Fire protection system upgrade to Channel Tunnel
It has been reported that the Channel Tunnel is all set to get a major fire safety enhancement within the next year, with one fire protection sprinkler having already been installed.
The fire protection system, which has been developed to use water mist, will cost Eurotunnel £20 million in total.
This new development was given the green light following a huge freight train fire not far from the French coast which occurred back in September 2008.
The sprinklers have been made to cut off the oxygen supply to the fire and thus stop it from spreading any further.
One safe fire extinguishing area has already been installed, with the other three sprinklers due to be put in place inside the Channel Tunnel by the end of 2011.
Jacques Gounon, Chairman of Eurotunnel, has confirmed that the fire protection system has been adapted towards the conditions of a working railway tunnel.
This new equipment will ensure that the Channel Tunnel is in a better position to deal with any fire-related incidents in the future.
If you are the owner of a business and you are unsure that your premises are properly equipped to tackle a fire, then you should consider calling in the professionals to conduct a fire risk assessment on your behalf.
Carrying out a fire risk assessment at your workplace
Did you know that you are now required by law to complete a fire risk assessment on your work premises? If you were unaware of this until now, you really need to ensure your business conforms to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order of 2005.
The guidelines state that you “must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to which relevant persons are exposed”. Therefore, the completion of a fire risk assessment is a necessity for your company as it forms as the first point in fire safety on your premises.
The procedure also needs to be conducted by someone who is deemed competent and trained in performing risk assessments, which will determine your needs for fire training and firefighting equipment to be installed as well as other issues relating to fire safety.
A fire risk assessment will help you to address these concerns as the procedure will highlight what actions need to be undertaken. If you are wondering where you would be able to get the right persons who are able to carry out a fire risk assessment in your workplace, you should speak to the fire training experts.
By doing this you will benefit from a comprehensive assessment of your work premises by a team of qualified and experienced fire risk assessors. Upon completion you will be given a report containing all the risks found as well as ways to ensure these risks are minimised.
Faulty pump caused refinery blaze
Initial investigation findings show that the Nynas refinery fire was probably caused by a faulty pump on a distillation unit.
The fire which broke out on 10th November was the latest in a string of fires at the plant. A spokesman for the refinery said “Although the investigation has not yet been completed it seems most likely that the fire was caused by the failure of a pump on the distillation unit in the early hours and this led to failure of the pump’s seal.
The plant remained closed through the investigation to allow for repairs to be carried out but hopes to re open after a risk assessment.
Landlord putting tenant’s lives at risk is forced to close building
A Cheshire landlord has been fined £6,000 and £2,500 in legal costs after being found guilty of breaching a number of fire safety regulations. Firefighters took the decision to ban anyone from inhabiting the property due to the seriousness of the situation.
The property was found to have locked fire escape routes, inadequate fire alarms and blocked fire exits.
Mr Meloni has now been permitted to open some of the flats now that he has successfully implemented fire safety measure and has produced an adequate fire risk assessment with the help and guidance of the fire service.
Bakery owner pleads guilty to fire safety offences
The owner of a Salford bakery has pleaded guilty to breaching 3 fire safety regulations.
The bakery was ordered to pay almost £9,000 in fines and costs, and will have to ensure health and safety failings are rectified. This includes carrying out a suitable fire risk assessment and ensuring fire alarms and escape routes are in full working order.
Councillor Paul Shannon said “we welcome the clear message from the courts that action will be taken against those businesses that neglect fire safety and thereby risk the safety of staff and the public”.