At FeuerTrutz 2022 in Nuremberg on June 29 and 30, WAGNER will be presenting its fire protection solutions, which are used worldwide in areas such as warehouses/logistics, data centers or museums, and archives.

Among other things, the expert relies on active fire prevention with oxygen reduction. Visitors can experience how this system works live at the booth. In addition, Matthias Dorsch, Head of Market Solution Management, will be speaking at the expert forum “BIM goes Fire Protection” on June 30 about “BIM in-plant fire protection: from theory to practice”.

OxyReduct® System

Oxygen reduction as an effective fire protection solution: This is how WAGNER ensures extra safety for customers all over the world.

The OxyReduct® system is used for active fire prevention in combination with early fire detection. The plant manufacturer will be demonstrating exactly how oxygen reduction works live at Booth 317 in Hall 4A from June 29 to 30, 2022. Visitors can experience fire behavior in an oxygen-reduced atmosphere in an OxyReduct® booth.

TITANUS® Air Sampling Smoke Detectors

Another focus at the WAGNER booth is the earliest possible fire detection with TITANUS® air sampling smoke detectors, which form the basis of every individual solution.

The experts will also present on-site where modern gas extinguishing systems are used and how the VisuLAN® organization and hazard management system controls and centrally maps a wide range of safety-relevant systems.

Holistic Fire Protection Solution

Our customers receive an individual and efficient solution with systems for active fire prevention”

“We offer fire protection as a holistic solution. Trendsetting. Worldwide. Our fire protection solutions are always based on the individual analysis of the risks prevailing in the protected area as well as the customer’s protection goals,” says Dipl.-Ing. Steffen Springer, Managing Director, WAGNER Group GmbH.

“Regardless of whether it is a small archive or a huge high-bay warehouse: Our customers receive an individual and efficient solution with systems for active fire prevention or firefighting in combination with early fire detection.”

BIM Goes Fire Protection Forum

With a global network of locations and strong partners, the Hanover-based company offers better solutions in fire protection all over the world and can draw on a broad reference portfolio. The professional exchange will also not be neglected at Germany’s largest trade fair for plant engineering fire protection.

At the specialist forum “BIM goes Fire Protection” on June 30, Matthias Dorsch, Division Manager of Market Solution Management at WAGNER, will speak about “BIM in plant engineering fire protection: from theory to practice.”

Fire protection systems for modular and edge data centers typically use spot smoke detectors to identify possible threats as quickly as possible. Aspirating smoke detectors (ASD) may be used for very early smoke detection in the incipient stage of a fire. Gas detectors may be used where batteries (i.e. lithium-ion) are deployed. Even with the best of these fire safety detectors, the precise location & source of the potential threat is difficult to pinpoint, especially in high airflow environments, where smoke and gasses can be quickly transported away from the source.

What are the principal fire threats in most modular & edge data centers?

• Electrical feeds including PDUs, transformers, & inverters — short-circuits, electric overloads, power & grounding faults
• Batteries & UPS — overheating & thermal runaway
• Mechanical systems — AC & ventilation system anomalies & failure
• Leaks — water, battery electrolytes, fuels

In most cases, abnormal equipment heating precedes the presence of smoke or gas. To detect this overheating, early warning thermal imaging sensors, like those from ServersCheck, can monitor and detect a variety of threat conditions that, if left unchecked, could lead to a fire. These sensors do not replace fire safety systems — they complement them well by pinpointing the source, providing additional time to investigate a potential threat before it can escalate.

Traditional temperature sensors measure the air temperature near the target equipment, limiting their effectiveness for detecting overheating. Thermal imaging sensors record 2-dimensional images of surface temperatures on the target equipment. This is important for precisely locating the source of the overheating.

Since thermal imaging sensors detect light in the infrared range (IR), they need no visible light for analysis and are ideal in dark enclosures. The thermal images produced by the sensors provide an image with colors ranging from black to blue, red, and yellow indicating increasing temperatures. Abnormal hot spots on the equipment can easily be identifies, as well at the intensity.

