fig leaves
The newsletter of the Fire Information Group UK (FIG UK)
No. 61
October 2021
Happy Autumn days ahead
Edited by Sheila Pantry, OBE
Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd
https://www.sheilapantry.com
This Newsletter contains:
- Diary of Events
- New Books/Reports
- News from around the World
- Abbreviated minutes of the FIG UK Meeting held on 12 October 2021
- Date of Next Meeting
Please help to promote FIG UK whenever you can... make a link from your website to the FIG UK website!
Introduction
Wishing All FIG UK Members, families and colleagues a wonderful, successful, happy, healthy Covid-19 free AUTUMN 2021. Look after yourselves and remain safe and well.
Many FIG UK members have been working from home for some time and it seems that some are now going into their workplaces perhaps for one or two days per week.
A suggestion for next year is that we could ask a speaker to a talk on some latest fire related research as well as the usual meeting agenda items. Dr Jim Glockling, FPA Technical Director Fire Protection Association & RISCAuthority, also Visiting Professor, School of Natural Sciences, University of Central Lancashire has kindly offered to speak to FIG UK … he says …
“As ever I’d be very happy to make any presentations required on the insurance issues we are currently dealing with.”
Hot topics currently:
- Insuring massive Timber structures
- Modular construction – are we heading for another cladding-type crisis?
I am following this up and will come back to FIG UK members.
Of course, any government restrictions at the time would have to be adhered to.
Following are some news items for you. If members have any news they would like to share with colleagues please send to sp@sheilapantry.com and I will include in the next edition.
Many thanks
Sheila Pantry OBE
Diary of Events 2021
9 November 2021 – FPA, IFE and NFCC fire safety conference
Queen Elizabeth II Centre, London, UK
Contact: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fire-2021-tickets-151511485933
9-10 November 2021 – Safe and healthy work in new rooms: The future of work
Online
Contact: Institut für Arbeit und Gesundheit der DGUV (IAG) | https://osha.europa.eu/en/oshevents/future-work-safe-and-healthy-work-new-rooms
10-12 November 2021 – 14th European Public Health Conference
Online
Contact: European Public Health Association (EUPHA) | https://ephconference.eu
15-16 November 2021 – 2nd World Nanotechnology Summit: Presenting Excellency of Nanotechnology to Transform the World
Miami, Florida, USA
Contact: https://www.phronesisonline.com/nano-technology-summit
15-21 November 2021 – Road Safety Week UK
Around the UK
Contact: https://www.brake.org.uk/road-safety-week
16-18 November 2021 – 2nd International Congress on Safety Integrated – CISI 2021
Feira Internacional de Lisboa – FIL, Lisbon, Portugal
Contact: https://cisi.iseclisboa.pt
16-18 November 2021 – ICHEME’S HAZARDS 31 Virtual Process Safety Conference
Fully interactive, virtual event
Contact: https://www.icheme.org/hazards31
22-26 November 2021 – European Fire Safety Week 2021
10 actions that will improve fire safety in Europe: What can the EU do?
Safety Week is organized by the European Fire Safety Alliance.
For details see www.europeanfiresafetyalliance.org/european-fire-safety-week-2020
2022
17-19 May 2022 – Firex
Excel, Birmingham, UK
Contact: https://www.firex.co.uk/en/home.html
17-19 May 2022 – IFSEC
Excel, Birmingham, UK
Contact: https://www.ifsecglobal.com/event/en/home.html
New Books
Coordination ventilation: Supporting extinguishment and survivability
Nicholas Papa
Fire Engineering Books, 2021, 155 pages, ISBN 978 159370 4377
Ventilation can make or break the outcome of a fire. Ensuring its success requires a knowledge of how it works and what precautions must be taken. This book examines ventilation and its relationship to fire behaviour to identify how it affects the fire, operations, and – most importantly – victim survivability. Ventilation can be universally applied, from the smallest rural community to the largest metropolitan city. Guiding principles and practices to help streamline your decision-making process and improve our overall effectiveness and efficiency. Common pitfalls and the associated misconceptions to reduce potential errors and avoidable losses. A functional understanding of ventilation and the methods for its execution so that you can make the right call for your fireground.
