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International Fire Expo 2005, which takes place at the NEC Birmingham from the 16-19 May promises to make an enormous impact on the entire fire industry. More companies are exhibiting than ever before and new features have been introduced, including live demonstrations and a free consultants clinic.
International Fire Expo organiser CMPi has announced the line up for the Emergency Action Zone, which will be located in the outdoor display area adjoining the exhibition. These live demonstrations are aimed at all those involved in the fire industry and have regularly proved to be a popular draw. In 2003, when the event last took place, they received mainstream media attention. “You don’t have to be a firefighter to enjoy the thrilling, explosive and fun packed demonstrations,” says marketing manager Susan Ferguson.
This year the Emergency Action Zone features a series of live demonstrations of fire products and techniques covering:
– The latest techniques and tools used for Urban Search and Rescue with simulated real life scenarios, aided by Leicestershire Search Dog Team.
– A Milwaukee Tools ‘challenge’ running against the clock to demonstrate how to effectively cut up vehicles and post them through letterbox-sized hole.
– A live demonstration of vehicle extrication techniques.
– The latest CAFS extinguisher equipment from Hales will be used to extinguish a car fire.
– West Midlands Fire Service will demonstrate a live fire situation involving a living room fire that will show the full impact of ‘flash over’.
New Products LIVE!
One of the show’s special new features, in the exhibition hall, is ‘New Products LIVE!’. This offers visitors an area for hands on practical demonstrations. It will be showcasing the latest fire prevention and protection technology and products which have been launched in the last twelve months. Highlights include:
– Sapphire, Tyco Fire and Security’s new fire suppression system. The fire-extinguishing agent is designed to protect telecomms and data processing equipment, as well as museums and archives. The suppressant is designed to have a negligible impact on the environment with zero ozone depleting potential and a low atmospheric lifetime of just five days.
– D-Tec’s new FireVu IP-based system. This is its latest development in camera-based fire detection, sometimes referred to as VSD or Video Smoke Detection. The system allows remote monitoring of a potential fire to ensure a 24-hour-a-day, fast response as well as remote testing and diagnostics. The IP based systems allows fire detection to be more comprehensively integrated with security and facilities management systems.
– The S-Quad from Gent uses patented dual angle optical scatter smoke detection to improve both the speed and integrity of fire detection. The live demonstration will showcase the S-Quad’s ability to distinguish between smoke, steam and dust to help put an end to false alarms.
Further information on the ‘New Products LIVE!’, including the full schedule of products on display, is available at: www.fire-expo.co.uk.
Seminars
A new seminar format with topical content and heavyweight backing will take centre stage at this year’s event. Key bodies such as the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) and the fire and rescue services are all playing an active role this year.
The Fire Industry Confederation (FIC) will host a series of seminars on Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th. The Regulatory Reform Order (RRO), currently going through the parliamentary processes required to make it law, will be under the spotlight with a series of seminars on Wednesday 18th.
Under the new regulations the ‘responsible person’ for each premises will be required to assess the risk of fire and must take steps to remove them. The new regulation will not only apply to all employers but also the voluntary sector and self-employed.
Representatives from the ODPM, the fire and rescue services and the FIC will discuss the processes of implementing the new regulations and the implications of the order.
FiReBuy, a new national procurement body for the fire and rescue services, was scheduled to commence on 1 April. The new long-term strategic initiative will be explored in the seminar programme at International Fire Expo. The session is jointly hosted by the ODPM and the fire and rescue services.
Terry Brewer, head of procurement at the London Fire & Emergency Planning Authority says: “FiReBuy will oversee delivery of the National Procurement Strategy for the fire and rescue services. The seminar will be an important opportunity for industry and the fire and rescue services to hear how this will affect procurement in the future”.
Further details, including the seminar timetable are available at www.fire-expo.co.uk . The seminars are free to attend however visitors are strongly advised to register interest early on the event website to avoid disappointment.
FIC Business Centre
The British Fire Protection Systems Association (BFPSA) and the Fire Extinguishing Trades Association (FETA) will be joining other associations (ICEL, BASA and FIRESA) representing the various facets of the fire protection industry as part of the Fire Industry Confederation (FIC) stand.
The FIC is once again partnering CMPi in hosting this year’s event. The FIC will host a Business Centre (stand K30) providing a range of facilities for its members and an International Visitors Lounge. Facilities will include two meeting rooms for exclusive use by FIC members. In addition, the constituent trade associations that make up the Confederation will have displays and representatives providing information pertinent to their areas.