Hotel fire safety initiative

IN THE wake of last weekend's tragedy in Cornwall, PSC are launching a major campaign to raise awareness of safety in the county's hotels, if you know any local hotel please pass on our details or get them to contact us.

While details of the fatal fire at the Penhallow Hotel in Newquay are still under investigation, Paul from PSC say’s he wants to remind people of their responsibilities so everything possible is done to prevent similar fires locally.

Any hotel and guesthouses known to the service are often sent letters to highlight fire safety issues, while fire crews will probably begin making random visits to premises at night.

'The loss of life and the devastation in Cornwall over the weekend are a graphic reminder of the catastrophic potential of a night-time fire in a hotel,' said Paul Coughlan of PSC fire safety.

'While it is too early to know exactly what happened, PSC will be taking the opportunity to visit hotels and guesthouses in the area to offer help to make sure precautions are in place.'

New fire safety legislation which came in last October abolished fire certificates and now requires people who own or run businesses to risk assess their own premises and put appropriate fire precautions in place.

Fire officers then audit the premises to check precautions are adequate and offer help and advice but if not they can ultimately take the owners to court.

'We want to work with all business owners to improve the safety of their premises and there is a full range of information and advice available through our website - www.pscfiresafety.com

Remember it is not just hotels that are at risk if you own or run a business then you could be responsible take the easy option today give us a call 01455 557877.  We can arrange to either go over your assessment or arrange to complete a full assessment at your premises, why not fill in our simple fire assessment fax back form email paul@pscfiresafety.com and we will email the form to you, just type send form in the subject line.

UK. Boat Safety Scheme update focuses on fires on board

The Boat Safety Scheme is recommending installing smoke alarms in boats and are providing specific guidance for boat owners on alarm type, location, number and maintenance. By way of illustration, so far, in 2007 there have been around 30 fires on inland waterway boats and two separate incidents resulted in the death of a 22 year-old woman and a 66 year-old man.  It is hoped that the smoke alarm initiative will help navigation authorities reduce the severity of the consequences of boat fires in future A statement recommending smoke alarms in boats The BSS has moved to make its strongest recommendation that boats with overnight accommodation are fitted with at least one suitable and effective smoke alarm. The hope is to persuade boaters to use smoke alarms as part of their fire action plan to aid detection and ultimately escape from fire. Early detection of a fire can help boaters deal with a small fire before it gets out of control or give everyone aboard the chance to escape without being overcome by smoke or poisonous fumes, particularly whilst asleep and so unaware of the advancing and deadly danger. Smoke alarm technology has advanced significantly over the past few years with more features being available in alarms, such as optical sensors, extremely long life lithium batteries and the facility to ‘hush’ the alarm when, for example, cooking food. To enjoy the maximum protection an alarm can offer, there are three key points to consider, choosing the right type of alarm; fixing it in the best place; and, having a routine of pressing the test button to check the alarm’s ability to work. The alarm of choice is an optical alarm with a long-life battery, a hush button and one that meets either BS 5446:2000 Part 1, or BS EN 14606:2005, preferably also carrying a certification mark. The recommendations have been developed with the help of one the UK’s leading bodies on fire protections issues, the Fire Protection Association (FPA). A set of guidelines is available on the BSS website and these have been drawn from the FPA report and reviewed by all the major suppliers of battery-powered smoke alarms. The guidelines cover the alarm choices in more detail; advice on positioning the units, and, guidance on the routine care, testing and maintenance.  The headline points from these BSS smoke alarm guidelines are as follows: Owners of boats with overnight accommodation are advised to have at least one smoke alarm of the recommended type. Although any type of proprietary smoke alarm may provide a degree of protection, the recommended type is an optical or photoelectric cell alarm because this type is particularly sensitive to dense smoke from a smouldering fire. The alternative ionisation type is best suited to flaming or fast developing fires. A smoke alarm with an extra-long life battery, also known as a lithium battery or 10-year sealed-in battery, is recommended. Boaters will have more confidence in the continued protection over many years, without having to remember to replace the unit’s battery. Choosing an alarm with a hush button is recommended because this will allow the alarm to be easily temporarily silenced, for example, if activated when making toast. An alarm that has been independently certified that it meets either the BS 5446-1:2000 or BS EN 14604:2005 standards offers more assurance that it will work if and when it is needed to. The British Standards Institution ‘Kitemark’, or the mark of the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB), are evidence of independent certification. Mounting an alarm in the right position is vital. For maximum levels of protection, it must detect a fire in its earliest stages. Generally alarms should be mounted on the deckhead or ceiling, 30cm from the cabin sides and within five metres of each protected area of the vessel. On some boats this may mean installing more than one alarm, and it is recommended to choose units that can be linked together. At the same time, an alarm must be able to wake anyone sleeping aboard, potentially from deepest sleep. The advice is to try out the alarm(s) in situ before fixing it in position. If the trial suggests that not everyone would be woken if fire started, a different spot should be tried, or more alarms installed – again with the recommendation about linking. Making alarm testing second nature is essential in order to pick up any problems with the alarm before it is put to the test for real.  Boaters are strongly recommended to press the test button on each alarm as part of their boarding routine.  Boaters that live or stay aboard for longer than a week are urged to get into the habit of testing alarms once a week. The BSS recommendations form part of its partnership activities with Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service to improve safety for boaters through advice and information. This partnership also hopes to influence many more boat builders to install the best types of smoke alarms from new. A proposed non-statutory code to be published in due course for operators of hireboats and similar vessels which will likely cover the subject of smoke alarms. Nigel Grant, former Head of Community Fire Safety and Youth Development for Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, said, “In the future I can see that smoke alarms will become the norm on boats and I’m keen for alarms, of the best type and well placed, to be used as another vital part of a boat owner’s fire action plan made with family members. But, it is crucial that boat owners understand that testing the alarm routinely by pushing the button is better than pushing their luck.” The smoke alarm guidelines supporting this recommendation are available from the links on the home page of www.boatsafetyscheme.com as too is the advice on making a fire action plan.

