march 2020 fighting wildfires 2020_web 2.pdf · africa. in south africa we know a thing or two...

MARCH 2020

• Restoring Notre Dame Cathedral • Protecting our mining assets• New fire exhibition launched • Advances in automated firefighting

Insurer Guide:Passive fire-protection systems

Fighting Wildfires• Australia• United States• South Africa

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Fire Protection • March 2020 1

PublisherFire Protection Association ofSouthern AfricaIncorporated Association not for gainReg. No. 1973/000022/08

EditorMike [email protected]

FPASA ConsultantRenay Sewpersad

Design and ProductionDe Roche Repro

PrintingLaw Print

Publisher’s Address:PO Box 15467 Impala Park 1472Springbok Road Bartlett BoksburgTelephone: (011) 397-1618Satellite Tel: (011) 552-6908/9Telefax (011) 397-1160or (086) [email protected]

Advertising executiveBarbara SpenceAvenue AdvertisingP O Box 71308Bryanston 2021 South AfricaTel: (011) [email protected]

Fire Protection is a membership magazinepublished quarterly by the FPASA.

The views expressed in articles by outside contributors arenot necessarily those of the FPASA.Permission must be obtained from the FPASA beforematerial in this journal is reprinted or broadcast andacknowledgement must be given.

CONTENTS

2 TRAINING FPASA fire-training courses for 2020

4 VIEW The Editor’s view on industry topics and the contentsof this issue

6 WILDFIRES: AUSTRALIA 2019-20 The 2019–20 Australianwildfire season has been described as cataclysmic andunprecedented

16 WILDFIRES: INDIGENOUS FIRE MANAGEMENT The future ofbushfire management lies in embracing Indigenous expertise

18 WILDFIRES: S.A. FILM DOCUMENTARY New educationaldocumentary highlights the complexity of wildfires in theWestern Cape

20 WILFIRES: PRESCRIBED BURNS The tactic of prescribedburns encounters ongoing hurdles in America’s West

23 WILDFIRES: INVESTIGATION Startling negligence by a utilitycompany caused a devastating wildfire

26 INSURER PROPERTY PROTECTION GUIDE Acceptability ofpassive fire-protection systems in the South Africanenvironment

30 FIRE EXHIBITIONS Securex 2020 is all fired up with theintroduction of the new Firexpo exhibition

32 LIBRARY Summaries of fire-related articles available fromthe FPASA Library

35 REMOTE-CONTROLLED MONITORS An analysis of remote-controlled monitors for fixed firefighting systems

40 COMMERCE Passive fire protection through firecompartments in construction and maintenance

42 COMMERCE A new range of smoke detectors for the SouthAfrican market

44 PROTECTING MINING ASSETS Fire-protection systems areessential for high-value mining industry assets

47 FDIA MEMBERSHIP LISTING

Vol 46 No 1 • March 2020ISSN 0259 - 1766

AUDIT BUREAUOF CIRCULATIONS

COVER: To tie in with our special Wildfiresfeature, the stunning cover photo is byJustin Sullivan of Cape Town-based SullivanPhotography, which has produced ‘WalkingWith Fire: A Wildfire Documentary’ for theWestern Cape Government ProvincialDisaster Management and Fire and RescueServices. Read more about thedocumentary on pg 18

Australia’s Black summerCataclysmic and unprecedented wildfiresSee page 6

Fire Protection • March 20202

TRAINING

The following are details of theFPASA’s comprehensive range ofFire Protection courses on offer for

the remainder of 2020. All courses are accredited by an

appropriate body – such as the Local

Government SETA (LGSETA) or CFPAEurope. Training takes place at theFPASA facility near OR TamboInternational Airport in Boksburg, orarrangements can be made for on-sitetraining at the client’s premises.

FPASA members and stakeholdersqualify for discounts of 5-30%.For more information, contact Renay on011 397 1618. Or email her:[email protected]

Fire protection trainingcourses for 2020

Bookings:[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 397 1618/19

Technical Enquiries:[email protected]

Library:

[email protected]

Membership/PublicationEnquiries:[email protected]

Finance:[email protected]

Course dates and details as follows:

NOTE: 1. Courses can be arranged on-site on request - subject to a minimum number of delegates and suitable facilities.2. The Association reserves the right to postpone or cancel a course.3. These dates may be subject to change without notice. The amended course dates will be available on our website www.fpasa.co.za.

Optional add-on orstandalone course}

Diplomas on offer: Europe Fire Safety – Technical Cycle & Management Cycle

TITLE APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC

1 Basic Fire-Fighting Module 07 16 03 05

2 Fire-Fighting & Evacuation 06 10 15 05 02 07 04 02

3 Workplace Fire-Fighting, &Evacuation 20-23 29- 02 24-27 26-29 30- 03Breathing ApparatusGrass Fire-Fighting

4 Fire Risk Assessment & Prevention 11-15 06-10 14-18 19-23 07-11Strategies

5 Advanced Fire Prevention 20-24 28- 02& 27-31 & 05-09

6 Fire Appliance Reconditioning 20-24 18-22 22-26 06-10 03-07 07-11 12-16 09-13 07-11

7 Plan Appraisal: A detailed analysis of 08-12 07-11SANS 10400 - Parts A, T & W

8 CFPA Principles in Fire Safety 23-27Engineering

9 Fundamentals of Fire Investigation 25-29 20-24 12-26

10 Advanced Fire Investigation 16-19Techniques

11 Sprinkler Pumps: Inspection and 13-15 02-04Testing

12 Bylaws 22-25 09-12

13 CFPA Europe Fire Safety Diploma - 09 03Technical Cycle Exam (Diploma)

14 Insurer Fire Impact Reduction 03Strategy (InFIRes) Seminar

Welcome to the first 2020 issueof Fire Protection, yourquarterly magazine for fire

industry professionals in SouthernAfrica.

In South Africa we know a thing ortwo about wildfires. They are, andalways have been, a part of the locallandscape.

They occur as a naturalphenomenon in grasslands, woodlands,fynbos, and sometimes in indigenousforests. Often our wildfires are startedby lightning or, in mountainous regions,by falling rocks. Many are started byaccident by people being careless withopen flames and indifferent to theconsequences of their carelessness.

According to Working on Fire,climate change is expected to increasetemperatures over parts of the interiorof South Africa by as much as 3-5degrees C by the end of the century.Longer dry spells may also occur morefrequently during all seasons. Risingtemperatures and increased droughtfrequencies combine to exacerbate theincidence of fire risk.

Average temperature rise ofonly just over 1°C was critical

By as much as 3-5-degrees C! It’s aworrying scenario when you considerthat the Australian Bureau ofMeteorology said in its State of theClimate 2018 report: “Australia's

climate has warmed just over 1°C since1910, leading to an increase in thefrequency of extreme heat events”.

So a rise of only 1°C was a key,although certainly not only, contributorto the wildfire carnage that devastatedAustralian over the period now knownas Black Summer (see our extensivecoverage from pg 6). It is indeed afrightening thought for the fire industryin South Africa!

Speaking of frightening, I wascertainly alarmed to read of theexperiences of one senior Australianfirefighter, who told of raging fires sohuge that they created their ownweather as they moved across thelandscape, defying attempts to usetraditional weather forecasting methodsto predict what the fires would do next.

Prescribed burns faceproblems in the United States

Continuing our Wildfires theme in thisissue, we’ve also examined theexperience in the Western part of theUnited States (see pg 20), where publicopposition to the tactic of prescribedburns has played a part in several largefires there in recent times.

Then we move back home to findout about a wildfire documentarycommissioned by Western CapeGovernment Provincial DisasterManagement and Fire and Rescue

Services which is attracting positivereviews (see our article on pg 18).

Moving away from Wildfires, don’tmiss another in our series of InsurerProperty Protection Guides. Our articleon page 26 deals with Acceptability ofPassive Fire-Protection Systems.

As always, Fire Protection featuresmany though-provoking and hopefullyuseful articles. Please enjoy your latestread, courtesy of the FPASA.

Mike Simpson

Editor


EDITOR’S VIEW

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Focusing on wildfirechallenges fromaround the world

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Editorial contributionsare welcome

Send submissions to theeditor Mike Simpson

E-mail: [email protected]

of going to Europe and burning every single square kilometreof land in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Slovakiaand Luxumbourg – with a bit to spare. Smoke from the fireswas detected 11 000km away in South America. Accordingto NASA, an estimated that 306-million tonnes of carbondioxide were emitted into the atmosphere.

Around 3 700 Australian firefighters, most of themvolunteers, were involved in fighting the fires. The Australianmilitary provides a further 3 000 personnel andapproximately 300 firefighters came from other countries toassist. Up to 500 aircraft and helicopters were involved. Oneair tanker and two helicopters crashed.

Cataclysmic; unimaginable; unprecedented; like anatom bomb. These are just some of the ways that

the 2019–20 Australian wildfire season, now knowncolloquially as “Black Summer”, have been described.

The startling figures bear this out. As of 9 March 2020the fires had burnt an estimated 186 000 square kilometres(18.6 million hectares), destroyed more than 5 900 buildings(including 2 779 homes), killed 34 people including severalfirefighters, and exterminated an estimated 1-billion animals.

To put the fire size into perspective, that’s the equivalent

Fire Protection • March 2020 7Fire Protection • March 20206

WILDFIRES: AUSTRALIA 2019-20

The catastrophicreality of Australia’sBlack Summer fires

around 1% of NSW fires and 0.3% of Victorian fires by lateJanuary 2020. Police in the state of Queensland said only114 out of 1 068 fires were found to be deliberately ormaliciously lit.

Specific cause: Drought and temperature

According to Farm Online and the Sydney Morning Herald, alikely contributor to the bushfire crisis was the ongoingdrought in eastern Australia – the most severe on record forsome fire-hit areas. Exacerbating the effects of diminishedrainfall in this drought was a record-breaking run of above-average monthly temperatures, lasting 36 months toOctober 2019.

