While most of the deaths are concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa, southeast Asia ranks second with 110,000 deaths.

The report covers the period between 1997 and 2006 and suggests that deaths could be reduced if people stopped burning tropical rainforests in order to harvest palm oil and other products. The research also suggested a significant link between climate and fire mortality. About twice as many people died during El Nino years when the surface ocean temperature rises in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean than during cooler La Nina years. 

According to survivors’ statements, an unidentified inmate screamed: “We will all die here!" as he set fire to his bedding in the prison in the central town of Comayagua. The lock-up housed people convicted of serious crimes such as homicide and armed robbery. Built in the 1940s to house 400 inmates, at the time of the fire more than 800 prisoners were incarcerated, watched over by about 100 prison guards.

The blaze spread within minutes, killing around 100 inmates trapped in their cells, while firefighters struggled to find officials who had keys.
 

The call to action is the result of findings by Bureau Veritas in a report, entitled “Assessing The Role For Fire Sprinklers”, which reveals that simply by installing fire sprinklers in commercial and industrial buildings, England and Wales could save over nine billion litres of water every year. Sprinkler systems stop or control fires in advance of the fire and rescue service arriving and often use only 0.2 percent of the water used to extinguish a fire in a building that has no sprinklers. 

Eighteen people from six homes were evacuated by police as the fire threatened to spread to homes and four adjacent buildings. It was the third blaze at the site, with the last two igniting in the plant’s paper store room within four months of each other. 

The inspections are believed to be directed at high-rise buildings, residential quarters, schools, hospitals, cinemas and discotheques. The aim is to detect and punish violators and prevent the risk fire.

At the beginning of this month, a fire in central Quang Ngai Province's biggest market caused losses of around US$9.5 million, while a fire last week in a Ho Chi Minh City restaurant endangered the lives of more than 500 customers. 

While most of the deaths are concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa, southeast Asia ranks second with 110,000 deaths.

The report covers the period between 1997 and 2006 and suggests that deaths could be reduced if people stopped burning tropical rainforests in order to harvest palm oil and other products. The research also suggested a significant link between climate and fire mortality. About twice as many people died during El Nino years when the surface ocean temperature rises in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean than during cooler La Nina years. 

One worker remains missing after the explosion.

The cause of the accident is under investigation, but such accidents are usually caused by a failure to ventilate methane gas from the shaft.

According to official statistics, in 2010, 2,433 people died in coal mining accidents in China – a rate of more than six workers every day. However, labour rights groups say the true figure may be much higher, as mine companies cover up accidents to avoid fines and costly mine closures. 

The cross-linked polymer materials and mica insulation used in modern cables allow for simple installation by an electrician as with any other standard PVC cable. The cables are extremely flexible, easy to strip and terminate and require little to no additional installation time.

For further information, go to www.firesense.com.au 

Industrial premises come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and cover everything from the smallest traditional engineering workshop to the latest cutting-edge, hi-tech production facility. They can range from a relatively low fire load, low risk one-man operation to the massive high-hazard chemical and petrochemical complex. Some have a fast turnaround of goods with little inventory, while others demand the storage of highly flammable fuel, raw materials and finished goods. Not all operate within the conventional nine-to-five timeframe; some are in action around the clock whereas others have automatic machinery that is in unmanned “lights out” operation. Even the fire load can vary in some industrial premises, particularly those involved in manufacturing and storing seasonal goods.

If that is not enough to contend with, while industrial buildings around the world have been constructed to comply with a variety of building codes and standards, older buildings that were constructed long before today’s regulations and codes of practice are still commonplace in many countries. The result is that industrial buildings can still be found that are built to less stringent standards than those in force today, with a degree of fire protection, compartmentation, fire stopping, fire detection and fire suppression that would be unacceptable in industrial premises built today. They frequently also utilise materials that are no longer acceptable. This includes asbestos and cladding and lining materials with unacceptable spread of flame or other fire performance characteristics.

The problems associated with these older industrial buildings are compounded by three other factors. Many are now used for purposes other than those originally intended, and possibly without approval for their change of use; they may well contain substantially different fire loadings and risks than were originally anticipated; and may now have environmental or neighbouring challenges that did not exist when the premises were originally built.

New methods, new challenges

Manufacturing, assembling and warehousing are today highly automated operations where the philosophy is often to achieve the maximum stockholding in the minimum space; to make every square metre of space earn its keep. High-level – sometimes floor the ceiling – racking and access gangways so narrow that fork-lift trucks and side loaders completely block the gangway are the norm.

Companies involved in the manufacture or distribution of seasonal or fast-turnaround stock run the risk of using every conceivable space for storage without sufficiently considering the implications for the safe evacuation of employees in a fire, or the safety of the emergency services tackling a blaze as a result of blocked access or evacuation routes. Storage can also be allowed to spill over into adjoining areas during periods of peak demand, utilising forecourts, yards and loading bays.

