In this article, we will look at who is responsible for fire safety in the workplace, the regulations and responsibilities of those responsible, as well as some workplace fire prevention rules.

Who is Responsible for Fire Safety in the Workplace?

Ensuring fire safety in the workplace is a shared responsibility, with specific roles assigned to different individuals. The UK Government’s guidelines state that primary responsibility lies with a key figure who, in most cases, is one of the following:

• An employer.
• The owner of the premises.
• The landlord.
• An occupier.
• Anyone else with control of the premises, for example, a facilities manager, building manager, managing agent or risk assessor.

These individuals, known as responsible persons, are designated to oversee the day-to-day implementation of fire safety measures, including maintaining firefighting equipment, organising regular fire drills, and ensuring that all occupants are familiar with evacuation procedures.

Employees also play a crucial role in fire safety compliance and vigilance, following established fire safety procedures, participating in training programs, and promptly reporting potential hazards, all of which are vital to maintaining safety.

Need a Fire Warden Training Course?

In some cases, the company will designate a fire warden. Our Fire Warden Training Course will provide you with the necessary theoretical training required to be a qualified fire warden

Fire Safety Regulations in the Workplace

There are comprehensive fire safety regulations in place for workplaces to safeguard both employees and premises. Understanding and adhering to these regulations is vital to maintaining a safe working environment and minimising the risk of fire-related incidents.

The responsible person, such as the employer or owner of the premises, must play an essential role in managing fire risks. The official government website lists the following crucial aspects that responsible persons must perform:

• Carrying out a fire risk assessment of the premises and reviewing it regularly.
• Informing staff or their representatives about the risks they identify.
• Implementing and maintaining appropriate fire safety measures.
• Having a plan for a fire emergency.
• Providing staff information, instruction and training around fire safety.

The government also offers a collection of guidance materials for those with legal duties for workplace fire safety covering specific measures required for compliance. This includes the provision of suitable firefighting equipment, regular risk assessments, and the establishment of clear evacuation procedures.

You can learn more about how to create a fire safety evacuation plan in our article here.

Fire Prevention Rules for the Workplace

There are a number of rules you can implement in your workplace to reduce the risk of fire. These are outlined below.

Heating

• Avoid using open electrical bar heaters or halogen-type heaters – oil-filled (radiant) radiators are a safer alternative.
• Avoid placing heaters near flammable objects or under desks.
• Keep heaters clear of any blinds/curtains/furnishings, etc.
• Ensure that heaters with time switches are not set to automatically come on at certain times, as they might do when people are out of the office.
• Set a reminder to turn heaters off before you leave the office.
• Ensure you have a heater that automatically switches off if it topples over.
• Look out for staining or discolouration of the appliance or surroundings, and discontinue using the heater if you see any. The same goes for any strange smells.

Cooking

• Do not leave food unattended during preparations.
• Ensure you switch off equipment, e.g. an oven or microwave, after use.
• Keep tea towels and other flammable materials away from the stove or other heated appliances.
• Ensure the oven, stove, and grill are kept clean, as a build-up of fat and food debris can cause a fire.
• Do not place anything metal in microwaves.
• Do not use microwaves as an additional surface (this blocks the air vents).

Smoking

• Make sure you fully extinguish cigarettes and discard them properly.
• Keep an eye on cigarette bins and empty them if they get too full (or notify whoever is responsible for doing so).

Electrical

• Ensure electrical equipment has a suitable conformity marking indicating it has been manufactured to safety standards. As a result of Brexit, Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) is in a transition period with regard to conformity marking and conformity assessment of products being manufactured or supplied for sale in Great Britain. All new PPE supplied in Great Britain must be marked with the appropriate conformity marking (UKCA or CE before the deadline for UKCA implementation) or be accompanied by documentation marked with it. There are different requirements for Northern Ireland.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using a device/piece of equipment.
• Use official chargers and cables for devices and equipment.
• Don’t leave appliances charging unsupervised for a long time.
• Don’t charge a battery that looks damaged.
• Don’t cover up items when charging, as they emit heat, and keep them away from flammable materials.
• Don’t leave appliances and equipment running overnight or when no one is in the office; make sure they are properly switched off and don’t have timer settings activated that could make them come back on when no one’s around.
• Don’t overload sockets – outlets, extension leads, and adaptors have a limit to how many amps they can take.
• Keep an eye out for burn marks or stains around plug sockets, which suggest overheating.
• Keep an eye out for frayed or worn cables and wires.
• Keep an eye out for flickering lights, blown fuses, or circuit-breakers that trip for no apparent reason.
• Always switch off your equipment at the mains when it’s not in use and unplug where appropriate.
• Always ensure that damaged cable sections are properly replaced – don’t simply repair them with insulating tape.
• Report faulty equipment and take it out of use immediately.

Waste build-up

• Keep walkways and fire exit routes clear of flammable materials, such as cardboard boxes, paper, fabrics, etc.
• Make sure it is correctly disposed of/recycled away from the premises.

A fire hazard could develop at any time. As well as following these rules, remember to look out for any new fire hazards by performing a daily check of your workplace.

You can learn more fire safety tips by reading our article Top 10 Fire Safety Tips in the Workplace. 

Remember, everyone plays a part in keeping their office safe, and following these simple prevention rules will help to ensure that no one has to face the flames of a fire or its devastating after-effects.

Further Resources:

• Fire Safety Quiz
• Information about the Fire Triangle & Tetrahedron
• Understanding the Different Types and Uses of Fire Extinguishers 
• What Does PASS Stand For? Fire Extinguisher Use and Safety
• Workplace Health and Safety Quiz for Employees
• Fire Extinguisher Quiz
• Fire Safety Signs
• Fire Risk Assessment Template
• Fire Risk Assessment Training

The post Fire Safety Rules and Regulations in the Workplace appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

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Fire safety is a topic that, sadly, is rarely off the agenda. The fire services in England, Scotland and Wales attend more than 600,000 incidents each year, tragically resulting in around 300 fatalities, if not more. ^[1] 

Many of these incidents occur in the home. In fact, 20 people are injured or killed every day just by accidental fires that start in their kitchens. ^[2]

Fire services across the country recommend a number of simple and practical steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of a fire breaking out in your home, and also decrease the chances of being injured in a fire should one occur.

We wanted to explore some of these potentially life-saving pieces of advice, and seek to understand how the public could better protect themselves, their homes, and their families. 

We undertook a survey of over 2000 UK adults to find out how often this advice is being put into practice by the public, and identify any areas that could be improved to make our homes safer.

1. Smoke Alarm Testing

Smoke alarms are perhaps one of the most important inventions of the 20th century. They are designed to give you that vital early warning needed to help you escape your property and call the emergency services in good time. 

Interestingly, they were an accidental invention during the late 1930s by a Swiss physicist named Walter Jaeger. After originally attempting to design a sensor that could identify poisonous gas, he lit a cigarette and discovered that his design could instead detect smoke particles. Since then, smoke alarms have become a staple in countless households and workplaces. 

However, this creation was very expensive at first, preventing them from being used commercially until 1965. Stanley Bennett Peterson and Duane Pearsall then transformed the invention into a home smoke detector – cheap enough to be installed in most homes and allowing it to become widely used by the 1970s.

Did you know that nowadays there are four main types of smoke alarms? 

1. Ionisation – one of the most common types of smoke alarms.
2. Optical alarms (photoelectric) – also one of the most commonly used types.
3. Heat alarms, which are not sensitive to smoke.
4. Combined alarms, such as combined optical smoke and heat.

In a recent survey of over 2000 UK adults, we found that only 5% do not have a smoke alarm in their homes. Without one, you are 8 times more likely to die in a fire. 

Whilst owning a smoke alarm takes you one step closer to remaining safe in the event of a fire, they do still have to be tested regularly. It is recommended that you test your smoke alarms every week. ^[3]

Surprisingly, most individuals (96%) are not testing regularly enough, with 85% testing less than once a month and 12% never testing at all. In addition to this, we learnt that many (17%) of the younger generation (18-34s) do not test either. Whereas, those over 55 are far more likely to test once a month.

These results suggest that the younger generation needs more awareness on the importance of smoke alarms in fire safety. 

Testing your smoke alarms weekly and carrying out routine maintenance, such as removing debris and checking the batteries, is the easiest way to make sure your home is protected. Smoke alarms degrade over time and generally have a life span of around 10 years. You should check manufactures information for the exact lifespan of your devices and look to change them when required.

2. Smoke Alarm Placement

Fires can start for a number of different reasons. Around half of home fires are caused by cooking incidents, with 3 fires a day starting from heaters, and 2 from candles. But that’s not all: around 4,000 home fires originate from faulty appliances. These can happen in any room of your home, which is why smoke alarm placement could be key to your safety.     

So, where does your smoke alarm live? Good smoke alarm positioning is crucial in order to ensure effective detection in the event of a fire. However, we found that only 84% of those we surveyed have one on every level, dropping to 70% among those aged 18-24 years old.

In private rented and social rented homes, it is the duty of the landlord to ensure a suitable number of smoke alarms are installed and functional at the beginning of the tenancy. As set out by the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Regulations, they must ensure at least one smoke alarm is equipped on each storey of homes where there is a room used as living accommodation. They must also address any issues if reported by tenants. 

In privately owned homes, it is down to the owner to arrange for their own smoke alarms to be fitted. They can either fit the alarms themselves or arrange for a qualified person to come and install them.

There are no specific legal requirements regarding the positioning of smoke alarms, though it states that one should be on every storey, as mentioned earlier. This also means that there is no legally required quantity, as this depends on the size of the property. 

However, there is some general advice that can be followed by those responsible for installing fire alarms, to maximise cover and therefore safety. Since fires can start anywhere, the more that are fitted, the higher the level of protection. 

For example, a smoke alarm in every room of the house would provide maximum protection, while minimum protection would be a smoke alarm on each floor of the house. The only exception to this is bathrooms. Smoke alarms should be avoided in bathrooms as they may become susceptible to unwanted tripping from the steam.

Other places to avoid or take extra care when placing smoke alarms include:

• Corners of the ceiling. 
• Close to fans. 
• Sloping ceilings.

In contrast, the best places to fit smoke alarms are:

• Kitchens.
• Landings.
• Bedrooms.
• Ceiling beams.

Every home is unique, meaning the number of smoke alarms needed depends hugely on the home’s layout. Generally, fitting detectors to the centre of the ceiling either via screws or specialist sticky pads is the way to go – as long as they are at least 30cm away from any wall, light fitting, or obstruction. ^[4]

If the home has one level, the most efficient place to install smoke alarms is in the hallway between the living and sleeping areas. Furthermore, having a detector 3m away from every bedroom door helps to ensure audibility. If smoke detectors are in an area where they can be heard, they will be more effective in the event of a fire.