The combination of heat and drought caused criticallow-fuel moisture content, with Victoria Country FireAuthority response controller Gavin Freeman telling theAustralian Broadcasting Corporation that the underlyingdryness of the bush had led to exceptionally high fire danger.

Although Australia has naturally experienced high rainfallvariability and hot summers for millennia, the country hasrecorded an increase of nearly 1.0°C in average annualtemperatures since 1910, decreases in average rainfall insouth-eastern Australia since 1990, and the country's worst

recorded droughts occurred during the 21st century, theAustralian Bureau of Meteorology said.

Specific cause: Climate change

Climate and fire experts agree that climate change is afactor known to result in increased fire frequency andintensity in south-east Australia, and although it should notbe considered as the sole cause of 2019-20 Australian fires,climate change is considered very likely to have contributedto the unprecedented extent and severity of the fires, saidthe BBC and Guardian Australia in separate reports.

The crisis has led to calls for more action to combatclimate change. In December 2019, Australia had beenranked worst in terms of policy, and sixth worst overall, outof 57 countries assessed on the Climate ChangePerformance Index, with the Morrison government labelledan increasingly regressive force, Guardian Australia reported.

Originally downplaying the role of climate change incausing the fires, the Bloomberg news agency said PrimeMinister Scott Morrison eventually conceded that climatechange was one of many factors involved and added thatAustralia was “playing its part” in the international effortagainst climate change.


Soldiers help to evacuate people to a safer area on the other side of a river (Photo credit: Australian Department of Defence)

Overview of the causes of the 2019-20Black Summer wildfires

An official Senate Enquiry by the Federal government is stillcollecting submissions until early April 2020 and will onlymake known its findings in late 2021. There will also beindependent enquiries by the states of Victoria and NewSouth Wales, where the majority of the wildfires occurred.However, there is already a large body of public evidence asto the likely causes.

attributed to record-breaking temperatures and drought,accompanied by severe fire weather, are the primary causesof the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season. These causes arelikely to have been exacerbated by long-term trends ofwarmer and dryer weather observed over the Australian landmass.

The political nature of the crisis and its associated issueshas also resulted in the circulation of large amounts of


According to Australian Geographic magazine, Australia isone of the most fire-prone countries on earth, and bushfiresform part of the natural cycle of its landscapes. However,factors such as climate trends, weather patterns andvegetation management by humans can all contribute tothe intensity of bushfire seasons. The most destructive firesin Australian history have usually been preceded byextremely high temperatures, low relative humidity andstrong winds, which combine to create ideal conditions forthe rapid spread of fire.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation and GuardianAustralia report that scientific experts and land managementagencies agree that severely below-average fuel moisture

disinformation regarding the causes of the fire activity. Thisunfortunately contributed to the neglect of crediblescientific research, expert opinion and the results of previousgovernment inquiries into the country’s numerous majorwildfires.

Specific cause: Ignition

The major cause of ignition during the 2019-20 fire seasonin the states of New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria waslightning strikes, the Australian Broadcasting Corporationsaid. It reported that arson, which at the time was popularlybelieved to be a key factor, was actually of little impact.

While there were certainly arson incidents and a numberof people were charged, arson had accounted for only


Towering inferno. Smoke and flames approach a town in rural Australia

south-eastern Australia has been stated to have increased inrecent years, following the recommendation for increasedprescribed burning from the 2009 Black Saturday Fires RoyalCommission, reported Guardian Australia.

Experts suggested that prescribed burning has been moredifficult to achieve given recent trends towards warmer anddryer conditions, said the Canberra Times. Experts have alsocast doubt on the effectiveness of fuel-reduction treatments,citing research which suggests that prescribed burning does

of Morton National Park, which in 2017 was subjected toone of the largest prescribed burns ever successfullyconducted in NSW.

Specific cause: Prevention of hazard reduction?

Throughout the Black Summer fire season there was publicspeculation that hazard-reduction strategies on public landand in national parks had been blocked by activists from theGreens movement.

However, the Guardian Australia newspaper disputed this,


Specific cause: Lack of prescribed burning?

Conservative politicians and media primarily blamed a lackof prescribed burning and fire break management, althoughsuch assertions have subsequently been heavily criticisedand disproven by scientific experts, said the Canberra Timesand Guardian Australia.

Accompanying this was the assertion that environmentalgroups were responsible for the crisis by inhibiting prescribedburning, despite environmental groups holding relativelynegligible political power compared to the main politicalparties. Furthermore, the amount of prescribed burning in

little to stop bushfires and save property in south-easternAustralia, with climate and weather conditions havingprimary influence.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the effect ofprevious prescribed burns in slowing the 2019-20 Australianfires and assisting fire suppression efforts remains unclear,although in many instances the fires were observed to burnthrough cleared agricultural land and forest recently affectedby unplanned and prescribed burns, owing to the extremeweather conditions and dryness of vegetation. Of particularnote, the damaging Currowan fire burnt though a large area

Volunteer firefighters mop up one of the thousands of blazes


PHOTO CREDIT: DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES

Scientific modelling used byfirefighters to predict howwildfires behave was ineffective

because the fires were so big that theycreated their own weather patterns, anincident controller told the AustralianBroadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Andy Gillham, from the Bairnsdaleincident control team in Gippsland,Victoria, said in an interview at the

height of the fires that somecommunities had fires approachingfrom almost all directions.“Everybody'ssaying the same thing; and that is thata lot of the scientific modelling that weuse to try and predict where fire mightrun is not coping with what'shappening in the landscape, just purelybecause of the fire load,” he told ABCGippsland.

Fires do what they want

Gillham said as the fires built theycreated their own weather, so datafrom the weather bureau became lessrelevant. “We know roughly what'shappening, but the fires are basicallydoing what they want in thelandscape,” he said.

Gillham added that the


Wildfires ‘createdtheir own weather’


Some of the fires were so big that they created their own weather patterns

saying: "Despite the [contrary] evidence, a claim persists thata major contributing factor [to] Australia’s devastating fireseason ... is not climate change but a conspiracy byenvironmentalists to 'lock up' national parks and preventhazard-reduction activities such as prescribed burning andclearing of the forest floor”.

Devastating Ecological effects

Prof. Chris Dickman, a fellow of the Australian Academy ofScience from the University of Sydney, estimated on8 January 2020 that more than one-billion animals werekilled by bushfires in Australia; while more than 800-millionanimals perished in New South Wales.

The estimate was based on a 2007 World Wide Fund forNature (WWF) report on impacts of land clearing onAustralian wildlife in New South Wales that providedestimates of mammal, bird and reptile population density inthe region.


Research Sources:

Australian Broadcasting CorporationAustralian Bureau of MeteorologyAustralian Geographic magazineCanberra Times newspaperCNBC broadcastingFarm Online website

Dickman's calculation had been based on highlyconservative estimates and the actual mortality wouldtherefore be higher. The figure provided by Dickman includedmammals (excluding bats), birds, and reptiles; and did notinclude frogs, insects, or other invertebrates. Otherestimates, which include animals like bats, amphibians andinvertebrates, also put the number killed at over a billion, theHuffington Post reported.

Ecologists feared some endangered species were drivento extinction by the fires, said The Washington Post. Thoughbushfires are not uncommon in Australia, they are usually ofa lower scale and intensity that only affect small parts of theoverall distribution of where species live. Animals thatsurvived a bushfire could still find suitable habitats in theimmediate vicinity, which was not the case when an entiredistribution is decimated in an intense event.

Guardian Australia newspaperHuffington Post newspaperNASASydney Morning Herald newspaperThe Washington Post newspaperWikepedia

A European Space Agency satellite image captures smoke and flames from multiple fires in New South Wales


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unpredictable nature of the fires, andthe fact that some communities couldsee fires approach from multipledirections, meant staying to defendproperties was only an option for thefew extremely well-prepared peoplewho were experienced and understoodfire.

But even then, he urged them tothink twice. “We want to reinforce thatmessage; just leave. There's no sugar-coating on this; there is no safe place,[just] safer places.”

Meanwhile, broadcaster CNBCreported that the fires created violentweather systems that were able to

spark new fires, conjure fire tornadoesand make fighting existing fires muchmore challenging.

Smoke-infusedthunderstorms

CNBC said the rising heat from theintense fires generated massive,powerful clouds calledpyrocumulonimbus, which producedsmoke-infused thunderstorms.

Mike Fromm, a meteorologist at theUS Naval Research Laboratory who hasresearched these clouds extensively,told the broadcaster that he likened theprocess to a volcanic eruption.

“They are a combination of aregular thunderstorm that everybody isvery familiar with, but with theexplosive heat source from the firewhich actually makes them verypeculiar,” Fromm said.

These storms are capable ofproducing cyclone-like winds, one ofwhich lifted up a 10-tonne fire engineoperated by the New South Wales RuralFire Service and flipped it onto its roof,trapping the crew inside. One volunteerfirefighter died as a result.


Although the Australia wildfires burnedacross an extremely large area, theirreinsurance impact is proving to not beas significant as some previous fires,according to major insurance companyAon.

The impact on the builtenvironment has been significantly lessthan what might have been expected.This is because the fires burned throughlarge remote areas, with the majority ofimpacted towns having populations ofless than 10 000 inhabitants, the Aonanalysis found.

More than 23 000 bushfire-relatedinsurance claims were lodged across thestates of New South Wales,Queensland, South Australia andVictoria between November 2019 andFebruary 2020, with an estimated valueof 1.9-billion Australian dollars. Thebiggest insurance claim from a wildfireis 2.16-billion Australian dollars for theso-called Black Tuesday fires in thestate of Tasmania.

