court’s buildings housing 2,294 advocate chambers and a multilevel car park with a built-up area of 200,000 square feet. The installation covers 2,294 advocate chambers, parking spaces for 2,323 and a utility building.
Advanced specified a new analogue addressable system with high sensitivity smoke detection in the custody suite, together with an automated voice alarm (VA) system.
The UL-approved Axis AX system includes 64 loop FAS along with an integrated audio evacuation panel, networked 4-loop panels linked to the building management system, evacuation speakers, and exhaust and pressurisation fans for the building’s smoke control function.
A modular voice alarm system with master and five slave units is also included. It is pre-programmed with a series of automated messages that are activated in the event of an alert, but there is also an option for manual intervention to broadcast bespoke messages using a microphone. If an alarm is raised by devices within the courtroom areas, evacuation procedures are initiated in these zones and an alert is transmitted to the custody suite. Equally, should an incident be detected in the custody suite this area will be evacuated immediately and the court areas put on standby during an evacuation.
Arunmanjunath N, Advanced National Sales Manager for India & Subcontinent, said: “This was a challenging project that required us as a team to overcome stiff competition from competitor products.
Ultimately, the versatility and choice combined with ease of install and use afforded by Axis AX ensured it provided a complete solution to protect this sizeable historic building.”
Axis AX is a versatile fire alarm system of high-performance fire panels, audio systems, command centres and devices designed to make UL compliance easy. It combines addressable panels with audio systems, command centres and a versatile and comprehensive range of wired devices including CO detectors to bring you performance, quality, and ease of use.
Axis AX has been designed to go anywhere you need high quality, reliable and easy-to-use fire detection and control, from mass transportation and industrial complexes to landmark developments, historic buildings and public services.
As a world leader in the development and manufacture of intelligent fire systems, Advanced products are specified in locations around the world, from single-panel installations to large, multisite networks. The Advanced portfolio includes complete fire detection systems, multiprotocol fire panels, extinguishing control, false alarm management and reduction systems as well as emergency lighting.
Advanced is owned by FTSE 100 company Halma PLC – a global group of life-saving technology companies with a clear purpose to grow a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day.
For further information on Advanced: Tel: 0345 894 7000 or visit: https://www.advancedco.com/
Effectively protecting people and property from fire can be complex. Advanced simplifies the challenge without compromising on safety.
Whether you need powerful networking, smoke control and fire audio for large-scale UL projects; extinguishing control and fire system redundancy for critical sites; or fast, fuss-free EN solutions for smaller, wireless installations, Advanced brings you fire safety peace of mind.
Reflecting on the devastating impact that fires can have on historic properties, MARK FESSENDEN , President of the International Fire Sprinkler Association (IFSA) explores the importance of fire prevention, mitigation, and emergency preparedness measures to safeguard our cultural heritage for future generations.
In September of 2018, fire ravaged Rio de Janeiro’s 200-year-old National Museum. The fire started when a piece of mechanical equipment malfunctioned. The museum housed a vast collection of artifacts, including archaeological finds, biological specimens, ethnographic objects, and historical documents. Many of these items were rare or unique, representing Brazil’s cultural, natural, and scientific heritage. Brazil’s president at the time, Michel Temer, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that “the loss of the National Museum is incalculable for Brazil. Today is a tragic day for our country’s museology. Two hundred years of work, research and knowledge were lost. The value of our history cannot be measured now It is a sad day for all Brazilians.” In April of 2019 a fire erupted at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, causing significant damage to the historic structure. The fire destroyed the cathedral’s
iconic spire and roof, as well as parts of its interior. While many artifacts and religious relics were salvaged, the fire sparked a global outpouring of grief and concern for the cathedral’s preservation.
These examples highlight the devastating impact that fires can have on historic and culturally significant properties, underscoring the importance of fire prevention, mitigation, and emergency preparedness measures to safeguard our cultural heritage for future generations.
The most likely cause of a fire in a historic or culturally significant property can vary depending on various factors such as the age of the property, its condition, usage, and the surrounding environment. However, some common causes of fires in these properties include:
1. Electrical systems: Many historic properties have outdated electrical systems that may not meet modern safety standards. Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, and electrical malfunctions can pose significant fire risks.
2. Heating systems: Inadequate maintenance or misuse of heating systems, such as furnaces, boilers, or space heaters, can lead to fires. Improper installation or operation of heating equipment can also increase the risk of fire in historic buildings.
3. Cooking equipment: Kitchens and cooking areas in historic properties may be equipped with outdated appliances or lack modern fire suppression systems. Unattended cooking, grease buildup, and malfunctioning cooking equipment can result in fires.
4. Smoking: Smoking-related incidents, such as improperly discarded cigarettes or smoking materials, can pose a fire hazard in historic properties, especially those open to the public or used as hospitality venues.
5. Arson and vandalism: Historic properties are sometimes targeted by arsonists or vandals, resulting in deliberate fires that cause significant damage to the building and its contents.
6. Lightning strikes: Historic buildings with tall structures, such as steeples, towers, or spires, may be susceptible to lightning strikes, which can ignite fires or damage electrical systems.
7. Candles and open flames: The use of candles, oil lamps, or other open-flame sources for lighting or decoration can increase the risk of fires in historic properties, particularly if these items are placed near combustible materials.
8. Renovation and construction work: Renovation or construction activities in historic properties can inadvertently lead to fires due to the use of heat-producing tools, electrical work, or hot work such as welding and soldering.
9. Natural disasters: Natural disasters such as wildfires, earthquakes, floods, or storms can cause fires in historic properties, either directly through exposure to flames or indirectly through secondary hazards such as electrical surges or gas leaks.
10. Human error: Accidental actions such as careless handling of flammable materials, improper storage of combustibles, or failure to adhere to fire safety protocols can result in fires in historic properties.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) addresses fire safety concerns in historic or culturally significant properties through its standards, guidelines, and educational initiatives. These codes and standards include:
• NFPA 1: Life Safety Code
• NFPA 909: Code for the Protection of Cultural Resource Properties—Museums, Libraries, and Places of Worship
• NFPA 914: Code for the Protection of Historic Structures
Additional guidance on fire protection measures tailored specifically to historic and culturally significant properties is available from other organisations as well. For example, the Smithsonian Institution’s Office of Safety, Health, and Environmental Management publishes a Fire Protection and Life Safety Design Manual, which includes fire protection and life safety design criteria for new facility designs, as well as upgrades and modifications to existing facilities and spaces.
To mitigate the risk of fires in historic or culturally significant properties, it is essential to implement fire prevention measures, conduct regular inspections and maintenance, and develop emergency preparedness plans tailored to the unique characteristics of each property. Collaboration with fire protection professionals, preservation experts, and local authorities is crucial to safeguarding these valuable cultural assets. Protecting historic or culturally significant properties from fire requires careful planning and consideration due to the unique challenges these buildings present. Key aspects to consider for fire protection in historic properties include:
• Risk Assessment: Conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify fire hazards specific to the historic property. Factors such as building materials, construction methods, occupancy type, and the presence of valuable artifacts or artwork should be considered.
• Preservation of original features: Balance the need for fire protection with the preservation of the building’s historic integrity. Specialised fire protection measures may be required to minimise alterations to original features while still providing adequate fire safety.
• Passive Fire Protection: Implement passive fire protection measures, such as compartmentation, fire-resistant materials, and structural upgrades, to contain fires and prevent their spread
within the building. These measures can help preserve the building’s structural integrity and minimize damage in the event of a fire.
• Fire Detection and Alarm systems: Install fire detection and alarm systems tailored to the specific needs of the historic property. Consideration should be given to the sensitivity of detectors and the placement of alarm devices to minimise the risk of false alarms while also providing early warning of fire.
• Fire protection systems: Evaluate the feasibility of installing fire protection systems, such as automatic sprinkler, water spray, water mist and hybrid water mist fire protection systems, to extinguish or control fires in their early stages. Careful consideration should be given to the potential impact on historic materials and artifacts. Automatic fire sprinkler systems are widely used in historic properties to suppress fires by discharging water directly onto the flames. These systems can be designed to be discreet or concealed to minimise their visual impact on the historic fabric of the building.
Water spray fire protection systems are often used to protect the façade of buildings, to prevent the spread of fire to a building’s exterior and adjacent structures. Water mist and hybrid water mist fire protection systems use fine water droplets to suppress fires by cooling and smothering the flames. These systems are particularly useful in historic properties where water damage must be minimised, as water mist produces less water runoff compared to traditional sprinkler systems. Gaseous fire suppression systems may be an alternative to water-based fire protection systems in some cases.
• Emergency planning and training: Develop and implement emergency response plans tailored to the unique challenges of the historic property. Ensure that staff, volunteers, and occupants are trained in fire safety procedures, evacuation routes, and the use of fire protection equipment.
• Collaboration with Fire Authorities: Work closely with local fire authorities to develop fire safety strategies and ensure compliance with applicable fire codes and regulations. Fire departments may offer guidance and assistance in assessing fire risks and developing emergency response plans.
• Regular maintenance and inspection: Implement a proactive maintenance program to ensure that fire protection systems and features are properly maintained and in working order. Regular inspections by qualified professionals can help identify potential hazards and address them before they pose a risk to the property.
• Community engagement: Engage with the local community and stakeholders to raise awareness of the importance of fire protection for historic properties. Encourage community involvement in fire safety initiatives and preservation efforts.
• Documentation and Records: Maintain detailed documentation and records related to fire protection measures, including inspection reports, maintenance records, and emergency plans. This information can be invaluable for future reference and planning.
By carefully considering the protection and preservation requirements of historic properties, it is possible to develop effective fire protection programs that safeguard these valuable cultural assets while also ensuring the safety of occupants and visitors. Collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to preservation are key to achieving this balance. By implementing a comprehensive fire protection strategy tailored to the unique characteristics of historic properties, owners and stewards can help preserve these valuable cultural assets for future generations while safeguarding against the devastating effects of fire.
IFSA is a not-for-profit association created “to globally promote the use of effective water-based fire protection systems”. Learn more at www.ifsaglobal.org.
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Two firefighters, AMY LYNEX and CAILLIN TYLER , share their experiences with PPE footwear manufacturer, HAIX of how poorly fitting footwear can affect their work.
In a male dominated industry, the fit and form of PPE for women often falls under the radar, with other factors influencing the decision making on PPE procurement. This can be detrimental however, not only with regard to comfort but also in the ability to carry out the work safely.
Amy Lynex is a Fire Crew Manager with Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and has been firefighting for six years. Gloucester F&RS has the highest number of females in any force across the UK, but despite this, finding appropriate PPE, especially footwear and gloves, is still a struggle for many women in the service. “As a public entity, fire services have to prioritise equipment choice based on cost due to budget constraints and I’ve found that this can lead to footwear not fitting well and being of limited quality “says Amy. “For example, there have been instances where footwear is not available in smaller sizes suitable for females. When you are wearing an ill-fitting boot, you can feel your foot slipping around and it increases the risk of slips, trips and falls as well as causing rubbing and blisters and feeling generally very uncomfortable.”
Caillin Tyler is a Firefighter of three years standing with the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service and has experienced similar challenges. “Poorly fitting boots greatly increases our chance of injury” agrees Caillin.“A knock-on effect of this is that our fitness is affected, as we may be made to go on rest or be unable to exercise, this impacts our ability to carry out our work effectively. The increased incidents of wildfires are also causing new problems, with foot comfort affected by the heat control of our boots. Ideally, we’d have different boots specifically for wildfires as deployment here can last for up to six to eight hours in peak summertime conditions. This means more time on our feet and more walking than normal service.”
A one-size-fits-all all approach isn’t suitable when sourcing PPE, as it doesn’t accommodate the wide range of diverse and unique requirements needed for foot sizes and shapes. Speed and mobility are essential as is the weight, the quality of materials and craftsmanship.
Amy and Caillin both competed in the British Firefighter Challenge, with Amy and the relay team being able to wear HAIX boots: “The Fire Eagle 2.0 is lighter than other boots I’ve worn. The unique lacing system means that the bottom part becomes tight for a suitable fit and the top part remains looser which helps with comfort, leaving for a more natural movement.”
Caillin agrees that “nothing compares to HAIX, optimum ankle support, super lightweight and ultimate ease of movement. They’re
also quick to wear-in. Often the problems with a boot’s fit aren’t to do with gender, it’s just that the boot isn’t great. Boots that tend to fit the best aren’t ones that are specifically catered towards women’s sizing, the most important aspect is the thought and investment that’s put into how the boots are designed to adapt to fit individual feet.”
“Women’s-fit PPE is often more expensive, possibly due to increased tailoring around the female body. Being a woman in the industry can be tough, women are often more scrutinised and have to work a lot harder in regard to fitness. Women are also not often consulted during the development of PPE, leading to poor quality and an inappropriate fit.”
Although the industry is changing, Amy thinks that there are still certain challenges that come with being a female firefighter outside of PPE. “I’ve had friends who have had negative experiences based on their gender. In some cases, there is still an old-school mentality when you join the service, you need several years to prove yourself. When I got my position as crew manager, I felt like I really needed to prove myself, but times are changing. When I visit the BFC, there are more and more female competitors than a few years ago and people are moving out of the old thought process, embracing those with different skill sets and unique life experiences.”