3. Escape Plan

Your chances of surviving a fire within your home depend heavily on advance planning. In the smoky and scary environment of a fire in the home, it can be easy to panic and become disorientated. Therefore, it’s recommended to have a thorough pre-planned escape route from your house, by which you and others can safely exit the property. But what makes a good escape plan? 

The main key to a good fire escape plan is to include alternate routes to safety in case one exit is blocked or dangerous to use. The shortest, most direct way out is always best, but the more ways you identify to exit each room of your house, the more chance you have of escaping a fire. Secondly, the more frequently you practise your escape plan, the easier it will be to put it into action when needed. 

eScooters, eBikes or any large Li-ion batteries should not be charged or stored on escape routes or at the base of stairs. Should these items start a fire the escape route and stairs would become immediately filled with smoke.

Despite the importance of having a fire escape plan prepared, in a survey of over 2000 adults we found that the majority (55%) don’t have a plan. Additionally, it seems to be younger generations that are the least prepared, with 68% of 18-24 year olds saying they don’t have or don’t know if they have a plan. In contrast, 45-55 year olds are most likely to have a plan, with 51% stating they have an escape route prepared.

These results suggest that more people, particularly those of a younger age, need more awareness on the importance of having a fire escape plan. One example of an influential adult raising awareness successfully is Myleene Klass, who recently shared a TikTok video with over 450k views of her and her young children doing a monthly fire drill in their London home. In the video, the children are blindfolded and made to crawl around the house on all fours to practise different escape routes. 

Klass’s video helps spread awareness of what a good fire escape plan involves, and also encourages families to discuss and practise pre-arranged fire safety procedures, including various escape routes. 

Do you have your fire escape routes planned yet? If not, start thinking about the floor plan of your home and possible ways out of each room. You never know when it might prove to be a life-saving precaution.

4. Amperage and Voltage

Faulty electrics, including appliances, wiring, and overloaded sockets, cause around 4,000 house fires in England every year. ^[5] Overloaded extension leads are a frequent culprit of fires, as it’s often unknown that it’s not always safe to fill all the sockets supplied on the cable. A socket can become overloaded if you plug in appliances that together will exceed the maximum current rating stated for the extension lead. This could result in the plug in the wall socket overheating and causing a fire.

One way to avoid this happening in your home is to check the maximum voltage and amperage levels for all sockets and extension leads, to ensure you don’t overload them. But how many people actually know how to do this?

In our survey of over 2000 people, a worrying 77% stated they don’t know how to check either the voltage or the amperage levels of a socket, and between the ages of 18-24, only 16% said they knew how to find this information. For people over 45, this percentage increased to 27%, but this is still an alarmingly small percentage for such an important skill.

Data from Zurich Insurance showed blazes sparked by electric vehicles powered by lithium batteries, such as eScooters or eBikes, had risen by 149% from 67 in 2020 to 167 in 2022. ^[6] Li-ion battery fires can start for a number of reasons and usually start spontaneously. Damage to the battery, faulty chargers and attempting to charge immediately after use when the battery cell is still hot are all factors which can increase the likelihood of fire. Where possible, store these items outside or in a garage. Failing this, store in a room which has smoke detection and a door which closes off the escape route.

So, how do you check that a socket is not overloaded? The maximum current allowed to safely flow through the socket (power rating) should be clearly marked on the back or underside of the extension lead. If not, you should refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. 

To find out if your socket is overloaded, simply calculate the sum of the amperages marked on the back of each appliance plugged in and check it doesn’t exceed the power rating of the socket. A guide to power ratings of commonly used household appliances can be found here. You can also use this socket calculator to see if you are overloading your sockets.

There are a number of warning signs you can look out for which suggest a socket may be at risk of causing a fire. These include:

• A burning plastic smell near an appliance or socket.
• Sparks or smoke coming from a plug or appliance.
• Black or scorch marks around a socket, plug, or appliance.
• Damaged or frayed leads.
• Melted plastic on appliance casings or leads.

Following the manufacturer’s instructions and ensuring you’re not overloading sockets and extension leads will ensure you reduce the risk of electrical fires starting in your home.

5. Night Time Routine

Over half of all deaths caused by fires in the home happen between 10pm and 8am. ^[7] A fire occurring at night can be more dangerous, as you will likely respond much slower than you would while awake and therefore have less time to escape. Working smoke alarms are essential to ensuring you are alerted quickly, but there are some other simple things you can do to reduce the risks.

Because of an increase in synthetic materials and furniture, fires can spread incredibly quickly. According to Closeyourdoor.org, the average time you would have to escape a fire 40 years ago was 17 minutes. Today, it is only three minutes. 

Closing all of the internal doors in your home is one way to increase your chances of being able to escape from a house fire. However, in our survey, we found that 66% of people don’t close their internal doors every night. If a fire breaks out in one room of your home, a closed door can hold back fire and smoke, and buy you precious time to escape.

As discussed earlier, electrical appliances are one of the leading causes of fires in homes in the UK. By switching off unnecessary appliances overnight, you reduce the risk of a fire breaking out whilst you sleep. Dishwashers and washing machines pose a fire risk due to their high wattage, friction and motors, so it is recommended to not run these machines overnight.

Another simple step to add to your routine is to make sure that your exit route is clear of trip hazards. In the disorientating smoke of a house fire, objects on the floor could pose a real risk. This could be wires, shoes, bags – anything that you could potentially trip over should be cleared away to allow you to exit your home in a prompt and safe manner. Our survey found that a huge 71% of respondents don’t clear their exit routes every night.

In an emergency situation, it’s crucial to know the right steps to take to be able to exit a building safely. We’ve already discussed an escape plan, but one of the most important aspects of this is knowing exactly where the keys to your exit doors are. They ideally should be in a memorable place that you will be able to easily and safely access. In our survey, we found that 43% of people don’t always leave their keys to hand, potentially creating a scenario in which they are not able to safely exit their property in the event of a fire.

Though there will always be a risk of fires breaking out in the home, there are a number of practical steps you can take to reduce the chances of a fire occurring, and to mitigate the risk of sustaining serious injuries in the event of an emergency.

Our research shows that many of these potentially life-saving steps are not being carried out by members of the British public, leaving them at greater risk of suffering serious injuries in a domestic fire. 

However, it also presents an opportunity to raise awareness of what can be done to improve fire safety across the country.

If you would like to learn more about what you can do to improve the fire safety of your home, visit the website of your local fire service for simple and free advice. Many services also offer a free home visit to assess your property and offer suggestions on making sure your home is as safe as it can be.

Methodology

All survey figures are from YouGov Plc. Survey commissioned by High Speed Training. Total sample size was 2042 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken in July 2022. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representatives of all GB adults (18+).

References

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fire-statistics-data-tables#fatalities-and-casualties

[2] https://www.westyorksfire.gov.uk/safety/chip-pans-deep-fat-fryers#:~:text=There%27s%20nothing%20quite%20like%20the,caused%20by%20deep%20fat%20fryers

[3] https://www.westyorksfire.gov.uk/safety/smoke-alarms

[4] https://www.cambsfire.gov.uk/home-safety/smoke-alarms/

[5] https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/make-your-home-safe-from-fire/fire-safety-in-the-home-accessible-version%23&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1667495672296109&usg=AOvVaw0F2kjI9QGK1sELv60KqIVk

[6] Freedom of Information data obtained by Zurich from 36 and of 45 fire authorities in the UK. Data for 2022 collected to end of September.

[7] https://www.clevelandfire.gov.uk/safety/home-safety/bedtime-routine/

Further Resources:

• Understanding the Different Types and Uses of Fire Extinguishers
• What Does PASS Stand For? Fire Extinguisher Use and Safety
• Fire Safety Signs
• Fire Safety Courses

The post Report: Fire Safety in the Home appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

In this article, we’ll look at the proper basic technique for using extinguishers. This is known as the PASS technique – pull, aim, squeeze, and sweep. Knowing this technique will help you to react quickly and confidently if the situation calls for it. We’ll also explain other important aspects of using extinguishers that you should be aware of in addition to PASS, as it is just one part of using fire extinguishers safely.

Looking to learn more?

Our Fire Extinguisher training course teaches you about the various types of fire extinguishers that may be present in your workplace and how to use them effectively.

What is PASS for Fire Extinguishers?

PASS is the acronym used to remember the four basic steps for using a fire extinguisher. Some extinguishers have their own specific techniques, but PASS is the basis for using all types of extinguishers, regardless of any additional specific requirements.  

PASS stands for:

• Pull – pull out the pin from the extinguisher, which will allow you to use the trigger. This may sometimes require a twisting action as well as pulling.
• Aim – aim the extinguisher’s hose at the fire. The way in which you aim may differ depending on the type of extinguisher.
• Squeeze – firmly squeeze the trigger to discharge the contents of the extinguisher. You should discharge the extinguisher’s entire contents.
• Sweep – sweep the hose of the extinguisher over the fire to evenly discharge the contents. The particular way in which you sweep may differ depending on the type of extinguisher. Some require a rapid sweeping motion while others require gentle sweeping.

Those who are nominated by their employers to use fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment should familiarise themselves with the PASS technique.

Using the PASS fire extinguisher technique will ensure you’re taking the necessary basic steps to prepare the extinguisher for use and to tackle the fire correctly and safely.

Note, however, that PASS is only one small part of using fire extinguishers.

It’s important to understand the difference between the various types of extinguishers and their own individual techniques.

Likewise, it’s vital to know how to assess the situation to determine whether or not it’s actually safe to try fight the fire.  For example, you may be fully confident in using an extinguisher, but if the incorrect type is present for the class of fire that you’re facing, or the fire is too large to combat with an extinguisher, then it would not be safe to attempt to fight it. This requires you to think quickly and critically in any given fire emergency.

Furthermore, your ability to escape should always take priority. While your confidence in using extinguishers safely could enable you to put out a small fire and prevent a serious incident, there are many situations where it won’t be safe to fight the fire. You should always put the safety of yourself and others first.

It’s therefore important for you to receive training that provides a well-rounded understanding of how to use fire extinguishers and how to assess fire emergency situations. You should also receive practical training, so you have the opportunity to practise physically holding and using fire extinguishers. You should not attempt to use extinguishers if you haven’t received practical training.

Remember: in a fire emergency, making a quick but most importantly safe decision is vital. Having the necessary information, instruction, and training will ensure you can do so, with PASS forming one part of this wider understanding.   

Further Resources:

• Online Fire Extinguisher Training Course
• Online Fire Safety Training Course
• Online Fire Warden Training Course
• Fire Door Safety: What are the Requirements?
• Fire Risk Assessment Quiz
• Fire Warden Quiz
• Fire Extinguisher Quiz
• Fire Safety Quiz

The post What Does PASS Stand For? Fire Extinguisher Use and Safety appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

This article will explain all the requirements of fire doors in both domestic (non-private housing) and non-domestic premises (workplaces), including what standards they should be made to, what type of fire door you may want to use in your building, and how to properly install and maintain them over time.