“These bushfires are significant interms of duration and geographicbreadth of burnt area,” Aon said in astatement. “Definitions applied tobushfire events in reinsurance contractslimit recoverable damage either by time(i.e. a maximum duration) orgeographical extent (i.e. distance orterritorial boundary). The nature of thecurrent losses from the bushfires means

there is the possibility that thereinsurance impact will not be assignificant as [in] some previousevents.”

The main reason that insurersexpect to pay less is that 90% ofdamage was in national parks. Only 8%of damage was in what is classified asurban areas, while 2% occurred in whatis classified as residential areas.

Insurance industry hit issmaller than expected

Insurance claims are lower than anticipates as most blazes occurred in national parks


originating in human activity) climate change is impactingthe frequency and intensity of the fires on this continent,changing the weather and the vegetation we can expect in alocation, and often increasing the fire risks.”

The key message from recent social science research intobushfire is, given that we cannot completely control fire andthere are no absolute fixes, there is a need to create a betterand more honest relationship of coexistence with traditionallandowners, he believes.

“Agencies and communities are already doing a lot inthis direction, seeking to know more about the positive andnegative outcomes of fires in the environment and tounderstand the risks different communities face. However,there is much more to do, including engaging much moreextensively with Aboriginal peoples,” Neale says.

The many benefits of engaging withIndigenous Australians“A major aspect of my research is looking at the [numerous]benefits from engaging with Traditional Owners andIndigenous Australians about bushfire management. ManyIndigenous Australians have immense pride in their longhistory of skilful fire use, and we have solid evidence aboutthe clear ecological, economic, social and health benefits tobeing engaged in caring for [the countryside]”.

According to Neale, most early European settlers inAustralia saw Aboriginal peoples’ fire practices as anannoyance or a threat. Only a few settlers, often farmers,saw the positive effects these practices could have onpromoting regrowth and reducing the fuel available forfuture fires. Even fewer respected the importance ofAboriginal’ fire practices in hunting, ceremony andcommunication.

“In recent years, there’s been renewed interest inAboriginal peoples’ fire practices and knowledge, thanks inpart to books such as Bruce Pascoe’s Dark Emu; however, itis interesting to note that non-Indigenous scientists havebeen influenced by these ideas for some time.”

Neale notes that if we look at early ideas of fuelreduction burning, developed at the CSIRO (CommonwealthScientific and Industrial Research Organisation) in the 1960sand 1970s, they were drawing on ethnographic andarchaeological evidence about how, when and whyIndigenous Australians used fire in the landscape.Regrettably, that influence was not matched with any realengagement with contemporary Aboriginal peoples.

Knowledge sharing is sometimesnegative and exploitative“That said, the mistake that many government and otheragencies can make, in Australia and overseas, is that they canbe too focused on what Aboriginal peoples might have totell non-Indigenous peoples. We have to understand that, inAustralia and elsewhere, many Indigenous peoples’ past andpresent experiences of sharing their knowledge havefrequently been negative and exploitative. It’s pretty galling,if you think about it, to follow up centuries of dispossessionby asking for more,” he explains.

“There are better alternatives, and one has to think interms of respectful partnership. As Indigenous scholars andactivists have been saying for a long time, non-Indigenouspeoples have to give up some of their power and control ifthey want to work together. We have to start from thepremise of Aboriginal peoples’ rights, as the First Peoples ofthis place, to speak authoritatively about Country. They mustbe supported to use their own knowledge and be treated asleaders in the management of their Country.”


Australia’s recent out-of-control wildfire seasonseems to have shown us that modern science andtechnology is unable to successfully predict or copewith everything that nature can throw at us.

Given that we cannot completely control fire and thereare no absolute fixes, we need to create a better and morehonest relationship of coexistence with the traditionalowners of the land, says Dr Timothy Neale of theCooperative Research Centre, an Australian government-funded scientific research programme.

In an article for Fire Australia magazine, Neale notes thatsince the end of the Second World War in 1945, Australianshave increasingly aspired not only to own their own homes,but to own homes close to coastlines and forests – close tonature. Unfortunately, these same landscapes are places

that, for millennia, have regularly experienced bushfires. Thismeans that many things people care about – like houses,towns, humans, pets and farm animals – are put at risk.

Human and ecological timescales are vastly differentOne of the key difficulties, he points out, is that human andecological timescales are very different. “Someone can live ina landscape for years and never experience a significantbushfire, and therefore reasonably not think of it as a high-risk area. But that landscape’s rhythm is actually tickingaway on a timescale of decades or centuries, preparing itselffor a major fire.”

He adds: “In addition to these mismatched timescales,anthropogenic (environmental pollution and pollutants


WILDFIRES: INDIGENOUS FIRE-MANAGEMENT

The future of bushfiremanagement is tofully embraceIndigenous expertise

Aboriginal cultural burning near Parnngurr in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia An Aboriginal man sets a fire at Fish River in Australia’s Northern Territory (Photo credit: Nature Australia)

Sullivan believes that fire is everyone’s fight and,therefore, South Africans should be doing everything in theirpower to prevent bushfires. They should also assist the menand women who fight bushfires and to come forward toreport anyone who is responsible for them.

The organisation Garden Route Fire Watch called the filman “absolutely awesome documentary! Well worth watching

and learning from!” Good Things Guy called it “incredible”.

‘Walking With Fire: A Wildfire Documentary’can be viewedon YouTube, the Good Things Guy website, The South Africannews website, or the SullivanPhotographyZA Facebook page.

All photographs by Sullivan Photography


ASouth African documentary film about bushfires in theWestern Cape is receiving positive reviews following itsrelease in late 2019 by the Western Cape Government

Provincial Disaster Management and Fire and RescueServices.

The 33-minute film is entitled ‘Walking With Fire: AWildfire Documentary’. It is an educational video aimed atcreating awareness and educating the public on the dangersof wildfires, and was born out of a larger dream to conserveenvironments globally from frequent and destructivewildfires.

According to Justin Sullivan of Cape Town-based Sullivan

Photography, which produced the documentary, it onlyscratches the surface of the complexities associated withbushfires in the province. The content includes interviewswith firefighters and examines how many of these wildfiresstart. Some start naturally, but most are a result of humanactivity.

Sullivan and his small team spent four years putting thedocumentary together.

“This has been one hell of a journey and at times Ithought it wasn’t going to happen… Through all the sweatand tears (there were definitely tears), the countless cameraerrors, close calls, [a] vehicle catching alight and [the]absolute amateur approach at the start, it’s finally out there.It’s not the original film I wanted, but it evolved intohopefully a beneficial educational video that will contributein its own way,” he told the Good Things Guy website.


BUSHFIRES: S.A. FILM DOCUMENTARY

New educational filmdocumentary highlights thecomplexities of bushfires inthe Western Cape

Need a workplacefire risk assessment?

We can helpThe Association offers an arrayof fire risk management,consulting and engineeringservices, including legal

compliance reviews, firesafety audits,

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and public opposition,” Associated Pressreported.

After a 2018 wildfire largely levelledthe city of Paradise and killed 86people, the state of Californiaprioritised 35 brush and othervegetation-reduction projects thatcould all involve some use ofintentional fire, said Mike Mohler,Deputy Director of the CaliforniaDepartment of Forestry and FireProtection.

Public concern is preventingmore prescribed burns

But public concern is one of the reasonsthat burns don’t always happen. In2012, for example, a prescribed burn inthe state of Colorado got out of controland killed three people and destroyedmore than two dozen homes.

“Overcoming public fears byteaching about good smoke, bad smoke,out-of-control fire and prescribed fire isjust one hurdle before firefighters canput match to kindling,” Mohler told thenews agency. “It's the differencebetween fire under our terms andfighting fire on Mother Nature's terms.”

It can take years to plan and clearfederal, state and local environmentaland air pollution regulations. A burnamong giant sequoia trees once took13 years to accomplish, said MichaelTheune, a spokesman for the Sequoiaand Kings Canyon national parks inCalifornia.

“In the American West, where thelandscape is steep and downed trees,brush and other fuels have built up overdecades of fire suppression, the so-called burn window can be short


because of hot, dry conditions. Relaxingenvironmental restrictions has clearedthe way for more prescribed fires insome cases,” Associated Press reported.

New laws help fast-trackthe burn process

The state of Oregon recently changedair quality rules for planned fires tostrike a balance between smoky winterskies and bad summer blazes. Californiaproclaimed a state of emergency toallow it to fast-track brush clearing.

Most states and federal agencies inthe U.S. West have ambitious goals theydon't achieve, said Crystal Kolden, aUniversity of Idaho forest and firescience professor whose studyconcluded that not enough prescribedfires are being done in the region.

A water-bombing aircraft attacks a wildfire near Mendocino

The prescribed burn, a low-intensity, closely managed fireintended to clear outundergrowth and protect

national parks and other land, isconsidered one of the best ways toprevent catastrophic wildfires in theAmerican West.

According to a late 2019 report bythe Associated Press news agency, astudy published in the journal Firefound prescribed burns on federal landin the last 20 years across the West hasstayed level or fallen, despite calls formore such burns.

“Prescribed fires are credited withmaking forests healthier and stoppingor slowing the advance of some blazes.Despite those successes, there areplenty of reasons they are not set asoften as officials would like – rangingfrom poor conditions [in which to] tosafely [set a] burn, to bureaucratic snags


WILDFIRES: PRESCRIBED BURNS

Tactic of prescribedburns encountersongoing hurdles inAmerica’s West

Firefighters retreat as a fire front approaches near the city of Carlsbad in California

2120

Negligence and failure to maintainequipment by a now-bankruptutility company was the cause of

the deadliest wildfire in the state ofCalifornia’s history, an investigation hasfound.

Among the findings of theCalifornia Public Utilities Commissioninvestigation was that a tower andhook which held an electricaltransmission line in place had not beenchecked in 17 years. The hook failedand the live wire then fell to the groundand started a blaze.