HAIX has invested in the design and manufacture of its products, with a focus on ensuring the highest comfort and protection levels for all fire fighters. The Fire Eagle 2.0 starts in a UK size 3 and features an updated design with the new, innovative quick-fit fastener system and the RapidFit system is the quickest way to pull a boot on and fits the individual foot in just one movement, critical when a call comes in and every second counts.
mark fessenden , President of the Firefighter Air Coalition provides invaluable insight into air management technologies and the impact on fireground operations.
air management is crucial for firefighters because it directly impacts their safety, effectiveness, and ability to perform their duties in hazardous environments. Firefighters rely on self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to provide a safe and breathable air supply in smoke-filled or oxygen-depleted environments. Proper air management ensures that firefighters have an adequate supply of air to safely navigate through hazardous conditions and perform firefighting tasks. Running out of air while inside a burning structure can quickly lead to lifethreatening situations. Effective air management techniques, such
as monitoring air supply levels, conserving air when possible, and communicating air status with team members, are critical for ensuring the survivability of firefighters during firefighting operations.
Firefighting tasks, such as search and rescue, fire suppression, and ventilation, require physical exertion and can consume breathing air more rapidly. Proper air management techniques help firefighters maintain optimal performance by conserving energy and ensuring they have enough air to complete their assigned tasks. Maintaining awareness of remaining air supply is essential for making informed decisions about when to exit hazardous environments or request relief. Communicating air status with team members, and adhering to established air management protocols are vital for maintaining situational awareness during firefighting operations. Effective air management techniques help prevent panic and stress reactions that can occur when firefighters feel they are running low on air. By staying calm, focused, and disciplined in managing their breathing air, firefighters can mitigate the risk of panic and maintain control in challenging situations.
In the event of unexpected emergencies, such as becoming trapped or disoriented inside a burning structure, proper air management becomes even more critical. Firefighters must prioritise their air supply, conserve air when necessary, and take appropriate actions to ensure their safety and survival until rescue can be achieved.
Here are some key principles and practices related to air management in firefighting:
1. Establish air management procedures: Fire departments should establish clear air management procedures and guidelines for firefighters to follow during firefighting operations. These procedures should address air consumption rates, communication protocols, and emergency procedures for low-air situations.
2. Conduct pre-operational checks: Before entering a hazardous environment, firefighters should conduct pre-operational checks of their self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to ensure it is functioning properly. This includes checking air cylinder pressure, regulator operation, mask seals, and communication systems.
3. Conserve air: Firefighters should practice air conservation techniques to maximise the duration of their breathing air supply. This includes controlled breathing, minimising physical exertion, and taking breaks when necessary to conserve air.
4. Buddy System: Implementing a buddy system ensures that firefighters work in pairs or teams, with each member monitoring the other’s air supply and providing assistance in the event of an emergency or low-air situation.
5. Communicate air status: Firefighters should communicate their air status to their team members and incident command regularly. This includes providing updates on remaining air supply, air consumption rate, and any changes in air status or emergency situations.
6. Time-to-exit decisions: Firefighters should continuously monitor their air supply using pressure gauges or integrated air management systems on their SCBA. They should be aware of their air consumption rate and maintain communication with their team members regarding their air status. Firefighters should exit the hazardous environment prior to their low air warning alarm activating. The low air alarm indicates the usage of the Emergency Reserve air which is not meant for interior operations and only for extreme situations. If the building is equipped with Firefighter Air Replenishment Systems (FARS), that refill can occur inside the structure and close to where operations are occurring. Otherwise they will have to retreat to a staging area, if one is established, or exit the building.
7. Emergency procedures: Firefighters should be trained in emergency procedures for low-air situations, including procedures for activating low-air alarms, signaling for assistance, and safely evacuating from hazardous environments.
8. Continuous Training and Practice: Regular training and drills are essential for reinforcing air management skills and ensuring that firefighters are proficient in using their SCBA and following air management procedures effectively.
9. Review and evaluation: Fire departments should regularly review and evaluate air management procedures, incidents, and near-misses to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions as necessary.
By following these principles and practices, firefighters can effectively manage their breathing air supply, minimise the risk of running out of air in hazardous environments, and ensure their safety and operational effectiveness during firefighting operations. There are new tools that can assist the firefighter and keep them on good, clean air. In high-rise and large industrial structures, a Firefighting Air Replenishment System (FARS) is a specialised system designed to provide a continuous supply of breathing air to firefighters during firefighting operations. Unlike traditional self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) systems, which rely on limited air cylinders carried by firefighters, FARS delivers breathing air from a fixed source within the building or fireground. Here’s how a FARS typically works:
The Firefighter Air Coalition (FAC) has a single mission – to advance firefighter health and safety through comprehensive education and training on air management best practices. They promote the adoption of new technologies that enhance firefighter safety and advocate for the implementation of these innovative solutions throughout the fire service. Their vision is for all firefighters to have the tools and expertise to operate in a safe and effective manner, protecting themselves and the communities they serve. aircoalition.org
1. Fixed Air Supply: FARS consists of a network of pipes or hoses installed throughout a building or fireground, connected to an external mobile air unit or internal air storage system. The system is designed to provide a continuous supply of compressed breathing air to designated refill stations or outlets located strategically throughout the area.
2. Refill Stations: Refill stations are typically installed at key locations within the building or fireground, such as stairwells or staging areas. These stations are equipped with quick-connect fittings or adapters that allow firefighters to refill their SCBA air cylinders quickly and easily.
3. On-Demand Refilling: When a firefighter needs to replenish their breathing air supply, they connect their SCBA air cylinder to the refill station using the provided hose or adapter. The firefighter activates the refill process, and the FARS delivers compressed air to recharge the cylinder to its full capacity.
4. Continuous Supply: FARS is designed to provide a continuous supply of breathing air, allowing firefighters to refill their air cylinders as needed without having to leave the fire scene or return to a centralised refill location. This helps ensure that firefighters have a reliable source of breathing air to sustain their operations for extended durations.
5. Integration with Building Systems: FARS can be integrated with other building systems, such as fire alarm systems or building automation systems, to facilitate monitoring of the system during fire emergencies.
6. Scalability and Flexibility: FARS can be customised to meet the specific needs and requirements of different buildings or fireground environments. The system can be scaled up or down depending on the size of the building, firefighting tactics of the local departments, and other factors.
Overall, Firefighting Air Replenishment Systems provide a convenient and reliable means of supplying breathing air to firefighters during firefighting operations. By ensuring a continuous supply of compressed air, FARS helps enhance firefighter safety, efficiency, and effectiveness in combating fires and performing rescue operations. By following the rules and principles of air management and using new technologies that that enhance firefighter safety; firefighters can effectively manage their breathing air supply and operate safely and efficiently in hazardous environments during firefighting operations. Effective training, equipment maintenance, situational awareness, and teamwork, help firefighters manage their breathing air effectively and safely navigate through hazardous environments to protect lives and property. Air management is fundamental to firefighter safety, performance, and survivability during firefighting operations. It is so critical that all firefighters to have the tools and expertise to operate in a safe and effective manner, protecting themselves and the communities they serve.
Drawing together his thoughts for this, his sixth article, in his ‘Giving Back - Life After the Fire and Rescue Service’ series, BOB REA QFSM, MBA considered how emergency responders prepare to respond to ‘High Hazard’ Industry incidents.
“I looked back on how we, in the UK, prepared to respond the high hazard risks in the area we covered, which was quite diverse, covering Oil and Gas, Nuclear and Chemical Industries and storage. As a service we had looked at the risks presented by these different premises and ensured we had a competent, suitably provisioned response capability, covering the three levels of response, Operations, Tactical and Strategic.
The organisation had specialist appliances strategically located across our response area, which provided the equipment and they were crewed by trained personnel in the effective and efficient use of these appliances and the equipment carried on them. To develop this competent response capability, a sequential approach in training was implemented for the crews, along with specialist training for officers in Hazardous Materials and Environmental Protection.
I reflect on how I best learned and retained the knowledge, skills and understanding to apply safely and effectively to these at incidents. There is a theory popularised by Malcolm Gladwell that it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill, so how do we ensure that our responders are able to meet the challenges they will face at a diverse range of incidents.
One of the ways that all responders (whether they are local authority/governmental or industry specialists) are aided in
their knowledge, skills and understanding development, is by organisations developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and for premises, Emergency Response Plans. The SOP’s detail how personnel should manage an incident, providing guidance on how to approach challenges to mitigate them, prevent escalation and resolve them safely. An Emergency Response Plan is a document which is site specific and built to provide guidance in the event of an emergency.
Offering specific role related operational guidance to assist individuals in the performance of actions which do not form part of their normal duties and to support any on-site emergency response personnel perform the actions to mitigate and resolve the event. An Emergency Response Plan will also identify and develop links with all the relevant stakeholders (including the emergency response services) should an event occur at a premises and detail how liaison and effective inter-agency working will take place.
It is fine having these procedures and plans, but the only way that they will be effective is if they are trained and exercised as an organisation with stakeholders and supporting agencies.
It is also essential that the responders are competent in the use and interpretation of the information provided by specialist equipment, right from the essential skill of donning Personal Protective Equipment correctly to ensure their own safety, through to applying the appropriate technique to mitigate the incident.
As a ‘High Hazard’ industry develops its procedures and plans, it is essential that they undertake a full risk-based analysis of their site, built environment, processes, raw and finished materials. This needs to be undertaken by a ‘Competent Person’, someone who understand the impacts of an incident considering both onsite and off-site effects. From this the organisation can assess the response required and build an appropriate level to support their strategic aims and ensure business continuity. Building role-maps and performance criteria to focus the development, once this has
been completed and suitable persons have been identified and appointed, the rounds of training need to be commenced and if we think about the development helix and the three essential components for competency: Acquisition Application Maintenance
At all levels, it is essential that responders within an organisation become competent in the knowledge, skills and understanding of the risks and response requirements before an incident occurs. As with the external responding agencies, organisations need to have the three response levels covered, Operations, Tactical and Strategic, which in my opinion is high priority for ‘High Hazard’ industries. As is the need for all persons to understand their role in an incident. Part of the strategic response is to focus on the business continuity and restoration of normality, recognising the impact of the incident on the organisation reputation and the community they serve and operate within. As the failure of an organisation to recover from an incident can have catastrophic consequences on the local community.
So, the big question is, how do you train responders for the ‘High Hazard’ industries?
In my opinion, the sequential approach is a logical development pathway, where personnel are given increasingly challenging levels of information and skills, developing and demonstrating competence before moving on to the next levels. Starting with the basics and building confidence and competence to take on the more complex, for example Donning, Doffing and caring for Personal Protective Equipment, through the understanding of the premises risks and procedures, the application of mitigation strategies, to the use of technology to survey, test and sample hazards to support effective incident resolution.
One of the most effective learning tools for the application of skills is the ‘Experiential Learning’ offered during practical training evolutions and exercises, using realistic simulated environments. These evaluate the learners and create an experience bank for the responder to fall back on in at a ‘Real’ Incident. These experiences assist in the decision-making process as identified by Gary Klein (1985), known as the Recognition Primed Decision-Making Model and discussed in detail in his book Sources of Power, How People Make Decisions, I found this a really interesting and helpful read and source of reference.
One of the key issues for learners is they feel that the training ground is a completely ‘Safe Environment’, it has been risk assessed, the activity is being overseen by competent instructors and the venues have been constructed to support practical training and are regularly maintained and are in good condition. Simulation training aids have been developed and used extensively over the years, but again the learners recognise these as being ‘Safe’, so they can become complacent during the training/exercise. Radiation contamination and response training is one of these areas, often relying on instructors letting learners know they are entering a radiation field and the dose/activity rate to allow them to calculate their duration of activity. They would then have preset dosimetry given to them to indicate the ‘Dose’ they had received to test the recording and health monitoring processes.
Imagine how more focused the learner/responder would be if they were entering a ‘Live Radiation Field’? Where their Survey was vital to accurately map the ‘Radiation Field’. I can hear the exclamations now! What about the exposure risks, contamination and health of persons exposed. I have been very fortunate to work with a First Responder training and exercise venue, who has worked extensively with Radiation Experts to develop a fully risk assessed, capability to generate a Radiation Field, using sealed sources, contained within shields and only opened to create the ‘Shadow’ when required and closed when not required. The first time this was
used, understandably all were very nervous as many do not fully understand Radiation and how it can be controlled. Detailed risk assessments and control measures were developed, reviewed and finally accepted and to date no adverse incidents have occurred.
Now imagine the extra vigilance of the learner as they progress on the survey of the area to establish if radiation has been released and if so where the extent of the ‘Radiation Field’ is. No longer relying on simulation or verbal command, they are responsible for their own actions. True Experiential Learning, in a controlled and supervised environment. This method has provided invaluable learning for a wide range of responders from many different agencies, both civilian and military.
This facility is licensed and able to use ‘Live Agents’ and has been designed to facilitate this realistic training, with the vision that for responders to be efficient and effective in their role, they need to train as they will operate. This maxim holds true in my opinion for all responders, governmental, local authority or industrial.
