Scottish Fire Safety

Fire Risk Assessments for Construction Sites. New Course available.

2012-01-31T10:57:00.002Z

We can now offer a Course which will enhance the knowledge of Site Managers when carrying out Fire Risk Assessments for Construction Sites. The Course will encompass both new Guidance Documents (See below)

Although the construction industry’s performance has improved over the past decade, the rates of death, serious injury and ill health for construction site workers are still too high. When
construction activities are not adequately controlled, children and other members of the public can also be killed or injured, and property adjacent to construction sites be put at risk – for example, from a site fire large enough to spread off-site.

The latest Guidance Document ( HSG 168 Second Edition) and Code of Practice (The Joint Code of Practice for Fire in Construction Sites and Buildings Undergoing Renovation.) are available which will be extremely useful to all those who have a role in the development, management and application of fire safety standards on construction sites,

ie clients, designers,
contractors and CDM co-ordinators. It will also support those with legal responsibilities under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007, and the Fire(Scotland) Act 2005, while assisting site managers in the day-to-day management of fire risks on site.

HSG 168 Second Edition can be downloaded free of charge here:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg168.htm

The Code of Practice can be purchased here: https://www.thefpa.co.uk/fpa_home/publications/shop/default.aspx Cost £20

This Course gives the Principles of Fire Risk Assessments for Construction Sites and it is highly recommended that Delegates make themselves familiar with either or both of these Publications.

Fire Risk Assessment - Construction

Details

This course is
designed to build awareness of fire safety, how to carry out a fire risk assessment and how to record findings. This course is both theory and practical based and will conclude with delegates taking part in theory and practical assessments.

Delegate Requirements

This course is very intensive, so prior to attending delegates must ensure they familiarise
themselves with the contents of HSG 168 Fire Safety in Construction

Aim
On successful completion of the course delegates will be able to carry out fire risk
assessments for Construction Sites including New Builds and Refurbishment Works.

Objectives

The course will cover the following:

Legislative Requirements
People and Fire
Overview of HSG 168 Fire Safety in Construction
Fire Protection Association Fire Safety on Construction Sites DVD
Introduction to Fire Risk Assessment
Principles of Fire Risk Assessment
Fire Risk Assessment Practical application

Target Audience

This course is suitable for employees responsible for carrying out Fire Risk Assessments for Construction Sites including New Builds and Refurbishment Works.

The Course is Certified and verified by The CPD Institute and there will be an examiniation and a practical FRA on site. All successful Delegates will be a awarded the approprite CPD hours
Duration:
1 ½ days

160 animals were rescued from a burning garden centre

2012-01-30T17:42:00.003Z

30 Jan 2012 From @fireindustry

Around 160 animals were rescued from a burning garden centre in Oldham last week. Fire crews were called to Booth's Garden Centre in Royton on Friday afternoon (27th January) after a blaze broke out in the single-storey building.It was initially feared that all but three parrots perished in the fire but firefighters discovered that the majority of animals on sale at the centre had survived.

Oldham RSPCA branch manager Mandy Tierney was alerted to the incident by text message and took part in the rescue operation."I was told that only three parrots had survived but when we went into the shed it was clear there were about 100 birds plus plenty of chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs," she told the news provider.

I was so relieved - it was awful to think so many animals may have died so it was fantastic that it wasn’t as bad as we thought.

"Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, a fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in England and Wales.In Scotland the Legislation is The Fire (Scotlamd) Act 2005 Part 3. If a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is not carried out, the Responsible Person/ Duty Holder faces up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine.The cause of the blaze is currently under investigation.

Brave Erin raises £65k for hero firefighters

2012-01-30T15:43:00.004Z

Young Scot Awards:

Brave Erin raises £65k for hero firefighters Jan 29 2012

By Heather Greenaway

BRAVE Erin McNeill was just 18 when she was horrifically burned in a house fire.The talented singer was staying with a friend after a gig when a pot left on the cooker turned the house into a blazing inferno.Erin, of Menstrie, Clackmannanshire, was lucky to escape with her life but was so badly burned that surgeons had to cover her raw flesh with shark skin.

The 21-year-old, who died five times on the operating table and was told she might never walk or talk again, is determined not to let her injuries get her down.

Erin has raised more than £65,000 over the last three years for the firefighters who saved her life.Now her outstanding courage and selflessness have earned her a Young Scot Award nomination in the Unsung Hero category.Erin, who volunteers with Central Scotland Fire & Rescue Service, said: “I was seconds from dying when the firefighters arrived. I was passed out, lying face down on the floor.“If it wasn’t for those brave guys, I wouldn’t be here today. The least I can do is raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity.”

Erin, who travels to schools and colleges in Forth Valley warning others about the dangers of fire, raised £5500 last year by taking part in a 5K run in New York on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy.She also won £53,000 with her sister Karen Murphy, 32, on ITV1 show Holding Out For A Hero.

Before the blaze on Valentine’s Day 2009, Erin was on the brink of a full-time career as a singer but, due to the tracheotomy tube doctors had to insert in her neck, she has not sung a note since.She said: “Until the accident, singing was my life. But after having a tube in my throat for so long, singing is very difficult.”Erin was in Glasgow Royal Infirmary for eight months – and in a coma for six weeks.

In hospital she developed MRSA, pneumonia and acute organ failure.Mum Jean, 60, a council worker, and dad Eddie, 60, who works for a roofing firm, kept a bedside vigil.Erin said: “When I woke up, I couldn’t remember anything. I had 40 per cent burns to my body.“I found out doctors gave me only a 20 per cent chance of survival.”

Erin, who wants to get a qualification in youth work, added: “Surgeons used six pieces of shark skin, costing £10,000 each, to trigger my body to make skin cells, which saved my life.“I still have a lot of physical and emotional recovering to do but, when I’m talking to schoolkids, I’m full of confidence.”The charity worker has found love since the fire with offshore worker Grant Griffen, 21. He said: “She is a true fighter and she is my hero.”As a member of the Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Preservation Group, Erin will star as a firefighter in River City on Tuesday.And she is thrilled with her award nomination. She said: “It’s great to be nominated for my work.”Jan Mattison, of The Fire Fighters Charity, said: “Erin constantly gives back to those who saved her.”

Furore over re-employment of Strathclyde Chief Officer

2012-01-30T15:20:00.003Z

From @paulhutcheon The Sunday Herald 29th January 2012

Brian Sweeney, Chief Officer of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue, received a lump sum of around £500,000 last July after taking early retirement at the age of 50, then walked straight back into his old £155,000-a-year job just a month later.

He was rehired on a three-year contract. The deal, condemned by firefighters and politicians, is currently being investigated by the public spending watchdog, Audit Scotland. At the time, Sweeney said the money was "not taxpayers' money" as it was the result of 31 years of paying into his pension scheme.

But the Sunday Herald has obtained a secret report into Sweeney's pension by Strathclyde Fire & Rescue's auditors, PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), which says there was a £200,000 impact on public funds, as the fire service budget took a hit. It says:l Sweeney should have forfeited £206,000 as a penalty for retiring before 55 but the fire board agreed to pay it on his behalf without the treasurer being consulted.

Sweeney's "flexible retirement" did not follow the rules laid down for other firefighters; The board failed to consider alternatives to Sweeney's early-retirement deal. Sweeney may have been actively involved in the process leading to the decision which enriched him;

Overall, auditors saw insufficient evidence of a "best-value decision". But the convener of the board overseeing Strathclyde Fire & Rescue last night defended Sweeney and attacked the auditors' report.

Councillor Brian Wallace said Sweeney's re-employment deal "not only offered best value, but secured the services of a highly experienced and respected Chief Officer at a critical time for the Service, Strathclyde and the whole country".

Earlier this month, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill published the bill which will lead to the merger of Scotland's eight fire services into a new single service. Sweeney is tipped to run the new body, and is understood to have told colleagues of his interest in the job. The new chief will be appointed this year.

PwC said the key paper on Sweeney's retirement went before the fire board in June 2009, after Sweeney discussed his "future career plans" with the board's clerk. It proposed letting Sweeney continue in post for three years after July 2011 – the point he became eligible for early retirement.

But PwC said the paper failed to explain to the board that "this meant the Chief Officer would effectively retire and be re-employed"

Although the board had a "flexible retirement" policy allowing firefighters to retire and restart, staff had to apply in writing within a year of retiral, and re-employment was for a maximum of two years to "facilitate succession planning".

In Sweeney's case, the rules were not followed.PwC said: "In the case of the Chief Officer, no application in writing under this policy was submitted; the conversation noted in the June 2009 Board Paper between the Clerk to the Board and the Chief Officer was not formally recorded; the decision was taken two years, rather than one year or less before potential retirement; and the Chief Officer has returned on an expected three-year contract, not on the usual two years or less."Because Sweeney retired before 55, "an employee unauthorised payment charge" should have been levied.

But in April 2011, the board agreed to pay Sweeney's penalty of £206,000 on top of the board's own employer penalty of £29,000."We understand that the Treasurer was not consulted over this decision, despite the financial implications for the board," PwC said.

Auditors concluded: "We can see no formal consideration that alternative options, other than retirement and re-employment ... were considered. The board has been unable to demonstrate to us that the Chief Officer was fully independent of the decision-making process."The level of evidence made available to us does not readily support a best-value decision concerning retirement, re-employment and the potential use of board funds to pay the Chief Officer's £206,715 unauthorised payment charge."

Roddy Robertson of the Fire Brigades Union said: "It's nothing short of scandalous the board have allowed public money to be used in this way."

Body found in Aberdeenshire rural house fire.

2012-01-30T15:17:00.001Z

From (@STVNews

A body has been found following a fire at a rural property, police said.Grampian Fire and Rescue Service and police have been dealing with the incident at the house in Rhynie, Aberdeenshire, since Friday.
The large blaze was reported around 4.30pm on Friday and was put out by 7.30pm after officers used four appliances to extinguish it.The property was the residence of Joan Robinson, 84, who lived alone.

Police searches of the property continued over the weekend and on Sunday they said a body has been discovered.No identification has yet been made.Firefighters left the scene on Saturday afternoon after the property was made safe.

The service said a full investigation into the cause of the fire was expected to begin on Monday.

Body found in Aberdeenshire rural house fire.

2012-01-30T15:17:00.000Z

Motherwell Pub Fire

2012-01-30T15:14:00.003Z

From @Strathclyde_FRS

Shortly after 4:30 pm this afternoon (Sunday 29th January), Strathclyde Fire
& Rescue's (SFR's) Operational Support Centre received the first of a number
of calls reporting a fire within a building in Church Street, Newarthill, near
Motherwell in North Lanarkshire.

Two fire appliances were immediately dispatched from Motherwell Community
Fire Station, with further support provided by an appliance from Bellshill
Community Fire Station.
The first attending crews were faced with a well developed fire within a
single storey, unoccupied pub building. The Incident Commander quickly deployed
crews in to the building wearing Breathing Apparatus and carrying firefighting
jets, and they battled through acrid smoke and great heat to tackle the
fire.

Later in the incident, Motherwell Fire Station's Aerial Rescue Pump (ARP) was
used to great effect in providing a firefighting jet from above the building to
deal with pockets of fire that had spread into the roof. The ARP was also
invaluable in allowing the Incident Commander to assess the extent of fire
spread and the effectiveness of firefighting operations.

Throughout the incident, firefighting crews were assisted by their colleagues
in Strathclyde Police who dealt with traffic control and crowds in the vicinity,
and North Lanarkshire Building Standards Section who also worked closely with
SFR crews to ensure that the building would be left in a safe and secure
state.

SFR crews are still on scene at this time. The cause of the fire is as yet
unknown, and is subject to an investigation by Strathclyde Police.

Single Scottish fire service bill introduced

2012-01-24T13:35:00.003Z

From info4fire

Single Scottish fire service bill introduced - 18 January 2012 Kenny MacAskill, Scottish cabinet secretary for Justice.

The Scottish Government have today announced a huge proposed reform of Scottish fire and rescue services that will mean the creation of a single combined department. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill says that the move will bring local services to the heart of communities, but critics fear that it will mean less accountability at a local level.

Under the plans, which will also create a single unified Police Service of Scotland, the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be established with a Chief Officer overseeing designated local fire officers for each local authority area. The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill will create stronger ties between the fire service and local authorities, as senior officers will have to have their local plan for rescue services approved by the council, giving many more councillors a say in the running of their local service than at present.

The service will be independent, with no operational control by government, but still subject to Parliamentary scrutiny from ministers. “Stark reality” of budget cuts from Westminster Mr MacAskill launched the bill at an event in Galashiels where he cited “budget cuts from Westminster” as one of the key reasons for the reform.

He said, "This Government will not be complacent, we will not compromise on public safety and we will make sure that every community is served and served well. “The reasons for reform are clear. We need to make a virtue of necessity. Make no mistake – this is the only way to make sure that we don’t lose the major improvements made to police and fire and rescue services in recent years. “We have devised the strongest possible plans for the future of police and fire services in Scotland which reduce duplication, not the quality of vital services, and deliver estimated efficiency savings of £1.7 billion over 15 years.

Today’s publication of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill follows two consultations and many months of sustained, regular engagement with police, fire and escue services, boards, authorities and other interested parties.”

Tavish Scott....Shetland Blethers re Police & Fire

2012-01-19T17:46:00.005Z

I have copied this article from the Shetland Times. Much of the narrative taken from a statement by Tavish Scott the Local Liberal MSP. In fairness I have included two items from the Comments Section. The thoughts of which coincide with my own. (For what it is worth)

Shetland will have fewer police and fire officers under the Scottish government’s plan for pan-Scotland services, according to isles MSP Tavish Scott.Mr Scott described the proposals, laid out in the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill today, as “mad, bad and downright dangerous”.

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill claimed a single police force and a single fire service would “bring local services to the heart of communities”. The government believes it will save £1.7 billion over 15 years by merging all police forces and all fire brigades.

Speaking in Galashiels, Mr MacAskill said: “There will be a stronger connection between communities and their local police and fire and rescue services, with designated local senior officers and a statutory duty on both services to provide proper local provision. Local authorities will approve plans for their area and, rather than a handful of councillors attending a regional board, many more councillors will have a say in what happens in their area.

I expect to see the local commander and local senior officer coming before the council to explain and answer questions about police and fire services in the area.“Our services will be independent, with no operational control from ministers but subject to parliamentary scrutiny. And our new services will be nothing without the skills and talents the workforce. Staff will transfer to the new services on the same terms and conditions.”

As well as parliamentary scrutiny, a new Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and fire board will be created to hold chief officers to account.But Mr Scott dismissed the Bill as representing the “worst kind of central belt centralisation”.

“[These plans] put our excellent local and responsive policing and island fire stations at risk,” he said. “A single national police force will be controlled by central government. The chief police Officer of Scotland, inevitably based in Glasgow, will worry rather more about Old Firm football matches than policing Commercial Street on a Saturday night.“Also who controls the police? At the moment if there is a police inquiry into misconduct it is conducted by another Scottish force. That won’t happen under a nationalist police force. [The nationalists] are hardly going to turn to England for help. So there may be no check now on a government controlled force. That is profoundly disturbing.

“These nationalist proposals that they will railroad through parliament are illiberal, authoritarian and the worst kind of central belt centralisation. Most police officers from chief constables in the Highlands and Islands and Grampian down to men and women on the beat are opposed to these plans. The Scottish government should drop these bad proposals.”

Chief superintendent David O’Connor, president of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS), called for an early appointment of the chief constable designate and for the headquarters to be located at Tulliallan Castle in Fife, the home of the Scottish Police College.Mr O’Connor said: “I do not underestimate the scale of the challenge but a pragmatic and incremental approach which focuses upon maintaining service delivery to the current high levels together with improving public and staff confidence throughout must be at the centre of all that we seek to achieve and the public demands.”

I cannot speak with much authority regarding The Police but as far as the Fire Service is concerned, this has been a long time coming. There are Regions in England with bigger populations than Scotland with one Fire & Rescue Service and they manage perfectly well. Scotland by the nature of its geography presents different problems but nothing that the Service will not cope with.

There were not many from The Chief Fire Officers' Association against this move and importantly the Fire Brigades Union backed the move.

I believe this to be a Politically motivated statement from Mr. Scott and not necessarily about what is best for Shetland and Scotland.

And from the Comments Section.

LibDem hysteria about the proposals for a Scottish Police Force is seriously sad. For a century and more, Liberalism in Scotland has sustained a critique of Big Government and Big Business, and has presented a vision of decentralised accountable decision-making guaranteed by a federalist constitution.

LibDem disaster in last May’s election was assured by the loss of any such vision. The main election plank?…. To criticise the establishment of a single Scottish Police Force whose setting up will mean * National accountability to a democratic Parliament, * Local police Commanders appointed to each local authority area, * A legally enforced system of Local Police Plans whereby each Commander liaises with and accounts to the local authority to produce the pattern of policing and priorities that each area wants, * Efficient integration of specialist police technical services, with no duplication,

* An end to the mad pattern whereby police forces are too small to account to Parliament and too big to account to a local authority (exceptions : Fife, Dumfries), and so effectively escape proper accountable scrutiny and direction, * Introduction of a properly independent police complaints proceedure, avoiding the croneyism of bringing in officers from another force to judge their peers.

