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Fire Safety and Portable Heaters

Portable heaters can be an effective way to heat a room without heating the whole house or when the property doesn’t have the benefit of a central heating system, however they can also pose a serious fire hazard when not used carefully.   This is especially true when being used by people unfamiliar with a premises. Some general rules for Portable heaters Always use on a flat surface Leave at least 1 meter clearance to furniture and curtains. Buy one with a trip switch in case it gets knocked over (ie. By the dog). Never cover your heater or use to dry clothes. Never use a faulty heater. Types of Portable Heaters Oil filled radiators – Relatively low risk These are often on wheels and are quite heavy so less likely to be knocked over. They don’t have any exposed heating elements so are less likely to ignite anything.   They take a while to heat up, but retain the heat for longer.   They can have timers and thermostats to help control the heat. Electric Convector and Fa
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Who is the Responsible Person under Scottish Fire Law?

Under the Scottish Fire Safety Act 2005, the ‘Responsible Person’ is required to comply with the law. But who is the ‘Responsible Person’ and what are they actually required to do? The responsibilities and definition of this role are outlined in the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006. These can be intimidating weighty documents so here’s an easy summary.   Who is the ‘Responsible Person’ The ‘Responsible Person’ is usually one of the following: Employer : If the premises is a workplace, the employer is typically the responsible person. Owner/Landlord : In buildings where there are multiple tenants, the owner or landlord may hold responsibility for the communal areas. Occupier : The occupier or person in control of the premises. Other Person with Control : Any other individual who has a degree of control over the premises, such as a facilities manager or managing agent, can also be considered responsible. So, a
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Furniture and Fire Regulations

Furniture is not just about aesthetics and comfort; it also plays a crucial role in safety, particularly concerning fire hazards. When furniture catches fire, it can have devastating consequences. The materials commonly found in furniture, such as upholstery foam, wood, and synthetic fabrics, are highly flammable and can ignite quickly. Once ignited, the fire can spread rapidly, producing toxic smoke and gases that pose a serious threat to occupants. In addition to the immediate danger to human life, furniture fires can also result in extensive property damage. Moreover, the toxic fumes released during combustion can impair visibility and hinder escape efforts, making it challenging for individuals to evacuate safely. Legislation and labelling.  In the UK, furniture must meet specific flammability standards outlined in the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended) which significantly reduce the speed and which furniture will ignite and flames spread. All furn
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Thumb Turn Locks: A Practical Guide for holiday home owners (and anyone else)

As a holiday homeowner the safety of your guests will be paramount you want them to have a great time and you want them to have a safe time. When it comes to fire safety, small details can make a significant difference. To be able to open a final exit door easily is a requirement for sleeping accommodation.  C onsidering the appropriate means of escape is a fundamental part of any  holiday home fire risk assessment. The scenario Most people have a night time routine which often involves locking all doors, and in a significant number of cases removing the key to a regular spot nearby.   It becomes an automatic process. So imaging waking in the middle of the night, in an unfamiliar place, disorientated from waking suddenly to a screeching smoke alarm, maybe impaired by a few whisky’s (we are in Scotland after all).   You open the bedroom door and can smell the smoke; adrenaline surges and you dash down stairs for the front door.   It’s locked and there’s no key, you can’t remember where
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Fire Doors - The basics

  A closed door can play a major role in preventing the spread of fire, smoke and hot gasses, but doors are not all equal with some made of flimsy egg box constructions, or single panel wood, others with standard glass.   What is a fire door? Purpose made certified Fire doors are designed to resist fire and prevent the passage of smoke and hot gasses for a designated period of time.   Delaying the spread of fire can enable people to escape a building safely and compartmentalise a higher risk area. Doors can be made of steel, wood or glass, providing they are made to the appropriate standard. These are different from final fire exit doors and are found internally in a building. How do I know if it’s a fire door? Every fire door will have a label, often on the top edge of the door or along the hinge side.   The label will state the fire resistance rating, usually FD30 (30 minutes), FD60 (60 minutes), or even FD 90 & 120. Other features include, intumescent strips and cold smo
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What are the top 5 common causes of fires?

       1 .    Cooking appliances      It’s always a good idea to have a small fire extinguisher and fire blanket in the kitchen.   Cooking appliances cause over 40% of accidental house fires.      Cookers, ovens, rings and hot plates, grills and toasters are the common sources of ignition.      2.    Electrical      Electrical failure of a component of the main electrical installation or fixed equipment is the second highest cause of fires.   This is why an EICR is so important, it may not prevent all fires but can highlight any problems.           Wiring, cabling and plugs (especially if overloaded), heating equipment                such as thermostats or fixed heaters are the common sources of ignition.        3.    Electrical appliances      This runs a very close 3 rd place to the main electrical installation and includes all white goods you can find in the kitchen such as dishwashers, tumble dryers and fridges.   Other problems arise through overloading extension leads and
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EICR – Codes in more detail

EICRs are graded as satisfactory or unsatisfactory rather than pass or fail.   However, to be clear an unsatisfactory test is a fail when it comes to letting out a property for tenants or paying guests and any unsatisfactory issues need to be fixed before doing so. Every EICR should have a summary near the front of the report highlighting any issues and the report should clearly state the satisfactory or unsatisfactory grading – usually on the front sheet. There is then a more detailed report which will show exactly where any issues have been found and need action. The gradings are C1, C2, C3 and F1. Any CI, C2 and F1 issues found will classify the inspection as unsatisfactory and will need the issues fixed. C3 issues do not need immediate action and a property can continue to be let but it could lead to a bigger issue later. The good news is you don’t need a full new EICR after any remedial work as each piece of work will be certified in its own right and have its own cert
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