fig leaves

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

www.figuk.org.uk

No. 57
September 2018

Edited by Sheila Pantry, OBE
Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd
www.sheilapantry.com

This Newsletter contains:

• News from around the World
• Diary of Events
• New books and DVDs
• Abbreviated minutes of the FIG UK Meeting held on 13 September 2018
• Dates of Next Meetings

FIG UK website www.figuk.org.uk ... please help to promote FIG UK whenever you can ... make a link from your website!

News items from around the world

FIG UK Seminar celebrating the 30th Anniversary of The Fire Information Group UK

Thursday, 11 October 2018, Senate Room, Imperial Hotel, Russell Square, London

Registration 12.15 – 13.00, Seminar 13.00 – 17.00 followed by a reception 17.00 – 18.00

This seminar is kindly sponsored by Lane, Jefferies & Associates Ltd and Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd.

For full programme and location of the Imperial Hotel visit www.figuk.org.uk/conferences/2018/index.html

Bookings now open

To book a place or for any further information

Contact: Sheila Pantry OBE Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd, 85 The Meadows, Todwick, Sheffield S26 1JG, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 1909 771024 | Email: sp@sheilapantry.com

News from the USA NIOSH

New CBRN Respiratory Protection Handbook

NIOSH has released a new Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Respiratory Protection Handbook. This handbook fills the need for authoritative technical information on CBRN respiratory protective devices. The information will assist users in the selection, use, and maintenance of CBRN respirators and will be particularly useful to individuals responsible for administering respiratory protection programs and/or developing training.

Controlled Fire Study Finds High Levels of Airborne Chemicals

What do plastic, polyester, and foam have in common? They are synthetic materials found throughout most modern homes in everything from toys to furniture to appliances. Unlike wood, cotton, and other natural materials, synthetic materials are made in laboratories through chemical processes.

Exposure to Flame Retardants in Foam Found among Gymnastics Coaches

To protect gymnasts from injury during training, polyurethane foam provides padding in the form of loose blocks, mats, and other equipment. To prevent the spread of fire, this foam also may contain flame retardants, potentially hazardous chemicals that could cause health problems for both gymnasts and coaches.

Outside NIOSH:

Many employers now offer programs to help improve workers’ safety and health, as well as morale and productivity. At NIOSH, the Total Worker Health® Program supports research on these programs and the myriad of factors, both inside and outside of the workplace that affect workers’ overall safety, health, and well-being.

The following articles describe two NIOSH-funded studies aimed at improving the implementation and evaluation of different workplace safety and health programs.

Job Design Linked to Participation in Workplace Wellness Programs

Workplace wellness programs often offer an array of health-improvement activities, including courses to quit smoking, exercise or physical fitness classes, nutrition or stress management education, and ergonomic testing of work conditions and equipment. In 2017, 39% of private industry workers and 63% of state and local government workers had access to such programs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, access does not always mean that employees use these programs.

New Tool Measures Effectiveness of Workplace Safety and Health Programs

As more organizations offer increasingly comprehensive programs for workplace safety and health, researchers and organizations alike look for the best examples and tools to measure their effectiveness. With so many programs available, how do organizations know which one is best?

More information: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/research-rounds/resroundsv4n3.html

Changes needed to avoid another Grenfell

The author of a report into fire safety and building regulations following the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire has warned that another “catastrophic event” cannot be ruled out unless there are changes to the regulatory system.

Speaking at the IOSH conference, Dame Judith Hackitt said she was “truly shocked” about standards in the built environment when she started her review. Her review, which was commissioned by the Government following Grenfell, was published earlier this year and included 53 recommendations aimed at providing a stronger but simpler framework of building regulations.

More information: https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/tuc-risks-867-22-september-2018#_Toc525289910

Union warns about cladding

Unite the union has issued a timely reminder of the importance of employers doing across the board checks on all workplaces which have cladding following the Grenfell fire tragedy. After the fire, the government ordered safety checks of cladding on residential buildings, NHS properties and schools, however even this is not always being done.

Unite revealed that the unfinished Royal Liverpool Hospital has been encased in flammable material which do not meet the current fire safety standards. This is not the first time that a new hospital has been found to be fitted with flammable cladding. In July it was revealed that the Papworth Hospital in Cambridge being built by Skanska had to be delayed, as the cladding did not pass safety standards. Because of this, Unite is contacting all of its safety representatives and giving advice on how to ensure they are provided with clear evidence, if they have not already received it, that any cladding at their workplace is safe. If this is not the case then additional safety measures should be instigated to ensure the safety of workers and the general public, until the suspect cladding is removed.

More information: https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/tuc-risks-867-22-september-2018#_Toc525289906

Better protection for emergency workers

Unions have welcomed a new law that will make it a criminal offence to assault emergency workers including police, paramedics, firefighters, prison officers, search and rescue personnel and custody officers.

