Latest news with #NFPA
Zawya
13 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
NFPA signs MoU with Saudi Facility Management Association to upskill the Kingdom's facility management workforce
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Facility Management Association (SFMA), a key organization dedicated to advancing vocational training for facility managers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Formalized in Riyadh, the MoU sets the stage for a strategic collaboration focused on enhancing fire safety standards across the Kingdom. The MoU was signed by Olga Caledonia, director for International Business Development at NFPA, and Aiyd A. Alqahtani, board chairman at SFMA. As part of this strategic collaboration, NFPA and SFMA will work together to share knowledge, best practices, and research insights to strengthen fire and life safety awareness across Saudi Arabia. The partnership includes plans to co-host conferences, develop certification programs, and launch training initiatives focused on raising safety standards. By empowering facilities management professionals with the latest tools and expertise, the collaboration aims to drive meaningful improvements in fire and life safety across the Kingdom. 'Saudi Arabia is undergoing rapid development across sectors, from housing to hospitality, and from smart cities to iconic mega-projects, placing it firmly among the world's fastest-growing economies. With this scale and speed of growth, comes a heightened need for robust fire and life safety measures to ensure that progress is not compromised by preventable risks. Through our partnership with SFMA, we are proud to support this national momentum by bringing NFPA's nearly 130 years of expertise and a portfolio of more than 300 globally recognized codes and standards to assist in preventing loss,' said Olga Caledonia, director of International Business Development at NFPA. ' At SFMA, our mission is to elevate the professional capabilities of facilities managers throughout Saudi Arabia, in alignment with Vision 2030's goals of building safer, healthier, and more dynamic communities. This collaboration with NFPA will amplify our efforts by providing access to international best practices in fire and life safety, enriching training programs, and promoting knowledge exchange that will positively impact communities across the Kingdom, ' said, Aiyd A. Alqahtani, Board Chairman of SFMA. Additionally, SFMA members will benefit from access to a wide range of NFPA resources, including the NFPA Fire & Life Safety EcosystemTM, a framework that features extensive research and data on fires, including their economic impact. SFMA members will also have opportunities to participate in NFPA conferences and contribute to the development and review of relevant fire safety codes and standards. About the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) Founded in 1896, NFPA® is a global, self-funded, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. About The Saudi Facilities Management Association (SFMA) The Saudi Facilities Management Association was established on June 30, 2020 as a non-profit organization under the supervision of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. The association aims to promote the concept of facilities management in Saudi Arabia as a key component in achieving Saudi Vision 2030. Through a comprehensive and integrated strategic plan, the association strives to achieve its objectives by building effective and sustainable partnerships across government, private, and non-profit sectors. The association focuses on developing national expertise in all aspects of facilities management while providing high-quality services to support and advance this vital sector.
Trade Arabia
14 hours ago
- Business
- Trade Arabia
National Fire Protection Association to upskill Saudi FM workforce
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has signed an agreement with the Saudi Facility Management Association (SFMA), a key organisation dedicated to advancing vocational training for facility managers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Formalised in Riyadh, the MoU sets the stage for a strategic collaboration focused on enhancing fire safety standards across the kingdom. As part of this strategic collaboration, NFPA and SFMA will work together to share knowledge, best practices, and research insights to strengthen fire and life safety awareness across Saudi Arabia. The partnership includes plans to co-host conferences, develop certification programs, and launch training initiatives focused on raising safety standards, said a statement from NFPA. By empowering facilities management professionals with the latest tools and expertise, the collaboration aims to drive meaningful improvements in fire and life safety across the kingdom, it stated. The MoU was signed by Olga Caledonia, director for International Business Development at NFPA, and Aiyd A. Alqahtani, board chairman at SFMA. "Saudi Arabia is undergoing rapid development across sectors, from housing to hospitality, and from smart cities to iconic mega-projects, placing it firmly among the world's fastest-growing economies," said Olga Caledonia, the director of International Business Development at NFPA, after signing the deal with Aiyd A. Alqahtani, board chairman at SFMA. "With this scale and speed of growth, comes a heightened need for robust fire and life safety measures to ensure that progress is not compromised by preventable risks," he stated. "Through our partnership with SFMA, we are proud to support this national momentum by bringing NFPA's nearly 130 years of expertise and a portfolio of more than 300 globally recognized codes and standards to assist in preventing loss," he added. Alqahtani said: "At SFMA, our mission is to elevate the professional capabilities of facilities managers throughout Saudi Arabia, in alignment with Vision 2030's goals of building safer, healthier, and more dynamic communities." "This collaboration with NFPA will amplify our efforts by providing access to international best practices in fire and life safety, enriching training programs, and promoting knowledge exchange that will positively impact communities across the kingdom," he added.