During my training as a Hazardous Materials and Environmental Protection Officer (HMEPO) at the Fire Service College (UK)(FSC), all the theory we absorbed was then tested with realistic simulated exercises, where the knowledge was put into practice and evaluated by FSC tutors. It is my experiences of these exercises that I found invaluable when operating in the specialist role of an HMEPO.
However, it is not realistic to think that all ‘High Hazard’ industry sites are able to send learners to this type of establishment or build expensive training venues, so the creativity and imagination of the trainers is vital. Simple ideas can often be very successful in creating the realistic learning experience, the use of environmentally friendly dye in water, can create very realistic challenges for leak control method applications. I remember the Roundabout Exercise with leaking drums at the FSC, where a fluorescent dye was used to highlight the liquid, we applied the knowledge, skills and understanding learned. Checking the prevailing weather and wind direction, approaching safely, booming the area, but like many before and after, we did not immediately identify the gradient was against us. A lesson learned and never forgotten, learned in safety and applied in reality.
Multi-agency/Inter-agency training is a key element of site responses and this can be a logistical challenge, I have used Tactical Decision Making Exercises (TDX) to facilitate this training with great success. Building a scenario, using it to confirm SOP knowledge and application, establish the needs and approaches of each attending agency, ensuring cohesive working. This type of joint training will enhance collaboration and interoperability among different response agencies. TDXs can also be used effectively to test Emergency Response Plans for organisations, identifying points of failure in a controlled environment and allowing development of solutions before an incident occurs.
As in my previous article on Incident Command Training, technology advances will also help by creating challenging visuals of incidents for responders throughout an organisation to discuss their approaches and actions. The use of a skilled facilitator will encourage responders to interact and they can manipulate the image according to the effectiveness of the techniques applied. Future developments will likely see more use of Virtual Reality (VR) and this will allow multiple persons to interact on one scenario.
Honest debriefing training, exercises and incidents is essential in any organisations training and this will support a culture of continuous improvement and learning. This will facilitate an organisation improving their response capability and business sustainability.
I can only stress the value I see in sequentially developing staff to meet the needs, providing them the invaluable experiential learning of realistic simulated scenarios, ensuring that the whole organisation is trained and co-ordinated to respond.
Remember the Five Ps, Poor Preparation Produces Poor Performance. The effect of poor performance can be catastrophic for the organisation, community and environment.
UAE; Richard
National
Ajit Raghavan, President of the Fire and Security Association of India
John Collie, CEO of the Fire Protection Association (FPA) of Australia; and Milan Dubrovac President of the International Association of Fire and Rescue Services (CTIF), encompassing around 50 European members. The UAE side also signed ‘Declarations of Intent’ with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) of the United States of America, represented by its Executive Secretary, Otto Drozd; and the National Fire Agency (KNFA) of South Korea, represented by its Vice Commissioner, Yil Lee.
In December 2023, the UAE Ministry of Interior, represented by the General Directorate of Civil Defense in Dubai, signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and declarations of intent with national and international bodies dedicated to firefighting to establish the ‘World Fire Emission Reduction Alliance’. Aimed at forging an international coalition to reduce global carbon emissions stemming from fires, the alliance seeks to contribute to collaborative efforts worldwide to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change, under the umbrella of the International Climate Change Law Enforcement (I2LEC) initiative and in line with the objectives of the 28th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP28).
The establishment of the ‘World Fire Emission Reduction Alliance’ was officially announced and signed during COP28 at an international conference titled ‘Eco Readiness’ focused on exploring strategies to strengthen international collaboration and coordination to combat fires, with a special emphasis on addressing their environmental consequences.
The signatories collectively represent over 56 countries globally, establishing a wide-ranging global alliance dedicated to reinforcing security, disaster prevention, and the well-being of communities worldwide.
The signing of these MoUs reflects the Dubai Civil Defense’s dedicated efforts in environmental stewardship under the umbrella of the ‘Eco Readiness’ programme, an undertaking of the UAE Ministry of Interior. This programme aims to assist nations globally in reducing carbon emissions resulting from fire incidents, ultimately striving for climate neutrality on a global scale.
The programme serves as a centralised platform for a global fire incident database, engaging major firefighting organisations
worldwide. The system conducts detailed analysis to determine carbon emissions resulting from fire incidents across different continents. The gathered data is meticulously categorised and shared with firefighting organisations responsible for each respective continent. The primary objective of the programme is to achieve a global reduction in fire incidents and their associated carbon emissions.
In a collaborative effort with the private sector, the Dubai Civil Defense has also launched the ‘Heat Map of Environmental Crimes’, an innovative technological project that provides detailed insights into the characteristics, patterns and data related to environmental crimes. It plays a crucial role in drawing connections between various crimes and climate change, thereby facilitating improved information and data exchange between countries and operational entities. This initiative represents a significant step forward in the international effort to combat both environmental crimes and fires.
The organisations involved in this collaboration actively contribute to global initiatives focused on the exchange of data and information. Their collective effort encompasses strategies to reduce carbon emissions, mechanisms to manage fires, identification of global fire locations, and analysis of their primary causes.
The newly established ‘World Fire Emission Reduction Alliance’, spearheaded by the UAE, is a culmination of these collaborative efforts dedicated to strengthening the security and safety of communities around the globe. The ultimate aim of this alliance is to promote a secure and healthy environment globally, reflecting a shared responsibility and concerted action in addressing global environmental challenges.
MoUs were signed by His Excellency Lieutenant General Expert Rashid Thani Al Matroushi, Director General of Dubai Civil Defense, representing the Abbot, Area Commander of the Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) of the UK; Eric Flores Vice President of the National Federation of French Firefighters (FNSPF); (FSAI);
In water-filled carbon steel sprinkler systems, the potential for long term corrosion is ever-present. With that in mind, LEN SWANTEK , Director - Global Regulatory Compliance at Victaulic, examines some of the sources of this problem and the methods for extending the longevity of fire sprinkler systems and their components.
Piping engineers and specifiers have at their disposal a wide range of materials for a multitude of services, including the safe transport of drinking water as well as water-based fluids, fuels, chemicals, acidic solutions and even slurry compounds for a broad range of commercial and industrial system applications. The same holds true in the fire safety industry where the system designer has piping material options including traditional carbon steel, as well as stainless steel, copper, CPVC, and HDPE.
We have all seen the on-line videos and social media posts where a fire protection system is cut open; revealing the sprinkler piping and related components are completely blocked by a buildup of corrosion, sediment as well as calcium and other mineral deposits. Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) is another form of pipe corrosion that has been studied extensively and is well-documented in many articles. Without a clean water supply and routine maintenance, these fire protection systems can oneday be rendered completely inoperable. While NFPA 25 – Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems requires fire sprinkler systems to be inspected on a routine basis, any prolonged lapses in these inspections can lead to serious consequences.
Local fire system inspection authorities maintain a regular schedule of system tests to ensure the piping and related equipment are fully functional and ready in the event of a fire. However, a routine water flow / alarm test may not necessarily detect the presence of corrosion in a system until a partial or complete blockage has developed. Systems that utilise a water source other than a municipal water supply such as wells and on-site storage tanks are susceptible to mineral deposits, bacterial growth, and sediment. Additionally, each time a system is opened to atmospheric conditions, additional oxygen is introduced that contributes to the corrosion process. While many fire protection inspectors avoid exposing the system to fresh air, in some cases, this level of inspection is necessary. Unfortunately, when a flow obstruction is identified at any point in the system, the piping must be drained and opened for a more detailed examination and remediation. This is certainly a costly and time-consuming endeavor and can lead to disruptions for the occupants when repairs are
required behind walls and ceilings. Additionally, these repairs can render the system temporarily disabled, potentially requiring a fire watch until service is restored. When repairs are completed, additional steps must be taken to remove trapped air and dissolved oxygen when the system is re-filled and returned to pressurised service.
It is equally important to note that dry pipe fire protection systems are also susceptible to internal corrosion. Since dry pipe systems rely on pressurized air replacing the usual water-filled pipes of a wet pipe system, they also rely on air compressors to maintain the system pressure. The air temperature, humidity level and the internal pressure all contribute to condensation in the piping system. This condition, in the presence of oxygen and moisture from previous alarm trip tests, are key ingredients to initiate the corrosion process. However, in dry pipe systems, replacing compressed air with Nitrogen has gained wide acceptance in eliminating condensation and the potential for corrosion. By using Nitrogen (98% pure), there is no additional moisture introduced in the system. The Nitrogen is applied through pre-filled cylinders, which will routinely require replacement. It is for this reason the use of Nitrogen generators has become the preferred method of protecting dry piping systems and continues to grow in popularity and acceptance with authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ’s), building and fire code inspectors and building owners.
Many pipe manufacturers today offer specialty coatings for their carbon steel products. These options include both external as well as internal coatings and linings that keep the system fluids separated from the bare steel by providing a barrier against aggressive water conditions. Some options include epoxies, polyester powders and even ceramics, to name a few. These coatings can often prevent mineral deposits from bonding to the pipe that would otherwise create a gradual increase in friction loss under typical water flow conditions. The pipe manufacturers work closely with the various fitting manufacturers to ensure consistency and uniformity of the specified coatings, as well as proper
application and curing. When damage to the coating is a concern, the ends of full length pipes and custom spools are factoryprepared and then coated to ensure the highest quality and coating uniformity. For mechanical pipe connections, we also conduct a series of performance tests to ensure the external coatings do not adversely impact joint performance such as the axial-loading conditions present under full working pressure as well as flexural (bending) loads that are applied as part of the fire protection agency testing protocols. The combination of coated pipe, fittings and accessories comes with an added cost, however, to effectively manage corrosion, this method provides a considerable increase in the service life of the system.
Drawing from the long history and experience in other industries where the corrosive nature of certain fluids renders zinc coated and galvanised carbon steel unacceptable, specifiers have turned to stainless steel piping as the material of choice. In many cases, stainless steel has become the standard due to the long-term durability afforded by these materials. In our business, we have seen a dramatic increase in the use of stainless steel piping and components in large-scale fire protection systems. The demand for austenitic stainless steel piping, fittings, valves, and accessories is based on both external environmental conditions and internal protection from water conditions that may not be of the best quality and purity. The most commonly specified grades are the 300 Series (Type 304 and Type 316) based on their strength and physical properties. Historically, these stainless steel grades are specified for a wide range of uses in piping applications due to their chromium and nickel composition that provide corrosion resistance performance across many industrial applications. For reference, Type 304 material has a chromium content in the range of 18 – 20 percent and a nickel content of 8 – 11 percent, while Type 316 has a chromium content of 16 – 18 percent and a nickel content of 1014 percent.
Another advantage of stainless steel systems is the ability for the piping designer to utilize smaller pipe sizes and lighter pipe wall thicknesses for cost and weight savings. NFPA 13 – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, allows ¾ inch stainless steel pipe to be used in sprinkler systems, while carbon steel sprinkler pipe must be 1 inch. The standard also allows stainless steel pipe to use a Hazen-Williams Friction Coefficient of 150 (the smoothest C value allowed), while carbon steel uses 100 (for Dry Systems) and 120 (for Wet Systems).
The use of ANSI/ASTM A-312 Schedule 10 Type 316 stainless steel pipe and fittings is commonly recommended in systems that are susceptible to corrosion. To support the use of these lighter and more corrosion resistant materials in mechanical grooved systems, new and extended product testing and certification programs with the major certify agencies have been undertaken and will continue as the demand increases. The agency qualification standards and criteria are the same as that of carbon steel systems, (for example UL-213 and FM-1920 for mechanical piping products) and manufacturers have the option of testing and certifying complete stainless steel systems, including valves, accessories and sealing materials.
In terms of ongoing maintenance, mechanical piping systems provide the one of the easiest methods for gaining access to the internal pipe surfaces for examining the system at any level in the building or at a particular location of interest to the inspection authority. After de-pressurizing and draining the system, mechanical coupling joints are quickly disassembled for easy pipe inspection. With full access to the internal pipe surfaces, inspection equipment including high intensity LED lighting and endoscope-type inspection cameras can be easily routed at various points in the system to examine for corrosion, potential blockages and any abnormalities that could reduce the functionality and life of the piping system. For systems that require extensive repair, the use of mechanical couplings enables full pipe lengths to be removed and replaced with minimal downtime, making system upgrades much easier to accommodate. While combating corrosion in any piping system is challenging and regardless of the effort or remediation method chosen; proper diligence, routine inspections, and regular maintenance all play an important role in protecting these systems that in turn protect our lives and the structures we comfortably occupy.
with gerald (gerry) connolly, Chief Executive of Potter Global Technologies an accomplished 30year veteran of the building solutions and fire safety industry. He joined Potter in 2018 from electrical and digital building infrastructure specialist Legrand SA, where he was President of the $500 million wiring device solutions division, Pass and Seymour.
Potter Global Technologies celebrated its 125th anniversary of exceptional service in the life safety industry in 2023. This remarkable achievement is a testament to Potter’s unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation, which has been ingrained in the company’s culture since its inception.
From its humble beginnings as a small family business in 1898, Potter has emerged as a global leader in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of life safety solutions. Through its dedication to quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction, Potter has earned a reputation as a trusted partner worldwide.