The resulting out-of-control wildfirein November 2018 all but destroyedthe town of Paradise, a community ofaround 26 000 people. A total of 85people died and 18 800 buildings weredestroyed. Only 5% of buildings in thetown remained without serious damageafter the fire.

Saddled with crippling debt as aresult of its fire-related liabilities, thePacific Gas and Electric Company(PG&E) filed for bankruptcy. It hassubsequently been determined that allvictims will still be compensated by thecompany.

Degraded hook should havebeen replaced

During the investigation into the causesof the Paradise wildfire, investigatorsfound that if the PG & E crews hadchecked the hook and tower theywould have seen that the hook wasbadly degraded. Its timely replacement

could have prevented the blaze fromoccurring, they believed.

“The identified shortcomings inPG&E’s inspection and maintenance ofthe incident tower were not isolated,but rather indicative of an overallpattern of inadequate inspection andmaintenance of PG&E’s transmissionfacilities,” the commission said in itsfindings.

Failure to replace the hook was acontravention of PG&E’s ownmaintenance manual, which stated that“this is a hazardous Priority A conditionwhich requires immediate response andcontinued action until the condition isrepaired”.

In its response to the findings, the

company said it accepted theconclusions. “We remain deeply sorryabout the role our equipment had inthis tragedy, and we apologise to allthose impacted.”

PG&E noted that it has acceleratedinspections and “completed anunprecedented process to inspect everyelement of our electric system withinthe high-threat fire areas”. It haschecked almost 730 000 transmission,distribution and substation structuresand more than 25-million electricalcomponents in those areas.

Editor's Note: For more information onthe devastating wildfire at Paradise inCalifornia, see our article aboutPrescribed Burns on page 20


WILDFIRES: INVESTIGATION

Startling negligence byutility company causeddevastating wildfire

Inadequate maintenance by an electricity utility caused the most devastating wildfire inCalifornia's history


“They know they need to be doingmore prescribed fire; they want to bedoing more prescribed fire,” she said.“They are simply unable to accomplishthat.”

Opposition fromenvironmentalists

According to the Associated Pressreport, opponents cite the threat towildlife and release of greenhousegases. In California, someenvironmentalists opposed intentionalburns because they can destroy naturaldrought-tolerant shrubs and replacethem with flammable invasive weedsand grasses.

Rick Halsey of the CaliforniaChaparral Institute, a non-profit

conservation organisation, saidreintroducing fire through prescribedburns is appropriate in the SierraNevada Mountains, where morefrequent lightning-sparked fires and

blazes historically set by NativeAmericans are believed to improveforests by clearing brush to allow tallertrees to thrive and opening sequoiaseed pods so they can reproduce.

But Halsey said prescribed firesdon't help much of the rest of thestate. The fire that tore throughParadise showed how ineffectiveclearing underbrush can be – it roaredacross 11 km that had burned just 10years earlier.

“It was still grasses and weeds and

shrubs, and that's the model theseprescribed burning advocates haveused,” Halsey told Associated Press.“They say if we have younger fuels onthe landscape, we'll have less fires or

lower intensity fires, and we can usethose areas to protect communities.And that has never happened in wind-driven fires.”

The state of Californiaacknowledged in a draft environmentalimpact report that clearing vegetationmay not slow or halt extreme fires.

But successful prescribed burns cansave property from some future fires,supporters said.

A ruined mobile home park near the town of Paradise, where a runaway wildfire killed 83 people in 2018

WILDFIRES: PRESCRIBED BURNS

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another room, or from one building toanother by means of minimum safetydistances. The requirement to minimisethe spread of fire within and betweenbuildings is clearly defined in theNational Building Regulations. SeePrinciple 2 of Part 2 of this article.

In Part T of SANS 10400, severalsections provide passive fire protectiondeemed-to-satisfy requirements. Theseinclude and are not limited to thefollowing:

▲ Spatial separation by means ofminimum safety distances;

▲ Division-separating elements andmaximum division areas;

▲ Occupancy separating elements;

▲ Tenancy separating elements;

▲ Partition walls and partitions;

▲ Fire stopping between floors;

▲ Protection of openings;

▲ Raised access floors and suspendedfloors of combustible materials;

▲ Emergency routes;

▲ Openings in floors;

▲ Fire stopping of inaccessibleconcealed spaces;

▲ Protection in service shafts;

▲ Services in structural or separatingelements;

▲ Surface-finishing materials: floors,walls, ceilings;

▲ Lightning-protection systems andfire retardants.

PRINCIPLE 1

Passive fire protection is provided for inPart T of SANS 10400. These systemsform part of the building structure withthe sole purpose of minimising thespread of fire within and beyond thebuilding. Most of these systems areprovided for during the constructionphase of the building as part of themain structure, passive fire protectionin the form of, amongst other, fire walls,fire stopping and the provision of firedoors.

1. SUITABILITY OF PASSIVE FIREPROTECTION (FIRE RESISTANCE):

With the exception of spatialseparation, the fire rating of passivefire-protection measures is provided asa factor of time, in minutes. The timefactor is concluded following thetesting of fire-separating elements suchas fire walls and fire doors. In SouthAfrica, the standard for testing is theSANS 10177 suite of documents, aswell as SANS 428. Test certificates mustbe provided by the supplier.

The four main aspects which areevaluated during testing are stability,

integrity, insulation ability and thematerial’s own resistance to fire.

PRINCIPLE 2

In the case of fire doors, as an example,the intention of the door is to protectthe area of the opening the door iscovering, to the same specification asthe level of protection the fire wall isintended to provide. The fasteningmethods as well as the frame mustcarry the same fire rating as the door.

Stability. Stability indicates the abilityof the fire wall or door to remain stablefor that specified minimum period oftime, and not collapse or disintegrate


Passive fire-protection systems must minimise the spread of fire within and betweenbuildings

1. INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE:

There are two distinct approaches tofire-protection systems implemented inthe built environment, namely activeand passive fire protection. This articlewill consider the acceptability ofpassive fire-protection systems.

The term ‘passive’, according to theCambridge Dictionary, is described asthe following:

“The passive form of the verb isused when the grammatical subject isthe thing that experiences the effect ofan action, rather than the thing thatcauses the effect.”

This implies that passive fireprotection experiences the effect of afire rather than causes the effect. It isthis response to the effect of fire whichprovides the usefulness of passive fire

protection and its acceptability whichwill be explored here.

2. REQUIREMENTS OF PASSIVEFIRE-PROTECTION SYSTEMS:

Passive fire-protection requirements areprovided for in Part T of SANS 10400.The fundamental approach is to providesuitable separation between rooms thatmay contain a fire origin in order toprevent the fire from spreading to


INSURER PROPERTY PROTECTION GUIDE

Acceptability of passivefire-protection systems

Fire doors in a hospital. The intention is to protect the area of the opening the door is covering, to the same specification as the level ofprotection the fire wall is intended to provide Photo credit: ArchitectProjects UK

PRINCIPLE 4

The fire rating of finishing materialscontributes in various specific ratios tothe use of these finishing materials.

Various combinations may be appliedas informed by the heat-, smoke-,flame-, surface flame spread- andtoxicological certified test results of

these materials. This allows for guidanceand flexibility, as provided by SANS10400, of where certain finishingmaterials may be used or not.


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due to radiation impingement resultingfrom intense heat or other effects offire such as flame impingement. Inother words, the door opening, as anexample, will remain covered orenclosed for that specified minimumperiod of time.

Integrity. Integrity indicates the abilityof the fire wall or fire door to remainintact for that specified minimumperiod of time, and not form cracks orholes through which fire can spread orwarp, allowing heat to pass through.

Insulation. Insulation indicates theability of the fire wall or fire door toresist being heated by the fire on theone side for that minimum period oftime, until the other side of the wall ordoor reaches the same temperature asthat of the fire side, also known as thethermal penetration time.

Resistance. Resistance indicates thenon-combustibility of the construction

materials of the fire door or fire wall. Inother words, how long the wall or dooritself will resist being ignited by the fire.

PRINCIPLE 3

The four aspects – namely stability,integrity, insulation and resistance – astested for, contribute in various specificratios to the fire rating or fire resistanceof the particular fire wall or fire door.Various combinations may be applied,such as high insulation time butaverage stability, etc. This allows forvarious options for the provision ofsuitable fire walls and fire doors as afunctional precaution based on theactual fire load of the room(s) orcompartment(s) they enclose.

2. SUITABILITY OF PASSIVE FIREPROTECTION (FIRE RATING):

Fire rating is provided following suitabletesting of finishing materials in terms of

SANS 10177. Test certificates must beprovided by the supplier.

The following inputs inform the firerating of a finishing material: Heatindex, smoke index, flame index, surfaceflame spread and toxic fumegeneration.

SANS 10400 provides tables wherethe above indexes are provided forfloor, wall and ceiling finishes.

SANS 10177 has various partswhich provide suitable testing standardsfor the above. The fire rating thendetermines a coded serial sequencewhich is displayed on the underside ofcarpets used in hotel rooms, forinstance. The coded sequence coversthe following in this specific order:

Combustibility- Non combustibility/ Surface properties of combustible –Non-combustible materials /Limitations on use of materials /Application identification of materials.


WIND TURBINES

Pouring a concrete base for a firewall to form part of the new building’s passive fire-protection system

INSURER PROPERTY PROTECTION GUIDE


Securex South Africa, thecontinent’s leading security

exhibition, will see visitors getting hotand bothered at the 2020 show, withthe addition of a new sub-section,namely Firexpo. Aimed at showcasingthe latest fire and rescue products and

services, Firexpo will add a newdimension to the 27-year Securexpedigree, the organisers say.

Securex will be co-located withboth the A-OSH EXPO and theFacilities Management Expo atGallagher Convention Centre in

Midrand. It is set to take place from 2-4June 2020.

“As a tradeshow that has a long-standing history, it’s important that wecontinually look for ways to keepSecurex fresh and reflective of thegreater industry,” explains Sven Smit,Event Director at SpecialisedExhibitions, part of the MontgomeryGroup.

