Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Protection Team

Is your business arson safe?

This week, on Monday and Thursday we welcomed Housing officers from every district council in Hertfordshire for some refresher training and planning exercises in relation to fire safety in HMO's (houses in multiple occupation).
Fire Safety Inspectors sat with Housing officers from the areas they covered and worked through fire safety measures required in two sets of plans of real HMO's.

Stevenage Borough Council Dacorum Borough Council Watford Council Hertfordshire County Council St Albans City and District Council Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council East Herts Council North Herts Council

Please see the important information below from the CROSS safety reporting website.

It will be of interest to all those involved in Fire Safety, Planning, building design, architects, building control and approved inspectors.

Horizontal mains used as a solution to meet vehicle access requirements Approved Inspectors and building control bodies are increasingly accepting horizontal mains as a solution to meet the firefighting vehicle B5 access requirements of Approved Document B (ADB).

The Institute of Fire Engineers have produced this useful guide, find it here:
https://www.ife.org.uk/write/mediauploads/documents/Fire_Regulations_all_sectors_guide_final.pdf

Yesterday one of our team did a presentation at an AFSA (Asian Fire Service Association) development day.
The day was centered on connecting with our communities. The presentation covered a project looking at diverse business owners and why there is a higher amount of enforcement activities associated with businesses owned or run by people from BAME communities.
It was interesting to hear what other fire services have discovered during researching the same subject, the similar findings and the findings which were unique to Hertfordshire and other areas.
The project and subsequent report which was carried out last year made suggestions about how the fire service in Hertfordshire and other areas could change the way they work to reduce risk for businesses and the public in Hertfordshire and ensure all businesses had a clearer path to high quality fire safety information, and relevant departments in fire services that assist businesses with fire safety.

Please see the details below of an important event being held next month.

Yesterday we welcomed members of HCPA (Hertfordshire Care Providers Association) for our fourth in a series of development sessions to help those running care facilities in Hertfordshire to make their premises even safer from fire.
We ran a morning and afternoon session covering:
Safe staffing levels.
Fire risk assessment.
Testing and maintenance.
A case study on a fire in a care home in Hertfordshire this year where staff carried out their duties to a high standard.
How to carry out a tabletop exercise.
And other relevant advice.
There was also an opportunity for attendees to ask any questions relating to fire safety in their own premises.

Following a serious fire at an industrial estate in Kings Langley members of our team have been visiting local businesses in the area during the last two weeks.

We fielded questions from concerned local businesses and provided advice to businesses regarding fire risk assessments, maintenance of fire safety equipment, arson prevention, and other relevant advice.

We also showed them the online free to download government guides available via this link:

https://www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities/fire-risk-assessments

All businesses now have to record their fire risk assessment after the law changed in October 2023.

Please see this important update from our trading standards colleagues:

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is taking enforcement action and warning consumers about a brand of e-bike battery – UPP – that has been linked to a number of fires across England. Amazon, AliBaba, eBay and Made in China have been issued with Withdrawal Notices which require them, in their roles as distributors of the product, to stop supplying the UPP battery. OPSS has also issued a Withdrawal Notice to 20 sellers directly and has also issued a Withdrawal Notice to the China-based manufacturer.

The product presents a serious risk of fire as it is poorly built with poor welding to connect the components. The product also did not have a heat sensor to prevent overheating, with the battery management system not sufficient to prevent the battery from entering thermal runaway.

Consumers are being advised not to use the battery and contact the seller for further redress. Batteries can also be disposed of in local household recycling centres, however consumers should check first with their local centre if they accept this type of battery.

E-bikes and e-scooters use large lithium-ion batteries which can present a risk of serious fire or explosion in certain circumstances. While these can be used safely, there have been a number of fire incidents involving lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters, including in conversion kits.

You follow these five steps when purchasing, using or charging your e-bike or e-scooter to reduce fire risks:

Step 1: RESEARCH – only BUY an e-bike, e-scooter, charger or battery from a known seller and check any product reviews
Step 2: READ – always READ and FOLLOW the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and using e-bikes or e-scooters
Step 3: CHECK – not all e-bike or e-scooter batteries and chargers are compatible or safe when used together. Check and only USE the manufacturer’s recommended battery or charger
Step 4: CHARGE – always charge in a safe place without blocking exits and always UNPLUG your charger when you have finished charging
Step 5: NEVER – attempt to modify or tamper with your battery

We also hope business owners and residents celebrating Lunar New year in Hertfordshire and further afield enjoy their celebrations tomorrow 🐲

We would like to wish all the Chinese business owners and residents in Hertfordshire and beyond a happy new year!
We hope you enjoy your celebrations tomorrow!

Please use the link below to find out how to better manage the risks involved with e-cycle and e-scoter batteries in your premises.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/e-cycle-and-e-scooter-batteries-managing-fire-risk-for-premises/e-cycle-and-e-scooter-batteries-managing-fire-risk-for-premises

If you have recently started allowing the storage and charging of e-cycles, e-bikes or electric scooters in or on your business premises or building you manage you should also review your fire risk assessment.

How can you find a suitably qualified fire risk assessor?

Business owners and building managers have a legal responsibility to ensure they employ a suitably qualified fire risk assessor. All businesses now need a recorded fire risk assessment.