Since it started, how has the company changed to meet the demands of a changing and expanding market?
We are very focused on protecting people, facilities and first responders, which was actually the same mission on which we were founded in 1898. I refer
to us as a 125-year-old technology startup. Over the past few years, we invested heavily to expand into new product areas and platforms. Potter now operates across three business areas: Fire alarm and evacuation systems, Fire suppression, Mass Notification systems.
Our largest division is now our Fire Alarm segment. We are the fastest growing among major players by adding new customers in key regions, and our recent product introductions we are able to move up market to serve larger buildings and high rises, which is important for major cities.
Our legacy platform is Fire Suppression. We are the gold standard for sprinkler monitoring devices, known for precise sensing and robust designs. We have very strong partnerships with sprinkler manufacturers and wholesalers around the world.
Our newest division is Mass Notification Systems which provide emergency communications during crisis events.
In 2020 we were fortunate to acquire the best technology in this space through Valcom, the leading provider of on premise, mass notification systems for educational facilities. How and where do source the raw materials for your product range?
We are a global manufacturer with five factories on 3 continents to serve our growing customer base. Building a network of world-class suppliers is key. We partner with high quality suppliers both locally and across the globe.
What do you feel is the single most important advance Potter Global Technologies has made during its nigh on 130 years in existence?
We are a purpose driven business and that purpose is to Save Lives. Our employees live this mission and understand the role they play in making people and buildings safer. By creating a group of businesses, with different areas of focus, we offer the most comprehensive range of life safety
technologies. This allows Potter Global Technologies (PGT) to provide solutions for virtually any type of building or application. This was not the case five years ago.
When we reviewed our product portfolio and routes to market, it was clear that the industry needed a high quality independent Fire Detection and Alarm (FD&A) supplier that was easy to do business with. We launched our first true Potter FD&A systems in the early 2000’s focused on combining cutting-edge technology with dependability and user-friendliness. With the strength of our brand we quickly established ourselves as a competitor to the status quo. FD&A is now the largest division in our business and we expect it to continue to grow especially in markets like the Middle East where high quality UL approved systems are specified by many of the regions major end users and territories.
And if you had a glass ball, what would you predict for the future – what will influence Potter most in the next 25 years?
Potter’s three divisions are established in our home market of the United States, with our Sprinkler monitoring products being the number 1, not just in the US but globally. One of our goals in the near and longer term is to grow internationally, looking to replicate the success of our monitoring systems across the wider business.
We have just opened a company in the Dubai South free zone to strengthen our regional presence. We have recruited a strong regional team lead by Tom Goodchild, a Fire industry professional with over 15 years’ experience of living and working in the region.
Potter has always been driven by “Saving Lives” we will continue to invest in products and services that support that goal.
What sets Potter Global Technologies apart from the competition?
We are the leading independent player in Fire Safety & Emergency Communications market with three successful divisions, each winning in their space and with significant runway to grow. We are driven by the need to provide superior customer service; our
goal is to ensure that we put our customers first, we meet their expectations, and we work with them to ensure that as we grow they grow with us. Technology and innovation are core to our growth, and we have a continuous flow of new products which increase our customer’s ability to secure new projects and which have taken us into several new applications.
How much influence does Potter have regarding national and international fire and life safety protection legislation and code compliance?
Potter Global Technologies plays active roles in domestic and international codes and standard committees, working with the industry to develop the highest standards across all our divisions. Potter’s engineers are very involved in the code making process and we work closely with fire departments, insurance companies, architects and engineers on standards and code bodies. These codes are continuously changing and we are developing products to meet the latest standards.
Has the acquisition by KKR changed PGT’s mission or philosophy?
KKR acquired Potter because they believed in our mission of saving lives, they
understand our philosophy of exceptional customer service and they will support our ambition to grow which in turn will expand our mission and philosophy to a wider audience. KKR’s experience, resources and global presence will allow us to accelerate our investments and successes.
What are the company’s goals for the next five years?
We are a technology company and have made significant investments in our product portfolio and our infrastructure to support a long runway of growth. Our strategies and momentum will continue to deliver solid results while maintaining our key focus of innovation, quality, and service. The opening of our new Dubai hub underpins that growth ambition and we are confident that we will continue to do similar things in other places. We have built a world class business and a foundation on which to scale globally.
Thank you very much for your time today for allowing us to share the Potter Global Technologies story. As you can tell, we are very excited about the future.
NFPA® is offering FREE education sessions that address the new and complex challenges that firefighters encounter daily. Sessions are designed to provide attendees with takeaways that can immediately be implemented in a participant’s professional life.
Reserve your ExpoAdvantage Pass at nfpa.org/conference.
Sessions will be held in the Learning Annex in the Latest Issues Facing Firefighters (LIFF) Theater and feature these topics:
• Battery Energy Storage Systems
• PAFS in Fire Gear
• Highrise Firefighting Operations
• Electric Vehicle Responses
• Fire Service Use of Fire Protection Systems
kevin abraham zachariah, brett schinn and sandy dweik of Thomas Bell-Wright International Consultants, take a close look at the significance of using fire rated doors in limiting the spread of fires, and then dive into factors that determine replication of the same fire door that achieved a particular fire rating in a fire-resistance test.
A key aspect in assessing the fire-safety readiness of a building is determined by the strategic compartmentalisation during the design stage, its successful implementation, regular assessment, and maintenance. Effective compartmentalisation significantly contributes to Passive Fire Protection (PFP). It establishes how a fire originating in a room or floor would be contained within and not spread to adjoining spaces or levels; or spreads at what rate. Suppressing a fire within a compartment ensures extended egress time.
Among the various elements in PFP, doors are vital in resisting the spread of fire to any adjacent space.
Throughout your use of a building, you may come across many of these doors such as a glazed sliding door at the entry to a mall from the parking, a wooden door opening from a hallway into a hotel
room, a steel door opening into an operation theatre in a hospital and so on. Depending on the location and compliance to the building and fire codes, these maybe tested to achieve the required rating according to a certain fire testing standard.
Based on the industry norm, steel doors are typically tested to the UL 10C standard. Consequently, in addition to the fire endurance test, the steel door would have to withstand the effects of a hose stream test immediately after exposure to the timetemperature curve, without developing any through openings.
Glazed sliding doors are normally tested to the EN 1634-1 standard, as it provides the door manufacturer allowances with respect to the ‘direct field of application’. By achieving the required criterion for an additional percentage of time with respect to the required rating, the ‘Direct Field of Application’ provides size increase allowances for the doors and other changes that can be implemented based on what was tested.
Wooden doors are usually tested to the BS 476-22 standard. However, as with the case of glazed sliding doors, a shift has been noticed where the manufacturers have requested to test their wooden doors with the EN 1634-1 standard. This offers more in terms of the ‘direct field of application’ and is more stringent in comparison to the BS 476-22 standard. For instance, higher furnace pressure during tests and additional surface thermocouples that are used to determine the insulation criterion of the doorset.
Fire doors are designed to withstand fire for a specific time period ranging from 20 minutes to four hours, depending on the type of door and the level of protection required. But not all door types are tested the same way, specifically not in the same opening
direction. It’s generally acceptable for doors, or any element, to be tested in the most onerous configuration. This encompasses, most often, the opening direction, the largest sise and the presence of features like vision panels or louvers. In this regard, the EN 16341 is an easily accessible and widely accepted guidance, which provides the most robust definition and onerous test conditions for a given test type. To achieve the widest application for a particular doorset, it is important to discuss the optimised configuration of the tested sample with the testing laboratory.
From an observational point and experience as a lab, doors often endure common points of failure with regards to the acceptance criteria of a standard as follows:
Single leaf wooden doors often fail by catching fire at the top corner of the latch edge, which is arguably the most exposed, but least restrained part of an organically flammable single leaf door. A double leaf wooden door, often tends to have vision panels which allow for undue heat transfer and thus fail by flaming around the panel. Additionally, if the gap between the wooden door frame and the supporting construction is higher than what is mandated, the expanding foam would not be effective during the fire test and flaming is a possibility through these gaps.
For steel doors, be it single leaf or double leaf, time and again tends to fail (1) for deflection near a latch which loses engagement due to deflection of the steel composition or (2) near a door closer unit on the top of a leaf which leaks flammable oil content onto an otherwise inorganic, non-flammable door leaf. Hence the type of stiffener and the spacing of the stiffener within the steel door leaf is important in ensuring that the deflection of the door does not cause a gap large enough to warrant a failure.
For glazed doorsets, the failure modes can be broad because the glass is an integral component of what is otherwise simply a door frame. Observable failure modes are (1) from intumescent strips along the bottom of glass samples, (2) from interlayers within the glass not reacting uniformly and creating weak points and (3) glass breaking from undue restraint within a given framing system.
Other causes of failure that are common for all types of doors include improper installation techniques, use of non-listed hardware that do not meet the require fire rating and lack of maintenance of the doorset by lubricating hinges and replacing worn-out intumescent and smoke seals.
When it comes to certification, fire testing is used to prove that a door can resist fire for a certain amount of time, thereby maintaining its compartmentalisation. The certification process is to ensure that the product is produced consistently under proper quality control. Before the fire test, the certification process begins by sampling the door to be tested. This means that the certification engineer witnesses the entire door production process and selects and marks the sample door to be tested. Once the marked door sample passes the required fire rating in the fire test, further audits are conducted by the certification body to review the production process and documentation to ensure ongoing compliance with the required quality standards. Once the audit process is completed, the certification body issues labels to the door manufacturer containing specific information prescribed by the standard to identify the door and verify compliance on-site.
The installation of doors at site may not be performed by the same personnel trained to install doors for a fire test. Hence, it is paramount to ensure that the causes of failure mentioned earlier such as improper installation or fitting of doors as well does not occur. It is here that the role of the inspection team comes into play where they conduct a ‘Conformity Assessment’ after installation to ensure that the door installed at site replicates what was tested. Accreditation to ISO 17020 is a minimum qualification for inspection companies.
Accomplishing the aforementioned certification, testing and inspection process guarantees that fire doors maintain their integrity in effective compartmentation within a building, ensuring the safety of people and property in the event of a fire.
Why do we test fire detectors? What role is technology playing in improving how this is done? In this article, these and other questions are considered and addressed by STEPHEN BEADLE , Marcomms Manager, DetectorTesters?
Fire detectors are installed for a reason, they are not tick box items that can simply be installed and forgotten - they exist to protect lives and property from the risk of fire. For some, the chance of fire is seen as slight and therefore any investment in protecting against this is viewed as a grudge purchase. However, it’s the investment in these systems that helps ensure the risk from fire is low and provides peace of mind that both the building and those who occupy it are protected as much as possible from the risk of fire.
Specifying and installing the fire system is the starting point to ensuring protection, this will ensure the correct forms of detection are installed across the building and the right number of devices are installed for the building size. After this, regular maintenance of the system is crucial, it simply cannot be left alone for months on end and expect to work as intended. Over time detector heads can become faulty, common examples being insects in the chamber, water damage and general build up of dirt and dust. Situations such as this can lead to false activations of the detector or the detector failing to operate at all – both of which lead to uncertainty and take away the protection the system was installed for in the first place.
Around the world, the risks outlined above are recognised by the fire industry and as result various International codes and standards exist to promote compliant installation and maintenance of fire systems. Standards such as BS 5839-1, NFPA72 and DIN 146751 have led the way when it comes to shaping best practice and informing on safety standards, however the UAE has always strived to ensure adherence with these standards and as part of this in 2017 adopted its own recommendation with the introduction of the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice.
Generally, compliance with such codes and standards will see detectors functionally tested every 6 months, however it’s not just the codes and standards which require this, detector manufacturers themselves insist on regular testing as way to prolong the life of the detectors.
So, how is functional testing best achieved and how is technology shaping the ways in which this is carried out?
The testing and inspection of fire systems is a vital role and one that is carried out by a competent person who is aware of the relevant standards and suitably trained on the fire systems installed – this will include use of the fire panel, the detectors, and any additional components such as call points.
Crucial to this is access to the appropriate technology and equipment used for testing, use of the wrong tool can cause more harm than good, resulting in contaminated detectors and increased false alarms – so it is vital to get this right and only use tools which are a) designed for purpose and b) are approved by the detector manufacturers. Detectors are life safety devices, regular testing and maintenance with the correct tools will ensure they can continue to perform to the highest level. Testing technology has evolved over the years to keep pace with changes in detection and is now going further, leading the way with new features and functionality via digital solutions that not only support functional testing, but crucially, prove it have been carried out.
Testing technology began with the introduction of specialist smoke aerosols designed to replicate the conditions of a real fire by introducing a ‘smoke’ stimulus into the detector chamber. The Solo smoke aerosol has, for years been the market leader in this field, developed specially for the purpose of testing smoke detectors and the result of several years of study and testing with different detector manufacturers. Designed exclusively for use with the Solo dispenser, the Solo smoke aerosols are designed with a specialist valve and nozzle to prevent over application and ensure the optimum number of tests per can.
In more recent years, the demand for smoke cartridge based solutions has grown – driven by changes in detector technology which see some detectors slower to activate, or failing to activate with smoke aerosols. Concerns and attitudes towards pressurised aerosol cans have also led to wider take up in cartridge-based solutions, as regulations governing the use of pressurised aerosols becomes more enforced.