Do the LibDems seriously think that our policing run from Inverness, only indirectly accountable to anyone, is better than a national force accountable both to Parliament and to each local authority? Is that addled thinking the sum total of their vision for Shetland and Scotland?- Danus SkeneJanuary 17, 2012

It is neither “bad”, nor “mad” nor “downright dangerous” to form a single police and fire service in Scotland. It is sensible, efficient and long overdue. Such negativity belongs in the past.However, the Scottish Government must implement the “burning of quangos” to retain integrity in their general cost-cutting and efficiencies programme.-
Douglas YoungJanuary 18, 2012

2012-01-16T14:17:00.002Z

Restaurant owner pleads guilty after taping cling film over detectors. 21 March 2011

The joint-proprietor of a Thai restaurant in Wokingham has pleaded guilty to 12 breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.Patipat Kansikam, who was a joint proprietor of the Red Lion (Pad Thai), appeared at Bracknell Magistrates Court on 9 March.

The building, which was used as sleeping accommodation for the restaurant’s staff, had an inadequate fire alarm system and blocked fire escape routes.Fire safety investigators also found cling film taped over fire detectors. In addition, there was no adequate fire risk assessment or fire evacuation training in place, while the fire escape routes were obstructed by combustible storage.

The court head that not only did these breaches present a serious and life-threatening risk to the staff who worked there, but also to members of the public who visited the premises.

The issues first came to light after an inspection by Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service on 3 March last year.The case has been adjourned until 6 April for sentencing.

2012-01-16T14:07:00.002Z

Brewery pays out nearly £30,000 for fire safety breaches 10 January 2011 Old News but pertinent to the Licensed Trade postings this week.

A brewery has been ordered to pay £27,481 in fines and costs following a number of fire safety breaches at one of its pubs in London.Punch Taverns Plc pleaded guilty to seven contraventions of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 at Thames Magistrates Court on 6 January.

Fire safety officers who first investigated the Milestone pub on Mile End Road in July 2008 found that there was inadequate maintenance of the fire alarms and poor emergency lighting. In some cases, emergency lighting was non-existent.The London Fire Brigade also found that the building, which is a House of Multiple Occupation, had not been installed with self closers on a kitchen door and one of its bedroom doors.

Punch Taverns was issued with an enforcement notice and time to comply following the first visit, however a second investigation in November 2008 revealed a number of faults still to be addressed.

Assistant commissioner for fire safety regulation, Steve Turek, said: “London Fire Brigade will continue to take action when businesses, large or small, do not take their fire safety responsibilities seriously. Failure to comply with the law can, as this case has shown, result in a prosecution.”

Fast food restaurant fined for ‘complete disregard’ of fire safety law

2012-01-16T14:04:00.002Z

Fast food restaurant fined for ‘complete disregard’ of fire safety law. Info4Fire 13 January 2012

A Salford takeaway has paid £13,000 after pleading guilty to nine offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.Delicious Foods Ltd of Liverpool Road, Eccles pleaded guilty to the offences at Manchester city magistrates court on Friday 6 January.

Breaches included failing to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, failing to provide a suitable escape route, and failing to provide a fire alarm or warning system in case of fire."On inspecting the building, it was found that the upper part of the premises was being used as a sleeping area and for general accommodation purposes,” said Peter O’Reilly, director of prevention and protection at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

"The only escape route from the upper floors was a single staircase which led into the commercial kitchen. There was no evidence of any system to raise the alarm in case of fire. Nor was there any was there any emergency lighting present and the fire extinguishers which were there had not been properly maintained."Due to the lack of fire resistance to the staircase, and the cooking processes used, any fire would develop rapidly and spread into the staircase - it essentially becoming a chimney filling with very hot, toxic smoke - thus preventing anyone on the upper floors from escaping safely from the premises.”

Fire safety inspectors issued an immediate prohibition notice forbidding anyone using the basement, first and second floors, and an enforcement notice ordering an improvement in conditions. Prosecution proceedings were also started."This complete disregard for the law, and the subsequent danger to life these premises posed, meant we had no option but to seek action through the courts,” said Mr O’Reilly.

Fire safety community must unite to raise standards

2012-01-16T13:57:00.004Z

Fire Safety Community must unite to raise standards. Info4Fire. 16 January 2012

In the absence of central government direction, the fire safety sector can only develop its own policies and standards if it presents a united front, according to the president of the Association for Specialist Fire Protection, Brian Robinson.Speaking at the association’s annual lunch last month, Mr Robinson said that improving the quality of fire safety requires a more collective approach to risk reduction and mitigation.“Allowing the sector to be more self-determined is high on the government’s agenda,” said Mr Robinson. “It will take time and thought to get used to the idea of developing our own policies and standards, which can only be done by all parts of the sector working together and in harmony.

”New methods and technologies in construction and a lack of fire safety compliance were also issues to be addressed.“We know there is a serious disconnect in appropriate understanding, communication, ownership of responsibility and commitment to required standards throughout the entire process of design, build, inspection, handover to the responsible person and onward management thereafter.”To help address both the environmental impact of fires and the fire safety issues inherent in some modern construction methods, the ASFP has set up a sustainability task group – made up manufacturers, contractors, consulting engineers and assessment bodies.

As sustainability goes beyond the life safety nature of Building Regulations, “appropriate fire protection measures, integrated within innovative design, must be recognised as a fundamental hub in any future carbon reduction mandate,” said Mr Robinson.

“The performance of a building in its normal state, and for both us and the fire service in its ‘hostile’ state, is changing fast.”The association will be working with those directly involved in the development of modern methods of construction, he said, to develop solutions in passive fire protection that will ensure adequate fire safety and building longevity – without stifling essential innovation.In addition, the ASFP has set up a training task group to look at the whole issue of supply chain education, and to develop an improved awareness of the importance of built-in fire safety and the dangers of compromising it.

Responding to Mr Robinson’s address, Neil O’Connor, director of fire, resilience and emergencies at the Department for Communities and Local Government, said the association had helped to promote better understanding and competence in the industry.“Ministers recognise the positive impact that this has on compliance with Building Regulations and the Fire Safety Order,” he said.Read Brian Robinson's comments in detail

The same lack of Government direction is evident in Scotland also. It is time Third Party Accreditation was a minimum standard for those carrying out Fire Risk Assessments in any premises more than one storey in height and 1000m2 in area.

Scottish roofing firm hit by fire

2012-01-13T17:10:00.001Z

13 Jan 2012 From FIA

A roofing firm in Scotland has been damaged after a fire tore through the premises last night (January 12th).Around 30 firefighters were called to the Stevenson and Kelly building in Aberdeenshire at around 8.20pm.

Fire crews spent two-and-a-half hours tackling the blaze, which caused extensive damage and resulted in the closure of the A90 between Aberdeen and Balmedie for four hours.At 8am this morning, firefighters returned to the site after members of the public reported seeing smoke billowing from building.

A 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in Scotland under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.

If this fire risk assessment is judged to have not been carried out to a suitable extent, the Duty Holder for the establishment can face up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine.No-one was injured in the blaze, which is not being treated as suspicious

Competency criteria for fire risk assessors released

2012-01-10T16:36:00.001Z

Competency criteria for fire risk assessors released
06 January 2012

A document setting out criteria against which the competence of a fire risk assessor can be assessed is now available.

Competency Criteria for Fire Risk Assessors, published by the cross-industry Fire Risk Assessment Council, sets out the criteria that could be used by professional bodies and third party certification bodies to register or certificate fire risk assessors, and by 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.

Under the criteria and other than in the case of simple, low risk premises, fire risk assessors would need to show “evidence of specialist training and experience, or membership of a professional body, or certification by a third party certification body.” They would need an appropriate knowledge of:
•The assessment of risk from fire (appendix A)
•Applicable legislation (appendix B)
•Appropriate guidance (appendix C)
•Behaviour of fire in premises (appendix D)
•Effects of fire on people and behaviour of people in fire situations (appendix E)
•Means of escape (appendix F)
•Fire prevention (appendix G)
•Fire protection (appendix H – includes passive and active)
•Management of fire safety (appendix I)

Such knowledge, the document says, can be obtained by academic study, training, working alongside others, short courses, continuing professional development or any combination of these.

“Some members of the business community have suggested that it would be helpful for those who want to use the services of a commercial fire risk assessor to be able to access information on those with an appropriate level of competency in fire risk assessment, to help them comply with the legislation,” says the foreword to the document.

“There has also been growing concern regarding the competence of those who provide these fire risk assessments on a commercial basis (i.e. for a fee). Data from the English fire and rescue service suggests that the main compliance failure leading to enforcement action is a failure by duty holders to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. This is coupled with the emergence of inadequate fire risk assessments for premises that have suffered multiple fatality fires.”

A companion document to help duty holders assess whether they can undertake fire risk assessments in-house or whether they should appoint an external specialist will be available shortly.

Fire Safety warning to the Licensed Trade

2012-01-10T16:24:00.002Z

Stakes high in playing with fire by Stuart Kelly

THE recent conclusions of the Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) into the Rosepark Care Home fire disaster in Lanarkshire gave a timely reminder to operators to ensure they are fully compliant with fire safety requirements.The Rosepark disaster saw 14 elderly patients killed and four others injured in the 2004 blaze.

However, as Sheriff Lockhart said in delivering the conclusions from the FAI, “the management of fire safety at Rosepark was systematically and seriously defective. The deficiencies in the management of fire safety at Rosepark contributed to the deaths”.As ever, it is important, to recognise and continually reassess your own responsibilities (and liabilities) under the relevant fire safety legislation to protect yourself, your customers, and your premises.The legislation for complying with fire safety requirements is outlined in the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and subsequent 2006 regulations.

While it appears that no prosecutions have taken place in Scotland under this particular legislation, in common with the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007, it seems possible that a prosecution following injury or death after a fire could be based on breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

The equivalent English legislation is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Although the wording of the Scottish legislation differs to the English, they have at their core the concept of the “responsible person” – the person who has “control of the premises”.In some cases there may be more than one “responsible person” in respect of a premises.

The English case of R v Masonvale Limited (2009) saw the prosecution of both the owner and manager of a pub following a fire, and both were convicted.The Crown in the case led evidence that the limited company owner was a “responsible person” for the following reasons:• they had been involved in renovation work carried out at the premises and still paid the business rates• they had carried out a fire risk assessment and management programme of their own, notwithstanding the fact that the pub manager (and co-accused) had taken over the management of the premises seven months before the fire.

Significantly, the limited company in that case was also convicted of a failure to communicate and cooperate with the pub manager regarding compliance, on an ongoing basis, with fire safety requirements. It is important to ensure that all parties involved coordinate their efforts.

There can be various legal relationships in any premises, for example between an owner and operator, or landlord and tenant. As mentioned earlier, the existence of such legal relationships – and the suggested transfer of certain responsibilities – can nevertheless still see both parties deemed legally responsible for any failings.

It would seem that, before prosecuting any matter, the Crown would consider the practicalities of the relationship in determining whether or not “control of responsibility” had been relinquished from one party to another. In doing so, they would consider the parties’ understanding of the relationship, but also the contractual documentation – such as leases – which underpin such.Using the landlord-tenant relationship as an example, it would be important for the landlord to consider the precise terms of a lease in respect of what fire safety obligations (if any) transfer from landlord to tenant.

If there is no contractual transfer of obligations, the landlord could be responsible for any breaches of the law.It can be assumed that if a tenant does not have knowledge of the fact that they have responsibility for undertaking fire safety assessments, they cannot be expected to follow up on them.However, tenants would be advised to make sure they know their own responsibilities; if assessments need to be carried out, how should this be done, and how often? A careful study of leases and contractual documentation is required.In some cases there may be more than one “responsible person”.

The importance of risk assessments, and following up on them, cannot be underestimated. A recent case in England saw a hotel in London require to pay £21,000 in fines having failed to act on an enforcement notice and on the actions required of it from its own assessments.If such assessments show that urgent actions are required, these should clearly be acted upon with urgency: the consequences of failing to do so could not only be significant for licences and your premises, but be tragic.

The Rosepark conclusions should remind all operators to consider their own fire safety responsibilities with due care, and act upon them.

• Stuart Kelly is a solicitor in Harper Macleod’s Food, Leisure and Hospitality Sector Group.

4'2" firefighter.GIRUY Gervais

2011-12-21T11:21:00.005Z

From WNI Fire:

Firefighter's lack of height is no barrier to his success:
Vince Brasco could be the world’s shortest firefighter at 4ft 2in - but his size is no barrier to doing his job.

Ready for action: Vince Brasco has not allowed his short stature to get in the way of his firefighting abilities (Picture: Barcroft Media)

Vince is 1.3m (4ft 2in) tall and has amazing strength that helps his fellow crew members.

The 19-year-old volunteer fighter has achondroplasia, a bone disorder that causes dwarfism.
‘I work out a lot, as much as I can down at my gym,’ Mr Brasco said.
‘It really helps on the job. You need to be strong.
‘Because I can lift so much I’m handy at salvage jobs where we have to move heavy bits of metal debris, like after car accidents.

The 19-year-old, from Pennsylvania, has been a volunteer firefighter for four years
‘And it means I can be part of the line of men using a hose. If you aren’t strong enough, it would fly out of control.’
Mr Brasco, who wears a specially made firefighter suit, has been a volunteer for four years.

He works in an electronics shop and hopes to pass an exam that would allow him to enter burning buildings.
‘I’ll never let having achondroplasia stop me from doing anything,’ said Mr Brasco, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Corporate and individual responsibility in Fire Safety in Scotland

2011-12-20T17:50:00.003Z

BRE Global highlights some important considerations for businesses and employers surrounding the Duty Holder. Passages changed to be applicable to Scotland.

In Scotland the responsibility for fire safety falls on the shoulders of a "Duty Holder", someone who has control, or a degree of control, over premises and fire-prevention systems within premises. They therefore also are responsible for the safety of everyone who might lawfully be on the premises at any time.

In Law a ‘person’ can be either an individual or an entity such as a limited company. This, along with the fact that there may also be several different responsible persons within one premises, has raised major issues concerning exactly who can be prosecuted for breaches of fire legislation. These issues are best explored by looking at a few of the recent cases detailed below.

Fire Legislation

The Legislation applies to most non-domestic premises and covers nearly every type of building, structure and open space such as:

- Offices and shops
- Factories and warehouses
- Sleeping accommodation, hotels, hostels and B&Bs.

The Fire and Rescue Service has the responsibility to enforce the Fire (Scotland) Act Part 3 2005 and The Fire Safety (Scotland) 2006 and to identify those persons who have responsibility for the fire safety provisions in specific premises. Current fire safety legislation gives Enforcement Officers the power to make enquiries, enabling them to identify the "Duty Holders" and direct enforcement action towards the correct person.

Duties of the Duty Holder(DH)

Put simply, the Duty Holder(or Duty Holders) must do their best to make sure everyone on the premises, or nearby, can escape safely if there is a fire and must pay particular attention to those who may need extra help or suffer a disability. A few of the other duties a Duty Holder must carry out are highlighted below:

· Carry out a fire risk assessment and identify possible hazards and risks.

· Ensure there are appropriate fire safety arrangements, fire safety policy and procedures.

· Provide adequate means of escape in the case of a fire such as sufficient and suitable fire exits; fire doors and compartments; signs, notices and emergency lighting.

· Regularly review all these procedures and amend if necessary.

· Ensure that premises and any protective measures are also subject to a suitable system of maintenance.

As well as the Duty Holders, legislation also imposes duties on other persons who have control over the premises and on those who maintain premises or facilities such as fire protection equipment; this will include landlords and managing agents.

As mentioned above, the Duty Holder must carry out, or appoint a suitable person to carry out, a sufficient fire risk assessment of the risks of fire to their employees and others who may be affected by their work or business.

A fire risk assessment is the foundation for all fire safety measures. It is used as a tool to help identify issues that require attention, and help plan ahead to protect staff and business. A fire risk assessment includes:

- Identifying possible fire hazards.
- Identifying people at risk.
- Reducing risks from these hazards to an acceptable level.
- Identifying what action you need to take to ensure the safety of people on the premises if a fire does break out.
- Reviewing and revising the assessment where necessary.

Competent Person

The level of ‘competency’ a person will have in regards to fire safety will vary with the nature and complexity of the premises. I t is accepted that for simple premises, the fire risk assessor need not possess any specific academic qualifications, but a more complex premises would probably need to be assessed by a person who has comprehensive training or experience in fire risk assessment, i.e. is ‘competent’ to carry out the fire risk assessment.

Under the draft Competency Criteria for Fire Risk Assessors, published earlier this year, 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.

Legislation

Very similar to the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, individuals may also face prosecution where a company is guilty, as a Duty Holder, for a breach of the Legislation and that breach is, ‘proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other similar officer.’

However, unlike health and safety prosecutions, the potential for harm if there were to be a fire maybe considered to be just as important as harm actually caused. The test is whether the potential for harm if there was to be a fire is adequately managed.

Selected Case Studies

Co-operative Group, 26 Apr 2010

The world's largest consumer-owned business, the Co-operative Group, was fined over £200,000 after pleading guilty in Southampton Crown Court to serious fire safety breaches at its store in Southampton.

The prosecution by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority took into account six breaches of fire safety under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The Co-Operative Group was fined £35,000 for each of the six offences and ordered to pay a total of £210,000, plus costs in excess of £28,000 to Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

Christopher Morris, 23 Dec 2010

A former retained firefighter who failed to maintain a fire alarm in a care home was fined £11,000 including costs in what is thought to be the first case of its kind.

Christopher Morris, 56, was fined £2,500 for each offence and £6,000 in costs for failing to maintain a fire alarm system at a care home in Trafford, Manchester to a recognised standard and failing to inform the owners of the home of the deficiencies in the system.

Morris is believed to be thefirst fire alarm engineer to be prosecuted as a responsible person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.(England & Wales only) At the previous hearing the bench at Trafford Magistrates Court decided it did not have sufficient powers to deal with the case and what they described as 'culpable neglect' by the defendant.

