Fire safety + prison cells

[Gary Howe]

I have heard a number of arguments point forward for the fire protection of prison cells, they are:

1) Nothing at all (typically existing victorian prisons)
2) Aspirating detection via capillary tubes into the cell itself
3) Water mist systems such as Marioff high fogging

What is common practice today for the protection/detection of the cell?, as I understand that from the risk assessments carried out by others, it can be found to have many electrical risks, such as playstations, televisions, and radios, plus the usual bedding materials.

Any one been involved in such risk asssessments/guidance?

Regards


Gary.

[Chris Houston]

Would arson not be the biggest risk?

My experience is limited to police cells (via work only I must point out) and the fire load in them is almost nil, it's non combustible throughout.

Portable Appliance Testing would be a control measure for the electrical equipment.

[afterburner]

Gary, unlike Police cells, prison cells are where prisoners live sometimes for considerable periods and the fire loading of cells reflects this arrangement. Whilst the enforcing authority for Prisons is not the usual fire authority, fire safety legislation applies and needs addressing. The risk assessment process is one part, the risk reduction measures however are an entirely different aspect. Fire safety equipment is under constant attack and abuse and 'normal' solutions seldom can be applied.
I have carried out many fire risk assessments in prisons ranging from the residential facilities, the industrial work sheds and the administration set ups. If you wish to discuss further please get back to me

[Peter Wilkinson]

A timely question Gary.

Have you seen this news cutting?

http://www.fire.org.uk/BBC_News/News2004/June/bbc240604f.htm

[afterburner]

Gary, got your message. Give me a call and we'll discuss

[Guest]

I have heard a number of arguments point forward for the fire protection of prison cells, they are:

1) Nothing at all (typically existing victorian prisons)
2) Aspirating detection via capillary tubes into the cell itself
3) Water mist systems such as Marioff high fogging

What is common practice today for the protection/detection of the cell?, as I understand that from the risk assessments carried out by others, it can be found to have many electrical risks, such as playstations, televisions, and radios, plus the usual bedding materials.

Any one been involved in such risk asssessments/guidance?

Regards


Gary.

Hi Gary

I know somthing of the risks that prisons present.  What is your view?

Firefly

[Guest]

I am sure that some of you are aware that Prisons are perhaps at the highest risk premises from fire in the country. I understand that there are over 900 fires per year in 150 prisons. The only means of escape for persons in a cell is through staff intervention (the ultimate dead end). The prison service has to use staff with Breathing Apparatus to get inmates out of cells. I certainly would be interested to see how people have conducted risk assessments and what where their findings

[wee brian]

They must be doing something right. I don't recall reading about many casualties.

[Guest]

The prison officers I'm sure call these fires "drags" as it is almost garunteed that by the time they have got through the doors to the room, the person is dead (this of course generally being the intention of said convict). There is however a requirement that the person is rescued even if the prison officer is put in danger and they have to wear mini BA which inhibits their vision. This of course then lends to attack if the person is not dead.

So all in all, despite being a regular occurance, they don't have a happy outsome for anyone.

If though, you put a sprinkler system in, they'll set it off. If you have detection within the room, they'll set it off. Also if you have a sprinkler head with recessed head, they'll take the cover off and hang themselves from the sprinkler head. So, all in all, not a great place to be.

[Peter How]

Hi
I've just visited a  detention centre [the one that burnt down from end to end] and sprinklers are being retrofitted to the blocks. They all have flush heads for ceiling and sidewall.
I underatand the "disturbance" at the Heathrow centre recently was controlled by sprinklers even though there were several seats of fire.
I personally don't see much difference between a detention centre and a prison.
All locked doors, people who don't want to be there and loads of warders.
Peter.
PS I'm not sure how "your" risk assessment is going to persuade the UKDS or Prison service to fork out though!

[Guest]

Maximum security prison goes high-tech in all aspects, from anti-escape measures to the system for handling inmates' visitors. This high-tech security approach must be weighed against the potential impact of hindering the prison staffs and inmates who may need to quickly evacuate the premises in the event of an extreme emergency situation. Locking of stairwell doors to prevent re-entry, installation of turnstiles at building entrance points and installation of screening equipment can restrict, or outright fire egress through previously available routes.

[robbo46]

I know this is an old post found it by seaching about priosn fires, I am a prison officer, also I am a fire officer in the prison, also train staff in the use of SDBA 15mins working sets (all staff are trained)

if there is a cell fire are main duties is to get the priosner out, in our prison we work with the local  fire authority, when they get new staff at the local station they come in for a look around, most cells do have TV's playstations ect but in the main office there is a main swicth to cut off all the power to the cells, landing lights stay on

anyone want more information just pm me

[Ashley Wood]

robbo46, you have mail