The introduction of cartridge-based testers coincided with a need for an all-in-one test solution. With heat detection becoming more common, engineers are carrying out more testing of heat –either in the form of single sensor detectors or multi-sensor smoke and heat devices. The Testifire range covers this need - combining the ability to test smoke and heat from one device and in doing so reducing the amount of equipment required to be carried by the engineer and, delivering better productivity.
Now in 2024, technology is taking things a stage further. Increasingly, the challenge is now not how to test the detectors – but how to prove they have been tested. Greater awareness around standards and the responsibilities means more questions are being asked as to the work carried out by fire engineers and service companies. Facilities Managers and Building Owners are more aware that the responsibility of a working fire system sits with them and that in the event of a fire, it is them who could be held accountable should it prove the system has not been properly maintained.
As a result of this, service companies are being asked to prove testing has taken place and document the test result of each detector. Traditionally, site visits have taken place with the fire engineer walking the site, carrying out testing and then presenting the building owner with a sign off sheet to acknowledge the work they have done. With greater pressure on the responsible person to ensure testing has taken place, they are increasingly looking for proof that system has been tested in compliance with standards and that crucially, each detector has been tested.
This need, coupled with advances in technology, has led to the arrival of a wave of new digital solutions within the fire industry and Detectortesters is leading the way with the introduction of Testifire XTR2.
So how does it work? Unlike any previous test solution, Testifire XTR2 works alongside an App via Bluetooth. At the start of the site visit, geo-mapping is used to identify the site and begin the test job. Depending on the selection made, smoke or heat is automatically generated once the tester is placed over the detector, with sensors within the test cup waiting for the detector LED to illuminate. At this point a ‘Pass’ record is recorded against that detector and stored within the App. If the detector fails to activate and no LED is displayed a ‘Fail’ status is recorded. All this data is captured as a digital record.
At the end of the site visit, with all detectors tested a report is auto generated providing details of all the test results and placing details of any failed detectors at the top of the report - allowing for easy identification of defects that need fixing – which is what the maintenance visit is all about. Before the report is compiled, a signature from the responsible person onsite can be requested –acknowledging the work that has taken place.
With the report complete and the job closed, the report is automatically available to the service manager or admin team at the service company - allowing it to be reviewed and quickly shared with the end client along with any invoice or additional supporting documentation.
The complete solution brings benefits to service engineers, service managers and building owners.
Following an initial launch in the UK and Germany, Testifire XTR2 will shortly be available within Middle East, making it easier for fire professionals and building owners to get the information they need and receive ultimate peace of mind that their fire detectors are maintained compliantly – ready to protect buildings and the lives of people that occupy them.
Hochiki Europe, the global leader in life safety solutions, is proud to introduce an unparalleled generation of UL listed smoke detectors now available for installation projects across any region that requires UL approval. Specifically designed to achieve compliance with the rigorous UL268 7th Edition standards, Hochiki’s range of innovative 7th edition products fill a crucial gap for conventional applications to meet the UL standard.
The UL-268 7th Edition Standard dictates fire detector performance for detector manufacturers and was due to come into effect in 2021, forcing the design and manufacturing of smoke and multi-criteria to adhere to the stricter guidelines. This new standard only affects the manufacture of detectors, older edition detectors are still available to specify, purchase and install by fire system installers, all the while stocks exist.
But following various delays within the industry, the 7th edition of the standard is now due to come into force July 2024 and one of the most significant changes is the newly developed multi-spectrum smoke categorisation required to now detect smouldering and flaming fires fuelled specifically by polyurethane furniture foam and burning meat, whilst at the same time, reducing nuisance alarms. All manufacturers therefore have been forced to develop a range of new products to meet this new standard.
Conventional fire detection systems are particularly suited to projects such as small retail units, simple structures like workshops and storage units as well as health clinics and small educational facilities for example.
Hochiki conventional products are already renowned for their reliability in reducing false alarms, and their new range of 7th edition conventional detectors continues to evidence these benefits, with the range including the company’s first conventional multi-sensor detector. This unique conventional multi-sensor optical smoke and heat detector (SOE-24H), along with a conventional optical smoke detector (SOE-24V), are already being specified in a host of projects across the Middle East.
Key Features of Hochiki Europe’s 7th Edition Conventional Smoke and MultiSensor Detectors:
Redesigned Smoke Chamber: Cuttingedge detectors feature a newly designed smoke chamber, optimising airflow, and smoke intake. The incorporation of multispectrum smoke categorisation technology ensures an enhanced response to both flaming and smouldering fires fuelled by traditional materials and polyurethane, ensuring that Hochiki technology meets the stringent requirements of UL268 7th Edition standards.
Dual LED Technology: Introducing a revolutionary dual LED technology, incorporating red and blue internal emitters mounted at different angles. Hochiki’s innovative approach enables the detectors to distinguish between smoke particle types more effectively, ensuring precision in fire detection.
Advanced Algorithms: Equipped with stateof-the-art algorithms, Hochiki’s detectors can intelligently react to genuine fires quicker while significantly reducing false alarms caused by common sources such as steam and cooking. This ensures a reliable and efficient detection process in diverse environments.
Automatic drift compensation and maintenance indication: Software within each detector continually monitors the optical elements and compensates for gradual build-up of contaminants, shifting the baseline and fire threshold to maintain the correct sensitivity and provide an accurate response. Detectors also utilise a green/red bi-coloured LED for indication of status. In normal standby conditions, the LED flashes green on polling. When the detector automatically senses that its sensitivity has drifted outside the UL listed sensitivity window, the LED will flash red. When in alarm the LED will latch on red.
Hochiki Europe continues to lead the way in life safety solutions, offering a unique and essential product for future conventional applications. This groundbreaking innovation underscores Hochiki’s commitment to providing unparalleled safety solutions that meet and exceed industry standards.
For more information about Hochiki Europe’s latest products and innovations, please visit our website to learn more.
For more information: www.hochikieurope.com/news
It’s the 21st Century, it’s about time flow testing equipment got with the times. Smart Monster has done exactly that. The first fully digital flow testing equipment allows you to test remotely, showing you your readings in real time on your personal device, and saving all your results on the cloud. To put it another way: it’s flow testing smarter, not harder.
The silver jubilee edition of Intersec 2024 was participated in by 1,100 exhibitors from over 60 countries in 13 halls, with more than 47,000 visitors over the three days, illustrating how important this annual event is, occupying a pivotal role in access to information and equipment in both fire safety and security technologies in the MENA region
Officially opened by His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Ports and Border Security Council this year’s marked the 25th anniversary of Intersec at
Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
Spanning 13 halls, Intersec 2024 was the largest edition yet in its quarter-century history. During the prestigious opening tour of Intersec 2024, His Highness visited several exhibition stands, including Axis Communications, Genetec, Corodex and NAFFCO, to name a few.
Grant Tuchten, Portfolio Director at Intersec organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “For 25 years, Intersec has been the region’s premier networking hub for fire, safety, and security experts and in 2024 we shone a spotlight on innovation
and technology, uniting professionals worldwide to tackle the ever-evolving needs of our industry.
“We are also proud to showcase our strong affiliations with key UAE government entities, emphasising the UAE Government’s commitment to these pivotal industries.”
Over 400 dedicated fire and safety exhibitors occupied 5 of the halls all showcasing the international panorama of the fire and safety sector and yet again establishing it as the second-largest sector of the event.
The fire & rescue conference
In addition to the bustling exhibition floors, there was an extensive conference programme addressing the dynamic challenges and advancements in the fire safety sector. The Fire & Rescue Conference, hosted by Dubai Civil Defense, addressed critical industry topics with industry leaders, experts, and innovators discussing Emergency Response Planning, Industrial Firefighting, Fire Safety in High-Rise Structures, and more. The lively panel discussions on revolutionising fire prevention with data analytics & technology and advancing safety in energy storage were thought provoking and well attended.
FM Approvals was the Official Certification Partner for Intersec 2024 –as an international leader in third-party testing and certification of loss prevention products, their global knowledge and expertise enhanced Intersec attendees’ experience.
“For 25 years, Intersec has been the region’s premier networking hub for fire, safety, and security experts and in 2024”
1,100 exhibitors
60+ countries
47,000+ visitors
Trendsetting and cutting-edge technology innovations across the fire, safety and security industry were recognised at Intersec Awards 2024 on 17 January which took place at the luxurious Palazzo Versace Hotel Dubai.
The awards ceremony celebrated individuals, products, and institutions committed to the fire, safety and security across 13 categories and a shortlist of 75 finalists emerged to contest at this dynamic event.
“As Intersec heads into its 26th edition, the exhibition has firmly secured its position as the must-visit event ”
FME would like to congratulate the winners of the Fire & Safety Awards: EXCELLENCE IN FIRE PREVENTION: RAMTECH
WES3 Temporary Wireless Fire and Evacuation System
OUTSTANDING SAFETY SOLUTIONS: SYSNAV
First Responder Smart Tracker FIRE SAFETY EXCELLENCE PROJECT: REACTON
Protecting UAE School Buses for Emirates Transport
The 26th edition of Intersec is to be held under the theme of The world’s number
one event mapping the future in safety, security and fire protection and will be held in the Dubai World Trade Centre from 14-16 January. A range of new features will be introduced to further enhance the experience for visitors and exhibitors and the 14 halls will facilitate the increase in exhibitors and provide the necessary space for buyers, sellers, and decision-makers to network, do business and showcase the cutting-edge technology and innovations supporting the industry.
Grant Tuchten, Portfolio Director at Intersec organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “As Intersec heads into its
26th edition, the exhibition has firmly secured its position as the must-visit event for safety, security and fire prevention specialists, and as a result, the demand to exhibit and visit continues to increase every year – a demand we are only too happy to facilitate.
The Intersec Awards will also return, celebrating the unparalleled innovation and commitment across various categories within the domains of fire, safety and security. This year represents the fourth instalment of the eagerly anticipated awards.
intersec.ae.messefrankfurt.com
The International Water Mist Association (IWMA) is the organization for those involved in fire safety with a special focus on fighting fires with smaller droplets. The technology was first invented in the late 1880s and rediscovered approximately 30 years ago. Nowadays it is proven to international standards and guidelines.
IWMA holds an annual conference. The aim is to give the water mist community the chance to meet and to exchange knowledge. Those who are new to the technology are welcome to listen to the speakers and ask questions to get an idea of why this way of firefighting is applicable to so many fire scenarios. Water mist protects – amongst others – data centres, archives, libraries, historic buildings, timber buildings, high-rise buildings, museums, churches, castles, cable tunnels, industrial facilities, shopping malls, printing machines, laboratories, families in their flats and houses and the elderly in care homes.
The 23rd International Water Mist Conference (#IWMC2024) will take place in Antwerp, Belgium, on 18th and 19th September 2024 at the Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel. The call for papers is published and the abstract deadline is 15th May. Sponsors can start booking their tabletops for the exhibition which will run alongside the conference.
The tradition is that day one deals with systems in practice while day two mainly deals with research and sciences.
A highlight will be the bestowal of the Ragnar Wighus Award. Since 2016, IWMA has been honouring young scientists with the IWMA Young Talent Award which was renamed last year in memory
of the late president Ragnar Wighus. Deadline for submissions is 28th March 2024. IWMA general manager Bettina McDowell explains: “This year, the award will go to the author of the best master thesis dealing with water mist. The IWMA scientific council under the chairmanship of Max Lakkonen (IFAB) will evaluate the submissions and then determine who the winner is. This is the 8th year in which IWMA bestows this prize and the winner will be invited to introduce the thesis in Antwerp.”
The conference webpage for #IWMC2024 will be activated on 15th May. Tickets can be bought from that day onwards. For more information or to get in touch visit www.iwma.net.
APG operates the supra-regional transmission grid at the 110, 220, and 380 kV voltage levels. This grid consists of around 7,000 km of power lines, 65 substations, 92 transformers and ten directly connected distribution grids in the federal states. The substations form the nodes of the Austrian transmission grid. They are used to transform electrical energy, i.e., to change the electrical voltage between two or more voltage levels. In 2022, energy transport via the APG grids amounted to a total of 46,592 GWh with a supply reliability of 99.99%.
The water spray extinguishing systems have already been installed
and commissioned in Villach Süd, Lienz, Bisamberg, Nauders, Vienna South/East, and Salzburg/Elixhausen, while installation work is currently underway in St. Johann/ Pongau, Hessenberg, Ybbsfeld and Dürnrohr, or will commence in spring 2024.
The systems primarily protect the transformers installed in the switchgear, which are used to switch between the individual voltage levels and relay them to the grid partners. Equipped with infrared detection to detect a hotspot or fire hazard at an early stage and react immediately, the aim is to fight or extinguish a transformer fire and to protect the surrounding facilities and equipment (operating buildings, switchgear, etc.) in accordance with the requirements of ÖVE/ÖNORM EN 61936. However, the systems are not only used for fire protection but also as a preventative measure to cool the transformer before it has to be removed from the grid due to overheating.
