Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Introduction to Fire Safety Management
measures suggested in both the RRFSO and the MHSW,
for example:
➤ If possible eliminate the immediate causes of fi re
from the workplace
➤ If it is not possible to eliminate causes of fi re, substitute
the fi re hazard for a lesser one (e.g. low voltage
equipment, non-fl ammable substances)
➤ Engineering controls should be used to isolate or
insulate heat sources from any combustible material
or fl ammable atmospheres
➤ Hot work should be reduced to a minimum
➤ Maintain good levels of housekeeping
➤ Provide safe systems of work that minimise fi re risk
➤ Provide adequate training, instruction and information
relating to fi re safety
➤ As a last resort provide PPE to protect the individual
against the harmful effects of smoke and heat and
other harmful products of combustion.
Arson prevention
Due to the high fi nancial and social losses incurred as
a result of arson Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) are
investing increasing resources to reduce the numbers of
fi res that have been deliberately set. Initiatives from the
FRSs include educating young persons and identifying
and providing life skills mentoring for potential arsonists.
If arson is suspected at a fi re the FRSs, along with
the police, will go to great lengths to identify the guilty
parties.
The role of employers and responsible persons in the
workplace is to prevent the opportunities and incentives
for arson attacks. Such measures should include:
➤ Site security to prevent unauthorised access
➤ Reducing available combustible materials in the
premises
➤ Reducing the opportunities for theft in the premises
(which may be covered up by arson)
➤ Dealing fairly with employees particularly redundancies
or terminating employment contracts.
Further details on arson and arson control can be found
in Chapter 8.
12.6 Dealing with the aftermath of fi res
Once the investigation of a serious fi re is complete the
employer or responsible person will need to ensure that
there are adequate arrangements to deal with the outcomes
of the fi re. Very often a fi re that has taken just
one hour from ignition to extinction will take months and
sometimes years to recover from. When dealing with the
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immediate aftermath of a fi re consideration will need to
be given to issues relating to the site of the fi re, employees,
any neighbours and the arrangements for business
continuity.
Figure 12.17 Dealing with the aftermath of a fi re
12.6.1 The site
The site of the fi re will present a number of signifi cant
and unusual hazards. The normal substances in the
workplace may have undergone a chemical reaction and
be more hazardous than before the fi re. In addition to
the normal products of combustion, including soot, contaminated
water used for fi re fi ghting may contain carcinogenic
material. Other hazards may be presented by
the building materials which will themselves have been
affected by the fi re. The elements of the building may
have been seriously weakened or asbestos may have
been disturbed.
Figure 12.18 The effects of fi re on hazardous substances
in the workplace