Fire Safety Housekeeping & Management
Housekeeping, to many people, may refer to domestic chores, such as shopping or cleaning. However, in the world of fire safety, it is a term frequently used to describe a range of day-to-day issues and tasks relating to fire prevention which, if left outstanding can have adverse effects on the residual risk posed by fire.
Fire Safety Management
Management will have a significant impact on the housekeeping issues that might arise. In construction, the phrase “a tidy site, is a safe site” is often used and whilst this is not strictly true, the essence of the saying is. The key to good management is keeping ahead of simple activities, such as general tidiness and it follows that ‘a tidy site’ would indicate that the same organisational principles are followed throughout other work processes.
Management of fire safety is paramount. If the management system is poor, common deficiencies are frequently highlighted. These include, inaccurate and/or incomplete documentation and records, which, in turn, often lead to fire safety systems etc. not being tested appropriately, therefore increasing the likelihood of fire/consequences of fire.
Simple management tools can be used, such as a traditional ‘fire safety log book’. This single provision can ensure all relevant information is stored in one place, planned maintenance, fire drills etc. can all be recorded in the log book, as well as recording activities that have been undertaken.
Fire Management System Failure
Where the management system fails, this can be highlighted in a number of ways. A vast range of issues have arisen over numerous surveys, however, below are the most common issues identified:
• Inadequate testing and maintenance of fire safety systems
• Excessive fire loading within given areas
• Means of escape routes blocked/locked/impeded
• Significant risk of fire caused by combining ignition sources with combustible materials
• Furnishings presenting a greater risk due to damage
• Inappropriate storage
• Inadequate controls over flammable materials
• Lack of controls over external personnel, e.g. contractors undertaking works
• Overloading of electrical systems
• Poor cable management (leading to damaged flex cords)
• Inappropriate potential arson assessment
This list is not considered to be exhaustive, but it should provide some insight into typical housekeeping issues that are observed. These examples should demonstrate that housekeeping is more than keeping your desk tidy.
Risk of Fire
The consequences of all the examples given and for all fire safety housekeeping issues is that the risk of a fire is greater. This can be due to the likelihood of fire occurring being greater, for example by introducing additional ignition risks to an environment, or by making the consequences of fire worse, perhaps by increasing the fire loading within an area.
Dot the i's and cross the t's
We must all give fire safety housekeeping the respect it deserves, whilst it is deemed to be at the "simple end" of the spectrum, if we fail to get this right, we are likely to fail in all areas. There is little point in installing complex fire detection systems to protect a building (in the event a fire might start) if we overlook the issues that could cause a fire to start in the first place. Whilst this bulletin would never suggest lessening fire protection systems, these systems are in place to detect fire and prevent its spread. Most housekeeping issues are in place as a fire prevention measure. If we can achieve prevention, we achieve success.
Our aim, at Complete Fire Safety Management, is to make the process of becoming fire safe, straightforward and, to use our expertise in fire risk assessment and fire safety management to guide you through each step, resulting in your premises meeting all legal, insurance and ethical fire safety considerations.
If you would like to know more simply call Peter Gyere on 020 8668 8663.
