do we have to have a death before action is taken?

More than 1,000 pupils are off school for the foreseeable future after a suspected arson attack destroyed almost half a secondary school.

About 30 firefighters were still at the Sidney Stringer School in Cox Street, Coventry, on Wednesday morning. Which started at 1530 BST on Tuesday.

Around 40% of the school is thought to have been wrecked in the fire, could your school still operate if this happened to you? 

Initial findings led firefighters to believe the blaze was suspicious, can you produce the evidence to say all has been done to reduce remove or replace potential hazards?

Nearby residents were asked to keep their windows and doors closed overnight because of the threat of asbestos dust from the fire, is your asbestos log up to date?.

Pupils were led out of the affected building as crews arrived it sounds as if the school fire policy worked would yours?

There were no reports of anyone being injured in the incident, what would happen if their was a casualty?

We know fires occur we can prevent them or at least reduce the risk, at PSC we see everyday silly mistakes being made it is no good after the event take action now.

We have our cd rom based fire risk assessment products from £69.99 this helps you train staff and complete an assessment yourself, or we can visit your site and write your policy train your staff and provide the evidence the fire brigade will want to see when they do a fire check.

This is not a threat recently 4 schools that PSC have helped have had dates confirmed they are going to be visited, we await the results.

If you would like any information on our products services or just want to reassure yourself that what you have done is acceptable you can visit the web site www.pscfiresafety.com or email paul@pscfiresafety.com or phone 01455 557877

Don't become the next headline I am sure the headteacher at the above school would prefer to be teaching today not meeting the council.

 

Fears over fire safety in hotels

Fire safety consultant Alan Cox conducted an undercover inspectionA worrying number of hotels in one of the UK's top tourist regions are ignoring basic fire prevention safeguards, according to an investigation by the BBC's Inside Out South West programme. The programme's findings come in the aftermath of a devastating fire at the Penhallow Hotel in Newquay last month, which claimed three lives. Fire precautions at 13 out of the 14 hotels visited by an undercover team were judged unsatisfactory by independent fire-safety consultant Alan Cox. Failings included wedged-open fire doors, obstructed fire exits and a potentially useless fire escape. Alerted by Mr Cox, the fire service has already acted on his findings, requiring one of the hotels to urgently upgrade its precautions. The Inside Out team filmed undercover at 14 randomly-chosen three-star hotels in four resorts. The worst problems were identified by Mr Cox at the Livermead Cliff Hotel in Torquay. Locked escape Mr Cox found one fire escape corroded and another sited next to open kitchen and bedroom windows. Windows next to fire escapes should be sealed shut to protect escapees from fire. Inside the hotel, he found one fire-escape route ran through a locked guest room. Other escape routes were through bedrooms opened by keys in smash-glass boxes. In one dead-end corridor, a mattress store had no fire-proof door at all. Mr Cox also found fire doors with no seals, fire doors left open, and a fire-exit sign that was pointing the wrong way. It's amazing when I look at some of the fire risk assessments that I do see how naïve some people are Alan Cox He was so concerned he sent his findings to the fire service, which has since inspected the hotel and agreed a programme of improvements with the owner, including the installation of an approved fire alarm system. Hotel owner Timothy Rew told Inside Out the safety of guests was paramount and he would address any safety issues. The fire service carries out spot checks on hotels and has the power to shut them down. However last year, responsibility for assessing fire risks shifted. 'Very worried' The fire service no longer issues fire certificates. Instead it is up to owners and managers to judge the risks - or get a consultant to do it for them - and take action. But Mr Cox believes many hoteliers are not qualified to carry out or commission such an assessment. He said: "I think the industry needs to be very worried indeed. I've been in this profession for more than 40 years, and I still learn things. "It's amazing when I look at some of the fire-risk assessments that I do see how naive some people are." The Penhallow Hotel fire broke out in the early hours of 18 August. Joan Harper, 80, died along with Peter Hughes, 43, and his elderly mother, Monica. The hotel had a fire certificate, and a police investigation into the cause is continuing. Alan Cox said Inside Out's investigation showed a tragedy like Penhallow could happen again. "Certainly all the ingredients are there for a similar catastrophe," he said. The Penhallow Hotel was destroyed by a fierce fire But assistant fire officer Neil Gibbins, head of community safety with Devon and Somerset Fire Service, believes hotels are safer under the new system. He said: "The responsibility for making a place safe from fire has always sat with the owner or the employer. "The new law clarifies that by removing the fire certificate, which could have been seen as the MOT for the building. "Leaving the responsibility firmly on the shoulders of the person who controls the building should be seen as an advantage." A statement issued by the Livermead Cliff Hotel said any "outstanding issues" relating to fire protection were being addressed. It said: "The Best Western Livermead Cliff Hotel considers the safety of its guests to be of paramount importance. "The issues of fire protection was and is being considered as part of a much larger ongoing scheme of building development and refurbishment." "We are in contact with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Services and will meet with them shortly with view to agreeing a programme and timetable of works which will address any outstanding issues and meet their ongoing requirements."

