Safety, Fire and Security Journal Issue 301

SAFETY,
FIRE &
SECURITY
JOURNAL
June/July • Issue 301
Hochiki fire system
ensures safety at
AU Vodka’s new HQ
Scan the QR Code
to visit the Hochiki
Europe website
Page 12
Delta Fire
6 Addmaster 8
Astutis
15

Editor’s Comments
Welcome to the June/July edition of Safety, Fire
& Security Journal! In this issue, we showcase
a curated selection of features on innovative
companies across diverse industries, exploring
the technologies and solutions that are shaping
a smarter, and safer future.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise stand as
the highest official UK
accolade for business
excellence, celebrating
outstanding achievements
across four vital
categories: Innovation,
International Trade,
Sustainable Development,
and Promoting
Opportunity through social
mobility. On page 5 we
SAFETY,
FIRE &
SECURITY
JOURNAL
have a brilliant feature that delves
into the credibility these awards bring
to businesses, as well as a full break
down of the entry criteria by category
for all future applicants.
One worthy winner this year was UK
firefighting equipment specialist Delta
Fire, winning
two prestigious awards by
King Charles III. It received
one accolade for its
outstanding achievements
in sustainable
development alongside
another King’s Award for its
innovative Attack range of
fire nozzles. Read more on
pages 6-7.
On the Cover
On page 8 we feature an
insightful article on how Biomaster
antimicrobial technology can
support hygiene in healthcare
environments.
We delve into the benefits
of Biomaster antimicrobial
technology, uncover bacteria
hotspots, and detail the
applications in healthcare settings this
technology is suitable for.
Other topics include: Alarm Systems, Fire Doors,
Hygiene, Fire Safety, Health & Safety, Detection
& Prevention, Cleaning, Security, Safety
Compliance.
Share all news:
nicolayoxall@sfsjournal.com
Contents
Nicola Tromans
Editor & Office Manager
5
8
12
14
18
20
Contacts
Editor & Office Manager, Nicola Tromans – 0121 550 4593
nicolayoxall@sfsjournal.com
Editorial, Gina Burton – 07483 931474 – gina@buildingandfacilitiesnews.co.uk
Production Manager, Robert Sharp
production@businessandindustrytoday.co.uk
Accounts Department, Paul Whitaker – 0121 824 4742
accounts@businessandindustrytoday.co.uk
For more information or format requirements, see our Media Pack
Unless stated as news, the entire content of this publication is advertorial based.
To place an advertorial or an advert, please call 0121 550 4593.
SFS is sponsored
by Fircroft
Technologies –
see them on
page 4

Alarm Systems
HKC announces Spring
alarm kit bundle deal
KC Security, a leading provider of
Hintruder alarm solutions in the UK
and Ireland, has introduced a Spring
promotional bundle to offer installers
even better value on its product
range.
The new kit includes HKC’s popular
SW-10270 alarm panel, along with
the new 4G-WiFi Communicator and
wired or RF Keypad.
The new 4G-WiFi
communicator
provides HKC alarm
panels with an
ultrafast connection
to the SecureComm
cloud.
Utilising a 4G
connection offers
installers an easier,
faster way to take
control of their
customer’s security system, as the
4G-WiFi Communicator ensures more
effective system monitoring, remote
operation and data transfer.
This, combined with the SW-
10270 alarm panel, provides a
comprehensive security package
which takes advantage of HKC’s
leading SecureWatch wired and
SecureWave wireless technologies.
Ideal for use in both commercial and
residential security applications,
installers can take advantage of
this deal to provide customers with
enhanced security for a limited time.
Paul Fitzgerald, Managing Director
of HKC, said, “For over 30 years, HKC
has provided high-quality security
solutions to installers across the UK
and Ireland, and
our Spring deal is
a great incentive
to make the switch
to us.
“With this
unbeatable offer,
installers can
take advantage
and join the HKC
network, which
not only offers
exceptional quality,
but an opportunity to build
recurring revenue through the HKC
SecureComm cloud subscription
service.”
This bundle is now available through
HKC’s distribution network at a
special, limited time only price. For
more information, please contact
your local distributor or visit:
https://bit.ly/44cSf1q
HKC at Security
Matters Live 2025
KC Security presented its range
Hof leading intruder alarm
products, including the SecureWave
10270 alarm control panel and a
host of additional market-leading
innovations, at this year’s Security
Matters Live.
HKC offered visitors the chance
to get hands-on with its latest
innovations. At the day-long event,
HKC demonstrated
its SecureWave
10270 intruder
alarm panel and
the range of
interconnectivity
it offers with
other leading
security solutions,
including Abloy
UK’s SMARTair
wireless access
control system and
UR Fog’s security
fogging system.
Throughout the event, attendees
could visit HKC’s stand to learn more
about its systems, and how they
can combine with other tried and
trusted security solutions to deliver
high-performance, unified security
solutions for both residential and
commercial applications.
Visitors to Security Matters Live
also had the opportunity to view
HKC’s newest products, including
the brand-new SecureHub Panel,
Wireless Keypad, Solas Outdoor
Siren, Video Doorbell and Chime.
In addition to these new releases,
attendees could also learn more
about HKC’s SecureComm 2
smartphone application, which
offers homeowners
complete control
of their security
systems, and
the SmartLink
700 installer
software, which
allows installers to
remotely access
their customers’
security systems
for upgrades and
maintenance.
Damian Lloyd, Marketing Lead
at HKC, says, “Creating a unified
security system by connecting
various solutions together has never
been simpler, and at HKC we’re
pleased to be able to offer this
through our partnerships with other
industry-leading suppliers.”
www.hkcsecurity.com
4
SFS is sponsored by Fircroft Technologies – see them on page 4