Grenfell and Construction Industry Reform: A Guide for the Construction Professional
Steve Phillips, Jim Martin
Routledge, September 2021, 118 pages, ISBN 9780367552855
This book sets out the urgent changes to practices and behaviours required to build a new building safety regime in the UK and prevent a similar tragedy to the fire at Grenfell Tower from reoccurring. The inquiry into the fire and the independent Hackitt Review revealed deep-rooted and unpalatable truths about the current state of the UK construction industry. Dame Judith Hackitt was scathing in her assessment of the construction industry denouncing it as “an industry that has not reflected and learned for itself, nor looked to other sectors” and defining the key issues as ignorance, indifference, lack of clarity on roles and responsibilities and inadequate regulatory oversight and enforcement tools.
Invaluable for all construction professionals who wish to take greater responsibility for the safety of residents in their buildings, this book explains why these major safety reforms are required, how they are to be achieved and the progress towards them to date.
It’s All about Leadership
Rubin, Dennis L.
Fire Engineering Books, 2018, 186 Pages, ISBN: 9781593704216
One of the most demanding and stressful management jobs in existence, fire rescue leadership requires a set of clear and distinct skills. Given today’s work environment, everyone from the chief down to the newest recruit should be strong, courageous leaders. Every aspect of a successful operation relies on capable leadership at all levels. It’s Always about Leadership is written by an active firefighter for his fellow fire-rescue service members. Author Dennis L. Rubin discusses his 13 rules for leadership, which he has developed over a 35-year career in fire service. Alongside these rules, the author has curated case studies and created critical learning points, self-improvement plans, and discussion questions for learning reinforcement and to assist real-world applications. Key features: Leadership tools with real-life applicability; Time-tested advice on navigating challenges and scenarios typical to fire service life; Experience and perspective from a multi-decade fire service leader.
https://fireengineeringbooks.com/its-always-about-leadership
NFPA 80A, Recommended Practice for Protection of Buildings from Exterior Fire Exposures: 2022 edition
National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), 2022
This standard regulates the installation and maintenance of assemblies and devices used to protect openings in walls, floors, and ceilings against the spread of fire and smoke within, into, or out of buildings.
NFPA 82, Standard on Incinerators and Waste and Linen Handling Systems and Equipment, 2019 Edition
National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), 2022
This standard covers requirements for the installation, maintenance, and use of waste and recyclables storage rooms, containers, handling systems, incinerators, compactors, and linen and laundry handling systems. This standard does not include design criteria for the purpose of reducing air pollution. For such criteria, consult the authorities having jurisdiction. The requirements in this standard shall not apply to one- or two-family residential structures.
NFPA 1, Fire Code, 2021
National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), 2021
Advances fire and life safety for the public and first responders as well as property protection by providing a comprehensive, integrated approach to fire code regulation and hazard management. It addresses all the bases with extracts from and references to more than 130 NFPA® codes and standards including such industry benchmarks as NFPA 101, NFPA 54, NFPA 58, NFPA 30, NFPA 13, NFPA 25, and NFPA 72.
NFPA 2, Hydrogen Technologies
National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), 2020
Hydrogen Technologies provides fundamental safeguards for the generation, installation, storage, piping, use, and handling of hydrogen in compressed gas (GH2) form or cryogenic liquid (LH2) form. Following the posting of the First Draft Report, an error was identified by staff. Specifically, First Revision No. 120 passed ballot of the responsible Technical Committee but was erroneously identified as failed and marked as a Committee Input (CI) No. 120. This error has now been corrected within the text (note: the changed text does not show as such in the First Draft Report, but rather is clearly noted), the Technical Committee has been made aware, and submitters of Public Comments (PC) on the affected section(s) have additionally been notified and provided opportunity to submit additional PCs on the section(s) (should anyone so desire based upon the corrected text) for Technical Committee consideration at the Second Draft Meeting. Additionally, to ensure full opportunity for participation for anyone who wishes to submit additional Public Comments as a result of this correction, the Public Comment closing date was extended until July 14, 2021 for submissions. CODE 2 Hydrogen Technologies provides fundamental safeguards for the generation, installation, storage, piping, use, and handling of hydrogen in compressed gas (GH2) form or cryogenic liquid (LH2) form.
