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International Fire Expo in Birmingham promises to be a real hub of product displays and information. And this year a new event aimed at the firefighting sector – Fire and Rescue 07 – will compliment it.
As the UK’s largest fire industry event, International Fire Expo will offer visitors the opportunity to meet over 170 leading suppliers. Taking place from 21-24 May 2007 and covering two halls at the NEC, International Fire Expo is the ideal event for those involved in fire prevention and protection to make the best buying decisions and network with the industry’s leading companies including: Apollo Fire Detectors, C-Tec, Gent by Honeywell, Fulleon, EMS Radio Fire & Security Systems, Hochiki, Siemens, Ventcroft, Klaxon and KAC.
The event will also feature a packed seminar programme. These free sessions will provide visitors with an opportunity to network and compare notes with colleagues from the UK and abroad. Topics for this year’s seminar programme will range from false alarm reduction to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order; and from Disability Discrimination Act compliance to the role of third party certification.
The Fire Industry Confederation will be hosting a number of presentations on applied technology in fire protection. Divided into two main sessions – detection & alarms and extinguishing – they are designed to attract professionals from within the industry, including the fire service, specifiers and users.
These sessions will also examine the recent discussion about fire sprinklers in new school buildings. Many stakeholders recognise that fire sprinklers can substantially reduce the GB pound 74 million loss that occurred in 2006 through school fires. The seminars come hot on the heels of the strongest indication yet that the government will be encouraging new and refurbished schools to have sprinkler protection.
Lights, camera, action!
Located outside the halls, the Emergency Action Zone is where the very best in firefighting and rescue equipment and techniques are put to the test, in front of a grandstand of spectators. This outdoor area will let you witness live demonstrations of the latest products and rescue techniques in action, through a series of choreographed demonstrations courtesy of West Midlands Fire & Rescue Service. The displays planned for this year will include an urban search and rescue demonstration, a living room fire simulation, vehicle extrication, technical rescue and water rescue.
In addition to the fire and rescue demonstrations, there will be a range of fire appliances on display – including some of the very latest concept vehicles currently being assessed by the service. The Fire Fighting Vehicle Manufacturers Association Pavilion will provide visitors with a chance to view a range of firefighting vehicles exhibited by leading vehicle manufacturers.
International Fire Expo 07 and Fire & Rescue 07 will represent the largest gathering of the fire profession ever seen in the UK. Entry to both events is free. Register in advance at www.internationalfireexpo.co.uk and www.fireandrescueexpo.com where the latest event information, news and seminar timetables are also available. Companies interested in exhibiting at either exhibition should contact Gerry Dunphy on +44 (0)20 7921 8063 or gdunphy@cmpi.biz.
INFORMATION RIGHT ACROSS THE SPECTRUM
The Seminar programme at International Fire Expo promises to be one of the most comprehensive yet, with sessions for installers, contractors and end users ranging across a wide range of fire safety issues and technologies.
Passive fire protection issues are well catered for, with sessions on installer schemes for passive protection, and the actuation of release mechanisms for fire doors following the publication of the new BS Code of Practice.
Fire detection and alarms are covered in several sessions: Keith Minster of Morley-IAS by Honeywell will be examining the UK and European regulatory environment for fire alarms,while there will also be seminars on fire safety for deaf and hard of hearing people, the proposed changes to BS 5839-8 voice alarm system design, false alarm reduction, issues of competency and training, and a look at Internet Protocol technologies for fire alarm communications.
The increasing development of alternative extinguishing agents and delivery mechanisms is reflected in the sessions on this technology. They include guidance on the use of portable fire extinguishers, the benefits of wet chemical extinguishing which will be complemented by displays in the emergency action zone, F-gas and competency, and developments in water mist systems. There will also be a special session on sprinklers in schools in the light of new guidance from the government for new and refurbished schools.
Other seminars don’t fit quite so neatly into these categories, but are no less important or interesting for that. These sessions include an appreciation of fire safety management by consultants at Buro Happold, disaster planning and management, competentcy and technology in the fire detection and alarms service sector, and ‘Residential safety – a focus for the future’ hosted by the Association of Building Engineers.