The King’s Awards for
Enterprise 2025
King’s Awards for Enterprise
The King’s Awards
for Enterprise stand
as the highest
official UK accolade
for business excellence,
celebrating outstanding
achievements across
four vital categories:
Innovation, International Trade, Sustainable
Development, and Promoting Opportunity
through social mobility. These prestigious
awards honour organisations that are driving
progress, breaking boundaries, and creating
lasting impact both within the UK and
internationally.
Winning a King’s Award is a powerful
endorsement that significantly elevates
a business’s profile. It offers more than
prestige – it boosts credibility, opens doors
to new opportunities, and serves as a mark
of excellence that influences customer and
stakeholder decisions.
The royal seal of approval enhances a
company’s reputation on both national
and global stages, signalling to clients,
partners, and investors that it meets the
highest standards of performance. Winners
are entitled to use the official King’s Awards
emblem on their products, marketing
materials, and communications for five years
– a valuable asset that builds brand trust and
authority in competitive markets.
For companies focused on international
growth, the award can lead to increased
exports, partnerships, and investment by
demonstrating a strong and reliable track
record in global trade. It’s a clear signal of
capability and trustworthiness to overseas
customers and markets.
The impact of the award is felt internally, too.
It boosts employee morale, fosters a sense of
pride, and helps attract and retain talent – all
while reinforcing a company culture built on
excellence and innovation.
One of the standout moments for winners is
the invitation to a Royal
reception, followed by a
formal presentation of
the award by one of the
King’s representatives,
a Lord-Lieutenant. This
not only generates
positive media attention
but also offers valuable
networking opportunities
with fellow winners,
government officials, and
key industry stakeholders.
Far more than just
a badge of honour,
the King’s Award is a
strategic asset – one that
can accelerate growth,
enhance visibility, and
inspire future success.
Below are just a few of the 2025 King’s Awards
Categories and Winners.
Innovation: Abacus Flooring Solutions Limited,
Capture Green Limited, Garner Aluminium
Extrusions Limited, Covec Ltd, Delta Fire Ltd,
Geoptic Infrastructure Investigations Ltd, KPM
Marine Ltd.
International Trade: Airpure International
Limited, CABINZERO LIMITED, Datum
Electronics Ltd, Bamboo Distribution Ltd t/a
Bamboo Connect Ltd, Clear Value Trading Ltd,
Dr PawPaw Ltd, Lund Halsey Console Systems
Ltd.
Promoting Opportunity through social
mobility: ACS Clothing Limited, Bridgeway
Consulting Limited, Upbeat Enterprise
Limited, Southern Health NHS Foundation
Trust t/a Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, HTP
Apprenticeship College Ltd, Netmatters
Ltd, Parson & Colson Consultants Ltd t/a PC
Consultants.
Sustainable Development: Camp de Rêves
Glamping Ltd, Community Energy Pathways,
Sonardyne International Limited, The Lakes
Free Range Egg Company Ltd, The London
Early Years Foundation (LEYF), Green Doors
and Windows Ltd, Fabweld Steel Products
Ltd.
Who can apply?
The King’s Awards are open to organisations
of all sizes and sectors across the UK –
including businesses, non-profits, and public
sector bodies. To be eligible, an organisation
must:
◆ Be based in the UK (including the Channel
Islands and the Isle of Man)
◆ Employ at least two fulltime
staff
◆ Operate as a selfcontained
enterprise with
its own management and
accounts
◆ Have a strong
compliance record with
HMRC
◆ Demonstrate robust
environmental, social,
and governance (ESG)
practices
Entry Criteria by Category
International Trade: Applicants must have
made a minimum of £100,000 in overseas
sales in the first year of entry and show
steep or substantial year-on-year growth
in overseas earnings over either three or six
years (with no dips), relative to business size
and sector.
Innovation: Applicants must have introduced
an innovation not previously sold, made it
available for at least two years, and achieved
outstanding commercial success as a direct
result. The innovation must fall into one of
these areas: invention, design or production
of goods; performance of services; marketing
and distribution; or after-sale support.
Applicants must show the innovation has
recovered its costs or is on track to do so.
Sustainable Development: Organisations
must show an outstanding commitment to
sustainability over at least two years, clearly
embedding it into their vision and strategy.
They must also demonstrate measurable
positive outcomes – environmental, social, or
economic – resulting from their initiatives.
Promoting Opportunity through social
mobility: Organisations must have supported
individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds
for at least two years. This could include
offering work experience, mentoring, training,
or careers advice – with clear evidence of
benefits to participants, employees, the wider
community, and the organisation itself.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise are free to
enter, and organisations can apply for as
many categories as they wish. Applications
are now open for the 2026 awards until 9
September 2025.
To register, you’ll need to create an account
and register your details, answer questions
about your eligibility, and submit your
application by 1pm on 9 September 2025.
Successful organisations will be notified by
the end of March/early April 2026, and then
officially announced in the London Gazette
on the 6 May 2026. The Royal reception held
for award recipients will take place in Summer
2026.
www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise
SFS is sponsored by Fircroft Technologies – see them on page 4 5

King’s Awards for Enterprise
UK Business Delta Fire
scoops double award from
His Majesty, the King
UK firefighting equipment specialist Delta Fire has been
awarded two prestigious awards by King Charles III
From 199 businesses chosen across the
UK for a King’s Award for Enterprise, the
fire nozzle designer and manufacturer is
one of only two businesses recognised in two
categories by His Majesty.
It has received one accolade for its
outstanding achievements in sustainable
development alongside another King’s Award
for its innovative Attack range of fire nozzles.
The business, which manufactures and
supplies bespoke firefighting equipment to
more than 100 countries and most of the UK’s
fire and rescue services, has invested millions
in the UK through its mission to sustainably
manufacture world-class firefighting
One of its
leading products
recognised by
the King is the
Attack Pro Nozzle,
a revolutionary
design with
advance spray
patterns
equipment and to provide a sustainable and
eco-friendly facility for its staff.
Delta Fire’s innovation has focused around
responding to market needs with nozzles and
equipment developed for high-rise building
fires, wildfires and electric vehicle fires.
One of its leading products recognised by the
King is the Attack Pro Nozzle, a revolutionary
design with advance spray patterns, making
it the go-to frontline firefighting solution,
showcasing its superior performance,
reliability and modern design, tailored to meet
the evolving demands.
It houses a stainless-steel turbine inside the
nozzle discharge, resulting in a uniform spray
of very fine droplets helping to extinguish fires
quicker.
Its wide-angle flush function and dial collar
enables an easy change in flow to protect
the user and gives firefighters the control and
confidence needed in all environments.
Ian Gardner, managing director and founder
of Delta Fire, said, “The Attack Pro isn’t just a
product, it’s a revolution in how we support
emergency responders. It represents decades
of refinement, built on close collaboration
with fire services and a deep understanding
of their operational needs.”
Delta Fire has also developed and recently
launched the Hydro Wall hose as part of
its comprehensive portfolio of firefighting
equipment to better equip firefighters to
fight wildfires, which due to climate change
are becoming a serious global hazard. Delta
Fire products are used across many sectors,
including aviation, petrochemical, sustainable
energy industries, marine and defence.
In 2024 Delta Fire opened a £5.5m design
and state-of-the-art manufacturing base
in Norwich and is currently adding an extra
975m 2 extension on the back of the building,
to support its growth into new international
markets.
The extension will combine space for
project work, stock holding, but perhaps
most predominantly, new machinery and
technology to boost capacity.
One of the intended investments is a machine,
combining the use of a lathe and a mill, fusing
together the process of a CNC turning and
machining centre, thus allowing production to
be quicker and more economical.
Delta Fire has already celebrated hitting
net-zero energy use at its facility this
year, propelling it into one of the most
environmentally responsible suppliers within
the global fire sector.
6
SFS is sponsored by Fircroft Technologies – see them on page 4

Delta Fire’s innovation has focused around
responding to market needs with nozzles
and equipment developed for high-rise
building fires, wildfires and electric vehicle
fires
All the offices and factory are heated and
cooled by air source heat pumps and covered
by 648 solar panels, producing 260MWh of
green energy annually.
Excess rainwater is collected for ground
maintenance and a 300kWh battery system
supports solar power generation to provide
around eight months of energy, where the
company significantly generates more energy
than it uses and supplies the excess to the
grid.
Subject to approval, there are plans to install
up to three helical wind turbines to cover the
remaining months.
Ian said the double accolade was poignant in
a year full of milestones for the business.
“We would have been absolutely delighted
to achieve just one King’s Award, but to be
recognised for two is just phenomenal.
“It’s my fifth decade working in the fire
industry and our 35th year in business in
Norwich, so it couldn’t have come at a better
time. It feels a wonderful recognition of what
has been a lifetime of work.
“Delta Fire has grown beyond my wildest
dreams, from just me, designing and building
a few products in a small workshop, to
a world-class international business
sustainably manufacturing state-of-the-art
fire nozzles, all manufactured using advanced
automated machines and robotics, which are
all powered by solar energy.
“These awards build on the strong
foundations and accumulated efforts of
many talented, skilled and hardworking
Delta Fire team members, some of whom
have been with Delta Fire for more than 25
years and many with over 15 years of service.
It is because of their hard work that we are
honoured and recognised today. I want
to thank our team, my family and all our
customers for supporting us every step of the
way.”
Alongside its sustainable work on site, Delta
Fire has planted 3,000 trees in Tanzania,
which has offset more than 450 tonnes of CO 2
and is part of a long-term annual support
programme.
Jordon King, Ian’s grandson, is part of the
senior management team, and has been
responsible for putting the company forward
for several awards in the last few years.
Jordon said, “I joined the family business
seven years ago after completing my degree.
I was struck by my grandfather’s commitment
to innovation and sustainable development,
which is the backbone of Delta Fire.
“My hope and aim is to help continue this
journey to make Delta Fire an outstanding
sustainable world leader in fire suppression
products.”
For more, go to: www.deltafire.co.uk
SFS is sponsored by Fircroft Technologies – see them on page 4 7

