TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 11 covers fire prevention in the workplace and the methods to ensure that people are properly protected if fire does occur. Each year UK fire brigades attend over 35 000 fires at work in which about 30 people are killed and over 2500 are injured. Fire and explosions at work account for about 2% of the major injuries reported under RIDDOR.
The financial costs associated with serious fires are very high including, in many cases (believed to be over 40%), the failure to start up business again. Never underestimate the potential of any fire. What may appear to be a small fire in a waste bin, if not dealt with can quickly spread through a building or structure. The Bradford City Football ground in 1985 or King's Cross Underground station in 1987 are examples of where small fires quickly became raging infernos, resulting in many deaths and serious injuries.
Since the introduction of the Fire Services Act of 1947, the fire authorities have had the responsibility for fighting fires in all types of premises. In 1971, the Fire Precautions Act gave the fire authorities control over certain fire procedures, means of escape and basic fire protection equipment through the drawing up and issuing of Fire Certificates in certain categories of building. The Fire Certification was mainly introduced to combat a number of serious industrial fires that had occurred, with a needless loss of life, where simple well-planned protection would have allowed people to escape unhurt.
Following a...
