The value of competence
One of the outcomes of the Hackitt review of Building Regulations was a concern regarding the competence of all those who design, commission, build and manage high-risk residential buildings (HRRBS). Dame Judith rightly recommended that an overarching framework to manage…
Emergency Services must adopt digital transformation to survive
The UK’s emergency services are the backbone of our society and help to keep us safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, they face both a unique challenge and opportunity in the form of Information Communications Technology…
In the news again
It seems that the British Fire & Rescue Service with its multiple skills, dedication and wide range of operational and humanitarian work is rarely out of the media headlines most days, but recent events have again put FRS’s in the…
Quelfire – Effective passive fire protection
For over 40 years, Quelfire has been one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of specialist passive fire protection for buildings. The company has built its name on a long-standing commitment to high-quality certified products, including fire-containment systems for pipe,…
Pyroplex – Making glazed doors fire-safe
Glazed doors are in demand. And for good reason. Not only are they safer in high footfall areas, they’re often an important design choice in commercial and residential buildings. More glass enables more natural light to transfer between different areas.…
Emergency One and IoT – Ensuring firefighters have the appliances and equipment required to do their job
The term ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) is commonly banded about and increasingly forms part of everyday life without us even considering it. Extending internet connectivity so they become integral features of our everyday objects and devices enables instant communication and…
Battery-fan technology leading an evolution of UK firefighting tactics
Ventilation fans have been a mainstay in the fire industry for many decades, and during that time, these fans have evolved considerably. This article looks at the evolution of ventilation and its impact on UK firefighting. Initially, ventilation fans were…
The changing role of the firefighter and their PPE
Hainsworth Technology speaks to a firefighter and senior fire officer about their experiences of selecting new kit. Peggy Male has been a firefighter with West Midlands Fire Service for 19 years. She is a member of White Watch at Bilston…
Perimeter sealing around fire doors
The fire door is a highly engineered construction product that when assembled and installed correctly plays a vital and integral part of the fire strategy within any building. Whilst providing and maintaining fire performance, exterior pedestrian fire doors have to…
Extrication planning – Part 1
Vehicle extrication is an extremely complex discipline which requires a high level of skill, knowledge and understanding in order to ensure a safe and successful outcome. Whilst it is heavily reliant on teamwork and multi-agency working, its ultimate success requires…
The Fire Industry Association (FIA) – Providing expertise, research and training for fire-industry professionals
The Fire Industry Association (FIA) is Europe’s largest trade association for the fire-protection sector, with a focus on providing excellence in fire safety. A not-for-profit organisation, the FIA focuses on funding vital research into methods of fire protection. Recent studies…
Staying on top of ever-changing fire-safety regulations
More than ever before, fire-safety regulations are under intense scrutiny as time passes since the Grenfell Tower tragedy. However, when it comes to legal obligations around fire safety, many UK businesses are still worryingly unaware of the rules and the…
Impeller reveals new courses dealing with heavy road traffic collision incidents
Impeller is about to announce dates for its new heavy-lifting course, but how did the Heavy Road Traffic Collision course come about? What problems had to be overcome, and which partners had to be involved in order to overcome the…
An Interview with Roger Startin
Roger Startin is Joint Managing Director of Bristol Uniforms, a leading manufacturer of PPE for firefighters around the world. In this article, UK Fire finds out more about his 37 years with the company. UK Fire: How did your career begin?…
Water mist – the firefighting system and the organisation behind it
Ragnar Wighus, IWMA past president and chief scientist at SP Fire Research Norway, says: ‘Water-mist firefighting systems are well established and have been in use for well over 20 years in their present stage of technology.’ Funnily enough, there are…
FireTreks – the journey starts now
FireTreks was created to start a journey. Rainforests, deserts, volcanos, ice fields, salt flats, mountains, remote islands and condensed townships – FireTreks aims to investigate how fire safety is managed in such varied environments. No tourists and absolutely no contact…
Fire service champions mental health
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) is leading the charge in raising awareness and championing mental health within the fire and rescue community. The mission of MFRS is to achieve ‘Safer Stronger Communities – Safe Effective Firefighters’. In order to…
The future of fire-alarm systems maintenance, delivered via the cloud
Regular maintenance of fire-alarm systems and timely response to malfunctions are part of every installer’s service promise. But maintaining, servicing and monitoring fire-safety equipment can prove time- and cost-intensive, especially across multiple locations. Now a fully cloud-based solution, Bosch Remote…
LNG in your port
With Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) being used in ever-increasing quantities across the world and the transportation by sea of this liquid reaching new levels, there is an urgent need for our firefighters to be aware of how to deal with…
Fire door glazing – how to embrace the challenge
Glass is an increasingly popular construction material. It maximises the use of natural light and helps to create a feeling of space. In high-footfall areas, glass can enhance visibility immensely – often desirable for safety reasons. The benefits are clear…
Multi-role rescue and firefighting vehicles for Leonardo Helicopters
Helicopter production first commenced at Yeovil in Somerset in 1948 following the end of the Second World War and a review of aircraft production. A number of successful international companies in succession have produced some of the world’s most popular…
Former fire-station janitor is now saving lives on the front line
When Laura Robinson left her jet-setting army life behind, she could never have imagined that a job as a fire-station janitor would lead to a new career back on the front line. However, fast-forward two years, and Laura has swapped…
Experience, technology and people
It would have been hard to miss the devastating scenes in Paris last month as the Cathedral of Notre Dame was severely damaged by fire. Within minutes videos were being streamed live…