Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Financial consequences to industry (Fire 
Protection Association fi gures)
Figure 1.26 identifi es the results for statistical analysis 
gathered from the Fire Protection Association who have 
close ties with the British insurance market. The stat-
istics indicate the estimated losses as a result of fi res 
(£250 000 and above) for the UK in 2004–2005. It should 
be noted that these estimates show only the direct fi nan-
cial costs and exclude the losses that will result from 
loss of business and brand image.
1.6
The nature and sources of safety 
information
Gathering, using and giving information relating to safety 
is critical to successful safety management. In this sec-
tion we will review the nature and sources of information 
available, which will not only assist in providing informa-
tion for this programme but will also provide information 
and a direction for future reference.
1.6.1 Internal 
information
The majority of organisations have a variety of sources 
of information at their fi ngertips. These will range from 
reactive data such as the information gathered from acci-
dent reports/investigations, incident reports, fi re alarm/
detection actuations, damage reports and breakdown 
maintenance reports and records to active (proactive) 
information gathered from safety surveys, staff question-
naires, inspection reports, planned preventive mainten-
ance reports, health and safety reviews and audits.
The nature of information will be discussed through-
out this book and the above paragraph identifi es only an 
outline.
Risk assessment records will provide a rich source 
of information from which an organisation can draw. In 
addition, an organisation’s health and safety policy, its 
written procedures and safe systems of work will also 
provide a valuable source of information, together with 
any posters and information sheets produced internally.
Internally it is anticipated that much information will 
be drawn from safety advisers who have a key role in 
gathering and passing on safety information. Further 
information is likely to be available from the facilities 
management team, human resources/personnel depart-
ment, occupational health teams, etc. Each company 
will differ in the roles that its departments or teams 
undertake and the size of the organisation.