Friday 30 March 2012

From Means of Escape Magazine.

BB7's Ben Bradford discusses PAS 7 - Strategic Fire Risk Management

Ben is a coplleague of mine on the Fire Risk Assessment Council
of The Fire |Industry Association 

British Standards Institution, BSI, is currently drafting PAS 7 a new Strategic Fire Risk Management Standard with principle authors BB7- Fire Risk & Resilience. PAS 7 will offer new guidance on Fire Risk Management System Requirements and the implementation strategy.

Whilst the completion of the fire risk assessment may go some way to satisfying the legislation, in many cases organisations are beginning to realise that the assessment is a means to an end but not necessarily the end in itself.

It is widely acknowledged that Fire Risk Management (albeit a discipline in its infancy) is a discipline much broader than simply Fire Risk Assessment and many organisations are starting to think strategically.

Since the introduction of the RRO and equivalent legislation in Scotland and Northern Ireland fire service enforcement activity has progressively increased with a wide range of prosecutions across a wide range of occupancies and building types.

A common factor in many prosecutions is the lack of fire safety management with regard to specific buildings that in a number of cases may be seen as organisational failures. The Rosepark Care Home Fatal Accident Inquiry following the deaths of 14 residents concluded:
“The deficiencies in the management of fire safety at Rosepark contributed to the deaths in that a number of key circumstances would have been quite different if there had been an adequate system of fire safety management”.

It is increasingly understood that effective fire safety management of a building or workplace can make a significant contribution to risk mitigation.
A building with first rate fire precautions yet poor management may pose a greater risk than a building with limited fire precautions and good management and, as stated in PAS 79 “Fire Safety Management must be regarded as of equal importance to fire protection measures”.

THE EVOLUTION OF PAS 7
PAS 7 has evolved against a backdrop of developments in the property and construction sector and consequential fire risk management issues impacting on new and existing buildings.
These include:
a) An increase in the proliferation of fire engineered complexes and buildings, which may require a more robust management system;
b) The emergence of methods of modern construction involving new and evolving materials;
c) Building design freedoms based on assumed management principles (in accordance with BS9999: 2008 management levels);
d) Regulation 38 of the Building Regulations 2010 – Fire safety information (England & Wales only);
e) Lead Authority Partnership Schemes (LAPS);
f) Fire service audit and enforcement procedures.
The guidance contained in BS 9999: 2008 Code of Practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings refers to the standard or quality of management as the management level. There are three management levels with a level 1 „management system? giving the highest level of management.

In order to demonstrate that an improved level of Fire Safety Management will reduce risk, we need a credible means of measuring Fire Risk Management and whilst guidance in BS 9999 addresses management system levels, there is no guidance on minimum Fire Risk Management System Requirements.
If organisations implement the critical success factors of a Fire Risk Management System, it is then possible to audit their Fire Risk Management System and determine the standard of quality of the management system and ultimately its management level.

The Management System approach has already gained international acceptance and been adopted in other fields such as quality, health and safety, business continuity etc. PAS 7 establishes Fire Risk Management System Requirements, and a methodology for the implementation of strategy which can be integrated into organisations existing systems.
Adoption of the management system prescribed in this PAS along with the guidance and methodology for the implementation of strategy may be used for Certification/registration and/or voluntary self-declaration of an organisations fire risk management efforts.
Two of the UK's leading testing and Certification bodies are currently working with BB7, and the Association of British Certification Bodies has a representative on the steering group.
BB7 are currently piloting the methodology on a range of organisations in different industry sectors and gaining new insights into the challenges these organisations face.

Strategic Fire Risk Management can achieve an integrated or holistic approach to understand and manage the risks posed by the threat of fire which enables an entity to optimize its underlying processes, achieve cost effective compliance and improved risk mitigation.
Any organisation interested in joining the PAS 7 pilot program should contact BB7 Fire Risk & Resilience directly.

Due for publication towards the end of 2012, PAS 7 can be adopted by any organisation wishing to implement a formal procedure to reduce the risks to life, property and the environment that are posed by the threat of fire.
Ben Bradford BSc Hon's MSc MBA MRICS MIFireE FBEng

Woman suffers 40% bruns decanting petrol in kitchen

From BBC

Following on from the ill advised information given by a UK Government Minister.

