It all started with a simple idea!

Testimonial from Daniel Cox, Operations Director at CSH Environmental Colchester on why they chose Fireward.

When Terry Slade, working as a lorry driver in Colchester Essex, came up with the idea of hiring out skips back in 1981, he never thought it be the start of the journey leading to the present day operation who are CSH Environmental.

The CSH Journey

Colchester Mini Skips became Colchester Skip Hire in 1988 and eventually CSH Environmental in 2013. This final change of name reflected the changing nature of their business as waste management became increasingly about recycling rather than disposal.

40 years after Terry’s idea, CSH Environmental is still a family firm, with Terrys son Mark at the helm as Managing Director and operating from a state-of-the-art 12 acre site on the outskirts of Colchester, where it is a local leader in the effective management of waste.

Today, CSH are East Anglia’s biggest waste recycling facility, which can process ever more assorted products, exporting around the world where waste is turned into new products.

The CSH motto is ‘Recycling for the Future’ and they are proud to regularly divert over 99% of the waste collected away from landfill, whether that’s for recycling or for energy from waste. Helping to process over 6000 tons a month is the recently completed £5m Mixed Rigid Plastic recycling building (top left centre), which is also completely covered with 728 solar panels generating over 220Kw/h of electricity annually.

Recognition & Awards

CSH efforts have even been recognised by industry organisations such as the Chartered Institution of Waste Management, the 2019 BUILD Recycling & Waste Management Awards and as a finalist in the Awards for Excellence in Recycling and Waste Management 2020.

Fire Mitigation of Plant and Assets

On site are multiple types of mobile plant including material handlers, loading shovels and teletrucks from leading OEM’s such as Hitachi, Fuchs JCB & Caterpillar. These assets are performing a range of tasks where downtime must be at a minimum. Over the last 12 years, and as part of the strategy to help achieve this, CSH have installed automatic fire suppression systems to reduce the financial risk and potential impact to the company.

Daniel Cox Operations Director says, “over these years CSH have had experience of working with several different fire suppression suppliers but several years ago made the decision to switch to Fireward Ltd and have been changing the systems over the last couple of years. The decision to change was not only due to Firewards expertise in mobile and static plant but following a factory visit, we saw for ourselves the components being manufactured and quality measures in place.”

Watch the full video testimonial here

Fireward System Performed When Needed

There have been events when the system has had to performed as required and this is the benefit of installing SPCR 183, 199 and ActivFire 5062:2016 approved systems, tested and accredited by 3^rd parties. Daniel goes on to say, “the service back up following these events has been fantastic, with attendance either the same day or following morning, I cannot ask for more.”

This level of service and support is possible due to the nationwide team of field engineers. Strategically located around the country, they are able to respond to events such as this and provide timely installations as required.  

Static Plant Protection

CSH operate an M&J K210 Shredder which is the largest model in the M&J K-Series pre-shredder family and is central to its operation. The motors are housed in an adjacent container and are also protected by a Dry Powder Single Agent System.

Fireward Fire Suppression 

Our industry-leading Dual Agent systems are an outstanding fire suppression method due to the combined benefits of dry powder and wet chemical in one solution. Not only can the system provide rapid-fire knockdown and excellent coverage with the dry powder, but the cooling properties of wet chemicals reduces the chance of the fire reigniting after discharge.

Fireward systems carry a range of independent third party accreditations for off road plant and machinery including  SPCR199, SPCR183 and AS5062 for our customers ultimate peace of mind that with Fireward, you are protected to the highest possible standards within the fire suppression industry.

More Protection to Follow

CSH and Daniel continue to show trust in Fireward automatic fire suppressions systems to protect their business, and as we write are about to invest in three Cat 930 Loaders, which will be protected with a Fireward Dry Powder Single Agent system.

Thank you to CSH Environmental  and Daniel Cox for their business, trust and the time given to Fireward on this case study.

Watch the full video testimonial here