Planning and installation
Rosenbauer is responsible for the complete planning and implementation of the
The company EmiControls has been working since 2011 to develop innovative solutions for fire protection worldwide.
In recent years the company has also extended its offering to a specific concept for the fire protection of electric cars.
As early as 2019, i.e. before the launch of the company’s first all-electric model, Porsche Italia began to evaluate the possibility of setting up technical quarantine areas that could be positioned less than five metres from surrounding structures, conducting in-depth analyses on the most effective ways of managing car quarantines and possible thermal events even when the area is unmanned.
These studies, also conducted with the support of Porsche Engineering through the team of the Nardò Technical Centre, and the Fire Brigade Command of Padua,
led to the definition of a fully automatic emergency management system that, by allowing installation, with the approval of the Fire Brigade, less than 5m from buildings, makes it possible to secure structures and the environment by guaranteeing constant 24/7 monitoring of the quarantined vehicle.
These systems, which have been installed by most of the Partners of the Official Porsche Italia Network, through advanced sensors that can intervene already in the very first phase of “venting”, i.e. venting the fumes generated inside the battery in the event of the start of a thermal leak, allow, combined with the structure’s firefighting ring, to contain any thermal events. Through sprinklers with “water mist” technology for smoke abatement and an automatic flooding
fire protection systems and is therefore responsible for the electrical engineering and cabling as well as the firefighting equipment. The most important component is the Rosenbauer nozzle, through which the transformers are supplied with water for extinguishing, but also for cooling, or with a water-foam mixture if required. Each nozzle is manually aligned according to the structural and spatial conditions on site and is set to spray jet. On the one hand, this achieves a very even and large-area application of water and, on the other hand, causes rapid cooling of the overheated parts due to the finely distributed water droplets. Water damage can also be avoided due to the spray effect.
The capacity of the water spray extinguishing systems depends on the size of the transformer. The largest ones, which are ten metres long and weigh several hundred tons, can discharge up to 6,000 litres of extinguishing agent or water/foam mixture per minute.
ROSENBAUER INTERNATIONAL rosenbauer.com
system, electronically managed, allows the rapid cooling of the battery pack to mitigate the effects of the thermal escape and, eventually, stop it.
EMICONTROLS emicontrols.com/en/e-mobility/
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The
of
Dr Bob Docherty, MD of Flame Risk Safety Solutions Ltd. & PresidentTier 3 Application - Non-UK
An Applicant for entry onto the NAFRAR Tier 3 Non-UK Register will provide proof that they have been individually certified, accredited or validated as a competent Fire Risk Assessor by a third-party accreditation/certification body. The application should include the following:
Stage 1 Submission for review and assessment of two Fire Risk Assessments that the Applicant has recently carried out in line with the definition of high risk and complex buildings, and,
Dr. Fiona Beddoes-JonesStage 2 Proof of achievement and a pass in a recognised national qualification which is equivalent to a Level 4 (or above) award in Fire Risk Assessment / Fire Safety (this award must have ‘accredited’ status in the country that the Fire Risk Assessor is operating in).
A few years ago, I was reading an article and then listening to an old fire engineering friend and colleague of mine. Paul Bryant. Paul and I have been involved in many debates, both practical and conceptual, over many years on all kinds of issues regarding fire safety. These have ranged from fire risk assessments (FRA) in complex buildings, fire engineering design, and fire strategies and strategic thinking. Paul has written many papers and delivered several presentations to organisations including the Institute of Fire Safety Managers, and he shared with me a paper he had written about his concept of Holistic Fire Engineer (HFE). I was fascinated by the concept, and it resonated with an idea I had been toying with for a few years. On the back of this came the Grenfell Tower fire in the United Kingdom and Dame Judith Hackitt’s review of Building Regulations and fire safety (DJH)
in the UK and this mentioned the ‘Golden Thread’ concept of somehow capturing the history of a building from its first conception through its building and life use and on to its demolition. This got me thinking again!
There have been many attempts to try and improve both the competence and knowledge in fire safety for those who are in the industry and also the processes that are involved in both new build and refurbished/altered buildings. If I cast my mind back far enough, I remember the Bickerdike Allen and Partners Report (1990) in the UK which looked specifically at the interaction of the agencies that are involved in the design and development of new building projects, the delays in the process.
One of the outcomes of this report was the production of the National Core Curriculum in Fire Studies. This was going to be the ‘Central Plank’ of all building fire safety, a curriculum that could be inserted into many higher education courses, including degrees, across the whole of the building sector, from architects to surveyors, building control to fire engineers, and yet for most of those sectors, it didn’t happen. Nearly everyone ignored it apart from a few like- minded people, mainly from the Institute of Fire Engineers and the Institute of Fire Safety who used it dutifully and diligently to carve the academic pathway to the recognised fire engineering and fire safety degrees that are available now throughout the world.
Reviews and cross matching of qualification equivalencies will be carried out by experienced examiners who are certified competent third-party accredited Fire Risk Assessors. Specialist examiners with knowledge of the Applicant’s country of operation will be used where necessary. in the 34 Fire Middle East Magazine • October 2023
In the realm of safety management, where the difference between success and catastrophe hinges on effective leadership and management, a groundbreaking study funded by the 2023 IFSM Research Scholarship Award has illuminated a path forward. Led by Dr. Fiona Beddoes-Jones, UK Chartered Psychologist, The Cognitive Fitness Consultancy and IFSM Scholarship Research Winner 2023 This research delved into the nexus of Authentic Leadership, psychological safety, safety climates, and safety outcomes within the safety industry and fire safety management in particular.
Authentic Leadership, characterised by self-awareness, self-regulation and ethics; i.e. standing up for what is right, emerged as a beacon of hope in fostering safer work environments. Dr. Beddoes-Jones defines Authentic Leadership as “the courage to do the right thing, driven by ethical decisionmaking and personal values.” Through her research, she aimed to uncover how Authentic Leaders create a culture of psychological safety, thereby shaping safety climates and ultimately improving safety outcomes.
The findings of this research paint a compelling picture of the transformative potential of Authentic Leadership. Authentic Leaders, by embodying integrity, trustworthiness, compassion
It also looked at the technical and practical skills of those involved in the industry and the training requirements needed to ensure advice and information given was successfully interpreted and acted upon. Today, I would suspect we would call this review a ‘Gap Analysis’ –and it did find some very big gaps!
and respect, create an environment where team members feel emotionally safe to speak up, take appropriate risks, and collaborate openly, knowing that they will be supported by their colleagues and leaders. This psychological safety, in turn, fosters a positive safety climate characterised by the prioritisation of safety, open communication, and continuous improvement.
Since then, there has been the introduction of totally new pieces of fire safety legislation, codes, and standards globally. I think one of the most common themes that come out of these is the move from a prescriptive to a more risk based (assessment) approach and, added together with the philosophy of functional requirements of many Building Regulations
The correlation between Authentic Leadership and positive safety outcomes is striking. Dr. Beddoes-Jones’ research reveals that teams led by Authentic Leaders consistently outperform industry averages regarding safety records. Moreover, Authentic Leadership was found to be inversely related to accidents and near-misses, indicating its pivotal role in mitigating risks and preventing incidents.
One of the most notable findings of the study was the prevalence of ‘moral injury’ among safety professionals, particularly those operating within private organisations. Dr. BeddoesJones identified a concerning trend where Authentic Leaders, when faced with ethical conflicts within their organisations, experience emotional distress when they witness, or worse, are forced to take, actions that conflict with their values. Within safety-critical industries, this invariably involves
circumstances and situations where peoples’ health, emotional well-being or physical safety is put at risk. This highlights the urgent need for senior teams, especially Executive Boards within organisations, to prioritise ethical leadership and support their managers and leaders in upholding ethical principles. As research shows that ‘balanced’, i.e. mixed gender groups, make more ethical decisions, this supports the call for more women to be appointed in senior and executive positions across all areas of safetycritical industries.
The research also uncovered a silver lining amidst these challenges. Despite the pressures and ethical dilemmas they face, safety professionals remain deeply committed to their roles and to the well-being of their teams. Their dedication underscores the profound impact Authentic Leadership can have on organisational culture and employee engagement.
Moving forward, the implications of this research are clear. Organisations must invest in developing Authentic Leadership capabilities among their safety managers and leaders. Dr. Beddoes-Jones proposes specialised management and leadership development programmes tailored to the unique challenges and needs of the safety industry. These programmes
Figure 1. Ref: Beddoes-Jones, F., (2011). Authentic leadership: The 21st century imperative. Business Leadership Review, 8, (2), pp.1-6. And Beddoes-Jones, F., (2012). Authentic leadership: The key to building trust. People Management, 4447.
should focus on cultivating selfawareness, self-regulation, and ethical decision-making skills; the 3 Pillars of Authentic Leadership, thereby equipping managers and leaders with the tools they need to create psychologically safe work environments.
Moreover, senior leadership teams must recognise the value of Authentic Leadership and actively support its cultivation throughout the organisation. By championing ethical conduct and prioritising safety over productivity and profits, they will foster a culture of trust and respect, which paradoxically will increase their organisation’s profits and sustainability over the longer term. But this will only happen if senior leadership; individually and collectively, can set the tone for Authentic Leadership at all levels. It’s a challenge not everyone, and not every organisation, is prepared to embrace, despite the obvious advantages.
Beyond the realm of Authentic Leadership, Dr. Beddoes-Jones’ research
also sheds light on the unexpected role of canine companions in promoting well-being within the fire safety industry. 68% of research participants reported owning a dog in 2023 compared to the general population where 31% is the current norm. The prevalence of dog ownership among fire safety professionals underscores the importance of holistic approaches to employee wellbeing; recognising the profound benefits of dogs for companionship, of dog-walking for exercise and of petting dogs for stress relief and emotional support.
In conclusion, the research conducted by UK Chartered Psychologist Dr. Fiona Beddoes-Jones represents a significant step forward in understanding the interplay between leadership, psychological safety, and safety outcomes in safety industries, particularly within fire safety. By embracing the principles of Authentic Leadership and fostering environments where employees feel emotionally and
physically safe, valued and respected, organisations can pave the way for a more productive, resilient and sustainable future, where profits are not set against the value of a life or body parts.
The full research report can be downloaded from the IFSM website.
Dr. Fiona Beddoes-Jones, a specialist in Authentic Leadership, delivers the annual workshop on Authentic Leadership development at the Women in the Fire Service (WFS) Conference in June and the Authentic Leadership development webinars for the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the IFSM. She has designed a specialist, tailored Authentic Leadership development programme for the safety industry please contact academy@ cognitivefitness.co.uk
Applications are currently open until 31st July 2024 for fire safety research funding for 2025. Go to the IFSM website for further information.
SAM MALINS a founder director of Reacton Fire Suppression, key sponsor of the Fire Middle East Conference, took the time to speak to Editor Wendy Otway about the company’s short journey to success and global recognition with its portfolio of fire suppression systems capable of protecting massive plant deep underground; electrical panels & enclosures; server cabinets; CNC machines and fume cupboards; buses, coaches and basically anything that has an engine!
Ed Barnes and myself journey started in the fire industry around 2010. We formed a startup business called Fireward which was born to protect thatch fires which once they take hold, are very hard to detect and then extinguish because by the time the fire met the oxygen the fire would have taken hold and the property lost. This was our initial motivation for starting Fireward. At the time we had a third business partner Jamie, who was a firefighter.
Having explored the thatch protection market with homeowners and the Thatch Fire Association we thought it was going to be a commercially very difficult prospect so we moved across to waste plant and machinery – familiar ground for us… and business to business. We were using and also supplying and installing a product made in the UK.
In 2014 we took on our first employee and were installing systems across the UK to a range of clients including JCB and waste management companies like Veolia and BIFFA. Our pitch was “the Ford” of fire suppression – a system which was affordable to everyone.
By 2015 we were aware that our specialist needs were not always being met and we became concerned for the future. At Firex that year we met with the Malyon family whose company Firetech Reacton had the products we needed. However by the time they came to our office for an intital visit we told them we wanted to buy the company not just the products. We completed the deal in April 2016.
We looked at the name and realised that Firetech was a commonly used name across the globe on Google and other search engines whilst Reacton there was nothing… you were spell checked to reaction every time. Thus we dropped Firetech and acquired a unique global name – Reacton.
The ultimate goal was to stop Google spell checking it and taking people straight to our company. To date we have almost achieved it… At the time of writing, the first page of Google is entirely occupied by Reacton Fire Suppression.
One of the early stumbling blocks was the relocation of the business to Essex, with none of the the employees, and the
learning curve of going from a service and installation business to a manufacturing business and never having understood manufacturing overnight was just the most underestimated thing I have ever done in my life. Luckily Ed is extremely intelligent where mechanical engineering is concerned and instantly understood the concepts of the business … we had so many challenges to get our heads around, the valve, how our systems operated especially in the single agent to dual agent collaboration. But with Ed’s determination we just got on with it and made the product better and better over time.
At the same time we were growing our waste management business with the goal of bring our company, the Dunmow Group, to the forefront of the Essex waste management sector at the same time as running Fireward and, of course Reacton.
We absolutely loved the pneumatic fire suppression technology but it wasn’t being taken too seriously globally… it was certainly a great product with reliability issues. We saw the gap in the market and were determined to take the product to the top.
