{North engineering firm plans production increase of fire safety boxes for apartment blocks   A North East engineering company that has developed a secure fire safety box for large apartment blocks is planning on gearing up production.   Evak Engineering designed the FireDocBox after being approached by Your Homes Newcastle’s (YHN) for a solution to store important documents and keys.   Documents including building plans and the location of fire hydrants and fire doors are kept within the box to help fire crews during emergencies and safety checks.   Keys, such as those to access gas cupboards, are also kept within them to help crews deal with emergency situations.   After making prototypes, the team at Evak came up with a highly fireproof solution that is now being rolled out to other property management firms.   David Snaith, Fire Safety Officer at YHN, said: “Previously, we had different types of safe boxes across our larger blocks of flats. We wanted a bespoke box that was common across those properties to help fire officers easily identify them.   “We needed them to include a special bi-lock system so only the fire brigade can access the contents. Evak is local to us and we approached them. We are delighted that they have offered a perfect, value for money solution. It also proves our commitment to working with local businesses where possible.”   Paul Keast, Managing Director of Wallsend-based Evak, said that due to the popularity of the boxes, other property management firms have since ordered and are using FireDocBox.   He said: “I am thrilled that after being approached by YHN we were able to provide a solution. FireDocBox is as fire-resistant anything possibly can be. As well an area to store all the relevant documents, there are places for keys.   “We have worked with a specialist manufacturer that produces locks that are extremely secure. These locks already used for other equipment used by the fire brigade, so they have the special keys already. The end result was welcomed by Your Homes Newcastle and we are now receiving orders from other property management companies.”   One of those is Brazen & Partners, which manages more than 200 apartment blocks across the North East. They have already placed an order for 40 of the boxes with more orders being planned.   Wendy Crosland, Property Manager for Brannen & Partners, said: “So far, I have ordered 35 for the properties I manage and I know other property managers are ordering them.   “The FireDocBox is very helpful in our larger developments and contain extra information such as site maps, which are more crucial in light of the Grenfell Tower fire. At those developments with elderly residents, we can also inform the fire crews of those who need extra assistance by placing the information within the box.”   Evak’s Paul Keast added: “It has been a pleasure working with everyone on this project. We focus on providing metal engineering solutions to our customers and have a long history of working with other companies to provide the highest quality standards of workmanship and final product.”

{After an initial meeting with Evak Engineering to see how best to have these screens both movable but not too heavy. Their recommendations of height and base thickness was taken and a prototype was commissioned, this prototype was taken immediately by the end users with a choice of colours, black as the most popular. These movable screen dividers have numerous end users all over the country. Evak Engineering and their team is now first point of contact and has been for some years for any alterations we require and their support has been vast over the years.  

{Evak Engineering were asked by a long standing customer to help with an urgent demand for Wall Mounting Brackets for Fire Extinguishers. The customer demand for fire extinguishers was increasing and the wall mounting brackets were part of their order. Within 2 weeks multiple batches of brackets were delivered to the customer. With the engineering capabilities within the Evak Engineering team they were quickly able to confirm sample; check off tooling jigs; have materials available, manufacture, powder coat and deliver. With a wide range of pressing and welding capabilities these engineered parts are bread and butter for Evak Engineering. "We have been working with Evak engineering for over 30 years; they are always there to help out and get things moving very quickly. Going forward I see them as one of our key suppliers"