Lee Pemberton, 28 Oct 2011

A landlord and his property firm were ordered to pay more than £33,000 for breaching fire safety legislation.
Lee Pemberton, a director of PemCo Investments Ltd, pleaded guilty to seven offences relating to a property above a shop, in Lune Street, Preston.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service chiefs said Pemberton put residents at risk of death or serious injury if there had been a fire in the house of multiple occupants. The offences included failing to provide appropriate fire detectors and alarms; a lack of a suitable fire risk assessment and an unsuitable system of maintenance for the building.

Pemberton, who had already been prosecuted by the fire service for previous breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, was fined £1,000 for each offence at Preston Magistrates’ Court. He was also ordered to pay £500 costs.

PemCo was also fined £3,000 for each offence, totalling £21,000, and ordered to pay £5,520 costs.

Conclusion

From these cases it is possible to see that both companies and individuals are the subject of prosecutions. It is therefore critically important that all those who, either directly or indirectly, have some responsibility for fire safety in premises understand their duties, discharge these duties, can demonstrate that they have discharged these duties and where necessary have employed competent persons to assist them.

Working out who is responsible for fire safety..

2011-12-20T17:31:00.006Z

Fire Safety Legislation can be confusing. I hope this article helps unravel the mysteries.

Working out who is responsible for fire safety.

Want To Know More?

Misconceptions exist about fire safety responsibilities at work. Steve Morris, of Xact Training, has noticed a lack of understanding over the issue from his work with customers within the field, including employers, employees, risk assessors and the Fire Service.

Here Mr Morris answers some frequently-asked questions about where responsibility for fire safety in buildings lies:

What is the Duty Holder responsible for?

Generally, the employer ( Duty Holder) is responsible for the fire safety of all who are lawfully on or near the premises (Relevant Persons ). These include employees, visitors, contractors, members of the public and any person in the immediate vicinity, such as people walking past. Operational fire fighters at incidents are not included.

In multi-site organisations, head office may delegate managers to be Duty Holders at their branches. Or responsibility may be shared, for example, between branch manager, area manager or company secretary, depending on the extent of control each has. i.e. they must have the authority and funds at their disposal to resolve matters.

If the manager does not have the authority to arrange repairs to, say, a defective fire alarm, then responsibility falls on the person above him or her who does. Allocation of responsibility must be documented. Without appropriate documentation, the company secretary is responsible in a limited company.

Is it permissible for Duty Holders to designate aspects of their role to others?
Yes, the DH may nominate Competent Persons (CP). For instance, an DP may nominate others to assist as fire marshals or wardens with responsibility for evacuation; Or an engineer might be entrusted with ensuring the fire alarm is suitable.

The DH must ensure CPs have the ability to carry out their tasks i.e. they must be properly competent, trained and equipped. Please bear in mind that delegating tasks falling within the DH’s remit does not absolve a person from responsibility in law. It is down to the RP to put sufficient checks in place to ensure the delegated responsibilities are carried out correctly because, if CPs fail to carry out their tasks, the DH will normally be held responsible.

Do employees have responsibility?

Yes, employees must take reasonable care for the safety of themselves and others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work e.g. wedging open a fire door. Employees must receive training from the DH.

Who is responsible for fire safety in multi-occupied premises? This may be shared by several people.

The landlord/owner may be responsible for common areas with each occupier responsible for the areas they control. The fire alarm may be the sole responsibility of the landlord/owner if it is common to the entire premises. A tenancy agreement should identify who is responsible for each area of fire safety. All occupiers have a duty to take reasonable steps to co-operate and co-ordinate with each other.

If Occupier A does not co-operate with Occupier B, it does not absolve Occupier B from their fire safety responsibilities. They must take steps to ensure Relevant Persons in their part of the premises are safe.

Who is responsible for fire safety when there is no employer?

The person in control of the premises, e.g. the person paying the rent or the landlord/owner.

Who is responsible for fire safety in an unoccupied building?

This is normally the owner of the building.

For free advice call 01259 216713

Fire isk Assessments & Training Ltd

Cheese factory in Scotland gutted by fire

2011-12-08T16:11:00.002Z

08 Dec 2011 Fire Industry Assosciation

A cheese factory in Scotland has been destroyed after it was ravaged by fire earlier this week.Firefighters were called to Caithness Cheese Company building in the Highlands at around 6.40pm on Tuesday evening (6th December).

Fire crews from Dunbeath and Wick sporting breathing apparatus battled the blaze with hose-reel jets for around an hour before eventually bringing it under control at around 7.45pm.

A 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in Scotland under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005. If this fire risk assessment is judged to have not been carried out to a suitable extent, the Duty Holder for the establishment can face up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine.

The business, located in Occumster north of Lybster, was first established in 1993 as owners Sandy and Sandra Sutherland used milk from their small dairy herd to make their cheese.

M&S shoppers evacuated from fire-hit store

2011-11-25T16:11:00.002Z

From STV

Around 1000 shoppers were evacuated from the Marks & Spencer store in Aberdeen city centre after a fire. Fire crews were sent to the shop at the city's St Nicholas Centre at around 11.40am on Friday morning.They evacuated around 1000 customers and 200 staff while they investigated the source of the blaze.Crew spent around 40 minutes in the store before it was reopened to the public.

A fire service spokeswoman said two fire engines and an ariel appliance were sent to the scene. She said: "The fire was dealt with very quickly. There were no casualties or extensive fire spread." A Marks & Spencer spokeswoman said an investigation would now be launched into the cause of the blaze

Sprinklers save Scottish workshop

2011-11-25T14:47:00.000Z

From info4fire

The effectiveness of sprinklers in loss-prevention was underlined when a fire at a factory in Inverness-shire was successfully extinguished in 15 minutes.

The fire took place on the 1st November at around 07:45 when an Acetylene torch manifold failed in a timber processing factory.

The sprinkler system was quickly activated, bringing the fire under control within 15 minutes and leaving just 10% of the workshop damaged. The sprinkler also played a vital role in cooling the gas cylinder that supplied the torch, mitigating the danger of an explosion.

18 fire fighters from Highlands & Islands fire and rescue service attended the scene and continued to cool the cylinder until they were certain the danger was passed.

Ross Nixon of Highlands & Islands Fire and Rescue Service, passed the information on to the National Fire Sprinkler Network, a not for profit group who campaign for better use and development of sprinkler technology.

Last month we reported on a Government e-petition to enforce the installation of sprinklers in all new dwellings.

UK Govt scuppers Res Sprinkler plan

2011-11-25T14:46:00.001Z

From info4fire

Low cost sprinkler initiative ‘scuppered’ by localism agenda
23 November 2011

A low-cost and potentially life saving domestic sprinkler programme is under threat after the UK government has seemingly washed its hands of it.

The 'ultra-low cost' sprinkler initiative, launched in 2004 after BBC presenter and safety campaigner, Nick Ross, challenged the industry to come up with a low cost system based on one in use in New Zealand. The system uses domestic plumbing and does not meet the specification of more expensive systems installed to BS 9251, the code of practice for residential and domestic sprinkler systems.

The original programme envisaged the installation of pilot schemes in five or six fire authorities, which could then be used to provide a cost-benefit analysis comparing them to BS 9251 compliant installations.

Cleveland Fire and Rescue Service has installed 30 domestic sprinkler systems during 2011 with more planned. But the initiative looks like being stymied by lack of government support and water industry failure to accept the ultra low cost FPA design guide. The water industry’s objection is based on the claim that the guide does not satisfy Water Regulations Advisory Scheme criteria over the potential contamination of the mains by stagnant water in short piping ‘deadlegs’, variable mains pressure, and flow choke caused by water metres.

Critics of ultra-low cost systems say they are less reliable than pumped systems installed to recognised standards. But in response Nick Ross said:

“The system would not have been entirely reliable but the price point would have made up for the technical limitations. It is better to save 90% of fire victims with imperfect equipment which is almost universally applied than to save virtually none with 100% dependable automated fire suppression which is rarely installed.

“There have been other advances on sprinklers meanwhile, of course, not least the legislative progress in Wales and Scotland; but I remain deeply frustrated at how the sub-£600 project has been scuppered.”

In February this year, the government said it could not take the project any further as the pilot schemes had not been installed long enough in occupied homes to provide meaningful data. In an email seen by info4fire.com, an official at the Department for Communities and Local Government went on to say that if the fire safety sector wished to undertake more work on low cost sprinklers, they would have to do so themselves, as the government was “committed to localism...and overseeing a fundamental shift of power away from Westminster to those best placed to deliver outcomes”.

Meanwhile, there is a growing campaign aimed at persuading MPs to follow the lead of Wales and pass similar legislation to mandate sprinklers in all new English homes. The Building Regulations (Review) Bill would oblige the secretary of state to conduct a review and impact assessment of a requirement to install automatic fire suppression systems in new residential premises.

The bill, introduced in the Lords by Lord Harrison of Chester, is due for its second reading in the Commons this week. The bill is also backed by former Welsh Secretary Alun Michael MP, who has tabled an Early Day Motion on the subject in parliament.

New cigarette safety Regulations

2011-11-24T16:17:00.002Z

From FIA

New cigarette safety regulations are set to be implemented which could significantly reduce the number of house fires in the UK. The European Union regulations will require every cigarette sold across the continent to meet a reduced ignition propensity (RIP) requirement which will mean that the cigarette will go out if it is not actively smoked.

Councillor Susan Hall, chairperson of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority's community safety committee, labelled the move as a "watershed" moment in cigarette fire safety."Cigarette fires are a killer, destroying lives and properties across the country every day," she said."These new safety standards amount to an all-out attack on the single biggest cause of fire deaths in the country.

But people still need to take care. Never smoke in bed and always dispose of cigarettes carefully."Figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government revealed that around 2,800 fires in the UK were caused by smoking materials in 2008, leaving 101 people dead and 932 injured.The new cigarettes are forecast to prevent 1,800 fires, 67 fire deaths and 600 casualties a year in the UK.

Man rescued from Pub Fire

2011-11-24T16:14:00.001Z

From Fire Industry Association

A man had to be rescued by firefighters yesterday (17th November) after a blaze broke out in a pub in Cumbria.Barrow Fire and Rescue was called to the Black Dog Inn in Dalton-in-Furness at about 5am after a passer-by saw the building's roof was aflame.

Fire officers wearing breathing equipment found the worker asleep in his first-floor bedroom and led him to safety. He had no injuries and did not require treatment.The fire was brought under control at 6.30am and Broughton Road, on which the pub is located, was re-opened at 8.30am after being temporarily closed.

A 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in England and Wales, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.If the fire risk assessment is deemed to be carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person can face an unlimited fine or a maximum prison sentence of two years.

Fire hits secondary school in Leith

2011-11-24T16:04:00.002Z

4 Nov 2011. Thanks to Fire Industry Association.

A secondary school in Scotland has been damaged after a small fire broke out in the building yesterday (23rd November). Firefighters were called to Leith Academy in Edinburgh at around 8.30am just as the school day was beginning, reports STV Edinburgh. Officers found the blaze had been caused by an over-heated tumble dryer in the home economics department.

The fire was dealt with by isolating the power supply to the machine, according to a spokesperson for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service. One woman was treated for smoke inhalation but did not require hospital treatment.

A 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in Scotland under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005. If this fire risk assessment is judged to have not been carried out to a suitable extent, the Duty Holder for the establishment can face up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine.

Learn not to Burn. Fire Safety in the Home.

2011-11-20T16:55:00.001Z

This is a very good site aimed at Fire Safety in your Home. Go to: http://www.seecsyl.com./
and have a look. It was written by Arthur Herscovitch from Canada.

four die and 31 are injured in raging fire in nursing home.

2011-11-18T14:01:00.004Z

From Mail on Line & Info4Fire 18th November 2011: Bold and Italics are mine.

Police probe 'suspicious' blaze as four die and 31 are injured in raging fire at Sydney nursing home. Flames flared in two different parts of the building. Sniffer dogs were used to hunt for traces of gasoline. Rescued residents in beds lined the footpath.Firefighters had to crawl through thick black smoke to reach the Residents.

A fire which tore through a Sydney nursing home killing four elderly people and injuring 31 was today being treated as 'suspicious' by police.Homicide detectives and forensics officers are sifting through the charred and smouldering ruin of the home in the suburb of Quakers Hill. Sniffer dogs are being brought in to detect for any traces of gasoline. A blaze flared in two different parts of the building forcing 88 residents to be evacuated, many covered in soot. Several are in a serious condition suffering from burns and smoke inhalation.

The elderly and infirm who could not flee the fire were pulled, still in their beds, on to the pavement amid chaotic scenes.

Beds containing those elderly residents who had been rescued lined the pavement with frightened and confused old people being looked after by ambulance officers and police.

Firemen even hosed down some of the soot-covered residents as they lay outside in their beds.

Thirty-two were taken to eight hospitals suffering from smoke inhalation and some with burns - 14 of those are in intensive care, four with severe burns.

New South Wales Fire Commissioner Greg Mullins described the scene as 'chaotic' and 'tragic' as more than 100 fire crews, police and ambulance officers arrived at the home on Hambledon Road, just after 5am.

'This is a firefighter's worst nightmare,' Mr Mullins said. 'Turning up to a nursing home with elderly people who can't get themselves out of harm's way.

'Firefighters could not see their hands in front of their faces in the thick smoke so you can imagine what it was like for the elderly trying to escape.'

He said that firefighters had crawled into the building through the thick smoke, reaching up to feel into beds to establish if there was anyone there who they could rescue.

'Getting them out was like a military operation,' he said.

The wards at the back of the home, which is described on its website as providing a 'secure, friendly and home-style environment.' were completely gutted.

Relatives of the residents - some of whom are believed to be British-born - arrived at the scene, praying that their loved ones were among those rescued.

NSW fire Superintendent Rick Parkes said the dead victims were found in a six-room ward at the back of the building.

It was separated from the other parts of the single-storey home when a fire door came down to stop the blaze from spreading.

There was no sprinkler system in the nursing home as they are not required under state laws.

At first it was feared that 15 had died but a police officer later downgraded the number to 'less than 10'.

Freelance cameraman Adrian Munn, choking back tears at what he had witnessed, said: 'I saw only smoke when I arrived, billowing everywhere. One of the police officers grabbed me and asked me to get all the footage I could.'

'They wanted to get as much as they could for an ongoing investigation.'

He added: 'It's quite a thing down here. It is very, very, sad, seeing elderly people gasping for breath, moaning and crying for help. It was a heartrending scene.'

Firefighters reported flames shooting through the roof at one end of the building while another blaze was believed to have started in a bedroom.

NSW assistant police commissioner Robert Redfern confirmed the fire was being treated as 'suspicious' and revealed that homicide and arson squads had joined fire investigators and forensic officers at the scene.'

But he stressed that 'all fires such as this' were considered suspicious.

Detective Superintendent Michael Willing, from the homicide squad, said his detectives were involved because it was a 'complex investigation'.

He told the Sydney Morning Herald: 'It's going to take a long time to establish what has happened here.

'We treat all of these matters as suspicious until we can eliminate the possibility of that being suspicious.

'So at this point, we just don't know what we've got on our hands.'

It could be days or weeks until examination of the fire scene can be completed, he said, due to fears the building could collapse.

The Reverend Dave Hilliard, the senior state police chaplain, praised two young police officers who were among the first to enter the burning building and rescue residents.

"They're young and being asked to do some extraordinary things beyond their years," he said. "I'm blown away by them."

Families of victims are being cared for in the Quakers Hill Anglican Church by counsellors and chaplains from emergency services.

The fire is Sydney's worst since 16 residents died in a nursing home blaze in suburban Sylvania Heights in 1981.

This Fire is being treated as suspicious (Wilful Fire Raising) Whay kind of person could intentionally start a Fire In a ResidentialCare Home? This amounts to multiple murders and attempted murders. I hope they find the culprit quickly.

PLease visit our Blog and feel free to comment and stimulate debate on Fire Safety issues.

2011-11-16T13:14:00.002Z

If you are reading this, you have already shown an interest in an article or a comment made via Twitter or our Facebook page.

Please feel free to browse our past articles and leave comments if you wish. Let us stimulate debate for the benifit of Fire Safety in Scotland (in particular but also in the wider Fire Industry.)

Looking forward to your debates on here.

Getting inside the minds of young firesetters.

2011-11-16T13:03:00.003Z

Getting inside the minds of young firesetters. From Daily Bullietin California.
Should we be doing more in Scotland to understand our youth who feel it is ok to set fires?

Interesting Research in the USA.

The quiet 6-year-old girl who shared a cramped bedroom with four other peple did not match the definition of a firesetter.But when she was brought to an occupational therapist at Loma Linda University, her drawings showed there was something much deeper going on inside her head.The girl shared through art that she was frustrated with her living conditions - an overcrowded home filled with siblings, cousins and parents - and a bedroom so crowded that four beds lined the walls and barricaded the door, blocking them in at night.

The girl told her therapist, "If I could burn the house, if I could burn the room, my parents would have to get a new house.""The thinking builds up and triggers," said Praveen Injeti, an occupational therapist at Loma Linda University Medical Center. "She didn't do anything about it but she was looking for something to control."Injeti was using the young girl as an example during a two-day conference held at the Double Tree Hotel in Ontario that focused on juvenile arson.

Therapists, along with doctors, nurses, firefighters, police officers and prosecutors, met inside a conference room Wednesday and Thursday to discuss the problem of teens - or younger - setting fires.Topics included the role of fire service and mental health professionals, interpretation of children's drawings, child-related fires in school, interviewing tips and the discussion of a pathological firesetter versus a curious one.

