MSA Safety reveals the latest firefighting equipment it has in store for the Middle East fire market at Intersec

Intersec 2023 is set to see MSA Safety introducing a new line of protective clothing to the Middle East fire market, along with advanced safety equipment and innovative Connected Firefighter solutions.

The global leader in firefighter safety equipment and technology, will be introducing a new line of firefighter protective clothing for the Middle East fire market at Intersec 2023.  The MSA® Bristol X4 uses the very latest fabric and fiber technology alongside modern streamlined styling to provide enhanced comfort, ergonomics and protection.

Originally launched at Interschutz for firefighters on the continent, the Bristol X4 design has been adapted to suit the various needs and preferences of fire services in the Middle East, featuring premium materials such as Hainsworth Titan outer fabric with a Gore Parallon moisture barrier for ultimate comfort and breathability, along with reflective taping in specific figurations favored by Civil Service firefighters.

The new line meets European CEN standard EN469:2020 Level 2 for firefighter protective clothing, as well as EN1149:2018 for anti-static properties.  It is available in a wide range of color combinations to suit regional preferences and can be customised with a selection of optional pockets and loops to accommodate specific equipment. 

Crucially, the Bristol X4 also offers full compatibility with MSA’s suite of state-of-the art firefighter equipment, from helmets and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), to the very latest in monitoring accountability and communication devices.

“We’re excited to be showcasing the latest version of the MSA Bristol X4 line, which has been strategically adapted to suit fire services in the Middle East.  Visitors to Intersec will be able to see first-hand how the design integrates with other MSA products to provide superior comfort and protection,” said Dave Howells, Vice President Business Leader EMEA. 

MSA Safety will also be showcasing its Connected Firefighter Platform – a suite of advanced safety technologies, which includes the LUNAR® Connected Device and FireGrid® software services, that work in collaboration to significantly improve firefighter monitoring, accountability and communication. 

LUNAR is a multifunctional handheld device, combining personal thermal imaging capabilities with Firefighting Assisting Search Technology (F.A.S.T.), for alerting and guiding firefighters to teammates in difficulty.  In addition, cloud connectivity provides incident command with an overview of on-scene operations by aggregating data from other MSA devices, such as the M1 breathing apparatus, transmitting key SCBA information such as cylinder air pressure, battery status and various alarm indicators. In turn, FireGrid gives incident commanders the ability to evaluate and manage multiple situations in real time and from any location.

Visitors to Intersec can experience this innovative technology in person with demonstrations on the MSA stand at Intersec (stand number 2-F12).

Alongside these latest innovations, a host of MSA PPE and equipment for the fire industry will be on display, suitable for a wide range of first responder roles and applications, including:

Structural firefighting

• High quality, ergonomic protective clothing lines including XFlex and the new Bristol X4.
• Industry-leading fire helmets such as the iconic Gallet F1XF.
• The modular and versatile M1 SCBA which can be upgraded to accommodate advancing technologies.

Technical Rescue

• RescueFlex protective clothing, designed for Urban Search and Rescue operations, confined space operations and road traffic accidents.
• The recently launched, modular rescue helmet, Gallet F2XR which is particularly versatile with accessories to suit a variety of operations.

Wildland Firefighting

• MSA’s Wildland Firefighting protective clothing range is constructed from a single layer of flame retardant fabric, meaning that it’s lightweight, cool and effective when fighting wildfires.

MSA’s Middle East Sales Manager, Yassin Afroukh, comments: “With such an extensive portfolio of safety solutions, MSA is uniquely placed to provide the Middle East’s industrial and Civil Defence fire services with a full suite of protection for their firefighters, from helmets, clothing, and advanced SCBA, to gas detection and innovative safety monitoring. 

“We have identified significant opportunities to further serve these markets and are demonstrating our commitment to the region by expanding our sales team to help meet demand.”

To stay up to date with the latest news from MSA at Intersec, visit the company’s stand at 2-F12 or follow MSA Fire’s Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn pages.

This article was originally published in the January edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.