NEWS
Our latest news provides you with a summary of news articles, we share fire safety and security tips and advice, helping your business to stay safe and secure.
Your Local Fire and Rescue Authority
Your local fire and rescue authority. Be aware of the enforcement, appeals and penalties for Fire safety in the workplace. Your local fire and rescue authority, visit premises to check that the fire risk assessment and fire prevention measures are appropriate. Fire safety officers should help you understand the rules and comply with them. They can, however, also take action if they think your fire safety measures are not adequate. For example, they might issue an informal notice suggesting safety measures. They could also give you a formal fire safety notice. They’ll tell you how to fix the problems described in the notice. Minor penalties can be up to £5,000. Major penalties can have unlimited fines and up to 2 years in prison. Visit the link below, to ensure you are fully up to date with the fire safety regulations. https://www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities/enforcement-appeals-and-penalties Get in touch with us to arrange a Fire Risk assessment. All our Risk Assessors are minimum BAFE SP205 accredited, with an encyclopaedic knowledge of all aspects of fire safety legislation, so you don’t have to. It is our job to keep [...]
Lone Workers Safety Systems
Protect those working alone. Lone workers are on the increase, with more business adapting flexible working conditions. Who are classed as lone workers? Lone workers are those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision, for example Delivery Drivers Health Workers Engineers Security Staff Cleaners Warehouse Operatives Petrol Station Attendants Working from home Even those working on a large site, that have remote locations, where a single person is too far away from colleagues to be closely supervised. Employers’ responsibilities As an employer, you must manage any health and safety risks before people can work alone. This applies to anyone contracted to work for you, including self-employed people. There will always be greater risks for lone workers without direct supervision or anyone to help them if things go wrong. Lone Workers Safety Industry Standards BS 8484:2022 is the British industry standard for providers of lone working safety services. While it is not a legal requirement for lone worker safety organisations, BS 8484 accreditation shows consumers that an organisation has met the government’s strict standards. All employers should consider employee safety, wellbeing, and [...]
Who Can Service My Fire Alarm System?
Who Can Service My Fire Alarm System? Your current systems do not have to be serviced by the same company that installed them. BS 5839 states that all the detectors, call points, panels, and circuits must be tested every six months by a competent person with specialist knowledge of fire alarm systems and smoke detectors. SS Systems are accredited to service and maintain your Fire Safety and Security Systems. You can view our accreditations at, https://sssystems.co.uk/accreditations/. We Have a Dedicated Service Team Our Service team keep track of your maintenance schedule. We contact you to arrange a date to suit your site in advance. Any remedial works required will be processed and quoted prior to any works being carried out. We are Monitored Externally to Ensure that we meet a High Standard of Service. As members of the SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board), We maintain service records and monitor our success. The SSAIB, is a leading certification body for organisations providing security systems and services, fire detection alarm systems, and monitoring services. So, you can be confident that we strive to [...]
Fire Training
Fire Safety Training Is your business Safe & Compliant? Fire safety training isn’t a choice for your business, the law says YOU MUST PROVIDE IT for all your employees. Fire safety is a fundamental part of any business and training is the corner stone of implementing any fire safety policy. Legislation via the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires employers to provide training for all employees in actions to be taken in the event of a fire. What type of training is available? Training can range from basic fire safety awareness to the practical use of fire extinguishers and the management of a fire situation with Fire Warden Training. Fire Warden & Fire Awareness Courses How many trained fire wardens are required in a commercial property? As a basic guide, you will require at least one warden per 20 people, with at least one warden per floor within the property. Fire Wardens - play a crucial role in helping to evacuate colleagues safely from a building, which not only saves lives but helps assist fire fighters arriving at the scene. The actions [...]
fire alarm design
What should I do if I am usure that my fire alarm design is correct? UK fire alarm legislation doesn’t specify exactly which each type of fire alarm system should be used in which types of premises. It comes down to what is ‘appropriate’ for your business and premises to keep you compliant. This is where your Fire Risk Assessment can assist in ensuring the correct type of system is installed. BS 5839 sets out recommendations for the planning, design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems for non-domestic properties. There are 3 main types of fire alarm system: conventional, addressable, and wireless: Conventional Fire Alarm divides your premises into broad zones in the event of an alert, the fire alarm panel identifies the zone, but not the precise area most suitable for smaller or lower risk environments. Addressable Fire Alarm each individual device has its own unique electronic address if one activates, the fire alarm panel tells you precise location of the problem most suitable for larger and higher risk environments. Wireless Fire Alarm uses a secure wireless [...]
BS8629 Evacuation Alert Systems
BS 8629 Evacuation Alert Systems. This code of practice is now cited in the updated Part B of the Building Regulations which requires evacuation alert systems that adhere to BS 8629 to be installed in all new-build residential blocks over 18m in England. Revised Building Code The newly revised Part B of the Building Code came into force in the UK on 1 December 2022 and now include the requirement to install evacuation warning systems in new high-rise residential buildings over 18m in England. This should give residents reassurance that if the fire and rescue service need to tell them to leave the building, the instruction will be communicated clearly and safely, whether by an external alarm or flashing lights. Improved Fire safety Updated Building Code Approval Document B aims to bring clarity and improved fire safety to high-rise residential buildings following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. The Grenfell Inquiry found deficiencies in building codes in some areas. It also found that evacuation of the building was hampered by a lack of evacuation plans, as well as some options and features of the building [...]
