Monday 27 June 2011

Workers put at risk because of Fire Safety cut backs

From Fire Industry Association:

Economic climate leads to a fifth of employers ‘revising’ fire safety measures
27 June 2011

UK employers are potentially putting their employees’ lives at risk by cutting back on fire safety in the current economic climate, according to a survey commissioned by the Fire Industry Association (FIA).

Almost a fifth of bosses said they had revised fire safety measures, such as delaying maintenance checks of fire safety equipment, reducing staff training or delaying updating their fire risk assessments. This is despite the fact that 20% of them saying they have had a fire in their premises.

Some 16% admit to not having an up to date fire risk assessment and a quarter don’t even know who does their fire risk assessment.

The survey also found that a third of staff don’t know what to do in the event of a fire. Over half of staff surveyed don’t know how to use a fire extinguisher or fire alarm, while a quarter of workers don’t know where their nearest fire exit is and a third don’t know where their fire assembly point is.

Graham Ellicott, CEO of the Fire Industry Association, said:

“The figures are very worrying; 82% of employees would like more training on fire safety and 14% don’t believe their company has any fire protection. We would like to remind all businesses across the country to review their fire risk assessments, making sure they are up to date, and to continue the maintenance schedule for all their fire safety equipment.”

According to the FIA, the poorest performing sectors in terms of fire safety are arts and culture and travel and transport.

Earlier this month, the FIA published a best practice guide to fire safety in commercial premises.

The FIA workplace fire safety survey was carried out online by Opinion Matters between 21 February and 3 March 2011 among 518 decision makers and 512 employees.

Advice on Home Fire Plans

Develop a home fire escape plan today…

It could save your life tonight!
If a fire occurred in your home tonight, would your family get out safely? Everyone must know what to do and where to go when the smoke alarm sounds. Take a few minutes with everyone in your household to make a home fire escape plan, following the instructions below.

1.Draw a floor plan of your home
Include all possible emergency exits including windows if you have a 1 or 2 storey house.
Draw in all the doors, windows and stairways. This will show you and your family all possible escape routes at a glance. Include any features, such as the roof of a garage or porch, that would help in your escape.
Show two ways out of every room, if possible.

The door will be the main exit from each room. However, if the door is blocked by smoke or fire, identify an alternate escape route, which could be a window. Make sure that all windows can open easily and that everyone knows how to escape through them to safety. If windows have security bars, equip them with quick-releasing devices.

Does anyone need help to escape?
Decide in advance who will assist the very young, older adults or people with disabilities in your household. A few minutes of planning will save valuable seconds in a real emergency.

2....
Draw a floor plan of your home. You should draw a plan for each level of your home. • • •

Remember:
Plan two ways out of every room, if possible
Hold a fire drill twice a year
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas

If you live in a high-rise apartment building, contact the Local Housing Officer for information on your building’s fire safety plan.

Review the plan with everyone in your household. Walk through the escape routes for each room with the entire family. Use this walk-through exercise to check your escape routes, making sure all exits are practical and easy to use. Then hold a fire drill twice a year and time how long it takes. In a real fire, you must react without hesitation as your escape routes may be quickly blocked by smoke or flames.
Practice your escape.

3....
Call the fire service by dialing 999 from outside your home
Don’t waste valuable seconds calling the fire service from inside your home. Once you have safely escaped, call the fire service from a mobile phone or a neighbour’s home.
4.....
Choose a meeting place a safe distance from your home that everyone will remember. A tree, street light or a neighbour’s home are all good choices. In case of fire, everyone will go directly to this meeting place so they can be accounted for.

5.....

Choose a meeting place outside
Draw a floor plan of your home, showing two ways out of every room, if possible.
Office

Make a fire escape plan for your family. Find two exits out of every room. Pick a meeting place outside. Practice makes perfect – hold a family fire drill at least twice each year.

6....
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. There are two kinds of smoke alarms – photoelectric and ionization. If possible, get some of each kind or buy “combination” smoke alarms that have both types of sensors.
Put them inside or near every bedroom. Test them monthly to make sure they work. Put in new batteries once a year.

7.....
Know how to put out a small pan fire by sliding a lid over the flames, or using a damp dishcloth.