"This year, the conference focused on the mental health of juvenile firesetters," said James Floros, executive director and CEO of the San Diego-based Burn Institute, one of the sponsors of the conference.Firesetting is usually a symptom of a larger program."The majority of kids are good, normal kids who don't know the danger (of firesetting). But other kids have psychological problems that they don't know how to deal with. And it really is a mental health problem."Anger and rage.

A number of Injeti's clients associate fire with anger and rage.He showed a self-portrait of a girl who had colored the top of her hair red and the rest of it blue. The girl told Injeti that the red portion of her hair represented rage and when she gets angry, she heats up.Another patient, who was a firesetter, defined fire as protection."He said, `with fire, you can take away the hurt completely and it doesn't come back again,"' Injeti told the room.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, juvenile arson and youth-set fires result in more than 300 deaths and 2,000 injuries as well as $300 million in property damage and more than 400,000 incidents annually.Younger children tend to play with fire at home and in a bedroom, where a lot of things can catch fire, said Mimi Kang, who has master's degrees in child development and clinical mental health counseling. Older children often play with fire outside, in vacant areas."Children are under the impression they can control the fires they set," she said during the conference. "And parents underestimate children's knowledge of using matches and lighters.

"It's really important to know why (children) play with fire. It can help parents prevent future fires."Pathological vs. curiousProfessionals must first determine if the juvenile fire setter is a pathological or curious one.Sixty percent of juveniles are non-pathological fire setters, said Kenneth Fineman, a board certified psychologist.Fineman said he tries to determine whether the juvenile will set more fires and if that person will be responsive to treatment.If the suspect is deemed experimental or curious - determined by a lack of understanding of the destructive potential of fire, access to lighters, matches, or open flame unsupervised - then Fineman advises to "give him some fire education and send him home," he said.It's the other 40 percent Fineman worries about.

Experts say pathologically motivated firesetting describes a severely disturbed juvenile, including those who are actively psychotic, acutely paranoid or delusional, or youth who have lived in chronically disturbed and bizarre environments."If a person is getting a rush from firesetting, we gotta know about it... and we gotta worry about it," he said.But do not be quick to categorize, Fineman said, because the myths like race, age or intelligence are not necessarily true when it comes to firesetting."The not smart ones get caught, he said. "The ones who are bright get away with a lot of firesetting.Yucaipa firesetterOn the surface 16-year-old Ricky Sean Lukacs, who admitted to setting a number fires in 2009 in the the Yucaipa that scorched more than 2,400 acres combined, didn't fit the stereotype either.

The Yucaipa resident had a 4.2 GPA in high school and was taking additional classes at Crafton Hills College twice a week. He had no criminal history and was liked by his teachers, said San Bernardino County Sheriff's Detective Holly Liepert, who worked the case.But looking deeper, there were signs of distress. He didn't have a lot of friends, his father was out of the picture, and his mother worked three jobs to make ends meet, Liepert said.In addition to being intelligent, the boy seemed to be interested in fire and had a fascination with weather."We believe his intellectual level helped him use weather to make fires so grand and cause so much damage," Liepert said.Ricky Sean Lukacs admitted to starting the fires, she said, and his list came to 13 blazes that dated back to 2007."He just used the lighter and put it directly onto the brush to burn, which just took off," Liepert said.

It was later determined that the fires he set caused just under $10 million worth of damage."These fires just devastated the area," Liepert said.Cases like these are what encourages Floros to continue with the annual Juvenile Firesetter Conference."It is widely accepted that juvenile firesetting is the fastest growing fire threat in the U.S.," he said. "Firesetting is a problem anywhere, but firesetting in Southern California, with the dry brush conditions and Santa Ana winds, is a recipe for disaster."

2011-11-16T12:58:00.000Z

See a house fire from a Firefighters perspective. From The Sun:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/3895246/Firefight-film-highlights-br-burning-citys-plight.html

A FIREFIGHTER is tackling a burning house in a trail-blazing documentary about their battle to save their city from going up in smoke.The film shows the full terror of a house fire from inches away — shot using HD helmet cameras.The two filmmakers behind BURN are hoping to highlight the plight of crumbling Detroit, where fires are commonplace due to bad wiring and disrepair.Video: Watch blaze from a fireman's eyesDETROIT heroes film inferno on helmet cam for new documentary Burn.

Ipod Nano Fire Risk Check Model here

2011-11-16T12:40:00.003Z

From FIA:

Apple recalls old iPod Nanos which pose fire risk. 16th Nov 2011.

Apple has begun recalling old iPod Nanos after it was revealed that some of the devices can pose a fire safety risk.The technology giant has urged users of the first-generation devices - sold between September 2005 and December 2006 - to hand in the portable music player for a free replacement.
A batch of the slimline iPod Nanos are thought to contain batteries which can overheat after long periods of use, with Japanese reports linking the defective products to six fires. The company said in a statement: "This issue has been traced to a single battery supplier that produced batteries with a manufacturing defect."While the possibility of an incident is rare, the likelihood increases as the battery ages.
The recall could come at a significant cost to Apple as the company sold more than 60 million iPods from September 2005 until December 2006, although the firm has not revealed how many of those were the nano.

Visit https://supportform.apple.com/201110/ and enter your iPod's serial number to order a replacement.

Some Sony TV's a Fire Hazard. Check your model here.

2011-11-16T12:33:00.001Z

From FIA:
Sony TV fire warning issued11 Nov 2011Sony television owners have been warned that a number of models are a potential fire hazard.The electronics giant has revealed that a small amount of 40-inch Bravia LCD TV devices, which have been available in Europe since June 2007, could be faulty.
The affected models contain a defective component which can potentially over-heat and catch alight to melt the upper casing of the television. Jackie Boyle, community fire safety officer for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, told the West Sussex County Times that anyone who owns a Sony Bravia TV should check to ensure it isn't on the list of potentially faulty models.She said: "If you do own one of the affected models and you notice any abnormality, for example an unusual noise, smell or smoking then turn it off immediately, unplug the power cable and stop using the TV."
We also urge everyone to make sure they have a smoke alarm on every floor of their home and test them weekly.

The affected models are the: KDL-40D3400, KDL-40D3500, KDL-40D3550, KDL-40D3660, KDL-40V3000, KDL-40W3000, KDL-40X3000, KDL-40X3500 and the KDL-40Z3000.

Who needs smoke detection when you can hear voices?

2011-11-16T11:43:00.004Z

Amazing what you find on the Internet. Without being flipant, who needs smoke detection when you can hear voices?

Go To:

http://www.godvine.com/11-Year-Old-Boy-Hears-a-Voice-That-Saves-his-Entire-Family-799.html

Or copy and paste into your address bar.

No further comment from me but you can feel free..............

Pensioner to the rescue -Chip pan fire

2011-11-14T16:07:00.001Z

'Sheila prevented chip pan fire from devastating neighbour's home'

From Grimsby Telegraph:

A FIREMAN has commended the heroics of a 65-year-old lady who put out a chip pan fire just "moments away" from engulfing a whole kitchen.

Sheila Blunden, of William Street, Cleethorpes, went to the aid of her neighbour, when the panicked teenager knocked on her door and revealed he was struggling to deal with a chip pan fire.

Without wasting a second, she told her neighbour – who did not wish to be named – to call the fire brigade and rushed to his kitchen to check out the blaze.

The smoke was thick, making it difficult to breath, and flames from the pan were 2ft high, blocking the route to the sink.

Mrs Blunden told her neighbour to run upstairs, soak a bath towel and bring it downstairs, which he did.

She placed it over the pan, which extinguished the fire, minutes before the arrival of two fire crews, who had receiving the call at Peak's Lane five minutes earlier.

Watch manager Niel Knight, who attended the incident on Wednesday, November 2, said: "Her actions prevented a bad situation from becoming devastating to the family concerned.

"The fire was a moment away from engulfing the whole kitchen and could have had an effect on the whole house.

"Had she not acted so effectively, the outcome could have been very different.

"It must have been quite frightening, but she was brave and very careful in the way she dealt with it."

Mrs Blunden was "proud" to receive Mr Knight's commendation, but said she didn't even think about what she was doing at the time. She said: "I just acted in the spur of the moment.

"There isn't chance to think – you just get on with it.

"The flames were 2ft high and there was black smoke all over the place.

"It made me realise just how quickly something like that can spread."

Mrs Blunden, who is divorced and lives with her dog Jack, added: "I was just glad I could help and I am quite sure any of my neighbours would do the same for me."

Although Mrs Blunden dealt with the situation very well, Humberside Fire And Rescue usually recommend that you do not extinguish chip pan fires yourself, giving these top tips:

Turn off the heat if it is safe to do so.

Get out and stay out.

Call the fire service.

Never leave chip pans unattended.

Regularly test smoke alarms.

Mr Knight said: "In this case, the fire was dealt with safely and no one came to any harm, but in the past, people have been burnt moving a flaming chip pan or throwing water on it."

2011-11-14T16:01:00.001Z

From BNO News:

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) — Three crew members were killed on Friday when a fire extinguisher exploded aboard a ship in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, local media reported. Several others were injured.The incident occurred at the shipyard of PT Pulau Kuda Laut in North Jakarta when a fire extinguisher located in the engine room of the MV Melinium exploded while a number of crew members were working in the area, the Antara news agency reported.The report said three people, who were identified as Johan, Niko and Eko, were killed as a result of the explosion. Two other crew members who rushed to the engine room to help the victims suffered from smoke poisoning and were taken to Sukmul hospital.“All of a sudden, I heard the loud sound of an explosion coming from the engine room,” a crew member told Antara. It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion, and Antara said police detectives had launched an investigation.

We will have to keep an eye out for the findingsof this investigation. Not alot of information here not even the type of extinguisher.

Will you be using candles this Festive Season? Read this.

2011-11-14T15:55:00.002Z

Will you be using candles this Festive Season?

From Mercury News:

With over 50 fires started by candles every day, the service wants everyone to take extra care with candles this winter. Between October and February candle-related house fires rise sharply, peaking at more than double the summer average in December. From September to October last year, DSFRS recorded 38 fires caused by candles, 33 of them accidental.

Important steps to ensure people’s safety include making sure candles are kept away from flammable materials like curtains and putting them out when you leave the room, even for a moment. “Candles are a typical sight in many homes, scenting our rooms and giving an atmospheric glow to cold winter nights.“But it’s important to remember that a candle is not just another piece of furniture.“Left unattended, an open flame scenting your home could leave a trail of devastation.

“Over 50 fires are started by candles every day – make sure you don’t join the statistic.“Place your lit candles with extra care, away from curtains, pets and children and always remember to put them out when you leave the room, even for a moment.“Even with these precautions it’s vital to be prepared should the worst happen.“A working smoke alarm can give you the vital time you need to get out, stay out and call 999.

“Keep yourself and your loved ones safe by testing your alarm regularly and practice your escape routes.

Third-party Certification to support Fire Risk Management

2011-11-04T17:48:00.003Z

From FPA/IFE Fire Risk Management Journal:

Industry debates role of third-party certification to support risk management

A cross-industry group of leading fire industry figures is debating how to better encourage the use of third-party certification in all areas of fire safety, and to promote higher levels of compliance with UK legislation.

The think-tank, which also includes three MPs, argues that more robust information is needed to help bring clarity to the risk process. In particular, it says that fresh guidance should be introduced to support the Fire Safety Order in England and Wales, the accreditation of fire safety management in a building, and the certification of whole buildings.

Jonathan O’Neill, head of the Fire Protection Association (FPA), said: ‘The current hands-off approach to building regulations – with no mandatory testing of building systems and products – is quite disturbing.

‘As an industry, we are fragmented, and if we can create clearer guidance for the responsible person it would be much better and would provide a statutory defence in law, should it be needed. We have to educate and get the responsible people on side to reduce the risk.’

Discussing third-party certification and moves towards a national scheme, Chris Hughes of Exova Warringtonfire, which sponsored the meeting, said: ‘Products are tested independently, but then they are only as good as the person installing it. The end-user relies on these people being good at what they do – but how are they to find them?’

The debate included representatives from Government, the Association of British Insurers, the FPA, the Association of Specialist Fire Protection, the Chief Fire Officers Association and Local Authority Building Control, as well as Shadow Fire Minister, Chris Williamson, All-Party Parliamentary Fire Safety Group chair, Roger Williams, and former Fire Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick.

Participants agreed to explore ways of further developing voluntary guidance for the responsible person, which could be developed as a form of building management guidance in the longer term. A summary of discussions and action points will be circulated to a wider audience.

Woman seriously injured in firework attack

2011-11-04T17:40:00.002Z

From @LBFire

A timely reminder. Play safely with Fireworks. Do not throw them at people. Should you have to be told this?

Woman seriously injured in firework attack.
The woman's eye was injured in the attackAN ELDERY woman had her eye damaged after yobs threw a firework at her as she waited at a bus stop.The 66-year-old woman was waiting on Lochgelly Roadin Lumphinnans at around 6.40pm on Wednesday night when the passenger in a moving car hurled a banger at her.Police say the woman was lucky not to lose her eye and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.PC Stewart Kinnell, who is leading the enquiry, said “A 66yr old pensioner, innocently waiting in a bus shelter, was injured on Wednesday night through the thoughtless actions of a passenger in a vehicle, who whilst passing, threw a ‘banger’ firework into the shelter. The vehicle which approached from Lochgelly continued on toward Cowdenbeath.“The ‘banger’ exploded leading to her suffering injury to her left eye which required hospital treatment. This was a highly irresponsible thing to do and it is fortunate that the woman did not lose the sight in her eye.“I would appeal to any person who was in the area at the time of this offence or who may have experienced something similar which could help with this enquiry to call us on 0845 600 5702 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0845 600 5702 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0800 555 111 end_of_the_skype_highlighting where all calls are treated anonymously.”

Landlord pleads guilty to breaching fire laws. £21k fine

2011-11-04T17:39:00.001Z

From Info4fire

Landlord pleads guilty to breaching fire laws
28 October 2011

A landlord and his property firm have been ordered to pay more than £33,000 for breaching fire safety legislation.

Lee Pemberton, a director of PemCo Investments Ltd, pleaded guilty to seven offences relating to a property above a shop, in Lune Street, Preston.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service chiefs said Pemberton put residents at risk of death or serious injury if there had been a fire in the house of multiple occupants.

The offences included failing to provide appropriate fire detectors and alarms; a lack of a suitable fire risk assessment; inadequate fire separation between the basement and the access staircase; a lack of fire safety measures; failing to maintain adequate fire separation between the first and second floors; an unsuitable system of maintenance for the building; and failing to comply with other responsible people to comply with the requirements of prohibitions placed on him.

Pemberton, who had already been prosecuted by the fire service for previous breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, was fined £1,000 for each offence at Preston Magistrates’ Court. He was also ordered to pay £500 costs.

PemCo was fined £3,000 for each offence, totalling £21,000, and ordered to pay £5,520 costs.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service fire safety officer, John Hampson, said: “While we will always work with those willing to address fire safety issues, where unnecessary risks are being taken or management responsibilities flouted, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action.”

Scotland – Blooming Wonderful Approach to False Alarms!

2011-11-02T17:58:00.001Z

By Graham Ellicott, FIA CEO

O Flower of Scotland,

When will we see your like again

The above are the first two lines of the unofficial Scottish anthem. Unlike many ‘anthems’ it’s not very old, indeed the lyric was written in 1967 by Roy Williamson of the Corries and thus befits the forward looking view of this proud nation in general.

But why am I writing about 40+ year old folk songs? Well, yesterday the FIA in conjunction with CFOA Scotland, participated in a ‘False Alarm Management Workshop’ at the Strathclyde Fire and Rescue HQ in Hamilton.

The event was well attended by representatives from the Fire and Rescue and the fire trade, and the refreshing thing for me was the positive approach from all present. For example, all of the workshop participants emphasised the benefits of having a consistent approach to the treatment of false alarms.

Plus there is no intention from Scottish Fire and Rescue Services to deny attendance to premises on the receipt of an unconfirmed signal passed on by an Alarm Receiving Centre. This is in direct contrast to the English brigades who have a disparate approach to false alarms.

In addition, some English Brigades (for example Warwickshire, West Midlands, Essex and Royal Berkshire) are denying attendance to automatic fire signals if they are not confirmed and I can’t help thinking that if this situation continues that we have a disaster waiting to happen.

Not only could people die but in the event of a major commercial fire businesses could go to the wall and jobs be lost !

The last lines of each verse of Flower of Scotland are:

And stood against him,

Proud Edward’s army,

And sent him homeward

To think again

The King Edward referred to in the lyrics is the one defeated at the battle of Bannockburn in 1314 by Robert the Bruce. The English Brigades would be well advised to think again with regard to their approach to the false alarm situation and heed the approach from, in my opinion, their better informed Scottish counterparts!

Oh Graham. You will be ostracised by your English colleauges for this.

2011-11-01T16:17:00.001Z

Would YOU give CPR to a pit bull? By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

If you saw two pit bulls struggling to breathe would you feel happy giving them CPR?

That’s exactly what Chicago firefighter Tammy Rodriguez did as she rescued two dogs from a house fire and resuscitated them both using CPR and applying oxygen.

Ms Rodriguez was in a fire team rescuing two pet pit bulls, Howdy and Hossa, from a blaze in Bucktown, Illinois, on Friday - and her quick thinking saved the lives of both.

