New COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards) rules become effective in April 2010

7 February 2010 by Jim Bennett

In 2008 the COMAH Competent Authority (CA) initiated a fundamental review of its approach to regulating onshore major hazards in the UK – the CA has remodelled its key regulatory processes, and will implement a series of changes in April 2010.

Improvements include a better national coordination of the CA’s priorities, improving performance monitoring against existing, and emerging new priorities, and ensuring that the CA continues to focus on the right issues.

The Competent Authority comprises three organisations: the Health Safety Executive (HSE), the Environment Agency (EA – for England and Wales) and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA). These three organisations are responsible for the enforcement of the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations.

The Competent Authority Strategic Management Group (CASMG) will meet quarterly, setting a strategic direction and plan of work for the CA s a whole. It will be responsible for reporting back publicly on progress both in the UK and to the European Union.

For more information – click here 

In Scotland we are reviewing our regulatory environment as described in the “Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Bill: Consultation Paper” 
The principle is to facilitate moving from an ‘enforcement model to and enabling environment’. – Please forward comments to the Branch Secretary.

SIFE and BAFSA Fire Sprinkler Seminar 20.01.10 Report

24 January 2010 by Jim Bennett

The well attended seminar, sponsored by FM Global, had a good representation from both private and public sectors. The delegates were given a warm welcome by Martyn Wade, CEO, National Library of Scotland. He encouraged the delegates to return “to the treasure trove of knowledge within the library at a later time.”

The Scottish Minister for Community Safety, Fergus Ewing, MSP gave a ministerial address. His theme was about a partnership approach to ‘A Safer Scotland’. “It’s a journey we’ve embarked on where everyone has a role to play. The Scottish Government are committed to implementing the recommendations of The Scotland Together Report, headed up by Fire Chief Brian Sweeney, which includes fire sprinklers for ‘at risk’  households.”

 

 

 

 

Alan Brinson, Executive Director, European Fire Sprinkler Network presented “European Progress with Fire Sprinklers.”  (click here to download presentation)

Bill Stewart, International President of the Institution of Fire Engineers and Fire Chief of Toronto Fire Services presentation was “Is it Time to Move to the Next Level of Fire Protection, – Residential Fire Sprinklers?”

(click for presentation)

 

Steve Turek, Assistant Commissioner London Fire Brigade, talked on “The Challenge of Fire Protection and the London Olympics.” (presentation)

Nick Groos, Chairman International Fire Sprinkler Association, discussed “Just What Exactly is a Residential Sprinkler Anyway?” (presentation)

Ian Gough, Technical Advisor, BAFSA gave an overview of “The Changing Nature of Fire Risks in Car Parks.” (presentation)

Andy Mattock, National Fire Safety Manager, B&Q plc gave a pragmatic presentation on “A Retailer’s Tale” (presentation )

Allan MacPherson,  Chief Engineering Technical Specialist, FM Global explores “Sprinklers Evolved.”  (presentation)

 Bill Jackson, Head of Estates, National Library of Scotland shared a Case Study of “Protecting the Nation’s Heritage.”  (presentation)

Guidance on Testing and Exercising Business Continuity

28 December 2009 by Jim Bennett

The below link will give access to the BSI Published Document (PD 25666:2009) and relates to guidance on testing and exercising business continuity, emergency planning and general contingency arrangements. Although Information Technology is specifically mentioned, it is intended that the guidance can be used by any agency to test and validate their suite of plans. The document has been designed to aid the delivery of cost effective and efficient testing of all exercising formats and includes the following:

•  A full glossary
• Exercise programme management
• Initiating testing and exercising programmes
• The different types of exercises
• Preparing to test and exercise
• Advice on conducting exercises
• Exercise debriefing
• Exercise roles and responsibilities
• A future full bibliography

 Consultation link

Testing and exercising is a critical area in all emergency management and business continuity arrangements and forms essential components of the profession. It is advisable that this document is read alongside other guidance that relates to testing and validation planning arrangements, some of which can be found at:

Guidance on Training Exercises   

and Planner’s Guide

SIFE will prepare and provide a submission on any comments on PD25666:2009 made by members. Please respond by 15^th February 2010.

Emergency Preparedness Consultation: collaborative working between responders

16 December 2009 by Jim Bennett

As part of the Civil Contingencies Act Enhancement Programme the UK Government have undertaken a project to identify ways to achieve better engagement and collaborative working between responders to support them in fulfilling their duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (CCA).