Zawya
17 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
NFPA signs MoU with Saudi Facility Management Association
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Facility Management Association (SFMA), a key organization dedicated to advancing vocational training for facility managers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Formalized in Riyadh, the MoU sets the stage for a strategic collaboration focused on enhancing fire safety standards across the Kingdom. The MoU was signed by Olga Caledonia, director for International Business Development at NFPA, and Aiyd A. Alqahtani, board chairman at SFMA. As part of this strategic collaboration, NFPA and SFMA will work together to share knowledge, best practices, and research insights to strengthen fire and life safety awareness across Saudi Arabia. The partnership includes plans to co-host conferences, develop certification programs, and launch training initiatives focused on raising safety standards. By empowering facilities management professionals with the latest tools and expertise, the collaboration aims to drive meaningful improvements in fire and life safety across the Kingdom. 'Saudi Arabia is undergoing rapid development across sectors, from housing to hospitality, and from smart cities to iconic mega-projects, placing it firmly among the world's fastest-growing economies. With this scale and speed of growth, comes a heightened need for robust fire and life safety measures to ensure that progress is not compromised by preventable risks. Through our partnership with SFMA, we are proud to support this national momentum by bringing NFPA's nearly 130 years of expertise and a portfolio of more than 300 globally recognized codes and standards to assist in preventing loss,' said Olga Caledonia, director of International Business Development at NFPA. ' At SFMA, our mission is to elevate the professional capabilities of facilities managers throughout Saudi Arabia, in alignment with Vision 2030's goals of building safer, healthier, and more dynamic communities. This collaboration with NFPA will amplify our efforts by providing access to international best practices in fire and life safety, enriching training programs, and promoting knowledge exchange that will positively impact communities across the Kingdom, ' said, Aiyd A. Alqahtani, Board Chairman of SFMA. Additionally, SFMA members will benefit from access to a wide range of NFPA resources, including the NFPA Fire & Life Safety EcosystemTM, a framework that features extensive research and data on fires, including their economic impact. SFMA members will also have opportunities to participate in NFPA conferences and contribute to the development and review of relevant fire safety codes and standards. About the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) Founded in 1896, NFPA® is a global, self-funded, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information, visit All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at About The Saudi Facilities Management Association (SFMA) The Saudi Facilities Management Association was established on June 30, 2020 as a non-profit organization under the supervision of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. The association aims to promote the concept of facilities management in Saudi Arabia as a key component in achieving Saudi Vision 2030. Through a comprehensive and integrated strategic plan, the association strives to achieve its objectives by building effective and sustainable partnerships across government, private, and non-profit sectors. The association focuses on developing national expertise in all aspects of facilities management while providing high-quality services to support and advance this vital sector. Contact: Ronak Thakkar – Associate Director - FleishmanHillard Mail:
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The Fire Protection Research Foundation and the Fire Safety Research Institute Issue Notice Around Potential Hazard Involving Fire Blankets Used for Electric Vehicle Fire Suppression Efforts with Battery Involvement
Key Takeaways: Experiments conducted by both organizations have demonstrated a potential explosion hazard when fire blankets are used during electric vehicle (EV) fire suppression efforts when there is battery involvement. When flaming is eliminated by the fire blanket, the ongoing accumulation of flammable gases released by continued thermal runaway in the battery pack presents a potential explosion risk. The experiments reinforce the need for continued research on EV firefighting tactics. QUINCY, Mass. and COLUMBIA, Md., May 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF), the research affiliate of NFPA, and the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes, today issued a notice about a potential explosion hazard when fire blankets are used during electric vehicle fire suppression efforts with battery involvement. During experiments involving the use of electric vehicle fire blankets to suppress an EV fire with battery involvement, it was observed that the deployment of a fire blanket eliminated flaming by denying oxygen to the vehicle and the battery fire. While the flaming was eliminated, battery thermal runaway propagation continued after blanket deployment, which resulted in the continued release and accumulation of flammable battery gases into the volume under the blanket In some of the experiments, this accumulation of flammable gases under the blankets presented an explosion risk to firefighters operating near the vehicle. The risk of an explosion can be increased when re-introducing air into an oxygen-depleted accumulation of unburned flammable battery gases. FPRF is conducting research to improve the safety of firefighters responding to electric vehicle (EV) fires