Research and qualifications are key to fire safety.
The Chief Executive of the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA), Ali Perry, has praised a recent report in Inside Housing magazine that highlights the shockingly low-level of sprinklers retro-fitted in high-rise residential buildings since the Grenfell tragedy – that took place in June 2017.
Data from the Inside Housing report was gathered from 37 large social housing providers in England and found that out of 1,768 of high-rise residential buildings they manage, only 334 (18.9%) had been fitted with sprinklers, and over half of these were fitted in one local authority (Birmingham).
Ali says: “It is hard to believe that after the tragic events of Grenfell, other priorities outweigh the provision of fire sprinklers in similar buildings that could prevent a reoccurrence of such a tragedy. I am grateful to Inside Housing for shining a light on the lack of progress in introducing key measures that could significantly reduce the chances of such an incident occurring again.”
‘Carrying Out Fire Safety Checks’ qualification launched for operational staff
Fire & Rescue Services attended more than 180,000 fires in the UK last year, with the majority taking place in homes and workplaces. Of these, it is estimated that up 90% could have been prevented had the appropriate fire safety measures been in place.
An effective tool that enables Fire & Rescue Services to educate and inform businesses and the public about fire safety, and to identify premises where additional regulation may be needed is through fire safety checks, believes SFJ Awards.
To support Fire & Rescue Services the awarding body has added ‘Ofqual approved’ fire safety qualifications with the launch of its Level 2 Award in Carrying Out Fire Safety Checks.
Head of Service Delivery and Improvement at National Fire Chief’s Council Richard Fowler adds: “The vast majority of fires are preventable if correct fire safety rules are adhered to, so we are pleased that the Level 2 award is now available for Fire and Rescue Services to use.
“This award will support the very valuable work that Fire & Rescue Services do to ensure that residents, and particularly the more vulnerable members of our community, and employees are sufficiently protected.
“This unique qualification is central to ensuring that Fire & Rescue Services staff are equipped with the up-to-date knowledge and skills to develop fire safety competence to reduce fire risk in premises that they regulate.”