Hygiene
How Biomaster antimicrobial
technology can support hygiene
in healthcare environments
In healthcare, maintaining the highest
standards of hygiene is not just a
requirement – it’s a responsibility. Every
surface, tool, and device plays a role in
patient care, but high touch surfaces
present unique challenges when it comes
to maintaining hygiene. Bed rails, door
handles, medical devices, and light
switches are touched countless times daily
by patients, healthcare professionals, and
visitors, creating breeding grounds for
bacteria and other micro-organisms.
While rigorous cleaning protocols certainly
reduce contamination, high-touch surfaces
remain a persistent issue. Even with
frequent disinfection these surfaces are
quickly recontaminated. Antimicrobial
technology offers a science-backed
addition for high-touch surfaces providing
continuous product protection against
bacterial growth, creating more hygienic
environments.
High-touch surfaces: Bacteria hotspots
High-touch surfaces are integral to day-today
operations in healthcare environments
but are also hotspots for the accumulation
of bacteria. For example, a hospital bed rail
touched multiple times a day can harbour
bacteria, leading to its presence across
multiple points in a facility. Even with diligent
cleaning practices, it can be challenging
to maintain surfaces in an optimal state of
hygiene between cleaning cycles.
According to the World Health Organization
(WHO), healthcare-associated infections
(HAIs) remain a significant challenge
globally, with high-touch surfaces serving
as potential areas where bacteria can
be present. Enhancing hygiene practices
on these surfaces through the integration
of antimicrobial technologies such as
Biomaster provides an opportunity to
better support a facility’s overall cleanliness
efforts.
What is Biomaster antimicrobial
technology?
Biomaster utilises silver ions to actively
inhibit microbial growth by incorporating
antimicrobial properties directly into
materials during the point of
manufacture.
Silver has been recognised
for its natural antimicrobial
properties for centuries. Modern
technology enhances these
attributes, providing consistent,
long-lasting product protection. When
bacteria come into contact with a treated
surface, silver ions disrupt their essential
functions, inhibiting processes such as
cell division and energy production. This
renders the bacteria inactive and reduces
contamination on treated surfaces,
complementing external cleaning protocols.
Unlike traditional cleaning products, which
offer a temporary solution, Biomaster
antimicrobial additive technology works
24/7. Once integrated into a material, the
antimicrobial properties remain active
for the product’s useful lifetime, making it
ideal for high-touch surfaces in healthcare
environments.
The benefits of Biomaster antimicrobial
technology in healthcare environments
Integrating Biomaster antimicrobial
technology into high-touch surfaces
provides numerous benefits within
healthcare environments:
◆ Continuous product protection: Treated
surfaces actively inhibit microbial levels
between cleaning cycles, supporting
existing disinfection protocols.
◆ Efficient hygiene management: Cleaning
staff can focus on other critical areas
without compromising overall hygiene.
◆ Enhanced hygiene standards:
Medical professionals benefit from
surfaces designed to support cleaner
environments, contributing to a more
hygienic workspace.
◆ Patient reassurance: Treated surfaces
showcase a facility’s dedication to
maintaining high hygiene standards,
providing patients and their families
with increased confidence in the care
environment.
Applications in healthcare settings
The versatility of Biomaster antimicrobial
additive technology makes it suitable for a
wide range of applications in healthcare,
including, but not limited to:
◆ Bed rails and grab bars: Reducing
bacterial growth on high-touch surfaces
frequently used by patients and staff.
◆ Medical devices and computers: Ensuring
diagnostic equipment, computers and
other tools remain hygienic throughout
their use.
◆ Door handles and light switches:
Minimising opportunities for bacterial
8
SFS is sponsored by Fircroft Technologies – see them on page 4

growth on high-traffic touchpoints used
by virtually everyone in a facility.
◆ Shared devices: Providing continuous
product protection for often overlooked
items such as TV remote controls, lift
controls, and nurse call systems.
◆ Flooring and wall panelling: Adding an
additional layer of hygiene to surfaces
that are exposed to heavy traffic and
frequent contact.
◆ Uniforms and textiles: Enhancing the
hygiene of healthcare uniforms, curtains,
and other soft furnishings that can
harbour bacteria.
◆ Tableware and food
service items: Improving
hygiene for reusable
utensils, trays, and other
items.
◆ Furniture: Improving the
hygiene of chairs, desks,
and bedside tables
throughout the facility.
Biomaster: Paving the way
for progress in healthcare hygiene
Antimicrobial technology represents a
significant advancement in improving
hygiene standards within healthcare
environments. By addressing bacterial
presence on high-touch surfaces, it
supports existing cleaning protocols and
hygiene practices.
Looking ahead, the potential applications
of antimicrobial additives are vast. From
materials used in medical equipment
to antimicrobial wall coatings, these
innovations can elevate how healthcare
facilities maintain hygiene. For now, the
focus remains on high-touch surfaces
– critical yet often challenging areas to
manage effectively.
Healthcare facilities striving to uphold the
highest standards of hygiene and care
can incorporate Biomaster antimicrobial
technology as part of their overall hygiene
strategy. By integrating these additives
into high-touch surfaces, facilities can
showcase their commitment to providing
hygienic environments and enhancing their
operational standards.
To learn more about how Biomaster
antimicrobial technology can improve
hygiene in your healthcare environment,
please visit: www.addmaster.co.uk
SFS is sponsored by Fircroft Technologies – see them on page 4 9

Fire Doors News
New Code of Practice for fire and
escape door hardware published
comprehensively revised Code of Practice for
A the selection of building hardware for fireresisting
and escape door assemblies and doorsets
has been published by The Guild of Architectural
Ironmongers (GAI) and the Door & Hardware
Federation (DHF).
This new edition, issue No. 5, is the first revision in
more than a decade, and represents a significant
update and consolidation of previous guidelines to
reflect the very latest legislative requirements and
best practices in the industry.
It provides an essential reference and resource
for a broad spectrum of construction industry
professionals including architects, building control
officers, fire officers, responsible persons, duty
holders, manufacturers, specifiers, and suppliers of
Abloy UK
supports Fire Door
Safety Week
building hardware and fire doors.
GAI technical manager, Douglas Masterson,
said, “The primary goal of this Code of Practice
is to ensure that key stakeholders throughout the
construction industry have access to the most
current and comprehensive advice on selecting
hardware that meets the stringent requirements
for fire safety and escape routes. While the Code is
advisory, it is designed to provide robust guidance
that aligns with the latest legal standards. While
compliance with the Code does not confer immunity
from legal, local authority or insurance requirements,
it will significantly enhance the safety and reliability
of fire-resisting and escape door assemblies.”
Additionally, the Code considers third-party
certification schemes and declarations of conformity
Design 4 Doors platform expands
SSA ABLOY Door Group has
Aexpanded its popular Design
4 Doors platform with the
addition of SR2 security doors
and high-performance thermal
doors, giving trade customers
more flexibility, performance
assurance and compliance
support when selecting steel
door sets for commercial and
industrial projects.
Design 4 Doors is ASSA ABLOY’s innovative
approach to simplifying the door specification
process, automatically providing the customer with
a price and drawing for the configured solution.
with relevant standards, ensuring that the guidance
provided is both comprehensive and up to date.
Code of Practice: Hardware for Fire and Escape
Doors edition 5 can be downloaded for free at
www.firecode.org.uk
entry while maintaining
the aesthetic flexibility and
manufacturing quality ASSA
ABLOY Door Group is known
for. The SR2 doors are ideal
for critical infrastructure, data
centres, defence, utilities,
and sensitive commercial
applications where enhanced
security is a requirement.
Alongside this, the introduction of advanced
Thermal Doors, which achieve low U-values for
optimal energy efficiency, supports customers
seeking to meet Part L building regulations and
improve sustainability credentials.
o mark the start of Fire Door Safety Week,
TAbloy UK has called for greater awareness and
education of fire door compliance, highlighting the
need for proper installation, regular maintenance
and adherence to legal standards.
By educating building owners and the general public
on how to assess and maintain compliant fire doors,
Abloy UK aims to improve safety outcomes and
ensure fire doors provide maximum protection in
emergency situations.
Recent figures reveal a trend in fire-related incidents
across England. In the year ending March 2024, Fire
and Rescue Services attended 600,324 incidents,
marking a 4.1% increase compared to five years ago.
Of these, 138,977 were fires, including 61,970 primary
fires – those involving significant property damage
or personal risk – and 74,881 secondary fires.
In the same period, there were 251 fire-related
fatalities and 6,339 non-fatal casualties, with 2,743
casualties requiring hospital treatment, reflecting
a 5.8% increase from the previous year. These
statistics highlight the importance of maintaining
fully compliant fire doors, which play a crucial role in
containing the spread of fire and smoke, protecting
lives and limiting property damage. Doors must be
installed, maintained, and regularly checked to meet
compliance standards. A faulty or non-compliant
door can significantly compromise safety, increasing
the risks for building occupants in the event of a fire.
To view the full range of training options available
and book your place, go to: www.abloy.co.uk/en/
abloy/abloy-co-uk/academy
For further information on products and services
available from Abloy, visit: www.abloy.co.uk or call
01902 364500, or email: info@abloy.co.uk
The software offers clearly defined categories –
Fire, Security, Thermal, Personnel and Acoustic – to
help trade professionals quickly identify the right
product for their application.
Now, the platform includes SR2-rated security
doors, tested and certified to LPS 1175: Issue 8
standards, offering robust protection against forced
JELD-WEN team complete diploma
eading UK doorset
Lmanufacturer JELD-WEN has
underlined its commitment to
ensuring the highest standards
in supporting the accurate
specification of fire doors as
all members of its sales team
have now passed the Fire Door
Inspection Scheme Diploma.
Set up to support high
standards around the use and
installation of fire doors, the Fire
Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) Diploma provides
in-depth knowledge of fire door safety, including
testing and certification, regulations and standards,
basic inspection and maintenance.
It also offers deeper insights into fire door
installation and functional performance, as well as
information around components such as glazing,
seals and ironmongery.
With a focus on both commercial and residential
fire door use, the diploma will help the team to
confidently support in the specification of fire doors
in line with the requirements of the Building Safety
To learn more about Design 4 Doors, visit:
www.assaabloy.com/uk/en/services/projectmanagement-design-and-construction/
design4doors
To learn more about Door Group and the range
of products and services it provides, go to:
www.assaabloy.com/uk/en
Act, helping support first-time
approval through the gateway
scheme.
The Building Safety Act also
demands accurate, evidenced
installation, with the diploma
providing the team with a
sound insight into compliant
installation.
Designed to educate those
responsible for building safety
in the correct use of fire doors, the diploma covers
both commercial and residential settings.
By investing in the training JELD-WEN has taken an
additional step in supporting competency in the
team.
Customer Service Technical Manager, Andy
Clements, has completed both the FDIS Diploma
and BM Trada qualification, equipping him with
expertise in fire door performance standards as
well as in fire door installations, surveys, and repairs.
www.jeld-wen.co.uk
10
SFS is sponsored by Fircroft Technologies – see them on page 4