By following this guidance, you’ll ensure the effectiveness of your fire doors and uphold fire safety. This is crucial for keeping people on or near your premises safe from harm –whether they’re residents, workers, or members of the public.

Why are Fire Doors Important?

Fire doors are vital for minimising the spread of fire and smoke in a building. They are manufactured in accordance with specific standards and must have certain features in order to fulfil their purpose, such as fire resistance, minimal spacing between the door and surrounding walls, smoke sealing features, and an automatic closing system.

Furthermore, they should meet British safety standards and the requirements set out in building and fire safety law, all of which we’ll look at in more detail later.

Selecting, installing, and using fire doors correctly is essential for ensuring their continuing effectiveness. Over time, the integrity and safety of fire doors could be compromised, particularly if they are frequently used and if they aren’t properly maintained. For example, in busy hospitals and schools, people may use them much more frequently and heavy-handedly, as compared to a quieter office.

Unfortunately, past inspections have shown that many premises have unsafe fire doors.

A 2019 inspection carried out by the Fire Door Inspection Scheme revealed that:

• 76% of fire doors failed their tests and were deemed not fit for purpose.
• 30% of doors were reportedly poorly installed. Problems included excessive gaps around the doors, poorly-adjusted closers, and issues with smoke sealing.
• 57% of doors needed small-scale maintenance, meaning they were not up to standards.
• 16% of doors inspected were not fire doors at all and therefore not safe for use.

This data was from over 100,000 inspections of over 2,700 buildings, some of which were sleeping accommodations and which housed the elderly. It’s also worth noting that there is an average of over 10,000 fires in buildings, aside from private homes, every year – meaning many businesses and people’s lives are put at serious risk where there are unsafe fire doors in the premises.

From these statistics, it’s evident that many building owners need to do more to ensure their doors meet the necessary fire standards – in fact, the FDIS’s biggest concern is that people lack knowledge about fire doors. Building owners should therefore ensure they develop their awareness of fire door requirements and standards.

What are the Different Types of Fire Doors?

Fire doors generally have the same features and should all meet the necessary standards for safety, which we’ll look at in the next section of this article. Where they differ though is usually the level of fire resistance.

Fire doors are assigned an FD rating to reflect this, and it will be down to the person in charge of the premises to determine which is suitable for their building.

The four most common FD ratings are:

• FD30 – fire doors with this rating provide 30 minutes of fire resistance.
• FD60 – 60 minutes of fire resistance
• FD90 – 90 minutes of fire resistance.
• FD120 – 120 minutes of fire resistance.

FD30 doors are the most commonly used ones and the type recommended by fire safety standards. They can provide a high level of protection if there are several along a route, meaning the 30 minutes add up to a much higher number and significantly slow the fire’s spread along the route. This is usually referred to as compartmentalisation.

Anything higher than FD30 is uncommon, except where a fire door is separating two buildings (FD60 is typically used here), though a higher rating may also be used in premises where the owner wants to ensure the building itself and anything within it is preserved, such as important documents.

Some fire doors may also differ in terms of the material used (such as fire-resistant glass or metal instead of wood) and any additional features, such as a glass window. However, in these cases, they must meet the necessary fire safety standards to be suitable for use, such as a window in the door having fire-rated glass with the necessary seal around it.

It’s absolutely essential that fire doors meet the necessary standards for safety and are installed properly. Otherwise, they will not be able to effectively stop the spread of fire and smoke. The next section covers these requirements in detail.

Fire Door Safety Requirements and Standards

Regulations, requirements, and standards relating to selecting and using fire doors in buildings are set out in various pieces of legislation and legal documents.

These include:

• British Standards documents, many of which go into detail about how fire doors are tested and constructed for safety, as well as how they should be installed and maintained. Two of note for those in charge of selecting fire doors for their premises are BS 8214:2016 Code of practice for fire door assemblies and BS 9999:2017 Code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings. BS 8214 gives recommendations for the specification, installation, and maintenance of fire doors, while BS 9999:2008 is the fire safety code of practice for building design, management and use.
• The Building Regulations 2010. This sets out various requirements for buildings, including some brief guidance relating to fire safety in Part 8. Additional documents supplement it to expand on fire safety matters, such as the one below.
• The Approved Document B – Fire Safety, which supplements the Building Regulations. Volume 1 covers dwellings while Volume 2 covers non-dwellings. The documents set out the requirements of fire doors throughout and go into detail in Appendix C: Fire doorsets (in both).
• The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This also sets out requirements for fire safety. As with the approved document, it applies to premises used for work as well as those owned by landlords. It requires those in charge, or a designated responsible person, to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment of the premises and implement the necessary arrangements accordingly, to ensure people are protected from fire risks. 

What do these require of fire doors?

Some of the key requirements for fire doors that you should be aware of, as set out by the Approved Documents Volume 1 and 2, are as follows:

• In most cases, doors throughout the building should have a minimum of 30 minutes fire resistance, i.e. be FD30 rated, with consideration of compartmentalisation. For example, in domestic buildings above two levels, every door that leads to the stairwell must be a fire door. Where restricted smoke leakage is needed, the door will have a suffix (S) added, e.g. FD30S. Where the door is in a compartment wall separating buildings, it should be a minimum of 60 minutes fire resistance. For full details about which doors you should use and where in a building, including the differences between domestic and non-domestic premises, see table C1 in the two documents.
• They should be classified in accordance with BS EN 13501-2, tested to the relevant European method from the following: BS EN 1634-1, 1634-2, 1634-3. This will prove that the manufacturer is supplying products that have been tested in accordance with BS EN 1631-1 and achieve the minimum performance specifications for safety, as set out in the Approved Documents.
• They should be fitted with a self-closing device. This ensures that the door closes automatically from any angle, to minimise the spread of fire and smoke. Doors that you usually keep locked should release when the alarm sounds, and you should test this alongside alarms.
• The essential components of fire door hinges should be made entirely from materials that have a minimum melting point of 800 °C. Note that, because of the weight of fire doors, they are typically installed with three hinges, though the current BS standards allow two hinges in some circumstances. It’s important to check any accompanying information to ensure that your fire door meets all the necessary requirements for safety.
• They should be marked on both sides with a ‘Fire door keep shut’ sign, to comply with BS 5499-5. There are some variations depending on the type of door, e.g. if it should be kept locked when not in use, the sign can say ‘Fire door keep locked shut’.

Furthermore, to comply with safety standards and ensure fire doors prevent the spread of fire and smoke:

• Fire doors must have appropriate intumescent seals. These are crucial, as they expand when exposed to heat and fill in the gaps between the door and the frame, preventing smoke and fire from travelling through. As the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) Fire Door Alliance states, the recommended seal size for most modern 30 minute doors is 15 mm X 4 mm. The recommended seal size for most modern 60 minute fire doors is 20 mm X 4 mm, or two No. 10 mm X 4 mm.
• The gap between the door and the frame must not exceed 3mm – this is along the two sides and across top of the door leaf. The gap at the bottom of the door can usually be around 10 mm for non-smoke conditions, though it should be 3 mm when smoke seals are required.
• Check for a label or plug that will be somewhere on the door. These indicate that the door is certificated and compliant with the necessary standards for safety. The labelling will usually identify the manufacturer and fire rating.
• You should also check for certification labelling, which will indicate that the manufacturer is a member of an accredited and recognised third party certification body and that the fire door has been made in accordance with safety standards. The two commonly recognised certification bodies are the BWF Fire Door Alliance or BM TRADA. BM TRADA uses the Q-Mark, which are coloured plugs that indicate the rating of the door and other key information.
• Fire doors should be inspected periodically – British Standard documents recommend six-monthly inspections. These may need to be more frequent, though, if the door is used regularly and therefore experiences more wear and tear. Suitable maintenance of fire safety measures is required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.

Note that you can discuss safety standards and seek further advice from the manufacturer of your fire doors. They should also be able to advise on your needs for your building.

How to Inspect and Maintain Fire Safety Doors

As mentioned throughout the article, it’s crucial that fire doors are checked and maintained to ensure their effectiveness does not deteriorate. This is the responsible person’s duty, such as the building owner or whoever has day to day control of the premises, e.g. the business’s employer.

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order Article 17, it is a legal requirement for the responsible person to ensure that fire resisting doors and escape doors are correctly installed and adequately maintained.

The British Standard documents recommend six-monthly inspections of fire doors. This may need to be more frequent depending on the usage however, such as those in busy corridors, which will be up to the responsible person to determine.

You should check a variety of aspects and features of the door. This includes checking:

• That the door fully closes and is free from damage. Look for any signs of wear and issues with features.
• Intumescent seals. These are crucial for preventing fire and smoke from escaping through the cracks of the door. Check that they are still fitted correctly and not damaged. They will need replacing if damaged.
• Hinges, locks, latches, floor springs etc. Check that they work as intended, are still fitted properly, and that all the necessary parts are in place, e.g. screws in hinges.
• The gaps around the fire door. Remember that the gap between the door and the frame must not exceed 3mm. The gap at the bottom of the door can usually be around 10mm for non-smoke conditions, though it should be 3mm when smoke seals are required. You can use a £1 coin which is roughly 3mm to measure, or acquire a gap gauge online.  
• Any debris or other objects that may be obstructing the door and its features.
• The self-closing device. Check that it works properly and isn’t damaged or obstructed. It should close on its own from any angle, without getting stuck on the floor or the frame, or needing assistance to close.
• The signage, e.g. fire door keep shut signs. They should all still be in place and legible.

Note that you should pay close attention to any guidance regarding inspection and maintenance set out in the manufacturer’s instructions, which should be provided with the fire door.

Furthermore, if any parts of the fire door needs replacing, it should be the same specification or an equivalent type, and suitable for the type of door, e.g. if your fire doors are made from wood, then parts designed for metal doors may not be suitable.

If you’re unsure about anything regarding inspection and maintenance, you should seek specialist advice such as from your fire door’s supplier or manufacturer, as well as consult the various guidance documents listed throughout this article. See a list below for a reminder.

• BS 8214:2016 Code of practice for fire door assemblies
• BS 9999:2017 Code of practice for fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings.
• The Building Regulations 2010  
• The Approved Document B – Fire Safety Volume 1 (dwellings) and Volume 2 (non-dwellings) Appendix C: Fire doorsets
• The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

Fire doors are a fundamental safety feature, as they stop the spread of fire and smoke in dwellings (e.g. rented accommodation) and non-dwellings (such as workplaces). To maximise their ongoing effectiveness, it’s crucial to select one that is suitable for your building’s needs, to ensure it’s installed correctly, and that it received regular inspections and maintenance. This article should have provided a useful overview of how to ensure this, and has provided you with further resources for where to find more information if needed.

