fig leaves

The newsletter of the Fire Information Group UK (FIG UK)

www.figuk.org.uk

No. 39
September 2009

Edited by Sheila Pantry, OBE
Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd

This Newsletter contains:

• News from around the World
• Diary of Events
• Summary of the FIG UK Meeting held on 9 September 2009
• Dates of next meetings

FIG UK website www.figuk.org.uk ... please help to promote FIG UK whenever you can...

News items from around the world

UK HSE publishes its response to Ministers on the explosion at ICL PLASTICS and launches consultation on LPG regime

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published its preliminary formal response to the official Inquiry, led by Lord Gill, into the fatal explosion at the ICL factory in Maryhill, Glasgow, in 2004.

Following publication of Lord Gill's report on 16 July 2009, Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper asked HSE to outline what action it was taking to address areas of concern identified by the Inquiry.

In its response to Yvette Cooper, Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and the Secretary of State for Scotland Jim Murphy, HSE reported that it:

• Pledged to learn lessons and acknowledged that Lord Gill's inquiry into the facts leading up to the explosion was fair and accurate
• Had moved on significantly from 1980s and 1990s inspection practices to better appreciate, track and audit issues of regulatory concern.
• Had been thorough in producing a proper safety assessment of the risks associated with the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and was making progress with industry on preparing a risk-based and prioritised replacement programme for underground metallic LPG pipe-work, to be complete by end of 2015.
• Went further than Lord Gill suggested in developing plans for tackling the risks to domestic properties with LPG supplies
• Had initiated a 12-week preliminary consultation on the proposals for changes in the regulation of the LPG industry system, and the application of Lord Gill's recommendations to other areas of health and safety regulation.

Judith Hackitt, HSE Chair, said:

"The Board and staff of HSE take the lessons of this tragic event very seriously and will continue to scrutinise our systems to ensure that we maintain the highest standards of management and oversight.

"While Lord Gill rightly concluded that the responsibility for the disaster lay with ICL Plastics and ICL Tech, who were convicted and fined heavily for their actions, I want to reiterate our heartfelt sorrow and regret that HSE's interventions were not more successful in preventing this terrible tragedy.

"There is good reason to believe that even during the time period leading up to the explosion, HSE's dealings with ICL were far from typical of our normal interactions with duty holders.

"Good progress was already being made in areas Lord Gill highlighted for action. And although the development of the LPG pipe-work replacement programme with the LPG supply industry has taken some time, this was due to the need to act on the basis of evidence and to do the necessary preparation for such a major undertaking.

"It is important that all interested parties now respond to our consultation on the proposed changes to the LPG regulatory scheme and on the wider issue of whether risk assessments should require third party validation."

Nine people were killed and many more injured in an explosion at the ICL Plastics factory in Maryhill, Glasgow, on 11 May 2004. The explosion was caused by a leak of LPG from an underground metal pipe into the basement of the four-storey Victorian factory, which ignited and caused the building to collapse. On 27 August 2007, two companies - ICL Plastics Ltd and ICL Tech Ltd - were fined £200,000 each at the High Court in Glasgow, after pleading guilty to breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974: ICL Plastics Ltd for breaches of Sections 2 and 4, and ICL Technical Plastics Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2 and 3 of the Act.

The full text of the response to ministers is published online at www.hse.gov.uk/gas/lpg/letter.htm

HSE and the LPG industry body, UKLPG, agreed a high-level plan for the replacement of underground metallic service pipe-work in June 2009. Although replacement work has already started, once a survey to prioritise premises is finished, this will be ramped up from October 2009. Businesses with buried metallic service pipe-work, which can corrode over time, will be required to replace it with more durable materials, such as polyethylene. The oldest buried metallic service pipe-work in the least well-maintained condition and located in the most corrosive soils will be targeted first. Higher risk pipe-work is targeted to be replaced by the end of 2013. Overall, there are estimated to be between 15,000 and 40,000 industrial/commercial premises with buried metallic pipe-work and between 24,000 and 54,000 domestic properties. Current estimates are that the risk of a fatality from explosions involving LPG is less than that from natural gas.

