STOP YOUR BUILDING BECOMING AN ARSON STATISTIC
If you own or manage a business or if you are responsible for fire safety or security in any kind of building you should know that the most serious fire risk you face today is from DELIBERATE FIRE!
ARSON is an ever-present threat to shops, offices, storage premises, factories, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, schools, churches. No building is immune. Much of the arson is associated with vandalism and burglaries. You can greatly reduce the risk to your building by adopting the safeguards set out below.
Responsibility
In any enterprise the owner/manager or a named individual of senior grade must be made responsible for fire safety including protection from arson attack.
Think about the ease with which intruders/arsonists could break into the premises and take immediate steps to strengthen your defences.
If there have been any small fires on your own or neighbouring premises, inform the police immediately as well as calling the fire brigade. A small fire could be a warning of something worse to come!
Fire Risk Assessment
It is a requirement of the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 for the employer to carry out a fire risk assessment. Remember, carrying out and implementing the findings of your risk assessment can help you to reduce the threat of arson. The guidance document " Fire Safety - an Employer’s Guide " gives voluble advice to assist you. Where 5 or more people are employed, the result of the assessment should be recorded. Click here for further information.
Security
One entrance is better than two especially if that one entrance is manned throughout the day.
Outer fences, walls and gates need to be high enough and strong enough to keep out intruders.
Doors and windows must be in good repair and locked when not in use.
Use good quality locks and padlocks.
Gaps under doors should be as small as possible.
Letter boxes should have metal containers fitted on the inside.
Know who holds keys; chase any that are missing.
Stored material of any kind should not be stacked adjacent to fences or walls where it could be set alight from outside.
Skips should be sited well away from buildings.
Employees
Warn staff of the threat from arson fires.
Ask them to challenge anyone who should not be on the premises and report any suspicious activities.
Vet new employees.
Keep an eye on outside contractors and visitors
The movement of visitors within the building should be controlled.
Fire protection
Ensure equipment, which you have installed - extinguishers, hose reels, alarms, detectors, sprinklers - is in good working order and protected against sabotage attempts.
End of day checks
1. You or a named individual must be responsible for securing the building at the end of each working day.
2. Check that doors and windows are secure.
3. No combustible materials are left lying around.
4. No unauthorised people on premises.
5. Alarms are switched on.
6. Outside illumination is on.
7. Any flammable liquids locked away in secure store.
Information published by:
THE ARSON PREVENTION BUREAU - which has been set up by the Home Office and the Association of British Insurers to spearhead a national programme of action against arson. Click here
Further information is available from the Bureau.
Help and advice on protection of your premises is available from:-
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Last Updated Saturday August 18, 2001 5:42 PM