Portable (i.e. hand-held) thermal imaging equipment has been used for years for installation surveys and periodic inspections of electrical switchgear, IT equipment, PDU, and UPS modules. Indeed, these inspections may be required before a data center becomes operational. However, data centers need to be available 24/7/365, so continual monitoring with thermal imaging sensors is more appropriate for fire safety.

Besides fire prevention, thermal image sensors can also improve equipment uptime and prevent failure with early warning of potential overheating. Additionally, thermal imaging can assist with cooling and ventilation tuning to direct airflow to potential hotspots in the data center enclosure.

As an example, ServersCheck thermal imaging sensors will monitor up to 19,200 individual points every 2 seconds with varying fields of view (FoV) and temperature accuracy. A variety of equipment ranging from electrical panels, to switch gear, PDUs, UPSs, and even server racks can be monitored to provide very early detection of potential fire threats.

The sensors are networked and powered by PoE with temperature data delivered continually to a building management system (BMS) or industrial and IT automation platforms via Modbus TCP, RTU (RS485), or SNMP.

In the accompanying image, a PDU is being monitored by a thermal imaging sensor sensor at < 20 feet. Hot spots can be identified, and temperature changes or thresholds can alert management systems of a potential problem depending on the specified operational temperature range.

Figure 1 — Actual image (with closeup superimposed) of from a ServersCheck Thermal Imaging Sensor (R) monitoring a Power Distribution Unit (L). (Source: Viking Integrated Safety)

Sensors with lower resolutions can be used to monitor batteries, automatic transfer switches (ATS), and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). The earlier recognition of thermal irregularities can prevent problems before they lead to more expensive system failures.

Early warning thermal imaging sensors are enhancing fire safety, especially in unmanned critical infrastructure like modular and edge data centers. These sensors can monitor rapid temperature changes that have often gone undetected in the past. Their inclusion in a fire protection system can help avoid catastrophe and ensure operational continuity.

Mike Crovo is the General Manager of Viking Integrated Safety and has 15+ years in business development, sales, and executive roles for Viking, Honeywell, Jensen Hughes, Xtralis and other leading fire safety companies.

Q: I was cleaning out my parents’ house the other day, and I found an fire extinguisher that looks like it’s about 20 years old. What’s the best way to get rid of it? Any advice you can give on how to dispose of a fire extinguisher?

A: You’re right to assume that an expired 20-year-old fire extinguisher is probably not safe or reliable to use anymore. Just as knowing how to use a fire extinguisher is important, it is almost equally important to know when it is time to dispose of an old fire extinguisher and replace it with a new one.

Fire extinguishers are filled with hazardous materials that are under high pressure. Thus, they should not be put in the regular trash. Read on to learn more about when old fire extinguishers should be replaced and how to dispose of a fire extinguisher properly and safely.

When should an old fire extinguisher be replaced?

Before disposing of old fire extinguishers, confirm that they actually need to be replaced. Fire extinguishers typically last between 5 and 15 years. In some cases, you may be able to find an expiration date or a date of manufacturing on the canister, which can help clue you in on the fire extinguisher’s age.

Even if you can’t find a date, there are other ways to assess whether you should replace your old model with a new fire extinguisher. If your fire extinguisher has any dents or bumps, is missing the pin or tamper seal, or otherwise looks to be in poor condition, it is time to promptly find a replacement.

If your old fire extinguisher has a pressure gauge, check to confirm that the needle is still pointing to the green section. When the needle is pointing to the red or white area on the gauge, it means it is either time to recharge or dispose of the fire extinguisher.

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Some fire extinguishers can be recharged.

As you’re thinking about what to do with old fire extinguishers, keep in mind that some fire extinguishers can be recharged. If the pressure has dropped in your canister, or it has been discharged, recharging the fire extinguisher can make it safe to use again.

