2005, Issue 2 The Catalyst The Official Newsletter of JOIFF June 2005 www.joiff.com FROM THE EDITORS
his is the second edition of The Catalyst for provides interesting detail on a Project in which he 2005 and we welcome our growing numbers has been engaged in India and we provide details T of Readers. Our policy is to bring you high of NRIFD Japan. In the last edition of The Catalyst quality articles on new developments and other we announced a meeting which was an attempt to happenings in the area of Emergency Services revitalise the Institute of Fire Safety Managers and Management. In addition to The Catalyst, current we are pleased to publish a report on this information relevant to Emergency Services successful meeting. Management is posted on the JOIFF website. We are delighted to tell Readers that Tommy As always, we thank those JOIFF Sponsors who Clarke of JOIFF Member BP Sullom Voe Oil have contributed articles - for this edition, Ten Terminal, Shetland, Scotland has recently received Cate Protect and DuPont Personal Protection. Ten the award for Fire Manager of the Year and we Cate announce the launch of an exciting new publish a report from Tommy on this. material to be used as an outer shell for Protective Some of our regular features are also included in Firefighting garments for Firefighters and they this edition and once again we sincerely thank our provide detailed information on this in an article advertisers / sponsors without whom we could not from Bill Marrs. function. JOIFF Member Dave Cox from New Zealand We look forward to your continuing support. ABOUT JOIFF
OIFF, the Joint Occupational Commercial Organisation that is JOIFF provides a forum for Industrial Fire Forum, the engaged in processing, storage, discussion amongst peers, JOrganisation for Emergency handling and/or transport of high accredited training, information Services Management in Process risk materials and that has dissemination and technical advice. Industry, is a grouping of nominated personnel as JOIFF welcomes interest from Companies, represented by their Occupational Firefighters suitable Organisations who wish to Emergency Services Manager - or /Emergency Responders. become Members or Associate equivalent position - and nominated Associate Members of JOIFF are Members - contact the JOIFF Deputies. Organisations or Individuals who do Secretariat, details on the back For the purposes of JOIFF not comply with the requirements page. Membership, a Process Industry is for Full Membership but who share considered to be any Industrial / the same interests. JOIFF Ltd. Registration number 362542.
NEW MEMBERS
During March, April and May the Executive of JOIFF Saudi Aramco Shell Refinery, Kingdom of Saudi were delighted to welcome the following new Arabia represented by Mansour Sadgah Al- Members: Sulaimani, Manager Industrial Security and Governments Relations with Hadi Saleh Al-dehor, Members Fire prevention suppression superintendent, as ChevronTexaco Products Company/Global Deputy. Saudi Aramco are one of the World's major Marketing Solutions, Florida, USA represented by Refining and Petrochemical Operations and they Lindsay Hamilton. ChevronTexaco Products have a large Emergency Response facility. Company/Global Marketing Solutions is a global group looking after safety issues including fire. Wray Park Training Centre , Surrey, England Lindsey was previously based in New Zealand as represented by Malcolm Styles, Divisional Officer, National Fire and Safety Officer for Caltex New Head of Learning and Development, with Martin Zealand. Garrod, Operational Training Manager as Deputy.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in The Catalyst are not necessarily the views of JOIFF or of its Secretariat, Fulcrum Consultants neither of which are in any way responsible or legally liable for any statements, reports or technical anomalies made by authors in The Catalyst. The Catalyst The Official Newsletter of Joiff
The Wray Park Centre is an information about Tyco Safety Products can be found International Training Centre on their website at www.macron-safety.com offering a divers range of Courses for Local Authority Fire Services, Members - Associate / Individual: Commerce and Industry and John Nicholson, Middlesex , England. John is Overseas Fire Services. currently the Fire and Safety Manager at the new Terminal Five Project in London Heathrow Airport and Members - Associate / Corporate: is currently in the process of formulating a number of Knowsley SK Ltd, Manchester, England, represented Emergency Response Teams for the Project. He is a by Ian Korny, Operations Manager, with Tony Member of IAFPA and was amongst the first people to Morrissey, Area Sales Manager - UK and Ireland as receive JOIFF accredited Certificates of Competence Deputy. Knowsley SK are designers and when he successfully completed the very first JOIFF manufacturers of Firefighting equipment and systems. accredited BA Wearer, Auxiliary Firefighter and More information about Knowsley can be found on Practical Firefighting Courses that were held in IFTC their website at www.knowsleysk.com Teesside in December 2000.