Woman suffers 40% bruns decanting petrol in kitchen

Today, 30th March 2012, BBC News reported that a woman had suffered 40% burns decanting petrol in her kitchen for her daughter who had run out of fuel.
It is understood that the womans cooker was alight when she was decanting the fuel, and the fumes ignighted.
This underlines the importance of only handling petrol in a well ventilated area.

Union slams UK government’s ‘jerrycan’ advice

From info4fire

Union slams government’s ‘jerrycan’ advice 29 March 2012

The Fire Brigades Union and fire chiefs have united in criticising comments by cabinet secretary Francis Maude, in which he suggested that motorists could build up stores of petrol in jerrycans.
The union warned that people storing significant quantities of petrol in the event of a tanker drivers’ strike would ‘massively increase’ the risk of fire and explosion.

“This is not sensible advice and people should be discouraged from doing so,” said Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary. “The general public does not properly understand the fire and explosion risk of storing fuel even if it was done sensibly.
“Those without garages may be tempted to store fuel in the home. In the event of a fire in the house or a neighbouring property it would be disastrous.”
Mr Wrack went on to say that it was illegal to store more than 10 litres of petrol in two purpose-made plastic containers in the home.

“There is a real danger the public will start storing fuel in inappropriate ways if the Government is encouraging panic buying and storage. This advice is wrong and must be withdrawn.”
In a statement, the Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA) said:
“As the professional voice of the fire and rescue service we would advise people not to store large amounts of fuel in garages, due to the increased risks to occupiers and firefighters.”
Dave Curry, CFOA prevention and protection director added: "We would like to ensure that members of the public who are considering storing petrol on their properties are adhering to the following legal requirements:
  • Do not fill a container more than the capacity printed on the label
  • Do not store petrol inside a domestic premises
  • Store petrol in a place that is not part of or attached to a building used as a dwelling
  • Petrol must be stored in approved plastic or metal containers of the sort that can typically be purchased from filling stations
  • You can store up to 30 litres of petrol in two, appropriate 10 litre metal containers and two, appropriate 5 litre plastic containers.
“Petrol is a dangerous substance which, when present can dramatically increase the risk of fire. CFOA recommends members of the public keep any storage of petrol to a minimum.”
According to the HSE website, the Petroleum Spirit (Motor Vehicles etc) Regulations 1929 and the Petroleum Spirit (Plastic Containers) Regulations 1982 limit the amount of petrol that can be kept in a domestic garage or within six metres of a building. The limit is a maximum of two suitable metal containers each of a maximum capacity of 10 litres and two plastic containers (which have to be of an approved design) each of a maximum capacity of five litres.

“Under no circumstances should the petrol containers be stored in the home itself,” adds the HSE.
Speaking last night on BBC2’s Newsnight, transport minister Mike Penning – a former firefighter – said Mr Maude had made a mistake in advising people to store petrol in jerrycans as he had misunderstood the size of jerrycans, which is 20 litres.

Woman suffers 40% bruns decanting petrol

On Friday, BBC News reported that a woman had suffered 40% burns decanting petrol in her kitchen for her daughter who had run out of fuel.
It is understood that the womans cooker was alight when she was decanting the fuel, and the fumes ignighted.
This underlines the importance of only handling petrol in a well ventilated area.

Landlord fined for £16,000 for woefully inadequate’ precautions after fatal fire

From inf4fire

Landlord fined for ‘woefully inadequate’ precautions after fatal fire 30 March 2012

The landlord of a House in Multiple Occupation has had to pay £16,000 following a fire at one of his properties in which a tenant died.
Darius Valiulis of Neville Road, Cambridge pleaded guilty to three charges under the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation Regulations 2006 at Cambridge magistrates court, and was found guilty of a further five charges after offering no defence to them on 13 March. He was fined a total of £10,000 plus £6,000 costs.

At the time of the fire on 29 April 2011 the house was occupied by seven individuals. The fire started in the rear first floor bedroom, resulting in the death of the occupant of that room.
The fire precautions in the property were described by the fire service as “woefully inadequate”, consisting of a single smoke detector on the first floor landing. There were no fire doors, and the doors to the bedrooms were key operated.

