News: Issue 8: July / August 09

SAFETY MEASURES IN DUBAI REDUCE FIRES BY 44%

Major General Rashid Thani Al Matroushi, Director of Dubai Civil Defence (DCD) has said that fires in Dubai have declined by 44 per cent in the first four months of 2009.

NEW APPROVALS SCHEME FOR EMERGENCY LIGHTING

BSI Product Services has recently launched a new approval scheme for installers of emergency lighting which is intended to compliment existing certification of fire alarm and electrical installation companies.

FRANKFURT TO STAGE 2009 WORLD RESCUE CHALLENGE IN OCTOBER

Frankfurt Fire Department in Germany has announced that they will be staging the 2009 World Rescue Challenge which will be held from 21 October to 24 October.

INTERSEC 2010 UPDATE

The Intersec 2010 Exhibition and Conference, the second largest security, fire & rescue, policing and safety gathering in the world will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 17 to 19 January 2010. In its 12 year history, this consistently fast-growing event continues to break all records for attendance, commercial support and business activity

QATAR CIVIL DEFENCE 2ND EXHIBITION & CONFERENCE

DOHA, 3rd to 5th NOVEMBER 2009

Qatar is generally considered to be one of the fastest growing and the most powerful of world economies. It has dedicated the last few years to modernizing its structures and establishments, increasing the built area, either by expanding cities or building new ones.

Lion Apparel introduces world's first fully certified structural firefighter CBRN ensemble

With global terrorism threats increasing, first responders around the world must be ready to respond to the unthinkable threat of a chemical or biological disaster. Lion Apparel has recently introduced the world's first, fully certified NFPA 1971 compliant structural firefighter turnout ensemble that also meets the standard's optional chemical, biological and radiological particulate terrorism agent protection criteria (CBRN option).

Respiratory protection from CY Holdings

BSI Product Services has recently launched a new approval scheme for installers of emergency lighting which is intended to compliment existing certification of fire alarm and electrical installation companies.

D-Tec wins Fire Excellence Award for video smoke detection in tunnels

D -Tec, part of AD Group - and the world leader in CCTV camera-based Video Smoke Detection (VSD) has won a prestigious Fire Excellence Award during the recent International Firex exhibition in Birmingham, England. The company came out on top in the key Export Innovation category for the successful deployment of its FireVu solution – developed from its FM approved VSD-8 system – which analyses images to provide an early warning of fire in tunnels.

Features: Issue 8: July / August 09

STANDING TALL

The construction of tall and even super-tall buildings, particularly in the Gulf and Far East regions, raises new fire safety concerns for those responsible, from project managers to insurers. Stewart Kidd reports

In this feature, Stuart Kerr provides an overview of the significant cost saving benefits of the application of fire engineering in the region

Integrated Fire Control Rooms

The mobilising and control of emergency service resources is a highly critical element in the efficient operational response to a wide range of emergency incidents, both of natural or man-made causes. Dennis Davis, CBE, sets out the current United Kingdom strategy on the integration of fire control rooms

FOCUS ON: DUBAI CIVIL DEFENCE RECRUIT FIREFIGHTER TRAINING
AL AWIR TRAINING CENTRE, DUBAI, UAE

PETER STANLEY TRAINING NOW APPROVED TO DISTRIBUTE FIRE STUDIO 4 IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Specialist fire training business, Peter Stanley Training has become a distributor of leading edge simulation software Fire Studio 4 in the Middle East.

News: Issue 7 March / April 09

RECENT SIGNIFICANT INTERNATIONAL AND MIDDLE EAST FIRE & EMERGENCY INCIDENTS

DECEMBER 2008 - MARCH 2009

DUBAI FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY CAMPAIGN HELPS REDUCE FIRE ACCIDENTS

Concerted ‘Safety First’ efforts by teams of Dubai Civil Defence officers have helped to reduce the number of accidents arising out of fire outbreaks in the Emirate by 22% in the last six months of 2008.

ROC GROUP NOW ACCREDITED BY USA UNDERWRITERS LABORATORY

ROC Group has now received accreditation by Underwriters Laboratories - USA, (EX 15256) to be the First and the Only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in the MENA region for NAF® Fire Suppression Systems.

