Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Figure 8.24
Purging tanks during decommissioning
Figure 8.25
Metal bin for discarded smokers’ materials

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Causes and prevention of fi re
157
➤
All soft furnishings within the smokers’ areas are fi re 
retardant (chairs, curtains etc.).
As part of an overall management strategy, including 
welfare provision for their employees, many successful 
organisations also encourage staff to give up smoking by 
providing advice, guidance and support from both inter-
nal and external occupational health advisers and by run-
ning effective campaigns to raise people’s awareness.
8.4.7 Waste and waste management systems
Given the high number of fi res that involve waste mater-
ials, some 160 000 each year, establishing a waste man-
agement system must be seen as a high priority for 
reducing the risk from fi re. Any waste management sys-
tems should include effective arrangements for reducing 
the total amounts of waste stored at any location and 
ensuring that any residual waste is stored in a way that 
minimises the risk of fi re.
As a large proportion of external waste fi res are 
started deliberately, reviewing the security arrange-
ments as part of a cohesive arson reduction plan must 
be considered.
An effective strategy for the management of waste 
is likely to cover:
➤
Conducting a review of the types and volumes of 
waste produced
➤
Segregation of different types of waste, e.g. com-
bustible, fl ammable, hazardous
➤
Formal arrangements are put in place for waste col-
lection that prevent a large build-up of waste and 
establish a monitoring programme to ensure that it 
works
➤
A monitoring programme that makes sure that rub-
bish is placed in the containers or designated areas 
and not left on the ground nearby
➤
Ensuring that any potentially hot materials such as 
smokers’ materials or hot ashes, etc. are cooled and 
placed within a metal waste container
➤
Wheeled waste bins should be sited 6 metres form 
buildings and plant (10 metres if plastic) and ideally 
be fi tted with lockable lids and chained to prevent 
them from being wheeled out of position
➤
Loose combustible waste (e.g. bin bags) should 
not be stored within 6 metres of a building or plant 
and be a minimum of 2 metres from a boundary or 
perimeter fence
➤
If a waste compactor is used ensure that the safe 
system of work includes turning off when the building 
is not occupied and the unit is subject to a planned 
preventive maintenance regime
➤
Raising staff awareness of the need to manage 
waste responsibly.
As in the case of all arson prevention arrangements, 
waste management should take into account the provi-
sion of adequate security lighting, CCTV systems, fen-
cing and possibly security guards.