child proof lighter

At PSC we are always looking for the next product that will reduce the chance of a fire our colleges at Kid Rapt have recently sent us a sample of a child proof lighter and yes we think it is fantastic.

 

The sale of non child proof lighters is now set for March 08.

 

We are looking at adding this to our stock range.

 

If you would like more information or would like to purchase a lighter please give Paul a call 01455 557877 or email paul@pscfiresafety.com

 

 

 

Firework Top Ten Safety Code for Adults

Firework Top Ten Safety Code for Adults

Young people should watch and enjoy fireworks at a safe distance and follow the safety rules for using sparklers. Only adults should deal with firework displays and the lighting of fireworks. They should also take care of the safe disposal of fireworks once they have been used.

1. Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable.
2. Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.
3. Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary.
4. Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back.
5. Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.
6. Never return to a firework once it has been lit.
7. Don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw them.
8. Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators.
9. Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire.
10. Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.

 

Bonfire Night

With under two weeks to go until Bonfire Night, RoSPA recently launched a new website to help people enjoy fireworks safely.

The website has all the information people need to make sure their firework parties are fun rather than fraught with danger.

If you want to enjoy fireworks whether for Halloween, Bonfire Night, Diwali, Chinese New Year or New Year, www.saferfireworks.com is the place to start.

As well as the Firework Code, the site includes a guide on how to organise a display and how to deal with specific types of fireworks from rockets to Catherine Wheels.

You can always down load a free guide to home fire safety on our home page www.pscfiresafey.com scroll down type in your email detail and submit.

 

Just a short note of thanks we received after another fire awareness training course we held, if you have not trained your staff why not give us a call 01455 557877 or email paul@pscfiresafety.com

 

Hello Paul,

 

Thanks very much for the training sessions, we have had some very positive feedback, and feel it was a well worthwhile exercise. If you have an electronic copy of the ‘Groovy UK Fire Policy’ document I would appreciate receiving a copy so I can email it to all concerned. Thanks again.

 

Best regards,

Simon

 

Simon Braisby
Financial Analyst & Assistant to Financial Controller

Groovy UK Ltd
13 St Johns Business Park,
Rugby Road, Lutterworth,
Leicestershire, LE17 4HB, UK

s.braisby@groovyuk.com
http://www.groovyuk.com

T: +44 (0) 1455 200 470 – Main Switch Board
T: +44 (0) 1455 200 471 – Finance Department

T: +44 (0) 1455 200 484 – Direct Dial
F: +44 (0) 1455 200 472 – Fax

 

PSC is issuing a fire safety warning

Fire safety warning

PSC is issuing a fire safety warning to Muslim people as they prepare to celebrate Eid this Saturday, October 13.

"Eid is celebrated to mark the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, and the preparation of special celebratory meals increases the risk of cooking fires during this time," said Paul Coughlan of PSC.

Nearly 57 percent of all fires in the home are caused by cooking accidents, and there are 20 fat pan fires every day in the UK.

If you scroll down our home page and type in your email details you can down load a free fire safety guide.

Visit www.pscfiresafety.com forward this on to a friend.

We hope we don’t have to read any articles about fire again this year.

 

Storage of flammable liquids in process areas, workrooms, laboratories and similar working areas

 

The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) require risks from the indoor storage of Dangerous Substances to be controlled by elimination or by reducing the quantities of such substances in the workplace to a minimum and providing mitigation to protect against foreseeable incidents.

It is recognised that for practical purposes where flammable liquids are used, there is likely to be a need for a limited quantity to be stored in the workroom/working area. It is the responsibility of the employer / dutyholder when carrying out their risk assessment required under DSEAR Regulation 5, to justify the need to store any particular quantity of flammable liquid within a workroom/working area. However, the guiding principle is that only the minimum quantity needed for frequently occurring activities or that required for use during ½ day or one shift should be present in the workroom/working area (DSEAR ACoP L135, par.39 refers). Clearly actual quantities will depend on the work activity and also the organisational arrangements for controlling the fire risks in the workroom / working area.

When not in use, containers of flammable liquids needed for current work activities should be kept closed and stored in suitable cabinets or bins of fire-resisting construction and which are designed to retain spills (110% volume of the largest vessel normally stored in it). These should be located in designated areas that are where possible away from the immediate processing area and do not jeopardise the means of escape from the workroom/working area. The flammable liquids should be stored separately from other dangerous substances that may enhance the risk of fire or compromise the integrity of the container or cabinet/bin; for example energetic substances, oxidizers and corrosive materials. It is recognised that these other dangerous substances may be flammable liquids in their own right or held in a flammable liquid. However, it is still inappropriate to store these in the same cabinets or bins with other flammable liquids. [Further guidance on Energetic and spontaneously combustible substances is contained in HS(G)131 published by HSE] 

It is recommended that the maximum quantities that may be stored in cabinets and bins are no more than 50 litres for extremely, highly flammable and those flammable liquids with a flashpoint below the maximum ambient temperature of the workroom/working area; and no more than 250 litres for other flammable liquids with a higher flashpoint of up to 55°C (DSEAR ACoP L135, par.40 refers).

