Pro Installer November 2015 - Issue 32 | Page 2

2 NOVEMBER 2015 PRO INSTALLER PRO NEWS www.proinstaller.co.uk Story continued from the front page ISSUE 32 November 2015 If you would like to find out more about the PRO Installer: Write to: Unit 2-3 Burleigh Court, Burleigh Street, Barnsley, S70 1XY. Tel: 01226 321 450 Fax: 01226 730 825 Email: steve@ cvgroup.co.uk Fire minister Mark Francois MP said: “Fire doors offer vital protection and can make a real difference to the impact of a fire. I commend the BWF and supporting organisations for this excellent industry-led Fire Door Safety Week and encourage everyone to use this timely reminder to check their fire doors, keep them closed and report any substandard ones to the owners of the building.” A similar message came from the SNP via Hannah Bardell MP, who said: “Fire doors help prevent the loss of property, serious injury and indeed lives in fires, but all too often we see reports of fines linked to inadequate specification, installation or maintenance and a lack of knowledge, skills or care leaving people exposed. “The Scottish Government and the SNP are fully behind Fire Door Safety Week. This important industry led initiative not only helps raises awareness, but through it the BWF and the host of industry supporters are providing practical tools and advice to ensure we all know how to check that the buildings in which we live, work, and play are safe. The message is simple, check your fire doors.” Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead and Minister of State at the Home Office, was another politician to add his voice to the campaign. He said: “As a former fireman, I am all too aware of the importance of fire doors and the devastating consequences of propping them open and letting them fall into disrepair. A fire door is so much more than a door; at times it can be the difference between life and death. We all need to step up and ensure we can recognise and report common problems. I urge everyone to have a look at ‘On average there are 25 people seriously injured or killed in building fires every day in Great Britain. Our friends, our loved ones, our work colleagues, our tenants, our fire officers. This cannot continue’ the Five Step Check – it may just save a life.” Industry engagement with the campaign was also much greater than in previous years. Many companies in the fire door industry ran their own events and marketing campaigns during the week, including the Association for Specialist Fire Protection, Midland Building Products, Arnold Laver, Lorient Polyproducts, Vetrotech Saint Gobain, Ironmongery Direct, Yeoman Shield, Premdor, BM TRADA and Intastop. Iain McIlwee, chief executive of the BWF, said he was delighted with the campaign again this year but was increasing concerned about the growing dossier of fire safety failures which were close to creating a “national crisis”. He said: “The BWF and all the Fire Door Safety Week campaigners have taken a big bite out of the problem this y V"