Farm Fire Safety

Farm fire Safety in Ireland

Every year we attend farm building fires. Most of these buildings are completely destroyed by fire, often with the loss of large amounts of stock, straw, hay, farm machinery, chemicals and even livestock.

Farm fire safety Dangerous substances markers

What you’re required to do by law

Fire safety legislation applies to all farm buildings where people work, including packing sheds, milking parlours, barns, holiday lets and farm houses used for providing bed and breakfast.

If you employ five or more people, you are required by law to carry out a re risk assessment of your farm buildings and record the findings.

Fire safety is your responsibility, and if you don’t obey the law you could lose your business or be prosecuted and face a prison sentence.

If you need more information about re safety, contact your local Fire and Rescue Service

Fire safety risk assessments

Animal premises and stables

Sleeping accommodation

All businesses must complete a fire risk assessment.

“You can help prevent res by making re safety a part of your business plan.”

Farm Safety Risk Assessment

There are steps to completing a safety risk assessment:

Identify any hazards, including:

•  Sources of ignition – these could include things like welding or grinding equipment, damp hay, naked flames, munitions, poorly serviced electrics, smoking.
•  Sources of fuel – this is anything that could burn, such as petrol, diesel, LPG, hay, straw.
•  Dangerous substances – these could be chemicals, fertilisers, poisons, asbestos and so on.

Identify any people at risk, including:

•  Anyone near your farm buildings.
•  People who work for you or who are on your premises.
•  Young people.
•  Fire fighters and other emergency service personnel responding to a re.Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from risk

•  Evaluate the risk of re occurring.
•  Evaluate the risk to people from re.
•  Remove or reduce any re hazards.
•  Remove or reduce any risks to people – this could be by installing smoke and re alarms, re ghting equipment, escape routes, lighting, signs or notices or carrying out maintenance on electrics and equipment.Record, plan, inform, instruct and train

•  Record any significent cant ndings and the action you have taken, even if you’re not required to by law.
•  Prepare an emergency plan.
•  Inform and instruct anyone who might be a ected.
•  Provide training. Review

Review your risk assessment on a regular basis and make changes if you need to.

Risk assessment needs to be done with every new addition to the yard machine, tools, added to the farm.

Reducing Fire Risks to Children

Manage and Reducing Risks Children

Matches, lighters and candles

Keep things that can cause fires out of children’s reach.

Position lighted candles and tea lights out of reach of children.

Electrics and heaters

Teach children not to poke anything, including fingers, into sockets.

Consider getting plug guards to cover sockets.

Make sure electrical appliances (TVs and computers) in children’s bedrooms are switched off at night.[/one_half][one_half_last]
Fit a childproof guard in front of open fires or heaters – the best ones can be fixed to the wall.

Make sure children don’t play near fires or heaters to avoid them getting burnt.

The kitchen

As kitchens can be dangerous places for children, avoid leaving them unsupervised

Avoid using the front of the hob when small children are around.

Make sure that saucepan handles don’t stick out to avoid them being knocked off.

What children should Know

You will want to make sure children are always safe. This includes teaching them how to prevent a fire and what to do if there is one. You will probably need to talk about fire safety with children more than once, to make sure that they have remembered and understood what you have taught them. As a general rule younger children, around five and below, should be given clear instructions about what they should and shouldn’t do. With older children, it’s better to explain why.

Not to touch or play with matches, lighters, candles, electrical appliances or sockets.

To tell a grown up if they see matches or lighters lying around.

To be extra careful near fires  and heaters.

Never to switch on the cooker.

Not to touch saucepans.

Not to put things on top of heaters or lights.

Family Fire Escape Plan in Action

Need a Family Escape Plan – see our example

Fire escape plan: What you need to do if there is a fire in your home.

1. • Keep your ways out/exit s clear at all times
   • Whether you discover the fire or your smoke alarm warns you, stay calm and put your fire escape plan into action.
2. •Raise the alarm.Wake everyone up and get every one out by the quickest way, assisting or collecting the very young or vulnerable in the household.
3. • Check doors with the back of your hand – don’t open them if they are warm.This means the fire is on the other side. Only open the doors that you need to get out of the house.

• If there is smoke, crawl along near to the floor where the air will be cleaner.
• Do not look for the cause of the fire.
• Meet at an assembly point outside your home and make sure everyone is out.
• Call the Fire Service at 999 or 112 from a call box, mobile phone or neighbour’s house.
• Do not go back in until the Fire Service tells you it is safe.

In emergency call 999 or 112

Fire Safety Certs Disability Access Certs

Gain Fire Safety Certificates and Disability Access Certificate in Ireland.