HSE has launched a preliminary consultation on the recommendations made by Lord Gill for reform of the regulatory system for LPG. It seeks initial views on key proposals, including that:

• A new safety regime should be put in place governing the installation, maintenance, monitoring and replacement of all LPG systems.
• A new scheme should be introduced that would require all LPG suppliers to be registered and accredited.
• The current risk assessment system should be improved by the addition of an independent audit process.

The consultation document is published online at www.hse.gov.uk/lpgconsultation/index.htm

The Health and Safety Executive is the national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to prevent death, injury and ill health in Great Britain's workplaces.

USFA Announces the Release of a Report on Emergency Vehicle Visibility and Conspicuity

The United States Fire Administration (USFA), in partnership with the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA), announces the release of the Emergency Vehicle Visibility and Conspicuity Study (PDF, 2.2 Mb). The study report highlights the results of a U.S. Department of Justice - National Institute of Justice (NIJ) supported project intended to enhance emergency vehicle and roadway operations safety for firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other emergency responders.

"With vehicle crashes and emergency responders being struck on the roadway being a major cause of on-duty fatalities, it is important to examine all technologies to reduce this tragic cause of death," said USFA Deputy Fire Administrator Glenn A. Gaines. "We are grateful for the U.S. Department of Justice's NIJ support of this study that will benefit the fire and emergency services and law enforcement alike."

The study report discusses best practices in emergency vehicle visibility and conspicuity, including cutting edge international efforts. It covers retroreflective striping and chevrons, high-visibility paint, built-in passive light, and other reflectors for law enforcement patrol vehicles, fire apparatus, ambulances and other EMS vehicles, and motorcycles.

The Emergency Vehicle Visibility and Conspicuity Study and further information on USFA's emergency vehicle safety projects may be found on the USFA Web site at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/operations/ops_vehicle.html

Process Safety Leadership Group (PSLG) principles document

Representatives of Britain's high hazard industries, regulators and the unions have published for the first time a set of principles for 'process safety leadership' - top-level engagement in dealing with significant risks to people and the environment.

The agreement sets out eight principles for senior industry figures to follow, including requiring board level involvement and competence in safety management, putting process safety leadership at the core of a business to ensure risks are properly managed, and engaging and involving the workforce in managing safety.

www.hse.gov.uk/comah/buncefield/pslgprinciples.pdf

RR632 - Attendance management in the Fire and Rescue Service

This study was commissioned by the Health and Safety Executive and the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), and carried out by the National Centre for Social Research. It examined policy and practice in managing sickness absence within the Fire and Rescue Service. The aim of the study was to understand:

• the nature of current policies and practices; n views and experiences of policies and practices among different types of staff;
• the degree to which policies and practices reflect recent recommendations;
• barriers and facilitators to adopting recommended practices; and
• practices that are considered useful and how policy and practice in attendance management might be improved.

This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE or the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

View the full report: www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr632.pdf (PDF, 651 KB)

All HSE Research Reports are fully indexed in OSH UPDATE www.oshupdate.com and appropriate fire related reports in FIREINF www.fireinf.com

Fire Departments and Maritime Interface Area Preparedness by Joseph Laun and Hollis Stambaugh

