Feature FSM
Kitchen fires safety in stadia
Consider the new ‘MOT’ approval scheme for commercial kitchen fire protection systems – launched to protect your stadium
Richard Jenkins, Chief Executive of the National Security Inspectorate (NSI).
UKAS accredited NSI is the UK’s leading, independent third party certification body within the fire safety, guarding and security systems sectors, protect homeowners,
businesses,
helping to public
organisations and the general public through rigorous audit of more than 1800 fire safety and security providers nationwide. Appointed by BAFE, the independent
register of approved quality fire safety service providers, NSI provides third party certification to companies providing design, installation, commissioning and maintenance services for various fire protection and fire risk assessment schemes. NSI is the only third party certification to
body licensed verify competence of
contractors for the full suite of BAFE fire safety schemes. All NSI approved companies hold a certificate of approval detailing the precise services for which they are approved. The ‘Total Visitor Experience’ is a concept
now widely considered by sports stadia as much as any other large visitor venue. Sport is in the entertainment business. The demographic of supporters is shifting, expectations more demanding. This and the rising demand for corporate hospitality packages,
means stadia operators are
ensuring the food and beverage offer is aligned. As food preparation and the commercial kitchen become core on-site essentials, safety aspects for staff and visitors, and the protection of property are key concerns that the responsible person neglects at their peril.
Improving safety
The MOT test first introduced in 1960 under the direction of the Minister of Transport, Ernest Marples, was initially greeted with some horror at the implied expense involved. Yet 60 years on the MOT has long fallen into every day parlance as an accepted necessity and its success in increasing safety on our roads, unquestioned. Why, one might ask, has the same idea not been applied to fire safety in buildings? Now BAFE has put down the challenge to
us all, that in the case of commercial kitchen fire protection systems the MOT concept has another life, indeed could save even more lives.
The customer perspective
Just as stadia can demonstrate their due diligence in providing safe environments to staff, visitors and building users, using BAFE registered Fire Risk Assessor organisations,
they can now ensure their kitchen fire protection systems are installed and ‘MOT’’ed – and obtain an NSI/BAFE ‘MOT’ Certificate of Compliance from their Approved installer.
Commercial kitchens as the root cause of fire
Fire industry and insurance data reported by BAFE – the UK’s independent register of quality fire safety service providers – reveals kitchen fires as statistically the third most likely cause of large fires* behind hot works and arson. In the last year the media have reported
several large fires posing risk to people, property and responding fire fighters, where kitchen fire protection systems could have helped contain, if not extinguish the fire. The responsibilities of operators of all properties, particularly those with higher risk facilities such as commercial brought into sharp focus.
kitchens, have been
Commercial kitchen fire protection systems
Mitigating risk by installing and suitably maintaining a kitchen fire protection system is recommended by Government, and the Continued on page 28
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