 

 

'Put it out. Right out'

If you drink and smoke at home you are at greater risk from suffering a fire. Smoking materials are the biggest cause of fire-related death in the home. Nearly a third of all households have a smoker living in them. There are an average of 120 deaths, 1,300 injuries and 3,750 fires per year in accidental home fires caused by smoking materials. Similar, recent research has found that about half of all adults killed in fires were under the influence of alcohol. The overwhelming majority of people who are killed in a house fire perish as a result of smoke and toxic fume inhalation as opposed to burn injuries. Evidence finds that alcohol not only impedes human detection of smoke, but also impedes peoples ability to respond to the danger a house fire poses to them and get out of their home safely.

By following a few key tips you can reduce the risk of fire happening in your home:

  Take extra care when you're tired, taking prescription drugs or have been drinking alcohol. It's very easy to fall asleep without realising that your cigarette is still burning.

  Don't leave lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes unattended - they can easily overbalance as they burn down, land on a carpet or newspaper and start a fire. When you put it out, make sure it really is out.

  Ensure you have a working smoke alarm for every floor level in your home.

 

why not down load our free guide to fire safety at www.pscfiresafety.com scroll down and sign up, please pass this on to all your friends

FSB network meeting

Due to popular demand the FSB South Leicestershire Branch has decided to re-start its monthly networking events. Because the branch covers such a wide geographical area we have decided that initially we will use three different venues spread throughout the area to make it easier for all members to attend. (Non-members are also welcome to attend). We will then assess your response and feedback to this.

 

The format of the events will be to arrive at 7.00pm for open networking, then to sit at tables of 8 to 10 whilst we eat, for more focussed discussion. A speaker will then talk to us for approximately 15 minutes on a business related issue, with time for questions, and more open networking will follow this. Price will be £10.00.

 

1^st Event 21^st August 2007 @ 7.00 pm

Greyhound Coaching Inn and Hotel, Market Street, Lutterworth, Leics.

Speaker Robert Egglestone will tell us all about the renovations he has done to this fantastic old Coaching Inn.

 

Our Future Events are as Follows (Put them in your dairy now):

18^th September:  Angel Hotel, Market Harborough - . Speaker to be advised.

16^th October: Hinckley area. Venue and speaker to be advised.

 

If you have any queries, please contact Elaine Vandelli, Branch Secretary, Hi 2 Events, 7 Heycock Close, Fleckney, Leicester  LE8 8UH.  Tel:  0116 240 2330  email:  Elaine@hi2events.co.uk

 

 Please note places are limited so return your forms as quickly as possible. I look forward to seeing you there.

 

Be Prepared

So what can you and your family do to be prepared for summer fire hazards at home and on the road? You can start by familiarizing yourselves with some important safety precautions for barbecues, campfires and summer storms. Applying these prevention tips to your indoor and outdoor activities can help decrease the likelihood of fire emergencies this summer.

