Barriers to trade
At the start of 2021, amid accounts of delays to imports and exports to and from the UK and many suppliers reporting increased costs and red tape, the UK fire industry also…
Evidence-based recommendations for structural firefighting now available in NFPA 1700
In 2014, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) received a new standards project request from a retired Kansas City, Missouri fire chief asking for the development of a guide that filled the…
De-Wipe Hair & Body Wash – Wash away the risk with a healthier ‘shower within the hour’
The firefighters’ mantra ‘shower within the hour’ is one of the best practices for preventing firefighter cancer. Without a mandatory shower back at the station, firefighters not only run the risk of…
Mobile phone coverage is essential in fire stations
There has never been a more poignant time for companies and organisations to implement technology that keeps employees connected, no matter where they are. Mobile connectivity is now deemed essential, both for…
Bristol Uniforms introduces EOS: Protection, flexibility, strength
Bristol Uniforms, a leading designer and manufacturer of protective clothing for the emergency services, has launched a brand-new, state-of-the-art design for structural firefighting PPE. Named after the Greek goddess of the dawn,…
Life Kitchens – The future is non-combustible kitchens
All our kitchen cabinets are manufactured from rust-resistant treated steel and manufactured with non-toxic fire-resistant foam for insulation and acoustic effect. The door fascias are also manufactured from other non-combustible materials such…
There are standards, then there are standards – the latter need not be complied with! Part 1
The motivation for this two-part article arose from an observation overheard in a meeting when a consultant working for a social-housing provider questioned the need for BS 9251 to be specified for…
Weber Rescue – E-FORCE battery tools for more speed and flexibility
Weber Rescue Systems is proud to present a new series of battery-driven rescue tools. The next generation of E-FORCE tools benefit from new and innovative technical features for even more efficient use.…
Firestopping service penetrations – the importance and benefits of early engagement
This article has been based on the virtual panel discussion held under the umbrella of London Build Online on 25 November 2020. The industry has already seen a major shift regarding the…
Jewish George Cross hero receives remembrance plaque
Harry Ehrengott was born into a poor Soho immigrant Jewish family in Poland Street on 20 August 1910. His parents, Solomon and Bella, were tailors and Harry’s first language was Yiddish. Changing…
NFCC continues to support FRSs through Covid vaccination
On Friday, 31 January 2020, the first case of Covid-19 was confirmed in the UK. Braced for the inevitable, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) had already started planning its response to…
Hainsworth Protective Fabrics – Introducing the next generation of PPE
Hainsworth Protective Fabrics have released their latest innovative technology, AGILE – a lighter-weight textile for structural firefighting. Director Tom Hainsworth discusses the vital need for low-weight kit and why, when it comes…
Spinning plates
The fire-safety industry recognises Fire and Rescue Services have multiple responsibilities when it comes to keeping people safe. What requires greater collaboration, however, is the discussion on competency. Lewis Ramsay QFSM MBA,…
Enhancing the safety of vehicle and machinery operations at DP World London Gateway Port
‘Almost one million containers pass through our port each year,’ says Neil Bellinger, workshop and mobile equipment manager, DP World London Gateway, ‘As a result, our schedules are tightly packed each day…
Pandemic PPE
In this article Brian Hesler, Consultant and Specialist Advisor at Draeger Safety UK discusses the lessons the industry has learned from the PPE supply challenges that resulted from the unprecedented demand during…
Challenges of Continuous Professional Development for on-water and flood search and rescue using small rescue craft
Researching Continuous Professional Development for conducting water and flood search and rescue (SAR) using small rescue craft and completing the ‘reading list’ produced from this research is a challenge. It is a…
Wireless can overcome the challenges of unsafe cladding
Over three years after the Grenfell Tower fire, the fallout is still rarely out of the news, with stories relating to unsafe cladding, new fire regulations and ongoing inquiries continuing to generate…
Wildfire research – from the ground up
Having worked for many years in both land management and the fire and rescue service sectors, I have seen many changes and improvements in the way we work and in the health,…
Fire safety law: where are we now?
Over three and a half years since the tragedy at Grenfell, the new fire safety law is yet to come into force. This article examines the current proposals under the Fire Safety…
How to choose structural firefighting gear that reduces the impact of heat stress
A firefighter needs to evaporate about 1 litre of sweat per hour to be able to regulate their body temperature when being exposed to extreme heat.* The human body is designed to…
How to fireproof historic buildings to ensure our past has a future
General construction companies are well aware of the basic fire-safety procedures which need to be put in place during the building phase of a project. However, experts in conservation and restoration will…
Ensuring the integrity of fire compartmentation
Fire compartmentation is a fundamental aspect of fire-safety provision, but when it is compromised, it will diminish the effectiveness of a building to resist the passage of fire and smoke. UK Fire…
GBA: Unified Industrial Fire Service without management, autonomy in the port of Amsterdam
The sea-port area of Amsterdam ranks fourth in terms of economic significance in north-western Europe. Cruise shipping, tank storage, waste recycling, Seveso industry and renewable energy are just a few economic hotspots.…
A time for reflection, review, action and optimism
In my November editorial I wrote of uncertainty over the outcome of Brexit negotiations and, of course, the ongoing pandemic. At the eleventh hour a deal was done to support the transition…