Firexpo will focus solely onthe fire and rescue sector

“Firexpo will focus exclusively onsuppliers representing the fire andrescue market, a critical component notonly of security, but also withinfacilities management and occupationalhealth and safety (OHS).

“This is in keeping with our ‘2020Vision’ theme for this year across thethree expos,” he adds. “We aredelighted to advise that Firexpo will besupported by the Fire DetectionInstallers’ Association (FDIA), which hasa long-standing reputation of providingrepresentation and leadership to thefire detection and gaseousextinguishing system industries formore than 20 years. It is our opinionthat the backing of Firexpo by the FDIAcements our planned initiatives for theintroduction of the new section to thelocal market.”

More than 10 000 peopleexpected to attend

Companies operating within the fireprotection, prevention and detectionsector interested in supporting Firexpowill benefit from the more than 10 000visitors drawn in by the combination ofSecurex, A-OSH EXPO and FacilitiesManagement Expo.

For more information, visitwww.securex.co.za/, or contact SpecialisedExhibitions, part of the Montgomery Group, on+27 (0) 11 835 1565.


EXHIBITIONS

Securex 2020all fired up withintroduction ofnew Firexpo

Premium Aluzinc steel®

fire sprinkler and hydrant tanks

FIRE PROTECTION

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PO Box 15467 Impala Park 1472Tel: (011) 397-1618, Satellite Tel: (011) 552-6908/9, Fax: (011) 397-1160, www.fpasa.co.za

FIRE PROTEC TION A S SOCIATION OF SOUTHERN AFRIC A

The FPA Fire CollegeThe FPA Fire College offers a wide range of courses. Amongthese are the Confederation of Fire Protection Associations(Europe) Diploma in Fire Prevention and the CFPA Europe

Principles of Fire Engineering course.FPASA’s Insurer Fire Impact Reduction Strategy (InFIReS)

incorporates The National Fire Information Resource(NatFIRe) facility to improve the collection, collation and

availability of National Fire Loss Statistics.

POSTPONEDuntil August

Grenfell PhaseTwo inquiryunderway

Fire Protection • March 2020 33Fire Protection • March 202032

OUR LIBRARY

New building firesafety-rating system

Fire Risk ManagementJustin Francis

June 2019

Justin Francis presents his outline of anew fire and safety-rating systemdesigned for medium- and high-risebuildings worldwide. This articleoutlines a Building–Fire and Life SafetyRating (B-FLSR) system aimed at bothold and new medium- and high-risebuildings. The rating providesinformation to occupants of thebuilding on the level, type of fire, andlife-safety protection within thebuilding. In this way, it encourages aproactive approach to building fire andlife safety.

The rapid shift inbuilding-designmaterials

Fire Risk ManagementBob Glendenning

June 2019

To keep pace with the rapid shift inbuilding-design materials andspecification, the fire-protectionindustry is changing. Bob Glendenningexamines the subject. Across towns andcities, architects have been creatingmore interestingly shaped buildings,often fully glazed with the steel frameon show. You need only look at theLondon skyline to see how thesestunning buildings have grown inpopularity and imagination in recentyears. This is due in part to intumescentcoating, which protects the steel in abuilding by forming a char in the eventof fire.

Changing climatefor emergencymanagement

Fire AustraliaAlana Beitz

Issue 1, 2019

Fire and emergency services deal withextreme weather on a daily basis. Whilefire, flood, storms and heatwaves are allnaturally occurring hazards, climatechange increases their frequency,severity and complexity – puttingadditional stress on fire and emergencyservices. The impact and flow-on effectof climate changes are of significantconcern for emergency personnel andthe communities they operate in.

Choosing the rightfixed fire protectionfor buildings

Fire Risk ManagementGary Howe

November 2019

An installed automatic fixed firefightingsystem is a highly effective element inthe fire-protection strategy of abuilding because it is immediatelyavailable and is designed specifically tomeet the defined fire hazard. Selectingthe appropriate form of fixed fireprotection for complete buildingprotection will require the input, helpand specialist knowledge of acompetent person who will be facedwith the challenge of not onlysatisfying the requirement of thecurrent building regulations and thelocal fire authority (which arepredominately life-safetyrequirements), but also the property-protection requirements of the buildinginsurer.

NFPA 13: Water-based fire-protection systems

NFPA Journal Jonathan Hart

Jan/Feb 2019

Understanding terminology isimportant when applying codes andstandards. Equally important isunderstanding the relationship betweendifferent codes and standards thatapply to a single building. These twofactors are demonstrated in theapplication and use of quick-responsesprinklers in health-care occupanciesand requirements of NFPA 101 (Lifesafety code) and NFPA 13 (Installationof sprinkler systems), as well as in thedifference between the terms‘compartment’ and ‘smokecompartments’.

NFPA 101: Life safetyin new and existingstructures

NFPA Journal Kristin Bigda

May/June 2019

Balancing the long-standing focus ofoccupant life safety from fire eventswith the growing need for security fromnon-fire related events, continues to bea common theme running through theproposed changes and technicalcommittee discussions during the firststages of developing the 2021 editionof the NFPA 101 life-safety code.Providing guidelines for how to safety-lock classroom doors in schools,daycare facilities and office buildings isa recent example of how the code hasaddressed a specific need to balance lifesafety alongside fire and occupantsecurity. However, are we at a pointwhere fire and safety drills havebecome excessive? Do we riskdiscouraging the appropriate occupantresponse, thereby diminishing the valueof all drills?

Phase Two of the Grenfell TowerInquiry into the causes of the

blaze that killed 72 people andinjured 70 more in June 2017 gotunderway in London on 27 January2020.

Broadly, Phase One sought todetermine what happened on thenight and its hearings concluded inDecember 2018, with the reportpublished in October 2019.

Phase Two’s purpose is to findout what happened, why, and whatcan be done to prevent it fromhappening again. It is not certainhow long Phase Two will take, butthe hearings are expected toconclude sometime in 2021, withthe report to follow thereafter.

It is likely that the findings ofboth Phase One and Phase Two ofthe inquiry will inform any futurelegal proceedings, whether criminalor civil.

One of the surprising aspects ofPhase One was that changes tofire-safety regulations in the UKrelating to building cladding– theprimary problem in the GrenfellTower fire – were implementingbefore the Phase One findings werepublished.

This was because Phase Onetook far longer to complete thananticipated. To date there arealready 75 000 documents thatneed to be considered during PhaseTwo.

The requirement for automatedfirefighting is continuouslyincreasing. Remote-controlled

monitors, especially in combinationwith automated fire detection, allow atargeted but flexible firefightingoperation in limited areas. The technicaldevelopments in the field of driveengineering, sensor technology andcontrol technology offer great futurepotential for the industry.

Advantages of automatedfirefighting systems withremote-controlled monitors

Automated firefighting systems are wellknown as sprinkler systems and alsospray nozzles. But for several years now,automated firefighting systems withremote-controlled monitors have beenused for fire protection of:

▲ Tank farms

▲ Petroleum loading terminals

▲ Aircraft hangars

▲ Thermal power plants

▲ Production facilities

▲ Recycling plants

▲ Waste incineration plants.


SPONSORED CONTENT: REMOTE CONTROLLED MONITORS

Remote-controlledmonitors for fixedfirefighting systemsBy Fritz Zimmerman, Head of Engineering at FireDos GmbH, Wölfersheim, Germany for DoseTech Fire

Monitor in a recycling plant

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of the monitors must be considered. Inorder to achieve the requirements ofrepeated accuracy for pre-programmedextinguishing operations, zero-clearancebearings are necessary to prevent anytilting of the pivot mounting.

In addition, a design aimed atreducing the

repulsion ofthe water jet anddecreasing the powerneeded to swivel themonitor, such as the optimisedFireDos octagonal ‘Oval Flat Design’,is essential. This also includessuitable contact-free, and thuswear-free, absolute encoders in orderto implement an accurate and precisenozzle direction in the case ofautomated firefighting systems.

It is vital to use sensors which canmonitor and save movements andpositions, even when electricity is shutoff. In case of manual manipulation ofthe monitor using fitted hand-wheels(i.e. during maintenance orcommissioning), this ensures that noreference adjustment is necessary forrecalibration of the programmedautomated swivelling movements.

In addition, the drives whichregulate the spray pattern must be ableto be fitted with absolute encoders.Beside the right/left and up/downmovements, this provides a thirdparameter which allows influencing ofthe shape and range of the spray targetarea. A larger spraying angle alsoreduces the impact of the jet ofextinguishing agent, which prevents abulk-materials fire from spreading. Toachieve the necessary degree of

freedom, remote-controlled monitorsshould allow wide swivelling ranges.Preferably, the horizontal swivellingrange is 360° and the vertical swivellingrange reaches from +90º to -90°. Bothswivelling axes should have self-lockingworm gears to prevent the monitorfrom unintended adjustment by anexternal force. In addition, self-lockinggears help to stop remote-controlledmonitors at the desired positionwithout requiring additional brakes.

In order to achieve the corrosionresistance required for a long-term

use of the monitor, componentsmade of

seawater-resistant castaluminium, alongwith additionalspecial hard anodizedcoating, are used and haveproven themselves over manyyears.

Using only cast parts tobuild monitors eliminates therisk of stress corrosion cracking,which occasionally appears in weldedparts. Further, the development processof monitors using cast parts increasesthe design flexibility and optimisationprocess significantly. The componentscan be flow-optimised by the use ofCFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics)simulation software.

Low-pressure loss figures can beachieved even with comparatively

compact dimensions. This reduction inpressure loss indicates that theextinguishing water turbulence on theway through the monitor is reduced toa minimum. Flow-optimisation,however, does not end with the so-called pivot mounting, i.e. the body ofthe monitor, but also including thenozzle.