Tyco Safety Products, Great Yarmouth, England, We look forward to the involvement of our new and represented by Andy Shiner, Director of Marketing and existing Members in the continuing development of Karla Scriven-Supple, Marketing Co-ordinator. Tyco JOIFF. Safety Products are Manufacturers and Suppliers of Firefighting and Fire Suppression products. More
MEMBERS SECTION
JOIFF Members Meeting National Occupational Standards for Emergency Responders and suggested that achieving National The recent JOIFF Members' meeting, which took Vocational Qualifications was one way of place on Tuesday 17th May at the FireExpo demonstrating such competence. The need for this is Exhibition in the National Exhibition Centre, linked to various Fire Service Integrated Risk Birmingham, England was well attended by Management Plans (IRMP) with most Sites representatives of United Kingdom Members. The experiencing a decrease in pre-determined meeting was very kindly hosted by JOIFF's newest attendances, Most of those present agreed that this Corporate Member, Tyco Safety Products, whose was the case. Gerry Johnson stressed the Director of Marketing Andrew (Andy) Shiner importance of Sites obtaining copies of their Local welcomed participants to the event. Fire Service IRMP which must be made available to them. JOIFF Secretary Kevin Westwood said that the PFOS/Foam issue was now with the European Alec Feldman of the JOIFF Secretariat, who Commission who were expected to report towards represents JOIFF on the United Kingdom Fire, the end of this year and until then, no action could Rescue and Safety Vocational Standards Group, or would be taken by any EU Member State. This is gave an up-date on current activities of this an area of great interest to many JOIFF Members Committee. There was some discussion on the and Kevin said that he would keep JOIFF up-dated of proposed new "Cluster Awards", which are being any developments advised to him. regarded as a "half-way house" on the way to the full National Vocational Qualification. Of particular A report was presented on the outcomes of the interest to JOIFF Members was the proposed recent meeting of the JOIFF Executive at which inclusion of a Unit on driving, manoeuvring and important decisions were taken on the way that deploying Fire Service vehicles, with the stipulation JOIFF would be structured in the future. that where people are required to drive fire appliances and other vehicles as part of their Gerry Johnson, Chairman of the JOIFF Training employment, then it is expected that they would be Standards Committee, discussed the need for required to be assessed against this Unit. Members to be aware of Health and Safety Legislation in relation to Training and distributed the It was reported that the JOIFF website is continually requirements for Employers to ensure the being updated and plans for a facelift for the site in competence of Staff. He stated that there was a general and for the rapidly growing archive of JOIFF need for Organisations to ensure that their Training Shared Learning and other pages in the Members Programmes were at least equivalent to the latest Area in the not too distant future were mentioned. page 2 The Official Newsletter of Joiff The Catalyst
After the meeting, Tyco Safety Products provided an The NOS covering Fire Safety excellent lunch for all attendees. functional roles were completed and approved by the UK Co- Fire, Rescue and Safety Vocational Standards ordinating Group in 2004. The Group assessment strategy has also In July 2004, JOIFF was invited to become a Member been developed and the Fire of what was then called the Emergency Fire Services Safety S/NVQs were submitted to UKCG for approval Vocational Standards Group (EFSVSG) and has since in January 2005. then been participating in its work. Some months ago, the name of the EFSVSG was changed to the It has been identified that several specialist Fire, Rescue and Safety Vocational Standards Group operational support roles will not be provided for by (FRSVSG) to more correctly reflect the growing existing NOS and will have to be defined. These scope of its activities. It is an important policy of the roles include Fire Hydrant Maintenance, Emergency JOIFF Executive that Members are aware of JOIFF's Planning (in a fire/flood or civil defence context), affiliations and activities and we set out below detail Fire Ground Technician and Maintenance of of FRSVSG. Specialist Fire Fighting Equipment.
FRSVSG, working under the auspices of the United The development of fire and rescue sector NOS has Kingdom Employers' Organisation for Local concentrated on operational roles, however FRSVSG Government is responsible for defining, maintaining would like to develop NOS for all roles within the fire and improving National Occupation Standards (NOS) and rescue services including non-operational for the fire and rescue sector. These NOS are used support roles such as clerical and administrative to develop Vocational Qualifications (VQs) for the staff and HR practitioners and managers, so that sector. The group is also responsible for developing qualifications can be offered to all staff. Work is the Vocational Qualification structures and being done by CFOA (People and Organisational associated assessment strategies. Development Group) on developing role maps for support roles within the fire and rescue sector. The The NOS are statements of the skills, knowledge and majority of these NOS will be drawn from existing understanding needed in the workplace and are job descriptions and documents held by a range of expressed as outcomes of competent performance. cross-sector bodies. Appropriate VQs will then be In other words, they define good practice in the available to support staff within the sector. performance of individuals in the workplace, based on the functions they perform. They may be The Organisations that constitute the FRSVSG are regarded as quality standards for people. drawn from a broad range of Fire and Rescue Services so that it is representative of the industry Competence is defined by the Qualifications and as a whole. As well as JOIFF, the members include Curriculum Authority as "the ability to perform to the :- Chief Fire Officers Association, Fire Brigades standard required in employment across a range of Union, Local Government Association, London Fire circumstances and to meet changing needs." and Emergency Planning Authority, Retained Firefighters Union, Airport Operators Association The FRSVSG is responsible for developing the (AOA) Ops and Safety Committee, British Fire assessment strategy used by the awarding bodies. Services Association, Civil Aviation Authority, The assessment strategy defines the scope and the Ministry of Defence, Fire Service College, Fire qualification structure of the award, the Assessor, Protection Association, Institution of Fire Engineers, Verifier and Quality control requirements and the Department for Education and Skills, Employment performance evidence requirements. Each Organisation for Local Government, Fire Services qualification consists of a number of units based Awarding Bodies (Edexcel, SQA), Office of the around functional roles. The qualifications are Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), Qualifications and achieved through training and assessment in the Curriculum Authority (QCA). workplace with Candidates being signed off by a Qualified Assessor when they reach the required Members take note…. level of competence in each unit. This is then Annual General Meeting verified by a qualified Verifier. The Annual General Meeting of JOIFF Ltd. will be held on Tuesday 20th September in Dublin Ireland. The NOS covering the Operations in the Community, For further information, please contact the JOIFF Control Operations and Watch Management Secretariat. functional roles were completed in 2001. Level 3 S/NVQs for these roles were made available to the industry in 2002.