News
London Fire Brigade updates on progress against its Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations
Two years after the Grenfell Tower Inquiry (GTI) published recommendations for London Fire Brigade and others, LFB has today published an update on its progress in implementing them.
The Brigade accepted every recommendation from the inquiry and, over the past two years, has implemented multiple changes to the way it operates, as it continues to learn lessons from the fire and works to keep Londoners safe.
The inquiry report made 46 recommendations in total, of which 29 were aimed either at the London Fire Brigade or at emergency services (including LFB) more widely. A further 11 recommendations were directed at other parties but require some subsequent action by the Brigade.
As of 29th October 2021, the Brigade can confirm that it has completed 23 of the 29 recommendations aimed at LFB or emergency services more widely. A further three are scheduled to be completed by December 2021, leaving only three outstanding.
Some of the recommendations already in pace include:
- New, robust ways of collecting operational risk data on high-rise buildings
- New training and communications protocols for the 999 control room and incident commanders
- New training for all staff to help them recognise rapid external fire spread, and new & revised policies to help them mitigate that risk
- The provision of “smoke hoods”, allowing residents to be evacuated from buildings more safely
The remaining outstanding recommendations are in progress but awaiting the successful procurement of new equipment, such as radios that can be used while wearing both a helmet and breathing apparatus. Additionally, one action is reliant on the setting up of a “Multi Agency Information Transfer” system by the Home Office.
The progress comes alongside additional other non-GTI related improvements that the Brigade has been establishing through the past two years, in response to recent inspections and its own plans for transformation.
London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said:
“We accepted every recommendation made to us by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, and, while there is still work to do, I am pleased to say that we have a number of new and important pieces of policy, training and practice now in place and protecting Londoners.
“We know that we owe it to the bereaved families, the survivors and the residents – whose lives have been torn apart by what happened that night – to learn, change our service, and improve. I know that the progress we have made following the disaster means that we are now in a better position to protect every Londoner.
“We also continue to have detailed discussions with community representatives, in Kensington and across London, on how we can serve them better as we – and the city – transform.”
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said:
“The Grenfell Tower fire was a devastating tragedy and we will always remember the 72 innocent Londoners who lost their lives. We owe it to those who died, those who lost loved ones and those who survived the fire to do everything we can to ensure nothing like this ever happens again.
“Two years on from the Phase 1 report from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, London Fire Brigade has been working to put in place all the recommendations made to the fire service as swiftly as possible. I’m pleased that the Brigade has completed the vast majority of the recommendations – including new training for the 999 control room and the introduction of ‘smoke hoods’, allowing residents to be evacuated from buildings more safely – but there is more work to be done to see the changes fully implemented.
“I remain deeply concerned that four years on from the Grenfell tragedy those in high-rise building are still living in fear. That’s why I’m calling on the Government, developers and building owners to act now and make the urgent changes needed to remove flammable cladding and material on balconies that could contribute to the spread of fire, and to fully cover the cost of interim safety measures.
“I am personally committed to continuing to do everything within my power to ensure the Grenfell community gets the justice they deserve, and all Londoners can feel safe again in their homes.”