and incidents by assessing current firefighting tactics and tools used by the fire service to manage EV incidents and the impact of suppression activities on managing re-ignition risks. Recent experiments for the Assessment of EV Firefighting Tactics, Tools and the Impact on Stranded Energy research project were conducted to assess the ability of four firefighting tactics to suppress and establish control of fire incidents involving standalone electric vehicle battery packs and full electric vehicles with confirmed battery pack fire involvement: standard hose stream application – water only; standard hose stream application – with injected agent; electric vehicle fire blankets; and firefighting appliances. Analysis of the data from FPRF experiments is underway. Preliminary results will be presented at the annual NFPA Conference and Expo on June 16, 2025 in Las Vegas and the full analysis will be provided in FPRF's forthcoming research report, which will be publicly available this fall at FSRI is conducting research to improve understanding of hazards generated by electric vehicle battery fires and to enable the development of firefighting tactics for effective electric vehicle fire control. Recent experiments for the Fire Safety of Batteries and Electric Vehicles research project were conducted to evaluate the capability of standard hose stream application, water application with an under-vehicle nozzle, and an electric vehicle fire blanket, to suppress and establish control of a burning electric vehicle with confirmed battery pack fire involvement. Analysis of the video and data from FSRI experiments is underway and will be addressed in detail in FSRI's forthcoming electric vehicle research report, which will be available at About Fire Protection Research FoundationThe Fire Protection Research Foundation is the research affiliate of NFPA. The Foundation is an independent nonprofit whose mission is to plan, manage, and communicate research in support of the association's mission to help save lives and reduce loss with information, knowledge and passion. The FPRF facilitates research on a broad range of fire safety issues in collaboration with scientists and laboratories around the world. About Fire Safety Research InstituteThe Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of UL Research Institutes, advances fire safety knowledge to address the world's unresolved fire safety risks and emerging dangers. As part of UL Research Institutes, we are committed to sharing our fire safety insights with everyone to advance UL's public safety mission of providing safe living and working environments for people everywhere. Through advanced fire science, rigorous research, extensive outreach and education in collaboration with our international network of partners, we impart stakeholders with the information, tools and resources that enable them to make better, more fire-safe decisions that ultimately save lives and property. Learn more at About UL Research InstitutesUL Research Institutes is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to advancing public safety through scientific discovery. Since 1894, our research has advanced our mission toward a safer, more secure, and sustainable future. Focused on global risks from fire mitigation and air quality to safe energy storage and digital privacy, we conduct rigorous independent research, analyze safety data, and partner with experts to uncover and act on existing and emerging risks to human safety. Discover more at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE FSRI
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
RS and IMI make pneumatic motion control quick, easy, and economical
The RS portfolio of IMI pneumatic actuators for industrial and process automation applications includes IMI Bimba Original Line® cylinders, which are quick, easy, and economical to replace and offer more sizes and options than comparable solutions. FORT WORTH, Texas, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RS, a high-service global product and service solutions provider for industrial customers, offers a wide range of IMI pneumatic actuators engineered to serve industrial and process automation applications in an extremely broad range of industries and applications, as well as the technical expertise needed to help customers identify the right pneumatic actuators for their unique demands. IMI is a global leader in fluid and motion control dedicated to solving customer challenges in the process automation, industrial automation, climate control, life sciences, and transportation industries with scalable solutions that drive sustainable growth. Its portfolio of pneumatic actuators extends across two separate but unified brands, IMI Bimba and IMI Norgren, and serves both original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end-users around the world. Pneumatic actuators, also commonly referred to as pneumatic cylinders or pneumatic drives, convert compressed air into linear and rotary motion and deliver a substantial amount of force and power for their size. Even relatively low-pressure actuators still capable of moving hundreds of pounds. They're also simpler and typically more durable than electric and hydraulic actuators, with lifecycles extending into the millions of cycles. IMI Bimba and IMI Norgren offer single- and double-acting pneumatic actuators in a variety of different styles — including roundline, compact, NFPA (National Fluid Power Association), guided thruster, rodless, rotary, non-rotating, repairable, nonrepairable, and ISO — to solve automated motion challenges in industries with considerable differences in operating and regulatory environments and requirements. IMI pneumatic actuators are particularly popular in the agriculture, automotive, food and