Below are some examples of registers of qualified fire risk assessors you can search:

https://www.ife.org.uk/fire-risk-assessors-register #:~:text=The%20IFE's%20Fire%20Risk%20Register,of%20Assessors%20Life%20Safety%20logo.

https://ifsm.org.uk/fire-risk-assessors/

https://ifpo.org.uk/fra-register/

https://www.bafe.org.uk/bafe-fire-safety-services/fire-risk-assessment

The person searching for a fire risk assessor should also:

Check that they have experience of working for your kind of business and premises.

Be clear about the scope of the work to be carried out, ensure that the assessor is provided with access to all areas of the premises and with relevant information.

Obtain alternative quotes – make sure they all cover the same scope, so you can draw a proper comparison.

Make sure that you provide the assessor with access to all areas and information.

It is advisable to request references from previous clients in similar premises types; ask them if they were satisfied and if any problems were later identified by the Fire and Rescue Authority.

It is advisable to ask for proof that they have sufficient professional indemnity insurance and to seek assurance that the contractor is impartial and has a complaint’s procedure.

Keep and maintain records of the steps you took in selecting your fire risk assessor

Did you know we produce a free email every week?
It features a wide range of material suitable for small business owners right up to fire engineers.
To subscribe please send an email to:

fire [email protected]

This please see the tips below to keep your business, staff and customers safe:

Include lithium ion battery safety in your fire safety training if you use them.
Regularly check plugs and cables for damage or scorch marks.
Avoid daisy chaining extension leads.
Try to keep to one appliance per extension lead.
Make sure your 5 year fixed wiring certificate is in date.
Buy charging devices from reputable sources.
Avoid leaving items charging unattended.
Include lithium ion battery use and safety mitigation in your fire risk assessment.
Have relevant items PAT tested.

As of 1/10/23 every business must now have a recorded irrespective of the number of employees or whether a licence is in force.
This is a major change so we are highlighting it to make businesses in aware. You can visit:

https://www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities/fire-risk-assessments

To assist you in carrying out your own fire risk assessment or:

• Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) https://www.ife.org.uk
• BAFE Fire Safety Register https://www.bafe.org.uk
• Institute of Fire Prevention Officers FRA Register – IFPO

To find a fire risk assessor to do one for you if you do not feel you have the necessary skills and knowledge to do so, we highly recommend engaging a qualified risk assessor if your premises includes sleeping accommodation.

This if you see fire doors or frames that are damaged, wedged open, have excessive gaps between door and frame (wider than a £1 coin), have cracked glass in vision panels, don't close properly or are missing cold smoke seals and / or intumescent strips please report this to your employer, whoever maintains your building or staff at a building you are visiting.

To find out about the changes to fire safety legislation coming in to force on 1/10/23 please use the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/check-your-fire-safety-responsibilities-under-section-156-of-the-building-safety-act-2022/fire-safety-responsibilities-under-section-156-of-the-building-safety-act-2022

There are substantial changes to how fire risk assessments must be recorded and several other changes.

Fire safety responsibilities under Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

A consultation with unite students revealed these concerns about fire safety and false alarms:
Unattended cooking
Covering smoke alarms
Ignoring fire alarms
Use of candles
International students not evacuating when alarms sound
For all starting their new chapter in life:
Never light candles or have open flames in your student housing
Never cover smoke alarms
Don’t ignore fire alarms
Don’t leave cooking unattended
Don't cook while drunk

It is fire door safety week
Below is a simple five step fire door check.Fire doors - if maintained and working correctly can save lives and vastly limit damage to businesses

The latest Home Office figures from the year ending September 2022 reveal fire and rescue services attended 238,885 fire false alarms, the largest total of false fire alarms in over a decade, an increase of 10% compared with the previous year.

See the link below for tips on how to reduce disruptive false alarms at your business.

https://www.ifsecglobal.com/fire-alarm/false-fire-alarms-continue-to-cost-the-u

Some of our team visited premises in Borehamwood today to undertake a PANDA (Premises that Are Not Domestic Accommodation) Quick Strike.
A serious fire had occurred in an industrial unit so we visited the other units on site to discuss in general terms how to make their premises safer from fire, left some information with the individual businesses, fielded any questions the businesses had about fire safety and gave some site specific advice to each business based on what we saw during each visit.
The visits were well received and it was a great oppurtunity to engage with small business owners.

When a gas appliance breaks down, it may be tempting to try fixing it yourself to save your business money, but don't risk DIY! Put safety first by finding yourself a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Find and check gas engineers at GasSafeRegister.co.uk

We have seen a number of fires in the UK which have involved artificial foliage and cane screens used to decorate walls and ceilings. These displays are most commonly seen in licensed premises – but not exclusively.
Here are some tips for businesses using artificial foliage, cane screens or other flammable materials for decoration:
• Ensure heat sources and naked flames are away from artificial foliage displays.
• Artificial foliage should not be located on stairways, corridors or means of escape.
• Artificial foliage must be considered in your premises fire risk assessment.

When Living walls are installed it is important the materials used to house plants etc are not allowed to dry out.

It’s essential to stay aware of vital gas safety advice as we go into the winter months. Look for signs of unsafe gas appliances in your business, such as a lazy yellow flame, boiler errors, and uncommon noises. Find out more at GasSafeRegister.co.uk.