A sufficiently long nozzle designreduces the turbulences from the pivotmounting and creates the basis for thelong reach of CFD flow-optimisednozzles. As it has already been practisedwith manually-controlled monitors,even nozzles for remote-controlledmonitors can optionally be fitted withregulators to control the extinguishing

agent flow-rate.

FireDos monitors offer theoption for this to be done byremote control duringoperation. The flow can thus beadapted to the actualrequirements of firefighting.

Features of control systemsused for automated fixedfirefighting systems withmonitors

The range of electric control systemsfor remote-controlled monitors variesfrom standalone control systems tocontrol a single monitor, through tocomplex systems with multiple


The extensive range of monitors,and the ability to select from a varietyof mountable nozzles, provide flexibilityand enhanced performance to achieve

with suitable fire detection and control,effective fire protection can beguaranteed while requiring a minimumof firefighting personnel.

complex facilities. The response timesare similar to current automaticfirefighting systems.


effective fire protection for high-riskareas. Remote-controlled monitorsallow a targeted firefighting operationin confined spaces and can be usedwith extinguishing agents such aswater, low-expansion foam and, ifrequired, even powder.

The nozzles are fine-tuned to suitthe type of extinguishing agent,allowing extended reach. Combined

To fully utilise the potential offeredby remote-controlled monitors forfirefighting, introducing aprogrammable (PLC) control systemwith state-of-the-art communicationfacilities is mandatory. This allows theconnection with automatic fire-detection systems and fire-alarmcontrol panels for very large and

Requirements for remote-controlled monitors used inautomated firefightingsystems

When using remote-controlledmonitors in automated firefightingsystems, function-relevant parameterswith regard to design and construction

An automated firefighting system with remote-controlled monitor being activated at a production facility


controlled monitors can be adjusted inthe control cabinet without having tomake any settings directly at theremote-controlled monitors. In the caseof very large systems, this is aninvaluable time-saver duringcommissioning, service and use.

But it is not only thresholds andrest positions which can beprogrammed via a display. The bestoscillation mode for the respectivesystem can be individually selected andprogrammed for either single ormultiple monitors.

Currently, four different oscillatingmodes are normally used, which allowadapting to the various requirements indifferent applications. This enables thehazardous areas within theseapplications to be separated intoindividual zones, where one or evenseveral monitors will apply theirextinguishing agent in case of an alarm.

The following four oscillating modes(see table below) are normally used:

If control systems for remote-controlled monitors are interconnectedwith fire-detection systems (i.e. on thebasis of IR cameras), pre-selection ofindividual zones can be skipped. Themonitor will then swivel to an areaidentified by the fire-detection systemand will start the extinguishingoperation directly at the source of thefire. In case of locally-confined initialfires, this results in maximumfirefighting success while consumingonly a minimum amount ofextinguishing agent and affecting only alimited area.

Outlook and conclusion

The technical developments in the fieldof drive engineering, sensor technologyand control technology offer greatpotential to detect fires in their initial

phase, as well as to fight fires in alocalised and resource-conservingmanner via the use of monitors.

In addition, a focus must be placedon what firefighters around the worlduse to fight fires. In live operations, theextinguishing agent flow is adapted tothe requirements set by the fireincident. The availability of remote-controlled monitors and nozzles wherethe extinguishing agent flow rate canbe adjusted by remote-control withoutinterruption of the operation makes itpossible to also apply this procedure toautomated firefighting systems.

If it is possible to successfully applyexperience and procedures frompractical firefighting to automatedfirefighting systems, the seemingparadox of ‘less extinguishing agentleads to a higher level of fire protection’can become a reality.


Abbreviations used:PLC Programmable Logic

ControllerCFD Computational Fluid

DynamicsCPU Central Processing UnitSIL Safety Integrity LevelHMI Human-Machine InterfaceIR Infrared

About the authorFritz Zimmermann was hired byFireDos GmbH of Wölfersheim,Germany as head of the engineeringdepartment in 2012. He is in chargeof foam-proportioner and fire-monitor design and development.Previously he worked for Alco forover 28 years in the design anddevelopment of fire monitors andproject development for automatedextinguishing systems and tankfirefighting equipment.

DoseTech Fire is the South Africanauthorised partner of FireDos GmbH.For more information, visitwww.dosetech.co.zaEmail: [email protected]: Mike Feldon. +27 (0) 861111544.

End-to-end

Guided

Stepsequence

Oscillatingmode

Horizontal

Graphical representationDescription

Monitor oscillates horizontallyaround the current point.Nozzle is not adjustedautomatically. Manualalignment to starting pointis necessary.

Monitor oscillates horizontallyand vertically to limits withinthe defined window. Nozzle isautomatically adjusted tospecified spray angle whenoscillating mode starts.

Monitor oscillates horizontallyfrom limits within the definedwindow. After each horizontaltravel, the process is carriedout vertically in small steps.Nozzle is automaticallyadjusted to specifiied sprayangle when oscillating modestarts.

Monitor oscillates withinwindow defined by singlepoints. Number of points canbe adapted to demands ofinstallation. Adjustment ofspray angle of nozzle can bespecified at each point tospecific value.

12

3

6

7

10

4

58

9


Manual monitor being checked by a technician

+27 (0) 861 111 544 • Mike – [email protected]@dosetech.co.za • www.dosetech.co.za

FireDos foam dosing proportioners and skids • Monitors and water cannons• Mobile dosing and monitor trailers • Bund, tank top and rim pourers

Hand line nozzles • Mueller gate valves, indicator posts and fire protectioncontrol valves • Jones hydrants • Foam concentrate & foam tanks

monitors where decentralised individual controls areconnected with a central control unit via a fibre-opticnetwork.

Dependant on the requirement, compact PLC systems, orsystems consisting of several interconnected assemblies,make up the control system. Where a high level of safety isrequired, redundant CPUs can be installed or, alternatively,PLC control systems in accordance with the required safetylevel (SIL).

A daily automatic self-test is one standard feature oftoday’s control systems. During this process, the functionalityof all drives and sensors fitted to the remote-controlledmonitors is tested. If a fault is found at one of thecomponents, a corresponding error message is sent to thesupervising body. This ensures that potential failures arereported immediately and can be eliminated before anoperational malfunction occurs.

This significantly increases the reliability and availabilityof the automated firefighting system, compared to systemswhich are tested for functionality at long and possiblyirregular intervals.

For easier commissioning, the automated control systemsare fitted with an HMI (Human-Machine Interface) option.Thus, during commissioning or a change in program, allthreshold values which must not be exceeded by the remote-


The importance of passive fireprotection was realised during theplanning and construction of what isnow the world’s fourth largest coal-fired power station, the Kusile Power

Station, in the Nkagaladistrict of Mpumalanga.Various Den Braven FPproducts were used to meetthe requirements for some ofthe buildings.

The correct use ofproducts from the FireProtect range in conjunctionwith other items in the rangeis essential. The more FireProtect elements used, thehigher the success ofretarding the fire. Passive firesafety has become importantin building renovation workand is used for maintenancejobs at the 110-storeAtterbury Value Mart inPretoria East.

Den Braven SA is amember of the FireProtection Association ofSouthern Africa (FPASA).

Those responsible for design andconstruction in the builtenvironment are applying

solutions to mitigate the spread andenhance containment of fires inresidential and commercial buildings.

Understanding the different ways inwhich the spread of fire can be retardedis key. Through the creation of firecompartments, architects and buildersare well placed to take a proactive leadin potentially mitigating and arrestingthe spread of fire in a building.

The creation of fire compartmentsand passive fire protection in a buildingis essential for containing a fire andpreventing it spreading, at the sametime providing a valuable time cushionto enable evacuation of the occupantsof the building and time for emergencyservices to reach the scene and bringthe still-manageable blaze undercontrol.

Fire resistance is the time, expressedin minutes, in which a burningcompartment is able to successfullyfulfil its role and thus prevent the firefrom spreading.

Examples of projects usingthe Fire Protect range

The Pearl of Umhlanga, the spectacularresidential resort on the north coast ofKwa-Zulu Natal, the convenientlysituated Castle Rock apartments in thecentre of Cape Town, and BalwinProperties’ trailblazing Crystal Lagoonresort – The Blyde in Pretoria – are afew of the high-profile projects whichhave used the Den Braven Fire Protectrange during construction and thefinishing phases.

Richards Bay Medicross Centre, oneof the tallest buildings in Richards Bay,is another that is staying a step aheadof potential fire by using Fire Protect.

The internationally rated DenBraven Fire Protect range of sealants isa patented range of products, availablein either a silicone, acrylic, or hybridsealant as well as expansion foam. It isapplied to joints and gaps such aswindow frames, doors and cornices, andlinear joints during their installation inthe finishing stages of construction.

Fire Protect products can also beused for openings and surface


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ire retardantF

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ire retardantFup to 4 hours

ire retardantup to 4 hours

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COMMERCE

Enhancing passivefire protectionthrough firecompartments

penetrations. They providecost-effective solutions usingthe latest technology.

Fire can be retardedfor up to four hours

Fire Protect will retard fire forup to four hours. It is acomplete, fully certified andapproved range of passivefire-protection products usedin expansion and connectionjoints, openings andpenetrations between firecompartments.

Fire Protect products forpassive fire protection, whichare included in theconstruction of a building, are integralto the structure and have a primaryfunction to reduce the spread of flames,heat and smoke and thus enhance firesafety.

Fire Protect PU Foam B1 can be sealed withFire Protect Acrylic Sealant - increasing fireresistance

With 255 devices per loop, a short-circuit loop isolator inevery device, multiple type codes, 40V loop voltage and twospeedy programming options, the system is receivingpositive reviews from fire specialists, Brigit claims.

Programmable for most applications

According to Van Zyl, CAST has optical, heat and multi-sensor fire detectors, all programmable to cover virtuallyevery conceivable smoke and heat detector application.Intertek certified to the relevant parts of EN54, they includetwo ultra-bright LED indicator strips offering 360-degreevisibility, a detector/base locking mechanism and an onboardshort circuit loop isolator.

