Twenty four ways to stop your building becoming an arson statistic
If you own or manage a business, or if you are responsible for fire safety or security in any kind of building, you should know that the most serious fire risk you face today is from deliberate fire.
Arson is an ever-present threat to shops, offices, storage premises, factories, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, schools and churches. No building is immune. Much of the arson is associated with vandalism and burglaries. You can greatly reduce the risk to your building by adopting the safeguards here.
Responsibility
1. In any business the owner/manager or a named individual of senior grade must be made responsible for fire safety including protection from an arson attack
2. Think about how easily intruders/arsonists could break into the premises. Take immediate steps to increase your security measures
3. If there have been any small fires on your own or neighbouring premises tell the police immediately as well as calling the fire service. A small fire could be a warning of something worse to come!
Security
4. One entrance is better than two especially if that one entrance is staffed throughout the day
5. Outer fences, walls and gates need to be high enough and strong enough to keep out intruders
6. Doors and windows must be in good repair and locked when not in use
7. Use good quality locks and padlocks
8. Gaps under doors should be as small as possible
9. Letter boxes should have metal containers fitted on the inside
10. Know who holds keys; chase any that are missing
11. Stored material of any kind should not be stacked next to fences or walls where it could be set alight from outside
Employees
12. Warn staff of the threat from arson fires
13. Ask them to challenge anyone who should not be on the premises and to report any suspicious activities
14. Vet new employees
15. Keep an eye on outside contractors
Visitors
16. The movement of visitors within the building should be controlled
Fire Protection
17. Make sure equipment which you have installed - extinguishers, hose-reels, alarms, detectors, sprinklers- is in good working order and protected against sabotage attempts
End-of-day Checks
18. You or a named individual must be responsible for securing the building at the end of each working day
19. Check that doors and windows are secure
20. Check that no combustible material is left lying around
21. Check that no unauthorised people are on the premises
22. Check that alarms are switched on
23. Check that outside lighting is on
24. Check that any flammable liquids are locked away in a secure store
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