Fire Safety
Hochiki fire system ensures safety at
AU Vodka’s new headquarters
Hochiki Europe, a leading
manufacturer of
innovative fire detection
products, recently partnered
with H3 Group and AU
Vodka, an award-winning
British brand, to safeguard
their new, expansive
100,000ft 2 headquarters
and bottling plant in
Swansea, South Wales. This
collaboration ensured the
safety of a facility crucial
for AU Vodka’s ambitious
growth, including plans to
produce an impressive 35,000 bottles per
hour.
The challenge for Hochiki was to implement a
robust and reliable fire detection system that
could address the diverse needs of the largescale
operation. The new facility houses
a complex environment, including offices,
storage areas, and the high-volume bottling
plant, each presenting unique fire risks.
The 150 employees enjoy open communal
areas, a bustling kitchen, and, uniquely, a mini
golf course and even a maze. Spanning two
floors, it’s a complex building with a diverse
range of spaces, each with its own specific
DHF reflects on
legislative change
n the eighth anniversary of the
OGrenfell fire tragedy, which
resulted in the loss of 72 lives, Door
& Hardware Federation’s General
Manager & Secretary, Michael
Skelding, looks back on the
ensuring legislative change. The
high-rise fire which broke out in
the 24-storey Grenfell Tower block
of flats in North Kensington,
West London, on 14th
June 2017, was one
of the UK’s worst
modern disasters.
It remains the
deadliest
structural fire
in the United
Kingdom since
1988, but has
resulted in change.
The Building Safety
Act introduced the most
significant changes to building
regulations in England and Wales
since the Building Act 1984. It
contains provisions intended to
secure the safety of people in or
about buildings, not solely highrise
blocks. It became law in April
2022, but some of the necessary
legislation has only recently come
into effect.
A ‘Golden Thread’ of information
is required for each Higher-
Risk Building in scope of the
new regime; this introduces
detailed, extensive requirements
in relation to the maintenance
of contemporaneous records
regarding the design
and carrying out of
the works, and
the provision of
information, to the
Regulator. The
digital record
of building
information
will continue
throughout the
building’s lifecycle.
The greater
proportion of these
requirements are the
responsibility of the client (as
opposed to the contractor or
designer). Non-compliance risks
refusal by the Regulator to grant
a completion certificate for the
works.
T 01827 52337
www.dhfonline.org.uk
safety requirements. The
sheer size of the building
necessitated a system
capable of comprehensive
coverage and rapid response.
H3 Group, a trusted name
in fire safety and security
solutions in South Wales,
were tasked with protecting
this prestigious location.
Having worked with Hochiki
Europe for several years,
they knew they could rely on
the global manufacturer's
reputation for quality and innovation.
“When we won the AU Vodka contract, we
knew we needed a system
that offered both exceptional
reliability and seamless
integration with the building’s
contemporary aesthetic,”
explains Simon Goneso from H3
Group.
“Hochiki’s ESP addressable
range was the perfect solution.
We’ve always found their
devices to be incredibly reliable,
significantly reducing the risk
UK’s leading site fire safety
experts release Whitepaper
owler, the UK’s leading site
Hfire safety experts, have just
released an important whitepaper,
NFCC Guidance: Temporary
Change to Simultaneous
Evacuation in Flats.
Managing Director, Gary
Askew, explains, “Following the
unprecedented national tragedy
at Grenfell Tower in June
2017, the National
Fire Chiefs Council
(NFCC) issued
guidance
to property
managers about
steps to be taken
where there were
concerns around
cladding issues.
As time went by
and more information
became available, the
guidance was updated and
refined. Our whitepaper takes
a good look at that guidance
examining the problem and the
solutions available.”
With the news reporting on
various councils up and down the
country failing to meet fire safety
standards, the whitepaper comes
of false alarms – a crucial factor in a busy
environment like this. The ease of installation
and ongoing maintenance for our engineers
is also a major benefit.”
The ESP addressable system was chosen
not just for its performance, but also for its
aesthetic appeal. AU Vodka’s headquarters
boasts a modern architectural design, and
the sleek Hochiki devices blend seamlessly
into the environment.
Furthermore, the need for robust networking
capabilities across the two floors was
paramount. Hochiki’s system enabled
seamless communication and control,
ensuring comprehensive fire safety coverage
throughout the entire building, from the
bustling office spaces to the
unique recreational areas.
Ultimately, H3 Group’s choice of
Hochiki Europe devices ensures
that AU Vodka’s headquarters,
a hub of creativity and
innovation, is protected by a fire
safety system that is as reliable,
stylish, and cutting-edge as the
brand itself.
www.hochikieurope.com
at an important time.
“Thousands of blocks of residential
flats in the UK still have a ‘stayput’
policy in the event of fire. This
simply means that residents are
safely able to ‘stay-put’ in their flat
in the event of a fire in another flat
in the same block. This policy is only
possible if the building has been
designed and constructed
in such a way that each
flat is a separate fire
compartment with
fire separation
being provided
in accordance
with the Building
Regulations.”
To request your
copy of Howler’s
whitepaper on
NFCC Guidance:
Temporary Change to
Simultaneous Evacuation in Flats,
visit: https://howleruk.com/
app/uploads/2024/04/NFCC-
Guidance-Howler-Whitepaper.pdf
For more information about
Howler Special Services Fire Alarm
Installation, visit: https://howleruk.
com/special-services
12
SFS is sponsored by Fircroft Technologies – see them on page 4

