IFEDA and BFC members are looking forward to another weekend of friendly rivallry and sporting endeavour with the next Golf Challenge. The event will take place on the weekend of March 25th - March 27th and details of this popular event can be found by clicking here.
The Ashbury Hotel, Okehampton Nr Dartmoor, is not just for golf, as detailed via the welink, there are loads of outdoor and indoor activities for non-golfers including children and at great value: so why not make a family weekend of it?
To see all the activites at Ashbury click here
Monday 22 November 2010
Saturday 20 November 2010
Minister 'talks out' Torbay MP's Bill home for smoke alarms
The Herald Express of South Devon reports the following:-
PLANS to make it a legal requirement for smoke alarms to be fitted in rented properties have been blocked by the Government.
Lib Dem MP for Torbay Adrian Sanders (pictured), who was seeking to introduce the new law, has expressed his disappointment after it was "talked out" by a minister.
It means the proposals effectively go to the bottom of the pile, and have virtually no chance of coming back because of lack of parliamentary time.
But Mr Sanders has vowed to continue fighting for the measure, and is seeking a meeting with ministers to overcome their concerns.
Mr Sanders said: "It's terribly disappointing the Government have taken this hardline regulatory line which is an ideological position, which just doesn't work when you talk about people's lives.
"Sometimes it's needed to protect the vulnerable."
Mr Sander's efforts follow the deaths of Stephanie Wojak and Ben McAuliffe in the Ellacombe blaze in 2009.
The house in Ellacombe Church Road where the children lived with Gill and Mike Wojak and their son Ricky did not have a fire alarm.
Following the tragedy it was revealed that 25 per cent of the Riviera Housing Trust homes, 690 properties, did not have fire alarms at the time.
It had planned to install smoke detectors in the remaining 25 per cent of its properties as part of a major home improvement programme, which it brought forward immediately.
Mr Sanders wants to ensure that there are working "hard-wired" fire safety devices in all rented properties at the start of a tenancy.
This would be alongside the existing legal requirements for gas and electricity checks, and an energy performance certificate.
The backbencher, who is a long-time campaigner for smoke alarms, suggested instead of creating new regulations, the EPC could be downgraded to a guideline, and the other requirements could be bundled into one and so actually reducing red-tape.
Mr Sanders told MPs that the plan, which had the backing of Devon fire chiefs, would save dozens of lives and prevent thousands of injuries every year. Speaking at the Bill's second reading debate, Mr Sanders warned the Government: "The bottom line here is that regulations save lives, ideological objections take lives.
"It's an interesting test for the coalition because that divide goes to the heart of what divides most Liberal Democrats from most Conservatives. Is the minister big enough to bridge that divide?"
His Bill was supported by Tory MP for Totnes Dr Sarah Wollaston and Shadow housing minister Alison Seabeck.
PLANS to make it a legal requirement for smoke alarms to be fitted in rented properties have been blocked by the Government.
Lib Dem MP for Torbay Adrian Sanders (pictured), who was seeking to introduce the new law, has expressed his disappointment after it was "talked out" by a minister.
It means the proposals effectively go to the bottom of the pile, and have virtually no chance of coming back because of lack of parliamentary time.
But Mr Sanders has vowed to continue fighting for the measure, and is seeking a meeting with ministers to overcome their concerns.
Mr Sanders said: "It's terribly disappointing the Government have taken this hardline regulatory line which is an ideological position, which just doesn't work when you talk about people's lives.
"Sometimes it's needed to protect the vulnerable."
Mr Sander's efforts follow the deaths of Stephanie Wojak and Ben McAuliffe in the Ellacombe blaze in 2009.
The house in Ellacombe Church Road where the children lived with Gill and Mike Wojak and their son Ricky did not have a fire alarm.
Following the tragedy it was revealed that 25 per cent of the Riviera Housing Trust homes, 690 properties, did not have fire alarms at the time.
It had planned to install smoke detectors in the remaining 25 per cent of its properties as part of a major home improvement programme, which it brought forward immediately.
Mr Sanders wants to ensure that there are working "hard-wired" fire safety devices in all rented properties at the start of a tenancy.
This would be alongside the existing legal requirements for gas and electricity checks, and an energy performance certificate.
The backbencher, who is a long-time campaigner for smoke alarms, suggested instead of creating new regulations, the EPC could be downgraded to a guideline, and the other requirements could be bundled into one and so actually reducing red-tape.
Mr Sanders told MPs that the plan, which had the backing of Devon fire chiefs, would save dozens of lives and prevent thousands of injuries every year. Speaking at the Bill's second reading debate, Mr Sanders warned the Government: "The bottom line here is that regulations save lives, ideological objections take lives.
"It's an interesting test for the coalition because that divide goes to the heart of what divides most Liberal Democrats from most Conservatives. Is the minister big enough to bridge that divide?"
His Bill was supported by Tory MP for Totnes Dr Sarah Wollaston and Shadow housing minister Alison Seabeck.