What to Read Next:

• Online Fire Safety Awareness Training
• Understanding the Different Types and Uses of Fire Extinguishers
• What Does PASS Stand For? Fire Extinguisher Use and Safety
• The Fire Safety Responsibilities of a Fire Warden
• Fire Risk Assessment Quiz
• Fire Safety Signs
• Top 10 Fire Safety Tips in the Workplace
• Fire Safety Quiz

The post Fire Door Safety: What are the Requirements? appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

Although they are a popular choice, BBQs can pose many dangers if they aren’t managed and handled appropriately. BBQs are also prohibited in some places and so you must ensure you follow the rules.

This guide outlines the rules and regulations you must follow if having a BBQ in the UK. It explains the fire safety dangers you may face and provides some fire safety tips, so you can rest assured that your BBQ event is safe for everyone.

What are the Rules and Regulations for BBQs?

Before you start planning your BBQ, it’s important to consider whether there are any restrictions in place. You may need to hold your BBQ in a different location or make other adjustments to your plans. Many parts of the UK are classed as smoke control areas, meaning that smoke cannot be emitted from a chimney unless an authorised fuel is being burnt or exempt appliances are used. BBQs are exempt from this, and the government website clearly states that they can be used.

One law you need to consider and abide by regardless of where you have your BBQ relates to road safety. You must not have a BBQ near a main road as the smoke that drifts across the road could pose a visibility risk to drivers. You could be fined if you allow this to happen. Therefore, it’s important to plan and carefully consider where you are going to hold your BBQ.

BBQs on Private Property

If you’re having a BBQ in your garden or on your private property, there aren’t any laws preventing you from doing so when you please. However, the nuisance it can cause to neighbours, often from the smoke, can breach regulations in some circumstances. While the smoke is unlikely to be classed as a statutory nuisance, if you frequently have BBQs and they become an annoyance to people nearby, they may make a record of this and pass this on to their local council. You may then be visited by an Environmental Health Officer (EHO) to determine whether the complaint is a statutory nuisance, and you may be issued a notice to stop causing nuisance. However, this is in extreme circumstances only, and it’s more likely that your neighbour would talk to you first if your BBQ was causing them problems.

To avoid annoying your neighbours with the smoke from your BBQ, it’s best to let them know in advance that you are going to be having a BBQ. They may want to get their washing in first! You should also be considerate when setting up your BBQ by placing it where the wind blows smoke away from your neighbours’ gardens, and not directly next to it.

You are also strongly advised to not hold a BBQ on a balcony. While there is no specific legislation preventing you from doing so, it’s likely to be a clause within the terms of your lease. Even if this is not the case, having a BBQ on your balcony has the potential to be extremely dangerous. One danger is from the carbon monoxide fumes that may travel inside your apartment, which could be lethal.

Public BBQ Laws

If you want to have a BBQ on public land, you must ensure that there are no regulations in place that prohibit this. There are rules in place that dictate how common land, towns and public greens are used. Often, the use of BBQs is included within this and a ban may be in place. This includes land that is owned by organisations such as the National Trust. The Countryside Code, for example, says not to have BBQs in open countryside unless there are signs saying you can. In addition, there are bylaws in place in some parts of the country, such as around London, that prohibit the lighting of BBQs in green public spaces.

These restrictions are in place due to concerns about fire safety hazards and the threat the BBQ can pose to the surrounding land and wildlife. Disposable BBQs are the main culprit of accidental grass fires which can have a devastating impact on the countryside. If a public area does not permit the lighting of BBQs you must follow this rule.

Green public spaces at other locations may permit BBQs in designated areas, provided they are managed appropriately to minimise the risk of harm to the public and the land. By following the fire safety tips explained later in this article, you can safely hold a BBQ in a public place, if permitted.

To avoid holding a BBQ in a public park illegally, it’s best to always check in advance whether BBQs are permitted there. If you’re uncertain, you should contact your local council for clarification.

What are the Fire Dangers at BBQs?

Every year, fire and rescue services give warnings on the dangers of having a BBQ. Due to their very nature, BBQs pose many risks to health and safety. However, by taking the necessary measures, the risks can be controlled and reduced. You must recognise the potential dangers of having a BBQ, whether that be a disposable one or a gas or charcoal BBQ. If you are careless or don’t consider the potential dangers and act to reduce them, people could get seriously hurt.

Fires

One of the main fire dangers of BBQs is the risk of fires starting. Fires can get out of control very quickly and pose a serious risk to people, property and the environment. This can be easily caused if disposable BBQs are not disposed of correctly. Disposable BBQs should be left to cool for several hours before being disposed of. You should also pour water over it before putting it into a bin, to ensure the heat has been eliminated. This is important because many fires are started due to the heat from leftover disposable BBQs, rather than the flames themselves. The heat can easily set peat and dry moorland alight, causing catastrophic damage to the land, such as during the 2018 wildfires including on Saddleworth Moor.

Fires can also start if petrol, paraffin or other flammable liquids are used to try to start or accelerate a BBQ. To avoid this, you must never use flammable liquids on a BBQ and instead follow the manufacturers’ instructions that come with the BBQ.

Burns

BBQs can leave people with burns if precautions aren’t taken. This could be inflicted on the person controlling the BBQ, or someone who gets too close to it. BBQs get extremely hot and should not be touched when in use, or while they are cooling down afterwards. To avoid being burnt, you should avoid standing too close to the BBQ and encourage others to keep their distance. You should also use appropriate equipment, such as long-handled tongs, whilst cooking and needing to get closer to the BBQ.

Smoke

BBQs can give off fumes for hours after you’ve used them. Fumes include the poisonous gas carbon monoxide, which can be very hazardous to health if large quantities are inhaled. Carbon monoxide has no smell or taste, and so it’s unlikely you would notice straight away if you were breathing it in. The NHS lists the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning as:

• A tension-type headache.
• Dizziness.
• Feeling and being sick.
• Stomach pain.
• Tiredness and confusion.
• Difficulty breathing and shortness of breath.

These symptoms can be similar to that of the flu or food poisoning. However, if a person has carbon monoxide poisoning, they will not have a high temperature. If you suspect that someone has been exposed to low levels of carbon monoxide that have made them unwell, you should advise them to seek advice from their GP. If you think they have been exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide, you should ensure they go to A&E immediately.

This is why it is so important to set up your BBQ in a well-ventilated outside area. If you are camping, you must keep the BBQ outside and away from your tent even after it has stopped smouldering. It may still be letting off carbon monoxide fumes that can be deadly. By understanding the dangers and taking the precautions required, you can ensure that everyone is kept safe at your BBQ event.

How Do I Extinguish a Fire?

A BBQ resulting in a fire is a worst-case scenario that you will hopefully not encounter. Nonetheless, it is important to understand how to extinguish a fire, particularly as they may spread very quickly. Someone must attend the BBQ at all times and be ready to take action if it gets out of control.

In the event of a fire, you are going to need to act quickly to prevent any damage or injuries. While flames are to be expected on a BBQ, they may become too large and difficult to control. This is why it is strongly recommended that you have a bucket of water or sand nearby to put on the BBQ and extinguish the flames if needed.

It’s unlikely that you’ll own a fire extinguisher, or have one to hand during a BBQ, but these can be used to extinguish a BBQ fire if there is a suitable type nearby. The type of fire extinguisher that is suitable will depend on the type of BBQ.

It is recommended that you use a dry powder fire extinguisher on gas BBQs, as these can be used on all Class C (gas) fires, as well as Class A (solid materials) and Class B (liquid) fires. Water extinguishers should only be used on fires caused by Class A materials, such as wood and paper. They can be used on both charcoal and disposable BBQs, though any fat from meat may spit when sprayed. As an alternative, where oils and fats are involved, wet chemical extinguishers can be used, as these manage Class F (oils and fats) fires such as fats from BBQ meats.

If you are going to use a fire extinguisher on a BBQ, you must ensure that it is the right type. It’s also advised that only people who have received some training in using extinguishers do so, because the techniques for using them safely and effectively can vary.

BBQ Fire Safety Tips

To help you to ensure your BBQ is managed safely and the risk of fire is reduced, we’ve put together a series of fire safety tips. The first list of precautions apply to all types of BBQ. None of these are intended to spoil your fun; following this guidance will help keep everyone, and the surrounding area, safe from fire.

You should:

• Never leave your BBQ unattended. Once your BBQ has been lit, a responsible adult must keep watch at all times.
• Keep children and pets away from the BBQ.
• Ensure games aren’t played near to the BBQ.
• Never place a BBQ inside or on a balcony. BBQs produce carbon monoxide, a gas which is poisonous and in high concentrations can cause fatalities. If camping, you must never put the BBQ inside, or close to the entrance of, your tent.
• Ensure your BBQ is positioned away from any trees, fences or anything else that could be flammable.
• Ensure there is adequate clear space around your barbecue to reduce the risk of fires spreading.
• Always have a bucket of water or sand nearby. This should be there as a precaution in case of emergencies to put out the BBQ and any fires that may have ignited.
• Ensure that the BBQ has cooled completely before touching or moving it. Never put hot embers into your bin.

In addition to the guidance above, you should also follow the fire safety guidance below for each specific type of BBQ.

Gas Barbeques

If using a gas BBQ, you must:

• Ensure the BBQ is in a good working condition and do not use it if it’s faulty.
• Before you change the gas cylinder, always ensure the gas tap is fully turned off. Change the cylinder outdoors to ensure there is good ventilation.
• Always ensure the gas tap is turned off when the BBQ is not in use.
• After using the BBQ, firstly switch off the gas cylinder, and then turn it off at the main control to ensure any remaining gas has been used up.

Charcoal Barbeques

If using a charcoal BBQ, you must:

• Ensure the BBQ is in a good working condition and do not use it if it’s faulty.
• Only use enough charcoal to cover the base of the BBQ to a depth of roughly 2 inches.
• Only use recognised fire lighters and a small quantity of starter fuel on cold coals. You must never use petrol or paraffin to try to light a charcoal BBQ, or to accelerate it.
• Once you have finished using the BBQ, wait until the ashes have cooled completely and only then dispose of them in your wheelie bin.

Disposable Barbeques

If using a disposable BBQ, you must:

• Never place it directly on grass or a wooden surface. Instead, raise the BBQ on bricks or concrete and ensure that this surface is flat.
• Ensure that it is completely cold before disposing of it responsibly. You may have to wait several hours for it to cool, after which you should pour water over it to ensure it’s definitely out. As explained, the heat from discarded BBQs is often the cause of moorland fires, not the flames.
• Once it can be disposed of safely, put it into your wheelie bin or general waste, or a public bin.

You should now understand what you need to do to ensure your BBQ is managed safely. By following our fire safety tips, you can rest assured that your BBQ event will be free from any accidents, without spoiling any of the fun!

Further Resources:

• Fire Safety Training
• BBQ Checklist: Preparation and Safety Guide
• Burning Rubbish: What are the Rules and Regulations?