You should not attempt to recharge a fire extinguisher on your own due to the highly pressurized contents. Special equipment is required to recharge a fire extinguisher, so this is a task that is best left to a professional. Contact a fire protection company or a certified fire equipment dealer to make an appointment to have your fire extinguisher recharged.

Empty fire extinguishers can be recycled.

If you’re wondering how to dispose of old fire extinguishers, you may be able to recycle them if the canister is empty. Full fire extinguishers cannot be recycled because of the hazardous materials they contain. Once they’re empty, however, these hazardous materials are no longer a concern. You may be able to put the fire extinguisher out with your other recycling to be picked up.

Call your recycling company to confirm that they will recycle fire extinguishers that are empty. If they will not pick them up with the regular collection, ask about dropping the empty fire extinguisher off at a local recycling center.

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Your local fire department may accept old or used fire extinguishers.

Bringing old or used fire extinguishers to the fire department may also be a viable solution for those who wonder, “How do you dispose of fire extinguishers?” If your fire extinguisher has not been discharged, rather than trying to empty and recycle it yourself, contact your local fire station.

Some fire stations allow residents to drop off expired, damaged, or otherwise unusable fire extinguishers. They will take care of properly disposing of the hazardous materials inside the canister and then recycle the rest of the materials.

Dispose of old fire extinguishers at your local household hazardous waste facility.

Another approved option for fire extinguisher disposal is to bring it to a hazardous waste disposal facility in your area. If you’re not sure where your local facility is located, try searching for “where to dispose of old fire extinguishers near me.” Also, your city or county government’s website may include information about their household hazardous waste disposal services and drop-off locations.

After you identify your local hazardous waste facility location, call to confirm that they accept fire extinguishers, whether there’s a limit on the number of fire extinguishers that you can drop off, and whether these materials are accepted only on certain days. If you’re looking to dispose of fire extinguishers on behalf of a commercial enterprise, there may also be additional protocols to follow.

Steel Family Holdings is pleased to announce the acquisition of Fire Detection Devices Ltd.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring Fire Detection Devices Ltd., a known and trusted Canadian brand, into the SFH group of companies”, said Jason Steel, President. “Our goal with this new venture is to build on the legacy of this industry pioneer, by investing in the original patented heat detector, to make it even more accessible to the market.”

Fire Detection Devices Ltd. has offered heat detection solutions for over 50 years, and includes the most reliable spot-type heat detectors on the market today. For many in the fire alarm industry, conventional heat detectors are easily recognized by their distinctive heat collecting disc. This design was the brainchild of Jack Duggan. In 1962, Jack incorporated Fire Devices Manufacturing Limited, and began manufacturing his patented design. The “Thermoflex” brand has been made in Canada, by Canadians ever since.

“The past two years have been challenging for those in the manufacturing sector,” said Patricia Duggan, President of Fire Detection Devices. “This shift in the landscape inspired us to find someone who could carry on the work our father, Jack Duggan began over sixty years ago. We feel very fortunate to have met Jason Steel, and we believe SFH will not only continue to produce quality heat detectors but will take Jack’s vision to another level.”

Over the last 5 years SFH has acquired Serva-Lite Sales, SOTA Battery and Battery2000. The company continues to maintain the highest level of service and product quality, growing the business of customers across Canada and throughout North America and other export markets.

About Steel Family Holdings

Steel Family Holdings acquires companies with leading brand recognition in the Fire, Life, and Safety industry. Our customers are OEMS, distributors and service companies that service or sell into the fire and life safety industries. SFH is a family-owned and operated company with a long track record of exceeding customer expectations. Please visit https://www.steelfire.com/ for more information.

The risk of catastrophic wildfires is growing around the world as climate change fuels sizzling, tinder-dry conditions, increasing the need for fire-prone countries to adopt preventative measures, scientists warned Wednesday.

Smart, proactive policies – such as setting fires at the end of rainy periods to reduce blazes during hot, dry spells – could help reduce the danger, they said in a report for the U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP).