PSC believe passionately about fire safety well done BBC's Inside Out South West programme for highlighting this major problem, we believe many establishments are not completing a fire risk assessment because they feel they are are not qualified to carry out or commission such an assessment. If you would like advice with fire risk assessment please email your details to paul@pscfiresafety.com or visit our web site http://www.pscfiresafety.com/

PSC Fire Safety  BUSINESS FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT BULLETIN  ATTENTION: Business Owner / Employer SEPTEMBER 2007

BUSINESS FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT Fantastic News for UK Businesses. We have pleasure in introducing to you a spectacular legal compliance product, the Business Fire Risk Assessment CD-ROM, a UK Best Value quality product offering you the easiest way to stay compliant at minimum expense, saving you hundreds of pounds in consultancy fees.   The Requirement.    The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, effective 1st October 2006, applicable to ALL UK Businesses, which are to be inspected by the fire Authorities for compliance.  Non compliance may result in fines of up to £5,000 per offence and even imprisonment.   The Solution.  The Fire Risk Assessment CD-ROM provides templates of statutory documentation, policies and procedures to assist you to carry out your own premises Fire Risk assessment to produce records which will be required by the Fire Brigade and even your insurance company.   We can help you avoid fines and litigation claims at minimum expense, at the press of a button.   The Cost.  Good news Only £49 + VAT  Not only does it offer a UK Best value product and solution but  saves you hundreds of pounds in costly consultancy fees as well as time and money to get on with what You know best, Running Your Business.   Order Now.   Simply email us paul@pscfiresafety.com or post/fax it to us today or buy on-line at www.pscfiresafety.com Product name: Fire Risk Assessment.   BUSINESS STAFF FIRE TRAINING   The Requirement.    The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.   The Solution.   The Fire Safety Training CD-ROM.   Carry out your Staff & Fire Warden Training at the press of a button and save huge costs in training fees. The CD Covers: Fire Legislation                                         ●      Training Records/Certificates Triangle of Fire                                          ●       Sound & Video Supplements 7 Fire Training Sessions                         ●       Manual & Automatic Operation Operation & Type of Extinguishers        ●       Free CAD Drawing Programme Fire Prevention Advice                              ●       + much more                  Suitable for small and medium size businesses.  Can be used as a teaching aid for the deaf and persons with disabilities when in manual operation mode. Can be used on a stand alone P.C, or LAN Network   The Cost.  Good news Only £69 + VAT offering a UK Best value product and solution.   Order Now.   Simply send us a email or post/fax it to us today or buy on-line at www.pscfiresafety.com  Product name: Fire Safety Training.   Don't waste your money, comply with the Law today at minimum expense… Order Your Product NOW   Fax to: 01455 557877 or post to: PSC 4 Valley Lane Bitteswell LE17 4SA    Vat Reg. No: 798163576

HELP A BUSINESS FRIEND BY FORWARDING THIS FANTASTIC OFFER TO THEM   Please note: Software requires Windows (95,98,00,Nt,XP,Vista) PC, hi-colour display & sound card with speakers. Licence is for 12 months use only from date of registration.  For use on a stand alone P.C, or LAN Network (please request our technical information leaflet via admin@protectorint.com). Certain documents may require M.S. Word.  Product is designed for low risk SME's.  All prices are subject to VAT.   Due to the huge demand for this product please allow between 7 and 28 days for delivery. Further product information is available at www.pscfiresafety.com   Your email address forms part of the PSC mailing list, We DO NOT INTEND TO SEND "SPAM" MAIL. Should you not wish to receive further emails please email paul@pscfiresafety.com  requesting your email address to be removed from our mailing list, we will remove your details and inform if necessary our supplier of the same.  Please accept our apologies in advance for any inconvenience caused.    Without restricting the generality of the foregoing, this email does not make any representations or warranties, whether written or oral, statutory, express or implied with respect to the information, which may be provided hereunder, including without limitation, any warranty of merchantability or of fitness for a particular purpose furthermore we shall not be liable for any special, incidental or consequential damages of any nature whatsoever resulting from receipt or use of the information. Terms & Conditions of Trading available on request.