The post BBQ Fire Safety: Regulations and Tips appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

Or the Perfect Bonfire Night Party?

If you’re going to be hosting a fireworks display or bonfire celebration, you must consider the health and safety risks to ensure everyone is kept safe. This applies to fireworks or bonfires for Bonfire Night, Diwali, New Year’s Eve and Chinese New Year, as well as celebrations such as a wedding or birthday, or for a larger event run by a business. You must know how to control and handle fireworks and bonfires in these situations as both can cause serious injuries to attendees if they aren’t managed properly and safely.

Use the contents below to jump to a certain section of this article.

• What are the Safety Rules for Fireworks and Bonfires?
• Follow the Firework Code
• How to Conduct a Bonfire or Fireworks Risk Assessment
• Bonfire Night Safety Tips
• Safety Gear and Equipment
• How to Dispose of Fireworks, Bonfires, and Sparklers
• Alternatives to Bonfire and Fireworks for Bonfire Night

What are the Safety Rules for Fireworks and Bonfires?

If you are going to be setting off fireworks or lighting a bonfire, it is crucial that you consider the risks involved and follow safety guidelines. Both fireworks and bonfires can be very dangerous if not properly controlled. An estimated 3,600 people were hospitalised with fireworks injuries over the Halloween and Bonfire months between 2015 and 2019 in the UK. Many more incidents required the emergency services to be called out, including the fire brigade. If you are going to be responsible for fireworks or a bonfire, it’s important that you fully understand how to do so safely.

If you are going to light a bonfire, you can find out more about the rules and regulations in our Burning Rubbish: What are the Rules and Regulations? article.

Follow the Firework Code

You should always follow these 10 simple steps when setting off fireworks. This will ensure the safety of the person lighting the fireworks, those watching the display and neighbours.

1. Only purchase fireworks from a reputable shop. You should check whether they are conformity marked to meet essential health and safety requirements. Fireworks supplied in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) must be marked with the UKCA marking (or CE marking prior to the deadline for UKCA implementation), or be accompanied by documentation that is marked with it. There are different requirements for conformity marking in Northern Ireland. Previously, fireworks needed to have BS 7114 written on the box to prove they conform to British Standards. However, from 2017 it has in fact been illegal for a fireworks retailer to sell such fireworks, as the classification has now been phased out.
2. Plan your fireworks display. Make preparations in advance and plan where exactly you’ll be safely positioning the fireworks or bonfire. Angle fireworks well away from spectators and buildings. This way, if the fireworks fall over or don’t set off properly they won’t hit anything or anyone.
3. Keep fireworks in a closed box. Take one out at a time, rather than emptying them all onto the floor and setting them up. This means the risk is lower if one were to accidentally set off. Before use, you should store the fireworks in the box they came in or in a metal box with a lid.
4. Read and follow the manufacturers’ instructions carefully for each firework. Always make sure the fireworks are suitable for the area you’re setting them off in.
5. Supervise properly. If holding a small event with children, make sure there are at least two adults present so that one is always there to supervise children while the other safely lights the fireworks. Children must always be kept away from fires and fireworks. If you’re hosting a larger event, you should consider how the crowd will need to be controlled and kept safe.
6. Light the firework at arm’s length. Do so with a taper, e.g. a safety gas (clicker) lighter, and then immediately stand back. Warn people once fireworks have been lit.
7. Never return to a firework once it has been lit. Even if it doesn’t look like it’s been lit properly or it has fallen over, it could still explode. Don’t risk it – you and others will be safer if you just leave it alone.
8. Stand well back from fireworks, away from the direction it’s facing. Safe spectator distances are usually recommended on the fireworks. You should make sure your attendees keep their distance. Consider using tape or something similar as a barrier to prevent anyone from getting too close.
9. Never use petrol or other dangerous liquids to light fires. This can be incredibly dangerous and cause you to quickly lose control of the fire, making it much harder to extinguish.
10. Make sure that all flames and hot sources are extinguished at the end of the event. You must make the surroundings safe before you leave the area and it becomes unattended. This means ensuring that the bonfire is fully extinguished.

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How to Conduct a Bonfire or Fireworks Risk Assessment

Remember that fireworks are explosives and must be handled correctly to ensure the safety of everyone nearby. Many accidents happened during the four weeks surrounding Bonfire Night and, on average, almost half of all firework injuries happen to children under the age of 16. Most of these injuries happen as a result of the unsafe handling of fireworks and a lack of safety precautions. By considering what control measures will be needed at your event and implementing them, you’ll keep yourself and your guests safe.

To help you to identify and control the hazards posed by hosting a fireworks display or bonfire, you should carry out a risk assessment in advance.

Step 1 – Identify the fire hazards, e.g.:

• Rogue or faulty fireworks.
• Mishandled sparklers.
• Bonfire flames and embers.
• Things nearby that could catch on fire and cause fire to spread, e.g. buildings, fences, trees, shrubbery, etc.

Step 2 – Identify the people at risk, e.g.:

• People lighting fireworks.
• People controlling a bonfire.
• People lighting and handling sparklers.
• People present, including children.
• Neighbours.
• Pets, who could be spooked by fireworks or fire.

Step 3 – Evaluate the risks and decide how to remove or reduce them.

You can achieve this by following the firework code and general safety tips that we have listed throughout this article.

Step 4 – Inform people of the preventative measures.

Make sure you tell people what precautions you have put in place and how it affects them. This should include explaining the fire safety measures that are in place to prevent accidents and ensuring that everyone understands what to do to follow them. Most importantly, make sure there is adult supervision for children at all times.

Step 5 – Review to make sure your preventative methods are working.

Observe whether anyone is still at risk. Your measures and instruction may not be sufficient if people are still able to put themselves in harm’s way. For example, standing too close to fireworks being set off or not wearing safety gear.

Bonfire Night Safety Tips

In addition to following the firework code, you should keep in mind the following general safety tips when hosting an event:

• Children should be supervised at all times. They may not fully grasp the consequences of failing to follow safety precautions, so they need constant adult guidance.
• It is illegal to carry fireworks in public if under the age of 18 years. They must also not be sold to anyone under this age.
• Where possible, only one person should be in charge of setting off fireworks. That way, fewer people are put at risk.
• Never drink alcohol if you are in charge of setting off fireworks or tending to a bonfire. Also, keep alcohol well away from fireworks and bonfires.
• Avoid attending fireworks or bonfire displays outdoors if you have heart problems, asthma, or bronchitis. You can still enjoy them from inside!
• Keep pets indoors. Ensure doors, windows, and curtains are closed to reduce the sounds of explosions, and have some background noise on to help distract them, e.g. the TV. Don’t try to coax them out of hiding; this may frighten them more.
• Inform your neighbours in advance that you will be setting off fireworks or having a bonfire.
• Do not set off fireworks during night hours (11pm to 7am). This excludes Bonfire Night (midnight) and Diwali, New Year’s Eve, and Chinese New Year (1am).
• Learn how to treat minor burns, just in case. If there is an accident, you need to ensure it is safe to approach first. Our article ‘How to Carry Out the Primary Survey Using the DRABC Steps’ explains how to carry out an initial assessment of someone who is injured or ill. Remember that you must always call the emergency services immediately if things are beyond your level of skill.
• You can find further information on keeping children safe during a fireworks display on the Child Accident Prevention Trust website.

Safety Tips for Sparklers and Bonfires

Your display will likely consist of more than fireworks. If you’ve also got sparklers and a bonfire, you must consider how to manage the risks these pose. Follow these safety tips for ensuring people handle sparklers safely and that bonfires do not get out of control.

Sparklers

• Don’t hand sparklers to children under five. Sparklers can reach temperatures of 1600 °C and can be very dangerous.
• Anyone who handles sparklers should wear gloves. They should also wear a long-sleeved shirt or coat to cover bare skin.
• Sparklers should be held at arm’s length when being lit. Have one person hold the sparkler while another person lights it with a taper.
• Sparklers shouldn’t be waved around close to other people. Ensure anyone who is using one is a few feet away from other people.
• Do not hold a baby or child in your arms while also holding a sparkler. When using a sparkler, your attention should be solely focused on it.
• Extinguish sparklers in a bucket of cold water. Keep plenty of buckets nearby for people to extinguish their sparklers so they don’t have to walk far.

Bonfires

• Choose a clear, safe site. It should be away from fences, sheds, bushes, trees, roads (as smoke can pose a danger to traffic), anywhere children may be playing, and where fireworks are being lit.
• Check the bonfire for hiding pets or wild animals before lighting it. Small animals like hedgehogs or frogs may have made their way into the pile.
• Do not pour petrol or paraffin onto a fire. Instead, use firelighters which will prevent dangerous flare-ups.
• Do not burn domestic waste. This could cause pollution or harm people’s health.
• Keep buckets of water and/or a hose that is hooked up to a water source nearby. Chances are you won’t need them, but prevention is better than cure.
• Tie back long hair and avoid wearing loose clothing. You don’t want to have anything dangling from you that could easily catch on fire. Avoid wearing nylon clothing, which melts against the skin. Scarves should be tucked in.
• Ensure the fire is fully extinguished after the event is finished. A fire that may look like it will safely die out could very easily cause a new fire once left unattended.
• Do not throw discarded fireworks onto bonfires. They may still have some gunpowder left in them.

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Safety Gear and Equipment

To ensure that all these activities are carried out safely, you should have the following to hand:

• A torch.
• Buckets of water (for extinguishing sparklers or for emergencies).
• Buckets of sand.
• A hose (hooked up to a water source).
• Eye protection.
• Gloves.
• A bucket of soft earth to put the fireworks in.
• Suitable supports and launchers, e.g. for Catherine wheels.

Furthermore, make sure to cover as many parts of your skin as possible, just in case.

How to Dispose of Fireworks, Bonfires, and Sparklers

After your fireworks or bonfire event, you must ensure that you dispose of any materials used correctly. Failure to do so could result in further risks. You should safely dispose of what you can on the day of the event. It can be difficult to gather all waste materials at night, and so someone must check the area first thing the following morning in daylight.

Fireworks

You should safely dispose of all fireworks after your display – including spent (those which have been used and weren’t misfired or partly ‘spent’), damaged, partly spent, misfired, and any that are unused. To do so, you should collect fully spent fireworks into a refuse bin. Any misfired, partly spent, or unused fireworks must be fully submerged in a bucket of water for several hours, or long enough to soak the firework the whole way through. Doing so will render the firework non-explosive.

Once this process is complete, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service advise that you may be able to dispose of the fireworks by placing them inside a plastic bag and putting this in your domestic waste. However, you are advised to check the manufacturers’ instructions about disposal that come with the fireworks, or to contact them on the supplier for further information.