Here’s why wildfires are a growing threat – and how the world can better adapt to changing risks:

Why are wildfire threats growing so significantly?

The size and destructive capacity of wildfires – whether started on purpose, accidentally or by natural phenomena such as lightning – depends largely on the weather and how much fuel is available to burn, as well as where the fire breaks out.

As climate change brings more extreme weather, the risks are growing, scientists say.

“The heating of the planet is turning landscapes into tinderboxes, while more extreme weather means stronger, hotter, drier winds to fan the flames,” the report warned.

That means “uncontrollable and devastating wildfires are becoming an expected part of our seasonal calendars”.

In some countries, setting intentional fires to clear undergrowth is also becoming harder as homes expand into wooded fire-risk areas or as fire-suppression policies are favoured, meaning the amount of fuel available to fires is growing.

Where are wildfires a risk today?

Just about everywhere there is land to burn. In January, the U.S. state of Colorado lost more than 1,000 homes and saw half a billion dollars in damages as unprecedented wildfires roared through urban communities north of Denver.

Australia, the U.S. West Coast, Canada and parts of southern Europe, among other places, have long been known for their seasonal wildfires. But fire risk is now surging as well in places from Syria to Siberia and India, scientists say.

That is a problem both because governments facing blazes may have less experience managing them, and because fires release the carbon stored in trees into the atmosphere, fueling climate change and reducing the future area of carbon-absorbing forests.

Fires can also cause air pollution and associated health problems, affect rainfall as moisture-producing trees disappear, burn crops and destroy nature, as well as create mental health problems and potential job losses for people living near them.

Growing efforts by companies and governments to offset their climate-changing emissions by paying to protect and expand forests could also be at risk if forested lands are ravaged by fire.

How bad might things get in the future?

Scientists say the kind of “catastrophic” fires that once happened about every 100 years will become 1.3 to 1.5 times more frequent by the turn of the century.

That includes fires like an 1851 blaze in Australia’s Victoria state that devastated an area the size of England, said Andrew Sullivan, a bushfire expert at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Canberra.

While particularly destructive, Australia’s 2019-2020 fire season did not see a similarly catastrophic fire, rather an unusually large number of more normal fires, said Sullivan, one of the authors of the UNEP report.

Catastrophic-scale fires could happen anywhere, he said – from remote stretches of boreal forest in Siberia to more typical fire-risk areas.

Some could be particularly damaging – such as those in tropical rainforests or other ecosystems where seasonal fires are not a natural occurrence, meaning plants and wildlife are not adapted to fire and may struggle to recover.

“It’s not normal to have fires in rainforests,” said Glynis Humphrey, a plant conservation specialist at the University of Cape Town and a report author.

What can be done to curb worsening fire risk?

Portugal’s fire risk started to rise more than two decades ago as migration out of the countryside to the cities left more land unattended, allowing flammable undergrowth to accumulate.

But from 2003 onwards, following deadly wildfires, officials started reviewing the country’s land management and worked to revitalize rural economies, bringing people back into them to cut fire risks.

“Portugal is probably the outstanding example in the world at the moment,” said Peter Moore, a fire management specialist with the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), referring to preventative policy action.

Southern African countries, such as South Africa and Namibia, are increasingly setting fuel-clearing fires at the end of the rainy season to reduce the ferocity of blazes during hot and dry times of the year.

Other fire-prone regions – from Australia to the western United States – are trying to adopt aspects of indigenous peoples’ fire management techniques.

Such efforts to move away from suppressing fires to regularly using controlled ones are a key to reducing risks of catastrophic fires, the report said.

“There’s been a lot of focus on fire suppression and fire prevention for decades. I think we’re at a turning point,” Humphrey said.

But most governments today still spend far more money fighting fires than figuring out ways to better prepare for and manage them – a losing game as climate change drives bigger, more frequent and more costly fires, the scientists said.

“Too often our response is tardy, costly and after the fact, with many countries suffering from a chronic lack of investment in planning and prevention,” the report warned.