Teach every family member to “Stop, Drop, Roll and Cool” if clothes catch fire by dropping immediately to the ground, crossing hands over your chest and rolling over and over or back and forth to put out the flames. Cool the burned area with cool water and seek medical attention for serious burns.

Consider having a home fire sprinkler system installed if buying a new home.

8.....
Learn how and when to use a fire extinguisher. Learn when it is safe to do so. As a rough guide, when smoke is at ceiling level and flames are at hip height it should be safe to use an appropriate fire extinguisher.
A dry powder type extinguisher is a multi purpose extinguisher suitable for small fires in the home.It can be used on fires of electrical origin or combustible solid fires. eg paper, fabrics, clothes etc.

Tragic Fire Death in Invergordon

From STV 26th June 2011:

Six-year-old boy dies in fire at family home as mother and sister leap to safety

A mother and daughter are in hospital after jumping from a first-floor window of their burning home in Invergordon.

A six-year-old boy has died after being trapped in his burning family home.

The boy, named locally as Aiden Davidson, was trapped in the blaze while his mother and elder sister escaped by jumping out of a first-floor window.

The alarm was raised at 2.27am on Sunday when neighbours heard screams coming from the end-of-terrace house in Cromarty Drive, Milton in Invergordon.

More than 20 firefighters were called to the scene and battled the blaze for several hours to bring the fire under control.

A neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "It was terrible. We heard a massive blast, like dynamite.

"I ran to the house and tried with others to get in - but the fire was just too hot. Others were pulling people away.

"It took some time for the fire engines to arrive, so we were trying to do what we could.

"The girl was then thrown from the first-floor window, followed by her mother. She landed badly and broke her arm and hurt her back."

Fire at Whitburn Miners Club. Had a Fire Risk Assessment been carried out?

From BBC Scotland:

Fire causes roof to collapse at Whitburn Miners Club. The building was well alight when firefighters arrived on the scene.
The roof of a social club in West Lothian has collapsed after an early morning fire.

A fire service spokesman said Whitburn Miners Club was "well alight" when firefighters arrived, after a passer-by raised the alarm at 0445 BST.

About 50 Lothian and Borders firefighters were involved in tackling the blaze.

A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said no-one was injured as a result of the fire.

Police closed roads surrounding the building and put up cordons.

Investigations into the cause of the blaze are to be carried out by the fire service

Friday 24 June 2011

Thanks to all our Blog followers.Amazed at the stats from all over the world.

I have just checked the statistics for this Blog and was amazed at the interest shown from many different Countries.

A big thank you to all. Why don't you get involved and have your say on any topic posted and generate debate and banter.

Leave your messages in the Comments sections.

Thanks again. Dennis

I Pod owners beware. Battery explodes causing fire.

From WNI Fire

22nd June, 9:45 a.m. Tuesday morning At Farmington High School, New Hampshire, the battery of an iPod exploded causing a fire and small explosion leading to a toxic fume scare. According to an article on Foster.com, the fire was started by a 16-year old boy when he was sitting in class bending his iPod back and forth. The battery broke and started to smoke and spark in his hands. He then decided, like most people would, to drop the iPod on the floor which caused a small explosion and a fire.

Students tried to put the fire out using water which actually made it worst. Eventually, the fire extinguished itself but caused smoke that smelled like acid which caused the students in the classroom to become nauseous and get headaches. The school was locked down and the ventilation system was turned on to clear the smoke so that students were able to finish their final exams.

Two students were taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure and all students that were effected were brought to the cafeteria to be examined by EMS personnel. For the rest of students, they went about their day as planned.

Although it is rare for iPod batteries to explode, it is not totally unheard of. When the lithium batteries that power iPods, get overcharged or overheated, there is a small chance that they will explode.

The last well know incident of an iPod exploding was in 2009 when Apple was sued by a Cincinnati, Ohio mother when her son was burned when his iPod exploded in his pocket.

Fire risk assessment competency criteria published

I know I posted this before but it is important enough to repost. Please click on the link for the whole story.

The long awaited competency criteria for fire risk assessors have been published as a draft document for public comment.

Competency Criteria for Fire Risk Assessors has been put together by the cross-industry Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council. It sets out criteria that could be used by professional bodies and third party certification bodies to register or certificate fire risk assessors and organisations providing fire risk assessment services.