United States Fire Administration (USFA), August 2009

SERIES USFA-TR-165

This report addresses US Fire Department preparedness for incidents in maritime areas and the importance of establishing a multiagency response capability that includes law enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), port authorities, the private sector, emergency medical services, and emergency management agencies. Stakeholders in maritime emergency preparedness include Federal, State, and local governments as well as commercial private-sector entities and labor organizations. "The fire service is always seeking ways to improve its operations and preparedness activities. The fire service continues to be reminded as to the importance of multiagency planning and conducting those actions that prepare fire departments for working with other levels of government in response to very complex infrastructures," said U.S. Deputy Fire Administrator Glenn A. Gaines. "Lessons are learned from each response to an emergency incident. Feedback on incident and command actions shared with the fire service becomes a valuable learning opportunity and enhances everyone's preparedness for such emergencies." The USFA develops reports on selected major fires throughout the country. Under this project, the USFA also develops special reports addressing a variety of issues that affect the fire service such as homeland security and disaster preparedness, new technologies, training, fireground tactics, and firefighter health and safety. This body of work provides detailed information on the nature of the fire problem and the many types of services provided by fire departments. The information informs policymakers - who must decide on allocations of resources between fire and other pressing problems - and personnel within the fire service, who must decide on how best to improve codes and code enforcement, training, public fire education, building technology, and other related areas.

www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/tr_165.pdf (PDF, 937 Kb)

Which is best at shedding Chemical Contamination - Leather or Rubber Fire Boots? Watch Video & Read Report by Gore

In a recent study conducted at the laboratories of W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc in Elkton, Maryland leather swatch samples were found to retain less residual chemical contamination than rubber swatch samples following decontamination procedures. The tests were conducted using a testing protocol established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is focused on chemicals that fire-fighters are likely to encounter in the field, including carbon disulfide (CS2), tetrachloroethylene, isooctane (gasoline), acrylonitrile, dimethyl formamide (DMF), and diethyl amine as contaminants.

http://www.goreprotectivefabrics.com/remote/Satellite/FSS-Footwear-Decon-Study?sectorid=1169509172163xcmp=fbugg_eb080

A+A 2009 in Dusselddorf, Germany focuses on the Topic of Disaster Control with a Special Forum and Live Presentations

A+A 2009 in Düsseldorf, the leading international event for safety, security and health at work (Trade Fair + Congress/3 to 6 November), this year for the first time deals with the topic of disaster control. The programme at the A+A Congress has now been extended to include a day-long "Disaster Control Forum" to be held on 4 November. The talks and discussions here revolve around the general theme "Overcoming Disasters - A Challenge for the Population, the State and the Economy".

The "Disaster Control Forum" will be supplemented by live presentations in the open space in front of Hall 3. These practical demonstrations will be performed using the relevant equipment (e.g. a fire simulation container) in collaboration with the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (Bundesanstalt Technisches Hilfswerk - THW), the German Works Fire Service Association (Werkfeuerwehrverband - WFV), the German Red Cross, the professional fire brigade of the City of Düsseldorf, the German Federal Police and Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA/ Safety Division.

"Disaster control requires comprehensive, coordinated measures of all parties involved, regardless whether it is in overcoming natural disaster, dealing properly with pandemics or resisting criminal or terrorist threats. The target groups particularly relevant in this area within organisations focused on public safety like the police, the THW, the fire and rescue services and also those responsible in authority all traditionally show great solidarity with the A+A," says Birgit Horn, Project Manager at Messe Düsseldorf, stressing the importance of this topic at the leading international event for specialists in the field of health and safety at work.

Further information on A+A 2009 and its services can be found online at: www.aplusa.de

The Fire Service Research and Training Trust (FSRTT)

The Fire Service Research and Training Trust (FSRTT) in conjunction with the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) has for many years made funds available to UK citizens to support people associated with the Fire Service, Fire Engineering, Emergency Planning and Risk Control.

The funds that are provided support either individual's personal development or provide support for essential research to take place. In order to qualify for funding, the personal development or research must support the further development of knowledge in the fields of fire, fire engineering, emergency planning, risk management, community safety, environmental protection or management.

www.ife.org.uk/edutrain/fsrtt

See also notices of other updated or new documents and services in the FIG UK September 2009 Minutes below.

Diary of Events

If you have any events that you wish to publicise please send to Sheila Pantry sp@sheilapantry.com and they will be added to www.oshworld.com/diary.html and also to the FIG UK web site.