These quantities are intended to be viewed as recommended maxima representing good industry safe practice, rather than be taken as absolute limits. There is intended to be some flexibility with these limits, where it is recognised that the design of modern day buildings and the pattern of work can sometimes make adherence to these quantities difficult to achieve; for example, in large or open-plan workrooms / working areas. However, where the employer/dutyholder does identify a need to store quantities in excess of the recommended maxima, a robust demonstration of this requirement would need to be made and in particular the risk assessment should take into account:

• The properties of the materials to be stored or handled in the workroom / working area. For mixed storage the worst case situation should be applied, i.e. all materials in the storage cupboard or bin should be considered as being the same material as the one that has the lowest flashpoint; 
• The size of the workroom / working area and the number of people working in it;
• The amount of flammable liquids being handled in the workroom / working area and the quantities of liquid that may be accidentally released or spilled;
• Ignition sources in the workroom / working area and potential fire spread in the event of an ignition:
• Exhaust ventilation provision to the workroom / working area and / or the storage cupboard or bin;
• The fire performance of the storage cupboard or bin;
• The arrangements for closing the cupboard or bin doors/lid in the event of a fire;
• Means of escape from the workroom / working area.

The particular objective, in the event of an incident, is to ensure that people can safely escape from the workroom / working area. In this context, the purpose of storing Dangerous Substances in cupboards and bins of appropriate construction and design is to provide a physical barrier to delay the involvement of these materials in a fire and limit the passage of flame and hot gases should the Dangerous Substances subsequently become involved, for sufficient time for people's safe evacuation and the dutyholder's immediate emergency procedures supporting this to be implemented (DSEAR ACoP L136 par. 68 refers).

Paragraphs 94 –96, along with Appendices A & B and paragraph 104 in the DSEAR ACoP L136 detail the performance requirements for fire resisting cupboards and bins. It is important to recognise that these do not specify an absolute test or standard for the cupboard or bin itself, rather they relate to nominal construction principles. Namely:

1. that the materials used to form the sides, top, bottom, door(s) and lid are capable of providing the required fire resistance (i.e. 30 minutes integrity) and reaction to fire (i.e. minimal risk);
2. that the joints between the sides, top and bottom of cupboards and bins should be free from openings or gaps;
3. that the lid / doors should be close fitting against the frame of the bin/cupboard, such that there is a nominal overlap between the frame and lid/doors in their closed position;
4. that the supports and fastenings should be of a material with a melting point greater than 750°C.

These criteria represent the minimum performance requirements for compliance with the current legislation. However, it is to be noted that there are a number of more demanding standards and design specifications, which refer to the fire performance of the complete cabinet structure, including: BS EN 14470-1:2004 'Fire safety storage cabinets – Part 1: Safety storage cabinets for flammable liquids'; Factory Mutual, Underwriters Laboratories and ANSI/NFPA 30 standards. Where standards go beyond the minimum requirements of UK health and safety legislation, it is to be emphasized that their implementation in the UK is not a legal requirement. However, for quantities in excess of the recommended maxima employers/dutyholders may find cabinets with enhanced fire performance help in making their risk assessment demonstration.

It is of course the responsibility of the employer/dutyholder to ensure that cabinets to any particular standard or design specification do meet the minimum legal requirements. Equally, the use of cabinets with enhanced fire performance should not be seen as a substitute for the provision of dedicated store rooms and outdoor storage areas for the safe keeping of containers which are nominally empty or are not needed for current work.

PSC can supply a full range of cabinets and storage solutions for a free catalogue or free survey please contact paul@pscfiresafety.com

Network meeting 16th October

 

 

16th October 2007 @ 7.00pm

 

Greyhound Coaching Inn Lutterworth

 

Networking starts from the moment you walk through the door!  Why not join us to start to build on relationships.

 

Discover new business ....

Find new suppliers ....

Share business experiences ....

Catch up with friends ....

and just mix and mingle!

 

Open networking

Networking over dinner

Relax and listen to our speaker

Viv Lawson Head of Business studies Lutterworth College

and just to finish

more open networking!

 

This event is open to FSB members and non-members.

Cost £10 per person

 

You can book your place for this event by telephoning or emailing Paul Coughlan, Vice Chairman, on 01455 557877 or paul@pscfiresafety.com