BPR Medical has reinforced its commitment to oxygen fire safety in the United States as Safoura Sardari, Sales Director at BPR Medical attended the recent IAFC Fire & Life Safety Section (FLSS) Leaders Board Meeting to discuss the latest developments surrounding the company’s Firesafe cannula valve (thermal fuse) and ongoing UL Validation of Claim process.
The meeting focused on the growing importance of thermal fuse technology in reducing oxygen-related fire risks for vulnerable patients receiving home oxygen therapy, alongside the wider implications for fire safety professionals, healthcare providers, regulators and insurers.
Safoura reiterated that the Firesafe cannula valve has already been adopted in more than 25 countries worldwide and is mandated in both the UK and Germany. More than nine million bidirectional devices have reportedly been installed globally with zero recorded failures.
Safoura detailed how momentum is continuing to build in the United States, where thermal fuse adoption has expanded through:
- Thermal fuse introduced in United States in 2008 with widespread adoption by the VA
- Veterans Affairs mandate introduced in 2018 covering approximately 85,000 patients
- Medicaid reimbursement approvals in six states
- Statewide mandate in Missouri
A key discussion point during the board meeting was the Company’s pursuit of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Validation of Claim accreditation for the Firesafe thermal fuse technology. Safoura stated that the decision was accelerated following the Fall River, Massachusetts fire incident, which intensified industry focus on oxygen-related fire liability and prevention measures.
The validation process currently involves testing 300 bidirectional devices, with public confirmation of the UL Validation of Claim anticipated within approximately three months.
During the meeting, participants also explored the wider significance of UL certification for the fire safety sector and the HOT safety campaign. The presentation highlighted that UL certification is widely viewed as the “gold standard” for product acceptance in the United States and could support future:
- NFPA and ICC code integration
- Expanded Medicaid reimbursement
- Insurance market acceptance
- Broader adoption within state fire and health systems
The IAFC FLSS discussions additionally covered future communication initiatives, including engagement through fire safety conferences, national fire safety networks, trade publications, webinars, distributor campaigns and social media outreach.
Speaking through the presentation, Safoura emphasised the importance of collaboration with fire safety leaders across the United States to increase awareness of oxygen fire prevention strategies and improve patient safety outcomes.
By sharing the message across state networks, healthcare systems and public awareness campaigns the industry moves closer toward wider adoption of thermal fuse protection technologies.
