How manufacturer involvement can mitigate labour risks
While the construction industry grapples with attracting and developing talent, clever product design and manufacturer-led training can go a long way towards boosting productivity and quality, says Graeme Leonard, EMEA fire protection…
What constitutes NFPA 22 compliance and equivalency?
How to Correctly Assess Corrugated Bolted Steel Water Storage Tanks with a Flexible Membrane Liner for Fire Protection SYNOPSIS When it comes to fire protection, the safety and reliability of a functional water storage tank are of utmost importance. These…
Historic building fire protection: emerging findings from the Scottish Government work on hotel conversions
The Cameron House Hotel is a luxury hotel on the shores of Loch Lomond consisting of the original B-graded structure of the original 19th century building and several modern extensions. On 18 December 2017 a serious fire destroyed much of…
Overview of modern watermist systems
My personal journey with watermist systems dates back to the early 2000s when I was still working within Finnish academia. At that time, several Finnish and Danish companies were developing water hydraulic products as eco-friendly and fire-safe alternatives to oil…
Strengthening resilience – NFPA 1660 – Disaster Preparedness: planning and implementation
This article is the third of a four-part series that discusses the key elements of NFPA 1660 (2024) Standard for Emergency, Continuity, and Crisis Management: Preparedness, Response, and Recovery. In the previous articles the significant consolidation of the NFPA’s Emergency…
Training to meet the current and changing needs of firefighters
‘Training is the process of learning the skills that you need for a particular job or activity.’1 For the modern firefighter, is skills acquisition enough to meet the needs of their role and professional identity? I would argue not. Firefighters…
Reflecting safety: best practices for turnout gear trim maintenance
Reflective trim on firefighter turnout gear is more than just an added feature; it is a critical component mandated by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to ensure the safety and effectiveness of firefighters on the front line. This essential…
Fire authorities adopt early thermal runaway detection technology
For backup power systems, a de facto industry standard is increasingly being installed in battery energy storage systems to help tame the dangers of thermal runaway. At data centers across the United States, demand for battery energy storage systems (BESS)…
Real safety concerns exist in aviation
History suggests that each year air travel should see improved safety, but that is not always the case. Changes in aircraft construction materials, firefighting agents and reduced firefighter training, as well as weakened standards and unfavourable passenger practices, could be…
The new Foam Campus by RelyOn Nutec Fire Academy
Across the world, the foam transition is now in full swing and many organizations have already begun this transition. Along the way, organizations are finding that this transition goes far beyond simply replacing foam concentrate with fluorine-free foam concentrate and…
Essential masonry work in fire-test preparation
Masonry work plays an indispensable yet often overlooked role in fire safety. This meticulous craft is essential in preparing supporting construction for fire-test specimens, and this article discusses the crucial role of masonry artisans in this preparation. Fire resistance testing,…
Building stronger teams: the role of team building in fire testing labs and certification bodies
In today’s dynamic and rapidly evolving fire testing and certification field, the significance of team-building activities cannot be overstated. These activities are crucial for fostering a collaborative culture, enhancing communication and building employee trust between each other and the organisation.…
Testing optical flame detectors beyond international standards
Fire protection is one of the crucial safety aspects of many hazardous industries, including oil & gas. A spill of flammable liquid or flammable gas leak, if ignited, may quickly spread with undesirable consequences for personnel, plant and reputation. To…
PVSTOP: revolutionizing solar panel fire safety
Solar power has emerged as a critical renewable energy source, but commercial-scale solar arrays face a little-known fire risk with potentially major financial and environmental impacts. Innovations like PVSTOP seek to make the solar industry safer by containing and suppressing…
Fire safety issues associated with the move towards net zero
As we collectively drive towards net zero and decarbonisation, there is a greater need to explore technological solutions that are currently used and those being developed, to address the fire risks that accompany them. As we develop existing methods and…
Managing fire risk with effective compartmentation
Compartmentation is a critical line of defence for fire safety, with accurate specification being essential to delivering life-saving performance in the event of a fire breaking out. Here Joshua Slack, National Specification Manager for passive fire protection specialist Promat, defines…
When every second counts – fire escape hoods in high-rise residential blocks
According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), in the United States, the average yearly number of structure fires in high-rise buildings is 14,500. In the United Kingdom, which has significantly fewer high-rise buildings, the number is 772. Between 1993…
Hydrogen blends: recent research advances, standardization and fire safety
The transition towards cleaner energy is an immediate priority. Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 requires continuous efforts and investments from both government and industries over the next decade. Hydrogen could play a critical role in achieving carbon emission reduction goals…
Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things in smart fire and smoke detectors
The concept of Industry 4.0 is set to bring significant changes to various sectors by using smart technologies and digital transformation. The manifestation of this idea in Construction (named Construction 4.0) reshaped the way built environment assets are designed, constructed…
The coolest turnout gear yet: a new era in firefighter comfort and safety has arrived
Exploring the science of sweat and keeping heroes unhindered. In the realm of firefighting, every innovation in protective gear holds the potential to save lives. With the advent of modern building materials contributing to fires that burn hotter and faster,…