Developing non-technical skills in emergency response
Insuring against rising fire risk
In recent years, insurers have seen fire risks and resulting insurance claims for commercial premises grow significantly. Various factors have influenced risks, including unusually hot and dry weather, demanding work schedules with prolonged hours, and an ongoing drive for sustainability…
Principle and application of aspirating smoke detectors (ASDs) with an innovative method for very early fire alarms – Part 1
From the earliest laser to particle-counting methods, air-sampling aspirating smoke detectors (ASDs) for very early fire warning has made an essential contribution to property protection. Part One of the article introduces the particle-charging method’s principles and evaluates the charging performance…
Operational concerns involving electric and hybrid vehicles at vehicle-related incidents – Part 2
The true concern with these vehicles is not extrication but fire. We already have vehicles with a significant fire load without adding in a drivetrain that adds hundreds of power cells of either NiCad, NMHiD or Li-ion, pounds of combustible…
Antarctic Fire Angels: let’s get training!
Even though we’ve been preparing for the Antarctic the last few years, unfortunately we’ve had many plans scuppered by Covid, which included moving back the expedition to the next year. However, with that said it’s been very much ‘GO GO…
Warehouse fires – a new era in risk mitigation
As demand for warehouse space continues to soar, thanks to increased e-commerce demand, Paul Waldeck, Head of Risk & Compliance for Ambrey Baker Industrial Solutions, discusses the additional fire-safety factors that need to be considered for warehouse spaces. Covid-19 will…
Manufacturing for diversity
A lack of diversity within the fire services has been a topic of growing importance for many years now, and our industry is working hard to investigate the specific causes at play, and what potential solutions will attract more women,…
Trench rescue: low-frequency but high-hazard incidents
Trench rescue incidents thankfully do not occur on a regular basis, but when they do occur, how prepared are our emergency responders in dealing with them? Trench rescues by their nature are very complex and have the potential to rapidly…
Favourable fire prevention for historic buildings
This feature explores the complexities of specifying fire-safety solutions for heritage buildings that offer the highest levels of protection whilst preserving the character of these historic landmarks. Fireproofing a historic building is not a simple process. Retaining the building’s character…
Electric vehicle fires on ships
The Felicity Ace and her cargo of thousands of burnt vehicles – some of them electric – built by the Volkswagen Group is now several kilometres beneath the Atlantic. What do we actually know about electric vehicle fires on ships,…
Electric detection technology provides intelligent fire protection for commercial kitchens
The latest fire-protection systems provide real-time monitoring capabilities, streamline maintenance and evolve with kitchens as they change. The global pandemic has created economic challenges in the hospitality sector, with many restaurant teams working tirelessly to recover from losses and remain…
Expect building failure – firefighters must always expect and plan for worst-case scenarios
Fires in residential high-rise buildings present tremendous challenges to firefighters, where inappropriate structural design, construction omissions and poor maintenance lead to widespread systemic failure. However, firefighters are now facing even greater challenges in these buildings due to more recent shifts…
Managing risk and designing with non-combustible materials
Over the past few years, questions have been raised about the risk of fires in tall buildings. Following the Grenfell Tower fire, a decision was taken to ban combustible materials in the cladding of some buildings over 18m in height. …
Thermal imaging: breaking down the scan – Part 3
Thus far, we have learned how to properly interpret thermal data during a scan, we have learned how to conduct a scan during size-up, and now we will complete this series by explaining how to scan the interior environment. These…
How the pandemic redefined UK expectations for public safety
The Covid-19 pandemic irrevocably changed the way that we think and feel about safety. Recent research led by Goldsmiths, University of London, reveals new expectations across the British public. At the time of writing, it has been 25 months since…
Watermist: from gap filler to stand-alone technology
Operational concerns involving electric and hybrid vehicles at vehicle-related incidents – Part 1
One of the largest concerns today dealing with vehicle-related incidents is the electrification of vehicles. We deal with technology concerns in every single vehicle that we encounter, whether passenger or commercial. SRS safety systems are more and more comprehensive, but…
Understanding char loss and fall-off for fire-safe design of timber structures
Engineered timber is in high demand while the awareness of environmental pressures is growing. Worldwide research has studied the fire behaviour of timber but char fall-off remains one of the critical factors by delaying or preventing self-extinction. This article highlights…