Smoke alarms are incredibly important for safety, but they come in a variety of different technologies, and customers may not be fully aware of which type to get. How do different smoke detecting technologies work, what challenges do they face with consumers, and why is it imperative to get critical information to customers?

What smoke detecting technologies exist?

Smoke detectors are a critical piece of infrastructure that can, and often do, mean the difference between life and death. Detecting a fire as early as possible can give precious moments for those nearby to either prevent the fire from getting worse or time to escape with others. But not all fires are the same, and different fires need to use different detecting technologies to provide adequate time to escape.

The most common type of fire alarm found in domestic properties is the ionising radiation variety. These utilise a small piece of americium that is placed in the path between two electrodes. Under normal conditions, the alpha-emitter ionises the air and allows a small electric current to flow between the two electrodes. However, a fire that produces thick particulates will block the electrical current, thus detecting the fire.

The second type of fire alarm is photoelectric and works on the principle that even fine smoke hinders light transmission. Essentially, a laser is shone onto a small mirror, which reflects the light onto a sensor.

Under normal conditions, the beam is unaffected by the air, and thus the output of the sensor is at its maximum. The presence of smoke reduces the beam’s intensity, which translates to the detection of smoke. While not a smoke detector, fire detectors also play an important role in not reacting to smoke. Instead, these devices use IR sensors that react to hot flames over a period of time. Thus, they do not trigger when detecting a sudden flame but will instead react after a minute or so from the first detection.

What challenges do smoke alarms face?

Due to their life-saving requirements, smoke alarms are designed to be highly reliable, and newer versions now have two power sources; the mains for normal operation and batteries for times of power cuts. However, smoke alarms are only as good as their owners, and smoke alarms are very often removed due to their nuisance when beeping falsely.

However, recent statistics on fire alarm use show that users worldwide could be vulnerable to the changing nature of fires. According to The Signal, modern fires often produce smouldering fires that release thick smoke but very few particulates. This means that ionisation smoke alarms will be less effective in a modern fire, and information regarding smoke alarm technology is rarely placed on smoke alarm product packaging.

While the data presented was for a district in Canada, it is still worrying that only 10% of households in that area use photoelectric fire alarms while the rest continue to rely on ionisation. Considering that the UK is home to many older buildings and that public information on smoke alarm technology is virtually non-existent, it would be safe to assume that there are also many vulnerable properties from modern fires.

Why it is so important to get the correct information to customers?

In the case of smoke alarms, it makes sense for homeowners to have multiple detectors, including ionisation, photoelectric, fire, and CO alarms. But when purchasing smoke alarms, the only real clue as to the technology used is a small radioactive symbol on the back of the packaging, which only technically minded individuals recognise.

As an engineer, it is very tempting to talk about standard features of a product such as dimension, material, and weight, but any information that may be critical to its operation must always be given priority. For example, new smoke alarm packages should make it clear to the user what type of smoke alarm it is and how it should be used with other alarm technologies.

In an attempt to alleviate the unemployment in the Eastern Cape, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment’s Working on Fire (WoF) programme has recruited 40 young people to be trained as veld and forest firefighters.

The new recruits will be based at five Forestry Support Project (FSP) teams across the province.

Provincial spokesperson for the WoF, Nthabiseng Mokone said the young men and women were recruited earlier this month in the Libode FSP team, Nomadamba FSP team, Ntywenka FSP, Manzamnyama FSP as well as Katberg FSP team.

She said every candidate who attended had to go through a fitness test.

The criteria of the fitness test included 40 push ups, 40 sit-ups and running 2.4km for 14 minutes for women and 12 minutes for men.

“All the new recruits will be taken to the training academy in Nelspruit and will undergo training courses that include advanced firefighting, fire safety and other specialised skills.

“These recruits will be taught extensively on the essentials of integrated fire management.

“This is also part of the WoF objectives to develop skills for the young men and women in the province.

“The opportunity will also help alleviate poverty in the homes of those fellow firefighters,” Mokone said.

