This fire in London started by a cigarette ended up spreading to commercial and residential properties. Safely extinguishing cigarettes outside is very important. If done carelessly, these can smoulder for hours and start a fire a long time after disposed off.
When carrying out a fire risk assessment I always look around the perimeter of the building for evidence of smoking. In blocks of flats, residents often stand by fire exit doors and smoke just outside the doors or dispose of cigarettes from their balconies etc.
Often, the cigarette ends come from passers by or another premises. Either way, it is important to ensure you smoke a safe distance away from such premises and use any designated smoking areas and ashtrays rather than just acting carelessly because you just never know.
https://lnkd.in/eBp3htv5
For Fire Risk Assessments in London please visit
https://lnkd.in/e8NhtV-r
More and more high rise blocks of flats in London are being identified as being as high risk with dangerous cladding, that's according to this article by a London Assembly spokesperson.
The sanctioning powers within the Building Safety Act should be used where necessary and powers stepped up to ensure the external facades are made safe.
https://lnkd.in/eM2HaU3q
For all London Fire Risk Assessments please visit Whale Fire's London Fire Risk Assessment page here:
https://lnkd.in/e8NhtV-r
I have to say I completely agree with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Unions with regards to the ludicrous idea to cut of the bottom of doors in schools to assist with Covid Ventilation.
This is still an idea being put forward by the Scottish Government when surely there are far easier, safer and more cost effective ways of achieving greater ventilation if opening windows isn't enough.
This will potentially increase the speed and severity of a fire spreading throughout a school building and could potentially endanger a lot of people. Reading the article, I don't think its going to happen but to me the risks would outweigh the benefits significantly. The fact that the idea was even proposed by a Government in the UK is the real concern.
https://lnkd.in/dCpxDYuA
For fire risk assessments that don't involve door demolition, please contact Whale Fire on our enquiry page below!
https://lnkd.in/eiSWx_F
This recent fire in Tower Hamlets in London spread throughout the flat, balcony and also caused some damage to an adjacent balcony.
Fortunately nobody was injured and the Fire Service managed to safely evacuate any residents whom could have been in danger.
It does highlight the importance of considering the external walls and balconies when carrying out a fire risk assessment. Establishing the construction of the balcony flooring, proximity to adjacent balconies and any potential cladded panels linking them is all part of a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.
https://lnkd.in/dw8--43J
#london
#construction
#fireriskassessment
For all London Fire Risk Assessments please visit the Whale Fire London Fire Risk Assessments page below:
https://lnkd.in/eq59nbe
It took up to 25 firefighters to extinguish this flat fire above shops in Bethnal Green. Part of a three roomed flat above a shop was damaged by fire and fortunately nobody was hurt in the incident.
As I have said previously, it is important when carrying out a fire risk assessment to the communal areas of flats to consider the whole building, any commercial/retail premises below and ensure the means of escape are adequately protected for the residents.
https://lnkd.in/dnmmW-hj
For all London Fire Risk Assessments visit Whale Fires website here:
https://lnkd.in/eq59nbe
A huge and historic manor in Wiltshire has been destroyed by fire despite heroic efforts from firefighting crews to save the building.
This building was believed to have been built in the early 1700’s as a hunting lodge and is registered as a listed building.
I don’t know what the building was currently used for and it’s condition but I do know that fire safety can sometimes be compromised in buildings which are listed or are in conservation areas.
This can change what you are allowed to alter within a building due to its historic nature and value and often fire safety professionals have to come up with a range of compensating features to deal with these issues.
It’s all part of the challenges facing fire risk assessors who assess these type of buildings. I hope the building can one day be restored to its original splendour.
https://lnkd.in/dqdxYfW5
For all fire risk assessments please visit our Whale Fire Fire Risk Assessment page below:
https://lnkd.in/g8F5fQy
London Fire Brigade (LFB) submitted concerns for over 120 planning applications in the last year for proposed new buildings with a single staircase. There was little they could do in many cases but it goes to show the concern over high rise blocks of flats following the Grenfell Fire.
What is paramount is that the single staircase in high rise buildings are protected with lobby protection amongst other safety systems. A working AOV system is very important and making sure these areas stay clear and sterile is crucial.
One thing we should always try to remember as fire risk assessors is that the risk of a fire is within the flats themselves and the kitchens are one of the most likely rooms for a fire to start. Educating residents is very important such as to never leave your cooking unattended, test your smoke alarms and keeping internal doors closed at night can ultimately protect the single staircase as much as anything. By limiting the chances of a fire starting and its potential to spread, you can limit its impact on the main buildings escape route.
https://lnkd.in/d3rQxQjy
Please contact Whale Fire via our contact page below:
https://lnkd.in/eiSWx_F
This article talks about fire appliances not being able to access a residential road due to the road being too narrow. This is being looked into by Building Control and it is essential fire service access is approved before any new build developments are built.
If you then consider some residents may also potentially park along the road and there can be situations when fire appliances would have real trouble reaching an operational incident.
When carrying out a fire risk assessment, its something that also needs to be considered. Normally its something assessors take for granted but they shouldn't as its these kind of issues (locked gates being another) that can hinder a real incident.
https://lnkd.in/dmpPDW9G
For all London Fire Risk Assessments please visit Whale Fire London Fire Risk Assessments page:
https://lnkd.in/eq59nbe