A Safer Landfill Operation for Thalia Waste Management

When Thalia Waste Management added a new Bomag BC973 Landfill Compactor to their operation in Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, the priority was clear: keep their team safe and protect their investment from fire.

Operating across four UK sites, Thalia is well aware of the potential fire risks that come with managing and processing waste. The nature of landfill work – from handling flammable material to running heavy machinery in isolated, debris-heavy environments – means the threat of fire is a daily reality.

To ensure their newest machine wouldn’t become a fire statistic, Thalia turned to Fireward for a reliable, automatic solution. We supplied and installed our Dual Agent fire suppression system, a trusted choice for high-risk environments like waste and recycling.

A Machine Built for Tough Jobs – Now Protected for Them Too

The Bomag BC973 is made for rugged landfill conditions, but even the most durable machines can’t withstand a fire outbreak. With the compactor often operating far from support or firefighting access, on-board protection was non-negotiable.

Our system offered Thalia:

• Automatic detection and activation using pneumatic detection – no electronics, just instant response

• Rapid suppression using dry powder to tackle flames fast

• Extended cooling with wet chemical agent, preventing reignition of superheated components

The installation was completed seamlessly, with no disruption to Thalia’s operations – and immediate peace of mind for their team on the ground.

Fire Safety That Speaks for Itself

Andrew Wilding, Operations Manager at Thalia Waste Management, summed it up best:

“The installation was quick and easy. It (the system) quickly douses a fire, particularly on the landfill, keeping everyone safe and minimising costly damage to equipment.”

That’s exactly why companies like Thalia choose Fireward – we deliver automatic fire suppression systems that are fast, effective, and built with complete asset and operator protection.

Setting the Standard in the Waste Sector

This case study was featured as the front cover story in the April 2025 edition of Skip & Waste Magazine, with the issue focusing on fire protection across the waste and recycling industry.

It’s recognition not just for Thalia’s proactive approach, but also for the role Fireward plays in keeping operations like theirs running safely and efficiently.

READ OUR COVER STORY (P20-P21)

Behind the System: Built for Reliability

All Fireward systems are built in partnership with Reacton Fire Suppression Ltd., manufactured under ISO 9001:2015 standards and accredited by:

• P-Mark SPCR 183 and 199 (A+ Rated)

• ActivFire AS 5062:2016

• Recognised by the Made in Britain association

From single machines to entire fleets, Fireward protects plant and equipment across the UK waste sector – because no machine should be left unprotected.

The network of pneumatic detection tube around the engine bay provides the quickest method of detecting a fire. In the event of a fire, the tube will burst releasing pressure in the cylinder which then releases the suppression agents through the nozzles

On this side of the machine is the dry powder cylinder in the dual agent fire suppression system

The nozzles which release the wet chemical agent. It's strategically positioned to target components of the engine susceptible to high temperatures such as the turbo. The prolonged cooling effect prevents reignition.

The numerous dry powder nozzles can be found in the engine bay. Powder is released through these nozzles ensuring complete coverage of the engine, suffocating the fire and even hidden fires, rapidly knocking down the flames.

Fireward, Protecting People and Assets 24/7.

To find out more about Fireward’s Automatic Fire Suppression systems, get in touch by calling 0800 151 0249 or email at: sales@fireward.co.uk