Sunday 31 July 2011

Fife Factory Blaze

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.

Monday 25 July 2011

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

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

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.

Friday 22 July 2011

Copper theives cause gas explosion. See Video

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

Wednesday 20 July 2011

Jailed pair put profit before fire safety

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.

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

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

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'

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

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.

Wednesday 13 July 2011

Massage parlour manager gets community service for fire safety breaches

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

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.

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

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.”

Monday 11 July 2011

Fire Risk Assessor jailed. Be careful who you employ.

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

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

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.

Saturday 9 July 2011

Pitchfork in Mans Head. Fire Service involved.

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.

Wednesday 6 July 2011

Red Tape Challenge E & W

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.

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.

Tuesday 5 July 2011

Tayside Police:

Mains Loan Fatal Fire - Deceased Identified
05 July 2011
Tayside Police can confirm that a man who died as a result of a fire at his home address in Dundee’s Mains Loan in the early hours of yesterday morning (Monday, July 4) has been formally identified.

He has been named as 82-year-old George Martin.

Emergency service attended at the address at about 4.15 following reports of smoke coming from the building. Firefighters removed Mr Martin from the building but, tragically he was pronounced dead at the scene by ambulance staff.

A joint Tayside Police and Tayside Fire and Rescue investigation is continuing into the full set of circumstances surrounding the incident, but there are no apparent suspicious circumstances.

As with all sudden deaths a report is being submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Well known businessman dies in house fire

From BBC Scotland:

Christophe Ferrand dies following mansion blaze

Christophe Ferrand was a senior manager at Aegon
A 44-year-old man has died following a "serious" fire at a large mansion house near Falkirk.

Christophe Ferrand, a senior manager at Aegon Asset Management, was rescued from the blaze, but died later on in hospital.

A 45-year-old woman and two children - a 14-year-old boy and eight-year-old girl - were also taken to hospital, where the boy remains.

The fire was discovered at the house in Dunmore Park, Airth, at about 0500 BST.

Mr Ferrand was chief administrative officer of the UK division of Aegon's asset management business.

The company said in a statement that he had been an "inspirational" figure in the company and would be "sorely missed" by colleagues.

Smoke inhalation
The statement read: "It is with regret and sadness, Aegon Asset Management can confirm that a great friend and colleague, Christophe Ferrand, died in a fire at his home in Scotland last night.

"Christophe, who was the chief administrative officer of the UK division of the asset management business, had recently taken on an expanded role with responsibility for legal and finance in the UK as well as his existing responsibilities."

It added: "Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues. We would please ask that you could please respect their privacy at this very sad time."

The woman and two children were all treated for the effects of smoke inhalation.

Det Insp Ronnie Isles said: "Our inquiries are at a very early stage and the cause of the fire is still to be determined.

"However, due to the remote locality of the house we appeal for anyone who may have been in this area around the time of the fire to come forward."

Friday 1 July 2011

nursing-home-evacuated-after-blaze

At least the emergemcy fire action plan seems to have been robust enough with no injuries or fatalities.It goes to show how fires can easily start and spread due to faulty electrical equipment. Make sure you have regular Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) regulary.

From: Fire Industry Association.


Residents were evacuated from a nursing home in a village in Oxfordshire on Saturday (June 25th), after a fire broke out in the establishment.
Old Prebendal House care home, located in Shipton-under-Wychwood, went up in flames shortly before 5am, when Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to the scene, reports the Oxford Mail.
The firefighters had to use breathing equipment to battle the blaze - apparently caused by a broken extractor fan - in the smoke-logged rooms.
Steve Holland, the incident commander and watch manager, praised the work of the firefighters.
"Fire crews acted swiftly and were able to prevent the fire developing, with damage being restricted to a bathroom and lounge," he said.
"This incident again highlights the dangers of fire and the importance of having working smoke alarms."
A suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment must be conducted on all sleeping accommodation in Scotland, under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 Part 3.
If the fire risk assessment is not carried out to a suitable extent, the Duty Holder can face two years in prison or an unlimited fine.