Alive: Howdy the dog was saved by Chicago firefighter Tammy Rodriguez, who resuscitated her after a house fire using CPR and applying oxygen

Howdy, an adult dog, and Hossa, a puppy, were in the rear porch of a burning three-flat block where their owner, Jorden Grennan, lives. She was at work when the fire started.

One of Ms Rodriguez’s colleagues carried Howdy to her outside the fire. One of the dogs was critically injured and the other was in cardiac arrest.

‘(The dog) was completely out,’ Mrs Rodriguez, a 19-year fire service veteran, told CBS Chicago. ‘And we just started putting the mask (on) and giving it straight oxygen.

Ms Rodriguez was in a firefighting team rescuing two pet dogs from a fire in Bucktown, Illinois, on Friday - and her quick thinking saved the lives of both

‘I started performing CPR, and for a while there it wasn’t reacting, but I think just the positive pressure of oxygen made it start breathing, which was exciting.

‘All of a sudden she started opening her eyes and we’re like “Oh, my God” - and then she got up.’

Howdy has already made a public appearance at a press conference, but Hossa was kept in overnight at a veterinary centre.

Mrs Rodriguez said she 'started CPR, and for a while there it wasn't reacting, but I think just the positive pressure of oxygen made it start breathing'

The cause of the blaze, which did not injure anyone, is being investigated.

Ms Rodriguez - a trained emergency medical technician - said she owns three dogs who are 'part of her family' and was just doing her job.

'She rescued two dogs, performed CPR on them and brought both of them back to life,' a fire service spokesman said.

No big deal. Many a Firefighter has kissed many a dog.

Fireman spends £27,000 on business flights

2011-11-01T16:14:00.001Z

Fireman spends £27,000 on business flights. Austerity measures?

A council has apologised after a single fire officer spent £27,000 in two years on business class flights.8:35AM BST 28 Oct 2011Figures obtained by the Taxpayers' Alliance revealed that Lincolnshire County Council spent more than £42,000 on overseas flights for its officers between April 2009 and March 2011.
Of this, £26,768 related to former chief fire officer Mike Thomas, who took trips to the US, Canada, Japan and New Zealand to attend search and rescue training programmes on business class tickets - then charged them back to the council.

Yesterday (THURS) Tony McArdle, council chief executive, admitted mistakes had been made and steps had been taken to address them.He said: "Around 75 per cent of these flights were booked by Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue. The majority were for one individual in his work with groups aiming to improve firefighter safety at an international level."Regrettably, one senior fire and rescue officer often travelled at business class, contrary to the council's rules.

Forth Valley College gear up for Evacuation

2011-11-01T16:06:00.000Z

From Means of Escape:

The entire campus network of Forth Valley College, Scotland’s fifth largest college, is now fitted with specialist evacuation chairs to provide a safer escape for students and staff with mobility problems in an emergency (the Falkirk campus specifically has benefitted from this development)
The evacuation chairs have been installed by Evac+Chair International in all four of the campus venues at Forth Valley College in Alloa, Falkirk, Raploch and Stirling.

Fiona Duff, Health and Safety Co-ordinator at Forth Valley College, said: “The installation of evacuation chairs has been an important addition to our existing approach to emergency evacuation and training. Providing personalised support for students and staff with mobility problems is crucial, not only in terms of accessibility, but also with regards to complying with necessary legislation.”

The college’s personalised emergency evacuation plans incorporate thorough training, drills and consultation ensuring the newly-fitted chairs serve their purpose in the event of an urgent situation.

Forth Valley College’s Health and Safety Department has taken part in a Key Trainer Masterclass© from Evac+Chair which trains staff to a higher level allowing participants to pass on their newly-developed skills to educate others. This approach goes a long way towards ensuring large numbers of people are trained in the chair’s use, ensuring procedures are properly retained.

2011-11-01T16:03:00.002Z

From Means of Escape:

Is your electric blanket safe?As we are coming into the winter months and the temperature drops, many people are getting their electric blankets out to keep them warm throughout the night. Unfortunately though, there have been a lot of incidents over the past couple of months concerning electric blankets and authorities are now warning us of the hazards these blankets can bring us. News feeds are riddled with unfortunate events started by our warm comfy friend and it looks like these blankets could be an accident waiting to happen.

“A five-month-old baby has been taken to hospital after a fire broke out in a bedroom of a house in Edinburgh, caused by a faulty electric blanket.” BBC“A man from Gloucestershire has died in a fire thought to have been caused by a faulty electric blanket.” BBCCurrent research by Fire & Rescue Services show us that each year 20 people are killed and over 250 injured in electric blanket fires.

Faulty blankets cause more than 1000 house fires a year. The combination of heat, electricity and flammable material (usually your bedding) and a sleeping occupant does immediately not sound like a good mix. There is a major risk of an electrical fire starting here and what makes matters worse it the fact the over 50% of the time the occupant will be asleep. No wonder it is a growing concern for fire safety officials across Britain.Electric blankets require monitoring. Fire Safety requires monitoring. As a whole it is a manageable process and is well worth the little time it will take you to check.

As a fire safety consultancy that deals primarily with fire safety in the workplace we do believe that fire safety should begin in your home. Checking your fire alarm/smoke alarm, windows, and escape routes is all part of the management of fire safety. It is the life saver on which you will turn to in the event of a fire.

A fire is devastating and is just not worth it.Type in “Electric Blanket Safety Advice” into your search engine. Go to a reliable source and take the advice given to check your electric blanket. As 99% of electric blanket fires are started by blankets that are over 10 years old, I say to those, go and treat yourselves to a new one. The advice is simple and you can check it yourselves or if you don’t feel comfortable doing so, there are plenty of services that will check it out for you. It will be even comfier knowing that you are safe.

A note: Just as I was writing this article a news item popped through my RSS Feed “Elderly woman hurt in fire caused by electric blanket”

2011-10-26T15:58:00.001+01:00

From BBC:

26 October 2011 Last updated at 13:32

Scottish data reveals alcohol and drug fire link

There were 47 fire-related deaths in Scotland in 2010-11
Alcohol or drugs were a factor in at least one in six accidental house fires in Scotland over the past year, according to government figures.

In 2010-11, they were suspected to have contributed to 835 of the 5,254
accidental fires, and caused 11 deaths. Of the 38 accidental house fire deaths, 15 were thought to have been caused by blazes started by smokers' materials.
The detailed figures were revealed after headline statistics in June showed
an overall fall in fire deaths. The earlier report showed there had been a total of 47 deaths caused by fires last year.

This was a fall of 12 on the revised figure for 2009-10, and the second
lowest level in a decade.The total number of fires in Scotland was 38,927 in 2010-11.
The latest figures also showed that of the 47 deaths caused by fires, 33 of
the victims were male.

Of the 945 house fires which resulted in non-fatal casualties, 515 were
caused by cooking appliances.

Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham said the government would
continue to monitor alcohol and drug links to house fires.
She said: '''We all want our communities to be safe from fire, especially as
we prepare to enter the festive period.

''The Scottish government and fire services continue to work hard educating
people about the dangers of fire, and the most important message we can give is
not to be complacent and always be on your guard.
"We also urge you to get a smoke alarm and check it regularly to ensure it is
in working order. Alarms really do save lives.''

golf club management - Playing_with_fire

2011-10-26T14:32:00.003+01:00

A good article from the FIA regarding Wilful Fire Raising in Sports Premises and how to mitigate the problem.

EARLIER THIS YEAR Golf Club Management published an article by Fire IndustryAssociation (FIA) CEO,Graham Ellicott, to discuss the problem of arson to sports’ facilities. and in particular, golf clubs. He noted the suspicious fire in May 2011 that destroyed the clubhouse at Tilgate Forest Golf Centre, West Sussex. More recently, in September, Hirst Priory Golf Club in Belton suffered from a fire involving a deep fat fryer. The Doncaster Free Press reported that staff at the venue used two dry powder extinguishers to tackle the flames prior to the arrival of the fire and rescue service. Once they arrived at the incident, firefighters from both the Epworth and Crowlefire stations used breathing apparatus, a dry powder extinguisher and a fireblanket to put out the blaze. Better using a Wet Chemical type extinguisher for this type of fire.

No one was injured in the fire but there was smoke damageto the kitchen and bar area of the golf club. Worryingly, statistics show that 80 per cent of businesses that suffer a serious fire are forced to shut down within18 months. Earlier this year the FIA carried out a nationwide survey which revealed that UK employers are potentially putting their employees’ lives at risk by cutting back on fire safety in the current economic climate. Almost a fifth of bosses asked admitted to revising fire safety procedures in the current economic climate,such as delaying maintenance checks of fire safety equipment, reducing staff training or delaying updating their fire risk assessments.

This is particularly disappointing information as 20 per cent of them have already had a fire in their premises! Besides the risks of arson or accidental fire, in England and Wales fire law emphasises fire prevention and reducing risk, which is the duty of the ‘responsible person’. Scottish law refers to the ‘duty holder’, in Northern Ireland it is the‘appropriate person’ but throughout the UK the person typically responsiblefor fire safety in commercial premises is the owner /employer, but it can be anyone with some control over the premises. An enforcing authority,usually the Fire and Rescue Service, may apply alteration, enforcement or prohibition notices if they are not satisfied with the safety measures.

Notices advise any safety improvements required and may even close the building until sufficient measures are in place.Penalties for breaches offire safety legislation caninclude heavy fines or imprisonment of the‘responsible person’. The size of penalty is not affected by the size of the company; it is based on the severity of breach. Therefore, the person responsible for fire safety must manage a variety of tasks including fire risk assessments, general fireprecautions such as fire detection, alarm systems and fire equipment, fire safety policy and procedures, and arranging for suitable means of escape including signs,notices and emergencylighting.

Ultimately, the ‘responsible person’ should make sure that all fire safety equipment is properly maintained and tha tstaff have had fire training(fire drills and evacuations). The ‘responsible person’ may appoint others to undertake these duties but they remain legally responsible.

The fundamental starting point to managing the fire safety of premises is the fire risk assessment and there are five key steps that should be followed:

1. Identify fire hazards –including sources of ignition, fuel and oxygen; the components of fire
2. Identify people at risk –people using the premises and any others especially at risk
3. Evaluate and remove hazards; reduce the risk and protect people
4. Record, plan, inform,instruct and train –record major findings and actions taken
5. Review the fire risk assessment regularlyand change where necessary.

The risk assessment should identify the range of protective measures appropriate to the premises and its usage. The following should need consideration:

STRUCTURAL AND PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION
Structural and passive fire protection refers to parts of a building providing inherent fire safety and protection through structural stability, fire separation and compartmentation.

MEANS OF ESCAPE, EMERGENCY ESCAPE LIGHTING, SIGNS AND NOTICES
There must be an adequate means of escape with appropriate signage and lighting for people to quickly and safely escape, avoiding the fire. An emergency fire action plan should be tailored to suit the premises and will ensure that people on the premises know what to do in the event of afire. These plans and records will need regular review to ensure that any change to the building or its use is properly accounted for.

FIRE DETECTION AND WARNING SYSTEMS
The fire detection and alarm system will alert people to a fire allowing them to escape before they become trapped. Different types of fire detectors are suitable for different parts of the premises, allowing a suitable balance to be made between sensitive early warning and the avoidance of false alarms.

FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT INCLUDING PORTABLE OR FIXED EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
Many buildings will require fire fighting equipment such as portable fire extinguishers, allowing people to tackle a small fire. Again, a range of equipment is available including fire blankets, portable fire extinguishers and kitchen fire suppression systems.

The risk assessment should identify what is an appropriate and suitable application to minimise the risk in a particular building.

RECORDING, PLANNING,INFORMING,INSTRUCTING AND TRAINING
A vital part of implementing a fire safety strategy is the keeping of records and training of staff. Records wil lidentify possible hazards and what has been done to reduce the risks, which can be produced to the Fire and Rescue Service, if required.

Training will include general staff awareness of the fire alarm procedures but some staff will also be trained to ensure the maintenance and regular testing of fire protection and alarm equipment.

Fire Marshals/Fire Wardens will be trained when it is appropriate for the safe use of fire fighting equipment so that they are able to limit the effect of a small fire.

Most of the people responsible for fire safety who were interviewed in the FIA survey admitted to not fully understanding the penalties of not adhering to fire law. Insurers are paying out approximately £4 million per day for fire losses where buildings and assets are insured. But the real fire loss figure is undoubtedly higher when you consider the loss to the local community.

When implementing fire precautions, the FIA recommends the specification and use of companies that are third party certificated. These schemes ensure that the products, systems and services provided by a company are fit for purpose, so that the ‘Duty Holder’ can be confident that they have fulfilled their duty and have provided adequate fire safety for their premises.

With the aim of trying to help businesses become more fire safe, the FIA has produced a Best Practice Guideto help the responsible person get to grips with their fire safety duties. It is free to download from the FIA website; www.fia.co.uk see the ‘ResponsiblePersons’ area.

The FIA is a not-for-profit trade association which promotes professional standards in the UK fire safety industry.

X Factor house faces closure due to fire safety breaches

2011-10-26T14:27:00.000+01:00

From FIA:

20 Oct 2011
X Factor contestants may be forced to move premises today (October 20th) after it was revealed that their shared house breaches fire safety regulations.
The Mirror has reported that the building recently failed a fire safety inspection and could face closure if inspectors deem the property to be unsafe.
In previous years, the house has been considered a residential property and the owner did not therefore have to carry out a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment - as is required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
However, it is now a commercial building and must satisfy strict fire safety criteria, otherwise the Responsible Person can face an unlimited fine or a maximum prison sentence of two years.
A source told the newspaper: "The place is a total tip, with all the fire escapes cluttered up and a lack of proper signs indicating proper exits.
"Bosses went ballistic and pledged to get things sorted for the next visit."

Sorry for the lack of news.

2011-10-26T14:24:00.002+01:00

I have been on holiday, then I became unwell whilst on holiday and am now just getting back to my usual fantastic fitness level. ;-)

So apologies for the lack of information on here.

Two dead as blaze forces passengers to flee ship

2011-09-30T13:52:00.002+01:00

Two dead as blaze forces passengers to flee ship - info4fire September 2011

More than 200 passengers had to be evacuated from a cruise ship after an intense fire killed two crew members and injured a dozen other people.

The MS Nordlys was off the coast of Alesund, western Norway, when the disaster struck at around 9am on 16 September.

It’s thought an explosion sparked a fire in the engine room that sent smoke racing through the ship, according to the Daily Telegraph. After the alarm was raised, the 207 passengers were ordered onto the deck to be evacuated, many in lifeboats.

The ship’s hull was damaged causing the ship to gently make its way into port, where the rest of passengers and crew were taken off.

It was at the port that the two dead crew members were discovered, with the injured suffering from burns and smoke inhalation.

Click on link above for Video.

Fire Risk Assessment membership of the FIA

2011-09-28T16:56:00.002+01:00

From Fire Industry Association:

We're pleased to say that the FIA ’s fire risk assessors register currently has 40 member companies.

The FIA changed its membership criteria in April 2011 and requested key pieces of evidence of quality control, insurance and individuals’ competence. The change moves the membership closer towards full third party certification and is a major step forward from the previous declaration to abide by a simple code of practice.

Prior to the change there were 85 companies listed and the exercise has certainly highlighted that many companies will need to establish quality procedures within their businesses if they are ever going to be ready for full third party certification. Whilst we have lost 20 or more companies from the list on a permanent basis we continue to work with another 25 to help them get through the process.

Work on the ‘Competency Criteria’ has continued with the draft for public comment deadline closing on 7th September, the Competency Council has already met and worked through the public comments. There are a few amendments and draft wording currently under further review with the hope that the criteria will be finally published in October. Work has started on a second document, which once agreed, will give guidance (be the signpost) on how Responsible Persons can find competent fire risk assessors. The current thinking is that this will point to third Party certifications schemes.

With BAFE ’S SP205 scheme estimated to be commercially available through at least one Certification Body in April 2012 and Warrington Certification Ltd’s company scheme growing, the timing appears to be coming together nicely. Many will argue that it well overdue but unfortunately these things take time.

The FIA ’s Fire Risk Assessment Council identified training existing members as a way to add value to their membership. The series of CPD days aimed specifically at practicing fire risk assessors have been extremely well received. With Passive Fire Protection, Extinguishing and FD&A days already in the bag, the next two are currently taking bookings.

An update day covering PAS7, PAS 79, SP205, Competency Criteria and Rose Park is planned for 7th October and already has 74 delegates booked. The peoples personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs) day on 29th November already has 54 bookings. Plans are now starting to add an Emergency Lighting/Signage/Fire Plans CPD day in February.

The Risk Assessment Council this year has nine vacancies and we are looking to our 40 FRA members to fill these and build upon the work and success of the Council to date.

Fire isk Assessments & Training Ltd has gone through this process and are Registered with The Fire industry Association and The Institution of Fire Engineers.

Hero rabbit saves owners from house fire

2011-09-28T16:48:00.003+01:00

From info4fire:

(Reuters) - A pet rabbit is being credited for saving its owners from a house fire in southeastern Alaska before it died of smoke inhalation, fire officials said on Friday.

The rabbit woke up the homeowner early on Tuesday morning by scratching on her chest, the Ketchikan Fire Department said in a statement.

The homeowner realized that the house was full of smoke, woke up her daughter and fled the house.

The fire was brought under control fairly quickly, with four engines, a ladder truck and 33 firefighters responding.

Damage to the house from flames, smoke and water was considered moderate.

While there were no injuries to the mother or daughter, the rabbit was not so lucky. The animal succumbed to smoke inhalation and did not survive, the fire department said.

How could she live with herself. Couldn't she have stuck the rabbit under her arm after it saved her life? How can she sleep at night.