With different sensitivity settings available for differenttimes of the day, they are among the most powerfuldetection devices available, he says.

“Our CAST surface-mounting call point is no ordinarydevice. With an onboard short-circuit loop isolator, asmooth-action resettable element that mimics the feel ofbreaking glass, a photo-luminescent operating window and ared LED 'alarm ring' that illuminates the call point's faceupon activation, it is without doubt one of the most eagerlyanticipated detection devices on the market,” Van Zyl states.

Sounder/VADs are compatible

Utilising the latest advances in sounder and LED technology,C-TEC's EN54-certified addressable Sounder/VADs arecompatible with C-TEC's entire range of ZFP and XFP CASTprotocol fire panels.

Three types are available. Base – providing C-3-8coverage and designed for use as part of a stackedsounder/VAD/detector base combination. Hi-Output – ahigh-performance W-3.2-8.2 rated wall-mounting range.Compact – a range of six variants offering C-3-8 or W-3-3.1coverage. All models are available with or without anonboard sounder.

“With fire legislation in many countries now stating anypower supply performing a mandatory function of a firealarm system must be certified to EN54-4, C-TEC's range ofswitch-mode VdS certified power supplies has come into itsown,” observes Van Zyl.

Ideal for controlling beam detectors, auto-dialcommunicators, aspirating smoke detectors, electromagneticdoor holders, ventilation systems and more, the rangecomprises 1.5A, 3A and 5A 24V units and a 2A 12V unit. Acomprehensive range of non-EN54 PSUs is also available.


Brigit Systems has introduced a new range of smokedetectors with a full range of C-TEC addressablepanels, all complete with EN54 approvals. The

detectors were specially developed with a new protocol thatis widely adaptable to most panels in the market.

“This gives us the edge to supply our own devices withCTEC addressable systems to gain a bigger footprint in themarket. We are price competitive and provide supportnationally,” says Brigit Systems Managing Director, Deon vanZyl.

The applicable EN54 approvals are as follows:

Meet the new CAST

Brigit Systems also launched a new CAST protocol intelligentdetector from CTEC. It is claimed to be the world's most-advanced 'distributed intelligence' fire alarm system.“Comprising a stellar line-up of industry stalwarts supportedby a future-defining roll call of exciting newcomers, CAST isthe fire alarm system everyone's talking about,” states VanZyl.

“Powered and controlled by C-TEC's robust 'future-proofed' CAST communication protocol (C-TEC AddressableSystem Technology), the system breathes new life into ourXFP and ZFP addressable fire panels,” he says. “Sharing thelimelight with the panels and protocol is a talented crew ofCAST fire detectors, call points, sounders, VADs and interfacemodules. All are designed and manufactured by C-TEC in theUK.”


COMMERCE

New range of smokedetectors for SA market

Certification No.: BRIGIT Model No.:

KM 587749 (in respect of EN54-5) BRS-HA-H2; BRS-HA-HL

KM 587751 (in respect of EN54-7) BRS-SA-S2; BRS-SA-SL

KM 702040 (in respect of EN54-11) BRS-MCPA

carefully within its specific operatingenvironment in order to understandwhat hazards and fire risks that vehicleis exposed to. These range fromexcavators to haul trucks and even draglines.

Inherent fire risks include theturbochargers and brake systemoverheating, as well as high-pressurehydraulic systems and electricalequipment that may ignite acombustible or flammable componentof the vehicle. ASP Fire designs systemsto suit individual vehicles and theirspecific requirements. This meansexamining the conditions not onlyinside the vehicle, but also within thesurrounding environment.

DCP extinguishers offerminimal cooling

Although dry chemical powder (DCP)extinguishers are highly effective infirefighting, they offer minimal coolingproperties. This results in re-ignition offlames, especially in liquid fuel andrubber fires, thereby increasing the riskof property damage and loss of life. Thepowder inside DCP extinguishers can

also compact due to vibration whenplaced on a moving vehicle.

This compacted powder increasesthe risk of malfunction when activated.As a result, DCP extinguishers placed onmobile equipment need to be servicedmore frequently. DCP extinguishers alsopose serious operator andenvironmental hazards. When used inconfined spaces, they can affect the firerespondents’ visibility and capability toeffectively suppress the fire, or to safelyevacuate an area should the fire growout of control.

A much more effective and ‘greener’solution is water-mist special risk andhandheld fire extinguishers. Utilisingwater as the main agent and nitrogenas a propellant, this handheld range iscapable of extinguishing most types offires. These include rubber and plastic,diesel and petrol fires, and electricalfires rated up to 245kV.

The atomised mist generated by theextinguisher increases the surface areaof the water by more than ahundredfold. The micro-droplets rapidlyturn into cold steam when coming into

contact with burning or very hotmaterials, further increasing the surfacearea by 1 600 times. The endothermicreaction effectively cools down any hotsurfaces in the immediate environment.

Hot spots are cooled down

Not only is the fire extinguished, butany hot spots are cooled down withoutany thermal shock. The thermal heatradiation barrier created allows theoperator to approach the fire withoutsustaining burns in order to deploy theextinguisher. A protection mechanismeliminates any false alarms. Thisconsists of a heat-sensitive pressurisedactivation tube that requires heat torupture and open a differential valve onthe main cylinder to activate thesystem.

Another solution offered by ASP Fireis an Aqueous Film Forming Foam(AFFF) for fire-extinguishing and vapoursuppression of hydrocarbon fuel fires.The AFFF blanket blocks oxygen supplyto the fuel and cools any hotflammable liquid by effectively sealingthe surface.


ASP Fire designs systems to suit individual vehicles and their specific requirements.

It is essential to undertake pre-shiftand weekly inspections on miningvehicles that operate in demanding

environments to ensure that the firesystem is in working order. This isbecause mining vehicles such asexcavators are high-value assetsoperating under harsh conditions wherethere is an inherent danger of fire,

warns ASP Fire CEO, Michael vanNiekerk.

During such an inspection, thetechnician needs to check that the fire-protection system nozzles are stillattached correctly and covering thehigh-risk areas effectively; that theblow-off caps are still on; and that there

is sufficient pressure in the detectionline and in the system.

The design and installation of avehicle fire-protection system requiresthat mining vehicles are subjected to aHazard Identification and RiskAssessment (HIRA) of potential fires.Each vehicle needs to be assessed


PROTECTING MINING ASSETS

Fire-protectionsystems areessential for high-value mining assets

The design and installation of a vehicle fire-protection system requires that mining vehicles are subjected to a Hazard Identificationand Risk Assessment

Member Member Company Contact Address Telephone E-mailNo Type

FDIA HONORY COMPANIES

FD1804 HONORARY Actsys (Pty) Ltd Lance Govender PO Box 13028 087 722 7777 [email protected] 082 555 1555Benoni 1525

FD1901 HONORARY Diversified Security Engineering Nigel Versfeld 30 Harries Street 082 460 7723 [email protected] Town 7800

FDHON HONORARY FSIB Fire Systems (Inspections) Keith Norgate PO Box 16744 011 608 1249 [email protected] 1612 082 444 1776

FDHON01 HONORARY FSIB Fire Systems t/a Fire Systems Training Jolene v/d Westhuizen PO Box 16744 011 450 4706 [email protected] 1612 082 444 1776

FD134 HONORARY Johnson Control, Fire Suppression Products Andy O' Hare P.O. Box 28085 011 026 9476 [email protected] 4055 060 546 8888

FD1902 HONORARY Johnson Controls, Fire Detection Products Shane Payne P.O.Box 28085 011 011 4070 [email protected] 4055 082 079 9536

FD011 HONORARY Sysman Public Safety Systems (Pty) Ltd Richard McLaughlin PO Box 539 011 300 3300 [email protected] 1748 083 602 5722

FE001 HONORARY TOA Electronics Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd Lauren Sher Postnet Suite 106 011 608 1477 [email protected] Bag X1 082 446 7602Edenglen 1613

FD1009 HONORARY West Coast Automation Systems cc Thomas Potgieter PO Box 1388 +264 63 233378 [email protected]

FDIA MEMBER COMPANIES

FD1139 INSTALLER ACF Technologies (Pty Ltd Charles Thiongo Postnet Suite 129 011 452 2911 [email protected] Bag X10016 082 456 9814Edenvale1610

FD019 INSTALLER Bhubesi Fire Projects (Pty) Ltd Gareth Long Postnet Suite 673 011 462 2742 [email protected] Bag X 033 083 272 8104Rivonia 2128

FD1134 INSTALLER Compcrete cc Peter Labuschagne PO Box 2013 011 958 1988 [email protected] 1731 082 892 0745

FD904 INSTALLER Data Connectivity Solutions (Pty) Ltd Willie le Roux PO Box 95092 011 646 0955 [email protected] Park 2051 082 888 8808

FD1405 INSTALLER Fireworx 1475 (Pty) Ltd Peter Knoechl PO Box 624 086 077 7337 [email protected] North 076 032 2168

FD070 INSTALLER Fidelity Fire Solutions (Pty) Ltd Garvin Ogden Private Bag X5 086 121 2910 [email protected] 1734 071 889 8795

FD005 INSTALLER Firetech Intesol Projects (Pty) Ltd Shantelle Alberts 260 Zwawelpoort Road 012 667 2338 [email protected] 082 629 7491

Pretoria 0062

FD047 INSTALLER FS Systems (Pty)Ltd Jason Adams PO Box 142 021 685 1111 [email protected] 7925 083 406 4274

FD047A INSTALLER FS Systems (Pty)Ltd - JHB Jason Adams PO Box 142 087 828 0428 [email protected] 7925 083 406 4272

FD098 INSTALLER Gentech Services Pieter Coetzee PO Box 2251 011 740 9032 [email protected] 1540

