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.
Fire Safety Concerns & Broken Alarms Raise Alarm Bells at Bedford Oasis Beach Pool
Fire Safety Concerns & Broken Alarms Raise Alarm Bells at Bedford Oasis Beach Pool A recent news item regarding a UK based swimming pool highlighted the need for an all round adherence to health and safety standards including fire health and safety. Recent developments at a swimming pool in Bedford, UK, have underscored the critical importance of maintaining comprehensive health and safety standards, including those related to fire safety. An inspection conducted by the Bedford Borough Council on August 3 and 4 has prompted concerns regarding fire safety measures and the functionality of emergency panic alarms at Bedford's Oasis Beach Pool, managed by Fusion Lifestyle. The inspection brought to light significant issues that require immediate attention. Notably, fire exits were found to be obstructed, casting doubts on the pool's ability to effectively handle fire-related emergencies. In response to this alarming discovery, the inspector swiftly engaged the Bedfordshire and Luton Fire Service to assess the situation. Moreover, the inspector's report revealed a lack of hot water across the entire facility, encompassing customer toilets and showers. Communication, received by the council's Environmental Health and Trading Standards [...]
Fire & Security Small Works Engineer Vacancy
Fire & Security Small Works Engineer Vacancy SS Systems are a Fire & Security Company based in South Yorkshire. We install and maintain Fire Alarms, Intruder Alarms, Access Control, CCTV and ancillary systems throughout the country. We are known for specialising in wire free fire alarms. We’re a forward-thinking flexible company, who put our staff at the heart of what we do and you’ll find a warm welcome when you join our team. Because we’re flexible, we expect you to be too and whilst your job will mainly be conducting planned alterations to systems, we may need you to help us out with reactive calls and planned maintenance works when we’re really busy. Your basic working week will be 40 hours. For this you will receive a salary of between £26-35k DOE. We pay you from the minute you leave your house to the minute you get home so, with overtime etc in reality you can expect to earn £31-£42K. Although we’re based in South Yorkshire, we have high profile clients all over the country and you will be expected to work away on [...]
Fire & Security Service & Corrective Engineer Vacancy
Fire & Security Service & Corrective Engineer Vacancy SS Systems are a Fire & Security Company based in South Yorkshire. We install and maintain Fire Alarms, Intruder Alarms, Access Control, CCTV and ancillary systems throughout the country. We are known for specialising in wire free fire alarms. We’re a forward-thinking flexible company, who put our staff at the heart of what we do and you’ll find a warm welcome when you join our team. Because we’re flexible, we expect you to be too and whilst your job will mainly be conducting planned maintenance and corrective repairs, we may need you to help us out with reactive calls when we’re really busy. Your basic working week will be 40 hours. For this you will receive a salary of between £26-35k DOE. We pay you from the minute you leave your house to the minute you get home so, with overtime etc in reality you can expect to earn £31-£42K. Although we’re based in South Yorkshire, we have high profile clients all over the country and you will be expected to work away on occasion. In [...]
Are You Ready For The PSTN Digital Switchover?
Are You Ready For The PSTN Digital Switchover? Openreach/BT are in the process of transitioning all outdated analog Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN) to a fully digital network. This migration has already commenced, with a goal to complete it before Openreach discontinues the PSTN (and ISDN) service in 2025. By that time, all phone lines in the UK will have transitioned to a digital format, using Internet Protocol (IP) for call routing instead of the traditional PSTN. When you mention everyone Certainly, we mean all individuals and businesses. Moreover, this transition doesn't only pertain to your telephone services; it extends to all other services currently reliant on the old phone network. This includes non-voice services connected to PSTN or ISDN lines, such as alarms, point-of-sale (EPOS) machines, door entry systems, closed-circuit television (CCTV), fax machines, fire alarms and security systems. Systems that have been installed in recent years are probably already digital, but it's crucial to verify that you'll be prepared for the transition when the switch-off occurs. If your system currently functions on the analog network, it will necessitate either a replacement or [...]