The current six-month maximum sentence for common assault will be doubled to a year for the new crime created by the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act, which will also enable judges to increase terms given to people committed for a range of other crimes where the involvement of emergency services was an “aggravating factor”. Chris Bryant MP, the Labour MP who introduced the Bill, said: “The growing tide of attacks on emergency workers – including ambulance workers, NHS staff, fire officers, prison officers and police – is a national scandal. All too often attackers get away with little more than a slap on the wrist”.

More information: https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/tuc-risks-867-22-september-2018#_Toc525289902

Diary of Events

25 September 2018 – The Next Steps for Building Regulations and Fire Safety
London, UK
Contact: www.westminster-briefing.com/Building-Regulations-Fire-Safety

2-4 October 2018 – Safety Promotion
Oslo, Norway
Contact: https://niva.org/courses

2-5 October 2018 – 112 EXPO – 41st International Exhibition and Conference – Fire & Rescue, Occupational Safety and Health
Belgrade, Serbia
Contact: Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia Sector for Emergency Management | www.112-expo.rs/en

3-4 October 2018 – Bulk Liquid Storage 2018
Cartagena, Spain
Contact: https://www.wplgroup.com/aci/event/european-bulk-liquid-storage

11 October 2018 – 30th Anniversary of the Fire Information Group Seminar
Imperial Hotel, Russell Square, London WC1B 5BB
Contact: Sheila Pantry OBE, Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd, Sheffield S26 1JG, UK | Tel +44 (0)1909 771024 | Email sp@sheilapantry.com

16-17 October 2018 – Safety and Risks of Engineered Nanomaterials
Quality Hotel View, Malmö, Sweden
Contact: https://niva.org/course/safety-risks-engineered-nanomaterials

18 October 2018 – Mental Health Improvement Conference: Delivering better outcomes
Adelphi House, University of Salford, UK
Contact: www.salford.ac.uk/onecpd/conferences/mental-health-improvement-conference

5-8 November 2018 – A+A 2019
Düsseldorf, Germany
Contact: Düsseldorf International Trade Fair for Safety, Security and Health at Work | www.aplusa-online.com

9-16 November 2018 – 8th International Conference on Forest Fire Research
Coimbra, Portugal
Contact: Tel: +351 239 790 732 | icffr@dem.uc.pt | https://www.adai.pt/icffr

15 November 2018 – The Future of Health and Safety Conference
Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, UK
Contact: https://10times.com/health-and-safety-manchester

20 November 2018 – The Future of Cannabis-based Medicine in UK Healthcare: The Potential Risks and Benefits of Reform
London, UK
Contact: Conference Team, Public Policy Exchange | Tel: +44 (0)20 3137 8630 | Fax: +44 (0)20 3137 1459 | https://www.publicpolicyexchange.co.uk/event.php/?eventUID=IK20-PPE

New Books and DVDs

Kirk’s fire investigation, 8th edition

Icove, David J.; Kirk, Paul l.; Haynes, Gerald A.
Pearson Education Limited, 2018, 8th edition, ISBN 9781292039268

The Eighth Edition of Kirk’s Fire Investigation is included in required and supplemental fire investigation professional training and certification programs by the National Fire Academy, the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), and the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI). This text blends both academic information for the student and real-world applications for the practicing fire safety professional to become the best in their field. With today’s fire investigators being held to higher standards than ever before, it’s crucial that they gain a thorough understanding of fire protection and investigation engineering concepts, technology, and field analysis.

www.abebooks.co.uk/book-search/title/kirks-fire-investigation/author/gerald-haynes

High-Rise Buildings: Understanding the Vertical Challenges DVD

Tracy, Jerry; Murphy, Jack J.; Murtagh, James J.
Pennwell, 2018, DVD, ISBN 9781593704148

Responding to incidents in high-rise and mid-rise structures that feature large dimensions and complex floor layouts can be a daunting task. The sheer size and complexity can overwhelm even the most seasoned fire veteran. Occupancies such as a residential, office, hotel or a hospital building present unique vertical challenges for fire, all-hazard emergencies and medical care incidents. These staffing and training to perform the many functions and responsibilities required for just a minor fire or emergency, let alone a major event, can overwhelm even the largest of departments. Most departments must rely on aid agreements with neighbouring departments to even mount a response to many of these incidents. This video covers the issues of Command and Control, Firefighting Units’ Response, Smoke Movement and Control, Building Fire/Life Safety Plans, Fire Protection Systems, etc. This class will introduce the concept of “Know Before You Go” to better understand your responsibilities and the scope of preparedness to meet today’s vertical challenges.

https://fireengineeringbooks.com/high-rise-buildings-understanding-the-vertical-challenges-dvd/

