How loud should we have to shout to be heard?
This week I like so many others in the fire safety world have witnessed from afar the tragic loss of life, I can't begin to imagine what those residents, friends, families and emergency services are going through, you never get over something like this.
I have read articles over the last couple of days in the press and social media about how an incident like this should not happen in England and especially in 2017.
Imagine how disappointing it would be if you had spoken to Ministers and officials who deal with building regulations, Part P and B in particular. Spoken to insurance companies to reduce the risk of fire. Talked to industry leaders and electrical manufacturers. Spoken to appliance manufacturers about a solution to prevent fire, how loud should we have to shout to be heard?
If there is a solution that can prevent fire, shouldn't we be specifying it? If there is a solution that is a Building Control registered system, shouldn't we be specifying it? If there was a solution that was tested by a leading manufacturer, shouldn't we be specifying it? If there was a solution that would isolate electrical appliances if abnormal heat was detected, shouldn't we be specifying it? We shouldn't be waiting for a fire to start before we act, are we not Fire Prevention professionals.
I know that it may be some time before we know the true cause of this devastating fire but surely a solution that could prevent a fire should be considered for specification where ever possible. I find it so hard to find the right words to express my anger as to why it is such a struggle to be heard.
Some people may be offended by this approach and I apologise if I upset anybody but enough is enough.
Art Psychotherapist specialising in trauma
7 年Great article Colin. Let me know if I can support in any way.
Director and co-founder of Circle2success - inspiring closer, more productive & mutually beneficial relationships, that are good for business, employees and the planet
7 年Why is this device not fitted as standard? It doesn't seem to make sense. It can't be a cost issue surely? What can we do to make sure that at least some fires are prevented before they start? As you say this is not a post ignition solution but a pre-ignition solution. Am I missing something?
General Manager - National Trust
7 年Agree with the sentiments around this dreadful and senseless tragedy. As a layman, my concern is that the 'solution' is always driven by building regulations, fire safety experts, and bureaucrats; but my question is a simple one, what do the people who live in these buildings actually want in a situation like this? Only today we have heard that the advice is still to 'stay in your apartment' in the event of an emergency which I understand is for the majority of situations OK, but seriously how would you feel especially after an event like this? So again I ask the question what would the people in these buildings actually want? I suspect the answer is a safe and speedy evacuation...I know that is what I would want for me and my family. So it's either designing a foolproof escape system or if this can not be achieved then condemn the building. Just do not leave the decision (just) to officialdom!
Senior FM Consultant
7 年Not only greed but the self-serving interests of manufacturers. The focus is always on post-ignition measures and what to do once the fire has started. Doing everything possible to prevent fire in the first place should be our starting point.
Fire Safety Consultant
7 年I agree with you Colin but it always seems that greed will out.