Cladding Removal Initiative Introduced By The Government
Cladding Removal Initiative Introduced By The Government To address the building safety crisis in England, the government has unveiled its most extensive building safety intervention to date. Housing Secretary Michael Gove, in a speech, announced the complete launch of the Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS). This entails that expenses linked to the removal of hazardous cladding from mid-rise structures will now be covered by government funding. This initiative shields leaseholders from costs when the responsible developer cannot be held accountable for payment. Cladding safety scheme background Numerous residents across England will now have a path towards secure homes due to the expected eligibility of thousands of mid-rise buildings, all without imposing any financial burden on the leaseholders. For the most perilous structures, the government has allocated £5.1 billion, and the CSS will be funded through the Building Safety Levy on new constructions. What is eligible? The programme encompasses all high-rise buildings taller than 18 meters, as well as medium-rise structures outside of London ranging from 11 to 18 meters in height. Social housing buildings are also included. Building owners who believe they qualify for funding [...]
Care Home Residents Moved Out Due To Fire Safety Risks
Care Home Residents Moved Out Due To Fire Safety RisksResidents of a nursing home in Blackburn were forced to evacuate due to serious fire safety concerns. The care home, called Springfield Cottage Residential homes, received a restriction order from the fire service, highlighting the significant risks posed to the residents. Blackburn with Darwen Council, responsible for most of the home's residents, swiftly facilitated the relocation process. Care home facility inspectionIn June 2023, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) conducted an inspection at the facility on Preston New Road, prompted by safety concerns raised by the fire service. The care home, with a capacity for 26 individuals, primarily providing care for the elderly and those with dementia, housed 24 residents at the time of the inspection.Failure to comply with fire regulationsAccording to the CQC's report published in July 2023, there were substantial shortcomings in the assessment, management, and mitigation of fire-related risks, putting the residents' safety in jeopardy. The care home had failed to comply with fire regulations and lacked adequate fire safety arrangements. Furthermore, insufficient staffing levels and a [...]
New Guidance On Higher Risk Buildings Has Been Published
New Guidance On Higher Risk Buildings Has Been Published As part of engagement with industry, the Fire Industry Association (FIA) and the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) have been working together with the new UK Building Safety Regulator (BSR) to create new guidance on higher risk buildings (HRB's). Background Industry bodies FIA and IFE recently voiced their concerns about the lack of clear guidelines for higher risk buildings and stressed the importance of updated regulations and standards to guarantee their safety. Responding to these concerns, the government has now issued guidelines defining what qualifies as a higher-risk building for those already in operation. Risks associated with higher risk buildings SS Systems strongly advises all members involved with high risk buildings to familiarise themselves with the newly published guidance. These guidelines offer crucial insights into identifying and managing risks associated with higher-risk buildings during their occupation phase. Being well-informed about this guidance will equip our customers and potential customers to effectively handle any potential fire safety issues in HRB's. Classification of a higher-risk building The guidance addresses the legal criteria to determine whether a building [...]
The UK Home Office Launches Surveys For Fire Risk Assessors & Responsible Persons
The UK Home Office Launches Surveys For Fire Risk Assessors & Responsible Persons The Home Office has initiated an important project involving surveys targeted at "Responsible Persons" and fire risk assessors. These surveys aim to enhance the government's understanding of individuals engaged in fire risk assessments and their responses to recent changes in fire safety legislation. Background to the survey The amendments introduced, including the Fire Safety Act 2021, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, and the Building Safety Act 2022, are expected to have a considerable impact on the fire risk assessment market. Therefore, the Home Office is eager to gauge the sector's capacity and capabilities. To gather comprehensive insights, the Home Office is collaborating with industry, taking into account concerns about professionalisation in the fire risk assessment field. The survey responses will play a vital role in supporting this endeavor. Do you conduct fire risk assessments? Those who conduct fire risk assessments, whether for a fee or for buildings under their or their employers' management, are invited to participate in the survey. The survey will cover various aspects, including the methods used [...]