Our Firetrace DNA has inspired us to be an expert in a number of industries not just in our system.
So in the beginning, what was your sector focus?
The heavy plant industry was our focus specifically in the UK… the waste and recycling market. But in Europe and the Middle East – Mining. Same machinery but different applications.
We have a bespoke arm to the business and will work on anything a client wants to see whether our product can offer the best for their application. For instance we designed a fire suppression system for the Ain Dubai wheel.
Basically anything with an engine bay or electrics… we can protect it. Our products are designed specifically for the heavy plant industry. Our valves are appropriately approved and with our Firetrace DNA we use the same valve across the other industries so we know how extremely reliable it is in the mining industry and we know it will never ever leak in the electrical control or NC industry. For us it seems a waste to use our system to protect one industry when it can be used across many.
What has been your biggest business challenge so far?
Our biggest challenge is getting our product known. In an industry that is quite established with companies who have been in it for years. And here we are. So getting our product known around the world and importantly gaining trust. Without spending millions and millions.
What has been your biggest application challenge?
The Emirates School Bus project here in the UAE. Just the numbers – an initial 2300 installed with our local within 12 months – was a big ask. Just gearing up for it was certainly a big challenge.
What is the difference between protecting plant in a diamond mine compared with a mines where the gasses maybe constantly very volatile?
Every mine has it challenges, some are very wet, some are volatile, gaseous spaces. As a company we have analyse and examine the environment our product must be ready to operate in and ensure that our offering is fit for purpose on each occasion providing the best possible fire suppression system every time.
What sets Reacton apart?
Our pneumatic technology does not leak. The quality control process is industry leading Ee have helium leak detectors to detect whether the valves, cylinders and individual components lead. We are fixated on reliable fire suppression systems and we only use the best suppression agents on the market to match the quality of our systems.
HEADLINE SPONSORWe have always understood that to be the best of the best, it is essential to have all aspects of the business verified. The preeminent way to do this is by third party approval & certification and we have the passion and expertise to not only meet but exceed the international standards.
The latest result in our on-going initiative of global product certification came in December 2023, when we received a world’s first in fire suppression innovation, with UL Listing to UL 2166 for Direct (DLP) Technology on both CE & DOT variants utilising 3M™ Novec™ 1230 in our Clean Agent Automatic Fire Suppression Systems.
This UL listing for Halocarbon Clean Agent Extinguishing System Units provides our product with the world’s most recognised and adopted approval for Clean Agent systems. It’s been commonplace for indirect and total flood systems to have UL 2166 listing for some time but Reacton Fire Suppression is now the first company who have successfully developed this for its Direct technology.
Our other approvals currently include…
SASO 2946:2020
The standard and our certificate cover Annex 8, Buses - Requirements for construction. The testing ensures buses are compliant with the national regulations for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Reacton was the first, and is the only, company to hold this approval.
P-MARK SPCR 183
The P-Mark according to SPCR 183 has been developed for fire suppression systems in engine compartments of buses and coaches. Realistic and repeatable fire tests are performed then all components are put through the industry leading mechanical testing such as vibration, impact, corrosion and temperature cycling.
Having a system UL listed against the UL 2166 standard provides your product with the world’s most recognised and adopted approval for Clean Agent systems.
Systems & Products wearing the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Mark demonstrates that you are focused on providing a secure, safe and sustainable offering to your customers.
P-MARK SPCR 199
P-Mark according to SPCR 199 has been developed for fire suppression systems in engine compartments of heavy vehicles. The testing parameters according to SPCR 183 are followed with the addition of a much more demanding pass criteria and extra tests for demonstrating the flexibility and performance of your system. Zero re-ignition is allowed and fire tests can be performed with a level of openness.
We achieved the highest score possible in in the P-Mark SPCR 183 with a 10/10 rating (A+) and in the P-Mark SPCR 199 with a 10/10 rating and Level of openness rating of III (A+).
UNECE Regulation 107
The UNECE Regulation 107 was developed to increase the safety of buses & coaches. This specifically looks at the installation and testing of fire suppression systems in engine compartments of all single-deck, double-deck, rigid or articulated vehicle of category M2 or M3 and specifically vehicles having a capacity exceeding 22 passengers.
Yet again Reacton achieved the highest score possible in the UNECE Regulation 107 with a 4/4 rating.
ISO 9001:2015
Reacton take quality seriously and are focused on continuous improvement, that is why we ensure that we have BS EN ISO 9001:2015.
CE Mark
On our equipment this signifies conformity with the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) for our high performance automatic fire suppression systems.
LPCB LPS 1666
The approval is held for our range of direct clean agent electrical panel protection systems which include 3MTM NovecTM 1230 and Chemours FM-200TM
AS 5062:2016
This is a highly recognised standard for protection of mobile and transportable equipment across multiple sectors, including construction equipment, heavy plant & machinery and mining equipment.
UAE.S 5041:2021
The standard covers automatic fire suppression systems intended for installation in engine compartments of buses and coaches..
We are always looking at expanding our portfolio and over the next two years we will seek to gain further approvals.
HEADLINE SPONSOR
“I am really proud of the significant progress we have made since our early Reacton vision. It is great to see how much we have accomplished in such a short period of time. We are continuously adapting and improving our systems and efficiencies and will continue to do so into the future.”
Ed Barnes, founder director Reacton
Indirect and direct release systems?
In the direct system, the agent is released through the burst hole/ There are no moving parts and typically used in smaller applications.
The indirect system is based around our valve. And our valve is really what Reacton is all about. There are aspects of our valve which allows our system to be so reliable. It allows us to have multiple cylinders in one bank which is only available to Reacton pneumatic technology. We can protect any size of machinery, engine bay, mining plant with our technology especially on the dual agent extinguishing technology so to have a pneumatic system with multiple cylinders with powder and foam is unique to Reacton.
What next for Reacton?
Reacton is always looking at expanding our portfolio. Over the next two years we are seeking to gain further approvals but that is not quite the priority it has been over the past six years. Our focus now is about refining the product and making sure that the world really knows about Reacton.
But having achieved those approvals, we are predominantly pushing into the US market. And with the US approvals comes entry into the Middle East markets as well.
We are busy working with the electric vehicle sector but nothing that we can report on at the moment but their should be some exciting announcements in 2024. The difference with Reacton is we will not release unless we know it actually works and will walk away from potential projects unless we know our product will be effective. We are not interested in the risk of failure simply for commercial gain and all of us are passionately committed to making sure the product does not fail.
We also constantly strive to grow our team to the best in the world.
With Fireward we undertook a vehicle installation project in the Middle East for Byrne Equipment Rental LLC - one of the largest plant and equipment rental companies in the Middle East. The challenge set to Reacton was to completely refurbish Byrne’s clients hired power generator based at an off-shore powering oil production site within a limited time frame. Within seven days of awarding Reacton the project, Fireward were onsite in-country, installing an 18kg in-direct dry powder system.
Whilst in Mongolia… We completed a 28 day installation, battling extreme temperatures in a Southern Mongolian coal mine. Our highly dedicated team of engineers flew from the UK, via Russia then a 12 hour off road drive from the nearest signs of civilisation with no road signs and only a compass for navigation to complete an installation on behalf of Bayalag Energy Resource LLC.
We were tasked with supplying and fitting a range of 27KG108KG Dual Agent systems to twenty of the huge (300 -400 ton) Hitachi and Belaz excavators and dump trucks which cost millions of dollars. Each asset was fitted with an automatic fire suppression system which included a full kit to include fire detection tubing, in-cab monitoring, battery isolation, engine shutdown and manual actuators.
The reliable and robust Reacton Fire Suppression system was a perfect fit for Bayalag in the extremely harsh conditions as it is accredited to -20 degrees C. The project was a great success and as a result the mine have set up their own company to distribute Reacton Fire Suppression products across the whole of Mongolia.
Have you had to adapt your practices to achieve a foothold in the Middle East?
There are so many low cost products from China and India which do not have approvals. The frustrating thing is they purport to have the relevant approvals… So it is not a truthful shopfront. Making sure that people know we have a quality product with the relevant approvals has, and continues to be a priority.
And now that we have brought all of our manufacturing in house with three CNC machines, we are able to be very competitive price wise without compromising on quality.
It is a relentless challenge ensuring that the market knows that Reacton holds not only the relevant approvals, but offers a quality product which can be relied on to work.
The other challenge is to educate the market to seek products which have the most robust approvals rather than basic, and not necessarily appropriate, approvals for each individual sector.
Why are you investing so much in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?
The Kingdom is a focus area for us… there is an increasing commitment towards safety and regulation for instance they are changing the law on bus protection. Again it’s all about education.
We support many of the smaller contractors in the Kingdom but still need get our message in front of the main contractors.
Our aim is to offer the best product in the world, working with a committed team of experts who are passionate about the quality and efficacy of our offering.
Fire Middle East is the established voice in the fire sector throughout the Middle East, bringing our focussed audience expert content that is engaging and educational. For over 16 years we have carved out a reputation as a trusted source of reference. No other fire title can boast such a long and successful record of delivering enlightening and educational content to the region’s fire professionals.
And with this, our inaugural Fire Middle East Conference, we continue to evolve along with our readers, maintaining a record of being a publication of note as well as a conference organiser presenting an authoritative and informed programme. We will cover many key areas, relevant to all individuals whose professional role encompasses the protection of life, buildings, infrastructure and investment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the rest of the perpetually developing Middle East region.
The ultimate aim for the Fire Middle East stable is to play an impartial and informed role in the creation and maintenance of safe environments from fire around the fastdeveloping region for the benefit of government; commerce & industry; personnel; residents and visitors alike. This is particularly important with the ever-increasing number of ultra high-rise buildings and other major innovative construction developments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the rest of the region.
We want to make a difference. Our vision for the future is simple – to continue to be the most respected title and voice for the fire industry. To do this we will innovate and evolve to ensure we are meeting our audience’s needs in the medium they want. We are at the forefront of the fire landscape and we are actively helping to shape the future of the industry.
firemiddleeastconference.com
OUR SPONSORS
The FME conference is powered by our Strategic Partner, the National Security Services Company (SAFE). The organisation holds prestigious licenses from the Ministry of Interior (MOI) and the High Commission for Industrial Security (HCIS) and stands at the forefront of enabling growth and sustainability in the sector. Its unwavering commitment to the industry will see it continue its trajectory of growth and innovation while continuing to set industry benchmarks. SAFE’s partnership with the conference is a testament to its unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation. SAFE’s world-class expertise will bring invaluable insights into the challenges, trends and outlook for the fire and security sectors. safesecurity.sa
Reacton Fire Suppressions’ dedication and commitment to consistent product quality, independent testing and global approvals, gives you the peace of mind required to make Reacton your first choice regarding automatic fire suppression systems.
Reacton Fire Suppression has achieved the world’s first UL 2166 Listing for Direct (DLP) technology for protecting electrical panels, server rooms, CNC machines and wind turbines. The company has approval pending for UAE.S. 5041:2021 protecting buses & coaches and already holds ActivFire 5062:2016 for heavy plant.
reactonfire.com
SPONSOR
Lubrizol
With over 60 years of CPVC expertise, BlazeMaster® Fire Protection Systems stand out as a global leader in fire sprinkler systems.
BlazeMaster CPVC, a product of Lubrizol (a Berkshire Hathaway company), represents excellence in fire safety technology. Accredited by FM, UL, and LPCB, Blazemaster’s CPVC surpasses industry standards, ensuring optimal performance and sustainability.
Embraced by a network of industry professionals for its unmatched quality, BlazeMaster CPVC streamlines installation processes, significantly reducing project timelines. Join us to learn firsthand how BlazeMaster CPVC continues to set the standard in fire safety, backed by Lubrizol’s unwavering commitment to innovation and reliability. blazemaster.com
SWASTIK SYNERGY ENGINEERING PVT. LTD. (SSEPL) is one of the leading manufacturers and muppliers of firefighting appliances, equipment & systems.
SSEPL’s manufacturing and warehousing facility is located at Khopoli near Mumbai, and it consists of all the necessary and sophisticated plant machinery from the Deep Drawing Press to the complete Fire Extinguisher assembly line.
We are conscious of quality control at every stage right from the purchasing of raw materials to the final performance of the product.
SSEPL is approved by CCOE (PESO) for filling and storing of firefighting gases. SSEPL is also ISO 9001:2015 approved and is registered with NSIC and MSME. swastiksynergy.com
The Fire Science Academy (FSA) is a worldclass professional and vocational training agency dedicated to maximising learning experiences from incipient to advanced levels of firefighting, hazardous materials, rescue, EMS, incident command and core safety training.
We have decades of industry experience and resources and a state of the art academy in Jubail Industrial City focused on providing the most up to date safety and emergency response training providing the highest quality, professional and most current industrial safety or emergency response training solutions to our clients.
Our instructor team is handpicked from all over the world and they are not satisfied until our clients are satisfied. fsa-ksa.com
THE CONFERENCE
The one-day conference includes keynote speeches from senior regional stakeholders and leading industry experts and our panel discussions will include innovators of future developments and influencers within the region.