But, it is not just the increased density of goods that needs to be assessed. Attention also needs to be paid to the fire load characteristics of the stored goods. For example, highly flammable plastic shrink wrapping is now in widespread use, as is highly combustible cardboard and plastic packaging materials and plastic pallets.

These raise the question of fire risk assessments for industrial premises. While the need for them should by now be widely understood, the importance of treating them as an on-going activity may not be sufficiently appreciated by industry. Fire strategies for industrial premises need to be particularly robust and reliable, and the reality of the situation is that in industrial buildings where the volume of stock and its location change on a daily basis, a fire risk assessment needs to be undertaken at a matching frequency.

Empty building risk

The building owners’ responsibilities are not removed by virtue of the building being unused or unoccupied. Even if the building is properly decommissioned and mothballed; the owner or occupier still has responsibility for the maintenance of fire detection and alarm systems or fire suppression installations in as far as they safeguard maintenance or security personnel, or impact on the safety of firefighters who may be called upon to tackle a blaze in the empty building.

Very careful thought has to be given to fire safety precautions before shutting down existing fire detection and firefighting installations or cancelling maintenance regimes. Empty premises are also particularly prone to vandalism and arson, so effective security needs to be implemented to make sure that essential fire safety equipment has not been maliciously damaged or even stolen.

Neighbourhood assessment

Particularly in older premises, a fire can easily spread to adjoining premises, due to the poorer fire performance of the materials used for its construction or the closeness of neighbouring buildings. So, there is a strong argument for co-operating with the management of nearby industrial units to exchange information on fire safety precautions, potential fire risks, preventative measures and fire risk assessments. Adopting an integrated and co-ordinated approach with neighbouring sites, and sharing that information with the local emergency services may well pay huge dividends in the event of a fire.

Special risks

Whomever is responsible for undertaking the fire risk assessment, it is imperative that he or she has an intimate understanding of the special risks associated with industrial buildings in general and of the specific material, production and process risks and challenges of the particular site. These risk assessments must be carried out and regularly updated by competent specialists who can demonstrate experience in these often volatile and special high-hazard environments.

Risk assessments for any high-risk industrial site – particularly if it uses toxic, highly flammable or explosive substances – should not be limited to what might be described as “internal” fire safety threats and challenges. For instance, the responsible assessor needs to take into account what is going on beyond the site’s perimeter fence that might pose a fire risk: what spill-over risks do neighbouring properties and their processes pose, and how can these be negated.

Specific solutions

The type and complexity of the fire detection and alarm system and the provision of fixed fire suppression equipment will naturally vary from site to site, depending on many factors. Certainly, there is no shortage of reliable solutions on the market that adhere to the latest standards and codes of practice.

However when considering larger, more business critical or high risk industrial sites it is wise not to fall into the trap of believing that detection, alarm and suppression are all that need to concern the building owner. Frequently there is much more that needs to be considered. After all, the objective is to minimise the impact of a fire, and that may well mean not assuming that your responsibilities end with the arrival of the emergency services. The resources that are essential for the fire and rescue service need to be available at a moment’s notice. One example is fire hydrants. Not only do they need to be in the right places, the pressure at each hydrant needs to be tested regularly.

Testing is essential

Testing of fire preparedness in industrial premises is not merely a matter of routine maintenance of the detection and alarm system or the fire suppression equipment; it should embrace every aspect of the emergency and evacuation arrangements in as close to a real-life or worse-case scenario as possible. The reality of the situation is that, while you may only ever have one fire, it may turn out to be the organisation’s last. The statistics on business closures following a fire make sobering reading, and the life and property stakes are too high in these high risk environments to leave anything to chance.

Graham Collins
 

The fire industry has long sought a method of extinguishing fires of various heat loads and fuel types, in situations where water may only contain or delay extinguishment. This has been driven by the desire to overcome the pressure from insurance underwriters who have placed a limit on factory and warehouse space utilisation, in some cases prohibiting the use of available storage capacity. Another desire has been to create a firefighting solution that can be scaled to suit any structure or environment.

Conventional CAFS went some way towards resolving these problems. However, there are limitations in terms of the available CAFS applicators and foams and enormous potential for the development of portable and static applicators. Solutions that are self-supporting in terms of energy source, that are available in different sizes to suit the hazard, and that deliver a foam of superior quality and velocity with outstanding knock-down and extinguishing characteristics. Working to resolve these challenges, the engineering team of Clisby OFB has created a solution called CATS (Compressed Air Transfer Systems).

