Protection of property against fire

Sometimes the Fire Risk Assessor is the bearer of bad news.   Above, we see a typical factory unit and the bad news is that (a) if a fire breaks out, it is contained by the steel covering (making for difficult fire-fighting because of high temperature and smoke-logging); and (b) if the steelwork gets overheated there is a significant risk of structural failure (so that fire-fighters decide to contain the fire from outside) ; and severe damage to the business is likely to follow if a fire occurs.

What can be done about this?   First of all the Fire Risk Assessment has to make it clear whether there is a significant hazard to persons in the premises, or whether this is simply a property protection issue.   Possible solutions are (a) the provision of smoke ventilation; and (b) the installation of a sprinkler system, to control any fire that may occur.    You may have noticed that a cheap solution is not available, or if it is I would be grateful to hear of it.

Installing an automatic fire detection system can effectively reduce any perceived hazard to persons in the premises.  If an automatic relay is installed to ensure a prompt call to the Fire Brigade, this goes some way to reducing the risk of severe damage, but it is generally not considered to be enough.

Your Fire Risk Assessment will make it clear whether there is risk to persons or only to the property.   We will always advise in respect of both aspects.