30 September - 2 October 2009 - Practical Storage Tank Fire Fighting and Foam Application Workshop / Hands-on Training (16 CPD hours)
Asturias, Spain
Contact: Resource Protection International, Walker House, George Street, Aylesbury, Bucks HP20 2JH, United Kingdom | Email: ramsden@resprotint.co.uk | http://www.resprotint.co.uk

10-13 November 2009 - Fire Systems Integrity Assurance (FSIA) in the Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Sectors: Training Workshop
Holiday Inn Hotel, Aston Clinton Road, Aylesbury, UK
Contact: Resource Protection International, Walker House, George Street, Aylesbury, Bucks HP20 2JH, United Kingdom | Email: ramsden@resprotint.co.uk | http://www.resprotint.co.uk

23-29 November 2009 - UK Road Safety Week 2009: Drink- and drug-drivers
Contact: www.roadsafetyweek.org contains lots of information about the theme for Road Safety Week 2009 and how you can get involved.

24-27 November 2009 - Fire Systems Integrity Assurance (FSIA) in the Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Sectors: Training Workshop
Shangri-La Hotel, 22 Orange Grove Road, Singapore 258350
Contact: Resource Protection International, Walker House, George Street, Aylesbury, Bucks HP20 2JH, United Kingdom | Email: ramsden@resprotint.co.uk | http://www.resprotint.co.uk

10 December 2009 - 5th Annual Health and Safety Conference: Health and Safety Agenda for 2010
London, UK
Programme organised and chaired by Sheila Pantry OBE
Contact: Customer Services, Croner Training, 7th Floor, Elizabeth House, York Road, London SE1 7NQ, UK | Tel: 0845 082 1170 | Fax: 0845 120 9612 | Email: services@cronertraining.co.uk

March 2010 - NIVA Course: The evidence-based approach for OSH professionals
Kuopio, Finland.
Contact: www.niva.org

5-7 July 2010 - The Interflam 2010: 12th International Conference on Fire Science and Engineering
East Midlands Conference Centre - University of Nottingham, UK
Contact: Interflam Secretariat, Interscience Communications Ltd West Yard House, Guildford Grove, Greenwich, London, SE10 8JT, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 208 692 5050 | Fax: +44 (0) 208 692 5155 | Email: intercomm@dial.pipex.com
2-page Abstract (min 600 words) will be required for review by 1st November 2009. One author per technical paper will be entitled to register for the conference at a highly subsidised rate. For further information visit: www.intercomm.dial.pipex.com/html/events/interflam10cfp.htm

21-24 September 2010 - Safety 2010 - The 10th International Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion
Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London, UK.
Contact: Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University, 5th Floor, Kingsway House, Hatton Garden Liverpool L3 2AJ, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 151 231 4384 | Email: safety2010@ljmu.ac.uk | www.safety2010.org.uk

Keep looking at www.oshworld.com/diary.html fire and fire related events and also www.figuk.org.uk

Abbreviated Minutes of the FIG UK meeting on Wednesday, 9 September 2009 held at BISRIA, Bracknell

Chair:

Sheila Pantry, Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd

Minutes:

Sheila Pantry and Penny Morgan

Present:

Elizabeth Delaney, BSRIA

Graeme Worrall, Cheshire FRS

Sally Walsh, Dr Burgoyne & Partners LLP

Roger Berrett, Dr Roger Berrett Associates

Jane Thurgood, Fire Protection Association

Julia Mason, Fire Service College (FSC)

Paula McCrudden, Hawkins and Associates

Penny Morgan, International Fire Consultants (IFC)

Dave Wales, Kent FRS

Michele McHugh, London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA)

Sheila Pantry OBE, Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd

Jack Sullivan, Valiant Fire Protection

Apologies:

Lauren Paines, Barbour Health and Safety

Jackie Green, Bedfordshire and Luton FRS

Alyson Warner, CLG

Anna Canning, CLG

Marian Bodian, BRE Global

Nigel Herring, Bureau Veritas UK

John Roy

1. Welcome

Elizabeth welcomed everyone to BSRIA explaining that she is the Assistant Librarian and also works in the Bookshop. Jeremy Towler, Principal Consultant, will be joining us for lunch. Mark Roper will conduct a tour of the laboratories after the meeting.

