RIVERSIDE, CA—Luxfer Gas Cylinders, a business unit of Luxfer Holdings PLC (NYSE:LXFR) and the world’s largest manufacturer of high-pressure composite and aluminum cylinders, has launched Luxfer ECLIPSE™, its new carbon composite cylinders for firefighter self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The launch coincides with FDIC International 2018. ECLIPSE is an acronym for Extra-lightweight Cylinders by Luxfer for Industry Professionals in SCBA Environments™.

The lightest-weight SCBA cylinder now on the market, Luxfer ECLIPSE is up to 20 percent lighter than comparable aluminum-lined (Type 3) composite cylinders and up to three percent lighter than plastic-lined (Type 4) cylinders used primarily in Europe. The weight savings does not sacrifice strength, durability or safety while remaining compliant with all industry standards.

Luxfer ECLIPSE is designed and manufactured using advanced engineering techniques. With a lightweight liner made of Luxfer’s proprietary L6X® aluminum alloy and an exclusive 100 percent high-strength, aerospace-grade carbon fiber overwrap, a significant weight reduction is achieved. Using Luxfer ECLIPSE, firefighters, emergency-response personnel and SCBA industry professionals will see multiple benefits including enhanced performance, improved ergonomics and minimized weight-related health risks.

Luxfer ECLIPSE cylinders will come in a standard 4,500-psi (300 bar) version and a higher-pressure 5,500-psi (379 bar) option, each with a variety of air capacities and duration times. Luxfer ECLIPSE cylinders will be available from major safety equipment companies.

Professor Denise Smith, Director of the Skidmore College (U.S.) First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory and a global expert on firefighter health comments, “With cardiac events currently the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths, firefighters and SCBA manufacturers should embrace opportunities to decrease the cardiovascular strain associated with firefighting. Significantly decreasing the weight of the SCBA cylinder while retaining the same level of respiratory protection suggests that Luxfer ECLIPSE will become the new de facto standard in the SCBA industry.”

Luxfer Gas Cylinders President Andy Butcher adds, “By leveraging our decades of market and technology leadership, we are excited to provide this new, premium product that eclipses the performance of current products and represents the next evolution in weight reduction. Luxfer ECLIPSE has been made possible by Luxfer’s technology leadership in SCBA cylinder innovation as well as our market leadership as the most trusted SCBA cylinder manufacturer in the world.”

Mark Trudgeon, Luxfer vice president of technology and innovation says, “Luxfer has a long history of SCBA cylinder development over the past 30 years from our first LCX® carbon composite cylinders to our recently introduced LCX non-limited life (NLL) cylinders in Europe. Luxfer ECLIPSE expands our SCBA offering and represents the next generation of lighter-weight, high-performance SCBA composite cylinder designs for the SCBA industry today and for the years to come.”

Luxfer’s FDIC Inteternational booth is 2207.

For more information, visit www.luxfercylinders.com.

A firefighter-EMT died March 30 of cardiac arrest after conducting search and rescue drills in full gear. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, Decatur County Fire Rescue firefighter-EMT Adam Taylor, 30, went home late into his shift after complaining of chest pains he thought were due to a pulled muscle.
- PUB DATE: 4/24/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: FireRescue1

Firefighters responding to a house fire in the Harbor Gateway area had to drop their gear and find cover after hearing gunshots ring out Monday morning. Firefighters were on the scene of a fire on 154th Street near Orchard just before 5 a.m. in response to a structure fire. After they put out the fire at the two-story home, five to six gunshots rang out, forcing firefighters to drop their equipment and take cover.
- PUB DATE: 4/24/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KCAL-TV Los Angeles

The Oval Office notwithstanding, there are very few workplaces left in the United States where women have not gained entry. But in one of the last places in the workforce where a virtual male monopoly endures — fire stations — it’s still possible in 2018 for departments to hire their first female firefighters.
- PUB DATE: 4/24/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Chicago Tribune

PHOTO - A Hamilton Township police officer accidentally shocked a firefighter with her Taser while trying to get a patient under control. So, she apologized with a cake, according to the department's Facebook page. Officer Darcy Workman was helping the fire department on an EMS call last week. When they got to the hospital the patient became unruly.
- PUB DATE: 4/24/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WKRC-TV CBS 12 Cincinnati