Nightclub bosses fined for fire safety breaches

2011-09-23T18:46:00.002+01:00

From info4fire:

23rd September 2011

Two nightclub bosses have been fined after breaching fire safety legislation.

Kevin Clarke and Stephen Bailey both appeared before Bury magistrates on 7 September to face charges under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 relating to Coco Lounge, Temptations and Cooler Bar, in the town.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service took legal action following an inspection of the three premises.

Mr Clarke was fined £2,700 plus £1,906 court costs after pleading guilty to seven offences, including not having a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and failing to provide adequate fire safety training for employees.

Mr Bailey was fined £550 plus £100 court costs after admitting three offences relating to a lack of suitable and sufficient fire risk assessments.

Peter O'Reilly, director of prevention and protection at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We always support businesses that work to make their premises safe for people to use. However we will take action against those businesses that neglect fire safety and in doing so put the lives of staff and public at risk.

“We hope this court case sends a clear message that fire safety must be taken seriously.”

All too often, Premises owners/Duty Holders try to get FRA's done cheaply or have a go themselves. This is a lesson to all. Get Professionals to carry out Fire Risk Assessments for the Safety of your Clients and keeping compliant with Fire Safety Legislation by having a "suitable & sufficient" FRA carried out.

2011-09-21T11:11:00.001+01:00

From FIA 19th September 2011

Students will not be able to attend classes at a school in Cumbria today (September 19th), after a fire broke out in the food technology unit on Friday.
Crews from Barrow, Dalton-in-Furness, Ulverton, Broughton and Walney were called to Dowdales School, in Dalton, at 14.07 in the afternoon on Friday (September 16th).
The fire started in a classroom, but then spread to the roof of the school building.
Firefighters used 11 breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets and one main jet in tackling the fire, with a team staying once the blaze had been extinguished to damp down the surrounding area.
Early investigations into the cause of the outbreak indicate it may have been started by a faulty tumble dryer, according to the BBC.
The Responsible Person for schools or any other public or commercial building should ensure that electrical appliances are regularly checked as part of fire risk assessment procedures.
Electrical devices, plugs and cables pose a real danger of fire if they are old or badly wired.

This is a good example of the importance of Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) being carried out.

2011-09-15T11:41:00.003+01:00

From Fire Industry Association:

UK Govt seeking partners to run Fire Service College

The government is looking for private or voluntary bodies to help it operate the national firefighter training centre following a decline in revenue.

The Fire Service College, based in Gloucestershire, trains fire safety crews in all aspects of their job, from the initial 80-day training programme to refreshers courses. It also provides tuition for other emergency services and overseas firefighters.

Fire minister Bob Neill claimed that, as the college is currently a government-owned trading fund, it did not "provide the flexibility necessary for [it] to operate with sufficient commercial success".

The government is therefore ideally looking to partner with a private firm, with Serco, Babcock and Capital Training Solutions all bidding for the £18 million training contract.

Furthermore, as it is located on a 365-acre former military airfield, the government claims a private firm could expand operations at the facility.

Responding to the Government’s statement on the Fire Service College, David Cartwright, member of the LGA ’s Fire Commission and Chairman of its Fire Service College Working Group, said:

“We saw in the recent civil disturbances the commitment, dedication and professionalism of our firefighters. They deserve the very best training facilities to ensure that they are able to tackle any possible threats and keep the public safe.

“The Fire Service College has suffered from under-investment for a very long time but can still play a key role at the heart of the UK’s fire service. However, the way it’s operating at the moment is not fit for the 21st century and is not financially sustainable so action needs to be taken as soon as possible. The business acumen and extra investment a private partner would provide, coupled with strong leadership from experts in the fire sector, is exactly what it needs.

“The LGA , liaising with leading organisations across the fire sector, carried out a four-month review into modernising the Fire Service College earlier this year. It talked to many professionals and partners, visited the College to see the facilities, and concluded the only viable option to secure its long-term future is a public private partnership. It’s good to see Government Ministers favouring this view.

“Although the Fire Minister's statement is a step in the right direction, we already have a clear view from the sector about what needs to happen next. Rather than consulting further, more momentum is now needed to resolve this problem and get the tendering process underway.”

The Fire Service College reported revenue of £18.5 million for the fiscal year 2010/11, a fall from the £21.7 million it generated during the previous year.

As a former Fire Safety Lecturer at "The College" I find the whole funding issue a travesty. The whole scenario has created a downward spiral in both Courses being offered because many F & RS are carrying out "Local" Training and the Standard/uniformity of training for Fire Officers has suffered because of this.
In the long term, money is not being spent wisely by F&RS throughout the Country and it is time to support your National Fire Service College.

Blaze prompts plug-in air freshener warning

2011-09-13T16:37:00.002+01:00

From Info4fire: Blaze prompts plug-in air freshener warning
13 September 2011

Twenty firefighters tackled a fire in a bungalow that is believed to have been caused by a plug-in air freshener.

Four fire engines attended the property in Stanmore in Middlesex on Thursday 8 September at around 9.30pm.

London Fire Brigade believes the fire was caused by a plug-in air freshener that overheated because it was covered by clothing. The fire was under control shortly after 10pm.

Stanmore watch manager, Simon Horn, said: “When we arrived we were faced with an intense fire and crews did extremely well to stop it from spreading to the roof and adjacent properties. Thankfully nobody was in the bungalow at the time of the fire.

“If people use plug-in air fresheners, they need to be careful to follow the instructions and never place materials next to or on top of them, as they can overheat and cause a fire.”

4 Fire Enigines and 20 firefighters for a fire in a bungalow? Don't let too many know about that or cuts will be swift.

Flaming Nutter

2011-09-13T14:23:00.000+01:00

From The Scottish Sun:

A CRAZED reveller has been slammed after he set his head on FIRE — then posted the video on the internet.

The short phone clip shows the nutter spraying deodorant over his hair before lighting it.

He then dances round a hotel bedroom half-naked — using the aerosol to keep the huge flames burning.

The footage, titled "Shaun Edinburgh 2010 being a Firestarter", was filmed by giggling pals and uploaded on to the YouTube website.

But the stunt was slammed by horrified safety campaigners. David Lockhart, of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, said: "It beggars belief."

In the film, shot in an Edinburgh hotel, "Shaun" sprays the deodorant all over his head for several seconds.

He then flicks a lighter — and his cropped hair catches fire. And as pals laugh, he performs a wacky dance.

He then sprays more deodorant on to his blazing barnet, which erupts in a giant ball of fire.Finally he smothers the flames with a towel.

On the YouTube site, a pal called mikevarney100 said: "What a legend."

What an idiot more like.

Flood Fire Safety

2011-09-12T17:21:00.002+01:00

With the amount of rain falling on some parts of Scotland this article may be of interest from USFA:

Flood Fire Safety:

Types of Fire Related Hazards Present During and After a Flood
•Generators are often used during power outages. Unless generators are properly used and maintained, they can be very hazardous.
•Alternative heating devices used incorrectly create fire hazards. Proper use and maintenance can decrease the possibility of a fire.
•Leaking above ground gas lines, damaged or leaking gas or propane containers, and leaking vehicle gas tanks may explode or ignite.
•Pools of water and even appliances can be electrically charged. This can result in a dangerous electrical fire.
•Appliances that have been exposed to water can short and become a fire hazard.

Chemical Safety
•Look for combustible liquids like gasoline, lighter fluid, and paint thinner that may have spilled. Thoroughly clean the spill and place containers in a well-ventilated area.
•Keep combustible liquids away from heat sources.

Electrical Safety
•If your home has sustained flood or water damage, and you can safely get to the main breaker or fuse box, turn off the power.
•Assume all wires on the ground are electrically charged. This includes cable TV feeds.
•Be aware of and avoid downed utility lines. Report downed or damaged power lines to the utility company or emergency services.
•Remove standing water, wet carpets and furnishings. Air dry your home with good ventilation before restoring power.
•Have a licensed electrician check your home for damage.

Generator safety
•Follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines when using generators.
•Use a generator or other fuel-powered machines outside the home. CO fumes are odorless and can quickly overwhelm you indoors.
•Use the appropriate sized and type power cords to carry the electric load. Overloaded cords can overheat and cause fires.
•Never run cords under rugs or carpets where heat might build up or damage to a cord may go unnoticed.
•Always refuel generators outdoors.
•Never connect generators to another power source such as power lines. The reverse flow of electricity or 'backfeed' can electrocute an unsuspecting utility worker.

Heating safety
•Kerosene or parafin heaters may not be legal in your area and should only be used where approved by authorities.
•Do not use the kitchen oven range to heat your home. In addition to being a fire hazard, it can be a source of toxic fumes.
•Alternative heaters need their space. Keep anything combustible at least 3 feet away.
•Make sure your alternative heaters have 'tip switches.' These 'tip switches' are designed to automatically turn off the heater in the event they tip over.
•Only use the type of fuel recommended by the manufacturer and follow suggested guidelines.
•Never refill a space heater while it is operating or still hot.
•Refuel heaters only outdoors.
•Make sure wood stoves are properly installed, and at least 3 feet away from combustible materials. Ensure they have the proper floor support and adequate ventilation.
•Use a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace to prevent sparks from igniting nearby carpets, furniture or other combustible items.

and Remember...
•Do not use alternative heating devices to dry clothes or furnishings.
•Always use a flashlight - not a candle - for emergency lighting.
•Never thaw frozen pipes with a blow torch or other open flame. Use hot water or a device, like a hand-held dryer, evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
•Some smoke alarms may be dependent on your home's electrical service and could be inoperative during a power outage. Check to see if your smoke alarm uses a back-up battery and install a new battery at least once a year.
•Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home and inside and outside of sleeping areas.
•All smoke alarms should be tested monthly. All batteries should be replaced with new ones at least once a year.
•If there is a fire hydrant near your home, keep it clear of debris for easy access by the fire department.

Fire Safety Guidance Documents

2011-09-09T17:29:00.006+01:00

There has been alot of discussion on various Fire Safety Groups and Blogs regarding the use of Guidance Documents. My feelings on this are well known but in case anyone is in doubt, here is a copy of my contribution on Linkedin's Health, Safety & Fire Networking Group.

The Guidance Documents are as described....for Guidance. They were written to assist the RP or Duty Holder here. Unfortuneately Fire Safety Officers are using them as required minimum standards and if your FRA does not follow the Technical Annexes they can be marked as not suitable nor sufficient. This is patently rediculous in existing properties.
The Legislation and assosciated documents make it plain that requirements should be "reasonable and practicable". This is further reinforced by "making sure that the benefits gained are worth the expenditure."
The problem is that many of these buldings have had Fire Certificates issued or were inspected as a Section 9a of The Fire Precautions Act 1971. In many cases the requirements made at the time are not adequate and improvements or upgrades are required. But in other cases the risk has not changed and existing measures should be deemed acceptable.
Many FSO's however, don't have the neccessary skills, experience or knowledge to ascertain whether this is acceptable or not and rely on the Gudance Document Technical Annexes as a crutch.
The Guidance Documents were written for people with no knowledge of Fire Safety ie The RP, not for Fire Safety Officers. A lack of decent training is apparent or Heads of Department are following the easy route by not making informed desicions based on the knowledge, skills and experience that their Staff are meant to have.

Discussion and awareness should be encouraged.Please feel free to comment.

The thread for this was originally started regarding means of escape through pubs. The whole thread can be read here:

http://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&gid=89992&type=member&item=69251122&commentID=51279370&report%2Esuccess=8ULbKyXO6NDvmoK7o030UNOYGZKrvdhBhypZ_w8EpQrrQI-BBjkmxwkEOwBjLE28YyDIxcyEO7_TA_giuRN#commentID_51279370

Firefighters stuck in lift during a fire.

2011-09-07T16:00:00.002+01:00

From The Sun 7th Sept 2011:

FIREMEN were rescued choking from a lift at a blazing tower block yesterday — after they broke a cardinal rule by not using the STAIRS.

The four crew members were in the elevator when it got stuck as their colleagues battled a fourth-floor blaze at the 17-storey building.

A source said after they were hauled clear and taken to hospital to be treated for the effects of smoke and heat: "It beggars belief firemen used the lifts.

"Everyone has it drilled into them to use the stairs — even in a fire drill." The 3am inferno at swanky Salamanca Place in Lambeth, South London, saw 75 firefighters turn up in ten engines and five rescue units.

London Fire Brigade said the four who were rescued suffered "minor smoke inhalation and slight heat exhaustion".

A spokesman confirmed an investigation had been launched into why the lift was used.

A fifth firefighter was also taken to hospital — as were six residents from the block of flats. More than 100 people were evacuated during the two-hour battle to control the blaze.

Nine trapped on the third and fourth floors were dramatically rescued using ladders. Others were led to safety via stairwells.

The Salamanca Tower was built three years ago by Berkeley Homes. Last night the cause of the fire was also being probed.

You couldn't make this up. What on earth were they thinking about?

Fire and Rescue Services Statistics

2011-09-07T14:34:00.001+01:00

For the latest Scottish Fire Statistics go to:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/09/07115354

Presiding Officer's sister dies in house fire. Heartfelt condolences.

2011-09-01T11:07:00.001+01:00

From @Newsnetscotland

The sister of Holyrood's Presiding officer Tricia Marwick has been killed in a house fire.

Maureen Brown, who was 60, was killed after a blaze at her home in Husband Place, Dunfermline on Monday.

Mrs Brown, who recently lost her husband, lived alone at the home. The couple had two adult children.

Ms Marwick said: "This is a devastating blow to our family. It is particularly sad as Maureen's husband died only very recently.

"We are immensely grateful for all the messages of support we have received from friends and neighbours. Our family greatly appreciates now being given the time to grieve together in private."

Firefighters put out blaze at historic Edinburgh flats

2011-09-01T10:46:00.002+01:00

From BBC:

Text in Bold & Italics is mine.

Forty firefighters took more than seven hours to put out a blaze in a row of historic terraced houses in Edinburgh.

The alarm was raised at 5:20 when fire broke out at a ground-floor flat in Hazelbank Terrace.

The fire spread through neighbouring flats and into the roof.

Firefighters said the narrow streets and historic nature of the colony buildings made it difficult to stop the spread of the fire, which was eventually extinguished at about 14:30.

There are no reports of anyone being injured.

Neighbouring properties were evacuated
Neighbouring properties had to be evacuated and roads had to be closed.

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said: "By 8.30am firefighters reported that the fire would not be spreading to any further properties."

Will Patterson, who lives nearby, told the BBC Scotland news website: "It was pretty frightening how quickly it spread.

"It's a shame for the residents of the flats, it must be an awful thing to happen to anyone."

A lesson for all. Try to keep combustible materials to a minimum in your loft. Were there no compartment walls between properties to stop fire spread? Maybe someone from L&B F & RS can tell us?

Hotel manager pays £5,000 after fire safety breaches

2011-08-31T13:51:00.000+01:00

From FIA:

A hotel manager who used to operate the Kedleston Country House Hotel near Derby has been ordered to pay £5,000 for failing to adhere to an enforcement notice.

The notice was served by Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Authority after an investigation found that there was inadequate emergency lighting and fire doors in the sleeping accommodation.
Steve Wells, who is group manager for Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, said that hotel owners have to accept a huge amount of responsibility for the safety of their guests.

"People who own and manage hotels are under a high duty of care to their guests," he said.
"This is because those staying there are unfamiliar with the layout of the hotel and will be entirely reliant on the fire safety measures provided by the owners and operators to make sure that they can get out safely in the event of a fire."

Scottish firefighters lobby Cabinet

2011-08-31T13:34:00.003+01:00

From FIA: My comments in italics and bold.

Scottish firefighters have sought assurances from the government that frontline services will not be cut under plans to create a single service.

At a question-and-answer session in Kirkcaldy, Fife, members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) asked Scottish ministers what effects planned budget cuts could have on their jobs.
Around £4 million has been cut from the fire safety revenue budget in the county so far and further cuts are also possible.
It comes as justice secretary Kenny MacAskill looks set to announce whether fire services will be merged into one national force, with police forces also likely to be subject to a merger.
FBU Scottish secretary John Duffy, urged the Scottish Government to ensure that frontline services will not be affected by budget cuts.
"The relationship between devolution, fire brigades and HM Treasury has never been tested," he told the Press Association.
"No matter what decisions are made, the main thing is the protection of frontline services. We want assurances from the Scottish Government."

£4M cut from the Fire Safety budget? Does not bode well for Training in Fire Safety. There appears to be a lack of experience, knowledge and skills at the moment and any cuts will be reflected in this scenario worsening.
I believe that Strathclyde F & R S have started employing civilians to work in Fire Safety Departments. Because of their lack of the above they will use The Guidance Documents as their crutch and continue what we are seeing now, sadly in many cases. Using Benchmark Standards as minimum standards. 3rd Party arbitration will be busy I reckon.

Edinburgh restaurant damaged in blaze

2011-08-31T13:29:00.001+01:00

From FIA:

Firefighters in Edinburgh were called to an award-winning restaurant on one of the city's busiest districts.
Around 16 fire professionals from Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service were called to The Witchery restaurant on the Scottish capital's Royal Mile at around 7.10pm.

The team took around two hours to extinguish the blaze, which started in the reception area of the restaurant and is believed to have started due to an electronic fault.

According to a spokeswoman for the fire service noted that the firefighters "used a CO2 extinguisher, a thermal imaging camera and small tools to cut away damage".

A 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all commercial properties in Scotland - including all restaurants - under the Fire Scotland Act 2005.

