Check Whether Your Fire Risk Assessor Is Qualified or Not

At this time it is imperative that you check the accreditations of the person that will be carrying out the Fire Safety Inspection on your premise. 

If you carry out a general Internet search so many London based Fire Safety Protection Companies come up offering all kind of Fire Risk Assessment ‘deals’. But wait - don’t be tempted by price, do your research and double-check the Company’s’ accreditation and most importantly the accreditation of the Fire Risk Assessor carrying out the Fire Safety Inspection.

There are only 337 registered, qualified Risk Assessors in England!

An example for you to consider:

Just recently a leading Fire Alarm Company’s Fire Safety Consultant, who was carrying out a Fire Risk Assessment, contacted London Fire Risk Assessments asking; “I was hoping you could assist me with the following. Does a building that would of complied with fire safety/building regulations at the time of construction, need to be upgraded to meet current legislation? Mainly with regard to fire doors, means of escape and final exits.”

Now, should this Fire Safety Consultant be asking an Independent Fire Risk Assessment Company these kind of questions? Should he not know the answer or even ask one of his peers within his own Company? More importantly should he be carrying out Fire Safety Inspections and compiling Fire Risk Assessments?

One of the best places to find a ‘Qualified’ Fire Risk Assessor is the Institution of Fire Engineers. On their homepage you will find a Risk Assessors Register – just enter your postcode and a list of ‘Qualified’ Assessors will come up in your area. Alternatively you can contact London Fire Risk Assessments they are members of the Institution of Fire Engineers, Registered as Fire Risk Assessors and fully insured to do the job.  Contact their friendly team now on 01689 890879 for a free quotation.

London Fire Brigade prosecutes a Finchley based restaurateur over Fire Safety!

 

The owner of a Finchley restaurant was arrested as he tried to leave the country on holiday, after ‘persistently failing to address Fire Safety failings.’

London Fire Brigade noted that the leaseholder of the Restaurant was prosecuted after a series of failures from 2011 onwards. That year, Fire Safety Officers fro the London Fire Brigade visited the restaurant after a kitchen Fire, finding a number of serious failings including a defective Fire Alarm, wedged open or poorly fitted Fire Doors and inadequate escape routes.

After follow up visits, Officers found that none of the Fire Safety failings identified had been addressed; an Enforcement Notice was issued requiring the necessary works to be completed within a month. In July 2012, Inspectors received information that people were sleeping on the premise. They visited again and found that the same Fire Safety deficiencies remained unaddressed while a ground floor exit was blocked by an electricity generator.

At this point, the Officers decided the issues were serious enough that they presented a serious risk to life in the event of a Fire, with a Prohibition Notice issued for residential use of the premises. Legal action began last year against the Owner and initially he failed to attend court, with a warrant issued.  He remained at large until his arrest at an airport this year as he set off for a short break.

He pleaded guilty to six Fire Safety offences and was handed a six moth suspended prison sentence, as well as being ordered to complete 80 hours of community service, in addition to paying £10,000 in prosecution costs. The offences he pleaded guilty to included failures to:

·         Have a Fire Risk Assessment Completed

·         Have a suitable Fire Alarm

·         Ensure Emergency exits were clear

·         Ensure a protected Fire Escape

·         Have Fire Doors installed

·         Maintain Fire Safety Equipment

·         Comply with the Enforcement Notice.

The Assistant Commissioner for Fire Safety at London Fire Brigade, commented “The Owner persistent refusal to address the concerns of our Fire Safety Officer meant that the restaurant and floors above it were nothing short of a ‘death trap’ putting the lives of all those working and sleeping there at risk if ever a Fire had broken out.”

“This is the First case we have prosecuted where the issuing of a warrant has resulted in the defendant being arrested and it should send a strong message that where we find business owners not taking their Fire Safety responsibilities seriously, we will do all we can to ensure they are brought to book and prosecuted”.

With the delivery of such a strong message from the London Fire Brigade all London Restaurants should take their Fire Safety responsibilities seriously. The first thing to check – is there a current Fire Safety Assessment in place. If not then one of the best places to search for a ‘Qualified’ Assessor is the Institution of Fire Engineers – they have a Risk Assessors Register on their website. All you need to do is put in your postcode and a list of ‘Qualified’ Assessors will come up in your area.