The document sets out broad criteria for fire risk assessors of both “simple buildings” – where the fire risk assessor might, for example, be an employee of the occupier – and “complex buildings”, which will require higher levels of knowledge understanding and preferably experience on the part of the fire risk assessor.

For complex buildings, fire risk assessors will need to have the “specific applied knowledge and skills of an appropriately qualified specialist”. Such criteria – which are detailed in nine separate appendices to the document – include appropriate knowledge of:

the assessment of risk from fire
applicable legislation
appropriate guidance
behaviour of fire in buildings
behaviour of people in fire situations
means of escape
fire prevention
fire protection
management of fire safety
Knowledge can be obtained by academic study, training, working alongside others, short courses, continuing professional development or any combination of two or more of these.

The deadline for comments on the draft document is 7 September 2011 [download a comment form here].

The foreword to the document states:

“In the light of experience, including the emergence of inadequate fire risk assessments for premises that suffered multiple fatality fires, there has been growing concern regarding the competence of those who provide fire risk assessment services to duty holders on a commercial basis.

“As a result of these concerns, the Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council emerged from the fire sector with the encouragement of Government. The raison d’ĂȘtre of the council, which comprises a broad group of relevant stakeholders, is to establish criteria against which the competence of a fire risk assessor can be judged.”

“The Competency Council for Fire Risk Assessors is an open group that has emerged from the fire sector to address the issue of competency criteria for fire risk assessors,” said Iain Cox, chief fire officer of Berkshire and the council’s chairman. “It was widely felt that the requirement to use competent persons for fire safety works should extend to those who make the risk assessments upon which such works are based.”

The publication of the competency criteria follows the launch last month of BAFE SP205, the new scheme for the third party certification of companies offering fire risk assessment services. The closing date for public comments for that document is 1 July.

Download Competency Criteria for Fire Risk Assessors and the official comment form:

http://www.info4fire.com/news-content/full/fire-risk-assessment-competency-criteria-published?OmniTest_CampName=editorial-newsletter-24-06-11&OmniCamp_Name=editorial-newsletter-24-06-11&OmniWS_Name=info4fire.com%20-%202689&OmniWS_ID=265&OmniPR_Name=Newsletter_Info4Fire%20Weekly&OmniPR_ID=1506&OmniLink_Label=Fire%20risk%20assessment%20competency%20criteria%20published&OmniDBG_URN=&OmniDBG_File_ID=&OmniSeg_Code=&OmniCC_Code=&OmniComp_Name=FIRE%20ISK%20LTD&OmniJob_Title=Managing%20Director&Omni_Source=

Wednesday 22 June 2011

Fire in Bus Depot in Greenock

From Fire Industry Association:


A bus depot located in Scotland was hit by a fire this weekend, causing damage to the establishment and destroying some of the vehicles within.

Firefighters were called to Greenock Bus Depot on Saturday (June 18th) at around 11.50pm, according to the BBC News website.

The depot is located in the Inverclyde council area of Scotland and belongs to coach and minibus private hire company Wilson's Coaches.

Under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment must be carried out on all commercial properties in the country, including depots and storage centres.

If the fire risk assessment is judged to have not been carried out to a suitable extent, the Duty Holder can face an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison.

An investigation into the cause of the blaze has been launched, although the police say they suspect it was started deliberately

Tuesday 21 June 2011

Half of all Fire fatalities in UK had working Smoke alarms.

From BBC:

In about 40% of fatal fires alcohol was a contributory factor.

Nearly half of fire deaths in buildings in 2010 happened in a property with a working smoke alarm, figures obtained by BBC Radio 5 live Breakfast show.

The deaths accounted for 157 of the 340 people killed in UK property fires.

The figures were obtained through Freedom of Information requests from 54 out of 57 fire services.

The Fire Brigades Union said fire alarms had helped to reduce fatalities but the figures showed it was wrong to cut back on firefighters.

More than 80% of buildings now have smoke alarms fitted.

But people often disable them if they are faulty and go off too frequently or they forget to replace the batteries.

Too many fire services have used the fitting of smoke alarms to justify cuts to their local fire service”

Matt Wrack
Fire Brigades Union

In many cases where deaths occurred last year, even though there was a working fire alarm, escape routes had not been planned or exits were blocked.