Monday 15 November 2010
Fire Safety order : Car Boot Organizer Fined.
The following case is a good example of The Fire Safety Order applying to NOT just shops, offices, guest houses etc but to one-off and short-term events such as a car boot sale.
THE organizer of a Mansfield car boot fair who breached fire safety regulations has had a £24,000 fine halved on appeal.
Michael John Snow received the fine at Nottingham Crown Court in July, along with a six-month suspended sentence. He was also ordered to do unpaid work.
He admitted eight breaches of fire safety regulations, including blocked fire exits, after holding a car boot sale on four floors of an indoor market at Botany Commercial Park, in Mansfield.
Snow, 54, of Derwent Crescent, Newbold, Chesterfield, had the fine halved to £12,000 at London's Appeal Court yesterday.
Mr Justice Henriques ruled Snow deserved credit for having been "candid" about the breaches.
However, a £9,000 legal costs order against him will remain in place.
THE organizer of a Mansfield car boot fair who breached fire safety regulations has had a £24,000 fine halved on appeal.
Michael John Snow received the fine at Nottingham Crown Court in July, along with a six-month suspended sentence. He was also ordered to do unpaid work.
He admitted eight breaches of fire safety regulations, including blocked fire exits, after holding a car boot sale on four floors of an indoor market at Botany Commercial Park, in Mansfield.
Snow, 54, of Derwent Crescent, Newbold, Chesterfield, had the fine halved to £12,000 at London's Appeal Court yesterday.
Mr Justice Henriques ruled Snow deserved credit for having been "candid" about the breaches.
However, a £9,000 legal costs order against him will remain in place.
Thursday 11 November 2010
Request from the BAFE team
Request from BAFE - could all BAFE members please check their details on the new BAFE website and that the search facility works for their details/postcode. Any problems please contact BAFE.
Wednesday 10 November 2010
Poundstretcher fined £50,000 over fire safety breaches
Nov 10 2010
A HUDDERSFIELD firm has been fined more than £50,000 for serious safety breaches.
Poundstretcher was hauled before a court after safety officials’ uncovered major problems at a store in Castleford.
Only one out of six fire exits could be used in the shop, Leeds Crown Court was told.
The consequences of a fire at the Poundstretcher shop could have been “frankly appalling” said Judge Jonathan Rose. He said the store on Carlton Street would have been a “death trap”.
The firm, based at the Trident Business Park in Leeds Road, Deighton, was fined a total of £51,500 with £3,449 costs for seven breaches of the Fire Safety Order 2005.
The court was told Poundstretcher had failed in its duty to make its store safe, had failed to ensure that exits were clear of obstructions, had not given staff adequate fire training and had not reviewed its fire risk assessment regularly.
Judge Rose said he had taken into account the fact that the company had not made a profit since 2005. But this did not absolve them of the duty to meet fire safety regulations.
The firm has previously been fined for similar concerns at its Halifax and Wakefield stores.
Toni Wharton, prosecuting, said that combustible material was stored en route to one fire exit and trolleys blocked another.
Store manager Ian Burn, who had been in post only two months, had not been given fire training and discovered fire exits only by trial and error, said Mrs Wharton. He didn't even know one of them existed.
Tahir Khan, for Poundstretcher, said the cluster of safety offences in 2009 did not represent the company's normal behaviour.
The sentence was welcomed by West Yorkshire fire chiefs.
Asst Chief Fire Officer Craig McIntosh, director of Fire Safety, said: “The charges brought against Poundstretcher for breaches of fire safety legislation follow similar offences at other Poundstretcher locations.
“This is the third time a prosecution has been brought in West Yorkshire.
“The severity of the fines imposed by the court show that companies cannot continue to treat public and staff safety with contempt. The fines are intended to make Poundstretcher take its obligations seriously in the future”.
A HUDDERSFIELD firm has been fined more than £50,000 for serious safety breaches.
Poundstretcher was hauled before a court after safety officials’ uncovered major problems at a store in Castleford.
Only one out of six fire exits could be used in the shop, Leeds Crown Court was told.
The consequences of a fire at the Poundstretcher shop could have been “frankly appalling” said Judge Jonathan Rose. He said the store on Carlton Street would have been a “death trap”.
The firm, based at the Trident Business Park in Leeds Road, Deighton, was fined a total of £51,500 with £3,449 costs for seven breaches of the Fire Safety Order 2005.
The court was told Poundstretcher had failed in its duty to make its store safe, had failed to ensure that exits were clear of obstructions, had not given staff adequate fire training and had not reviewed its fire risk assessment regularly.
Judge Rose said he had taken into account the fact that the company had not made a profit since 2005. But this did not absolve them of the duty to meet fire safety regulations.
The firm has previously been fined for similar concerns at its Halifax and Wakefield stores.
Toni Wharton, prosecuting, said that combustible material was stored en route to one fire exit and trolleys blocked another.
Store manager Ian Burn, who had been in post only two months, had not been given fire training and discovered fire exits only by trial and error, said Mrs Wharton. He didn't even know one of them existed.