Additional Fire Protection Measures
Why Businesses Need Additional Fire Protection Measures. Fire and Rescue Services attended 620,758 incidents in the year ending September 2022, a 16% increase compared with the previous year (537,423). Of these incidents, there were 185,437 fires which was a 28% increase compared with the previous year (145,313). These increases can be attributed to the 44% increase in secondary fires and 63% increase in outdoor primary fires following the hot, dry summer in 2022. Also contributing were large increases in the non-fire incident categories collaborating incidents and road traffic collisions, as well as the fire false alarm category due to apparatus. Key results in the year ending September 2022: the average total response time to primary fires in England was 9 minutes and 11 seconds, the longest average response time seen since comparable statistics became available: an increase of 28 seconds since the previous year. all types of primary fires showed an increase in average response times (dwelling fires by 13 seconds, other building fires by 9 seconds, road vehicle fires by 18 seconds and other outdoor fires by one minute 14 seconds). the [...]
Access Control For Care Homes
Create a Safe and Secure Environment with Access Control in your Care Home. Care Home buildings have several specific needs in terms of security and access. These vary from ensuring staff can come and go from their individual areas with the required ease. whilst offering secure yet accessible areas for residents and the visiting public. Access control is an efficient and convenient way to have cost-effective building access management. Offering a public sector facility, security and flexibility. It is also an impressive HR tool, providing easy time and attendance reporting for staff. Why Secure Your Care Home with Access Control? Keys vs Access Control - a cost effective alternative to the expense of replacing locks and keys. Electronic tokens are easily barred if they are lost or stolen. A Complete Solution - Paxton's Net2 access control integrates with many CCTV, intruder and fire alarms for greater security. Video Entry - gain visual verification before granting access - Net2 Entry provides a smart, simple video door entry system. Wireless Locks - a low cost solution for internal doors, Net2 PaxLock [...]
Access Control For Schools
Increase Security and Make Managing School Buildings Simple with Access Control. Ensuring the safety of students and staff, as well as protecting property and assets from theft is essential for all schools. Access control allows you to electronically manage access to your school or sensitive areas such as a science labs or school offices. With SS Systems and Paxton it is not only straightforward but cost effective too. Why Secure Your School with Access Control? Keys vs access control - a cost effective alternative to the expense of replacing locks and keys. Electronic tokens are easily barred if they are lost or stolen. A complete solution - Paxton's Net2 access control integrates with many CCTV, intruder and fire alarms for greater security. Video entry - gain visual verification before granting access - Net2 Entry provides a smart, simple video door entry system. Wireless locks - a low cost solution for internal doors, Net2 PaxLock is a door handle with access control built-in, that can easily replace an existing handle. Energy saving - set the system to switch off utilities [...]
Fire Doors Legislation Update
Fire Doors Legislation Update. Did you know, in 2021, three-quarters of fire doors inspected did not meet the required standard. This means a staggering 75% of buildings were not effectively protecting the people within them, putting lives at risk in the event of a fire. Fire doors are an integral part of any building's passive fire protection system. They create a barrier from fire and toxic smoke, preventing rapid spread around a building during a fire. This keeps damage to smaller areas, allowing for evacuation, and stay put & safe access for the emergency services. All fire doors in communal areas of the building must be checked at least every three months. Typically, these doors will include: Doors to stairways and stairway lobbies Cross-corridor doors, which sub-divide corridors Doors to storage and electrical equipment cupboards Doors to riser shafts, within which various services run To ensure you are fully up to date with latest regulations we recommend you review the following links Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-england-regulations-2022/fact-sheet-overview Be Compliant. Book A Fire Safety Audit. SEND US [...]
Fire Risk Assessment
Is your Company's Fire Risk Assessment up to date? The start of a new year is a good time to look at things with a fresh outlook and get organised for the year ahead. However, quite often, we become busy with the day-to-day demands, and consequently overlook some important requirements for our business by leaving it for tomorrow. For that reason, we would like to highlight the importance of checking that your Fire Risk Assessment is up to date. Key points to consider: - Have any structural changes been made to the premises since the last FRA was done? Or has the purpose or use of any part of the building been changed? Equally important, has there been a change in the number of employees on site? If the answer is yes to any of the above, it’s a good time to ask yourself, is my Fire Risk Assessment up to date? How often should a Fire Risk assessment be renewed? Given that Fire Risk Assessments are a legal requirement in all commercial properties, as a guide, it is recommended that risk assessments [...]
Fire Safety and Security Checklist
Why is a fire safety and security checklist so important? Having a fire safety and security checklist in place, ensures your business is well managed and carefully maintained, therefore presenting fewer fire risks and intruder threats. Christmas Shut Down fire safety and security checklist Tips Firstly, Carry out a Site Risk Assessment The festive season can add new risks to your current FRA, with highly flammable Christmas decorations and longer periods of vacant premises, it’s worth evaluating any additional risks that could be presented, prior to shut down. Most importantly, check systems are up to date with Maintenance and Servicing A fully functioning Fire Alarm and Security System is essential in any building. However, with long dark nights, and periods of time where premises are left unattended, the importance to make sure your systems are fully operational becomes more so important. With opportunities for potential intruder threats and criminal damage by trespassers, becoming increased in these conditions. Check your records to see if your Fire and Security Systems are up to date with servicing and testing. Contact your maintenance provider if you have [...]
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