We are delighted that Robert(Bob) Rea QFSM, MBA, MIFirE will be our Chairman for the day and his opening speech is bound to be thought provoking and enlightening The first Panel Discussion of the day will explore the importance of implementing the correct international codes and certification in countries and states in the diverse region of the Middle East here topical experts examine how best to understand regulations and product approvals.
Peter Stephenson will lead a panel deliberating best practice and innovation in fire safety engineering from design, to engineering and construction, focussing on developing a fire safety engineering strategy and how communications between relevant parties, new technologies and processes help to engineer safe high rise buildings.
In his keynote speech Ed Barnes will share his views and expertise on the subject of innovative fire suppression technologies.
After a coffee break, and a time to think about the morning’s presentations, Faris Alzahrani presents the results of an investigation of the potential impacts and challenges of the introduction of residential sprinklers in private housing in Saudi Arabia.
Our third Panel Discussion of the day will consider the vast question of protecting people and assets in high-rise building and giga-project developments active and passive fire protection delving into the protocol, systems and technologies that must be considered to protect hugely ambitious projects both during construction and upon completion.
The Hidden Risks of Culinary Excellence: Fire Hazards is the intriguing title of Dr. Sebastian Ukleja’s TED-style talk.
The final Panel Discussion of the day “Emergency response to regionspecific issues and threats” will address the challenges for first responders and firefighters, and the improvements that can be made, to create a collaborative approach to wildland fires, flooding and the aviation.
Throughout the morning we will welcome key speakers, on current and relevant topics, which will lead to interesting debate in the Q&A sessions.
We intend that our delegates will leave stimulated, inspired and informed.
“The Fire Middle East Conference will unify thought leaders and industry heads in an exciting new conference that promotes the turbulent nature of the marketplace and allows companies to align themselves with the multi-billion dollar projects that make up the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative”
Mike Dingle, Managing Director
simon santamaria and peter stephenson of Hydrock explore the need for a robust approach to technical development to raise standards in fire and building safety, in the wake of high-profile disasters.
In fire safety engineering, staying at the forefront of innovation and technical excellence is not just a goal; it’s a necessity. As demand grows for sustainable buildings that help to mitigate the climate emergency, so does the need for skilled fire safety professionals who are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of these structures. And with high-profile tragedies putting fire safety and building standards in the spotlight, there’s absolutely no room for error.
These challenges facing the industry are magnified by an international skills shortage. Demand for people who possess the highest level of technical competency to deliver technically excellent projects has never been higher, so embracing continuous learning and development at every level is key.
Hydrock’s commitment to this demand has led to the inception of a comprehensive, industry-leading Technical Development Programme. Led by their Fire Safety Division, the initiative is designed to elevate the skills and knowledge of over one hundred of their fire safety engineers and consultants.
Fire safety engineering – and the broader topic of building safety –has always been critical, but in the last decade alone, the industry has been shaken by incidents reaching global news. The Lacrosse apartment tower fire in Melbourne, Australia in 2014; a fire at the Address Downtown hotel in Dubai two years later – neither of which, thankfully, resulted in fatalities – and in the UK, Grenfell Tower. This disaster, in June 2017, thrust fire safety into the public spotlight as 72 people lost their lives after fire took hold of the residential tower block in West London.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, an enquiry led by Dame Judith Hackitt deemed safety standards across the construction industry in the UK unfit for purpose. The ensuing Building Safety Act (BSA), introduced in 2022, is a wide-ranging overhaul of existing regulations designed to raise the bar across the entire built environment, with fire safety a key element. The failings identified in the enquiry are being addressed in the UK but are both applicable internationally, and rapidly being considered best practice globally.
These changes are extensive and affect every step of the construction process, meaning developers, architects, engineers, contractors and other stakeholders are required to buy into a fundamental overhaul of culture. Initially focusing on residential higher risk buildings — defined as structures at least 7 storeys, or 18m in height, containing a minimum of two residential units and including hospitals and care homes — the BSA introduces the requirement for an Accountable Person, who is legally responsible for the management of the fire and structural safety of the building. This is achieved through a Digital Golden Thread of information, providing a trail of all decisions, decision makers, and buildingrelated changes or updates.
In the Middle East the importance of accountability is also recognised within codes and standards. For example, Chapter 18 within the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code 2018 details the responsibilities of stakeholders including building owners, developers, consultants, house of expertise and contractors. The level of responsibility is also defined for material manufacturers, agents, suppliers, material testing laboratories and conformity certification bodies. When buildings are in use, management responsibilities for key building types such as assembly, educational, healthcare, office, detention and mall buildings are also well defined. The Saudi Building Code does not make specific requirements on stakeholders, however the intention of the code is to be adopted as a legally enforceable document and it cannot be effective without adequate provisions for its administration and enforcement. Across the Middle East the adoption of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and standards offer a wider range of requirements detailing responsibilities and accountabilities for building owners, managers, and other stakeholders in maintaining fire safety standards.
The stricter accountability introduced by the BSA brings with it its own set of challenges, chiefly demonstrating competence, and implementing such widescale change. Self-regulation is a key factor here, and this was one of the key topics of Hydrock’s Building Safety Act conference held in October 2023, which was attended by national and international delegates. Expert panellists agreed that all stakeholders, irrespective of geography, have a shared responsibility to ensure building safety, yet understanding where their role fits into the bigger picture of a building’s lifecycle, is perhaps the most crucial part of all.
Demonstrating competence is the backbone of the BSA legislation and international best practice, yet this infers a hierarchical model of skill and expertise. Instead, a peer reviewbased approach may be most effective, yet this approach is only as strong as the technical skills and knowledge of the peers involved. This is where the need for technical development comes in. The fire safety industry, both in the UK and further afield, is in the midst of a skills shortage. As a fast-evolving industry, there has been less professional clarity than traditional engineering roles. Couple this with a sharply increasing demand for skilled people to tackle the challenges of technological and environmental-driven innovations of recent decades, and add to that a dearth of training programmes and inconsistent availability of education to degree level, and you have an industry crying out for fresh minds.
This is where Hydrock’s Technical Development Programme is providing positive change across the industry. Completed annually, and involving fire safety professionals at all levels, engineers and consultants engage in training activities throughout the year, including in-person and online workshops and assessments. These activities are carefully designed, with input from renowned expert Professor José Torero – expert witness for the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry and investigator of the World Trade Center collapse – to align with competency frameworks established by renowned international bodies, such as the Institute of Fire Engineers, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, and The UK Engineering
Council. This ensures that learning outcomes are robust, exhaustive and relevant to the challenges of today’s industry.
Central to the programme’s success is the emphasis on integrating technical excellence into project delivery. Hydrock’s underpinning ethos is that well-rounded technical competency is not just about theoretical knowledge, but practical application, too. As such, the programme features a diverse range of learning formats, from theoretical discussions led by internal and external subject matter experts, to hands-on workshops and case studies based on real-world projects.
“We continuously build upon research outcomes and experience to ensure the delivery of our Technical Development Programme remains dynamic, efficient and relevant to the requirements of our team. During our activities, we address technical challenges from different perspectives, ensuring we reflect on the assumptions and limitations that define the application of the methodologies we deploy. We make use of historic and recent case studies and we investigate, in-depth, the impact of our approach on all aspects of building design and construction, including safety, cost, efficiency and elegance.” – Simón Santamaria, technical development director, Hydrock.
Moreover, the exploration of team dynamics in technical discussions has revealed valuable insights into promoting creativity, accuracy, and thoroughness in problem-solving. By fostering an environment of open dialogue and collaboration, diverse perspectives and innovative approaches are encouraged, ultimately enhancing the quality of delivery and driving continuous improvement.
Implementing the programme has not been without its challenges. Its launch underscored the immense value of case studies in reinforcing theoretical concepts and fostering critical thinking skills. By immersing participants in real-world scenarios, case studies provide a platform for applying technical knowledge to practical situations, thereby enhancing retention and understanding. Hence, the integration between the technical delivery and technical development teams has proven fundamental to ensure that case studies remain relevant, accurate and challenging. A portfolio of case studies emphasises the application of specific skills and push the boundaries of technical knowledge as we seek to assess the impact of materials, technologies and designs on fire safety strategy.
Furthermore, the programme highlights broader context – commercial, legal, and practical - behind the application of technical knowledge. Recognising that effective fire safety solutions must balance engineering principles with regulatory requirements, budget constraints, and stakeholder expectations, a holistic understanding of the environments in which the team operate is imperative.
Hydrock’s Technical Development Programme brings a comprehensive and structured approach to an area of the industry that has suffered from being fragmented and disjointed. It is a promising and optimistic way forward.
Our enduring commitment to setting the standards for technical excellence in fire safety means the programme will continue to evolve and adapt to meet the ever-changing needs of the industry. This means embracing emerging technologies and methodologies, such as the challenges posed by the emergence of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and associated charging infrastructure - to stay ahead of the curve and drive excellence for our clients and peers.
In future, the intention is to offer the Technical Development Programme to industry. The BSA is galvanising a clear appetite to raise and maintain standards in fire safety, using accountability and collaboration as the vehicles to success. Hydrock is rising to that challenge in the UK and internationally.
Two new hose product lines: the Premium Attack hose line and the Standard Attack hose line have been launched by Kochek.
These hose lines provide options for double jacket, single jacket, and rubber covered attack hose. The company can assemble the right hose, with the best quality Kochek connections, to meet specific needs.
The Premium range comes in a selection of sizes, colours, and couplings with a polyester jacket attack hose which is made
Johnson Controls has an electronic accelerator that improves response time of Tyco dry pipe and preaction valves within fire sprinkler systems – the Tyco QRS-2 Quick Release Switch. It uses proven electric release technology to initiate operation of valves within four seconds after sprinkler activation. An increased valve response time means water is released more quickly through the pipes and to the fire hazard.
Using built-in low- and high-pressure alarm supervision, the QRS-2 Quick Release Switch automatically adjusts to small and slow changes in system pressure by sampling air pressure three times per second. When the device records a steady drop in pressure, as in the case of sprinkler system operation, it sends a signal to release the valve. Electric release technology helps reduce accelerator operating time and false trip issues that often occur with traditional mechanical switches.
JOHNSON CONTROLS tyco-fire.com
in the USA of synthetic polyester with smooth, top-quality liners. A polyurethane coating provides exceptional resistance to heat, flame, and abrasion and the rubber covered hose is made with an optimised nitrile/PVC blend with heavy duty ribs for extended service life.
The Standard range also comes in a selection of sizes, colours, and couplings and the EPDM liner offers good resistance to chemicals and aging, while the polyurethane coating resists abrasion, heat, flame and other hazards. Standard nitrile
rubber covered hose is non-absorbent and abrasion resistant.
Both versions meet and exceed NFPA standards. KOCHEK COMPANY Kochek.com
Siemens Smart Infrastructure has a new version of ‘Fire Manager’, its dedicated web-based Software as a Service (SaaS) fire app that offers service providers and fire safety managers the capability to have all fire safety sites in one view. The status of buildings can be easily monitored, with more information available by clicking on a site of interest via a fully encrypted connection that ensures the safety of the data.
Fire Manager offers a range of benefits, including a status overview of a site/ sites, both live and historical events, customisable notification via SMS and/
or email, and data that assists with maintenance and planning. Included in the data that Fire Manager provides from a fire safety system is the potential for disturbance free testing (DFT), which allows detectors to be tested automatically, with the results recorded in the portal.
Alongside Fire Manager, which automatically transmits notifications of the fire system status to service providers, notifications can also be sent to their customers by Fire Connect, a native iOS and Android app.
SIEMENS siemens.co.uk/cerberus
The Testifire XTR2 from Detectortesters is the next generation of their popular Testifire product, however it is much more than just a functional test tool with all-in-one smoke and heat testing; automated pass or fail record; a touchscreen user interface; App connectivity for job creation, reporting and added functionality and a link to cloud for test results and reporting.
Testifire XTR2 has compliance at its core, its unique features enable compliant testing to be carried out and, via an App and supporting cloud-portal, ensure test results can be recorded automatically at the time of test – giving fire service managers and building owners the ultimate proof of test.
The test report is automatically generated on-site once the final detector has been tested. It’s then immediately available for viewing by the relevant team members at the service company and then be sent to the client along with any other relevant documentation. The report combines all the data needed to prove testing has taken place and confirms the status of each detector, automatically highlighting any areas of concern at the top of the document.
DETECTORTESTERS detectortesters.com
Responsible use of C6 Fluorine Chemistry and to providing its products to firefighting foam manufacturers.
As high hazard, flammable liquid emergencies are occurring world-wide, a recap is needed:
C6 AFFFs and AR-AFFFs remain the highest performing firefighting products for flammable liquids.
C6 Foam Concentrates are required for critical uses and major fire events.
C6 Foam Concentrates are proven and e ective with decades of successful extinguishments.
C6 Foam Concentrates should not be used for testing or training. In cases of fire events or accidental release, C6 Foam Concentrate run-o should be controlled and captured. Refer to Dynax SDSs for region specific product use and disposal information.
Universal EU PFAS ban proposal does not cover PFAS in Firefighting Foams.
The proposal for PFAS in Firefighting Foam includes a 10 year derogation for Seveso III sites.
