Arson Prevention

Here is some good advice from West Yorkshire Fire Service, which apply to bothe the workplace and home:

“Deliberate ignition is the largest single cause of fires in the country and accounts for approximately 76% of all fires attended within West Yorkshire.

What you can do to prevent arson

Basic steps you can take to help protect your property are;

• Minimise the amount of combustible material that is left in and around buildings.
• Ensure your property is secure with adequate locks on doors and windows and the provision of security lighting.
• Carry out a fire risk assessment, fit smoke alarms and plan an effective escape route.
• Park vehicles in a well lit place, fit an anti-theft device and don’t leave valuables on show.”

http://www.westyorksfire.gov.uk/arson-reduction

For help and advice on fire safety in the workplace, call FSS Ltd on 01246 434 314.

Fire Safety Specialists Ltd – Protecting your business, protecting your dream.

Electrical Fire Safety Week

The safe use of electrical equipment, along with regular maintenance of said items is essential in the prevention of fires in the home and the work place.  This week is electrical fire safety week, and the Electrical Safety Council provides the following advice to help you keep your home safe from fire:

Do

• Check the condition of your wiring – This should be done when you move into a new home and then once every 10 years. It’s the landlord’s responsibility if you rent your home. Ask to see a copy of the certificate or report confirming that the electrics meet the UK national standard BS 7671 (Requirements for Electrical Installations).
• Check your sockets regularly – if you see burn marks or they feel hot, get a registered electrician to check them.
• Turn off any electrical equipment you are not using – especially at night, when a fire can spread quickly while you sleep.
• Regularly check flexible cables on kettles and other similar appliances – look for signs of fraying, general wear and tear, or a loose plug. Do this before you plug anything in.
• Be careful when using hand-held electrical equipment –­ make sure you switch off and unplug when you have finished. This is important with items that get hot, for instance hairdryers or curling tongs, as they may come into contact with materials that can catch fire (like curtains).
• Check the current rating of an electrical adaptor before you plug appliances in ­­– make sure that the total current used does not exceed the adaptor’s rating.

Don’t

• Overload any adaptor or socket – especially with appliances that have a high electrical current such as kettles, irons or heaters. It’s safer to have extra sockets installed if needed.
• Put electric heaters near curtains or furniture – or dry clothes on them.
• Cover the air vents on storage heaters or fan heaters.
• Trail flexible cables under carpets or rugs.
• Exceed the wattage of the light fitting or lampshade with the bulb you use.

For more details click here.

Fire Extinguisher Servicing – be careful who you choose

Here’s a quick blog update for you.  Over the year’s we’ve been involved with fire safety, we have been amazed by the costs our potential clients are telling us they are being charged for fire extinguisher servicing.  Usually there is one large supplier (who shall remain anonymous) who is at fault, and here are a couple of examples.

Our MD Vin, visited a customer today to look at other potential work.  When he asked about the extinguisher servicing, he was gobsmacked to find out that for 54 extinguishers, the client is being charged £5000 per annum just for maintenance.  That is almost £100 per extinguisher.  For that price the customer could buy two new extinguishers.

A second example is an long term customer of our’s that compared our prices to that of his existing service agent (the same large company).  Not only was he being charged a small fortune for maintenance, he was also on a 7 year contract, which he had never signed.  It seems that the engineer filled in the details for him….

So as a guide to extinguisher servicing:

1. Don’t just look at the big companies.  Your local fire extinguisher companies will usually provide a good service and a respectable price.
2. For peace of mind make sure the engineers are BAFE registered.
3. Check with other businesses who they are using, get recommendations.
4. Shop around, the competition for your business is fierce.

Our prices are asround £6.50 per extinguisher for servicing plus £16.00 site attendance.  If you need a quote or any advice please give us a call on 01246 434 314.

Rotherham Factory Fire

60 Fire Fighters at Rotherham Factory Fire

FIREFIGHTERS have spent the night tacking a huge blaze at a South Yorkshire factory, which has wrecked the building and spread to an industrial unit next door.

The blaze at Envelope Master, Aldwarke Lane, Aldwarke, Rotherham, was discovered at 10.40pm last night and was still burning this morning.  At its height there were 10 fire engines at the scene and two aerial ladder platforms tackling the flames from above…cont

Bonfire Night Comes But Once a Year…..

……and for may that’s a relief.  Bangers popping for two weeks before Guy Fawkes meets his end, the dog hiding under the table a quivering wreck, pensioners dreading the prank roman candle being pushed through the letter box……

It’s not all doom and gloom.  Bonfire night is a fun night for most of us.  So if you are having your own bonfire party,  here’s some advice from South Yorkshire Fire Brigade - Follow the Firework Code:

• Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114
• Don’t drink alcohol if using fireworks
• Keep fireworks in a closed box
• Follow the instructions on each firework carefully
• Light them at arm’s length using a suitable taper
• Stand well back
• Never go back to a lit firework
• Never put fireworks in your pocket
• Never throw fireworks
• Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves
• Never give sparklers to children under five
• Keep pets indoors

For more advice follow the link – SYFS Firework Code