Firm flying high to make airports safer
WHILE the number of fires in non-domestic properties appears to be falling, there were still almost 16,000 fires during 2016/17 in England alone that resulted in casualties.
According to statistics from Zurich there were 57,000 fire related property claims in 2015, totalling £1.1bn.
Many such fires are avoidable, here we look at the top causes of workplace fires and how they can be avoided:
Timber frame use, modular A FIREFIGHTING equipment firm has announced a deal to supply airports in Ireland with high-tech vehicles worth more than £3m.
Meltham-based Rosenbauer UK will supply Belfast International Airport (BIA) and Shannon Airport will be the first Irish airports to upgrade its fleet of airfield firefighting vehicles to the new Rosenbauer Panther vehicles in 2018.
The Panthers are powered by 750 break horse power engines and boast thermal imaging mounted cameras to help firefighters identify the hottest part of the aircraft.
The vehicles also include the Rosenbauer Stinger High Reach Extendable Turret (HRET) which can deliver 6,000 litres of water and foam per minute over a distance of more than 90 metres. The Stinger also has the capacity to inject the fuselage of an aircraft and deliver 1,000 litres of water or foam per minute into the cockpit from its piercing tool.
Rosenbauer UK managing director Oliver North said: “Working with both BIA and Shannon Airport on such prestigious projects is an incredible development within the Irish airport firefighting arena.
“We have a great relationship with both airports and the Panther has an exceptional legacy across Ireland. These newer versions will only go towards enhancing functionality and safety for both airports.
“We’re very much looking forward to working with both airports and seeing our worldclass Panthers out in force for their fire services.”
The Panthers also boast the latest Roll Stability Control software ensuring maximal safety for the crew travelling to incidents at high speed. The machines also offer the largest range of vision for firefighters operating the machines for increased firefighter safety.
Mark Bothwell, chief fire officer at BIA, said: “The introduction of these appliances not only complements our existing fleet, but represents a significant investment in safety and our firefighting capability.
“These new Panthers are equipped with the latest technology and equipment enabling us to protect both passengers and our Fire and Rescue personnel in the event of an incident.”
Pat O’Brien, chief officer at Shannon Airport’s fire service, said: “Ensuring the safety of our passengers and staff is of paramount importance to the management team at Shannon Airport. This new, innovative equipment will have safety benefits for both airport fire service staff and passengers.”
The new contracts follow Rosenbauer’s success this summer in landing a £6m contract to supply helmets to firefighters across the UK.
The helmet was specified as part of a new Personal Protective Equipment contract – also involving West Country firm Bristol Uniforms – which followed 18 months of trials involving 25 fire brigades at the Fire Service College in Gloucestershire. Rosenbauer expects to assemble and supply 26,000 of the HEROS-titan helmets over the next two years as part of an eight-year contract, which will also include periodic inspections and refurbishment of the headgear. Rosenbauer UK Ltd is part of the Austrian-based Rosenbauer Group.