2. Introductions

As there were again several new faces round the table introductions were made. FIG UK is delighted to welcome Dave Wales, Graeme Worrall and welcome back to Jack Sullivan after his recent illness. Dave is bringing new approaches in Kent FRS to the accuracy of reporting, concentrating on origin and cause data. This involves links with insurers and the IFE Special Interest Group on Fire investigation and Research. Graeme is getting to grips with information needs in Cheshire FRS while Jack deals with loss adjusters and is closely involved with the UK Fire Service Resources www.fireservice.co.uk.

3. Minutes of the Last Meeting

Sheila reminded those present that the full minutes are for members only with a brief version for the website covering decisions and actions. The minutes of the meeting in March 2009 were agreed as a true record.

4. Matters arising

Sheila and Penny had been going to draft a letter about the library provision in the college but had delayed to see if there was any response to the correspondence from Penny at IFC suggesting that the Association of Fire Consultancies and the Fire Industries Association be approached re funding a member of staff to keep AFC and FIA members up to date with journal papers. Dennis Davis, FOBFO Chair, has written on similar lines with suggestions on funding in the library. Neither has received any acknowledgement of receipt of their letters. Julia explained that the College's Head of Information cannot take any action it must come from the relevant minister at CLG. The decision has been taken to restrict the Library service to students and lecturers only.

This led to discussion of FSC library future funding:

1. The Fire Research and Training Trust is likely to react positively to a sound Business Case for a new information product/service.
2. There is a need to digitize certain selected content that is held at the FSC Library and not elsewhere - noting that copyright will still prevail on some documents.
3. Also not to digitize content that has already been digitized by others, so needs knowledgeable staff to check and select.
4. Bear in mind that the FSC Library staffing level is currently only 2 people that are fully engaged with day-day work including keeping the Library catalogue updated.

Several Actions were AGREED.

ACTION: Jane and Julia to meet informally to discuss initial possibilities and report back to FIG UK with a short draft Business Case which ultimately could be expanded and presented to the relevant CLG Minister, currently Shahid Malik.
ACTION: Sheila will pursue contacts at BRE and FOBFO.
ACTION: Sally keen to see archive digitized, noting that Sheila in her products may have digitised a lot of material.

FIG UK must be seen to be promoting Sharing Best Practice.

5. Accounts

Sally Walsh presented the accounts.

Risk Protection

Sally had carried out some research regarding the concern expressed by a previous auditor that we should consider protecting the group (or individuals in the group) from the risk of being sued (in the event of advice being provided, and this resulting in something going wrong). Various actions have been taken.

Sally had concluded that forming a Company Limited by Guarantee was a little complicated and more administration than she was willing to take on as Membership Secretary. However, she suggested that we should include paragraphs in our Constitution, on our Website (done) and on our emails stating that we Do Not Give Advice, and that we are merely a cooperative for information exchange and sharing ideas, and that the onus is on each person/organization to verify that any information sourced or received via FIG UK or members of FIG UK (as members of FIG UK) is appropriate, comprehensive and correct.

ACTION: Sally would prepare suitable paragraphs for the next meeting.
ACTION: Sheila to amend website to stress that we only share information FIG does not give advice. (DONE - see the Home page introduction paragraph)
The constitution also needs to be amended, agenda item for next meeting.

6. Membership

Sally Walsh reported that membership is usually in the low 20s, presently 21, representing a wide variety of expertise. Dave asked if any sectors are not yet represented suggesting a membership letter is needed. Sheila will raise FIG UK at the next Fire and Rescue Statistical User Group (FRSUG) meeting on 16 October 2009; www.frsug.org already has a link to FIG UK. She also pointed out that the newsletter helps in promotion.