page 3 The Catalyst Advertisment
page 4 The Official Newsletter of Joiff The Catalyst
FIRE SAFETY MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Note from the Editors: redistribution of skill and We are delighted to advise readers that Tommy therefore a need for training. Clark, Emergency Response Team Leader in JOIFF Training is always a difficult area to get right for your Member BP Exploration Co. Ltd., Sullom Voe, individual requirements, thankfully the JOIFF received the Fire Industry Award 2005 as Fire Safety training standards assisted. The training developed Manager of the Year. These Awards are to recognise for our teams was submitted to the Training and celebrate excellence, achievement and Standards committee and received approval for innovation among Fire Industry professionals and JOIFF accreditation, meeting BP's requirements that Fire Service staff over the previous 12 months. A all training should be accredited. judging panel of 22 experts selected the Award winners from an outstanding short-list of nominees, which in the category Fire Safety Manager of the Year included as well as Tommy, Michael Hamilton, Cheshire Fire Service; Chris Blake, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service; Ian Evans, HM Fire Service Inspectorate; Alan Patmore, Luton and Dunstable NHS Trust and Rory Campbell, Sandwell Education Department. The Editors extend congratulations to all excellent final nominees but in particular to Tommy Clarke, Member of the JOIFF Training Standards Committee and to his colleagues in the Emergency Response Team and to the Management of the Terminal for their support to Tommy and his Team.
------Tommy Clark, 2nd from the left, receiving the award Report on the Award by Tommy Clark, BP Exploration Operating Company Ltd.Sullom Voe
I had the great pleasure in receiving the Fire Safety The Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations Manager of the Year award on the 17th of May 2005 (CoMAH) has made all Sites covered by the at the Fire Service Awards in Birmingham during the regulations in the UK, review their individual Fire Expo. I was made aware of this new category by hazards. This is a very positive aspect of the one of the JOIFF Shared Learning emails from JOIFF regulation, as far as I am concerned. Secretary Kevin Westwood, in which he encouraged JOIFF members to apply, thanks Kevin. At SVT we decided to review all of our potential scenarios to ensure we could respond in a safe and The submission for the award had to cover the effective manner, identifying gaps in both equipment following different areas: and procedures. The gaps in our equipment have l Staff Training been partially addressed by some lateral thinking, l On-going fire risk assessment, Improvements utilising tried and tested agriculture equipment. This l Improvements made in the fire safety provisions has given us cost effective user friendly equipment, and maintenance procedures. an article in last months Industrial Fire Journal l Leadership covers this in more depth. l Effective communication with senior management l Personal development The gaps in procedures has been addressed by the development of specific Emergency Response Plans This did seem to be very comprehensive list to say (ERP's), which give guidance to our On-Scene the least, but as an Emergency Response Team Commander, ER teams, Operations Controlroom, Leader working in the private sector, these are areas Incident Controlroom and the Local Authority Fire which we all have to address during our normal Brigade. The key to these new ERP's, was to make working year, to varying degrees. them as users friendly as possible, providing the information to the responders involved in the The Emergency Response team at BP's operated incident, whether they are on-scene or in the Sullom Voe Terminal (SVT) has been through a controlroom. Each ERP's is specific to the process recent re-organisation, this resulted in there being a units involved and covers all scenarios from the page 5 The Catalyst The Official Newsletter of Joiff
small to the large. They are all Further Note from the Editors: one page documents providing Sullom Voe Terminal (SVT) is located on the only the important relevant Shetland Islands, around 350 kilometres north of information with process unit Aberdeen. The Terminal is operated by BP and is location maps highlighting fire owned by a consortium of companies. hazard information and location of fire safety equipment. The SVT was constructed in the 1970's to store North Sea crude from the Brent & Ninian pipelines. The changes I have mentioned have not been easy, The Terminal now also receives crude oil from the particularly when I informed my ER teams that we Schiehallion field via shuttle tanker and Clair field via were going to buy a Tractor, as part of ER response pipeline. The Magnus Enhance Oil Recover pipeline capabilities. operating at a maximum pressure of 235 barg operates through the Terminal. BP's Terminal Management has been supportive in the development of ER at Sullom Voe and Tommy Clark, is the Emergency Response Team appreciates our individual requirements. Leader at SVT, he manages an emergency response team of 60 personnel who respond to all Terminal It can be seen that by carrying out my role as emergencies including fire, gas leak, security and Emergency Response Team Leader the criteria for pollution. The team carry out maintenance on all ER the submission was already in progress. I would equipment and carry out all Jetty operations. encourage you all to submit for this award and Mr. T L Clark, others like it to highlight the good work being carried Emergency Response Team Leader. throughout Industrial Emergency Response. Sullom Voe Oil Terminal Telephone: 44 - (0)1806-243506 ------Fax: 44 - (0)1806-243650 e-mail: clarktl2@bp.com
PRESS RELEASE
MILLENIA LIGHT® OPTIMUM SOLUTIONIN FIRE PROTECTION FOR FIRE FIGHTERS.