Abbreviated minutes of the FIG UK meeting held online on 12 October 2021
Sheila Pantry OBE |
Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd |
Sally Walsh |
Burgoyne Management Ltd |
Liane Crouch |
Bureau Veritas |
Steve Skarratt |
Fire Service College |
Apollo Gerolymbos |
LFCDA |
John Galvin |
Fire Investigators UK |
Alyson Warner |
|
James Acott |
UK Association of Fire Investigators (UK-AFI) |
Ian Abley |
Fire Prevention Association |
Dave Washer |
Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) |
Penny Morgan |
|
David Lane |
Lane, Jefferies and Associates |
Peter Mansi |
UK Association of Fire Investigators (UK-AFI) |
Julie Farrugia |
WMFRS |
Adair Lewis |
Adair Lewis Fire Safety Management |
1. Welcome
Sheila welcomed everyone and introductions were made to our FIG UK new member James Acott, UK-AFI Lincoln
2. Apologies
See above.
3. Minutes
Minutes of the LAST MEETING HELD ON 13 September 2019 already sent and abbreviated minutes were accepted.
There were no matters arising from the Minutes that are not covered elsewhere.
4. Accounts
Sally circulated the latest Accounts. Alyson will be auditing them in due course.
Please note that FIG UK membership IS FREE OF CHARGE.
5. Membership – new recruits
Discussion as usual on attracting new members for FIG UK. If current members know of people in the wider fire industry who may be interested in joining FIG UK AT NO COST, please ask them to contact Sally or Sheila – their contact details are in the membership directory on www.figuk.org.uk
The discussion also covered the CURRENT updating of the members’ directory on the www.figuk.org.uk website. Some work has been done on the updating – please check your entry and send any alterations required to Sheila and Sally.
6. FIG UK Seminar 2022
Discussion took place about a possible face-to-face meeting some time in 2022 – currently the situation is being monitored. Sheila is willing to organise such a meeting – but as always this will be dependent on actual support by Members and others. Perhaps a half day seminar in October 2022 in London. Sheila will explore the situation and report back.
Sally reminded Members that some FIG UK funding is still available to subsidise to some extent Members entry fee.
If members know of speakers and topics that would help to draw an audience please contact Sheila with the suggestions… MANY THANKS.
We need to let people know about the seminar by early September to ensure we have at least 25 delegates + speakers.
CPD credits will be awarded to the delegates.
7. FIG UK website
Please send to Sheila any amendments needed also do send any news items, new information sources and any known fire related events details.
8. Product recalls
FIG UK Members are requested to check www.figuk.org.uk/links.html and send any new links on fire related product recalls.
9. Round table discussions
Anyone wishing to send a summary of their contributions please send to Sheila for adding to FIG UK website.
Dave Washer BSS has reported that he has currently been moved to look after the new training materials for their new examiners, but hopes to pick up the incident recordings sometimes this month.
Family and colleagues are all well, just all looking forward to getting back to some sort of normality.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.Ian Abley, FPA sent the following data:
Modern Methods of Construction in Specification
There is no practical taxonomy of Modern Methods of Construction. There is only a categorisation from Government as a “definition framework”:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/modern-methods-of-construction-working-group-developing-a-definition-frameworkThe Approved Documents as statutory guidance do not define what are considered to be the “common” building methods the statutory guidance can be applied, which might include some MMC gaining market share, or what might be considered uncommon as MMC.
Specifications used to be written in terms of trades-based practice in Uniclass 1, Table J – Work Sections for Buildings/Civil Engineering Works
https://www.cpic.org.uk/uniclass1This was the basis for the Common Arrangement of Work Sections (CAWS) as a logical A to Z list of construction types arranged by trade. As MMC has developed the trade base of CAWS was not maintained. But it still forms the basis of much contracting because it is memorable alphanumerical specification classification system, well established.
https://www.cpic.org.uk/publications/common-arrangement-of-work-sectionsThe Construction Project Information Committee (CPIC) that had developed CAWS was largely only maintained by the NBS by the early 2000s, which increasingly decided with government encouragement that Building Information Modelling (BIM) required a complete reorganisation of specification classification to a numerical system. By 2011 the Uniclass 2 tables had been drafted and by 2015 NBS had monetised their proprietary version.