7. Conference

Despite Sheila's best efforts we had to cancel the conference. It was very sad and reflected companies and organisations tightening the economic belt; shortage of staff generally; the cutting down on training budgets; people's unwillingness to leave their offices in cases they lost their jobs.

Sheila reported that three of the speakers had other conference speaking engagements cancelled, our parliamentary speaker said that they were getting frequent cancellations, people liked the idea of the conference but couldn't get approvals to attend. In recognition of all her hard work Sally presented Sheila with a card and gift vouchers from the whole group that was greatly appreciated by Sheila.

8. Round Table

In order to shorten the meeting, topics were headlined.

International Fire Consultants Ltd

Penny Morgan reported that the consultancy she works for is getting a huge increase in legal cases rather than the normal workload.

LFEPA

Michele McHugh reported the following:

• As part of the LFB's new Keep Your Community Safe & Sound Campaign the London Fire Brigade, on Saturday 12th September, launched Fire Safety Week. The aim is to encourage all Londoners to become fire safety champions and a key part of the campaign is to target Londoners most at risk. The campaign was launched by the Commissioner and the actor Cliff Parisi (Minty in Eastenders).
• The Brigade has been awarded the top 'Gold' award in the national Networking Women in the FireService Awards (NWFS) for our exceptional commitment to supporting women in the fire service. This is the first time an organisation has been given this prestigious award.
• The FBU voted to take industrial action short of a strike, starting on Thursday, 13th August 2009. This is still ongoing. AssetCo plc have contract to provide cover in the event of an all out strike, see http://www.assetco.com/default.aspx?CATID=460&CID=1675
• The LFB Deputy Commissioner Roy Bishop is retiring at the end of September
• The LFB Library, in conjunction with the FBU Lifelong Learning Rep had organised and run a popular "Six Book Challenge"
• The LFB library future is still under threat.

Cheshire FRS

Graeme Worrall reported that CFO Steve McGuirk is about to move to the Greater Manchester FRS. Cheshire hope to welcome a new CFO in October. Graeme is working on new web site. Meanwhile Cheshire FRS has bought the biggest inflatable fire engine in the world for Open Days etc.

Kent FRS

Dave Wales reported that he is beginning research studies on human behaviour in domestic environments when fires occur, please send him any useful material. He is getting legal advice on how to provide information to the public, it has usually been on request only.

Fire Prevention Association (FPA)

Jane Thurgood reported the following:

IHS Collaboration

FPA has signed a non-exclusive agreement with IHS for FPA and RISCAuthority publications to be distributed through the OHSIS product. FPA material appears as a separate supplement to OHSIS. OHSIS subscribers must be FPA members at Silver or Gold level in order to purchase the supplement - or they can buy the FPA membership/supplement package from IHS. I cannot give prices for the OHSIS supplement as IHS have full control over this, however I can remind people of FPA membership prices:

• Bronze = £140
• Silver = £350
• Gold = £950 (includes £750 credit for training or publications)

www.thefpa.co.uk/membership

All questions regarding the supplement should be directed to IHS on 01344 328142.

LPC Sprinkler Rules

BSI issued an amended version of BS EN 12845 in July 09, which necessitated a complete overhaul of the LPC Sprinkler Rules - now due for publication end September/Early October. Prices as follows:

Format	Reference	FPA Members	Non-members
Book	RLS9	£171	£228
CD	RLS9CD	£171 + vat	£228 + vat
Book & CD	RLS9COMBO	£221 + vat	£295 + vat

N.B. Please note that prices do not include P&P: £9 per book and £3.95 per CD-ROM (UK only). Prices for overseas and multiple copies will differ.