Features: Issue 7 March / April 09

A TALL ORDER

A proactive' system of incident command and response can be critical when developing firefighting strategies for high-rise buildings, as fire safety engineer Paul Grimwood explains

The challenges in evacuating and managing super high rise and complex buildings

Stuart A. Kerr , BSc (Hons), CEng, MIFireE, Chartered Fire Engineer and Managing Director of Bodycote Warringtonfire Consulting Middle East based in Dubai, reviews some of the unique fire safety challenges that face fire engineers

Dubai leads the way in the Middle East

Dubai aims to set new standards for fire safety in its building stock and Dubai Civil Defence (DCD), in partnership with Bodycote Warringtonfire Middle East, has recently implemented a product approval process for organisations intending to supply products that claim a fire safety characteristic.Graham Orme, Manager of Warrington Certification Ltd, part of Bodycote Warrington fire reports

DESIGN FRIENDLY IN DEMAND: The High Rise of Fire Safety Glass

The rate of development in the Middle East has the rest of the world in awe. Multi-million dollar build projects, cutting edge design, the very latest in building technologies and opulent finishing touches have made the Middle East the land of building opportunity. Of course, with buildings worth millions of dollars, the stakes are high. . Less than six months ago, a fire broke out at the Atlantis resort on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah and whilst no one was hurt, it caused significant damages of US $14m - $30m. So with open-plan layouts, design trends pushing buildings higher and higher and glass being used as both a practical and design led material of choice - the onus on fire safety glazing has never been greater. Steve Goodburn, Sales Director of leading manufacturer and supplier of fire-Srated glasses, CGI International reports.

Early warning smoke detection: a rapidly evolving security priority

When security managers consider their priorities, it is unlikely that one of them would be fire detection and prevention. In this article, Mariann McDonagh, Senior Vice President, Corporate Marketing & Investor Relations for Xtralis gives her view on the new trend for security managers to be more aware of the serious threat that fire can cause to business continuity

Intersec 2009 report

The much anticipated global economic slowdown did not appear to manifest itself at Intersec Exhibition and Conference 2009, the second largest security, fire & rescue, policing and safety gathering in the world held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre on 18 - 20 January 2009. This fast-growing event recorded an attendance of 17,206 visitors from all over the world - an increase of 20%

Peter Stanley Training expands into the Middle East

Peter Stanley Training is one of the United Kingdom's most prestigious training companies in Incident Command. Now expanding into the Middle East, Peter Stanley Training is organising specialist fire training at clients' own premises or through organised package training at a state of the art, purposebuilt fire training centre in the UK. Peter Stanley Training will deliver programmes to any English-speaking authority or organisation requiring specialist fire training.

Features: Issue 6 November / December 08

The Fire Engineering Design of a Super High Rise Building in Abu Dhabi

In this case study, Kelvin H.L.Wong and Susan Lamont of Arup Fire set out the role of performance based fire engineering analysis in quantifying the building performance in event of fire for this super high rise project at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The solutions found were cost effective, and fully met the architectural ambition for the project. In addition, a number of scenarios beyond code requirements were investigated.

Are you getting the performance you expect?

The essential life safety systems designed into the fabric of our buildings depend on the performance of the electrical cables that power them. But, says Ufuk Colak, Marketing Product Manager at Prysmian Cables and Systems, with the increasing problem of counterfeit and substandard cable in the marketplace, how can you be sure of getting the product - and the performance - you expect?

PETROCHEMICAL FIRE PROTECTION:
LEAVE NOTHING TO CHANCE

No matter how much effort goes into preventing petrochemical storage tank fires, they do occur and, when they do, it is best if nothing has been left to chance. Thierry Moinet , EMEA Business Development Manager Foam & Hardware at Tyco Fire Suppression & Building Products [TFS&BP] explains

Qatar Petroleum Fire & Rescue Service take delivery of a new realistic fire training unit

Qatar Petroleum’s Fire & Rescue Service at the Ras Laffan Industrial City complex at Doha have recently taken delivery of a new state-of-the-art Fire Training Unit. Located adjacent to Fire Station 2 at Ras Laffan, the new unit is now fully operational and during November last, Fire Middle East was privileged to be given the opportunity to watch fire crews put the new unit through its paces.