Health & Safety News
Selco introduces health check
scheme for colleagues
ne of the UK’s leading builders
Omerchants has launched a
new pilot scheme to offer free
‘MOT’ health checks for its staff and
potentially help them avoid serious
illness.
Selco Builders Warehouse has
introduced health screenings for
colleagues based at its central
Support Centre in Wythall, near
Birmingham.
Dozens of colleagues have already
taken advantage of the scheme
– which is run in conjunction with
health and wellbeing specialists Westfield Health –
in the opening two days of activity.
There are plans in place to extend the offering to
Selco’s entire workforce of nearly 3,000 people
across 75 branches around the UK if the trial proves
successful.
IG Masonry Support launches
‘Sleep Like a Baby’ campaign
eading building product
Lmanufacturer IG Masonry
Support has launched its innovative
‘Sleep Like a Baby’ campaign
to highlight the company's
unwavering commitment to Building
Safety Act compliance, in-house
manufacturing excellence and high
quality, accredited products.
Aimed at architects, specifiers
and contractors, the campaign
showcases IG Masonry Support’s
comprehensive approach to quality
assurance and safety, backed by
numerous industry accreditations
and certifications. Operating from
its state-of-the-art manufacturing
facility in South Derbyshire, the company maintains
complete control over production quality through
in-house manufacturing processes and rigorous
testing protocols.
In a new era of accountability, the campaign
cements the company’s reputation and commitment
to supporting stakeholders throughout the entire
The programme has been
launched to coincide with Know
Your Numbers Week, the UK’s
biggest blood pressure testing and
awareness event.
Sally Kerr, HR Director at Selco,
said, “Ensuring we have a team of
engaged and healthy colleagues
is a key priority for us at Selco and
these health checks are the latest
important initiative in us delivering
on that.
“It’s vital that everyone keeps on
top of their physical health and
wellbeing with regular checks, but it’s not always
easy to achieve and making health appointments is
something which often gets put on the back-burner
due to other pressures.”
Contact
www.selcobw.com
project lifecycle, from initial design
and specification through to
completion. By maintaining strict
control over the manufacturing
process and investing in extensive
testing and certification, IG
Masonry Support ensures its
masonry support and brick slip
products not only meet but exceed
current building regulations and
safety standards.
The launch of this campaign
reinforces IG Masonry Support’s
position as a trusted partner
in the construction industry,
providing architects, engineers,
and contractors with the
confidence they need to specify and install products
that consistently deliver on safety, quality, and
performance.
For more information about IG Masonry Support’s
commitment to building safety and to learn more
about their certified product range, visit:
https://igmasonrysupport.com/sleeplikeababy
Workplace death reduction “no cause for celebration”
The number of people killed in workplace
accidents in the UK’s construction
industry was reduced by nearly
a third last year – but the
Institution of Occupational
Safety and Health (IOSH)
says this “is no cause for
celebration”.
Figures published by the
Health and Safety Executive
(HSE) have revealed that
work-related construction
accidents caused 35 deaths in
2024-25, 16 fewer than the previous
year. The industry still has more deaths
than any others, though its rate of 1.65 fatal
injuries per 100,000 workers is far
lower than the 8.01 in agriculture,
forestry and fishing.
The reduction in deaths
mirrors an overall decline
in workplace fatalities in
the UK, with the number
reducing from 138 to 124, but
IOSH is keen for more to be
done to make people safer at
work.
Ruth Wilkinson, Head of Policy and
Public Affairs at IOSH, said, “One death
Protecting people
and the planet
P ULSAR® and Morgan Sindall share well-earned
reputations for focusing on people, performance
and positive change. Where personal safety is
paramount to the construction industry and its
workforce, PULSAR ® has supplied high performance,
hi-visibility protective clothing to the talented
teams at Morgan Sindall Construction for almost a
decade, keeping site-based individuals protected
in their place of work.
Though with innovation, comes change. And
following a successful period of development
and testing, PULSAR ® launched its signature Life
collection in 2023, a range of environmentally
responsible, hi-visibility garments designed
with Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certified
fabrics and materials. With durability, inclusivity
and circularity at the forefront of its design, the
Life collection is helping conscious adopters
reduce the environmental impact of PPE while
supporting wearer comfort and safety with its
practical designs. With this in mind, Morgan
Sindall Construction was eager to become the first
construction company to put the new PULSAR ® Life
collection through its paces.
As part of a company-wide workwear upgrade in
December 2023, PULSAR ® supplied 1,400 Morgan
Sindall Construction wearers with Life Collection
garments, including reversible puffer jackets, stretch
combat trousers, insulated parkas and brand new
breathable, class 4 waterproof shell jackets and
overtrousers, each conforming to the EN ISO:20471
standard. The range incorporates environmentally
responsible recycled polyester, nominated recycled
linings, trims and Bluesign approved treatments
and is further assisting Morgan Sindall Construction
in reducing waste streams across the business,
where the company has already diverted 96.7%
of construction waste from landfill in the past 12
months.
www.pulsaruk.com
www.morgansindallconstruction.com
is too many, especially when work-related
accidents can be prevented. There was more
than one death a month in the UK construction
industry last year, so this is no cause for
celebration.
“This is 35 lives lost because of work. It’s families
having to go through the devastation of
losing a loved one. It’s colleagues having to go
through distress caused by seeing someone
lose their life. While the UK is one of the safest
places to work in the world, with strong health
and safety standards, that is of no consolation
to them.”
www.iosh.com
14
SFS is sponsored by Fircroft Technologies – see them on page 4

Health & Safety
British Safety Council
supports ‘Battery
Breakdown’ campaign
ritish Safety Council has
Bannounced that it is the latest
signatory to the ‘Battery Breakdown’
campaign as it launches the first
episode of its brand new podcast,
Health and Safety Uncut, featuring
special guest Matt Humby from
Firechief Global.
The Battery Breakdown campaign,
run by Electrical First and championed
by Matt, seeks to raise awareness of
risks from e-batteries and to improve
their safety. This follows growing
concern over the rise in fatalities,
injuries and devastating fires from
e-bikes and e-scooters.
British Safety Council’s new Health
and Safety Uncut podcast will feature
leading industry experts and take a
deep dive into a wide range of topics,
from neurodiversity in the workplace
to the dangers of asbestos, how to
prevent musculoskeletal disorders
and issues relating to drugs and
alcohol at work.
Its first guest, Matt Humby, is Senior
Technical Consultant at Firechief
Global and kicks off the series with a
topical & informative discussion about
lithium-ion batteries & the serious fire
risks they present when not handled
& stored correctly. Health and Safety
Uncut is hosted by Dr Shaun Davis,
Group Director of Safety, Health and
Wellbeing at Belron International,
who will interview a different guest
on a new topic each month.
Listeners can listen and subscribe
to each new episode of Health and
Safety Uncut, which are released
on the first Monday of each month,
here: https://open.spotify.com/
show/19ZT9Cb03WmVNaVIU77HIM
To download a copy of British Safety
Council’s guide for employers on
how to manage e-batteries in the
workplace, click here:
www.britsafe.org/training-andlearning/informational-resources/
storing-lithium-ion-batteries-in-theworkplace
Construction & Safety Signs
Ltd: Family run business
operating for over 30 years
Construction &
Safety Signs Ltd is
a good honest family
run business that has
been operating for
well over 30 years.
We pride ourselves
on excellent
communication,
highly competitive
pricing and fast
turnarounds as
everything is made
here on-site at our
factory in the heart of
Ticehurst, East Sussex.
Unlike most online shops, you
will receive a personal service
including free artwork proofs
before going to print.
No job is too big or small and
we even have a ‘screen printing
department’ for any large
quantity of signage requirement.
All goods are dispatched by
courier for a next day delivery
to anywhere within the country
and we offer free deliveries for
any orders over £100.
We think that if you just gave
Construction & Safety Signs
a chance, you would not be
disappointed with our service
and value for money.
For any queries you may have
please contact us on: 0800 169
1329 or sales@c-s-s.co.uk
16
SFS is sponsored by Fircroft Technologies – see them on page 4