The ceiling of the room where the fire started was covered with polystyrene tiles.
Mr Valiulis was also convicted of providing false information regarding his responsibility for management of the house.
“The tragic consequences of the neglect that led to this case should be a reminder to everyone that unsafe housing must not be ignored,” said Catherine Smart, executive councillor for housing.
“Tenants should report such neglect and not let it continue: their lives could depend on it. Landlords must provide a safe place to live if they wish to continue in business.”
Steve Elve, fire protection manager for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “This is an excellent result for everyone at the council and fire service who has worked hard gathering evidence and organising the case.

“We hope this will send a message to all landlords that they have legal responsibilities to keep their buildings safe, and they will be prosecuted for failing to meet these responsibilities. More importantly, adhering to the legislation will keep tenants safe.”

Man jailed for 2 years after waste disposal site fire

From info4fire

Man jailed for 2 years after waste disposal site fire 15 March 2012


A businessman who ran a waste disposal site in Yorkshire that burned for over a month in 2010 has been jailed for two years.
Roy Hinchcliffe was warned by officers that he was exceeding the 700 tonnes of waste that he was allowed to store, but days after a suspension notice was served a fire broke out at the site which then burned from February 7 through to March 8 2010.

Prosecutors said that the fire and ensuing clear-up operation had cost taxpayers around £1.2m, with the cost of the fire services operation alone costing more than £800,000.
Three firefighters and an aerial appliance were typically in use at the fire every day. Deputy CFO Steve Buckley, of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said at the time: “Hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of lifesaving equipment may be tied up for weeks but we will be there supporting the local community for as long as it takes.”

Hinchcliffe was jailed for two years after admitting exceeding the storage limit at the Scout Hill site in Dewsbury. He also admitted storing additional waste at two other sites without a permit, and to failure to comply with a notice to reduce waste.
Roy Hinchcliffe’s son Neil was also jailed for 16 months in connection with the waste that was stored at the additional sites.

Judge James Spencer QC said at sentencing, “The waste that you allowed to be stored was unsightly, it was dangerous, it was unfenced and capable of escaping with no element at all of control.
“Fire of course is what happened at Scout Hill, a fire that was burning for over a month, which cost thousands to control and deal with, made worse because of the scale of overtipping within that site.”

Explosion at pharmaceutical company in Edinburgh

From STV News

Crews tackle explosion at pharmaceutical company in Edinburgh


26 Mar 2012

Fire crews have tackled a blaze sparked by an explosion at a pharmaceutical company in Edinburgh.

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service were called to painkiller manufacturer MacFarlan Smith at 12.14am on Sunday (March 25th).

A small explosion, believed to have been caused by blocked pipework, led to the fire on the second floor of the building.

"Site teams were wearing chemical protective suits to extinguish the flames and assess the extent of the damage," a spokeswoman for the fire service told STV.

"There were no casualties as a result of this incident but damage was caused to pipelines in the factory."

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.

Family of dead Firefighter to sue L & B F & RS

From STV News.

Family of firefighter who died during blaze to sue service

Ewan Williamson: The 35-year-old died during a fire at the Balmoral Bar in Edinburgh.

The family of Ewan Williamson say they have 'no choice' but to sue Lothian Fire and Rescue Service.

The family of a firefighter who died tackling a blaze three years ago are suing his employers for damages.
Ewan Williamson died as he helped colleagues battle the flames at the Balmoral Bar in Edinburgh in the early hours of July 12, 2009.
The 35-year-old was the first firefighter from Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service to die while fighting a blaze.
On Tuesday, his family’s solicitors said they were raising an action at the Court of Session against the fire service.

His mother Linda and sisters Rachael and Rebecca believe mistakes were made which led to Mr Williamson’s death.
In a statement released through Thompsons Solicitors, they said: "With this action we hope to get answers and justice.
"Almost three years have passed since Ewan lost his life and we have waited patiently for the authorities to investigate what happened and either prosecute those they hold responsible or hold a Fatal Accident Inquiry into Ewan's death. Despite the passage of time, we still do not know all the facts or why Ewan died.