CATS was released to specific markets in 1999, initially concentrating on 150-litre to 400-litres modules, before incorporating the larger and situation-specific designed systems for factories and warehouses. Since then the offering has been further developed into a series of portable, static and mobile units with storage capacities spanning from 100 litres to 10,000 litres. This converts into 3,000 litres to 300,000 litres of blanketing foam at distances of 30 metres and beyond. The system and its foam have been developed and tested in Australia and meet or exceed the standards for the extinguishment of Class A, Class B and Class C fires set by LASTFIRE (Large Atmospheric Storage Tank Fires), and a consortium of international oil companies reviewing the risks associated with fires in storage tanks and developing the best industry practice to mitigate the risks. It also complies fully with Standards Australia’s AS 1210-2010 Pressure Vessel code.
Today, Clisby OFB units are available in standard designs or custom-built to suit specific requirements and legislators’ demands. Clisby OFB have systems and products in use in the mining, military, aeronautical, logistics, manufacturing and motor sport sectors, as well as with country and metropolitan fire services both within Australia and internationally.

Self-Contained, Non-Toxic Solution

CATS mostly incorporate their own water storage facility; they have no electrical or moving parts save for air-operated solenoids in larger models. They contain their own compressed air storage, where the system pressure over a foam water solution is transferred through a series of engineered orifice and bore networks with regulated and stable flow.

This enables non-toxic, biodegradable foam to be discharged at constant pressure, flow with uniform small bubble foam developing and maintaining an expansion ratio of 30:1 and greater. It gets to the heat source with velocity (rapid response), thereby penetrating and knocking down the fire plume and blanketing the area. This compares more than favourably with conventional CAFS that often do not develop velocity, are of expansion ratios of 4:1 to 14:1, and are discharged through monitors where the foam is brought into a water stream using a venturi and therefore miss many of the features required for an extinguishing system that are found in the CATS.

The main components are made of high-grade carbon steel – often galvanised – stainless steel and brass, where the primary tank is a pressure vessel designed to AS1210 for the Australian market, and ASME V111 Div 1 Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code for most other countries. The systems have pressure safety valves, pressure gauges, drains, ball valves and pressure regulators. CATS units can be hand manoeuvred, located within a trailer, be truck-mounted or static, and injected into a piped sprinkler network system thereby changing a water system to foam system and changing the effectiveness from containment to extinguishment.

A membrane of varying sized bubbles can be created to suit the fire type with outstanding cohesion properties and long structural integrity, causing fires to self-extinguish and furthe

With Bullard products, you will find the ultimate in toughness and durability. You will also find extraordinary service and the most innovative designs. Bullard leads the industry with innovative thermal imaging and fire and rescue helmets designed specifically to meet the demands of firefighters.

The latest thermal imager from Bullard is the Eclipse – a low-cost, lightweight, personal-issue thermal imager designed for every firefighter. This ultra-small thermal imager is ergonomically shaped to fit in the palm of a firefighter’s hand and lightweight enough to attach to turnout gear. Weighing 680 grams with a budget-friendly price, the Eclipse offers the fire service an opportunity to bring thermal imaging to more firefighters.

The Eclipse was introduced to the fire service in 2009 and since has become one of Bullard’s most popular thermal imagers. Bullard offers the Eclipse in a standard 80 x 60 engine, but also in a 160 x 120 high-resolution engine that enhances the imager’s versatility by providing firefighters with clearer, crisper and more detailed images, making the Eclipse perfectly-suited as an analytical and navigational tool.

The Eclipse can be equipped with optional advanced features including Bullard’s exclusive Electronic Thermal Throttle (ETT). ETT aids firefighters in revealing hidden fire and distinguishing hotter objects, saving firefighter’s critical time and preventing costly mistakes. Other optional features include high-heat colorization, temperature measurement and customised start-up graphics.

Bullard introduced its first fire helmet in 1930 and since has led the market in product safety with the development of the first fiberglass fire helmet in 1947. In 1983, Bullard manufactured the first NFPA-approved thermoplastic fire helmet and in 1986 the company developed the first ratchet headband used in a fire helmet.

The latest in fire helmet design and technology from Bullard is the Magma. The unique design of Magma allows the firefighter to configure a helmet to his/her exact requirements. Available in two lightweight configurations, Magma offers firefighters the design flexibility to choose a half-shell or three-quarter shell helmet. Magma’s innovative shell material makes the helmet lightweight, weighing less than 1,400 grams.

In addition, Magma features just 29 components that can be easily assembled in just a few minutes. No other fire helmet consists of fewer components. The Magma design meets the requirements of EN443:2008, providing firefighters with the added confidence in the helmet’s performance. Firefighters are well protected from the heat, flames, sparks and fluids.
A popular fire helmet among firefighters is the Bullard LTX structural fire helmet. The LTX Series offers firefighters a lightweight, thermoplastic structural fire helmet that incorporates more than 20 years of Bullard polymer technology and engineering expertise. The LTX is equipped with Bullard’s M-PACT shell, providing users with increased protection and more headroom on the inside of the compact outer shell. This unique feature helps to keep the weight of the helmet evenly distributed on the head while maintaining the LTX Series streamlined design and lower centre of gravity.