Millenia Light® optimum solution is almost 100% greater than any A detailed article on Millenia in fire protection for Fire Fighters. other outer shell used world wide. Light® is published in this edition Millenia Light® is the lightest of The Catalyst. The introduction of MILLENIA outer shell material. At 180 g/m2 LIGHT® by Ten Cate Protect is a this fabric is For more information on Millenia highly significant stepping stone 10-30% lighter than any other Light® contact: in the ongoing development of outer shell fabrics. This gives Esther Brummelhuis high-tech fire protective fabrics. freedom of movement and less Marketing Support Manager. Ten Advanced engineering, using weight on fire fighters' backs to Cate Protect super-strength fibres has keep them going longer. Tel +31 (0)548 633623 / +31 delivered a new material with (0)6 288 76 999. exceptional properties. This new development is truly a Email: major milestone for Fire Fighter [email protected] Millenia Light® is the lightest and Gear: Http://www.tencateprotect.com toughest outer shell material: tear l The lightest outer shell resistance, cut resistance, wear presently in use resistance and tensile strength l Improved comfort and are unsurpassed. Even more potential for lower heat stress exciting is the strength retention l The lightest and most in extreme exposure to heat. After breathable components exposures such as a simulated l Excellent thermal protection flash fire similar to those l Extremely durable in described in EN 469 (test methods dangerous and demanding work EN366/367) Millenia Light® fabric environments page 6 The Catalyst Advertisment
BECAUSE millions of exposures a year make Tyvek® one of the worlds most trusted chemical Protection suits
BECAUSE 5 times stronger than steel and 4 times more cut resistant than leather makes Kevlar® gloves essential mechanical protection
BECAUSE Nomex® is a genuine heat and flame protection partner for leading corporations in petroleum, chemical metal, transportation utilities and electrical industries
BECAUSE Tychem® suits offer superior barrier protection at minimum weight.
BECAUSE DuPont Personal Protection offers unparalleled innovation, quality and design to cover all your safety needs. To talk to a representative please call +352 3666 5664
Why rely on Tyvek®, Kevlar®, Nomex®, and Tychem®? Because someone’s life may depend on it.
www.dpp-europe.com
The DuPont Oval, DuPontTM, The miracles of scienceTM, Tyvek® , Kevlar® , Nomex® , and Tychem ®are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.
page 7 The Catalyst The Official Newsletter of Joiff
INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TRAINING IN INDIA Report submitted by JOIFF Member Dave Cox.
mergency Response Solutions, a New Zealand review stage and exercising. based company, was recently contracted to a Enewly commissioned petrochemical plant in the The second key element to Incident Management is North West of India to provide them with the to have a structured Incident Management System theoretical basics of Incident Management. suitable for that site. The system chosen by ERS is based on the New Zealand Coordinated Incident We believe the essence to effective Incident Management System. This system has been in use Management is regular exercising. When there exist for many years in various countries and is as recognised potential risk areas within a site, suitable for multi response agencies and equally as planning an exercise based on a range of event well for a single industrial or commercial site. It types gives credibility to the exercise scenario. nominates one person or agency as the Incident During the exercise all groups who would normally Controller and allows a cascading management be involved in the managing of the Incident must structure to be formed from there, depending on the take part. Systems, equipment and manpower must size and duration of the incident. all be used during the exercise for an accurate review process to take place. Another important factor in incident management is Size Up. Size Up is based on the initial actions and The training we delivered consisted of three reactions that are taken in a logical and sequential modules; they were: manner based on the first impressions of the incident by the initial senior person. These actions l Pre-Incident Planning are the basis on which further decisions are made by l Size Up the Incident Controller and Incident Management l Structured Incident Management Model team to control the incident.
Pre-Incident Planning is one of two key elements to The training method we used was group critique. We successful Incident Management. The training was used actual incidents that had occurred in based around a computerised programme that petrochemical sites over a number of years calculated heat flux contours as well as vapour cloud supported with newsreel footage and reports of the dispersion for a wide range of product types and incidents as they occurred. incident types. After a basic introduction to the values of pre-plans and an outline of the key For further information contact Dave Cox at e-mail information they should include, each of the groups address [email protected] were taken through the stages on how to prepare and write pre-plans. By the time of our departure 3 pre-plans had been completed ready for the first
MOBILES DON'T CAUSE EXPLOSIONS !!
K Researchers say the idea that switching on "The petrol station / mobile phone story crosses into a mobile phone on a petrol station can cause the realm of humour and urban legend" Dr. Burgess U an explosion is a myth. Dr. Adam Burgess of comments. "Even on an oil rig, the only real reason the University of Kent said that out of 243 petrol not to use a mobile is because of the issue of station fires attributed to mobile phones around the distraction." He suggests that bans on mobiles in world in the last 11 years, not one was caused by a service stations were the result of "a relatively handset. In fact BP's International Group Fire Officer instinctive precautionary response." Richard Coates found that many incidents happened after discharge of static from the body ignited petrol Reproduced from the April 2005 edition of Industrial fumes. Fire Journal (with thanks). The Official Newsletter of Joiff The Catalyst
AIRPORT FIRE CHIEFS VISIT THE DUPONT TECHNICAL CENTRE IN GENEVA
