The marine safety firm International Safety Products (ISP) will be exhibiting at the Emergency Services Show 2015 after supplying more than 35 police forces across the UK.
ISP, a manufacturer of marine inflatable lifejackets, will be showcasing its wide range of products for the police, fire and ambulance services at the Birmingham NEC trade show running on Wednesday and Thursday, September 23 and 24. It comes just weeks after the Merseyside firm supplied hundreds of tactical vests to a Scottish force in a deal signalling further growth in the “blue lights” sector.
ISP has for more than 30 years been manufacturing more than 170,000 products each year from its dual UK sites in Bootle and Birkenhead. It specialises in bespoke product design, the firm adds.
Recently acquired by Safety and Survival Systems International (3Si) it joins three maritime safety groups in the UK and North America under the banner of the Southampton-headquartered operation. The 3Si Group, also home to Ocean Safety, Typhoon and Revere Survival, is being developed into a brand for maritime safety products.
ISP managing director Garry North said: “We will be joining this year’s Emergency Services Show buoyed by a terrific deal with a Scottish police force, taking the total tally of police forces we have supplied across the UK to more than 35. The latest project, involving the supply of 700 tactical vests, helps to highlight one of ISP’s strongest selling points – the ability to deliver high volume orders, meeting unique client specifications, to tight time frames.
“ISP has strong experience working with Police Armed Response Units, designing and developing a range of tactical waistcoats for police forces throughout the UK and beyond. It has further delivered high-level work for the UK MoD Special Project Teams to develop products such as the MkII Police Tactical Waistcoat [pictured with flotation collar].
“Robust designs, tough fabrics and first class process techniques are required to create products like DI vests with particular operational work in mind, for example hostage rescue. The same general requirements are essential for firearms officers on a daily basis including Armed Response Vehicle Operatives.
“IPS’s products have been proven in the most arduous of conditions by professionals over extensive periods.”
Among the ISP products set to take centre stage at the Emergency Services Show is its range of AIS-integrated lifejackets, EBS (Emergency Breathing Systems) lifejackets, tactical waistcoats and the EDF1 flare.
Mr North said the firm’s AIS lifejackets include the Challenger Worksafe, Interlock and Flexiwing lifejackets which have been developed with highly specific uses in mind.
“The Worksafe and Worksafe Pro have been specifically designed for use when heavy duty clothing or protective gear is being worn,” said Mr North. “Easy to put on and comfortable and unrestrictive to wear, the Worksafe can also be fitted with a fire proof cover.
“Both the Worksafe and Worksafe Pro incorporate a patented interlocking lobe bladder design which self-rights the wearer in less than five seconds. They can now be fitted with the innovative AIS ‘Recovery System’ too. The rescueME MOB1 activates automatically when a lifejacket is inflated, communicating with vessels within a five-mile radius as well as linking to a rescue satellite network.
“The Interlock 275 is specifically designed as a combined working or abandonment lifejacket. With 300 Newtons of buoyancy, it is designed to be worn when the user is also wearing heavy duty clothing or an abandonment suit. The lifejacket design gives good neck and head support which is particularly vital for an unconscious wearer.
“The Flexiwing 150 lifejacket has been designed as a dual purpose emergency abandonment or constant wear lifejacket. The low profile design allows the wearer unrestricted movement and full forward and downward vision. The unique Flexiwing design affords the wearer enhanced in-water performance with higher mouth freeboard and improved floatation angles.”
Meanwhile, the Emergency Breathing System (EBS) lifejacket has a compressed air cylinder with a capacity of around 80 liters breathable air, ready for cold water operation. The system is fully integrated in the one-piece cover within the lifejacket, resulting in better hygiene and safety. It causes no obstruction and there is no risk of accidental activation.
The EBS lifejacket has a 275N buoyancy body, neoprene material and rounding in the neck area. Meanwhile, ISP’s EDF1 electronic flare has a series of design features which set it apart from traditional pyrotechnic flare products.
Mr North said recent product tests have shown electronic flares can be safer, easier and in some cases superior to use than traditional pyrotechnic ones.
“Unlike a pyrotechnic flare the EDF1 can be stored in a grab bag or attached to a lifejacket for use in man-overboard (MOB) situations. Other key benefits include a longer lifespan from date of manufacture, reduced environmental impact and longevity of signal.”
