PRO INSTALLER OCTOBER 2016
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PRO NEWS
Calls over school fire safety design proposals
The Fire Sector Federation ( FSF ) is calling on the government to look again at proposals for fire safety in schools , following a devastating blaze at an academy in West Sussex .
HOME SECURITY MONTH BATTLES SPOOKY SEASON
Returning for its fourth consecutive year , National Home Security Month ( NHSM ) is now in full swing battling break-ins , providing homeowners across the UK with the latest home security tips and advice . Throughout October , each week is focusing on a different area of home security . Householders can learn how NHSM can help them to keep their properties protected with the latest facts and stats about home security . They can visit the NHSM Facebook page , and get the chance to win £ 100 worth of Love2Shop vouchers , as well as a Yale smart CCTV Kit and Home View camera to keep an eye on their homes anywhere , at any time . The month kicked off with ‘ Safe as Houses ,’ a week exploring the traditional , mechanical security solutions that lock the entry points to a home . From British Standard locking solutions to the latest alarm advice , this week had it covered . Themes for the rest of the month are :
SMART HOME SECURITY – 17TH OCTOBER For all those who have ever wanted to check in on their homes while they ’ re away . Now they can with the latest smart home security allowing them remote access to CCTV kits , alarms and door locks .
DARK NIGHTS – 24TH OCTOBER In week four attention turns to the great outdoors , encouraging householders to consider the exterior of their property and outbuildings . Coinciding with the clocks going back , this week will prepare them for the onset of those winter months .
SPOOKY SEASON – 31ST OCTOBER The Halloween and Bonfire Night period is statistically the worst time in the year for domestic burglaries . To help homeowners stay safe during the spooky season , NHSM will be giving an insight into the tricks burglars use and how to prevent these . There is also a guest blog throughout October for expert advice from the campaign ’ s supporters . And for people eager to get started with evaluating their home security but not sure what they need , there is the NHSM Checklist to download for a total home security rundown . For the latest updates , advice , competitions and offers visit the campaign ’ s Twitter and Facebook pages . With the pressures of day-to-day life , home security is often overlooked , so National Home Security Month ( NHSM ) was designed to create awareness around its importance .
‘ home security is a priority at all times ’
Although NHSM officially takes place in October , home security is a priority at all times . As a result , the campaign is offering seasonal tips and advice throughout the year . The campaign is initiated and sponsored by security specialist Yale , but is open to lots of organisations , including businesses , charities , not-for-profit groups , as well as members of the general public . Click on the ‘ get involved ’ tab on the website for more information on how to take part . Anyone who registers their interest will receive regular e-mail updates , as well as tips and advice to help maximise home security throughout 2016 .
www . homesecuritymonth . com
The Federation wants the Department of Education ( DoE ) to re-introduce the concept of ‘ property protection ’ into its proposed revisions to Building Bulletin ( BB ) 100 : ‘ Design for fire safety in schools .’ The call follows the fire at The Academy , Selsey , on 21st August . With large sections of the school destroyed , the Federation says the blaze clearly demonstrates the impact that fires in schools have on pupils , and the disruption they cause to children ’ s education and to local communities . The FSF highlights that the current 2007 version of BB 100 acknowledges the societal impact of fire and signposts users to a tool kit , developed by the Building Research Establishment ( BRE ). This assesses the risk of a fire to determine the level of fire protection required . However , the Federation is concerned that the government ’ s proposals to revise the guidance no longer take these considerations into account . Fire Sector Federation chairman Brian Robinson said : “ As we would expect , the revised draft focuses quite correctly on the safety of occupants and their safe evacuation . However , it appears to have relegated the principles of property protection to an afterthought and this fundamentally alters what the document seeks to achieve . Effective property protection can only be achieved through a blend of risk-appropriate active and passive measures and we believe that this principle is not fully emphasised in the new draft . “ We believe that guidance incorporating best practice for property protection is important because school buildings are funded by the taxpayer and in most cases some arm of government is the owner . BB100 should therefore give guidance on what is necessary to protect a public asset from fire .” The Fire Sector Federation represents organisations from across the fire sector and many of its members are also concerned that the revised text removes an expectation that most new school buildings should be fitted with a sprinkler system . “ Many of our members see no reason to change the current policy of a risk based approach for the requirement to install sprinklers in schools and urge the Department to reconsider ,” added Brian Robinson .
www . firesectofederation . co . uk