beverage, material handling, packaging, medical, battery and hydrogen production, industrial process, commercial vehicle, rail transportation, and theme park industries. Roundline pneumatic actuators, like the IMI Bimba Original Line®, are well suited for light- to medium-duty, lower-force applications and are widely available with options including bumpers, magnets, or adjustable cushioning. The Original Line introduced the first nonrepairable air cylinders to market back in 1957 — enabling quick, easy, and cost-effective pneumatic motion control — and continues to set standards today, offering more sizes and options than comparable solutions with an exceptional service life of 3,000 miles of travel or more. The IMI Bimba Original Line currently offers more than 150,000 different standard cylinders. The range includes an expansive selection of standard single-acting, reverse single-acting, and double-acting cylinders with 12 bore sizes extending from 5/16" to 3", as well as a selection of specialty styles (e.g., three-position, non-rotating, Z-line, rod lock, and hole punch cylinders), all of which are available in a wide variety of stroke lengths and mounting styles and lubricated with a permanent semi-synthetic grease that eliminates the need for additional lubrication at any point in the product's lifecycle. The line also offers features: Type 304 stainless steel bodies made with a double rolled construction and a mirror-finish inside diameter (ID) for superior performance High-strength carbon steel or Type 303 stainless steel piston rods equipped with high-strength roll-formed rod threads Low breakaway frictional characteristics, including collapsible Buna N "U" cup rod and piston seals and oil-impregnated sintered bronze rod guide bushings Durable aluminum alloy pistons Secure piston-rod connections that are threaded, sealed, and riveted Robust aluminum or stainless steel end caps machined for minimal breakaway during initial pressurization A 250psi rating Additional options for IMI Bimba Original Line pneumatic actuators include magnetic pistons for position detection, bumpers for noise reduction, wipers for contamination, adjustable cushions to reduce energy, extra rod extensions, standard and heavy-duty springs, and high- and low-temperature capabilities and heavy-duty materials for harsh environments. Both IMI Bimba and IMI Norgren also offer a variety of components crucial to deploying pneumatic actuators in various industries and applications, including air preparation devices that filter, regulate, and lubricate the air, valves that control the directional flow of the air, and corresponding accessories, such as mounting solutions. For more information about IMI pneumatic actuators — including selection tips — check out "Unlocking the power and versatility of pneumatic actuators," an RS Expert Advice interview with Sarah Manuel, the Training Manager at IMI, and visit the links embedded here. For assistance identifying, procuring, deploying, and maintaining IMI pneumatic actuators sure to satisfy your unique application demands, please contact your local RS representative at 1.866.433.5722 or reach out to the RS technical support team. About IMIIMI plc is a FTSE100 global specialist engineering company that designs, manufactures and services highly engineered products to control the precise movement of fluids. Its innovative motion and flow control technologies, built around valves and actuators, enable vital sectors to become safer, more sustainable and more productive. IMI combines world class applications engineering expertise with a continued focus on customer satisfaction, market-led innovation and complexity reduction to solve its customers most acute engineering problems. IMI employs approximately 10,000 people, has manufacturing facilities in 18 countries and operates a global service network. The Company is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Further information is available at About RS RS is a high-service global product and service solutions provider for industrial customers, enabling them to operate efficiently and sustainably. We operate in 36 markets, stock over 800,000 industrial and specialist products, and list an additional five million relevant for our industrial customers, sourced from over 2,500 suppliers. This extensive range supports our customers across the industrial lifecycle of designing, building, and maintaining equipment and operations. We enhance their experience through a tailored service model, leveraging our efficient physical, digital, and process infrastructure sustainably. We combine a technically led and digitally enabled approach with an exceptional team of experts; ultimately, it's our people that make the difference. Our purpose, making amazing happen for a better world, reflects our focus on delivering results for people, planet, and profit. RS Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange with stock ticker RS1 and in the year ended 31 March 2024 reported revenue of £2,904 million. For more information, please visit or connect with us on LinkedIn or X (Twitter). About RS in the Americas In the Americas region, RS stocks more than 250,000 industrial and electronic products from more than 700 trusted suppliers. These solutions cover categories extending from automation and control equipment to interconnect, passive, active, and electromechanical components and include more than 80,000 high-quality, competitively priced RS PRO products. For more information, please visit or connect with us via social media on Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and YouTube. Image Download: RS IMI Pneumatic Actuators Editorial Contact & Media Inquiries:Erica Goode, RS Director of Marketing – U.S. and View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE RS
