Arson
INTRODUCTION
Arson (deliberate fire raising) in the UK presently accounts for over 40% of all fires in industry and commerce and over 20% of fires in residential premises. Each year some 90 people die and over 2000 are injured in fires which are started deliberately.
Despite numerous initiatives by the ABI, Fire Authorities and other agencies which have been taken over the past 30 years, arson fires have not abated and there is little confidence that this will change in the foreseeable future.
Against this background, it is extremely important that RiskSTOP and its team of Consultants continue to guard against complacency and that the appropriate attention is given on every survey to the assessment of the arson risk and the submission of suitable risk improvements as required.
ARSON ASSESSMENT
Key features included for consideration are set out below:
1. Neighbourhood
No area can be considered free from the risk of arson. The following however are of particular concern:
Isolated locations.
Vulnerable inner City and poor quality urban areas with high rates of crime.
Premises situated in areas attracting large crowds such as close to football stadia, or adjacent to high risk occupancies such as poor quality public houses, hostels etc.
Proximity in relation to poor quality housing estates and public open spaces.
Premises situated in areas of high unemployment.
2. Premises Security
The extent and effectiveness of security protections for the buildings and the site as a whole are to be assessed, both in respect of working hours and periods of closure. This will include site perimeter security, security lighting and CCTV, static guarding, physical and electronic protections to buildings, access control and overall security management, including closedown procedures.
3. Fire Protection
Key considerations:
Extent and management of sprinklers, automatic fire alarms and other fixed systems.
Security of sprinkler control valves and pump rooms.
Provision of remote alarm signalling.
4. Denial of Fuel
Key considerations:
Presence of external storage, idle pallets, plastic crates etc and whether safe distances from the buildings and site perimeter are observed (Technical Bulletin 43 – Outside Storage refers). This applies not only to the Policyholders property, but also to that of the neighbouring occupants, and fly tipping.
Location and security of waste bins and skips.
General housekeeping across the premises.
External vegetation.
Security of external fuel tanks and pumps
Secure storage of flammable liquids, gases and other hazardous materials
The need for Consultants to adopt a robust approach to the above matters cannot be over emphasised, particularly as regards ensuring the correct positioning and security of wheelie bins and the requirement to keep the close perimeter around buildings clear of all refuse and combustible materials. When assessing these issues, consideration must also be given to the type of construction of the subject premises with particular reference to any combustible elements of construction, the presence of door and window openings, loading canopies and overhanging roofs.
Large fires have arisen, for example in major supermarkets, where a single bin or a few combustible trays standing against the building below a timber soffit have been set alight by vandals, resulting in a total loss of the facilities concerned.
Circumstances will arise where yard space is extremely limited, as a result of which waste bins etc adjacent or in close proximity to the property is unavoidable. In these situations, alternative solutions may need to be considered such as the bricking up of exposed windows and other openings (excluding fire exits). A further measure might include keeping the offending waste bins inside the premises.
Whilst this may fly in the face of long established fire safety practice, in extreme cases it may be seen as the only alternative. Where such measures are considered, it should be ensured that warranties are not breached, that there is no illegal smoking on the premises and that the waste does not include oil or solvent contaminated material or any other waste which could be liable to spontaneous combustion. In the event that there is a recommended acceptance of waste bins being kept internally, or that a risk improvement for moving bins inside a building is made, it is vitally important that qualifying comment is entered in the report which is to be ranked as “contentious”, in order that an underwriting decision can be made.
5. Target Risks
These will include:
Premises, which by virtue of their occupation or the business conducted, pose a threat from political, religious or sectarian hatred.
Businesses involved in political controversy or trade disputes.
Businesses or premises that may be perceived as damaging the environment.
Trades and businesses that could draw the attention of animal rights movements – e.g. abattoirs, animal research establishments, intensive animal breeding and rearing units and similar premises where sensitive or emotive work is undertaken.
Schools
Unoccupied buildings
6. Financial State of the Business
The prosperity of the business and the quality of staff relations are key considerations when assessing the arson risk. Whilst fully appreciating that this is an extremely sensitive area of enquiry and that Consultants will not always be aware of companies that are in grave financial difficulties, serious pointers such as falling orders, total absence in investment and staff redundancies should not be ignored.
It is of vital importance that concerns in this area are relayed to the Underwriter verbally and under no circumstances are to be put in writing.
ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE
In response to the ever present risk, the RISCAuthority has published RC48 – Risk Control – Arson Prevention. This provides full guidance on an arson risk management programme to which Consultants should refer.
This TB should be cross-referenced with the following:
Technical Procedure 6 – Unoccupied Property Surveys