As environmental concerns gain momentum in the industry, their domino effect is witnessed across industry sectors and markets. The fire suppression industry is not immune from these concerns, writes Konkana Khaund, Research Analyst, Environment and Building Technologies Practice, for Frost and Sullivan North America.

Corporate manslaughter
Tim Hill, regulatory associate from Eversheds Crisis Management Service, talked about the implications of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 which came into force in the UK in April 2008.

A JOIFF-organised conference covered a diverse range of topics, ranging from the safety of biofuel storage to the fitness levels of firefighters. Dan Worth reported from Harlow, Essex.

We tend to forget that the world is changing just a little bit at a time and as firefighters we often tend to stay the same, calling our inability to adapt, tradition.

There are many factors which should be taken into consideration when determining the most suitable location for sensors, and site location is one of them. Indoor and outdoor site monitoring present different problems due to mechanical ventilation, building structure or the wind direction/speed.

There are many factors which should be taken into consideration when determining the most suitable location for sensors, and site location is one of them. Indoor and outdoor site monitoring present different problems due to mechanical ventilation, building structure or the wind direction/speed.

Much has been written and reported about the effects of fire water run-off from large scale fire incidents. The problem isn’t new and there have been several landmark fires over the years to remind us that without careful planning disaster can strike – Allied Colloids, Bradford 1992, Sandoz, Basel 1986 and Buncefield, 2005 are seen as the worst case benchmarks for such incidents. Of course, Buncefield didn’t just force a reappraisal of groundwater contamination, it also highlighted the need to reappraise the risk assessments underpinning the approach to firefighting in storage depots. This article will focus on how foam proportioning itself can become part of the review process so that foam discharge is kept to the minimum whilst maximising firefighting capability and cost effectiveness.

According to David Owen of Firemain Engineering, a fire engineering company based in St Helens UK, the Hi Ex Foam system is used for special applications such as aircraft hangars and warehouses. The company recently designed, supplied and commissioned the low expansion foam systems for Virgin Atlantic’s Airbus A380 hangar at Heathrow. Its High Expansion systems were also installed by Argus Fire at RAF Fairford.

Dallas Forth Worth is one of the largest airports in the US. It therefore requires a first line of attack that is able to respond within three minutes. Ann-Marie Knegt interviewed Jessie Gentry, Division Commander Fire Operations, about the new firefighting giants that were recently acquired by the airport.

The authorities of privately-owned Engadine Airport in Samedan, Switzerland, aim to offer travellers a state-of-the-art infrastructure and the highest level of safety, which is why they have an ambitious investment programme.

The authorities of privately-owned Engadine Airport in Samedan, Switzerland, aim to offer travellers a state-of-the-art infrastructure and the highest level of safety, which is why they have an ambitious investment programme.

Antwerp Airport’s (ICAO Cat.7) new container unit is a first for Belgium. Based on a Renault Kerax chassis on a 6x4 wheelbase, this vehicle weighs a massive 26 tonnes and features a huge 8,000 litre water tank with a 450l/m capacity pump. There is space in the cab for three people, and on top of the vehicle a sixteen tonne Palfinger winch is mounted.

In response to feedback from frequent users of mobile decon showers, DQE launched the Indestructo Decon Shower, for use in rugged field conditions. “Most systems are made with pipes made of PVC, which can shatter if dropped on the ground.

Dr. Howard Levitin, MD, FACEP is the president and founder of US company DQE, a hazmat decon supplier that began eighteen years ago as a research project into emergency preparedness. Levitin became interested in the role of hospitals in a hazardous materials incident after being confronted with two contaminated patients while working the night shift in the emergency department. While researching the methodology for handling contaminated patients in the ED he met a firefighter who was working to improve the design, quality, and dependability of portable decontamination equipment. They joined forces and the result is DQE.

Maryland company Laurus Systems has launched a new affordable radiation monitor that is permanently installed in an appliance to help reduce the risk of exposure.

In response to the demand for a cleaning system to accompany the drying of chemical protection suits, Top Trock engineered the first all-automatic cleaning, disinfecting and drying system for all kinds of chemical protection and gas tight suits, the SWT,   over 10 years ago.

IA new emergency evacuation device that has been designed for moving and handling incapacitated, disabled or overweight individuals has been developed and launched in the UK.

Expectations from safety design engineers and operators for technology to increase not only the safety of a facility but also design and installation has lead to several new developments from manufacturers such as Tyco Safety Products.

New equipment on the market

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