Bonfires

You should put out bonfires by pouring water on them, even if there aren’t any flames. This ensures that the fire has been extinguished completely and that the embers won’t reignite when the fire is left unattended. Once plenty of water has been poured on the bonfire and you are certain that it has been extinguished, you can leave it.

Sparklers

As mentioned, you must extinguish sparklers in a bucket of cold water immediately after use. This is because they will still be very hot and can cause burns if people come into contact with them. Once they have fully cooled, you can then dispose of sparklers in your general waste.

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Alternatives to Bonfire and Fireworks for Bonfire Night

It’s worth mentioning that most local councils and fire and rescue services, such as the London Fire Brigade, strongly discourage setting off fireworks or having bonfires in private gardens. This is because they can be incredibly dangerous and a health and safety risk to those involved and nearby.

Instead of setting off fireworks or having a bonfire to celebrate the occasion, you may want to consider alternative events. For example, you could:

• Light some sparklers and use these in your garden. These should be lit one at a time, gloves must always be worn, and a bucket of water should be kept close by. If there are children present, they must be supervised when using the sparklers, and children under five should not be given them at all.
• Bake some traditional Bonfire Night treats such as toffee apples or parkin. This can be a fun and tasty activity for both children and adults alike. You could also make some mulled cider or apple juice. For some recipe inspiration, head to our Planning the Perfect Bonfire Night Party article.
• Gather inside and play some board games or other party activities. This is another activity that can bring your family together and make something of the evening. If you do have a fireplace, you could always light that to create an alternative kind of bonfire.

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If you’re going to be setting off fireworks or having a bonfire, you must assess the risks involved and put the necessary health and safety precautions in place, including those that have been explained here. This will ensure that you can safely hold an event that is enjoyable for everyone and is memorable for the right reasons.

Further Resources:

• Planning the Perfect Bonfire Night Party
• Fire Safety Quiz
• Fire Risk Assessment Training

The post Bonfire & Firework Safety: Assessing the Risks appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

Throughout this article, we will explain the different classes of fires, the symbols that identify these, and the different types of extinguishers and their uses.

What Are the Different Classes of Fires?

Fires must be fought carefully depending on the materials involved. That is why they have been classified in 6 different categories:

• Class A – Fires that involve solid flammables and dusts, such as wood, plastics, paper and cardboard, fabric and textiles, and dusts such as grain dust and flour.
• Class B – Fires that involve flammable liquids, such as gasoline, petroleum oil, paint, or diesel.
• Class C – Fires that involve flammable gases, such as propane, butane, or methane.
• Class D – Fires that involve combustible metals including metal swarf, such as magnesium, lithium, sodium, potassium, titanium, or aluminium.
• Electrical fires. Although it is not recognised as a separate class of fire in Europe, electrical fires that involve live equipment and electrical sources are also a type you should bear in mind. Think of it as an informal Class E.
• Class F – Fires that involve hot cooking oils and fats, such as vegetable oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, maize oil, lard, or butter (typically those used for deep-fat fryers).

Need Fire Safety Training?

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All extinguishers will have one or more of the following classes symbols, to indicate which class of fire they are suitable for.

Each type of fire extinguisher contains different materials that make them suitable for fighting certain types of fires, and is designed to safely and effectively discharge its contents. The correct one must be used for the right class of fire, otherwise they may prove ineffective or in fact worsen the situation.

For example, using a water extinguisher on an electrical fire or a carbon dioxide one on a burning oil fire is extremely dangerous.

What Are the Different Types of Fire Extinguishers?

There are five main types of fire extinguishers:

1. Water.
2. Powder.
3. Foam.
4. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂).
5. Wet chemical.

Each type is easily identifiable by their names, colours, and sometimes their hoses. Depending on their size, some may not come with a flexible hose, such as smaller foam or aqua water spray extinguishers.

Let’s take a look at each type of fire extinguisher, their uses, and their risks below.

1. Water Extinguishers

There are two main types water extinguishers: standard water spray and dry water mist.

Standard water extinguishers

These will be solid red and will have the word ‘water’ or ‘aqua spray’ printed across them in a signal red band, often with a white border. They are your classic model: they dispense water at a high pressure to extinguish flames.

Water extinguishers are only suitable for class A fires, which means they can fight fires that involve wood, cardboard, paper, plastics, fabric and textiles, and other solid materials.

Warning: do not use water extinguishers on burning fat and oil fires and electrical appliances.

Water extinguishers can sometimes contain chemical additives that improve their effectiveness by up to 300%. The chemicals remove the water’s natural surface tension so that it soaks into burning materials more effectively when used.

Dry water mist extinguisher

These types of fire extinguishers will be solid red and will usually have the words ‘water mist’ printed within a white rectangle.

Dry water mist extinguishers are unique in that many of them can combat almost all types of fires, including class F fires that are usually difficult to attack. The extinguisher’s nozzle converts water into ‘dry’ microscopic particles, which are then drawn into the fire and simultaneously cool and suffocate it to extinguish the flames.

They are also effective for fire-fighting because they form a safety barrier between the user and the fire – which repels some of the heat – and do not leave hard-to-clean residue behind.

Warning: Although they are not currently classified as suitable for fighting class B (liquids) and C (gases) fires, dry water mist extinguishers have been identified by fireservice.co.uk as effective against them.

Other types will be better suited for fighting electrical fires, but dry mist extinguishers have usually had dielectrical tests carried out on them, which means that if they are accidentally used on electrical fires, they will not pose as significant a hazard as normal water extinguishers.

2. Powder Extinguishers

There are three types of powder extinguisher: ABC powder, M28 powder, and L2 powder.

ABC powder extinguisher

These types of extinguishers will say ‘powder’ in white text over a blue rectangle, and underneath the rectangle will be written ‘ABC powder’.

As their name suggests, these are designed to combat class A, B, and C fires – those involving solids, liquids, and gases. The powder acts as a thermal blast that cools the flames so burning cannot continue. Due to their non-conductive nature, they are also suitable for fighting electrical fires. However, they do not effectively penetrate the spaces in equipment easily, so the fire could still re-ignite.

Warning: do not use on domestic chip or fat pan fires (class F).

The downside to ABC powder extinguishers is that they pose a danger of inhalation when used in confined spaces, so they must not be used in them. They also leave residue behind that is difficult to clean up and causes damage to soft furnishings, carpets, and electrical equipment. This is why it’s advised you use a different type of extinguisher for fires involving electronics, such as in an office with computers.

M28 and L2 powder extinguishers

These types of extinguishers are best identified by their unique hose, though they will also say ‘powder’ in white text in a signal violet rectangle. They are often referred to as special powder. Do not confuse these with the ABC powder extinguishers, as they are not designed for class A, B, or C fires. They will state below the rectangle whether they are M28 or L2.

M28 and L2 are unique extinguishers in that they are designed for tackling Class D fires – those involving combustible metals including swarf or powder, which are often produced in engineering factories. Metals includes lithium, magnesium, sodium, or aluminium, for example.

The extinguisher has a low velocity applicator to ensure that the M28 or L2 powder is applied gently and efficiently to burning metal and to prevent the swarf from spreading. When sprayed, it forms a ‘crust’, which insulates the metal. This prevents the fire from spreading to other flammable materials and smothers the fire to prevent oxygen from reacting with the metal again.

L2 is suitable for all types of metal fires, whereas M28 cannot be used on lithium.

Warning: do not use on any other fire type, especially live electrical fires. Also, bear in mind that water should not be allowed to come in to contact with burning metal.

3. Foam Extinguishers

Foam extinguishers are identifiable by the word ‘foam’ printed within a cream rectangle on their bodies. They are primarily water based but contain a foaming agent, which has rapid flame knock-down and a blanketing effect. It smothers the flames and seals vapours so that re-ignition cannot occur.

They are suitable for fighting class A and B fires.

When used against class A fires, the user can simply point and spray. However, when used against class B fires – those with flammable liquids – they should not be sprayed directly into the liquid. This could cause the fire to be pushed and spread to surrounding areas. The best method of application is to spray the foam nearby so that it can build up and flow across it.

Warning: these should not be used on any other fire classes, especially electrical fires or chip or fat pan fires. Many foam extinguishers will have had dielectrical tests performed on them, so foam is less hazardous than water if it is accidentally sprayed on live electrical equipment. However, they should still not be used to fight electric fires as they are not specifically designed for them.

4. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Extinguishers

These types of extinguishers can be identified by the text ‘carbon dioxide’ or ‘CO₂‘ printed in white on a black rectangle. They also have a distinct type of hose.

Carbon dioxide extinguishers are used for combating class B and electrical fires – they suffocate the fire by displacing oxygen in the air. Because they do not leave any substances behind and so minimise damage done to equipment, unlike other extinguishers, they are particularly useful for offices and workshops where electrical fires may occur.

Warning: they must not be used on hot cooking oil and fat (class F) fires. The strong jet from the extinguisher would push the burning oils or fats and spread the fire to surrounding areas. Also bear in mind that while carbon dioxide is effective at smothering fires, once the gas has floated away, the fire may reignite if the source has not been removed.

Furthermore: you must not hold the horn, base, or pipework on a CO₂ extinguisher while operating it. The gas becomes extremely cold during its discharge and this could damage your hands.

5. Wet Chemical Extinguishers

These types of fire extinguishers are identifiable by the words ‘wet chemical’ printed across a yellow rectangle. It also has an extended hose that you can hold and point, which is useful when fighting fires on a kitchen top.

Wet chemical extinguishers are designed for combating fires that involve class F fires. They are effective because they are capable of stopping fires that are of an extremely high temperature, particularly cooking oils and fats. They also discharge gently, stopping the burning oils and fats from being pushed and splashing to surrounding areas or even the user.

The chemicals contained within the canister dispels the flames, cools the burning oil, and produces a soap-like solution that seals the surface and prevents re-ignition of the fire.

The best method of application is to spray in slow circular motions. The user should empty the entire contents onto the oils or fats. Otherwise, the fire may re-ignite.

Warning: wet chemical extinguishers are usually not recommended for class B fires – those involving liquids. Also, although they are capable of combating class A fires, they are not as effective as other extinguishers at doing so.

Fire extinguishers are an important addition to fire safety measures, as they can help to stop small fires. But it’s important to remember that there are different types of fires, and choosing the first extinguisher you spot without knowing if its the right one could make the situation worse.

The information throughout this article has provided some key guidance on the different types of extinguishers and their uses, but keep in mind that you also need practical training to learn how to safely handle extinguishers.

Further Resources:

• Fire Safety Signs – A Guide to Safety Signage
• What Does PASS Stand For? Fire Extinguisher Use and Safety
• Fire Risk Assessment for the Hospitality Industry
• Information about the Fire Triangle and Tetrahedron
• Fire Safety Quiz
• Fire Risk Assessment Quiz
• What Are the Key Differences Between Flammable and Combustible Materials?
• Fire Extinguisher Quiz
• Fire Safety Awareness Training Course

The post Understanding the Different Types and Uses of Fire Extinguishers appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

Our beloved British summer is showing signs of arrival! This usually means one thing for the sun-seeking opportunists of the British Isles: barbecues.

