Fire Brigades Union Strikes 9-10 December 2014

The Fire Brigades Union will be taking strike action in England for 24 hours from 9am on Tuesday 9th December to 9am Wednesday 10th December as part of their long-running pensions row with the government.

As with previous strike action, fire and rescue authorities will have contingency plans in place during this period, however reaction times of the fire services may be delayed. Following some simple steps could help manage risk, reduce the number of calls made to the fire service, and ensure the protection of people, businesses and properties:

• Ensure that all pre-existing fire safety measures are active and effective. For example, check that all fire fighting equipment and fire protection systems are working and all fire risk assessments are up to date, before any industrial action starts.
• Emphasise the importance of staff, contractor and visitor vigilance with regards to potential risks, site safety measures, and evacuation procedures.
• Increase security patrols of the common and external areas of a building, to allow monitoring of accumulated combustible material, a common target for arson attacks, and escape routes, which must be kept clear of obstructions.
• Enforce ‘No smoking’ protocols in and around all premises.
• If the fire alarm is activated within a property, the normal building evacuation process must immediately be put into action. Unless the presence of fire is obvious, investigate the source of the alarm to establish whether or not there is a genuine threat. If certain that there is no fire, then the building should be reoccupied. The Fire Service should not be called and the remote monitoring call centre notified accordingly. If, however, a fire is discovered or there is an unaccountable smell of smoke or smouldering, then dial 999 and ask for the Fire Service as soon as possible.
• If a building houses any lifts, the Site Manager must ensure that clear advice is available on how to contact the relevant maintenance company should a lift become stuck. Such details should be provided inside the lift and at the lift alarm receiving points within the building. The Fire Service must only be contacted if the persons trapped are at immediate risk or in significant distress.

Crucially, it remains the responsibility of employers and occupants to comply with fire safety regulations and employ safety measures designed to protect life independent of Fire Service intervention.

It is advisable to check with your local Fire Services, either via their website or telephone, for further updates on the contingency level they will be providing, as this may vary from region to region.

For further assistance on assessing and reducing fire risks, please contact our specialist team.