https://www.thenbs.com/news/uniclass-2015-a-universal-classification-system-for-the-construction-industryCPIC maintains the numerical Uniclass 2, and while it may serve for information management it is not particularly memorable in structure.
http://www.cpic.org.uk/uniclass2But CPIC is also promoting the numerical NBS Uniclass 2015
https://www.cpic.org.uk/uniclassNeither CPIC nor the NBS have a guide to explain how methods of construction, MMC or otherwise, fit into Uniclass 1 or 2. Attempts to shift the specification software into Uniclass 2015 was resisted among clients, consultants and contractors, and now NBS offers the choice of CAWS or Uniclass 2015 in their “Chorus” service.
https://www.thenbs.com/nbs-chorusThere is no construction industry definition of MMC. There are disparate guides, but nothing that gives practical meaning to the “definition framework”, to show how it might relate to methods of construction not promoted as “modern”. MMC in that regard has been a rhetorical dismissal of construction methods that had established mature markets. Notably Concrete and Masonry, which includes Stone but is mostly the Brick and Block sector. The trade bodies representing Concrete and Masonry sectors were either happy to be dismissed as “traditional”, which is as meaningless as “modern”, or they tried to show they too were MMC. Everyone fought to be seen as “sustainable”.
A thought… A question established by the deaths at Grenfell Tower fire on 14 June 2017 is now which construction methods are fire safe, either for Life Safety or for Property Protection. The solution to timber historically being steel reinforced in-situ and precast Concrete, and earlier Masonry.
But the push for MMC and of sustainability continues to be dismissive of the heavy and high energy Concrete and Masonry sectors. Steel is similarly criticised as high energy, but that sector was keen to push Light Steel Frame systems and has positioned itself as MMC more successfully. Glass remains high energy but has managed to claim a role in sustainable development. Few examples of MMC are particularly “light”, and all take energy, but that doesn’t seem to matter. The renewed push of Timber frame in general, but as heavy “Massive Timber” as the MMC of current choice, will be strengthened after COP26. There will be definitions of MMC preferred as “Zero Carbon”, and sectors that can only promise to be “Zero Carbon” in the distant future will be eschewed by a younger generation. The acceptance of combustible forms of thermal insulation is a notable thread through construction, particularly since the Code for Sustainable Homes in 2006. In that measure fire safety is subordinate. The idea that methods of construction should be comfortable, durable and easy to maintain are distinctly old fashioned. MMC’s claims to affordability through innovative productivity gains is not well explained because no longer a priority when subordinated to the “Zero Carbon” goal.
Suggested venue for FIG UK Seminar 2022
The Building Centre, 26 Store Street, off Tottenham Court Road, London has a seminar space that starts from £250. It can take a maximum 200, but the room can be divided, with half and full day hire available.
British Standards Society
It might be worth asking the British Standard Society, and particularly the British Standards Group if they want to join in an event.
Direct correspondence to Andrea Beddard-Smith
Sheila is also a FRSUG (Fire and Rescue Statistics User Group) member but the group has been dormant for some 2 years. Sheila has always attended meetings and always reports on the activities, as well as running the FRSUG web site free of charge. 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.
In 2016 RoSPA 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. Now in its 3rd decade 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. Customers worldwide use OSH UPDATE + FIRE.
Currently contains over 1,177,707 records including 133,541 full text documents. Upwards of 10,000 new items validated and authoritative worldwide sources are added annually. Anyone needing really up-to-date and a very budget friendly priced, constantly updated collection are welcome to a free trial.
Visit www.sheilapantry.com/interest
also see OSH UPDATE + FIRE Newsletters
CONTENT useful for those starting to use OSH UPDATE + FIRE or teach others how to use this vast resource.
Date of next meeting
FIG UK’s first formal meeting next year is on TUESDAY, 8 March 2022 starting at 11 am – 1 pm.
Please put in your 2022 diaries and calendars. Meeting possibly by Microsoft Teams – to be sorted and FIG UK members will be informed WELL IN ADVANCE.