The LTX Series helmets offer the Bullard U-Fit system with 12 comfort settings, allowing firefighters to adjust the ride and balance of the helmet for a custom-fit. Helmets also include Bullard’s exclusive Sure-Lock ratchet headband that fits to the size of the wearer’s head with a quick turn of the knob. The LTX Series structural firefighting helmet is compliant with NFPA 1971-2007.

For more information please contact bullardasia@bullard.com
 

Progressive lifting

Holmatro’s hand-operated Power Wedge is very suitable for USAR type applications, such as lifting collapsed structures after an earthquake or explosion. It is the first tool to use in a progressive lifting operation, where it may be followed by a high-pressure pneumatic lifting bag. The lifting bag can be used to create space for a hydraulic lifting jack.

Forced entry

The HPW 4624 can also be used for forced entry applications such as opening elevator doors, other automatic doors and roller shutters.

Self-contained

With the pump being integrated in the tool, the hand-operated Power Wedge is completely self-contained. It is operated by pushing the pump handle forward, which is a natural and ergonomic motion. The handle is foldable and rotatable, which makes the tool:

• Usable in any position
• Usable in confined spaces
• Easy to carry and store

Video & more information

Check out this page on the Holmatro website to watch the video of the hand-operated Power Wedge.

For detailed product information, please visit Holmatro’s product catalogue. 

The fire burned through 36,000 hectares of land and destroyed 166 homes. The accused CFA firefighter has pleaded not guilty to ten counts of arson causing death, and two alternative charges of causing a bushfire that ripped through Churchill three years ago.

The Black Saturday series of bushfires burning across the Australian state of Victoria on and around Saturday, 7th February 2009, resulted in Australia's highest ever loss of life from a bushfire; 173 people died and 414 were injured.
 

The announcement came following the publication of a consultation document that sets out the proposed changes to the Building Regulations. The aim of the proposals is to provide a ‘significant element’ of deregulation, while further improving the energy efficiency and safety aspects of the regulations.

Other fire safety changes involve technical amendments to the classifications of decorative wall linings and thermoplastic lighting diffusers. Proposals are also included for improving the building control process and strengthening enforcement of the regulations.

There are around 28 local Acts that contain fire safety provisions. The government aims to bring the main changes into force in 2013. 

Tens of thousands of people have been ordered to flee their homes as thick plumes of smoke hung over the Acropolis; ash fell on the streets of the capital and clouds of black smoke filling the skyline were so thick that they obscured the sun.

Dozens of homes are reported to have been burnt to the ground, although so far only two people have been admitted to hospital, one with burns and the other with a heart-related problem. The area under threat included the town of Marathon, which provides the main source of Athens' water supply. Fires also threatened the archaeological site of Rhamnus, home to two 2,500-year-old temples, while the Greek coastguard has vessels on standby to transport any residents trapped in coastal areas.

When USAR personnel enter a confined space for a rescue operation, maintaining voice contact with the outside world is important. Feelings of claustrophobia, stress or panic can be experienced by even seasoned responders and, while these feelings can be controlled, they can surface very quickly if a problem occurs, with disastrous consequences. Continuous electronic voice communication is one of the best ways to provide responders with a support system when entering a confined space. Hearing a friendly voice allows entrants to maintain an acceptable comfort zone for the duration, while helping to keep feelings of claustrophobia and panic in check.

Some USAR Teams choose to use wireless systems, which can work perfectly well above ground. However, when rescue efforts are required below ground, in a collapsed structure or in a confined space, hard wired systems are much more trustworthy. Wireless equipment does not perform well in many enclosed spaces for a variety of reasons. In these environments, radio communication is subject to dead spots, fading and weak signals. In addition, radios and mobile phones can be extremely hazardous in and around fuel tanks and explosive ordinance, primarily due to Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP). Another commonly overlooked aspect of wireless equipment is that radio frequency allocation is becoming more difficult and transmissions over public bands are subject to unwanted, or outside monitoring and/or interruption from other radio users on the same channel or channels.


