HOW YOU CAN HELP David had a message for SELECT
Members about how they can help cut the risk of fire. He said: “If you’re working in a house or property and you spot an issue that makes you think your client would benefit from a fire safety check, please talk to them and direct them to our website. “Look out for indicators such
as the lifestyle choices being made, electrical faults caused by overloading, or a lack of smoke detectors, which provide the early warning to help save lives. “Unfortunately, you can’t refer
individuals directly, but you can have a word with the occupiers, give them initial advice based on your expertise and point them in our direction for a Home Fire Safety Visit.”
David Dourley
test certification, staff training, fire escapes, fire extinguishers and so on,” explained David. “It’s our task to examine electrical
safety to see if the appropriate testing has been done, what vital checks are being carried out and the company’s awareness of its electrical system.” In the vast majority of cases, David and his colleagues receive a warm welcome. He said: “Most people are glad to receive fire safety advice. “Those in commercial premises appreciate our help because they have legislative duties they need to be aware of, and need to comply with. However, while ours is an advice service first and foremost, we’re also ready to enforce compliance if firms are not meeting their duties.”
Consequences
Looking ahead, he predicted the new standard in smoke detection, which comes into effect from 2021, will have an impact on every property, domestic or otherwise. As a result, there will be a knock-on effect for the electrical sector. This will have an inevitable
“We advise people to make sure that anyone they employ is fully qualified to carry out electrical work”
impact on the provision and installation of equipment, as well as subsequent testing and maintenance. Meantime, SFRS continues to spread the fire safety message by participating in working groups that also include SELECT, Electrical Safety First, the Scottish Government and Trading Standards Scotland. The working groups have helped to initiate and implement a series of campaigns focusing on issues such
as the safe use of white goods. That specific campaign will soon be expanded to cover second-hand white goods and the group itself will see its area of responsibility extended to include all electrical appliances. David said: “We’ll be able to look at the number of fire incidents associated with items such as hair straighteners, televisions and most other common electrical appliances. “Every campaign is evaluated and
it’s our aim to see an improvement in the relevant safety statistics by influencing and changing human behaviours. “It’s vital for us to work in partnership groups that include organisations like SELECT. Different bodies have access to different types of information and by sharing our insights we can get the right messages out to the right people.”
For information on fire safety, see the SFRS website:
www.firescotland.gov.uk
CABLEtalk OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019 17
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