Restaurants & Accommodation Fire Safety Measures Case Highlighted
Restaurants & Accommodation Fire Safety Measures Case Highlighted As a consequence of inadequate fire safety measures, two individuals associated with a restaurant faced legal consequences. Mark Ellis, the former owner of Allium Bar and Grill with Rooms in Tattenhall, and Deborah Cruse, who subsequently managed the establishment, were both charged with serious violations of fire safety laws. Inadequate fire detection and warning systems Appearing at Chester Crown Court in June 2023, Mark Ellis and Deborah Cruse pleaded guilty to charges brought under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. As a result, they received community orders and were required to cover costs. The investigation by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service was initiated in March 2019 following concerns raised by a guest staying in one of the guest rooms. Inspectors found the premises lacked sufficient means of escape and had inadequate fire detection and warning systems.. Absence of emergency lighting & fire risk assessment The inspection revealed a complete absence of fire drills, testing of warning systems, emergency lighting, or a suitable fire risk assessment for the premises. According to the prosecution led by Joseph [...]
Regulatory Changes For Fire Safety Responsibilities
Regulatory Changes For Fire Safety Responsibilities New guidance has been issued by the UK Home Office in respect to fire protection and rescue responsibilities. This guidance explains what responsible persons need to do as a result of changes made to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (‘the Fire Safety Order’) through the Building Safety Act 2022. Which buildings are subject to these new fire safety requirements? These fire safety requirements are applicable to all non-domestic premises, encompassing places where people work, visit, or stay. This includes workplaces and the non-domestic sections of multi-occupied residential buildings, such as communal corridors, stairways, and plant rooms. It's important to note that these requirements do not extend to individual domestic premises. The enforcement of the Fire Safety Order, along with these additional requirements, primarily falls under the responsibility of local fire and rescue authorities. In the case of non-domestic parts of multi-occupied residential buildings (e.g., communal corridors, stairways), enforcement is also listed under the Housing Act 2004 and is conducted by the Local Authority. For specific scenarios, the enforcing body varies. The Health and Safety Executive is [...]
New Legislation for Interlinked Smoke Alarms
New Legislation for Interlinked Smoke Alarms Scotland is the first of the UK to legally require interlinked smoke alarms in residential and commercial residential properties. The new law has been implemented after the Grenfell fire in London in 2017. Interlinked means if one goes off, they all go off, and it is the property owner’s responsibility for meeting the new standard. This affects many commercial enterprises that rent out real estate for residential use. This means that as a commercial landlord of both private and public/social letting properties, it is your responsibility to ensure your property complies with the law, not the tenants. What each residence must have one smoke alarm in the living room or the room you use most one smoke alarm in every hallway or landing one heat alarm in the kitchen All smoke and heat alarms should be mounted on the ceiling and be interlinked. If you have a carbon-fuelled appliance – like a boiler, fire, heater or flue – in any room, you must also have a carbon monoxide detector in that room, but this does not need to [...]
EDA Millennium or Zerio
Do you have an EDA Millennium or Zerio wireless fire alarm system? The EDA Millennium and Zerio wireless fire alarm systems are in the process of becoming obsolete. Now is a good time to start planning for the 2026 deadline for a new replacement system. Why are they becoing obsolete? From 2011 the Millennium system could not be used for new installations due to EN54 part 25 and BS5839 Part-1 new relevant standards. In 2021 the manufacturer EDA will completely stop supporting the Millennium system and now recommends upgrading to the Zerio Plus range which is fully compliant, and type approved. As a manufacturer, EDA is not allowed to place products on the fire protection market that have not been certified by a third party. Official Advice The official advice given is that any extensions to existing Millennium or Zerio systems must be done using the new fully compliant equipment linked to the original system. The Zerio Plus is a direct replacement for the non-compliant Millennium and Zerio systems. The frequency EDA systems were using had to be changed; therefore, it was necessary [...]
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