Merriman Grange: Prioritising resident safety
erriman Grange, a
Mbeautiful new care
home from Cinnamon
Care Collection, located
in Worthing, West Sussex,
is designed to provide a
warm, comfortable, and safe
environment for its residents.
Offering exceptional care
across three floors, including a
dedicated dementia unit, the
home prioritises the well-being
of its vulnerable residents.
Ensuring comprehensive
fire safety in such a complex
environment is paramount,
requiring a tailored approach that balances robust
protection with the specific needs of the residents.
Ranger Fire
and Security
continues
expansion
anger Fire and Security recently announced its
Rfirst acquisition of 2025, with McGoff & Vickers
Fire & Security Systems (MGV) becoming the latest
business to join the rapidly growing Ranger Group.
Run by industry specialists and service business
experts, Ranger brings together high-quality fire
and security (F&S) businesses in partnership to share
industry expertise, resources and boost cross-selling
opportunities.
Founded in 1925, North-West based F&S business
MGV has a long history of providing high quality
fire protection services within both the private and
public sectors. It currently boasts a wide range of
high-profile clients including hospitals, councils, and
educational facilities. With a hugely loyal customer
base, MGV has a 95% recurring revenue stream
based on maintenance relationships, which aligns
closely with Ranger’s guardrails. Later this year the
company celebrates its centenary anniversary, as
it continues to enhance security for its customers
through a range of products including fire, intruder,
CCTV, electrical and data cabling networks
installations.
MGV has also been a National Security Inspectorate
NACOSS Gold Contractor since the 1970s, achieving
the NSI’s highest technical standards. As a security
specialist in the North-West, MGV will complement
the existing fire alarm services at Ranger and
enhance the group’s multidiscipline and cross-selling
capability. The team will work with other companies
in the Ranger Group to increase efficiency, skills
and knowledge, while delivering work to existing
customers on a wider scale.
www.rangerfs.com
Care home fire safety is a
multifaceted project. It demands
a system that not only detects
fires rapidly but also integrates
seamlessly with other building
systems, minimises disruption
during installation, and provides
reliable, user-friendly ongoing
maintenance. For Merriman
Grange, Southern Fire Alarms was
entrusted with the crucial task of
designing and installing a stateof-the-art
fire safety system.
As a new build project, Southern
Fire Alarms had the opportunity
to implement a comprehensive solution from the
ground up. They chose Hochiki as their primary
Eastbourne’s Claremont Hotel
hen a devastating
Wfire destroyed a
once grand and historic
hotel, one could have
expected an effort to
rebuild and replace it
quickly. However, in this
case it has become a
symbol of disruption
ever since. The fire
on November 22nd
2019 tore through the
Claremont Hotel on
Eastbourne’s seafront
and caused severe
damage to the Grade
II* listed building, leaving much of the structure in
ruins. Despite initial efforts to retain the Georgian
front façade the damage was too extensive and
the building was demolished, leaving the site in a
prolonged period of disrepair.
Now, over five years since the fire, there is finally
hope for the site’s future. While no formal planning
application has yet been submitted, a developer is
Luxury retail store gets
fire system upgrade
ultrees Walk, in the
Mheart of St James’
Quarter, a prestigious
shopping destination
in Edinburgh, offers a
curated selection of highend
brands and premium
shopping experiences.
Earlier this year the retail
centre witnessed an
extension to a prestigious
store that redefines
luxury shopping in Edinburgh. As the revamped
store prepared to open its doors, a critical element
of its infrastructure was installed: a state-of-the-art
fire detection system from Hochiki Europe.
High-end luxury retailers prioritise discreet fire
detection systems to maintain their brand’s
aesthetic appeal. These stores often feature
meticulously designed interiors with clean lines
and minimal distractions, meaning any visible fire
detection devices can disrupt the desired ambiance
and detract from the overall shopping experience.
By opting for discreet systems, these retailers ensure
that fire safety remains a top priority without
compromising the store’s luxurious atmosphere.
Detection & Prevention News
life safety manufacturer, citing their ESP range’s
reputation for ease of installation and excellent
compatibility with other building management
systems. This integration was crucial for Merriman
Grange, allowing for a streamlined and efficient
operation of all building services.
The system installed was a full L1 category fire
alarm system, providing complete smoke and fire
detection coverage across all three floors of the
building. This comprehensive approach ensures that
every area, from communal spaces to individual
rooms, is protected. Hochiki devices were selected
specifically for their flexibility in terms of alarm
volumes and tones, minimising potential distress for
these particularly vulnerable individuals.
Learn about Hochiki: https://hubs.la/Q03jhJvk0
planning to transform
the location into 55
luxury flats. It is not
clear who owns the
site now but the plans
aim to bring new life
to the area, adding to
the regeneration of the
Grand Parade and the
surrounding seafront.
Rebuilding after a fire is
a lengthy process, often
taking much longer
than people anticipate.
While the fire itself may
have taken just hours to devastate the building, the
process of recovery and redevelopment involves
careful planning, discussions, and securing the
necessary approvals. This can take several years,
particularly when working with historic structures
and ensuring compliance with modern building
regulations and safety standards.
www.business-sprinkler-alliance.org
With its stunning interior
design and exquisite
collection of accessories
and ready-to-wear
items, this new store in
Edinburgh, demanded
a fire safety solution
that was both discreet
and highly effective.
GB Integrated Systems
(GBIS), specialise in
providing fire detection
and security system solutions for commercial
properties. Having worked with Hochiki products
for several years, trusting their reliability in
retail environments, they knew the global fire
manufacturer’s ESP range would provide the
perfect answer.
This successful project showcases the power of
Hochiki’s fire detection solutions to protect highend
retail environments. By combining innovation,
reliability, and aesthetic appeal, Hochiki has helped
to create a safe and secure space for customers to
indulge in the ultimate luxury shopping experience.
www.hochikieurope.com
SFS is sponsored by Fircroft Technologies – see them on page 4 17