Portable radios (and some mobiles) operate on a PTT or “push-to-talk” basis, requiring responders to stop what they are doing, or take their hands off what they are doing in order to communicate. To address the PTT issue, some have turned to “hands-free” or “voice activated” (VOX) accessories, however these work reliably only in low-to-medium noise environments. In high noise areas, VOX accessories are plagued by false activation, which triggers the electronic push-to-talk switch and can inadvertently lock a radio into transmit mode, cutting off all communication.
With the previously addressed shortcomings of many wireless communications systems, Con-Space Hardwired communications systems are the best investment for any USAR Team. That is because hardwired systems typically excel in areas where radios fail. Con-Space Hardline gear is:

• Electrically shielded
• Extremely rugged
• Resistant to chemicals
• Environmentally sealed
• Water and dust-proof
• Intrinsically safe

At first glance, the biggest drawback of Hardline communication is the cable itself. The major issue being that there is a limitation in terms length of the cable; in addition, the cable can snag or become caught on debris in a collapsed structure. However, it is still more beneficial to have a guaranteed, constant line of continuous communication between the responder and the safety attendant above ground – without the worry of interference, dead spots, or the radiation of potentially dangerous or destructive radio signals.

 Con-Space Hardline systems can be customised, providing USAR teams with the ability to outfit their crew appropriately and transfer into a range of rescue scenarios. The systems can be used effectively within high noise environments and can be easily put to work alongside any face mark, breathing apparatus or enclosed suit, enabling USAR teams to tailor their gear to best fit their rescue strategy. Some examples of these customisations include:
 

At the end of the 1980s, Hytrans Systems developed a mobile water supply system that was a water transport system without draft problems. The high volume (submersible pump) was called the HydroSub, which basically is a hydraulic-driven submersible pump that is fed via 60 meters of hydraulic hose and a diesel driven power pack. This enables the submersible pump to be hand carried to locations where it is impossible to use standard suction pumps due to the limited length of the suction lines.
Although developed in cooperation with the Dutch Home Office, its main task was providing firefighting water and, as such, the system needed to be mobile and had to be capable of being deployed with a minimum amount of effort and time and as few personnel as possible. Quick deployment is usually not a necessity during floods, but it does come in handy when a number of smaller flood planes or cellars need to be emptied. The standard system HydroSub 150 will provide 3500 litres a minute, with a pressure of 10 bar. This means that transporting this amount of water can be done over more than 2500 meters through a single 150mm hose and still have enough pressure left to fill a tanker vehicle.
Preventing a flood is, of course, always the best option, but unfortunately there will always be a flood in some place where it was not expected. Flooding can have a serious impact on both the economy and the environment of any country; it disrupts businesses by blocking roads, floods offices, damages or destroys vehicles. The water is often contaminated and this presents a real danger to the environment and the public health. To minimise the impact, reducing or clearing the effects of a flood is of prime importance and the right material needs to be selected to help achieve this.
The problem when trying to drain a flooded plain is usually access to the water; roads may have been damaged or become unstable, preventing big stationary pumping systems from being transported to the location by heavy trucks. Another problem is that most pumps rely on a suction line that connects the water to the pump. Sucking water has its limits and a maximum draft of 7.5 meters is the result.
Due to the increasing demand for mobile super high volume pumps, to reduce the impact of floods, the Flood Module was developed as an add-on system for the HydroSub 150. This allows the same HydroSub 150 to drive three flood pumps and generate a capacity of 50,000 litres a minute (lpm). This entire system – Hydrosub and Flood module – fits into one frame and can easily be transported and handled by means of one prime mover with a hook arm facility.
Because of its flexibility and the fact that it is a total solution, in addition to the pumps, hose layers, hoses and hose recovery unit are used increasingly by industrial firefighters, appreciating the advantages of mobile high volume water transport systems. The Hytrans fire system has proven to be very effective during incidents such as the Buncefield oil terminal fire in the UK, the Dalian pipeline explosion in China and, recently, the Fukushima Nuclear reactor disaster in Japan. This is due to their high capacity, quick deployment, easy operating, modular configuration and flexibility. Furthermore they can also be used as a backup system if the fire main is under construction or shut down for maintenance. With a mobile system standby the production does not have to be stopped and safety is guaranteed.
Besides a fast deployment, it is also a “must” to recover the system quickly. Most firefighters say that once the fire is extinguished they have all the time in the world to recover the used equipment. However if you look at training on the system, it is essential to make recovery quick and easy. When training is easy, it will be done more often and this will lead to more skilled people. The more training the better prepared for action during a real incident.
As storage tanks increased in diameter the demand for more water and higher pressure grew with it. This resulted in not only the development of much bigger pump units, but also in enlarging the diameter of the hoses to reduce friction loss over long distance; hose recovery units that are able to handle large diameter hose up to 300mm.
The largest unit in the Hytrans fire system product range at the moment is the HydroSub 1200, which has a capacity of 30,000 lpm at 12 bar. Due to the use of hydraulic driven submersible pumps there is no draft loss and therefore this capacity is also reached at a pump lift of 15 meters. The 60 meter of hydraulic lines allows you to get to the water in almost any situation.
As mobile high volume pumps are more and more used for direct firefighting it was necessary to develop a foam injection unit that is vey accurate and can deal with these high flows. The PowerFoam can be either integrated in the large HydroSubs or supplied as a stand alone unit. The latter can be placed at any convenient point in the water line.
Due to the hydraulic driven foam gear pump and the accurate water flow measuring, the exact amount of foam concentrate is added to the water flow. Foam setting can be done from zero and six percent in increments of 0.1 percent. The system works in such a way that it is fully independent from pressure and water flow and adapts automatically if there is fluctuation. Accurate foam mixing is the result. It also features a return line that allows you to return the foam concentrate back to the container during training sessions. Training on the entire foam setting of the unit, as well as the foam logistics, can be carried out without wasting precious and expensive foam.
Mobile high volume pumping was, is and will be constantly developing in order to get bigger, better, faster and lighter equipment to help firefighters fulfill their tough job.

