Important news

[nearlythere]

Here's a starter.
I want to nominate a Pratt who, during a home fire safety check in a private dwelling, strongly advised in writing, the occupants to remove lightweight B&Q type timber panelling from a toilet ceiling because it was a fire risk.

[Chris Houston]

Are these people not trained before they are let loose on the public?  As a professional surveyor myself, I find it hard to imagine people being paid to give out such advice.

[Big T]

Chris,

Worryingly it's the fire brigade giving out this information! The home visits are free. Guess it's true that you get what you pay for.

I've had a tennant ask me about why we hadn't installed emergency lighting in their home after a free home fire safety check recommended it. Yes folks, emergency lighting complying to 5266 in someones house.

[nearlythere]

Don't knock the prats too much people. As long as we have pratts giving out so called advice there will always be the opportunity to make a living out of advising people how to ignore it.

[Pip]

I would suggest that those carrying out these Home Fire Safety checks are not Inspecting officers,but that does not excuse the bad advice.I would advise that you write to the brigades and challenge them.If people are giving out duff(but maybe well intentioned) advice on behalf of a brigade,then they can't address it properly if they don't know its happenning.Each visit should be recorded so they will be able to pinpoint the individuals.

[Chris Houston]

I would suggest that those carrying out these Home Fire Safety checks are not Inspecting officers,but that does not excuse the bad advice.I would advise that you write to the brigades and challenge them.If people are giving out duff(but maybe well intentioned) advice on behalf of a brigade,then they can't address it properly if they don't know its happenning.Each visit should be recorded so they will be able to pinpoint the individuals.

Yes, but where I work, we don't replly on our customers to ensure we get things right, we make sure people have the right skills before we send them out!  I agree of the need to let people know when they get it wrong, but a brigade should have it's own way of ensuring quality.

[nearlythere]

However, bad advice comes from all sources. I once had a telephone call from a concerned employee in a large factory with its own fire crew. The fire crew were issued with respirators to be used in the event of them firefighting in the building. This required an immediate visit by me with the proper advice to the person responsible for issuing the respirators - the health and safety officer.

[Pip]

I would suggest that those carrying out these Home Fire Safety checks are not Inspecting officers,but that does not excuse the bad advice.I would advise that you write to the brigades and challenge them.If people are giving out duff(but maybe well intentioned) advice on behalf of a brigade,then they can't address it properly if they don't know its happenning.Each visit should be recorded so they will be able to pinpoint the individuals.

Yes, but where I work, we don't replly on our customers to ensure we get things right, we make sure people have the right skills before we send them out!  I agree of the need to let people know when they get it wrong, but a brigade should have it's own way of ensuring quality.

Quite right-but maybe they are not supposed to be giving that much advice-just restricted to certain areas,and when they step over that and start giving additional 'advice' is where the problems lay.

[Graeme]

Chris,

Worryingly it's the fire brigade giving out this information! The home visits are free. Guess it's true that you get what you pay for.

 Yes folks, emergency lighting complying to 5266 in someones house.

nice

make sure they are 3hr maintained due to sleeping risk and occupants under the influence of alcohol.

They will also provide handy night lighting making a burglar think there is always soemone at home..

[Dinnertime Dave]

Pip Wrote:

I would advise that you write to the brigades and challenge them’
 
Quite frankly as an inspecting officer I’m embarrassed by this whole thread. I would also suggest that you challenge the brigade concerned.  I have no problems personally with being challenged. However, I would assume that this notice was sent with the knowledge of this individual’s line manager. Is this institutional incompetence?

My advice to anyone who receives a Notice of Fire Safety Deficiencies or an Enforcement Notice is to ask the officer why the work is needed, and is there an alternative solution? I would also point out that any deficiencies in the fire safety arrangements within your premises should have been discussed with you prior to the officer leaving.    
 
Also, it is not always the case that inspecting officers are fully competent. I’ve lost count of the times that on inter brigade courses that the answer to any problem is ’Put in an L1 fire warning system’

[firelawmac]

song and dance about nothing!!!!

FRAs cant tell you what to do in your home!

Home safety checks are a means to an end, i.e. to increase the number of dwellings with a working smoke alarm.!!!

[Dinnertime Dave]

FRAs cant tell you what to do in your home!

Agreed. However, a Notice of Fire Safety Deficiencies can tell the responsible person what to do in the communual areas of sheltered housing schemes

[Big T]

Absolutely Dinnertime Dave

I don't mind having the brigade tell me whats what in the communal areas, as long as what we are being told is gen. As you can see from this thread, its not always good or relevant advice. I deal with lots of brigades and the difference in competance is vast.

What would be peoples opinion of being told that All cables run at high level in the common areas must be secured at a maximum of one meter centres with metalic fastening?

[firelawmac]

FRAs cant tell you what to do in your home!

Agreed. However, a Notice of Fire Safety Deficiencies can tell the responsible person what to do in the communual areas of sheltered housing schemes

Also agreed however only a Warranted employee of a FRA can enforce the requirements of the RRFSO, as far as i am aware ops crews that carry out Home safety visits are not given the Article 27 Powers of Inspectors.

[Ken Taylor]

I would be more impressed, Big T, if they commented that the electrical installation should be in accordance with the IEE/BS standard - and went on to say how the existing cables presented a significant risk.