Fire safety - vigilance for the petrochemical market

Those with responsibility for Fire Safety can never become complacent as recent news highlighting the fires that are raging through California indicates so clearly. Some of the most expensive real estate in the US has not just been threatened but destroyed – despite access to the latest fire fighting technology and some of the best resources available anywhere in the world writes Trevor Gage, Director and General Manager of Clifford & Snell

Iraqi Civil Defence Authority opts for new SKUMT foam trailer

The Iraqi Civil Defence Authority [ICDA] has recently taken delivery of 40 of the new SKUM™ RAFT – which stands for the Rapid Response Foam Trailer. These are premiumspecification foam trailers designed and manufactured at the Tyco Fire Suppression & Building Products at their Great Yarmouth operations manufacturing facility in England. The order was negotiated by the Al-Abid Group, the Tyco Fire Suppression & Building Products partner based in Jordan.

Innovative installation of new fire water tank in North Africa

Galglass Limited (the UK specialist in sectional bolted fire water storage tanks) have recently completed a 2500m 3 Fusion Bonded Epoxy Coated Steel Fire Water Storage Tank in North Africa for a world renowned power and gas producer.

News: Issue 6 November / December 08

RECENT SIGNIFICANT INTERNATIONAL AND MIDDLE EAST FIRE & EMERGENCY INCIDENTS

KING FAHD UNIVERSITY, SAUDI ARABI, TO STAGE FIRE SAFETY COURSE

The Department of Architectural Engineering at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) at Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, will be staging a short course entitled Fire Safety in Building Design and Operation on 18 April to 22 April 2009 (corresponding to Rabi II 23 to 27, 1430H).

Oman contract sees largest fire alarm system installed in the Middle East

A contract for the installation of the largest Fire Detection System in the Middle East has been awarded to Electroman LLC Oman. The System is being installed with the Tyco MX Digital Addressable System in the Royal Facilities at Salalah, Sultanate of Oman,

Protecting Kuwait's new mobile network

Kentec Electronics’ Sigma XT+ extinguishant control panels have been chosen to control the fire detection systems installed in new GSM network base stations across Kuwait’s third mobile telephone network, many of which are situated in remote areas in one of the hottest parts of the Persian Gulf.

Features: Issue 5 July / August 08

GETTING TO THE HEART OF FIRE PROTECTION

Managing fire protection installations in airports & other large structures.

ADVANCES IN FIRE DETECTOR TECHNOLOGY IMPROVE PERFORMANCE AND REDUCE FALSE ALARMS

In a rightly conservative industry such as life safety, new products tend to be evolutionary developments of existing, proven and accepted technology rather than revolutionary ground-breaking advances. Rigorous third party testing to international standards such as UL and NFPA from the US and EN from Europe ensures that in such a critical industry, where the protection of people’s lives and property is the objective, detectors perform in accordance with a comprehensive specification.

TACKLING HIGH-RISE TOWER FIRES:
PRE-PLANNING, STRATEGIES, TACTICS AND SOME REAL-LIFE LESSONS LEARNT

by Paul Grimwood, a former London Fire Brigade firefighter and operational high-rise firefighting training instructor with four decades of experience, having attended high-rise fires in London and also in several US cities. He is also a Fire Safety Engineer working with the WSP Group based in London. Along with a team of Fire Chiefs from the USA, Paul delivers a highly sought high-rise firefighting training course (HRFTI) to fire authorities around the world

FIRE DETECTION IN AIRPORT TERMINALS AND HANGERS

In this article, Kevin Botha, Vesda Regional Sales Manager for Xtralis Middle East explores the shortcomings of commonly used fire detection techniques in airport environments and offers a tried and tested solution. Kevin has extensive experience in the design & application of Aspirating Smoke Detection systems

FIRE SAFETY ENGINEERING: GETTING IT RIGHT

The Gulf region of the Middle East is undergoing a huge transition to a bigger future. This change is strikingly apparent in the UAE where many gigantic and ground-breaking projects are constantly being announced and constructed at a record pace. Traditionally, fire safety design for buildings has been based on compliance with a set of prescriptive design guides or codes of practice. It has become increasingly recognised recently that codes rarely provide owners and developers with the most cost-effective solutions, particularly for innovative developments involving more complex structures, unusual spaces, or new building materials.