• Never leave children unattended near outdoor grills, fireworks or campfires. Be sure they know how to dial 999 in case of an emergency.
• Keep a fire extinguisher, garden hose or bucket of water (or sand) nearby when using outdoor grills or campfires in case of emergency.
• Avoid loose clothing around any kind of outdoor fire or flame.
• Do not add lighter fluid to an already lit fire. The flame can flashback up into the container and explode.
• Never use a grill in enclosed areas. Carbon monoxide can be produced, leading to the increased likelihood of fire.
• Be sure the outdoor grill is fully extinguished before disposing of contents. Douse hot coals with water and stir them to be sure the fire is out. Store them in a metal container far away from your home or combustibles for at least 24 hours afterward.
• Do not overfill the propane tank and check the connection between the tank and the fuel line to be sure it is not blocked.
• After lighting a campfire, do not discard the match until it is cold. Break it apart so that you can feel the charred portion before you dispose of it.
• Use long handled tongs and skewers when cooking over a grill or campfire to prevent injury to yourself and to prohibit the spread of flames to clothing.
• Store fuel for outdoor equipment like lawn mowers in approved containers. Place containers away from the home and far from any heat source.
• Never throw a lighted cigarette from the window of a vehicle or walk off and leave a burning cigarette.
• Remove overhanging branches, tall grass, brush, dead leaves and shrubbery that touch or are too close to your home. It will quickly fuel a wildfire or lightening fire approaching your house.
• Remember - the same elements that cause outdoor fires, like lightening or grilling, can quickly spread to your home. Make sure smoke alarms are working properly and make sure you practice two ways out of each room of your home.

 

over 60% of businesses do not have adequate fire protection.

According to Fire Protection Trade Association figures, over 60% of businesses do not have adequate fire protection. To put this in context, every year there are more than 40,000 workplace fires, which unfortunately results in the loss of over 50 lives each year, causes almost 2000 injuries, with an average cost of £58,000 per fire and in 40% of cases businesses do not recover and fold as a consequence.

Legislation is there to encourage businesses to protect their staff and livelihoods, premises and assets and failing to comply can be extremely costly, even without the outbreak of a fire. Enforcement has lead to penalties being imposed of between £4000 and £85,000 where organisations have failed to adequately protect from the risk of fire.

To summarise, the main emphasis is on ensuring that a Fire Safety Risk assessment has been implemented. This should be reviewed regularly and after any change that might affect fire safety in the workplace. When undertaken properly this can help to protect your employees, visitors and your premises.

Is it time for you to take action?

Visit our web site www.pscfiresafety.com to find out about us or email paul@pscfiresafety.com and ask us to contact you about a free site survey.

 

to ensure that authorised guests are made aware of fire safety regulations

Since radical reforms to UK fire safety legislation came into force in 2006 (The Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order), responsibility for the safety of staff and visitors whilst on premises lies solely with the company. With the average cost of a fire in a commercial building in England and Wales alone, estimated to be £43,800 according to the Department for Communities & Local Government, it is imperative that guests are informed of company fire procedures and a clear record made of when, where and why they are visiting the building.

PSC is helping businesses to ensure that authorised guests are made aware of fire safety regulations. This is also helping companies avoid potential arson attacks by preventing unauthorised people from entering buildings.

 

Companies should also consider ways to protect themselves against deliberate fire damage. With Government figures now putting the annual cost of arson to the UK economy at well over £2billion, businesses need to take precautions against unauthorised people entering the premises.

Health and safety regulations state that every person within a building must be made aware of emergency exits and procedures. For employees, this generally constitutes part of an induction process, but for visitors, including contractors working within the building, this can sometimes be overlooked. Key information such as fire exits, evacuation meeting points and a layout of the building.

PSC can help write your fire policy and procedures and plans of your building, PSC have been involved for the last six months with the fire information box.

 In the event of a fire, time is of the essence. It is vital that the Fire Brigade can reach the fire quickly and effectively to reduce the risk of harm and keep damage to a minimum.

This will aid the efficiency of the Fire Brigade in the event of an emergency. It should contain essential information on the building such as site and building plans, hazards, lift positions, contacts etc. and should be positioned at a prominent entry point within the building.

For more information or a demonstration please email our sales team paul@pscfiresafety.com or visit our web site look at details under our products.