Near-invincible fabric marks a firefighting first
As the first of three new warships was launched last week in Portsmouth, one local firm had a special reason to celebrate.
Coopers Fire, based in Penner Road, Havant, has spent the last three decades protecting some of the world's most prestigious buildings using self-designed lifesaving metal curtains.
The firm pioneered emergency fire-thwarting fabric in the late 1970s, which resemble paper-thin chain-mail and drop from the ceiling to stop flames in their tracks.
Now this 138-year-old family firm has set a precedent for 21st century shipbuilding by becoming the first to install its anti-fire devices on a naval ship.
The three 295ft patrol ships being built by BAE Systems' Surface Ships for Trinidad and Tobago will also be the first British-built vessels to use the technology - and now one of the company's directors told The News he expects others to follow suit.
John Bartlett, sales director for the 7m-turnover, 60-strong company, said: 'I don't think people realise that here on their doorstep there's a company which started in the garage of the managing director and has grown to a 27,000ft warehouse.
'This is a first for UK shipping and it's the first rung on the ladder for us. This is our starter for one. Hopefully we'll become the standard.'
Although the contract is of little cash value, earning the firm around 10,000 to install in all three ships, he said the prestige of working with BAE was what would count in their favour.
The company, which used to be known as G Hall and Co, was the first to patent the metal fabric - a combination of fibreglass and steel.
'Like all good ideas, we've had others jump on the bandwagon and we've got competition now. But we like to think we're the market leader,' said Mr. Bartlett.
The curtains are a mere two millimetres thick and feel like cloth to the touch - but can withstand temperatures up to 1,000C.
On board the new Trinidad and Tobago vessels, the material sits hidden above the entry to the galley.
In the event of a fire or an attack, they drop and sealing off the compartment.
The company said it wants to see the technology installed on the new Type 45 destroyers.
Among the places which use this bizarre curtain-based fire system are Buckingham Palace, Gatwick, Standsted and Hong Kong airports, the London 'Gherkin' and the Olympic Village.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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