"We believe something went wrong that night and we want to know why.
"We had hoped and expected that after all this time and all the investigations carried out by the Health & Safety Executive, the police and an external Fire Brigade, that the Crown Office would have been able to take a decision on how to proceed. As matters presently stand, however, we do not know if a decision has even been taken to prosecute anyone for Ewan's death or if a Fatal Accident Inquiry is to be held.

"The night we lost Ewan turned our lives upside down. Nothing can ever replace him but we feel that we cannot move on until we know what happened to Ewan and any lessons which should be learned and applied from that night are put into practice.
"The justice system is taking far too long and we simply cannot wait any longer. Enough is enough."
Syd Smith is representing the family, he said they have been left with no choice but to launch legal action.
He said: "The Williamson family have waited long enough for action and answers regarding Ewan's tragic death. That is why we are having to launch a legal action for damages. The length of time it is taking the Crown Office to make a decision on how to proceed is frankly unacceptable."
The action is backed by Roddy Robertson, the Fire Brigade Union’s executive council member for Scotland.

He said: "The Fire Brigades Union have supported the Williamson family throughout their ordeal. We share their interest in what happened that night and why Ewan died.
"Our members have a professional job to do and it can sometimes be dangerous. If there are lessons to be learned from Ewan's death then there should not be delays of the sort we have seen here in learning them. The Crown Office now needs to reach an early decision on what they are going to do with Ewan's case and we are pressing for that to happen.

"In the absence of any Fatal Accident Inquiry or prosecution after this length of time it is necessary for both the Williamson family and the future safety of Firefighters that this action is taken."
Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said they had worked with the police during their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr Williamson’s death.
A spokeswoman for the service said: "We note the decision of the Williamson family to raise an action for damages in the Court of Session in relation to the death of Ewan Williamson.
"Ewan’s death was a tragic event in the history of Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service. It affected everyone working within the organisation. We also witnessed firsthand the pain of Ewan’s family and his partner and did all that we could to support them through that exceptionally dark period in their lives.

"We understand that without answers to what happened on that fateful night their pain and anxiety continue. This is something that personnel from Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service, particularly those who responded to the fire at the Balmoral Bar on the 12 July 2009, live with too, on a daily basis.
"Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service has cooperated fully with the police investigation into Ewan’s death. It is of paramount importance to us that we understand the full circumstances of what happened the night that Ewan died.
"Our personnel have taken part in thousands of hours’ worth of interviews, with police, the Health and Safety Executive and to assist with our organisation’s own investigation into the circumstances of the incident.

"We remain committed to continuing to serve the communities of Lothian and Borders, responding on a daily basis to incidents that put us in danger. We must await the outcome of the legal process to determine what lessons can to be learned from Ewan's death. Those lessons will be used to shape how we respond to the continuing challenges of a very difficult job where the balance between protecting others and our own is always at the forefront of our minds."
It is understood the police report into the fire and the circumstances surrounding it has not been released.

Mr Williamson, who joined the service in 2002, was laid to rest on July 22 with a memorial service held at St Giles’ Cathedral in the capital. Hundreds of people lined the streets of the city to pay their respects.

Sheriff critical of delay and lack of Training of Strathclyde F&RS

From STV News.

Alison Hume's death in Galston mineshaft 'preventable'


Firefighters were unable to rescue Alison Hume from the mineshaft

A woman who died after falling down a mineshaft in East Ayrshire might have lived if emergency services had removed her sooner, an inquiry has found.

Alison Hume, 44, fell 40ft into the disused mineshaft in Galston in 2008 while taking a shortcut home.

She lay for six hours after health and safety rules delayed a rescue. Mrs Hume died after suffering cardiac arrest while being brought to the surface.

The inquiry said fire crews were not fully familiar with rescue equipment.

Mrs Hume, a solicitor who worked with the Renfrewshire legal firm McCusker McElroy and Co, fell into the decommissioned Goatfoot Colliery mineshaft shortly before or after midnight on 26 July 2008.
Legal history
She was found by her daughter, and emergency services were called to the scene at about 02:15.

The mother-of-two was eventually freed by mountain rescue experts at about 07:42 and was "profoundly hypothermic" and in a critical condition having suffered a pneumothorax, broken ribs and a broken sternum.