If the fire risk assessment is carried out to an insufficient extent, the Duty Holder can face up to two years in prison, or an unlimited fine.

Fire Safety in the Home.Informative interview.

2011-08-29T13:55:00.001+01:00

An interesting and informative interview regarding Fire Safety in the home. Go to:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b013xskm/MacAulay_and_Co_29_08_2011/

Scroll time to: 1.12.30

High flying Linda. Brave girl.

2011-08-26T17:00:00.007+01:00

Linda leaping into space to raise funds for Yorkhill on the 17th September 2011.

Something different for you today. Linda Campbell, the wife of one of our Consultants, Steve, is going to be leaping from an aeroplane at 10,000ft. Not unusual I can hear you say, this is a popular pursuit but Linda suffers from acrophobia and stepping off the kerb is an ordeal.

Linda (55) is facing her greatest fear to raise funds for Yorkhill Sick Children's Hospital. Her seven year old Grandson, Lewis Cox, suffered from Leukaemia and was treated at Yorkhill.

Lewis was first diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in March 2006 at aged two years. He then underwent three years of treatment at Yorkhill Sick Children's Hospital, Glasgow including several periods where he had to be admitted to the Schiehallion Ward for more intensive treatment. He went into remission in May 2009 but still attends Yorkhill Hospital on a three monthly basis for check-ups.

Linda is a Nurse by Profession and she recognizes the great work carried on in Yorkhill Children's Hospital and in particular, Schiehallion Ward. She sees this as a way of saying thanks for the on-going care Lewis is recieving.

So.........the purpose of this Blog is to raise funds to help Linda acheive a sizeable sposorship with much needed funds going to sick children in Scotland. Your cheques should be made payable to:

"Yorkhill Children's Foundation" and you can send them to our Office, 54 Delph Wynd, Tullibody. FK10 2TW and we will ensure they get to Linda.

Thank you for your support for a great cause.

http://www.dontgivefireahome.com/fire_safety/index.html

2011-08-22T16:46:00.002+01:00

Good advice and a free smoke alarm from The Scottish Government. Go to:

http://www.dontgivefireahome.com/fire_safety/index.html

Risk Scanner, Electrical Load Calculator and Fire safety game for children of all ages, yes even your age.

Lots of good advice for Fire Safety in the home.

Value of smoke alarms highlighted.

2011-08-18T10:49:00.001+01:00

From STV 18th August 2011:

Residents of a Leith tenement flat were saved from danger after smoke alarm alerted them to a fuse box fire.

The occupants of the ground floor flat in Henderson Street were woken at 4am by their smoke alarm which had been set off by an electrical fire in a fuse box.

They were able to make their way past the fire and outside the building before the fire crews arrived.

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service attended with three engines and a turntable ladder.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: “The occupants had made their way to safety thanks to the early detection of the fire by the smoke alarm.

“The crews ventilated the stairwell and used a megaphone to instruct the other occupants inside the tenement block.

“They were advised to stay indoors until the stairwell was ventilated.”

No-one required medical attention or was taken to hospital.

Fires of electrical origin is still the number 1 cause of fire in the UK. Make sure your wiring and appliances are regulary checked.

2 Die in caravan fire

2011-08-17T17:04:00.002+01:00

From FIA:

A fire at a caravan holiday park near Hastings, East Sussex, has led to the deaths of a man and a woman in their 40s.
Firefighters from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service were called to the blaze at Combe Haven caravan park 10.10pm on Saturday (August 13th), but the pair were pronounced dead at the location.
A spokesperson for the caravan park, which was located in the town of St Leonards has said that the deceased had owned the caravan since 2007.
Under Fire Safety Legislation, a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment - which aims to find and negate fire hazards - must be conducted on all sleeping accommodations, such as holiday caravan parks.
If the fire risk assessment is carried out to an insufficient extent, the Duty Holder can face a prison spell of up to two years, or an unlimited fine.

At this time of year when caravans are popular as holiday accomodation, it is imperative that a working Fire Alarm is in place and good Fire Safety principles are put in place by occupants.

Residents rescued from care home fire

2011-08-17T17:00:00.000+01:00

From FIA:

Residents have had to be rescued from a care home in Croydon, after a fire broke out in the sleeping accommodation in the south London borough.
The blaze, which was not related to last week's disruption in the region, hit the establishment on Leafy Way at around 1am this morning (August 16th), reports BBC News.
Around 40 firefighters from London Fire Brigade were called to the blaze and rescued 16 people from the burning building. Ten of these residents were taken to hospital, suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.
Under Fire Safety Legislation, a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment - which aims to identify and negate fire hazards - must be conducted on all sleeping accommodations.
If the fire risk assessment is carried out to an insufficient extent, the Duty Holder can face up to two years in prison, or an unlimited fine.

Blaze in Glasgow Fire Station

2011-08-17T16:54:00.001+01:00

Firefighters working for Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service have had to battle a blaze in their own station this week.
It is believed that the fire at Polmadie Community Fire Station, in Glasgow, began because the electronics in the establishment are faulty, according to Scottish news provider STV.
Dougie Boyd, station commander at Polmadie, said that the blaze shows that anyone can be hit by a blaze and praised the working fire safety measures in place.
"This unfortunate incident shows just how important it is to have a working smoke alarm in place," he said.
"It is clear that without the early warning of our fire alarms, the damage and risk of injury could have been a great deal worse."
Under the Fire Scotland Act 2005, a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment, which aims to find and negate fire hazards, must be conducted on all commercial properties.
If the fire risk assessment is carried out to an insufficient extent, the Duty Holder can face a prison spell of up to two years, or an unlimited fine.

Two New York men nearly drown -- in an elevator

2011-08-16T14:45:00.000+01:00

From WNI Fire

Do not read this story if you have a fear of elevators. And, if you do not fear elevators, you might after reading this story. Two New York City construction workers were rescued Sunday morning after they were trapped in an elevator flooded by heavy rains. By the time rescuers arrived, the pair were standing on supply carts in water that was neck-high -- and rising.

It's hard to imagine a more chilling turn of events taking place on what was supposed to be an average workday in an average building, as two workers were taking an average elevator to get to their posts.

Here's what happened: The men were working at the former Staten Island Hotel in New York City on Sunday morning, using the elevator to move construction supplies between floors. It was raining heavily outside. The elevator began malfunctioning, refusing to stop at the upper floors.

So after a bit of button punching, the men headed to the basement. Only they had no idea that the basement in the old building was rapidly taking on water. Capt. James Melvin of the New York City Fire Department said that when the elevator hit water, it "started sinking slowly."

One of the men called 911 but could not recall the building's address, only the intersection. Then the cellphone died. Firefighters headed for the hotel, which is being remodeled as an assisted living facility. A security guard at the front told them everything was fine. "Just on a hunch, we said, 'You know what, let's drive around the back,'" Melvin said. "Sure enough, we heard these guys screaming."

The men were identified as Ed Tyler and Wendell Amaker, both in their 30s.

Melvin told Staten Island Live that he's responded to hundreds of stuck elevator calls in his FDNY career, but he'd never seen anything quite like this. "This was like something you'd see on television, in a movie."

Fire-safe cigarettes reduce the amount of house fires

2011-08-16T14:44:00.000+01:00

Oklahoma Study.

Click on link above to see the video.

Fire-safe cigarettes reduce the amount of house fires in USA.

Fire-safe cigarettes have made a huge difference in the number of residential cigarette-related fires in the last two years, but this year they've had a negative impact on the city's wildfires.

Public House Blaze

2011-08-15T16:49:00.001+01:00

From @fireindustry

A public house located in Weston-super-Mare was damaged in a fire which also necessitated the evacuation of nearby homes and other properties.
Firefighters were called to the commercial establishment, which is currently undergoing refurbishment, yesterday (August 2nd).
Avon Fire and Rescue Service were called at just before 3am and sent five fire appliances from stations in Weston-super-Mare, Winscombe and Yatton, these crews were later supplemented by colleagues from Kingswood, Portishead and Avonmouth.
The nearby properties were evacuated as a precaution due to the smoke, while the firefighters stopped the blaze from spreading further.
A 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment must be conducted on all sleeping accommodation in England and Wales, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and in Scotland The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005: part 3.

If the fire risk assessment is carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person can face two years in prison or an unlimited fine.

Enhanced management no substitute for care home door self-closers

2011-08-15T16:27:00.000+01:00

From @info4fire

A care home has failed to establish that management arrangements could compensate for the absence of self-closers on bedroom doors, according to a determination under the Fire Safety Order by the secretary of state.

The care home argued that it could compensate for the absence of self-closers – part of the building’s design which was accepted by approved inspectors in 2003 – with enhanced staff intervention procedures, including the closing of any open bedroom doors in the event of a fire.

The secretary of state, however, on the advice of the government’s chief fire and rescue adviser, ruled that the fire and rescue enforcing authority was right to insist on appropriate self-closing or hold-open devices on the doors, in order to provide quick and safe evacuation in the event of danger.

The determination also rejects the approach taken by the responsible person in selecting parts of different standards to justify their approach.

“Standards are written to provide a comprehensive assessment of the risk and identify adequate protection measures for a defined risk,” says the chief fire and rescue adviser in the determination. “To take sections of differing standards and use them to form one assessment is an erroneous approach, as individual sections in guidance documents rely on assumptions in other sections of that document which may differ from other guidance.”

The care home’s case was also rejected in spite of smoke flow zone modelling which tried to suggest that smoke conditions would be tenable – even if a bedroom fire door were left open.

“The responsible person should have recognised there is established good practice designed to provide adequate protection in this situation: the use of self-closing devices on the bedroom fire doors,” concludes the advice. “This is proportionate and its use is likely to enable persons to evacuate the premises as quickly and safely as possible.

“It is therefore my view that the requirement to fit appropriate self-closing devices to the bedroom fire doors is necessary to safeguard the safety of relevant persons, and is the appropriate technical solution for remedying the established failure to comply with article 14(2)(b) of the Order.”

Distribution warehouse engulfed in flames as firefighters tackle riot blazes - VIDEO

2011-08-15T16:06:00.002+01:00

Click on link above for full story and Video.
From @info4fire

A large Sony distribution warehouse partially collapsed as a result of a blaze which, along with many others in the capital this week, is believed to have started as a result of riots and looting.

It isn't known whether these properties were fitted with sprinklers. If they were, why did they not control the fire?

2011-08-02T13:03:00.002+01:00

From @fireco 2nd August 2011

Court makes important care home fire safety ruling

This judgement was made in England but any Fire Risk Assessment in Scotland for a Care Home would surely agree with the findings.

Italics and bold mine.

A recent and very important judicial ruling has changed the interpretation of care home fire rules in relation to bedroom fire doors. Although this latest determination was with regard to homes having self closing fire doors the judge quite rightly ruled that although the doors should be self closing, the doors are likely to become wedged therefore they also requires hold open devices. Put simply, this means that if fire doors are to be held open, this has to done using a hold open device that is linked (acoustically or hardwired) to the building’s fire detection system and will automatically allow the door to close should there be a fire emergency.

Our Commercial Director Tom Welland says that it’s vital all owners and operators of care homes are aware of this important ruling as it underlines the dangers of wedging open fire doors and in particular those of resident’s rooms. Quite clearly enforcement officers will take a very dim view of any care home that continues with this dangerous practice. Using staff to ensure doors are closed in an emergency situation is not something that can be relied upon so automatic devices must be used.

This ruling follows the recently published fatal accident inquiry report into the fire at Rosepark care home in Uddingston, Lanarkshire, that claimed the lives of 14 residents, which included an important conclusion that, “A competent risk assessor experienced in fire safety, addressing the position at Rosepark, would have recommended the installation of self-closers (swing free, Dorgard or other similar devices) on bedroom doors as a matter of urgency…”

Fife Factory Blaze

2011-07-31T13:31:00.002+01:00

Sunday Herald:

Firefighters tackle factory blaze

Last updated 31 Jul 2011 - 1:20 pm

Fire fighters have spent around six hours tackling a blaze at a linen factory in Kirkaldy

Crews were called to Peter Greig & Co, in St Clair Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife, at around 11pm on Friday night, where they found a fire in the building's roof space.

A spokeswoman for Fife Fire and Rescue Service said a decontamination team was brought in after fears over the possibility of asbestos.

The brigade used an aerial rescue pump as well as breathing apparatus and a thermal image camera to extinguish the blaze.

They were still on scene until 5am on Saturday, "dampening down" and ventilating the one-storey property.

The extent of the building's damage is not yet known.

It is unknown whether a Fire Risk Assessment had been carried out on this property.

Firm pays more than £100,000 after workers engulfed in fireball

2011-07-25T13:46:00.000+01:00

From Info4fire: Click on link above for full story.

An engineer and an apprentice were asked to plate over the damaged circuit compartment to prevent it from being accessed until it had been properly inspected. They were removing debris from the compartment when an explosive arc of electrical energy engulfed them, setting their clothes on fire.

They ran into an a next door room where colleagues used a fire hose to extinguish the flames.

The engineer, who suffered burns to 47% of his body, was in a coma for four weeks, remained in hospital for five months and will never be able to return to work. The apprentice suffered 42% burns to his hands, arms and torso, and spent nine weeks in hospital.

The court was told that a suitable risk assessment had not been carried out for the work, and that management at the company had allowed it to go ahead without the electricity supply being isolated.

300 rats, 25 snakes & 8 cats involved in house fire in USA

2011-07-25T13:29:00.002+01:00

From WNIfire:

Milwaukee County

Rats, cat die in house fire; 25 snakes rescued.

About 300 rats and a cat died in a fire Friday at a duplex in the 2200 block of S. 15th Place, Milwaukee Fire Department Deputy Chief Mike Romas said Saturday.

The rats were being raised to be fed to an estimated 25 snakes - including at least one boa constrictor - housed in the basement of the duplex, Romas said.

The fire was reported around 8:37 p.m. Friday and six people living in the upper and lower apartments escaped without injury, according to Romas.

Firefighters called animal control officials to remove the snakes, a turtle and other animals. The cat that died was one of eight cats at the duplex, Romas said.

The fire started in the basement and caused an estimated $50,000 in damage to the building. Cause of the fire is undetermined and remains under investigation, Romas said. There were no smoke detectors.

Copper theives cause gas explosion. See Video

2011-07-22T11:28:00.004+01:00

Scary moment.See link above for story. Scroll down for link to video..

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has released CCTV footage of the moment a build-up of gas exploded only yards from firefighters and the residents they had rescued seconds earlier. WYFRS took the step as a ‘shock’ warning to potential thieves about the dangers of tampering with electricity and gas equipment.

When fire crews responded on 8 July to reports of a small kitchen fire in a terrace of six houses in Castleford, West Yorkshire, they found instead a series of small fires. The explosion occurred seconds after the firefighters had completed the evacuation of around 30 occupants from the houses, two of whom were rescued by ladder from upstairs bedrooms.

Captured by ‘silent witness’ cameras attached to the fire appliances, the footage clearly shows the moment of the explosion, which ripped through the row of houses. No serious injuries were sustained and one firefighter was taken to hospital with minor cuts. Two houses were partly demolished and the remaining four suffered extensive fire and blast damage. The electricity supply to 63 properties and the gas supply to 55 properties were disrupted.

The fires and blast were caused by thieves cutting cable from an overhead line to extract the copper. This interfered with the earthing of the area’s electrical network and affected gas pipes within the properties. A 27-year-old man from the area was arrested on suspicion of the theft and has since been released on bail pending further inquiries.

‘If the house had exploded only seconds earlier, it would have killed or seriously injured the occupants and the firefighters who were risking their lives to rescue them’ warned Ian Bitcon, senior operations response officer at WYFRS. Cable theft had already caused one fatality in the area, he said.

This message is reinforced by West Yorkshire Police, CE Electric UK – which deals with around five incidents of metal theft a day – and Northern Gas Networks, which described the footage as a clear message to thieves about the dangers and threat to life for the sake of a few pounds.

The footage can be viewed at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1B1yBeEox8

Jailed pair put profit before fire safety

2011-07-20T16:03:00.000+01:00

Jailed pair put profit before fire safety at two Mansfield hotels

Published on Friday 15 July 2011 15:26

A PUBLICAN and a fire risk assessor have been jailed for putting lives in danger at two hotels in Mansfield after a landmark prosecution.

David Liu (58), the owner of The Dial Hotel and Market Inn, on Mansfield Market Place, and John O’Rourke (43), who carried out fire risk reports at both venues, were each locked up for eight months on Friday.

Judge Andrew Hamilton told Nottingham Crown Court that an example had to be set to those who were prepared to put profit before fire safety.

It was the first time in the country that an independent fire risk assessor had been convicted, and the judge branded O’Rourke an ‘absolute disgrace’ after hearing he had no qualifications for the role.

The court was told Liu paid O’Rourke, who drank in his pub, £150 for a fire risk assessment which he needed by law.

O’Rourke, of Booth Crescent, traded as Mansfield Fire Protection Services, which mainly sold fire extinguishers.

But the reports he completed for the Dial Hotel and Market Inn, which had 11 bedrooms between them, were described as ‘wholly inadequate’.

When asked about the 147-page Government guide to fire risk, O’Rourke had said: “I’ve read a bit but obviously it’s a big, thick book. I’m not fully clued up on it, I must admit.”

Inspections last July by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service revealed inadequate fire doors, exit doors blocked or locked, no alarms or self-closing fire doors in bedrooms and no alternative escape routes.

Fire extinguishers at the hotels had not been tested for three years.

The court was told there had been a serious fire at the Market Inn in January 2006 when a 13-year-old girl was rescued from an upper floor by ladder.

