Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Introduction to Fire Safety Management
Figure 8.15 Halogen lighting unit fi tment
by a qualifi ed competent engineer in line with the
manufacturer’s or installer’s maintenance scheme.
8.4.3 Naked lights and fl ames
Avoiding the use of naked fl ame within the workplace
is the most effective way of managing fi re risks from
this source. Replacing hot work and fl ame generating
devices such as oxy-fuel equipment must be seen as
the fi rst step in signifi cantly reducing the risks from this
area. In relation to practical operations the use of compression
plumbers’ fi ttings as opposed to the soldered
fi ttings is a good example of where such replacement
negates the risk entirely.
Where the use of naked fl ames cannot be avoided,
formal operating procedures, safe systems of work,
additional levels of supervision and adequate levels of
regular formal monitoring may serve to reduce the risk.
The burning of rubbish in the workplace or on a
construction site should be avoided at all costs both
in so far as the fi re risks inherent with the operation
but also to ensure compliance with the Environmental
Protection Act which requires management of omissions
into the atmosphere.
A risk assessment as to the requirements for higher
heat emitting lighting units such as halogen lamps
should be undertaken prior to their procurement. If such
units are required, control measures including limiting
their use to the confi nes of areas that do not have
combustible materials or fl ammable vapours present,
should be considered.
Ensuring that higher risk lighting is subject to
planned preventive maintenance, particularly items such
as their retaining hinges and brackets, will ensure that
the units remain upright and away from surfaces which
could catch fi re.
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8.4.4 Heaters and heating systems
The preceding paragraphs detail the hazards associated
with electrical and gas systems which are also
common to those sources of energy used by heaters
and heating systems. As has already been discussed,
the poor design, inappropriate installation and lack of
planned preventive maintenance are all causes of fi re.
It is therefore appropriate to ensure that systems are
designed, installed and subject to planned preventive
maintenance.
Systems should be designed in such a way that if a
hot product is able to heat areas such as ducting, which
runs through the building, the areas should be lined with
fi re/heat resistant materials to prevent them coming
into contact with combustible materials and therefore
ensuring competent designers are appointed is a signifi -
cant risk management step.
The installation of any heaters and heating systems
must be undertaken by competent engineers installing
to the design specifi cation. It is also likely that these
engineers will be retained to undertake the planned
preventive maintenance of the system to ensure that it
remains safe and fi t for its intended purpose.
The maintenance programme must take into
account specifi cally rotating or moving parts which must
be kept lubricated to ensure they do not run dry.
It is likely that if designed correctly, combustible
materials will not come into contact with any component
parts of a heating system; however, given the human
factors involved, physical barriers, awareness training
and regular inspections are likely to be needed to
ensure that combustible or fl ammable materials do not
come into close proximity with the systems or prevent
the correct air circulation by obstructing ventilation
grilles, etc.
8.4.5 Chemicals and LPG (hazardous materials)
The vast proportion of chemicals used in the workplace
are classifi ed under CHIP and therefore fall under the
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations
(COSHH). These chemicals together with liquefi ed
petroleum gas (LPG) may also fall under the Dangerous
Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations
(DSEAR), each of which requires the effective management
and control of risk.
When considering the management of chemicals
and LPG, formalised procedures must be produced,
implemented and monitored in relation to their use,
storage, transportation and disposal.
Appropriate training in all areas including the
handling of chemicals and LPG gas cylinders is critical
to securing the safety of all those in the workplace and
others who may be affected.