Mrs Hume suffered caridac arrest while being brought to the surface and later died in Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock.

The resulting fatal accident inquiry (FAI) at Kilmarnock Sheriff, under Sheriff Desmond Leslie, was originally adjourned at the end of March 2010.

Firefighters at the head of the shaft The FAI highlighted "defects" in how the emergency services handled the incident

It made Scottish legal history, however, when it became the first inquiry to be re-opened twice.

The first time, in August 2010, was scheduled after a retired firefighter contacted Sheriff Leslie about safety rules.

The inquiry re-opened for a second time in February this year to hear from a leading member of the Scottish Cave Rescue Organisation.

During evidence the inquiry heard that Ms Hume's rescue was delayed as firefighters who volunteered to be lowered down were over-ruled by senior officers for health and safety reasons.

They were apparently told they could not aid Mrs Hume because regulations stated their equipment was for saving themselves, not members of the public.

In the inquiry findings, Sheriff Leslie states Mrs Hume's death "may have been avoided" if a number of "reasonable precautions" had been taken.
Risk assessment
These included, early identification by Strathclyde Police and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service of the stability of the mineshaft and surrounding area.

The sheriff said an early assessment of Mrs Hume's medical condition, with an "appraisal of the likely dangers of a prolonged stay in cold and wet conditions", would also have helped.

He said fire crews should have had a "thorough understanding of the capability and properties of line rescue equipment... and the level of training of fire fighters in the use of that equipment".

"I extend the sympathies of the inquiry to Mrs Hume's family who acted with great dignity and stoicism in the face of some very harrowing evidence”
End Quote Sheriff Desmond Leslie

Finally, Sheriff Leslie stated that there should have been "a rigorous and thorough risk assessment by Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service" which balanced the conditions in the mineshaft with the condition of Mrs Hume and time it was taking to rescue her due to "restrictive Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service corporate policy".

The FAI also highlighted a number of "defects in the system of working" which contributed to Ms Hume's death and the accident resulting in her death.

It said Strathclyde Police and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue had an "inadequate knowledge... of the range of potential rescue resources available to assist in a rescue operation" and that there had been a "failure to communicate with these resources".

Sheriff Leslie found there was a "lack of understanding and familiarity" among rescue personnel about the potential uses of the equipment at their disposal.

He also highlighted a "lack of multi-ability training for emergency services personnel", and said fire crews had a "lack of advance first aid training".

The FAI said there was also a "lack of rope access capability amongst Fire and Rescue personnel and paramedical personnel".

Sheriff Leslie stated there was an "over reliance on the delegation of rescue functions by Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service" and "inadequate pre-planning for mine and mineshaft rescue".
'Considerable effort'
He also said there "should be continuous assessment of emergency and rescue resources by all rescue and emergency agencies" and these capabilities should be "regularly communicated" throughout management levels of each agency.

In his findings, Sheriff Leslie acknowledged the "bravery and selflessness" of fireman Alexander Dunn who volunteered to care for Mrs Hume as she lay at the bottom of the mineshaft.

He also acknowledged "the very considerable effort made by Andrew Parker of Strathclyde Police Mountain Rescue Team who with Mr Dunn brought Mrs Hume to the surface".

The sheriff noted they were supported by colleagues from Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service, Strathclyde Mountain Rescue Team and the Scottish Ambulance Paramedical team.

He said those who helped tried to do their best "despite their frustrations and anxieties... in very difficult circumstances" to rescue and save Mrs Hume.

Sheriff Leslie added: "I extend the sympathies of the inquiry to Mrs Hume's family who acted with great dignity and stoicism in the face of some very harrowing evidence."

Friday 23 March 2012

How to replace the backup battery in an Ei141 ionisation smoke alarm

From Safelincs:

Click here to see how to replace the back- up battery in a hard wired smoke detector
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AQvjqhnHTE

Pensioner who died in Gretna house blaze named

From Daily Record 23rd March 2012:

AN elderly woman who died after being caught in a house fire has been named by police.
Martha Carruthers, 86, was taken to Cumberland Hospital in Carlisle after being rescued from the fire in a house on Union Road, Gretna.
Dumfries and Galloway Police said she was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing but a spokesman said "early indications suggest no suspicious circumstances".
The procurator fiscal in Dumfries and the coroner in Carlisle have been informed of the death.