Johan Kramer is Sales Manager at Hytrans Systems

For further information, go to www.hytransfiresystem.com
 

While the unexpected is expected in the emergency services world, there are two truths: no two situations are the same; and never take any situation lightly.
On any given day a hazmat unit can be called into action in potentially harmful conditions, risking exposure to toxic chemicals, poisonous gases, and deadly biological agents. As such, hazmat professionals rely on their hazmat suits to protect them so they can perform confidently and without worrying about coming into contact with these dangerous elements. Since no two situations are the same, it is crucial to know exactly what the capabilities of a suit is protection are.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) concerns itself with the unexpected, and has created hazmat suit standards so that those who use the products know exactly how different ones are designed to keep them safe in the hot-zone. The NFPA is the leading authority on fire protection and safety, and being certified to its standards is considered the pinnacle of hazmat safety.
Although NFPA standards exist for benefit of the users, they are often used by manufacturers for development of hazmat suits as well. There are several different categories of hazmat suits –for example, Level A for maximum respiratory and skin protection and Level B for maximum respiratory and lesser skin protection – which correspond with these standards, bringing options to the user.
Since not all situations require extreme protection against the unknown, Level B suits can offer a lower cost option for use in scenarios with known hazards; departments can save money by avoiding use of a significantly more expensive Level A suit when it is not needed. In the case of Level B protective equipment, there are two NFPA standards that a user should look for: NFPA 1994 Class 2 (Protective Ensembles for First Responders to CBRN Terrorism Incidents) and NFPA 1992 (Liquid Splash-Protective Clothing for Hazardous Materials Emergencies). These standards ensure that a user will be protected in a wide range of situations.
In today’s economy, cutting back on expenses and settling for less is commonplace, but it has no place in the emergency service industry. Just because a Level B suit can be selected to save money, it does not mean users must compromise on the level of necessary protection. A Level B suit, dual-certified to NFPA 1994 Class 2 and NFPA 1992 is the best option for the best price, and offers an enhanced level of protection for many different scenarios.
This article details the NFPA 1994 Class 2 and NFPA 1992 standards to provide a better understanding of what one gets when using Level B equipment certified to these standards, along with some of the options that are associated with them
NFPA
NFPA standards can be traced back to the late 19th century with the development of automatic sprinklers. According to the NFPA, when automatic sprinklers were first introduced they worked well as extinguishing devices when properly installed. However, installation methods and practices varied widely, hampering their reliability. The solution was to create a centralised set of universal rules for sprinkler installation, so that civilians and firefighters were safe no matter the situation.
NFPA standards represent the highest protection for hazmat suits because of the strict requirements products must follow in order to become compliant. When a hazmat suit is certified to one of the many NFPA standards, it means that it has gone through hundreds of performance tests following a set of guidelines that have been developed from more than a century of research and experience in the field.
Not all hazmat suits on the market are created to NFPA standards. But like the poorly installed automatic sprinklers, who would want to rely on something that might not be installed properly, or in the suit is case, one that might not provide needed protection in the most dangerous scenarios?
NFPA 1992
When performing in the hot-zone, it is important to be focused on the mission at hand, not the suit’s protection level. NFPA 1992 is one of the lesser utilised standards, as many hazmat teams concern themselves with vapour-capable protection when responding to spills. However, it is beneficial to look for certified NFPA 1992 protection if your department is concerned with liquid chemical exposure.
NFPA 1992 establishes the requirement for chemical liquid splash protection when no chemical vapour hazards exist. To be certified to NFPA 1992, the suit goes through rigorous tests to ascertain if it will stay intact and work properly when put in action. Suit material and seams are tested for chemical permeation against seven different chemicals, and only passes if the rate of permeation does not exceed the maximum allowable amount within an hour.
NFPA 1992 is not limited to hazmat suits. The same tests are performed to ensure that gloves and footwear are protected from liquid-splash exposure. Gloves and footwear are also tested for impact and compression resistance, putting them through the same puncture, abrasion, and cold weather tests. On top of that, footwear is also tested for bending resistance and slip resistance.
NFPA 1992 is designed to protect the user against liquid chemical splash, but does not ensure protection from gaseous chemicals; this can be observed through its typical configuration, which is an open faced coverall having a loose fitting bungee style interface to the SCBA mask and bottle on the back. While this design provides essential protection against liquid splashes, the user is vulnerable to airborne hazards if the suit is certified to NFPA 1992 only.