New features:

• BS EN 12845 appears in its entirety, marked up and referenced to relevant TBs
• 2 new TBs, 1 completely overhauled, 2 withdrawn, all other TBs revised in line with amended standard

Please contact Jane directly if you have any queries regarding the new LPC Sprinkler Rules: email: jthurgood@thefpa.co.uk; direct line: 01608 812538

New FPA Publications

Fire Prevention on Construction Sites, 7th ed: The Joint Code of Practice on the Protection from Fire of Construction Sites and Buildings Undergoing Renovation
Ref: FSB9; £16 Members; £20 Non-Members

Construction Site Fire Prevention Checklist
(checklist designed to be used in conjunction with the 7th edition Joint Code of Practice)
Ref: FSB9CL; £10 Members; £14 Non-Members

Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
Aimed at designers, specifiers, installers, and end users, this publication provides an excellent introduction to detection and alarm systems, their use and maintenance.
Ref: FSB59; £15 Members; £20 Non-Members

Fire Safety in Schools
New training programme highlighting the unique fire safety risks associated with schools and other educational premises - offers expert guidance for those with responsibility for maintaining fire safety within them.
Ref: F45DVD; £99.50 + VAT Members; £109.50 + VAT Non-Members

FPA TIP: Fire Safety in Residential Care Homes
Developed specifically for the residential care home sector, this new TIP is packed full of the materials needed to prepare and deliver an effective training session to staff. Incorporates the FPA DVD Fire Safety in Residential Care Homes, PowerPoint presentation, trainers' booklet, certificates and quizzes.
Ref: TIP002; £155 + VAT Members; £175 + VAT Non-Members

AUTUMN SALE 2009: Many DVDs @ 50%; Essentials of Fire Safety Management @ 50%

Forthcoming

New and extended Fire Warden DVD - to be released October 2009...

www.thefpa.co.uk/shop

FPA monthly e-newsletter now goes to 10,000 FPA members, customers and anybody else that's interested. If you would like to receive the newsletter, or think that you have something you would like to contribute, contact: jthurgood@thefpa.co.uk

RISCAuthority News

Launch of ROBUST: https://robust.riscauthority.co.uk - a resilient business software toolkit "The Business Continuity and Incident Management Planning Software for UK Management". Free to download.

Publication of ADB Incorporating Insurers' Requirements. Available through RIBA or through the FPA: www.thefpa.co.uk/shop

Hawkins and Associates

Paula McCrudden is almost at the end of a project with an outside company for Hawkins intra- and Internet websites. Currently she is concentrating on a research project on self-heating fires in laundries.

Valiant Fire Protection

Jack Sullivan announced the name and shame website for hotels and boarding houses who fail to comply with the legislation. LFB, Essex and Kent FRSs are adding names to the website.

BSRIA

Elizabeth Delaney stated that BSRIA are currently very short of staff e.g. no Information Manager appointed after Stephen Loyd's retirement. She has provided a Journal List of current holdings.

Fire Service College (FSC)

Julia Mason reported that the new FSC CEO Kim Robinson starts on 14 September 2009. FSC has a newly revamped website www.fireservicecollege.ac.uk that includes new login procedure for students through FireLearn https://firelearn.fireservicecollege.ac.uk which is the new learning management system that has been implemented at the Fire Service College. It transforms the relationship between the College and its learners, enabling them to monitor, track and manage their learning online, anytime and from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.

As well as extending online access for learners, FireLearn also supports the Fire Service College's objective to provide its learners with opportunities to participate in life-long learning, rather than just physically attending courses on site.

University Diploma award with Coventry University

On the 1st September 2009 the Fire Service College launched a new University Diploma award. The Fire Service Operations Instructor Diploma is a level 5 award offered in partnership with Coventry University. This is a tailored award directly related to fire service operations and aims to provide firefighters with a nationally recognised qualification within this dynamic subject area.

The programme is designed in a modular format; with each Coventry University module aligning to one or more of the Fire Service College open programme of courses. Successful completion of the designated courses will generate points towards the 80 credits required to achieve the Diploma. The previous arrangement with UCLAN - University of Central Lancashire no longer exists.

The Library staff are maintaining the Library catalogue which is on the FSC website - look at "Facilities" on the left hand side of the screen then scroll down to the Library and Information Resource Centre.