For most of us, barbecues with friends and family in the summertime are one of the things we look forward to the most.

We’ve thought of everything in this helpful guide. From food hygiene preparation tips to socialising – the following BBQ checklist covers everything you need to consider when organising and catering for a BBQ event.

Theme and Decorations

Getting creative around the house can be a good way to occupy the little ones for a couple of hours, and it can be a fun learning activity involving crafts. Some great themes include:

• Garden tea party.
• Tropical; think floral shirts & flower garlands.
• Decades: 70s, 80s and 90s are crowd pleasers.
• A fiesta.
• Beach theme.
• A favourite film.

BBQ Preparation

Preparation is key to ensuring your BBQ goes smoothly. Let’s take a look…

BBQ Shopping List

Need some ideas about what to cook? Here are your essential BBQ items:

• Sausages.
• Burgers (…and don’t just think beef! Chicken, lamb and veggie are great options).
• Hot dog rolls and burger buns (why not try brioche buns for a street-food feel?).
• Chicken wings and thighs.
• Burger garnish: lettuce, tomato and red onion (cut into rings).
• Cheese slices.
• Mixed Salads – basic salad, cous cous, potato salad etc.
• Meat / Fish Skewers: make them with prawns, chicken or chorizo chunks.
• Veggie Skewers: halloumi, red pepper, onion, courgette.
• Portobello mushrooms.
• Coleslaw.
• Corn on the cob – could get messy so make sure you’ve got some holders handy!
• Baking potatoes.
• Mustard, Ketchup, Mayo, BBQ sauce or burger relish.
• Bananas wrapped in foil or marshmallows on sticks for dessert!

Depending on the dietary requirements of your household, you may want to have a separate vegetarian and vegan grill and another for meat-eaters.

Pre-BBQ Food Prep

Prepare the BBQ foods that you can in the morning. This will give you more time to sit back and relax in the evening. The following prep ideas will save you loads of time:

• Create and toss salads (add dressing just before serving).
• Chop onions, meat, peppers and fruit ahead of time and get it all ready in bowls.
• Glaze and marinate joints, breasts, fillets and other portions of meat the night before.
• Pre-cut bread for hot dogs and burgers.
• Get your skewers ready for the grill.

BBQ Apparel

If you’re cooking, wear clothing that’s suitable for grilling. Don’t forget your mitts for handling anything hot and perhaps use gloves if you’re going to be handling a lot of raw meat. You can change your gloves more easily than you can wash your hands in the great outdoors.

And do avoid wearing clothing with long sleeves, as they might be a fire hazard.

Have you seen our report on the state of Food Hygiene across the UK? Check out our interactive map and find out how hygienic your hometown really is in Food Hygiene: Know the Score.

BBQ Supplies

Cooking Equipment & Utensils

What equipment do you need to make sure you can cook safely?

Now, think tongs, spatulas, knives, etc. Lay these out in front of you so you can use different utensils for raw meat, cooked meat, and non-meat food for hygiene purposes.

Another handy tip is to get a meat thermometer – then you know if your meat is cooked through.

Food Storage

Invest in cool bags – forgetting to store meat safely is dangerous. You can’t store meat in the danger zone (5 °C – 63 °C) for a prolonged period. Use ice packs in combination with a cool bag to chill your food.

You also can’t go wrong with plenty of Tupperware and kitchen foil for preserving freshness, reducing contamination risks, and storing unwanted rubbish.

Cleaning Materials

If you’re mostly just using disposable materials, then you’ll need refuse sacks for your rubbish, and of course, the all important provisions for cleaning your hands.

Make sure you have hand sanitiser close by and other hygiene provisions. And wash your hands after handling different types of food especially raw meat.

However, if you aren’t using disposable materials, it will save you so much time later on if you bring a few bits and pieces. Some of the following materials are more applicable if you’re arranging a large barbecue event. However, it will still be helpful to have these to hand at home. Think about the following cleaning materials:

• A gas stove and pan for boiling water.
• Large bottles of water.
• A washing up bowl.
• Sponges and washing up cloths.
• Washing up liquid.
• Large picnic blankets.
• Anti-bacterial wipes.
• Drying towels.

You can use the above for giving your equipment a quick clean and soak. You’ll be thankful when you come to do the washing up or put them in the dishwasher later!

Entertainment and Activities

Your barbecues this summer will hopefully be a lot of fun, seeing friends and family you may not have seen for a long time. Think about the sort of entertainment that you and your family and friends usually enjoy.

Would you play quiz games? Watch a film? Or do you enjoy more active games such as races and ring toss? Many lawn games can be bought or made in advance and there are all kinds of clever tech items available to involve a large group of people. Take it in turns to host the barbecue and the games so that everyone can get involved.

Another great activity to do amongst the BBQ attendees is to share the cooking, why don’t you each choose a dish to cook and share the recipe. If there are a lot of you, this can be a great way to ease the stress for the host.

BBQ Food Hygiene

A barbecue is a big deal in Britain. So no one wants to see a chef with a questionable attitude to food safety by the grill.

Here are a few key tips to grill with food hygiene in mind:

• Thaw frozen meat and food fully before cooking. Proper thawing in a refrigerator at least overnight will prevent dangerous cold spots.
• If you’re using a charcoal barbecue, don’t start cooking until the coals are glowing red with a powdery grey coloured surface. This is when the heat is evenly distributed. It’ll stop your meat being over-charring on the outside and raw inside.
• Cook meat to a minimum core temperature of 70 °C for at least 2 minutes, your probe thermometer will help here.
• Cut into meat to check whether it is cooked; if you have the slightest doubt, use your thermometer – if you don’t have one, cook further until you are sure, just to be safe.
• Hold hot food at a minimum temperature of 63 °C until served.
• Be wary if you lean across the barbecue to turn meat – flame grilled sleeves are for rookies.
• Use a coolbox filled with ice packs to minimise bacterial growth on raw or chilled food outside the fridge.
• Don’t leave food out of the refrigerator for longer than half an hour, and don’t leave food in the sun. Hot weather encourages bacteria growth.
• Use separate utensils for raw and cooked meats and ready to eat food, like salads and bread.
• Only eat meat and fish when they are safe to eat. Watch out for pink meat and make sure food is piping hot.
• Serve your sides, nibbles and garnishes away from the BBQ cook area, this will prevent crowding in the hot area near the BBQ.

These good practice guidelines may seem obvious but they are easy to forget in the heat of the moment.

Taking a second to plan ahead, prepare early and make sure the items you need are within reach are all measures you can take to make sure your barbecue is still enjoyable and relaxing.

Wait! Avoid Food Waste

With all the excitement of a summer BBQ, there may be a tendency to overestimate the amount of food you need. Don’t worry, though, with our Guide to Reheating Food, you’ll be able to make the most of your leftovers and ensure you’re safe in doing so.     

Further Resources:

• What Type of Training Must Food Handlers Receive by Law?
• Food Hygiene Rules and Guidance
• What Foods Are Safe to Eat Raw?
• BBQ Fire Safety: Regulations and Tips
• Level 2 Food Hygiene Quiz

The post BBQ Checklist: Preparation and Safety Guide appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

These regulations are essential for ensuring you don’t put your and others’ wellbeing at risk. Not only can bonfires easily go wrong and cause uncontrollable fires if poorly planned, but they can also pollute the air with harmful fumes, particles, and smoke.

If you’re thinking about having a bonfire – whether it’s to burn the remains of your pruned hedges, or to celebrate the 5^th of November – you should familiarise yourself with the current guidance as set out by local fire safety authorities and environmental regulations.

This article will clarify all these requirements for you, so you can avoid causing a nuisance or harm to anyone nearby.

Is It Legal to Burn Rubbish in My Garden?

According to government guidance, there are no laws that prohibit you from burning rubbish and lighting bonfires in your garden. However, there are rules in place to prevent bonfires from causing a nuisance to neighbours or a hazard to safety, and there are certain types of waste you can and can’t burn.

These rules include the following:

• It is an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (as amended) to dispose of domestic waste in a way that can cause pollution to the environment or harm to human health, such as by burning it. This means you must not burn certain types of waste that can create excessive smoke and fumes.
• Under section 161A of the Highways Act 1980, you cannot allow smoke from a fire to drift across a nearby road. You will face a fine if it poses a danger to traffic or leads to injury.
• If bonfires are recurrently bothersome to the point that they affect a person’s enjoyment of their property (such as smoke and ash drifting into their garden), then the bonfire may be considered a nuisance and this can result in an ‘abatement notice’. Failing to adhere to a notice could lead to a fine of £5,000.

How to Follow the Rules for Safe Bonfires

To prevent your bonfire from posing a risk to your and others’ health and safety, you should familiarise yourself with the rules and recommendations for having them. Below are some common queries for burning rubbish in the UK, as well as guidelines issued by many local councils and published by Environmental Protection UK.

What Time Can I Burn Rubbish in My Garden?

There are no set times or days for when you are permitted to have a bonfire – you can technically do so whenever you like. However, it’s recommended that you choose a time in the early morning or early evening when your neighbours are less likely to be affected.

Even if you choose a courteous time, you should still pay attention to whether your bonfire could cause a nuisance. Do your neighbours have their washing out? Is it a hot day and they have their windows open? Are your neighbours planning to use their garden? Is it a particularly windy day?

Consider popping over to let your neighbours know your plans, so you can work around each other’s schedule. Prior warning can give them time to bring in any washing and to avoid using their garden during your bonfire. Plus, it can prevent them from calling 999 – they may otherwise spot the fire and think it’s an emergency.

What Type of Rubbish Can and Can’t I Burn?

Your bonfire must not cause pollution to the environment or harm to human health, which means you need to avoid burning certain materials that can generate excessive smoke and toxic fumes. The particles that are created by a fire can spread and linger in the air, causing nuisance or health issues for others, such as triggering asthma.

Therefore, you should adhere to the following guidance:

• You must only burn dry materials, such as paper and untreated wood.
• You must not burn household waste, e.g. food and plastic packaging, that should go into your general waste or recycling bins.
• Don’t burn plastic, polystyrene, aerosols, tyres, canisters, painted or treated wood, or anything containing foam or paint. Doing so can create fumes and pollutants that can harm people, as well as pets and any nearby wildlife.
• Do not burn damp waste, as this creates more smoke.
• Don’t burn garden waste if it is green and/or damp, such as recent hedge or tree trimmings. This type of waste will produce excessive smoke. Many local councils provide bins for garden waste, so you don’t have to burn it. Dry garden waste is safe to burn.
• Do not use oil, petrol, or spirits to fuel the fire, as it could get out of control and can spread fumes.