NFPA 1994 Class 2
The NFPA 1994 standard defines design, testing and performance requirements for protective garments used by first responders in a terrorist incident involving chemical, biological dangers. There were originally four classes of protection defined with this standard, but in the most recent edition (2007) Class 1 was removed and incorporated into the NFPA 1991 standard (Vapour Protective Ensembles for Hazardous Materials Emergencies). As a result, Class 2 became the highest level of protection within the NFPA 1994 standard.
A suit that is certified to the NFPA 1994 Class 2 standard is used when the agent or threat has been identified and the actual release has subsided. Similar to NFPA 1992 ensembles, NFPA 1994 Class 2 protects responders from direct contact with liquid chemicals. However, unlike NFPA 1992 ensembles, a suit certified to NFPA 1994 is tested for protection against gaseous chemicals.
NFPA 1994 protective garments are similar in configuration to NFPA 1992. However, NFPA 1994 Class 2 has the option to be configured as a fully-encapsulated suit with the SCBA and mask on the inside of the hood. In this way, 1994 Class 2 is similar to the design of NFPA 1991 configured suits.
When a suit is certified to both NFPA standards, it enhances the suits usability because it is acceptable in more situations and will offer more protection than ones that only offer a single certification, not to mention requires less storage space, logistics, and training associated with the management of two separate products.
Dual Certification
As can be seen by the test requirements, the NFPA 1994 Class 2 and NFPA 1992 standards are very similar in nature. Both ensure users that they will be protected from chemical contact, address physical properties of the materials, and are used in similar situations. However, it has been a common practice for Level B hazmat suits to only feature the liquid splash protection offered by NFPA 1992, or even no certification at all. This leaves a severe gap in the protection level of the suit: high-level skin protection, mostly due to the decision to save a few dollars.
Believe it or not, many hazmat professionals who inappropriately use these suits create a false sense of security by applying tape to critical areas for sealing mask-suit and glove-suit interfaces. Users commonly wrap duct tape around them to block obvious chemical passageways. This goes against the standardised protection that NFPA stands for.
Thankfully, there are now some suits on the market that offer certification to both standards. This offers a suit to use in situations that do not require a Level A suit, but also one that provides the liquid splash and gas chemical protection. These suits take those two universal truths very seriously and make sure users are protected no matter what.
The suits that offer dual certification, like Saint Gobain’s ONESuit Shield, feature a tightly sealed mask interface using a gasket to connect the mask to the hood. The rim of the mask fits flush against a rubber lining that is built into the suit is hood, stopping gases from flowing into the suit. Not only does this improve the suit is ability to protect the user, but it also gives the user more visibility and a greater range of motion.
Conclusion
No two situations are the same, and never approach a situation lightly. These two universal truths have shaped the capabilities of hazmat teams and engineering of hazmat technology. The NFPA has taken this mantra and created standards so emergency personnel do not need to concern themselves with anything other than the task at hand.
The extensive tests performed to receive certification to NFPA standards ensure hazmat professionals that their protection is not being taken lightly. And although no two situations are the same, using equipment certified to NFPA standards enables standardised use throughout the hazmat industry.
With that being said, it is imperative for hazmat teams to understand the requirements of these standards. This not only determines your safety during use, but also gives peace of mind while in the hot-zone because the suit is capabilities and protection levels are aligned through training in advance of any response.

Peter A. Kirk is Market Manager at Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics

For further information, go to www.protectivesystems.saint-gobain.com
 

When designing new products Holmatro developers always have one important question on their minds: how can we make the extrication process quicker and easier for rescuers, while maintaining the highest possible safety level? The Extendo ram meets all of these principles.

Quicker
The Extendo ram is manually extendible for quicker positioning. It allows you to start spreading almost immediately. Thanks to its large manual stroke it can also be positioned quickly in larger door openings, e.g. those of truck cabins.

Easier
The Extendo ram has an adjustable carrying handle, which can be turned to the left or right. This makes it easy to use the tool on all sides of the vehicle. Combining compact dimensions with a large stroke the ram is also easy to position when only little space is available and a large spreading stroke required. With a lower weight than comparable telescope rams, the Exendo ram is also easy to carry and work with.