Cross Dressing Firemen tackle blaze

Did a few things in my time in The Fire Service but never this. Where was the H & S Rep? Systems of work out the window with the PPC. (Personal Protective Clothing)

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
Here's something you might not know about already: the Minnesota town of Sedan has a very special St Patrick's Day parade. One that sees their firemen dress up as women, as it happens.

Wednesday 21 March 2012

Spot the errors in this Peter Kay Fire Safety video.

Spot the errors in this Peter Kay Fire Safety video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=Aani-I--zv8&NR=1

For free Fire Safety advice call 01259 216713

Care Home evacuated due to fire in tumble dryer.

From Fire Industry Association

Residents of a care home in Wales had to be evacuated earlier this week after a small blaze began in the laundry room.
Fire crews were called to Llys y Coed care home in Llanelli at around 9.20pm on Wednesday night (14th March), reports This is South Wales.
It is believed that a faulty tumble drier caused the fire, in which no-one was hurt.
Mid and West Wales Fire Service head of Carmarthenshire County Command, Rob Quin, told the news provider: "Our firefighters and the care home staff must be commended for the excellent job they did in keeping the residents calm and informed throughout the evacuation."
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. (The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 in Scotland)
If the fire risk assessment is deemed to be carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person Duty Holder in Scotland, can face an unlimited fine or a prison sentence of up to two years.

Hotel collapse after fire

From Fire Industry Association

A hotel on the Isle of Wight has partially collapsed after a fire broke out in the roof of the building.
Six fire crews were called to The Ryde Castle Hotel in Ryde just after 10pm on Saturday night (17th March) after guests at a wedding reception reported seeing smoke billowing from the roof.
All the guests were evacuated from the 18-bedroom property as around 50 firefighters battled to prevent the blaze from spreading to the rest of the hotel.
Chief fire officer Steve Apter revealed that crews managed to get out of the building just before it collapsed.
He said: "[Firefighters] were faced with quite a serious fire in the roof and the upper floors in the middle part of the building.
"We have had a collapsed middle part of the building so obviously very dangerous and difficult conditions for firefighters to be working in but thankfully no injuries."
Investigators are looking into the possibility that a fireworks display could have caused the blaze.

Scottish Residents re-housed after fire.

From Fire Industry Association 20th March 2012

Residents of a block of flats in Scotland have now been re-housed after a fire broke out in a stairwell of the premises last week.
Fire crews were called to the three-storey building at Chester Square in the Mayfield area of Dalkeith on Friday (16th March) at around 9pm.
All of the residents were evacuated due to the smoke damage caused by the blaze, with three men and a woman treated at the scene by ambulance staff.
Local police estimate that the blaze caused £15,000 of damage.
A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: "This was a deliberate act which could have had serious consequences, and we are appealing for any information that can assist our inquiries."
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.

Pub damaged in fire.

From Fire Industry Association 20th March 2012

A pub in Portsmouth has been damaged after a fire broke out in the kitchen area during one of the busiest days of the year.
Fire crews were called to the Horse & Jockey pub, in Hipley, Denmead, on Sunday night (18th March) at 8.15pm, reports porstmouth.co.uk.
A total of 26 firefighters battled the blaze, which started on a kitchen grill and spread to the building's roof.
They managed to stop the flames spreading to the rest of the pub, which only suffered minor smoke damage.
"I heard the alarm and got up on the roof to try and put it out, but then I saw it was inside the flat roof and we got everyone out," pub landlord Dick Orders told the news provider.
"Nobody panicked and everybody stayed calm."
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. In Scotland The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.
If the fire risk assessment is deemed to be carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person In Scotland, "The Duty Holder" can face an unlimited fine or a prison sentence of up to two years.

Another successful "Principles of Fire Risk Assessments on Construction Sites" Course

Another successful "Principles of Fire Risk Assessments on Construction Sites" Course held for South Lanarkshire Councils Site Managers. Designed from HSG 168 Second Edition. See details in link below.
For Site Managers and those responsible for Fire Risk Assessments on Construction Sites.

http://scottishfiresafety.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/fire-risk-assessments-for-construction.html