FD076 INSTALLER IBR Fire Systems (Pty) Ltd Darren Stroberg PO Box 5119 011 740 2424 [email protected] 1542

FD1807 INSTALLER Hawk Fire Systems cc Joey Louw PO Box 752600 011 028 3442 [email protected]

Garden View 2047 072 035 4743

FD1806 INSTALLER Itireleng Project Management (Pty) Ltd Morne Goosen PO Box 592 011 316 1808 [email protected] 1666 061 528 2937

FD1904 INSTALLER MC Fire and Security Technologies Hennie van Rooyen PO Box 14197 012 372 3639 [email protected] 0030 082 887 2052

FD1107 INSTALLER Meyer Communications Africa cc Abubakar Albertus PO Box 44778 021 683 6258 [email protected] 7735 061 406 4570

FD1107A INSTALLER Meyer Communications Africa cc - Byron Cloete PO Box 44778 012 660 0118 [email protected] Claremont 7735 083 414 6259

FD024 INSTALLER Multi-Net Systems (Pty)Ltd Johan Smith PO Box 48561 012 379 1753 [email protected] 0030 083 458 8970

Membership listingFDIA - (RED for Detection only)FDIA & GED - (BLUE for Detection AND Gas)GED - (GREEN for Gas only)FDIA - Service DivisionHonory - (Black)

Fire Detection Installers Association 5th Floor East, Helvetia House, Greenvale Road, Wilbart, Germiston. South AfricaPostnet Suite #86 Private Bag X10020 Edenvale, 1610 Gauteng South AfricaPhone: 087 808-7527/011 452-1797 Fax: 086 518 4376 Web Site: www.fdia.co.za E-mail: [email protected]

FDIA


FIRE DETECTION & SUPPRESSION solutions –Saving lives and assets since 1974

FIREDETEC® AUTOMATIC FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMSMining, power generation and industrial facilities are made up of various and diverse areas, each with its unique challenges. These intricate environments demand effective and reliable specialist detection and suppression equipment to effectively address the unique risks and requirements they present.The FireDETEC® Compact Line Vehicle Fire System is a

Effective, compact and economical, the FireDETEC Compact

accommodate vehicle engines up to 25m3.

RISE-CERTIFIED ACCORDING TO SPCR 183 / SP METHOD 4912

Aspirating Smoke DetectionConveyor Belt DetectionExtinguishing PanelsFire Control PanelsKitchen Fire SuppressionVehicle Fire SuppressionIn-Cabinet Fire Suppression

Optical Beam Smoke Detection Flame DetectionHeat & Smoke DetectionLinear Heat DetectionPower SuppliesWarning Devices

PRODUCT RANGE SERVICES OFFEREDOutstanding Customer ServiceRepairs & Technical SupportFull Training on Fire Detection Systems, including Assistance with System Design and Budgetary CostingLocally Designed and Manufactured, as well as World-Class Imported Fire Detection & Suppression Equipment

www.technoswitch.co.zaISO 9001:2015 Certified

HEAD OFFICE – JOHANNESBURGT +27 (0)11 794 9144 E [email protected]

Cussonia Park, 3 Ridge Road, Laser Park, JohannesburgDURBAN

T +27 (0)31 266 8843 CAPE TOWNT +27 (0)21 948 4575

ISO 9001:2015 Certified

202003 FPASA Rotarex Vehicle Advert A4 200224.indd 1 2020/02/24 08:10

FD1702 INSTALLER Mzansi Fire and Security (Pty) Ltd Andrew Percy PO Box 18084 031 203 5200 [email protected] 4014 082 777 7097

FD1501 INSTALLER National Security and Fire (Pty) Ltd Ivan Marais PO Box 6776 011 621 05050 [email protected] 082 379 5510

FD2001 INSTALLER OPT-X Project Management Services (Pty) Ltd Kerry Rafferty PO Box 12056 021 558 7557 [email protected] Vista 7460 083 305 2584

FD1501 INSTALLER National Security and Fire (Pty) Ltd Wilhelm Lubbe PO Box 6776 011 621 0505 [email protected]

FD1801 INSTALLER RF Monitoring Systems (Pty) Ltd Filip dos Santos Postnet Suite 580 011 608 0753 [email protected] Bag X033 083 631 8179Rivonia 2128

FD009 INSTALLER Sensor Special Risk Technologies Clive Foord PO Box 2005 011 452 1339 [email protected] 1416 082 446 1475

FG016 INSTALLER ISF SFP (Pty) Ltd Owen Smit PO Box 82245 011 247 7800 [email protected] 2135 083 266 5802

FG016A INSTALLER ISF SFP (Pty) Ltd - Durban Ted Townsend PO Box 1741 031 702 2130 [email protected] 3600 083 652 3455

FG016B INSTALLER ISF SFP (Pty) Ltd - Cape Town Fernando Antunes PO Box 313 021 526 9300 [email protected] View 7439 083 603 0399

FD1206 INSTALLER Sizanane 7 (Ez Trade 16 cc t/a) Vanessa van Zijl PO Box 11480 011 868 3131 [email protected] 1457 082 566 1362

FD800 INSTALLER Smart Line Integration (Pty) Ltd Charles Harris PO Box 4337 011 450 1939 [email protected] 1610 079 524 9471

FD800A INSTALLER Smart Line Integration (Pty) Ltd - Cape Town Mark Tamine Postnet Suite 1006 021 180 0754 [email protected] Bag X2 083 228 8098Century City 7446

FD902 INSTALLER Spero Sensors and Instruments Paul Stemmet Private Bag X120 011 917 3208 [email protected] 0046 082 882 8253

FD1903 INSTALLER Stefmet Technologies Dewald Janse Van Vuuren PO Box 48950 012 377 2454 [email protected] 30 083 709 3344

FD1503 INSTALLER Tempest Fire cc Neil Tyler PO Box 25460 011 917 3208 [email protected] Rand 1462 011 917 3208

FD1805 INSTALLER Transfire (Pty) Ltd Rowan Ellis PO Box 25784 011 822 2230 [email protected] Rand 1462 082 370 5442

FD1604 INSTALLER Wideband Electronic Services cc Tony Labe PO Box 101 011 432 1215 [email protected] 2061 011 432 1215

FDIA SUPPLIER MEMBERS

FD041 SUPPLIER Fire and Security Techniques Hanlie Truter PO Box 277 012 621 9400 [email protected] 0109

FD125 SUPPLIER Technoswitch (Pty) Ltd Brett Birch PO Box 1752 011 794 9144 [email protected] Ridge 2156 083 514 6043

FD125A SUPPLIER Technoswitch (Pty) Ltd - Cape Town Johan Paulsen PO Box 1752 021 948 4575 [email protected] Ridge 2156 076 108 9868

FD125B SUPPLIER Technoswitch (Pty) Ltd - Durban Patrick Denyssen PO Box 1752 031 266 8843 [email protected] Ridge 2156 084 887 7719

FDIA SERVICE MEMBERS

FDSERV01 SERVICE Sensor Special Risk Technologies Clive Foord PO Box 2005 011 452 1339 / [email protected] 1416 082 446 1475

FDSERV02 SERVICE MeyCom (Meyer Communications Juan-Louis PO Box 44778 021 683 6258 [email protected](Africa) (Pty) Ltd t/a) Claremont 7735 083 436 2044

FDSERV03 SERVICE ISF SFP (Pty) Ltd Owen Smit PO Box 82245 011 247 7800 [email protected] 2135 083 266 5802

FDSERV06 SERVICE Compcrete cc Peter Labuschagne PO Box 2013 011 958 1988 [email protected] 1731 082 892 0745

FDSERV07 SERVICE Gentech Services Pieter Coetzee PO Box 2251 011 740 9032 [email protected] 1540

FDSERV08 SERVICE Data Connectivity Solutions (Pty) Ltd Willie le Roux PO Box 95092 011 646 0955 [email protected] Park 2051 082 888 8808

FDSERV09 SERVICE Smart Line Integration (Pty) Ltd Johan du Plessis PO Box 4337 011 450 1939 [email protected] 1610 079 524 9471

FDSERV011 SERVICE Multi-Net Systems (Pty) Ltd Anne Vermaak PO Box 48561 012 379 1753 [email protected] 0030

FDSERV014 SERVICE Elite Fire Technologies Martin Louis Ferreira Postnet Suite 152 082 532 2425 [email protected] Bag X855Totuisdal 186

FDSERV015 SERVICE Sizanane 7 (Ez Trade 16 cc t/a) Vanessa van Zijl PO Box 11480 011 868 3131 [email protected] 1457 082 566 1362

Member Member Company Contact Address Telephone E-mailNo Type

FDIA


Since 1973 . . . . .

The Association has offered an array offire risk management, consulting andengineering services. These include firerisk assessments, legal compliancereviews, fire safety audits, fireinvestigations, fire and evacuationprocedures and plans; along with generalfire safety management consulting.

A wide range of courses is presented bythe FPA Fire College. Among these arethe Confederation of Fire ProtectionAssociations (Europe) Diploma in FirePrevention and the CFPA EuropePrinciples of Fire Engineering course.

FPASA's Insurer Fire Impact ReductionStrategy (lnFIReS) incorporates TheNational Fire Information Resource(NatFIRe) facility to improve thecollection, collation and availability ofNational Fire Loss Statistics.

The membership options and benefitsadd value to any organisation with aninterest in fire engineering, fireprevention, fire protection, or fire safetymanagement.

Fire ProtectionAssociation of Southern

Africa

FPASAP O Box 15467 Impala Park 1472Website: www.fpasa.co.zaTel: (011) 397 1618, Satellite Tel: (011) 552-6908/9 Fax: (011) 397 1160

FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA(Incorporated Association not for Gain.Reg. No. 1973/000022/08)

march 2020 fighting wildfires 2020_web 2.pdf · africa. in south africa we know a thing or two...

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