he recently formed Airport think outside the box", said Paul fact real. Clothing Standards Group Hardiman, Senior Airport Fire T (CSG) was off to a flying Officer at Inverness Airport. Studies into Fire-fighter fatalities start with a visit to the DuPont and injuries in the US would Technical Centre (Geneva) in early The Integrated Clothing Project suggest that heat stress is the March. The object of the visit was (ICP) for public brigades has been main contributory factor. So are to gain an appreciation of what a catalyst for the CSG to look we protecting our Fire-fighters makes good Personal Protection closely at what they are currently from extremely low risks or even Equipment (PPE) work. providing for their fire fighters theoretical risks, yet increasing who are in danger of being left their exposure to the known and "If we are going to do this we are behind after the ICP has specified tangible dangers of Heat Stress, going to do it right" said Symon its clothing system. There are It is expected that the group will Clifford Chief Fire Officer of Bristol over 2500 airport fire fighters in visit a weaver during or shortly Airport who headed the the UK and Ireland who, if they after their next meeting and then delegation. "We are looking at PPE buy one design as a standard, move on to visit garment and how it works, especially in would be a very sizable contract manufacturers. The CSG are relation to the clothing worn for any manufacturer to win. rapidly becoming some of the best underneath, and not only when informed purchasers in the fire aircraft fire fighting but also when Symon Clifford went on to say "it's market. Once a disparate group other Emergency Response work time we got together and drove who were picked off one at a time is being carried out by airport fire the market along rather than and even ignored by some fighters". What better place to following along and taking what's sections of the industry, they are start, than with witnessing left on the shelf". now becoming a force to be different clothing systems and reckoned with. designs that will be tested to the There is now a genuine limit on the DuPont Thermo-Man. commitment amongst airport fire officers to come together and "This has opened up a whole new form a buying consortium not thought process, which is unlike the ICP The immediate something that I very much advantages are commonality of encourage. It has also made us design and colour which would help with cost, stockholding and maintenance. But more importantly they can have a clothing system that fulfils their Back row: (from L to R) Tom MacKerrell, Robert specific needs. Holmes, Symon Clifford, Kevin Hornett, Andy Haworth, John Curran. Front row: (From L to R) Hopefully the knowledge gained Paul Hardiman, Richard Lynn, Mike Onda, Paul will aid us in working down MacDonald, George Farendon through the layers of clothing. Heat stress is a great concern to all fire fighters and the management of sweat with high wicking fabrics is a proven advantage. However, there is not one easy answer for as soon as protection is increased in one area we are likely to cause problems in another. This knock on effect usually manifests itself in the form of heat stress. It may be time to re-visit designs and see if the The DuPont Thermo-Man® advantages gained by the - a life size mannequin provision of certain layers are in
page 9 The Catalyst Advertisment
page 10 The Official Newsletter of Joiff The Catalyst
PPE CORNER
The Fourth Symposium of the Japanese National Comfort performance of Research Institute for Fire and Disaster (NRIFD)took Firefighters Protective Clothing"; place in Tokyo, Japan from 9th - 11th March 2005. l Session4, "Development and Performance of The subject matter for this Symposium was Firefighters Protective Equipment"; "Protective Clothing for Firefighting Activity" and it l Session 5, "Instrumented Manikin Test"; was addressed by more than 20 key Speakers from l Session 6, International Standards" and around the World, all specialists in their own l Session 7 "Specification, Standard, Present particular sphere of activity relating to Personal situation and Future Trend of Firefighters Protective Protective Equipment. The well attended event Clothing in Foreign Countries" which was conducted through simultaneous translation, took place in the Headquarters of the The Symposium was organised by NRIFD and Japan National Research Institute of Fire and supported by the Fire and Disaster Management Disaster (NRIFD) - further details of NRIFD in an Agency (Japan), Japan Association for Fire Science article in this edition of The Catalyst. and Engineering, Japan Ergonomics Society, Japan Society for Occupational Health, Japan Society of The Programme for the 2 day meeting was divided Physiological Anthropology, Japanese Society of into 7 Sessions: Biometeorology, Firechiefs' Association of Japan and the Japan Fire Retardant Association. The purpose of l Session 1, "Implications for Firefighters Personal the Symposium was to contribute to the Protective Equipment (PPE) and their Ergonomic improvement of safety and performance of Properties"; Firefighters Protective Clothing by learning what is l Session 2, "Effects of Clothing Layers, Moisture, happening in this field both in Japan and Moisture Barrier on Thermal Protective Performance Internationally. of Firefighters Clothing"; l Session 3, "Evaluation of Heat Protection and
SVT Demo203 SVT Demo236 8,400 litre Foam Tanker with POK monitor in operation. Valtra Tractor fitted with hose recovery reel. BP Sullom Voe Oil Terminal BP Sullom Voe Oil Terminal
page 11 The Catalyst The Official Newsletter of Joiff
NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN OUTER - SHELL FABRICS TOUGHEST AND LIGHTEST YET by Bill Marrs irefighters clothing is designed to meet a variety of hazards and within Europe this clothing or FPersonal Protective Equipment (PPE) must meet a minimum set of requirements and performance levels as defined in the norm EN 469. This norm is currently under revision and the revision recognises that different operating conditions may require modified garment constructions by introducing a second set of performance levels. In essence this provides for different climatic conditions and acknowledges the need for lighter weight garments in hotter climates whilst still maintaining a good level of protection.
However the need for lighter weight garments is not simply confined to hotter climates as it is widely recognised that firefighters throughout the European industry are often subjected to conditions in which Table 1 heat stress can be a real problem. This can lead to a loss of performance and can prove lethal in extremes. The Limited Oxygen Index (LOI), which is the amount of oxygen needed in the atmosphere to support a Hence the constant drive is to try to reduce potential materials combustion, shows PBO's exceptional fire heat stress by garment design or fabric design and resistance and its decomposition temperature is the reduced weight, whilst maintaining the required highest of the commonly used fibres used for making performance levels. firefighters fabrics. Similarly, comparison of physical properties shows the exceptional strength of PBO, far Firefighters garments are usually multi-layer superior to meta-aramids and PBI and double that of assemblies, designed to combat a number of hazards para-aramids. and consist of : In fabric form these fibres are generally blended l Outer shell fabric together to give a balance of properties and PBO is no l Moisture barrier exception being blended with para-aramid in a 40/60 l Thermal barrier (sometimes combined with ratio. This blend was first introduced by Southern Mills moisture barrier) into the North American market as "Millenia" and l Lining fabric subsequently into the European market by Southern Mills parent company Ten Cate under the name All of these layers provide elements of protection and Millenia Light. all contribute to the weight of a garment and therefore can have an effect on potential heat stress.