FIRE PROTECTIVE COATINGS IN NEW AL RAFI CAR PARK IN DUBAI HELP SAVE STEEL STRUCTURES

The building of the Al Rafi Car Park in Dubai is waiting in the wings. The fire protection coatings for the steel construction are supplied by Audax, a specialized partner from Germany, who have proved themselves capable of handling comparably sizeable objects in the Gulf region. In case of fire, Renitherm intumescent coatings expand quickly to form a foam barrier against fire and thus help steel structures maintaining their load bearing capacity

XTRALIS VESDA HELPS PROTECT DUBAI AIRPORT'S TERMINAL 3 BAGGAGE HALLS

Dubai International Airport operated by the Department of Civil Aviation, is the busiest airport in the Middle East serving 40 million passengers per year and 120 airlines to over 205 destinations. Dubai’s new Terminal 3 houses one of the most advanced baggage handling systems in the world, containing over 50 kilometres of baggage conveyer spread over a 160,000 square metre terminal with several levels 40 metres in height.

News: Issue 5 July / August 08

QATARI CIVIL DEFENCE VISIT TO BRISTOL SEALS MAJOR ORDER

A high level visit to Bristol Uniforms from the Qatari Civil Defence has resulted in the award of a large order for firefighter clothing for the Gulf State's civil defence forces.

POLL REVEALS STARTLING VIEW OF FIRE SAFETY IN THE OFFICE & AT HOME

A poll undertaken by UAE based newspaper Gulf News regarding fire safety standards revealed some unexpected and somewhat worrying results.

NEW GENERATION FIREFIGHTING TRAINING UNIT FOR QATAR PETROLEUM

Process Combustion Ltd (PCL), the leading British manufacturer of LPG-fired firefighter training units have recently won a major contract to design, fabricate and install a custom-built modular training unit for Qatar Petroleum's Fire & Rescue Service at the Ras Laffan Industrial City complex.

Features: Issue 4 March / April 08

The unique challenges of High-Rise buildings

Today, high-rise buildings are being constructed at a faster pace than ever before. High-rise buildings present unique fire safety requirements. The protection of high-rise buildings requires a holistic, multi-faceted approach to fire safety.

The Value And Benefits Of Firefighting And Rescue Thermal Imaging Cameras

The growing wealth, power and prosperity of the Middle East is not only growing the economy and bringing business into the region but is also seeing a fighting battle between evolution and technology. The thermal imaging camera (TIC) has now established itself in the armoury of firefighting and civil defence forces and this feature reviews the values and growing benefits of the use of TIC's.

First Responder

It is not always widely understood or appreciated that smoke is the real threat to life in a fire situation rather than the flames themselves. Neil Wallington looks at the latest developments in modern smoke detection systems

News: Issue 4 March / April 08

PROMAT ACQUIRES CAFCO INTERNATIONAL

Promat has acquired fellow fire protection specialists Cafco International for an undisclosed sum.

NAFFCO ANNOUNCES EXPANSION FOR PLANT AT JEBEL ALI, UAE

NAFFCO, the major fire protection equipment manufacturer has announced a major expansion of its Dubaibased manufacturing facilities.

WORLDWIDE GROWTH IN ACTIVE FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS

Recent figures have shown that despite the current global economic downturn, the worldwide market for active fire protection including fire detection and suppression systems are currently worth around $5 billion annually.

ADVANCED ELECTRONICS EXPANDS PRESENCE IN REGION

Advanced Electronics Limited, independent manufacturers of intelligent control equipment for life safety, has expanded their presence in the Middle East with the opening of a regional office and the appointment of a General Manager to head up the new operation.

AED 3-million fire alarm system for Capital Plaza meets new safety standards

Genint Group, a UAE based electromechanical and civil contracting provider and parent company of Gentech, has recently begun an three million AED fire alarm installation project for Capital Plaza, a five-tower, mixed-use development in Abu Dhabi.