In about 40% of fatal fires alcohol was a contributory factor because people were either unable to hear or respond when the alarm went off.

22% drop in Fire deaths in Scotland

From The Scottish Government:

The main findings of the statistics are:In 2010-11, the total number of fires in Scotland was provisionally 38,927. Primary fires accounted for 34 per cent (13,231) of the total number of fires in 2010-11, 62 per cent (24,162) were secondary fires and 4 per cent (1,534) were chimney fires.

The total provisional number of fires increased by 1 per cent in 2010-11. There was a 5 per cent increase in the provisional number of secondary fires and a 6 per cent decrease in provisional number of primary fires from 2009-10The provisional figure for fatal fire casualties in 2010-11 was 47 - a decrease of 13 (22 per cent) on the revised figure of 60 for 2009-10.

This is the second lowest figure since 2000-01. Of the provisional fire fatal casualties for 2010-11, 40 occurred in dwelling fires and 38 of these were attributed to accidental dwelling firesThe provisional number of non-fatal fire casualties in 2010-11 was 1,294 and 86 per cent of them (1,108) occurred in dwelling fires. Of these 945 occurred in accidental dwelling firesIn 2010-11 the provisional number of special services (non-fire related incidents) attended by Scotland's Fire and Rescue Services was 11,297

Flooding incidents and road traffic collisions are the most often attended type of special service incidents (22 per cent, 21 per cent respectively for 2010-11)The provisional number of false fire alarms attended was 48,752 in 2010-11, of these 71 per cent were due to failure of apparatus

Monday 20 June 2011

To sprinkler or not to sprinkler. Is that the question?

Compartmentation and robust evacuation plan versus the fitting of a sprinkler system.
With the amount of reams of paper and paragraphs written on this subject, you would think there would be a concensus. Right? Wrong.

What are your views?

Fatal Fire in Duns

From L & B Fire & Rescue Authority

A man has died after a fire in a food factory in the Scottish Borders.

Fire crews were called to Wicken Fen food factory in Station Road, Duns, at around 11.15pm on Sunday night (19 June).

Around 60 firefighters battled the blaze through the night at the single storey food processing factory. Eight firefighters wearing breathing apparatus, three lines of hose, two hose reels and a turntable ladder used as a water tower were required to extinguish the fire.

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said:

"Tragically there was one male fatality at the scene. The fire was finally brought under control at 5am today. An investigation into the cause of the fire is under way."

Details of the man who died have not yet been released.

Friday 17 June 2011

Suspicious Fire in Aberdeen

Police have appealed for information after a serious suspicious fire in Aberdeen.

From BBC Scotland:

Police have appealed for information after a serious suspicious fire in Aberdeen.

Smoke could be seen billowing across the skyline near the beach area of the city on Thursday evening.

Grampian Police said a storage shed had been set on fire at about 1650 BST at the top of the Broadhill, near Links Road.

The force said the fire was being treated as suspicious and appealed for witnesses to contact them.

Fire at Kelvin Hall

From BBC Scotland:

The Kelvin Hall in Glasgow has been closed after a fire broke out within the complex.

Damage to the landmark building, one of Scotland's best-known sports arenas, is thought to be limited.

The fire started before the centre was open to the public. There were no injuries and no evacuation of staff.

Scots "Dorothy" star of We Will Rock You

Jenny Douglas who missed out on a West End casting in Andrew Lloyd Webbers "Over the Rainbow" is appearing as Meat in the Touring Company of We will Rock You.
A totally different part for this talented young Scots actress.

Torn stockings and suspenders under a mini kilt is a far cry from the demure red shoed Dorothy
but Jenny played the part to perfection.

Thanks for the memories Jenny.

Fire Safety not good enough in Nuclear Power Plants

A Report has heavily criticised The Fire Safety Procedures and Practices in Nuclear Power Plants. Read the full story by following the link above.

Fire Industry Association. Best Practice Guide for Fire Safety

A new document produced by The Fire Industry Association is available to view or download.

Click here:

http://www.fia.uk.com/filemanager/root/site_assets/news/fia_best_practice_guide_final_copy_published.pdf

Should this be minimum standrd requirements for Fire Risk Assessors?

The new document is available for public scrutiny and comment. Discuss here and let others know your views.