Critical Decision Making: Point-to-Point Leadership in Fire & Emergency Services

Barakey, Michael J.
Pennwell, 2018, 220 pages, ISBN 9781593704629

By nature, competent decisions by emergency responders are challenging because incidents are fluid and dynamic. In Critical Decision Making, Chief Michael Barakey gives emergency first responders the tools to succeed on every incident where they make critical decisions and mitigate incidents daily under stress. This book reviews cases to identify common incident elements that hinder quality decision making, and it introduces point-to-point leadership, a systematic approach to making critical decisions from the time responders are alerted to an incident to its resolution. Understanding how to make critical decisions in this dynamic process is what makes great leaders.

www.pennwellbooks.com/fire-engineering-books-videos/new-products/critical-decision-making-point-to-point-leadership-in-fire-emergency-services/#additional-info

Hazardous materials chemistry, 3rd edition

Bevelacqua, Armando S.; Norman, Laurie A.
Jones and Bartlett Learning, 2019, 346 pages, 3rd edition, ISBN 9781284041996

Explores basic chemical principles, nomenclature, and toxicology so that fire fighters and first responders can effectively identify hazards associated with specific chemicals and chemical families, determine the potential dangers present at a hazardous materials incident, and make safe and informed decisions. Each chapter presents scenarios that discuss real world problems as described within the context of that chapter’s content.

www.psglearning.com/catalog/productdetails/9781284041996

Fighting fire in Warwickshire: an illustrated history

Bunn, Mike
Alconbury, EB Books, 2018, ISBN 9780993468421

Fire fighting in Warwickshire. The illustrated book, available to purchase from 1 April 2018, explores some of the history of fire-fighting in Warwickshire over the last 100+ years. It reveals details of the late 19th and early 20th century’s rural and town fire brigades, through the rapid pre-Second World War developments resulting in a nationalised fire service (NFS), to the present peacetime Service we know today. This launch deliberately coincides with the 70th anniversary of the provision of fire services by the county council in Warwickshire on 1st April – an anniversary worth celebrating. The National Fire Service (formed in the war years in 1941) handed responsibility for fire service provision to local authorities on 1 April 1948. The story of this event, plus the pre and wartime provision together with the development of Warwick County Fire Brigade (later Fire and Rescue Service) provides material for the subsequent chapters in the book.

http://www.alibris.co.uk/stores/ebbookss/

Abbreviated FIG UK Meeting minutes held on Wednesday, 13 September 2018 at the London Fire Brigade (LFB) Headquarters, 169 Union Street, London

Present:

Sheila Pantry OBE	Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd
Sally Walsh	Burgoyne Management Ltd
David Washer	Boat Safety Scheme (BSS)
Penny Morgan
Nick Fry	International Fire Consultants (IFC)
Alyson Warner
Granville Harris	FDS Consult Ltd
John Galvin	UK Association of Fire Investigators

Apologies:

David Lane	Lane, Jefferies & Associates Ltd
Dominic Louks	Fire Protection Association (FPA)
Adair Lewis	Adair Lewis Fire Safety Management
Paula McCrudden	Hawkins
Claire Benson	London South Bank University, Explosion & Fire Research Group
Marian Bodian	Building Research Establishment (BRE) Compliance Team
Carole Jeffcock	Fire Service College (LIRC)

1. Welcome

Sheila welcomed everyone and introductions were made round the table.

Sheila also noted with thanks Clare Sketchley and Andrew Mobbs for the arrangements for the room at London Fire Brigade HQ in Union Street.

2. Apologies

See above.

3. Minutes

Minutes of the March 2018 meeting were accepted.

4. Accounts

Sally circulated the latest Accounts. Alyson will be auditing them in due course.

21 have paid their membership fees out of 30 on mailing list. We expect a few more resulting from Seminar sources. It was AGREED to RAISE the membership fee to £25 for 2019, apart from the retired Members fee which will remain at £20.

5. FIG UK Seminar 2018

Speakers are in place; Imperial Hotel booked, ticket prices have been set for our 30th FIG UK Anniversary (UK) 2018 Seminar. Urgent Publicity for the Seminar is still needed. All we need are more delegates – 19 to date (as of 26/9/18).

Please send out the Seminar information to everybody you know… link to the Seminar information is www.figuk.org.uk/conferences/2018.

We need to let people know about the seminar by the end of September to ensure we have at least 25 delegates + speakers.

Sheila will send invitations from her long list of fire and fire related contacts. Penny will contact Martin Shipp and TSSAG members; Sally will contact non-payers of membership fees as to keeping in contact and GDPR; John will also send out details.

Burgoynes will provide goodie bags while Dave will bring leaflets to go on a table.

Sally suggested that we each bring (if possible) some significant historical fire publications for a table display / discussion point. Dave Washer said he’d bring Pete Mansi’s book. Sally will bring some curiosities from the Burgoynes’ Libraries.