Outer shell fabrics are the first line of defence and there are many excellent fabrics which garment makers may choose from. The evolution from wool to meta- and para-aramid, blends such as Nomex DeltaT, achieved the goal of reducing weight and the burden on firefighters and giving very good protection. The introduction of fibres such as polybenzimidazole (PBI) continued this evolution and now a new fibre PBO (poly p-phenylene-2,6- benzobisoxalate) has given garment makers and specifiers an opportunity to enjoy an entirely new level of performance. A comparison of fibres is shown in Table1.
Table 2 page 12 The Official Newsletter of Joiff The Catalyst
Millenia Light is the lightest weight fabric currently / para-aramid blend is far superior available as an outer shell and has in comparison to to any of the other fabrics, so other outer shell materials some outstanding much so that the figures for meta- properties. / para-aramid blends were negligible and it is only the Table 2 shows the weight of fabrics tested and even reinforced para-aramid / PBI blend that even at this comparatively light weight it is the strongest and toughest as shown by tensile and tear strengths after laundering in Tables 3 and 4. PBO also has outstanding abrasion resistance and as
Table 5
Table 3
Table 6
Table 4
Millenia Light it far exceeds meta- / para-aramid blends.
However, exceptional as its physical properties are it is when Millenia Light is exposed to heat that it really differentiates from the competition. Tables 5 - 7 show the physical properties of outer shell fabrics after exposure to a combined source of radiant and convective heat of 2 cal/cm2/sec for 17.5 seconds in the Thermal Protective Performance ( TPP ) test. Here the tensile, tear and burst strengths of the PBO Table 7
page 13 The Catalyst The Official Newsletter of Joiff
approaches the performance of comparatively very light weights and to outperform all Millenia Light. other fabrics currently available in terms of durability, The performance of PBO / para- strength and heat and flame resistance. Such fabrics aramid blends as seen in these give garment makers the opportunity to produce even figures is truly exceptional, lighter weight and more comfortable garments which however as Millenia Light it also must be to the benefit of the firefighter. conforms to the requirements and performance levels of EN 469 in combination with commonly used Bill Marrs has specialised in technical fabrics, with an moisture and thermal barriers. emphasis on flame retardant behaviour, for over 20 years. During that time he has held both technical and PBO fibre has given fabric manufacturers the ability to commercial roles and is currently Sales Manager, UK produce outer shell fabrics for firefighters at and Ireland for Ten Cate Protect. INSTITUTE OF FIRE SAFETY MANAGERS Report by Gary DN Whitworth, FIFSM, FIFireE, FIMgt, MIFPO, MIIRSM, IFSM Vice President & IFSM Public Relations Officer
'An excellent meeting' was how one in fire circles, was re-elected as This they did with the FPA Diploma member described the Institute of IFSM President, and Gary in Fire Prevention followed quickly Fire Safety Managers (IFSM) Whitworth former CFO Kent (MD of by the Confederation of European Special General Meeting held at Fire-Stat International Ltd) was re- Fire Protection Associations (CFPA) Armstrong Priestley's offices at elected Vice-President. Bob European Diploma in Fire Beeston, Leeds, on Wednesday Docherty was also elected as an Prevention which is a recognised 13th April 2005. The special additional IFSM Vice President. qualification throughout Europe. meeting called to discuss measures to improve facilities for IFSM The Meeting also heard two Membership of the Institute was members and to help the Institute extremely interesting presentations initially based around these to recruit more fire safety from Peter Armstrong (Chairman, qualifications although professionals, took some important BASA) who gave an excellent Constitutional amendments now and exciting decisions including : update on 'Fixed Fire Suppression mean that those people who are Systems' and the keynote working in the sphere of fire safety (a) Amending the IFSM's presentation by the Immediate management in all its forms and Membership Constitution to reflect Past President of the IFE - Assistant guises can apply to join at either recent introduction of the County Fire Officer John Judd, who one of the three levels of 'Advanced' CFPA Diploma. explained how Manchester Fire and membership grade i.e. Student (b) Taking a decision to Rescue Service coped with last (SIFSM), Associate (AIFSM) and regularise the Institute's status by years major fire incident in a BT Member (MIFSM). There is also a forming a company limited by cable tunnel in Manchester. Fellow grade by election to those guarantee. persons who has made an (c) Setting up a registration The Institute of Fire Safety outstanding contribution in system for those who undertake Managers was formed in 1993 as furthering the aims and objectives fire risk assessments, and an organisation that would provide of the Institute. The grade system (d) Agreeing to hold at least a professional 'haven' for those is progressive and is set to two major events for members in people who were involved directly recognise both the academic the coming year with fire safety management in achievement of the individual industry and commerce. Up to that member as well as the different Changes to the management of the point, there was no real levels at which they will be Institute included some important professional institute, organisation operating at within the world of fire new personalities including a new or association that leant primarily safety management. Secretary General - Dr Bob towards this speciality and that Docherty (MD of Flamerisk Safety could cater for those coming into The aims and objectives of the Solutions Ltd and former President this arm of the profession. On top Institute can be summarised by of the IFE) and a new Chairman - of that there was a push in the stating that it is there to facilitate John Williamson, former ACO with industry, especially via the UK and represent the views and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service based Fire Protection Association aspirations of members, and to (MD of UK FireSkills Ltd). (FPA), to provide a practical as well liaise, encourage and exchange the as an academic base to the flow of information, ideas and Stewart Kidd, the former Director industry by providing aconcepts of fire safety of the FPA and a well known figure recognisable diploma in fire safety. management. page 14 NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF FIRE AND DISASTER, JAPAN