Safe
‘Safety first’ is a well-known expression among rescuers. Therefore the manual extension part of the Extendo ram locks automatically. In addition, accidental unlocking is prevented by a 2-step unlocking system.

Other features
This new type of ram delivers 10 tons of pushing force at every length. In other words: There is no loss of power over the full stroke. The Extendo ram is available in 2 different models: equipped with single hose CORE™ Technology or with traditional dual hoses.

Video
Check out this page on the Holmatro website to watch the Extendo ram video. For detailed product information, please visit Holmatro’s product catalogue.
 

According to the police, the balloon struck power lines and caught fire as it was preparing to land after a 45-minute flight near Carterton, northeast of the capital, Wellington,. After flames erupted, a male and a female jumped from the basket to their deaths and the craft made a sharp ascent before crashing to the ground and killing those still on board.

The investigation into the incident is expected to take some time to complete. At least six agencies are probing the crash, including The Transport Accident Investigation Commission and Civil Aviation Authority.

Apparently, two workers were developing highly purified peroxyacetic acid and triggered the blast through careless operation, killing one of them immediately.

The shock wave from the blast shattered windows of the factory and nearby buildings within a 300-meter radius. The blast was heard up to four kilometers away.

The explosion occurred before dawn when the plant was almost empty. The explosion of the peroxyacetic acid caused a significant chemical smell in the area.
 

One worker remains missing after the explosion. The cause of the accident is under investigation, but such accidents are usually caused by a failure to ventilate methane gas from the shaft.

According to official statistics, in 2010, 2,433 people died in coal mining accidents in China – a rate of more than six workers every day. However, labour rights groups say the true figure may be much higher, as mine companies cover up accidents to avoid fines and costly mine closures.
 

The roof of the five-storey house was destroyed by the fire, and around half of the fourth floor and part of the third floor was damaged by the blaze, forcing firefighters wearing breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze from inside the building.

Surrounding roads, including those in the City’s prestige Bond Street shopping district, were temporarily closed due to the smoke and some local businesses and shops were also temporarily shut. The Brigade's fire investigators are carrying out a thorough investigation to establish how the blaze started.
 

With more than 50% of all fire deaths in the UK involving people over 65 years old, the UK’s Chief Fire Officers Association has launched a National Older Persons Strategy in an effort to stabilise fire deaths among this particularly vulnerable group.

Called Ageing Safely, its aim is to provide guidance and support to fire and rescue services and partner organisations, to protect older people from fire risks in the home. The strategy highlights the need to provide guidance and advice to carers through the use of advocates or peer-support workers, who are appropriately trained in fire prevention. It also says that fire services must regularly review their integrated risk management planning standards to take account of the changing age demographics and other information, such as the migration of older people in retirement. In addition, it calls for community mapping exercises to be carried out to identify organisations that engage with the older population, including inter-generational activities, to help deliver early interventions.

The strategy is available at www.cfoa.org.uk.
 

The grass fires grew to 16,000 acres and at least 300 people were evacuated from homes and a boarding school. No injuries were reported.

Fire officials are currently investigating the cause of both fires.
 

A series of explosions that killed two workers at a chemical factory in Jacobs, south Durban, South Africa started a fire that engulfed the Chemical Technologies building in flames, according to officials investigating the blaze. The cause of the fire is being investigated and officials are still assessing the air quality at the scene.

Firefighters spent about three hours trying to put out the blaze using foam as there were various chemicals in the building. The site is said to have experienced: “environmental assaults ranging from chemical emissions to regular plant upsets and explosions” and an emergency plan for factories in the area was still a “pipedream”.
 

According to fire fighters, the death toll following a fire at a two-storey drug rehabilitation centre in Lima, Peru was worsened because doors were locked, trapping patients inside. Firefighters broke through walls to rescue residents locked inside. Some residents leapt from windows to escape as flames swept through the building, although local reports say many of the windows were barred. At least 27 people were killed and a further ten were injured. Most of the victims died of smoke inhalation.

Local media reported that the centre was not authorised, and authorities said they did not know how many people were inside the centre at the time of the fire. Firefighters and prosecutors have opened investigations into the cause of the fire.
 

A fire at the new Khazret Sultan mosque in Astana, Kazakhstan needed 32 vehicles and more than 170 firefighters to tackle the blaze – virtually all of the region’s fire fighting capability. The fire was reported as a complex fire requiring advanced fire fighting equipment, with the fire spreading to the high dome, making the fire fighters task difficult.

Early reports suggest that the fire was likely caused by welding equipment that set fire to scaffolding installed beneath the 51-metre high central dome of the mosque, which is still under construction. The Khazret Sultan mosque is regarded as the largest in Central Asia, it was opened in September 2011 and when fully completed it would have accommodated up to 5000 worshippers.