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IFEDA VOICES CONCERN OVER FIRE EXTINGUISHER REMOVAL

IFEDA, the Independent Fire Engineering & Distributors Association, is questioning the reasoning behind the recent removal of fire extinguishers in a property maintained by Richmond Housing Partnership (RHP). Residents at the property have allegedly been told that the removal of fire extinguishers from common areas of their block of flats was for their own safety. Nigel Walton, Chairman of IFEDA, commented: "IFEDA would question what available evidence demonstrates that the removal of fire extinguishers would enhance residents’ safety. Providing the correct type of fire extinguisher is in place, as determined by British Standard 5306 PT8, the likelihood of using the wrong type of fire extinguisher on a fire is minimal. It would be unlikely that dry powder extinguishers would be used in communal evacuation routes, for example, a stairwell. Therefore the risk from obscured vision and breathing difficulties due to dust is minimal. Surely the sensible option would be to inform residents about the practical use of handling a fire extinguisher, rather than removing them altogether." Walton continued: "All fires start small. Where a fire can safely be extinguished by the correct use of a fire extinguisher, then this can clearly minimise the massive damage fire can cause. Extinguishers play a vital role in the prevention of fire spreading."

Graham Ferris, General Manager at IFEDA added his concerns by saying: "Recent surveys, (Eurofeu/IFEDA 2002 and IFEDA 2008) across Europe and in the UK, have established that approximately 80% of fires are extinguished before they get out of hand, by the use of portable fire extinguishers, even where the operator has had no formal training in their use. Any fire, given the time to take hold, can cause untold damage to property. The resulting additional costs in insurance, re-build, re-homing, in addition to damage to the environment, through the pollution and release of toxins, surely is argument enough that the safe placement and use of a fire extinguisher is the sensible option. They not only help contain the fire, providing crucial additional minutes to escape, but can also help minimise the damage fire can cause."

IFEDA, as an independent trade association, promotes quality standards and procedures within the fire safety industry.

Suspended prison sentence for building owner’s fire safety breaches

A London building owner has been given a six month suspended prison sentence after being convicted of seven offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Saif Ahmed was sentenced on 14 September after being found guilty of four offences at a trial at Tower Bridge magistrates’ court on 1 June 2011. Mr Ahmed had already admitted three other offences at an earlier hearing.

He was also sentenced to 150 hours of community service and told to pay over £13,000 in costs.

Fire safety officers visited his property in Camberwell Church Street on 9 December 2009. The basement and ground floors of the building are used as a takeaway restaurant, while the first, second and third floors were being used as sleeping accommodation with five bedrooms.

Officers found a range of fire safety breaches on the upper floors of the building. These included having no fire alarm or emergency lighting; the bedroom doors were not fire resistant or self closing; the staircase from the ground to second floor was not fire protected; and there was no alternative means of escape from the sleeping accommodation.

The inspectors also found no evidence of an emergency plan and that no fire risk assessment had been carried out.

“It is essential that building owners understand their responsibilities under fire safety law,” said assistant commissioner for fire safety regulation, Steve Turek.

“London Fire Brigade works hard to ensure individuals and companies understand their responsibilities under fire safety law and only use prosecution as a last resort, but this verdict sends out a clear message that if they ignore fire safety then they will face serious penalties.”

Article source

Crews who were called out to reports of a small kitchen fire in Castleford got more than they bargained when they arrived on the scene. Confronted with a string of small fires last week (8 July) in a row of six terraced houses, firefighters evacuated the occupants just seconds before an explosion tore through the row of homes. The drama was captured on a CCTV camera mounted on a fire engine.

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