She said the recruitment was also done to top up the existing teams to maintain team strength in order for them to work as full teams in their day to day fire prevention work like fuel load reduction, firefighting and community awareness.

“This was also done in preparation for the upcoming winter fire season,” Mokone said.

As a wildland firefighter, you must have a range of fire hose nozzles to suit the variety of different problems and conditions you may encounter while on the job. While a smooth-bore nozzle may be ideal for certain situations, other scenarios may call for an automatic spray nozzle. Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Be familiar with the many different fire hose nozzles available so that you’re prepared for any situation. To learn more about some of the different types of fire hose nozzles, continue reading.

Smooth-Bore Nozzles

Smooth-bore nozzles, a type of manual nozzle, have a simple, cylindrical design that doesn’t consist of any internal parts to facilitate the control of gallonage or pressure. They are known for producing the greatest reach/gpm combination of all other wildland firefighting nozzles. Despite producing the greatest reach/gpm combination, they also use the lowest engine pump pressures.

Additional benefits of smooth-bore nozzles include their ability to easily pass debris because of their simple design, easy operation, and low reaction force. Plus, smooth-bore nozzles are also the most inexpensive fire hose nozzle option.

In terms of their stream, smooth-bore nozzles exhibit a solid, consistent water pattern. The pattern is compact and allows a substantial amount of water to be transported to the seat of the fire. As a result of their solid stream, smooth-bore nozzles provide maximum reach and penetration to the fire’s seat.

However, the solid stream of smooth-bore nozzles isn’t always beneficial. In order for the water from the smooth-bore nozzle to absorb as much heat as nozzles with broken or fog streams, the water pattern of the smooth-bore nozzle must be broken up by nozzle movement.

Constant Gallonage Spray Nozzles

Another different type of fire hose nozzle is the constant gallonage spray nozzle. A constant gallonage spray nozzle is a type of firefighting nozzle that discharges water at a consistent gpm, which is predetermined by the manufacturer, provided that they are issued the required nozzle pressure. In other words, it issues a consistent, unchanging amount of water.

Key benefits of constant gallonage nozzles include their ease of use, ample reach and foam production, and variable stream, which can be straight stream, narrow fog, and wide fog. In addition, constant gallonage nozzles are also often a more economical option in comparison to other nozzle versions, such as variable gpm and automatic nozzles.

While the flow of a constant gallonage spray nozzle is constant, the water pattern can be adjusted to a variety of different options at various nozzle pressures. For example, a constant gallonage spray nozzle can be adjusted to have several different patterns ranging from a straight stream to a wide spray stream. When changing patterns, the orifice size of the constant gallonage nozzle remains the same, which allows it to retain a constant gpm.

Typically, constant gallonage nozzles come in a variety of nozzle pressures, such as 50, 70, or 100 psi. The higher the nozzle pressure, the more water that it issues, which can make a high psi nozzle quite beneficial in many situations. That being said, a higher psi also creates the potential for more nozzle reaction—the pound-force (lbf) of pushback that results from the combined volume and pressure leaving the nozzle—which is an important factor to consider when choosing a wildland fire hose nozzle. To reduce engine wear caused by nozzle reaction, it can be advantageous to opt for a more low-pressure version.

Potential downsides to be aware of when opting for constant gallonage nozzles include their larger and bulkier design and their high number of moving interior parts, which can make it more challenging to pass debris and potentially lead to water deposit buildup or mechanical failure. In addition, a constant gallonage spray nozzle has more moving internal components than a smooth-bore nozzle. The presence of such components may increase the potential for the constant gallonage spray nozzle to experience mechanical failure or water deposit buildup. As such, proper maintenance practices must be carried out in order to keep the nozzle operating properly.

Automatic Spray Nozzles

Also known as constant pressure spray nozzles, automatic spray nozzles refer to a type of adjustable fire nozzle that has variable water patterns and maintains a relatively consistent pressure as flow rates increase or decrease. Examples of potential water patterns that an automatic spray nozzle can output include straight stream, narrow fog, and wide fog.