And other guests and staff at the venues had been put at risk of death or serious injury because of the lack of fire precautions.

Outside the court, Ian Taylor, fire protection group manager at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, reminded occupiers of buildings of their legal responsibility to protect customers and staff against the risk of fire.

“It is a legal requirement for places of work to have a fire risk assessment,” he said.

“Guidance on fire risk assessment and fire safety measures appropriate for different types of premises are available on the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service website.”

Liu, who lives at the Dial Hotel, is licensee of both pubs, which have a combined turnover of more than £400,000.

He admitted 15 fire safety offences and was jailed for eight months and ordered to pay £15,000 court costs.

In mitigation, his barrister Errol Ballentyne said rooms were no longer being let out and Liu did not accept he knew the risk assessment was inadequate.

O’Rourke, who admitted two breaches of fire safety requirements, was also jailed for eight months and ordered to pay £5,862 in costs.

James Beck, for O’Rourke, said since the prosecution his client had made sure other fire risk assessments were carried out by people who were competent

You couldn't make this up.

2011-07-20T15:08:00.000+01:00

Four firefighters trapped inside lift after refusing to use stairs during flat blaze
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
16th July 2011

Four firemen were admitted to hospital after being trapped in an inferno - because they used the lift in a burning tower block.

The unlucky firefighters got stuck in the lift after they disobeyed one of the basic rules of fire safety: in case of fire, use the stairs.

They were called to the 17-storey building when a fire broke out on the fourth floor. Over 100 residents were evacuated in a two-hour operation to bring the fire under control.

Brave: Nine residents had to be rescued from the blaze using ladders

A source slammed the firefighters' error, according to the Sun: 'It beggars belief firemen used the lift. Everyone has it drilled into them to use the stairs - even in a fire drill.'

In total, 75 firemen were needed to tackle the blaze, which started around three o'clock yesterday morning at the Salamanca Tower in Lambeth, south London.

More...
Firefighters lucky to be alive after row of houses explodes seconds after residents had been evacuated
Nine residents closest to the inferno had to be rescued via ladders, though most others were led down through the stairwells.

The building was only built three years ago, but it suffered 'extensive damage' in the blaze, according to a fire service spokesman.

Aftermath: The brand-new building is looking a bit worse for wear after yesterday's fire

At least 10 people were treated at the scene for the effects of heat and smoke, while seven had to go to hospital. None of these is thought to be seriously injured.

The London Fire Brigade confirmed that the four firemen trapped in the lift suffered 'minor smoke inhalation and slight heat exhaustion'. They have all been released from hospital.

An investigation is now under way into why the firefighters chose to use the lifts. A further investigation into the cause of the fire has also been launched.

Free Fire Safety Guide

2011-07-20T13:47:00.004+01:00

Click on the link above for a free Fire Safety Guide produced by the FIA.

Every year people die or are seriously injured as a
result of ﬁ res in non-domestic properties. Besides
the human risk, ﬁ re costs UK business millions of
pounds due to property damage, ﬁ nes, compensation,
and insurance premiums. Many businesses ﬁ nd that they
are not able to recover from the effects of a ﬁ re.
• Who is responsible for ﬁ re safety in non-domestic
premises?
• What are their duties and responsibilities?
• How can I keep people and property safe?
• What are the possible consequences of failure to act?
• Where can I get help and guidance?
This guide will help to answer these questions and help
you to successfully manage ﬁ re safety in commercial
premises.

Competency Criteria for Fire Risk Assessors

2011-07-20T13:36:00.001+01:00

This is your chance to read the proposed requirements for Fire Risk Assessors to be part of a third party accredited scheme. Click on the link above.

Your comments are welcome.

Numerous London care homes 'failing basic fire safety standards'

2011-07-20T13:34:00.000+01:00

From FIA

Numerous London care homes 'failing basic fire safety standards'

19 Jul 2011
A number of care homes across London have been ordered to improve after failing the most basic fire safety standards.
Owners of care homes and people responsible for their operation are required by law under the terms of the Fire Safety Order 2005 regulatory reform to conduct a thorough fire risk assessment.
Despite this, London Fire Brigade has issued legal enforcement orders to 29 care homes that were found to be in breach of safety rules since 2010, a BBC investigation has revealed.
LFB officers found that the most common lapses included lack of fire escape plans, no training for staff and no marked fire exits. Some of the homes had as many as eight individual breaches of fire regulations.
Jenny Jones, Green Party London Assembly member, told the news provider: "It is quite horrifying. In care homes you have some of the most vulnerable people in society – people who can't move around quickly.
"It's crucial those homes have good fire safety procedures."
Fire safety risk assessments consist of identifying potential fire hazards, identifying people in and around the premises that are at risk, evaluating the risk of fire occurring and identifying ways to minimise the threat.
This should be done through the use of clear warnings; removing obstacles; marking out escape routes; informing, instructing and training staff; and properly maintaining your facilities.

Hospital in Lothian & Borders evacuated after blaze

2011-07-20T13:32:00.000+01:00

From FIA

Hospital in Lothian & Borders evacuated after blaze

14 Jul 2011
A hospital in the Lothian and Borders region of Scotland has been partly evacuated after a fire broke out on the premises.
The blaze began in a storage cupboard at Liberton Hospital at around 11am yesterday (July 13th), when 12 patients and 60 members of staff escaped the building, according to the Scotsman.
Around 35 firefighters from the local Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene and - after extinguishing the blaze - ventilated the ground floor of the building.
Andy Girrity, the group manager of the fire service, noted that there was not much fire damage, but seven appliances were called because smoke spread rapidly.
A suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment must be conducted on all sleeping accommodation in Scotland, under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.
If this FRA is not carried out to a suitable extent, the Duty Holder can face a fine or a spell in prison.

Massage parlour manager gets community service for fire safety breaches

2011-07-13T15:15:00.000+01:00

From info4fire.com

Massage parlour manager gets community service for fire safety breaches
12 July 2011

The manager of a massage parlour has been found guilty of five breaches of the Fire Safety Order 2005.

Dawn Donoghue, 46, was ordered to do 60 hours unpaid community service as well as pay £240 in court costs for safety breaches at Scarlett’s, in Prestwich, Manchester.

Appearing at Bolton Crown Court on 8 July, Ms Donoghue pleaded guilty to five fire safety breaches, including a failure to provide an adequate fire alarm at the two-storey terraced building.

Fire safety officers, who audited the property in May last year, also found that there was no fire risk assessment made and a failure to provide a system of maintenance for firefighting equipment. There was no system of training in place for a responsible person, as well as no maintenance for the checking of fire exit doors.

According to the Daily Mail, prosecutor Joseph Hart said that firemen found obstacles in the corridor and an emergency exit being used as a ‘changing area’.

“This was a high risk environment with low lighting,” he said. “There were rooms which were dark and dingy, equipped with restraints, manacles and chains.”

Donoghue, who rented the premises, said she had thought fire regulations were the responsibility of the landlord, according to the newspaper. Despite this, the breaches were still her 'full responsibility,' Manchester Fire and Rescue Serivce said.

Asylum centre fined for fire safety offences

2011-07-13T15:14:00.000+01:00

From info4fire.com

Asylum centre fined for fire safety offences
13 July 2011

A company running a hostel for asylum seekers has been ordered to pay more than £10,000 in fines and costs after pleading guilty to two offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Angel Services (UK) Ltd was convicted of failing to review and keep up to date a fire risk assessment for the Angel Lodge hostel in Wakefield, and failing to maintain the detection and alarm system.

Wakefield Magistrates Court heard that the only way to raise the alarm at the hostel would have been to shout ‘fire’, but many of the residents did not speak English.

Prosecuting, Sarah Dimmock of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the maintenance manager at hostel had told the company about a fault in the detection and alarm system on eight separate occasions.

She said that normally only one member of staff was on duty at night for 220 residents. Had a fire occurred, the fact that the alarm was not working would have been “disastrous”.

“Alerting residents by word of mouth by shouting ‘fire’ would have been the only option and could have resulted in panic,” she told the court.

District Judge Marie Mallon fined the company £6,600 (£3,300 for each offence) and ordered it to pay £4,445 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Smoke alarms helped save lives in East Kilbride house fire.

2011-07-13T14:58:00.001+01:00

From Strathclyde F & RS:

At 8.10pm,12th July, Operations Control in Johnstone received a number of calls regarding a fire in Chalmers Crescent in East Kilbride.

Two fire appliances from Hamilton Community Fire Station were initially despatched, however following a further call confirming persons were trapped by fire, an appliance from Clarkston Community Fire Station was also despatched.

On arrival at the scene, the crews from Hamilton could see residents on the first floor flat hanging out of the windows. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used ladders to rescue two occupants from the flat and at this point became aware of a further occupant trapped in an adjacent flat. Firefighters then repositioned their ladders in order to rescue this resident.

Firefighters in breathing apparatus then searched the remaining flats to ensure no other residents were trapped.

At the height of the blaze, three appliances with 15 firefighters fought the fire and successfully brought it under control using hose lines. Strathclyde Police and the Scottish Ambulance Service were in attendance and assisted in dealing with cordons and the treatment of the casualties. All three rescued casualties received treatment from paramedics at the scene with two being removed to hospital by ambulance suffering from moderate smoke inhalation.

Considerable damage to the property has been caused by the fire and some residents will require to be rehoused. Smoke alarms were fitted in these premises and it is without doubt, a contributing factor to saving the lives of those rescued by the fire service.

If you need free fire safety advice, please do not hesitate to contact your local fire station where a free Home Fire Safety Visit will be arranged or complete the form on our website.

The cause of the blaze is being investigated jointly by Strathclyde Fire & Rescue and Strathclyde Police and fire appliances remain in attendance to assist with the investigation

Fire Safety jailing sets alarm bells ringing

2011-07-13T14:50:00.001+01:00

From Firco Ltd:

Fire safety jailing sets alarm bells ringing

If the metaphorical alarm bells were not already ringing for businesses that fail to comply with the legal requirements of fire safety law they are certainly ringing loudly now following the jailing of a hotel owner and the owner of a company contracted to provide Fire Risk Assessments.

David Liu, who runs The Dial Hotel and Market Inn, Mansfield, and John O’Rourke, who runs Mansfield Fire Protection Services were both jailed for 8 months plus costs. David Liu after pleading guilty to 15 Fire Safety offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and John O’Rourke, after pleading guilty to two breaches of Fire Safety requirements in relation to the inadequacy of Fire Risk Assessments he provided for Mr. Liu’s hotels.

Mr. Liu was prosecuted because he was the responsible person for both premises, and failed to make sure they were safe for customers staying there. Mr. O’Rourke was prosecuted because he carried out Fire Risk Assessments at both hotels, but those assessments were wholly inadequate.

In summing up the trial judge said that the time had come to send out a message to those who conduct Fire Risk Assessments and to hoteliers who are prepared to put profit before safety.

Tom Welland our Commercial Director comments “By introducing the concept of a Responsible Person for every building, the RRFSO has identified, much more clearly than before, the necessity of fire prevention and the very real consequences of failure to adequately discharge that responsibility. Mounting prosecutions brought against individuals and businesses mean that no one can now afford to ignore their legal duties. This case illustrates that even when the responsible person contracts an outside company to provide fire safety services it remains their duty to ensure the provider of those is competent, so is equally culpable.”

Fire Risk Assessor jailed. Be careful who you employ.

2011-07-11T11:18:00.002+01:00

From FIA:

Hotel owner & fire risk assessor jailed for fire safety breaches

08 Jul 2011

A hotel owner from Nottingham and the man responsible for carrying out a fire risk assessment of his properties have been jailed for eight months each for breaches of fire safety regulations in what is believed to be the first instance of a fire risk assessor being prosecuted.

David Lui, operator of The Dial Hotel and The Market Inn in Mansfield, and fire assessor John O'Rourke both admitted to seriously contravening the Fire Safety Order 2005 regulatory reform at Nottingham's Crown Court in May. They are due to be sentenced today (July 8th).

Routine inspections by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) revealed that fire precautions were inadequate at both of Mr Lui's properties.

Despite fire risk assessments being carried out by Mr O'Rourke, a number of serious deficiencies had been overlooked, which would have left occupants seriously at risk had a fire broken out.

"Due to the serious risk to life that was being presented to occupants, [NFRS] issued prohibition notices preventing any further use of both premises for sleeping accommodation until suitable improvements had been made," the fire authority said.

Earlier this year, the owner of a house of multiple occupancy in Wirral was fined £158,000 for breaches of fire safety regulations, including having doors that were not properly resistant to fire and had no self-closing mechanism.

1 in 10 Firefighters may lose their jobs

2011-07-11T11:05:00.003+01:00

From The Daily Mirror:
NB Although the article doesn't mention it, Fire is a Devolved matter.This is for England & Wales only.

ONE in 10 firefighters face the axe amid Government cuts that will leave the service at “breaking point”, say union chiefs.

A Fire Brigades Union report reveals up to 6,000 posts are due for the chop in the next three years.

Yesterday its leaders warned lives will be at risk because with fewer firefighters 999 crews will be slower to respond.

General secretary Matt Wrack said: “We’re overstretched now and frontline crews are making it clear we’ll be at breaking point when the cuts bite over the next two years.”

Government grants to fire and rescue service budgets are being slashed by 30 per cent in the next four years and 1,000 firefighter posts have already been axed over the past year.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My thoughts:

If they reverted back to a 3 watch system with a duty system of 2 days, 2 nights with one rota day they could lose 25% of the staffing levels. The massive wage bill is because of the extra shift brought in after the last national Firefighter strike in 1977. In this way, the cover for properties would be the same as it is now. Natural wastage and retirement rather than compulsory redundancies though.

Care Homes Branded as Fire Hazards says Report

2011-07-11T11:02:00.001+01:00

From info4fire.com. Click link above

135 care homes were the subject of enforcement action by fire and rescue services between January 2010 and March 2011, according to responses to freedom of information requests from 37 out of 46 fire services in England.

Hazards included inadequate alarms, blocked escape routes, damaged and dangerous equipment and untrained staff.

About 90% of the homes concerned are privately owned, the vast majority by small, one-home operators, says the article.

Residential care homes are increasingly under financial pressure as a result of the squeeze by local authorities on the fees they pay them.

Responding to the news, a spokesperson for the Alzheimer’s Society said older people, especially those with dementia, need more time to understand what is happening around them and to negotiate fire exits.

One manager, who took charge of a care home after it had been issued with an enforcement notice, told the newspaper that staff often do not understand the risks involved:

"When I first took over the home, there were no risk assessments or training in fire safety. Staff and residents often have no idea what to do in the event of the alarm sounding and stand there looking at one another. Many aren't able to detect from the fire alarm panel whereabouts in the building the fire is located."

In March this year, additional guidance for operators of residential care premises was published to enhance existing government guidance. In April, a fatal accident enquiry in Scotland concluded that some or all of the deaths of 14 residents at the Rosepark care home fire in 2004 were avoidable.

Pitchfork in Mans Head. Fire Service involved.

2011-07-09T18:13:00.000+01:00

From BBC Scotland:

Clydebank firefighters cut pitchfork from man's head

Watch commander Brian Wardle and his officers were awarded certificates
Six firefighters have received bravery awards after helping surgeons remove a pitchfork embedded in a man's head.

The fire crew based at Clydebank donned surgical scrubs and took heavy-lifting equipment into the operating theatre at Glasgow's Western Infirmary.

The man had been the victim of a violent attack and the actions of the firefighters probably saved his life.

Watch commander Brian Wardle and five of his officers were awarded certificates of congratulations.

They were Fabrice Dubois, Gordon Maxwell, Craig McDougall, Andrew McGregor and John Joseph Parker.

In July 2010 the crew were called to deal with a special service incident and found a man unconscious following a violent attack.

Extreme pressure
The weapon used was a pitchfork which remained embedded in his neck and face causing severe breathing difficulties.

The crew cut away parts of the tool to establish an airway and stabilise the man but after returning to the fire station were then called to the Western Infirmary in Glasgow.

The officer in charge, Mr Wardle, offered advice and assistance to the surgeon but the crew were later asked to return and actually enter the operating theatre.

The surgeon said the only way to save the casualty's life was to remove the steel obstructions from his neck.

A spokesman for Strathclyde Fire and Rescue said: "Under extreme pressure, the firefighters displayed a disciplined and professional approach to the delicate operation which undoubtedly played a massive part in saving the life of the victim."

Chief Officer Brian Sweeney and convener of the board of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, councillor Brian Wallace, presented the men with their commendations.

2011-07-07T15:21:00.004+01:00

Red Tape Challenge E & W

2011-07-06T16:03:00.002+01:00

Click on the link above to read about the "Red Tape Challenge". Fire Safety is part of these discussions in England & Wales.

Time for a similar debate in Scotland?

Your views are welcome.

Fire Safety article in the Guardian.

2011-07-06T15:50:00.002+01:00

Click on the link above to give access to the article on Fire Safety printed in The Guardian yesterday.

Here is an excerpt:

It is important that the person carrying out the fire risk assessment is competent. Although competence does not necessarily depend on the possession of specific qualifications,evidence of specialist training and experience, or membership of a professional body, can enable suitable competence to be demonstrated.!"Several professional bodies operate risk assessor registers but certification schemes are in
their infancy with one currently available and others in development,” says Fire Industry Association CEO, Graham Ellicott.

We are currently on 3 Registers for Fire Safety Consultants. These are The Institution of Fire Engineers,The Fire Industry Association and Means of Escape. We had to show evidence of sufficient skills, knowledge and experience before these bodies allowed Registration.

Make sure if you employ someone to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment that they are Third Party Accredited.