Cleaning & Hygiene News
Closed-loop hull cleaning is
a regulatory imperative
he shipping industry faces mounting regulatory
Tpressure to mitigate the transfer of invasive
species via hull biofouling. The global detrimental
impacts of sea vomit (Didemnum vexillum) is
just one stark example of the damage caused
by unmanaged hull fouling. The solution is
clear: closed-loop hull cleaning must
become an industry standard, writes
Abigail Robinson, Vice President
of Sustainability at ECOsubsea,
applauding the IMO’s recent
decisive action to align regulations
with operational best practices.
The spread of invasive species via
ship hulls is not a new concern for
shipping and regulators. While most
industry stakeholders recognise the risks
posed by biofouling – from increased drag and
fuel consumption to environmental degradation
and potential regulatory penalties – there remains
a significant regulatory gap. Unlike ballast water,
which is now subject to international regulations,
hull biofouling remains under-regulated despite
profound implications for both vessel performance
and marine ecosystems.
In-water hull cleaning introduces additional
pollution risks. Many antifouling coatings
work by leaching heavy metal-based
toxins to deter biofouling growth. These
products are typically polymer based
and a large source of micro-plastic
pollution into the ocean over time.
It is estimated that marine coatings
release over 210,000 tons of microplastic
annually in the EU alone. Hull
cleaning exacerbates the problems
as friction increases the release of
both toxins and plastic. Even gentle,
non-capture cleaning methods contribute
to local contamination, exposing ports to heavy
metals and micro-plastics due to the very nature of
coating design.
www.ECOsubsea.com
BCIS reveals five-year maintenance,
cleaning and energy forecast
aintenance costs, as measured by the BCIS
MAll-in Maintenance Cost Indices, are set to rise
17% by 4Q 2029, according to the latest forecast
data from the Building Cost Information Service
(BCIS).
Cleaning costs, mainly driven by labour
costs, are expected to rise by 27.5%
over the forecast period, while BCIS
expects energy prices to fall by 6%
over the same period.
Dr David Crosthwaite, chief
economist at BCIS, said, “The
repair and maintenance sector
faces a multitude of challenges,
from increasing obligations to
maintain safe environments to the
impact of ongoing economic pressures
and uncertainty. Increases to employers’ National
Insurance contributions and the National Living and
Minimum Wage from April will have a significant
effect on payroll expenses. As with the rest of
construction, the sector is also constrained by
skilled labour shortages.”
Repair and maintenance output rose by 8.5% in
2024, outperforming new work output, which was
down by 5.3% on 2023.
Public housing repair and maintenance increased
14.2%, while private housing rose by 7%. Nonhousing
repair and maintenance increased
by 8.5% annually. BCIS forecasts repair
and maintenance output will grow by
8.2% over the next five years.
Dr Crosthwaite added, “We expect
growth to slow over the forecast
period. Public spending is still highly
constrained and will likely impact
the growth of public housing, public
non-housing and infrastructure repair
and maintenance. Private non-housing
repair and maintenance output is likely
to be affected by rising costs, with economic
uncertainty pushing asset owners into postponing
routine maintenance and causing further delays
and backlogs.”
www.bcis.co.uk
Kärcher unveils sustainable cleaning innovation
ärcher, the global leader
Kin cleaning technology,
made a significant impact
at The Cleaning Show 2025
in London with an exclusive
preview of its new sustainable
Dry Vacuum Cleaning range.
Launching in summer 2025,
this pioneering innovative
range sets a new benchmark
in eco-conscious cleaning
solutions, reflecting Kärcher’s
commitment to sustainability
and performance.
Including the new modular T
10/1 HEPA and T 15 HEPA, and the T11 Re!Plast vacuum
cleaners, the exciting new Tub vacuum range will
revolutionise the market.
Key features include:
◆ Outstanding suction power,
ergonomic operation, and
extremely low noise levels
◆ T 10/1 and T 15/1 made from
45% recycled materials,
and T 11/1 made from 60%
recycled materials – By
manufacturing with less raw
materials and energy, and
using recycled materials,
CO 2 emissions are reduced.
◆ Highly effective HEPA 14
filter within modular range.
For the highest safety
standards in hygienesensitive
locations. High filtration and separation
efficiency: 99.995%
◆ Battery operation with eco!efficiency mode
ABM wins technical
cleaning contract
BM, the leading provider of facility, engineering,
Aand infrastructure solutions, has been awarded
a contract by Iron Mountain Data Centre’s (IMDC) UK
team to provide technical cleaning services at the
global information management and data storage
company’s first data centre.
The highly secure site occupies 4.5 acres in Slough
and was originally built for one of the world’s largest
banking institutions. The data centre offers multiple
infrastructure designs with six data halls and
marking-leading Power Usage Effectiveness as well
as a loading dock, offices, conference rooms and
break out spaces.
To deliver a market-leading service, ABM will
deploy four permanent onsite team members, who
will undergo training bespoke to IMDC. They are
supported by mobile technicians and an in-house
out of hours helpdesk to respond and adapt at
speed to evolving business needs.
The yearly rolling contract will see ABM’s Critical
Solutions division provide elevated technical
cleaning services using sustainable cleaning
products within data room and server spaces as well
as window and carpet cleaning, waste removal and
feminine hygiene management.
As part of its strong sense of social purpose, ABM
is employing local people for this contract and will
be working closely with IMDC to strengthen its CSR
objectives.
In addition to the use of specialist equipment
and PPE, IMDC will benefit from the use of ABM’s
proprietary technology, with the ability to log in and
review data and trends to inform business decisions
and aid cost savings, operational improvements and
maximise productivity.
www.abm.com
– Sustainable through reduced energy
consumption, lowers volume and noise pollution
and extends battery life
◆ Pluggable 12m cables for easy service friendly
maintenance
◆ The T 11/1 Re!Plast specifically is made of
60% recycled plastic, with its name perfectly
encapsulating the vacuum’s core innovation: ‘Re’
for Recycled, ‘Plast’ for Plastic.
These sustainable, ergonomic and ultra-quiet
vacuums are testament to Kärcher’s dedication
to reducing environmental impact without
compromising on quality. As durable, highperformance
dry vacuums, they provide businesses
with an effective cleaning solution while supporting
sustainability goals.
www.kaercher.com/uk
18
SFS is sponsored by Fircroft Technologies – see them on page 4

Security News
DHF provides guidance on ‘powered gate hinge safety’
o assist its members
Tand the wider industry,
Tamworth-based trade
association, the Door &
Hardware Federation
(DHF), has provided
advice on powered gate
hinge safety, in particular,
pertaining to gate hinge
failure, and has created a
members only publication
on this subject entitled,
‘Powered Gate Hinge
Safety’ – https://bit.ly/
dhfconsumerinfo
As Nick Perkins, Senior Training & Compliance
Officer at DHF explains, when gate hinges suffer
DHF launches
Automated
Gate video
HF (Door & Hardware Federation) marked
Danother Gate Safety Month with a new
animated video for Automated Gate Group
members. The video is entitled, ‘Why use a DHF
trained engineer for your Automated Gate or Barrier
Installation’, and can be viewed here – https://bit.
ly/40BUcD1
“As well as running through the installation
process, highlighting how safety is achieved, and
emphasising why it is vital to use a DHF trained
engineer, the video also demonstrates that without
adequate safety measures and compliance,
automated gates and traffic barriers can put
people and organisations at risk,” explains DHF’s
Commercial Director, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens.
“It is therefore essential that they are correctly
designed and installed by trained installation
engineers, for example, DHF members.”
The video launch comes on the 10th anniversary
of the ‘gate safety’ campaign that the federation
started in 2014, with the aim to promote the
continued safe installation, repair, and maintenance
of automated gates. Initially called ‘gate safety
week’, the campaign was renamed ‘gate
safety month’, and has since become a yearround
campaign aimed at creating awareness
and educating both the public and industry
professionals on the dangers of poor installation and
maintenance, as well as how to spot an unsafe gate.
Over a ten year period, Gate Safety Month has
established a reputation as a highly effective
campaign that continues to collaborate with
organisations such as HSE and The British Safety
Council to raise awareness and campaign for higher
standards across the industry.
T 01827 52337
www.dhfonline.org.uk
a failure, heavy gates
can fall over which can
prove fatal to those in the
vicinity. One particular
example was in 2013,
when a heavy steel gate
fell and killed 67 year old,
Myra Goldman, when its
bottom hinge failed. The
coroner investigating her
death issued a regulation
28 report to HSE and BSI,
‘to prevent future death’,
and demanding that
standards be improved.
In his discoveries, the coroner had noted that a
common practice used to prevent gates being lifted
off their hinges had led to critical vulnerability, and
ASG’s elite Close Protection course
ssist Security Group (ASG), a leading UK
Asecurity solutions provider, has announced
the launch of its new Close Protection (CP) course,
led by Paul Ephgrave MVO, former Queen’s Police
Officer. This SIA-qualified programme offers
new training across executive, ultra-high net
worth, media, and hostile environment
protection.
The course recently started on
28 October 2024 and provides
security professionals with
comprehensive, scenario-based
training in key London venues.
It aims to equip participants
with the skills and knowledge
required to operate at the
highest levels of close protection.
The course is fully residential, with
food and accommodation included
in the cost. ELCAS and financing options
are available, making this elite training
accessible to a wider range of candidates.
Paul Ephgrave brings 32 years of Metropolitan
Police Service experience to his role as course
leader. For 17 years, he held the UK’s highest close
Bonhams appoints ASG
ssist Security Group (ASG),
Aa supplier of bespoke
security to premium brands,
has been appointed by
Bonhams to provide onsite
guarding services for its
flagship London salerooms
in New Bond Street and
Knightsbridge. This follows
security deployments in
Amsterdam, Dublin and
Vienna for the internationally
renowned auction house
founded in 1793.
Bonhams’ New Bond Street
headquarters, located
in the heart of Mayfair, is
the most technologically
advanced saleroom in the
world, while its Knightsbridge
premises, situated opposite Harrods, stages
more than 150 auctions annually. With the ASG
security partnership, both locations will benefit
from enhanced security measures, ensuring that
Bonhams continues to deliver exceptional service
to its clientele, said Troy Hewitt, CEO of ASG, “We
are delighted to be working as a security partner
with Bonhams, a premium brand in fine art and
then to failure.
“At the time of the incident, it was common to fit
gates with two hinges, the lower one with the hinge
pin facing up, and the top one with the hinge pin
facing down. In this design, the lower hinge bears
the vast majority of the weight, wear and stress
caused in normal use; subsequently, it is the most
likely hinge to suffer damage or a structural failure,”
explains Nick. “If and when it fails, there is nothing
remaining to support the gate resulting in it falling.”
In 2016, the British standard for gates and fences, BS
1722, was revised to prevent this practice leading to
further fatalities.
T 01827 52337
www.dhfonline.org.uk
protection position as ‘Queen’s Police Officer’,
leading the team responsible for Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II’s security.
The SIA-qualified programme is available in two
formats: a 22 day course including First Response
Emergency Care (FREC) 3 certification
and an 18 day course without FREC
3. Both lead to a Level 3 SIA Close
Protection Qualification.
Training will cover a wide
range of modules totalling 194
hours, including principles of
close protection, terror threat
awareness, physical intervention
skills, conflict management,
and practical CP operations. The
course emphasises real-world
application, with training delivered
in key London venues to familiarise
participants with potential future work
environments.
T +44 (0)20 8543 6670
barry.chapman@assistservicesgroup.co.uk
www.assistsecurity.co.uk
collectables. Our team of
specialists is committed to
providing the highest level of
security, ensuring the safety
and integrity of Bonhams’
assets, staff and visitors.”
“With over 30 years of
experience delivering
protection and support,
ASG’s consultative approach
and 6-Point Framework
of Protection, Prevention,
Presentation, Planning, People,
and Partnership fully aligns
with Bonhams’ requirements,”
Hewitt says.
ASG tailors its security
solutions to match each
client’s risk and security profile,
as well as brand and commercial objectives. By
blending operational efficiency with a personable,
collaborative approach, ASG partners with luxury
retailers and hotels, estate managers, and premium
office premises in London and other cities to protect
their stakeholders, assets and profits.
www.assistsecurity.co.uk
20
SFS is sponsored by Fircroft Technologies – see them on page 4

