Fire Risk Assessment,Norwich,Norfolk,Fire Safety Training,Alarms

Portsmouth Poundland Fined Over Fire Safety

admin — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 15:47:10 +0000

Web,

A Portsmouth branch of Poundland has been fined just over £20,000 including costs after pleading guilty to charges relating to inadequate fire safety standards.

Proceedings were brought following a visit to the property in Commercial Road, Portsmouth on 30th November 2008 by members of the Fire Protection Group who found significant contraventions of fire safety measures within the building. These were:

Failure to provide adequate training to a temporary store manager
Failure to keep fire exits clear of storage

The situation was so dangerous that an evacuation of the store was put into effect to ensure the safety of those who had been working within the building and members of the public who may have entered the premises.

Speaking after the case, Assistant Chief Officer Bob Ratcliffe, Head of Community Safety for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “This case clearly demonstrates how our fire safety officers are successfully inspecting buildings and applying the law to help ensure the safety of our community and making Hampshire safer. We work closely with businesses to help them with their duty to comply under the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order, but where their responsibilities are not taken seriously, the Service will always consider prosecution.

“We would like this case to act as a timely reminder to business owners and landlords throughout Hampshire that the Fire Safety Order is in place. The safety of the public is our primary concern. Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service will continue to utilise all the powers available to us in enforcing fire safety legislation.

“The Service believes that today’s verdict, together with the scale of the fine gives a clear message to members of the business community in Hampshire of the need to comply with the fire safety law to protect the community.”

Fire Consultants solve the guessing game!

admin — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 21:44:00 +0000

Hi,

The assistance of a fire consultant will help a business meet the requirements of the Fire Safety Order of 2006. Businesses are legally responsible for the safety of employees and the public through minimising fire risks. By hiring fire consultants a business will be able to meet the guidelines of the Fire Safety Order more easily and fully.

A well trained fire consultant can be an effective tool in meeting all of the Fire Safety Order measures. A business without the essential tools, knowledge, and time to take proper precautions and develop a seamless fire plan is encouraged to hire a fire consultant to assist and train employees. Doing this is not only advantageous in a safety sense but will also save you time and money preparing documents, reading regulations, and training employees

Fire hazards associated with timber frame buildings.

admin — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:01:10 +0000

Hi Web,

A series of fires in timber framed buildings under construction has raised their profile. Incidents include large fires in Newcastle (2007), Peckham, East London (2009), Camberwell (2009) and more recently Basingstoke (2010).

This has led to a Position statement by the CFOA, which reads: “In light of the recent significant fires involving large timber framed buildings under construction including Peckham, Camberwell and Basingstoke which all resulted in fire damage to adjacent buildings, CFOA is now calling for an urgent review of the Building Regulations to consider the issue of external fire spread from fires involving construction sites. Large timber framed buildings under construction pose a significant risk to firefighters, construction workers and members of the public.”

Evidence indicates that a timber framed building is at the greatest risk of fire during the early stages of construction before fire protection measures are in place.

There must be changes to Building Regs to reflect the risks posed by timber framed buildings generally before completion.

Confusion, Confusion.. But it need not be.

admin — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:27:31 +0000

Hi Web!

General awareness of the responsibilities of particular individuals under fire-safety legislation is “not as perfect as it ought to be”.
There is often confusion over who the ‘responsible person’ under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO) is, and what they need to know in terms of ensuring that fire protection measures are correctly designed, specified, installed and maintained.

What are your concerns?

Fire Stopping or just plain missing?

admin — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 17:50:14 +0000

Hi,

So many companies, individuals who i do work for are unaware of the potential consequences of inadequate fire stopping within their buildings. suitable fire stopping will prevent smoke and fire damage from spreading from room of origin.

It is so important yet so overlooked. Let me know your own thoughts or concerns