Do as I say not as I do

[kurnal]

Parliament burned down 183 years ago. Only 24-hour patrols are stopping another fire

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jan/14/secret-report-palace-westminster-grave-risk-fire-saftey?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other


How did they let things decline to this degree? Surely immediate action is called for in this major sleeping risk? Any comments ?

[AnthonyB]

You may find this of interest:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Oala8Hr2j0

Looks like a mix of 90's Gent Addressable, with an amount of older conventional stuff, it's old but not as antiquated as some systems I've found in use (or as old as the hose reel pipework, look at the old pressure gauge next to the hose reel)

It's an unenviable project (although it will be a moneyspinner for someone) and it seems that a fair dose of luck has kept the place standing!

[John Webb]

In 1998 I joined up with 'Finefire', organised by the late Ron Bentley who was then the fire officer for the Houses of Parliament, and was able to see something of the problems that existed on a couple of visits to them. Many of the voids in the building go back, I recall, to the original heating and ventilation system which was basically a large hot air system. This was replaced at some point by more conventional radiators and the hot air system was discarded - but not removed, of course! So there are major problems to be solved.

[SeaBass]

Parliament has had a dedicated fire team for as long as I can remember. They have always carried out FS patrols, but I?m not aware of them ever having been trained or functioning as a  ?works Fire brigade?,  for want of a better term.   It would be interesting to know what their stated role and SOPs are, what their training consists of, and how many times the patrols have discovered and/or tackled  a fire. 

[nearlythere]

Parliament burned down 183 years ago. Only 24-hour patrols are stopping another fire

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jan/14/secret-report-palace-westminster-grave-risk-fire-saftey?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other


How did they let things decline to this degree? Surely immediate action is called for in this major sleeping risk? Any comments ?

Sleeping risk, persons regularly intoxicated, dysfunctional occupants. I would compare it to the worst type of HMO occupants but they would quite rightly take offence.