Fire Risk Assessment Consultancy Training UK Ltd are delighted to announce that in partnership with Bureau Veritas we have secured a 3 year contract with a 2 year extension option to carry out high quality training for Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). This staff fire safety and fire warden training will be carried out throughout the UK at RBS's premises. Managing Director Ian Shakespeare says "We are delighted to secure this contract and look forward to working with RBS to provide high quality bespoke training".

Fire Risk Assessment UK Ltd continues to expand its client list. For the second year we have completed full and thorough fire audits at one of the UK's leading holiday park groups.

We also now act on behalf of one of the South West's leading housing associations in devising fire strategies on their developments in this part of the UK.

FRAC continues to act in assisting in fire safety measures at several major residential/public schools throughout the East of England.

One of our newer clients is the world's largest removal company; FRAC has been assisting in fire safety procedures and assessments at their latest storage depot in Hertfordshire.

Our MD Ian Shakespeare sits on several fire industry panels in his position as Technical Chairman of the Institution of Fire Prevention Officers (IFPO).

The industry currently is debating the merits of fire risk assessment competency criteria.This criterion is expected to be formally announced in September 2011 and will hopefully be adopted throughout the UK fire industry, raising the standards and the credibility of assessors. All fire consultants are recommended to enrol on a reputable register, the IFPO has a suitable register available.  Applications can be downloaded from www.ifpo.org.uk/downloads.html

Work has commenced on the 3rd amendment of British Standard Institute PAS79.This is a document considered suitable for use for fire risk assessments and this updated document is expected to be ready for publication and use by late summer or early autumn.

Work continues on several important British Standards including BS 5839 part 1 Fire Alarms and BS5266 Emergency Lighting. Updated standards are due to be published later in 2011.

Follow us on facebook!

The latest (2006) UK fire statistics available, state that losses of approximately £20 million can be directly attributed to electrical fires in commercial and public premises alone. These range from the entertainment sector in Surrey
(£250,000), a hotel in Berkshire (£1.8 million) to a primary school in Kent (£3.4 million). Whilst it is virtually impossible to totally eradicate the risk entirely there are several things you can do to lessen the risk:

1. Check your electrical system wiring in accordance with the current wiring regulations (IEE Regs.). The current recommendation is for a 5 yearly ‘health’ check. This should be more frequent if substantial changes have taken place to the wiring system or building.
2. Carry out Portable Appliance Tests (PAT) in accordance with current guidelines. There is often misunderstanding about how often tests should be carried out. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) offers no clear cut directive but SUGGESTS in its documentation that it should be carried out about every 1 / 2 years. Portable generally means any appliance that weighs under 18 kg or has castors/wheels to facilitate its movement. A good visual check should be kept on all portable appliances and staff should be reminded to be observant and carry out visual checks.
   For further information visit www.pat-testing.info
3. Avoid the use of inappropriate electrical adaptors. These are generally adaptors which look like a white cube and you can plug 2-4 plugs into them. Doing this you cannot control the amp rating of the appliance and many fires have been caused by overheating of inappropriately rated appliances. Mechanical movement of the appliance being plugged in can often cause internal wear which cannot be seen from outside. If you need additional connections either use a properly fused extension or best of all fit additional outlet points.
4. Avoid daisychaining of extension leads. Daisychaining is where one cable extension is plugged into another cable extension etc, etc. This can again cause overloading of the cable extension.
5. Avoid using UNWOUND cable reel extensions. If not, it is possible that heat may be generated in the same way as an electric motor generates heat with disastrous consequences.
6. If your building is fitted with a lightning conductor it should be checked annually.
7. Do you have a suitable policy for staff that bring in their own portable electrical appliances? Often overlooked staff may bring in phone chargers and other electrical items. A formal staff electrical policy should be developed. You do not stop staff bringing in appliances, just ensure that they are tested. (You can even charge a nominal fee for the test!).

Remember that following a fire:-

28% of businesses recover
29% fail within 3 years
43% never recover
Ensure your business is one of the 28% should you be unfortunate enough to have a fire!