Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Design and construction – equipment, protective 
systems and system components
When considering the types of equipment, protective 
systems and components that will contain fl ammable 
substances, reasonably practicable steps should be 
made to keep the substances enclosed at all times and 
the materials of construction should be non-combustible.
Where necessary leak detection systems should 
be fi tted and particular attention should be given to the 
following areas:
➤
Joints
➤
Piping
➤
Areas that may be subject to impact
➤
Areas that may be subject to hazardous interactions 
with other substances.
The detection systems should provide advanced warning 
of any leakage from the equipment, systems or compon-
ents, so that appropriate steps can be taken to prevent 
the consequential build-up of any fl ammable atmosphere.
Dilution by ventilation
While quite effective with gas and vapour in relation to 
dusts, ventilation is of limited effectiveness and provides 
suffi cient protection only when the dust is extracted from 
the place of origin and deposits of combustible dust can 
be prevented.
DSEAR regulation 6(4)
(a) the reduction of the quantity of danger-
ous substances to a minimum;
(b) the avoidance or minimising of the 
release of a dangerous substance;
(c) the control of a release of a dangerous 
substance at source;
(d) the prevention of the formation of an 
explosive atmosphere, including the appli-
cation of appropriate ventilation;
(e) ensuring that any release of a danger-
ous substance that may give rise to risk 
is suitably collected, safely contained, 
removed to a safe place, or otherwise 
rendered safe, as appropriate;
(f) the avoidance of –
(i) 
ignition sources including electro- 
static discharges; and
(ii) 
adverse conditions which could 
cause dangerous substances to give 
rise to harmful physical effects; and 
(g) the segregation of incompatible danger-
ous substances.

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