Tahir Khan, for Poundstretcher, said the cluster of safety offences in 2009 did not represent the company's normal behaviour.
The sentence was welcomed by West Yorkshire fire chiefs.
Asst Chief Fire Officer Craig McIntosh, director of Fire Safety, said: “The charges brought against Poundstretcher for breaches of fire safety legislation follow similar offences at other Poundstretcher locations.
“This is the third time a prosecution has been brought in West Yorkshire.
“The severity of the fines imposed by the court show that companies cannot continue to treat public and staff safety with contempt. The fines are intended to make Poundstretcher take its obligations seriously in the future”.
Monday 8 November 2010
IFEDA : National Conference adopts Code of Conduct
IFEDA National Conference adopts new code of conduct
A new Code of Conduct was launched to universal approval at the recent IFEDA AGM and National Conference. This rounded off the year for the association, which passed its latest ISO 9001:2008 inspection just weeks before. The year saw rising membership numbers and IFEDA continued to represent its members at national level as well as receiving plaudits for the depth of knowledge and expertise of their trainers.
Held at Telford Hotel & Golf Resort, IFEDA invited a range of excellent speakers to bring their industry expertise to a number of thought provoking and important topics. Graham Newman, Secretary to the CEN/TC 70/WG5 committee which wrote and published EN3 the standard for portable fire extinguishers, instigated some lively discussions, whilst an interactive presentation by David Melton of Firetrace ensured that no-one had a quiet post lunch snooze. Ian Gough gave a timely demonstration on the vital importance of sprinkler systems and finishing off the day was Simon Ince of Warrington Certification. Simon spoke on the industry's need to make sure that Fire Risk Assessors are properly trained and accredited – a topic very much in tune with the ethos of IFEDA and supported by those present.
All members commit to raising standards within the industry by passing ISO 9001: 2008, in addition to the relevant BAFE scheme for their area of operation. This year's AGM and National Conference saw that as well as offering the reassurance of a respected and professional trade body, membership of IFEDA provides small businesses with a personal level of support and encouragement that will help their businesses reach their full potential.
Chairman Colin Payne said: “The atmosphere at this year's event was really buzzing. It's been a great year at IFEDA with a year on year increase in members and the adoption of the new Code of Conduct. We had an excellent turnout and members enjoyed the opportunity to network and catch up with fellow professionals from across the United Kingdom. Due to the excellent location of the event many members brought partners and children, bringing a real family feel to the weekend.
After our hard work throughout the year it was great to hear all who attended declaring the weekend a great success. It was very much a celebration of the commitment and dedication of the organisation and its members to raising quality standards across the fire industry, and as such launched us into what I am sure will be an exciting and challenging 2011.”
A new Code of Conduct was launched to universal approval at the recent IFEDA AGM and National Conference. This rounded off the year for the association, which passed its latest ISO 9001:2008 inspection just weeks before. The year saw rising membership numbers and IFEDA continued to represent its members at national level as well as receiving plaudits for the depth of knowledge and expertise of their trainers.
Held at Telford Hotel & Golf Resort, IFEDA invited a range of excellent speakers to bring their industry expertise to a number of thought provoking and important topics. Graham Newman, Secretary to the CEN/TC 70/WG5 committee which wrote and published EN3 the standard for portable fire extinguishers, instigated some lively discussions, whilst an interactive presentation by David Melton of Firetrace ensured that no-one had a quiet post lunch snooze. Ian Gough gave a timely demonstration on the vital importance of sprinkler systems and finishing off the day was Simon Ince of Warrington Certification. Simon spoke on the industry's need to make sure that Fire Risk Assessors are properly trained and accredited – a topic very much in tune with the ethos of IFEDA and supported by those present.
All members commit to raising standards within the industry by passing ISO 9001: 2008, in addition to the relevant BAFE scheme for their area of operation. This year's AGM and National Conference saw that as well as offering the reassurance of a respected and professional trade body, membership of IFEDA provides small businesses with a personal level of support and encouragement that will help their businesses reach their full potential.
Chairman Colin Payne said: “The atmosphere at this year's event was really buzzing. It's been a great year at IFEDA with a year on year increase in members and the adoption of the new Code of Conduct. We had an excellent turnout and members enjoyed the opportunity to network and catch up with fellow professionals from across the United Kingdom. Due to the excellent location of the event many members brought partners and children, bringing a real family feel to the weekend.
After our hard work throughout the year it was great to hear all who attended declaring the weekend a great success. It was very much a celebration of the commitment and dedication of the organisation and its members to raising quality standards across the fire industry, and as such launched us into what I am sure will be an exciting and challenging 2011.”
Wednesday 3 November 2010
Fire Hose Reel Course
Please note there will be an extra one day fire hose reel course at our Stockport premises on Friday 17th December - the syllabus will be as per BS671-3 : 2009. Mopre information can be found via www.ifeda.org/training.htm to book please email us.
Thanks Graham
Thanks Graham
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