THERMATECH Fire Consultants - Risk assessments, surveys and fire system design.

NEWS AND UPDATES

Needs of responsible person to be key in national risk assessor scheme

14.04.2010

The move towards a nationally recognised quality assurance scheme for fire risk assessors has stepped up a gear with the appointment of Iain Cox, the Chief Fire Officers Association’s director of prevention and protection, as chair of an expanded working group.

The group – made up of representatives from professional bodies, trade associations and certification bodies – had previously met under the auspices of the Communities and Local Government department, and was set up following last year’s government report into the impact of the Fire Safety Order 2005. That report highlighted concerns over the variable quality of fire risk assessments and the need to clarify who has an appropriate level of competence.

The working group is aiming to conclude a set of competency criteria to carry out fire risk assessments, and has agreed that the needs of the ‘responsible person’ should be central to its work. The criteria could then be used for individual certification schemes – accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) – both for individuals and companies offering risk assessment services.

Last year, Warrington Certification announced a third party certification scheme for fire risk assessors accredited by the UKAS. In 2008, the Fire Industry Association (FIA) established its risk assessment council for companies providing risk assessment services. The FIA is now working with BAFE to develop a competency scheme for such companies, in parallel to the work being carried out on individual risk assessors.

Other professional bodies – such as the Institution of Fire Engineers and the Institute of Fire Safety Managers – run their own registration schemes for individual fire risk assessors.

Martin Duggan, general manager of the FIA, said: “It’s a difficult process trying to get all stakeholders to agree on anything, let alone a subject where everyone has already been developing their own pathways. However, the result would provide such a fundamental building block for fire risk assessors and assessments, it is worth the pain.”

Arson reduction initiative launched in conjunction with 'smart water'

08.10.2009

ARSON IS ON THE INCREASE

Statistics show that the incidents of arson are on the increase across the United Kingdom. Arson effects business and domestic dwellings. Schools are at risk as are empty (void) buildings.

Most cases of arson are opportunist attacks by young persons or persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs. On occasions fires are started in an attempt to destroy forensic evidence linking a person to a crime.

We at Thermatech (TFC) in conjunction with the worlds leading crime prevention company ‘Smart water’, have launched an ‘arson reduction initiative’. The initiative combines the expert knowledge of fire safety specialists, crime prevention specialists and the widely used and accepted ‘smart water’ product.

Thermatech will carry out a detailed fire risk assessment, arson reduction survey and a physical security assessment. The findings are recorded within a report along with recommendations as to how to put right what is wrong and what a client needs to do to reduce the chance of an arson attack on their premises.

We have solutions available that greatly reduce the likelihood of an arson attack and security breach occurring within disused vacant buildings. This is very beneficial for landlords who have a duty of care to persons entering a disused building such as a public house, club, warehouse etc

Disused pub before the fire Burnt out buildings in Skegness.

We at Thermatech (TFC) are committed to assisting you reduce the circumstances where your buildings are susceptible to attack.

TFC... ‘Together Fighting Crime‘

30/04/2009: Two of TFC fire engineers have recently completed training in the correct selection and installation of passive fire protection products. It is essential that a building is able to provide the maximum amount of time available to enable escape in the event of fire, and to provide protection to fire fighters. Fire breaks built into buildings must be able to provide a minimum of 60 minutes fire resistance as detailed within building control approved document B and within the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. It is essential that the contractors who are tasked with filling holes and gaps caused by the installation of building services such as plumbing, lighting etc understand the importance of the task and are third party accredited. NAPFIS is a third party accreditation scheme. A NAPFIS installer will certificate their work, and NAPFIS will at any time carry out a quality and compliance audit on the projects.

National Association of Passive Fire Installers and Specifiers

11/11/2008: Thermatech Fire Consultants Ltd (TFC) have become a member of the Fire Industry Association (FIA). The association is dedicated to recognising quality and professionalism within the fire protection industry. In addition to membership TFC have also been accepted to act as a council member of the Fire Risk Assessors council. The council will be working to establish a high level of professional competency amongst all organisations offering the service of 'fire risk assessment'. For further information about the FIA or the Fire Risk Assessors Council please contact our council representative Mr Ashley Wood via e-mail ashley@thermatech.uk.com

Recognised by the Institution of Fire Engineers

Ashley Wood (consultant) has been awarded IFE accreditation and is now a registered fire risk assessor. The IFE offer a third party accreditation scheme to assess the competency of persons offering to carry out fire risk assessments, fire audits etc. The 'road' to inclusion on the IFE register of approved risk assessors can take up to 6 months.

During this time the applicants will be assessed by a panel of their peers, they will be asked to provide evidence of there fire risk assessments and will be asked to provide references from past clients. There are currently only 50 registered fire risk assessors on the IFE register for the whole of the UK, all of them highly experienced fire engineers in there own right.

Ashley said 'I decided that whilst there are other third party accreditation schemes operating, the IFE is recognised as the organisation best associated with the fire profession. By undertaking to achieve this standard it provides confidence to our customers that they are dealing with a recognised professional's.

Information that may affect you!

Information sheet: 001

FIRE SAFETY LAW

New fire safety rules affecting all non-domestic premises in England and Wales will come into force on 1 October 2006. The new law will:

Emphasize preventing fires and reducing risk
Make it your responsibility to ensure the safety of everyone who uses your premises and in the immediate vicinity
Do away with the need for fire certificates

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, made in June 2005, was due to come into force in April 2006, but in January the department announced it was deferring to give business and stakeholders more time to prepare. See links for relevant news releases.

How will you know if you will be affected by the law change?

Are you responsible for business premises?
Are you an employer?
Self-employed with business premises?
A charity or voluntary organisation?
A contractor with a degree of control over any premises?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions then you will need to act now. If you fail to act you will be prosecuted and may face a fine of up to £20,000 and a custodial sentence.

Information sheet: 002

GUIDANCE FOR BUSINESSES AND ORGANISATIONS

Fire kills. In 2003, there were 3,401 fires in industrial premises resulting in 3 deaths and 153 other casualties*.
Fire also costs money. On average, each fire in industrial premises costs approximately £60,100**.
All employers have a responsibility to ensure the safety of employees and visitors during hours of work and at places of work.
The information provided below relates to general fire safety and regulations. If in doubt, or if you require more specific information, please contact your local Fire and Rescue Service who will be happy to provide you with the information and guidance you need.

*Fire Statistics (2003)
**Economic Cost of Fires Report 2005

Frequently asked questions

What is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order?
It will be a consolidation of nearly all existing fire safety legislation

Who will it affect?
Primarily employers and building owners but it could be anyone who has some control over premises.

What will I have to do?
Mainly, carry out a fire risk assessment and act on the findings.

I have a fire certificate….. Will that be enough?
No. Fire certificates will no longer be valid. However a fairly recent fire certificate will be a good starting point for your fire risk assessment.

Will fire precautions have to be improved? / Will it cost me anything?
(Answer for both) Yes & No! If you are already fully complying with existing legislation then it should be fairly simple. If you have not kept your fire precautions up to date there may be some additional areas to look at.

Will the Fire & Rescue service still inspect my premises?
In some cases yes, particularly in higher risk premises. But they cannot carry out your fire risk assessment for you.

How can I find out more?
Contact Thermatech Fire Consultants.