Gerda, manufacturers of the Premises Information Box (PIB)® System, are the proud sponsors of the Spirit of Fire Awards" programmes and tickets.

The company, which has designed and developed the PIB System in conjunction with London Fire Brigade Fire Engineering Department to ensure the provision of accurate information for firefighters at the scene, has invested in the charity to help support the FSNBF’s premier event.

Alastair Thompson, Managing Director from Gerda explained their admiration of the FSNBF, "At Gerda we work with firefighters for the benefit of firefighters. We see the sacrifices they make and we are proud to be associated with such a wonderfully inspirational group of people. We are honoured to be supporting the Fire Services" charity and we will continue to make a donation to the Fund for every PIB we sell."

For further information about the event follow this link to the FSNBF website http://www.fsnbf.org.uk/article.asp?PageId=6&ArticleId=55

Providing emergency services with reliable information on building layout, structure and risk offers significant advantages. This has been recognised in the recently published BS5588 part 12 ‘Management of Fire Safety’ Annex Q, and formalised as a recommendation to provide plans to the fire service.

The Fire Service have characterised an incident as consisting of three phases with differing information needs:

First response
The Golden Hour
Plans, life risk, firefighting equipment and hazards
Consolidation
Building plans – wider scale, structural information, areas of special operational need, other risks, fire manual
Recovery
Business recovery, salvage

(Group Commander, Fire Engineering Group, London Fire Brigade, Fire Times January 2005, page 35)

Once the need for information has been recognised, a system for providing this information to fire fighters needs to be identified.  Criteria for such a system is: simple to use in fireground conditions, reliable and available at the point of delivery.

London Fire Brigade initiated the design of the Premises Information Box, working with Gerda, to a system that met these criteria.  The Premises Information Box harnesses the advantages of Gerda’s tried and tested lock and key management technology to allow Fire Brigade access to on-site plans.

The Premises Information Box system holds the first responder information for the ‘Golden Hour’ as A3 plans. It has been designed so that it can also accommodate the detailed information that the Fire Service could use as an incident enters the consolidation and recovery phases.  The CD-ROM pockets on the reverse of the door can provide information such as ‘Asbestos Register’ and ‘As fitted drawings’.

Meeting demand in various commercial, industrial and service sectors, the PIB™ system has been well-received:

Peter Bishop of Mersy Tunnels, explains the need for such a system to be in place: ‘We have had a similar system for the last five years using ‘Wayfinder Boxes’ which contain information in a straight-forward format specifically for the needs of the Fire Brigade.’ 

However, the Premises Information Box system, a more formalised system, which provides access to the Fire Brigade, has now been adopted by Mersey Tunnels. “ We have a huge subterranean world to consider- including 8 ventilation buildings serving the two tunnels – so it is important that the Fire Brigade, with whom we work closely, have plans specifically to advise how they navigate this area, which may involve the isolation of gas protected sumps and pumprooms”.

With the danger of fires in road tunnels highlighted by disasters such as the Mont Blanc Tunnel incident in 1999, Peter Bishop underlines the need for effective communication with the Fire Service and views the Premises Information Box system as an important tool in assisting with this.

Kingston Hospital NHS Trust is one of several organisations in the hospitals sector, already using the system.  Head of Estates, Allan Morley comments: “We take fire safety and the Organisation’s continuity in the event of an incident very seriously and information to assist the Fire Service in attending an incident is of great benefit.  As part of the Fire Risk assessment process the information is drawn up with the Fire Safety Officers .  The Premises Information Box system is an ideal means of providing this securely whilst allowing direct access to the Fire Brigade.”

It is only too apparent that damage to the security and social environments of housing estates may often be caused by the abandonment of vehicles or abuse of parking rights within an estate.

Recent changes in legislation covering abandoned vehicles has assisted local authorities in their removal, where the emphasis has been on tackling the consequences of dumped vehicles.

A barrier gate lock system developed by Gerda Security Products has provided the opportunity for Local Authorities to adopt a more preventative approach to the situation.  This enables improvements in environmental, and health and safety aspects of where the system has been installed.  An example of the working system is on the Clarence Way Estate in the London Borough of Camden.

Silla Carron, the Tenants Association Chair of the Clarence Way Estate has campaigned tenaciously to see the transformation of the estate, working together with  Camden Council.  She feels that if residents pay for a parking bay, they should have access to it regardless of whether or not it is used regularly – but this right is all too often abused.  Whilst penalties may be imposed in the form of charges by parking attendants, the end result is that the vehicles need to be moved.