6. The question of knowing what you don’t know!

Sheila has looked again at the presentation given at the FIG UK Seminar 2016 from David Stow of Ove Arup www.figuk.org.uk/conferences/2016/David_Stow.pdf which concentrates on building materials used in buildings and high rise buildings. She suggested that we should raise awareness of the wealth of information on Grenfell at the 2018 Seminar next month, and also noted that there are some good fire information networks based on 30 years of shared information which is still the case in New Zealand, Australia, Scandinavia and in the USA.

John Galvin commented about the availability of information of both general nature and in particular chemical information.

From the discussion John and Dave are always checking for information on product behaviour in fire.

7. Round Table

1. Sally will contact FIG UK Members on what information they hold particularly those with libraries.

2. Dave Washer noted that CO is a major concern there have been 5 fatalities in the last 3 years in boats with inboard petrol engines. The Boat Safety Scheme has introduced a new CO leaflet including warning about charging up phones etc while the canopies are up preventing the CO being able to dissipate. CO alarms rarely used. New campaign is targeting hire craft. In terms of fire escape, the locking of rear entrances by padlock is a problem.

3. John Galvin, UK Association of Fire Investigators (IAAI-UK) Chapter is now the recognised name. This is a professional body, lowest level is Associate, Professional member or Fellow. Go to website for details www.uk-afi.org

4. Sally Walsh has crated up a third of the library, books are now in a warehouse in Kenilworth.

5. Penny Morgan raised the matter of spam contacts citing a reasonable one from the States. All present agreed this was spam as they too had had the recent mail.

6. Nick Fry IFC noted that they are still expanding although not the fire engineers department.

   In answer to a query from Alyson why not use existing lifts for means of escape which could be important for disabled evacuations this led to a lively discussion on the need to recognise that many Building Managers will choose low cost options where deemed possible in order to make cost savings e.g. soft penetration systems, codes of practice within the correct spacing of neighbouring systems. Siting of doors to flats opposite each other. Nick added that IFC has found the Barbour Index too expensive and material is updated too late to be useful.

7. Alyson Warner is now a volunteer worker for Information for the Disabled organisation; and cited the problems where people have been stuck on planes and trains despite pre-booking assistance for many hours. She asked for any advice.

8. Granville Harris FDS Consult Ltd joined in the discussion and offered advice to Alyson.

   He also offered to share information. There is a draft standard for lifts to allow updating of lifts so they can be used by fire fighters. Granville will send a copy of the May 2016 version to Sheila. Nick mentioned the problems with security grilles on front doors, latest version of advice will also go to Sheila. These have now been received and attached to this newsletter email are the draft BS on the Improvement on FF lifts and also the LFB Guidance Note 11 on Security Doors and other Security Measures on residential buildings.

9. Sheila Pantry is pleased to pass on the news that after a lapse of meetings in 2018 of the Fire Research and Statistics User Group (FRSUG) that three meetings are now planned in 2019.

   Sheila is a member and attends meetings and always reports on the activities as well as running the FRSUG web site. For information on FRSUG activities and papers presented in the past see website www.frsug.org

   She is also a long time Member of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents National Occupational Health and Safety Committee and draws attention the strategic activities of RoSPA that last year celebrated its Centenary. See www.rospa.com for the wide areas of work covered.

   Sheila’s company’s OSH UPDATE + FIRE collection of 26 validated and authoritative databases is arguably one of the most comprehensive electronic service in fire, occupational safety and health, environment and all aspects of the wide range of today’s workplaces.

   Currently contains over 1,145, 243 records including 107,676 full text documents. See the new OSH UPDATE + FIRE newsletter, sent with email 26 September 2018. Anyone wanting up-to-date and a budget friendly priced, constantly updated collection are welcome to a free 15 days trial. Visit www.sheilapantry.com/interest

   Jim Glocking, FPA has alerted Sheila on the following: “I would like to make you aware of the release of confirmed new guidance and the associated Technical Research Report around which the guidance was developed on the causes and mitigation of fires in thatched building with Wood Burning Stoves. The New Guidance for the prevention of thatch fires has now been signed off and I have included it, and the full-report of the test programme conducted by FPA for and behalf of NFUM and Historic England in the following link”
   https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mbagdvgpg91ml49/AACPQr-u7Wy5wjLoVS5br08ya?dl=0

8. Dates of next FIG UK meetings

Christmas mini meeting and meal at 2-4 pm on Wednesday, 5 December 2018 at Zedel 1920s French Café… more details will follow.

FIG UK’s first formal meeting next year is on 14 March 2019 starting at 1 pm with lunch. Please put in your 2019 diaries. Meeting location to be sorted and FIG UK members will be informed.