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A Fire Safety Certificate are required to certify that the design of the building or works would be in compliance with the requirements of part B of the Building Regulations Act of 1997-2008.

A fire safety certificate is required for all new commercial buildings including apartments and flats. A certificate is required for any material changes of use and certain alterations and extensions to buildings.
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A fire safety certificate for any design or change of use must be obtained before work starts.

Nationwide fire safety provide consultancy on fire safety certification and disability certification applications.
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We will compile, produce and present all relevant documentation required to achieve the necessary Fire Safety Certificate in Ireland.

This will consist of full detailed drawing in compliance with Part B of the Building Regulations and a comprehensive report on the Fire Safety issues relating to your building.

If your building requires a Fire Safety Certificates and Disability Access Certificates , please Contact Us.
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Fire Safety Certificates / Disability Access Certificates

 

 

Fire Prevention at Home

Fire Prevention in the home

Get a fire alarm, test it at least once a week.

Fire Safety in Ireland

At night put out candles and naked flames.

Do not overload electrical sockets, electrical equipment.

Spark guards protecting any open/naked flames.

Clean chimneys at least one a year

Follow manufactures guidelines with  Electrical Equipment i.e. Blankets, hairdryers etc

Make sure cigarettes are extinguished properly avoid smoking in bed.

 

 

Consider ‘STOP’ and put Safety first.

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S

Sure Smoke alarms

Make sure you have a working fire alarm on every floor of the Building.

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T

Test your smoke alarms regularly

Test your smoke alarm weekly, or designate the job to someone reliable. Don’t leave it to change. Batteries  malfunction.

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O

Obvious dangers

Scan your home look for fire risks, overloaded sockets, candles and unattended appliances i.e. electric blankets.

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P

Plan your escape route

Know your surroundings keep access routes clear and have your keys at the ready. Know where you are going before hand.

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For proper fire safety check for fire dangers in your home and correct them

Prevention is the better than Cure

• Check your home room by room for fire dangers and correct them.

Remember: most fires in the home start in the living room, bedroom and kitchen at night while we are sleeping.

In the Kitchen
• Put a fire blanket and working fire extinguisher within easy reach in the kitchen and learn how to use them.

When cooking, always use the back rings first.  Always turn in saucepan handles(child safety) and make sure they are not over other rings.

• Keep your cooker clean – grease is a fire risk, it spreads very fast and burns lino, carpet, wooden floors.
• Turn off the cooker when you are not using it.
• Never use your cooker for drying clothes.
• Check the cooker is switched off properly before you go to bed.
• Clean or replace filters in the extractor fan regularly.
• Chip pans are a fire risk – consider using an alternative cooking method.

Chip pans are a fire risk – preferably, don’t use them. If you use a chip pan, exercise extreme care.

• Never fill the chip pan more than one third full of oil or fat.
• Test the oil temperature by placing a small piece of bread in the pan. If

it crisps quickly,it is ready.

• If the oil smokes then it is too hot. Turn the heat off and let it cool down before starting again.

• Never leave the room when the chip pan is on.

• Never move a hot chip pan.

• If using an electric deep fat fryer, empty it and store away when plugged out and completely cooled down.

Electrical items –use carefully and store them properly when you are not using them.

• Don’t overload sockets. This is a major fire risk.
• Don’t run electric cables across cookers.
• Switch off and plug out electrical items when you are not using t hem.
• If any electrical cables or plugs are damaged, worn or frayed, do not use the electrical item and call a qualified electrician.Living room open fires
  • Place a proper fitting spark guard and fireguard in front of an open fire.
  • Don’t put anything on the fire guard.

• Don’t leave anything that can burn, like papers, magazines or clothes near afire.

• Don’t use an open fire to dry clothes. This is a major fire risk.

Keep your chimney clean
• Get your chimney cleaned regularly – follow this guide:
• Wood burning fires: four times a year when you’re using them. • Solid fuel fires: once a year if using smokeless fuel.
• Solid fuel fires: twice a year if using coal.
• Oil fires: once a year.
• Gas fires: once a year, if they are the kind that needs sweeping.

Portable heaters

• Use portable heaters with extreme care.

• Place heaters away from furniture, curtains and items that can burn.

• Don’t move heaters when they are on.

• Switch off heaters and plug them out before you leave the house or go to bed.

Candles at home

• Always place candles into proper holders.

• Do not put candles near items that may catch fire such as curtains, clothes or bedding.

• Never leave lit candles unattended. • Place candles away from draughts. • Don’t move a lit candle.

• Make sure you put out all candles properly before you leave the house or go to bed.