Safety Compliance News
Surge in demand for Category 3
Control fire performance cables
he surge in demand for
TCategory 3 Control fire
performance cables used in critical
situations can only help to meet
safety compliance requirements,
says leading cable supplier AEI
Cables.
The systems powered by these
cables – including smoke and heat extraction
systems – assist fire services in firefighting and a
safe evacuation in the case of life safety.
AEI Cables has been highlighting the importance of
following the technical guidance for the selection
and installation of cables for Category 3 Control
fire performance cables under the revised British
Standard BS8519: 2020 Code of Practice. These
cables reduce harmful smoke, toxic gases and
flame spread in the event of a real fire.
communications systems and voice
alarm systems in relevant buildings
including tall buildings, office
spaces, hospitals, shopping malls
and stadia.
AEI Cables’ Firetec Enhanced
cabling has been approved and
certified by LPCB to BS8519 (Annex
B), Category 3 Control in addition to Category 2
Control. The BS Code of Practice under BS8519
contains six categories of cables, three for power
cables and three for control cables each covering
survival times of 30, 60 or 120 minutes.
All AEI Cables’ products are supplied with approvals
from independent bodies including BASEC and
LPCB. It also holds approvals from organisations
including Lloyds, the MoD, Network Rail and LUL and
works to international standards around the world.
The agenda at
LIFTEX 2025
odernisation of existing lifts, standards,
Mevacuation requirements and fire safety
regulations were among the key topics to be
discussed in the free seminar programme at this
year’s LIFTEX 2025 (11-12 June 2025, ExCeL, London).
The guidance for Category 3 Control fire
performance cables applies to evacuation alarms
for the disabled in care homes, emergency voice
T 0191 410 3111
sales@aeicables.co.uk
www.aeicables.co.uk
Specification under the
new Safety Act is critical
he performance of cabling
Tin critical fire safety
systems needs to be clearly
understood as part of the
new Building Safety Act, says
leading cable supplier AEI
Cables.
The new Building Safety
Act makes new stringent
requirements for higher-risk
buildings which are those deemed to be of at
least 18 metres in height or at least seven storeys
containing at least two residential units.
The Act updates guidelines for construction and
management of higher risk buildings and covers
the whole supply chain including electrical safety
systems and cabling.
The current British Standard Code of Practice BS
8519 identifies six categories of power and control
cables with survival times of 30, 60 or 120 minutes.
Stuart Dover, general manager of AEI Cables,
operates these systems.
said, “There is a
lot of new detail in
the legislation and
we welcome the
requirements of the
Act. However, there
is a pressing need to
understand the part
played by electrical
safety systems and
the cabling that
“There is good information available through
the cabling industry including our own technical
advisers about cable testing, cable classifications
and cable performance in real fire conditions.”
The systems in these buildings powered by electrical
cables – including smoke & heat extraction systems
– assist fire services in firefighting and a safe
evacuation in the case of life safety.
For more information see www.aeicables.co.uk or
call 0191 410 3111 or email: sales@aeicables.co.uk
Businesses must ensure compliance with Natasha’s Law
n recent years, there have been growing reports of
Iallergy tragedies as a result of food business
negligence. Such tragedies include 23
year old James Atkinson, a university
student with a severe peanut
allergy who passed away in 2020
after eating a slice of a pizza
ordered through Deliveroo in
Newcastle. An inquest into the
incident in January uncovered
that the restaurant in question
had blank allergen sections in
its food safety management
documents. With these tragedies
becoming all too common, many
are pondering whether restaurants
in the UK will remain compliant with
Natasha’s Law in 2024.
Natasha’s Law was introduced to protect
food allergy sufferers and give them
confidence in the food they buy and
increasing transparency across
the food industry to protect both
customers and businesses. It
came into effect in October 2021,
with all restaurants and catering
services having to ensure all
food produced and packed
for sale in the same premises
provided a complete ingredient
list identifying all ingredients on
the product label, emphasising the 14
allergenic ingredients.
“This year’s programme reflected the transformative
regulatory landscape our industry faces,” says
Oliver Greening, LIFTEX 2025 Show Director. “From
modernisation of ageing lift stock to evacuation
protocols, we brought together the leading voices
who are actively shaping these conversations.”
The Building Safety Act is driving a renewed focus
on how every stakeholder in the supply chain
can demonstrate their organisational capability.
A critical aspect of this involves managing the
competence of individuals in field roles. Headlining
the programme, Nick Mellor explored strategies for
competence management and showcased recent
work on industry guidance.
LEIA Technical Manager, Micky Grover-White,
covered the critical revision of BS 5655-11 – the
code of practice for undertaking modifications to
existing lifts. With the reality that most lifts were
installed over two decades ago to now outdated
safety parameters, this session unpacked the
complex challenges of bringing legacy systems in
line with contemporary standards.
Rachel Smalley, Head of Inclusive Design at
Jacobs, explored the increasingly vital role
of evacuation lifts in modern building design.
Drawing on her extensive experience chairing the
BS 8300 committee on accessible design and her
work on policy, Smalley challenged attendees to
reconsider evacuation lifts not merely as regulatory
compliance but as essential infrastructure for truly
inclusive buildings.
www.liftexshow.com
According to Matt Smith, Director of Customer
Operations at mpro5, “To remain compliant, food
service providers must establish good relationships
with their suppliers to enable them to provide
detailed ingredient information and notify them
promptly of any changes as the slightest tweak to
an ingredient could have huge implications.
“It is also important to consider how food labels
are produced, and with handwritten labels being
inadequate, businesses must consider the type
of printer and labels they require. Staff training is
also essential, and employees should be aware of
processes every time a new item is added to the
menu or if there’s a change to a recipe.”
www.mpro5.com
22
SFS is sponsored by Fircroft Technologies – see them on page 4

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Control Solutions
Screws & Fixings
Waterproof Floor Outlet
Activation | Monitoring |
Supervision & Control Solutions
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GSM Diallers
GSM Switches
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sales@gsm-activate.co.uk
www.gsm-activate.co.uk
Joinery
01799 599995
dee@bluerunltd.co.uk www.bluerunltd.co.uk
Security Solutions
The perfect gate for your castle
Simonbox IP66
Waterproof Floor Outlet
Safety Consultants
Built Environmental Safety, Health
& Wellbeing Consultancy
Fire-Rated Glass
Contact 01442 253341
info@castlegatesandautomation.co.uk
www.castlegatesandautomation.co.uk
Site Management
+353 (0)1 611 1556
info@dconsafety.com www.dconsafety.com
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