The Textile Services Association (TSA) has announced the release of a new code of practice on fire safety for commercial laundries in the United Kingdom.
UK regulator addresses fire safety risks in construction and consumer products
OPSS highlights fire safety risks in construction materials and appliances
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has detailed its actions addressing fire safety risks across the UK in its 2023-2024 delivery report.
The document outlines efforts to mitigate risks in consumer products and construction materials, reflecting the regulator’s focus on public safety.
Key actions include intervention in a national incident concerning faulty gas hob elbow joints linked to fires.
Approximately 100,000 units were found to pose safety risks.
OPSS issued Suspension and Compliance Notices to prevent further supply and enforced corrective measures on manufacturers.
The regulator also worked on enhancing safety standards in construction products, including fire doors and insulation materials, following updated agreements with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
E-bike and e-scooter battery safety prioritised
OPSS has addressed the growing fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters.
According to its report, these batteries have been linked to several hundred fires in recent years, causing fatalities and injuries.
The regulator removed dangerous e-bike batteries from the market and issued guidance for safer usage.
It collaborated with stakeholders, including fire services and local authorities, to increase awareness of battery safety.
The actions were part of a broader study on the hazards associated with these transport modes.
Online marketplaces targeted for unsafe products
Unsafe products sold online were a significant focus for OPSS during the year.
Test purchases identified fire hazards in items such as baby products, fancy dress costumes, and electrical goods.
Non-compliant products were removed from online marketplaces, and enforcement actions were taken where necessary.
OPSS also engaged with online marketplace operators to strengthen their compliance with UK safety regulations.
The regulator emphasised its expectation that marketplaces ensure products sold on their platforms meet safety standards.
Construction products under scrutiny
The regulator continued its focus on fire safety in construction materials, aligning with reforms following the Grenfell Tower fire.
Investigations targeted products such as insulation, fire-retardant acoustic tiles, and fire doors.
Several cases led to Prohibition Notices and product recalls, with manufacturers required to improve their quality assurance processes.
The regulator also conducted market surveillance on plywood with enhanced fire performance claims, resulting in a voluntary product recall by a manufacturer after testing revealed non-compliance.
UK regulator addresses fire safety risks in construction and consumer products: Summary
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has focused on mitigating fire risks in its 2023-2024 delivery report.
It addressed safety concerns in gas hobs, e-bike batteries, online products, and construction materials.
Actions included issuing compliance notices, product recalls, and market engagement to enhance fire safety standards.
Collaboration with stakeholders and targeted enforcement contributed to improving product safety across various sectors in the UK.
CLM Fireproofing highlights the main causes of fire in the hospitality industry
Fire poses a significant risk to the hospitality sector – apart from causing costly damage and bringing operations to a halt, CLM Fireproofing claims it can seriously undermine an organisation’s brand. The evidence suggests fire is fairly commonplace in the industry; according to the government’s latest figures, hotels are one of the most vulnerable types of buildings, with 263 out of every 1,000 experiencing a fire in the period September 2012 – September 2019. Pubs, restaurants, and takeaways fared slightly better, with 89 fires per 1,000 buildings during the same period – yet the figure remains unacceptably high.
So, what are fire risks behind these statistics? In this article, CLM Fireproofing highlight the main causes of fire in the hospitality industry, and how effective passive fireproofing can help to prevent them.
Cooking Equipment
One of the most common places for fires to start is in the kitchen. Risks arise from the use of combustible materials (frying medium), faulty or unsupervised equipment, and human error. According to the London Fire Brigade, 44% of all restaurant fires in the capital during 2015-2017 started from cooking. Kitchen fires are also more likely to develop into serious blazes which cause significant damage. Worldwide insurer, AIG, estimates the average loss per significant
Cigarettes
Despite a decrease in the total number of smokers in the UK cigarettes and other smoking materials still pose a significant fire risk both to the hospitality industry and elsewhere. The latest data (from 2018/19) shows that they accounted for 8% of all accidental dwelling fires. More significant, however, is that fires caused by cigarettes, cigars, or pipe tobacco are more fatal; 34% of fires ignited by smoking materials in 2018/19 resulted in at least one fatality.
Electrical appliances
Hotels, restaurants, and bars are full of electrical appliances. From lamps and kettles, to hairdryers and irons, there are many appliances that pose a potential fire risk. Whilst not relating specifically to their use in the hospitality sector, the number of electrical appliance fires has increased dramatically in the past decade; in 2019/20 there were 21% more instances than in 2010/11, probably as a result of the increased number of electrical appliances in circulation.
How to mitigate fire risk in the hospitality industry
The effective management of fire risk for hotels, bars, and restaurants requires thorough fire risk assessments, regular and properly-documented checks, and the stringent implementation of policies in line with current fire safety regulations. Just as important (if not more so) is passive fireproofing; whether through compartmentation or intumescent painting, passive fireproofing helps to stop the spread of fire, limiting the damage it causes and giving occupants more time to escape safely. With limited fire damage and minimal risk to occupants, your business can return to operations sooner and negate any reputational harm.