Monday 13 June 2011

@strathernrose Don't let this happen in Scotland

A former UK fire minister has warned of flaws in proposed UK legislation which may mean fire and rescue services can charge for fire prevention work.

Baroness Angela Smith raised her concerns during the second reading of the Localism Bill in the House of Lords on Tuesday. She said that while the Bill made it clear that ‘core services’ could not be charged for, and that it listed areas that could not be charged, there were some grey areas that needed clarification.

I hope we don't go down this route in Scotland. How can a Fire Authority offer to carry out Fire Risk Assessments for money and then Audit those same Assessments. Morally and professionally wrong.

European Parliament needs a Fire Risk Assessment and FireTraining

A fire alarm drill held in the European Parliament in Strasbourg has left fire chiefs "appalled" at the poor fire safety in the establishment.

The fire alarm was sounded on Tuesday (June 7th) at 12.15pm, but the drill was marred by a series of mishaps, including locked fire escapes and silent alarms in some areas of the building, reports The Economist.

When the alarm went off, a mass evacuation was started, with all MEPs in the plenary chamber being escorted out through an underground passage.

But some of the people who were not in the chamber found that the warning did not even sound where they were, with the fire exit doors in the press centre remaining locked.

Constant Brand, writing for the news provider, noted: "A fire chief was appalled that those evacuated were allowed to congregate in the courtyard of the Louise Weiss building, surrounded by walls of glass."

The evacuation was held to ensure the establishment complied with France's fire safety regulations.

Free Guide to Fire Safety

Here is as link to a free Best Practice Guide for Fire Safety issued by The Fire Industry Association. Thanks to them.

http://www.fia.uk.com/en/fire-safety-order/

http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1sfcn/FIABestPracticeGuide/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http://www.yudu.com/item/details/341343/FIA-Best-Practice-Guide

Friday 10 June 2011

Quick response from @fireindustry re Scottish Legislation. Well done. Now sorted.

I am very impressed with the speed and attitude of the Fire Industry Association in the way they dealt with the previous Blog via Twitter.

Well done team FIA.

Thursday 9 June 2011

Copy of email to FIA re lack of Scottish & NI Legislation.

Hello Martin,
Could you please pass on the following comments to the FIA website administrator:

When commenting about Fire Safety Legislation, please include the Legislation which is pertinent to other parts of the UK. Only the RR(F)O is quoted (England & Wales). I have been re-tweeting and getting lots of comments back from irate people. The Legislation for Scottish Fire Safety is “The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005: Part 3.

Also, links supplied should take cognisance of this.

Martin here is a good example. First line talks about the UK but Bullet Points 1 and 4 are for England & Wales only. Links should be available to http://www.firelawscotland.org/ where persons can gain access to information and Guidance Documents relating to their place of domicile

Fire safety is very important in every premises across the UK, whether it's a warehouse, office, hotel, arena or block of flats. But it can be confusing if you are the person with the responsibility for fire safety in your workplace.
The FIA is here to help provide guidance and insight into the best practice in fire safety as well as the reassurance that, by using one of our members, you are employing a competent person.
On our website you will find everything you need to help you in your role as the Responsible Person (also known as Duty Holder in Scotland or Northern Ireand), including:
• Information about what the Fire Safety Order is
• Comprehensive list of our member companies around the UK
• Latest news and information relating to fire safety in the UK
• Regulatory reform guides for all the different types of business premises

Wednesday 8 June 2011

Is it right to charge for false fire alarms? Will it impact on Fire Safety?

I suppose charging is better than not turning out at all to Automatic calls as some F&RS in England are proposing.
What are your thoughts?

Friday 3 June 2011

A great opportunity missed? Can Scotland do what England won't?

The UK Govt has stated that there will be no manditory Accreditation of Fire Risk Assessors. Is this a missed opportunity to make sure that all Consultants meet a minimum standard?

Fire related issues are Devolved and Scotland can now determine whether this should be the correct path to take. There are many people in this Industry carrying out work which has an impact on Life Safety in our buildings. Is it too much to ask that these persons be 3rd Party Accredited?

Fire Safety New Guidance.Only for England. Scotland needs this too.

We, in Scotland also need a review of our Fire Safety Legislation and how it is applied.