The move comes as Genint launches an intensified campaign to assist companies to comply with a new 'checklist' based on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regulations and help address the alarming increase in fire incidence among high-rise structures.

CAFCO 300 PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION PROTECTS THE WORLD'S TALLEST HOTEL

In January 2007, UK based passive fire protection material manufacturer, Cafco International, dispatched the concluding part-shipment of Cafco 300 from its Middle East manufacturing company - Cafco International LLC, which has been used to protect the structural steel elements of the 'Rose Rotana Suites', Dubai's and the world's newest and tallest hotel.

Features: Issue 3 December / January 08

RAS Laffan City Fire and Rescue Service Doha, Qatar

In the first of a series of regular reports from fire and rescue organisations in the region, Fire Middle East Editor Neil Wallington takes a pictorial look at the Ras Laffan City Fire & Rescue Service in Qatar

How to ensure that your detection system performs as intended

It is a fact that the vast majority of fire detection systems are never really tested to ensure that they will perform as intended. Granted, functional tests are invariably undertaken during the commissioning stage to ensure that the equipment "works" but in most cases the systems are designed to a set of prescriptive rules using products which have only been type tested. Is this sufficient for high value or high risk applications? - probably not, but is there a better way? By Peter Massingberd-Mundy, Technology & Expert Practices Manager Xtralis - manufacturers of VESDA

The race is on to the World Firefighters Games 2008

Liverpool, United Kingdom, 24 August to 2 September, 2008

Firefighters from the Middle East are being invited to take part in next year's World Firefighters Games being held in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Innovative new Foundation Degree in International Fire Service Management

This Foundation Degree in Fire and Rescue Service Management is an innovative and exciting work-based degree combining academic theories with professional practice. It has been developed collaboratively between Washington Hall, UK (part of the Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service), Blackburn College and TVAC - the Vehicle Appliance Centre.

News: Issue 3 December / January 08

Gentech receives UAE certification for advanced fire protection solutions

Gentech, a member of the 25 year old electromechanical and civil contracting company Gentech group, has announced that the design standards of its new addressable fire systems have been certified by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Civil Defence Authority (CDA), in a move predicted to encourage higher standards of fire protection throughout the UAE.

DUBAI CIVIL DEFENCE URGES IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING SAFETY STANDARDS

Dubai Civil Defence (DCD) has urged building contractors and their consultants to abide by the standards approved by DCD for the design of firefighting systems and building fire safety.

ABU DHABI FIRM TO BUILD FIRE & POLICE STATIONS AT NEW JEBEL ALI AIRPORT

Abu Dhabi company Convergent Value Engineering LLC have been awarded the contract to build a total of four fire stations and five police stations at the new Jebel Ali Airport

NEW FIRE TRAINING FACILITY FOR RAS LAFFAN CITY FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE

Qatar Petroleum's Ras Laffan City north of Doha is one of the world's largest hydrocarbon ports.

Features: Issue 2 August/September 07

Super Tall Building Construction Fire Protection: YOU CAN BUILD THEM HIGHER IN SAFETY!

As the skyline of many Gulf cities change beyond all recognition there are issues arising out of modern super tall developments which previously have not concerned those responsible – not only the Municipalities and the Civil Defence authorities but also the owners, construction companies and their insurers.

THE DUBAI POLICE AIR WING SUPPORT

First established in 1978, Dubai's Police Air Wing Department has since progressively fulfilled a major role in dealing with a variety of land and maritime accidents and emergencies

POLICE AIR SUPPORT

The United Kingdom Experience By Brian Allinson

GETTING HOT UNDER THE COLLAR

Modern realistic firefighting training Over the past twenty years or so, fire brigades around the world have progressively achieved a better understanding of fire behaviour and the dynamics of fire which occur within compartments or rooms. As a direct result of this, fire brigades have been able to improve their training tactics to protect firefighting crews during emergency operations

2008 FIRE MIDDLE EAST EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE IN DUBAI SET TO BREAK ALL RECORDS

The 10th edition of Fire Middle East is being staged as part of the annual Intersec Middle East event in Dubai and is scheduled to take place from the 13-15 January 2008 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates