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STOP YOUR BUILDING BECOMING AN ARSON STATISTIC
If you own or manage a business or
if you are responsible for fire safety or security in any kind of
building you should know that the most serious fire risk you face
today is from ARSON which is an ever present threat to
shops, offices, storage premises, factories, hotels, restaurants,
hospitals, schools, churches. No building is immune. Much of the
arson is associated with vandalism and burglaries. You can greatly
reduce the risk to your building by adopting the safeguards spelled
out below.
Responsibility
- In any enterprise the owner/manager or
a named individual of senior grade must be made responsible for
fire safety including protection from arson attack
- Think about the ease with which intruders/arsonists
could break into the premises and take immediate steps to strengthen
your defences.
- If there have been any small fires on your
own or neighbouring premises inform the police immediately as
well as calling the fire brigade. A small fires could be a warning
of something worse to come!
Security
- One entrance is better than two especially
if that one entrance is manned throughout the day.
- Outer fences, walls and gates need to be high
enough and strong enough to keep out intruders.
- Doors and windows must be in good repair and
locked when not in use.
- Use good quality locks and padlocks.
- Gaps under doors should be as small as possible.
- Letter boxes should have metal containers fitted
on the inside
- Know were all your keys are located, chase any
that are missing.
- Stored material of any kind should not
be stacked adjacent to fences or walls where it could be set alight
from outside.
Employees
- Warn staff of the threat from arson fires.
- Ask them to challenge anyone who should not be
on the premises and report any suspicious activities.
- Vet new employees.
- Keep an eye on outside contractors.
Visitors
Fire protection
-
Ensure equipment which you have installed -
extinguishers, hose reels, alarms detectors, sprinklers - is
in good working order and protected against sabotage attempts.
End of day checks
- You or a named individual must be responsible
for securing the building at the end of each working day.
- Check that doors and windows are secure.
- No combustible materials is left lying around.
- Alarms switched on.
- Outside illumination on.
- Any flammable liquids locked away in secure
store.
Information published
by the Arson Prevention Bureau
The Bureau has been set up by the Home Office and
the Association of British Insurers to spearhead a national programme
of action against arson. Further information is available from the
Bureau. The Arson Prevention Bureau
140 Aldersgate Street London, EC1A 4DD Tel 0171 600 1695
Arson
Prevention Bureau
Help and advice on protection of your premises is
available from:-
- Your insurer
- The fire safety department of your local fire
brigade
- The crime prevention department of your local
police force.
Fire Investigation
Thorough fire investigation is necessary to identify
the cause of any fire and where arson is suspected it is essential.
Check List
Although not directly associated with arson
you may find this check
list a useful aide to memoir for basic fire safety matters.
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