Once you have appointed a Fire Safety Risk Assessor they will carry out a thorough Inspection/Audit of the premise. They will identify any deficiencies and outline them in the Fire Safety Risk Assessment.

London Fire Risk Assessments are an independent Fire Risk Consultancy based in London and their core business is Fire Safety Risk Assessments. If you have any Fire Safety concerns or need to book a Fire Safety Inspection and Audit then call them now on 01689 890879 or click here for a free quotation.

 

A Chip Pan Left Unattended Became the Cause of a Fire Break in a Block of Flats in Kilburn, London

Part of a maisonette on the fourth and fifth floors of the block was damaged by fire, which was caused by an unattended chip pan.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “You should never leave cooking unattended – if you have to leave the room, turn the heat off before you do.”

To help prevent a fire whilst cooking here are just a few tips:

· Avoid leaving cooking unattended
· Don’t cook if you are tired, if you have been drinking alcohol or taking medication that might make you drowsy
· Keep cloths away from the cooker and hob
· Keep the oven, hob, cooker hood and grill clean to avoid a build-up of fat and grease
· Use a spark device to light gas cookers
· Double check the cooker and hob are turned off when you have finished cooking
· Check toasters are clean and placed away from anything that can catch fire
· Never put anything metal in a microwave
· Never use a barbecue indoors or on a balcony

Make sure that your home is fitted with a working heat detector in your Kitchen and smoke alarms in rooms that you regularly use and in the hallways.


If the worst happens and an accidental fire occurs then it is of paramount importance you know your Emergency Plan so you can get out of your flat safely.


If you live in a Block of Flats you should have a current Fire Safety Risk Assessment for the communal areas of your premise. At this time Fire Safety is at the forefront of peoples minds and it is up to the appointed ‘Responsible Person’ to ensure that a Fire Safety Inspection and Audit has been carried out by a ‘Qualified’ Fire Risk Assessor.


The best place to search for a ‘Qualified’ Assessor is the Institution of Fire Engineers – they have a Risk Assessors Register on their website. All you need to do is put in your postcode and a list of ‘Qualified’ Assessors will come up in your area.

London Fire Risk Assessments are an independent Fire Risk Consultancy based in London and their core business is Fire Safety Risk Assessments. If you have any Fire Safety concerns or need to book a Fire Safety Inspection and Audit then call them now on 01689 890879 or click here for a free quotation.

A Fire in a Purpose Built Block of Flats in London was caused by a portable heater left on overnight!

London Fire Brigade issued a warning to all residents to take extra care when using portable heaters.

Portable heaters should not be left on overnight and electrical appliances should be unplugged at night too.

Some Fire Safety tips for using portable heaters:

• ·         Secure heaters against a wall to stop them falling over – or fit wall-mounted heaters
• ·         Keep heaters away from clothes, curtain and furniture
• ·         Sit at least one metre away from a heater as it could set light to your clothes or chair, especially if you fall asleep
• ·         Always turn off heaters and allow them to cool down before you move them.

To read more:

London Fire Risk Assessments advice to clients:

It’s important to ensure that electrical appliances are used safely and it is your responsibility to check that the appliance is in good working order – PAT (Portable Appliance Test) is recommended.

Electrical appliances within the communal areas of a purpose built block of flats should be tested in accordance with the recommendation of the Fire Risk Assessment for the Building.

Every purpose built block of flats in London should have an up to date Fire Risk Assessment. Electrics, Lighting and Heating are just a few high risk areas that are covered by the Assessment, and it is essential that the Responsible Person addresses the recommendations of the Fire Risk Assessment for the Building.

If you need a Company that provide Fire Protection Safety Services in London go to the Institution of Fire Engineers. On their Home Page you will find a Risk Assessors Register all you do is put in your postcode and a list of ‘Qualified’ Assessors will come up in your area.

London Fire Risk Assessments are a Fire Safety Consultancy and members of the Institution of Fire Engineers they offer a range of Fire Protection Safety Services in London with their core business being Fire Risk Assessment and Fire Safety Training in the London area. To find out more or to get a free quotation contact their friendly team on 01689 890879 or click here.