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Adam Bannister is a contributor to IFSEC Global, having been in the role of Editor from 2014 through to November 2019. Adam also had stints as a journalist at cybersecurity publication, The Daily Swig, and as Managing Editor at Dynamis Online Media Group.
March 3, 2016

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Fire-Safety Comments of the Month – February 2016

This is the first instalment in a new monthly feature that recognises the insightful comments that you – the IFSEC Global community – post below articles.

Every month we’re going to spotlight the most compelling or astute contributions left ‘below the line’ (ie, in the comments thread below the articles).

Comprised of thousands of fire-safety professionals and ‘responsible persons’ under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, from fire-risk assessors to property landlords, the IFSEC Global audience often adds considerable value in this way. The debate below the line is often as interesting as the article above it.

Would you like to share your views ‘above the line’ – ie write your own articles or be quoted? It’s a great way to promote your business too. If so, email me on [email protected].

In February our story on the prosecution of a Lewisham Housing Association drew a strong response. Lewisham Homes has just been fined £40,000 for its role in the 2011 deaths of two tower-block residents following a fire caused by arson.

The London Fire and Rescue Service, which brought the prosecution, found that fire door in the flat where the fire started had been prevented from closing by a metal security door fitted immediately in front, accelerating the egress of smoke to the lobby.

Responding to the story Trv8Mike wrote: “It seems worth taking a look at the approach by the Scottish care sector in greatly promoting ‘free swing’ type door devices. Residents can be very frustrated struggling through strongly sprung door closers with shopping or small children. These devices should lead to less vandalism and frustration.”

Lewisham tower block fire corridor LFB

After the Lewisham fire

Efim Rabinovitch had a novel suggestion for reducing the risk of smoke egress: “The singular case with a metal security door given prominence after 5 years, whereas typical ‘fire doors’, which are not fire doors, are overlooked. ‘Fire doors’ in flats are not fire doors when fitted with a letterplate. This is the case even with the ‘fire rated’ letterplates, which are currently tested and certified with the flap in closed position.

“Apart from the extreme scenario of letterbox arson the letterplate flap can be open for any reason, for example by a stuck newspaper. Then a ‘fire door’ has no resistance to spread of smoke and fire.

Landlord Graham Chilvers said he strongly suspects that “the steel door was put in by the tenants to slow the police down if they do a forced entry. I have had similar situations of massive locks and bolts added to exit doors by drug dealing tenants. 

“You can fix the FD and the moment you leave the building they will change it.  What has to be considered is ‘reasonableness’. A landlord can only take reasonable steps to ensure these things work.  Tenants put plastic bags over smoke detectors. Is that the Landlord’s fault?”

Responding to this Pip53 wrote that “the door fitted is a security door to prevent access into an empty (void) property and was fitted by the landlord. The problem arose primarily as the landlords contractor removed the flats timber fire door so that the metal door and frame could be fitted. Void security doors are fitted by virtually all social landlords to prevent illegal entry so this fire has major implications for all social landlords.”

Click here to read the full story and other comments.

The Clandon Park Fire: Questions from a National Trust Member provoked an even bigger debate. Written by fire-safety consultant Alan Cox – whose 2014 article Is the Fire Service the Right Enforcement Authority also sparked a lengthy exchange below the line – the article questioned the lack of detail in a report by the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service into the fire that gutted Clandon Park National Trust property.

Clandon Park after the fire

Clandon Park after the fire

Cox, who has previously advised the National Trust on fire safety, concluded that:

“I don’t believe that this report gives us a great deal of information about the wider aspects of the incident and it certainly does not give me any confidence that it reflects exactly what happened […]I don’t believe that the authority that has been responsible for giving both good will and statutory advice should be the one to produce such a report, as there is a “vested interest” in the subject, which in my opinion is not likely to produce an open and honest conclusion.

“I think that the National Trust has a duty to make their internal report public so that we are able to establish a clearer picture of all the events that occurred prior to this devastating fire.”

Responding to the article rjd459 wrote that “The compartmentation within this premises floor to floor and room to room, appears to have been issue and should have been expected in a premises of such age and reflected in the FRA for the premises.”

Tweet Clandon Park 2

David Cole1365, who says he worked on the steering committee to redraft CIRIA736 following the 2005 Buncefield oil terminal fire, said: “Too many businesses choose to cut the cost and hide their heads when it comes to understanding how a fire will impact their business. Once a fire takes hold for any commercial business, other areas of impact will come into play.

“Once the FRS start the run-off, water can pollute the environment and it is unlikely this damage will be insured. I have many clients that have found out the hard way, following a fire they are prosecuted for pollution.”

Click here to see how the debate unfolded, including comprehensive responses from Cox himself, who has also advised Kings College, BUPA and the British Antarctic Survey Expedition on their fire safety procedures.

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