n 2001, the National Legislature of Japan passed predict the damage of an earthquake in any part of a law establishing the National Research the Country and of a detailed earthquake damage IInstitute of Fire and Disaster (NRFID) as an prediction system for particular cities, towns and independent administrative institution. The work of villages. This information is stored in a central NRIFD is based on the principal that in order to deal location and can be communicated by a mobile with the type of disasters that happen in today's wireless system developed exclusively for Fire World, simply relying on past experiences does not Defence use and from mobile terminals. Information allow them to be effectively dealt with - NRIFD is on fire outbreak points in particular will be utilised working to utilise the latest Information Technology for fire prediction based on building distribution in the most effective manner in firefighting, rescue databases to give detail such as how far fires will and disaster prevention. spread in for example two or three hours time. Japan's experiences of disasters such as The state of a disaster taking place at ground level earthquakes and subsequent multiple point fires and can be captured by remote sensing equipment such other resultant extensive damage has taught them as cameras mounted on a satellite or an airplane. that it is difficult to control such situations simply by Monitoring disaster situations covering an extensive means of the fire brigades in the effected areas, no area at ground level from high above without the matter how well trained and equipped they might need of entering the area where the disaster is be. At such times it is necessary to mobilise and occurring provides an effective means of operate every resource available for disaster control understanding what is happening at the early stages in the best possible way to minimise damage. of a disaster and allows building damage situations One of the major research projects of NRIFD has to be identified from afar. NRIFD has instigated a resulted in the development of a simplified research project utilising Synthetic Aperture Radar earthquake damage prediction system which can (SAR) data to identify building damage situations,
page 15 The Catalyst The Official Newsletter of Joiff
since SAR, which produces ignition and flame extinction and processes of images from reflected and combustion emission generation particular to them, scattering microwaves, allows by employing advanced numerical simulations etc., observation free of cloud and fog l developing a greater understanding of fire interference whether at night or involving products that require very special action during daytime. Fundamental e.g. sodium, lithium, research is also taking place into a technique of l studying the safety of various new types of identifying seismic soil amplification by extracting energy e.g. safety assessment of fuel-cell cars, topographical information from numerical altitude l fire prevention and firefighting techniques at data obtained by remote sensing. waste treatment facilities, Approximately 3,000 forest fires of varying scale l measuring and analysing firefighters protective take place in Japan each year causing enormous garments for their performance in terms of heat damage to property and the environment. They resistance, comfort, functionality etc., with the spread quickly and devastate extensive areas and object of proposing comprehensive performance necessitate tremendous efforts in terms of time, standards, labour and cost to bring them under control. Another l development of rescue aid robots -to develop research project of NRIFD is to study a method of rescue robots able to go to the aid of fallen persons predicting the risks of a forest fire and its spread, when an accident occurs in a nuclear facility etc. The incorporating real time forest fire risk indices, research objective is to develop compact, light- calculated on the basis of past fire databases and weight, self-running robots that can link together to online meteorological information. The ultimate goal become a protective barrier to shield the victim from of this project is to produce a countrywide forest fire radiation or to rescue a victim by gathering around risk index map in real time. him/her and changing the position of his/her body Research into landslides is also taking place in for easier transport and removal to a safe place. NRIFD. When a landslide occurs, the slope has a Robots are being developed which can climb a potential risk of slipping again even if the surface building by moving from one balcony to another of a appears to be held stationary. NRIFD is working to high rise block and others are being developed to establish a technique to predict the time interval detect persons buried under debris and rubble, before a secondary fall takes place by deducing what l examining the causes of serous fires and is happening underground. explosions, NRIFD is also developing prevention systems such l risk level prediction and risk management of oil as fire detectors and new alarm notification systems storage tanks. This Project was introduced primarily taking into account the needs of "disaster vulnerable as a result of serious damage to such tanks in the people" e.g. the elderly and handicapped. Research Kobe earthquake in 1995. Damage caused to an oil is being carried out on warning techniques for hard- storage tank in an earthquake is a complex of-hearing persons utilising odours, vibrating beds or phenomenon involving the characteristics of seismic pillows, blinking flash lamps etc. motions, the tank structure, the characteristics of Utilising the latest Information technology, NRIFD the ground, the properties of the substance are also working on ways of preparing data obtained contained etc. all interacting with each other, from fire experiments and the investigation of fire l promoting a study to utilise the acoustic emission into databases and converting these into visual data method in assessing the soundness of an oil storage such as picture images. These can then be made tank bottom and making efforts to establish a safety available on a website for information dissemination evaluation procedure analysing the condition of oil or further research and also used to develop fire storage tanks with computer simulations using experience simulators using VR technology. This forecast seismic motions. Most oil storage tank means that people wearing anaglyphic glasses in a damage is attributable to age deterioration and