Introduction to Fire Safety Management

140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Figure 1.26 The cost of fi re per initiation source for
2004/2005
incident. This is in part due to the supply chain continuing
to require commodities and that if one organisation
(having suffered an incident) cannot deliver then an
alternative will need to be utilised.
Following a number of recent large scale disasters
(Buncefi eld Oil Depot, Festival Fireworks Storage facility/
factory) statistics have unfortunately been proven correct
for those operating in close proximity to the disaster
areas. Many smaller organisations have failed to recover
and have closed their operations for good.
Financial consequences to industry (Fire
Protection Association fi gures)
Figure 1.26 identifi es the results for statistical analysis
gathered from the Fire Protection Association who have
close ties with the British insurance market. The statistics
indicate the estimated losses as a result of fi res
(£250 000 and above) for the UK in 2004–2005. It should
be noted that these estimates show only the direct fi nancial
costs and exclude the losses that will result from
loss of business and brand image.
1.6 The nature and sources of safety
information
Gathering, using and giving information relating to safety
is critical to successful safety management. In this section
we will review the nature and sources of information
available, which will not only assist in providing information
for this programme but will also provide information
and a direction for future reference.
1.6.1 Internal information
Estimated loss £M
deliberate ignition
electrical
friction, heat, sparks
smoking materials
naked light
cooking
spontaneous combustion
oil
fireworks
LPG cutting equipment
spread from secondary fire
The majority of organisations have a variety of sources
of information at their fi ngertips. These will range from
Fire safety foundations
reactive data such as the information gathered from accident
reports/investigations, incident reports, fi re alarm/
detection actuations, damage reports and breakdown
maintenance reports and records to active (proactive)
information gathered from safety surveys, staff questionnaires,
inspection reports, planned preventive maintenance
reports, health and safety reviews and audits.
The nature of information will be discussed throughout
this book and the above paragraph identifi es only an
outline.
Risk assessment records will provide a rich source
of information from which an organisation can draw. In
addition, an organisation’s health and safety policy, its
written procedures and safe systems of work will also
provide a valuable source of information, together with
any posters and information sheets produced internally.
Internally it is anticipated that much information will
be drawn from safety advisers who have a key role in
gathering and passing on safety information. Further
information is likely to be available from the facilities
management team, human resources/personnel department,
occupational health teams, etc. Each company
will differ in the roles that its departments or teams
undertake and the size of the organisation.
1.6.2 External information
As can be seen from the preceding section all organisations
are required to provide safety information in
relation to the products and services that they manufacture,
produce or provide. Information can therefore
be gleaned from manufacturers’ documentation and
records, e.g. sound levels, chemical hazards, weights of
items and fl ammability ranges.
An extremely valuable source of information is
HSE Books who produce free publications, guidance
documentation and report books.
The HSE and the Department of Communities and
Local Government (DCLG) provide information by way of
their respective websites which can include reactive data
such as health, safety and fi re statistics, together with a
wealth of information relating to safety campaigns.
The Offi ce of Public Sector Information (OPSI)
provides information relating to legislation and actual
statutes and can again be accessed via the worldwide
web.
The legislation itself, together with any ACoP or
Guidance produced by the HSE, is an equally valuable
source, as are the Fire Safety Guides produced by DCLG.
The British Standards Institute (BSI) can also provide
a valuable source of information regarding items such
as the requirements for safety management systems,
together with physical standards such as those appertaining
to emergency lighting, etc.
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