BBQ coals sets shed alight in Bermondsey, London

‘Cool your coals’ is the advice from firefighters as a bag of hot coals was to blame for a garden shed blaze on Timber Pond Road in Bermondsey.

The Brigade believes that coals used in a barbecue were bagged up while still hot and when the owner woke up he saw his shed alight. The fire completely destroyed the shed and nearby fencing. It also spread to a neighbours fence and partly damaged their shed.

London Fire Brigade spokesperson said:

“Fires involving barbecues don’t only come during cooking but long after you’ve polished off the bangers and burgers. It’s important that you cool your coals and ash before you dispose of them. Also make sure the barbecue is cool before you try to move it.” To read more click here.

London Fire Risk Assessments advice to customers: Residential Blocks of Flats in London should not have BBQ’s on their balconies and we are always questioned why not, what could go wrong? When you read the above report from the London Fire Brigade you can understand why not!!!

It is amazing what people do, its not intentional of course, but some people have a minds set of ‘It wont happen to me” but of course it can!. If this scenario happened in a block of Flats the consequences would have affected far more people. Its not just BBQ’s that are a problem – we have dealt with a Residential Block of Flats in London that have a car park underneath the building. Obviously there are plenty of cars parked but the Residents keep storing their left over DIY materials, oil and petrol to top up, aerosols and wait for it ……..a pallet full of highly inflammable ‘Heat Logs’! One source of ignition and then there is a huge problem.

The Fire Risk Assessment for the Block of Flats identifies that they should be removed immediately and the Assessor met with Managing Agent and Resident to explain why – outcome – the Resident still refuses to move them!!!

If you are concerned about excessive Fire Loading in your Block of Flats check your Fire Risk Assessment and if you need anymore advice contact us on 01689 890879

Fire in London Restaurant

The London Fire Brigade reported a restaurant on Shaftesbury Avenue in Soho was damaged by fire on Sunday morning.

The fire began in the kitchen which was in the basement of the building and spread to the restaurant’s extraction system.

Station Manager Peter Wolfenden, who was at the scene, said:

“Gaining access to the kitchen was difficult and involved a tight flight of stairs and narrow doorways. Firefighters worked well in challenging conditions to bring the fire under control quickly.”

Part of the kitchen and part of the ducting – extraction system – from the basement up to roof level was damaged by the blaze. Fortunately, no one was injured.

London Fire Risk Assessments advice to customers: If you manage or own a Restaurant you should have a Fire Risk Assessment for the premise. This will identify any improvements you should make to your means of escape, Fire Prevention equipment such as Fire Alarms, Extinguishers and Sprinkler systems. It will also provide you with a <a title="Fire Safety Emergency Plans" href="http://www Recommended Site.londonfireriskassessments.co.uk/services/fire-safety-emergency-plans/”>Fire Safety Emergency Plan – the cost of a Fire Risk Assessment is minimal when it helps to protect your Restaurant against Fire.

Call us now to book an appointment on 01689 890879 or click here to view our Fire Risk Assessment packages.

Fire safety prevention for blocks of Flat in London – thinking of having a BBQ?

What a sizzling summer we are having and of course there is nothing nicer than getting the old BBQ out and enjoying some alfresco dining!!

The London Fire Brigade website has some excellent advice to help you prevent an accident. One thing is for sure you should never have a BBQ on your balcony! It’s a definite no, no! It is surprising how many Residents in Blocks of Flats ignore the advice of the Fire Brigade and the Fire Risk Assessment for the Block of Flats.

Our Co-ordinating team, when checking buildings always find one or two BBQ’s hidden in the corner of Residents balconies – even Gas BBQ’s with propane cylinders!!! Amazing risk they take. LFRA have had heated discussions with Resident Committees as to why they can’t have their BBQ’s on their own balconies. The solution of course, is if you have communal gardens arrange a safe area for your BBQ. Carry out a dynamic Risk Assessment of the area and appoint a Responsible Person. Make sure you have in place preventative measures – like a Fire Blanket or a Sand bucket just incase it all goes wrong.

London Fire Risk Assessments advice to customers: Check your Fire Risk Assessment for your Residential Block of Flats and ensure you follow the advice given. If it all goes wrong you will be causing harm to not only your immediate family and friends but to the other Residents of the Premise. Your insurance may also be void if you decide to go against the advice of your Risk Assessment. Contact us now if you require any further advice 01689 890879

Does your Fire Risk Assessment identify you are overloading your electrical sockets??

One of the most common Fire Safety Actions identified within Fire Risk Assessments in London Offices, Schools, Shops and Restaurants is the overloading of electrical sockets. Have a look at your Risk Assessment and if that is the case you can check if you are overloading the socket by going to either the London Fire Brigade website or Electrical Safety First site. Here you will find a fantastic tool the ‘socket calculator’. You are given a range of appliances to choose from and all you do is drag the item down and it plugs into a socket – there is room for 4 appliances. The Electrical Safety First site gives you some good advice as to how to prevent a Fire in your Premise. Definitely worth a visit!

London Fire Risk Assessments advice to customers: Always carry out regular checks of your electrical appliances.

  • Look for any signs of overheating around the socket or plug and even the appliance.
  • Check for a smell of hot plastic or burning near an appliance or socket
  • Are there any damaged or frayed leads – can you see coloured wire inside leads
  • Any sparks or smoke coming out of the plug or appliance
  • Switch off as many appliances as possible over night and if you are not using them unplug them
  • Make sure your appliances are regularly tested – PAT
  • Ensure your Premise has a current 5 year periodical test.

If you require any further information give us a call on 01689 890879 and we will point you in the right direction

The importance of Fire, Health & Safety Risk Assessments in Residential Care Homes

We were contacted by a concerned Client re the Staffing Levels in a Residential Care Home in South West London. The elderly relative had just joined the Home and reported to him that there was only one member of Staff at night to look after 30 people.

The Client spoke with one of our Risk Assessors for sometime to get advice as to where he could obtain guideline numbers of required ratio Staff to Service Users.

It was recommended that he should start with DCLG Guidance Residential Care Homes Pages 68, 70-71, 72, 75, 129 and then go to Care Quality Commission Regulation 18.

Whilst this information is invaluable both point to Risk Assessing. Every Residential Care Home is different and the required level of Staffing will reflect the Service Users needs.

We suggested that probably the best way forward would be to witness the Premise Fire, Health & Safety Risk Assessments because within the documents it would outline the Evacuation procedure and there it will identify required Staffing levels.

A lot for the Client to think about and investigate but hopefully he will be able to put the Relative and the Family’s minds at rest.

This advice was given on a complimentary basis not only as a better business practice but because of a true concern in regards to peoples Fire, Health and Safety.

We carry out many Risk Assessments for Residential Care Homes in London and the surrounding area. If you are not sure that the Risk Assessment you have for your Home contains an effective and workable Evacuation Plan contact us on 01689 890879 or click here for more information.

We are highly regarded for our Emergency Plans including Phased Horizontal Evacuation technics.