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FIRE SERVICE AND GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TOPICS => General Interest => Topic started by: bladesman on February 27, 2006, 10:15:20 AM
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Hello ladies and gents,
Wondered if anyone can help? I'm writing a brief paper on the above and need info or guidance on where to find details of any subsequent changes in practice or legislation (building regs / fire etc...) brought about SPECIFICALLY because of the Summerland fire.
Any info appreciated.
Thanks
Blades.
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Hi Bladesman
The Summerland Fire...
Where to start is the question.
Probably best to Private Message me with any questions you have as there is a danger I could take up pages upon on pages upon pages on the forum explaining what happened at this particular disaster.
FW
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Some people may have the inquiry report, more people are likely to have the FPA report.
It's far too lengthy to detail as mentioned, if my memory recalls it did help bring on reforms of the IoM law, although the report makes note that it might not have been so bad a disaster if it weren't for the existing regs being somewhat sidestepped & poorly applied
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Thanks Anthony,
Apparently the only fire safety legislation for public buildings on IOM was the 1923 Manx Theatre regulations which were generally sidestepped as you say. The Manx Government had also apparently refused to incorporate the UK 1971 Fire Precautions Act into its own legislation.
Anybody know how i can access "Guide to fire precautions in existing places of entertainment and like premises 1989" ? ?
Been told that Summerland fire gets a mention in here.
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this is from the 1990 version
Accommodation of children in places of
entertainment
5.9 The Inquiry into the fire at Summerland Leisure Centre in
August 1973 found that parents had tended to be separated from
their children since pursuits for each were located in different places
and floors. Instead of going directly to exits, parents naturally tried
to find their children, making their way against the flow of persons
on the escape routes, thus adding to the danger. In order to
minimise the risk, if children are to be accommodated separately
from their parents or guardians in places of entertainment, the
following measures are recommended:—
(a) the accommodation for children should be at or as near
ground level as practicable (or the level at which the final
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exits discharge). In no circumstances should the accommodation
for children be: -
(i) on a floor above the level at which their parents or
guardians are accommodated unless the route of escape is
through the upper level; or
(ii) at basement level unless the children are adjacent to the
accommodation for parents or guardians;
(b) the room or enclosure for children should be adjacent to an
external wall and should not have fewer than 2 exits, one of
which should be a final exit;
(c) if the room adjoins parent accommodation, the aggregate
width at the exits from both areas, exclusive of the doors
between the room and the parents' or guardians' accommodation,
should be sufficient for the total number, ie children
plus parents, guardians and other persons; and
(d) a notice should be prominently displayed where the children
are deposited, saying that in the event of an emergency
children will be escorted by a member of staff to a named
collection point outside the building.
Note: There should also be sufficient adequately trained attendants
— see paragraphs 1.16 to 1.19.
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Hi bladesman Try the two links below you may find then interesting.
http://www.gees.bham.ac.uk/people/index.asp?ID=156#summerland
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/development/ddsub/dbsr05nd-26.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summerland_disaster
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Thanks fred - extremely useful and ditto Tw- Dr.Phillips's stuff very informative but no references which makes it difficult to use.
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Paper now submitted, special thanks to Tony Mead -Sheff and Dick Sutton MLM- A credit to fire service. Thanks gents.,
Up the Blades.