Having a system that ensures residents can rightfully access their parking bays; that assists in preventing anti-social behaviour such as arson and one which assists in giving back the residents their community is valued highly – the Gerda barrier gate system is one measure that has improved the estates.

“The beauty of the Gerda [barrier gate] lock is that you have to close the gate to get back your key – this makes you close the gate behind you.  If you are careless with your key and it goes missing – then there is a cost ….so you look after it!   Even in a wheelchair you are able to turn the key and open the gates.  The Fire Brigade and the Ambulance service are able to gain access when they need to and park where they are meant to….” Silla Carron,  National Voluntary Award Winner 2004, speaking on 18^th October 2005

From a Local Authorities viewpoint, Peter Watts, Patch Manager for several estates within the London Borough of Camden, is pleased with this type of preventative measure:

“To find a product that works and is effective is ideal …you don’t have to keep paying out for lock replacements.  Over time, all gates within the Gospel Oak Neighbourhood will be replaced with this barrier gate lock system, starting with areas subject to congestion such as those located near street markets.

The Gerda barrier gate lock system can assist in preventing the problem of abandoned vehicles and the anti-social behaviour often associated with them

The Premises Information Box is a system designed to provide crucial information to first response emergency services to enable them to make safe and effective intervention in the case of fire or other emergencies. Assistant Commissioner, Malcolm Kelly spoke about the considerable time and effort the London Fire Brigade have invested in progressing this concept and working with Gerda Security Products on the system specification, harnessing the advantages of Gerda’s tried and tested lock and key management technology. Alastair Thompson also welcomed this partnership approach.

`Gerda as a group prides itself on developing products quickly and with flexibility to match customers’ specifications, ensuring high quality and long term performance with the emphasis on security. The development process has been quite involved with many meetings and prototypes being produced in our production facility and after all this hard work, by both organisations, we are pleased to be able to launch the product officially today.` Alastair Thompson, Managing Director, Gerda Security Products.

The launch of the Premises Information Box is an addition to more traditional forms of risk reduction and all involved in the launch hope that the adoption of this system will enable the fire service to bring an incident under control with the minimum of risk to the building, its occupants and the fire fighters themselves.

 Please see attached link for information. Further information is available about the Premises Information Boxes in Fire Safety Guidance Note: Number 70 Contact 0800 389 1521 for information on UK approved stockists

A major initiative in fire safety management for commercial and public buildings will be revealed on 12 th August at City Hall, home of Greater London Authority.

The new Premises Information Box is a system designed to provide crucial information to first response emergency services assisting them to make safe and effective intervention in the case of fire or other emergency.

London Fire Brigade has invested considerable time and effort in the system from conception and through its development, working with Gerda Security Products Ltd on the system specification. The Premises Information Box has been designed to provide essential building information in a readily accessible format for the firefighter, whilst harnessing the advantages of Gerda`s tried and tested lock and key management technology. There is no reliance on individuals being present to access the Premises Information Box, which is important for fire safety.

For an incident to be dealt with effectively, it is important for fire crews to refer to building information such as alternative means of access and information on hazards and dangerous materials. Building specifications are also becoming increasingly complex, and exciting new architectural concepts present growing challenges to building designers and engineers. Likewise, fire safety in such buildings is achieved through detailed fire-engineered solutions combining automatic fire detection, sprinklers, smoke ventilation, emergency lighting and evacuation management in one integrated system. Consequently fire crews attending incidents need to use increasingly complex information.

`To ensure that Fire commanders are able to adopt the best tactics to deal with an incident, minimise risk to the building`s occupants, to firefighters, and mitigate damage to property, they need access to relevant, up to date and practical information about fire safety systems in the affected building. We have invested time in developing a simple, effective and secure system working with Gerda. The Information Premises Box is a practical solution for first response emergency services, giving immediate access to building information` Ken Knight, London`s Fire Commissioner.

Fire legislation applies to all businesses and workplaces and, amongst the employer responsibilities, there is a duty to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment and a duty to provide information for the Fire Service. Information which could further assist emergency services: M&E File; Safety File (CDM Regulations); Asbestos Register; Contingency Plans and Fire Safety Manual may be stored in cd rom format in cases located on the inside of the door.

