I am writing in support of the above company. Our company’s use of BullEx’ training equipment has enabled us to provide a greater range of and more environmentally friendly training to our clients as well as reduce our costs in providing that training.
Traditionally, practical fire extinguisher training has been a relatively cost inefficient and “dirty” process. To allow participants the experience of a “real” fire, the industry has used two methods. Either an LPG fired gas ring (or similar) bubbled through water or a tray of water with petrol poured on top and then set alight. Participants then attacked the fire using the various extinguishers utilised in the workplace. The extinguishers typically used were dry chemical powder, foam and carbon dioxide.
A major drawback has always been that, in particular, the dry chemical extinguisher creates a dust cloud that, depending on wind strength and direction covers the surrounding area and often all over the participants. Whilst the material itself is non-toxic, it makes a heck of a mess. This subsequent dust cloud has always been a problem in conducting training particularly in the city or residential areas and precludes any training in confined areas such as car parks. Whilst the dust cloud itself may blow away, there has always been considerable mess left on the ground that is impossible to clean up. A large number of students exacerbate this as a number of extinguishers are required to be used.
The disposal of the petrol/water mix has also posed a major problem. We have always practiced removal of this waste from the site and then appropriate disposal. I believe that we have been in the minority and a number of organisations have just dumped this mix into the nearest drainage pit or similar.
Utilising the BullEx training equipment also negates the need to use carbon dioxide extinguishers. Whilst in the large scheme of things, the amount used during training is minimal, a reduction (particularly where it is now unnecessary) is positive.
From a business perspective, we have been able to reduce the costs to our organisation and in doing so allow us to be more competitive. Previously, each training session would require, on
average, the refilling of two carbon dioxide and two dry chemical extinguishers with associated costs. Our costs now consist of minimal LPG replacement (where the ITS system is used), compressed air and refilling of the water extinguishers. We have even reduced our environmental impact in this area as we use tank water for the water refills.
We can now offer practical training in the CBD as we create no mess, can conduct courses in inclement weather where previously they had to be cancelled and run training sessions in confined areas such as underground car parks using the HotShot system. For example, today we had two clients where it was both impractical for them to come off-site and the availability of a training area was severely limited. This was resolved by conducting the sessions on-site in an available car park space under multi-story buildings. The client had staff who were required to have completed an extinguisher course prior to going on-site to remote mining centres. The client received their practical training (rather than just a theory session) and can now complete a major contract which incidentally will have a major impact on reducing pollution in those mining centres. A win-win situation all round which could not have been achieved without the use of the BullEx training equipment.
In summary, the BullEx training systems have allowed our organisation to reduce our ongoing costs in a very competitive field, have had a major impact in our aim to reduce our carbon footprint and allowed us to promote our primary business objective of improving community safety particularly in fire related fields.