Carry out a last thing at night routine

• Before you go to bed at night:

• Check your ways out /exits are clear before you go to bed.
• If your front and back doors need keys to open, ensure the keys are kept in a readily accessible place, known to everyone in the home, close to the doors.
• Make sure fires are well down and place spark guards in front of open fires.
• Do not leave your television, radio or music system on standby. Only appliances designed for 24 hour use should be left plugged in at night-time e.g. fridges, freezers, etc.
• Plug out the mobile phone charger when your mobile phone is charged or when you go out or when you go to bed.
• Switch off and plug out your electric blanket before you go to sleep.
• Empty ashtrays properly and put out candles, before you go to bed.

Fire Prevention While Travelling

How to protect during hotel fire

Fire prevention in Hotels

Hotel Fire Prevention…

• Make sure your hotel has smoke alarms and a fire sprinkler system (where possible).
• Ask the front desk what the fire alarm sounds like.
• Review the escape plan posted in your room after enter your room.
• Seek out the exits and be aware of the number of doors between your room and the exit. Report locked exits doors to management immediately.
• Keep your room key close secure and take it with you.
• If the alarm sounds, leave, closing all doors behind you. Never use elevators during a fire.

 

 

If you can’t escape the hotel …

• Shut off fans and air conditioners.
• If smoke fills the room, get low and go under the smoke.
• Stuff wet towels in the crack around the doors, blocking out harmful smoke.
• Call the fire department and let them know your location.
• Wait at the window and signal with a flashlight or other attention grabbing equipment.

Disability Access Certificate for Buildings

How to Get Disability Access Certificate for Building

For a disability access certificate documents such as

• identify and describe the works or building to which the application relates.
• enable the building control authority to assess, if constructed in accordance with the said plans and other particulars, comply with the department requirements and the Building Regulations,
• identify the nature and extent of the proposed use and, where appropriate, of the existing use of the building concerned.

How to get Disability Access Certificates for Building in Ireland

Each application form must be accompanied by the fee. Please note that each building requires a separate form and fee.

The extent to which plans, details and specifications will be required to establish compliance with the Building Regulations will vary in individual cases depending on the type, size and complexity of the building concerned.

The information below can be used as a guideline. Where relevant, all plans and information listed below should be supplied.

1. A fully comprehensive report denoted to correspond with Technical Guidance Document, clause numbers (submitted in duplicate) to the department.
2. A set of drawings covering all areas of accessibility (submitted in duplicate)

How we can help:

Basically make sure the building is to standard and fill out necessary paperwork in order to achieve Disability Access Certificates

 

APPLICATION FOR A DISABILITY ACCESS CERTIFICATE

Example Building Control Form

OFFICE USE ONLY

Date Received: ____________

Register Ref:    ____________

Entered on:      _____________

Entered by:      _____________

Fee Received:  _____________
Application is hereby made under Part IIIB of the Building Control Regulations, 1997 to 2009 for a Disability Access Certificate in respect of the works or Building to which the accompanying plans, calculations and specifications apply.

1.     Applicant:  Owner/Leaseholder (delete as appropriate)

FULL NAME: __________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS:      __________________________________________________________________

SIGNATURE: __________________________________________________________________

TELEPHONE No.______________________________ DATE: __________________________

Owner of works or building ( if different to above) _______________________________________

FULL NAME: __________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS:      __________________________________________________________________

2.   Name and address of persons/s or firm/s to whom notifications should be forwarded

(Owner/Leaseholder or Designer/Developer/Builder)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Phone No. _______________________________  Fax No. ____________________________________

3.   Name and address of person/s or firm/s responsible for preparation of accompanying plans,

calculation and specifications.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Phone No. ______________________________ Fax No. ______________________________________
4.     Address (or other necessary identification ) of the proposed works or building to which the

application relates.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

5.     Classification of works or building: ( please tick as appropriate)

 

Construction of new building                            YES                 NO
Material alteration                                           YES                 NO
Material change of use                                      YES                NO
Extension to a building                                      YES                NO
Brief description of building:
_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

6.     Use of proposed works or building

(a)   Existing use ( where a change is proposed____________________________________________

(b)  New use ______________________________________________________________________

7.     Has planning permission been applied for and granted for works or building?

(a)   Date permission was granted __________________________________________________

(b)   Planning permission No. _____________________________________________________

8.     In the case of

(a)  Works involving the construction of a building, or a building the material use of which has

been changed –

Site area                                                                _______________ (sq. metres)

No of basement storeys                                         _______________

No of storeys above ground level                            _______________

Height of top floor above ground level                  _______________ (metres)

Floor area of building                                            _______________ (sq. metres)

Total area of ground floor                                      _______________ (sq. metres)

(b) Works involving an extension or the material alteration of a building:

Floor area of building extension                            _______________ (sq. metres)

Floor area of material alteration                           _______________ (sq, metres)
9. Amount of Fee ( accompanying this application)                 € ____________________

This Application Form must be accompanied by a complete and certified set of drawings for the works or building.