 

North Wales fire chiefs slam business bosses in sprinkler row

We think this could be an interesting move forward we would love to hear your thoughts on home sprinkler systems, why not reply to this email paul@pscfiresafety.com

Business leaders have called for a plan to install life-saving sprinklers in all new homes to be scrapped – because of the cost.

The Welsh CBI has been accused of putting profits above lives by furious fire chiefs.

Cardiff-based CBI Wales director David Rosser says the move could add thousands of pounds to the price of every new home in Wales and cost the construction industry millions.

But fire chiefs reacted angrily, saying each fire fatality costs £1.3m and nobody has ever died in a UK house fire where there were sprinklers.

Vale of Clwyd AM Ann Jones has introduced a Legislative Competence Order to the Welsh Assembly which, if backed by fellow AMs, would make it mandatory to install sprinklers in all new homes.

The organisation has written to Ms Jones telling her the proposal would be costly and unworkable and would make Wales a less attractive place for developers and new entrants to the housing market.

Mr Rosser claimed: “The aims behind the proposal are admirable but the proposal in its current form is unworkable. It would add significantly to the cost of new houses and have a damaging effect on the competitiveness of our development and construction sector.

“We think that the finite resources available in Wales would be better targeted at existing housing stock to ensure they have even the basic warning and protection systems for smoke, heat and carbon monoxide and to remove flammable materials and improve means of escape.”

But Chris Enness, North Wales’ deputy chief fire officer, hit back angrily last night.

He said: “I find it really disappointing the CBI is putting money above the value of a life, especially when research shows the cost of a life is £1.3m.

“Wales has lost, on average, 20 people a year through fire deaths in the home over the past five years. Sprinkler systems would have avoided all of those deaths – nobody has ever died in a UK house fire where there were sprinklers.

“That could save more than £20m, and there is the additional saving in hospital and burns unit treatment, damage to property and rehousing.

“The CBI has not taken that into account and their figures do not add up.”

Ms Jones has tabled proposals for automatic fire sprinkler systems to be installed in all newly-built homes in Wales.

Ms Jones said: “I believe this is a public safety issue and is the sort of thing the Assembly has been set up to address.”

The issue is to be debated by the Welsh Assembly government next month.

 

electrical goods that turned out to be faulty beware

Halifax Home Insurance has advised Britons heading to car boot sales to be wary when it comes to buying electrical items.

According to the insurer, 65 per cent of the UK has attended a car boot sale in the last five years.

However, 30 per cent of bargain hunters revealed that they had bought electrical goods that turned out to be faulty.

Vicky Emmott, senior manager of underwriting at Halifax Home Insurance, said that the figures reveal that "all that glitters is not gold".

"Car booters should be particularly wary of second hand electrical items, especially since electrical fires are the root cause of 18 per cent of all house fires each year," she warned.

you can down load free advice on testing of electrical appliances email your details we will forward the link.

News Flash - £400,000 fine for poor health and safety practices

A factory blast that killed nine people in 2004 would have been avoided if £405 had been spent on replacing a corroded gas pipe, Glasgow High Court heard. Risk assessments, one of which was carried out by a student on a holiday job, did not specifically investigate the condition of underground pipe work. ICL Plastics and ICL Tech - the operators of Stockline Plastics in Glasgow - pleaded guilty to health and safety breaches and were fined a total of £400,000. PSC can help you avoid potential fire risk and guide you through a fire safety plan we are a phone call away 01455 557877 don’t leave it until the flames are at your door, small shops, residential accomadation to large schools we have helped over 400 sites to date. We not only point out your deficiencies we also source the supply of any equipment or solutions required to help you meet the required standard why not check out our web site www.pscfiresafety.com. We would love to hear from anyone who has a question relating to fire safety please email your question to paul@pscfiresafety.com