This project formed part of Phase 1 of the programme which focused on improving the standard and consistency in the way the existing legislative framework was implemented.

 Through engaging with a range of stakeholders, we identified opportunities to improve Chapter 2 (Co-operation) of the existing statutory guidance, Emergency Preparedness, and have produced a draft revision for consultation.
The closing date for the consultation is  Friday 19 February 2010. Comments to Branch Secretary for 10.02.10 please.

SIFE/BAFSA Technical Sprinkler Seminar: 20.01.10

4 November 2009 by Jim Bennett

The Scottish IFE Branch and the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA) will be hosting a Sprinkler Seminar on Wednesday the 20th January 2010 from 0930 hrs to 1600hrs. Registration is from 0930hrs.

The Venue is:

The National Library of Scotland, (Causewayside Building), 33 Salisbury Place, Edinburgh EH9 1SL

The Seminar is to be opened by The Minister for Community Safety, Fergus Ewing, MSP

Speakers include:

Bill Stewart: International President IFE (link) , City of Toronto Fire Chief (link)

Nick Groos : Chairman of International Fire Sprinkler Association (link)

Alan Brinson : Executive Director of European Fire Sprinkler Network (link)

Ian Gough : British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (link)

Allan McPherson : FM Global (link)

Bill Jackson :  Estates Manager National Libraries of Scotland (link)

Bookings for this BAFSA sponsored event may be made via the SIFE Branch Secretary Jim Bennett, scretary@ife-scotland.org.uk Tel: 0141 353 9331

 

The Scotland Together Report

by Jim Bennett

A report commissioned by the Scottish Government reveals there were 131 accidental fire deaths in homes recorded in a survey between April 2005 and March 2008. Of these, 72% involved properties with no working smoke detectors.

The Scotland Together report is the result of research carried out by Government officials and fire service experts headed by Brian Sweeney, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue’s chief officer
The research – the most detailed ever undertaken – produced 37 recommendations including providing sprinkler systems to “at risk” households. Fire officers believe sprinklers would have prevented 80% of the deaths recorded in the survey.

Main Recommendations:

• A “root and branch” review of the Home Fire Safety Visit system including the introduction of points system to target those who are most at risk.
• Establish a multi-agency Safer Scotland Unit toco-ordinate community safety.
• Issue a “sprinkler challenge” to assess how Scotland can develop an affordable domestic sprinkler system.
• Support the extension of fire detection requirements in building standards
  Introduce “reduced ignition propensity cigarettes” – which are self-extinguishable and considered safer.
• Start multi-agency Fatal Fire Case Conferences to investigate blaze deaths.
• Work more closely with health agencies to establish an effective referral system to signpost those most at risk.
• Work with the Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland to investigate an under-reporting of secondary fires

The report backs moves to extend the current requirements of smoke detection being fitted in newly built and converted homes by fitting additional smoke detection in principal habitable rooms, such as the living room and bedrooms.

It also recommends Scotland supports a European standard for “reduced ignition propensity cigarettes” – those that go out quickly if unattended and which are less likely to set fire to soft furnishings such as sofas and beds. The study estimates that up to 36 lives could have been saved had such cigarettes been mandatory in Scotland since 2005

Managing Chemical, Biological and Nuclear Risks

27 August 2009 by Jim Bennett

Business Protection Seminar –
Managing Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear risks
8 October, 2009, Leicester Square, London 8:30 am – 11:00 am

For more information please click here

Hazardous Installations: Development Planning Advice

19 August 2009 by Jim Bennett

The Health and Safety Executive  have issued Planning Advice for Developments near Hazardous Installations.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/landuseplanning/padhi.pdf

The Eight Step Training Model: Improving Disaster Management Leadership

12 August 2009 by Jim Bennett

In the aftermath of public tragedies such as the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, intense scrutiny was placed upon the emergency management community throughout all levels of government.

Clearly, it is imperative that emergency managers understand the scope and scale of these events and subsequently the depth of planning required to execute coordinated preparedness, response and relief efforts. However, plans are merely a step in the overarching requirement of coordinating disaster response and delivering relief.

One method for emergency managers to achieve success may be through the implementation of a disciplined training methodology, developed in the United States Army, known as the “Eight Step Training Model.” For more info please click here

Health and Welfare Reports: emergency response

1 August 2009 by Jim Bennett

The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare issue reports - called KAMEDO reports which are very informative in lessons learned from emergency reponse scenarios and crisis preparation.

Information on the terror attacks in Madrid may be found by clicking here.

Other topics may also be found on their site by clicking here.