simulator can be exposed to real life fire scenes. seismic motions. While factors affecting tank Such simulation models have already been prepared corrosion are complicated such tanks deteriorate and NRIFD are studying a methodology to utilise with the passage of time due to rust, fatigue or these data in evaluation of evacuation guidance and cracks and they are generally subject to harsh to develop more effective techniques. environments because of where they are installed, The work of NRIFD encompasses many other e.g. near a sea shore, and cyclic load upon charging research areas to assist in the reduction of deaths and discharging of the contents. Accordingly, it is and injuries during disasters and fire including: important to assess the safety of oil storage tanks l prevention of the upward spread of fire in high individually. rise apartment buildings, l investigating ways of more effectively utilising National Research Institute of Fire and Disaster, limited resources in an emergency, 14-1 Nakahara 3-Chome, l ensuring the safe use of new extinguishing agents Mitaka, and systems by elucidating such phenomena as Tokyo 181-8633, Japan. page 16 The Official Newsletter of Joiff The Catalyst
PRESS RELEASE - FIRESA
Editor's note: We are pleased to publish the determined by its membership. It following Press Release: will allow us to speak with a voice that will be finally heard!" A new trade association is becoming established for The Steering Committee is delighted to report the fire and rescue suppliers industry, with significant support not only from prospective secretarial support provided by the Association of members but from across a range of fire and rescue British Fire Trades (ABFT). Following a foundation stakeholders. Ken Knight, Commissioner of the meeting in October 2004, a Steering Committee London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority comprising fourteen companies in the sector has (LFEPA) comments: been established to take responsibility for "I am delighted that the UK equipment suppliers to inaugurating the new association. A Prospectus is the Fire and Rescue Service have taken the available for prospective members which presents opportunity to establish a trade association at such the case for the inauguration of FIRESA and details an important time. This innovative step will allow UK issues of Constitution. industry to meet the challenges and opportunities of Chairman of the Steering Committee is Dave the newly created national procurement agency Chisnall of AS Fire and Rescue Equipment Ltd who 'FiReBuY' which commences in April this year and comments as follows: will greatly assist in the modernisation of the Fire "The changing market conditions and the ODPM and Rescue Service. The potential of a single voice National Procurement initiative have highlighted the for this important sector of industry which is need for a coherent trade body for the fire and responsible for safety critical equipment for both the rescue supply industry. I am pleased that FIRESA is public and fire fighters is extremely welcome." to be established to meet this need. Over the past FIRESA will join the Fire Industry Confederation few months, I have been encouraged by the (FTC), the umbrella organisation which already cooperation displayed by many representatives from comprises the British Fire Protection Systems the industry and I am pleased to assist with the Association (BFPSA), the Fire Extinguishing Trades formation of FIRESA by Chairing the Steering Group Association (FETA), the British Automatic Sprinkler until membership is established and election of Association (BASA) and the Industry Committee for officers can take place. Its success will be Emergency Lighting (ICEL).
DIARY OF EVENTS 2005/2006
2005 July 19th - 21st National Fire Protection Association Security and Fire Expo Miami Beach, Florida, USA. 20th - 22nd Institution of Fire Engineers Annual meeting, Conference and Exhibition.University of Birmingham, England. Aug 11th - 13th International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Fire Rescue International. Denver, Colorado, USA. Oct 16th - 18th Advanced Personal Protective Equipment: Challenges on protecting First Responders. Virginia USA, 18th - 19th Republic of Ireland Branch Institution of Fire Engineers Meeting/Exhibition Maritime College, Cork. 24th - 27th A + A 2005 - International Congress for Safety and Health at Work. Düsseldorf, Germany. Nov 2nd - 3rd FIRE 2005 G-Mex Manchester
2006 Feb 21st - 24th SICUR International Security, Safety and Fire Exhibition. Madrid Spain. April 24th - 29th Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC)Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
Please contact the JOIFF Secretariat with details of any event that you think that JOIFF Members might be interested in attending.
Note: The Catalyst is not responsible for the accuracy of dates and / or venues announced. This is based on information given to the Editors and is published in good faith.
page 17 The Catalyst
JOIFF TRAINING 2005
The following dates have been provided by the UK based JOIFF accredited Training Establishments. If your own specific Training requirements are not listed below, contact Fulcrum Consultants who will be happy to try to facilitate you..
3 day Occupational Firefighter (Part Time)
3rd - 5th August Serco IFTC Teesside 10th - 12th October Serco IFTC Teesside FULL 2nd - 4th November Serco IFTC Teesside 14th - 15th November Serco IFTC Teesside FULL 21st - 22nd November Serco IFTC Teesside FULL 28th - 29th November Serco IFTC Teesside FULL 5th - 6th December Serco IFTC Teesside FULL 12th - 13th December Serco IFTC Teesside FULL 19th - 20th December Serco IFTC Teesside FULL
5 day Team Leader
22nd - 26th August Serco IFTC Teesside 17th -21st October Serco IFTC Teesside 12th - 16th December Serco IFTC Teesside
IFTC Teesside also provide the following JOIFF accredited Courses and subject to numbers and availability of places will be pleased to discuss possible dates with interested Organisations.
l 5 day BA Wearer Course. l Breathing Apparatus Instructor (BAI) Course l Breathing Apparatus Instructor Refresher Course
======
For further information about the JOIFF accredited Competency Based Training Programmes, the new range of Fire Service NVQs and any other aspect of JOIFF Training, please contact the JOIFF Secretariat contact details below.
JOIFF Secretariat: JOIFF Fulcrum Consultants in Partnership with GD House, Tallaght Business Park Dublin 24, Ireland Telephone: + 353-1-4137300; Fax: +353-1-4137301 Website: www.joiff.com Email: [email protected] The Catalyst is published by ABCom. www.abcom.ie