Workplace Fire Safety Cost-Cutting Puts Employees Lives at Risk

From MOE

Workplace Fire Safety Cost-Cutting Puts Employees Lives at Risk

UK employers are potentially putting their employees’ lives at risk by cutting back on fire safety in the current economic climate according to a survey recently conducted by the Fire Industry Association (FIA).
Almost a fifth of bosses 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 despite the fact that 20% of them also admitted to already having had a fire in their premises.

16% admitted to NOT having an up to date fire risk assessment and a quarter don’t even know who does their fire risk assessment. More shockingly, 8% of employers confessed that procuring services at the lowest price was most important to them when it came to fire safety.

This comes despite the fact that a third of staff don’t know what to do in the event of a fire. Over half of staff surveyed don’t know how to use a fire extinguisher or fire alarm. A quarter of workers don’t know where their nearest fire exit is and a third don’t know where their fire assembly point is.

The poorest performing industries from a fire safety point of view are the arts & culture and travel & transport sectors. In Arts & Culture over a quarter don’t have fire drills, fire safety training or person responsible for fire safety and 39% of employees in this industry don’t think their company has ANY fire safety precautions.

Of those in the Travel & Transport sector 40% don’t have regular fire drills and over a third don’t have an up to date fire risk assessment. But more concerning is the fact that 30% of employees in the building & architectural industry doesn’t think their company has ANY fire safety precautions despite 53% of those surveyed having already had a fire in their workplace.

The survey results has prompted the FIA to warn employers of the perils of ignoring fire safety and to inform employees about what they can do to demand better fire safety in their workplace.

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

It may seem like a good opportunity to save money but it is actually about saving lives; you have a legal duty with regard to fire safety and could face a large fine or imprisonment if you are found to be putting people’s lives in danger by failing to comply with the law, although 55% of those responsible for fire safety admitted to not fully understanding these penalties. But it doesn’t stop there as 80% of businesses that have a serious fire don’t reopen and thus jobs are lost which impacts directly on the wider community.’

The FIA has just published a complimentary Best Practice Guide to Fire Safety aimed at those responsible for fire safety in their premises. Copies and further information on fire safety in general can be obtained by emailing info@fia.uk.com or ringing 020 3166 5002.

Fire Safety-Time to reflect.

From @Fireindustry

Comment: The following only applies to England and Wales. Is it time for Scotland to look at our Legislation in a similar way? Is it time for all interested parties in Scotland to make comments on the success or otherwise of The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 Part 3 and The Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006?

For the next three weeks, the public, businesses, Inspectors and enforcement officers are being asked to share their experience and ideas on fire safety regulations that they use on a daily basis. Industries are being given the opportunity to highlight where bad practice and conflicting advice hinders efficient business practice as part of the Red Tape Challenge.

The Challenge is a Government initiative to reduce red tape in regulation and industry professionals are being asked to consider which regulations are working and which are not; what should stay, what should be scrapped and what should be simplified.

The public can submit their opinions on the Red Tape Challenge website for Ministers and government officials to consider the feedback which will help them cut the right regulations in the right way.

The following fire regulations have been added to the list up for discussion between 30 June and 21 July 2011:

1. The Fire Safety (Employees’ Capabilities) (England) Regulations 2010

2. The Fire Precautions (Sub-surface Railway Stations) (England)Regulations

3. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005


The regulations in the Fire Safety category aim to prevent fires and protect employees and the public in the event of a fire. Things to consider:

• Should they be scrapped altogether?

• Can they be merged with existing regulations?

• Can we simplify them – or reduce the bureaucracy associated with them?

• Have you got any ideas to make these regulations better?

• Do you think they should be left as they are?


Once you’ve had your say, Ministers will have three months to work out which regulations they want to keep and why.

Business Minister Mark Prisk said, “The Red Tape Challenge has already been used to highlight a number of ways in which compliance problems are getting in the way of businesses, and leading to wasted effort from regulators who would like to take a more risk-based approach to compliance but aren't able to.

“I’d encourage everyone involved in enforcement to get involved in the Red Tape Challenge. You deal with these regulations and businesses who need to comply with them every day, so you’re uniquely placed to give honest and frank appraisal of where improvements can be made, without compromising the protection that the regulations were designed to provide.”