Russ Timpson stresses the need for buildings to have firefighting response plans to ensure a successful recovery from extreme events.

THE UK Government has issued new guidance for the assessment and protection of buildings against possible terrorist threats involving chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) material. The document, Precautions to minimise effects of a CBRN on Buildings and Infrastructure , gives practical advice on the risk management steps that can be taken.

The guidance places a heavy emphasis on risk assessment and pre-planning. The initial actions of building occupiers and emergency services dictate the success or failure of a response to an extreme incident, such as a terrorist attack. Many building owners have yet to heed the message that relatively modest investment in pre-planning can considerably reduce the risk of serious loss.

The Fire and Rescue Services Bill, which received Royal Assent in the UK Parliament in July 2004, endorses this approach. Section 7, Part 2 (d) and (e), states that fire and rescue authorities must in particular, `make arrangements for obtaining information needed for the purpose [of extinguishing fires, protecting life and property]`, and, `that reasonable steps are taken to prevent or limit damage to property resulting from action taken [during firefighting]`.

One measure that can be put in place quickly is the provision of accurate plans for the responding fire service. These plans can save vital time by highlighting access and egress points, resources and hazards. This was one of the lessons learnt from the 1987 fire at King`s Cross Underground station in London. The seminal investigation report into the fire stressed it was important that, ` London Underground shall produce and maintain up-to-date station plans, and place them in boxes it has provided, at all locations agreed or specified by the London Fire Brigade` .

It is surprising that many buildings do not have plans available in a format that emergency services require, or a robust process for the provision of such plans. The events in New York on 11 September 2001 highlighted the vulnerability of relying on control room and security staff to liaise with responding emergency services. A major event may well overwhelm these personnel, or even cause them to be `first impact` casualties.

Providing emergency services with reliable information on building layout, structure and risks offers significant advantages. Without reliable information, valuable time and resources would be expended in `survey searches`, which by their nature must progress at a slow speed. In large complex buildings that are heavily smoke-logged, this also represents a high risk of injury to firefighters.

As well as occupant and firefighter safety, the building`s responsible person should also consider the impact of a fire on neighbours and the surrounding community. In the UK, the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 places a duty on building operators to identify the presence of asbestos within their building, and make plans to control the risk. Experience has shown that a serious fire can cause asbestos to be carried on fire plumes and distributed over a wide area; a fact that should be considered during pre-planning.

Asbestos is only one of a number of common `legacy risks` that may be present in buildings, lying dormant until a fire occurs. Others include:

• polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cabling
  
  
  
• redundant chemicals
  
  
  
• combustible sandwich panels
  
  
  
• radioactive sources
  
  
  
• impact and fall hazards

In addition to the moral imperatives of life safety, there is a strong commercial need to protect vital business equipment or, as the Business Continuity Institute calls them, `mission critical assets`. Even with the greatest of care, serious fires will probably also incur some degree of firefighting water damage. Sensitive computer or data equipment, laboratory systems or even priceless paintings and manuscripts will suffer if subjected to high-pressure water jets. Not forgetting that water applied in a high area of a building will find its way down somehow.

Once firefighters have dealt with the priorities of life safety and immediate building preservation, they are very adept at protecting valuable property - but only if they know about it. Insurers, too, are keen that consequential damage is kept to an absolute minimum, by identifying equipment and systems that can be protected or moved during firefighting operations.

In today`s political environment, we must accept that terrorism will be part of our lives for some time to come. Steps should be taken to reduce the risk of plans that show firefighting information from falling into the wrong hands. The blueprints for the World Trade Center in New York were available on the Internet prior to September 11, due to an earlier terrorist bomb incident at the site in 1993. Plans must be kept secure and only available to the intended readership.

When the long-awaited Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order comes into force in England and Wales next year, fire certificates may well be consigned to the history books. As we look forward to risk-based regimes of fire safety management, we would do well to remember that plans showing the location of fire exits and compartment walls, life safety equipment and so on, are - and always will be - a good idea q

Russ Timspon - Fire Strategy Co

Precautions to minimise effects of a CBRN on Buildings and Infrastructure is available from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister website, www.odpm.gov.uk

In conjunction with the fire service, an intra-industry group of fire professionals are developing voluntary protocols for the type, style, symbology and use of premises plans for initial firefighting response.

If you would like to be involved in the intra-industry group, contact Russ Timspon on e-mail: russ@firestrategy.fsnet.co.uk