You should also be aware that you’re not permitted to burn waste from other households (such as waste from a neighbour) or from trade or business activities. Doing so requires an environmental permit.

What Are Some Tips for Having a Bonfire?

To ensure your bonfire is as safe and environmentally friendly as possible, there are some factors to consider and steps you should take:

• Ensure your bonfire is well away from buildings, sheds, fences, trees, hedges, overhead cables, and anything else nearby that could catch alight. You should also ensure its location will not cause smoke to drift into a road.
• Do not leave the fire unattended at any time.
• Keep children and pets away from the bonfire. You may want to keep them inside.
• Prepare a bucket of water or hose to have nearby, or an extinguisher if you have one, so you can put out the fire when finished or if it starts getting out of control.
• Ensure the bonfire is stable – if it were to collapse the fire could spread.
• Start small – you don’t need to pile everything onto it at the start. You can add more to the bonfire as you go, when you are confident you can control it.
• Pay attention to the wind speed and direction. It’s best if the wind is blowing away from any neighbours’ properties.
• Look out for animals or wildlife, who often hibernate or take refuge in piles of garden waste.
• Ensure you extinguish the fire fully and do not leave it smouldering, as it could restart. Douse any remaining embers with water and/or cover it with soil.

If at any point you lose confidence in your ability to control the fire or put it out, call 999 immediately.

Should I Notify Anyone About My Bonfire?

While there are no legal requirements to notify anyone about a bonfire, as mentioned earlier you should be considerate and let your neighbours know. You may also want to notify your local authority on a non-emergency number. They are often alerted to fires that are believed to be an emergency but turn out to be controlled bonfires or land clearance. Giving them prior warning ensures they aren’t unnecessarily called out.

For example, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service ask that you notify them if you’re planning to have a sizeable bonfire in your garden or on other land, any sort of fire on farmland, or stubble burning. They ask to be notified about the exact location of the fire, the times you are planning to let the fire burn, and a contact number for yourself or whoever will be responsible for the site.

What are Some Alternatives to Burning Rubbish?

As many materials are unsafe to burn and you may not be able to have a bonfire safely (such as if you don’t have enough room in your garden), you should be aware of alternative methods for getting rid of your waste.

Use Council Bins and Waste Collection Services

Don’t be tempted to burn household waste. Use your general waste and recycling bins, as well as garden waste bin and/or food waste bin if you have them.

Your local council may even offer large waste item collection in your area, such as old furniture, so make sure you check their website to see what sort of options they have before you resort to burning. You can also call on private waste companies that provide home collection. If you use a private collection company, make sure you check they have a waste carriers licence to remove waste.

Use Your Local Tips and Recycling Centres

Before starting up a fire, you should first think about whether you can take waste to your local tip or recycling centre. They can handle it in a much safer and eco-friendly way than you burning it in your back garden.

Use a Shredder / Chipper for Garden Waste

If you really can’t stand having your tree trimmings sitting around or it won’t fit into your garden waste bin, you may want to purchase garden waste chippers or shredders. This will enable you to fit more into the bin, keep it out of the way in a bag, dry it out and burn it easier, or even reuse it in your garden or composting.

Start Composting Food and Garden Shredding

You should not burn domestic waste such as food, so if for whatever reason you want to get rid of it other than in your general bin, consider composting it instead. This can act as an excellent fertiliser for your garden and even save you money on buying it specially. You can add shredded garden waste to it too.

If you do decide to compost, make sure you do your research about what type of composting you’re going to create, how to keep pests out, and what you should and shouldn’t add to it. For example, a worm compost bin is suitable for vegetable peelings, fruits and vegetables, and waste paper and cardboard, but not for cooked food, meat, or dairy products.

While a bonfire may seem like a quick, easy, and even novel way for disposing of waste, as you’ve learnt here there are rules in place to prevent it from being a nuisance or posing risks. Make sure you follow the guidance set out in this article and provided by your local authorities if you do plan to have a bonfire, or consider alternative means to eliminate the challenges altogether. Whatever you decide to do, stay safe and sensible.

What To Read Next:

• Online Fire Safety Training Course
• How to Dispose of Construction Waste
• How to Reduce Food Waste at Home
• BBQ Fire Safety: Regulations and Tips
• Bonfire & Firework Safety: Assessing the Risks

The post Burning Rubbish: What are the Rules and Regulations? appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

Every year, faulty appliances and leads, misuse of equipment and appliances, and placing items too close to heat are the leading causes of fires. These are easy mistakes to make when you’re focused on making your home look as Christmassy as the McCallister’s.

While it is top priority to have a fun and memorable time at Christmas, everyone should be extra careful to not let festivity become dangerous. The good news is that caution is easy to adopt and won’t be intrusive to your holidays.

We provide some simple Christmas safety tips throughout this article, which will help you keep your festive time free of fire risks.

Christmas Fire Safety Tips

The key areas you should consider during Christmas are decorations, lights, Christmas trees, and cooking. These are all staples in the Christmas holidays – you’re not expected to become a Grinch and ditch them. However, there are some simple steps you should take to prevent associated fire risks.

Deck your walls and mantelpieces sensibly.

Garlands, tinsel, lights, and other festive hangings are perfect for wrapping the whole room in Christmas. But these could all be the origin of a fire and extra kindling if you place them too precariously.

You should therefore think carefully about where you put everything:

• Avoid hanging decorations near candles, fireplaces, Christmas lights, radiators, and heaters. Your garland may look like it’s well above the fireplace, but it could accidentally fall down or an ember could latch onto it, causing a fire safety risk.
• When you do decorate above or around these areas, use ornaments that won’t catch fire easily.
• You should also minimise decorations in the kitchen. Getting your festive spirit as well as your apron on does make cooking around the holidays a wonderful experience, but be sensible. Keep decorations well away from hobs.

Look at the condition and standards of your lights.

Using the same lights year on year? You might not notice that the wires are old and fraying, which could be a fire waiting to happen. This is particularly true if you have to aggressively untangle them every Christmas, because last year you said it was a problem for future you. Pulling and twisting puts strain on the components and could damage their integrity.

To ensure lights are safe for use, keep in mind the following:

• Electricals should have the British or European Safety mark on them. If yours don’t, make it a priority to buy some that do and recycle your old ones.
• Use LEDs instead of traditional filament Christmas lights. LEDs are lower voltage so generate much less heat.
• LED Christmas lights are estimated to last around 6 years when well looked after. Their components will naturally break down due to wear and tear, so keep a close eye on their integrity if you’ve had them for a while.
• Be careful not to overload outlets or extension leads. Overloading can cause overheating, which is just asking for a fire.
• Replace them if they show signs of a fault. Dodgy or flickering lights (unless they’re meant to be flickering) have got to go.
• You should use a residual current device (RCD) on outdoor lights. Using an RCD is important, as it’ll immediately switch off the power going to the electrical equipment if there is a fault. You can buy RCDs in DIY stores.

Turn off and unplug electricals when you’re not around.

It’s tempting to leave your lights on throughout the day so you can come back to a festive house, but you need to resist. It’s not wise to leave electronics like Christmas lights on when you’re at work or in bed. Aside from running up your electric bill, you run the risk of not being around to catch a fault.

Switch the electronics off at the wall sockets – not just on the extension lead if you use one – and then unplug them for complete safety. Even when switched off, some appliances can still draw power from the socket. Remember to switch off both indoor and outdoor lights if you have any.

Be careful when lighting and burning candles.

You no doubt already know to be cautious with candles, but it really is important to take extra care with fire safety around Christmas. A loose bit of tinsel or a blanket could easily catch the tip of a candle flame.

To use candles safely, keep in mind the following:

• Put your candles in areas where they won’t get knocked over or catch something, for example if someone passes by while putting on their coat and scarf.
• Keep them well away from decorations and the Christmas tree, and definitely don’t put them on the tree.
• Never leave them unattended. Even if you’re only popping out the room for 10 to 15 minutes, it’s really not worth it. You can fill your room with festive fragrances in safer ways when you’re not around, such as with reed diffusers or potpourri.
• When lighting candles, make sure you fully extinguish matches and put them away properly. Likewise, put lighters away after using them.

Select a suitable tree.

Everyone loves a real Christmas tree. That authentic pine scent really does fill the room with feelings of festivity. But an old, underwatered Christmas tree can pose a real fire safety hazard, so pay attention when picking and remember that it’s a live plant.

The fire service website provides advice on selecting a tree for Christmas:

• Choose one with vibrant green needles that are hard to pull off and that don’t break when you do so.
• The trunk should be sticky to the touch.
• If you bounce the tree trunk on the floor and a lot of needles fall off, the tree has been cut for too long and has likely dried out. You should choose another one.

Additionally, here are some tips for keeping your tree safe:

• Make sure you place it well away from any heat sources. You should also consider lowering the thermostat (as much as is comfortable). During winter, you’ll no doubt have the heating on every day in your home, which will contribute to your tree turning dry.
• Give it plenty of water. During winter, you’ll no doubt have the heating on every day in your home, which will contribute to your tree turning dry. The amount of water it needs depends on its size, so you should check its water levels every day if possible. A 6-inch tree could require up to a gallon of water every other day.
• If you have an artificial tree, you should still keep it away from heat sources and consider it a major source of kindling. Some artificial trees may have a ‘flame retardant’ label, but this doesn’t mean they’re fire proof.
• Only use lights on your real or artificial tree that conform to British Standards (which you can identify by the British safety kitemark) or have the CE Safety Standard mark. Remember to use LEDs over filament lights.

Keep your head on straight while cooking.

When you’re preparing Christmas dinner and other meals during the holiday, be mindful that you’re working with heat and fire. It’s easy to find yourself buzzing in and out of the kitchen when you have family and friends over, but this could lead to you putting an oven glove or towel down just a bit too close to the hob.

To ensure you prepare food safely at Christmas and avoid fire risks, keep in mind the following:

• Focus on what you’re doing – avoid rushing around and take plenty of deep breaths to prevent yourself from flustering. Your chef’s hat is on, so it’s natural that you won’t be a part of every conversation or be able to drop what you’re doing to answer every request.
• Save the drinking for after you’re done cooking. You want to keep your head clear and movements focused to avoid any accidents.
• Remember to turn everything off once you’ve finished. That rush of relief and eagerness to serve up food could lead to you forgetting to turn off the hob and oven.

As a final tip, don’t be too fearful and have a fantastic time! As long as you are sensible during the holidays, there’s no reason why your Christmas shouldn’t be fire-proof. Safety measures don’t have to put a damper on the holiday by being taken too far, as they sometimes are. Some precautionary steps will give you peace of mind and a Christmas that’s unforgettable for all the right reasons.

What to Read Next:

• 7 Times Christmas Health and Safety Was Taken Too Far
• How to Reduce Waste this Christmas: Tips and Advice
• Managing Your Mental Health at Christmas
• Christmas Food Safety Quiz
• Online Fire Safety Training Course

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