Fire Safety in Limerick

Irish Fire Safety Consultants Limerick.

We are experienced fire safety engineers in Limerick. John has over 21 years ‘experience with local County Fire Service.
And a member of The Institution of Fire Engineers (MIFireE) and is also a member of  fire safety Engineers.

We are based in County Cork with easy access to Counties Kerry, Waterford, Clare, Tipperary and Cork. We provide a nationwide service teaching the tools of fire prevention in Kerry.

National Fire Safety services in Limerick are as follows…

• Fire Safety Certification.
• Fire Safety Consultancy.
• Preparation of Fire Safety Certificate applications for compliance with building control regulations.
• Preparation of Disability Access Certificates for compliance with building control regulations.
• Fire Safety Training for compliance with your health and Safety requirements.
• Pre-purchase inspection on domestic dwellings.
• Fire safety Assessment surveys of existing buildings and specifications for fire safety upgrade work.
• Preparation of fire protection drawings for use in conjunction with assessment reports.
• During construction surveys and monitoring of fire safety construction works.

Some questions that you may ask yourself are:

• Do you have Fire Safety concerns, regarding the property you own or the property you are responsible for?
• Has there been a fire at your premises?
• Have you been visited by an officer from building control?
• Do you need to have Fire Safety construction work certified?

Or

• Do you just want to have your property checked to make sure that it is Fire Safety Compliant?

Fire Safety in Cork

Irish Nationwide Fire Safety Consultants Cork

John P Harrington and associates are experienced fire safety engineers in Cork. John has over 21 years ‘experience with Cork County Fire Service.
And a member of The Institution of Fire Engineers (MIFireE) and is also a member of Engineers Cork.

We are based in County Cork with quick access to Counties Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary. We provide a nationwide service teaching the tools of fire prevention in Cork.

Nationwide Fire Safety services in Cork are providing…

• Fire Safety Certification.
• Fire Safety Consultancy.
• Preparation of Fire Safety Certificate applications for compliance with building control regulations.
• Preparation of Disability Access Certificates for compliance with building control regulations.
• Fire Safety Training for compliance with your health and Safety requirements.
• Pre-purchase inspection on domestic dwellings.
• Fire safety Assessment surveys of existing buildings and specifications for fire safety upgrade work.
• Preparation of fire protection drawings for use in conjunction with assessment reports.
• During construction surveys and monitoring of fire safety construction works.

Some questions that you may ask yourself are:

• Do you have Fire Safety concerns, regarding the property you own or the property you are responsible for?
• Has there been a fire at your premises?
• Have you been visited by an officer from building control?
• Do you need to have Fire Safety construction work certified?

Or

• Do you just want to have your property checked to make sure that it is Fire Safety Compliant?

Fire Safety Consultant in West Cork

Fire Safety Consultants West Cork

Fire Safety Consultants West Cork and Ireland

John P Harrington and associates are experienced fire safety engineers in Cork. John has over 21 years ‘experience with Cork County Fire Service.
And a member of The Institution of Fire Engineers (MIFireE) and is also a member of Engineers Cork.

We are based in County Cork with quick access to Counties Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary. We provide a nationwide service teaching the tools of fire prevention in Cork.

Nationwide Fire Safety services in Cork are providing…

• Fire Safety Certification.
• Fire Safety Consultancy.
• Preparation of Fire Safety Certificate applications for compliance with building control regulations.
• Preparation of Disability Access Certificates for compliance with building control regulations.
• Fire Safety Training for compliance with your health and Safety requirements.
• Pre-purchase inspection on domestic dwellings.
• Fire safety Assessment surveys of existing buildings and specifications for fire safety upgrade work.
• Preparation of fire protection drawings for use in conjunction with assessment reports.
• During construction surveys and monitoring of fire safety construction works.

Some questions that you may ask yourself are:

• Do you have Fire Safety concerns, regarding the property you own or the property you are responsible for?
• Has there been a fire at your premises?
• Have you been visited by an officer from building control?
• Do you need to have Fire Safety construction work certified?

Or

• Do you just want to have your property checked to make sure that it is Fire Safety Compliant?

 We are the fire safety consultants in West Cork. Building Disability Certification.