As flow rates change, the stream of an automatic spray nozzle has the unique ability to maintain its proper shape, retain the designated nozzle pressure for the gallonage, and obtain optimum reach with the water provided. The automatic spray nozzle is able to accomplish these objectives because of the presence of a preset internal spring mechanism. Depending on the pressure of the water, the spring will either expand or contract. Greater amounts of pressure cause contractions that allow the nozzle to open more, while smaller amounts of pressure cause the spring to expand, subsequently tightening the nozzle.

While automatic spray nozzles have several benefits, such as constant nozzle pressure, variable streams, and ease of use, they also have a few downsides that should be taken into consideration. For example, if the pressure of the hose is too low, then the nozzle may not open sufficiently, which will result in a weak stream. In some cases of extremely low pressure, the nozzle may not even open at all. On the other hand, extremely high pressures can result in a more inconsistent stream, which makes the nozzle harder to control. Additionally, like all hoses with several different internal components, it is important to maintain the nozzle properly to prevent the interior mechanisms from breaking.

The Supply Cache is committed to providing wildland firefighters with the gear and equipment you need in order to effectively combat fires and stay safe on the job. When it comes to fire nozzles, we know that you need a variety of different options in order to combat whatever nature throws at you. As such, we stock an extensive variety of reliable, high-quality forestry fire nozzles—from constant flow firefighting nozzles to adjustable fire nozzles.

Planning Your Fire Department’s Rescue Tool Evaluation

“Hands-on” is an especially important term in the rescue industry – and for good reason. The skills and aptitudes necessary to be a first-class first responder cannot be taught in books or read online. If seeing is believing for the rest of the world, for emergency personnel, “seeing” is only the beginning; doing is believing, and the best way to do is to gear up and put hands-on.

So it’s no wonder that rescue tool evaluations have become the pivotal point in the decision process of fire departments shopping around for their next rescue equipment set. Call us skeptical, but in this industry, facts and figures can only tell part of the story – the rest is borne out in the junkyard and on the streets.

Setting up the elements of a rescue tool “demo day” might seem pretty straightforward, but take it from us – there are a lot of details, many of which are overlooked, that may affect how thorough and accurate an analysis your department can eventually complete. We know from our experience that there are common mistakes and pitfalls that hinder your buying decision. That’s why we’ve compiled some helpful tips and factors to consider when organizing and executing a tool evaluation.

“Rescue tool evaluations have become pivotal in the decision process of fire departments shopping around for their next rescue tool set.”

1. Have Enough Car

First and foremost, plan to have enough cars for you and your personnel to cut apart given the number of tools and number of people that will be involved. Typically, rescuers will spend 20-40 minutes taking one car apart at an evaluation. If you have multiple shifts or multiple days lined up with one brand of tools, you probably need a car for each of them. If you have multiple rescue equipment brands coming out for a head-to-head demonstration, you will probably want a car for each tool brand.

A common mistake is planning for multiple shifts or multiple tool brands to work on the same car. Usually, this won’t give your personnel enough material to work on to really determine the user differences between the products, the battery life, the weight after prolonged use, or even the force capabilities. If at all possible, it is better to secure too many cars than too few.

Last but not least, not all scrap cars are created equal, so make sure not to mix up old car models with recent ones.

“You will need at least one car per rescue tool brand and/or personnel shift.”

2. Know your skill level

Many fire departments use their tool evaluations as a chance for their personnel to undergo extrication training, and that’s a great way to make the most of your tool time. It is extremely important to know the skill level of your department beforehand!

Undertaking difficult scenarios or techniques that rescuers are not familiar with can severely inhibit their ability to judge the quality of the equipment! Too often, firefighters will get held up or frustrated by a training difficulty, which will change their view of the tool they are supposed to be analyzing. Correct this issue by setting a standard and manageable scenario before moving into more difficult evolutions.