Dr Roger Berrett Associates Ltd

Roger noted that the Forensic Science Service is making redundant 800 of its 1900 staff with closures of Chepstow, Chorley and Birmingham facilities. Fire investigation will continue in 2 places only. LGC Forensics www.lgc.co.uk/divisions/lgc_forensics.aspx have the police contracts for SW and NW. Cases include concerns re Warmcel in roofs which is reconstituted paper insulation.

Barbour Health and Safety

Lauren Paines sent the following news:

To the health and safety service we have added a Fire Prevention Toolbox Talk that can be downloaded as either a PowerPoint Presentation or PDF Handout. These talks are aimed at low-level, informal, in-house training. They have been written by safety professionals and have been hugely popular with Barbour subscribers.

We have also added a model policy on 'Fire and other Emergencies' that companies can add their own logos and information too to create bespoke fire information policies.

Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd

Sheila Pantry reported that her company's electronic service FIREINF - collection of 17 international databases containing over 530,000 records of full text and bibliographic sources had now linked the bibliographic details of about 1000 Fire Research Station Research Notes to the full text reports. FIREINF is a unique collection of fire and fire related full text and bibliographic records with some of the earliest records going back into the 1800s. Useful tool also for researchers.

Journals

A number of fire and fire related journals e.g. FPA's Fire Risk Management that are not indexed elsewhere are continually being indexed - again with full text links if possible. This helps organisations that are not able to afford a wide range of journals.

FPA and RISCAUTHORITY publications plus are also held within FIREINF.
Likewise Health and Safety Executive publications.
FIREINF single user annual subscription costs £550.00 per year.

Another service offered is the OSH UPDATE that consists of 19 databases from worldwide authoritative organisations such as the UK Health and Safety Executive contains over 800,000 records with thousands of full text documents as well as bibliographic records. OSH UPDATE, like FIREINF is continually expanding.
OSH UPDATE single user annual subscription costs £275.00 per year.

Anyone interest in taking a 15 day free of charge trial of either service contact Sheila Pantry sp@sheilapantry.com or fill in Interest form www.sheilapantry.com/interest.html

Also continually aiming to improve our online services and are pleased to announce the following to both OSH UPDATE and FIREINF services:

1. ENDNOTE AND REFERENCE MANAGER
   On the summary and detailed display screens, there is now an Export link which allows users to export selected records in either EndNote Import format or RIS (Reference Manager) Import format (which is supported by both EndNote and RefWorks).
2. RETRIEVED LISTS OF REFERENCES - NOW GO TO / JUMP TO
   Also on the summary and detailed display screens, we have added Google-style page links that allows users to jump to a specific page of results.

FRSUG

There is to be a meeting of the Fire and Rescue Service Statistical User Group on 16 October 2009 (last meeting was January 2009). I will send any news from the meeting. See web site www.frsug.org for content, members etc.

Books

Latest book How to Give Your Users the LIS Services They Want by Sheila Pantry OBE and Peter Griffiths, Facet Publishing, September 2009 ISBN: 978-1-85604-672-5. £39.95

FIG UK members and others may find another book useful - Managing Stress and Conflict in Libraries by Sheila Pantry Facet Publishing, June 2007
ISBN-10: 1856046133. ISBN-13: 978-1856046138. £29.95

Other books are listed on the website that may be of interest to members.

9. AOB

Sally Walsh has lots of hard copies of FIG Leaves and will scan those not already on the website.

It was AGREED that she could use the FIG logo on invoices.

10. Date of next meetings

It was AGREED that this would be on Wednesday 10 March 2010 at London Fire Brigade.

Christmas lunch is to be arranged for 12.30 pm, Thursday, 3 December 2009 at Denise's French Restaurant in Southampton Row, London - details will be sent to all members. The lunch would be also an opportunity to update and exchange information.

The meeting closed at 3 pm followed by a tour of the laboratories kindly arranged by Elizabeth. Many thanks to BSRIA for hosting the meeting.