If you intend to use the rescue tool evaluation as a training opportunity, please let all your tool reps know beforehand! These reps would be happy to come ready with extrication tips and insights or a lesson plan, so please give them a chance to prepare.

“Make sure that the personnel evaluating the equipment are using rescue techniques they are familiar with.”

3. Use the tools as you would on a live scene

As mentioned above, taking on a new, difficult extrication technique with rescue tools you’ve never handled is a tough way to analyze the pros and cons of each brand. A great way to train and analyze prospective tool models is to treat the evaluation like a live rescue scene – after all, you want to practice how you play.

Furthermore, the tool reps that are eager and excited to show you their excellent products also expect a reasonable level of respect from your organization. Proper glass-breaking and glass management, cribbing and stabilizing, handling of tools, and smart, controlled cuts and spreads show that you respect and appreciate the time and tools they’ve loaned to you for the day.

“It is respectful to use the tools properly, like you would do in a real-life situation.”

4. Do your homework

No matter what brands of tools are invited to your evaluation, there are a lot of ins and outs of hydraulic rescue equipment to consider – too many to cover in the short time the reps will be allotted on the “demo day”. Manufacturer websites and the reps themselves can be great resources to help you prepare for your evaluation by eliminating tool options that don’t meet your organization’s needs, comparing test data, and building out evaluation criteria.

If a group of people will all have a say in the final decision, it will be in everyone’s best interest to understand the evaluation criteria and establish a ranking system before the evaluation day. A ranking system makes a “feel” into something comparable across different categories and people. With established criteria and rankings, you can weigh all decision-makers’ opinions evenly. Go without, and you risk bias toward the most recent or loudest opinions.

“Eliminate equipment options that don’t meet your needs BEFORE the evaluation and make sure to establish your criteria and a ranking system.”

Need some help with your rescue tool evaluation?

Holmatro Sales Managers have been a part of hundreds of rescue tool demos and evaluations, and they are ready and willing to help your organization set up a fair, effective, and efficient evaluation process – or even just offer some insight as you plan your purchase.

Please reach out to discuss further, offer critiques or additional insight to this blog post, or begin planning your “demo day” in coordination with our trusted local dealer partners.

ILUS International has announced the launch of a handheld firefighting nozzle with integrated low-pressure water misting capabilities for electric vehicle fires, flammable gas fires and more.

The company acquired FireBug in January 2021, who already had its own patented water mist technology. Now, it has launched the Maxi A-1, the world’s first handheld firefighting nozzle with integrated water misting capability.

It is the only nozzle of its type which can provide several selectable flow water jet streams of up to 160 GPM, as well as a ‘single click’ 13 GPM water mist mode. It can operate from most standard firefighting vehicles as well as from fire hydrants.

Traditionally, standard firefighting nozzles would require the use of additional chemicals to efficiently extinguish some types of fires. Months of testing by FireBug engineers has proven the Maxi A-1’s success in tackling blazes of multiple classes: including electric fires, flammable gas fires and cooking oil/animal fat fires.

Managing Director for ILUS International, John-Paul Backwell, said: “In short, I believe this nozzle will save more lives and within a couple of years every fire brigade will have it on hand to fight a wider range of fires more efficiently and safely. No longer are separate pumps and vehicles or added chemicals required to extinguish a flammable gas fire or electric vehicle fire efficiently. No longer are six fire trucks required to turn up at the scene of a Tesla fire. Why should the fire services spend an entire week and divert all their resources to extinguish an Energy Storage System fire? This nozzle changes the game – period!”

He continued: “The Maxi A-1 nozzle will shift our disruptive water mist technology for firefighting from being niche to mainstream. As a result, we are confident that we will be able to exponentially increase our nozzle sales without sacrificing the high margins we already make on the products. The ILUS team remains hard at work on the technology front and whilst acquisitions and deals are often what gets talked about, there are many more amazing technology developments going on under the hood of the company which we look forward to announcing soon.”